July 7th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland What deep and good longing in you is the enemy is exploiting to lead you away from God? Are you chasing a thing (idol) that promises power over that longing? Are you believing shame because of that unmet longing? The post Sunday School Stories: Elijah | 1 Kings 18 & 19 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Churc…

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 …

Sunday June 30th, 2024 | Kyle Collins In the ways God intervenes, we see something about God’s heart for His people… He doesn’t abandon. Even though they reject God as their king and the consequences of that decision are fully coming to bear in this moment God still shows up and delivers them. The post Sunday School Stories: David and Goliath | 1 S…

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…

June 23rd, 2024 | Speaker Preston Goff When we look at the story of Samson, we see a man who had to reach the very depths of his own failure and brokenness to finally understand the true source of his strength. He confronts the reality that his blessings were not the result of his own doing but gifts from a gracious God who had a purpose for his li…

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…

June 16th, 2024 Speaker: Christy Penley | Joshua 6 When life is hard we need perseverance. Oftentimes we quit. Sometimes we pray but it is easy to feel that since we’ve asked for something, the answer to our prayers should immediately be forthcoming or our need should quickly be met. However, God is not a bellhop, just waiting to give us exactly wh…

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…

June 9th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland | Exodus 20:1-21 The only reason God gives commands is because he loves us so deeply and he is hoping to lead us to a life full of freedom and flourishing. The post Sunday School Stories: 10 Commandments | Exodus 20:1-21 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

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…

June 2nd, 2024 Join us as Greg Lindsey from Discovery Church shares about his journey and walk in Christ. The post Guest Speaker: Greg Lindsey appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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.…

May 26th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland | Exodus 14 We need to be still. We need to still ourselves so that we can see what God is doing… How he is working in our lives and how he fighting for us. The post Sunday School Stories: Burning Bush to the Red Sea | Exodus 14 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

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…

May 19th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland | Exodus 1 & 2:1-10 As we become more formed into the image of Jesus, we will also want to participate in God’s work of opposing oppression. The post Sunday School Stories: Moses | Exodus 1 & 2:1-10 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

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…

May 12th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland | Genesis 37:1-36 & 45:1-11 Jesus broke the rule of Karma in our life. And because of his forgiveness we won’t ever reap what our sin has sewn with God. The post Sunday School Stories: Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors | Genesis 37:1-36 & 45:1-11 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

"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…

May 5th, 2024 | Speaker Suzy Bates God is with us, present in that struggle, no matter what it is and no matter what caused it. We can be assured that God is present and maybe even closest when we are in our darkest moments. And the divine mystery in all of this is that he is working all things together for our good. Showing us who we really are, g…

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…

April 28th, 2024 | Speaker: Christy Penley | Genesis 22:1-19 How could God be opening up your eyes to more of himself? What does it look like to step into believing God’s character more fully? The post Sunday School Stories: Abraham & Isaac | Genesis 22:1-19 appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

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.…

April 21st, 2024 Speaker: Kyle Collins Adam and Eve did the same in the Garden by trying to become like God. We will get something from God and then we won’t need God. In fact the whole first part of Genesis people are trying to figure it out on their own. They are working to bring order either completely apart from God or by just adding God to the…

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 …

April 14th, 2024 | Speaker Jonathan Cleveland | Genesis 1-11 The flood is not the story of God destroying humans because he is mad. The flood is the story of how humans destroyed the earth and each other because of our violence. And God sent water to purify the destroyed earth and start again, and because of his grace he preserved some people. The …

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 …

Easter Sunday March 31st, 2024 | Speaker Jonathan Cleveland The post Easter: I AM The Vine appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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…

March 24th, 2023 | Speaker: Suzy Bates Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know, me you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-7…

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…

March 17th, 2024 | Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland What would you do, and how would you live if you really believed death is not the end? The post I Am: The Resurrection and Life appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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…

March 10th, 2024 | Speaker: Christy Penley “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shep…

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…

March 4th, 2024 | Speaker: Suzy Bates God knows what he’s doing in the people around us. The moment we think WE are the ones who know what God is or isn’t doing in somebody else is a moment worth being aware of. The post I Am: The Gate appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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)…

February 25th, 2024 | Kyle Collins A secret to the spiritual life is this… the ultimate destination is being with God, not a specific place in our formation or spiritual maturity. Relationship has always been the goal of God. The post I Am: The Light of the World appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.…

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…

February 18th, 2024 | Speaker: Christy Penley Don’t settle for coming to Christ for something from Him instead of Him. He is the bread, He is life. The post I Am: The Bread of Life appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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…

Feb 12th, 2024 Speaker: Jonathan Cleveland People who flee sexual immorality and brokenness understand that sex is symptomatic. And they attend to the issues under the surface that express themselves through sexuality. Sexual sin is never just about sex. Never. The post Sidetracked: Sexuality appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs…

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…

February 4th, 2024 | Jonathan Cleveland The goal for a Christian marriage is to experience the grace of God and to represent God’s grace to your spouse. The post Sidetracked: Marriage appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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…

January 28th, 2024 | Jonathan Cleveland To be human is to face this choice: The pain of loneliness OR the pain of relationships with sinners. The post Sidetracked: Community appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church

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…

January 21st, 2024 | Speaker Jonathan Cleveland The vision that he has about his Kingdom reigning on earth as it is in heaven is for every person. The post Sidetracked: Kingdom Purpose appeared first on Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs.By Pulpit Rock Church