The Equip Project Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Equip Project
The Equip Project is designed to help young people engage with the Christian faith in a thoughtful, and reasonable way. Our goal is to help provide clarity and understanding, as we seek to tackle many of the cultural and intellectual challenges to Christianity.
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In Season 10, we're tackling the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we're tackling the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we're tackling the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Season 10, we are going to tackle the most basic question of them all: Does God exist?
While there may not be a single, knock-down argument for the existence of God, the cumulative case is very strong. Over the course of this season, we will consider 8 or 9 arguments that, when you put them together, make an utterly compelling case for God’s existence — and specifically for the existence of the God of the Bible.
We hope you join us on our journey through this season!
We always love to hear from you. Get in touch via:
Instagram: @theequipproject
Email: theequipproject@gmail.com
Send us a text
In Episode 6, we discuss Jehovah's Witnesses.
A relatively modern movement established in the 1870s, and developing out of the 'Bible Student movement' founded by Charles Taze Russell.
Today, there are 8-9 million members, who are often seen distributing literature outside train stations or around university campuses.
In this episode, we consider a brief history of the movement and examine what JWs really believe.
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In Episode 5 we discuss Mormonism.
Mormons form the 4th largest religious grouping in the United States, after Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists. Globally, there are 16.7 million Mormons.
Mormonism is growing quickly, especially in the United States. Over 70,000 missionaries are working across the globe at the moment. Many of our listeners will have encountered them on University Campuses in Ireland and the UK. So this topic is going to be of real importance for many of our younger listeners.
In this episode we discuss the early life of Mormonism’s founder, Joseph Smith. Then we consider the religion’s core text, the Book of Mormon. Next we pick up the story of how Mormonism developed from its early days. And finally, we talk about five key differences between Mormonism and Christianity.
It's our prayer that each of the conversations during these season strengthen your confidence in the better story told by Christianity, helping to dispel your doubts, and drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Episode 3 we discuss Islam.
We consider three big contrasts between Islam and Christianity. We’ll contrast the two founders, by examining the evidence for Muhammad and the evidence for Jesus. Then we’ll contrast the way secular academics have handled the origin of each religion. And finally, we’ll contrast the manuscripts of the Quran and the Bible. After considering these contrast we go on to make five specific criticisms of Islamic thought.
It's our prayer that each of the conversations during these season strengthen your confidence in the better story told by Christianity, helping to dispel your doubts, and drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Episode 3 we discuss Taoism.
It’s often said that there are three religions in China – Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. But that statement isn’t referring to 3 different groups. As we’ve seen in the previous episodes, the religions of the East interconnect and merge and contradict each other all the time. So it’s said that for morals, the Chinese look to Confucianism; for spiritual experiences and mysticism, they look to Taoism. And for after-death needs
they look to Buddhism.
Taoism has two forms. There is a philosophical form, and there is a religious form which offers all sorts of different gods. In his episode we focus on philosophical Daoism.
It's our prayer that each of these conversations strengthen your confidence in the better story told by Christianity, helping to dispel your doubts, and drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Episode 2 we discuss Buddhism. There are about 500 million Buddhists in the world today, making up about 7% of the world’s population. Most Buddhists live in countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, and Vietnam. Just like Hinduism, there are different schools of Buddhism and the differences between them are confusing.
In this episode we discuss the founder of Buddhism, Buddha himself. Then we consider the two main schools of Buddhism – Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
It's our prayer that each of these conversations strengthen your confidence in the better story told by Christianity, helping to dispel your doubts, and drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Season 9 has finally arrived! Sorry we've been away for so long!
This season we'll be focusing on 'World Religions and Cults', we'll have conversations about Buddhism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism. But in this first episode we discuss Hinduism.
It's our prayer that each of these conversations strengthen your confidence in the better story told by Christianity, helping to dispel your doubts, and drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
On Easter Sunday 2024 we held an Equip Live to discuss why we're so sure Jesus really rose from the dead! We also took questions from the audience. Listen now!
In this season we have been talking about the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. For the past 250 years the Gospels have been a battleground. Critical scholars have done their best to portray the Gospels as fictions invented by the early Church to serve political purposes.
In this episode we discussed alleged contradictions in the Gospels. We work our way through a number of examples, and seek to show that the Gospel accounts are coherent and, therefore, can be trusted.
