So We Speak

The Gospels are more than just historical accounts; they are invitations to come to know Jesus Christ. In a new book, The Gospels: A Historical and Cultural Journey, Dr. Jerry Pattengale presents the life of Jesus through art, beauty, and the simple message of the Gospel.

Sodom and Gomorrah are universally known for their wickedness and fiery destruction. Though they are destroyed in Genesis, they take on a symbolic life in the Bible as emblems of human wickedness. Where do they appear in the Bible? Do we know where these cities are today? Recent archaeology has revealed the astonishing fate of Sodom, just as it happened in the Bible.

Jesus gathered his disciples for a final meal. As they shared the Passover supper, Jesus explained the new covenant he was making with them, one of his broken body and shed blood. In doing so, Jesus was going back to the first pages of the Bible and fulfilling a promise made long ago with Abraham. As we share this meal, we are heirs to the promises, experiencing all God accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ. To listen to this message live, go to Crossings.church!

What happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? The Apostle's Creed says Jesus descended into Hell before he rose again. But what does that mean? How could this neglected doctrine help us better understand all that Jesus did for us during Holy Week? For more, check out Matthew Emerson's book, He Descended to the Dead!

Jericho is one of the oldest cities on earth, and it plays a key role in the Bible. Set along a major road leading into the Promised Land, Jericho has always been a border town on the edge of the desert. Joshua and the army of Israel conquered it by God's power in the Old Testament; Jesus and his disciples healed the blind and converted a tax collector in the New Testament. The story of Jericho is one of redemption, God calling the least likely people into his kingdom.

In the little town of Le Chambon, a pastor, a spy, a philosopher, and a refugee live under the Nazi threat. Shuttling Jews to safety, these heroes deal with loss, tragedy, triumph, and the experience of not knowing what’s next. In Mark Buchanan's new novel, What Is Left of the Night, enter the story of these heroes and grapple with the big ideas of the war, of God's love, and of the nature of violence. In this episode, Mark joins Cole for an interview about the book, writing, and God's goodness, even in the most difficult circumstances.

Babel is the first major city in the Bible. On the plains on Shinar, people build a monument to themselves. They rebel against God and his commands. This city becomes Babylon, the paradigm for the way cities amplify human sinfulness. Babylon runs all the way through the Bible and shows us God's plan to redeem the world, even the cities.

The Bible is full of cities, many of which still exist today. From beginning to end, cities play a big role in God's plan for the redemption of the world. In this series, we'll look at some of the most important cities in the Bible and trace their storylines to see God's redemptive work through history.

More than three years after Jerusalem had been destroyed, the last group of rebels holed up in the fortress of Masada. More than a thousand feet above the plain, Masada was nearly impenetrable. Led by their leader, Eleazar ben Yair, this group of brave Jews would be remembered forever as freedom fighters, a symbol of the people of Israel.

In 70 AD, the Romans had encircled Jerusalem. Inside, warring factions were striving for power and weakening the defense. In just a few months, the city and the temple would be destroyed. What caused this destruction, and could it have been prevented?

In this episode, Cole and Terry Feix delve into Byung-Chul Han's book, The Burnout Society, exploring the causes of burnout, anxiety, and depression in modern society. They discuss the shift from an immunological age to an achievement society, where the focus on productivity leads to self-exploitation and a crisis of gratification. The conversation highlights the challenges of finding true fulfillment in a culture that prioritizes achievement over relationships, and concludes with reflections on the gospel's message of value and rest.

It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! Cole and Terry discuss their favorite books from 2025 and a few for next year as well. Let us know your favorites from this year! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Best Books of 2025 03:02 Reflections on Reading Habits 05:56 Exploring Hasidic Judaism 08:46 Navigating Technology in Parenting 12:06 Christian Perspectives on Parenting 15:06 Art, Beauty, and Christianity 18:01 Insights from Tim Keller 20:51 The Role of Rituals in Life 23:51 Churchill and World War II 27:00 British Politics and John Major 29:53 The Influence of Christianity on Western Values 32:48 The Golden Thread of Western Civilization 36:06 Fiction and Science Fiction Recommendations

The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy. Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem.

Why is it so hard to navigate disagreements with other Christians? In his new book, When Christians Disagree: Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter, Dr. Tim Cooper uses the historical differences between two giants of the faith, John Owen and Richard Baxter, as a lens for seeing our disagreements today. Through their story, Christians can better work through our differences for kingdom impact.

