The GoodLion Podcast

Pastor and comedian Joel Turner talks with Aaron about evangelism... specifically the challenges of doing it during a pandemic, his views on top methods and best practices, the involvement of the Holy Spirit, and much more!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

Aaron & Brian are back with Season 4 of the GoodLion Podcast! Is social media a distraction to Christians, or does it actually present one of the greatest Gospel/Evangelism mission fields of our time? What happens when we stop viewing social media as negative, or allowing it to influence us negatively, and instead focus on how we can use it to share Jesus with others? ––The GoodLion podcast is a show by Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins, the founders of CGN’s GoodLion Podcast Network. Each episode, their goal is to ask hard questions, push past easy answers and always look to Jesus, the God who is not safe but is very good.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

From Aaron: Some words on something I think is very important: peacemaking in the age of online discussions. We NEED to be talking about how to navigate this. It's SO easy for us to fly into self righteous rage in comment sections. But it's not the way of the peacemaker. Jesus calls us to navigate these difficult waters.  In this podcast is some really practical stuff I've picked up over the years about how to be a peacemaker in online (and offline) discussions. I think we all could use reminders like this, myself included!  I hope it's helpful to you as you navigate this crazy season we are in. Remember that Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. We have a role to play in this cultural moment, and despite how things seem at times on social media, we don't have to blow out witness. We can hold onto our convictions while passionately loving those who disagree.So often we live in echo chambers where we can easily dismiss and disrespect those we disagree with. But how does that feel when others do it to us? How does it feel when people who disagree with us show us respect, despite the disagreements? Friends, we are called to see those we disagree with the way God sees them, humans made in the image of God!   Mark 16: 15 - Jesus said “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation!"   That includes not just "safe people" in far off countries, but the people right in our own cities, families, and social groups who get under our skin because of differing views.  Most people in our country are traditionally divided into 2 groups: conservatives and liberals, and traditionally, these 2 groups despite one another (especially around election season.) For Christians who claim either label, I would gently ask this: how can you reach a population when you instinctively hate half the population due to your disagreements with them?  We are called to the way of the Peacemaker (Jesus), not to be like the Pharisee who said "thank GOD I'm not like him... that nasty tax collector..." We are called to be like Jesus, someone who reached out to both Pharisee and tax collector with the hope and good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom.  I find it's best to work on our heart posture in advance. It is fully possible to hold compassion without compromise!  In my time doing ministry I've felt a special pull towards reaching out to those on the margins of faith, those who are skeptics or have doubts or negative feelings about faith... very often they've told me "thank you for your kindness, most Christians hate me." I take no pride in this... but I'm filled with concern, because I truly believe every atheist alive should know at least 5 Christians who treat them with love. Also... I'm very aware of my own failures in this area. When I was a young Christian I loved debating with people... and I drove many away with my lack of love.   I want to encourage us all to make an effort in this area. It is so important to show kindness to those we disagree with! Love is our weapon and it WILL make a difference if we use it. ❤️ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

In this episode, Brian and Aaron discuss the reality of "Cultural Pharisees". At one time, Conservative Christians were seen as the strict moralists of the day, but currently, we see some of the same legalism on the left (a concept we shamelessly stole from Mark Sayers). We discuss the need for Christians to be people of peace in the midst of rapidly changing cultural landscapes and culture wars. We also explore the necessity for Christians who hold non-affirming theology (regarding LGBT issues) to do so with love, grace, and compassion, and discuss some hopeful stories about how to do just that. Also... we take a strange turn into how to talk to white supremacists about Jesus!? All this and more on this episode of the GoodLion Podcast.Show Links:Check out the full episode of "This Cultural Moment" that we referenced, a great convo between John Mark Comer and Mark Sayers entitled Progressives as The New Pharisees and The Immorality of The Christian Sex Ethic This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

Aaron & Brian are back recording together for the first time in weeks, and they have a LOT to decompress about. Life, work, COVID, Racial tensions, division in the Church, discouragements, and most importantly: hope in Christ. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

Why is God's wrath often depicted in the Scriptures as a cup of wine? How are we to understand God's wrath theologically? Who must face God's wrath? Who will be spared? Does the Christian have to worry about wrath? And what's the deal with Final Judgement? Aaron and Brian wrestle through these tough theological topics on today's episode of the GoodLion Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

2020 has been a politically charged year. Between Covid 19, the upcoming election, debates about health and safety vs rights and religious freedom, and now the recent murder of George Floyd and the following Black Lives Matter protests, one thing has become clear: our nation is divided. America is caught in a never-ending culture war between left and right, and many on both sides of the divide see the battle as a clear cut case of “good vs evil”. Aaron sits down with Scott Curran, the resident church planter at Park Hill Church, to discuss the deep political divide and how followers of Christ can rise above it, be lights in a dark culture, and make a difference for the Kingdom of God. We hope this conversation is helpful to you as you seek to follow the Way of Jesus in the difficult days we find ourselves in. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

In light of the current unrest, division, and racial tensions in our world, Aaron shares a timely message from the book of Micah about injustice and God's idea of divine justice. This message is from 2016, but we believe it's extremely relative to what is going on today with the black community and the church's response. Micah 6:8 gives us powerful insights into God's heart for justice, especially when we look to the original Hebrew. If you have questions about how to treat people with the heart of God in this cultural moment, today's episode will help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

As we wrestle through the tough questions raised by Covid-19, we begin to look at the topic of God's wrath. Could God be the one behind this pandemic? Is it a sign of His wrath? What even IS wrath? We see clear examples of God judging people harshly all throughout scripture, especially in the Old Testament. What is the purpose of wrath? Mere crime and punishment? God getting angry and doing something about it? Or could it be possible that God's wrath actually plays an extremely important role in the story of redemptive history? Is it possible that God's wrath flows not only out of His anger at sin, but perhaps even more so from His love for the world? Aaron and Brian take some time to discuss and dialogue about this issue that is incredibly important to the Christian life and our understanding of God and His character. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com

Aaron sits down with Mike Neglia (Calvary Cork, Expositors Collective) to discuss the struggle of "Imposter Syndrome", a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". This is something many people in ministry struggle with, including Mike and Aaron. The two get vulnerable about their own struggles with this problem, and then discuss some ways that Jesus has led them to push past it and overcome it. We hope that this discussion is encouraging to you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodlionpod.substack.com