Features
#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.
The Friends You Make Along The Way
Everyone wants to be both good and prosperous, but no one can remember why. The loss of the hope of glory makes each and every tiny temporal decision into a mountain that must be scaled or all is lost.
Belshazzar, Chelsea Handler, and the Weight of Glory
The commentator I read had much to say about the unbearable lightness of Balshazzar’s life. He was “weighed” but there wasn’t anything there. There could have been a lot. He had all the earthly benefits of wealth, rank, education–everything he could possibly want to do something, anything really, with his life. Instead, he ate and drank “on the brink of the grave.” Ironically, Chelsea Handler says this about herself
He Does Get Us
I mean, the reason that “He gets us” is that he made us. So, maybe this seems like a quibble, but I really don’t like Jesus options where Jesus is super helpless but just loves and loves and so should you.
Sheep Without A Shepherd
The most essential thing we should notice about Jesus this morning is how different he is from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Justin Welby doesn’t have the power to heal all your diseases. But he has been given the gift of the Gospel which he could proclaim—it’s literally his main job—if he would trouble himself to discover what it is.
#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.
At Least There Are Still Books
I think it is fair to say that I live in a “negative world.” As we walked up and down I mouthed the term over to myself. And then when we were all tucked in for the night, I watched clips of that ghastly Satan display at the Grammy’s. I scrolled, in my desultory way, around Twitter wondering what Christians had to say about it. Don’t be surprised, they said. What do you expect? Hollywood has been glorifying Satan for quite a while.
COVID, Kevin Bass, and How to Apologize
Lesser men apologize for lesser wrong to distract from greater wrong. Not Bass.
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.
Podcast
#121: Vote My Conscience: Legislating Morality, Christian Nationalism, and Paralysis at the Ballot Box
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about Christian Nationalism, wonder if there’s any way to keep one’s deeply held beliefs out of politics, and discuss our overriding hope: the reign of King Jesus.
#120: Rotten Tomatoes: Veggies, Pharisees, and Hypocrites
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss some recent Twitter comments from Phil Vischer, wonder if Jesus’ clashes with the Pharisees were due to their law-keeping, and talk about Christians and the common charge of hypocrisy.
#119: U-Turn? The Table, The Episcopal Church, and the ACNA
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent decision of The Table in Indianapolis to seek affiliation with the Episcopal Church. They talk about The Table’s stated reasons for the departure and what it means for the ACNA.
#118: Being a Color: The Gospel, Culture, and Skin Culture in the Church
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss whether or not it’s helpful to describe Christians as “black” or “white” in light of an upcoming conference, reflect on their cross cultural experiences, and share Good News for seemingly divided people.
#117: Death Becomes Us: Funerals, Mourning, and Resurrection Hope
Matt, Jady, and Nick reflect on Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. They talk about the importance of mourning, what goes on at a burial service, and how even in death we can celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
#116: Please Mr. Postman: Another Stand Firm Mailbag
Matt, Jady, and Nick break open the mailbag again to respond to listener emails. This time: how to deal with a well-read Catholic family member, why the guys aren’t Eastern Orthodox, and how to recognize the beginnings of wokeness in your church.
#115: Keeping the Loud Part Quiet: Obfuscation, HTB, and “Quiet” Orthodoxy
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss a recent interview given by Archie Coates, new vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton. They talk about his desire to keep his personal views to himself, and consider the pastoral calling to teach truth to the sheep.
#114: Just Friends? Matt Chandler, Men & Women, and the Billy Graham Rule
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss men being friends with women, whether or not men should avoid being alone with women, and…well, men and women.
#113: It’s Not Me, It’s You: Catholicity, Truth, and Schism
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the formation of a new diocese in Australia, discuss what it means for a church to be “catholic,” and consider (again) what circumstances warrant “walking apart.”
#112: By the Power of…? Christians, Politics, and a Light to the World
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about political power. They discuss whether or not Christians should seek it, if it can be used for good, and respond to some common objections to Christian political involvement.
#111: The Last Lambeth (Pod)? Final Thoughts, Last Rites, and the Future of the Communion
Matt, Jady, and Nick conclude their discussion of the 2022 Lambeth Conference. They talk about whether anything good came from it, what might have been learned, and what a reforming movement in the communion might look like.
#110: Lambeth 2022: What We Got Here is a Failure to Excommunicate
Matt, Jady, and Nick continue to discuss the 2022 Lambeth Conference. They talk about the bounds of orthodoxy, the sufficiency of the creeds, and whether or not sex is worth disfellowshipping over.
#109: Lambeth 2022: Anglican’t We All Just Get Along?
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the currently-meeting Lambeth Conference. They talk about the World-wide Anglican Communion, whether it’s salvageable, and whether or not the ACNA should want to be part of it.
#108: Big, Fat, and Greek? Weddings, Marriage, and the Gospel
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about weddings, what the point of a Christian wedding is, and how a Christian marriage is a reflection of the Good News about Jesus Christ.
#107: From Conception to Natural Death: Abortion, Capital Punishment, and the Value of Life
Matt, Jady, and Nick continue to discuss supposed inconsistencies in the pro-life position. Can someone who supports the death penalty be pro-life? What does the Bible say?
#106: The Woe Over Roe: The World, the Church, Anger, and Joy
Jady and Nick are joined by Mark Marshall to discuss the overturning of Roe v. Wade, whether or not Christians are allowed to celebrate, and the faith and founding of the ACNA.
#105: To Tell the Truth: Language, the Law, and Calling a Thing What It Is
Jady and Nick talk about how important it can be to tell the truth, even when it seems like the whole world is lying.
#104: It’s Literally a Deadly Sin: PRIDE, the Church, and the Gospel
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about PRIDE month, confirm that drag shows are indeed bad for kids, and discuss Justin Welby’s letter to some African Archbishops.
#103: Dean’s List: Trinity School, Formation, and the ACNA
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the calling of a new Dean to Trinity School for Ministry and talk about the future of leadership formation in the ACNA.
#102: Err Apparent: God’s Truth, Biblical “Mistakes,” and What Inerrancy Really Means
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the doctrine of inerrancy. They consider so-called “literary devices,” ask whether or not it’s important the Bible be inerrant, and suggest that a little faith in God might go a long way.