Kevin reads from his article in The Gospel Coalition to encourage pastors to forego the cliche and cute and stick to preaching "the old, old story" this Christmas.

The gang is back for one last episode in 2022. There is the usual sports banter (very brief), and some good natured ribbing toward Justin, who seems to  know nothing about pop culture but still has dreams about Elvis. The three friends share some of their favorite reads from the past year, and they wrap things up discussing an article by Paul House about J.I. Packer and how to renew evangelicalism.

For as much as the CFH talks about inclusion and the free exchange of ideas, it is clear that the present leadership of the historical guild assumes conclusions on the left.

In this response to a recent article published by Jay Green, Kevin discusses the pitfalls of using history for activist purposes.

Several months ago, Daniel McCarthy?editor of Modern Age and Editor-at-Large of The American Conservative?published an essay in First Things entitled ?The Right Right.? McCarthy?s essay was a review of Yoram Hazony?s Conservatism: A Rediscovery and Matthew Continetti?s The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism. In this episode of LBE, McCarthy talks about what was commendable in both books, and where both works can be fairly critiqued. Kevin asks Daniel about his review, about Willmoore Kendall?s populist conservatism, and how to reaffirm the importance of Christianity as ?public truth? in America.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and Sponsor

1:53 Guest: Daniel McCarthy

4:29 What is a Conservative?

9:17 Populism: Plebiscites and Demagogues

38:39 A Conservatism for Today

53:33 Yoram Hazony Critique

1:01:52 Parallel Developments in Evangelicalism

1:09:12 Avant-Garde Conservatism

Books:

The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism

Conservatism: A Rediscovery

The Conservative Affirmation

The Basic Symbols of the American Political Tradition

Russell Kirk: American Conservative

The Virtue of Nationalism

With what little we know about St. Nicholas, it is safe to say he would not be pleased to know he had eclipsed Christ in the hearts of many as the central figure of Christmas. In this episode, Kevin reads from his article in The Gospel Coalition about the life and legacy of St. Nicholas.

In this article written for Crossway, Kevin discusses the meaning of the term "marriage" and how Christians should view same-sex unions.

With so many sad things in our world, it can be difficult to see any bright spots. This article reminds Christians of the hope of Christmas.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads his article from The Gospel Coalition and pleads with pastors not to cancel Christmas services this year.

Happy Thanksgiving from Life and Books and Everything! In this episode, Kevin reads from his recent article in WORLD Opinions about the history of an American holiday and the opportunity it presents to Christians to display their thankfulness. 

If you love long words like antidisestablishmentarianism and are looking for a deep dive into history, then this episode is for you. Jonathan is a professor at Samford University who specializes in the founding era of American history. He joins Kevin to talk about the 50 years process by which the American states ended their church establishments. Find out how it happened, why it happened, and why it did not happen (hint: it wasn?t because secularism was winning out over Christianity).

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and Sponsor

1:09 Guest: Jonathan Den Hartog

4:56 Religion and Disestablishment in the American States

13:49 Secularism or Religious Liberty?

39:39 Presbyterian Perspectives

44:58 Freed from Worldly Cares

49:04 Liberal Religion in Massachusetts

54:11 "Doing History" 

Books:

Disestablishment and Religious Dissent: Church-State Relations in the New American States 

Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ  

In this fun, punchy, and (hopefully) edifying conversation, Kevin interviews his good friend, Mark Dever, about his conversion, his ministry on Capitol Hill, whether you have to be an extrovert to evangelize, and why Kevin likes G.K. Chesterton and Mark doesn?t.

Timestamps:

Intro, Guest, and Sponsor [0:00-4:21]

Does Membership Make Churches Unfriendly? [4:22-8:58]

Dever's Youth and Conversion [8:59-15:13]

Practicals for Evangelism [15:14-19:14]

Dever's Later Education [19:15-25:42]

Ministry in DC [25:43-36:16]

Dever's Influences [36:17-40:22]

Strengths and Weaknesses [40:23-44:10]

Presbyterians and Baptists [44:11-48:14]

Evangelicalism [48:15-55:12]

Was America founded on purely Christian principles and ideals? Or, were the founding fathers simply trying to prevent corruption and preserve the sanctity of consciousness?

