Features
On Palm Sunday
A jarring Sunday
#141: “Liberal” Education and Hillsdale College with Dr. Jonathan Mumme
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to Dr. Jonathan Mumme about the current educational climate, discuss what Christian parents can do in the face of it, and highlight the things that Hillsdale is getting right.
Genesis, Joseph and the Passion of Christ
The Gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection to defeat sin and death for us is not the invention of man; it is the loving act of God Almighty that He foretold for centuries before.
Can This Church Live?
The first is that this blog—Stand Firm—came into being almost twenty years ago during a time when a once grand and faithful church was formally and institutionally committing its way to apostasy. For—and let me be very plain about this—to become “affirming” of that which the scriptures, which are understandable and clear on this issue, condemn is to reject the faith once delivered to the faith. It is to cease to be within the bounds of the visible church. True believers may not any longer call you “Christian.” You, as an “affirming” person, may be angry about this, but that doesn’t change the reality that what God has said in the scriptures is the basis upon which our faith rests.
#140: It’s Reigning Men: Rick Warren, Women in Ministry, and the SBC
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the upcoming debate in the Southern Baptist Convention about the ministry of women, consider the stance and state of the ACNA, and hope that all such discussions will be based on Scripture.
Live Not By Lies. Be James Reimer.
Don’t wear the jersey.
The Greatest Love of All
How do they know? Why is that the thing that they know? That’s the trouble—the tangled knot of belief and knowledge rests, so treacherously, on what you already know. And what you already know is that you are basically right and good and everyone else, even God, should be held under suspicion.
#139: Heresy and Fidelity: A Conversation with Calvin Robinson
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk with the Rev. Calvin Robinson, UK TV presenter and Free Church of England deacon. They discuss the state of Anglicanism in England, how the faithful might deal with opposition, the power of the Gospel proclaimed, and more.
On Squeamishness About Enemies
Liturgical Wimpiness Begone!
Aspirational Possibilities
We are in the middle of Lent, and you may be feeling the grime of failure, shame, and discouragement overshadowing all your promises to yourself and Jesus. Many long days still stretch out before the Paschal feast. The path is littered with tasks yet to perform, with feelings to examine, sins to confess, food to avoid, and vices to let go.
Every Man’s Burden
The reality is that human beings indwelt by the Spirit will continue to sin.
#138: Let’s (Not) Talk About Sex: Bridal Mysticism and the Limits of Metaphor
Matt and Jady talk about the recent uproar over Josh Butler’s book “Beautiful Union,” wonder why all the same people get upset about the same things all the time, and discuss the value of cancel-proof spaces under good bishops (and editors).
What’s that Word?
“Knowing” things has been the business of piecing bits of things together by trial and error, trying to peer into the dark hearts of all your friends and relations without even being able to see inside your own. We’ve never been able to peer through the gloaming and definitively know how things really are. As a result, we are anxious and irritated. Low-grade disappointment and anger are the bed upon which we lie, and the rocks over which we stumble. I say “we,” of course because it’s not just Brianna Wiest who has this problem. Everyone does.
Try Harder
Whenever you’ve finished painting your mural and filling out your gratitude journal then you can set your mind to decentering the white men in your life. Sure, you may like them becaue they’re not literaleigh Hitler (yet) but their presence in your life represents systemic injustice and the patriarchy and they are therefore sups dangerous.
Love is love?
“Love and DEI for me, not for thee.”
There Are More Than Two Chapters
I would just like to make one observation about American Christian culture with regard to this text. It seems to me that the creation of the man and the woman and their fall—the two crucial moments I think the Bible holds up narratively as of equal weight—do not evoke the same emotional resonance for very many Christians.
#137: On Location at Asbury: Revivals, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel with David Brannen
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to David Brannen about Asbury University and his experience at the revival that may (or may not) have been going on there.
Let’s Bring Back The Sackcloth
Remember, they’ve explained, these are just prayers, they don’t have anything to do with marriage. You shouldn’t think that they’ve changed any theology or anything. You can pray these prayers and nothing bad will happen to you.
The Gentleness of Benedict XVI and the Perils of Collegiality
What has transpired since Pope Benedict’s resignation should serve as a warning. It must serve as a warning.
A Mountain Top Experience
As if to confirm this very thought, as Peter was still speaking, “behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.’” The light, the cloud of God’s glory and presence, the total weight of God’s revelation in scripture literally envelops Jesus so that they will be sure to get the point, for “when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
Podcast
#141: “Liberal” Education and Hillsdale College with Dr. Jonathan Mumme
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to Dr. Jonathan Mumme about the current educational climate, discuss what Christian parents can do in the face of it, and highlight the things that Hillsdale is getting right.
