Ryan Fields, senior pastor of Faith Evangelical Free Church, joins the podcast to tell his story of coming to faith and his journey of education and ministry.By The Center for Pastor Theologians

Matt O'Reilly joins the podcast to discuss and share the presentation he gave at the Reconstructing Methodism conference earlier this spring, explaining why the new Global Methodist church needs to be firmly planted on strong theological rock, with pastor theologians doing the necessary hard building work. In his presentation he focuses on why the …

Richard Lints joins the podcast to discuss his recent book Uncommon Unity: Wisdom for the Church in an Age of Division (Lexham 2022). Pressing into the given difference that exists, he argues for a deeper unity funded by the inclusion narrative of the gospel. Lints calls for a renewed unity that doesn't march according to the orders of the cultural…

Gregg Allison joins the podcast to talk about his journey of faith and ministry and his theological work on the Holy Spirit. He discusses common misperceptions about the Holy Spirit, encouraging believers to think about the Spirit as the greatest gift God gives to his children. In what ways do we make the Spirit the potentiator of our own works? Ho…

Collin Hansen joins the podcast to discuss Tim Keller's legacy as a public theologian and his work in New York City to both a modern and orthodox Christian, engaging the world and seeking the good of the city. We address such questions as the influences on Tim Keller's vision for public engagement, his drawing together of diverse traditions, and wh…

Preston Sprinkle joins the podcast to talk about his recent book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, to discuss a biblical theology of Christian engagement with politics, and to preview his upcoming contribution to the CPT conference. Why is it so easy to mingle ecclesiology and politics? Why is this a matter for Christian discipleship? Wha…

Chris Bruno joins the podcast to share his story of becoming a pastor theologian. He talks about his journey of faith the path the Lord led him on to pursue higher education, as well as sharing about the current work he is doing to train pastors on the Hawaiian Islands through Training Leaders International and Oahu Theological Seminary.…

Gayle Doornbos joins the podcast to talk about her journey of faith and education and current ministry at Dordt University. Gayle brings us into conversation with Herman Bavinck and the importance of his work as a theologian who sits patiently with Scripture and the tradition as he works to apply theology to his own day, helping us learn what it me…

Dr. Dan Treier, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology at Wheaton College, joins the podcast to discuss his recent book on Christology, Lord Jesus Christ. In this conversation, we dig into questions of methodology, pastoral theology, and the strengths and weaknesses of evangelical understandings of Jesus. What does faith seeking understanding me…

"In order to understand the third commandment, we have to understand how it relates to the greatest commandment." Josh Stone shares a sermon he recently preached on Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." He unpacks what it means to take his name i…

Why are is the CPT hosting a conference on Kingdom Politics this September? Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner preview the 2024 CPT conference, explaining why creating space for intentional conversations about the church and politics fits within the mission of the CPT to equip pastors to be theologians for today's complex world. What will the conference…

Josh Stone joins the podcast to tell his story of becoming a pastor theologian. He discusses the influence of significant medical diagnoses in his family, his journey of education, his studies in gender, and what it means to be a pastor theologian. Some of the questions we discuss are how does a PhD help serve the pastorate? What are unique challen…

The text of Genesis 1 helps us understand who God is, who we are, and what our purpose in the world is. In this sermon, Charles Anderson explains the structure and purpose of Genesis 1 to help us understand how God is purposefully at work in creation and in our lives, even the midst of seeming chaos.…

Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), joins the podcast to discuss the mission of the church in the present political climate. Along the way, he shares about his journey of faith and call to ministry, the work of the NAE, and how Deuteronomy can inform a holistic vision for church discipleship and engagement with …

David and Jennifer McNutt join the podcast to discuss their recent book Know the Theologians, an introduction for the church to theologians who have had a significant impact in the history of the church. In our conversation we cover such questions as: Who were these theologians? Why do they matter in church history and for the present? How big is t…

Paul Morrison and Cory Wilson join the podcast to talk about ecclesial theology and an exciting new degree program at Emmaus Theological Seminary. In partnership with the CPT, Emmaus is launching a ThD in Ecclesial Theology which will provide pastors and church leaders with academically rigorous training informed by an understanding of theology in …

Andrew Wilson, pastor at King's Church, London, joins the podcast to discuss his recent book Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West. In this book, Wilson argues that 1776 is a pivotal year for the WEIRDER (contemporary Western) world. But this is something which we often forget, and that forgetfulness has consequences. Join to…

