Knowing Faith

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss whether violence is immoral or amoral, whether God acts or endorses violence, and how we are supposed to act in light of these things. Questions Covered in This Episode: Does God endorse violence? In Joshua and judges it seems like God is endorsing violence; is that accurate? Where does the Bible talk about violence? Is violence immoral or amoral? Should the modern-day church then perceive itself to be a weapon of violence? Should we think in violent terms as it relates to those who oppose the Lord? How do you deal with wrong motivations? Helpful Definitions: Violence: Physical action against another person that seeks to either restrain or rebuff, and may or may not cause bodily harm. Hamas (חָמָס): Hebrew for violence Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Psalm 11:5, Genesis 6, James 4:6, Psalm 58, Psalm 3, Isaiah 53, Romans 13, Revelation “The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics” by Stanley Hauerwas “Why I'm Not a Pacifist” by C.S. Lewis Deep Discipleship Curriculum Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith. Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how to think theologically and literately about church discipline. Questions Covered in This Episode: Is church discipline biblical? What does the bible say about discipline generally? What is the confusion around discipline? What does the bible say about church discipline? Is this how you think about church discipline? What happens before discipline? What’s the goal of church discipline? Does the tradition you are a part of play a part in church discipline? Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Hebrews 12:5, 1 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 13 Training the Church Ministry Cohort Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss if and when it’s okay to lie. Questions Covered in This Episode: Is it ever right to lie? What does it mean to bear false witness in the 10 Commandments? Is it always wrong to lie? What is a noble lie? What is a lie in kindness? What is a virtuous lie? What is an unvirtuous truth teller? Where do we see examples of people using “deception” in the Bible for the greater good? When would it be okay to use deception or hide the truth? Can I tell a white lie? As a parent, how should I handle my children lying? What is the heart of this question and conversation? Helpful Definitions: Categorical Imperative: You should never do something that you cannot make a universal law in all time and all places. Noble Lie: There are times when it is more virtuous not to tell the truth. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Exodus 1, Joshua 2, Genesis 38, Genesis 3:15, Job Deep Discipleship Curriculum Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about the 10 Commandments. Questions Covered in This Episode: Should the 10 Commandments be posted publicly? What are the 10 Commandments? What role did the Ten Commandments play within Israel's life when they were received? What is their significance for us today? Must a Christian obey the 10 commandments? In what way should they be considered significant for Christian discipleship? Should they be posted publicly? If so, why? If not, why? Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Romans 1 “Ten Words to Live By” by Jen Wilkin Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith. Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about the 10 Commandments. Questions Covered in This Episode: Should the 10 Commandments be posted publicly? What are the 10 Commandments? What role did the Ten Commandments play within Israel's life when they were received? What is their significance for us today? Must a Christian obey the 10 commandments? In what way should they be considered significant for Christian discipleship? Should they be posted publicly? If so, why? If not, why? Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7, Romans 1 “Ten Words to Live By” by Jen Wilkin Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith. Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about how Christians should think about retirement.Questions Covered in This Episode:Is retirement a Christian concept?Is there a difference between calling and career?How do we encourage people to live out the Christian call in all seasons of life?What is a concern of retirement?What is one of the most meaningful things you can do?What were humans created to do?Is it okay to save money for retirement?How do plan for generosity as you age?What is your encouragement to people as they enter into old age?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Titus 2, Proverbs 20:29, EcclesiatesDeep Discipleship Curriculum“From Strength to Strength” by Arthur Brooks“Leisure: The Basis of Culture” by Josef Pieper“Don't Waste Your Life” by John Piper Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how Christians should think about the death penalty.Questions Covered in This Episode:Is the death penalty biblical?What is the Christian framework for being against the death penalty?Why do we have civil laws?Is the death penalty just? Is it a deterrent?How could you kill an image bearer by any means?How does the civil government wield the sword? How do we regulate the taking of human life for the punishment of a crime?What’s the difference between justice and mercy?Do we tend to overemphasize the therapeutic in this conversation?What is your view on this?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Genesis 9, Exodus 21, Romans 13:1-4Training the Church Ministry CohortC. S. Lewis and the Humanitarian Theory of Punishment“The Politics of Jesus” by John Howder YoderKnowing Faith Has Therapeutic Language Invaded The Church? Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Courtney Reissig to discuss how to trust the church again after hurt.Questions Covered in This Episode:What was your goal in writing this book?What is your book about?How have you seen the Gospel of John help people process not abandoning the faith after hurt?What encouragement can you offer to people who are unsure whether they can trust the church?Are there people in your ministry coming from church hurt?Where did you experience restoration from looking at Jesus in your own journey?Guest Bio:Courtney Reissig is a writer and bible teacher living in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the proud mom of four sons, happy wife to Daniel, and author of The Accidental Feminist, Glory in the Ordinary, Teach Me to Feel and Someone to Believe In. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, The Gospel Coalition, and Christianity Today (among other publications). When she is not writing or wrangling kids, she enjoys running and a relaxing Friday night. Her family belongs to Immanuel Baptist Church. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram (@courtneyreissig).Resources Mentioned in this Episode:John 20:3, Hebrews 13:8, John 15, Psalm 1, John 9, Ezekiel 34:2”Someone to Believe In” by Courtney Reissig Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss how Christians should think about burial, aging, and death.Questions Covered in This Episode:How does our culture view death?Where is death in the Bible?When you think of burial in the Bible, what comes to mind?What is the norm in Jewish society and culture?How should this influence how Christians think about burial?Does the mode of burial matter?What method of burial do we want for ourselves?For fun: If we were pagans, what funeral would we have?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Genesis 50:25, Genesis 35:19-20, John 11“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the State of Theology survey, why it is so concerning, and what we can do next.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is the state of theology survey?What is an evangelical according to this survey?What is the Lifeway report?What is a common discipleship strategy used by churches?What is a roadblock to making disciples?What are some things that are concerning in the report?Why is it a problem that people don’t think the Holy Spirit is a person?How the difference between interpretation and orthodoxy?Why is this so concerning?What do we do?Do you have a definition of disciple?Why do scope and sequence matter?How does dissonance play a role in discipleship?Why do we believe so much in the Training the Church Ministry Cohort?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:1 Corinthians 2, Genesis 3, Romans 5State of Theology ReportLifeway Pastors’ Views on Discipleship“Deep Discipleship” by JT EnglishDeep Discipleship CurriculumTraining the Church Ministry Cohort Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss what predestination and election mean.Questions Covered in This Episode:Can you remember how you were introduced to these doctrines?What is reformed theology?What is predestination? What is election? Are they synonyms? Where do we find them in scripture?What have been faithful approaches to these doctrines?Who do you disagree with on this, but you respect the way they articulate their view?What is determinism?What is the point? Why should we care about this?Helpful Definitions:Predestination: God has ordained specific things to happen.Election: God administers His saving benefits and/or judgment.Pelagius: Man is not stained by sin; humanity is neutral before God.Augustine: Humans are dead in their sin and saved by grace.Arminianism: Humans are dead in their sin and allowed to choose saving grace.Determinism: God is so other than, there is no meaningful place for human agency. Compatibilism: God directs our desires, and humans act in accordance with our desires.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Romans 9, Genesis 1-2, Genesis 12, Ephesians 1, Romans 5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Romans 8, John 6, Matthew 13, John 10Deep Discipleship ProgramLigonier MinistriesRenewing Your MindActs 29T4G“Let the Nations Be Glad!” by John PiperBFM 2000 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about what happens to animals (and Jen’s pugs) when they die.Questions Covered in This Episode:What happens to animals when they die?How are humans and animals different?How does any creaturely thing make it into heaven?Are animals in need of redemption?Does the fall impact animals?Do animals have a soul?What is a soul? Do only humans have souls?How do we give the right level of importance to things that have breath?Will any animals be brought into the new heaven and the new earth?Helpful Definitions:Psychosomatic Unity: Humans are unions of body and soul.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Training the Church Ministry Cohort Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Season 16 of the Knowing Faith podcast begins on January 15th! In this episode, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley give you a preview of what is to come in Season 16.Questions Covered in This Episode:What are we doing this season?What are some of the topics we will cover?How can I submit questions for you to cover?If you could put your cohost on the hotseat for any question, what would it be?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Apple Podcast ReviewTraining the Church Patreon Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley answer questions submitted by listeners!Questions Covered in This Episode:Can you talk to the value or lack thereof of being a credential holder in any particular fellowship or denomination? Are there any secondary beliefs your denomination holds that you don’t agree with?Why is it good that denominations have core confessions?Do you think there will be salt in the new heavens and the new earth since there is no sea or no tears?Jen, what is your favorite classical music?Can you share thoughts on what your church requires of members? How does your church handle discipline?I have heard that Old Testament prophecies have an immediate fulfillment and another fulfillment in the future. Can you explain that?Is any of the content in the Deep Discipleship Program in conflict with Lutheran beliefs? (or other denominations)After the episode on therapeutic language, I wonder if you are going to talk about the fascination with “New Age” practices?What is going on with Women’s Bible Study? How do you evaluate curriculum?Did Jesus ever make mistakes during his earthly life?Does Jesus display the imcommunicable attributes?Is the incarnation itself an accommodation?Did God the Father love the Son at the moment of the crucifixion?Do you have resources for the “false stories” you talk about on the podcast?What would you tell someone about tithing who is in deep debt?Should we as Christians celebrate the feasts given to Israel?How is orthodoxy determined? How do we explain differences among believers?Where would you start a scope & sequence for college students and young adults?