Theology for the Church

In this episode, Caleb discusses the topic of theological interpretation of Scripture with Daniel Treier (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) professor of theology at Wheaton College. The theological interpretation of Scripture (TIS) is not so much a method, but a mode of interpretation; not a neatly defined set of steps, but a set of concerns. In this discussion, Caleb and Dan focus on the three of the central and somewhat defining concerns that animate most advocates of TIS: reaction, retrieval, and rules. Resources: Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice by Daniel Treier https://a.co/d/cC4wmel The Word of God for the People of God: An Entryway to the Theological Interpretation of Scripture by Todd Billingshttps://a.co/d/eXWTXRb Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible by Kevin Vanhoozer, Craig Bartholomew, and Daniel Treier, and N.T. Wright. https://a.co/d/4uqr8iY Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LNGZSYH?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_bs_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1691323228&sr=1-2

Dr. Caleb Leonard and Dr. Greg Beale discuss the main theological themes in Revelation, different interpretations of the book, the significance of Revelation 1:1 and its implications, the connection between Revelation and Daniel's Vision, the interaction between the letters and visions in Revelation, the impact of idolatry on Israel's cognition organs, and reflections on Christ's victory in Revelation.

In this episode Caleb and guest Jeremy Linneman (DMin candidate at Covenant Seminary) lead pastor at Trinity Community Church in Columbia, Missouri discuss the topic of "A Theology of Community." Together they think through questions like: What does the doctrine of the Trinity and being created in the image of God have to do with life lived in community? How can we foster deep relationships? How do we help each other fight the epidemic of loneliness?, and more. Resources: Life-Giving Groups: "How-To" Grow Healthy, Multiplying Community Groups by Jeremey Linneman https://a.co/d/1hhrFuj Why Do We Feel Lonely at Church? by Jeremy Linneman https://a.co/d/3EyfGlu Thirty Years That Changed the World: The Book Acts for Today by Michael Green https://a.co/d/e2Uet6u Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer https://a.co/d/b5G8sgK Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World by Jennie Allen https://a.co/d/hBxPCkS

In this episode Caleb discusses the topic to how to navigate misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories with Jason Thacker (PhD candidate, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College and research fellow in Christian ethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. In addition to defining each of these terms, Caleb and Jason address such questions as: How do Christian's engage in healthy ways with news media? How has the digital age changed how we perceive reality and changed our relationships? What are the cultural-historical-biblical roots of disinformation and misinformation? And more. Resources: The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society edited by Jason Thacker https://a.co/d/5hURBhZ Following Jesus in a Digital Age by Jason Thacker https://a.co/d/24M08zt God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke https://a.co/d/8Oc2oO4 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke https://a.co/d/5mbEyzb Andy Crouch Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andy-Crouch/author/B001HCWOTK?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

In this episode Caleb discusses the topic of church membership with Alex Duke (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) managing editor for 9Marks Ministries, and director of youth ministry and ecclesiological training at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Together they discuss the biblical and theological warrant for church membership and why the local church is essential for growth in Christlikeness. Resources: Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman https://a.co/d/afplinT The Rule of Love: How the Local Church Should Reflect God's Love and Authority by Jonathan Leeman https://a.co/d/bceQkKf Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus by Jonathan Leeman https://a.co/d/iE6bcVI One Assembly: Rethinking the Multisite and Multiservice Church Models by Jonathan Leeman https://a.co/d/iKmAhI7 The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop https://a.co/d/0f7kGiO 9Marks (various helpful articles) https://www.9marks.org/membership-discipline/

In this episode Caleb discusses the place of philosophy in the Christian life with Dru Johnson (PhD, University of St. Andrews) professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at The King's College (NYC) and the director of the Center for Hebraic Thought. If you're interested in learning more about how philosophy, Scripture, and theology interact and integrate into the life of the church, give this episode a listen! Resources: Biblical Philosophy by Dru Johnson https://a.co/d/iUertU1 Biblical Knowing by Dru Johnson https://a.co/d/8lOiQvf Contextualization and the Old Testament: Between Asian and Western Perspectives by Jerry Hwang https://a.co/d/2ziGLzm On Script Podcast (hosted by Dru Johnson) https://onscript.study/ Center for Hebraic Thought https://hebraicthought.org/ The Biblical Mind https://thebiblicalmind.org/

In this episode Caleb discusses the book of Habakkuk with Taylor Turkington (DMin, Western Seminary) via her first, and new, book Trembling Faith: How a Distressed Prophet Helps Us Trust God in a Chaotic World. Listeners will discover that their frustrating and exhausting experience with chaos, injustice, and corruption is much like that of the distressed prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament. Therefore, they will find some of the most powerful chapters of the Bible that both confront and console you in Habakkuk, to which this conversation seeks to highlight. Resources: Trembling Faith: How a Distressed Prophet Helps Us Trust God in a Chaotic World by Taylor Turkington Taylor's website: https://bibleequipping.org/

In this episode Caleb is joined by Jonathan Penntington (PhD, University of St Andrews) who serves as professor of New Testament interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of spiritual formation at Sojourn East church in Louisville, Kentucky to discuss how to read Scripture wisely via his new book Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture. The discussion centers on three avenues through which to read and understand the Bible: informational, theological, and transformational. Resources: Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture by Jonathan Pennington https://a.co/d/8lmtlJZ Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Survey by Jonathan Pennington & Constantine Campbell https://a.co/d/1FXRrnI What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus' Bible by Jason DeRouchie https://a.co/d/dQ498b4 Reading the Bible with Giants: How 2000 Years of Biblical Interpretation Can Shed New Light on Old Texts by David Paul Parris https://a.co/d/8AW9SZc Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition: Recovering the Genius of Premodern Exegesis by Craig Carter https://a.co/d/ddK84Th Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology by Richard Alan Fuhr & Andreas J. Köstenberger https://a.co/d/blvfImy

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