Christianity for the Everyday

Phones and other digital devices dominate our day-to-day lives, offering both essential productivity and utility functions, but also embedding habits that aren't always healthy for us.

Dr Darren Whitehead's church experimented with a 40-day fast from their phones, and built in some brilliant community practices along the way to encourage one another, and the results are worth hearing about!

Listen to Jason and Darren unpack his four Ds: Detach, Discover, Delight, and Discern, and make changes to your digital habits to bring back the joy!

In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Dr Ian Randall, who studied economics and history before working in human resources. Feeling a call in a different direction, Ian then studied theology at Oxford, ministered in the Baptist church, and began teaching at Spurgeon College. He talks to us about his research into spiritual revival, the charismatic movement in Catholicism, and the relationship between Protestant and Catholics.

In this episode of the podcast we have an inspiring and insightful conversation with Hannah Nation. She introduces her recent book, Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement, helping us to better understand, among other things, the extraordinary story of the Church in China, the current experience of Chinese Christians, the central importance of Scripture, the empowering of the Spirit, and prayer in their life and witness, as well as the role persecution has played in the strengthening and growth of the Chinese Church. All throughout our conversation you will find vital lessons that we as Christians in the West can learn from the Church in China today, as well as many other points of encouragement, inspiration and challenge.

Further reading:

• Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement, Hannah Nation and J. D. Tseng, eds.
• Faith in the Wilderness: Words of Exhortation from the Chinese Church, Hannah Nation and Simon Liu, eds.
• Grace to the City: Studies in the Gospel from China, S. E. Wang and Hannah Nation, eds.

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In this episode of the podcast we have a brilliant conversation with Cory Brock and Gray Sutanto about their new book, Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction. The book has been described as “an indispensable primer on the most generative and influential version of Neo-Calvinism… it is the best place to start for those who need an introduction to the orthodox yet modern, theological yet secular work of the most important Calvinist intellectuals of the last two centuries.” In our discussion we are introduced to Neo-Calvinism and some it’s main exponents, as well as to some of the wonderful ways it speaks to how we are to live as citizens of God’s kingdom and in his world amidst our secular societies today.

Some of the books and essays mentioned include:

Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction, Cory C. Brock and N. Gray Sutanto.

The Wonderful Works of God, Herman Bavinck

By Faith, Not By Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology, Richard B. Gaffin Jr.

The Doctrine of Creation, Craig G. Bartholomew and Bruce Riley Ashford.

“The Kingdom of God, The Highest Good,” Herman Bavinck.

Lectures on Calvinism, Abraham Kuyper.

Between the Beginning and the End: A Radical Kingdom Vision, J. H. Bavinck.

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In this episode of the podcast we have an enlightening conversation with Holly Whitelaw. Holly is the Director of Regenerative Food & Farming, and Bosavern Community Farm; Researcher for Sustainable Food Cornwall; runs Compost for Carbon Trials, and helps run Cornwall Climate Action Network; and is Founder of the Cornwall Gleaning Network. Joined in the discussion by KLC Director Craig Bartholomew, and KLC Associate Fellows Genevieve Wedgbury and Diana Salgado, Holly helps us to explore and better understand the profound interconnection of soil health, climate health and human health. With equal parts passion, humour and technical expertise, she is able to discuss the importance of big picture issues of climate, soil health, microbiology, industrial agriculture and global food chains, while pointing out ways everyday people can be involved in the movement of regenerating and taking care of our planet and ourselves.

You can find out more about some of the initiatives Holly is involved in:

In this episode of the podcast we have a ranging and informative conversation with Dr Derek C. Schuurman about ChatGPT and the rise of AI in the modern world. Dr Schuurman is a professor of computer science at Calvin University who teaches and writes extensively on computer science, AI, engineering, and the theology and philosophy of technology. During the interview he helps us understand ChatGPT, what it does and how it works, and helps us to approach and think about it and AI more broadly within a humane and Christian framework. 

His two books mentioned are: Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology, and, A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers.

In today’s episode of Christianity for the Everyday, we have a great conversation with biblical theologian G. K. Beale to discuss his latest book, Union with the Resurrected Christ: Eschatological New Creation and New Testament Biblical Theology. 

Union with the Resurrected Christ is the follow-up to his bestselling A New Testament Biblical Theology, and in it he seeks to unpack the theology and theological implications of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, particularly teasing out what Christ’s resurrection and ascension mean for the new creation and for believers in union with him.

“Christ has liberated us so we can enjoy our humanity and… human community.”

In this episode of the podcast KLC Associate Fellow Dr Temitope Noah joins us to have a conversation with Dr Robert Kolb, author of the new translation of Martin Luther’s seminal work, On the Freedom of the Christian, with Crossway. 

From Crossway: “Originally published in 1520, The Freedom of a Christian is one of Martin Luther’s most well-known and enduring treatises. In it, the German Reformer examines Christian ethics and how justification by faith alone impacts the liberty of believers. He famously writes, “A Christian is a free lord of everything and subject to no one. A Christian is a willing servant of everything and subject to everyone.” Luther also further develops ideas and doctrines that were key to the Reformation, such as the priesthood of all believers and union with Christ.”