#140: It’s Reigning Men: Rick Warren, Women in Ministry, and the SBC
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the upcoming debate in the Southern Baptist Convention about the ministry of women, consider the stance and state of the ACNA, and hope that all such discussions will be based on Scripture.
#139: Heresy and Fidelity: A Conversation with Calvin Robinson
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk with the Rev. Calvin Robinson, UK TV presenter and Free Church of England deacon. They discuss the state of Anglicanism in England, how the faithful might deal with opposition, the power of the Gospel proclaimed, and more.
#138: Let’s (Not) Talk About Sex: Bridal Mysticism and the Limits of Metaphor
Matt and Jady talk about the recent uproar over Josh Butler’s book “Beautiful Union,” wonder why all the same people get upset about the same things all the time, and discuss the value of cancel-proof spaces under good bishops (and editors).
#137: On Location at Asbury: Revivals, the Holy Spirit, and the Gospel with David Brannen
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to David Brannen about Asbury University and his experience at the revival that may (or may not) have been going on there.
#136: Pitching Christ: The Real Jesus and the He Gets Us Campaign
Matt, Jady, and Nick consider the “He Gets Us” ads, talk about bait and switch evangelism, and discuss how the Good News requires both law and gospel.
#135: Life of the Party? Satan, His Minions, and Engaging the Spiritual Realm
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the devil. They discuss the recent notorious Grammys performance, what “Satanism” really means, Christians dabbling in the occult, and the Good News for a lost world.
#134: This Isn’t the Heresy You’re Looking For: Lee Gatiss on the Church of England’s Jedi Mind Tricks
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by Dr. Lee Gatiss of The Church Society to discuss the state of the Church of England, talk about the recent goings-on in the House of Bishops, and hope for a Gospel renewal in worldwide Anglicanism.
#133: And the Son? East, West, and Why the Filioque is Important
Matt, Jady, and Nick go back to the 5th century to look at the filioque clause in the Nicene Creed. They discuss why it’s there, talk about what might be lost if it was removed, and consider the East/West divide.
#132: London Has Fallen: Apostate Bishops, Marriage, and the Church of England
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss a recent open letter from an English bishop to his diocese. They look at his (weak) arguments for the acceptance of same-sex “marriage,” marvel at his abuse of scripture, and consider a churchman’s responsibilities.
#131: Topic? We Don’t Need No Stinking Topic: A (Meandering) Stand Firm Conversation
Matt, Jady, and Nick turn on the mics with no plan. They end up talking about the Church of England, why people might stay in liberal churches, and the modern strangeness of biblical Christianity, among other things.
#130: The Great Escape? An Exvangelical Conversation with Dustin Messer
Matt and Jady talk to Dustin Messer about the exvangelical phenomenon. They discuss what people who leave evangelicalism are really rejecting, how they can be engaged, and why it’s important to defend the Gospel where it’s being attacked.
#129: About Face: Fidelity, Apostasy, and Capitulation
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the election of a bishop in The Episcopal Church, the apostasy of a formerly orthodox cleric, and the comfort of Gospel truth in the face of the world’s pressure and lies.
#128: Easy Like Christmas Morning: Feast Days, Heaven & Hell, and an Eternal Perspective
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about whether or not to have church on Christmas Day, the importance of remembering the reality of heaven and hell, and how eternity affects the here and now.
#127: And Again We Say Revoice: A Conversation with Bethel McGrew
Matt, Jady, and Nick are joined by Anne Kennedy and special guest Bethel McGrew to discuss all things Revoice, Spiritual Friendship, and “Side B.”
#126: (Dis)Respect for Marriage: Ordered Loves, Civilization, and the First Institution
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent passing of the so-called Respect for Marriage Act, the societal implications of attempting to redefine marriage, and why marriage is so important in God’s plan for men and women.
#125: The Best of What’s Around: True Love, Tough Love, and the ACNA
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about why they love the ACNA, why they sometimes critique the ACNA, and why the ACNA is worth fighting for.
#124: Conscience Claws: Confessions, Stand-Offs, and Cowards
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the new “conscience clause” in the Calvin University statement of faith, talk about the midterm elections and abortion, and decide that institutions need strong leadership to survive.
#123: Hard to Say I’m Sorry: Covid Errors, Repentance, and Forgiveness
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about binding the consciences of believers, discuss how to admit when you’re wrong, and why we should be careful adding on to “love thy neighbor.”
#122: Misspent Youth? Discipleship, Entertainment, and the Failures of “Cool” Student Ministry
Jady and Nick discuss youth ministry and the best way to include students in the life of the church. They talk about the youth ministry model in which they grew up and consider what might work better in the future.