In this article for WORLD opinions, Kevin discusses three observable pillars that make up the famous and crucial founding principles of America?s heritage.

The three amigos enter into a meandering conversation about Christian Nationalism and try to discern the level of the world?s hostility to the church in this cultural moment. They also make some political predictions and (most importantly) encourage Christian leaders that, whatever the winds blowing against us, the fundamental realities of ministry have not changed.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:30]

Sports Banter [1:31-2:51]

Election Predictions [2:52-10:35]

Christian Nationalism [10:36-33:12]

How Bad Are Things? [33:13-1:05:23]

Book Recommendations [1:05:24-1:13:44]

Books and Everything:

ESV Expositor's Commentary https://www.crossway.org/articles/introducing-the-esv-expository-commentary-series/

Ask Pastor John https://www.desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john

Psalms Two Volume Set: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC) https://a.co/d/d8zYc8m

ESV Expository Commentary: Psalms?Song of Solomon Volume 5 https://www.crossway.org/books/esv-expository-commentary-premiumhc-5/

Liberty and Freedom: A Visual History of America's Founding Ideas (America: a cultural history, Volume III) https://a.co/d/eWuCXan

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture https://a.co/d/aX6nKPZ

The Case Against the Sexual Revolution https://a.co/d/8f8LjBF

The War on the West https://a.co/d/8DA8NKv

Albion's Seed (text only) illustrated edition edition by D. H. Fischer https://a.co/d/3ZAT9Qv

The Origins of American Religious Nationalism (Religion in America) https://a.co/d/cUmSZVq

The Myth of American Inequality: How Government Biases Policy Debate https://a.co/d/5U3SoF9

Reformation Day may be behind us, but a huge responsibility lies before us. The faith of the Reformation must be kept alive because the ideas Luther combatted are just as much present in our own day.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions on the modern world and its new forms of works righteousness.

Christians don?t just disagree on political principles or on a number of political conclusions. Christians disagree on how Christianity and politics relate to each other in the first place.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads his recent article in WORLD opinions, "Does Christianity Transcend All Our Political Disagreements?"

Have you ever wanted to sit down with an older godly pastor and just ask him about life for an hour? Well, that?s what Kevin tries to do with Sinclair in this wide-ranging conversation that talks about Scotland, America, books, preaching, Shetland ponies, Groundskeeper Willie, and the Queen.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:43]

Talking about Yourself [1:44-2:47]

A Scottish Perspective on the US [2:48-11:22]

Where Did Scotland Lose its Christian Heritage? [11:23-21:39]

Ministry in Scotland [21:40-36:42]

Ferguson and Murray [36:43-43:04]

Dead Mentors [43:05-44:09]

Aspiring to the Academy [44:10-49:54]

Sinclair's Greatest Impacts [49:55-52:39]

Writing: A Love-Hate Relationship [52:40-55:00]

Are Scots Dour and Cantankerous? [55:01-59:16]

Preaching for the Queen [59:17-1:06:42]

A Dog's Breakfast [1:06:43-1:08:05]

Links:

Theology for Ministry

https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/theology-for-ministry-how-doctrine-affects-pastoral-life-and-practice-9781629956558?variant=41604258365640

The Epistle to the Romans

https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/epistle-to-the-romans-9781955859035?variant=41473237811400

The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance?Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters https://a.co/d/a3RaCxc

The Holy Spirit (Contours of Christian Theology) https://a.co/d/76VeDQV

Too often Christian leaders lay impossible burdens on their people, insisting that they solve a host of social ills and become experts in a thousand different areas, forgetting to assure them that to get married, raise children in the church, and stay married is a life well lived.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for First Things where he makes the case that the most significant thing happening in the world may very well be a thing that is not happening: Men and women are not having children, and how Christians ought to respond.

