Mortification of Spin

This week, the team receives a tall order. Listener Chad is requesting the return of Liam Goligher to the theological boxing ring. Can the outspoken pastor handle another two year-long battle for orthodox doctrine of God? As it has often been the case, the conversation quickly digresses to men’s fashion and colorful pants—that’s trousers, for our British audience.  Finally arriving at today’s topic…Carl, Todd, and Aimee share their thoughts about the public fall of a number of non-denominational pastors and leaders, and if such events might drive Christians to consider confessional churches. How do confessional churches differ from the non-denominational? What might the generally smaller size of Reformed congregations indicate about those churches?   Last but not least: today’s seminary. Are there limits to academic freedom concerning institutional standards? Does the teaching in the seminary classroom line up with what students pay for, and believed they’d be learning? There’s much to chew on this week! We’re happy to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of the helpful book So You’re Thinking About Going to Seminary by Derek Cooper. Register!

Due to popular interest, and the large number of allegations emerging across the country, the team continues to address the topics of emotional and spiritual abuse. A broken bone may be evidence in a case of physical abuse, but emotional/spiritual abuse can go undetected, and the victim may be unsure of what he or she is experiencing. What are some indicators of emotional/spiritual abuse, and what may be the characteristics of a manipulator?  Is teaching tithing a form of spiritual abuse? What about fear instilled concerning the possible punishment of God? Even the exhortation, correction, and church discipline mandated by Scripture can be applied in an abusive way. Not everything that makes a person uncomfortable is abuse, but the crew brings much clarity to these difficult issues. Show Notes ·Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Paul Babiak and Robert Hare ·How to Spot Spiritual Abuse

Christ’s incarnation is not solely a topic for discussion at Christmas. So today, the crew explores this great and amazing mystery of Scripture.  Were the disciples and others seeing God when they looked at Jesus? The answer to this question reveals much about how one apprehends the doctrine of incarnation, and there is little wonder why so many heresies have sprung from its misunderstanding throughout history. Does Jesus still have a body, or is he currently a spirit? Why is Christ’s human nature so crucial to the work of salvation? What did Jesus take on at the incarnation? Tune in and join us! Show Notes ·Nicene Creed ·Ascension and Ecclesia by Douglas Farrow

The professor, the megachurch pastor, and the housewife theologian (AKA professional potato peeler) gather for a casual chat about a topic that it keeps on giving.  Diverse scandals of abuse involving prominent Christian leaders have been occurring quite regularly, a number of which have come from the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” movement, and from the promoters of the “celebrity culture.” How is an abusive leadership born, and how is such behavior nourished? What might be some red flags that a pastor is stepping over boundaries and abusing his congregants? Accountability seems to be the antidote for this issue, but is it always possible?  Tune in for a reflection on the potentially devastating effects of ministers' egos left unchecked.

Following up last week’s discussion on church discipline, Carl and Aimee bring up the closely related topic of the Lord’s Supper. What does church discipline tell us about the importance of church membership and the Lord’s Supper? Should membership in a church be required in order for a person to partake in the sacrament? Do differences exist within Christian traditions and/or denominations concerning who is allowed at the table? How is the Lord’s Supper served in evangelical churches that do not offer formal church membership? The discussion ends with a reminder of the preparation essential for this solemn, yet celebratory family meal…and, a word about Carl’s ambitious aspirations for retirement.   Show Notes ·Ascension and Ecclesia: On the Significance of the Doctrine of Ascension for Ecclesiology and Christian Cosmology by Douglas Farrow ·The Book of Common Prayer We are giving away a few copies of The Lord’s Supper by the Puritan, Thomas Watson. Register for the opportunity to win a free one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Banner of Truth.

The term “church discipline” might have a negative connotation in the ears of many, but the team wants to dispel some of the misconceptions about it. Just what is “church discipline?” When needed, it’s a component of discipleship. So, when is church discipline necessary and justifiable? Where does the authority to exercise it come from? The fact that church discipline has been abused, and—at times—performed in a cult-like manner also cannot be ignored. So, it’s important to take a close look at the threefold purpose of church discipline and its aftermath, which is different in every case.  Toward further understanding, we’re giving away a few copies of Presbytopia - What It Means to be Presbyterian, which is a complimentary gift from our friends at Christian Focus. Register!!

