EFCA Theology Podcast

“We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.” Article 2, EFCA Statement of FaithAt the burning center of our faith is the belief that God’s Word is “to be believed in all that it teaches.” But what do we really mean? Where and how does the Bible teach this truth? And perhaps most pressing, does our belief in the truthfulness and authority of Scripture really make a practical difference in life and ministry? On this episode of the podcast we share an interview with Dr. Doug Huffman from BIOLA University on this important topic.Doug serves at Biola as Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies as well as Associate Dean of Biblical & Theological Studies. He is ordained by the EFCA and is a member of EvFree Fullerton.

Have we let the "how" of ministry replace the "what" and the "why?" Have we lost our sense of urgency for gospel-centered disciplemaking in the local church? On this episode of the podcast, we share a 2015 EFCA One conference message from Dr. Crawford Loritts in which he challenges us to wrestle with these questions and remember the urgency of our calling.Dr. Loritts is the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA and a visiting professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.You can find more information about the upcoming 2017 EFCA One Conference here.

These are uncertain times. Anyone with eyes to see is aware that we are living in an unstable, rapidly changing culture. On this episode of the podcast, we share a conference message from EFCA President Kevin Kompelien titled, “A Solid Foundation in Uncertain Days.” In this message, Kevin reminds us that the way forward will not be found through a clever strategy or slick plan, but rather in the foundation stones of our movement: the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kevin shared this message at the 2016 Northern Plains District Conference. You can find more resources from the conference here.

“We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.” Article 4, EFCA Statement of FaithThere is a vital, unbreakable connection between the Old Testament and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our movement affirms this connection when we confess that Jesus is “Israel’s Promised Messiah.” However, most of us would admit that our 21st century ears do not fully grasp the significance of these three powerful words. On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the belief that Jesus is “Israel’s Promised Messiah” with Dr. David Talley.Dave serves as Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies and chair of the Old Testament Department at Biola University. For many years he also served as a teaching pastor at Grace EFC in La Mirada, CA.

Christian Leaders often ask, “What is the mission of the Church?” On this episode of the podcast we share a message from our 2013 EFCA One Conference by Kevin DeYoung titled, “The Ministry of Jesus and the Mission of God.”Kevin is the pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI.

For more than four decades Dr. John Woodbridge has been helping EFCA pastors and church leaders understand and apply the lessons of church history. On today’s episode, we share his conference message from the 2015 EFCA Theology Conference, entitled, “The History of Biblical Authority: Nine Pointers.”Dr. Woodbridge serves as Research Professor of Church History and the History of Christian Thought at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.You can find more from the 2015 EFCA Theology Conference here.

"We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God." -from Article 6, EFCA Statement of FaithThe Bible teaches that anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ is now in “union with Christ.” What does this really mean? Where and how does the Bible teach this vital truth? What difference does it make in life and ministry? On this episode of the podcast we share a discussion with Dr. Erik Thoennes on the important, beautiful, biblical doctrine of “union with Christ.”Erik teaches the Bible at Talbot School of Theology and also serves as one of the pastors of Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada, CA.

Historically, the EFCA has made an intentional decision not to divide over secondary issues. We often refer to this deeply held value as “the significance of silence.” In 2015, the EFCA Theology Conference wrestled with “the significance of silence” as it relates to our inclusion of Calvinist, Arminian and Lutheran understandings of the doctrine of salvation. On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Tom McCall’s conference message on the Arminian/Wesleyan understanding of salvation.You can read more about "the significance of silence" on Greg Strand’s blog.You can find more (including DA Carson’s message on Calvinism and David Luy’s message on Lutheranism) from the 2015 EFCA Theology Conference here.

In 2013, EFCA Pastor Matt Mitchell wrote a helpful book called Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue. On this episode of the podcast, we share Mark Mellinger’s Gospel Coalition interview with Matt on the book.Matt Mitchell is the Pastor of Lanse Evangelical Free Church in Lanse, Pennsylvania.We want to thank Mark and Matt for graciously giving us permission to share this interview.

Recently Greg Strand, director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing, was invited to give the Founders' Day lecture at Trinity Evangelical Divintiy School. On this episode of the podcast we share his address on the history and heritage of the Evangelical Free Church of America and Trinity International University.You can find more information on the EFCA here and on Trinity International University here.