So We Speak: Recent Episodes
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The Psalms are the songbook of the Bible. Can we find Jesus there? Throughout his life, the Psalms were always on Jesus's mind. Some point to him, others were fulfilled in him, but all of the psalms help us to see Jesus more clearly.
The final city of our series is one of the most important in the New Testament. Ephesus was Paul's home base for many years, a gospel hub and gateway to Greece. The church was pastored by Timothy, and the Apostle John made it his home as well. The church received a letter from Paul, two to Timothy, and one from Jesus in Revelation. It was a city transformed by the Gospel, and a model for ministry today.
One of the goals of great books is to help us see our world more clearly. Few books do this like J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. In Robert Dobie's new book The Fantasy of J.R.R Tolkien, he shows how Tolkien recovers a Christian vision of the world, nature, language, myth, virtue, death, and humanity.
The first major church outside of Jerusalem was founded in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas pastored there before they were sent out on their missionary journeys. This church would be their home base for decades afterward. It is the church in the New Testament that gives us a glimpse of how to do missions and church planting.
The world wars were driven by attacks on the very values of the West. Liberty, justice, the rule of law, and the dignity of all people were directly under assault. Shaped by the First World War, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien offered a clear moral vision during the Second. In this episode, Cole talks with Joseph Loconte about his book The War for Middle-Earth and the values worth fighting for.
What does it mean to be a disciple? The Gospel of Matthew is more than just a description of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection; it is a literary masterpiece designed to invite us into a life of discipleship. The teaching, narratives, and portraits of Jesus show us who he is and who we have been called to be.
Grab a copy of Jonathan Pennington's book, Becoming a Disciple of the King.
Where did Jesus grow up? Where did he choose to live during his ministry? Did Jesus own a home? This week, Cole and Terry discuss the cities of Nazareth and Capernaum, what they would have been like in Jesus' day, and the role they play in his life and ministry.
Although it is not among the older cities in the Bible, it is one of the most important. Caesarea Maritima is the harbor gateway into Israel. Built by Herod the Great, it is also a tribute to Rome. Later, it would become the base of Pontius Pilate and other Roman officials. But later, God would redeem this city and turn it into an intellectual center for the early church. Cole and Terry discuss the redemption story and impactful history of Caesarea.
How do we pray the psalms of judgment and vengeance? What about the imprecatory prayers? In his book Arise, O Lord: A Christian Guide to Cursing with God, Dr. Trevor Laurence digs into these psalms and shows us that they are faith-building, help us understand our story, and revive our sense of justice.
What does it mean to be a godly man? Is there a kind of non-toxic masculinity? In Men of Virtue, Dr. Zachary Wagner reframes the conversation around the topic of virtue. Godly men must pursue the virtues, starting with the fruits of the Spirit, and do so in a way that fulfills God's design for masculinity.
Get a copy of the book! Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World.
What do the opening chapters of Genesis teach us about what it means to be human? How do we live in this world after the fall? Brian Brock's book Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness explores the creation story and traces the themes of home, worship, sin, and restoration. In the second part of this interview, Cole and Brian discuss the practical implications of our creatureliness, including death, sabbath, and the culture wars.
Check out Brian's book: Joining Creation's Praise.
What do the opening chapters of Genesis teach us about what it means to be human? How do we live in this world after the fall? Brian Brock's book Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness explores the creation story and traces the themes of home, worship, sin, and restoration. In the first part of this interview, Cole and Brian discuss the book and the biblical text.
Look for the second half of this interview on Friday!
Check out Brian's book: Joining Creation's Praise.
In the New Testament, Jerusalem reaches its peak. Herod constructs a temple that is one of the greatest buildings in the world. Through Jesus, God returns to Jerusalem, but he brings an unwelcome message. When the temple is destroyed, the nature of Jerusalem is changed forever, but it remains among the world's most important cities to this day.
The city of Jerusalem didn't start with the Jews. It was an ancient city in Canaan, possibly the home of Melchizedek, and David had to conquer the city to make it his capital. Soon, it became the center of Israel and God's dwelling on earth.
When we think of Oxford, we think of C.S. Lewis. During his 30 years at Magdalen College, Oxford, Lewis was profoundly shaped by his environment and relationships. In C. S. Lewis's Oxford, Dr. Simon Horobin, who is also a fellow of Magdalen College, walks through Oxford with an eye for C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia, and more.
Should we ask God for blessings? In Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God, Dr. Rusty Osborne traces the theme of blessing through the Bible, avoiding the perils of the prosperity and poverty gospels, to a true picture of the blessed life in the presence of God.
Nearly 50 years after he penned the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "This was the object of the Declaration of Independence, not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of… it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion." What was he trying to express?
Dr. Matthew Spalding traces the big ideas of the Declaration in his book The Making of the American Mind, including the role of faith and revelation. In this interview, Cole and Dr. Spalding discuss the ideas of liberty, rights, and the theology of the Declaration 250 years later.
The city of Megiddo is more commonly known as the place of Armageddon, the final battle at the end of time. But there's a rich biblical history of Megiddo that may explain why it is mentioned in Revelation 16. Cole and Terry trace the story of this city from 3,000 BC through the end times, and discuss God's history of rescuing his people from overwhelming opposition.
The Gospels are more than just historical accounts; they are invitations to come to know Jesus Christ. In a new book, The Gospels: A Historical and Cultural Journey, Dr. Jerry Pattengale presents the life of Jesus through art, beauty, and the simple message of the Gospel.
Sodom and Gomorrah are universally known for their wickedness and fiery destruction. Though they are destroyed in Genesis, they take on a symbolic life in the Bible as emblems of human wickedness. Where do they appear in the Bible? Do we know where these cities are today? Recent archaeology has revealed the astonishing fate of Sodom, just as it happened in the Bible.
Jesus gathered his disciples for a final meal. As they shared the Passover supper, Jesus explained the new covenant he was making with them, one of his broken body and shed blood. In doing so, Jesus was going back to the first pages of the Bible and fulfilling a promise made long ago with Abraham. As we share this meal, we are heirs to the promises, experiencing all God accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To listen to this message live, go to Crossings.church!
What happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? The Apostle's Creed says Jesus descended into Hell before he rose again. But what does that mean? How could this neglected doctrine help us better understand all that Jesus did for us during Holy Week?
For more, check out Matthew Emerson's book, He Descended to the Dead!
Jericho is one of the oldest cities on earth, and it plays a key role in the Bible. Set along a major road leading into the Promised Land, Jericho has always been a border town on the edge of the desert. Joshua and the army of Israel conquered it by God's power in the Old Testament; Jesus and his disciples healed the blind and converted a tax collector in the New Testament. The story of Jericho is one of redemption, God calling the least likely people into his kingdom.
In the little town of Le Chambon, a pastor, a spy, a philosopher, and a refugee live under the Nazi threat. Shuttling Jews to safety, these heroes deal with loss, tragedy, triumph, and the experience of not knowing what’s next. In Mark Buchanan's new novel, What Is Left of the Night, enter the story of these heroes and grapple with the big ideas of the war, of God's love, and of the nature of violence.
In this episode, Mark joins Cole for an interview about the book, writing, and God's goodness, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Babel is the first major city in the Bible. On the plains on Shinar, people build a monument to themselves. They rebel against God and his commands. This city becomes Babylon, the paradigm for the way cities amplify human sinfulness. Babylon runs all the way through the Bible and shows us God's plan to redeem the world, even the cities.
The Bible is full of cities, many of which still exist today. From beginning to end, cities play a big role in God's plan for the redemption of the world. In this series, we'll look at some of the most important cities in the Bible and trace their storylines to see God's redemptive work through history.
More than three years after Jerusalem had been destroyed, the last group of rebels holed up in the fortress of Masada. More than a thousand feet above the plain, Masada was nearly impenetrable. Led by their leader, Eleazar ben Yair, this group of brave Jews would be remembered forever as freedom fighters, a symbol of the people of Israel.
In 70 AD, the Romans had encircled Jerusalem. Inside, warring factions were striving for power and weakening the defense. In just a few months, the city and the temple would be destroyed. What caused this destruction, and could it have been prevented?
In this episode, Cole and Terry Feix delve into Byung-Chul Han's book, The Burnout Society, exploring the causes of burnout, anxiety, and depression in modern society. They discuss the shift from an immunological age to an achievement society, where the focus on productivity leads to self-exploitation and a crisis of gratification. The conversation highlights the challenges of finding true fulfillment in a culture that prioritizes achievement over relationships, and concludes with reflections on the gospel's message of value and rest.
It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! Cole and Terry discuss their favorite books from 2025 and a few for next year as well.
Let us know your favorites from this year!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Best Books of 2025
03:02 Reflections on Reading Habits
05:56 Exploring Hasidic Judaism
08:46 Navigating Technology in Parenting
12:06 Christian Perspectives on Parenting
15:06 Art, Beauty, and Christianity
18:01 Insights from Tim Keller
20:51 The Role of Rituals in Life
23:51 Churchill and World War II
27:00 British Politics and John Major
29:53 The Influence of Christianity on Western Values
32:48 The Golden Thread of Western Civilization
36:06 Fiction and Science Fiction Recommendations
The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy.
Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem.
Why is it so hard to navigate disagreements with other Christians? In his new book, When Christians Disagree: Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter, Dr. Tim Cooper uses the historical differences between two giants of the faith, John Owen and Richard Baxter, as a lens for seeing our disagreements today. Through their story, Christians can better work through our differences for kingdom impact.
In the early 60s AD, leadership changes and warring factions produced the rumblings of war. Jewish rebels closed the temple to foreigners, and the Romans extracted taxes from the temple treasury. The leaders who emerged would play decisive roles in the events to follow. Was this the point of no return?
After the time of Jesus, the Jews revolted against the Romans. This series of wars and rebellions led to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. This monumental event has shaped the New Testament, the church, and the Jewish people to this day. How did it happen? In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Jews in the time of Jesus, the political and religious factions, the rulers in Jerusalem and in Rome, and set the stage for the war to come.
"A century ago, the most potent moral figure was Jesus Christ. Now it is Adolf Hitler." This bold statement from Dr. Alec Ryrie frames an exchange that has been made in our society. We know what we're against; what are we for?
In this episode, Cole speaks with Alec Ryrie about the moral landscape of the world today, the implications of what he calls the "age of Hitler," and how the church can respond.
Get a copy of Dr. Ryrie's excellent book, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It.
Near the Western Wall, archaeologists found a small clay tablet from the King of Assyria demanding that the Kingdom of Judah pay tribute. It's the first time an Assyrian inscription has been found in Jerusalem, and it falls perfectly in place during the story of Hezekiah, who defied Assyria and stopped paying tribute in the late 8th century. Cole and Terry discuss this new discovery and other evidence that supports the veracity of Scripture.
Three weeks ago, the Trump administration announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a peace plan in Gaza. Now, it looks as though it might fall apart. Cole and Terry discuss the peace plan, summarize the major moves over the last year, and look to the future.
Job is the longest sustained meditation on suffering in the Bible. Job, the righteous man, suffers horrendously, is accused of wrongdoing, but is vindicated in the end. It's not difficult to see a picture of Christ in this book. But the parallels go ever deeper. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss ways to see Jesus in the book of Job.
Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God by name, but God is moving behind the scenes. Through the story and the characters, we see glimpses of God's plan to save the world and defeat the enemy through his son, Jesus.
With a couple of weeks to process, Erika Kirk's message at the memorial service for her husband still resonates. This will be the note that echoes into the future, and it's one Christians should pay attention to. Our superpower is not conquering, but forgiving. God will continue to work through what happened to Charlie Kirk, and our witness to the world will be through our love, grace, and forgiveness.
"The Glory of Forgiveness: The Superpower of the Gospel"
Nehemiah is one of the great leaders in the Bible, but there's more to him than that. The book of Nehemiah lets us into his heart and his inner thoughts. It shows a leader surrendered to God and obedient to his mission. In these moments, we see Nehemiah as a preview of Christ. At the end of the book, the people are settled in the land, waiting for the Messiah to come.
