Features
But God…
“And you,” explains Paul, “were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…” Isn’t it disappointing, though, that the sons of disobedience would have to be church clerics? Oh well.
#193: Sorry Not Sorry: Christ, Culture, and Apologizing for Evangelism
Matt and Jady talk about the Church of England’s recent report calling for an apology for their history of ministry in Africa. They discuss the biblical view of false gods, evangelism and the early church, and the benefits of Christian “imperialism.”
#192: The Guy Behind the Guy: Christian Nationalism, Natural Law, and the Origin of Everything
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about a new wrinkle in the Christian Nationalism conversation: the source of your rights. They discuss God’s pre-existence before the state, what natural law means, and how a preeminent God is actually Good News.
#191: Get Lent, Pharisees: Protestantism and Lent, Embryonic Children, and Concupiscence Again
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss three separate issues: how evangelical Protestants should approach Lent, a recent ruling in Alabama regarding IFV embryos, and why disordered attraction is sinful, even if you don’t act on it.
Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin
So the first thing we might say is that Jesus does love people. But he loves them in a different kind of way than we expect. He identifies with them. But how he identifies with them changes their identity entirely. His kind of love and his kind of identification, in the words of NPR, is deeply controversial, and that is because, at its very heart, it includes a peculiar kind of hate.
#190: In Your Letter: Another Stand Firm Mailbag
On this episode of the Stand Firm podcast, Matt, Jady, and Nick dig into the mailbag and discuss how they came to their views on women's ordination, the new "He Gets Us" Super Bowl ad, and the online conversation about Elisabeth Elliot. Help send Stand Firm to...
The Scandal of the Church of England Enabling Criminal Migration
The scandal of abusing the offices of the church and even the Holy Name of Jesus to aid criminal migration probably will not stay in the U. K. and the Church of England.
Sick At Heart
The thing to remember about the time in which we live is that it is a death work. It is a death space. It is a death belief. It is death. Everything about it is to destroy the human soul and drag it into hell as fast as possible. And what are you going to do? Living, as you do, in a world—not just a nation, but a world—that has chosen death to be its Shepherd?
#189: Lone Ranger Anglicans? Collegiality, Congregationalism, and a Questionable Crisis
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the nature of the ACNA, talk about the breadth of American Anglicanism, and consider how it relates to the current crisis (or is it one?) regarding the ordination of women.
There Are People Dying
I feel like this is all relevant because the thing that all the people and children of the world always want is bread. But they want the bread on their own terms. They either want to get it themselves, or they agree to get it from Satan, instead of trusting God for everything. A lot of well-meaning Christians and philanthropists fall into confusion on this point. They go abroad and they see such enormous material need that they are overwhelmed. They don’t know where to start.
#188: Doubling Down? Alistair Begg, Calvin Robinson, and the Continuing Conversation
Matt, Jady, and Nick review the latest developments around Alistair Begg’s controversial comments and Calvin Robinson’s contentious talk at Mere Anglicanism.
When Jesus Preaches the Sermon
Strangely, Jesus, though it must have been exasperating, attended the weekly synagogue service faithfully though no one was expecting him. Before he began his public ministry, he must have heard so many bad and unhelpful sermons, rabbis wandering around the text in search of a point, nice people trying to work their way out of the exegetical and hermeneutical bag.
#187: Rent Asunder? Calvin Robinson at Mere Anglicanism
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the recent controversial Mere Anglicanism Conference. They discuss Calvin Robinson’s talk there, what the reaction to it reveals about ACNA, and the idea that a Christian can attend a same-sex “wedding” in good conscience.
Good News Everyone!
You don’t have to be crushed under the weight of other people’s agenda for you, you have direct access to the Lord Jesus. When he gives you a task, you can follow after him and do it, just as Simon and Andrew and James and John. Your life, being saved, is now ordered and shaped by the one who saved you.
#186: Pope on the Ropes: Francis, the Catholic Church, and Recent Controversies
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about three recent controversial actions of Pope Francis: Fiducia Supplicans and same-sex couples, his dalliances with Marxists, and his comments about the potential emptiness of Hell.