We’ve called this season ‘Battleground’ because the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – have been attacked in recent centuries by critical scholars who argue that the Gospels don’t contain an accurate record of what Jesus said and did.
In this episode we will be thinking particularly about what Jesus said. Do the Gospels record Jesus actual words accurately, or do the words attributed to him really come from the Gospel writers themselves?
We’ve called this episode ‘The Quest for the Historical Jesus.’ The basic idea is that critical scholars try to dig a great ugly ditch between what they term 'the authentic Jesus', the Jesus of history, and 'the Christ of faith'. According to these critical scholars, the Gospels are the product of the early church. For mainly political reasons, the early church invented the Christ that we know. And so the job of the scholar is to sift through the Gospels, like an archaeologist who carefully chips away at different levels of an ancient structure until we get to the rock bed of the authentic Jesus.
In this episode we push back against such criticism and discover that it really shouldn't worry faithful Christians at all.
In the first two episodes of Season 8, we consider the historical context of the Gospels. We'll think about the blank page in our Bibles that separates the last book of the Old Testament from the first book of the New Testament. There's a 400-year gap between the end of Malachi and the Gospels. It's sometimes called the intertestamental period.
This historical context really matters. Many young Christians can believe that Bible history exists in a parallel universe from the rest of world history. It's as if the Bible begins in a land far far away. But Christianity is truth revealed in history. So one of our big aims in these first two episodes is to show how biblical history is woven seamlessly into world history. Christianity is not a cunning fable. It is about real historical events.
We hope Season 8 is a blessing to you. To God be the Glory.
This season we're going to be thinking about the gospel records, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Those four books take us to the heart of Christianity. And, for a long time, they've been a battleground.
Critics of Christianity have launched wave after wave of attacks on the historicity and the theological coherence of the Gospels. We're going to examine many of the arguments advanced by biblical critics against the trustworthiness of the Gospels. It's vital that believers have confidence in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John because our faith is built entirely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. If the gospel authors have written a fiction, or if they're horribly biased, then our faith is a castle built on sand.
We'll think about the quest for the authentic Jesus. That's a term used by critical scholars who treat the four Gospels as literary rubble that must be sifted to find some evidence of the central figure of Christianity.
Then we'll tackle the controversy over Jesus's words. Do the Gospels record Jesus's exact words? Or did the Gospel writers just give us a gist of what he said? Another critical question that is often raised relates to the reliability of the Gospel documents: how can we have confidence that we're reading eyewitness accounts of Jesus's life?
And finally, we'll delve into some of the classic questions about contradictions in the Gospels.
In our first two episodes, however, we'll consider the historical context of the Gospels. We'll think about the blank page in our Bibles that separates the last book of the Old Testament from the first book of the New Testament. There's a 400-year gap between the end of Malachi and the Gospels. It's sometimes called the intertestamental period.
This historical context really matters. Many young Christians can believe that Bible history exists in a parallel universe from the rest of world history. It's as if the Bible begins in a land far far away. But Christianity is truth revealed in history. So one of our big aims in these first two episodes is to show how biblical history is woven seamlessly into world history. Christianity is not a cunning fable. It is about real historical events.
We hope Season 8 is a blessing to you. To God be the Glory.
In the final episode of season 7 we’ll take a step back and survey the various storms we’ve discussed, so that our listeners can see the logic that underpins this season. And then we’ll think Biblically about how to survive the storms that are heading our way over the next few years.
We’ve called this season Twitterstorms, because we’re discussing controversies that have blown up in the US among Christians in recent years. In this episode we talk about conspiracy theories. Be prepared for questions about QAnon and the Great Reset...
Back in 2007, the term “the New Atheists” was applied to men like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. They were fairly brutal enemies of Christianity. They saw it as a poisonous thing, a belief system that had blighted humanity for a thousand years. And they were determined to destroy Christianity. So Hitchens wrote God is not great. Dawkins wrote the God Delusion.
But in the past decade, something new has happened. The New Atheists are now dismissed by most public intellectuals. They are seen as a bit embarrassing, even by their fellow atheists. And in their place we have a group of academics who, while they are not Christians, are much more sympathetic to Christianity. These are the people we’re calling the new, new atheists.
This season we've been focussing on some of the big controversies that have hit evangelicalism in recent years. In this episode, we use a case study to consider the subtle ways Scripture can be set aside in order to nudge Christians towards false theological positions and beliefs.