Coming out of a consulting background, Aaron Renn is now a regular contributor to many important conversations among Christians and conservatives. In this interview, Kevin asks Aaron about the three worlds of evangelicalism and how we should think about elites. They also discuss where evangelicalism has faltered and where it has been too hard on itself.

Intro & Sponsor [0:00-1:37]

Guest: Aaron Renn [1:38-7:47]

Rose-Colored Rural Areas [7:48-10:29]

What Does Western Society Think of the Church? [10:30-23:50]

Evangelical Self-Flaggellation [23:51-26:50]

Do Evangelicals Lack Cultural Influence? [26:51-34:48]

The Evangelical "Middle-Class Mindset" [34:49-40:24]

A Call to Lay Intellectual Engagement [40:25-50:44]

Sponsor 2 [50:45-51:30]

Evangelicals and Elites [51:31-59:22]

Constantine and "Christian Nationalism" [59:23-1:08:31]

Final Plugs [1:08:32-1:10:39]

The Masculinist

Aaron Renn Substack

The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism - Matthew Continetti

The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945 - George Nash

"The Tinkerings of Robert Noyce" - Tom Wolfe

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World - James Davison Hunter

The Mortification of Sin - edited by Aaron M. Renn

With more than 50 books and hundreds of articles, not to mention scores of edited works, Don Carson has written a lot. In this retrospective on life and books and everything, Kevin asks Dr. Carson about his father, how he sees the state of the church, and what books he especially enjoyed (or didn?t enjoy) writing. From Bible commentaries to books on current events to a grammar on Greek accents, Kevin explores the why, what, and how of Don?s remarkable writing career.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:40]

Guest: D.A. Carson [1:41- 5:48]

Book Discussions:

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor [5:49-18:33]

For the Love of God devotionals [18:34-24:48]

The Gospel According to John commentary [24:49-33:58]

The Gagging of God [33:59-45:55]

The Intolerance of Tolerance [45:56-48:42]

Sponsor 2 [48:43-49:32]

Most and Least Favorite Books [49:33-56:25]

How to Write Like D.A. Carson [56:26-1:02:19]

Exegetical Fallacies [1:02:20-1:04:50]

The Theme of Carson's Writing [1:04:51-1:09:30]

What Book(s) Does the Church Need? [1:09:31-1:13:46]

Books:

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson  

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word, Volume 1 

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word, Volume 2 

The Gospel according to John (The Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC)) 

The Gagging of God 

Praying with Paul

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament  

The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures  

Exegetical Fallacies 

Christ and Culture Revisited 

An Introduction to the New Testament  

Hermeneutics, Authority, and Canon 

Collected Writings on Scripture 

Evangelicals who set down the path toward LGBTQ acceptance rarely turn around and head back in the other direction.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions about why evangelicals surrender to the LGBTQ agenda.

Although Neil has a PhD in theoretical chemistry, he?s made a name for himself as an expert on Critical Race Theory (and Critical Theory more generally). Is CRT just a legal theory? Can anyone know what it really is? Is CRT just a plot by conservatives to gin up votes? Should Christians take CRT and chew the meat and spit out of the bones? Kevin and Neil answer these questions and many more. They also dive into Neil?s new book on apologetics and explore the wild world of evangelical Twitter.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor: Crossway [0:00-2:35]

Guest Introduction: Neil Shenvi [2:36-14:46]

Neil's Map of Evangelical Twitter [14:47-22:27]

Why Believe? [22:28-28:43]

What is Apologetics For? [28:44-36:50]

Sponsor 2: Westminster Seminary Press [36:51-38:02]

How to Understand Critical Race Theory [38:03-1:10:06]

Pastoral Responses [1:10:07-1:20:26]

Books:

Why Believe: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity - Neil Shenvi

The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis

Cold Case Christianity - J. Warner Wallace

Critical Race Theory: An Introduction - Richard Delgado

Is Everyone Really Equal? - Ozlem Sensoy & Robin D'Angelo

God is a Black Woman - Christena Cleveland

The injunction not to judge is a necessary warning for us all, not least the religious person who can easily be tempted to look down on those who seem less religious.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for Tabletalk magazine about how Matthew 7:1 is one of the most needed and most abused statements in the Bible.

