Author

  1. 424: Kleinig - The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Divine Service

    book
    01/16/26
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    In this episode, we learn about the Holy Spirit and the Divine Service from Dr. John Kleinig. In particular, we discuss how Christ gives the Spirit to the church through his word, how Christ institutes the divine service and empowers it with God’s Spirit, and how the church receives the Holy Spirit by faith in God’s word as it is proclaimed and enacted in the divine service. The conversation revolves around the central question: How then can we be sure that the Spirit is at work in our worship?
    424: Kleinig - The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Divine Service

  2. Understanding the American Religious Landscape with Ryan Burge

    book
    01/13/26
    5 mins
    By Kelsi Klembara
    Kelsi is joined by data analyst, Ryan Burge, to discuss the current American Religious Landscape as well as his newest book, The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us.Dr. Ryan Burge is an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University.
    Understanding the American Religious Landscape with Ryan Burge

  3. 423: Graff - Rationalism's war on everything "magical."

    book
    01/09/26
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Who Made Who. In this episode, Gillespie takes the wheel and steers us into tradition, liturgy, worship styles, and the various “-isms” that have sprung up within the churches over the centuries. What’s the purpose of the Divine Service? What is the fundamental meaning of Christian meaning? Have we jettisoned mystery for sensible explanations that find no seat pulled out for them in God’s house? Is Christian worship, polity, and piety about what we know, experience, feel, or conformity to specific doctrines? Why is the old magic not welcome amongst sensible worshippers? What’s the place of hymns, prayers, preaching, and Scripture in Christian worship? Is liturgy a delivery mechanism or a tool?
    423: Graff - Rationalism's war on everything

  4. 422: Post-Christmas and Post-New Year Debrief

    book
    01/03/26
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    What’s the Frequency, Kenneth? In this episode, we gather for a post-Christmas, post-New Year pastoral debrief. We talk about symbols and meaning, Christmas and holidays, signs and seasons, and how modern churches quietly cleared the path for culture to push Christ out of Christmas without much resistance. We explore the strange and largely arbitrary ways the world measures time, along with the old Adam’s never-ending pyramid project. That is, his need to build meaning upward by effort, progress, and control rather than receive it as a gift. From there, we return to symbol and meaning. We ask why ancient liturgy’s nostalgia or ornamentation, but the distilled shape of reality itself, why the Lord’s Supper isn’t a side practice, but the beating heart of the Church, of worship, and of the Christian life. And why stories’ decorations for faith, but the way truth takes on flesh and finds us where we actually live. This is a conversation about time, worship, memory, and why the Church invents meaning but receives it again and again at the table.
    422: Post-Christmas and Post-New Year Debrief

  5. A Review of David (Angel Studios 2025)

    book
    12/23/25
    5 mins
    By Caleb Keith | Scott Keith
    Scott and Caleb review the new animated David movie. More than just another David and Goliath retelling, the film attempts to capture David’s full transformation from shepherd to king.
    A Review of David (Angel Studios 2025)

  6. 415: Luther - The Mass is a dangerous thing, fabricated and invented without God’s Word and will

    book
    11/07/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Mass Effect. In this episode, we continue our reading of The Smalcald Articles, focusing on Luther’s critique of the Roman Mass and all its consequences for the churches and Christian life. We discuss mimetic desire, sacrificial religion, the exclusive work of Jesus.
    415: Luther - The Mass is a dangerous thing, fabricated and invented without God’s Word and will

  7. Kids and Parenting in the Digital Age with Erica Sorensen

    book
    11/04/25
    9 mins
    By Kelsi Klembara | Erica Sorensen
    Kelsi talks with Erica Sorensen about her experience in youth ministry and the affects of our current digital age on parenting and kids.
    Kids and Parenting in the Digital Age with Erica Sorensen

  8. 414: Luther - God is extravagantly rich in His grace

    book
    10/31/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    An Arm-Twisting Confession. In this episode, we read Martin Luther’s Smalcald Articles on the gospel, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. Why did he have to have “his arm twisted” to write them? What is he trying to teach the churches about the gospel? How does the gospel circumscribe and define the Church, worship, and Christian life? Why does something written in the 1530s matter today? We look to answer all these questions and more on this episode of the Banned Books podcast.
    414: Luther - God is extravagantly rich in His grace

  9. Samaritan Savior (Luke 10:25-37)

    book
    10/23/25
    5 mins
    By Daniel Emery Price | Scott Keith
    In this episode of Tough Texts, Dan Price and Scott Keith go over the parable of the Good Samaritan, discussing its implications on moralism, the law, and the nature of compassion.
    Samaritan Savior (Luke 10:25-37)

  10. Luke 18:1-18 – Pentecost 19 (C)

    book
    10/13/25
    5 mins
    By John W. Hoyum | Steven Paulson
    On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the nature of prayer in connection to the parable of the unjust judge.
    Luke 18:1-18 – Pentecost 19 (C)

  11. Why Do Christians Sing Hymns? | Dr. Steve Mueller, Concordia University Irvine

    book
    10/02/25
    5 mins
    By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith
    Singing is one of the most recognizable parts of Christian worship. But why do Christians sing hymns?
    Why Do Christians Sing Hymns? | Dr. Steve Mueller, Concordia University Irvine

  12. Luke 17:1-10 – Pentecost 17 (C)

    book
    09/29/25
    5 mins
    By John W. Hoyum | Steven Paulson
    On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the parable of the unworthy servants.
    Luke 17:1-10 – Pentecost 17 (C)