Three Guys Theologizing (3GT)

The Earnest movie might have had a twisting plot and focus on humor, but earnest preaching is quite the opposite! The guys engage in lively conversation about what earnestness is in preaching. From defining such qualities as sincerity and seriousness, to recognizing its presence in the sanctuary, to cultivating it in both the preacher and the …

After some playful banter about changing their tagline, the boys get down to the real business at hand. With a lawyer now on board, a question was begging to be asked. Are Christians duty-bound to obey God’s Law? A resounding “Yes!” follows. Precision is sought, as the definition of the word “Law” is given. The …

As the pastor and professor continue to rejoice over having a new parishioner in the fold, the guys interact over the issue of church discipline. When sin is present in the life of a fellow believer, how do you go about the hard work of discipline? Well, as in doing any difficult job, the 3GTers …

Yes, the time has arrived! The pastor and prof finally have found a parishioner willing to join them. You are going to enjoy hearing who he is. Yet there is a conundrum, a coincidence, and a caveat in this episode. The conundrum is that the 3.0 version of 3GT has the guys recording their first …

On this week’s 3GT, the guys welcome the father and son duo Vince and Samuel Ward. They interview these men about their new book Pursuit of Glory, which recounts their time serving on the mission field of South Sudan. In the midst of civil war, idolatry, and poisonous snakes, the Lord has brought salvation to the Dinka …

Though they are still 3GT minus one, the shepherds have sought and found another parishioner who is willing to be on the podcast with them! However, you will have to wait another episode or two to find out who he is. In the meantime, Kyle and Barry dig into a major theme of the book …

That’s what a good name is. For Proverbs 22:1 says, ” A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.” So on this episode of 3GT, Kyle and Barry discuss the topic of a good reputation. After hinting they may have found their new parishioner, the …

What should men consider if sensing a call to the pastorate? What questions should they ask? What should others ask them? Are their good resources to help them discern? Should one go to seminary, and how do you go about pursuing seminary training? Tune in as Barry and Kyle have a serious yet rollicking discussion …

The pastor and professor are still searching for a parishioner, and that has slowed them down a bit. But they are pressing on until the Lord provides! On this episode, Kyle is loaded for bear as he is speaking twice on this topic this summer. So he explains what is meant by God’s glory, and …

This episode comes to you in two parts. First, the guys discuss what transpired at the cross when Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsakeen me?” How is the Trinitarian relationship between the Father and the Son to be understood at that moment God was pouring his wrath upon Jesus? Was there …

Faith journey. Missional living. Glory story. Clearly the pastor does not like these terms very much. But he wonders out loud if there is a place for sharing testimonies? So he engages the parishioner and the prof in discussing the pros and cons of a testimony. They chat about such things as the power of …

Pope Francis recently created a stir, as he was quoted as saying, “A hell does not exist; the disappearance of the souls of sinners exists.” So the parishioner wants to know what the pastor and professor think about hell and its existence. Aaron then plays the part of a presbytery examiner, grilling Barry and Kyle …

Worship is first and foremost vertical as it is directed to God through Christ by His Spirit. Yet is there a horizontal dimension to it? Does corporate worship bring mutual edification and, if so, how? Aaron leads the way on this topic. He wants first of all to know what pastors get out of worship…besides …

What programs does your church offer? The 3GTers answer this question, then converse about the pros and cons of a congregation offering various activities, events, and ministries. Though certainly a church can have an exciting youth ministry or an active soup kitchen, congregations need to guard against the dominance programs can tend to have. Congregational busyness can …

Kyle was at the public library evangelizing sweet old Methodist ladies and he wants to talk about it. He explains how he is using the approach C.S. Lewis popularized, first attributed to Rabbi Duncan, known as “the trilemma.” Based on Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God and Savior of the world, one must …

Kyle decided to actually listen to a podcast. It’s clear we’re going to have to make him stop! For he starts asking lots of questions about stuff we think others should know (Guess which podcast he was listening to?) in the categories of the theological, practical, historical and so forth. So we discuss things as …

The three guys enjoy a discussion on the place of illustrations in a sermon. The purposes of an illustration are highlighted. What constitutes a proper versus a misused illustration is tackled a bit, with some examples given of each. Attention to word imagery by preachers is encouraged. Sources for illustrations are given. Along the way …