After a summer break, the triumvirate is back together to talk about books and biography. Kevin and Justin highlight some of their favorite books from the past few months, and Collin talks about the Tim Keller biography (of sorts) he has coming in the months ahead. Before getting to the books, the three friends discuss the latest news regarding Matt Chandler?s leave of absence from The Village Church and what lessons there may be for all of us.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor #1: Crossway [0:00-3:04]

When Pastors Fail [3:05-27:44]

Sponsor #2: Desiring God [27:45-29:39]

Tim Keller's Influences [29:40-40:44]

Update on Keller's Health [40:45-42:21]

Justin's Summer Books [42:22-46:30

Kevin's Summer Books [46:31-53:47]

Current Projects [53:48-58:20]

Books:

Watergate: A New History - Garrett Graff

https://www.amazon.com/Watergate-History-Garrett-M-Graff/dp/1982139161/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=DP6EMZZH3P0B&keywords=garrett+graff&qid=1661821814&sprefix=garrett+graff%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-2

My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir - Clarence Thomas

https://www.amazon.com/My-Grandfathers-Son-Clarence-Thomas/dp/006056556X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=OTWTNASNJCMC&keywords=my+grandfather%27s+son+clarence+thomas&qid=1661821764&sprefix=my+grandfa%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1

The Crooked Path to Abolition: Abraham Lincoln and the Antislavery Constitution - James Oakes

https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Path-Abolition-Antislavery-Constitution/dp/1324020199/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=5WC8DOZQJ0X5&keywords=The+Crooked+Path+to+Abolition&qid=1661821876&sprefix=the+crooked+path+to+abolition%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-1

Lincoln on the Verge: Thirteen Days to Washington - Ted Widmer

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Verge-Thirteen-Days-Washington/dp/1476739447/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2VOGULCPX61AB&keywords=13+days+to+washington&qid=1661821951&sprefix=13+days+to+washington%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1

The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789 - Robert Middlekauff

https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Cause-American-Revolution-1763-1789/dp/019531588X/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=WX3FN60ZMV0K&keywords=oxford+history+of+the+united+states&qid=1661821997&sprefix=oxford+his%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-5

Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815 - Gordon S. Wood

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0199832463?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wam_calw_tpbk_9&storeType=ebooks&qid=1661821997&sr=8-5

What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 - Daniel Walker Howe

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0195392434?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wam_calw_tpbk_7&storeType=ebooks&qid=1661821997&sr=8-5

The Economics of the Parables - Robert Sirico

https://www.amazon.com/Economics-Parables-Robert-Sirico/dp/1684512425/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1NUH86R7O0TZL&keywords=robert+sirico&qid=1661822174&sprefix=sirico+%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-3

Classical English Style - Ward Farnsworth

https://www.amazon.com/Farnsworths-Classical-English-Style-Farnsworth-ebook/dp/B08528HSSN/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=15JKNV7ZQUKZT&keywords=ward+farnsworth&qid=1661822231&sprefix=ward+far%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-6

The Abolition of Man - C.S. Lewis

https://www.amazon.com/Abolition-Man-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652942/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=31L6YG0OG1WUC&keywords=abolition+of+man&qid=1661822311&sprefix=Abolition+%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-1

The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory - Abigail Favale

https://www.amazon.com/Genesis-Gender-Christian-Theory/dp/1621644081/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=31SZCNTQK0C9Y&keywords=genesis+of+gender&qid=1661822348&sprefix=genesis+of+%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1

