Those Who Serve The Lord

On this special episode of Apollos Watered, Travis welcomes radio veteran Wayne Shepherd to the show to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. Wayne's voice has been heard all around the world. He has been in Christian radio for decades working with some of the who's who of evangelical Christianity and host of First Person with Wayne Shepherd a weekly radio/podcast interview program that introduces you to people whose lives have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and called to serve Him in a unique way.What many may not realize is that he has a special place in his heart for Ukraine and has been working with ministries such as Mission Eurasia and The Far East Broadcasting Company for years.Travis and Wayne discuss the situation as well as give us some tips on how to pray and where to give in order to best help those affected by such a senseless tragedy. You can donate to Mission Eurasia or to the Far East Broadcasting Company. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Brett McCracken to the show. Brett is a senior editor and director of communications for The Gospel Coalition. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN.com, Christianity Today, and many other publications. A graduate of Wheaton College and UCLA (M.A. in Cinema & Media Studies), Brett lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Kira and two sons, Chet and Ira. He is an elder at Southlands Church Santa Ana.Travis and Brett discuss his newest book, The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World (Crossway, 2021). We have the food pyramid to show us what we need to eat and in what amounts, but what about the content for our souls? Where does that fit? Brett opens up the door, drawing our souls into Christ, but shows us how to live in an information-saturated world. We can't escape it, but we can regulate it and Brett is here to be a guide. It's a fascinating and varied discussion on technology, social media, batman, art, foods, our craving and need for beauty, and a whole lot more. But it is their focus on the pyramid that helps give order to our soul formation. Subscribe to Brett’s blog here. Or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.Other episodes to help you understand technology & how it is forming us:#84 | Analog Church | Jay Y. Kim#95 | Restless Devices-Countering Conformity With Ancient Christian Practices, Pt. 1 | Felicia Wu Song#96 Restless Devices-Countering Conformity With Ancient Christian Practices, Pt. 2 | Felicia Wu Song#160 | Analog Christian | Jay Y. KimSign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis & Tremper welcomes Tremper Longman III back! They talk about the Old Testament Scriptures, the psalms, and how they nourish our souls by speaking to the entirety of the human condition. We need them to show us how to speak to God about the stuff that we are dealing with every day. They discuss C.S. Lewis, Dan Allender & Tremper's book: "God Loves Sex," suffering, Jesus' coming, the perspicuity of Scripture, reading the Bible devotionally, the motivation for Tremper to study the Old Testament and the state of Christian scholarship in the West today. This conversation helps us to think deeper and different than the world around us so that we might be able to truly water our world. Check out any of Tremper's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III to the show! Dr. Tremper Longman III graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, earned a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, and completed a doctorate in ancient Near Eastern studies at Yale University. He served as the Robert H. Gundry professor of biblical studies at Westmont from 1998 until he retired in 2017. He continues to serve the college as a distinguished scholar of biblical studies. He has written or co-authored numerous scholarly articles and more than 20 books, including interdisciplinary works, books with psychologist Dan Allender, works on history and historiography, and textbooks for both seminary students lay people. He is one of the main translators of the New Living Translation and has served as a consultant on other popular translations of the Bible including the Message, the New Century Version, and the Holman Standard Bible.Travis and Tremper discuss all things Bible translation and how so many misunderstand the process of translation and miss the place of genre, idiom, expressions, culture, and interpretation. At its core, translation is about finding the proper meaning so we can apply it to our lives. There are many great Bible translations out there, but the core objective is for us to read, study, and apply the version we have so that we may know, love, and obey the God the Bible speaks to us so amazingly about. Travis and Tremper also discuss Tremper's background, nicknames (Tre-Dog may or may not have been mentioned ;-), the Philadelphia Eagles, his high school football team, the best Philly Cheesesteak, and much more! Check out any of Tremper's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

