Theology for the Church

In this episode Caleb is joined by Neil Shenvi (PhD, University of California, Berkely) for a conversation about the role of apologetics in the life of the church. Apologetics is simply the science and art of offering defenses for the Christian faith via Scripture, theology, logic, and philosophical reasoning. In this conversation, Caleb and Neil disuss questions like: What is apologetics? What are the different ways Christians do apologetics? What role do Scripture and systematic theology play in apologetic arguments? What is the best argument against Christianity? What role does apologetics play in family discipleship and in the local church? Resources: Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity by Neil Shenvi https://a.co/d/daFkrnR Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society Hardcover by Neil Shenvi https://a.co/d/csRpw6i Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger https://a.co/d/0Rhc1AC Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't: The Beauty of Christian Theism by Gavin Ortlund https://a.co/d/dnlkA0Z The Gospel According to Satan by Jared Wilson https://a.co/d/6cW2Ljy For Kids: https://mamabearapologetics.com/

In this episode Caleb discusses the trinitarian doctrine of inseparable operation with Tyler Wittman (PhD, University of St. Andrews) assistant professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. This doctrine teaches that all three persons of the Trinity are at work in every action outside of the Trinity’s life. This conversation explores definitions, scriptural warrant, historical and theological arguments for inseparable operations, as well as the practical implications it has for our understanding of the gospel and salvation. Resources: Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis by Tyler Wittman and Bobby Jamieson https://a.co/d/dbZymLv Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God by Glenn Butner https://a.co/d/09RRb91 The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain https://a.co/d/fZRycYZ The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture by Brandon Smith https://a.co/d/31Yuaym The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology by Adonis Vidu https://a.co/d/b7h4jMG

In this episode, Caleb discusses the Trinity with Glenn Butner, a professor of theology and ethics at Sterling College. They explore the origins of the doctrine, the concepts of processions, relations of origin, and personal properties, and the arguments for eternal generation. They also discuss the importance of connecting theology and practical living, understanding the Trinity for apologetics, and recommend further study resources.

In this episode, Caleb talks with Jenn Friesen, director of operations at the up-and-coming non-profit organization Them Before Us about their mission, vision, goals, and resources. Them Before Us strives to put children before adults in every conversation about marriage and family seeking to prioritize the rights of children in the culture and courtroom, the personal and the public square because children deserve to be the primary consideration when considering what is best for, well, children.  Resources: Website: https://thembeforeus.com/ Book: Them Before Us: Why We Need a Global Children's Rights Movement https://a.co/d/0tURoix

In this episode, Caleb discusses the doctrine of Scripture with Guy Waters (PhD, Duke University) Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary. They cover questions like: What is the Bible? Why trust the Bible? What does the Bible say about itself? How have protestant Christians traditionally defined general and special revelation and the attributes of Scripture? What did the reformers mean by "sola scriptura" and how does that doctrine fit into confessions of faith and creeds? And more. Resources: For the Mouth of the Lord Has Spoken: The Doctrine of Scripture by Guy Waters https://a.co/d/9qQdDpc Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me https://a.co/d/8v5qfjQ The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible by B.B. Warfield https://a.co/d/gtriS91 The Doctrine of Scripture: An Introduction by Mark Thompson https://a.co/d/6z8gEej

In this episode Caleb discusses the topic of biblical counseling with Matt Haste (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) associate professor of biblical spirituality and biblical counseling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This conversation addresses questions like: What is biblical counseling? How does biblical counseling relate to discipleship in the local church? Does every church member, in a sense, have the responsibility to provide biblical counseling to others in need? How do the "one another" commands and "household codes" apply to biblical counseling? When should a pastor or professional get involved in counseling situations? What role do members, pastors, and professional counselors play in more complex situations? And more! Recommend Resources: Biblical Counseling Coalition: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/ Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation: https://www.ccef.org/ David Powlison: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JOTTKS/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=db60d702-4e99-4bbc-a177-d85883973f93 Edward Welch: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001H6QS02/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=df5207a0-5010-4345-a574-0ba0a49b28fe&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr Jeremy Pierre: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01CUP5OOE/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=8b5a4e4f-89ba-44f6-bba8-a7a11c75cbb9&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr Check out biblical counseling degree programs at SBTS: https://www.sbts.edu/

In this episode Caleb discusses the relationship between Christ's divine beauty and regeneration and faith with Samuel Parkison (PHD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) via Parkison's new book, Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ. In this conversation, an important argument is made for appreciating the aesthetic dimension of saving faith and how it compels faith-filled worship of the living God as delight in and desire for true beauty. Recommended Resources: Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ by Samuel Parkison https://a.co/d/5GUL3bp In Defense of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful: On the Loss of Transcendence and the Decline of the West by Jordan Cooper https://a.co/d/aaU9pLf Returning to Reality: Christian Platonism for Our Times by Paul Tyson https://a.co/d/d6UP3n1 Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis https://a.co/d/0saGeWg The Beauty of the Lord: Theology as Aesthetics by Jonathan King https://a.co/d/0pzDFkm The Beauty of Jesus Christ: Filling out a Scheme of St Augustine by Gerald O'Collins Spirit and Beauty: An Introduction to Theological Aesthetics by Patrick Sherry

In this episode Caleb discusses how we can and why we should be teaching theology to kids in the local church and at home with Amy Gannett (MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Amy is the founder of Tiny Theologians and Bible Study School House as well as the author of several children's and popular level adult books on theology. She is a wife, mother and along with her husband and family, a church planter in Greenville, NC (Trinity Church Greenville). Resources: Tiny Theologians: https://www.tinytheologians.shop/ Amy's Personal Website: https://amygannett.com/ Amy's Most Recent Book, Fix Your Eyes: https://a.co/d/4mziD4Z

In this episode Caleb discuses the topic of faith and sports with John Maurer (MDiv) Associate Chaplain and Director of Sports Ministry at Baylor University. This Episode also features Caleb's brother, Tyrel Lenard, an elite high school football coach in the state of Texas who brings a decade of experience coaching and ministering the gospel to student athletes in a secular setting. Together Caleb, John, and Tyrel discuss questions like: How can sports be used as a tool for discipleship? What is helpful and what is toxic about sports culture to an athlete's walk with Christ? How can churches better serve coaches, players, and their families? And more. Resources: Coaching from the Inside Out https://a.co/d/4qJBapz FCA: https://www.fca.org/ AIA: https://athletesinaction.org/

In this episode Caleb discusses the topic of typological and allegorical interpretation with Mitch Chase (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and why it is so important for reading and understanding the biblical story and for accurately interpreting the Word of God according to its authorial intent. Resources:  By Mitch Chase: 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory https://a.co/d/5GZPH7v Resurrection Hope and the Death of Death https://a.co/d/gyQRB72 Hope for All the Earth: Understanding the story of the Old Testament https://a.co/d/bjEkQIr Short of Glory (Forthcoming) https://a.co/d/jiWyw0K https://mitchchase.substack.com/  Other Recommendations Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament: Genre, Authorial Intent, and the Nature of Scripture (multiple authors) https://a.co/d/5oDz44K What is Biblical Theology? By James Hamilton https://a.co/d/bGAUQNH From Eden to the New Jerusalem by T. Desmond Alexander https://a.co/d/1bRqIRb Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter https://a.co/d/46ymhkI