The GoodLion Podcast

Michael Bowles returns with fresh insight on the ancient motif of the wisdom warrior. As Aaron and Michael discuss, Michael traces the wisdom warrior path embodied by exilic prophets like Jeremiah and Daniel who navigated Babylonian captivity through wisdom above violence. Michael reveals how Jesus, the ultimate Wisdom Warrior, defeated Satan through the weapon of truth and the victory of the cross.

Aaron and Michael discuss how seeking wisdom instead of vengeance transforms how we engage cultural conflict. They reflect on how Jesus deployed logic, reason, humility and surrender rather than force as core tactics of His nonviolent resistance. Michael reveals how wisdom warriors combat injustice through yielding fully to God's peace.

Learn to cultivate wisdom in daily life from the original Wisdom Warrior, Jesus. Michael teaches us wisdom warrior tactics: be calm in conflict, seek to end fights before they start, return good for evil and appear weak yet remain protected by God.

Thought we wrestle with how to fight today's battles... Jesus' shows us His weapon of peace rather than a spirit of vengeance. Michael shows how daily wisdom begins with surrendering to God's alternative path of Shalom through the cross of Christ.

Jesus, the true Wisdom Warrior, calls us to lay down our swords and take up His weapon of wisdom to make peace.

Enter the realm of the wisdom warrior on this thought-provoking conversation with guest Michael Bowles as he traces the motif from Old Testament types to its fulfillment in the ultimate Wisdom Warrior, Jesus Christ.

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Michael is a California transplant living in the Pacific Northwest with his wife Lauren, their son Cove, and daughter Cambria. Prior to the move, Michael served as a pastor in Los Angeles for seven years, working in various capacities including pioneering new faith communities and pastoring youth and young adults. Currently, he works for the gospel-centered transitional housing provider ABSOLUTE Ministries and serves on the worship and teaching teams at Stone Church Auburn.

Michael is also a fellow thinker at Western Seminary in Portland and runs a blog titled Along the Road, where he shares his theological reflections, biblical insights, and cultural commentary. He offers a perspective of a God who is FOR humans and the natural world, assuming the posture of a fellow traveler on the journey of life.

Struggling with Intrusive Thoughts and Doubts? You're not alone.

Most Christians experience doubt from time to time, but for some the struggle with intrusive thoughts that breed uncertainty can become all-consuming. In this episode, Aaron Salvato answers a question from listener who struggles with random sudden thoughts that cause them to question if their faith is real. Aaron shares his own experience with disruptive intrusive thoughts as a young teen and how he overcame them. He discusses how God sees those who doubt and affirms that grace is bigger than any issue of the mind.

Then, Join Aaron and Co-Host Brian Higgins as they tackle the thought intrusions that can erode our trust in spiritual truth. From reading Scripture and questioning long held beliefs to processing Christian behavior in culture, they uncover how to engage doubts wisely.

Brian shares from experience, urging listeners not to suppress their questions but courageously chase answers. "There are good resources out there," he notes. But the deepest antidote lies in experiencing Jesus in a personal way that transcends logical proofs.

Aaron articulates how doubts that lead us to truth can strengthen faith, while doubts pursued solely to alleviate uncertainty rarely satisfy. Jesus meets us where we are, inviting us higher. "Show me yourself in a way I cannot deny," Aaron encourages listeners to pray.

Tune in for this honest yet hopeful discussion of what it truly means to doubt your doubts in pursuit of the One who desires to reveal himself. Escape the echo chamber of your mind and find peace beyond the unending "why's" through the presence of God himself.

Does wisdom on wrestling with doubts sound like just what you need this week? Listen to this thought-provoking episode of the GoodLion podcast today.

Key takeaways include:
• Intrusive thoughts are a normal part of the human condition, but can be especially distressing for Christians.
• Doubt does not mean your faith is invalid; it can push you towards deeper understanding.
• You are not your thoughts; learn to let them come and go without getting trapped in them.
• Focus on God's unconditional love and mercy rather than your own mental struggles.

Listen in for empathy, wisdom and hope and reminds us that God sees beyond our doubts to the spirit within that seeks Him. This episode provides perspective and practical tools to help those wrestling with intrusive thoughts that breed discouragement in their faith journey.

This episode is the second part of an interview with Pieter Valk. In part one of the interview, Pieter laid out his heart and his vision for helping gay people follow Jesus and find love, support, and belonging within the church while adhering to the theological orthodoxy and commitment to the historic Christian sexual ethic of God's design for marriage and sex between one man and one woman.

In this episode, Pieter addresses some pushback and questions he has received, not just in general, but specifically from pastors and leaders. Pieter answers with truth, grace, and love.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

Overall, the conversation is a phenomenal one! We really hope it blesses and encourages you as you follow Jesus and try to make an impact in the culture for His Kingdom.

Pieter Valk joins Aaron Salvato for a very intriguing conversation on sexuality. Pieter is a same-sex attracted Christian and ministry leader who is also committed to the historic Christian sexual ethic. This is a challenging path to walk, as it requires faithfulness and obedience to the teachings of Jesus around sexuality, often leading to a life of singleness and celibacy. In this episode, we will dive deep into Pieter's journey and discuss the complexities of his beliefs.

We will explore the theology of sexual temptation and how it relates to same-sex attraction. Pieter will share his personal experiences and offer practical wisdom on how we can love and support those who are struggling with this issue. We will dive deep into the topic of sexual brokenness and how it effects everyone, no matter their orientation. We will also answer a very challenging question: does God intend for people to experience same-sex attraction? This is a difficult and often controversial topic, but Pieter approaches it with compassion and grace.

Pieter's unique perspective challenges the modern narratives around LGBTQ issues and offers a fresh perspective. In this two-part series, we will discuss Pieter's ministry and his heart for the Church to create a more compassionate and faithful community pursuing orthodoxy and the Way of Jesus together, no matter what our sexual struggles are.

In part 2 of our short series on theology, Dr. Gerry Breshears (Western Seminary) helps us understand the dangers of theology gone wrong. Gerry is an amazing theological mind and a fan favorite of the show. In part one, we defined theology and talked about why it's essential for discipleship. In this episode, we'll discuss how theology can at times become an idol.

We'll start by asking a tough question: If all Christians have the Holy Spirit, why are there so many theological differences? We'll also explore how we can find unity in the midst of theological diversity and hear from Gerry about how God changed his heart to be more open to those who disagreed with him.

Gerry will share his insights on how to approach theology with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from others. We'll also look at the dangers of theology gone wrong when it becomes a burden on the learner, leading to crises of faith, doubt, and deconstruction. Gerry will share his perspective on how we can help those who are struggling through doubt and deconstruction, and for those who want to study theology but feel overwhelmed, he'll provide some practical tips on how to approach theology with care and discernment.

So, join us as we deep dive into these tough questions and explore the dangers of theology gone wrong. If you haven't heard the previous episode, make sure to go back and listen to part one. Let's dive back in and pick up the conversation where it left off last time with Dr. Gerry Breshears.

