Aaron: In the summer of 2016, I shared a heartfelt sermon at camp that explored the deep meaning in Jesus' final words and the unending invitation to evangelism. This episode revisits that summer camp sermon, focusing intently on the thematic core of evangelism and the personal transformation it calls each of us towards. 🌟 In the latter half of the sermon, I open up about my own journey toward embracing evangelism. Initially, as a young pastor, the notion of stepping into an evangelistic role was daunting, marked by fear and hesitation. 😰 However, through a series of divine nudges and undeniable growth experiences, God firmly led me down the path of learning how to share my faith. This journey wasn't just about learning to share the Gospel, but discovering the transformative power of making evangelism an integral part of life and ministry. ✨ Now, I am more convinced than ever that evangelism is a very often overlooked heartbeat of our faith! Whether it's through spoken word, acts of service, or the way we live our lives, evangelism is a massive part of the expression of Christ's love to the world around us. ❤️ This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own call to evangelism. It challenges the notion that sharing the gospel is a task for a select few, urging every listener to consider how they, too, can live out the Great Commission in their unique context. 🙌 Whether you're a seasoned believer or new to your faith journey, this episode aims to inspire a deeper commitment to the lifestyle of evangelism, embodying the message of Christ in every action and interaction. 🕊️ I hope it encourages you in your journey of growth and obedience, and helps discover how you can become a living echo of Christ's call to evangelism. 💪

Welcome, theology nerds and seekers! On this season 9 finale, we're diving deep into the world of dispensationalism. Whether you're a seasoned theologian or a fresh-faced learner, we've got something for you! Our guests are Mike Dente, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Paris, France, and Professor Darrell Bock from Dallas Theological Seminary. We discuss everything from the distinctions between Israel and ethnic Israel, the Church, and political Israel, to progressive and traditional dispensationalism. We're unraveling the complex tapestry of God's divine program, one thread at a time. We dive into the pivotal covenants God has made, and seek to understand how these manage His divine program. We also discuss the interplay between covenantal theology and dispensationalism, and what this means for our understanding of the Bible's multi-dimensional nature. We also explore the complexities of identifying God's people (is it Israel, or the Church?), examine the reconciliation of one people of God, and discuss the mission of redemption for Jews and Gentiles alike. We also address the relevance of prophecy update church services… Yes, we're going there! We dig into the ethical implications of judgment and rapture in the dispensationalism context, offering insights on compassionate interpretation and the importance of living out your faith. Plus, we discuss the potential dangers of viewing those who do not share our faith as enemies rather than a mission field. In the second half of the episode, we ask Dr. Bock to engage with an article by Scot McKnight, as well as the teachings of NT Wright. You definitely don't want to miss this! Chapters  (00:00:00) - Intro: What is Progressive Dispensationalism?  (00:09:35) - Exploring Covenantal and Dispensational Theology  (00:25:36) - Who are God's People?  (00:38:04) - Newspaper Theology & Prophecy Updates: Helpful, or Harmful?  (00:48:22) - Is the Amillennial View a Theologically Liberal Interpretation?  (00:57:50) - Engaging with Scott McKnight: "The Late Great Dispensationalism?"  (01:16:05) - N.T. Wright and Inaugurated Eschatology (01:23:36) - Common Grace and Cultural Engagement for the Dispensationalist

In today's episode, we delve into a profound conversation with my friend, Pastor Johnny Zacchio. 😊 Johnny brings some pertinent pastoral questions about the subject of doubt and deconstruction, which is a significant issue for many within the church today. 👀 His questions focus on how pastors can understand a simple meaning of deconstruction, and how we can better minister and lend support to those wrestling with these challenging topics. 🤔 Alongside discussing my personal standpoints and experiences, we unpack how the church can better understand, empathize with, and shepherd the 'doubter' in our communities. 💬 Our conversation is a deep dive into the intersection of faith, doubt, and how we can uphold the truth while extending grace and mercy. ✨ Whether you are in ministry, a lay leader, volunteer, or simply a Christian seeking to help others follow Jesus, this episode is for you. So let's jump right in! 🌟 --------------- LINKS: CGN Doubt & Deconstruction Resources for Pastors and Leaders My conversation with Evan Wickham on Hope for Doubters & Deconstructors Part 1 of a video series Nick Cady and I are doing on this topic. The Full Audio Workshop Nick Cady & I did at the 2023 CGN Conference.

