TGC Q&A: Recent Episodes
The Gospel Coalition
Each week, we’re joined by Council members of The Gospel Coalition Council and friends who provide biblical perspective on your most pressing questions. Whatever your doubts or questions may be, this is a space where we hope to share biblical insight into life’s questions together.
The Everyday Pastor is a new podcast from TGC on the nuts and bolts of ministry. Hosted by Ligon Duncan, with nearly 20 years of pastoral experience, and Matt Smethurst, who planted a church three years ago, it seeks to model how ministers of different generations, levels of experience, and even denominations can apply God’s never-changing Word in a fast-changing world.
It’s not an easy time to be a pastor, but it’s an exciting one—because the Lord is on his throne and his Word is enough to help us navigate the trenches of ministry with fortitude and joy. So join Matt and Lig (and special guests along the way) as they seek to help you think wisely about nitty-gritty issues of everyday ministry.
Don't miss an episode of The Everyday Pastor! Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual recap discussion on the biggest stories affecting the church around the world in the last year. This conversation was originally featured on TGC's Gospelbound podcast.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, the final installment of our six-week series on faith and work, Greg Phelan answers the question, “How do I glorify God even when my work seems meaningless?”
He discusses:
• The danger: self-justification (:36)
• Looking big (1:28)
• Thinking small (3:15)
• Remembering the promise (4:30)
• How we can glorify God (6:40)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Faith and Work (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/faith-and-work/).
In this episode of TGC Q&A, the fifth in our six-week series on faith and work, Bill Davis answers the question, “How should we think biblically about end-of-life care?”
He discusses:
• Why end-of-life care (00:32)
• End-of-life and medical ethics committees (3:05)
• Advocating for others in end-of-life (9:35)
• Two things to know when advocating for others (13:23)
• Life and the question of infinite value (15:21)
• Biblical advanced directives (17:27)
• Choosing a shorter life for gospel purposes (19:29)
• How Jesus would have you use all you have now (22:49)
• Why these conversations are difficult (25:02)
• Ways to help think through the difficult conversations (27:57)
• Being practically faithful to the end (32:28)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of End-of-Life Issues (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/?s=End-of-Life).
In this episode of TGC Q&A, the fourth in our six-week series on faith and work, Robby Holt and Brian Fikkert answer the question, “How can we include the poor in the conversation?”
They discuss:
• Connecting the conversation (:43)
• Biblical foundations (1:48)
• Economics (3:10)
• Creation: work as part of God’s design (4:14)
• Image bearing (7:12)
• Positive view of culture (9:28)
• Fall: the impact on relationships (11:58)
• Broken people create broken cultures (14:50)
• Redemption: inviting the poor (17:29)
• The communal basis for flourishing (25:23)
• Realizing we are part of the problem (28:41)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Serving the Poor.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, our third in a six-week series on faith and work, Amy Sherman answers the question, “How did followers of Jesus serve the poor?”
She discusses:
• Imitating Jesus (:32)
• Formalizing the process (1:58)
• John Calvin and the Reformation influence (2:47)
• John Wesley and the Methodist tradition (4:04)
• The influence of Octavia Hill (5:00)
• Maggie Walker’s bank (7:08)
• Explore more from TGC on the topic of Serving the Poor.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, our second in a six-week series on faith and work, Matt Rusten discusses four ways pastors can encourage congregants in their work life.
He discusses:
How pastors and congregants can connect over work (:47)
In the corporate worship gathering (2:31)
In pastoral practices (3:58)
In discipleship and spiritual formation (5:01)
In outreach or mission (6:12)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Faith and Work. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/faith-and-work/
In this episode of TGC Q&A, we begin a six-week series titled “Faith & Work” with Missy Wallace, who answers several questions regarding the affirmation of goodness in the workplace.
She discusses:
- The Gospel changes everything including how we think about work (0:46)
- The kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven (3:21)
- Our own brokenness and sanctification (6:23)
- Creational goodness and the theology of work (10:31)
- Final encouragement—The good work that comes out of everyone is the image of God in them (15:50)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Faith and Work.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, we conclude the five-week series, “Gen Z’s Questions About Christianity” with Josh Butler, who answers two questions regarding predestination and salvation.
He discusses:
- Shifting from a mechanical vision to a romantic vision of predestination and election (0:00)
- A paradigm shift from the country club to war-zone medics (3:45)
- We are elected to a redemptive community (6:40)
- How do I know I'm saved? (8:20)
- Final encouragement—keep asking questions (11:15)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of election.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Michael Kruger addresses five questions from the Gen Z audience on biblical authority and the inerrancy of Scripture.
He addresses:
- Reasons why the Bible is trustworthy (0:00)
- The meaning of the Bible's inerrancy (3:27)
- The Bible does not contradict itself (5:15)
- Do parts of Old Testament law still apply today? (6:25)
- The canon of Scripture and how certain books were chosen (9:05)
- Relevancy and reliability of these ancient writings (12:55)
- Encouragement for those who still have questions (16:05)
Explore more from TGC on the Bible.
Read Michael Kruger's newest book, Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College(Crossway).
In this episode of TGC Q&A, we continue in our series, "Gen Z's Questions About Christianity," where Thaddeus Williams answers four challenging questions on social justice and politics.
He addresses:
- Defining and avoiding "The Newman Effect" (0:00)
- Giving others the benefit of the doubt (4:10)
- John Perkins and his approach to racial justice (5:30)
- Similarities and differences between social and biblical justice (7:50)
- Is critical race theory (CRT) biblical? (14:30)
- Engaging politics without siding with a political party (23:50)
- Thinking critically, submitting to Christ's authority (29:30)
Explore more from TGC on the topics of justice and politics.
Recommended reading:
- Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus Williams
- Welcoming Justice: God's Movement Toward Beloved Community (Resources for Reconciliation) by John M. Perkins
For more of Thaddeus Williams’ reflections on social justice and politics, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Thaddeus contributed a chapter entitled, “Social Justice: Breakup or Breakthrough?” Available now in the TGC Store.
This episode of TGC Q&A with Rachel Gilson is the second in a five-week series titled, “Gen Z’s Questions About Christianity." Gilson answers four important questions about sexuality and gender identity.
She discusses:
- The negative temptation of sexual desire (0:00)
- Loving those who identify as LGBT and remaining true to biblical beliefs (3:06)
- Leading with the the gospel of grace (4:11)
- Invite, listen, protect, and invest (5:10)
- Referring to a transgender person by their desired pronoun (6:23)
- Struggling with sexuality and maintaining faith (9:30)
- Confession, conviction, and comfort (10:43)
- God’s spirit, God’s Word, and God’s people (12:26)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of sexuality.
Rachel’s recommended resources:
- Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say by Preston Sprinkle
- Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry
- 7 Myths About Singleness by Sam Allberry
- Born Again This Way by Rachel Gilson
For more of Rachel Gilson’s reflections on sexuality and gender identity, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Rachel contributed a chapter entitled, “Sex: Telling a Better Story.” Available now in the TGC Store.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, we kick off a new five-week series titled, “Gen Z’s Questions About Christianity" with Josh Butler, who answers two questions regarding hell and judgment.
He discusses:
- Reconciling God’s love with eternal judgment (0:00)
- A broader storyline for hell (1:24)
- Getting hell wrong (2:55)
- Reconciling heaven and earth (3:38)
- Getting the hell out of earth (4:37)
- Is hell a scare tactic? (6:45)
- The impact of sin (9:48)
- The good news of the gospel (10:40)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of hell.
For more of Josh Butler's reflections on hell, check out TGC’s new book, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church, where Josh contributed a chapter entitled, "Hell: Skeleton in God’s Closet?” Available now in the TGC Store.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Paul Tripp and J. D. Greear discuss the question, “What are the biggest issues the church will face in this decade?”
They discuss:
- Identity (:00)
- Preparing to address identity in our churches (2:00)
- Overcoming the “media view” of Christianity (3:40)
- A new vocabulary based on the gospel (5:28)
- Reaching and engaging the culture (6:31)
- Every Christian and the Great Commission (7:48)
- Fringe culture church (8:34)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of church.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jared Wilson and Afshin Ziafat discuss the question, “How do I know if I married the right person?”
They discuss:
- If you’re married, you married the right person (:00)
- The source of the question (1:08)
- A theological deficiency (2:21)
- The goal of marriage (3:26)
- The grass is greener where you water it (4:53)
- Bathing marriage in prayer (5:43)
- He or she isn’t your savior (7:21)
- You don’t complete me (8:51)
- Worthwhile intentionality (9:55)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of marriage.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, David Mathis and Joe Rigney answer the question, “How can Christians avoid smartphone addiction?”
