Knowing Faith

Ronnie Kurtz, Assistant Professor of Theology at Cedarville University and author of "Light Unapproachable," dives into the complex topic of divine incomprehensibility. He explains how God, while ultimately unknowable, accommodates our understanding through accessible language, Scripture, and Christ. Kurtz provides helpful definitions to clarify this concept and discusses its implications for faith and church practices. He encourages listeners to embrace the mystery of God while seeking deeper theological insights.

Dive into the profound concepts of creation and providence. Explore how our creation story shapes cultural trajectories. Discuss the unique role of God as the creator and the implications of the Genesis narrative. The relationship between divine sovereignty and human agency is examined, offering hope amid life's challenges. Light-hearted reflections on autumn traditions blend with serious theological insights, paving the way for a deeper understanding of Scripture's connections from beginning to end.

In this engaging discussion, Geoff Chang, Assistant Professor of Church History and Curator of the Spurgeon Library, explores Charles Spurgeon's vision of the church as an 'army of God.' He delves into the significance of regenerate believers and the dual concepts of the church militant and triumphant. Chang emphasizes how these ideas can empower churches today in spiritual battles against sin and darkness. His insights shine a light on the enduring relevance of Spurgeon's teachings in confronting modern challenges faced by the church.

Jen Wilkin, a respected evangelical teacher, JT English, an emerging voice in the movement, and Kyle Worley, a leader in church discussions, tackle the unsettling trends in evangelical leadership. They dive into how moral failures affect ministry impact and community trust. The conversation explores the need for higher expectations of self-control among leaders and discusses the importance of accountability within church settings. They also reflect on the implications for interpersonal relationships in faith, advocating for grace and wisdom amid challenges.

Kyle Worley is joined by Don Whitney to answer the question; How does a church engage in the spiritual discipline together?Questions Covered in This Episode:How does a church engage in the spiritual discipline together?Do Christians think about fellowship the right way?Helpful Definitions:Spiritual Disciplines: practices found in the Bible by which we experience God and grow in Christlikeness.Koinonia (κοινωνία): Fellowship, talking about God and the things of God.Guest Bio:Don Whitney is the Professor of Biblical Spirituality and the John H. Powell Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served there in a similar position from 1995 to 2005, and then as Professor of Biblical Spiritual and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, from 2005 to 2024.He has authored nine books, including Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life and Praying the Bible, and is a popular conference speaker, especially on personal and congregational spirituality.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:1 Timothy 4:7, Acts 2:42 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

In this enlightening discussion, Jen Wilkin, an esteemed author and Bible teacher, JT English, an educator and theologian, and Kyle Worley, a pastor and speaker, delve into the mysteries of the Book of Revelation. They clarify what 'revelation' truly means and unravel the symbolic language used. The trio closely examines the significance of the seven letters to the churches, offering insights into their contemporary relevance. They highlight the themes of community, encouragement, and the vital presence of Christ amid challenges.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley dive into the doctrine of Revelation to discuss how we can know God.Questions Covered in This Episode:What are we currently working on?How has God revealed Himself?Is it possible to say true things about God? How do we speak truthfully about God?What is Illumination?Can we read the Bible just like we would read any other book?Helpful Definitions:Natural Revelation: A common knowledge of God that is given to all humanity.Special Revelation: God has revealed himself to us in Christ and through Scripture.Theophnustos (θεόπνευστος): God-breathed.Illumination: The Holy Spirit who has inspired God’s word, turns the light on for us to rightly hear and receive what God has already testified to. Christological Analogy: The Bible is fully divine and fully human yet one text.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Romans 1:20, Hebrews 1:1, Colossians 1:15, 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 36, Revelation 5 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the different ways people interpret the Book of Revelation.Questions Covered in This Episode:How do we put the phrase “was, is, and is to come” in the right context?What tier of importance is Eschatology?What is hermeneutics?Is the only kind of prophecy telling the future?What are the main approaches to this book?Why is it significant to have conversations about these theological categories?Helpful Definitions:Hermeneutics: How do we interpret and read Biblical texts?Prophecy: Telling us things that are eternally true.Foretelling: Future prediction of events that have yet to happen.Forthtelling: Divine commentary of what is happening. Proclaiming.Futurist: Everything from Rev. 4:1 onward to be concerning future unfulfilled affairs/events.Historicist: A prophecy laying out the history of the church between the two advents.Preterist: Most prophecies in Revelation have been fulfilled in the years immediately following John’s writing of the book.Idealist: Revelation is concerned about presenting timeless principles and we should not be concerned about tying fulfillment (past, present, or future) to prophecies.Ladd: “eclectic approach” Blending futurist and preterist approaches. Proper fulfillment in the near future and some of them most hold trust for a future fulfillment.Historicist/Idealist: Historicist with a heavy emphasis on the symbolic nature of the text.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Revelation 1:8, 1:17, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 5, Revelation 4:1 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley talk about the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity and what it is (and isn’t).Questions Covered in This Episode:Is it fair to say that the Trinity is a bit like water in that it can take three forms: liquid, gas, and solid?How do we define the Trinity?Why is it important to try to understand this doctrine?If the word Trinity isn’t in the bible, why is it a core Christian doctrine?Does the Trinity have a hierarchy?What sets God apart from His creatures?Helpful Definitions:Trinity: God eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each of which is fully God, yet there is One God.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ephesians 1, Mark 12:30, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8-9, Romans 11, Psalm 1:2-3, 1 Samuel 8:5, John 13-17Apostles creedNicea creedChocodeon creedMatthew Barrett The Trinity Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss what the book of Revelation is about and how we can begin to approach studying it.Questions Covered in This Episode:What are we doing this season?What are your thoughts about current events - are we living in the end times?What does Advent have to do with Revelation?Does your study provide a conclusive answer to the question of the rapture?What genre of literature is Revelation?How do we read and approach Scripture appropriately?What are you looking forward to jumping into when studying the book of Revelation?What is your experience in reading the different views of Revelation?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:“Don’t Fear the Marks in Revelation” by Jen Wilkin“Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom” by Jen Wilkin Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.