Park Street Prophet: A Life of Harold John Ockenga - Harold Lindsell

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Street-Prophet-Harold-Ockenga/dp/1498230059/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1RD22M1ZUY0EL&keywords=park+street+prophet&qid=1661822421&sprefix=park+street+prophet%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

No Apologies: Why Civilization Depends on the Strength of Men - Anthony Esolen

https://www.amazon.com/No-Apologies-Civilization-Depends-Strength/dp/1684512344?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=dd837454-201e-47f6-bf99-8842e4b8451f

People know when their leaders no longer like them

In this episode, Kevin reads from an article he wrote for WORLD reflecting on one lesson from Liz Cheney?s 37-point defeat in Wyoming?s Republican primary.

We?re in a battle whether we like it or not, but how we fight matters.

In this episode, Kevin reads from the third of a series of articles for WORLD Opinions on how to think about Christianity and politics.

To ignore, minimize, or repudiate the differences between men and women is to reject our creational design.

In this episode, Kevin reads from an article written for Desiring God, reasoning why we should be careful not to banish patriarchy to the ash heap of history too quickly.

There is no category called ?politics? that can be safely quarantined from the category we call ?religion.?

In this episode, Kevin reads from the second of a series of articles for WORLD Opinions on how to think about Christianity and politics.

Maybe the movie ends with the good guys smiling with grateful satisfaction, knowing that whatever failures lay in the past, and whatever dangers lie ahead, this was a day for celebration.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions on why Christians should rejoice in the destruction of an instrument of death.

Kevin welcomes Tommy Kidd to LBE to talk about Tommy?s new biography on Thomas Jefferson. How should we understand Jefferson?s many inconsistencies and contradictions? How do we make sense of his significant moral failings? Was he a Christian? Is his legacy worth commemorating and celebrating? Kevin and Tommy talk about these questions and many others in an hour-long discussion that goes deep into history and helps us think about the Declaration of Independence that Americans will celebrate in just a few days.

Timestamps:

Intro and Guest: Thomas Kidd [0:00-6:32]

The Discipline of Writing [6:33-10:14]

Jefferson: Historical Hypocrite? [10:15-32:41]

Sally Hemmings [32:42-38:20

Jefferson's Religion [38:21-52:47]

The Mammoth Cheese Episode [52:48-56:33]

Jefferson vs. Patrick Henry [56:34-59:06]

Father of the University of Virginia [59:07-1:04:02]

Why Celebrate Jefferson? [1:04:03-1:10:46]

Books and Everything:

Thomas Kidd's Twitter account: https://twitter.com/thomasskidd

Thomas Kidd's newsletter: https://twitter.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=393885e6de8bef994ad9a4c3b&id=f10e42555a

Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh: https://a.co/d/elVxdLe

As much as abortion has been indefensible on constitutional grounds, the real monstrosity of Roe was not legal but moral. For 50 years the two sides of the debate have been called ?pro-choice? and ?pro-life,? and those are accurate labels. The ability to freely terminate a pregnancy?at any point in the pregnancy and for any reason?is certainly about the right to make a choice. But that invented constitutional right has been, even more fundamentally, about the ending of life. Everyone with eyes to see the literal pictures of beating hearts and 4D ultrasounds, not to mention the gruesome photos of preborn children torn limb from limb, has known that we are talking about life.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from an article he wrote for WORLD Opinions following the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade.

No doubt, we need a lot of smart people reflecting on the intellectual principles and the practical priorities of our moral philosophy. That?s a crucial conversation. But that?s not the conversation most ordinary people are having online, in church, and around the dinner table. They (and I should say we) are having a messy?but if done right, a really important?conversation about how to approach the conversation itself. As Christians in an age dominated by politics, we are trying to think about how we should think about Christianity and politics.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the first of a series of articles he wrote for WORLD Opinions on how to think about Christianity and politics.