They discuss:
- A pastoral predicament (:00)
- Admitting you have a problem (1:53)
- Controlling impulses (4:04)
- Gaining larger vision (6:05)
- Godliness as a value (7:13)
- The price of phone addiction (8:39)
- The joy of freedom (9:22)
Explore more from TGC on the topics of technology and addiction.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Dave Harvey and Michael Lawrence answer the question, “How do I know if I'm saved?”
They discuss:
- Where to begin (:00)
- How you don’t know you’re saved (1:49)
- Observing your own life (2:46)
- The Spirit’s testimony (4:27)
- Objective and subjective evidence (5:31)
- Internal and external evidence (7:07)
- Challenging a profession of faith when there is no fruit (9:36)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of salvation.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Crawford Loritts and Jason Cook answer the question, “What does Paul mean by, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good?’”
They discuss:
- Taking his words at face value (:00)
- Confronting evil (1:51)
- Displaying Christ-like character (3:30)
- The outrage culture (4:33)
- Passionate disagreement in love (5:58)
- Living in the tension (7:08)
Explore more from TGC:
How Should Christians Respond to a Culture of Outrage?
Fruit of the Spirit
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jackie Hill Perry and Jen Pollock Michel discuss the question, “How should we respond to the paradoxes of Christianity?” They address:
- Is everything a paradox? (:00)
- Is God good? (1:23)
- And what about suffering? (2:12)
- Responding to paradox (2:50)
- Our desire for control (3:58)
- Jesus’s response (5:21)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- Why Christians Need More Paradox
- The Liberating Paradox of Weakness
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Tim Challies and Tony Merida discuss the question, “Should I forgive those who are unrepentant?” They address:
- Defining forgiveness (:00)
- Becoming a peacemaker (1:21)
- The forgiveness of God (3:42)
- Acknowledging consequences (5:02)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of forgiveness.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Providence,by bestselling author, John Piper. Sign up for a free Crossway+ account by Friday, April 30 to receive 40% off this book at crossway.org/TGC.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jared Wilson and Afshin Ziafat discuss the question, “If Hell is real, how do Christians justify anything except evangelism?” They address:
- Urgency and necessity (:00)
- Making disciples (2:08)
- Moral mandates to multi-faceted ministry (2:55)
- Pre-evangelism (3:58)
- Making much of Christ in all things (5:17)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of evangelism.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Providence,by bestselling author, John Piper. Sign up for a free Crossway+ account by Friday, April 30 to receive 40% off this book at crossway.org/TGC.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, John Piper and Trip Lee discuss the question, “How do I find peace when unsaved loved ones die?” They address:
- Understanding the faith of the listener (:00)
- The radical prioritization of following Jesus (1:22)
- Our current capacity for dealing with death (1:56)
- “Sorrowful, but always rejoicing” (4:08)
- Becoming acquainted with the goodness of God (6:10)
- Anguishing over the lost (7:35)
- Rolling your burdens onto God (8:50)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of death.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Providence, by bestselling author, John Piper. Sign up for a free Crossway+ account by Friday, April 30 to receive 40% off this book at crossway.org/TGC.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, John Piper and Trip Lee discuss the question, “What have you learned about God recently?” They address:
- God uses trials (:00)
- God is working even when things go wrong (2:07)
- Love the sovereignty of God (3:31)
- Opportunity to change one human heart (4:48)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Bible study.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Providence, by bestselling author, John Piper. Sign up for a free Crossway+ account by Friday, April 30 to receive 40% off this book at crossway.org/TGC.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Tim Challies and Tony Merida discuss the question, “What biblical questions can I answer with, 'I don't know’?” They address:
- “I” vs. “we” questions (:00)
- The inscrutability of God (1:55)
- Wrestling with suffering (3:26)
- Developing the “I don’t know” skill (4:16)
- Varying understandings in preaching (5:42)
- Don’t answer questions no one is asking (7:22)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of apologetics.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Chris Bruno and David Helm discuss the question, “When and where did sermons originate?” They address:
- Laying a biblical foundation (:00)
- From the mind of God (:43)
- Formalized in the Old Testament (1:41)
- Preaching in the ministry of Jesus (3:35)
- New Testament patterns (4:47)
- Processes of the early church fathers (5:44)
- The preacher and the sacraments (7:14)
- Importance of the Word in worship (9:40)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of preaching.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Dave Harvey and Michael Lawrence discuss the question, “How can I help my child persevere in faith?” They address:
- Helping children preserve their faith in an ever-changing world (:00)
- Praying for your children as a starting point (1:12)
- Moving beyond profession to spiritual maturity (3:27)
- Conversing about difficult things like suffering (4:22)
- Making your home a place to discuss questions and doubts (5:49)
- Being a factor in your children’s interpretive process (6:28)
- Framing their faith with a worldview (8:32)
- How the local church helps (10:55)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of parenting.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Paul Tripp and J. D. Greear discuss the question, “What did James mean by, ‘You do not have, because you do not ask?’” They address:
- Taking the verse seriously (:00)
- Avoiding a formulaic approach (1:16)
- Understanding God’s sovereignty in prayer (2:15)
- “Stop asking stupid questions and eat” (3:27)
- Understanding the call to pray (4:11)
- Best resources on prayer (5:06)
- Adulterous prayer (7:07)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of prayer.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Derek Rishmawy and Cameron Cole discuss the question, “How do youth leaders disciple a media-formed generation?” They address:
- Quiet voices in crowded spaces (:28)
- Countering the darkness (1:15)
- The gender conversation (2:14)
- Recognizing spiritual enemies and fighting them in prayer (3:24)
- The authority of Christ (4:53)
- Supporting parents as they teach their children (5:40)
- Not simply playing defense (7:22)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- Hope for the Global Youth Culture
- Following Christ in a World of Being “True to Yourself”
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Chris Bruno and David Helm discuss the question, “What does Jesus look like? Is it okay to wonder?” They address:
- Where to start (:28)
- Overcoming the enculturated view (1:27)
- Why the Bible doesn’t tell us how Jesus looked (2:31)
- Whether or not it’s okay to create representations of Jesus (3:47)
- Should we depend on icons to further our worship? (6:12)
- Our desire to see God (7:13)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- What Did Jesus Look Like?
- Answering Eastern Orthodox Apologists Regarding Icons
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Rico Tice and Scott Oliphint discuss the question, “Why must we believe the Bible is divinely inspired?” They address:
- It’s not just great literature (:28)
- When God’s authority is questioned (:43)
- Believing inconvenient truth (3:22)
- A question of the will (5:32)
- How it affects our evangelistic methodology (6:06)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- Scripture as Divine Revelation
- The Divine Inspiration of Holy Scripture
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Josh Chatraw and Mark Allen discuss the question, “How do I respond to someone who rejects scripture as a trustworthy source?” They address:
- The context of the question (:29)
- Being intimidated by the question (1:27)
- Learning to triage the conversation and find the central issue (2:14)
- Leaning on the gospels as truth (3:32)
- Dispelling ideas that biblical stories are myths (4:34)
- The gospels are too counter-intuitive to be a hoax (8:36)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
But Is It All True: The Bible and the Question of Truth
We Just Need the Bible
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Mike Evans and Jeong Woo Kim discuss the question, “Would a gospel coalition be beneficial in your part of the world?” They address:
- Why TGC is necessary in Korea (:28)
- The need for unified gospel efforts (1:34)
- Trans-denominational efforts to return to reformational roots (2:07)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
TGC Korea Provides New Forum for Gospel-Centered Content
Why Christianity Quit Growing in Korea
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Karen Swallow Prior and Jen Pollock Michel discuss the question, “How does literature deepen our understanding of Scripture?” They address:
- Reading vs. comprehension (:28)
- Paying attention (1:10)
- How social reading has affected our comprehension (2:19)
- Reading difficult texts (3:47)
- Reading for formation (4:38)
- Practicing imagination (5:41)
- Required imagination (6:52)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Want to Read Great Literature? Start Here.
Why Every Story and All of Literature is Christ-Haunted
Please listen with discretion as this episode addresses very sensitive topics around the sanctity of life.
Margaret Gibson joins us for the final installment of our four-part sanctity of life series to discuss empowering women with better choices, advocating for the unborn and their mothers, and why compassion and grace are essential in upholding the sanctity of life.
She addresses:
- How she came to work as the Director of Development at The Source Texas (1:31)
- How infertility softened her heart for women struggling with keeping their pregnancies (4:28)
- Empowering, educating, and resourcing women for better choices and meaningful support (5:22)
- Defining what pro-life really means (7:02)
- The essential nature of compassion and grace in the sanctity of life (11:12)
- Offering tangible help in pro-life work (13:49)
- The necessity of the whole body of Christ to engage in the pro-life cause (17:44)
- A word of grace for women contemplating abortion or those who have already walked through abortion (20:55)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of abortion.
