As Protestants, we’re perhaps most aware of our traditions during the holidays. Indeed, many of us have strong family traditions wrapped around Christmas. But where did these traditions come from? Parents among our listeners will also want to know how tools like calendars, wreaths, the Jesse tree, and lighting the candles help our families remember Christ’s birth and long for his return. This very practical episode with Dr. Justin Holcomb will not only help parents, it will encourage us all to understand how Jesus’ revelation as the Light of the World will make things right “far as the curse is found.”

Heresy is poison. If something is heresy, it annihilates hope because it contradicts the Good News. Heresy says “God’s not who he says he is. Christ didn’t accomplish what he said he did on your behalf.” The antidote is sound doctrine or health-giving words. Our confessions and creeds are like a vaccine against the disease of heresy. Join us as Dr. Justin Holcomb shares with us his insights on the remedy to heresy in the modern world.

What do you think of when you hear the word “heresy”? Given our responsibility to defend the faith, as well as to speak truthfully about one another, Dr. Justin Holcomb talks about how important it is that we not misuse the word “heresy” or “heretic.” He also discusses the important differences between heresy, heterodoxy and those secondary matters we can dispute within the church without sacrificing our unity. To illustrate, he introduces us to Marcion, one of the church’s earliest heretics, and talks about how dualism still affects the church today. Tradition can be a valuable protection against false teaching like the kind of dualism that separates ministries of word and deed.

Tradition: On the one hand, it’s like an alarm that protects valuables in the household of faith. On the other hand, it can really trip us up if we give creeds and confessions more credence than the Bible, or if we use tradition as a substitute for a fresh encounter with Scripture. In this episode, our guest Dr. Justin Holcomb, the Canon for Vocations at the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, helps us navigate the mixed report that the Bible gives tradition and what we like to call “the tripwire of tradition.”

Is there an evangelical identity crisis? “Yes,” says Dr. Vincent Bacote. “There’s been one for a long time, but it’s been intensified since the 2016 election.” So, what do we do? Although evangelicals share basic characteristics, there’s a wide diversity of public expressions of our faith. And this long-standing diversity, combined with difficult options at the ballot box, make this question urgent. In this episode, Dr. Bacote offers resources and hopeful examples of expressing faith in public as we move toward the midterm elections.

Can religion and politics be talked about together? Dr. Vincent Bacote thinks that if we want a world where everyone flourishes, we can’t really look away from political life. But, at the same time, if you’re a Christian, your ultimate faith can’t be in politics. Join us as we discuss our first great commission as citizens, Abraham Kuyper, and what it means to love our neighbor, especially in our current political climate.

What does God’s work in the Garden of Eden tell us about the value of human work? What should we being doing as God’s workers? According to Dr. Vincent Bacote, Genesis 1:28 gives us our first Great Commission as God’s workers. As image bearers, we reflect God by caring for, keeping and extending the garden that he planted. But although we are workers like God, we’re also—like God—much more than our work.

You may have been called a lot of things in your life, but you’ve probably never been accused of being a “divine image-bearer.” In this episode, our guest, Dr. Vincent Bacote, unpacks the three main ways theologians have described the image of God in humankind and how all three views are important for understanding our human vocation. Dr. Bacote also describes how this radical description of human beings dignifies us for the respect and love God commands us to show to our neighbors and ourselves.

What does it take to run the race of faith? How should we prepare for ministry? This week Dr. Steve Brown and Dr. Richard Pratt discuss how faith isn’t a sprint, but a marathon that requires spiritual conditioning, training and, as Steve says, “a bit of a mean streak … like the old circuit riders.” And Richard prescribes “simulated combat” or “boot camp” that puts seminarians on the streets and in hospital rooms. Enjoy this lively and informative conversation as we discuss these and other topics with two old friends.

Why don’t we pray? According to Dr. Steve Brown, President of Key Life Network, “Unbelievers don’t pray because they’re afraid God is going to show. And, if God shows, they’re in trouble, because they can’t be God anymore. Christians don’t pray because they’re afraid God won’t show … [but] God does show.” Join us, whether with your morning coffee or on your evening commute, as Dr. Steve Brown and Dr. Richard Pratt discuss why we pray and the role of suffering in the Christian life.