Questions That Matter with Randy Newman

Most Christians know of Jonathan Edwards and may have heard a quote or two of his. And they’ve been encouraged to read his writings. But he’s really hard to read. So getting help from George Marsden a great historian and biographer is key. This podcast digs into Edwards and what Marsden helps us see clearly. Resources: Jonathan Edwards: A LifeA Short Life of Jonathan EdwardsAn Infinite Fountain of Light: Jonathan Edwards for the Twenty-First Century by George Marsden, 2023The Complete Sermons of Jonathan EdwardsThe Religious AffectionsReligious Affections: A Christian's Character Before GodThe Essential Edwards Collection: Set of Five BooksA Biography of Mere Christianity

Digital technologies, the internet, Facebook, and many other means of connection are having their effects on us. They don’t just tell us what we should believe. (And that’s bad enough!) They also shape how we view ourselves, our world, and our God! Resources: Digital LiturgiesDigital Liturgies Newsletter

We hate to admit it (and that’s part of the problem) but, sometimes, we get tired - tired of serving God, tired of reading our Bible, tired of going to church. Dai Hankey has experienced all that kind of spiritual fatigue and has good lessons for those who need hope in the midst of exhaustion. Resources: Hopeward by Dai Hankey Red Community: combatting modern slavery in Wales Other books by Dai Hankey

The Bible tells us a lot about weakness and how God uses the weak to display his greatness and his strength. But we don’t like this theme very much. Aaron Welty explores this important idea and how he sees it play out in movies, stories, comic books and his life. Resources: Articles by Aaron WeltyThe Belfast Oxford TourSurprised by Joy

The challenges of proclaiming the gospel in our doubt-filled times continue to grow. But we can incorporate numerous strategies for reaching people who are far from belief. This episode explores three. Resources: Questioning FaithStrategies for Pre-Evangelism

Christians know they should read the Bible. And they’re convinced that it would be good for them. But sometimes our motivation sags. Kristen Wetherell encourages us for those times when our hunger of God’s word dips down. Resources: Kristen’s websiteHelp for the Hungry SoulKristen’s other booksBible Reading Plan How to Read the Bible Podcast

We live in hurried and distracted times. “Fear of Missing Out” actually makes us miss more and more of what’s right in front of us. Adam Ramsey has some great wisdom for how to live faithfully and embrace the limits God has placed on us. Resources: Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has YouLiberti ChurchFaithful Presence Where Your Feet Are

God could have made us all the same. But he didn’t! Trillia Newbell writes about this very good idea for children and adults with depth, clarity, and winsomeness. Resources: God's Very Good IdeaCreative God, Colorful Us52 Weeks in the WordKeeping The Faith

For a while, people have been told that there’s no such thing as truth. You “create your own truth” and “find your own meaning” within yourself. Many are finding that unsatisfying and are beginning to wonder if there really is truth somewhere. We Christians have a great opportunity to tell them yes, there is truth. I explore this and suggest ways to engage in fruitful evangelistic conversations. Resources: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your LifeBittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us WholeCain (2023)The Creative Act: A Way of BeingMiraclesThe Weight of GloryQuestioning Faith: Indirect Journeys of Belief through Terrains of Doubt

Many Christians assume that discipleship begins with adults. But Jared Kennedy has a much bigger (and more Biblical) vision for discipleship that includes and even prioritizes discipling children. Resources: Jared’s bioJared’s article about discipling childrenJared’s book, "Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission"

Jess Archer moved more than a dozen times before she reached the age of 15. As you might guess, that created a fair amount of anxiety in her life. She finds peace in the midst of anxiety through her relationship with the Lord. But it’s far more complex than a simplistic solution. Resources: www.writerjessarcher.comFinding Home with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Billy Graham: A Memoir of Growing Up Inside the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Questions are some of the best tools we have in evangelism. They help more than long arguments of things we want people to believe. Greg Koukl helps us use questions in helpful, kind, and gospel-promoting ways. Resources: Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity's Toughest ChallengesTactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian ConvictionsQuestioning Evangelism, Third Edition: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus DidStand to Reason Website

God’s word tells us that, as believers, we’re “seated with Christ.” And we’re “sent.” What do those things mean? And how do they weave together? Resources: Heather's WebsiteSeated with Christ: Living Freely in a Culture of ComparisonSent: Living a Life That Invites Others to JesusHeather Holleman

Talking about Jesus can be intimidating. And some things in our current culture work against it. But some other trends may be helping us tremendously. John Hopper shares about ways to make the most of these opportunities. Resources: Search Ministries' websiteQuestioning God?: Answers to Questions Worth Asking by John HopperGiving Jesus Away by John HopperHaving a Conversation About the Conversation by Randy Newman

Our culture tells us to ignore suffering or downplay it. But it’s unavoidable. Fortunately, the Scriptures don’t ignore the topic. And the gospel offers amazing strength and confident hope in the midst of our honest laments. This conversation explores both those dynamics - hope and lament. Resources: Waiting for True LifeThe Widow Song ministry and blogGreg and Elise Boro's StoryFamily Life Today

The intersection of faith and emotions can be a tricky one. How do theology and psychology, doctrine and practice, belief and behavior relate? These are the questions that matter addressed in the next podcast. Ed Welch’s insights take center stage. Resources: The Christian Counseling and Education FoundationAll of Ed Welch's BooksTwo Books About ShameAnxietyAngerShame

For a while everyone was talking about postmodernism. Kristi Mair, a gifted apologist, says we’re past that now. Now we’re Meta-Modern. And there are some great opportunities for us in our world today because of that. Resources: More Truth: Searching for Certainty in an Uncertain WorldGravity and Gracehttps://www.solas-cpc.org/

The second century was a crucial time for the Christian church. In the midst of terrible persecution, God’s people found great hope and help in the scriptures and in corporate worship of Jesus. We have much to learn from them and that time. Resources: Michael's WebsiteChristianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the ChurchMichael's Other BooksDestroyer of the Gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World

We keep finding out more about C. S. Lewis from his diary, letters, and reports from people who knew him. So a recent 3 volume biography shines more light on aspects of Lewis that we didn’t know before. Hal Poe discusses his recent work and how it has encouraged him. Recommended Resources: C. S. Lewis’s diaryOne relevant collection of C.S. Lewis's essaysBecoming C. S. Lewis

Some Christians have been told they should never doubt. But Josh Chatraw and his co-author Jack Carson say that doubt can actually lead to a deeper faith - if handled properly. I chat with Josh about their book and how we can respond well when we face doubts of various kinds. Resources: Surprised by Doubt: How Disillusionment Can Invite Us into a Deeper Faith Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age Telling StoriesThe Center for Public Christianity