In today's episode of The GoodLion Podcast, we're chatting about something super close to our hearts: what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and how theology shapes that journey. With the launch of our humble little ministry, the GoodLion School of Discipleship in Yukon, Oklahoma, we're passionate about fusing hands-on discipleship with some deep, thought-provoking theology. To that end, we've happy to have the amazing Professor Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary joining us for the first of two episodes to explore this fascinating topic!

We'll kick things off by getting down to the basics: like, what even is discipleship, and how does theology fit into the picture? Why should we even care about theology as disciples? Why is theology essential for a disciple's growth and understanding? We'll also tackle the potential pitfalls when theology is neglected in the discipleship process and discuss ways to prevent our own theological biases from hindering the way we disciple others.

One of the most challenging aspects of discipleship is working and serving alongside people with whom we have theological disagreements. Gerry shares his valuable insights on navigating this tricky terrain while maintaining unity and love for one another.

Join us for an enlightening conversation that will encourage listeners to reflect on their own discipleship journeys and appreciate the importance of integrating theology into their practical walk with Jesus. Don't miss this opportunity to grow in your understanding of what it means to be a disciple, embracing both the heart and the mind in your pursuit of Christ.

In this episode, host Aaron Salvato dives deep into the theology of "Treasures in Heaven" as described by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. As Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of life and forget the deeper meanings behind Jesus' teachings. Aaron dives deep into the idea of heavenly treasures, explaining what they are, what they are not, and how we can pursue them.

To begin, Aaron delves into the definition of heavenly treasures. He points out that while the Bible can be difficult to understand at times, there are many concepts that we grow up hearing but may not fully grasp. He goes on to explain that when we think of treasures, we often imagine gold, jewels, and other material possessions. However, heavenly treasures are something entirely different.

Heavenly treasures are gained in the pursuit and practice of the things that matter most to God, such as the way we love and serve others, the way we obey God's commands, and the way we share the good news of Jesus with those around us. This pursuit is not about earning brownie points, but rather it is about affecting eternity and building the Kingdom of God.

The episode also delves into the heart conditions that lead us to pursue earthly treasures like success, wealth, fame, and popularity. We discuss how we can easily make idols out of our desires, and how these treasures can become our masters. By contrast, pursuing heavenly treasures involves redirecting our desires towards something that is life-giving and freeing. The episode concludes with a discussion of where our hearts are directed and how pursuing treasures in heaven ultimately leads us to a deeper relationship with Christ.

One of the most beautiful things about storing up treasures in heaven is that we can experience a taste of heaven right now. Rather than simply hoarding wealth and not touching it until some far-off distant future, we can experience the eternal riches of heaven right now if we abide in Christ through His Spirit. Aaron emphasizes that our treasures lead us somewhere, and that the most important aspect of the concept of treasures in Heaven is the idea that where our treasure is, our heart will be also.

To truly thrive, we must declare Jesus as the King of our hearts and redirect our desires towards the eternal.

In this episode, we answer a question from one of our students at the GoodLion school of discipleship on the topic of servanthood, which is an essential element of Christian discipleship. At the heart of servanthood is the concept of selflessness, which requires us to put the needs of others before our own. As followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and love is the biggest motivator for serving others.

In today's world, we are constantly busy with various commitments and responsibilities, and it's easy to get caught up in our own needs and wants. However, we need to remember that as Christians, we are called to a different standard. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

One of the biggest challenges of servanthood is finding the time to serve. We often feel like we are too busy to serve, and it requires other sacrifices just to make time for it. But the reality is that serving others is not just an obligation or duty, but it's an opportunity to participate in the work that God is doing in the world.

However, we must also be careful not to fall into the trap of chronic busyness or overload, where we feel overwhelmed by our commitments and responsibilities. This can lead to stress, burnout, fatigue, and other negative effects on our mental and physical health.

So how do we balance the demands of our busy lives with the call to serve others? It all comes down to our priorities. We need to make intentional choices about how we use our time and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct our actions and decisions.

The key is to prioritize our relationship with God and make time to abide in Christ. We cannot pour out into others if we are not first filled up ourselves. By seeking God's presence and guidance in our lives, we can gain a sense of perspective and clarity that allows us to make better choices about how we use our time.

At the same time, we need to be careful not to put too much pressure on ourselves to save the world. We cannot save anyone; only Jesus can. Our responsibility is to serve others with a joyful heart and to be faithful to the small acts of obedience that God calls us to.

In doing so, we can be involved in laying the building bricks of the kingdom of God that will last into eternity. So let us all seek to be servants of Christ, putting the needs of others before our own and trusting in God's provision and guidance in our lives. Thank you for listening to the GoodLion podcast.

In this classic episode from season 2 of the Goodlion podcast, we join hosts Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins on a deep dive into the Christian idea of "devotions." We explore the tension that many of us feel when it comes to devotions, often seeing them as just another chore. However, we discover that devotions are meant to be an opportunity to grow closer to God and become more devoted to Him and His kingdom. 

Many Christians feel a tension when it comes to devotions. They often feel like devotions are just another chore, something they have to do, but don't really understand the purpose behind it. However, we believe that God is actually calling us into something deeper, a life of devotion. Together, Aaron and Brian highlight the importance of approaching devotions with the right heart and understanding. 

Devotions are meant to be more than just a routine, they're meant to be an opportunity to grow closer to God and become more devoted to Him and His kingdom. When we approach devotions with the right heart and understanding, they have the power to transform our lives. We truly believe that this concept of devotions is one of the most important things for Christians to understand. Once you get it, it changes everything. Your relationship with God deepens, your faith becomes stronger, and you become more empowered to live a life closeness to Jesus. 

Join us on this classic episode of the GoodLion Podcast!

As Christians, it is easy for us to come to God only when we want to escape the consequences of our sin, rather than coming to Him with a genuinely broken heart of repentance. Aaron reminds us that a true desire for repentance and change must come from a deep sense of sorrow for our sin and a recognition of the ways in which it has hurt God and others.

The GoodLion Podcast is excited to bring you an episode featuring content that was left on the cutting room floor of Aaron Salvato's recent sermon titled "Crying Out to the Father." In this powerful message, Aaron shares about the importance of having a broken heart for our sin.

In this episode, Aaron also discusses how having a broken heart for our sin is essential for our spiritual growth and intimacy with God. He encourages us to be honest with God about our sin, and to trust in His forgiveness and grace.

Additionally, Aaron shares some personal experiences that illustrate the need for a broken heart for our sin. He challenges us to take a hard look at our own hearts and to seek God's help in breaking them for our sin.

Overall, this bonus episode of the GoodLion Podcast is a powerful reminder of the importance of a broken heart for our sin and the transformative power of repentance. We hope that it will inspire and encourage you on your own spiritual journey.

Evan Wickham and Aaron Salvato discuss the "Mission of God" and what it means for followers of The Way of Jesus. They discuss their shared background growing up as pastor's kids in evangelical culture, and how easy it is to become apathetic to the mission of the Church. Evan gives some great insights into how to break free from this apathy and find ourselves more committed to living out the call of the Christian Church.

