Dr. John Walton covers prophecy as a subset of divination, Ancient Near Eastern background, prediction, covenant, message categories, message and fulfillment, messianic fulfillment, eschatology, and apocalyptic. I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com Dr. Walton is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton …

Dr. Beale discusses OT echoes and allusions, the controversy over "fullness", the nature of the false teaching, food and holy days, "elemental spirits of the world", worship of angels, self-abasement, visions, grace and peace, Christ's supremacy, new creation, reconciliation, eschatological maturity, "certificate of indebtedness", and "disarming th…

Brian Blount tells his own story, discusses biblical directives and principles for power evangelism and healing, his look-listen-respond process, how he trains others, and gives amazing and compelling examples of his own ministry involving radical generosity, healings, evangelism, and salvations. I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comm…

We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both the egalitarian and complementarian views, third way alternatives, 19th and 20th century history of the issue, Scriptures, church, kingdom of God, ministry, marriage, equality, rights, inclusion, servant leadership, concept of reversal, unity, headship, and leadership. I, Dennis would love to hear fro…

Dr. Witherington covers Pauline scholarship including Rudolf Bultmann, Ernst Kasemann, Krister Stendhal, E.P. Sanders, the new perspective, covenantal nomism, James D.G. Dunn, "works of the law", William Campbell, N.T. Wright, pistous christou, apocalyptic reading, John Barclay, and Stephen Chester. I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a c…

Using resources from the WWI era including church creedal statements, books, magazines, newspaper stories, Bureau of Investigation records, and draft cards Jay Beaman sheds light on Pentecostals' practice of pacifism when the movement was brand new. We look at the movement of conscientious objection as a whole as well as sectarian groups, Holiness …

Dr. Lynn Cohick discusses background information to the Letter to the Ephesians including authorship and the social and historical situation at Ephesus. We then dive into its core theology, the place of the Trinity, the explication of the gospel, “faith in Christ” vs. the “faithfulness of Christ”, and being “seated in the heavenly realms”. We move …

Dr. Bender discusses theological Bible commentaries, the theology of 1 Corinthians, Paul's problems in Corinth, apostolicity vs. giftedness, holiness, divisions in the church, the cross, weakness, power, foolishness, wisdom, sexuality, the Lord's Supper, women's head coverings, the gospel, the resurrection, and the application of 1 Corinthians for …

Dr. Beaman explores early Holiness and Pentecostal churches and their very significant pacifist orientation. We consider the reasons for pacifism, how it was propagated, how widespread it was, and how it was practiced sacrificially during WWI with many going to prison rather than war. Beaman tells the story of Pentecostals' gradual accommodation to…

Tom Drake tells his story from inside the NSA as a senior executive, blowing the whistle on corruption, and his struggle to defend himself against the prosecution delivered by the Department of Justice. We then discuss his activism since then, the nature of government surveillance before and after 9/11, surveillance as it relates to privacy, ethics…

We discuss the cultural and individual varieties of ethical relativism, the dependency and diversity theses, "which culture decides morality?", moral progress and tolerance, the argument from damnation, nihilism, Max Stirner, non-dualistic pantheism and the two truths theory. Dr. Groothuis then covers morality as biological adaptation, atheistic ex…

Dr. William Cavanaugh explores the nation-state, the common good, unity, pluralism, subsidiarity, identity, mobility, and globalization. We then consider the U.S. as a messianic nation, state disciplinary power, the liturgy of state and church, the church as a political body, the visibility of the church in repentance, and Hauerwas' political thoug…

Dr. Longman discusses the creation story in terms of genre, interpretation, theology, history, science, evolution, and Adam's historicity. We then cover the historicity of the exodus and conquest in regard to various views, genre, interpretation, and archeology. We then move onto OT violence, particularly the conquest of Canaan. Longman examines th…

Dr. Joshua Farris discusses the existence, nature, and origin of the human soul. We consider materialism, human experience and reason, neuroscience, and veridical near death experiences. Farris also examines neo-Cartesianism, substance dualism, and origin theories including materialism, panpsychism, and emergentism. We move on to the possibility of…

Dr. Darrell Bock considers the definition, purpose, and history of historical Jesus studies, relationship to apologetics, methods and sources, criteria of authenticity, various contemporary views, and the authority of Scripture. We take a look at seven biblical situations and discuss how they relate to historical Jesus research: Jesus' ministry to …