The impact of Luther, and this particular book, on the Christian faith historically and today is difficult to overstate. In this conversation we discuss both the man, “warts and all”, and this important work, exploring its significance for Christians today. As Dr Kolb wonderfully states, Luther argues in the book that, ultimately, Christ has freed us from Sin and Death, and freed us for service to our neighbour. All this and more on today’s episode of Christianity for the Everyday.

“When I found out that God was working in me and through me to love my neighbours through my work, and that that work had eternal value, that changed my life.”

In this episode of the podcast we have a conversation with Russell Gehrlein, author of “Immanuel Labour–God’s Presence in Our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work.” In the book and in this conversation Russell seeks to bust some of the myths that many of us have received about our work, like: ‘the only truly important work is paid church or missionary work’, and ‘for the rest of us, our jobs are only valuable as an avenue for evangelism and to earn money in order to tithe’. The work of church ministers and missionaries is indeed vital, and it is important to support such work, but what about the countless Christians working in a variety of other vocations across the globe? What if your ‘9-5’, your skills, gifts and vocational calling was rather a profound avenue for loving God and loving your neighbour? All this and more in today’s episode of Christianity for the Everyday.

“God wants us to be playful and have some really holy fun in God’s world.”

In this episode of Christianity for the Everyday we have a conversation with Calvin Seerveld who served as professor Emeritus in Aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto for many years. Now in his 93rd year of life, it was a privilege for us to hear his thoughts on a variety of subjects such as art, God’s call on us to be playful in creation, ageing, reading the Bible, and receiving and embracing the ‘hugs’ God gives his children through the creation.

"What makes a place sacred or holy? Is it the presence of religious symbolism or gothic architecture? Is it incense or candles or quiet music meant to stir the soul? Perhaps sacred locations are made so because of human-divine encounters, such as Jacob’s struggle with God.”

In this episode of the podcast we have a conversation with Tracy Balzer about her work in the areas of contemplative and Celtic spirituality, pilgrimage and Christian holy places. We discuss the nature and importance of “Thin Places”, where God seems powerfully present; “Thick Places”, where God seems far from us; and the experience of pilgrimage to Christian holy sites. From her research, writing and teaching, to her own experience and travel, Tracy is an insightful and instructive guide for us on the pilgrim’s journey.

Tracy’s books discussed in the episode: Thin Places: An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Christianity (2007); A Journey of Sea and Stone: How Holy Places Guide and Renew Us (2021); Permission to Ponder: Contemplative Wisdom for the Spiritually Distracted (2015).

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In this episode of the podcast we speak with Mike Bird, Australian Anglican priest, theologian, and New Testament scholar, about his book: Religious Freedom in a Secular Age: A Christian Case for Liberty, Equality, and Secular Government. Drawing on a variety of examples of challenges facing religious freedom in secular societies, Mike helps us to define a healthy secularism that actually protects religious liberty and fosters true diversity, while highlighting the dangers present in both Christian nationalism on the one hand and secular progressivism on the other. Mike manages to speak to these issues with equal parts incisiveness and humour, and provides hopeful suggestions for Christians (as well as people of other religions and no religion) who wish to engage constructively in the public sphere today.

In this episode of Christianity for the Everyday we sit down with Paige Vanosky to discuss her new book, The 30-Minute Bible: God’s Story for Everyone, co-authored with Craig Bartholomew. She recounts her life-changing ‘ah ha!’ moment after trying to summarise the story of the Bible for an everyday audience and realising how profoundly cohesive the stories of Scripture are, the overarching story they tell, that Jesus comes out of an unfolding story that began in the garden of Genesis 1, and how we are to take our place in the great story God is telling.

We know about the Bible. We may know some Bible stories, or maybe we’ve even read large portions for ourselves. But what is it really all about? How do all the different pieces fit together? Without a sense of the big story the Bible is telling, we’ll miss out on the good news God has for us. In The 30-Minute Bible, experienced Bible teachers Craig Bartholomew and Paige Vanosky present the story of Scripture in thirty short readings, each designed to take about half an hour. Each includes a passage from the Bible and a short chapter explaining how the passage fits into the Bible’s wider narrative. Written in straightforward and clear language, the readings are accompanied by Brother Martin Erspamer’s lovely wood-cut illustrations. Discover the timeless story of the Bible―in thirty minutes a day for thirty days.

In this episode of Christianity for the Everyday we speak with author and professor Jerry Sittser about his profound book A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss, in which he recounts his experience of losing his wife, his daughter and his mother in a tragic accident and the journey from despair to hope that followed. We also talk about his desire to be a bridge between the academy and the church; the major landmarks along the road of suffering and loss; the necessity of being attentive to our present experience; having a deep root system in Scripture and practical spirituality; memorising the Psalms and other scriptures; the human capacity to live in tension; the spiritual life as pilgrimage; the way our souls grow as we learn to carry our wounds and find we become able to help others carry theirs; and to choose life, especially amidst the darkness.

Notes:

In our first episode of Christianity for the Everyday, our team sits down with KLC Director Craig Bartholomew to have a ranging conversation exploring, among other things, Craig’s experience of coming to faith and being a young clergyman in Apartheid South Africa; his unfolding realisation that the very Good News of Jesus relates to all of life; the goal of the Christian life as being who God made you to be and doing what God made you to do as a creature in his good creation; and his conviction that as Christ increases in our lives and we decrease, the Spirit works to make us more fully human.

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