In this episode of LBE, Kevin visits with Erika Bachiochi?a pro-life legal scholar, an author, a wife, and a mother of seven children. After discussing the Dobbs case which, we hope will overturn Roe, Kevin and Erika turn their attention to the Enlightenment writer Mary Wollstonecraft. In this wide-ranging discussion through Erika?s book The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (University of Notre Dame Press, 2021). Kevin and Erika talk about the staunch anti-abortion views of early women?s rights advocates, how the feminist movement lost its way, and why our culture needs a new (old) vision of motherhood and fatherhood.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:22]

Guest: Erika Bachiochi [1:23-8:48]

Abortion & Women's Rights History [8:49-19:12]

Mary Wollstonecraft - Misunderstood? [19:13-32:47]

Sexual and Reproductive Asymmetry [32:48-41:29]

Pregnancy, A Gift not a Liability [41:30-52:48]

Contemporary Sympathies to the Lost Vision [52:49-56:30]

Summing Up Erika's Book [56:31-59:57]

Books:

The Rights of Women: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Catholic Ideas for a Secular World) 

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and A Vindication of the Rights of Men 

Pride Month turns a moral argument?about which the Bible has clear and unequivocal answers?into a quest for personal self-acceptance, which is why many soft-hearted and muddle-headed Christians line up for the parade just like everyone else.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions on the LGBTQ quest to turn a moral argument into an emotive appeal for affirmation and acceptance.

After the gospel, there is no bigger gift you can give to the world than your children and no better gift you can give your children than to be raised by a mom and dad who love them and love each other.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for the Spring 2022 issue of Eikon: A Journal for Biblical Anthropology.

On May 21, 1922, Harry Emerson Fosdick took to the pulpit of Old First?the historic First Presbyterian Church (est. 1716) located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan?to deliver what would be his most famous sermon.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for the journal of Reformed Theological Seminary as part of ?Shall the Fundamentalists Win?? A Centennial Symposium. 

The doctrine of particular redemption is worth defining and defending because it gets to the heart of the gospel.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for byFaith on the good news of limited atonement.

Kevin welcomes Phil Ryken, President at Wheaton College, to the podcast to talk about ?The Heart of the Cross,? a newly reissued book comprised of sermons from Dr. Ryken and James Montgomery Boice. But before they get to the book, Kevin and Phil talk about preaching, the challenges of higher education, Tenth Presbyterian Church, the ministry of James Boice, and a little bit about pickup basketball.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:39]

Guest: Phil Ryken [1:40-10:43]

The Merits of Guest Preaching [10:44-13:50]

What Makes for Good Preaching? [13:51-20:50]

Reading When Busy [20:51-22:55]

Issues with Higher Education [22:56-28:38]

Who was James M. Boice? [28:39-38:40]

The Heart of the Cross [38:41-43:32]

The Simplicity and Profundity of the Cross [43:33-52:43]

The Merits of Provocative Advertisements [52:44-56:15]

The Merits of Expository Preaching [56:16-58:41]

The Lack of True Discipleship [58:42-1:01:12]

Why Continually Focus on the Cross? [1:01:13-1:06:52]

Books and Everything:

Freakonomics Podcast Episode on Higher Ed 

The Heart of the Cross  

The Cross of Christ  

Important lessons to learn as we deal with negativity and hostility

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions on seven principles for cultivating a Christian posture toward the world.

After the unprecedented leak of the possible Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Kevin talks to Justin and Collin about the pro-life movement in America, how the church ministers well, and why political polarization is not always a bad thing. The triumvirate also talk about the books they're reading, and they try to keep the sports banter to a minimum.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor 1: Crossway [0:00-1:41]

Life and Family Banter [1:42-10:43]

Roe v Wade Decision and Effects [10:44-47:02]

Sponsor 2: WTS Books [47:03-48:39]

What Books Are You Reading? [48:40-1:05:02]

Sports Banter [1:05:03-1:08:02]

Relevant Christianity doesn?t stay relevant for long.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions on the decline of the mainline church.