So often we turn to things like money, stuff, safety and security to give us what we need. In doing so, we often grow apathetic towards our true need: Christ. 

In this episode, Aaron gives a message pointing us to the reality of our need for a savior. We need to wake up to the reality that we need Jesus more than we need anyone or anything else. The world is full of sin and darkness, and apathy lulls us to a sleepy place of comfortability with sin. We know sin leads to death, but so often we don't treat it that way. We need to wake up and see sin for the destructive force it is. We must resist apathy and turn towards Christ.

A dive into the concept of God's Holiness and the call for Christians to be Holy. What does Holy even mean? How can we be asleep to this reality? We explore how failing to understand Holiness can cause us to be apathetic in our faith, and discuss how to turn things around and wake up to the call to be Holy.

Brian and Aaron respond to a message from a listener who 1. admits her struggle with apathy, and 2. also shares some beautiful insight on how to resist it! In this episode we try our best to acknowledge just how easy it is to lose our passion for God, but also just how possible it is to find our way back to Jesus.

Part 2 of GoodLion's series on "Resisting Apathy." The first step to waking up from the slumber of apathy is recognizing God's story and where we find our place in it. But the next thing we need to discover is the love of God. The love of God is one of the most central themes in the entire Scriptures and could be argued to be the true meaning of life. Despite this, so many Christians feel distant from God, and some even question if God loves them because of circumstances in their life. 

In this episode, we want to dive into the concept of God's love. We want to help people everywhere wake up to the reality that God loves them deeply and cares for them like a father cares for his child.

This also includes facing the reality that God sometimes shouts at us within the fire. Often time we interpret this shouting as angry, but really it is loving because it is a father trying to rescue his child. 

No matter where you find yourself today or what labels you've given yourself, we hope this episode helps you adopt the primary label of "loved." We hope it enables you to understand how truly loved you are and how freeing a life of love can be. We hope this episode inspires you to wake up and follow Jesus, the one who IS love.

Part one of a new series by GoodLion Ministries called "Resisting Apathy". Aaron and Brian speak into the problem of apathy in the Christian life, noting how it is a problem that is born out of complacency and a disconnect from Christ. 

Christian apathy is defined as a lack of interest or concern for the things of God. It is a problem that plagues the church and keeps people from truly following Jesus.  As two former youth pastors, Aaron and Brian have seen so many young Christians ride the roller coaster of faith, swinging from "on fire for Christ" to "burned out on religion" and "disconnected from God." 

When people are complacent, they are content with where they are in their relationship with God. They are not interested in growing or changing. This can lead to a disconnect from the Christian community and from Jesus.   Apathy is also a problem because it leads to a complacency about sin. When people are not interested in the things of God, they are also not interested in repenting of their sin. This can lead to a life marked by sin and a lack of fruitfulness.   If you are struggling with apathy, it is important to understand that you are not alone. Many Christians struggle with this issue. However, there is hope!

Aaron and Brian discuss how vital it is to start your journey of resisting apathy with reconnecting with the story of Christianity itself. The story of God. Once you recapture this story, and find your place within it, your journey away from apathy and towards a revitalized faith truly begins.

Years ago I heard one of my mentors, Evan Wickham, use a phrase I found compelling. He said: "Jesus is what God has to say." It was powerful and it stuck with me. Over the years I've been mulling over this phrase and thinking about how it intersects with one of the debates that's being had within Christianity about the concept of “the word of God.”

Some people insist the Bible is the word of God. Still others insist, no Jesus is the Word of God. Where does the truth lie?

That's the question we are going to dive into today.

On this episode I'm joined by that same mentor I learned the phrase “Jesus Is what God has to say” from: my former youth pastor and good friend, Evan Wickham. I know you're going to be blessed to hear from Evan today. If you don't know him, he's a worship leader, Husband and father of 5 kids, a graduate of western seminary, and a church planting pastor who leads Park Hill Church in San Diego.

I can't speak more highly of the guy. He's been one of the people in my life who has challenged me and inspired me to follow Jesus the most. He's always encouraged me to dive deep, not shy away from tough questions, and has always pointed me back to Christ. In fact, if it wasn't for the ways he impacted me over the years, this show and ministry of GoodLion probably wouldn't exist!

With all that said, I know you're going to enjoy todays episode as we explore the concept of the "Word of God", and ask who, or what, is the Word of God? We get deep. We get Biblical. I know that I learned a lot, and I hope you do too.

I hope this conversation between a teacher and his former student blesses you, encourages you, challenges you, and surprises you.

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Brian Higgins shares with us about the necessity of community in the Christian life. We are currently living through a post-pandemic cultural moment where many Christians are finding it hard to regain community. We also know many young people who've graduated out of youth group and now are trying to navigate their 20s also struggle greatly to find community. It can be easy to give up. In this episode we want to share with you why we believe community is important, even if it's messy.

In a cultural moment that is growing hostile towards the Church, it's becoming easier than ever for Christians to slip into mission drift. 

“Without careful attention, faith-based organizations will inevitably drift from their founding mission. It’s that simple. It will happen.” - Peter Greer

Out of defensiveness and self preservation, it can become easy for us to turn our mission field into a battle field, where the focus and goal shifts from reaching the lost to defeating them in political and social battles. 

This isn't to say Christians should not have an influence on the culture, far from it. It is an admonishment to walk cautiously in these times and keep the main thing the main thing. It is encouragement to avoid the extremes of both the far-left and far-right, and ensure the main thing we are radical about is the Gospel and everything that comes with it.

In this final episode of the negative World Series, Aaron Salvato, Brian Higgins, and Mike Doyle discuss how we can have wisdom while living in the negative world.

Many Christians now sense the world has shifted. While culture was once positive towards Christianity, we now see a world that has shifted from openness, to indifference, and now hostility.

A negative world.

Which begs the question... how do we respond to this idea of the negative world? How do we adapt? How do we avoid negative responses that hold us back from our mission, and focus on the kind of response that makes a difference in this broken world?

Today on the GoodLion Podcast, I once again sit down with Mike Doyle, founder and lead pastor of Movement Church in NYC, to chat about this complex issue.

We discuss the need for a deep faith. A renewed sense of Christian vision, identity, and formation, and how reclaiming the monastic principles of early Christians, even in small ways, can make a big difference.

Later in the episode I’ll be joined by Brian Higgins to take a look at the debate surrounding Tim Keller’s strategy of winsomeness, and how properly understanding what we mean when we say winsome makes a huge difference in how to understand this conflict.

Then Mike will join me again to close out the episode as we discuss the problems of both-sidesism, and the need for a resurgence of theological orthodoxy.

I really enjoyed these convos, and as This episode is the 2nd of a 3 part series on the Negative World, there will be more good convos to come.

We hope it helps you think and consider how to walk wisely as a Jesus follower, and to consider the ways the world is changing, but also how our mission as Christians never changes.

