The Crossway Podcast

Spiritual authority. In our world today, it's a fraught topic that evokes strong reactions from many different sides. What is it? Who has it? How is it supposed to work, and how should we respond when that authority is abused? Our guest, David Mathis, helps answer these questions. David serves as a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, as an adjunct professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary, and as senior teacher and executive editor at DesiringGod.org. He's also the author of Workers for Your Joy, The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders from Crossway. Read the full transcript of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

For millennia, Christians around the world have embraced the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative word of God given to his people for their salvation and spiritual nourishment. But where did we get this book that we hold in our hands? What do we know about the original manuscripts? How was the text passed along from generation to generation? And who even decided which books should be in the Bible? In the interview today, two Bible scholars who've spent years thinking, writing, and presenting on these important issues, John Mead and Peter Gurry, provide insight into these questions. To hear more from John Mead and Peter Gurry, check out their book Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible Read the full transcript of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Jonathan Leeman entitled 10 Things You Should Know about Church Discipline. Jonathan Leeman is the author of Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus. He is the editorial director for 9Marks and cohost of the Pastors’ Talk podcast. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books and teaches at several seminaries. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a suburb of Washington, DC, and is an elder at Cheverly Baptist Church. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

Have you ever felt convicted by James 1:22? "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." How many of us have read that verse and felt the pangs of conscience? Knowing how often we do in fact content ourselves with merely hearing God's word, but not actually obeying it. And how many of us have asked ourselves or our Heavenly Father, why? Why do we still struggle so much even as Christians? In our interview today, David Gibson talks about this constant struggle that we all face and what it reveals about our sinful hearts, our theology, and our understanding of the Christian life. To hear more from David Gibson, check out his book Radically Whole: Gospel Healing for the Divided Heart Read the full transcript of this episode. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

If you spend any time on social media, you know how toxic that environment can be. Every day it seems like someone is being canceled, controversies abound, and trolls run rampant. Seemingly normal men and women, Christian men and women, hurl insults and accusations at one another. What's going on? Where is all this anger division and mockery coming from, and what does it say about our heart? In our interview today, Paul Trip discussed how we, as God's people should think about the reactive culture in which we live and how to make sure that we're not part of the problem. Paul Tripp is a pastor, award-winning author, and international conference speaker. Paul's new book is called Reactivity: How the Gospel Transforms our Actions and Reactions Read the full transcript of this episode. Also, check out Paul Tripp's other books from Crossway here. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

Have you ever struggled with doubt? "Is the Bible true?" How Do I know if I'm actually saved?" "Does God really love me?" If you've asked these questions before you're not alone. Although doubt is a common experience, we were not meant to stay there. God can use our doubts to push us toward a deeper trust in his word and to a more resilient faith in his character. In our interview today, Glenna Marshall talks about our struggles with doubt and what it looks like to fight for faith in the midst of them. Glenna is a pastor's wife, a mother, and the author of Everyday FaithfulnessThe beauty of ordinary perseverance in a demanding world. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

Who is Jesus? Our world has all kinds of opinions about the most famous person in human history. Some say he was a great moral teacher, a prophet, an advocate for social justice, while others consider him a revolutionary. As Christians, we have an answer - Jesus is Israel's Messiah, God in the flesh, the Savior of the world - but we too sometimes harbor unbiblical ideas about Jesus, viewing and presenting him in ways that don't do justice to the picture that we see in scripture. In our interview today, Rebecca McLaughlin discusses with us common misconceptions that people have about Jesus and why it is futile to try to put him in a box. Rebecca is a writer, speaker, and author of numerous books, including Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels Read the full transcript of this episode. Also, check out Rebecca's first book with Crossway, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Jared Kennedy talks about what it means to disciple your children. Jared is the author of Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