In the early 60s AD, leadership changes and warring factions produced the rumblings of war. Jewish rebels closed the temple to foreigners, and the Romans extracted taxes from the temple treasury. The leaders who emerged would play decisive roles in the events to follow. Was this the point of no return?

After the time of Jesus, the Jews revolted against the Romans. This series of wars and rebellions led to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. This monumental event has shaped the New Testament, the church, and the Jewish people to this day. How did it happen? In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Jews in the time of Jesus, the political and religious factions, the rulers in Jerusalem and in Rome, and set the stage for the war to come.

"A century ago, the most potent moral figure was Jesus Christ. Now it is Adolf Hitler." This bold statement from Dr. Alec Ryrie frames an exchange that has been made in our society. We know what we're against; what are we for? In this episode, Cole speaks with Alec Ryrie about the moral landscape of the world today, the implications of what he calls the "age of Hitler," and how the church can respond. Get a copy of Dr. Ryrie's excellent book, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It.

Near the Western Wall, archaeologists found a small clay tablet from the King of Assyria demanding that the Kingdom of Judah pay tribute. It's the first time an Assyrian inscription has been found in Jerusalem, and it falls perfectly in place during the story of Hezekiah, who defied Assyria and stopped paying tribute in the late 8th century. Cole and Terry discuss this new discovery and other evidence that supports the veracity of Scripture.

Three weeks ago, the Trump administration announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a peace plan in Gaza. Now, it looks as though it might fall apart. Cole and Terry discuss the peace plan, summarize the major moves over the last year, and look to the future.

Job is the longest sustained meditation on suffering in the Bible. Job, the righteous man, suffers horrendously, is accused of wrongdoing, but is vindicated in the end. It's not difficult to see a picture of Christ in this book. But the parallels go ever deeper. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss ways to see Jesus in the book of Job.

Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God by name, but God is moving behind the scenes. Through the story and the characters, we see glimpses of God's plan to save the world and defeat the enemy through his son, Jesus.

With a couple of weeks to process, Erika Kirk's message at the memorial service for her husband still resonates. This will be the note that echoes into the future, and it's one Christians should pay attention to. Our superpower is not conquering, but forgiving. God will continue to work through what happened to Charlie Kirk, and our witness to the world will be through our love, grace, and forgiveness. "The Glory of Forgiveness: The Superpower of the Gospel"

Nehemiah is one of the great leaders in the Bible, but there's more to him than that. The book of Nehemiah lets us into his heart and his inner thoughts. It shows a leader surrendered to God and obedient to his mission. In these moments, we see Nehemiah as a preview of Christ. At the end of the book, the people are settled in the land, waiting for the Messiah to come.

Ezra and Nehemiah were some of the final leaders in the Old Testament. They brought people back to Jerusalem, but also brought them back to God through the renewal of the covenant. As a scribe and teacher, Ezra models the ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. As he led the people, the backdrop for the first century began to take shape.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the country, and conservative Christians have mourned his death with services and prayer vigils. Even as we mourn, we can be wise in the way we process and respond. As Christians, we shouldn't be surprised when we see evil, but we should also look for God to build his kingdom. Read Cole's two-part essay: "Mourning in America: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk" "Morning in America: The Legacy of Charlie Kirk"

The age of the kings provides us with a glimpse of God's plan for Israel. David and Solomon show us the majesty to expect in the Messiah, but they also display the repetitive, sinful nature of humanity, even the great kings of Israel. In the midst of it all, the prophets continue to bring the Word of God to bear on the people, pointing ahead to what God will do to save his people from their sins.

The book of Chronicles reflects on the history of Israel with a look ahead to the end of the exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. The authors focus on worship and service in the Temple, previewing the time of Jesus. In addition, we see a glimpse of Jesus's eternal reign in the reign of Solomon. As the history of Israel seems to come to an end, God has other plans to fulfill his promises and continue his faithfulness to his people.

Are 1-2 Chronicles just a repeat of 1-2 Kings? The differences between the two accounts of Israel's history also show us something about Jesus Christ. Terry and Cole discuss the role 1 Chronicles plays in helping us to see Jesus as the true and greater temple and as the one his people worship.