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Throughout our lives many of us have heard older generations harken back to a time when Christians were accepted, praised, and embraced by the culture.

Everyone went to Church on sundays. People seemed to hold a Christian worldview and morality, and it was rare to find someone who didn’t believe in Heaven or Hell. A world that was positive towards Christians.

Some people my age remember a more neutral world, where Christianity was seen as one of many belief systems free thinkers could choose from.

But today, many are talking about the negative world, a shift where the views of the culture have become much more hostile against Christians.

Do these views have validity, or are they an overblown exaggeration? What does this mean for the Church? And how can we react to it in a way that’s true with who we are as Christ followers?

Today on the GoodLion Podcast, I sit down with Mike Doyle, founder and lead pastor of Movement Church in NYC, to chat about this complex issue. Later in the episode I’ll be joined by Brian Higgins to dive further into how we can respond to this concept.

I really enjoyed these convos, and as This episode is the first of a 3 part series on the Negative World, there will be more good convos to come.

We hope it helps you think and consider how to walk wisely as a Jesus follower, and to consider the ways the world is changing, but also how our mission as Christians never changes.

You’re listening to the GoodLion Podcast!

Defensive violence, wounded Healers, and how radical enemy-love changes the world! So often as Christians we feel we must defend Jesus and lash out at those who are against Him. Too often we take the path of Peter and chop off the ear of someone who needs healing from Christ. In this episode, Aaron walks us through what he's learned about the Way of Jesus, and how though Peter's actions came from a noble place, we can learn from his mistakes and follow Jesus better when it comes to loving our enemies.

#doubt #deconstruction #exvangelical #churchhurt #enemylove #thewayofjesus #wayofjesus #violence #hatred #healing

The GoodLion Podcast is back for season 8! Brian and Aaron sit down for a heart to heart about a recent big change in their lives: becoming fathers! 

Fear is the enemy of love. The idols of safety and security can push us to live the Christian life from a posture of fear. If we are to advance the Kingdom of God, we must realize that we are called to a radical way of love that is courageous and bold.  

In  the final episode of our class on "Advancing the Kingdom", Aaron Salvato reminds us of the call on Christians to live a life of courageous love.  

Class produced by Calvary Global Network (CGN).

In an age where tech dominates our lives, we spend so much time on social media. Christians need to face the facts. Whether we like it or not, social media is a big part of the public square of the day, and for the Christian called to represent Jesus and to help point others to Him, in many situations, social media can either make or break our Christian witness.

In this episode, Aaron discusses lessons he has learned from operating as a pastor on social media and details ways he has struggled to represent Jesus well in interactions with other Christians. He shares a story about an exvangelical meme, an explosive comment section, and the surprising ways Jesus used it to teach him a lesson on the value of humility, understanding, and waging peace (rather than war) on social media.

This world is not our home. It was never intended to be. We are pilgrims here on earth and we should live as such. The problem that has arisen is that many Christians have become escapists instead of pilgrims. They see the world as a hostile place, so they run and hide from it. No matter what our eschatology is, we must focus not on escapism, but on simple acts of obedience, which are the building bricks of the Kingdom! 

In part 5 of our class on "Advancing the Kingdom", Aaron Salvato helps us see the power of simple acts of obedience when it comes to moving God's Kingdom forward, and has a compelling discussion with students Zach & Ellie Owens, Sam Bucelli, and Emilia DiNatale. 

Class produced by Calvary Global Network (CGN).

In the New Testament, Christians are called to be in the world but not of the world. In other words, we are called to live in society and interact with others while maintaining our distinctiveness. When we turn away from those who are broken or make choices that are contrary to God's word, we have made the grave mistake of ceasing being a light in dark places. 

Too many have a separatist mindset. Christians are called to be missionaries to the culture, not to run and hide from it! 

This week we present to you an old episode from season 2! We are hoping it will bless some of you listeners who may have missed it the first time it aired. Aaron & Brian get the amazing Dr. Gerry Breshears on the show to discuss all our burning questions about Salvation. What does it mean to be saved? Can you lose your salvation? How do you know someone is saved? All this and more on today’s GoodLion Podcast!

How does a Kingdom advance normally? Through the sword. Violence, war, and bloodshed. Jesus' Kingdom is much different. The Kingdom of Heaven does not advance through the sword, but rather through something much more powerful: preaching and the Gospel. It advances in this way: by converting one soul after another.

In the Gospels, Jesus never employs violence to achieve his ends. His life and ministry model for us an ethic of non-violence. This is a hard mentality for us to accept, because we have been raised to see the world as a place where "might makes right". Jesus turns this mentality on it's head by showing us what true might and strength look like!

In part 3 of our class on "Advancing the Kingdom", Aaron Salvato contrasts the way of violence with the way of Jesus, and has a great discussion with students Julianne Foster, Tim Cass, Zach Owens, and Kayla Reed!

Class produced by Calvary Global Network (CGN).

There is a dangerous tendency today to make the Kingdom of Heaven about what we need, or want. It is not about us. The Kingdom is about Him. He should be in the center of everything we do as His followers. Self-interest is the great enemy of godliness. It's a sin we commit every day, in all kinds of ways. This is why we have to be so careful about it. We take this mentality to our approach regarding the Kingdom. We falsely believe that the main way God advances His Kingdom is through US getting what WE want. We forget that we are called to pray, THY Kingdom Come, not MY Kingdom come.  

In part 2 of our class on "Advancing the Kingdom", Aaron Salvato helps us see the first and foremost way the Kingdom of God advances forward: in our hearts.  

Discussion Students: Julianne Foster, Tim Cass, Zach Owens, and Kayla Reed 

Class produced by Calvary Global Network (CGN).

Welcome to the GoodLion theology class, a brand new segment on the show where we bring you rich theological lessons and thoughtful discussions with our students! In part one of our 6 part mini series on "Advancing the Kingdom of God", Aaron Salvato teaches a lesson on defining what the Kingdom of Heaven actually is. If we are going to understand HOW to advance God's Kingdom, we need to actually grasp WHAT it is, and what it isn't! Aaron walks us through a theological framework for how we can understand the Kingdom, setting the stage for the next 5 lessons. Students and CGN/GoodLion interns Julianne Foster and Kai Willbanks join in on the discussion, bringing some great questions.

In this class we look at questions like

Sexuality is one of the main ways people identify themselves today. Our modern moment asks people to freely express who they are by unchaining themselves from traditional concepts of sexuality. This has led many Christians to revert to hardline stances about what a person must be, and particularly, what a person must avoid, in order to be accepted by God.

What if there was a different way to look at sexuality? A way more Biblical, more God-honoring, and more holistic?

In this conversation, Aaron and Brian talk to Dr. Christopher Yuan, author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story. Dr. Yuan explains what he refers to as “holy sexuality”, a belief that being pure isn’t just about orientation or marriage, but about being a person who is wholly seeking God in all things, including sexuality.