It's one thing to listen to a Bible teacher talk about a passage of Scripture. But in our personal study, how should we go about making sense of it? Are there any techniques that might help a young adult engage more effectively with the Bible?
Our desire is that the Lord might use these episode to equip you and encourage you when it comes to studying the Bible.
Welcome to a new season of the Equip Project Podcast!
This season is called 'Twitter Storms'. We've decided to discuss some of the controversies that have erupted within Christians circles in the past year. Our aim is not to gossip, but rather to use some of these controversies to prepare ourselves for times when we face similar situations.
We trust God uses this season to bless and help you in your Christian walk.
Welcome to a new season of the Equip Project Podcast!
This season is called 'Twitter Storms'. We've decided to discuss some of the controversies that have erupted within Christians circles in the past year. Our aim is not to gossip, but rather to use some of these controversies to prepare ourselves for times when we face similar situations.
We trust God uses this season to bless and help you in your Christian walk.
In the final episode of Season 6 we ask: 'How should we go about studying the Bible?'
It's one thing to listen to a Bible teacher talk about a passage of Scripture. But in our
personal study, how should we go about making sense of it? Are there any techniques that might help a young adult engage more effectively with the Bible?
Our desire is that the Lord might use this episode to equip you and encourage you when it comes to studying the Bible.
In this episode we discuss 1st and 2nd Samuel. In the original Hebrew manuscripts, Samuel was a single book, but it was divided into two by the translators who produced the Septuagint.
The historical background to Samuel is really dark. The period of Israel’s history
known as the Judges had left the nation at its lowest ever point. Israel was riddled with idolatry and corruption and violence. It looked as if the wheels had come off God’s plan for His people. But Samuel records the rise of King David, and David transforms the life of the nation. By the time his reign ends, he is an emperor. Israel had every reason to believe that it might end up as one of the major players in the ancient Near East, like Assyria or Babylon.
But not long after David dies, the nation is torn apart, and divides into the Northern Kingdom and Judah in the south. The Northern kingdom is essentially destroyed by Assyria, and Judah limps on as a minor player for a few centuries until the exile to Babylon.
Samuel records the rise of Israel from its lowest point to its highest, in terms of
building a stable and strong society. And that gives us our first clue about the book’s big idea. The issue being raised by Samuel is the question of leadership.
In our first ever Equip Live we address the question 'What's Wrong With the World?' before turning to questions submitted by the audience.
God used this live event to greatly encourage us, it was brilliant to get the chance to meet so many Equip listeners. Thank you all for coming along!
We hope to run more live events in the coming months, so keep an eye on our Instagram page!
This week, we tackle one of the longest books in the Bible – the prophecy of Isaiah. Isaiah is 66 chapters long and has been called the Romans of the Old Testament. But the truth is that most preachers just dip into it. Chapter 9’s promise of the Messiah is read in most Carol services. Isaiah’s vision of the Holy One in Chapter 6 is really famous, as is the beautiful poetry about creation in Chapter 40. And of course most of us could recite Chapter 53 from memory. But there are huge swathes of the book that we rarely go near. Join us to learn more about this remarkable book.
This season we are going to try something that we’ve never attempted before. In each episode, we’ll take a book of the bible and ask: 'what is the big idea that underpins this book?' So we won’t be delving into individual chapters or verses. We’ll take a helicopter view of the entire book, and ask: what would be missing in the canon of 66 books if this particular book was missing?
In Episode 4 we consider the book of Philippians.
In this bonus episode, Ollie chats to evangelist Rico Tice about sharing the Gospel in a hostile culture.
Listen and be encouraged as Rico outlines the Biblical motivation for evangelism, and provides us with plenty of practical advice.
We give thanks to God for Queen Elizabeth II, for her 70 years of faithful service, and for her consistent witness to her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this special episode we reflect on her Christian faith.
This season we are going to try something that we’ve never attempted before. In each episode, we’ll take a book of the bible and ask: 'what is the big idea that underpins this book?' So we won’t be delving into individual chapters or verses. We’ll take a helicopter view of the entire book, and ask: what would be missing in the canon of 66 books if this particular book was missing?
In Episode 3 we consider the Gospel of John.