Even in the downfall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, we can see a preview of the coming of Christ. Following in the tradition of the prophets and fulfilling the glory of the temple, Jesus embodies the best of the history of Israel. In the end, God keeps his promise to David that one of his sons will reign on the throne through an improbable twist. A king of Judah dines at the king's table in Babylon.

As the David story comes into focus, so do the parallels with Jesus. David provides the template for Israel's coming king and messiah. As one of the greatest figures in the Bible, David is a model for Jesus, but even he cannot measure up to all that Jesus will be.

Education is already undergoing a radical change. Can it survive AI? Cole and Terry discuss the implications of widespread AI use among HS and college students and suggest that maybe the future holds a return to the past. Read Cole's essay from the Weekly Speak, "Education in the Age of AI."

Samuel is a pivotal figure in the Bible, spanning the period of the judges to the era of the kings. His birth, life, and legacy all teach us important lessons about Jesus. In addition, the star of 1-2 Samuel is David, the greatest king of Israel, and one of the clearest types of Christ. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the themes of this book and some of the surprising glimpses of Christ.

Though it is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, Ruth is packed with the faithfulness of God. In it, we find some fundamental building blocks for understanding the life and death of Jesus. God's commitment to his promises shines in this story of sorrow turned into joy.

Judges is one of the darkest periods in Israel's history. As the last line says, "everyone did what was right in their own eyes." But that didn't stop God from working. All the while, God was keeping his promise to send a Messiah and save his people.

It's been 7 years since we started So We Speak, and all the way God has been faithful. We reflect on our mission, share our favorite memories, and discuss the future of the ministry in this special birthday episode.

In the last two weeks, Israel and Iran escalated their attacks, leading to the decimation of Iranian military and scientific leadership, and the destruction of their nuclear facilities. On June 22, the United States launched Operation Midnight Hammer and struck Iran's heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility. Just this week, the two countries have declared a cease fire. What will happen next? Cole and Terry discuss the history, the future, and what the Bible has to say.

In his new book, Why Religion Went Obsolete, sociologist Christian Smith argues that religion is not just declining; it is increasingly seen as unnecessary. People can be good without God. Religion does not play a positive role in the world. So, what is the future for the church? In this interview, Cole talks with Christian Smith about the data, the rise of the spiritual but not religious, and what the future might hold for the church.

The book of Joshua serves as a hinge point in the Old Testament. It is the end of the long journey out of Egypt and the beginning of life in the land. Even the name points to Jesus, which is the Greek way to say Joshua. The whole book points to the ministry of Jesus - and may even contain an appearance of Jesus in the opening chapters.

Deuteronomy is a cornerstone of the Old Testament. It is the theology and history of Israel, and was widely revered and studied in the time of Jesus. In fact, Jesus quotes from this book as much as any other during his life. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of passages that point to Jesus in Deuteronomy as well. From the example of Moses to the curse placed on everyone hanged on a tree, this book shows us Jesus and helps us understand his life, death, and resurrection.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade marks one of the biggest moments of our lifetimes. For 50 years, abortion was protected by the Supreme Court, but in the Dobbs decision in 2022, the court overturned Roe, allowing states to protect life by restricting abortion. What can Christians do now? How should we continue to treasure and preserve life? How can we live biblically in the world after Roe v. Wade? David Closson joins the podcast to discuss his new book Life After Roe: Equipping Christians in the Fight for Life Today. Check out this new book and follow David's work at the Family Research Council.

Despite the name, Numbers is one of the most intriguing books in the Old Testament. The Israelites get right up to the edge of the Promised Land before they tragically doubt God's promises and return to the desert for 40 years. In the desert, God teaches them to walk with him and trust him. Along the way, we get some important glimpses of Jesus that resurface across the New Testament.

Leviticus gets a bad rap. The sacrifices and priestly rules don't always make for lively reading. But don't take that as a sign that it's not important. When you see Jesus through the lens of Leviticus, his life, death, and resurrection take on new meaning and significance.

The Exodus is the ultimate pattern of salvation in the Bible. God tells Exodus stories over and over again. But that's not all in this book. God also shows us the importance of a sacrifice in the Passover and the power of his presence in the Tabernacle. Exodus is full of themes that point to Jesus.

It doesn't take long to see a glimpse of Jesus in the opening of the Bible. When sin entered the world, God didn't go to his backup plan; he promised to send his Son to bring his people back. All through Genesis, God is setting the stage for the coming of Christ far in the future.