Features
Not An Iota, Not A Dot
No one today is any different than anyone in ancient Judah except that we have a lot more of the book. Indeed, we have the strange revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who takes all the curses on himself and fulfills the Law on our behalf. Still, it’s hard to remember who he is and what he is going on about when life is so busy.
When Nebuchadnezzar Becomes Ubiquitous
But we live in a world not of one Nebuchadnezzar, but of every single person being a despot. Every person is not only invited, but admonished to live according to the inclinations and rages of the moment. What might one do, in that sort of–I believe the term is–“negative 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.
A Plethora of Podcasts
It is a bitterly cold morning up here in the Northeast--so cold I'm putting off my long walk till the temperatures come up into the 20s this afternoon (hopefully). A bunch of my children are going off for the weekend to do a service project at a Christian camp and...
Straw and Bricks and Apps and Quarters
But when you do, the person at the desk will explain that you have to wait longer now, because you should have gone to the app and made an appointment, filled out your list of symptoms and the covid questions, and then waited in your car for the text.
Death and Self-Care
I’m all for body positivity–what’s the alternative? hating it all the time? Most of us have tried that and it is as futile as trying to keep a tidy house–but really, a certain amount of negative feelings about your body are appropriate. That is because, as we’ve just noticed, even if it’s healed for a while, it will die. And then what? Being absorbed into the Universe or whatever?
You Probably Thought That Verse Was About You
Recite it in some sort of sing-song way, and you have American “Christianity” in a nutshell. Justice? That’s so easy. I am always on the side of justice. Check. Kindness? Kindness is literally everything. Double Check. Walk humbly with God? You can’t get anyone more humble than me. I’m like the most humble. Check. Check. Check.
#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.
In Which I Hate on a Beloved “Christian Parable”
It’s about the American “Jesus Take the Wheel” version of god or the Universe or Whoever, the god who is always there to give you a little encouragement when you feel down and depressed.
All This Inclusion Sure Does Make Life Simpler!
Neuhaus’ Law – “Where orthodoxy is optional, orthodoxy will sooner or later be proscribed” – is not in the Bible, but it ought to be.
That’s a Shame
I don’t think it should be controversial to say, no matter your ideological bent, that this is bad preaching. Dividing a room in two and applying a heavy dose of shame to one of the groups is not the way to build a healthy congregation.
Be Careful What You Wish For
I can’t lie–the idea of working in a building full of delicious food that’s been prepared by someone whose only job is to prepare delicious food sounds really amazing. And then to end the day with a massage? And then the day is over by 5:30? That’s crazy.
Does Disaster Come to a Church
Don’t look to the scriptures for comfort, though, if you are going to blaspheme marriage and lead the Lord’s little ones further into the darkness. Don’t mouth the words of the Daily Office, or fuss about perfectly timed liturgy if you’re going to be disobedient to the commands of God. What is that called? I think the Lord himself likened it to being a “white washed tomb” or, that word already bandied about, a “hypocrite.”
Three Men In A Hockey Muddle
Some of America hates wokeness. The bit of America that understands that there isn’t a lot of time because this is a religion to which every knee will bow and, as Provorov is finding out, every tongue must confess. The other part of America still doesn’t know what time it is
#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.
Two Things on Thursday
But, before one can even reach out to give over the award, John Kerry, teary with delight, snatches the prize and puts it around his own neck. Can you imagine! What a savior he is. He is, as it were, outside of this world, come to save it.
I Allow Myself To Be Shocked
If you go along through Seasons of Wonder, you’ll see that Bonnie Smith Whitehouse is extremely confused on this point. She is going to promise to help you recover from the “illusion that we are separate from God” and discover that “the church is the whole creation!” and that God is “enfleshed in the world.” I don’t want to burst your bubble, but none of that is true.
How Do You Like To Read Books?
Allow me to put down my spoon of jam and say that I love keeping lists. I don’t do them out in advance, but as I read books (or listen to them) I write them down. Then, at the end of the year, I look back to see what sort of content I imbibed.
A House of Cards
Rather than bringing his congregation to a pool of water to drink, or into a lush pasture to be fed, or over the hills into a wide gracious land to settle, he is making sure they live always in that dark, strange room of screens, experts, and a paltry scrabble of self-help.
#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.