Hey folks, I am super excited to share with you the full audio of a workshop that Nick Cady and I put together for CGN. In this workshop, we dive deep into the topic of doubt and deconstruction. The goal of this workshop is to help Christians and ministry leaders understand this issue from an informed, compassionate, and measured perspective. The reality is a lot of people are struggling, and we need to work hard to understand the why. (Note: To anyone who follows me who is not a Christian, or is a former Christian who has now deconstructed, please understand you’re not the target audience for this, but if you watch my hope Is that you’d see the heart in trying to help people understand so they can help! Feel free to DM me if it sparks anything you’d want to discuss. I’m always open.) We understand that doubt is a common experience and can be challenging to navigate, especially when it comes to ministering to the next generation. In this workshop, we aim to provide insights and practical strategies to help ministry leaders engage with and support individuals going through doubt and deconstruction. Here are some of the key points we will cover: 1. The personal significance of doubt: We both share our own experiences of doubt and how it led us to deeper exploration and growth. 2. Understanding the next generation: We explore the unique challenges young people face today and how doubt and deconstruction often play a significant role in their faith journey. 3. The impact of doubt on ministry: We discuss the heartbreak and challenges that ministry leaders face when helping individuals navigate doubt and provide guidance on how to address their questions and concerns. 4. The process of doubt and deconstruction: We unpack the definitions of doubt and deconstruction, highlighting the different stages and dynamics involved, and explore why understanding their origins is essential. 5. Practical application for helping those who struggle with doubt and deconstruction navigate these complex waters. We sincerely hope this workshop blesses you and enriches your ministry! If you have any feedback, you can leave us comments on the episode on Spotify, or send us an email at aaron@cgn.org.

🎙️ Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where our host, Aaron Salvato, digs deep into the heart of servanthood, inspired by the incredible actions of Jesus himself. As a powerful sermon Aaron shared at the Good Lion School of Discipleship, this episode guides us through the transformative power of humility and service.  This is not about grand gestures, but about the beautiful, small, everyday acts of service that can profoundly change our lives and the lives of those around us.  👣 As we delve into the teachings of Jesus, we find that service is about embracing humility and demonstrating love. In the quiet, unseen moments of everyday life, we have the opportunity to shine a light, serve others, and embody the teachings of Jesus.  🙏 Wrapping up the episode, we'll leave you with practical wisdom on how to weave these lessons into your daily life. You'll be challenged to embrace the paradox of power found in servanthood and walk the transformative journey of humble service, just like Jesus did. Topics Covered: 1️⃣ The Power of Servanthood 🙌 2️⃣ Jesus Took the Lowest Job 👣 3️⃣ Jesus Did What No One Expected Him to Do 🙏 4️⃣ Transformation Through Servanthood and Humility 🦋 5️⃣ The Power of Serving Others 💪 6️⃣ Serving Jesus in Everyday Life 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 7️⃣ Serving Jesus in the Home 🏠 8️⃣ Serving Jesus at Work 💼 9️⃣ Showing Christ's Love to Coworkers 💗 🔟 Engaging with Culture 🌎

Aaron is joined by his long-time friend Nick Cady, to dive deep into the fascinating theological topic of eschatology. 😊 Eschatology is a topic that often leaves many Christians feeling confused and overwhelmed. With its complexities and differing perspectives, it's no wonder why this subject can sometimes seem daunting to navigate. 😬 Nick aims to provide clarity and understanding by delving into the various views and shedding light on the intricacies of eschatology. 🌟 Together, Nick and Aaron will explore the four main views of eschatology, shedding light on the differences and similarities between them. They will also delve into the role of Israel in eschatology and discuss the nuanced differences between the perspectives of the pre-millennial view and the dispensationalist view. 📚 The conversation will also touch on how our eschatology can impact our ethical beliefs and shape our Christian identity, ministry, and practice. Whether you've found yourself pondering eschatological differences, or grappling with the role of Israel in end times beliefs, this episode is here to help. 🙌 Nick comes from the pre-mil perspective himself, but is respectful towards all the main views. This conversation will help guide you through the maze of eschatological theories in a balanced and gracious way, unraveling the confusion and offering insights that will empower you to develop a well-informed perspective on this significant theological topic. 🕊️ Topics Covered: 🌍 Exploring the four main views of eschatology. 🔮Understanding the role of Israel in eschatological beliefs. ⏰ Contrasting the pre-millennial view and the dispensationalist view. 🤔 Examining the relationship between eschatology and ethics. 💡 How our eschatology shapes our Christian identity, ministry, and practice.

