TGC Podcast

As Christians consider how to heal racial wounds and pursue racial justice, one debated question is how reconciliation and justice are related. Must justice be served first, before talk of reconciliation can even be taken seriously? Or is reconciliation the groundwork that makes the collective pursuit of justice possible? Should evangelicals stop talking about the need for “racial reconciliation” unless they're actively addressing racial injustice? Or is the theological value of reconciliation—and forming meaningful relationships across racial lines—what will ultimately empower diverse communities to address injustice together? These and other related questions are addressed in this debate between Darryl Williamson and George Yancey. Williamson and Yancey share their arguments and engage in a discussion moderated by Jim Davis, teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church.– Watch the full-length video debate here.– Access discussion guides for your church or small group.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The pace of change in the digital age is staggering. Every year sees the emergence of new platforms, apps, and technologies that each bring possibilities, problems, and power to reshape culture. What should the church’s posture be toward new technologies?Should churches be early adopters, seeking to leverage new technologies missionally and ecclesially, rather than being a few steps behind? Or should the church take a more cautious approach—not necessarily antitechnology but at least hesitant about adopting technologies before we’ve been able to properly consider their potential downsides? Whether we’re talking about online church, internet evangelism, apologetics on TikTok, or some future hypothetical (virtual church gatherings in the metaverse?), should churches err on the side of front-footed entrepreneurial embrace or “wait and see” skepticism?These and other related questions are addressed in this debate between Patrick Miller and Jay Kim. Miller and Kim share their arguments and engage in a discussion moderated by Jim Davis, teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church.– Watch the full-length video debate here.– Access discussion guides for your church or small group.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Few Christians would deny that “creation care” is a good thing or that stewardship of God's creation is a biblical mandate. But many Christians differ on the public policy implications of environmental stewardship. Is creation care something Christians should only practice in their private sphere of activities (e.g., recycling, not littering, and so on), or is it an issue requiring larger political action (e.g., regulations to curb emissions, government incentives for clean energy development, and so on)? Should addressing climate change be a public policy priority for Christians? Why or why not?These and related questions are addressed in this debate between Brian Mattson and Jake Meador. Mattson and Meador share their arguments and engage in a discussion moderated by Jim Davis, teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church.– Watch the full-length video debate here.– Access discussion guides for your church or small group.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The issue of immigration is perennially divisive in American politics and also among American Christians (whose opinions about immigration are often more informed by politics than by the Bible).What are the best biblical arguments for strong borders and enforcement of immigration law on one side, or for more open borders on the other? For Christians, how does our faith inform the relationship between respecting the law and showing compassion to undocumented immigrants?These and related questions are addressed in this debate between Matthew Soerens and Darren Guerra. Soerens and Guerra share their respective arguments and engage in a discussion moderated by Jim Davis, teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church.– Watch the full-length video debate here.– Access discussion guides for your church or small group.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Christian parents are right to give significant thought to where and how they educate their children.For many, the decision involves not only faith convictions but also financial realities and other factors. Why, or why not, should Christian parents have their children attend public schools? And if not, what are the best arguments for investing in a nonpublic education option (Christian private, homeschool, private classical school, and so on)? Whatever parents decide, how might they compensate for the downsides of their choice?These and other related questions are addressed in this debate between Jen Wilkin and Jonathan Pennington. Wilkin and Pennington share their arguments and engage in a discussion moderated by Jim Davis, teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church.– Watch the full-length video debate here. – Access discussion guides for your church or small group.