Podcast
#39: Fallen Pastors in a Fallen World: Celebrities, Evangelicals, and Sex
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent revelations about Ravi Zacharias, wonder if anyone is immune to their sin nature, and address the idea that evangelical belief actually contributes to the prevalence of sexual sin.
#38: Likes and Dislikes: The Gospel and False Gospels
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about starting a Facebook group; sheep, shepherds, and wolves in an online world, and how being “for” something necessarily means being “against” other things.
#37: For God So Loved the World: The Why of Monogamous Sex
Matt, Jady, and Nick have a conversation about why God would create a beautiful gift like sex and then decree that it exist only in the context of a lifelong marriage between a man and woman.
#36: Let’s Talk About Sex: Identity and Christian Hope
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent statement from the ACNA Bishops about sex and identity, talk about the difference between temptation and sin, and explore the relationship between truth-telling and pastoral care.
#35: Onward Christian Soldiers? Nationalism, Patriotism, and Faith
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about “Christian nationalism” and “white evangelicalism,” discuss the ways faith in Jesus Christ impacts our involvement in politics, and find (more) fault with progressive Christianity.
#34: A Stand Firm Conversation: Alisa Childers
Anne, Liza, and Ralinda welcome Alisa Childers to talk her life story, her new book, progressive Christianity, Critical Race Theory, and more.
#33: Amen and…Well, Amen: Salvation in Jesus’ Name
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the strange ending to the recent Congressional prayer, look at Article 18 of The 39 Articles, and talk about why God can only be Good News as revealed in Jesus Christ.
#32: The Stand Firm Year-End Awards
Matt, Jady, and Nick hand out some awards at the end of a crazy year. They discuss their “issue of the year” and their “surprise of the year,” including Covid-19, Critical Theory, Trans activism, feminism, and more.
#31: Blood, Sweat, and Tears: The Incarnation Conversation
Jady and Nick discuss the different ways people have tried to make sense of the Incarnation, God come to Earth in Jesus Christ. Who was Jesus, and who must he be to be Good News for us?
#30: Stand Firm FAQ: Does God Love Everyone?
Matt, Jady, and Nick respond to a frequently-asked question: if God doesn’t save everyone, does that mean he doesn’t love everyone?
#29: Teach Your Children Well: Catechesis and Political Engagement
Matt, Jady, and Nick wonder about putting too much faith in politics, discuss how politics is downstream from culture, and talk about the importance of passing the faith on to our kids.
#28: Signs, Sealed, Delivered: Unraveling the Sacraments
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the sacraments of communion and baptism. They talk about what makes a sacrament, their symbolic-and-more nature, whether or not they “work,” and where the Good News is in these “holy mysteries.”
#27: Who Are These People? The Limits of Compassion
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss election reactions, compassion (both real and fake), and having conversations with people who disagree with you.
#26: The Cat in the (Pointy) Hat: The Good and Bad of Bishops
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about bishops and bishop-led churches. They discuss advantages and disadvantages of having bishops, whether or not they’re biblical, and consider the recent resignation of a bishop in the ACNA.
#25: A Coin the Coffer: Purgatory Then and Now
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the Vatican’s recent statement about indulgences and purgatory, why the idea is such bad news, and how the attempt to buy one’s way into grace is widespread, both inside and outside the church.
#24: Mo Money No Problems: Give Unto the Lord
Jady and Nick discuss the intersection of the church and your money. Why does the church talk about money so much? Is there any Good News to be found in stewardship?
#23: Please Mr. Postman: A Stand Firm Mailbag
Matt, Jady, and Nick answer some listener questions, including what love has to do with honesty about sex, a potential referendum on abortion, and what it might mean to be called to celibacy.
#22: When Push Came to Love: The Myth of Progressive Tolerance
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent finding by The Episcopal Church against Bishop William Love. When justice and love are defined outside the Word of God, defenders of God’s Word find themselves labeled as unjust and unloving.
#21: Ibram Kendi and Adoption as Colonialism
Jady, Nick, and special guest Michael Neal discuss public reaction to Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court, and especially to her adopted children.
#20: But He Actually Became a Person: The Problem with a “Personified” Jesus
Anne, Liza, and Ralinda discuss a transgender Icelandic Jesus, the downside of the Jesus Storybook Bible, and a few more thoughts on “Cuties.”