Theology for the Church

In this episode Caleb discusses the place of philosophy in the Christian life with Dru Johnson (PhD, University of St. Andrews) professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at The King's College (NYC) and the director of the Center for Hebraic Thought. If you're interested in learning more about how philosophy, Scripture, and theology interact and integrate into the life of the church, give this episode a listen!

Resources:

1. Biblical Philosophy by Dru Johnson https://a.co/d/iUertU1
2. Biblical Knowing by Dru Johnson https://a.co/d/8lOiQvf
3. Contextualization and the Old Testament: Between Asian and Western Perspectives by Jerry Hwang https://a.co/d/2ziGLzm
4. On Script Podcast (hosted by Dru Johnson) https://onscript.study/
5. Center for Hebraic Thought https://hebraicthought.org/
6. The Biblical Mind https://thebiblicalmind.org/

In this episode Caleb discusses the book of Habakkuk with Taylor Turkington (DMin, Western Seminary) via her first, and new, book Trembling Faith: How a Distressed Prophet Helps Us Trust God in a Chaotic World. Listeners will discover that their frustrating and exhausting experience with chaos, injustice, and corruption is much like that of the distressed prophet Habakkuk in the Old Testament. Therefore, they will find some of the most powerful chapters of the Bible that both confront and console you in Habakkuk, to which this conversation seeks to highlight.

Resources:

1. Trembling Faith: How a Distressed Prophet Helps Us Trust God in a Chaotic World by Taylor Turkington
2. Taylor's website: https://bibleequipping.org/

In this episode Caleb is joined by Jonathan Penntington (PhD, University of St Andrews) who serves as professor of New Testament interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of spiritual formation at Sojourn East church in Louisville, Kentucky to discuss how to read Scripture wisely via his new book Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture. The discussion centers on three avenues through which to read and understand the Bible: informational, theological, and transformational.

Resources:

1. Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture by Jonathan Pennington https://a.co/d/8lmtlJZ
2. Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Survey by Jonathan Pennington & Constantine Campbell https://a.co/d/1FXRrnI
3. What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus' Bible by Jason DeRouchie https://a.co/d/dQ498b4
4. Reading the Bible with Giants: How 2000 Years of Biblical Interpretation Can Shed New Light on Old Texts by David Paul Parris https://a.co/d/8AW9SZc
5. Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition: Recovering the Genius of Premodern Exegesis by Craig Carter https://a.co/d/ddK84Th
6. Inductive Bible Study: Observation, Interpretation, and Application through the Lenses of History, Literature, and Theology by Richard Alan Fuhr & Andreas J. Köstenberger https://a.co/d/blvfImy

In this episode Caleb is joined by Neil Shenvi (PhD, University of California, Berkely) for a conversation about the role of apologetics in the life of the church. Apologetics is simply the science and art of offering defenses for the Christian faith via Scripture, theology, logic, and philosophical reasoning. In this conversation, Caleb and Neil disuss questions like: What is apologetics? What are the different ways Christians do apologetics? What role do Scripture and systematic theology play in apologetic arguments? What is the best argument against Christianity? What role does apologetics play in family discipleship and in the local church?

Resources:

1. Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity by Neil Shenvi https://a.co/d/daFkrnR
2. Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society Hardcover by Neil Shenvi https://a.co/d/csRpw6i
3. Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger https://a.co/d/0Rhc1AC
4. Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't: The Beauty of Christian Theism by Gavin Ortlund https://a.co/d/dnlkA0Z
5. The Gospel According to Satan by Jared Wilson https://a.co/d/6cW2Ljy
6. For Kids: https://mamabearapologetics.com/

In this episode Caleb discusses the trinitarian doctrine of inseparable operation with Tyler Wittman (PhD, University of St. Andrews) assistant professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. This doctrine teaches that all three persons of the Trinity are at work in every action outside of the Trinity’s life. This conversation explores definitions, scriptural warrant, historical and theological arguments for inseparable operations, as well as the practical implications it has for our understanding of the gospel and salvation.