Ezra and Nehemiah were some of the final leaders in the Old Testament. They brought people back to Jerusalem, but also brought them back to God through the renewal of the covenant. As a scribe and teacher, Ezra models the ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. As he led the people, the backdrop for the first century began to take shape.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the country, and conservative Christians have mourned his death with services and prayer vigils. Even as we mourn, we can be wise in the way we process and respond. As Christians, we shouldn't be surprised when we see evil, but we should also look for God to build his kingdom.
Read Cole's two-part essay:
"Mourning in America: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk"
"Morning in America: The Legacy of Charlie Kirk"
The age of the kings provides us with a glimpse of God's plan for Israel. David and Solomon show us the majesty to expect in the Messiah, but they also display the repetitive, sinful nature of humanity, even the great kings of Israel. In the midst of it all, the prophets continue to bring the Word of God to bear on the people, pointing ahead to what God will do to save his people from their sins.
The book of Chronicles reflects on the history of Israel with a look ahead to the end of the exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. The authors focus on worship and service in the Temple, previewing the time of Jesus. In addition, we see a glimpse of Jesus's eternal reign in the reign of Solomon. As the history of Israel seems to come to an end, God has other plans to fulfill his promises and continue his faithfulness to his people.
Are 1-2 Chronicles just a repeat of 1-2 Kings? The differences between the two accounts of Israel's history also show us something about Jesus Christ. Terry and Cole discuss the role 1 Chronicles plays in helping us to see Jesus as the true and greater temple and as the one his people worship.
Even in the downfall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, we can see a preview of the coming of Christ. Following in the tradition of the prophets and fulfilling the glory of the temple, Jesus embodies the best of the history of Israel. In the end, God keeps his promise to David that one of his sons will reign on the throne through an improbable twist. A king of Judah dines at the king's table in Babylon.
As the David story comes into focus, so do the parallels with Jesus. David provides the template for Israel's coming king and messiah. As one of the greatest figures in the Bible, David is a model for Jesus, but even he cannot measure up to all that Jesus will be.
Education is already undergoing a radical change. Can it survive AI? Cole and Terry discuss the implications of widespread AI use among HS and college students and suggest that maybe the future holds a return to the past.
Read Cole's essay from the Weekly Speak, "Education in the Age of AI."
Samuel is a pivotal figure in the Bible, spanning the period of the judges to the era of the kings. His birth, life, and legacy all teach us important lessons about Jesus. In addition, the star of 1-2 Samuel is David, the greatest king of Israel, and one of the clearest types of Christ. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the themes of this book and some of the surprising glimpses of Christ.
Though it is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, Ruth is packed with the faithfulness of God. In it, we find some fundamental building blocks for understanding the life and death of Jesus. God's commitment to his promises shines in this story of sorrow turned into joy.
Judges is one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. As the last line says, "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." But that didn't stop God from working. All the while, God was keeping his promise to send a Messiah and save his people.
It's been 7 years since we started So We Speak, and all the way God has been faithful. We reflect on our mission, share our favorite memories, and discuss the future of the ministry in this special birthday episode.
In the last two weeks, Israel and Iran escalated their attacks, leading to the decimation of Iranian military and scientific leadership, and the destruction of their nuclear facilities. On June 22, the United States launched Operation Midnight Hammer and struck Iran's heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility. Just this week, the two countries have declared a cease fire. What will happen next? Cole and Terry discuss the history, the future, and what the Bible has to say.
In his new book, Why Religion Went Obsolete, sociologist Christian Smith argues that religion is not just declining; it is increasingly seen as unnecessary. People can be good without God. Religion does not play a positive role in the world. So, what is the future for the church? In this interview, Cole talks with Christian Smith about the data, the rise of the spiritual but not religious, and what the future might hold for the church.
The book of Joshua serves as a hinge point in the Old Testament. It is the end of the long journey out of Egypt and the beginning of life in the land. Even the name points to Jesus, which is the Greek way to say Joshua. The whole book points to the ministry of Jesus - and may even contain an appearance of Jesus in the opening chapters.
Deuteronomy is a cornerstone of the Old Testament. It is the theology and history of Israel, and was widely revered and studied in the time of Jesus. In fact, Jesus quotes from this book as much as any other during his life. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of passages that point to Jesus in Deuteronomy as well. From the example of Moses to the curse placed on everyone hanged on a tree, this book shows us Jesus and helps us understand his life, death, and resurrection.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade marks one of the biggest moments of our lifetimes. For 50 years, abortion was protected by the Supreme Court, but in the Dobbs decision in 2022, the court overturned Roe, allowing states to protect life by restricting abortion. What can Christians do now? How should we continue to treasure and preserve life? How can we live biblically in the world after Roe v. Wade?
David Closson joins the podcast to discuss his new book Life After Roe: Equipping Christians in the Fight for Life Today. Check out this new book and follow David's work at the Family Research Council.
Despite the name, Numbers is one of the most intriguing books in the Old Testament. The Israelites get right up to the edge of the Promised Land before they tragically doubt God's promises and return to the desert for 40 years. In the desert, God teaches them to walk with him and trust him. Along the way, we get some important glimpses of Jesus that resurface across the New Testament.
Leviticus gets a bad rap. The sacrifices and priestly rules don't always make for lively reading. But don't take that as a sign that it's not important. When you see Jesus through the lens of Leviticus, his life, death, and resurrection take on new meaning and significance.
The Exodus is the ultimate pattern of salvation in the Bible. God tells Exodus stories over and over again. But that's not all in this book. God also shows us the importance of a sacrifice in the Passover and the power of his presence in the Tabernacle. Exodus is full of themes that point to Jesus.
It doesn't take long to see a glimpse of Jesus in the opening of the Bible. When sin entered the world, God didn't go to his backup plan; he promised to send his Son to bring his people back. All through Genesis, God is setting the stage for the coming of Christ far in the future.
After his resurrection, Jesus walked with two other from Jerusalem to Emmaus and "starting with Moses and the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27). What did he say to them that day? How can we see those same things?
In this new series, Cole and Terry will discuss finding Jesus in each book of the Old Testament. Look for the first episode this Friday.
We saved the best for last. The book of Revelation says it is written by John. But the question is: which John? Cole and Terry discuss the background and authorship of Revelation to conclude this series on the authors of the New Testament.
Paul's letters are disputed, but so are the other letters in the New Testament, called the general epistles. These letters, written from leaders in the Jerusalem church, Peter, John, James, and Jude, have varying backgrounds and histories. Some of them have never been doubted. One is the most controversial of all the letters in the New Testament.
The authorship of Hebrews is one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Bible. While many in the early church believed it was a letter from Paul, the evidence seems to be that it was written by someone else. If so, should it be in the New Testament? Dive into these discussions and see who Cole and Terry think might have written Hebrews in this Friday bonus episode.
Were all of Paul's letters really written by Paul? It's common among scholars to divide up the thirteen letters of Paul into disputed and non-disputed, with many claiming Paul did not write 6 of the books in the NT. Cole and Terry work through these arguments and show that we can have confidence in Pauline authorship and the inspiration and authority of the epistles.
How do we know that we really have the words of Jesus in the Bible? Differences in the gospels are often held up as proof that we can't know much about Jesus's earthly life. But is that what the evidence shows? Cole and Terry talk about what the Gospels are, how they were written, and what we should expect as we read them.
The resurrection is the center of the Christian faith. Everything depends on the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. So, how do we know that it really happened? Cole and Terry discuss the best arguments for the resurrection and the mountain of evidence that Jesus did exactly what he said he would on Easter morning.
Apologetics is back... kind of. There are great opportunities for the gospel in today's world, but they're different than they were even 10 years ago. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss apologetics, evangelism, religious "nones," and ways to reach people with the gospel today.
There are so many villains we couldn't get to in the Bible and so many stories of God's faithfulness. Who didn't make the list? Here are the ones who didn't make it, from Judas to Jezebel to Alexander the Coppersmith. Who did we miss?
It comes as no surprise that our number one villain in the Bible is Satan, but what do we actually know about him? He appears only a few times as a character in the Bible, but is referenced dozens of times. And even as his beginning is mysterious, his end is certain. The greatest villain in Scripture will not be able to thwart the plans of God; in fact, he will ensure they come to pass.
The worst event in Israel's history was the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The general in charge of that destruction was Nebuchadnezzar, a king who became an emblem of all those who would elevate themselves against God. Unlike other rulers, we get an up-close look at Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. There we see God humbling and chastening him for his pride and brutality.
When Jesus was proclaimed King of the Jews, there was another King on the throne. Herod the Great was one of the most powerful men in the world at that time. Given a mandate by Caesar himself, Herod accomplished some of the most amazing building projects in antiquity. He is also the arch-villain of the opening chapters of the Gospel. Though he styled himself a king like Solomon, God saved his Son from his grasp, and revealed him to be a king like Pharaoh - and he shared a similar end.
The next villain on our list is the Assyrian king Sennacherib. There may be no greater trash-talker in the Bible than the Assyrian kings. Just 20 years after the northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered, Hezekiah faced an enormous army outside the walls of Jerusalem, led by one of the great conquerors of history. Hezekiah turns to God, and once again, God shows himself faithful against the backdrop of evil.
He may not be the best-known villain in the Bible, but he certainly makes the list. Haman was a vizier in the Assyrian Empire who tried to eliminate the Jews from the world. God intervened through two very unlikely figures, with a strong dose of irony, and showed himself faithful in the only book of the Bible that doesn't mention his name.
Why is Tolkien's work so enduring? It's more popular now than it's ever been. There's something about Lord of the Rings that is real. It showcases the real world, true reality, through fantasy. In the final episode of the Tolkien series, Cole and Terry discuss Tolkien's legacy, his life, and why his books are still some of the most popular books ever printed.
After World War I, Tolkien was looking to find his footing. He looked for jobs and ached for another fellowship of friends like he'd had before. He found both in the 1920s when he landed a job at Oxford teaching English literature. It was during this great season of his life that his major works began. Soon, he would be working on his masterpiece, the Lord of the Rings.
Teaching is something everyone can get better at. Terry Feix has spent a lifetime growing as a teacher, and he's sharing his secrets in this episode. From start to finish, and even after the lesson is over, Terry walks through his teaching prep process and discusses what he's learned about teaching the Bible.
It's our favorite podcast of the year! Best books of 2024. Books discussed on this episode:
Terry's Books:
Unearthing the Bible - Titus Kennedy
Papyri and the Social World of the New Testament - Sabine Huebner
Come, Tell Me How You Live - Agatha Christie
Port Williams Novels - Wendell Berry
Assyria - Eckhart Frahm
Collected Poems of T.S. Eliot
The Essential George Bernard Shaw - Edited by G.K. Chesterton
The Fellowship: Literary Lives of the Inklings - Philip and Carol Zaleski
Cole's Books:
The Achilles Trap - Steve Coll
C. S. Lewis - Alistair McGrath
Jonathan Edwards - George Marsden
An Infinite Fountain of Light - George Marsden
Churchill’s D-Day - Allen Packwood and General Lord Richard Dannatt
Dopamine Nation - Anna Lembke
Fully Alive - Elizabeth Oldfield
Habits of the Household - Justin Whitmel Earley
Father Brown - G. K. Chesterton
Exodus - Phil Ryken
The Stalin Affair - Giles Milton
Tolkien had just graduated from Oxford when the Great War broke out. Each member of the TCBS was sent into active duty, including Tolkien. He endured the Somme, the bloodiest battle in British history, only to face a fortuitous difficulty: trench fever. While Tolkien was recovering, he would begin the saga that he would spend the rest of his life completing.
If there's one theme that runs through J.R.R. Tolkien's early life, it's friendship. Orphaned before his teens, Tolkien surrounded himself with friends throughout his life. And this theme runs through The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit as well. In this first episode on the life and writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, Cole and Terry discuss his early life and the theme of friendship in his writing.
As we head into the busyness of the holidays, it's important to stop and remember what Christmas is all about and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Advent and how to celebrate with families and friends.
Get a copy of our Advent booklet on Amazon!
Support So We Speak in 2025!
