So We Speak

How should Christians engage the culture? In Rules for Reformers, Douglas Wilson lays out a plan for cultural engagement and Christian fidelity. Cole and Terry discuss Wilson's voluminous work, his writing on marriage and family, and his impact on their lives.

This month, we're celebrating 5 years of So We Speak. What started with a small weekly email has become a place where tens of thousands of people stay informed without being conformed. Cole and Terry discuss the beginning of So We Speak, the mission of the ministry, and what they see for the future.

Eugene Peterson is best known for the Message, but he should be better known for his pastoral books. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss two of Peterson's books, Working the Angles and Under the Unpredictable Plant , and the huge impact he's had on them as pastors.

Did you know that you have to pursue holiness? Jerry Bridges' book The Pursuit of Holiness is one of our impactful books. In it, he summarizes God's requirement that his people be holy and practical ways to work toward putting sin to death and seeing the fruit of the Spirit.

In the kickoff of a new series, Cole and Terry discuss books that have been influential in their thinking and faith. This week, they discuss The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers and Desiring God by John Piper.

In the opening chapters of Genesis, things go from bad to worse. The story of Cain and Abel is about a fued between two brothers, but it's also something much more than that. In this episode, Terry and Cole dive into the other aspects of this familiar story and the powerful application for today. Listen to Cole's sermon, "Fig Leaves: Cain and Abel."

Should every sermon have an altar call? Not exactly, but every sermon should have a strong application rooted in the text. That's what O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen argue in The Gospel Invitation. They lay out the biblical background and practical tips for extending gospel invitations in preaching.

The opening scenes of Genesis evoke numerous questions, but maybe the most important is: what will you do with your guilt and shame? In a recent sermon, Cole preached on the fig leaves in Genesis 3. Cole and Terry discuss this passage and others in the opening pages of the Bible.

How will Tim Keller be remembered? In previous episodes, Cole and Terry have discussed Keller's series of articles, "The Decline and Renewal of the American Church." Here, they reflect on the dynamics of renewal in the church and talk about the impact Tim Keller had on their lives and on the church.

"John Owen was the greatest - and certainly the most formidable - of English Protestant theologians.” So begins Crawford Gribben's book, An Introduction to John Owen, the best introduction to one of the most influential and enduring Christian theologians. But there's more to Owen than his theology. He was a man of the church, served as Vice Chancellor of Oxford, and lived through one of the most turbulent times in English history. In this episode, Cole talks with Dr. Gribben about Owen's life, impact, and legacy today. Find more of Dr. Crawford Gribben's work at his website Puritan History.

In this final episode on the book of Revelation, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions: 1. What does it mean that we will be judged by our deeds and how does this square with salvation by faith? 2. Will there be rewards in heaven? 3. What is your view on Revelation? Watch the whole Apocalypse series at Crossings Community Church.

What makes a great worship set? How does God use the planning, preparation, all the different pieces, and promptings in the moment to meet his people in worship? This week Mars Coleman joins the podcast to talk about leading worship, writing songs, and life as a Christian artist. Follow Mars on his website and on Spotify.

If we're saved by grace through faith, how were people saved before Jesus's death and resurrection? In this episode, Cole and Terry talk about salvation in the Old Testament, specifically salvation through faith when faith has not yet become sight.

In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss these questions: 1. How do different views of the end times affect engagement with culture? 2. Does anyone deserve eternal punishment? Is that just?

In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions: 1. How does the vision of the end times in Islam fit with the picture in Revelation? 2. When Satan is released at the end of the thousand-year reign, who is he deceiving and who is he stirring up to rebellion? 3. In the post-millennial view, who binds Satan? 4. Is the rapture in the Bible? Where does it come from? Follow the Apocalypse Wednesday night series at Crossings Community Church.

In the third part of this conversation on Stephen Meyer's book Return of the God Hypothesis, Cole and Ben discuss the rebuttals to Meyer's arguments and the future of the faith and science conversation.

In this episode, Terry and Cole discuss the following questions: Could AI be the anti-Christ? Will there be a literal battle of Armageddon? Follow the Apocalypse Wednesday night series at Crossings Community Church.

In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the following questions: 1. If you get the mark of the beast in order to feed your family will you lose your salvation? 2. How can you know that your name is written in the book of life? Follow the Apocalypse series on Revelation at Crossings Community Church.

In the second part of this conversation on Stephen Meyer's book Return of the God Hypothesis, Cole and Ben discuss the central argument of the book: the scientific consensus surrounding the origin of the universe, the design of the universe, and the design of life is best explained by a theistic worldview.

Questions included in this episode: Why do some manuscripts say the mark of the beast is 616? Can Christians be deceived into getting the mark of the beast? Does the progressive Christianity movement resemble the false prophet? Will Christians fight in the battle of Armageddon? Follow the Wednesday night Apocalypse series at Crossings Community Church.