Chris Watkin joins the podcast to discuss his recent book Biblical Critical Theory, winner of Christianity Today's Book of the Year Award. He shares about the vision behind his recent book, the journey of faith and study that led to it, and how Christians can take up the same project as they work to interact with, critique, and call to repentance t…

Charles Anderson shares his story of faith and calling as a pastor theologian, reminding us all that God is the providential giver of our lives and vocations. He talks about the various influences and experiences God gave to lead him towards a PhD and then full time pastoral ministry. His story shows us that God's providence, like the Hebrew langua…

Chris Castaldo and Brad Littlejohn join the podcast to discuss their recent book Why Protestants Convert. In this conversation we talk about the reasons why many Christians, particularly in the contemporary evangelical church, feel both pushed and pulled towards a conversion to Roman Catholicism. Along the way we talk about the historic Christian m…

Books we're reading in February 2024: Stephen H. Travis, Christ and the Judgement of God: The Limits of Divine Retribution in New Testament Thought, 2nd ed. (Baker Academic, 2009) Jhumpa Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies (Mariner, 2019) William T. Cavanaugh, The Uses of Idolatry (Oxford University Press, 2024)…

Coleman Ford joins the podcast to talk about his story of coming to faith and how the Lord led him to academic ministry. He also talks about his recent book on discipleship, Formed in His Image. During this conversation we cover everything from the power of narratives (especially in movie form), the trinitarian aim of discipleship, the necessity of…

In a new format for our podcast, we hear a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Cole Hartin preached on Epiphany Sunday in which he calls us to look beyond the ordinary and mundane of the every day to see the mysterious and miraculous work of the triune God who calls and sanctifies his church. We hear from Cole about a theology of liturgy, the role of the sermon…

Douglas Estes joins the podcast to discuss a collection of essays he edited on theology in the works and worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien. We talk about the role of narrative fiction in shaping pastoral theology and how works like The Lord of the Rings can serve those who lead the church in the present day, as well as other topics like why Tolkien disliked…

Kimlyn Bender joins the podcast to discuss the theology of the word and preaching that has formed the context for the Fellowship gatherings of CPT Fellows. We talk about the nature of the word of God and how that relates to preaching, particularly within the context of evangelicalism’s focus on the text of Scripture, expanding particularly on the s…

Karen Swallow Prior joins the podcast to discuss her recent book The Evangelical Imagination. We discuss the role the imagination—both of the individual and the society at large (i.e. the social imaginary—plays in shaping the church, the difference between worldview and imagination, what it means for us to be enculturated Christians, modernity, lit…

Collin Hansen joins the podcast to discuss his unique biography of Tim Keller, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. We dig deeper into the sources behind Hansen’s biography, the role of biography and scholarship in shaping Keller, his relationship with his wife Kathy, and the particular way Tim lived out the calling of a pastor…

Obbie Tyler Todd joins Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner to tell his story of how he became a pastor theologian. Along the way he shares his story of coming to faith in Christ, his educational path, and how his training has helped him serve the church. He also discusses issues of the church and state, difficult decisions in the church, and the opportun…

For our December episode on books we, the CPT staff, have been reading: Aldous Huxley – Brave New World (1932) Johann Hari – Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention — and How to Think Deeply Again (2022) Jim Davis and Michael Graham – The Great DeChurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? (2023) P. D. …

Preaching is an instance of “speaking into the air” (i.e., oral communication), but how effectual is this form of the ministry of the Word? In this 2023 CPT conference message, Dr. Vanhoozer begins by contrasting bully pulpits (an influential public platform from which to persuade) and “kata-pulpits” (speaking “in accordance with” Scripture) and co…

Ernest Gray tells his story of growing up in the church and coming to faith as a college student. He shares about the moment he knew the gospel was true, lessons he has learned about discerning the call to ministry, and the path the Lord has led him on since then. Along the way, he discusses anti-intellectualism in the church, the importance of 1 P…

Josh Chatraw joins the podcast to discuss two recent books: The Augustine Way and Surprised by Doubt. Josh talks about how questions from church members led him towards apologetics as a pastor and explains why the pastor theologian Augustine of Hippo provides a helpful model for reframing and pursuing the apologetic task today. Listen now to hear a…

Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner host Jim Samra as he tells his story of becoming a pastor theologian. Jim tells the story of his conversion to Christ and how the Lord led him through a series of unique and critical moments in his life to direct him to pursue a PhD at Oxford and eventually the pastorate.…

Mike Cosper joins the podcast to refresh and expand on conversations from the 2023 CPT Conference about the nature of pastoral authority and how that authority can be abused. During the show, Cosper offers a definition of authority that highlights the locus of authority in relationship, encouraging pastors not to view themselves as inaccessible she…