Todd starts this conversation by setting the ground rules and letting everyone know his preferred pronouns: he, him, and his. The bearded one also claims to have the definitive pronunciation of the author’s name of the book topic of today’s conversation.  The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil explores the classical (biblical) model of pastoral ministry, as opposed to the contemporary models practiced by the church growth movement which tried to do away with the idea of the pastor as a shepherd. Why is this book such an important read not only for pastors, but for lay people as well? What are the different approaches to pastoral ministry? Can some of them be harmful to the pastor and/or to the congregation? What is The Care of Souls encouraging pastors to do? Listen in and find out! We’re happy to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of The Care of Souls. Register!! The books are a generous gift from our friends at Lexham Press.

Aimee is away, and the boys are feeling empowered today, tossing out random thoughts from the dark recesses of their man cave.  Pope Francis’ holy hand slap brings up the topic of unquestionable authority and the lack of accountability among the legions of little evangelical “popes” running around. Elsewhere, 2020 starts with the announcement that James MacDonald will be back preaching once again after being found unfit for ministry and getting fired from his church. What does that say about looking up to high-profile personalities regardless of their character?  Such Pope-like personalities exist in their respective traditions in different parts of the world. So, our conversation is taken to the other side of the pond, as the Englishman explains the scandals surrounding the Evangelical Anglican Church in the UK and the catastrophic consequences that it may bring. How do you counsel people who have been disillusioned by the evangelical leaders in their lives? Light a candle and listen in!  Show Notes ·The holy hand slap ·Philip Schaff ·J. Frank Norris ·Jonathan Fletcher ·St Helen Bishopsgate Evangelical Anglican Church, London Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Ordinary by Michael Horton.  The copies are a complimentary gift from our friends at Zondervan.

The three amigos compiled a sizeable list of answers to that conditional statement—perhaps you have a few of your own! But why is this even a topic to be addressed? It seems that, even though the movement has been condemned by the NAPARC denominations over a decade ago, Federal Vision is still alive and well in Reformed circles. Some observers believe the “sympathizer’s club” may be growing!  What is Federal Vision (FV), who were the spiritual fathers of this theology, and who are its contemporary promoters? What’s the main concern with Federal Vision theology? (Note that this is a broad topic receiving our attention for just a few minutes) On a much lighter note, the Spinners tell us which other Christian traditions (besides Presbyterianism) they admire, and why. Be forewarned: this episode is not for the faint of heart!   Show Notes   ·  R. Scott Clark, the leading Federal Vision Theology opponent ·  W. Stanford Reid: An Evangelical Calvinist in the Academy by A. Donald MacLeod ·  Getting the Gospel Right by Cornelius Venema ·  Children at the Lord’s Table: Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion by Cornelis Venema ·  Gospel Clarity: Challenging the New Perspective on Paul by Ligon Duncan and William Barcley

Following a discussion of various conspiracy theories, bad driving, and why the Spinners will never record episodes while in a car with Aimee at the wheel…the conversation turns to the topic of anxiety. To broach the subject, the crew welcomes Pierce Taylor Hibbs. He’s the associate director of the Center for Theological Writing at Westminster Theological Seminary, and author of Struck Down But Not Destroyed - Living Faithfully With Anxiety.  Pierce talks about his experience of living with clinical anxiety for over 12 years, about a faith crisis in the midst of anxiety attacks, and the guilt that comes with it. Is anxiety always a sin problem, or are there different kinds of anxiety caused by emotional burdens? Is there such a thing as “noble” anxiety?  Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, this conversation will give you a good perspective on a common malady, keeping God’s glory and the Christian’s well-being in proper balance. Show Notes Learn more about Pierce Download a free chapter of Struck Down But Not Destroyed Christians Battling Anxiety Facebook group Other books by Pierce Where to buy Struck Down but Not Destroyed We’re pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Pierce’s book Struck Down But Not Destroyed - Living Faithfully With Anxiety. Register!