In the last twenty years, the landscape of the Middle East has changed again. Following the Arab Spring, the Obama administration oriented its policy around Iran, only for the Trump administration to orient its policy around Saudi Arabia. In the middle of the back-and-forth, the Abraham Accords were born and gave the best shot for peace in the Middle East since the founding of Israel.
What's happening now, and what's ahead for Israel? Cole and Terry discuss in this final episode on modern Israel.
After the wars in 1967 and 1973, Israel saw the rise of a new group of enemies. Previously, it had fought against rival states in the region. Next, radical terrorist groups arose across the region. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the formation of Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qaeda, and other militant groups that have come to dominate the Middle East.
How did we get here? With all the arguments flying around about Israel and its neighbors, we turn to history to understand the making of modern Israel. In this three-part series on Israel, we look at how the major factions in the Middle East arose, how they operate, and what the future holds.
In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the founding of the nation of Israel and the ensuing wars, running up to the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
For more on the lead-up to the formation of the state of Israel in 1948, see Terry's series, The Making of Modern Israel.
As of this morning, we are live on YouTube! Check out the So We Speak channel and our first series, Empires. Subscribe for more series in the coming weeks.
In addition, Cole gives a preview of our next two series coming up on the podcast.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sowespeak
Jesus was so many things, but a genius? This is a neglected attribute. Jesus was the most brilliant teacher to ever walk the earth. In his new book, The Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter Williams makes the case that Jesus was not just wise, he was also a genius. Cole sits down with Peter to discuss the new book and the teachings of Jesus.
Revelation is a difficult book. The symbols, cryptic messages, and all the different interpretations can make it a daunting part of the Bible to study. But it's also one of the most encouraging, comforting, foundational books of the Bible. In this episode, Cole gives four keys to reading and understanding Revelation.
Resources:
"Apocalypse" - Terry Feix
"Visions" - Cole Feix
"Revelation: Part 1" - So We Speak
"Revelation: Part 2" - So We Speak
"Revelation: Part 3" - So We Speak
"Revelation Questions: Part 1" - So We Speak
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Christendom. It is the historic site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. But is it the real spot?
In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the church's history, theories, and oddities and debate whether or not this is the real location of the empty tomb.
Resources:
- “Jesus’ Tomb Opened in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher” - National Geographic
- “Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher” - Biblical Archaeology Review
There are still incredible archaeological finds happening all the time. This month, a mosaic floor from the ancient city of Megiddo will be displayed for the first time at the Museum of the Bible. This floor from the 3rd century marks the oldest worship space found by archaeologists. The inscriptions also include a few surprises. Find out more as Cole interviews Terry about his work on the mosaic and the new exhibit.
"The Megiddo Mosaic: Foundations of Faith" - MoTB
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The Shroud of Turin may be the most studied artifact in human history. This 14-foot cloth is claimed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, with his image imprinted on the cloth from the resurrection. A 1988 radiocarbon test dated the shroud to the 14th century, but two new tests open the door to a date in the first century. Can we know if this is truly the burial cloth of Jesus? What difference would it make?
Resources:
- "The Shroud of Turin and Its Significance for Biblical Studies" - Gary Habermas, JETS
- "Father Brown Fakes the Shroud" - N. D. Wilson, Books and Culture
- "X-Ray Dating of a Turin Shroud's Linen Sample" - Liberato de Caro, Heritage
It would have been unbelievable to both Romans and Jews that a man who had been crucified could be worshipped as a god. As the early church began to grow, they faced intense persecution. But the church continued to grow. After only three centuries, the Emperor was a Christian and made it legal for all Roman citizens to be Christians. How did this happen? What is the legacy of Rome?
We're re-releasing our episode on Jesus and Pontius Pilate as an interlude to the Rome series. During Jesus's lifetime, Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. In this episode, Cole and Terry place Jesus's life in the Roman empire, and things converge in a monumental conversation between Jesus and Pilate.
There is no empire more important to the biblical story than Rome. It is the culmination of Daniel's prophecy and the ruling power at the time of Christ. In this first of two episodes, Cole and Terry discuss the origins of Rome and the world Christ was born into.
Is your phone hurting your discipleship? It almost certainly is. How can we continue to grow in this culture of distraction? Cole and Terry discuss some trends in our technology and media as well as some thoughts on how to continue to grow and thrive as Christians in any environment.
Resources:
“State of the Culture 2024” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker
“How to Break Free from Dopamine Culture” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker
“Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet” - L. M. Sacasas, The Convivial Society
“Get Phones Out of Schools Now” - Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic
“Bixby Public Schools Prohibiting Cell Phone Use” - Kristen Weaver, News on 6
“Why Your Smart Phone Might Be Stopping You from Following Jesus” - Martin Saunders, Premier Christian
Dopamine Nation - Anna Lembke
The Burnout Society - Byung-Chul Han
Deconstruction remains an important topic, but it's changing. At the end of 2021, we recorded two episodes on deconstruction (Part 1 & Part 2), discussing its nature and phenomenon. Now, we're looking at how faith, loss of faith, and strengthened faith are changing. What does discipleship have to do with deconstruction? Are people really leaving the Christian faith? Cole and Terry discuss these questions and the following articles in this episode:
“Observations on Exvangelicals and Deconstructing” - Jake Meador, Mere Orthodoxy
“Reading the Exvangelicals” - Miles Smith, Mere Orthodoxy
“Editor’s Note: Sound Doctrine” - Jonathan Leeman, 9Marks
The American education system has not been the same since Covid. What's changed? In this episode, Cole and Terry revisit an essay written in 2020 by Harvard historian James Hankins titled, "American Meritocracy: A Tipping Point?" They discuss the state of education, opportunities for Christian schools, and the roles merit and equality play.
Summer is here and it's time for some book recommendations. This week, Terry recommends some books from the stack.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Our Ancient Faith - Allen Guelzo
Patton's Prayer - Alex Kershaw
Is Atheism Dead? - Eric Metaxas
Rubicon - Tom Holland
Haiku - Everyman's Library
Biblical Typology - Vern Poythress
Eusebius: The Church History - Edited by Paul Maier
Summer is here and it’s time for some book recommendations! In this episode, Cole talks about the books he’s reading and recommending. From devotional books to enjoyable summer reads, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Next week, don’t miss Terry’s favorites for the summer.
Books in this episode:
The Pastor in Prayer - Charles Spurgeon (Banner of Truth)
Prayers on the Psalms - Introduced by David Calhoun (Part of Banner of Truth’s Pocket Puritans Series)
Reformed Systematic Theology - Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley
The Great Gain of Godliness - Thomas Watson
Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ - John Bunyan
The Mortification of Sin - John Owen
The Other Half of Church - Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks
Fighting Shadows - Jon Tyson and Jefferson Bethke
You’re Not Crazy - Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund
The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Dominic Sandbrook
Mirrors of Greatness - David Reynolds
Churchill’s D-Day - General Sir Richard Dannatt and Allen Packwood
Jonathan Edwards: A Life - George Marsden
Revival - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
After Disbelief - Anthony Kronman
Unbelievers - Alec Ryrie
In recent years, terms like "trauma," "narcissism," "toxic," and others have skyrocketed. Why is that, and should we be concerned? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss an article in Christianity Today, "Be Quick to Listen, Slow to ‘Therapy Speak’" by Mia Staub. How can Christians think wisely about the therapeutic worldview, counseling, and therapy speak?
In this interview recorded at Carlton Landing Community Church, Justin discusses marriage, habits, technology, and relationships in an increasingly isolated age. Look for book giveaways on our Instagram page this week!
How do our habits form us? Technology, social media, and smartphones have a huge impact on shaping us - even spiritually. Justin Whitmel Earley is the author of Habits of the Household, Made for People, and The Common Rule. In this episode, he discusses how Christians can approach technology, reconnect relationally, and flourish in a digital age.
After 7 weeks of C. S. Lewis, what's next? Cole and Terry discuss the series, new books, new teaching series, and think about the upcoming presidential election.
Over time, C.S. Lewis has only gotten more popular. Now his appeal is worldwide, across denominations, and especially large among American evangelicals. But at the time of his death, Lewis thought his work would be quickly forgotten. What happened to make Lewis a household name? What is his legacy? Will his impact continue to grow in the future?
In the background of his rise to fame, Lewis continued as a tutor at Oxford, teaching students and giving lectures. Before he was a famous Christian, he was a well-known academic, and this goes a great way to explaining why and how he wrote and who he was. In this episode, Cole, Ben, and Terry discuss Lewis's academic work and the world of Oxford and Cambridge in the mid-19th Century.
What is the best C.S. Lewis book? What order should the Narnia books be read in? Cole, Ben, and Terry discuss the best way to start reading Lewis in this Friday bonus episode.
For most people, Lewis is known first and foremost as a fiction writer. Many families have entered the wardrobe together and experienced Lewis in Narnia. Though these were not his only works of fiction, they give an insight into why he wrote fiction and what he was trying to accomplish by creating and exploring other worlds.
Lewis is best known today as an apologist. Through Mere Christianity and other works like Miracles and The Problem of Pain, Lewis stands as one of the great defenders of the faith in the 20th century. What was it that made him so uniquely gifted at explaining and contending for the faith? In this episode, Cole, Terry, and Ben explore C.S. Lewis's apologetic works, his method, and his legacy.
After his reluctant conversion, C.S. Lewis's life began to change. In his friendships and work at Oxford, his faith started to make a difference. But a phone call changed everything. When Lewis was invited to address the nation on the BBC about spiritual hope during WWII, he started to become the C.S. Lewis we know today. From then on, he would write book after book, letter after letter, and become the world spokesman for "mere Christianity."
“In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed, perhaps that night the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” This is no normal conversion story, but so C. S. Lewis narrates his journey of faith in Surprised by Joy. Like so many parts of Lewis’s life, his conversion is full of surprises, twists and turns, and the evidence of God’s work. Throughout his life, Lewis was blessed with rich friendships, and in this episode, his friends, his past, and the God he had been “trying not to meet” come together in a remarkable and reluctant conversion.
Before he was known to the world as C. S. Lewis, “Jacks” as his friends and family called him, struggled through his early years. After his mother’s passing and the trenches of the Great War, Lewis was a fledgling scholar trying to make his way in the world. But he was also searching for Joy. This opening episode traces Lewis’s life from the paradise of Little Lea to the trenches on the Western Front and back to Oxford again.
On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples in what we now call the "Last Supper." Then he washed the disciples' feet, and they went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. But Maundy Thursday gets its name from something else that happened that Thursday. Jesus gave his disciples a "new commandment," or in Latin, a "new mandate" to love one another. This command of love has been celebrated in the church for centuries.
In this message, Terry Feix gives a message on Maundy Thursday and explains the way the whole Bible comes together in Jesus's final meal.
Watch Terry teach live today at Crossings Community Church.
One of the great conversations in the Bible is between Jesus and Pontius Pilate in John 18-19. Pilate is shrouded in mystery, and we know very little of his life outside of the Bible. Cole and Terry discuss Pilate's life, the role he plays in Jesus's death, and what we can learn as we anticipate Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The Easter season is full of great music, and one way to focus on Christ's death and resurrection during Holy Week is to read, sing, and meditate on great hymns from Christian history. Dr. Kim Arnold has picked out 5 hymns for Holy Week this year that guide our hearts to the cross and the empty tomb. To read about these hymns, see her article, "Hymns for Lent."
"O Sacred Head Now Wounded" - Paul Gerhardt
"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" - Isaac Watts
"O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done?" - Charles Wesley
"In Christ Alone" - Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" - Charles Wesley
It is impossible to understand the world of the New Testament without Greek culture, philosophy, and history. But the Greeks play a role in the Old Testament, too, and between the Testaments. In this episode, Cole and Terry look at the Greeks and the ways God used this region and these people to work his plan in the world.
Cyrus the Great may own the title for the greatest conqueror before Alexander. He and his famous successors Darius and Xerxes conquered the known world and extended their empire all the way to Greece. The Persian Empire did not treat the Israelites like the Assyrians and Babylonians; they returned them to the promised land, let them rule themselves, and allowed them to rebuild the temple. In this episode, discover the roles the Persians played in biblical history and learn from their legacy as the last empire of the East before the rise of Rome.