Check out The Source to get involved with your local pregnancy resource center.
Please listen with discretion as this episode addresses very sensitive topics around the sanctity of life.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Matt Britton joins us for the third installment of our four-part sanctity of life series, discussing how his legal career grew beyond the courtroom and into fighting for the rights of the unborn in the pro-life movement.
Matt addresses:
- A quick introduction (1:26)
- The core functions of 40 Days for Life (1:55)
- How he got involved in pro-life work (4:19)
- How pro-life includes advocating for women (5:49)
- Amazing things happening with the pro-life movement and how to get involved (7:07)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of abortion.
Join 40 Days for Life for prayer, fasting, and community outreach.
Please listen with discretion as this episode references sensitive topics, including sexual assault.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Dr. Haywood Robinson joins us for the second installment of our four-part sanctity of life series, relaying his own story of being redeemed from a career of performing abortions. He shares insightful answers to medical questions related to pro-life issues.
Dr. Robinson addresses:
- Being found by Jesus (1:32)
- 40 Days for Life (2:33)
- His spiritual transformation (5:56)
- Reconciling his career with his faith (10:47)
- Whether or not there are permissible reasons for abortions (12:16)
- Scientific and medical implications of abortion (17:03)
- Encouragement for believers upholding the sanctity of life (20:36)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of abortion.
Join 40 Days for Life for prayer, fasting, and community outreach.
Please listen with discretion as this episode contains content related to abortion and pro-life issues.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Karen Swallow Prior introduces a new four-part series on the sanctity of life, addressing the true meaning of being pro-life and what she believes is necessary to end abortion. She addresses:
- Defining “sanctity of life” (1:42)
- Understanding abortion in her own story (3:52)
- Getting involved—serving those facing crisis pregnancy (6:23)
- Acting as a last voice giving women the opportunity to choose life (8:01)
- Moving beyond politics to end abortion (9:00)
- Building a bridge to those who are secularly pro-life (11:56)
- Defining “pro-life” and a pivotal call to action (14:59)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of abortion.
Karen's recommended resources:
- Abortion and the Early Church by Michael J. Gorman
- Defenders of the Unborn by Daniel K. Williams
- Beyond the Abortion Wars by Charles C. Camosy
- Embryo: A Defense of Human Life by Robert P. George
- The Gospel and Abortion by Russell Moore and Andrew T. Walker
- Find your local crisis pregnancy center for volunteer opportunities and resources
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Josh Byers and Quina Aragon address the question, “How do the arts help us learn and grasp Scripture?” They address:
- The arts as a means of communication (:28)
- Hesitation around engaging the arts (1:57)
- God and visual communication (2:11)
- Emotion, the arts, and memory (2:45)
- The Psalms and emotional experience (4:12)
- Imago Dei (4:57)
Explore more from TGC on this topic here and here.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Al Mohler and Bryan Chapell address the question, “What will define the next generation of pastors?” They address:
- Concerns about the next generation of pastors (:29)
- Depreciation of commitment to denominations (1:00)
- Maintaining gospel centrality in a pluralistic culture (2:24)
- Deny Scripture or not talk about it (3:15)
- Fighting for cultural relevance (4:07)
- The speed of cultural change (4:55)
- Keeping the gospel first (5:49)
Explore more from TGC on this topic here and here.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more atthrivent.com
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address the question, “How can churches live out the doctrines of grace?” They address:
- Cherishing and living the doctrines of grace (:29)
- Being prepared to die (:59)
- Loving others to the end (2:12)
- Gospel doctrine, gospel culture (3:32)
- What impedes gospel culture and progress (5:09)
Explore more from TGC on churches living out the doctrines of grace here and here.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more atthrivent.com
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jackie Hill Perry and Colleen McFadden address the question, “How do I choose solid study resources?” They address:
- Discerning the right options (:29)
- Not listening to just anyone’s recommendations (1:19)
- Time in the Scripture shapes your understanding of good resources (2:30)
- Your ultimate resource (2:44)
- Trusted people and organizations (3:19)
- Not neglecting prayer (3:45)
- Good online resources (4:21)
- Not letting online resources replace the church (5:04)
- Learning from wise believers around you (5:39)
Explore more from TGC on pre-written Bible study resourceshere.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more at thrivent.com
In this bonus episode of TGC Q&A, Sandra McCracken and Ellie Holcomb discuss their favorite Christmas carols:
- “O Holy Night”—even with the high note (:53)
- “Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming” (2:04)
- “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and Charlie Brown (2:23)
- “Silent Night” and “Away in a Manger” (4:25)
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” (5:23)
Explore more from TGC on Christmas and Advent songs here, here, and here.
In this bonus episode of TGC Q&A, Fernando Ortega and Stuart Townend discuss their favorite Christmas carols:
- “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (:44)
- “In the Bleak Midwinter” (1:00)
- “Joy to the World “(1:27)
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1:59)
- Huge language to grapple with mind-blowing truths (2:18)
- The humility of the Godhead as an infant (3:08)
- Honesty in Christmas songs (4:07)
Explore more from TGC on Christmas and Advent songs here, here, and here.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Russell Moore and Mika Edmondson address the question, “How should churches biblically address divorce?” They discuss:
- Spiritual warfare in at least two directions (:28)
- How God speaks about divorce (2:34)
- When the home is not safe—abandonment (4:55)
- Divorce as a weapon and Jesus’s response (6:15)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of divorce.
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more atthrivent.com.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Derek Rishmawy and Cameron Cole address the question, “How do I evangelize Generation Z?” They discuss:
- Understanding Generation Z (:28)
- Technology and instant gratification (2:08)
- Evangelism by Generation Z (5:07)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Meet Generation Z
3 Books to Help Church Leaders Understand Gen Z (or iGen)
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more atthrivent.com.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Taylor Turkington and Jen Wilkin address the question, “Why should women learn to study the Bible?” They discuss:
- Knowing God (:27)
- When “we don’t need more Bible knowledge” (1:28)
- Growing as the church of God (2:14)
- Equipping to serve others (2:58)
- The joy of biblical depth (3:37)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Is the Bible Good for Women?
Training Women to Teach the Bible (Panel)
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more at thrivent.com.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Jackie Hill Perry and Jen Pollock address the question, “How do I proclaim Christ as the only way in a pluralistic age?” They discuss:
- “You do you” (:29)
- An invitation to save your life (1:45)
- When “you do you” rubs others the wrong way (2:48)
- Participating in the activities of Jesus (4:07)
- A greater joy (4:48)
- The exhaustion of autonomy and the rest of Christ (5:34)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society
Contradict
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by Thrivent, helping people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives that are full of meaning and gratitude. Learn more at thrivent.com.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Tim Keller and Don Carson address the question, “What did Paul mean by ‘I do not permit a woman to teach'?” They discuss:
- What Paul actually forbids (:29)
- The debate over whether he forbids one thing or two (2:21)
- Imperial ignorance—it can’t be known (3:43)
- Transcultural exhortation (4:15)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:Should Women Preach In Our Churches?
Pastors Need Women Teachers (and Vice Versa)
This episode of TGC Q&A is brought to you by Operation Christmas Child. National Collection Week is November 16 through 23. Visit SamaritansPurse.org/OCC to learn how gift-filled shoeboxes will result in evangelism and discipleship for millions of children this year.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Russell Moore and Kristen Waggoner address the question, “What’s the future of religious freedom in the U.S.?” They discuss:
- Hope for the future of religious freedom (:29)
- Why religious freedom is important (1:43)
- Preparing churches to build conscience in its people (2:43)
- Wisdom to differentiate violation of conscience from things that are not (3:58)
- Religious freedom outside of churches (5:36)
- Dying to self vs. building precedent for others (7:00)
- Being faithful and wise and seeing God move in ways we don’t expect (9:36)
Explore more from TGC on the topic of religious freedom.
This episode of TGC Q&A is brought to you by Operation Christmas Child. National Collection Week is November 16 through 23. Visit SamaritansPurse.org/OCCto learn how gift-filled shoeboxes will result in evangelism and discipleship for millions of children this year.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Mike Cosper and Alan Noble address the question, “How has secularism shaped contemporary Christianity?” They discuss:
- How secularism has shaped the hearts of church leaders (:28)
- Entrepreneurship-shaped models of church (1:27)
- Uncontested adoption of technologies (3:20)
- When worship feels categorically like every other experience (4:23)
- Leaning into the purposeful differences (5:19)
Explore more from TGC and these contributors on this subject:
- Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age.