Todd Wilson, Joel Lawrence, and Gerald Hiestand discuss the origins and history of the Center for Pastor Theologians, how the vision has developed and clarified over time, and what the future might hold. They also discuss the recent transition, with Joel stepping in as the new president and Todd's plans for the future.…

In this plenary message from the 2023 CPT Conference, Power and the Pulpit, Matthew Kim asks us to consider whether our preaching embodies a contemporary pursuit of power or a Pauline theology of weakness. Reflecting on the examples of Jesus, Paul, and his own on personal history, Matthew Kim challenges preachers to lead the church from a posture o…

Jennifer Powell McNutt joins the podcast to discuss the role of preaching in the church, how the practice of lectio continua shaped preaching during the Reformation, and how churches today can benefit (and potentially abuse) this practice. Along the way, Jennifer shares some of the story of her call to ministry and her personal formation as well as…

Jeremy Treat, pastor of Reality LA and a CPT Fellow, joins the podcast to discuss his most recent book The Atonement: An Introduction as well as his role in the upcoming CPT Conference on preaching. He discusses his contribution to atonement theology, which focuses on how the cross fits into the story of the kingdom and how the notion of theories o…

Author and speaker Iain Provan joins the podcast to discuss his recent book, Cuckoos in Our Nest: Truth and Lies about Being Human. Contemporary Western culture offers up various visions of what it means to be human, visions that many within the church have unknowingly adopted yet which contrast sharply with biblical revelation. Like the murderous …

CPT fellow Chris Castaldo joins the podcast to discuss his recent book, The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes. Jesus didn't offer the beatitudes as an unattainable moral example. They are his description of what disciples ought to look like in his kingdom, a kingdom that rejects the mechanisms of the world and advances instea…

Author Katelyn Beaty joins the podcast to discuss her recent book, Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Profits, and Platforms are Hurting the Church. We discuss the history of evangelicalism as it relates to the use of mass media, as well as how the wider cultural phenomenon of celebrity relates to the evangelical movement. How has celebrity shape…

CPT fellow Danny Houck joins for the second part of our conversation on Thomas Aquinas and original sin. In this episode Danny traces three challenges he sees in the evolutionary narrative of human origins for a Christian understanding of human fallenness. He suggests that Aquinas' account of human nature and renewal can be put into productive dial…

CPT fellow Danny Houck joins for a conversation about original sin from his research of Thomas Aquinas' theological anthropology. What is the relationship between philosophy and theology? How does Thomas Aquinas help us navigate this tension? Danny also traces the history of the doctrine of original sin from Augustine to Aquinas, showing that the s…

Michael Wear, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, joins CPT President Todd Wilson for a conversation on theology, politics, and the intersection between the two. What is the purpose of the separation of church and state? What is at root of the various problems of Christian political engagement and witness in our day? H…

Our May episode on books we, the CPT staff, have been reading. Richard V. Reeves – Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It (2022) Cormac McCarthy – The Road (2006) Jim Belcher – Cold Civil War: Overcoming Polarization, Discovering Unity, and Healing the Nation (2022) Angela Dienhary Hancock – Karl…

Why do so many seminary grads have a hard time retaining their knowledge of the biblical languages? What are some of the shortcomings of traditional language learning models and how can we improve upon them? Biblingo co-founder Nick Messmer joins Zach Wagner to discuss the difference between a grammar and translation method and a reading fluency me…

Professor Kimlyn Bender joins the podcast to share share about his farmers' town upbringing, how he first became interested in studying Karl Barth, and the importance of ecclesiology working out the tension between the academy and the church. Dr. Bender argues that Barth is the most important Protestant theologian to engage from the 20th century an…

Author Trevin Wax joins the podcast to reflect on his upbringing in the church and the idea behind his recent book The Thrill of Orthodoxy. What does it mean to rediscover the exciting and wonderful truth claims of Christianity and the Bible? In a cultural context in which so much about Christianity is taken for granted, how do pastors and theologi…

CPT fellow Jarrod Longbons joins the podcast to discuss his upbringing in the space between the Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions. He shares about his varied interests as a young person and how things like acting and theater connected to his pursuit of theological education and pastoral calling. He then shares his story of PhD with John Milb…

CPT fellow Dillon Thornton joins the podcast to discuss his story of life, faith, education, and ministry. How does an early calling into ministry unfold over the years of young adulthood? Why is it important for scholars and pastors to study the Pastoral Epistles? How can pastors deal with struggling to find time for writing projects they'd like t…