This season we are going to try something that we’ve never attempted before. In each episode, we’ll take a book of the bible and ask: 'what is the big idea that underpins this book?' So we won’t be delving into individual chapters or verses. We’ll take a helicopter view of the entire book, and ask: what would be missing in the canon of 66 books if this particular book was missing?
In Episode 2 we consider Jeremiah.
This season we are going to try something that we’ve never attempted before. In each episode, we’ll take a book of the bible and ask: 'what is the big idea that underpins this book?' So we won’t be delving into individual chapters or verses. We’ll take a helicopter view of the entire book, and ask: what would be missing in the canon of 66 books if this particular book was missing?
In Episode 1 we consider Exodus.
In this series we're thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows.
In episode 6 we consider the origin of war.
In this series we're thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows.
In episode 5 we consider the origin of the metaverse.
In this series we're thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows.
In episode 4 we consider the origin of cities.
In this series we're thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows.
In episode 3 we consider the origins of law.
In this series we're thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows.
In episode 2 we consider the origin of money. Our real focus isn’t so much on pound coins or five-pound notes found in our coat pockets. We’re going to talk about the global financial system that underpins just about everything that people do in the modern world. What actually goes on in those gleaming skyscrapers in the city of London or New York? And, how should Christians think about financial systems and wealth creation?
This series we’re going to be thinking about 'origins'. The idea of origins is relevant for everyone. Because we all live within a story. And the beginning of a story is the seed from which everything grows. Charles Darwin’s book changed the world precisely because it gave society a new origin story. The origin of species.
The grand opening words of Genesis 1 – in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth – those words had shaped the West’s worldview for 1800 years. Darwin's book changed the beginning, and that changed the world.
This season we’ll be looking back at the origin of some really important concepts. The origin of money, the origin of cities, the origin of law. Our understanding of how these things came about will determine what we think of them.
In episode 1 we consider the origin of human beings.
Hi everyone,
A very Happy Christmas to you all. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement this year, it’s been greatly valued!
I hope you’re able to find a few moments of quiet during this busy season to listen to this short Christmas Reflection from Jim Crookes.
The Savannah Dialogues.
...We've released a short, new episode to tell you more! Have a listen!
In this fourth season of the Equip Project Podcast we’ll be focussing our attention on a pastoral question that is very relevant to young adults today: the question of our mental well-being.
We're going to consider five key concepts that underpin a healthy mind. If, with the Lord's enabling, we can build these five truths into the base of our minds then over time we’ll develop mental strength and stability.
In episode 4 we consider: The Transformer of a Troubled Heart
In this fourth season of the Equip Project Podcast we’ll be focussing our attention on a pastoral question that is very relevant to young adults today: the question of our mental well-being.
We're going to consider five key concepts that underpin a healthy mind. If, with the Lord's enabling, we can build these five truths into the base of our minds then over time we’ll develop mental strength and stability.
In episode 4 we consider: Confidence in the Future
In this fourth season of the Equip Project Podcast we’ll be focussing our attention on a pastoral question that is very relevant to young adults today: the question of our mental well-being.
We're going to consider five key concepts that underpin a healthy mind. If, with the Lord's enabling, we can build these five truths into the base of our minds then over time we’ll develop mental strength and stability.
In episode 3 we consider: The Removal of Shame and Guilt
In this fourth season of the Equip Project Podcast we’ll be focussing our attention on a pastoral question that is very relevant to young adults today: the question of our mental well-being.
We're going to consider five key concepts that underpin a healthy mind. If, with the Lord's enabling, we can build these five truths into the base of our minds then over time we’ll develop mental strength and stability.
In episode 2 we consider: The Value of A Human Life
In this fourth season of the Equip Project Podcast we’ll be focussing our attention on a pastoral question that is very relevant to young adults today: the question of our mental well-being.
We're going to consider five key concepts that underpin a healthy mind. If, with the Lord's enabling, we can build these five truths into the base of our minds then over time we’ll develop mental strength and stability.
In episode 1 we consider: The Experience of God's Love
A five episode series on Church History from the Equip Project Podcast! The first three episodes will take history in 500-year blocks, so we’ll think about the period up to the fall of Rome in 476AD, then the so-called Dark Ages up to the year 1000AD, and then we'll talk about the High Middle Ages which takes us up to the story of Columbus landing in America at the end of the 15th Century. In the final two episodes, we’ll think about the reformation and the rise of evangelicalism.