Throughout this episode, Aaron, Brian, and Dr. Yuan work to explain what holy sexuality means, understand why this is such a tricky topic to navigate in our current culture, and how we can see Jesus through all of it.

We’re so glad you could join us for this conversation.

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Aaron and Brian take some time to answer a great question from a friend: "Why do I feel closer than ever to Jesus one day, and then other days I feel so distant I hardly remember I'm a Christian?"

We believe this is a real, raw, and valid question that gets to the heart of what so many Christ-followers face: the roller coaster of faith. We would be the first to admit, we have experienced this struggle ourselves!

In this episode we want to help you face this challenge, and help you understand how to navigate the highs and lows of faith. Following Jesus is a slow, steady practice of long obedience in the same direction. It will not always feel the same. Discipleship is key! Our hope is this episode helps you on your path with Jesus.

Aaron and Brian chat with their friend Michael Bowles (Pastor, former youth pastor, and current student at Western Seminary) about the challenges of wrestling through the supernatural. The guys talk about their own experiences with things like God speaking, signs from God, healings, and even exorcisms of demons... while acknowledging that in a lot of our western Church culture the supernatural can seem bizarre and rare. Our goal In this episode is to help you wrestle with the reality of the supernatural, and your relationship with the miraculous as a follower of Jesus.

Prof Gerry Breshears is back for his record breaking 3rd time on the show! In this episode we dive into the debate swirling around PSA (Penal Substitutionary Atonement) and ask Gerry all the hard questions!

In this episode we cover:

Note from Aaron: The idea for this episode has been sitting in my brain for almost 7 years... back when I read a post from my friend and pastor Evan Wickham about his convo with Gerry about the atonement. The insights blew my mind then, and I hope they blow your mind now!

Most people struggle with change. When we go through major change in a short period of time, it can easily overwhelm us. Learning to navigate change well is crucial to follow Jesus well in a constantly changing world. In this episode, Aaron and Brian sit down with Sarah Yardley, Mission and Ministry Lead at Creation Fest UK and author of MORE > Change: Navigating Change With An Unchanging God. Sarah’s life story has included a lot of change. She’s served in multiple churches in southern California before sensing God calling her to move to Cornwall, England. That move came with massive change and taught her more about walking with God through change. In this conversation, Aaron and Brian ask some practical questions about how to deal with change, get honest about they ways they’ve struggled with change, and look to find a stability in Jesus in a world that constantly throws change our way. We hope this episode gives you tools and thought processes that help you center on Jesus even when everything around you is changing. We’re so glad you could join us for this conversation. You're listening to the GoodLion Podcast!

In all of the insanity, confusion, and cultural upheaval of the early 2020s, there's been a growing resurgence of the term “social justice” that has taken the world by storm, especially in the wake of George Floyd's death.

However, like many issues today, Christians are divided on the term social justice.

To some, it represents a Biblical form of restorative justice that reflects our responsibility to honor, love, and serve all humans as made in the image of God, and to Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

To others, it represents a flawed and broken political idealogy that has been corrupted by secular humanists beyond repair. For this reason, these Christian leaders are urging their followers to completely reject the usage of the phrase "social justice."

To discuss this divide and how we can think critically about it as followers of The Way, Aaron has invited a guy he really looks up to: Dave Lomas, lead pastor of reality San Francisco.

Dave recently taught a sermon at Evan Wickham’s church all about what it means to "do social justice" as a follower of Christ. In the message it was noted that "while there are many ways the world does social justice that Christians should NOT be about", Dave made the case that there is a way to do it that is both biblical and Christ honoring. Dave believes that while the term can be employed, it must be properly contextualized within the framework of the Christian faith, not the lens of culture.

Voddie Baucham disagrees, and is a vocal critic of this position who raises some valid concerns. Dave and Aaron take some time to examine the arguments of Voddie and see what wisdom can be found, and where differences of philosophy of ministry can be found as well.

I'm so glad you could join us for this conversation.

You're listening to the GoodLion Podcast!

Deconstruction is a growing trend in religious and philosophical circles. While many Christians have begun to address deconstruction, we don’t often engage with deconstructionist ideas directly.

In this episode, Aaron and Brian are joined by Dominic Done, author of When Faith Fails: Finding God In the Shadow of Doubt and founder of a ministry to skeptics and doubters called Pursuing Faith. Aaron, Brian, and Dominic respond directly to deconstructionists memes to answer questions coming directly from people wrestling with deconstruction.

Throughout this conversation, Aaron, Brian, and Dominic seek to find the valuable elements of deconstruction without it leading to abandoning the fundamentals of Christianity. We hope this episode encourages you to think critically and respond lovingly to deconstructionist concepts.

As Aaron and Brian get ready to go on an official break, they reflect on the importance of rest, the pitfalls of workaholism in ministry, and the call of Jesus to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives and embrace a lifestyle of resting in Christ as we live and serve with Him.

In today's world, many of us are afraid of confrontation. Confrontation is uncomfortable. None of us like to be in a disagreement with someone, especially if we believe we need to tell them that they're wrong about something.

We are currently living in an age of postmodern thought, causing us to question the very foundation of truth. 

But confrontation is an essential part of helping someone see Jesus.

Jesus was the one that came to us and not only showed us our sin and our wrongness but also welcomed us into a relationship with Him despite our wrongness. 

Whatever your cultural background or political identification, Jesus has something to confront in your way of thinking to draw you out of your own worldly thought patterns and into the truth.

In today's episode, we're going to talk about confrontation and how we can disagree with people in a helpful way that shows them the Way of Jesus in the age of postmodernism.

We've got a special treat for you guys: Aaron has asked his old friend Mike Winger to come on and chat about the power and potential of doing ministry work online. Mike started out as a youth and assistant pastor at a local church, before God started leading him to a new mission field: the internet. Mike runs the theology and apologetics youtube ministry, Bible Thinker. For anyone looking to find ways to reach people for the Kingdom online, we know this episode will help encourage you as you work towards that goal!

Postmodernism may be today’s common thinking, but is that a good thing? In this episode, Brian and Aaron push past the facade of freedom postmodernism offers to explore some of its dangers.

The second episode of this new miniseries begins with a quick recap on what postmodern thinking actually is, something that is not always easy to define. With that definition in mind, Aaron and Brian highlight the fact that some of postmodernism’s conclusions lead to scary places for Jesus followers and non-believers alike.

We hope this episode puts words to things you may have felt before about postmodernism and helps you talk about it in a compassionate, helpful, Jesus-loving way!

Why are Millennials and GenZ kids who grew up in the Church leaving in droves? How can we reach people struggling with doubt and deconstruction? Evan Wickham, pastor of Park Hill Church in San Diego, has a lot of perspective to offer on this topic. Between his time as a youth pastor, traveling worship leader, and spending years pastoring in Portland (a culture hostile to the Christian faith), Evan has seen his fair share of doubt & deconstruction... as well as experiencing some himself. Evan shares his insight into how we can come out the other side of doubt and deconstruction with a positive attitude aiming to build the Church up, rather than tear it down, and how we can reach people who are currently struggling with their faith. He introduces a concept called "Spiritual Consent" that he has found helpful in ministering to people burned out and wounded by things they've experienced.

