FaithCast

In this episode, we sit down again with Donald Taylor for a raw, unfiltered conversation on the false gospel of racial identity and the soul-freeing power of Christ’s sufficiency. Picking up where we left off, we confront the growing trend of ethnic religion—what some call “the religion of blackness”—and expose it as a modern-day idolatry that exchanges the glory of Christ for the shadow of culture. Donald shares his own testimony of being delivered from this deception, and we press into why Christ alone—not culture, not color, not heritage—is the only hope for sinners. This is not about denying ethnicity; it’s about refusing to deify it. If you’ve ever wondered where gospel fidelity ends and cultural captivity begins, this conversation will bring clarity.

In this fourth episode of our series on biblical eldership, Pastor Eric Noorthoek and guest Joseph Rios tackle one of the most common points of confusion in church life: the distinction between elders and deacons. What does Scripture say about their respective roles? Are they interchangeable? Are deacons a “stepping stone” to eldership—or something altogether different? Drawing from passages like Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3, this conversation aims to bring clarity where there is often ambiguity. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the beauty of God’s design for church leadership: elders who shepherd the flock through the ministry of the Word, and deacons who serve faithfully to support and strengthen that work.

In this third installment of our series on biblical eldership, Pastor Eric Noorthoek and guest Joseph Rios dive into the weighty and sobering qualifications laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. What does it mean to be “above reproach”? How do we reconcile the terms “pastor” and “elder” in Scripture? And why must a man’s private character match his public ministry? Join us as we explore the spiritual and moral standards God requires for those who would lead His church. Whether you’re currently serving, aspiring to leadership, or simply desiring to understand the structure of biblical authority, this episode will challenge you to think deeply, examine personally, and worship reverently.

In this episode, we continue our discussion on church governance, exploring what Scripture says about leadership within the body of Christ. How should a church be led? What is the role of elders and deacons? Is church governance a New Testament concept, or does it have roots in the Old Testament? We unpack biblical ecclesiology, diving into Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, and Old Testament precedents like Numbers 11 to see how leadership has been structured according to God's design. Join Pastor Eric Noorthoek and guest Joseph Rios as they break down the responsibilities, accountability, and biblical foundations of church leadership. Whether you're a church member, deacon, or pastor, this discussion will challenge and equip you to think biblically about who leads the church and why it matters.

The modern church is facing an identity crisis. Have we strayed from God’s design? In this episode, we take a hard look at biblical ecclesiology—what the Bible actually says about the church, its leadership, its mission, and its authority. Are we building according to God's blueprint, or have we traded biblical convictions for cultural trends? Join Pastor Eric Noorthoek, along with Joseph Rios, as they tackle the hard truths about the church—dispelling common myths, addressing where many churches go wrong, and calling believers back to a Christ-centered, biblically faithful ecclesiology. Whether you’re a pastor, church member, or just wrestling with what the church is supposed to be, this episode is for you.

In Part 2 of "The Religion of Blackness" series, Pastor Eric Noorthoek continues his candid conversation with Donald Taylor, exploring the transformative power of the Gospel to shatter false identities and rebuild a new creation in Christ. Donald shares his deeply personal journey of leaving behind the "kingdom of blackness," a system of indoctrination that shaped his worldview, and finding true freedom in Christ. Together, they discuss the cost of following Christ, the devastation of losing worldly identities, and the hope found in being remade in the image of Christ. This episode dives into the dangers of intersectionality, the persistence of woke ideologies in culture and church, and the importance of a biblical anthropology that transcends constructs like race. If you've ever wrestled with issues of identity, race, or how to navigate these conversations biblically, this episode will challenge and encourage you to cling to the hope and freedom found in the Gospel.

In this episode, Pastor Eric Noorthoek sits down with special guest Donald Taylor for a thought-provoking and candid conversation about race, theology, and the Gospel. Donald shares his journey from being deeply entrenched in the ideology of blackness and wokeness to finding true liberation in Christ. Together, they discuss the indoctrination of "blackness" as a worldview, the rise of black liberation theology, and how these ideologies have infiltrated the church and society. With honesty and biblical clarity, they explore questions like: What happens when race becomes a lens for interpreting the Gospel? How has the doctrine of blackness shaped cultural and theological discourse? And most importantly, how does the hope of the Gospel transform our understanding of identity, freedom, and salvation? This is the first part of a two-part series that challenges cultural assumptions and calls believers to stand firm on biblical truth. If you’ve ever wrestled with these issues or wondered how to think biblically about race and identity, this episode is for you.

The podcast discusses the interpretation of Proverbs 16:20, challenging the idea that it prescribes "belly laughing" for joy and well-being. True biblical joy is not about external expressions like laughter but involves deeper engagement with Scripture. The focus is on understanding and practicing God’s word to achieve genuine peace and contentment.

Pastor Eric evaluates a so-called biblical prescription for drinking more water in order to be healthier based on John 4:10. He shows how this is a mishandling of the Scripture and why it is such a horrible thing to twist the Scripture this way.

In this episode Pastor Eric refutes a claim that Psalm19:1 is Scripture about going outside to find a cure for depression and anxiety. He will discuss what the passage really means and what is the true cure for depression and anxiety.

Pastor Eric plays a recorded counseling session of a woman who struggles with Marijuana and alcohol. What is the source of her struggle? It comes down to a worship disorder. In this episode you will learn how you are just like this woman through the various ways you misplace worship. You will also learn the cure which can only be found in Christ.

In this captivating episode, Eric and Shiloh explore the profound truths behind believer’s baptism and its connection to our Christ-identity. You may be surprised to discover how believer's baptism leads us into a deeper understanding of Scripture as a whole as it works out Christ's Kingdom program.

Pastors Eric Noorthoek and Dan Castaneda discuss the recent controversy surrounding the "He Gets Us" campaign and how we should we think about the message that is being pushed. They also get into a brief discussion about the Alistair Begg gay marriage controversy and how that aligns with the "He Gets Us" message.

Using John Owen as a spring board, Pastor Eric reflects on the reality that the Father loves us an our need to meditate on this profound truth in order to find true and lasting joy.

A special Christmas episode as Pastor Eric and his wife Sharon discuss why Santa falls far short of Jesus when you compare them side by side.

In this episode we discuss the Biblical alternative to self-esteem along with eternal implications of self-esteem.

Pastor Eric and pastor Dan offer a biblical critique of self esteem. They discuss how self-esteem is antithetical to the Scripture and how modern therapist tend to be professional truth suppressors.

Pastors Eric and Dan offer a critique of the self esteem movement that has infiltrated the church. They tackle common verses used to justify self-esteem and self-esteem concepts that are claimed to be biblical.

Pastor Eric and pastor Dan discuss the history of the self-esteem movement and its impact on modern society. They also discuss the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas and how that relates to self-esteem.

Is the mind the same thing as the brain? Does it matter if we think that they are? In this episode we discuss a biblical view of the mind and the brain and how a proper understanding provides a foundation for how to deal with the issues of life.