We discuss the Holy Spirit according to Jesus, the Spirit’s involvement in the birth narratives of Jesus and John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ baptism and temptation, and how the Holy Spirit is related to Jesus’ teaching, preaching, exorcism, and training of his disciples. Levison continues with the Holy Spirit in regard to dealing with …

We cover definitions of evangelism and the gospel, the biblical basis for evangelism, plus eight core models of evangelism: personal, small group, visitation, liturgical, church growth, prophetic, revival and media. Dr. Pope-Levison also looks at five qualities of evangelism: hospitality, relationship, integrity, message bearing, and church rootedn…

Nicholas Perrin discusses the Gospel of Luke including purpose, audience, social-historical situation, use of the OT, birth narratives, the kingdom of God, political conflict, and conflict with the Jewish religious system. Our talk continues with the socially marginalized, the Sermon on the Plain, training and sending the disciples, the hard discip…

We start with 1794 and the aftermath of the founding of the United States. Dr. Noll considers Thomas Paine’s works, proprietary and sectarian churches, and the role of Asbury and the Methodists. We discuss how America saw itself as a Hebrew republic, the African-American experience, and how the Bible functioned on both sides of the slavery debate. …

Michael Jones makes a case for the historical reliability of the gospels as we consider the genre of ancient biography, eyewitness testimony, Aramaic sources, oral tradition, anonymity and authorship, dating, alleged textual corruption, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the messiahship and divinity of Jesus, external and internal evidence, and the…

We consider the topics of epistemology, skepticism, experience, coherence, foundationalism, knowledge, internalism, externalism, epistemological evidentialism, scientific realism, methodological naturalism, metaphysical universals and nominalism, metaphysical materialism, free will and determinism, arguments for God's existence, and finally applica…

George Yancey defines America's race problem, considers the meaning, strengths, and weaknesses of antiracism and colorblindness, takes a look at systemic racism and racial disparities and examines how diversity, equity, and inclusion programs often function. Yancey explains his alternative view as mutual accountability and marshals evidence to supp…

We discuss the nature of Christian intentional communities, religious vitality, the 5 historic waves of Christian intentional communities (CIC) in the U.S., the biblical basis for CICs, the components of CICs, the key strengths and weaknesses of CICs, as well as the structural, organizational, and individual explanations for religious vitality. We …

By dennisrmetzler

New Testament scholar, Steve Bryan (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) defines culture, ethnicity, nations, states, and race. He explains how identity as the people of God is foundational for making sense of life rather than ethnicity or race. We also cover the creation story and other primal stories in Genesis to understand God's plan in human d…

Bob's personal story as well as the theology of the kingdom of God, supernatural spiritual gifts including healing and words of knowledge, ministry to the poor and marginalized, resisting the powers including militarism, racism, and nationalism, interpreting Romans 13, justice, non-violence, forgiveness, love, and the cross are topics all dealt wit…

By dennisrmetzler

The biblical basis, plus issues of ecclesiology, historical circumstances, orientation to place, covenant, convictions, structures, commitment, membership, authority, outreach, spiritual growth, and ecclesial practices are all considered in relation to intentional Christian communities. Dr. Smith spent years researching five Christian communities: …

Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Desmond Tutu, Fr. John Dear offers his thoughts on violence, the nonviolent Jesus, the Christ of peace, the Trinity, violence as sin, human suffering, soteriology, the cross, eschatology, ecclesiology, nonviolent resistance, and personal spirituality. John Dear is a peace activist, Catholic priest, and author …

In this interview, based on Matthew Lundberg's "Christian Martyrdom and Christian Violence: On Suffering and Wielding the Sword", the strengths and weaknesses of both just war and pacifism are considered along with their biblical and theological foundations and logic, especially as they relate to Christian martyrdom. We look at the criteria for mar…

Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and ethical exhortation as well as genre, date, authorship, and social situation are all topics we tackle in this interview. We also examine the question of Jesus learning obedience and becoming perfect and consider what the book of Hebrews has to say about persecution, faith, and faithfulness. I would love t…

By dennisrmetzler

First century understandings of 'messiah', Old and New Testament foundations for messianic theology, key scriptural passages, incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection as they pertain to Christology and soteriology, the kingdom of God, sanctification, faith "towards" Messiah, the kingdoms of the world, eschatology, peacemaking, and contemporary av…

