Features
#164: Unashamed: God’s Word, Eternal Truth, and Changing Churches
Jady and Nick discuss a Christianity Today article about recently departed ACNA churches. They wonder if clergy and congregation knew what they were joining, reflect on their own past hesitancies, and reaffirm the goodness of God’s Word…no matter what.
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Sometimes I like to google “stress” and read about all the bad things that happen to you when you go through sustained periods of “stress.” Apparently, it’s not very good for you. A little bit is fine, but prolonged amounts aren’t desirable.
#163: Girls Rule Boys Drool? Barbies, Boys, and Future Men
Matt and Jady talk about the Barbie movie, gay Boy Scouts, masculinity, trail life, and Matt and Anne’s workouts.
He Will Make It Make Sense
Imagine, being thus cut off from your kindred, but laid bare before your God. A lot of us think we might like this—indeed, Mr. Marsh of TikTok, there above, describes such a circumstance. Being alienated, Babbel-like, from all those who don’t deserve to know the delights of your person, to search out your “gender” as if some precious, hidden gem, takes you up to the heights. And what is up there? Surely God, or someone like him.
#162: Another Stand Firm Mailbag
Matt, Jady, and Nick tackle some more listener questions. This time: whether or not Anglicanism is Calvinist, female deacons, regenerate church membership, and becoming an involved layperson.
Champagne and Pearls
Handler, claiming to be wise, like so many, has become your least favorite and scolding Wine Aunt. She is the opposite of all the bright, surprising pictures that Jesus draws for us in the gospel this morning.
#161: I Am Become Death: Just War Theory and the Morality of Atomic Bombs
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about Just War Theory, discuss the difference between making war and turning the other cheek, and consider the history of the atomic bombings on the occasion of the release of the film OPPENHEIMER.
#160: No Thanks: A Response to Some Theses on Anglican Reunification
Matt, Jady, and Nick react to a recent article calling for ACNA and TEC to reconcile. They remember (again) the reasons for the “schism,” clarify (again) the severity of TEC’s offense, and say (again) that only repentance can lead to reconciliation.
The Good Example of St. Swithin in Education
Faithfulness in education on a small scale can eventually have a great impact.
#159: How to Read the Bible: The Unknown God Made Known
On this episode of the Stand Firm podcast, the hosts take a vacation! In their place, enjoy a lecture given by our own Jady Koch on how to read the Bible.
Claiming to be Wise they became Dumber than a Bag of Hammers
You can see, here, of course, that God cares nothing for the imago dei of women, and only wants to oppress everyone all the time. Or at least did until the Archbishop of York reminded him that words like “King” and “rule” and “battle” are upsetting to some people.
#158: The Body of Christ: Ministry, Women, and the Church
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about women and their importance to the life of the church. They discuss different denominational traditions, the need for the full body to be doing ministry, and the God-honoring complementarity of men and women.
Wokeness is (Even More) Not Winsome
Common sense people know now more than ever that wokeness is evil and harmful to all but criminals and grievance grifters.
#157: A Stand Firm Conversation: The State of the SBC with Andrew Walker
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk to Dr. Andrew Walker of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary about the recent SBC Annual Meeting. They discuss the contentious issues, a resolution Dr. Walker co-authored, and the health of the denomination in general.
The Anti-Anti-Woke
One does not love one’s neighbors by assisting the totalitarians against them. One does not further the Gospel of Christ by allying with the ideologies of Satan.
Small Numbers
There are times when small numbers of faithful people work better than large numbers.
The Bluebird of Opacity and the Sparrow of Jesus
What is it with Jesus and anxiety? Why does he always say not to be anxious at the precise moment when what he has said or done or promised is the most anxious and terrifying thing imaginable?
#156: Special Victims Unit? Social Injury, Cry Bullies, and Church Discipline
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss victimhood culture, talk about the application of Matthew 18 in an online world, and (once again) rehearse the difference between public correction and private reconciliation.
The Word You’re Looking For Is…
But that’s usually how it goes. The people who are supposed to be feeding the sheep, in every age, often become confused and mistake the task entirely. They ever so slightly alter the food so that it isn’t nourishing anymore. They might say basically true things, but enough wrong things that the grace of God is obscured. In this way, many Americans neglected to teach their children the Lord’s Prayer, but did feed them straw like, “God helps those who help themselves,” and “What goes around comes around,” and “Do unto others before they do unto you.”
#155: Mediocre Pride: June Fizzles, Elites Dig In, and the Foundational Nature of Families
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the relatively restrained nature of “Pride Month,” the tendency of evil to overreach, and how the family remains the most critical point of attack…and therefore defense.
#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.
#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.