A few weeks have passed since a teenage gunman killed seventeen people in a high school in Parkland, Florida. 3GT offers a somber episode regarding it. Aaron, Barry, and Kyle discuss why tragic events like this happen and possible ways we ought to respond. Listen to this latest episode of 3GT as we mourn, pray, …

So Aaron asks, “How are we to confess our sins to God?” We don’t believe we need a confessional booth with a priest forgiving us of our sins. Yet what do we believe? How should sin be confessed in corporate worship? The guys discuss the importance of acknowledging our sins before God, seeking His forgiveness …

Many in the church suffer with depression and the questions it raises. Aren’t Christians always supposed to be happy? So is it sinful to be depressed? Is it always a spiritual problem? Where do you go for help? How do you help someone with it? Are resources outside the church an option? Are medications ever …

Why would the 3GTers want to talk about the Democratic primary for the governor’s race in Texas? Because one candidate who is promoting a pro-choice position is an elder in a Reformed church, and other elders in his denomination are calling him to repent! The guys use this situation to delve into the underlying theological …

Kyle’s been cruisin’ again. Did he really say he had been to the Copacabana? Progreso, Mexico? Anyway, it got the guys talking about R&R, vacations, sabbaths, and even sabbaticals. Questions arise. How do you slow down and disconnect in this fast-paced world in which we live? What principles of rest do the Scriptures give us? …

Talk about a man in an iron cage today, and people will think of mixed martial arts. But there was a time when all that would have come to mind is the scene of a character in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. The man was trapped in an iron cage because, as he said, “I have so …

The so-called Super Bowl Sunday is coming soon. But these three guys don’t seem too excited about it. Why? Are they just nerdy mama’s boys? Partially. Fuddy-duddy Sabbatarians? Probably. Legalistic killjoys? Careful! Just tune in and listen to why you might want to tune in and listen in a whole different way this coming Sunday! …

Now, for our most ironic episode yet. Yes, a podcast where we talk about being quiet! With the digital age readily providing megaphones such as Facebook and Twitter to make our every thought known, believers should consider anew the Biblical wisdom regarding silence. The 3GTers point out how restless hearts create restless tongues. Meddling, self-inflation, …

No, we are not encouraging Kyle to start a multisite internet church! Rather, we draw upon the digital dexterity of Aaron, who flips classrooms with ease, to hear how congregations should (and in some cases should not) use the internet for their ministry. Drawing upon his experience in teaching a seminary class on the subject, …

The prof heard the pastor preach judgment at a funeral recently. So it got the guys talking along the lines of Ecclesiastes: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” Nothing like …

Children learn how to say it pretty early. But when they grow up into busy Christian adults they seem to forget. How do we say “No” to good requests on our talents, time, and treasures when “Yes” seems so much easier? As the three guys begin discussing this topic, one confesses he is a member …

With the #metoo movement growing in momentum, causing the fall of many in power, the 3Gters wrestle with what to do when accusations arise. When men abuse their authority, we should rejoice when justice is served. Yet given that Satan is the father of lies, believers need to be cautious when charges are made. What …

On this rewind episode, the 3GTers answer questions they received regarding past episodes. Millennial Aaron feels vindicated about electronic giving while Luddite Barry continues to struggle. While discussing again what constitutes plagiarism, Kyle has the audacity to do some freebooting for another podcast. Then Kyle shares the ins and outs of his Keto diet which …

The Presbyterian pastor is confessional but wants also to be a little c catholic. In other words, how can you hold strongly to doctrines but also work with other professing Christians? The professor tries to help him with Al Mohler’s Theological Triage, but the pastor is not so sure. What if one person’s first-level is …

With the Christian blogosphere aflame once again, this time with discussions regarding justification and sanctification, the 3GT men join in the fray. With Aaron pumping the questions, and Kyle and Barry responding energetically, they discuss current controversies then tackle the latter subject of sanctification. Minus a morose morbidity, they meditate on mortification while with vim …

Aaron wants to know about the strange Reformed phenomenon known as elder visitations. So Kyle and Barry, aspiring Jedis, tell him about their training under the Yoda of visitation, who is hidden far away in the fair plains of Kansas. Secrets of this mysterious rite are revealed. From there the guys talk about the Biblical …

On this episode of 3GT, we interview Pastor Gordon Keddie, author of the new book Prayers of the Bible from Crown & Covenant Publications. Yet this is not your ordinary interview. With his Scottish brogue, lively spirit, and keen insights, Gordon brings the subject of prayer to life! Nor is this an ordinary book on prayer. …