A five episode series on Church History from the Equip Project Podcast! The first three episodes will take history in 500-year blocks, so we’ll think about the period up to the fall of Rome in 476AD, then the so-called Dark Ages up to the year 1000AD, and then we'll talk about the High Middle Ages which takes us up to the story of Columbus landing in America at the end of the 15th Century. In the final two episodes, we’ll think about the reformation and the rise of evangelicalism.
A five episode series on Church History from the Equip Project Podcast! The first three episodes will take history in 500-year blocks, so we’ll think about the period up to the fall of Rome in 476AD, then the so-called Dark Ages up to the year 1000AD, and then we'll talk about the High Middle Ages which takes us up to the story of Columbus landing in America at the end of the 15th Century. In the final two episodes, we’ll think about the reformation and the rise of evangelicalism.
A five episode series on Church History from the Equip Project Podcast! The first three episodes will take history in 500-year blocks, so we’ll think about the period up to the fall of Rome in 476AD, then the so-called Dark Ages up to the year 1000AD, and then we'll talk about the High Middle Ages which takes us up to the story of Columbus landing in America at the end of the 15th Century. In the final two episodes, we’ll think about the reformation and the rise of evangelicalism.
A new five episode series on Church History from the Equip Project Podcast! The first three episodes will take history in 500-year blocks, so we’ll think about the period up to the fall of Rome in 476AD, then the so-called Dark Ages up to the year 1000AD, and then we'll talk about the High Middle Ages which takes us up to the story of Columbus landing in America at the end of the 15th Century. In the final two episodes, we’ll think about the reformation and the rise of evangelicalism.
In this, the last episode of season 3, we discuss the role of education in society. Education has unfortunately moved centre stage in the various culture wars that rage in society just now. Christian parents are worried that schools are becoming hostile to Christianity. There is an increasing concern about indoctrination of even very young children. And the cancel culture in universities is creating a climate of fear for anyone who doesn’t conform to fashionable ideologies.
In this episode we think about a hugely controversial topic called conversion therapy. There has been so much in the media in recent weeks about the campaign to ban this practice. We consider what conversion therapy is, and discuss how christians should think about it.
We live in a society that has turned history into a battleground. And that should set alarm bells off in the minds of Christians, because we hold to an historical faith. Christianity is not a philosophy. It isn’t just a set of speculative ideas. It claims to be truth revealed in history. We claim that the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are real, historical facts. The Bible itself is packed full of historical narrative.
In this episode we discusshow society’s view of history has changed over time, and think about how the current cultural view of history has infected evangelicalism.
We are continuing to think about the big elements that make up our society. And one really important element in modern culture is Islam. There are about 3.5 million Muslims living in the UK. That’s about 5.5% if the population, and that percentage is growing fast because of a disparity in birth rates. In some London boroughs, over 30% of the population is Muslim. So there is no doubt that the face of modern Britain is changing very fast. The rise of Islam in Europe is perhaps the most important factor in social change for countries like France and the UK.
How can we best share the Gospel with Muslim friends and colleagues? And how should we think about Western society's approach to Islam?
Language, and how we use it, has become an immensely powerful factor in how we engage with this culture. It’s as if society no longer has a shared, stable, language. There is this increasing pressure to learn a new language, because this new language is the passport we need to engage in the modern world. To refuse to learn the new language is a decision to be iced out of your social network. We should be curious about how we have ended up here...
In this special bonus episode, recorded by Christian Unions Ireland (CUI), Jim Crookes is joined by world renowned author and social critic Os Guinness, to discuss the Christian and politics.
The world watched in shock at the events that unfolded on January 6th outside the Capitol building in Washington DC. Protesters held signs that said “Jesus Saves” as they rampaged through one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world.
In both Ireland and the US, evangelicals are confused and dismayed by the astonishing speed with which their culture has rejected its Judeo–Christian roots. Some are tempted to fight politically in defence of a Christian Nation; at the same time, tens of thousands of young adults from evangelicals are moving into agnosticism or liberal post–evangelical communities.
How can we, as Christian students respond? How should we engage effectively with a post–Christian world in a way that honours the Lord Jesus Christ?
With Special thanks to CUI for their permission to share this content.
In this episode, we discuss the role of the media in society.