Today, we're pleased to share with you an audio essay written and read by Peter Williams entitled 10 Reasons Pastors Should Study the Bible in Its Original Languages. Peter served as an editor of the The Greek New Testament, Produced at Tyndale House. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, Doug O’Donnell talks through common questions laypeople and pastors alike have about preaching and what makes for a good sermon. Doug is the co-author of The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition: Preaching the Literary Artistry and Genres of the Bible. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Robert Letham talks about predestination, God’s sovereignty, free will, and how it all fits together. Robert is the author of Systematic Theology. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Andy Naselli talks about what he considers to be the greatest letter ever written and what might lay claim to the title, “Greatest Chapter in the Bible”: Romans chapter 8. Andy is the author of the Romans: A Concise Guide to the Greatest Letter Ever Written. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Mark Talbot entitled 4 Questions about Suffering. Mark is the author of Give Me Understanding That I May Live: Situating Our Suffering within God's Redemptive Plan. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, Don Whitney talks about a simple, proven approach to prayer that has the potential to transform your spiritual life for the better. Don is the author of the Praying the Bible. Read the full transcript. For more of Don's ministry work, check out the leader’s guide for use in church and small group ministries for Praying the Bible, another book by Don from Crossway on Family Worship, and Don's ministry Center for Biblical Spirituality. Click here to access a limited-time offer on Praying the Bible through Crossway+! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Ryan Lister entitled 10 Things You Should Know about the Presence of God. Ryan is the author of The Presence of God: Its Place in the Storyline of Scripture and the Story of Our Lives. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, Greg Gilbert answers common questions about reading the Bible such as: How do I get started with a consistent habit of Bible reading? When should I read it? How long? And what if I don’t understand something? Greg is the author of the The Epic Story of the Bible: How to Read and Understand God's Word. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In her own way, Joni Eareckson Tada has faced unimaginable suffering as well. And similarly, her faith and perseverance in the midst of trials has been an inspiration and encouragement to Christians all around the world. In her new book, Songs of Suffering, Joni reflects on 25 hymns that have been a ballast to her throughout her life, guiding listeners through their own painful seasons with heartfelt praises to God. Today we’re pleased to share Joni's introduction to the book and her reflections on the wonderful hymn, It Is Well with My Soul.

In today's episode, Joni Eareckson Tada talks about her initial reaction to learning—at the young age of 17—that she would never walk again; how she has wrestled with the truth of God’s sovereignty over her life through the years; and how she hangs on to the hope of heaven each and every day. Joni is the author of the Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Steven Bryan talks about how Christians should approach the various “collective identities” that bind—and divide—us in our world today. Steven is the author of the Cultural Identity and the Purposes of God: A Biblical Theology of Ethnicity, Nationality, and Race. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Adam Griffin entitled "10 Things You Should Know about Family Discipleship". Adam is the co-author of Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Lydia Brownback discusses 12 key tools for Bible study that all Christians can use—tools that will help us go deeper into the biblical text and understand the Bible’s life-giving message for ourselves. Lydia is the author of the Flourish Bible Study series. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Bryan Chapell talks about why the work you do day-in and day-out matters to God—probably more than you realize. Bryan is the author of Grace at Work: Redeeming the Grind and the Glory of Your Job. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Neil Shenvi talks about why we must not stop advocating for the truthfulness of Christianity—even in our post-truth age. Neil is the author of Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

Today, we're pleased to share with you an audio essay written and read by Scott Klusendorf entitled "10 Things You Should Know about Abortion." Scott is the author of The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Erik Raymond talks about why nothing in our lives is a surprise to our Savior. Erik is the author of He Is Not Ashamed: The Staggering Love of Christ for His People. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States released their ruling on the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, effectively overturning long standing precedent set by the landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. This decision is widely viewed as an unprecedented legal victory for the pro-life movement—and one that will have major legal, political, and personal consequences for Americans for years to come. In today's episode, Scott Klusendorf talks about what this decision means for the pro-life cause and how it should impact how we, as Christians, seek to advocate for the lives of the unborn in our communities. Scott is the author of The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture Read the full transcript. Click here to listen to a previous interview with Scott on The Heart of the Abortion Debate. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, Greg Lanier talks about the many ways that the Old Testament stands as an indispensable foundation for the New. Greg is the author of Old Made New: A Guide to the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In Why Should We Love the Local Church?, Dustin Benge—an associate professor of biblical spirituality and historical theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—urges Christians to embrace the church—the holy assembly of God’s redeemed people—exploring the many things that make the church "lovely" in God's sight, despite its shortcomings. Today we’re pleased to share the full audio recording of Why Should We Love the Local Church? by Dustin Benge, which is part of Crossway's Union series published in partnership with Union School of Theology in the UK.

In today's episode, Lindsey Carlson talks about the discouragement we all face and where to turn for true encouragement that won’t let us down. Lindsey is the author of A Better Encouragement: Trading Self-Help for True Hope. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Brian Rosner talks about how our cultural obsession with identity impacts us as Christians and how we should think about that through the lens of the Bible. Brian is the author of How to Find Yourself: Why Looking Inward Is Not the Answer. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Amy DiMarcangelo talks about how our many longings point us to Christ—the only person who understands our every need and offers us eternal joy in himself. Amy is the author of A Hunger for More: Finding Satisfaction in Jesus When the Good Life Doesn't Fill You. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Kevin DeYoung talks about our common struggle to pray, and how the Lord's Prayer - the prayer that Jesus offered as a model for our pray - can help us to pray to God day in and day out. Kevin is the author of The Lord's Prayer: Learning from Jesus on What, Why, and How to Pray Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In this preview episode of Kathryn Butler's new book, 'The Dragon and the Stone', the first in The Dream Keeper Saga, Butler introduces us to the Somnium realm and mixes fantasy with Christian themes, taking middle-grade readers on a quest through castles, forests, and caverns to help a young girl find hope and usher in restoration. This special episode includes the first chapter.