As followers of Jesus, we often begin our journey with a fairly simplistic view of who He is - a divine savior who absolves us of our sins and provides a comforting presence in our lives. But as our faith deepens, we start to realize that there's so much more to Him.  In this episode Aaron and Brian dive into the transformational journey of understanding Jesus beyond the role of Savior and embracing Him as Lord. Drawing from their personal experiences and the lessons they've learned over the years, they invite you to explore the possibility of reacquainting yourself with Jesus, particularly during changing circumstances, and deepening your relationship with Him.  This episode will take you on a journey from seeing Jesus merely as a problem solver to recognizing Him as a King fighting for His kingdom. The true path is a life centered around His mission, not just your own.  Through their candid conversation, Aaron and Brian aim to help you see Jesus as a generous King, leading us to live lives of service and community, and not just as a figure of divine intervention during our struggles.  If you've been feeling disconnected from Jesus, this episode is a reminder that He's not just your personal Savior, but a King whose mission should be at the center of our lives. We hope this episode helps you strengthen your divine bond and help you see Jesus in a new light! Topics covered: 📖 The ways people who grow up in the Church view Jesus. 👑 The Power of Understanding Jesus as King  🔗 Reconnecting With Jesus Amid Changing Circumstances  💫 The Transformational Journey of Understanding Jesus Beyond Problem Solving 🙏 Practical Steps to Connect With Jesus  📚 🗺️ A Roadmap for Connection with God / Insights from Scripture 💒 Building a Relationship with Jesus akin to a Marriage  🌟 The Importance of Continuous Self-Reminders of the Gospel  👥 The Role of Community in our Faith Journey

In this episode, Brian and Aaron reunite after a long time off from recording together. The two friends help each other rekindle their fervor for Jesus and share their journey with the listeners. Amidst the bustle of their lives, which includes navigating changes in their careers, evolving responsibilities in parenthood, and returning to local ministry work, they delve into the question of how to maintain a genuine connection with Jesus. 🤔 They reflect on their experiences, the transformations they've undergone, and how their faith has played a crucial role in all these. 🔄 Throughout the episode, they discuss the challenge so many people in ministry face: keeping your eyes fixed on Christ in the middle of creating weekly church services, crafting meaningful content, and the pitfalls of being a 'professional Christian.' 🎯 They also examine the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of reminding ourselves of it regularly. 🔥 As they share their experiences, they underscore the role of Jesus in guiding us through life's challenges and inviting us into deeper relationships and responsibilities. 🌱 They also share about how easy it is to lose your childlike sense of faith/wonder, and how Jesus calls us to reclaim it. 🎈 This episode is aimed to help listeners reconnect with Jesus, to serve as a reminder of His teachings, and to inspire them to keep their faith strong in the face of life's changes. 💪 Tune in for a heartfelt chat about faith, change, and navigating life with Jesus at the center. 📻 Topics Covered: 🙏 Maintaining Connection with Jesus amidst Life's Changes 💡 Adapting to Change: A Discourse on Faith and Responsibility 🤖 Will we be replaced by AI robots!? 🎙️ The Pressure of Creating Weekly Church Services 📖 The Transformative Power of the Gospel 🤱 Parenthood and Faith 🎈 Regaining Childlike Wonder in Faith

This week we're thrilled to revisit an important conversation with one of our longest-running and most cherished guests, Dr. Gerry Breshears. Gerry, a beloved Seminary Professor and mentor to many, joins us again to wrestle with the difficult but essential topic of God's judgment and wrath. Our listeners know this is a subject close to Aaron and Brian's hearts, and Gerry provides his gracious yet challenging insights. We examine how God's wrath in the Old Testament fits with His love in the New. We also look at Greg Boyd's cruciform hermeneutic, and Gerry helps us consider whether this is a helpful interpretive framework or if it raises concerns. As always, Gerry's wisdom, humility and grace permeate the discussion as he guides our GoodLion community through these complex issues. Whether you're wrestling with these hard questions for the first time or looking for a fresh perspective, this classic conversation with one of our longtime favorites is bound to stretch, encourage and inform. Join us for another profound and provocative episode that aims to renew and reshape the way we see God.

For this special classic episode, Aaron delves deeply into a provocative claim made on NPR's This American Life. In a conversation with host Ira Glass, Princeton historian Elaine Pagels argues that Jesus's death on the cross was an "utter failure." This piques Aaron's curiosity. He decides to explore the topic further, questioning leading scholars and theologians about whether Jesus's crucifixion really was a failure as Pagels suggests. Aaron brings on apologist Thomas Fretwell and his friend Wavey Cowper to share revelatory insights and historical context. They examine what Jesus and his earliest followers truly understood about his death on the cross. Was Jesus's crucifixion the Roman Empire successfully squashing a would-be revolution? Or was it the enactment of God's eternal plan of salvation for humanity? Join Aaron and his friends as they pick at Pagels' thesis - and explores the far-reaching implications of Jesus willingly enduring the ultimate human failure, in order to achieve the ultimate divine victory. Through thoughtful discussion, historical evidence and theological reflection, they aim to provide you with a fresh perspective on the death and resurrection of Christ.