How do you share your faith with other people? It is not just a presentation as is often caricatured. While there is a presentation aspect to it, there is much more. It involves sharing your life and allowing people in. In our world of busyness, we need to take time and rethink what it means to be hospitable. What does it mean to truly invite people into our apartments or homes and allow them to see our lives in our everyday mess? In this second conversation with Ruth Ripken, Ruth discusses the practical nature of ministry. It requires us to reconsider hospitality, our homes, our families, and what it means to model Christ to others, especially those from a Muslim background. She gives practical details from her life and others, removing the objections by showing how easy and practical it can be. Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries, the book, and the movie. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: A significant increase in women coming to faith may lead to unprecedented persecution against them. Historically, women have played pivotal roles in the early church, often facing severe trials. It is imperative for us to understand and embrace cultural nuances to effectively share our faith. Women must share their faith with other women, as this fosters a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. The family unit plays a crucial role in faith transitions, with a collective movement towards Christ being vital. Hospitality is a powerful means of outreach, particularly when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds. A profound exploration of the role of women in the context of faith, particularly within Islamic communities, is presented by Travis Michael Fleming and Ruth Ripken in this enlightening discussion. The dialogue begins with a stark observation regarding the potential for widespread persecution of women as they embrace faith in the contemporary world. Fleming and Ripken draw upon historical precedents, highlighting the courage exhibited by women during the early days of Christianity, who faced brutal consequences for their beliefs. They reflect on the current landscape where women in predominantly Muslim societies are often denied access to the same spiritual experiences and opportunities as their male counterparts, leading to a significant gap in the narrative of faith transformation. Ripken emphasizes the necessity of equipping women with the tools to share their faith within their communities, advocating for a model where women mentor other women in their spiritual journeys, thereby fostering a supportive environment for faith to flourish.Further, the conversation delves into the cultural dynamics at play, stressing the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by women in these contexts. Ripken shares poignant anecdotes from her experiences, illustrating how the patriarchal assumptions prevalent in many societies can hinder the faith journeys of women. The discussion calls for a paradigm shift in how faith is shared, advocating for relational evangelism that prioritizes family units rather than solely individual conversions. This approach acknowledges the complexities of cultural identity and the significance of familial ties in the journey of faith, particularly among Muslims. By underscoring the importance of contextualizing faith within familial and cultural frameworks, Fleming and Ripken offer a compelling vision for how communities can engage with faith in an authentic and transformative manner.In conclusion, the episode serves as a clarion call to listeners to recognize the profound impact of women in the spread of faith and the urgent need to address their unique challenges. Fleming and Ripken urge their audience to take active steps in learning about different cultures and languages, preparing themselves to engage compassionately and effectively with those seeking faith amidst adversity. This rich dialogue not only informs but also inspires action towards fostering a more inclusive and understanding approach to faith sharing in diverse cultural landscapes.

Travis welcomes Ruth Ripken to the show! On the mission field, we often hear reports of what God is doing, but often we don't hear about what it's like for the families. Ruth draws back the curtain on what mission in a foreign world is like for families, enabling us to see the mission of God more holistically. Additionally, Ruth gives us a glimpse behind the veil at the women in a society where roles are more often concrete and unavailable or overlooked by men. Along with that, Travis and Ruth discuss her childhood desire to be a missionary, the University of Kentucky, shopping, cooking, mission work, families, storytelling as an outreach tool, and Nik's tendency to put his foot in his mouth! Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries, the book, and the movie. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis is joined by special guest musician, author, farmer, and Bible teacher, Michael Card. Travis and Michael discuss the voices of the Gospels. Why did God give us four gospels when one would have been sufficient? They discuss Michael's career, his upbringing, influences, passions, tractors, racial reconciliation, the music industry, being bearded/balding, and the details in the Gospels that bring the Gospel into 4K so that we can understand the truth of who Jesus is and how to apply His truth into our lives today! This was a fun conversation! Learn more about Mike. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Jay Y. Kim to the show. Jay serves as lead pastor of teaching at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley of CA and teacher-in-residence at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA. He’s also on the leadership team at The ReGeneration Project, where he co-hosts The ReGeneration Podcast. Some of his written work has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Relevant, Missio Alliance, Outreach, Pastor Resources, and other places.He’s the author of Analog Church (InterVarsity Press, 2020). It's about the many challenges and opportunities churches face in the digital age, offering a new and hopeful way forward. He is married with two young kids calling the Silicon Valley of California home. You can learn more about Jay here. Travis & Jay discuss online church. Is online church real church? Have we become too technologically dependent? How can we leverage tech for our benefit without losing ourselves in the process? They discuss this and more on today's episode of Apollos Watered!Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Sam Allberry to the show! Sam is a pastor, apologist, author, and speaker. He is the author of a number of books, including Is God Anti-Gay?, Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?, and 7 Myths about Singleness. He has served on staff at RZIM, has been a frequent contributor to the Gospel Coalition, and now serves on staff at Immanuel Nashville.Travis & Sam discuss the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars, karaoke in Asia, Sam's conversion, American vs. British chocolate, and our bodies. They also discuss God's design for our bodies and what happens if we get that wrong? Sam's perspective is unique-very pastoral, sympathetic, but rooted in the truth of the Word of God. It is a good conversation and one that is sure to enlighten and encourage you. Learn more about Sam here and get his books here. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis Michael Fleming and Timothy Tennent engage in a profound dialogue centered on the pressing need for a robust understanding of the human body within the framework of authentic Christianity. Tennent articulates that the contemporary culture is in desperate need of a Christianity that is genuinely transformative, as superficial expressions of faith fail to resonate with a society seeking depth and authenticity. He emphasizes that true change within individuals can lead to radical expressions of love and acceptance, which are crucial for impacting the world positively. The conversation delves into various critical topics, including the theological implications of gender, sexuality, and the sanctity of the body, all of which are pivotal in navigating the complexities of modern societal challenges. Ultimately, this episode serves as an exhortation to reclaim a biblical understanding of the body, asserting its significance in both our spiritual lives and our interactions with the world around us.Is there a design for the body? Often today we hear people say, “I am not what my body is.” What place does our understanding of the body play in our theology? What difference does that make in regards to such subjects as gender reassignment surgery? Homosexuality? Abortion? Euthanasia? Eating disorders? Today on Apollos Watered, we welcome Dr. Timothy C. Tennent (Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland) to the show to discuss his book, For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality and the Human Body. Dr. Tennent has served as President of Asbury Theological Seminary and Professor of World Christianity since 2009. He is a frequent conference speaker around the country and throughout the world.Prior to his coming to Asbury Theological Seminary, Dr. Tennent was the Professor of World Missions and Indian Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1984, he has pastored churches in Georgia, and in several of the largest churches in New England. Since 1989, he has taught annually as an adjunct professor at the New Theological College in Dehra Dun, India. He is the author of numerous books and articles. Prior to his most recent book, he has written Building Christianity on Indian Foundations, Christianity at the Religious Roundtable, Theology in the Context of World Christianity, and Invitation to World Missions: A Trinitarian Missiology for the 21st Century.Dr. Tennent and his wife, Julie, reside in Wilmore, Ky. They have two grown children, Jonathan and Bethany.You can learn more about him here and get his latest book here.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!The discourse between Travis Michael Fleming and Timothy Tennent delves into the profound implications of a theological understanding of the body within the context of contemporary Christianity. As Tennent elucidates, the prevalent cultural attitudes towards the body often reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of its significance in Christian doctrine. He posits that the body is not merely a vessel but rather an integral part of our identity, one that is intricately linked to our spiritual existence. The discussion traverses various topics, including the challenges posed by modern societal norms regarding gender, sexuality, and the sanctity of life. Tennent emphasizes that an authentic comprehension of the body can lead to transformative practices within the church community, fostering radical forgiveness, acceptance, and love. It is through such transformation that believers can genuinely engage with and impact a world that often seems disenchanted with superficial expressions of faith. Tennent’s insights serve as a clarion call for a revival of robust theological education and catechesis that honors the body as a creation of God, designed for a higher purpose, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with Christ and a more profound witness to the world.Takeaways: Authentic Christianity is essential for transforming both individuals and culture, as superficial faith fails to impress. The need for radical love and acceptance is crucial in demonstrating true Christian values in a changing world. Understanding our bodies from a theological perspective is vital, as it influences our views on identity and morality. Recovering a robust theology of the body is necessary to address contemporary issues such as gender identity and sexuality. The church must prioritize catechesis to prepare believers for challenges in a post-Christian society. True transformation comes from deep engagement with Scripture, fostering spiritual growth amidst life's complexities.