This episode of TGC Q&A is brought to you by Operation Christmas Child. National Collection Week is November 16 through 23. Visit SamaritansPurse.org/OCCto learn how gift-filled shoeboxes will result in evangelism and discipleship for millions of children this year.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Josh Chatraw and Mark Allen address the question, “What does ineffective apologetics look like?” They discuss:
- Appealing to your base leading to polarization (:28)
- Canned approaches (2:37)
- Addressing objections poorly (3:35)
- Avoiding ineffective approaches and giving hope (5:14)
- Defining effective apologetics (7:20)
Explore more from TGC on the featured topic of apologetics.
This episode of TGC Q&A is brought to you by Operation Christmas Child. National Collection Week is November 16 through 23. Visit SamaritansPurse.org/OCC to learn how gift-filled shoeboxes will result in evangelism and discipleship for millions of children this year.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Mika Edmondson and Russell Moore address the question, “How should Christians pray during elections?” They discuss:
- Praying generally and individually (:28)
- Praying for unity, humility, and empathy (2:03)
- Avoiding “apocalyptic” attitudes (3:20)
- Seeing beyond particular moral perspectives (4:27)
Explore more from TGC on navigating election season here:
4 Ways to Worship—Not Worry—This Election Season
The Two Articles Every Christian Should Read the Day After the Election
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by WinShape Marriage. Their passion is to create experiences that transform your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. To learn more and see all WinShape offers for every stage of marriage, visit winshapemarriage.org.
Rebecca McLaughlin and Taylor Turkington discuss:
- Complete transformation (:29)
- Everything made new (1:42)
- Newness that progresses (3:16)
- Power perfected in weakness (3:46)
- Waiting for completion (4:30)
- Clinging to Christ in a new value system (5:12)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- The New Creation
- New Creation in Paul’s Letters and Thought
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by WinShape Marriage. Their passion is to create experiences that transform your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. To learn more and see all WinShape offers for every stage of marriage, visit winshapemarriage.org.
Crawford Loritts and Jason Cook answer the question, “What Bible passage do you treasure most?” They discuss:
- 1 Corinthians 1:18—foolishness and folly (:27)
- Reasons verses resonate with us (1:18)
- Joshua 1:8—the Bible and its context for our lives (1:48)
- Belief in the sufficiency of God’s Word (3:41)
- The power of God’s Word to do hard work (5:18)
- Gifts and God’s Word (5:57)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
- The Sufficiency of Scripture
- Finding the Right Bible Reading Plan
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by WinShape Marriage. Their passion is to create experiences that transform your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. To learn more and see all WinShape offers for every stage of marriage, visit winshapemarriage.org.
In this episode of TGC Q&A, Rico Tice and Scott Oliphint discuss how the world would be different if Christ had not risen. They address:
- The hope of the resurrection (:32)
- The certainty of hope because of the resurrection (2:16)
- The resurrection as a warning (5:05)
- The resurrection as a basis for judgment (6:56)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Neglecting the Resurrection
The Resurrection
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by WinShape Marriage. Their passion is to create experiences that transform your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. To learn more and see all WinShape offers for every stage of marriage, visit winshapemarriage.org.
In the last episode of TGC Q&A’s Christians and Healthcare series, Dr. Scott James answers the question, “How does COVID-19 affect kids and babies?” He addresses:
- What should I know about the effect on children and their ability to infect others with COVID-19? (:40)
- Long-term outcomes (2:45)
- Do babies respond well to COVID-19? What wisdom is there for parents during this pandemic? (3:25)
- Very young infants and COVID-19 (4:39)
- Encouragement for new parents in a pandemic (5:22)
- How does your faith intersect with your work? (8:53)
- Specific ways doctors can shepherd hurting people (10:51)
- Encouragement for how Christians should view public health (13:18)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
- Parenting Anxious Kids In An Anxious Time
- Family Worship Starts Now
- Books by Scott James
Dr. Scott James's Recommended Resources:
- COVID-19 Pastoral Resources from 9Marks
This episode of TGC Q&A's Christians and Healthcare series is sponsored by Remodel Health. Remodel Health is the health benefits software and consulting that helps employers save money and care better for their team. To learn how you can save an average of 35% on health benefits, visit remodelhealth.com/tgc.
In this third episode of TGC Q&A’s Christians and Healthcare series, Dr. Bob Cutillo answers the question, “Can protecting my health become an idol?” He addresses:
- What are signs that I’ve made an idol out of pursuing health? (1:40)
- Health as a possession vs. a gift (2:40)
- Health as an end in itself or a means to an end (4:44)
- Anxiety in regard to health (6:33)
- Health and a Christian view of suffering (7:45)
- In what ways does faith intersect with providing the best medical care? (9:15)
- How do I avoid being ruled by fear of getting sick—especially in this pandemic? Is my increased fear normal? (11:57)
- Fear as a normal reaction (12:22)
- God’s work to make us whole (13:48)
- Fighting fear with faith (16:01)
- A warning against arrogance and a story of sacrifice (17:15)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
Your Best Health Now?
Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age
Dr. Cutillo’s Recommended Resources:
- Reclaiming the Body: Christians and the Faithful Use of Modern Medicine by Joel Shuman and Brian Volck
- Pursuing Health in an Anxious Age by Bob Cutillo
- “Health is Membership” in The Art of the Common Place by Berry Wendell
- “Dr. Matthew’s Passion” by Blaine Harden for The New York Times Magazine
This episode of TGC Q&A's Christians and Healthcare series is sponsored by Remodel Health. Remodel Health is the health benefits software and consulting that helps employers save money and care better for their team. To learn how you can save an average of 35% on health benefits, visit remodelhealth.com/tgc.
In the second episode of TGC Q&A’s Christians and Healthcare series, Dr. John Dunlop answers the question, “How do I care for those with dementia?” He addresses:
- What is the hardest part about the effects of dementia? (:45)
- Challenges and hope for those who face dementia and their loved ones (1:19)
- God’s purposes in dementia (3:39)
- How do we differentiate between worsening dementia and the effects of polypharmacy? (6:33)
- How can believers have a biblical perspective on modern medicine? (9:28)
- “God heals; the physician collects the fee.” (12:35)
- How does someone “finish their race” well, with dignity, and to the glory of God? (14:14)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
TGC Course: Dementia
TGC Course: End of Life Issues
This episode of TGC Q&A's Christians and Healthcare series is sponsored by Remodel Health. Remodel Health is the health benefits software and consulting that helps employers save money and care better for their team. To learn how you can save an average of 35% on health benefits, visit remodelhealth.com/tgc.
In this first episode of TGC Q&A’s Christians and Healthcare series, Dr. Katie Butler answers the question, “How should Christians view the end of life?” She addresses:
- Framing the discussion (:42)
- Should Christians should always choose to “extend life?” (1:44)
- Thinking biblically in tumultuous situations (3:38)
- Four biblical principles for approaching end-of-life care (6:01)
- Seeking a cure, accepting death, and alleviating suffering (11:42)
- Evangelism in the ICU and palliative care (18:09)
- The difference between evangelism and ministry in the healthcare industry (21:22)
- Show compassion as a healthcare worker without becoming spiritually exhausted (25:28)
- The most fundamental method for building crucial strength to endure (28:38)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
TGC Course: End of Life Issues
When Flesh and Heart Fail: Why Believers Should Consider Advance Directives
Dr. Katie Butler’s Recommended Resources:
For healthcare professionals, referenced in episode:
- Christian Medical and Dental Association
- Medical Ethics and the Faith Factor: A Handbook for Clergy and Healthcare Professionalsby Robert Orr
- Hostility to Hospitality: Spirituality and Professional Socialization within Medicineby Michael and Tracey Balboni
For everyone:
- Between Life and Death: A Gospel-Centered Guide to End-of-Life Medical Care by Kathryn Butler
- Finishing Well to the Glory of God by John Dunlop, MD
- Crossway articles on end-of-life care by Dr. Katie Butler
This episode of TGC Q&A's Christians and Healthcare series is sponsored by Remodel Health. Remodel Health is the health benefits software and consulting that helps employers save money and care better for their team. To learn how you can save an average of 35% on health benefits, visit remodelhealth.com/tgc.