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Nancy Guthrie entitled "10 Things You Should Know about the Book of Revelation." Nancy's new book is Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Click here to subscribe to a new podcast by Nancy Guthrie exploring the themes of Revelation!

In today's episode, Kathryn Butler talks about the power of stories to help our kids grasp and value the true story of God’s redemption. Katie shares about how reading with her kids helped to carry her family through the pandemic and explains why good stories resonate so deeply with all of us—including our kids. Kathryn is the author of The Dragon and the Stone: The Dream Keeper Saga Book 1. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

Crossway is pleased to announce the launch of our newest podcast: Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation. Join Nancy Guthrie—author, Bible teacher, and host of the popular Help Me Teach the Bible podcast— each week as she leads listeners to a deeper understanding of the book of Revelation through nine conversations with respected Bible scholars, pastors, and other Bible teachers. Subscribe today: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts RSS You can see a full listing of all of our podcasts at crossway.org/podcasts.

In today's episode, Nancy Guthrie discusses why the book of Revelation is actually more accessible, more timely, and more encouraging than you probably know. Nancy is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Read the full transcript. Click here to learn more about Nancy's new podcast, Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

A few weeks ago, we asked readers to submit their questions about the topic of evangelicalism for Michael Reeves. Many of you sent questions from around the world, with questions ranging from Does Mark Noll’s famous critique of evangelical anti-intellectualism still hold true? to Why does it seem like so many evangelicals are converting to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy? Michael is the author of Gospel People: A Call for Evangelical Integrity. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

In today's episode, John Piper discusses how he himself came to saving faith in Jesus—and how his view of that faith has changed over the years. John is the author of What Is Saving Faith?: Reflections on Receiving Christ as a Treasure. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

Today, we're excited to share with you an audio essay written and read by Carl Trueman entitled "10 Things You Should Know about the Sexual Revolution." Carl's new book is Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Uche Anizor discusses his own story of wrestling with apathy; 7 deadly causes of spiritual apathy that we should all be on the lookout for; and how to take steps back toward God when we realize we’re not doing well. Uche is the author of Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Mark Vroegop considers what it looks like to lament the COVID-19 pandemic—and how that lament can help us heal, both individually and as churches. Mark is the author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament as well as the companion Devotional Journal. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In this preview episode of Michael Reeves' new book, 'Gospel People: A Call for Evangelical Integrity', Reeves argues from a global, scriptural, and historical perspective that, while it’s not necessary to discard the evangelical label altogether, Christians must return to the gospel itself in order to understand what it truly means. This special episode includes the foreward and first chapter.

In today's episode, Michael Reeves discusses the term “evangelical” and the different ways it’s often used in our culture today, how we should respond to the cultural baggage often associated with the term, and the crucial theological underpinnings of a truly evangelical worldview. Michael is the author of Gospel People: A Call for Evangelical Integrity. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In this special bonus episode, Don Clark discusses what appealed to him (and what scared him) about illustrating the stories of the Bible; his approach and intentions with his artwork—both for kids and adults; and what the artistic process actually looked like over the two years he was working on this project. Don is the illustrator of The Biggest Story Bible Storybook. Read the full transcript and check out the final illustration in the book (referenced in the interview). If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Kevin DeYoung talks about the catechetical battle that we’re all engaged in—whether we want to be or not—and how Christians (parents and non-parents alike) can help children to trust Jesus, embrace the Bible, and love others—even those with whom we disagree. Kevin is the author of The Biggest Story Bible Storybook. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In this preview episode of Carl Trueman's new book, 'Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution', Trueman explores how the world arrived at its current disorienting state of identity politics and how the church should respond. This special episode includes the foreward and first chapter.

In today's episode, Carl Trueman explores the history of Western thought with the view of answering two simple questions: How did we get here? and How should the church respond? Carl is the author of Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Jen Oshman discusses the many empty promises that the culture of the modern world makes that run counter to the clear teaching of Scripture and God's good plan for us. Jen is the author of Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung!

In today's episode, Dustin Benge explains why the church—despite all her faults—is worth fighting for. Dustin is the author of The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church. Read the full transcript. If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show! Sign up for our mailing list here.