One empire stands above them all in the Bible: Babylon. From the opening pages of Genesis to the end of Revelation, Babylon stands in for every city and kingdom that would raise itself against God. But how did it become that symbol? Cole and Terry discuss the origins of Babylon, the high point under Nebuchadnezzar, the final destruction of the city, and the reputation that lives on to this day.
The Assyrian Empire was the first world empire. Founded in the small town of Ashur on the Tigris, the Assyrian kingdom would eventually engulf much of the known world until it vanished nearly overnight. The kings of Assyria play leading roles in the Bible and the northern kingdom of Israel falls to Sennacherib in 722 BC. In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss the empire and what the Bible has to say about the Assyrians.
What opportunities does the post-Christian world hold for Christians? Glen Scrivener's book The Air We Breathe sorts through the Christian values that pervade our post-Christian world and discusses opportunities for Christians to reconnect people to the person of Jesus Christ.
Tom Holland's book Dominion has sparked a wave of books, articles, and interviews about the Christian foundations of the West. Though fewer people might call themselves Christians, their worldviews are still saturated with Christianity. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Christian foundations of the West and the glimpses of that worldview still shining through today.
1776 was a formative year for the West, in fact, Andrew Wilson argues in his new book Remaking the World that it is an origin point for so much of the world as we experience it today. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the book and the making of the post-Christian world we live in in the West.
How can a good God allow evil? Or, since God created everything, is he responsible for evil? In this final episode on common objections to Christianity, Cole and Terry discuss responses to the problem of evil.
Here are our best books for 2023:
Terry's Top 5
Dynasty - Tom Holland
Finding Calcutta - Mary Poplin
Scalia - James Rosen
The Matter with Things - Iain McGilchrist
Leadership Not by the Book - David Green and Bill High
Cole's Top 5
Timothy Keller - Collin Hansen
Remaking the World - Andrew Wilson
Dominion - Tom Holland
The Pastor of Kilsyth - Islay Burns
The Fellowship - Philip and Carol Zeleski
Christmas is unique among the holidays for so many reasons, above all the music. Christmas music fills the season and our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the Savior. In this episode, Dr. Kim Arnold talks about hymns, Christmas music, and compiling the songs for the new So We Speak advent booklet.
Get the new Advent booklet here.
One of the most common objections to Christianity is called the problem of evil. Why does God allow evil? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can we explain the existence of a good and all-powerful God with evil in the world? In this episode and the next, Cole and Terry discuss the problem of evil and ways Christians have responded to this difficult objection.
How can we trust the Bible with all the contradictions? So the objection goes. In this episode, Cole and Terry break this objection down into three pieces; textual errors, factual contradictions, and factual errors. They discuss different approaches to reading the Bible and work through some specific objections.
Thanks to everyone who supports So We Speak! Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to fuel our ministry in 2024?
Click here to give!
Are faith and science compatible? One objection many people have to Christianity is that they feel torn between faith and science. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss this objection and ways science relies on a Christian worldview and reasons Christians should be optimistic about science.
How can there be only one truth? In this new series, Cole and Terry discuss the claims of Christianity against some of the most common objections to Christianity. Starting with the question of exclusivity, they look at the nature of truth, different religions, and how it's possible to claim that Christianity it true amid all the other options.
Identity politics, critical theory, and deconstruction dominate our world right now. How can Christians sort out what is good and true? In this discussion, Cole and Terry give an overview of Voddie Baucham's book Faultlines.
As Israel responds to the brutal attacks of October 7, questions are arising about the future, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and support for the Palestinians. In this episode, Cole and Terry answer five common questions about Israel:
- What is the distinction between geographic Israel and historic Israel?
- Why does the US have such a strong interest in or allegiance to Israel?
- Why are people supporting Palestinians?
- Should the US / Christians provide aid to Gaza?
- Should the US and Israel bypass the proxies and start dealing with Iran?
Over the weekend, Israel came under attack by Palestinian terrorists. What's happening now? Who are the major players? What's going to happen in the future? Cole and Terry discuss the central issues in the attacks on Israel, the path forward, and how to pray for Israel.
For more history and background, check out Terry's series, "The Making of Modern Israel."
Jesus was fully God and fully man, a great moral teacher, and rose from the dead. But was he a genius? In Peter Williams' new book The Surprising Genius of Jesus, he argues that Jesus's cleverness, insight, and depth are unrivaled in the history of the world. Focused on the parable of the two sons in Luke 15, Williams teases out the deep connections to the Old Testament and concludes that only Jesus could have told such a brilliant story.
If there's one book that influenced the men of the great awakening, it was Henry Scougal's The Life of God in the Soul of Man. This short book made a major impact in the years following. What does it truly mean to be a Christian and what are the signs of life with God? Cole and Terry discuss the book and what we can learn from it today in this episode.
Is there more to sin than bad behavior? If we follow our behavior down into our emotions, drives, and desires, we discover that sin is far deeper than the external manifestations. The root issue is idolatry in our hearts. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss David Powlison's article, "Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair," and the implications for dealing with sin in our lives and giving spiritual direction to others.
What is preaching? What makes a great sermon? In this last episode on influential books, Cole and Terry discuss John Piper's Expository Exultation, Tim Keller's Preaching, and Abraham Kuruvilla's A Manual for Preaching to model going from the text to the sermon and how to make the sermon stick.
Jonathan Edwards is famous for his sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," but there is so much more to this great American preacher and theologian. Many argue that Edwards is the greatest mind America has ever produced, others view him primarily as a defender of the Great Awakening. In this episode, Cole, Terry, and Cliff wrap up the Awakening series with a discussion of Edwards's ministry and legacy.
Edwin Friedman's book Failure of Nerveis a hidden gem for personal and organizational leadership. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the key ideas and the ways Friedman's work compares and contrasts with Christian wisdom for leaders.
Maybe one person bears the responsibility more than any other for the preaching of the Great Awakening: George Whitefield. In England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and America, Whitefield tirelessly preached the Gospel with incredible spiritual power. As Cole, Terry and Cliff discuss his life and legacy, you'll see the powerful implications for the church today.
Charles Taylor's massive book A Secular Age has been highly influential in understanding the cultural world we live in today. You may not wade through the whole thing, but you'll want to grasp a few key terms and ideas he presents. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss secularism, the porous and buffered self, and the immanent frame.
Also mentioned in this episode:
"Cracks in the Secular" - James K. A. Smith, Comment
In the middle of the 18th Century, America went through a time of spiritual revival known as the Great Awakening. This movement of God has affected the country ever since. What was so special about that time? What really happened? In this episode, Cole and Terry are joined by Dr. Cliff Sanders, the founder and president of the School of Wesleyan Studies to talk about John Wesley's role in the Great Awakening.
In this episode on influential books, Cole and Terry discuss biblical theology through the lens of G. K. Beale's The Temple and the Church's Mission and Michael Morales's Exodus: Old and New.
If you were going to write a letter to the American church, what would you say? Eric Metaxas did just that. Cole and Terry discuss his new book, the interesting questions it raises, and what they might include in a letter of their own.
We get asked a lot - how do you read and remember all these books? In a short Friday episode, Cole and Terry talk about reading, highlighting, and remembering great books. Everyone has to develop a system of their own, but these are some tried and tested methods for getting more out of your reading.
How should Christians engage the culture? In Rules for Reformers, Douglas Wilson lays out a plan for cultural engagement and Christian fidelity. Cole and Terry discuss Wilson's voluminous work, his writing on marriage and family, and his impact on their lives.
This month, we're celebrating 5 years of So We Speak. What started with a small weekly email has become a place where tens of thousands of people stay informed without being conformed. Cole and Terry discuss the beginning of So We Speak, the mission of the ministry, and what they see for the future.
Eugene Peterson is best known for the Message, but he should be better known for his pastoral books. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss two of Peterson's books, Working the Angles and Under the Unpredictable Plant , and the huge impact he's had on them as pastors.
Did you know that you have to pursue holiness? Jerry Bridges' book The Pursuit of Holiness is one of our impactful books. In it, he summarizes God's requirement that his people be holy and practical ways to work toward putting sin to death and seeing the fruit of the Spirit.
In the kickoff of a new series, Cole and Terry discuss books that have been influential in their thinking and faith. This week, they discuss The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers and Desiring God by John Piper.
In the opening chapters of Genesis, things go from bad to worse. The story of Cain and Abel is about a fued between two brothers, but it's also something much more than that. In this episode, Terry and Cole dive into the other aspects of this familiar story and the powerful application for today.
Listen to Cole's sermon, "Fig Leaves: Cain and Abel."
Should every sermon have an altar call? Not exactly, but every sermon should have a strong application rooted in the text. That's what O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen argue in The Gospel Invitation. They lay out the biblical background and practical tips for extending gospel invitations in preaching.
The opening scenes of Genesis evoke numerous questions, but maybe the most important is: what will you do with your guilt and shame? In a recent sermon, Cole preached on the fig leaves in Genesis 3. Cole and Terry discuss this passage and others in the opening pages of the Bible.
How will Tim Keller be remembered? In previous episodes, Cole and Terry have discussed Keller's series of articles, "The Decline and Renewal of the American Church." Here, they reflect on the dynamics of renewal in the church and talk about the impact Tim Keller had on their lives and on the church.
"John Owen was the greatest - and certainly the most formidable - of English Protestant theologians.” So begins Crawford Gribben's book, An Introduction to John Owen, the best introduction to one of the most influential and enduring Christian theologians. But there's more to Owen than his theology. He was a man of the church, served as Vice Chancellor of Oxford, and lived through one of the most turbulent times in English history. In this episode, Cole talks with Dr. Gribben about Owen's life, impact, and legacy today.
Find more of Dr. Crawford Gribben's work at his website Puritan History.
In this final episode on the book of Revelation, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions:
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What does it mean that we will be judged by our deeds and how does this square with salvation by faith?
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Will there be rewards in heaven?
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What is your view on Revelation?
Watch the whole Apocalypse series at Crossings Community Church.
What makes a great worship set? How does God use the planning, preparation, all the different pieces, and promptings in the moment to meet his people in worship? This week Mars Coleman joins the podcast to talk about leading worship, writing songs, and life as a Christian artist.
Follow Mars on his website and on Spotify.
If we're saved by grace through faith, how were people saved before Jesus's death and resurrection? In this episode, Cole and Terry talk about salvation in the Old Testament, specifically salvation through faith when faith has not yet become sight.
In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss these questions:
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How do different views of the end times affect engagement with culture?
-
Does anyone deserve eternal punishment? Is that just?
In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions:
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How does the vision of the end times in Islam fit with the picture in Revelation?
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When Satan is released at the end of the thousand-year reign, who is he deceiving and who is he stirring up to rebellion?
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In the post-millennial view, who binds Satan?
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Is the rapture in the Bible? Where does it come from?
Follow the Apocalypse Wednesday night series at Crossings Community Church.
In the third part of this conversation on Stephen Meyer's book Return of the God Hypothesis, Cole and Ben discuss the rebuttals to Meyer's arguments and the future of the faith and science conversation.
In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions:
- Could AI be the anti-Christ?
- Will there be a literal battle of Armageddon?
Follow the Apocalypse Wednesday night series at Crossings Community Church.
In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the following questions:
-
If you get the mark of the beast in order to feed your family will you lose your salvation?
-
How can you know that your name is written in the book of life?
Follow the Apocalypse series on Revelation at Crossings Community Church.
In the second part of this conversation on Stephen Meyer's book Return of the God Hypothesis, Cole and Ben discuss the central argument of the book: the scientific consensus surrounding the origin of the universe, the design of the universe, and the design of life is best explained by a theistic worldview.
Questions included in this episode:
- Why do some manuscripts say the mark of the beast is 616?
- Can Christians be deceived into getting the mark of the beast?
- Does the progressive Christianity movement resemble the false prophet?
- Will Christians fight in the battle of Armageddon?
Follow the Wednesday night Apocalypse series at Crossings Community Church.
On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples in what we now call the "Last Supper." Then he washed the disciples' feet and they went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. But Maundy Thursday gets its name from something else that happened that Thursday. Jesus gave his disciples a "new commandment," or in Latin, a "new mandate" to love one another. This command of love has been celebrated in the church for centuries.