Jackie Hill Perry and Colleen McFadden discuss the place of God's Word in ministry. They address:
- The purpose of the Bible and biblical ministry (:31)
- The value of ministry of the Word (1:23)
- Teaching in one-on-one settings (2:14)
- The need for ministers to value the Word personally (3:09)
- Serving vs. speaking gifts (3:46)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Word-Filled Women’s Ministry: Loving and Serving the Church
Word-Based Ministry to Women
Glen Scrivener and Sam Chan discuss whether or not Christianity has done more good than evil in the world throughout time. They address:
- Resonance, dissonance, and gospel fulfillment (:30)
- Christian guilt (1:13)
- More or less of Jesus? (1:44)
- Pursuing deeper understanding (2:38)
- Religions and their wars (4:50)
- Resources to learn more (5:56)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Where is Jesus Among Genocide and Unthinkable Evil
How to Answer the 12 Strongest Objections to Christianity
Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss what Paul meant when he said that we are “being saved.” They address:
- The journey of salvation (:32)
- The certainty of salvation (:56)
- Three tenses of salvation (1:33)
- Living like new converts (2:50)
- Mutual assurance of salvation (4:14)
Explore more from TGC on this topic:
Course on The Doctrine of Salvation
In the final episode of our biblical counseling series, Paul Tripp answers the question, “How do I find hope in suffering?” He addresses:
- The role of lament in suffering (1:00)
- Complaint vs. lament (1:25)
- Darkness and lament that leads to hopefulness (3:33)
- Hope from the Bible for the suffering (4:24)
- Our understanding High Priest (6:55)
- Finding hope in the already, not yet world (9:16)
- Hopelessness as the doorway to hope (10:12)
- How to renew your mind in suffering (12:43)
- Speaking truth to yourself (14:07)
- A four-step practice to renew the mind (16:48)
- Combating the lie of unworthiness (18:42)
Find more from TGC on suffering:
- Featured Topic from TGC
Paul's recommended resources:
- Where is God When it Hurts? by Phillip Yancey
- When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes
- Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Paul Tripp
- When Suffering Enters Your Door (video series with Paul Tripp)
In this episode of our TGC Q&A biblical counseling series, Mark Shaw answers the question, “What does God say to those who struggle with addiction?” He addresses:
- How to help others in your church seeking to overcome addiction (:54)
- Addiction as a sin issue (1:14)
- Becoming a spiritual heart doctor (2:26)
- Partnership in counseling (2:55)
- Biblical encouragement for someone battling addiction (7:23)
- Behavioral modification and heart transformation (12:21)
- Dealing with shame (15:18)
- Helping someone addicted to pornography (19:15)
- Confession as a starting point (19:56)
- Fleeing sexual immorality (22:12)
- Thinking of others first (25:09)
- Hope for those caught in addiction (25:50)
Find more from TGC on addiction:
- Featured Topic from TGC
Mark's recommended resources:
- Find books, studies, and videos from The Addiction Connection
- Gospel-centered books written by Mark E. Shaw on addiction
In this episode of TGC Q&A’s biblical counseling series, Nate Brooks answers the question, “Should Christians be skeptical about counseling?” He addresses:
- Encouraging reluctant people toward counseling (:35)
- Allowing others to see our struggles (2:03)
- Patience for others (2:47)
- Prayer for others (4:05)
- Talking about counseling in a helpful way (3:55)
- The first step in seeking counseling (7:03)
- Thankfulness for God’s leadership toward godly counsel (5:25)
- Bringing along a friend as an advocate in counseling (8:32)
- What makes for a good counselor (10:25)
- Good counselors are good listeners (10:49)
- Good counselors are scripturally wise (11:36)
- Trusting biblical counselors—wise advice vs. biblical commands (14:33)
- Encouragement for those wanting to be biblical counselors (20:13)
Find more from TGC on biblical counseling:
- A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry
- TGC’s Counseling Course
Nate's recommended resources:
- Thoughts for Young Counselors by Nate Brooks (blog post)
- Six Ways to Make the Most Out of Counseling by Rick Thomas (blog post)
- Resources from the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF)
- The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD)
In this episode of our TGC Q&A biblical counseling series, Rebekah Hannah answers the question, “How can we care for families who have gone through miscarriage?” She addresses:
- Caring for a friend after a miscarriage (1:10)
- Speaking too quickly (2:05)
- Commiseration vs. hope (2:47)
- Minimizing pain (3:18)
- Promising what God has not (3:55)
- Saying nothing at all (4:40)
- Church support following perinatal loss (5:25)
- Learning from the stories of God’s people (7:13)
- Practical service (8:00)
- Grieving with hope (8:43)
- Truth doesn’t end pain, but gives it value (10:53)
- When you feel hopeless (11:32)
- Sin and suffering as effects of the fall that have been overcome by Christ (12:20)
Find more from TGC on miscarriage and perinatal loss:
Sharing the Painful Loss of Miscarriage
The Fruit of Grief in Miscarriage
Pregnancy After Miscarriage
Rebekah's recommended resources:
4 Gospel Truths for Miscarriage by Rebekah Hannah (blog post)
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
James Newheiser, Jr. answers the question, “What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage?” He addresses:
- Biblical grounds for divorce (:40)
- Unfaithfulness, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation (1:24)
- Abandonment and sanctification (6:00)
- When a spouse leaves (10:21)
- Abuse as a form of abandonment (12:25)
- When the abuser is a “believer” (14:40)
- The nature of the divorce answers the question of remarriage (15:52)
- The virtual widow (17:16)
- A word of caution for those who are hurt and vulnerable (18:03)
Find more from TGC on marriage:
Explore the Featured Topic on Divorce
Divorce and Remarriage: Biblical Principles and Pastoral Practice
Jim’s recommended resources:
Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Critical Questions and Answers by Jim Newheiser
Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby Strickland
The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home by Chris Moles
Deepak Reju's She's Got The Wrong Guy by Deepak Reju
Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey
Shanda Anderson answers the question, “What Does God Say to Those Who Struggle with Body Image?” She addresses:
- Biblical encouragement for someone struggling with an eating disorder (1:54)
- Cultural directives for identity formation (2:28)
- Social media as a weapon of mass destruction (4:46)
- Loves disordered by sin (6:20)
- Recognizing and struggling with motivations behind habits (9:15)
- God-given value that overcomes body image struggles (13:16)
- Shame as a barrier to healthy identity (17:15)
- Practical tools for embracing your identity in Christ (18:48)
- Can God take away an eating disorder? (21:45)
- Reflecting Christ by reflecting his glorious beauty (26:55)
Find more from TGC on marriage:
Eating, Body Image, and the Gospel
As You Start That Diet: 3 Truths About Body Image
Shanda's recommended resources:
- 2017 Gospel Identity Conference with Tim Keller
- Broken Body Image from Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF)
- Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall: Body Image Distortions from CCEF
- When Eating Isn't Enough by Michael R. Emlet
In the fourth episode of our biblical counseling series, Josh Squires answers the question, “How do I honor God when marriage gets tough?” He addresses:
- Common questions about marriage (:25)
- Functionality in marriage (1:20)
- Complimentary marriage (1:40)
- When the husband doesn’t lead (5:28)
- Engaging a spiritually apathetic spouse (9:46)
- Apathy and the stages of change (12:22)
- Helping your spouse move on from apathy (16:48)
- The biggest challenge in marriage (18:30)
- Marriage game theory (19:40)
- Finding a way to health in a troubled marriage (26:10)
Find more from TGC on marriage:
Explore the Topic of Marriage
Josh’s recommended reading list:
When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey
Marriage Matters by Winston T. Smith
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller
What Did You Expect by Paul Tripp
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason
Why Marriages Succeed or Fail by John Gottman
In the third episode of the biblical counseling series, Lois Kehlenbrink answers the question, “How can pastors care for their own souls?" She addresses:
- Spiritual plateau (:53)
- Taking physical inventory (1:30)
- The importance of Sabbath rest (2:00)
- Neglected pastoral wounds (4:00)
- Help for lingering hurts (6:27)
- Wounds as tools to understand God’s love (9:41)
- Identifying with the suffering of Christ (10:44)
- Dignity and delight in fellowship with Christ (13:00)
- Grieving that understands the suffering of Christ (15:18)
- Redemptive purposes in our wounds (16:31)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
Tony Merida on Ministry Discouragement
What It Takes to Survive and Thrive in Ministry
Lois's Recommended Reading List:
Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller with Katherine Leary Alsdorf
Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Senseby Paul Tripp
The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society by Henri J. M. Nouwen
In the second episode of our biblical counseling series on TGC Q&A, Andrew Dealy answers the question, “How do I overcome anxiety and depression?” He addresses:
- Fighting guilt and finding resilience (:37)
- The natural response to a fallen and broken world (1:22)
- Lessons from Matthew 6:25-34 and Phil 4:4-9 (1:56)
- Learning not to be ruled by our emotions (3:09)
- Jesus fighting anxiety in the Garden (5:15)
- A great hope to overcome anxiety (7:22)
- Deciphering the factors that feed anxiety (8:10)
- Finding purpose in our struggle (13:55)
- Medication as a personal help (14:28)
- Expected pain and suffering in the Christian life (15:27)
- Being honest about our pain (16:47)
- No promise of answers to all of our questions (17:32)
- Self-forgetfulness instead of an inward focus (18:00)
- Practical tools for overcoming anxiety and depression (19:03)
- An invitation to carry our struggles to God (19:56)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
Explore the Topic of Fear and Anxiety
The God-Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life
Recommended Reading from Andrew Dealy:
Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Ed Welch
Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch
Spiritual Depression by Martin Lloyd-Jones
The Anxious Christian by Rhett Smith
As part of the biblical counseling series on TGC Q&A, Ed Welch answers the question, “How do I find peace in the midst of fear?” He addresses:
- Framing the question (1:04)
- The natural understanding of the command not to be afraid (2:13)
- Matthew 6—Jesus’ command to avoid anxiety (3:40)
- An encouraging walk with Jesus (4:10)
- Our aim in avoiding fear (5:14)
- Merging fear and faith (6:12)
- Being honest about our fears and placing our trust in God (7:57)
- What we should expect as we grow in our faith (9:19)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
The Peace of Christ Taming Our Fears, Irritants, and Challenges
Three Questions: Fear
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by The Gospel Project—a chronological Bible study for all ages, explaining how Scripture points to Jesus, encouraging us to live on mission. Visitgospelproject.com/tgcto download a free eBook and try additional resources.
