Life and Books and Everything

The band gets back together to talk about lessons learned from the two biggest events of the past two years: Covid and the war in Ukraine. Without pretending to be experts in infectious diseases or in international affairs, the three amigos explore what we can learn about humility, evil, tradeoffs, and prayer. The episode concludes with an update on what everyone has been reading over the past couple months. Timestamps: Intro and Sponsor [0:00-3:13] Lessons After (?) the Pandemic [3:14-22:58] Lessons (So Far?) From Ukraine [22:59-36:28) Lessons (Right Now) From Books We're Reading [36:27-47:51]

In an age where digital immediacy can be confused for personal intimacy, we often forget that public communication will not have all the features of private communication.

As much as it shows admirable humility or apologetic concern, we must not act or teach as if every sin is the same in God’s eyes.

We think of shame as destructive, manipulative, and toxic. And it can be all those things. But shame can also be a powerful and healthy part of our moral formation. In this fascinating conversation, Kevin talks to Te-Li Lau, a professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, about his recent book Defending Shame: It’s Formative Power in Paul’s Letters. Together, Kevin and Te-Li explore the pervasiveness of our therapeutic assumptions, the central theme of shame throughout the Bible, and good and bad ways to think about shame in our own lives. Timestamps: Introduction and Sponsor [0:00-1:28]Guest Intro: Te Li Lau [1:29-8:44]Positive Shame? [8:45-11:43]Defining Shame [11:44-17:28]East vs. West [17:29-25:36]Shame vs. Guilt [25:37-35:26]Is God a Bully to Use Shame? [35:27-40:48]The Solution for Shame [40:49-47:50]Paul's Use of Shame [47:51-55:43]Reintegrative Shame Theory [55:44-1:00:22]Modern Objections to Shame [1:00:23-1:05:39]

Please note: Unfortunately the audio on this episode cuts in and out from time to time. Kevin is joined by the distinguished historian, Dr. Wilfred McClay as the two of them talk about the task of the historian in being a “recording angel” of the past. After discussing McClay’s perceptive article “The Surprising Persistence of Guilt” (2017), they turn to McClay’s recent book on American History, A Land of Hope (Encounter, 2019). McClay talks about his conversion to Christianity early in his academic career and how that has shaped his work as a historian in mingling celebration and criticism. Finally, McClay asks for prayer as he serves on America’s official 250th anniversary committee making preparations for 2026. Timestamps: Introduction and Sponsor [0:00-2:33] Personal Histories [2:34-9:09] The Strange Persistence of Guilt [9:10-15:14] Land of Hope [15:15-21:27] Generosity toward the Past [21:28-31:33] Celebration and Criticism [31:34-43:00] 250th Birthday of the USA [43:01-51:28]

In this episode, Kevin is joined once again by Justin and Collin as they discuss all that is going right in the church. While there are many problems we can—and at times should—point out, there are also many signs of blessing, reform, and faithfulness in the church today. Kevin, Justin, and Collin make a special point to encourage pastors. Turning to books, they discuss two recent books Kevin has read—one book about global politics shifting from left/right to insider/outsider divisions, and the other book about family and civilization. Join the three amigos as they talk on this episode of LBE about many topics from the ridiculous to the sublime. Timestamps: Introduction and Sponsor [0:00-1:19] Life Updates and Sports Banter [1:20-10:27] What's Right with the Church? [10:28-28:16] Encouragement for Pastors [28:17-41:40] Political Shifts: Left-Right to Inside-Outside [41:41-59:48] Family Matters [59:49-1:17:24]

Andrew Walker, a professor of ethics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the managing editor for World Opinions, comes on to talk with Kevin about the importance of natural law and natural theology. Although some Protestants reject natural law, and others are nervous about it because of caricatures they may have, the broad sweep of Protestant theology has affirmed the legitimacy and importance of making natural law arguments. Kevin and Andrew talk about where the idea of natural law comes from in the Bible and in church tradition. They also apply natural law thinking to several current controversies in our day. They close with a number of book recommendations for those who want to go deeper. Timestamps: Announcements [0:00-2:45] Sponsor and Endorsement [2:46-3:41] Intro of Andrew Walker [3:42-8:39] Foundations of Religious Liberty [8:40-17:55] What is Natural Law/Theology? [17:56-25:38] Why Reformed often Reject Natural Law [25:39-39:09] Uses of Natural Law [39:10-44:43] Natural Law and Current Issues [44:44-56:23] Resources on Natural Law [56:24-1:01:19]