On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples in what we now call the "Last Supper." Then he washed the disciples' feet and they went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. But Maundy Thursday gets its name from something else that happened that Thursday. Jesus gave his disciples a "new commandment," or in Latin, a "new mandate" to love one another. This command of love has been celebrated in the church for centuries. In this message, Terry Feix gives a message on Maundy Thursday and explains the way the whole Bible comes together in Jesus's final meal. Watch Terry teach live today at Crossings Community Church.

How confident can we be that Jesus really rose from the dead? Holy Week builds up to Easter, the most important day of the Christian calendar. Jesus rose from the dead. Many have argued that we cannot know if Jesus really rose from the dead. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the resurrection and the confidence we can have this Holy Week.

Do you have to believe everything the Bible says to be a Christian? Should we try to prove the Bible to new converts? Andy Stanley and others have argued that we should unhitch from the Bible and tether our faith to the resurrection. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the merits and flaws in this line of reasoning.

The "unjust manager" is the most difficult of Jesus's parables. Is Jesus telling us to imitate shrewd and dishonest people? What does he mean that children of this world are wiser than the children of the light? Cole and Terry unpack this parable and draw a few lessons for today.

What ever happened to the new atheists? In the last decade, more scientists are embracing theism not in spite of science, but because of it. In his new book Return of the God Hypothesis, Stephen Meyer discusses the history of science and faith and the strongest scientific arguments for theism. In the first of three episodes, Dr. Ben Williams joins the podcast to discuss the book and the history of science and faith.

In this episode, Terry answers the following questions: 1. Is the altar and incense of Exodus 30 the same, at least symbolically, as the altar and incense of Revelation 8:3? 2. In Revelation 7:13 the 144,000 and multitude in white robes - Are these the same people as in Revelation 6:9, the souls under the altar? 3. What is the abomination that causes desolation in Daniel 9:27? You can watch the Revelation lessons at Crossings.Church.

In this episode, Cole and Terry answer these questions: 1. What is the significance of the 1/3 numbers in the trumpets? 2. Who is the mighty angel in chapter 10, and what is the significance of his feet being on the water and the land? 3. At the end of chapter 10, John is given a little scroll and commanded to prophesy again. Does the book start over here? Follow the lessons each week at Crossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!

In this episode, Cole and Terry answer these questions: 1. What is the scroll that the lamb opens? 2. Can Christians today have the gift of prophecy like John? 3. In Rev. 6:9, it mentions the "souls under the altar." Doesn't this, along with the thief on the cross, imply that we go straight to heaven when we die rather than soul sleep? 4. Do we know the identity of the 144,000? How would the Jews of that day have known their tribe? Follow the lessons each week at Crossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!

Esther is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God, but as you read the story, you'll see God moving on every page. The story is messy, real, and above all, a testament to God's faithful provision for his people. For these reasons, Esther is one of the most applicable and relevant books in the whole Bible.

Questions in this episode: How could Jesus leave his church, his bride, here on earth while he pours out his wrath? Is 2 Thess. 2 a rebuttal to pre-tribulation rapture? What about people who have near-death experiences and come back to talk about it? How do we know John actually had these visions? Were there witnesses? Are they explainable through his familiarity with the visions of Ezekiel and Isaiah? Follow the lessons each week at Crossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!

What does God say about our bodies? Are we eternal souls who happen to have bodies? In this episode, Cole is joined by Dr. Lainey Greer to discuss what the Bible says about our bodies and how we have been called to steward them. They cover body image, resurrection, fitness, health, and several other topics related to a theology of the body. If you'd like to read more of Dr. Greer's work, visit her website, https://laineygreer.com/ or check out her podcast, Forsaken Body.

Questions in this episode: In Rev. 2:11, the letter to Smyrna, what is the second death? In Rev. 2:20, the letter to Thyatira, what does it mean to eat food sacrificed to idols? In Rev. 3:5, the letter to Sardis, what does it mean to have your name blotted out of the book of life? Can you lose your salvation? Follow the lessons each week at Crossings Community Church, then tune in for the questions every Friday!

Timothy was one of Paul's co-workers and proteges. In this letter, Paul instructed him in all kinds of things concerning the household of God, from elders and deacons to widows and quarrels. Today, 1 Timothy is like a manual for navigating the extended family of God that is the church. Cole and Terry do an overview of the book, talk about difficult texts, and apply the letter to today. For more on deacons, see this white paper.

Questions in this episode: Does every symbol have an explanation? In 2:7, letter to Ephesus; What is the paradise of God? In 2:10, letter to Smyrna; What is the crown of life? In 2:14, letter to Pergamum; What is sexual immorality? In 2:17, letter to Pergamum; What is the white stone? Which is your favorite of the 7 letters? Which one is the most difficult?