Derek Rishmawy and Cameron Cole discuss whether or not evangelism will change as America becomes post-Christian. They address:
- Growing trends (:35)
- Careful, intentional use of our Christian language (1:42)
- The confusion of Christian jargon (2:35)
- Long-term relationships that allow time for clarity (3:30)
- The failures of secularism and the need for Jesus (5:10)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
Evangelizing People in a Post-Christian Society
How Evangelism Works in a Post-Christian Culture
TGC Q&A's biblical counseling series starts next Wednesday, June 3rd. We’ve partnered with biblical counselors to bring you encouragement, practical tools, and hopeful answers to your questions on navigating fear, anxiety, marriage, ministry, and everything in between. We hope these episodes will minister to your heart and remind you of God’s grace and compassion—especially during this global pandemic. Be sure to tune in next week for the very first episode with Ed Welch as he answers questions about fear.
Nancy Guthrie and Courtney Doctor discuss pre-written Bible studies and their usefulness for Christians studying the Bible. They address:
- The value of expertise in pre-written studies (:54)
- Gleaning benefits from well-stewarded work (1:48)
- Recommendations for finding good and helpful Bible studies (2:29)
- The most important elements of producing a good Bible study (5:15)
- Creating user-friendly, helpful resources (6:31)
Find more from TGC on this topic:
Is Your Bible Study a Christian Bible Study?
6 Questions for Assessing Bible-Study Material
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by The Gospel Project—a chronological Bible study for all ages, explaining how Scripture points to Jesus, encouraging us to live on mission. Visit gospelproject.com/tgc to download a free eBook and try additional resources.
Jonathan Leeman and John Onwuchekwa discuss whether or not believers are able to lose our salvation. They address:
- Hebrews 6 (:34)
- Regenerate language in the passage (1:16)
- Old Testament figures who “lost” the Holy Spirit (1:46)
- Phenomenological language in the passage (2:09)
- Inability for one who is born again to be “not born again” (2:48)
- Hebrews 6 in light of 1 John 2—a warning to heed (4:03)
Read more from TGC on this topic:
Does Hebrews 6 Teach You Can Lose Your Salvation?
J.D. Greear: ‘Once Saved, Forever Following’
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by The Gospel Project—a chronological Bible study for all ages, explaining how Scripture points to Jesus, encouraging us to live on mission. Visit gospelproject.com/tgc to download a free e-book and try additional resources.
Taylor Turkington and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss ways to engage unbelievers in conversations about God. They address:
- Understanding our assumptions about evangelism (:43)
- Framing gospel conversations (1:16)
- Turning conversations to spiritual things (2:13)
- Being honest about your own need for Jesus (2:40)
- Inviting others to worship services as part of evangelism (4:03)
- Talking about the Bible and the gospel message (4:38)
- Challenges to talking about the gospel (6:05)
- Trusting the Lord to work through our conversations (7:16)
Read more from TGC on this topic:
Evangelism
Explore the topic and work through the Evangelism Course
This episode of TGC Q&A is sponsored by The Gospel Project—a chronological Bible study for all ages, explaining how Scripture points to Jesus, encouraging us to live on mission. Visit gospelproject.com/tgc to download a free e-book and try additional resources.
Al Mohler and Bryan Chapell discuss how and why Jesus could not know the day and hour of his return. They address:
- Correctly framing the question (:30)
- Clarity from the early Christian church (1:20)
- The function of Christ’s human nature (1:44)
- The necessary humanity of Christ as good news (3:12)
- Assumed limitation for the sake of substitution (4:54)
- Christ as perfect humanity glorified (5:54)
Read more from TGC on this topic:
What Does It Mean to Be Human? See Jesus.
The Man Christ Jesus
Glen Scrivener and Sam Chan discuss how to challenge “buffet-style” Christianity. They address:
- The à la carte approach to Bible teaching (:40)
- The paradox of choice as the key to happiness (1:10)
- Preference vs. ontology; autonomy vs. truth (2:16)
- Truth matters—you cannot choose the parts you want and ignore the rest (3:15)
- Absolute truth via multiple perspectives and the Bible as reference point (4:13)
- Learning epistemology through an international community of interpreters and epistemic humility (5:05)
Read more from TGC on this topic:
The Internet Is Not a Library
Why You Should Not Listen to Me
Taylor Turkington and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss whether opposing gay marriage is just as bad as supporting slavery. They address:
- The biblical treatise against racism. (:45)
- Ways people have utilized the Bible to justify slavery vs. how people use the Bible to justify same-sex marriage. (1:33)
- The nature of biblical sexual ethics and authority of the Bible. (2:32)
- The result of the New Covenant upon the justification of prejudice. (3:10)
- The centrality of the gospel in any conversation regarding same-sex marriage. (5:24)
Read more from TGC on this topic:
Gay Is Not the New Black
5 Reasons to Disentangle Sexuality and Race
Jackie Hill Perry and Jen Pollock Michel discuss how Christians should respond to cultural outrage. In their conversation, they discuss:
- The expectation of outrage against the claims of the Bible that are offensive to culture
- The need to differentiate between righteous outrage and emotional cultural response
- The need to temper our language and aggression when handling disagreement
- The need to be slow to anger and quick to love when addressing outrage
- The rightful place of outrage that fights injustice—to hate what God hates
- The need to learn from other believers how to be outraged over the right things
Find more information about our guests:
Jackie Hill Perry
Jackie Hill Perry Twitter
Jen Pollock Michel
Jen Pollock Michel Twitter
Read more from TGC about this topic:
Let the Outrage Culture Help You Share the Good News
Are Evangelicals Addicted to Pseudo-Events and Media Outrage?
In this episode of TGC Q&A, H. B. Charles and Ligon Duncan discuss what the Bible teaches about the moment believers die. They emphasize the hope Christians have in being immediately found in the presence of Christ following death. The comfort of Christ points not only to an eternity in which all suffering ends after his return, but also to the joy of being with Christ the instant we sleep in death. Such joy caused Paul to vacillate between a desire to serve Christ in the world and leave by death to experience the presence of Christ.
You can find more information about our guests here:
H. B. Charles
H. B. Charles Twitter
Ligon Duncan
Ligon Duncan Twitter
You can also read more from TGC about this topic here:
Away from the Body and at Home with the Lord
Nancy Guthrie and Joni Eareckson Tada begin their conversation by reflecting on the first time they met, more than 20 years ago. At the time, Guthrie was reading Tada’s book, Heaven: Your Real Home, as Guthrie’s daughter had recently gone home to heaven.
This memory prompts Guthrie to ask Tada what it means to set the heart on heaven. Tada says that she does her best to take God’s advice to lay up treasures in heaven, where she will be with Jesus, who makes it a heavenly place. Tada also references Jonathan Edwards’ remark on heaven where he said, in Tada’s paraphrase, that everything we do down here on earth has a direct bearing on our capacity for worship and joy and service in heaven. For Tada, this means that every day she can invest in heaven, obey God, trust him more, believe his Word more, and follow him more closely.
Guthrie adds that the joy of heaven is going to be many things, but the Bible says that this ultimate joy we're going to have is being in God’s presence and seeing him face to face.
This resonates with Tada as someone who has been paralyzed for 52 years. Though she looks forward to having a new heavenly body one day, she says she is most looking forward to the new heart—a heart free from all sin.
Guthrie then asks Tada if she thinks it’s true that suffering allows the Christian to relate more to the sufferings and things of Christ. Tada says that suffering can be a platform that gives someone authority to model and speak about joy in suffering. When Tada looks at her quadriplegic friends and their trust in the Lord through their heartache and hardships, she listens to and believes what they say about their faith.