Resources:

1. Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis by Tyler Wittman and Bobby Jamieson https://a.co/d/dbZymLv
2. Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God by Glenn Butner https://a.co/d/09RRb91
3. The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain https://a.co/d/fZRycYZ
4. The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture by Brandon Smith https://a.co/d/31Yuaym
5. The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology by Adonis Vidu https://a.co/d/b7h4jMG

In this episode Caleb discusses how Scripture speaks of the one divine essence subsisting equally and fully in the persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with Glenn Butner (PhD, Marquette University) professor of theology and ethics at Sterling College. Dr. Butner has recently written an extremely helpful book titled Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God that aims to help Christians speak accurately, faithfully, and biblically about who God is and has revealed himself to be. Glenn's work also stresses how the church as historically spoken of and argued for the triunity of the God of Scripture. This episode will give listeners a taste of what they can expect from Dr. Butner's important work in trinitarian theology and hopefully answer so difficult questions many have surrounding this doctrine.

Resources:

1. Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God by Glenn Butner https://a.co/d/1IEb1ER
2. The Son Who Learned Obedience: A Theological Case Against the Eternal Submission of the Son by Glenn Butner https://a.co/d/1IEb1ER
3. The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain https://a.co/d/eyo63me
4. The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture by Brandon Smith https://a.co/d/aWuJR23

In this episode, Caleb talks with Jenn Friesen, director of operations at the up-and-coming non-profit organization Them Before Us about their mission, vision, goals, and resources. Them Before Us strives to put children before adults in every conversation about marriage and family seeking to prioritize the rights of children in the culture and courtroom, the personal and the public square because children deserve to be the primary consideration when considering what is best for, well, children.  Resources:

1. Website: https://thembeforeus.com/
2. Book: Them Before Us: Why We Need a Global Children's Rights Movement https://a.co/d/0tURoix

In this episode, Caleb discusses the doctrine of Scripture with Guy Waters (PhD, Duke University) Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary. They cover questions like: What is the Bible? Why trust the Bible? What does the Bible say about itself? How have protestant Christians traditionally defined general and special revelation and the attributes of Scripture? What did the reformers mean by "sola scriptura" and how does that doctrine fit into confessions of faith and creeds? And more.

Resources:

1. For the Mouth of the Lord Has Spoken: The Doctrine of Scripture by Guy Waters https://a.co/d/9qQdDpc
2. Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me https://a.co/d/8v5qfjQ
3. The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible by B.B. Warfield https://a.co/d/gtriS91
4. The Doctrine of Scripture: An Introduction by Mark Thompson https://a.co/d/6z8gEej

In this episode Caleb discusses the topic of biblical counseling with Matt Haste (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) associate professor of biblical spirituality and biblical counseling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. This conversation addresses questions like: What is biblical counseling? How does biblical counseling relate to discipleship in the local church? Does every church member, in a sense, have the responsibility to provide biblical counseling to others in need? How do the "one another" commands and "household codes" apply to biblical counseling? When should a pastor or professional get involved in counseling situations? What role do members, pastors, and professional counselors play in more complex situations? And more!

Recommend Resources:

1. Biblical Counseling Coalition: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/
2. Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation: https://www.ccef.org/
3. David Powlison: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JOTTKS/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=db60d702-4e99-4bbc-a177-d85883973f93
4. Edward Welch: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001H6QS02/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=df5207a0-5010-4345-a574-0ba0a49b28fe&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr
5. Jeremy Pierre: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01CUP5OOE/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=8b5a4e4f-89ba-44f6-bba8-a7a11c75cbb9&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr
6. Check out biblical counseling degree programs at SBTS: https://www.sbts.edu/

In this episode Caleb discusses the relationship between Christ's divine beauty and regeneration and faith with Samuel Parkison (PHD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) via Parkison's new book, Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ. In this conversation, an important argument is made for appreciating the aesthetic dimension of saving faith and how it compels faith-filled worship of the living God as delight in and desire for true beauty.

Recommended Resources:

1. Irresistible Beauty: Beholding Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ by Samuel Parkison https://a.co/d/5GUL3bp
2. In Defense of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful: On the Loss of Transcendence and the Decline of the West by Jordan Cooper https://a.co/d/aaU9pLf
3. Returning to Reality: Christian Platonism for Our Times by Paul Tyson https://a.co/d/d6UP3n1
4. Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis https://a.co/d/0saGeWg
5. The Beauty of the Lord: Theology as Aesthetics by Jonathan King https://a.co/d/0pzDFkm
6. The Beauty of Jesus Christ: Filling out a Scheme of St Augustine by Gerald O'Collins
7. Spirit and Beauty: An Introduction to Theological Aesthetics by Patrick Sherry

