EFCA Theology Podcast

The 2013 EFCA Theology Conference focused on the topic of human sexuality. On this episode of the podcast, we share a helpful, challenging and thought provoking message from that conference by Dr. Stan Jones entitled “Science, Social Science and Sexual Orientation.” Dr. Jones serves as Professor of Psychology and Core Studies at Wheaton College. You can find more from our 2013 EFCA Theology Conference on human sexuality here.

The EFCA is deeply committed to the theological health of our pastors, church leaders and churches. One way we live out this commitment is though our annual theology conferences. On this episode of the podcast we share an interview with Greg Strand, EFCA Director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing, on the 2017 EFCA Theology Conference. Titled Reformation 500: Theology and Legacy – God’s Gospel and the EFCA, the conference will be held in early February at Trinity International University. This interview will give you a good sense of what you will gain from the conference.You can find more information on the 2017 EFCA Theology Conference here.You can register for the conference here.

In 2004, Dr. Robert Yarbrough encouraged pastors and church leaders at the EFCA Theology Conference to focus on the cross. On this episode of the podcast we share his conference message, in which he reminds us that Jesus’ death on the cross stands at the very center of the faith we confess, proclaim and live out every day.Dr. Yarbrough taught New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for more than a decade. He now serves as Professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Have you ever wondered, "what are theologians for?" In this helpful lecture, Dr. Kevin Vanhooser seeks to answer that question by thoughtfully walking us through six metaphors that help us better understand the purpose and significance of theologians.Dr. Vanhooser serves as Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.We want to say a special word of thanks to Trinity International University for giving us permission to share this and other resources with EFCA pastors and church leaders through our podcast. This lecture comes from the TEDS Lecture Series. You can find other helpful resources from the series here.

How should we think about suffering and evil? More specifically, which biblical truths should we plant deep in our hearts before we find ourselves in the midst of suffering? On this episode of the podcast we share a lecture by D.A Carson on this important topic. Rather than giving us pointers on how to endure suffering after it has begun, Dr. Carson provides six foundational pillars that will help us think rightly about suffering before it has come upon us.D.A. Carson serves as Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.We want to say a special word of thanks to Trinity International University for giving us permission to share this and other resources with EFCA pastors and church leaders through our podcast. This lecture comes from Trinity’s Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding. Many other helpful resources from The Henry Center can be found here.

In 2002, the EFCA Theology Conference sought to examine the biblical and theological issues related to leadership in the local church. On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Steven Roy entitled, "The Pastor as Theologian and Practitioner." In his message, Dr. Roy calls Christian leaders to minister as both theologians who carefully study and apply of God’s word and practitioners who diligently take up the many and various tasks of pastoral ministry.Dr. Roy serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.

Faithful Christian leaders know that their preaching and teaching of God’s Word needs to communicate both the meaning of Scripture in light of the Bible’s big, overarching story of redemption as well as help us understand, in basic categories, what we should believe and how we should live. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message by Dr. Graham Cole entitled, “Think Biblically, Preach Systematically.” In this message, Dr. Cole helps us understand our preaching and teaching in light of the relationship between Biblical Theology, which focuses on understanding the meaning of the text and Systematic Theology, which helps us understand (in organized categories) what we should believe and how we should live.Dr. Cole serves as Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology and is the Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.

We often think of Revelation 20 merely as the biblical chapter that is devoted to the Millennium. According to D.A. Carson, however, it is a passage that is “primarily about the defeat of Satan, his associates and his followers.” On this episode of the podcast we share a conference message by Dr. Carson on Revelation 20 that will help us better understand both the passage's teaching on the Millennium and its broader teaching on the future defeat of all who oppose God and reject his gospel. This message was recorded at the 2012 EFCA Great Lakes District Conference. Dr. Carson serves as Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.Special thanks to the Great Lakes District of the EFCA for allowing us to share this message. You can find out more about GLD here.

Many people (including some within our EFCA family) are surprised to learn that we allow the practice of both believer’s baptism and infant baptism in our churches. To help us better understand our commitment to unity on this issue, the 2005 EFCA Theology Conference took up the task of examining “Baptism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that conference by Dr. Scott Manetsch, which provides a helpful historical overview of the doctrine and practice of baptism, from the early church through the Reformation.Scott serves as Professor of Church History at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

Do you consider culture to be the friend or enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? In 2014, the EFCA Theology Conference wrestled with questions like this as it took up the theme of "Christian Faithfulness in a Changing Culture." On this episode of the podcast, we share a thought-provoking conference message from Leith Anderson titled, “Evangelicals in 21st Century American Culture.” In this message, he challenges church leaders to think carefully about the enduring issue of how we should understand the relationship between culture and the gospel.Leith served as the senior pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for 35 years before retiring in 2011. He currently serves as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals.You can find more from the 2104 EFCA Theology Conference here.