Guthrie adds that it is an incredible privilege, at the lowest places of our lives, to sense that God is at work and present in these low places of life—the work of God on the interior of our lives is being put on display for the world.
Guthrie goes on to ask Tada how she makes sense of various theological beliefs about praying for healing and believing that Jesus will heal us. In response, Tada says we must go to Scripture to make sense of it all because yes, on one hand, God wants us to pray for healing. Jesus wants us to be healed in the sense that he despises suffering. He doesn't take any delight in it. He spent most of his time on earth trying to remove it. Yet, we must look at Jesus’ priorities—he is much more concerned about the healing of our inward soul, about getting rid of sin. God's core plan in rescuing us is to get us free of sin, not only when we first believed and when we prayed to receive Jesus, because we are even now being saved.
Guthrie and Tada sing multiple hymns together as their hearts are stirred during this conversation about suffering, healing, and heaven.
Karen Swallow Prior begins the conversation by reminding us that there really is no thing as autonomy. We are born into communities, times, and places, and everything that makes up who we are comes from others. In other words, our particularities come from somewhere outside of ourselves. As Christian we understand that it is indeed God who determines the things that make up the individual self.
Jen Pollock Michel points that it can be burdensome to believe in yourself. Humans tend to be unreliable and fail everyday. But Christianity helps us face the truth about ourselves: there’s good that I don’t do and evil that I do, to paraphrase the Apostle Paul, and if our only ethic is to believe in ourselves, we’re left in a truly hopeless position. We need other people!
Karen agrees adding that we not only need other people, but that meaning and purpose come from beyond the human realm.
Jen mentions the book Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, which chronicles the stories of people who at the end of their lives discover that finding meaning outside of themselves leads to a more joyful and full life. This is true, Karen adds, not only at the end but in every stage of life. All throughout life we are changing and growing, but to believe in ourselves means to believe in something different in every stage of life.
It’s ironic, Jen notes, that we think believing in yourself is the way to freedom when it reality it only leads to slavery. Freedom always tends towards flourishing when we have our boundaries, because those boundaries are established for our good. We often think of obedience as negative boundaries, but they are actually meant to free us.
Finally, Karen concludes that our development never happens in a vacuum. We always cultivate our desires based on who or what we set our eyes on.
Credits
Thanks to WinShape Teams for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit winshapeteams.org
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo.
Glen Scrivener begins the conversation by saying the problem with prosperity theology is treating Jesus as though he is the delivery system for a bunch of blessings that are apart from him. Scrivener then references Sinclair Ferguson's book, The Whole Christ, which says that the problem with our gospel presentations is that we talk about every blessing through Jesus when we should preach every blessing in Jesus—offering Christ himself to people. Therefore, Scrivener suggests, you're not promised health and wealth and prosperity.
Scrivener says Christians really need to have a good doctrine of union with Christ and be far more Christ-centered in what we preach. We're not just offering health and wealth, and we're not just offering fire insurance. We're offering Jesus himself, Scrivener says.
Sam Chan agrees and says that union with Jesus is what we as Christians should be focused on when sharing the gospel. He says if we can preach it that way, there's this incredible prosperity in knowing Jesus. The climactic blessing is shalom—peace.
Chan references John R.W. Stott’s book, Cross of Christ. In the book, Stock says, "Union with Christ is the foundational blessing. Justification and forgiveness of sins, that's the center blessing. But the cream on top of the pudding is adoption, it's relationship, it's shalom."
Credits
Thanks to Cedarville University for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit cedarville.edu/TGC.
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Russell Moore begins the conversation by pointing to Scripture when Jesus washes Simon Peter’s feet. Moore asks Mika Edmondson what he thinks we can learn from Jesus about power and authority as it relates to serving one another inside and outside the church.
Edmondson answers by saying that authority in the church is not exercised in the same way as authority outside of the church. He says that one of the conspicuous ways in which we are to function is not lording it over one another like the Gentiles do, but looking to Jesus’s example. Jesus shows us this by actually taking the place, not just of a servant, but the lowest servant in that social setting.
Edmondson says that leadership must be a kind of servant leadership, a leadership that puts others' interests before our own, a leadership that's willing to associate with the lowly and the downtrodden, and a leadership that's willing to sacrifice for the good of others.
Moore points out that Jesus leads, but not toward his own interests. Instead, he leads toward Peter's in this moment of washing his feet. Moore says that this act shows how we are to lead—by serving.
Ligon Duncan begins the conversation by sharing his and David Platt’s shared belief in the primacy of the Word just as God speaks and brings his people into being. Duncan says that as we image God as witnesses, we should speak his word of grace, and the Holy Spirit will use that to bring people to newness of life.
Duncan goes on to say that we want to see the Word come to fruition in the lives of the people that we are speaking to, and that if we desire those people to come to faith in Christ, we should then want the Word coming to fruition in our own lives and through our testimonies.
Duncan thinks one reason that Christians are motivated to do deeds is not just for evangelistic reasons, but also because we are called to be a blessing to other people and to love our neighbor, at all times. Duncan says we as Christians don't need an evangelistic motivation to love our neighbor.
In the context of evangelism, Duncan says that when people see us living out the life that we are proclaiming with our lips, it makes the words that we are saying especially compelling and oftentimes, opens a door of someone’s heart to hear the Word of God.
Duncan thinks it's helpful for us to see ourselves as followers of Jesus—called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Second, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are intended to look to others' interests and ask, “How can I serve, how can I care?” Duncan says this is the character of Christ in us, and the greatest love we can show to someone else is to share the good news of how they can be reconciled with God.
Platt agrees and says the greatest way we can show love to another human being is to care about their eternal wellbeing, not just their temporal wellbeing. Platt says that caring about the eternal wellbeing does not mean that we don't care about the temporal wellbeing, because we care about people who are embodied, they are enfleshed, they are in a context, and because we love them, we should care about all those things.
Platt shares a story about a time he attended a conference with a missionary that was working in a closed Muslim country, and when the missionary told Platt what country he was in, knowing that many of the men who flew planes into buildings on 9/11 had actually come from that country, Platt wondered how he was ministering there. Platt asked him what ministering in word looked like and realized it was mostly displayed through deed.
Duncan says his hope for the listener of this conversation is to have zealous commitment to love neighbors as ourselves. To see physical needs and to ask, “What can we do to show the love of Christ?” Duncan says that question must be then coupled with and driven by a desire to proclaim the gospel.
Credits
Thanks to Cedarville University for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit cedarville.edu/TGC
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Taylor Turkington begins the conversation by highlighting that both men and women in the church can have the gift of teaching the Bible, and because of this, it is important to equip them—just like all the saints should be equipped for the work of the ministry as described in Ephesians 4:12-14.
Jen Wilkin says that she notices churches have a lot of pathways for men to teach but not as many of those for women, often leading to an imbalance due to access to tools and resources. Wilkin wants to see churches develop a category of training specifically to equip women to teach the Bible with excellence and precision, understanding the weight of what they are teaching.
Wilkin and Turkington both agree that teaching the Bible comes with a certain weightiness and, as Wilkin argues, the cost for teaching the Bible incorrectly is high. Because of this, Turkington says the church should help both men and women excel at both their interpretation and communication of God’s Word.
Wilkin says she believes women in the church want to get trained on teaching the Bible, they just don’t always know where to go. Wilkin suggests women need to see an example in the church of other women who are properly teaching the Scriptures. Ultimately, they need permission and tools to do so. Turkington agrees and adds that it is essential for women to see a model of what it looks like for a woman to teach the Bible.
For women who are wanting to grow in teaching the Bible, Wilkin recommends reading books that explore the metanarrative of the Bible, explaining what the bigger story of the Scriptures is. Wilkin also suggests delving into a systematic theology text and trusted commentary texts. Lastly, Wilkin recommends the yearly conference in Dallas, Texas, called Proclaim Truththat gives women leaders at all levels an opportunity to learn the mechanics of Bible teaching and studying the Scriptures in the local church.
Turkington ends by pointing women to The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Training Network that seeks to train women to use the Scriptures for their own growth and for service in God’s kingdom. Turkington also recommends the Charles Simeon Trust organization that trains the next generation of Bible expositors.
Credits
Thanks to Cedarville University for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit cedarville.edu/TGC
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Ray Ortlund begins the discussion by saying that it is harmful for anyone to make aspects of their fallen nature their primary identity. He goes on to say that we all have tendencies toward this, as we often take aspects of our earthly life and make that the ultimate lens through which we see ourselves. This false grid, Ortlund states, can be made up of sexual identity, corporate identity, relationship status, or any number of things. When we come to Christ, Ortlund reminds, we all have to offer up our identities to him and allow him to define who we are. He references the New Testament ethic and defines it as being who we are, and who we are has now changed—the new self in Christ Jesus.