In this message, Terry Feix gives a message on Maundy Thursday and explains the way the whole Bible comes together in Jesus's final meal.
Watch Terry teach live today at Crossings Community Church.
How confident can we be that Jesus really rose from the dead? Holy Week builds up to Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar. Jesus rose from the dead. Many have argued that we cannot know if Jesus really rose from the dead. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the resurrection and the confidence we can have this Holy Week.
Do you have to believe everything the Bible says to be a Christian? Should we try to prove the Bible to new converts? Andy Stanley and others have argued that we should unhitch from the Bible and tether our faith to the resurrection. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the merits and flaws in this line of reasoning.
The "unjust manager" is the most difficult of Jesus's parables. Is Jesus telling us to imitate shrewd and dishonest people? What does he mean that children of this world are wiser than the children of the light? Cole and Terry unpack this parable and draw a few lessons for today.
What ever happened to the new atheists? In the last decade, more scientists are embracing theism not in spite of science, but because of it. In his new book Return of the God Hypothesis, Stephen Meyer discusses the history of science and faith and the strongest scientific arguments for theism. In the first of three episodes, Dr. Ben Williams joins the podcast to discuss the book and the history of science and faith.
In this episode, Terry answers the following questions:
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Is the altar and incense of Exodus 30 the same, at least symbolically, as the altar and incense of Revelation 8:3?
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In Revelation 7:13 the 144,000 and multitude in white robes - Are these the same people as in Revelation 6:9, the souls under the altar?
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What is the abomination that causes desolation in Daniel 9:27?
You can watch the Revelation lessons at Crossings.Church.
In this episode, Cole and Terry answer these questions:
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What is the significance of the 1/3 numbers in the trumpets?
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Who is the mighty angel in chapter 10, and what is the significance of his feet being on the water and the land?
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At the end of chapter 10, John is given a little scroll and commanded to prophesy again. Does the book start over here?
Follow the lessons each week atCrossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!
In this episode, Cole and Terry answer these questions:
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What is the scroll that the lamb opens?
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Can Christians today have the gift of prophecy like John?
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In Rev. 6:9, it mentions the "souls under the altar." Doesn't this, along with the thief on the cross, imply that we go straight to heaven when we die rather than soul sleep?
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Do we know the identity of the 144,000? How would the Jews of that day have known their tribe?
Follow the lessons each week atCrossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!
Esther is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God, but as you read the story, you'll see God moving on every page. The story is messy, real, and above all, a testament to God's faithful provision for his people. For these reasons, Esther is one of the most applicable and relevant books in the whole Bible.
Questions in this episode:
How could Jesus leave his church, his bride, here on earth while he pours out his wrath?
Is 2 Thess. 2 a rebuttal to pre-tribulation rapture?
What about people who have near-death experiences and come back to talk about it?
How do we know John actually had these visions? Were there witnesses? Are they explainable through his familiarity with the visions of Ezekiel and Isaiah?
Follow the lessons each week atCrossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!
What does God say about our bodies? Are we eternal souls who happen to have bodies? In this episode, Cole is joined by Dr. Lainey Greer to discuss what the Bible says about our bodies and how we have been called to steward them. They cover body image, resurrection, fitness, health, and several other topics related to a theology of the body.
If you'd like to read more of Dr. Greer's work, visit her website, https://laineygreer.com/ or check out her podcast, Forsaken Body.
Questions in this episode:
In Rev. 2:11, the letter to Smyrna, what is the second death?
In Rev. 2:20, the letter to Thyatira, what does it mean to eat food sacrificed to idols?
In Rev. 3:5, the letter to Sardis, what does it mean to have your name blotted out of the book of life? Can you lose your salvation?
Follow the lessons each week at Crossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!
Timothy was one of Paul's co-workers and proteges. In this letter, Paul instructed him in all kinds of things concerning the household of God, from elders and deacons to widows and quarrels. Today, 1 Timothy is like a manual for navigating the extended family of God that is the church. Cole and Terry do an overview of the book, talk about difficult texts, and apply the letter to today.
For more on deacons, see this white paper.
Questions in this episode:
Does every symbol have an explanation?
In 2:7, letter to Ephesus; What is the paradise of God? In 2:10, letter to Smyrna; What is the crown of life? In 2:14, letter to Pergamum; What is sexual immorality? In 2:17, letter to Pergamum; What is the white stone? Which is your favorite of the 7 letters? Which one is the most difficult?
In this first episode, we answer these questions:
Did the early church think Jesus was coming back in the first century?
Who are the angels to the seven churches?
What research and resources are you doing for this series?
The parable of the ten virgins is rarely taught. Ten women wait for the bridegroom who delays into the night. When he comes, five have oil and the others don't. What does it all mean? In this episode, Cole and Terry cover this difficult text, looking at Jesus's teaching on the second coming, perseverance, and being watchful in the meantime.
Starting next week, Terry Feix will begin a 15-week study of the book of Revelation on Wednesday nights at Crossings Community Church. In addition to that, we'll be answering your Revelation questions on Fridays on the So We Speak podcast.
Text questions during the lesson or email us at info@sowespeak.com.
Can we trust the Bible? How do we know that what we're reading today is what God actually said thousands of years ago? John Meade and Peter Gurry answer these questions in their new book Scribes & Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible. In this episode, Cole talks with John about the history of the Bible, the manuscript tradition, how we know we have the right books, and what translations to use.
Who were these mysterious magi that came to worship Christ? Were they three kings from the orient? Were they magicians? In this Christmas episode, Cole and Terry discuss the different theories and clues about the identity of the Magi.
Cole's Favorite Books:
Rogues - Patrick Radden Keefe
Scribes and Scripture- John Meade and Peter Gurry
The Life We're Looking For- Andy Crouch
The Existence and Attributes of God - Stephen Charnock
Churchill & Son - Josh Ireland
Terry's Favorite Books:
Innovation - Peter Ackroyd
Leadership - Henry Kissinger
A Non-Anxious Presence - Mark Sayers
Strange New World - Carl Trueman
Post your favorite So We Speak article or this episode to enter our Christmas book giveaway!
The story of Joseph is the capstone of the book of Genesis, but it also points forward to many things to come, including the story of Daniel and Christ's death on the cross. In this episode, Cole is joined by Sam Emadi to talk about his book From Prisoner to Prince: The Joseph Story in Biblical Theology. They discuss the role of biblical theology, how to see the big themes of Scripture, and the important role the Joseph story plays in the story of Scripture.
Were people in Corinth being baptized on behalf of dead people? 1 Corinthians 15:29 is just an example in Paul's argument, but it has baffled commentators and Bible readers ever since. Cole and Terry discuss whether the Corinthians were actually doing baptisms on behalf of people who have died or if there is another explanation of this verse.
If you read through the gospels, you quickly encounter a very strange feature of Jesus's ministry. He keeps instructing people not to talk about who he is and what he's doing. Why is that? How does it square with the Great Commission? This facet of Jesus's ministry has come to be known as the "Messianic Secret." In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the different ways of understanding the secret and give their opinions on how to interpret these texts in the Gospel of Mark.
The Thessalonians were wondering what would happen to those who died before the second coming. Paul's response answered that question but raised several others. What happens when we die? Do we go straight to heaven or sleep until the second coming? Is there a rapture or is Paul talking about the second coming? Cole and Terry work through these questions and others about the end times in this latest episode.
If you've ever been in a small group or a Bible study, election has undoubtedly come up. How can God elect some for salvation and still be just? How can he find fault with us? These are precisely the questions Paul takes up in Romans 9. In this difficult text, Cole and Terry talk about how to read this passage, Calvinism, Wesleyanism, and God's mercy in election.
The Rich Man and Lazarus is a popular text in Luke for preaching and teaching. Like so many of Jesus's parables, it immediately sticks in your mind, but it also has much more to it than meets the eye. First of all, is it a parable or a true story? Is Jesus's description of the afterlife what we should expect or just for the story? Finally, what's the takeaway from this parable and how should we apply it? Cole and Terry continue the difficult texts series by discussing these questions and others in Luke 16.
No one likes to talk about death, but until Christ returns we'll all taste death. Lance Ward has done more than 300 funerals in his roles as a pastor and chaplain. In this episode, Cole and Lance talk about walking through seasons of sorrow, caring for the dying, and a few dos and don'ts of funerals.
As an opening example, Jude mentions angels who left their proper position and rebelled against God. In the end, he reminds the reader that God will punish this group of angels for their false teaching. But what is he talking about? When did this happen? Connection Genesis 6, Psalm 8, and Jude 6, Cole and Terry discuss rebellious angels and the supernatural realm.
In this episode, Cole and Terry reflect on what they learned by doing book overviews for every book in the Bible, discuss Bible reading plans, and make recommendations for reading the Bible every day.
In this episode, Cole and Terry reflect on what they learned by doing book overviews for every book in the Bible, discuss Bible reading plans, and make recommendations for reading the Bible every day.
The book of Hebrews ties the storylines of the Bible together. Jesus is the true and better Moses, Melchizedek, and High Priest. But why does the author make this grand argument? Dive into the background, original audience, and the timeless message of the "word of exhortation" to the Hebrews.
The book of Hebrews ties the storylines of the Bible together. Jesus is the true and better Moses, Melchizedek, and High Priest. But why does the author make this grand argument? Dive into the background, original audience, and the timeless message of the "word of exhortation" to the Hebrews.
What is the Song of Songs? Is it an allegory of Christ and the church? Is it a description of Christians and their sex lives? Is it good marriage advice? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Song of Songs as wisdom literature and the implications that has for our vision of love, sex, and intimacy.
What is the Song of Songs? Is it an allegory of Christ and the church? Is it a description of Christians and their sex lives? Is it good marriage advice? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Song of Songs as wisdom literature and the implications that has for our vision of love, sex, and intimacy.
Ezekiel can lay claim to being the strangest of the major prophets. His life became his message and he prophesied through the worst period of Israel's history. But his message wasn't all lament and woe. Captured by the glory of God, Ezekiel foretells the restoration and redemption of Israel, a time when they will have new hearts and new Spirits to live with God forever.
Ruth is one of the great short stories in history. People have called it a Cinderella tale from the Old Testament. Each character gives an insight into the faithfulness of God. They model righteousness in difficult circumstances. In the end, we get an incredible picture of God's plan to redeem and to save through his Son Jesus.
Why do we have 1 & 2 Chronicles, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings when they all relate similar events? In the Hebrew Scriptures, Chronicles is the last book, a kind of recap of the history of Israel and a message of hope for those coming back from the exile. What can we learn from the similarities and differences? Why does the Chronicler focus on the Levites and the Temple? The answers to these questions create a unique message of hope found at the very end of the history of Israel.
What do these short letters offer the church today? At the end of John's life he was still pastoring. In 2 John, he addresses a church, and in 3 John, he addresses a church leader, instructing them and encouraging them to live out their faith in the midst of opposition and false teaching. These short encouragements to the church are packed with implications for our lives today.
In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the fourth installment of Tim Keller's essay, "The Decline and Renewal of the American Church." They touch on reasons for decline and strategies, promises, and glimpses of renewal.
Leviticus may not be anyone's favorite book of the Bible, but it is central to understanding how and why we worship God. Cole and Terry discuss the outline and purpose of Leviticus and draw lessons for our worship today.
Terry's Recommended Reads:
For the Making of Modern Israel series:
Leadership, Henry Kissinger
Six Days of War, Michael Oren
Israel, Noa Tishby
Crisis: The Anatomy of Two Major Foreign Policy Crises, Henry Kissinger
The Arab-Israeli Wars, Chaim Herzog
Islamic Imperialism, Efraim Karsh
General:
One Damn Thing After Another, William Barr
Here’s the Deal, Kellyanne Conway
The Kingdom of God in America, Richard Niebuhr
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection, Thomas Chalmers
Encouragement for the Depressed, Charles Spurgeon
Cole's Recommended Reads:
Peterson - The Pastor Kuruvilla - A Manual for Preaching Welch - Caring for One Another
Piper - What Is Saving Faith Heiser - Unseen Realm Beeke - Taking Hold of God Beeke - Puritan Preaching
Romans: Peterson - Lexham Cranfield - ICC Moo - NICNT
Psalms: Bruce Waltke - Psalms as Christian Worship / Lament Kinder - Tyndale James Montgomery Boice commentaries
Eric Berger - Liftoff
Mark Noll - America’s Book
Like Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation, Zechariah is an apocalyptic book, but that doesn't mean it has no relevance for the church today. The images and visions in Zechariah are some of the strongest and most repeated in scripture. In a time of terrible discouragement, Zechariah offers encouragement by the Spirit of God and a picture of God fulfilling his promises.