Why do “Christians” like Francis “Dialogue” with Marxists?
How should actual Christians respond?
#185: Knowing What Time It Is with Rosaria Butterfield
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk with Rosaria Butterfield about her new book, the doctrine of concupiscence, the importance of repentance, and more. In all of it, they remember the Good News that Jesus Christ is for broken sinners.
That Pitiful Strength
Your sensitivity to beauty becomes so deep that, when you react to something ugly, it might take you a moment to articulate the assumptions that formed your response. You remake, in other words, your emotional and intellectual world long before you ever encounter Wither or the Fairy or the N.I.C.E.
#184: Sermons of Christmas: Nick Lannon
For the last “Christmas Break” podcast, enjoy a sermon preached on Christmas Eve 2021 by the Rev. Nick Lannon. The text for the occasion was Isaiah 9:2-7.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken
So I was quite astonished to be wandering around the lections for this morning, and hear with fresh ears the verse that the current age loves to take and use as a cudgel of affirmation under the guise of unity and togetherness, but serves instead to diminish the close spiritual bond Christians do share, even when they don’t quite know it. I’m sure you’ve heard the verse—how could you not? “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” says Paul to the Galatians, for I can do all things by a verse taken out of context.
Podcast
#176: Pulling the Lever for Jesus? Politics, Abortion, and the Morality of Voting
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the results of the 2023 election, talk about the moral weight of casting a vote, and consider abortion as a voting issue; past, present, and future.
#175: A Covenanted Communion: A Conversation with Phil Ashey
Matt, Jady, and Nick welcome the Rev. Canon Phil Ashey to the show, and discuss the possibility of covenanted Anglican Communion with mutual accountability, interdependence, and discipline at the global level.
#174: OK Zoomer: Reconquista and Recovering the Mainline
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about the Reconquista Movement, a strategy to rescue mainline churches for orthodoxy. While there are some exciting and noble aspects to the plan, there are serious theological and ecclesial problems with it.
#173: Yearn and Burn: Desire, Sex, and Marriage
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss recent online conversations about “same sex attracted” people and marriage, talk about God’s power to change us, consider biblical reasons for singleness, and remember that, in Christ, we are promised redemption.
#172: An Existential Crisis: Terrorism, Israel, and Biblical Israel
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. They talk about the clash of cultures involved, look at the biblical right of nations to wield the sword, and consider God’s on-going relationship to his chosen people.
#171: Who We Say That We Are: Identity and the Bible
On this episode of the Stand Firm podcast, the hosts step away from the mic again. In their place, enjoy a lecture by our own Nick Lannon on identity and the Bible.
#170: The People Under the Stairs: Evangelicals, Culture, and Elite Embarrassment
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss prominent evangelicals distancing themselves from their former fellows, talk about the drive for—and the costs associated with—cultural acceptance, and remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God.
#169: (Mis)Uses of the Law? Preaching, Gospel-Centeredness, and the Third Use
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss God’s law. They begin by reflecting on the waning influence of the “Gospel-Centered” movement and then talk about preaching and how the law works in a Christian’s life.
#168: Showing Their True Colors: ACNAtoo, Affirmation, and LGBTQ+
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss the recent statement from ACNAtoo. They talk about the morphing definitions of terms, the anonymity of the leadership, and the anti-Christian nature of the organization’s promises.
#167: Shepherds Lost and Found: Ministry, Hope, and Preaching Jesus
Matt, Jady, and Nick talk about a pastor’s essay about leaving the ministry. They discuss expectations, the difficulties of parish ministry, and the consolation they find in Christ.
#166: Modern Families? Morality and Procreation in the Technological Age
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss modern family planning: abortion, sperm donation, IVF, “snowflake” adoption, surrogacy, and more. They talk about the moral implications of these technologies, adoption in Christ, and hope in the Gospel.
#165: Essay Does It: Global Anglicanism and the Archbishop’s Essay Contest
Matt, Jady, and Nick discuss Archbishop Beach’s summer essay contest: a sermon on what it means to be a global Anglican today. They discuss that topic, applicable biblical texts, how such a sermon might go…and what they’ll do with their winnings.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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.