Sam Allberry asks Ortlund why it is so hard for us to believe we have been made new and Ortlund responds with a confession of how the old self is still very close at hand. He points to Romans where we are commanded to consider ourselves dead to sin and how important it is for us to have a mind shift of who we are in Christ, as we start walking in our new selves.
Ortlund argues that one of the things that makes this shift complicated for us is the fact that we live in a culture that tells us that the highest priority is to “be who you are.” The problem with this mindset, he suggests, is that the gospel critiques the very thing our culture most prizes by calling us to let God define identity rather than ourselves.
Allberry adds that Romans also warns us against idolatry of even good gifts—God-created things. He says the idolatry enters in when we don’t look higher and try to find finality within ourselves rather than in Christ who is above all. He adds that we were never designed to generate our own finality and if we try, we end up disappointed and angry, often taking that out on others. Idolatry doesn't work because of the internal energy of impossibility we are attempting.
In this episode, Ray Ortlund references Kevin DeYoung’s book, The Hole in our Holiness.
Credits
Thanks to Cedarville University for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit cedarville.edu/TGC
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Leeman begins the discussion by outlining four biblical observations about tithing and says that tithing was required of Old Testament Israel in a certain way. Tithing means “tenth.” Leeman says we are now not required to give a tenth of our income in the same way since we are no longer under the mosaic covenant law. So, tithing doesn’t necessarily refer to a particular percentage, but rather, an attitude of generosity. Second, Leeman says when giving, the Christian should do so not reluctantly or under compulsion, but cheerfully, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Third, Leeman says Christians are called to give cheerfully, generously, and according to their means (1 Corinthians 6:2). The fourth Biblical observation Leeman makes is that Christians should prioritize one’s church when giving (1 Timothy 5, Galatians 6:6).
Onwuchekwa talks about how the Scriptures implicity outline how tithing and giving to one’s church is for the support of the pastor, the relief of the poor, for the advancement of gospel works. He says as we give, the church is the primary place that we give to. Onwuchekwa also highlights how Jesus, when it came to tithing, celebrated a widow who gave it all and then told a rich man to give it all. So, Christ is talking about the attitudes of our hearts when giving, that we know all of our means belong to him and when we have a vision of what he did for us, then we become a generous group of people.
Credits
Thanks to the The Gospel Project who sponsored this episode. To learn more about The Gospel Project, visit gospelproject.com
To submit a question for TGC Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Nancy Guthrie and Courtney Doctor share their thoughts on why it is important for women to care about Biblical theology as it relates to their reading and understanding of God’s Word as a whole.
Guthrie defines Biblical theology as a way of approaching and understanding the Bible as one cohesive story about what God is doing in the world through Christ. Guthrie suggests that Biblical theology differs from its companion, systematic theology, which gathers what the entire Bible says about a certain topic like sin or humanity. Guthrie says that as we look at the Bible’s themes, the themes we encounter actually develop throughout the Scriptures.
Doctor agrees and highlights that Biblical theology is a progressive revelation in narrative form—we know more about God at the end of the story than we did in the beginning.
Guthrie says her love of Biblical theology began when she started to hear preachers and teachers teach the grander narrative of the Bible, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. For Doctor, her love for Biblical theology started in her class called “Covenant Theology” at Covenant Seminary—a class that dedicated five professors to teach the Bible as one story. Doctor says that parts of the Bible started to make sense to her that were harder for her to understand before. She says it helped her love God more and love his Word more, too.
Guthrie is passionate about helping other women pull together what they know about the Bible through an understanding of Biblical theology.
In this episode, Doctor mentions Nancy Guthrie’s book called, Even Better Than Eden.
To hear more from Guthrie, you can listen to her podcast, “Help Me Teach the Bible.”
Giveaway!
In the beginning of this episode, our team announced a special giveaway. Here are the details:
We're giving away two tickets for you and a friend to attend this year's women's TGCW20 conference, Steadfast, a conference on the book of James. The women’s conference will be held in Indianapolis, June 11 to 13. Along with your conference tickets, you'll also win a free three-night hotel stay in downtown Indy.
Here's how you enter in four easy steps:
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Check us out on Instagram and follow our account. Our handle is simply: "thegospelcoalition"
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Like our giveaway post
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Tag three friends in a comment on the post
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Share our post in your Instagram story and make sure to tag us in your story and leave your profile public so we can see it.
If you want an extra entry into the giveaway, you're already completing the first step by listening to this episode. Next, make sure to rate this podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Last, send us a screenshot of your review through a direct message on Instagram!
The winner will be announced next Wednesday, February 5.
Credits
Thanks to the The Gospel Project who sponsored this episode. To learn more about The Gospel Project, visit gospelproject.com
To submit a question for TGC's Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
Today's episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Al Mohler and Bryan Chapell share their response to a common question they’ve heard throughout their decades in ministry about why God answers certain prayers for healing in this life, but not all. Bryan argues that God always answers prayers for healing, He simply may not answer in the timing that we may be asking.
Bryan references James 5:13-16 which talks about the prayer of faith healing the sick. Bryan highlights how James starts the chapter with a foundation of encouragement for the Christian to be patient in suffering. Bryan goes on to say that God will always heal, and though the healing may not come in this life, He will always heal the Christian perfectly when we are with Him in eternity.
Al suggests that it is always right to pray for healing. He then says that the entire Biblical worldview is that we will be ultimately healed in eternity. Al refers to the hymn, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, by Charles Wesley which says, “And leap, ye lame, for joy,” pointing to the truth that one day, every tear will be wiped away. Al closes by reminding us that God is not absent from sickness and suffering. He suggests that if we believe in God, we believe He has been sovereign over everything.
Bryan talks about how his own body has struggled with sickness and asks, “Who has sinned?” Al responds with what Jesus says in John 9:3 about the blind man who is healed that it was neither mother or father who sinned, but that the works of God may be shown. The point Jesus is making is that every moment of the blind man’s life has been meaningful because God had a perfect plan.
Bryan ends by saying that when God rescues, that brings God glory. And when there is faith through a time of no earthly rescue but confidence in the eternal rescue, that gives God glory, too.
Credits
Thanks to the The Gospel Project who sponsored this episode. To learn more about The Gospel Project, visit gospelproject.com
To submit a question for TGC's Q&A podcast direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or white us at ask@tgc.org
Today's episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Don Carson and Tim Keller share their experiences regarding evangelism and apologetics in a university context over the past 30 years. Don argues that in some ways, because of the post-Christian atmosphere that now exists in the US and Europe, evangelism is easier than it was in the past because of the ignorance of Judeo-Christian values that were still being rebelled against.
Keller suggests that the exclusive claims of Christ and how a good God can send anyone to hell is one of the main challenges that offend students today. Answering skeptics with a question like, "So you don't mind if Hilter or Idi Amin go to heaven?" Keller suggests that this brings the theoretical argument back to reality and helps set a baseline for a better and more serious conversation.
Christianity, Keller argues, makes a way for salvation for anybody who asks for the mercy of Christ, through genuine repentance—be it the abuser, the prostitute, the mafia man who kills people for a living. People who are humble enough to ask for a savior are in and the people who are too proud and self reliant are out. Once you can get to a more serious conversation, it becomes clear that everyone holds an exclusive view of who should go to heaven. It's often the case that Christianity is a more inclusive exclusivity than that of the skeptic.
Another objection that Carson finds prevalent in evalgelistic contexts today is the offensive of sin before a Holy God. Because the majority of people today view sin as a sociological or cultural definition, this is a particularly difficult challenge he often faces. Without a proper view of sin, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross makes no sense.
Keller ends with an illustration of a mother who sacrifices greatly to put her son through school only to have the son ignore her, which he finds helpful to try and press into that issue with skepts to show how sin is a real offense against God.
In this episode, Carson recommends a helpful book by Randy Newman called, Questioning Evangelism.
For more resources on evangelism, visit https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/evangelism
Credits
Thanks to the The Gospel Project who sponsored this episode. To learn more about The Gospel Project, visit gospelproject.com
To submit a question for TGC's Q&A podcast, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram or write us at ask@tgc.org
Today's episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
The Gospel Coalition presents TGC Q&A. Each week we’re joined by members of our council and friends who provide biblical perspective on your most pressing questions. Whatever your doubts or questions may be, this is a space where we hope to share biblical insight into life’s questions together.
We want to hear from you: what ministry or life challenges are you facing? What are those difficult texts you’re struggling with in the Scriptures? Whatever your doubts or questions may be, this new podcast is a space where we hope to share biblical insight into life’s questions together, and find some hope along the way.
Send us your questions at ask@tgc.org and we hope to answer them soon!