There is no doubt that organisations like the BBC or CNN have a massive impact on western societies. The tabloid newspapers in the UK have been credited with winning elections for both New Labour and the Conservative party over the past few decades.
More recently, we’ve seen the rise of fake news. And we’ve also seen a huge increase in the popularity of conspiracy theories like Q Anon. Something really fundamental has started to breakdown in how society understands itself.
We explore the power of the media and its impact on our culture.
This week we talk about social justice. The concept of social justice has evolved a lot over the past two hundred years. Today, the conversation about social justice is dominated by an ideology called Critical Theory.
Critical theory says that the world is unjust because every society is structured the same way. There is always an oppressor and then there are oppressed minority groups on the margins of society.
We examine this theory from a Christian perspective.
Season 3 has arrived!
This season we’ll be thinking about the ideas and philosophies that have impacted all the building blocks that make up society. Things like social justice, language, education, the media, and the family.
In this first episode we think about 'The Rise of the Self'. Grasping just how radically our self-understanding has been transformed over the past two centuries is crucial to understanding what’s going on in this cultural moment.
A couple of weeks back I asked Jim if he’d be willing to record a brief Christmas refection for us, as we come to the end of a tough and uncertain year.
I hope this short message is a blessing to you as we stand on the brink of 2021.
Thank-you for sticking with us and encouraging us throughout this year. We can’t wait to walk alongside you again the coming months, as we seek to think through more of the cultural and intellectual challenges to the Christians Faith.
All that remains is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and God’s richest blessing for 2021.
In this second series of the Podcast, we've thought about the challenges that young Christians will have to face over the next thirty years. We looked at the rise of the Green religion and new spirituality. We thought about the thousands of young adults who are leaving evangelicalism, who are de-converting. The we thought about how evangelicalism will fragment, and how Christians may experience marginalisation throughout the 2030s. We discussed Jordan Peterson. We then thought about the rise of the machines, the challenge to Christian thought that will come from Artificial Intelligence and Biological Engineering. And last week we stared into a future where euthanasia is a common, legal facility available even to people who’ve just grown tired of life.
Now, when you put those elements together, it does create a picture of the future that might seem a bit scary and depressing. So we've called this final episode “Be Not Afraid”, as we express why, despite all the trouble, Christians having nothing to fear.
In this episode we discuss euthanasia and assisted suicide. Should we have the right to decide when and how we die? What are the dangers of legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide? What about only in the most serious cases, such as those suffering with MND? How should we think about these major issues as Christians?
In this episode, we think about how technology will shape our futures. We'll discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI), and bio-engineering, trying to understand what might happen in these fields over the next three decades. We’ll also consider the theological challenges thrown up by this technology. If you enjoyed the Social Dilemma on Netflix, then this one is for you!
In this episode we are going to discuss the phenomenon that is Jordan Peterson. Peterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto who shot to fame when he resisted the Canadian Government’s attempt to impose gender-neutral pronouns. He has become the poster child of right-wing populists: a passionate intellectual who dissects the political correctness of the progressive Left. His lectures on YouTube have been viewed more than 40 million times. His most famous book, called 12 Rules for Life, has sold over 3 million copies. His global speaking tours attract huge crowds, with a surprising number of young men in the audience.
From a Christian perspective, Peterson is a very interesting figure. He often uses religious metaphors and references in his lectures, quoting verses of Scripture in his debates. There are times when he sounds very much like a Christian. But then there are other times when he sounds more like a naturalist. Despite that ambiguity, a large number of young Christians follow Peterson closely. He has many devoted followers in evangelical circles, particularly among young men.
What should we make of his thinking and his philosophy for life?
In this episode, we discuss the future of evangelicalism in the West. We discuss the collapse of cultural christianity, and the fragmentation of the evangelical church, which may take place over the next few decades. What will the evangelical church look like 30 years from now? Have a listen as we discuss a possible scenario.
In the past couple of years a number of high profile christians in the evangelical world have announced they are no longer christians, or that they have started a process labeled ‘deconstruction’ - which essentially is shorthand for abandoning the traditional teaching of evangelicalism in favour of a liberal, so called ‘progressive’ alternative. Why is this happening, and how should we respond?
Approximately 64 million Americans identify as spiritual but not religious, and one-fifth of the UK population fall into the same category. In this episode we ask why people are rejecting organised religion, and embracing spirituality.