We hope this conversation helps you in your walk with Christ and is a helpful resource to you as you make every effort to help others discover the Way of Jesus. 

In this episode Brian & Aaron begin to scratch the surface of a notoriously hard to define topic: postmodernism, specifically postmodern philosophy. While western culture has been in the grip of a postmodern movement and mood since the 1960s, many Christians struggle to identify what exactly postmodernism is, and why it presents a problem for the Church.

In part one of a new miniseries, the guys jump headfirst into the discussion, doing their best to research, learn, and share their findings. They take a look at Modernism and how it led to Postmodernism, and discuss one of the core reasons this trajectory has created an obstacle for the Christian worldview, namely, the abandonment of the concept of objective truth.

We hope this episode helps you think deeply as you follow Jesus in this current cultural moment!

In this midweek message, Brian takes us through the example of Peter and shows us a path to get out of "survival mode" as we fix our eyes on Jesus.

Have you ever wondered if you are actually saved? if Jesus' work on the cross was enough to really save you? Have you ever been discouraged about how sometimes the Gospel can seem so complicated, and there seems to be a ton of hurdles you must clear before you can truly be saved? If you've wondered these things... this message is for you. Aaron takes a look at the Simple Gospel as taught by Paul in Galatians, and shows us how the Gospel frees us from the burden of trying to please others... and gives us freedom because of the reality that Christ has already done everything we need to be saved.

In this GoodLion midweek message Aaron shares with us about the evil twin brother of faith - doubt. Doubt is not a very fun topic to talk about because it's not something that's often very accepted at church... but it's something vitally important the church talks about and engages with. We need to see how Jesus responds to those who doubt. What better character to study on this topic than the man known as "doubting Thomas?"

In this BONUS episode Aaron & Brian square off to see who can fire off the most "Christainese" phrases in rapid succession.

Abortion is a hot button topic that is often debated by both Christians and non Christians. Ryan Lynn (Founder of the Speak Life Collective) is here to challenge us on how we can think through this divisive topic as followers of Christ. In this discussion, Aaron and Brian dialogue with Ryan about the value of an unborn life, how to respond to those who hold pro-choice views, what it means to be pro-life, the ethics of abortion, how to get involved with this ideological battle as a peacemaker, how to show grace and compassion to women who've struggled through this issue, and how to hold boldly to your convictions while carrying those convictions with compassion. It's a great talk and we really hope it encourages and equips you to walk closely with Jesus as you engage the culture around you for the Kingdom of God.

For great apologetical resources on this topic, visit the Q&A page on the Speak Life Collective website - https://www.speaklifecollective.com/answers.html

Ask GoodLion: What are your strategies for avoiding sin? Brian and Aaron discuss the importance, of confession, openness, accountability, and resisting the devil so he will flee from YOU (instead of the other way around.)   

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Ask GoodLion is a video series from Aaron Salvato & Brian Higgins, two Bible-theology nerds and hosts of The GoodLion Podcast (https://goodlion.io/glp/) 

These guys love theology, deep thinking, and asking tough questions. The tagline of their show is “No Easy Answers.” We here are GoodLion believe the Church should be a place where talking through questions should be normal, and so we hope this series is helpful to you as you explore your faith well.   Aaron & Brian are the founders of the GoodLion Podcast Network, where they serve as creative and spiritual directors.   

GoodLion is starting an online young adults ministry! Aaron preaches the first message on the importance of Faith, Hope, & Love in a world desperate for all three.

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GoodLion Ministries is an online young adults discipleship group that focuses on helping young people follow the way of Jesus. We meet monday nights 6PM pst, where we have sermons and discussion. If you're interested in joining, email Aaron @ goodlionnetwork@gmail.com

When God made the world, he called it good... and yet when we look at the world today, a lot of times it doesn't really seem very good. It's filled with pandemics and violence and racism and division. And that's just this year, when we look back at human history, it is filled with all kinds of terrible things. We've talked to on this podcast about whether or not God causes evil, and while we recommend you go back and listen to those past episodes, our short answer was no, God doesn't cause evil, but he does allow it. Like with most areas of theology, when one question gets answered a thousand more troubling questions seem to rise up behind it. 

So if God doesn't allow evil, Isn't that really just as bad as him causing it? How can a good God allow evil to happen? If He allows it, is that really any better than him causing the evil in the first place?

Aaron and Brian dive deep into this question on the GoodLion Podcast.

Aaron gets invited to come onto Brenna Blain's podcast "Can I Say That?", a podcast that tackles tough topics around Christianity and faith. In the episode, Aaron speaks with Brenna about the topic of Progressive Christianity. What is progressive Christianity? What are some common held beliefs of those who would consider themselves to be progressive Christians? Why is this an important topic to study?

Like most things we talk about on the show, we tried to cover it with a ton of grace and compassion, but that doesn't stop Aaron from issuing some warnings to those who feel they are drifting towards a more "progressive Christianity." He communicates reasons for why he truly believes it is not the right path to be on for those seeking faithfulness to Jesus. At the same time he tries to critique some of the extremes on the other side that often drive people to progressive Christianity.

Afterwards, Aaron and Brian Higgins get together to close the episode by diving further into the topic.

You may not agree with everything in this episode, but we truly hope you can sense the love we feel towards anyone struggling with their faith, and the heart we have to see people walking with Jesus despite challenges and difficulties. Wherever you fall on the Christian spectrum, take a listen to the episode and let us know if it helped you, or even if you have some pushback! 

You can contact us at our email, goodlionnetwork@gmail.com

The way to win is not through violence, revolution, or political power. The way to win is through the person of Jesus, and for Christ followers our strategy is laid out all throughout scripture.

This is how you win:

Remember that our leader Jesus has overcome the world, the battle is already won. (John 16:33)

Do not use violence as a method of bringing about God’s kingdom. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. (Matthew 26:52)

Remember the Kingdom of God was never meant to be brought to bear through violent revolution. The kingdom is “not of this world!”

(John 18:36)

Go and make disciples! Preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel. Help people learn what it means to follow Jesus. This Is The Way. (Matthew 28:16-20)

Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Be willing to lay down your rights and liberties for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 9-11)

EXPECT to be persecuted (John 15:20) and instead of complaining when it happens, count it all joy. (Matthew 5:11 + Colossians 1:24)

Overcome evil not with more evil, but with good. (Romans 12:21)

Be literally willing to go the extra mile for anyone, even your enemies, for the sake of winning them over to Jesus. (Matthew 5:41)

Avoid being consumed with conspiracies and endless arguments. Point people not to theories, but to WHO you know to be absolute truth. (Isaiah 8:12 ) (James 4:1-2) (John 14:6)

Lead a quiet and humble life. Work hard and don’t stir up trouble, work to win the respect of non believers.