In this final episode on the book of Revelation, Cole and Terry look at the millennium, the final judgment, and the vision of the new heavens and the new earth. Though many people have different views on the millennium, we can all come together on the stunning vision at the end of the Bible - God making all things right and dwelling with his people forever.
The middle vision of Revelation spans chapters 4-16 and includes three sets of seven: seals, trumpets, and bowls. In the middle, God brings judgment on the world and sustains his people. Beginning with a glimpse into the throne room of Heaven and ending with peals of thunder and earthquakes, there is a lot to take away from the second vision. In this second part, Cole and Terry look at John's vision from the throne room and draw lessons for reading Revelation and applying it today.
Revelation is the capstone of the whole Bible. Allusions and images from the prophets are interwoven to reveal God's plan for things that must soon take place. It may also be the most controversial book of the Bible. In this episode, we look at the structure of the book, four ways to interpret it, and examine the letters to the seven churches.
For more on Revelation see Terry Feix's 10-part series.
Micah is one of the great prophets of Judah. A younger contemporary of Isaiah, Micah advised Hezekiah during the Assyrian siege and prophesied the Babylonian exile. But he also prophesied comfort for the people of God. In this episode, see what the prophecy of Micah teaches us about living in the already/not yet kingdom of God.
Numbers is a misnomer; this book is full of stories. Starting at Mount Sinai, Numbers records the journey to the Promised Land and back out into the wilderness for 40 years. It is a story of God's faithfulness and there are several important visions of the coming Messiah who won't just bring the people into the Promised Land, but will reign in a kingdom of peace forever.
The letter to the Galatians may be the trickiest of Paul's letters - both for the background and the content - but it is packed with insight into the law, the work of the Spirit, and the freedom of the Christian life. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Paul's letter to the Galatians and the application for today.
Daniel is at once one of the most thrilling narrative books and one of the most cryptic prophetic books in the Bible. Daniel's life spanned the rise and fall of great empires and the message of his life and his visions point us to Christ - his faithfulness and his eternal reign.
Shai Linne - “Rember Jesus Christ”
At this year's Together for the Gospel Conference, Shai Linne preached on 2 Timothy 2:8, "Remember Jesus Christ." What does that mean and why did Paul feel the need to remind Timothy?
In this episode, Cole and Terry talk about love and knowledge, the resurrection, and Shai Linne's message to remember Jesus Christ.
Top T4G Talks:
Al Mohler - “The Open Door Is the Only Door”
Kevin DeYoung - “Never Spoke a Man Like This Before: Inerrancy, Evangelism and Christ’s Unbreakable Bible”
John Piper - “He Bore Our Sins that We Might Live to Righteousness”
C. J. Mahaney - “When a Pastor Loses Heart”
Ligon Duncan - “The Underestimated Gospel”
The Prodigal Son is one of the greatest stories ever told. In a few lines, Jesus captures the heart of God and the plight of humanity. We have all gone into the far country and we have a Father waiting to welcome us home. But this story is also a key to understanding the whole Bible. If you understand the Prodigal Son it will help you understand many other passages across the Bible.
On Maundy Thursday, we remember the last supper, the institution of communion, and the final words of Christ to his disciples. In this message, Terry Feix walks through the whole Bible and connects the last supper with the Passover.
To watch this message or attend a service, go to Crossings.Church.
Hosea may be best known through Francine Rivers's book Redeeming Love. The first three chapters tell of a prophet who marries a woman who will never love him back and he pursues her to the furthest extent. But there's even more to Hosea than that. In this episode, find out what the rest of Hosea's prophecy holds, what it teaches us about the NT, and how we can live by his words today.
For much of church history, the archetypes of Prophet, Priest, and King have been used to describe the work of Christ, but they also describe the way humans were created to function. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss these biblical themes and apply them to everyday life.
John was written after the other three gospels, and in some ways, it's totally different. What was John up to in the fourth gospel? In the simplest language in the New Testament, John plumbs some of the deepest theological depths. In this podcast, Cole and Terry discuss the themes, structure, and the purpose of John.
One of the most frequent questions we get is whether archaeology really supports what the Bible says. Recently returned from Israel, Cole and Terry reflect on a few new archaeological finds and the relationship between faith and history.
Zephaniah may be the most obscure of the minor prophets. His short prophecy foretells destruction, judgment, and the day of the Lord. But in the end, there is hope for the remnant - the people of God who have endured to the end. This short prophecy is packed with meaning for the remnant today and for all those who want to serve God in difficult times.
In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss Tim Keller's article, "The Decline of Evangelicalism." They differentiate between evangelicals, progressives, and fundamentalists, reflect on the politicization of American Evangelicalism, and talk about how Christians can maintain their fidelity and witness in a divided world.
The letter to the Ephesians is one of the crown jewels of the New Testament. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the background, nature, and content of Ephesians, moving from the rich theology in the first half to the practical application in the second half. No matter how many times you've read or studied this magnificent letter, there's always more to learn.
Amos is one of the minor prophets who spoke against the false worship of the northern kingdom of Israel. Within Scripture, he is a model prophet; Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and others draw from his words. His words also help us to follow God today. Then and now, God calls us to worship him as he has commanded, not on our own terms. Cole and Terry discuss the historical background and the way Amos applies to our lives today.
Joel prophesies destruction. He warns of the day of the Lord which is coming for the people of Israel. But in the midst of that, he prophesies restoration. In fact, Peter quotes Joel on the day of Pentecost to explain what God has done by sending the Spirit and founding the church. This minor prophet is packed with insight for studying the Bible and life today.
In this second half of the conversation on deconstruction, Cole and Terry turn to the pastoral side of doubt and disillusionment. How would you walk with someone who came to you and said they didn't believe anymore? How would you respond to someone who was questioning what they grew up believing?
Cole and Terry share their favorite books of the year! Send us your picks on social media or email us at info@sowespeak.com.
Check out Cole's picks this week at So We Speak.
In this Christmas episode, Terry offers a few thoughts on John the Baptist and his relationship to the Christmas story. It's not a coincidence that all four gospels begin with John. He was the forerunner of Christ and God's messenger to prepare his people. But his life was spent pointing to someone else. He never saw the fulfillment of the message he preached. At Christmas, we remember that we too have been charged with a similar mission: to point to the Savior.
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What is deconstruction? Like so many terms in our culture today, it depends on who you ask. In this first part of their conversation about deconstruction, Cole and Terry talk about the roots of deconstruction, the causes, the reason many Christians deconstruct their faith, and the ideology underneath the concept.
Resources Mentioned:
- Joshua Ryan Butler - "4 Causes of Deconstruction"
- Jonathan Leeman - "Defending Sound Doctrine against the Deconstruction of American Evangelicalism"
- Kevin DeYoung - "Postmodernism's Revenge"
- Josh Howerton - "Twitter Thread on Language and Deconstruction"
- Matt Chandler Twitter Clip
- David Gushee - "The Deconstruction of American Evangelicalism"
The book of Ecclesiastes is one of the most difficult to interpret in the Bible. Does it teach that life is meaningless? Is everything vanity? Cole and Terry talk about how to make sense of Ecclesiastes, the theme of the book, and prominent passages.
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Thank you all for listening and supporting So We Speak. Take some time this week to remember all that God has done, to thank him, and to trust him with the future.
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Paul's letters to the Thessalonians are unique in so many ways. They are some of Paul's earliest letters to a church he only spent a month with before he was pushed out of town by persecution. They are also some of his most intimate letters. 1 Thess. 2:1-12 gives an insight into what it might have been like to have Paul in town - and it's also where we got the name So We Speak. In this episode, we discuss Paul's pastoral method, the man of lawlessness, and everything in between.
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Joshua marks a transition from across the Jordan into the promised land. In the same way, it serves as a hinge book between the Torah and the rest of the Old Testament. Joshua leads the people of Israel through the flooding river and into God's promises. The whole book displays God's faithfulness, through the conquest in the first half and the land grants in the second half. The takeaway this week is promises made, promises kept.
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There are so many great educational resources available today. Where should you start? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the benefits and common pitfalls of Christian education, how to start where you are and learn to love God with your mind, and the best courses and resources to seek out.
We're answering your questions this week. What is the best Bible translation? Did the Exodus really happen? What's the best order to read the New Testament? What sermons do you listen to during the week to continue learning?
(Sorry for the leafblowers part way through!)
We have a special guest on the podcast this week. Dr. Cliff Sanders is the Director of the Wesley Center and a pastor and theologian at Crossings Community Church. In this episode, Terry and Cliff discuss theology, the character of God, teaching, and bridging the gap between Calvinism and Arminianism in the church.
A few weeks ago, we talked about the importance of holiness in the church today and in the Christian life. Here are some of the most helpful tactics and resources we've used to grow in holiness, accountability, and community.
Tim Keller recently wrote an essay titled, "The Decline and Renewal of the American Church: Part 1 - The Decline of the Mainline." In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the article and the broader decline of the mainline denominations, the parallels to today, and the ways Christians can stay faithful in a secular culture.
There are many passages and prophecies in the Bible about catastrophe, but the book of Lamentations is unique. In this short lament, Jeremiah cries out to God over the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. What can we learn from his sorrow? How can we draw near to God during catastrophes, even spiritual catastrophes?
Here are some of our favorite resources for teaching and preaching. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, here are some of our favorite tools we use each week.
What process and weekly routine does Terry use to develop his Wednesday night lessons? This week, Cole and Terry talk about teaching, preparation and delivery.
The pastoral epistles present a vision of ministry in the first-century church. Paul developed and employed young pastors, sent them out for short-term missions, and then launched them into church leadership. The letter to Titus underscores the connection between doctrine and character and encourages each of us to do our part in building up the church.
In this second episode on looking ahead, Cole and Terry discuss the issues on the horizon for the church. What does it mean to be a human being? How has our culture distorted the notion of the self?
To mark three years of So We Speak, we're looking back and looking ahead for what God has in store. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the importance of personal holiness in the church and in the culture.
In the second half of Exodus, we get into conversations about Moses, the Law, and what God might have to teach us today through Israel's stay at Mount Sinai. If the main theme of Exodus is the presence of God, how can we apply that to our lives today?
The way we read and understand the Exodus influences the way we read the rest of the Bible. The events in Ex. 1-18 set the stage for the law, the promised land, and the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. But there are also some difficult questions in these chapters. Who hardened Pharaoh's heart? Where is Mount Sinai? Why did God bring plagues on Egypt? We discuss each of these questions and more on this episode.
The letter to Colossians touches on almost all of the themes in Paul's letters. In this episode, we discuss the background of the church in Colossae, the major themes of the letter, and some of the difficult passages.
We're turning the tables in this episode and talking to Cole about productivity and writing as Christian stewardship.
Here are a few of the books we mention in this episode:
Crazy Busy - Kevin DeYoung
Ploductivity - Douglas Wilson
Deep Work - Cal Newport
The book of Job is one of the richest and most perplexing books in the Bible. We've done an overview of Job before, but in this episode, we revisit some of the deeper questions and discuss other important themes.
Who was Paul and how should we interpret his writings? In recent years, the New Perspective on Paul has redefined some of the fundamental questions in Paul's letters. Was Paul's background Jewish, Greek, or both? What is the relationship between grace and law? Are we saved by faith, works, or both? Cole Feix and Jarrett Ford discuss these trends in Paul's letter and a series of articles Jarrett has written for So We Speak.
Find the first three posts here: Part 1 - Luther and Sanders
Part 2 - The New Perspective
Part 3 - Paul and the Jews
In this episode, we discuss Voddie Baucham's new book Fault Lines and the effects critical race theory is having on the world and the church. Baucham provides a critique of worldly social justice and calls the church to boldly practice biblical justice in the world.