In this first episode, we answer these questions: Did the early church think Jesus was coming back in the first century? Who are the angels to the seven churches? What research and resources are you doing for this series?

The parable of the ten virgins is rarely taught. Ten women wait for the bridegroom who delays into the night. When he comes, five have oil and the others don't. What does it all mean? In this episode, Cole and Terry cover this difficult text, looking at Jesus's teaching on the second coming, perseverance, and being watchful in the meantime.

Starting next week, Terry Feix will begin a 15-week study of the book of Revelation on Wednesday nights at Crossings Community Church. In addition to that, we'll be answering your Revelation questions on Fridays on the So We Speak podcast. Text questions during the lesson or email us at [email protected].

Can we trust the Bible? How do we know that what we're reading today is what God actually said thousands of years ago? John Meade and Peter Gurry answer these questions in their new book Scribes & Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible. In this episode, Cole talks with John about the history of the Bible, the manuscript tradition, how we know we have the right books, and what translations to use.

Who were these mysterious magi that came to worship Christ? Were they three kings from the orient? Were they magicians? In this Christmas episode, Cole and Terry discuss the different theories and clues about the identity of the Magi.

Cole's Favorite Books: Rogues - Patrick Radden Keefe Scribes and Scripture - John Meade and Peter Gurry The Life We're Looking For - Andy Crouch The Existence and Attributes of God - Stephen Charnock Churchill & Son - Josh Ireland Terry's Favorite Books: Innovation - Peter Ackroyd Leadership - Henry Kissinger A Non-Anxious Presence - Mark Sayers Strange New World - Carl Trueman Post your favorite So We Speak article or this episode to enter our Christmas book giveaway!

The story of Joseph is the capstone of the book of Genesis, but it also points forward to many things to come, including the story of Daniel and Christ's death on the cross. In this episode, Cole is joined by Sam Emadi to talk about his book From Prisoner to Prince: The Joseph Story in Biblical Theology. They discuss the role of biblical theology, how to see the big themes of Scripture, and the important role the Joseph story plays in the story of Scripture.

Were people in Corinth being baptized on behalf of dead people? 1 Corinthians 15:29 is just an example in Paul's argument, but it has baffled commentators and Bible readers ever since. Cole and Terry discuss whether the Corinthians were actually doing baptisms on behalf of people who have died or if there is another explanation of this verse.

If you read through the gospels, you quickly encounter a very strange feature of Jesus's ministry. He keeps instructing people not to talk about who he is and what he's doing. Why is that? How does it square with the Great Commission? This facet of Jesus's ministry has come to be known as the "Messianic Secret." In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the different ways of understanding the secret and give their opinions on how to interpret these texts in the Gospel of Mark.

The Thessalonians were wondering what would happen to those who died before the second coming. Paul's response answered that question but raised several others. What happens when we die? Do we go straight to heaven or sleep until the second coming? Is there a rapture or is Paul talking about the second coming? Cole and Terry work through these questions and others about the end times in this latest episode.

If you've ever been in a small group or a Bible study, election has undoubtedly come up. How can God elect some for salvation and still be just? How can he find fault with us? These are precisely the questions Paul takes up in Romans 9. In this difficult text, Cole and Terry talk about how to read this passage, Calvinism, Wesleyanism, and God's mercy in election.

The Rich Man and Lazarus is a popular text in Luke for preaching and teaching. Like so many of Jesus's parables, it immediately sticks in your mind, but it also has much more to it than meets the eye. First of all, is it a parable or a true story? Is Jesus's description of the afterlife what we should expect or just for the story? Finally, what's the takeaway from this parable and how should we apply it? Cole and Terry continue the difficult texts series by discussing these questions and others in Luke 16.

No one likes to talk about death, but until Christ returns we'll all taste death. Lance Ward has done more than 300 funerals in his roles as a pastor and chaplain. In this episode, Cole and Lance talk about walking through seasons of sorrow, caring for the dying, and a few dos and don'ts of funerals.

As an opening example, Jude mentions angels who left their proper position and rebelled against God. In the end, he reminds the reader that God will punish this group of angels for their false teaching. But what is he talking about? When did this happen? Connection Genesis 6, Psalm 8, and Jude 6, Cole and Terry discuss rebellious angels and the supernatural realm.

In this episode, Cole and Terry reflect on what they learned by doing book overviews for every book in the Bible, discuss Bible reading plans, and make recommendations for reading the Bible every day.

The book of Hebrews ties the storylines of the Bible together. Jesus is the true and better Moses, Melchizedek, and High Priest. But why does the author make this grand argument? Dive into the background, original audience, and the timeless message of the "word of exhortation" to the Hebrews.