In this freewheeling conversation, Kevin talks to Jonny Gibson about his life, his books, and some of everything. Gibson, an Old Testament professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, opens up about the loss of his daughter in 2016, why he believes in 24-hour creation days, and the need for old forms and old prayers to help us in our daily devotions.

Timestamps:

Intro, sponsor, and guest [0:00-4:46]

The State of the UK Church(es) [4:47-15:34]

Edited Series on the Five Points [15:34-20:28]

More Biography [20:29-22:32]

An Apologetic for Discourse Analysis [22:33-29:22]

Creation: Literal Days or Literary Framework? [29:23-40:57]

God's Goodness in the Loss of a Child [40:58-54:10]

Be Thou My Vision and Private Worship [54:11-1:01:03]

Thomas Witherow and Essential Non-essentials [1:01:04-1:12:17]

In this bonus episode, Kevin talks with historian and WTS president, Peter Lillback, about the life and ministry of John Witherspoon. In particular, they discuss Witherspoon?s treatises on justification and regeneration, a new (old) book being published by Westminster Seminary Press. Listen in as Kevin and Pete talk about their shared love of history and old books.

The fundamental story of the world is not the story of good guys and bad guys, or of oppressors and the oppressed, but of sinners and a Savior.

In this episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin reads from the article he wrote for WORLD Opinions for Holy Week, examining how we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Kevin sits down (actually, they were both standing up) with his RTS colleague, John Fesko, to talk about covenant theology. In addition to doing a deep dive on the covenant of redemption and the covenant of works, Kevin and John talk about life and ministry and writing more broadly. They finish their time by talking about a never-before-translated-into-English volume of Vos?s lectures on natural theology. Want to know more about biblical theology, systematic theology, historical theology, exegetical theology? This episode has a little bit of something for everyone.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-1:34]Guest Intro: John Fesko [1:35-7:12]Pursuing Ministry or Academia? [7:13-15:44]Why Write 1,500+ Pages on Covenant Theology? [15:45-21:37]The Research and Writing Process [21:38-29:54]Is the Covenant of Redemption Biblical? [29:55-38:56]Is There More than One Divine Will? [38:57-44:15]Is the Covenant of Works Biblical? [44:16-55:29]Is Republication Biblical? [55:30-1:03:12]Geerhardus Vos' Natural Theology [1:03:13-1:13:37]

I know, it?s complicated. But don?t worry, the less you think about it the more it will make sense.

In this bonus episode, Kevin talks with the brilliant artist, Don Clark, Kevin?s co-collaborator on The Biggest Story and on (their new book) The Biggest Story Bible Storybook. In this fascinating conversation, Don talks about the joys and challenges of working on such a massive project and how he goes about the artistic process.

The historic liturgy of the Christian church did not originate in evangelicalism, or in the Reformation, or in Europe. It grew out of Old Testament (and then New Testament) assumptions about what it meant for God?s people to gather and renew the covenant.

The band gets back together to talk about lessons learned from the two biggest events of the past two years: Covid and the war in Ukraine. Without pretending to be experts in infectious diseases or in international affairs, the three amigos explore what we can learn about humility, evil, tradeoffs, and prayer. The episode concludes with an update on what everyone has been reading over the past couple months.

Timestamps:

Intro and Sponsor [0:00-3:13]

Lessons After (?) the Pandemic [3:14-22:58]

Lessons (So Far?) From Ukraine [22:59-36:28)

Lessons (Right Now) From Books We're Reading [36:27-47:51]

In an age where digital immediacy can be confused for personal intimacy, we often forget that public communication will not have all the features of private communication.

As much as it shows admirable humility or apologetic concern, we must not act or teach as if every sin is the same in God?s eyes.