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Deep Discipleship ProgramBFM 2000Westminster ConfessionNicene CreedThe Creed of ChalcedonApostles CreedHandel’s MessiahVivaldi The Four SeasonsKnowing Faith: Has Therapeutic Language Invaded the Church?Jen Wilkin's Instagram Highlight of bible StudyKnowing Faith: Does God have Emotions with Ronni Kurtz“Remember and Rehearse” by JT English“Formed for Fellowship” by Kyle Worley Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley answer the question of whether a Christian can lose their salvation.Questions Covered in This Episode:Do Christians often struggle with this question?What are the things that can make us doubt salvation?What kind of encouragement do we give people when reading and evaluating the warning passages in Hebrews?Can Christians grow indifferent to the seriousness of sin?Is there a corporate nature to this, or are these warnings supposed to be personal?What is the current thought process in the church?If a faithful Christian comes to you and asks if it is possible for them to lose their salvation, how do you respond?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Deep Discipleship ProgramProverbs 31, Hebrews 2:1, Hebrews 6:4-8, Hebrews 10:26, John 8, Romans 5-8, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kyle Worley is joined by Samuel Bierig to answer the question, “What does Jesus have to do with Proverbs?”Questions Covered in This Episode:What does Jesus have to do with Proverbs?Is it too simplistic to tell a Christian to just go do the things Proverbs says?Guest Bio:Samuel Bierig serves as Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of Spurgeon College, and Associate Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Spurgeon College at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Sam serves as lead pastor at Gashland Baptist Church. Sam completed his Ph.D. in biblical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he wrote his dissertation on hermeneutics and the interpretation of the book of Proverbs. He is happily married to Mallory, and they have four children: Abby, Levi, Owen, and Piper.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Proverbs 7“Proverbs: Walking in the Way of Christ” by Samuel Bierig Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kyle Worley is joined by Matt Boswell to have a conversation about worship and hymns in the local church.Questions Covered in This Episode:Why should we value the congregational voice of the church?What’s the difference between a psalm? A hymn? And a spiritual song?Are hymns just old songs?What’s your favorite hymn? Why?What do you tell the person who says, “I don’t like the singing? Just give me some preaching.”How do you determine what songs you sing in your church?What’s your opinion on songs that emerge from churches or ministries where you’d disagree with the teaching of that ministry’s theology?Tell me about the Sing hymnal - why a new hymnal and why now?Guest Bio:Matt Boswell is a hymn-writer and pastor of The Trails Church in Celina, Texas. He also serves as Professor of Worship Ministries at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and leads Doxology & Theology, a ministry focused on corporate worship.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6-11, John 13:35Hark the Herald Angels SingBe Thou my Vision“The Sing! Hymnal” by Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kyle Worley is joined by Geoff Chang to discuss how Charles Spurgeon would answer specific questions if he were alive today.Questions Covered in This Episode:What are your thoughts on artificial intelligence?What are your thoughts on gambling?What are your thoughts on recreational marijuana?Guest Bio:Geoff Chang serves as Associate Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and the Curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), where he wrote his dissertation on Charles H. Spurgeon’s ecclesiology. He also serves the Book Review Editor for History & Historical Theology at Themelios, the academic journal for The Gospel Coalition. He is the volume editor of The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon Volumes 5, 6, and 7 and the author of Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry. He is married to Stephanie, and they have three children. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:“Lectures to My Students” by C H Spurgeon“Spurgeon the Pastor” by Geoffrey Chang Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James Wood joins Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley to discuss the influence of Constantine on Christianity.Questions Covered in This Episode:Who was Constantine? What was his relationship to Christianity in the ancient world?Did he really convert?What are the Christians of this time thinking about Constantine?How does Monasticism replace martyrdom?Is there a protestant approach to living in the tension?What are the goods of Christendom?How does this history shape our understanding of the competing perspectives on church and state today?What are faithful Christian perspectives of church and state?How would you contrast pagan Christianity from the kind of public Christian witness you advocate for?Explain the subordination of the secular.Guest Bio:James Wood is Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University, a teaching elder in the PCA, a cohost of Mere Fidelity Podcast and the Civitas Podcast, and has written and writes for a number of publications, including Plough, Comment, First Things, World, and Theopolis, among others. He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Toronto, a Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary. He is married to Clare, and they have five daughters.Helpful Definitions:Gelasian Dyarchy: The "two swords" doctrine.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, Revelation 13“Defending Constantine” by Peter Leithart“Christ & Culture Revisited” by D.A. Carson“The Desire of the Nations” by Oliver O'Donovan“Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin“The Politics of Pagan Christianity” by James Wood Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.