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 2005, Al Mohler wrote an article about the call to Christian maturity through triaging theological issues. As with prioritizing particular injuries and illnesses in a hospital, there's great need for ranking theological issues in order of importance within the church.At TGC21, Matt Smethurst moderates a panel with Al Mohler, Gavin Ortlund, and Afshin Ziafat as they discuss how to separate primary, secondary, and tertiary theological beliefs. Smethurst defines the three categories as follows:Primary doctrines are central to Christianity—things you have to agree on to be a Christian.Secondary doctrines separate churches and create denominations due to differing beliefs. These are things you must agree on in order to be church members in the same body.Last-order issues aren't definitional for any kind of confessional system, and they allow Christians to remain unified while holding their differing beliefs.Gavin Ortlund shares that love should always be the driving motivation in finding where one’s church stands on theological beliefs. He says, “When we notice we are being too sectarian and fighting too much, it is helpful to ask if this is becoming a form of self-justification.” Ortlund reminds us we're saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone.Recommended resource: Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“There’s no greater source of inspiration than an abiding friendship with Jesus.” –– Davy FlowersAt TGCW21, Sarah Walton, Caroline Cobb, Hunter Beless, Davy Flowers, Ruth Chou Simons, and Jen Wilkin discuss what it looks like to be a creative in this age of technology.The panel discusses questions like, “How do we not seek our own glory on social media? How do we balance home life with ministry work? And, how do we serve both our local church and the global church at the same time?” Simons encourages us to think of our social media platform as the living room of our home, allowing for a more genuine engagement with our followers, as we treat them as if they were sitting on the couch in front of us.The key to success is not growing our number of followers, but instead, connecting with the ones we have and stewarding our creative platform well, while pointing the world to Jesus. Everything we need in order to create beautiful art, music, and content, stems from a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. We create for an audience of one—for his glory, alone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At TGCW22, Julius Kim delivered a powerful message on how King David’s sacrificial love toward Mephibosheth points us to the sacrificial love of God through Christ.As Kim teaches on 2 Samuel 9, he explains that King David’s love for Mephibosheth mimics Christ’s love for us. Kim draws out four key acts in this passage:David’s pursuit to show kindnessMephibosheth’s plightDavid’s promise to do no harmMephibosheth’s peace when being accepted by DavidJust as David calls Mephibosheth by name, promises not to kill him, and restores his land, we see that Christ has also done the same for us. Although our plight left us stuck in sin with no hope, Jesus calls us by name and welcomes us into his royal family. Life is received, land is restored, and a table is reserved for us always.Kim considers this passage an invitation to dine with the true King at his table for all eternity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“When current fear comes and it is looming large in your life, then what we need to do is . . . remember what God has done, remember his past faithfulness. . . . Let his past faithfulness cultivate current faith in us in the present.” –– Courtney DoctorIn her keynote message at TGCW22, Courtney Doctor teaches from 1 Samuel 17 about the true champion in the story of David and Goliath.Doctor says the battle between David and Goliath is actually about the King who has won the battle for us—King Jesus, in whom is our salvation and victory over sin and death. She teaches on three things about David that helped him win the battle and, if applied to our own lives, will help us in our own battle against sin:1. Realize God’s greatness. David realized that coming in the name of the living God was more powerful than all the armor or weapons Goliath had.2. Remember God’s faithfulness. Recalling all the times God saved him from danger in the past gave David faith in the present.3. Represent God’s people. Those who were in David’s army won because he won. The same is true if we're in Christ—because he has won, we also receive the victory even though we didn't earn it.Doctor closes with this reminder: “We are running after our Champion [Jesus] into a battle that has already been decided, so fix your eyes on the King of Glory, realize his greatness, remember his faithfulness, and keep running after him.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“[God’s Word] did a much deeper work in Rahab than merely making her afraid. . . . While the hearts of all of the rest of the people in Jericho melted into fear, Rahab's heart melted into faith.” –– Nancy GuthrieIn her keynote message at TGCW22, Nancy Guthrie teaches on the faith of Rahab and the encouragement it provides for us to risk everything for God.There's a thread of protection from God’s judgment throughout the Old Testament for those who believe his promises are true. In the book of Joshua, Rahab—a prostitute and outsider—understands the most foolish thing a person can do is set themselves against the living God, ignoring what he's promised. Instead of remaining faithful to the people in her context, Rahab risks everything to join the people of God. Rahab is welcomed because of her faith and is ultimately saved from destruction. This teaches us salvation comes to those who risk everything on the Word of God being true, and salvation comes to those who rest completely in the mercy of God.Guthrie concludes with an exhortation and says, “Do not presume upon the mercy of God; take hold of it. Risk everything on the promises of God being true and that they are for you, no matter who you are or what you’ve done.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.