(1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Devote yourself to prayer! (Colossians 4:2)

Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other! Repent and help others repent. (James 5:16)

Be willing to speak truth to power even when it inconveniences you. (Mark 6:14-29)

Never. Stop. Forgiving. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Make peace. (Matthew 5:9)

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves,

ex: the vulnerable, the poor, and the needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Don’t put your trust in earthly rulers, they cannot save you and they WILL fail you. (Psalm 146:3-7)

Make your identity LOVE. Be KNOWN for how you love. (John 13:35)

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We've never seen people more divided in our lifetime. For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we urge you to start asking these questions:

1. How can I personally help heal this divide?

2. How can I reach someone for Jesus who's views are opposite of mine?

3. How can I let go of bitterness towards those I feel are my enemy?

4. How can I help radicalized people on both sides of the political spectrum find their hope not in earthly leaders but in Christ?

5. How can I be a person of peace?

6. How can I stand up for what is right while also working hard to reach those who I believe are wrong?

These are the questions we must be asking.

Brian and Aaron discuss discipleship. What is discipleship? Why do we do it? Why is it important? What are ways we misunderstand it? All these questions and more on today’s GoodLion podcast!

Aaron & Brian take an episode to respond to more questions from listeners about doubts and faith.

Aaron invites pastor and author Dominic Done onto the show to discuss questions about faith and doubt. 

Question asked: 

1. What has been your biggest crisis of faith and how did you overcome it?

2. Growing up in the faith can cause a lot of doubts when you start to grow older because you can feel like your faith isn’t YOURS. How can “Church born Christians” combat these feelings?

3. How should members of the church address so many young people walking away from the faith when they are on their own?

4. When will that difficulty disappear? When will it spontaneously not be difficult to believe in something you can't see?

5. Is it Blasphemous to doubt or wrestle with questions that God IS who he says He is?

6. Q: Is ALL faith good? Is ALL religion relevant?

All this and more in today's episode!

Pastor and comedian Joel Turner talks with Aaron about evangelism... specifically the challenges of doing it during a pandemic, his views on top methods and best practices, the involvement of the Holy Spirit, and much more! 

Aaron & Brian are back with Season 4 of the GoodLion Podcast! Is social media a distraction to Christians, or does it actually present one of the greatest Gospel/Evangelism mission fields of our time? What happens when we stop viewing social media as negative, or allowing it to influence us negatively, and instead focus on how we can use it to share Jesus with others? 

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The GoodLion podcast is a show by Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins, the founders of CGN’s GoodLion Podcast Network. Each episode, their goal is to ask hard questions, push past easy answers and always look to Jesus, the God who is not safe but is very good. 

From Aaron: Some words on something I think is very important: peacemaking in the age of online discussions. We NEED to be talking about how to navigate this. 

It's SO easy for us to fly into self righteous rage in comment sections. But it's not the way of the peacemaker. Jesus calls us to navigate these difficult waters.  In this podcast is some really practical stuff I've picked up over the years about how to be a peacemaker in online (and offline) discussions. I think we all could use reminders like this, myself included!  I hope it's helpful to you as you navigate this crazy season we are in. Remember that Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. We have a role to play in this cultural moment, and despite how things seem at times on social media, we don't have to blow out witness. We can hold onto our convictions while passionately loving those who disagree.

So often we live in echo chambers where we can easily dismiss and disrespect those we disagree with. But how does that feel when others do it to us? How does it feel when people who disagree with us show us respect, despite the disagreements? Friends, we are called to see those we disagree with the way God sees them, humans made in the image of God!   Mark 16: 15 - Jesus said “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation!"   That includes not just "safe people" in far off countries, but the people right in our own cities, families, and social groups who get under our skin because of differing views.  

Most people in our country are traditionally divided into 2 groups: conservatives and liberals, and traditionally, these 2 groups despite one another (especially around election season.) For Christians who claim either label, I would gently ask this: how can you reach a population when you instinctively hate half the population due to your disagreements with them?  

We are called to the way of the Peacemaker (Jesus), not to be like the Pharisee who said "thank GOD I'm not like him... that nasty tax collector..." We are called to be like Jesus, someone who reached out to both Pharisee and tax collector with the hope and good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom.  I find it's best to work on our heart posture in advance. 

It is fully possible to hold compassion without compromise!  In my time doing ministry I've felt a special pull towards reaching out to those on the margins of faith, those who are skeptics or have doubts or negative feelings about faith... very often they've told me "thank you for your kindness, most Christians hate me." I take no pride in this... but I'm filled with concern, because I truly believe every atheist alive should know at least 5 Christians who treat them with love. 

Also... I'm very aware of my own failures in this area. When I was a young Christian I loved debating with people... and I drove many away with my lack of love.   I want to encourage us all to make an effort in this area. It is so important to show kindness to those we disagree with! 

Love is our weapon and it WILL make a difference if we use it. ❤️

Aaron & Brian are back recording together for the first time in weeks, and they have a LOT to decompress about. Life, work, COVID, Racial tensions, division in the Church, discouragements, and most importantly: hope in Christ.

Why is God's wrath often depicted in the Scriptures as a cup of wine? How are we to understand God's wrath theologically? Who must face God's wrath? Who will be spared? Does the Christian have to worry about wrath? And what's the deal with Final Judgement? Aaron and Brian wrestle through these tough theological topics on today's episode of the GoodLion Podcast.

In light of the current unrest, division, and racial tensions in our world, Aaron shares a timely message from the book of Micah about injustice and God's idea of divine justice. This message is from 2016, but we believe it's extremely relative to what is going on today with the black community and the church's response. Micah 6:8 gives us powerful insights into God's heart for justice, especially when we look to the original Hebrew. If you have questions about how to treat people with the heart of God in this cultural moment, today's episode will help.

As we wrestle through the tough questions raised by Covid-19, we begin to look at the topic of God's wrath. Could God be the one behind this pandemic? Is it a sign of His wrath? What even IS wrath? We see clear examples of God judging people harshly all throughout scripture, especially in the Old Testament. What is the purpose of wrath? Mere crime and punishment? God getting angry and doing something about it? Or could it be possible that God's wrath actually plays an extremely important role in the story of redemptive history? Is it possible that God's wrath flows not only out of His anger at sin, but perhaps even more so from His love for the world? Aaron and Brian take some time to discuss and dialogue about this issue that is incredibly important to the Christian life and our understanding of God and His character.

Aaron sits down with Mike Neglia (Calvary Cork, Expositors Collective) to discuss the struggle of "Imposter Syndrome", a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". This is something many people in ministry struggle with, including Mike and Aaron. The two get vulnerable about their own struggles with this problem, and then discuss some ways that Jesus has led them to push past it and overcome it. We hope that this discussion is encouraging to you!

When we face a some sort of big global crisis, many make statements about how this is certainly proof of God's wrath and judgement against the world. Aaron and Brian dive into this concept, examining the Prophets' warnings, specific examples of God's judgement in the OT, and the importance of context in the metanarrative of Scripture. As usual, there are no easy answers found here, but at the GoodLion Podcast we want to continue to dive deep into the concepts and stories of the Bible and show how they directly relate to the current Covid-19 crisis Christians around the world are facing.