Dr. Keith Augustus Burton was named by Christianity Today as one of the top twenty-five religious figures who have shaped African American faith over the past century. His book, "The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity" is the basis for this interview. We cover the definition of biblical Africa, how Africa was prepared for Christ…

Douglas Harink shares insights from his book entitled "Resurrecting Justice: Reading Romans for the Life of the World". He sees the traditional rendering of "righteousness" in the Book of Romans as "justice". This provides a contrast to traditional perspectives that focus only on justification by faith for individuals. Harink covers personal as wel…

The Apostle Paul knew well how to live in contentment in all situations, no matter how much he suffered. He continually experienced the strength that comes through a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Through faith, discipline, and boldly meeting life head-on we can experience this same reality.…

Ethicist Dr. David Gill joins us to reflect on the thought of brilliant French philosopher, sociologist, theologian, and Christian anarchist Jacques Ellul. Dr. Gill had the privilege of studying under Ellul and is the co-founder and president of the International Jacques Ellul Society. He previously taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, St…

Ross Hastings is Professor of Theology at Regent College and holds PhDs in both theology and chemistry. In this interview we cover the historical basis for the resurrection of Christ, the resurrection's relationship to atonement (especially recapitulation and Christus Victor), regeneration, justification, and the personal history of Jesus. We look …

By dennisrmetzler

Dr. Iain Provan, Professor of Biblical Studies at Regent College guides us through his approach to the ethics of the Old Testament. We consider primary ideas starting with God's goodness and creation and move on to continuity with New Testament ethics, genre, economics, and God's concern for the marginalized. Provan discusses his schema of creation…

Eric Tully's brand new book, "Reading the Prophets As Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Introduction" is the basis for this interview. We explore the meaning of prophecy, the role of OT prophets, the false prophets, the canon of Scripture, and the themes and theology of the prophets. We also consider the history of Israel …

We dive into the world of eschatology and ethics and how they impact each other with Dr. Vincent Bacote, Professor of Theology at Wheaton College and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics. We explore key Scriptures, various historical approaches including Anabaptist, dispensationalist, Albert Schweitzer, and liberation theology as…

Dr. Amy Peeler, Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College offers her thoughts on theological feminism. We cover the need for feminism, the four waves of feminism, scriptural principles related to feminism, various Christian schools and thinkers, God talk, and the reality of incarnation in a male body. We also consider 'equality of opportunity' …

We explore the doctrine of the Trinity with Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. The Trinity is examined in the OT, NT, Church Fathers, Aquinas, Barth, Zizioulas, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Rahner, and Jenson. The doctrine is also considered in feminist, Latin American, Asian, and African contexts. …

Our approach to general revelation needs to take us beyond simply recognizing through the created order that humanity is sinful and that God does exist--as essential as that is. Dr. Robert K. Johnston leads us in exploring the variety of ways that God graciously reveals himself, his truth, and his ways--even through film. Dr. Johnston is Senior Pro…

Mark A. Jennings explores the rich and encouraging epistle to the Philippians under the overarching theme of partnership in the apostle Paul's gospel. He uses Ben Witherington's schema for organizing the letter according to ancient rhetorical structure and sees themes of fellowship, Paul's rivals, and money as essential to understanding the epistle…

Renowned New Testament scholar of scholars Dr. Ben Witherington III offers his expertise regarding the background and theology of the Gospel of John. Particularly interesting is the evidence he marshals identifying Lazarus as the beloved disciple. Witherington also rebuts the commonly held notion that John is less historical than the synoptic gospe…

Dr. Clark discusses cognitive science of religion, theory of mind, agency detecting devices, and materialist arguments against the existence of God. We consider religion as a natural phenomenon, the nature of rationality, and resisting the demand for evidence. Clark looks at intuition and inference, the God faculty, the relationship between natural…

Mitzi Smith gives us some background on womanist thought, key thinkers, and its relationship with theology and biblical interpretation. We cover the raison d'etre of womanism, potential compatibility for Black conservative evangelical women, and its relevance to White men. Dr. Smith then explores the relationship of exegesis and eisegesis and the m…

We investigate the questions of author, date, occasion, genre, structure, themes, and historicity of Samuel 1 and 2. Dr. Evans considers the theology of Samuel through six topics: fulfillment of the prophetic word, trust in God, seriousness of sin, importance of true repentance, Davidic covenant, and the Anointed One. The life and influence of Samu…