The parishioner asks a simple question. Does the New Testament still require a tithe from Christians? You would think a simple answer would follow. But not when the pastor and professor tangle! From Melchizedek to Malachi, from mint leaves to mercy, from money in the plate to money given electronically, the guys wrestle with the …

None of the 3GTers are really built for football, but they try to tackle the current issue of football players kneeling or not for the flag and the national anthem. Well, maybe not tackle, but they play a mean game of flag football! Aaron holds the ball looking for a receiver for a while by …

The young fathers with young daughters want to get ready! So they ask the old guy for advice, since he has one married, one dating, and one he’s trying to keep from thinking about it. Many topics then arise: loving mom, daddy dates, listening, listening some more, dating rules, talking to interested young men, and …

On occasion the guys address one of the Ten Commandments, and on this episode it is Number 8: “You shall not steal.” Pretty simple, right? Hold on. From pillaging to pilfering to plagiarizing, thievery can take many forms. In our modern, digitized world, the temptations and ability to steal are multiplied. And the thief is …

Our parishioner knows good preaching when he hears it, but he wants to know why. Why do some sermons move and humble listeners to reverence and obedience, whereas others simply seem to fall flat? These inquiries lead to a discussion about the differences between preaching and teaching, the demonstration of the Spirit’s power, expositional and …

Kyle asks Aaron and Barry about their vocational transitions. Questions abound. Are there vocations Christians should avoid? What factors should one consider in pursuing a job? Should believers just perform their duty or are they allowed to enjoy the work they do? Can Christians pursue more pay or promotions? Are there job benefits more valuable …

In this episode, 3GT becomes 3DT – Three Dads Theologizing! For Aaron read Psalm 144 and, boy, is he full of questions! First, he wants to know why daughters are described as palace pillars and sons as productive plants in Psalm 144. Then he wants to know how to raise them this way. Then he …

Kyle the husband was served white rice and he wants to know why. Aaron the science teacher rants about scientific food studies. Barry the absent-minded struggles to remember videos and movies. It’s a red meat episode as the guys tackle those who associate gluten (and the lack thereof) with godliness! In this age where the …

From a question that arose during family worship, the prof turns the pastor and parishioner’s attention to II Peter 2 and asks how to identify a heretic. For it is a term that is often used wrongly (Luther was called one!) but should not be thrown around lightly. The parishioner immediately zooms in on the …

Yes, they made it to 50 (and maybe even a little beyond like the prof)! The guys reflect a bit on their experience with 3GT and hope they can at least double the number of episodes as they carry on. Then they dig into the subject of martyrdom. Admitted history novices, the guys discuss how …

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain? Our inquiring parishioner wants to know! The 3GTers tackle another commandment, this time the third one. Why is God’s name so important to him? Are euphemistic forms of his name wrong? How is our behavior as Christians tied to the name of God? How …

You got it – we’ve finally given Kyle his own episode! After we have fun learning more about Winchester, Kansas, we dig into his recent article in Tabletalk on rural ministry. We discuss counterbalancing the current rush to church plant, being more like Jesus and the apostles who preached in towns and villages, the wonderful blessings of …

No, the guys are not plotting about how they can try to change their wives. They know better than that! Rather, they look at the growing trend of women studying, discussing, and promoting Reformed theology. For consider the facts. Blogs such as Sheologians and HERmeneutics are popular. Conference speakers such as Aimee Byrd and Rosaria …

Grab your English Standard Version (ESV) Bible, look up John 14:10 and 16:13, then compare it with another version. Notice the difference? That’s what the prof asks Aaron and Kyle to do on this episode of 3GT. From there they launch into a discussion of the recent debates regarding the Trinity and the teaching referred …

Last episode the 3GTers talked about flipping the classroom. But the pulpit? With all the technology that makes available famous preachers’ sermons, why not just stay home and listen to them rather than your local (and, let’s admit it, less gifted) pastor? Then maybe just come together and discuss the celeb’s homily? And, if not …

In this episode we interview one of our own as we talk with Aaron about “flipping the classroom.” As an author and popular speaker on the flipped classroom, Aaron describes this concept and its potential uses from homeschooling to grad school to seminary. Along the way, we flip out as we dream that Khan Academy …