In this special Holy Week episode, Caleb discusses the doctrine of the atonement with friend and church member Andrew Owen. Andrew is a serious student of the Bible, a lover of covenant theology, and historical theology thus offering a helpful perspective on just what Christ accomplished on the cross for his people and why we should spend sustained time during this Christian holiday contemplating the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Recommended Resources:

1. But for the Grace of God: An Exposition of the Canons of Dort by Cornelis Venema https://a.co/d/iki1blM
2. Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ by Robert Peterson https://a.co/d/67fCyBG
3. From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective by multiple authors https://a.co/d/eMp3U3v

In this episode Caleb discusses how we can and why we should be teaching theology to kids in the local church and at home with Amy Gannett (MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Amy is the founder of Tiny Theologians and Bible Study School House as well as the author of several children's and popular level adult books on theology. She is a wife, mother and along with her husband and family, a church planter in Greenville, NC (Trinity Church Greenville).

Resources:

1. Tiny Theologians: https://www.tinytheologians.shop/
2. Amy's Personal Website: https://amygannett.com/
3. Amy's Most Recent Book, Fix Your Eyes: https://a.co/d/4mziD4Z

In this episode Caleb discuses the topic of faith and sports with John Maurer (MDiv) Associate Chaplain and Director of Sports Ministry at Baylor University. This Episode also features Caleb's brother, Tyrel Lenard, an elite high school football coach in the state of Texas who brings a decade of experience coaching and ministering the gospel to student athletes in a secular setting. Together Caleb, John, and Tyrel discuss questions like: How can sports be used as a tool for discipleship? What is helpful and what is toxic about sports culture to an athlete's walk with Christ? How can churches better serve coaches, players, and their families? And more.

Resources:

1. Coaching from the Inside Out https://a.co/d/4qJBapz
2. FCA: https://www.fca.org/
3. AIA: https://athletesinaction.org/

In this episode Caleb discusses the book A Christian Theology of Science: Reimagining a Vision of Natural Knowledge with the author Paul Tyson (PhD, The University of Queensland). Creedal Christianity has much to contribute to this ongoing conversation. Tyson's book contains an intellectual history of theology's engagement with science during the modern period, critiques current approaches, and makes a constructive proposal for how a Christian theological vision of natural knowledge can be better pursued. In this interview, Dr. Tyson explains that it is good both for religion and for science when Christians treat theology as their first truth discourse.

Resources:

1. A Christian Theology of Science by Paul Tyson: https://a.co/d/91n9pcB
2. Seven Brief Lessons on Magic by Paul Tyson: https://a.co/d/3pp9KZD
3. Natural Theology by David Haines: https://a.co/d/gGS9EJv
4. The Faraday Institute of Science and Religion: https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/
5. Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/

In this episode Caleb talks with John Wilsey (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) professor of church history and philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary about how to read history well and how to learn from imperfect voice of the past. What is history and why should we care about it? How do we listen to and learn from imperfect and sinful people without minimize their flaws or neglecting to look in the mirror of our own hearts to see our own fallenness and shortcomings? 

Books by Dr. John Wilsey

1. God’s Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith of John Foster Dulles: https://a.co/d/b4pjCOv
2. American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea: https://a.co/d/8v2mf0n
3. One Nation Under God?: An Evangelical Critique of Christian America: https://a.co/d/cuz7pbn

In this episode Caleb is joined by Dr. Tim Wiebe, pastor of spiritual formation, at Brookside Church in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss primarily three questions: (1) why study theology (2) What place does theological education have in the local church; and (3) how to implement theological thinking and education (both formally and informally) in the local church. 

Recommend Book Resources:

1. Deep Discipleship by J.T. English 
2. Grounded in the Gospel by J.I. Packer
3. Teaching the Faith, Forming the Faithful by Gary Parrett and Steve Kang
4. The Pastor as Scholar and the Scholar as Pastor by John Piper and D.A. Carson

Websites:  

1. Center for Pastor Theologians: https://www.pastortheologians.com/
2. Training the Church: https://www.trainingthechurch.com/
3. Brookside Institute: https://www.thebrooksideinstitute.net/ 

In this episode Dr. Caleb Lenard, host of the show, shares with listeners his background, education, and ministry before diving into the purpose, goals, and format the podcast will take in future episodes.