Combined, Luke and Acts make up a quarter of the New Testament. Luke writes with clarity and historical sensitivity but also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit, the perils of riches, and includes many of the most beloved stories and parables from Jesus' ministry, including the prodigal son, Zacchaeus, Jesus getting separated from his parents in the temple, and the rich man and Lazarus. In this episode, we talk about the unique and interesting aspects of Luke's life and writings.
What makes a healthy church culture? In this episode, we're discussing accusations, abuse, and how to build an environment of truth and grace in the church based on Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer's new book A Church Called Tov.
Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. His prophecy condemns the final phase of Israel's rebellion against God and forecasts the coming of the Messiah. In this episode, we cover some of the important background information necessary for understanding Malachi's prophecy and the way Malachi previews the coming of Christ almost four hundred years later.
Peter discusses a different kind of suffering in his letter to the churches in Asia. While they are likely not experiencing physical persecution, they were beginning to be excluded socially and economically. Peter wrote them with a clear, concise, and bold summary of the Christian life. It is as relevant to us as it was to them.
In this episode, Terry Feix ties the whole Bible together culminating with Jesus' last supper with his disciples. Beginning with Abraham, he moves through the Mosaic covenant, the Day of Atonement, and the Hebrew marriage ritual. At the end, he answers a few questions about teaching this lesson and bringing all of the threads together.
Watch the Maundy Thursday service at Crossings, here.
How did John go from the son of thunder to the apostle of love? In this short letter, we see a loving pastor in action. In this episode, we discuss the background to 1 John, possible outlines, and themes of the letter.
In Christ, our entire lives are transformed and that includes our emotions, passions, and desires. Praying the Psalms is one of the best ways to grow in our faith. In this episode, we discuss different reasons to pray the Psalms and ways to get started.
Resources:
- ESV Devotional Psalter
- The Songs of Jesus - Timothy Keller
- Answering God - Eugene Peterson
- Praying the Psalms - Walter Brueggemann
- "The Anatomy of All Parts of the Soul" - So We Speak
How do you start a small group? When do you know it's time to leave? Groups are an important environment for growth in the church but they can be difficult to lead. This week, Terry Feix talks about how to build, lead, and facilitate small groups and discipleship groups and answers some common questions leaders ask.
This week, Max Lucado preached at the Washington National Cathedral. On Monday morning, two leaders in the Episcopal Church apologized for the harm he caused because of his beliefs about biblical sexuality. How can we continue to love others and share the gospel when we face this kind of opposition from others who claim to be Christians?
Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of the most personal and applicable books in the New Testament. In this episode, we discuss the background of the letter, walk through the chapters, talk about the difficult passages, and end on some major takeaways.
For an in-depth look at the letter, check out this Preaching Guide at For the Church.
This week Laura Leigh Turner talks about saying yes to God, debuting on Broadway, walking through having the show canceled due to Covid, learning to trust God in every season, and looking for opportunities to build community and share the gospel along the way. Laura Leigh made her Broadway debut as Karen Smith in Mean Girls in 2020. She leads a women’s Bible study each week called Rise Collective Women. Sign up here to join!
Check out the podcast Laura Leigh hosts called Living in the Light.
In this week's podcast, we're talking to Ben Williams about his new book The Faith of John's Gospel published by So We Speak. This book is both an overview of the essentials of the faith and a study of the Gospel of John.
Get your copy today!
Watch the podcast on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/-IwmfEYx9ds
Zach and Chelsea tell their stories about finding Christ, sobriety, and each other and turning their messes into ministries through Hope Is Alive.
This week we're answering questions from listeners:
How can pastors be held accountable when they don't know everyone in the church? (1:10)
Should the story of the woman caught in adultery be in the Bible? (18:00)
How should Christians engage in politics and legislation? (33:55)
What books do you recommend for learning more about theology? (47:40)
What books are you reading that you recommend? (54:45)
If you have a question email us at Info@sowespeak.com
It's time for one of our favorite episodes of the year - the best books of 2020. We recommend our overall favorites, Christian books (11:48), fiction (20:00), history (25:00), niche and nerdy favorites (38:05), and what we're looking forward to in 2021 (52:00).
Let us know what books you enjoyed in 2020!
Last week the Supreme Court granted an injunction against lockdown restrictions in New York. What does this ruling tell us about religious liberty and how to practice our faith during the coronavirus? Should churches stay open? Even more importantly, who gets to decide? In this episode, we talk about the ruling, the various opinions, and broader religious liberty trends in the country.
"Equal Justice Under Law: A Win for Religious Liberty" - Cole Feix
In this episode, we're answering questions that have come in this month. We tackle the texts dealing with homosexuality in the New Testament, a question about the Christian principles in the founding, an interesting fact about David and Jonathan, and the doctrine of predestination.
For future episodes submit questions to info@sowespeak.com
Judges reveals the dark side of humanity without God. When the Israelites settle in the promised land, they go after other gods, but God raises up judges to deliver them. We discuss the "judges cycle" and what it shows us about human nature, the faithfulness of God, and the way he uses ordinary people to accomplish his purposes.
In this episode we're discussion the issues and candidates in the 2020 election, different approaches to voting, and Christians' role in American politics. We'll even make a few predictions at the end.
Here are some of the articles we mention in the episode:
The Mohler Option - https://albertmohler.com/2020/10/26/christians-conscience-and-the-looming-2020-election
The Piper Option - https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/policies-persons-and-paths-to-ruin
The Wilson Option - https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/7-reasons-why-it-is-possible-for-christians-to-vote-for-trump-in-2020-without-getting-a-defiled-conscience-and-or-losing-their-soul.html
Alan Noble on Christian Witness and Truth - https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/09/71762/
Karen Swallow Prior on third party voting - https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2020/october/karen-swallow-prior-voting-for-neither.html
Sam Storms on abortion and voting - https://www.samstorms.org/enjoying-god-blog/post/a-brief-reflection-on-john-piper-s-recent-article-concerning-the-presidential-election
Joe Biden in the Christian Post - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/the-greatest-commandment-has-guided-my-politics.html
Mike Pence in the Christian Post - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/president-trump-is-the-best-choice-for-americans-of-faith.html
Andrew Walker on Pro-Lifers voting Pro-Choice - https://andrewtwalker.com/2020/10/abortion-and-single-issue-voting-a-reply-to-phil-vischer-and-skye-jethani/
This week we pick up with the second half of the conversation with Zach and Chelsea about finding freedom and sobriety in Christ. Chelsea tells her story and we talk about breaking generational trends and allowing the gospel to create a new future.
Christ came to set us free, and Zach and Chelsea know that firsthand. This week and next, we talk about being set free from addiction, breaking generational chains, and watching God write a new story.
Nehemiah is one of the most relatable characters in the Bible, and one of the best leaders. This story continues the book of Ezra as the people of God return to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls. In this episode we discuss the book of Nehemiah and the lessons we can take from his life and leadership.
In this episode, we talk about the Netflix movie "Cuties," what it reveals about our culture, and how Christians can talk about God's plan for sexuality.
Ryan Smith is a pastor at Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK and founded Trust the Circle a ministry devoted to trusting God's design for sexuality. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Ezra is one of the last characters we meet in the Old Testament and one of the most faithful. After Cyrus allows the Jews to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, Ezra brings a second wave of Levites and calls the people to repentance. He's an example to preachers, teachers, and everyone who's faithfully following God and in the end, he leads an incredible revival among the people of God.
1 & 2 Kings tells the story of the fall of Israel and Judah from the heights of the reign of Solomon and the dedication of the temple to the destruction of the temple and the exile. Unlike the end of 2 Samuel which spells doom for Israel, 2 Kings ends with a glimmer of hope and a preview of resurrection.
In the Hebrew Bible, 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings are one section, telling the story of the Kings of Israel from the time of the judges through the exile. In this episode, we talk about how to read biblical narratives and discuss the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David.
This week we're answering questions from listeners:
How can pastors be held accountable when they don't know everyone in the church? (1:10)
Should the story of the woman caught in adultery be in the Bible? (18:00)
How should Christians engage in politics and legislation? (33:55)
What books do you recommend for learning more about theology? (47:40)
What books are you reading that you recommend? (54:45)
If you have a question email us at Info@sowespeak.com
Haggai is one of those rare prophets who saw his words come true in his own lifetime. He prophesied after the exile in a situation a lot like ours. In this episode, we discuss Haggai's prophesies and his relevance for today.
2 Peter is the apostle Peter's last letter and his last reminder to the churches in Asia. Although they were likely facing physical persecution, Peter reminds them of something even more important. His final letter reminds us of the threat of false teaching, the importance of holiness, and the astonishing gifts we have been given in Christ.
The book of Proverbs is a compendium of wisdom begun by Solomon and finished by the men of Judah during Hezekiah's reign. How should Christians read this book? Proverbs paints a picture of the world in the kingdom of God and our role in it.
Article: "The Gospel in Work Clothes: How to Read the Book of Proverbs"
The book of Jonah can easily be relegated as a children's story - or a parable with a moral at the end - but when we revisit the text, Jonah is full of application. Why was Jonah determined not to go to Nineveh? Why does the story end with a question? In this episode we talk through the message of the story and the meaning for today.
Philemon is one of the shortest letters in the New Testament and one of the most important. It's often studied as a letter about slavery, but there is so much more in what Paul has to say to Philemon and Onesimus. What is reconciliation? How can we be peacemakers in the world? Paul presents a vision for reconciliation and peace rooted in the cross.
2 Corinthians may be the most personal of Paul's letters. In it he's defending his apostleship, answering questions, and pleading with the church to continue in the gospel. In this episode, we discuss the background and outline of the letter along with the application for today.
What's it like to do missions in China? What are house churches like? How is the church growing and thriving? In this episode, two missionaries with Cru working in China talk about their stories, the people they get to serve, the culture they love, and the work of the church.
If you'd like to support the ministry this couple is doing in China, click here. If you'd like to support their East Asian native partners, click here.
1 Corinthians is different than Paul's other letters. After spending a year and a half in Corinth, Paul went on to Antioch and Ephesus and other teachers moved in. Between the confusion over the rival factions and the abundance of spiritual gifts, the Corinthians had a lot of questions. In 1 Corinthians, Paul answers their questions and gives us a model for applying godly wisdom to everyday situations.
On this episode, Ryan Smith joins the podcast to discuss worship, both in terms of what the Bible says about worship broadly and what it means to lead worship. Ryan is the associate pastor at Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK.
Acts may be the most exciting book in the Bible. The church is pressed and persecuted by the Spirit makes it grow from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. In this episode, we outline the book of Acts, talk about the background and literary features, and discuss some of the applications for today.
Historical passages in the Bible can be some of the toughest to understand. Do you have to be an expert on the Assyrians to understand the Old Testament? This week Cole and Terry talk about how to read and study the historical sections of Scripture, what resources to use, and what questions to ask of the text.
Recommended Resources:
- ESV Bible Atlas
- The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah - Alfred Edersheim
- Christian Origins and the Question of God Series - N.T. Wright
- The ESV Study Bible
- The Gospel Transformation Study Bible
- 1 & 2 Kings - Peter Leithart
- A House for My Name - Peter Leithart
Reading and studying the Bible are at the center of the Christian life. Coye and Jarrett share tips and perspectives on how to study the Bible well, how to approach tough passages, and helpful resources.
The atonement is one of the oldest, and most difficult, of the classic Christian doctrines. In simple terms, we're asking the question: what does it mean that Christ died for us? How can someone's death two thousand years ago have anything to do with me?
Sometimes the language around the atonement can be abstract and philosophical, but as we discuss in this episode, what we believe about Christ's death is one of the most practical and important beliefs we hold.
Coye Still and Jarrett Ford are both working on PhDs in New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a template for this episode, we're walking through Oliver Crisp's excellent book, Approaching the Atonement.
Riley Eden started the Super Scoop when he was a sophomore in college. Their mission is to create a workplace for adults with special needs and they have recently merged with a similarly minded company Not Your Average Joe.