In this episode we talk about the environment. It’s clear there are some massive environmental issues in our world today - on an almost daily basis we hear about the impact of climate change, the destruction of the rainforest, the pollution of the oceans, and the mistreatment of animals. It’s a massive deal for governments and many young people around the world. We need to know how to think about, and respond to, these issues as Christians.
We're back! To kick off season 2 we look at the impact COVID-19 has had on society and on the church. How should we as christians respond to this strange new world?
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
Our final episode of Season 1 is entitled 'A Better Story'. It's vital that young Christians in this generation exude a quiet, calm confidence that their understanding of reality is immeasurably superior to the false ideas that are popular in our society today. So this final episode is all about instilling a quiet confidence in young believers; we truly do have a better story to tell!
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
The big issue that we tackle in this episode is the relationship between Christianity and the world of politics. Many young Christians are becoming politically active, especially in the US. Feelings run high when issues like social justice or the environment are raised.
We ask three main questions. Firstly, how have Christians handled this problem throughout history? Secondly, does God support particular political ideologies? Is there such a thing as a Christian socialist or a Christian liberal, for example? And then thirdly, we ask - what is the Biblical way to view politics? Should we be politically active, and how should we engage with the political sphere?
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
In this episode we talk about the issue of living with things in our lives that seem to be unfixable. What if there is no quick fix? What if God doesn't take away that thorn in the flesh?
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
In this episode we explore how exactly should we should define the term feminism? Then, our guest contributor, Rachel Neill, will explore the criticisms that feminists make of Christianity. Questions such as: Is the Bible an instrument of oppression? Does Christianity support a heteropatriarchy? Has the Christian concept of God been invented by men to suppress women? We finish by thinking about Christian young adults who say, 'well, I am a feminist, but I am also an evangelical Christian'. We ask, can feminism and Christianity co-exist?
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
In this episode we discuss how the whole story of humanity ends. We think about the return of Christ, and the Christian hope of a new heaven and earth.
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
In the episode we discuss the question of Christianity’s exclusivity. Is there really only one way to God? And isn't an exclusive claim like that a bit arrogant?
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
This episode is a discussion about why Jesus Christ, and the message of the Gospel is relevant for absolutely everyone. We are aiming to particularly connect with those who aren't Christians, and to express the love Jesus has for them, as well as the hope which he offers them.
It is a wonderful thing when a believer grasps the truth that their story may involve death, but it will not end in death. One day, the Resurrection and the Life will come for you. And He will raise you up. So you can know now that death, if it is part of your story is not the end of your story. Death is not a full stop. It is a mere comma, a transition from one mode of reality to another.
In this Easter week we discuss the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The early Church regarded the resurrection as the foundation of the Gospel message they preached. But many critics in Roman society simply dismissed the idea that a man could be raised from the dead. In that sense, nothing much has changed. Christians listening to this podcast know that the story of the resurrection is foundational to their faith. But they also know it is a real stumbling block for their non-Christian friends. In this episode we examine the evidence, and see where it leads.
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
The Coronavirus pandemic continues to paralyse normal life all over the world. In the UK, we're about a week into lockdown, and only allowed to leave our homes for very specific reasons. The situation in the Republic of Ireland is very similar. Some experts believe that this lockdown could go on for months. In this episode, Jim and Ollie reflect on the idea of lockdown from a number of angles.
This episode is part 2 of our discussion about mental health. Last week we talked about anxiety. This week’s title is Finding Light in the Darkness. We are going to tackle the problem of depression.
Last week we setup a poll on Instagram and our listeners chose mental health as the topic we should cover in Episode 20. Mental health is obviously a very broad, complex topic, so we’re going to focus on two of the most important areas. This week we’ll discuss the issue of anxiety. And next week we’ll talk about depression.
Welcome to Staying Connected, part of the Equip Project podcast. In this 12 week series we are thinking particularly of those having to self-isolate because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Being stuck at home can be lonely. We hope that this short podcast will remind isolated christians of their unity as members of the body of Christ. In each podcast we’ll have a bible reading, a short thought, a prayer, and a final song.
In Episode 19 of the Equip Project Podcast. Jim and Ollie discuss the relationship between science and Christianity. The episode addresses why so many people think that there is a conflict between the two, and what Christianity’s relationship with science should be.