The Covid-19 Crisis has been the most challenging thing our world collectively has faced since WW2. For many, a part of that challenge has been the tough theological questions that have been raised about God, His Love, His Judgment, His Mercy, and His plan in all of this. In today's episode Aaron & Brian dive into the question: Did God Cause Covid-19 in order to Punish Specific People? They examine some claims by popular televangelists about God's judgement, discuss our tendency to want a "scapegoat" for the issues we face, and try to begin to lay a theological groundwork for both God's wrath and mercy.

Aaron and Brian answer a question from their buddy Sam. We've been preaching a lot about finding contentment in Jesus, but is their a danger we can have towards growing complacent or apathetic? If we don't push ourselves, will we just grow stale?

In this short bonus episode, Brian and Aaron answer a question from a listener about finding the balance between being ambitious, and finding contentment in Jesus.

Everyone is focused on improving themselves during the Covid-19 crisis, but how does that work spiritually? Most people think of adding a lot of spiritual habits to their daily routine. In this conversation, Aaron and Brian unpack what the God really wants out of us and how spiritual thriving is less about doing things for God and more about being with God.

Wives of the hosts Brooklynn Salvato and Tori Higgins join Brian and Aaron for a very special episode. We talk about what marriage is like in this crazy cultural moment, discuss how some countries like China are reporting spikes in divorce rates due to quarantine life, and we try to lay out some key ways you can keep your marriage healthy through this crisis. We had so much fun having the girls on the show, we may need to make this a recurring thing... 

How can followers of Jesus practice contentment while living in this discouraging moment of Covid-19? Aaron and Brian discuss the vices of discontentment and comparison in creativity, ministry, and daily life.

Brian and Aaron discuss all the chaos enveloping our lives with the outbreak of COVID-19! If God hasn't given us a Spirit of fear... what do we do with the very real emotions of fear many of us are feeling? How can we handle conspiracy theories and fear mongering? What is the balance of trusting God and healthy caution / obedience to authorities? And what hope do we have for the future? We also take some time to answer great questions from the folks in our instagram group chat. All this and more on today's GoodLion Podcast!

Most Christians have friends who are not believers, but sharing Jesus in those friendships can be really hard. In this episode, Aaron and Brian talk through the dynamics of evangelizing from the framework of strong relationships to help bring the gospel into any friendship.

Sharing the gospel is hard. No matter how much we may want to evangelizing, getting ourselves to do it can be tough. In this episode, Aaron and Brian talk through the difficulties of sharing the gospel with strangers and offer methods to ease some of the tension of those tough conversations.

What do you do when your faith makes people see you as "uncool?" Brian and Aaron field a question from a listener.

Aaron talks about the theological theme of God being Incomprehensible. ​God is different from us; and that’s a good thing. ​God will always hold some mystery for us because an unlimited God cannot be fully known by a limited being. But if this is true, can we really "know" God, or will this barrier cause a wall between God and humanity? These questions and more explored on today's episode!

In this class we will 

- Cover the roots of objectification found in the garden of Eden

- Examine the issue of how easy it is for us as a culture to justify and downplay objectification 

- Contrast the Pharaoh in Exodus and his culture of Slavery with our current objectification culture and how it enslaves us to negative patterns of thinking.

Stay tuned for the next PodClass as we look at our tendency as a culture to play the blame game when it comes to objectification, and examine the problem of women being blamed for sexual assault, and how men can fight this by renewing their minds.

Aaron sits down with CGN team members Kellen Criswell and George Scanlan to talk about Kanye's new album. How should we treat celebrity conversions? Should we be critical, or optimistic?

Bonus features: Brian Higgins makes an epic cameo at the end, and Kellen and George brainstorm about some new podcast ideas: "Bad Tiger" and "Mediocre Leopard."

#kanye #jesusisking

Our First Mailbag Episode! Aaron And Brian Tackle The topic Of Being “set Apart” from a listener who writes in asking "Should Christians Be Set Apart From Sex, Drugs, Music, and Politics?"

Aaron & Brian get the amazing Dr. Gerry Breshears on the show to discuss all our burning questions about Salvation. What does it mean to be saved? Can you lose your salvation? How do you know someone is saved? All this and more on today's GoodLion Podcast!

Brian discusses with Aaron the topic of confession. Why should christians practice confession? Does confession mean you need a priest? Should we be open with our community? How do we trust one another? All this and more on today's GoodLion Podcast!

Aaron and Brian discuss the recent news about author Josh Harris and Hillsong worship leader Marty Sampson publicly stepping out of Christianity and how Jesus followers can handle these types of situations involved friends and family who struggle with the same things. We look at doubt, questioning, and wrestle with the meaning of the word "apostasy." Our heart is to help Christians see that this very real problem can be approached with grace, truth, and love.

When it comes to shows like Game of Thrones and the like, many Christians are conflicted about how to handle them because of all the gratuitous violence and nudity. Should they watch them? Should they boycott them? There's a host of opinions, but not a lot of nuance to the conversation, which is what we try to accomplish. Join us for a thought provoking discussion about violence, sex, nudity, and the Jesus follower.

For our final episode in the righteousness mini series, Aaron and Brian discuss what they learned about this topic, and dive deeper into what it means to "hunger and thirst for righteousness."

Aaron Salvato and Char Broderson discuss the key differences between Old Testament and New Testament depictions of righteousness, and what it means for the follower of Christ. 

Aaron Salvato, Brian Higgins, Bryan Stupar, and Char Broderson talk about self righteousness in the life of a pastor, and practices to overcome this pitfall!

In part 4, Brian and Aaron discuss how Jesus was a friend of sinners, we hear a testimony from Nathaniel Bedson, and a discussion on self righteousness and our personal struggles with this sin by a group of Calvary Pastors (Zak Shellabarger, Wavey Cowper, Char Brodersen, and Bryan Stupar.)

Brian and Aaron answer rapid-fire questions from guys who are just getting started as youth workers. 

Brian Higgins and Aaron Salvato share from their combined 20+ years of Youth Ministry experience by answering the question... "What would you tell your younger self about youth ministry if you could travel back in time to your first year as a youth pastor?" 

In episode 2 we explore the relationship between righteousness and sin. We look at how Jesus deals with sinners in the story of the woman caught in Adultery. Brian Higgins and Aaron Salvato discuss what Sin actually is and how it relates to righteousness, and pastor Brian Stupar shares with us strategies to overcome the endless cycles of guilt and shame. Finally we hear a true story from Aaron about how righteousness was found in the middle of a friend's lies and drug addiction.

The GoodLion Podcast is launching it's first mini series! We will be doing a deep dive into the topic of Righteousness. For episode one, we ask the  question, what exactly is Righteousness? Aaron Salvato presents the topic, and we hear a helpful explanation from Dr. Tim Mackie (the Bible Project.) Join us as we go deep into this Biblical topic!