He talks about how COVID-19 and social distancing is affecting their business and what we can do to help. Like many businesses, they're doing to go orders at their midtown location and looking to get Door Dash up and running this week.
We're starting a new week of social distancing and quarantines, and we're continuing to talk to those who are on the frontlines of dealing with COVID-19. People who are stepping up to lead and to serve in a really tough time.
Last week we had Carson Feix and Chris Shadid on to talk about some of the medical situation. Today we're switching gears to the church. I'm so thankful to have Dr. Todd Fisher on the podcast today. Todd is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee Oklahoma and he also teaches at Oklahoma Baptist University and at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
At the end of the episode, Todd quotes A.W. Tozer, "A fearful world needs a fearless church.” What a great word for these times.
Check out Todd's message this week and their live stream each week at 10am at http://ibcshawnee.org/media/live.
This is the second episode in our series on the front lines of COVID-19. Wednesday we had Carson Feix on the to talk about the virus, how it spreads, and how it’s treated.
Today Dr. Chris Shadid talks about the symptoms, testing, and precautions we need to be taking. As a family practice physician he sees patients in his family healthcare clinic and as a hospitalist, he sees patients at Integris-Baptist hospital in OKC. He offers a really helpful perspective on what doctors are seeing in clinics and hospitals and how they're being guided to treat and stop the spread of COVID-19.
What makes the Coronavirus so dangerous? How does it spread so quickly? For the next couple of weeks on the podcast, we're diving into how people in our communities are experiencing and working to help curb the spread of the virus. Today, Carson Feix joins the podcast. Carson is a pharmacist at the Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, OK.
When is doubt healthy? When is it not? Doubt and deconversion have bloomed into a cottage industry in American Christianity. This week, we discuss what to do when you have doubts and the Ear Biscuit videos on Rhett and Link's spiritual deconstruction.
Here are some videos and references we mention in the episode:
Rhett and Link Videos:
Link’s Spiritual Deconstruction
Rhett’s Spiritual Deconstruction
Missionary Years
18 Years of Marriage
Helpful Articles:
“Let’s Deconstruct a Deconstruction Story” - Alisa Childers
“Jen Hatmaker and the Power of Deconversion Stories” - Michael Kruger
“Progressive Christianity: Even Shallower Than the Faith I Left” - Ian Harber
Faith and science. This is one of the toughest relationships to navigate in the modern world. How should Christians who want to do science but also want to read the Bible responsibly and faithfully navigate Darwinism?
In this two episode series, Carson Feix and Ben Williams join the podcast to discuss the scientific and philosophical foundations of Darwinism through the lens of the book Theistic Evolution edited by Stephen Meyer, J.P. Moreland, Christopher Shaw, Ann Gauger, and Wayne Grudem.
Faith and science. This is one of the toughest relationships to navigate in the modern world. How should Christians who want to do science but also want to read the Bible responsibly and faithfully navigate Darwinism?
In this two episode series, Carson Feix and Ben Williams join the podcast to discuss the scientific and philosophical foundations of Darwinism through the lens of the book Theistic Evolution edited by Stephen Meyer, J.P. Moreland, Christopher Shaw, Ann Gauger, and Wayne Grudem.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the podcast. Daryl Kent is one of my good friends and has one of the best stories. As he talks about coming to know Christ, we talk about taking up the cross every day, winning the battle against lust and pornography, and the power of redemption.
This week we had the opportunity to go to the Oklahoma Counsel on Public Affairs to talk about some of the policy work they’re doing on education. The OCPA is an Oklahoma think tank committed to advancing principles and policies that support free enterprise, limited government, and individual initiative. Some of their work pertains to Oklahoma but most of our discussion has to do with the tensions over religion and education seen in things like the gender and bathroom disputes, whether or not Christian curriculum should be used in public schools, and the importance of school choice.
In the beginning of our conversation, we talk about the difference between politics and policy, and I think you’ll start to hear why they have an interesting perspective on things like education, freedom, and being a Christian in America today. Their principles are not overtly Christian, but they do provide for a lot of Christian ideas and commitments to take root in our culture.
You’ll hear a bunch of voices on this episode – and because of that there are some places where the quality is not quite as good as usual.
Jonathan Small is the president of the OCPA.
Dave Bond is the VP for Advocacy, the lobbying side of the organization
Brandon Dutcher is a Senior VP and oversees a lot of their policy research.
I learned a lot in this conversation, and I hope you all enjoy it.
We're very excited to have Steve Trice as our first guest of the year! Steve was the founder and CEO of Jasco Products in Oklahoma City and now serves as the chairman of the board. When he gave his life to Christ, he decided to live as a Christian at work and at home. Steve and Terry discuss the importance of discipleship, trusting God in business, and the faithfulness of God's provision in their lives.
To kick off the year, we're looking at the most important trends in the church and in politics and making a few predictions about what 2020 might hold.
Terry’s Favorite Books:
Biographies (1:10):
- Victoria: A Life - A. N. Wilson
- Hitler: A Biography - Ian Kershaw
- Boris - Andrew Gimson
Poetry (3:30)
- New and Collected Poems - Czeslaw Milosz
- Kipling: Poems - Rudyard Kipling
- Pope: Poems - Alexander Pope
Let Me Finish - Chris Christie (5:20)
Human Nature - David Berlinski (6:00)
Understanding Gender Dysphoria - Mark Yarhouse (7:50)
The Upward Spiral - Alex Korb (8:50)
Christian Beliefs - Wayne Grudem and Elliot Grudem (9:45)
Views from the Mountain - James Earl Massey (10:15)
The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures - D.A. Carson (10:40)
Failure of Nerve - Edwin Friedman (13:50)
How to Exasperate Your Wife - Doug Wilson (14:50)
Cole’s Favorite Books (16:00):
Crossing to Safety - Wallace Stegner (2:30)
Cultural Engagement - Josh Chatraw and Karen Swallow Prior (16:10)
Faith Among the Faithless - Mike Cosper (17:15)
Tending Soul, Mind and Body - Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson (19:10)
Captain Class - Sam Walker (19:30)
Reappearing Church - Mark Sayers (21:00)
NFL Century - Joe Horrigan (21:40)
Churchill: An Extraordinary Life - Sarah Gristwood and Margaret Gaskin (23:00)
Leadership in War - Andrew Roberts (24:45)
Hymns of the Republic - S.C. Gwynne (26:40)
Books of the Decade (39:40):
The Enduring Authority of the Christian Scriptures - D.A. Carson
The Coddling of the American Mind - Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff
12 Rules for Life - Jordan Peterson
How (Not) To Be Secular - James K. A. Smith
Paul and the Faithfulness of God - N. T. Wright
Plagues of the Mind - Bruce Thornton
The Blessing of Humility - Jerry Bridges
Spurgeon on the Christian Life - Michael Reeves
The Second World Wars - Victor Davis Hanson
Churchill: Walking with Destiny - Andrew Roberts
Should Christians pray for people to rise from the dead? We discuss the tragic situation at Bethel, doing the things that Jesus did, and God's will in life and death.
How should Christians steward the environment? In light all the talk about global warming, how should Christians working in oil and gas think Christianly about their industry? This week Terry Feix interviews Steve Slawson, Vice President of Operations at Slawson Companies, about how his faith impacts his work and how Christians can think about stewarding natural resources.
We've got some big goals for So We Speak in 2020! Would you consider supporting us as we head into the new year?
Nahum isn't studied very often, but he gives us a stunning picture of the character of God. It's easy to forget that God is Lord, not just over the church, but over the whole world. With some historical background, the book of Nahum comes alive and shows that God rules over nations, kings, and empires.
In the book of Jeremiah, we get one of the most intimate portraits in Scripture. Through his calling, questioning, suffering, and proclamation of a new covenant, Jeremiah ties the entire Bible together around his life of everyday faithfulness. This week, we discuss all that we can learn from this extraordinary prophet.
Habakkuk is one of the best known of the minor prophets. His prayer shows the inner life of the Old Testament prophet, and God's answers to his prayers gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to trust God when things don't turn out the way we hope.
Email us questions, comments, or suggestions at info@sowespeak.com.
Paul's second letter to Timothy is one of the most commonly studied letters in the New Testament, and it's easy to see why. It's perfect for one on one discipleship, ministry leadership, and understanding the essentials of the faith.
Have questions or suggestions for podcast topics? Email us at info@sowespeak.com.
This week, Terry Feix takes some of his favorite proverbs and applies them to the workplace. We're talking about leadership, specifically how to manage competing priorities and how to make wise decisions. One of the most difficult things to do as a manager is to cultivate a judicial temperament, the ability to sort through lots of competing information to take action.
Have questions for the podcast? Email us at info@sowespeak.com.
This week, we're re-airing the Romans podcast and talking about advent! We're diving into some of Paul's letters in the next few weeks and Romans is the gateway to understanding Paul's writing and his thought.
This week we discuss some of our favorite books we've read recently and why it's good to read history.
Terry:
- The Emperor's Handbook - C. Scot Hicks and David V. Hicks
- Wesley on the Christian Life - Fred Sanders
- The Upward Spiral - Alex Korb
- Understanding Gender Dysphoria - Mark A. Yarhouse
- Confronting Christianity - Rebecca McLaughlin
Cole:
- Justice on Trial - Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino
- Ball of Collusion - Andy McCarthy
- Mr. Churchill’s Profession - Peter Clarke
- In Hoffa’s Shadow - Jack Goldsmith
- Pastor Paul - Scot McKnight
- History of England - Lord Macaulay
- The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Edward Gibbon
- The Inheritance of Rome - Chris Wickham
- The English and Their History - Robert Tombs
- Millennium - Tom Holland
This week during the CNN LGBTQ town hall, Beto O'Rourke said he would strip churches, charities, schools, and their religious organization of their tax-exempt status if they wouldn't adhere to the progressive vision of marriage and sexuality. While he may be an outlier in American society, his comments raise important issues for believers. Why do we believe that churches should be tax exempt? How would it affect our society if they didn't? We discuss these questions and others on this week's episode of the So We Speak podcast.
This week we're talking about a couple of fascinating articles:
"Sweet Nothings: The ASMR Phenomenon and American Identity" - R. Jay Magill, The Los Angeles Review of Books
"The Impossible Dream" - David Wootton, Lapham's Quarterly
How is social media teaching us about relationships and intimacy? Can you have intimacy without trust? What does the pursuit of happiness entail and what does that phrase reveal about American society?
The book of Jude can get passed over for Paul's letters and Revelation, but it is one of the most intriguing letters in the New Testament. Full of unique features, Jude quotes from sources outside the Bible, talks about the archangel Michael battling the devil, false teachers, and closes with one of the most powerful doxologies in the Bible.
Each week we send out a summary of the news with links to the best articles on each topic and Christian worldview commentary and analysis. This week, Cole Feix talks about why and how we do the Weekly Speak.
Here's the latest Weekly Speak. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday morning!
Has America lost faith in expertise? Tom Nichols argues that we have in a really important article, "How America Lost Faith in Expertise." It turns out those who know the least are often the most confident about their opinions. What effects has the lack of respect for expertise had on politics, foreign policy, and religion? And what does it mean to be an expert in Christianity? We discuss these questions and more on this week's episode.
We're back with Blake Bastin and Lance Ward to talk about preaching and teaching prep, preaching different genres and how to study when you're not prepping.
Send in questions to info@sowespeak.com for the September/October Q&A episode!
In this week's episode we talked about preaching and the preachers who have had the biggest influence on our lives and in our ministries. Next week, we discuss learning to teach, mistakes young preachers make, and ways to grow in sermon prep.
Every few months we like to talk books and make recommendations. Here's the best of what we've read lately:
Spirit and Sacrament- Andrew Wilson
My Rebbe - Adin Steinsaltz
How Churchill Waged War - Allen Packwood
The Theopolitan Vision- Peter Leithart
The Churchill Factor - Boris Johnson
"Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man" - Toby Young
Range - David Epstein
The Undoing Project -Michael Lewis
Presidents of War- Michael Beschloss
"PPE: The Oxford Degree that Runs Britain" - Andy Beckett
Recovering Leadership - Thomas Hill