Newspaper headlines and TV news bulletins are currently dominated by one thing. A new virus, technically called COVID-19, which is starting to spread across the world. It’s part of the family of viruses called Coronavirus. Most Coronaviruses just give us ‘flu-like symptoms. But this one is different. COVID-19 isn’t as deadly as SARs, but it may well be more infectious. Ollie Neill is joined once again by Jim Crookes to talk about how we might think Biblically about this crisis.
In episode 17 we address a whole bunch of questions young Christians ask. Why does God give us desires and tell us to repress them? Why marriage and not just a stable long-term relationships? How can we stay away from sexual sin? Should Christian couples go on holiday together? How should we think about Netflix? Can we still be useful to God if we’ve failed sexually?
In this two-part conversation, we will be confronting perhaps the biggest and most controversial aspect of life for young adults – the issue of love and sex.
One of the biggest problems young adults can have with the Bible concerns passages in the Old Testament which critics say seem to portray a God who is angry, and prone to arbitrary violence. It seems so different from those famous passages in the New Testament that talk about love. Can the same God say such wildly different words? How do we defend the OT?
Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven”. This has been called the most radical ethical system ever uttered in human history. How does it apply to terrorists?
The death of Christ is at the very heart of Christianity. Christians don’t regard Jesus’ death as an embarrassing failure. They see it as an integral part of God’s plan for the Universe. But at first sight it really makes very little sense. How could the death of a man 2,000 years ago achieve anything for young people living in the 21st Century?And how do we defend the rationality of Divine punishment? What happened during those hours of darkness? Listen to Episode 13 as we seek to unpack these questions!
In Episode 12 we talk about doubt. It’s pretty common for young adults to have doubts about their faith. Sometimes we ask ourselves: is all this Christianity stuff actually true? Are my non-Christian friends right when they say that I believe because of my upbringing, or that my beliefs are just a coping mechanism? Or maybe we sometimes wonder if we are a true Christian at all. How should we respond when faced with doubts like this?
A lot of people have sympathy for the idea that religion has had a negative influence on the human story. The late Christopher Hitchens is famous for saying ‘religion poisons everything’. In this episode we examine whether there is any substance behind such a claim.
Does the Trinity really make any logical sense? How can three be one, and one be three? And isn't the doctrine just too abstract to have any relevance for my everyday life as a Christian? Listen to Episode 10 as we seek to address some of these big questions.
The New Year is generally celebrated with massive fireworks displays and cheering crowds. But for many, it's a moment of loneliness or even hopeless. The future can look grey and unappealing, with little prospect of change. In this episode we examine whether Jesus can bring us genuine hope for 2020.
A five minute Christmas Day reflection focusing on the truths contained in these amazing words from the Bible - 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.’
In this Christmas Episode we examine the remarkable claim that God became a human being, with flesh and blood just like us. We think through some of the implications of this truth, and how it can transform our lives and hearts this Christmas time.
Our conversation in Episodes 5 and 6 focuses on the search for identity. We’ll be examining the questions: “Who am I?”, “How should I understand myself", and "Is identity something we have to construct for ourselves, or do we have a design plan to live by?" These questions have a huge impact on the life choices we make, and how we view ourselves. Join us as we examine this topic over two episodes.
Our conversation in Episodes 5 and 6 focuses on the search for identity. We’ll be examining the questions: “Who am I?”, “How should I understand myself", and "Is identity something we have to construct for ourselves, or do we have a design plan to live by?" These questions have a huge impact on the life choices we make, and how we view ourselves. Join us as we examine this topic over two episodes.
Our world is full of pain and suffering. The people we care about die, sometimes in terrible ways. And ultimately we will die too. Our lives are full of physical and psychological hurt. And that raises a problem for those of us who believe in the God of the Bible – the thing we call the problem of pain. It raises significant questions for many people: Why does God allow suffering? Why is there so much suffering in the world? How can a good, all powerful God allow suffering? In this episode we seek to address some of these big questions.
The third of a three-part series looking at whether the Bible is any more than a flawed human document. In this episode we ask how we can be sure the Bible we have today matches up with what was originally written.
The second of a three-part series looking at whether the Bible is any more than a flawed human document. In this episode we look at how we ended up with the sixty-sixty books that make up the Bible.
The first of a three-part series looking at whether the Bible is any more than a flawed human document. In this episode we examine the claim Christians make that the Bible is the inspired word of God.