Dr. Joel Beeke is the president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, and editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books. In this conversation, Dr. Beeke, Kevin, and Justin dive into the theological and historical world of the Puritans, providing reading suggestions for both beginners and experts. They also talk about improving your preaching through expository and experiential content. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway. For 30% off books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: Gift Ideas [0:00 – 2:00] Accomplishing Much [2:00 – 8:57] Family Foundation [8:57 – 11:30] Denominations & Hyper-Calvinism [11:30 – 16:58] Experiential Preaching [16:58 – 34:21] The Weary, Wayward, Lazy, & Lost [34:21 – 37:21] Puritans [37:21 – 57:24] Book Recommendations [57:24 – 1:04:30] Books and Everything: Gift Ideas: Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent, by John Piper Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship, by Jonathan Gibson ESV Concise Study Bible New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century, by Arnold Dallimore Spurgeon, by Arnold Dallimore Lectures to My Students, by Charles Spurgeon Preaching & Preachers, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones Pastoral Theology, by Thomas Murphy The European Reformations, by Carter Lindberg Worldly Saints: The Puritans As They Really Were, by Leland Ryken

Kevin and Collin enjoy a fun conversation about the best parts of the Advent/Christmas season, as well as some of those things that are just more annoying. Plus, by popular demand, time management and productivity tips! Learn how Kevin manages to read so many books and also be present for his family. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship, by Jonathan Gibson. In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson has created a 31-day liturgical guide designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families. Designed to be read in 15–20 minutes a day, this beautifully produced liturgy will give readers focus and purpose to their daily quiet time while teaching them historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that point them to Christ. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: You Just Keep Turning the Pages [0:00 – 4:22] Airing of Christmas Grievances [4:22 – 11:51] Favorite Christmas Activities [11:51 – 24:33] Keep Christmas Messy [24:33 – 31:25] Time Management & Productivity Tips [31:25 – 43:22] How to Read 82 Books in a Year [43:22 – 57:31] Kevin is working on new books. [57:31 – 1:02:36] Books and Everything: Psalms in 30 Days, by Trevin Wax “Joyous Surrender: A Rhapsody in Red (and Green),” by Joseph Bottum  (Sleigh bell sounds from zapsplat.com.) 

From the 2021 Faithful Conference, Kevin interviews keynote speaker William Taylor. Taylor is the rector of St. Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate, London. There is a lot of fun banter, book recommendations, and a wealth of advice about evangelism, but what shines through most clearly is William Taylor’s firm faith in the Word of God to accomplish the mission of the church. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of The Death of Porn, by Ray Ortlund.  In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE.  Timestamps: William Taylor [0:00 – 3:23] End the Confusion! [3:23 – 4:56] Conversion Story [4:56 – 10:27] Hospitality [10:27 – 14:26] Personal Miscellany [14:26 – 17:59] St. Helen’s and Dick Lucas [17:59 – 26:02] Teaching and Planting in England [26:02 – 32:35] Christian America [32:35 – 35:19] The Word: One to One [35:19 – 39:32] Evangelism Advice [39:32 – 46:03] Lightning Round: Books! [46:03 – 56:13]  Books and Everything: By William Taylor: The Word: One to One Revolutionary Work: What's the point of the 9 to 5? Read, Mark, Learn series On Evangelism: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer Knowing God, by J.I. Packer Questioning Evangelism, Second Edition: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did, by Randy Newman Know and Tell the Gospel, by John Chapman Evangelism As a Lifestyle: Reaching Into Your World With the Gospel, by Jim Petersen True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality, by Allan Chapple Funny: The Jeeves & Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse