Discovering the wonders of grace and freedom means realizing you no longer need to perform to earn acceptance—a liberating truth. However, in walking away from pietism, legalism, and revivalism, there’s a risk of overcorrecting and neglecting key aspects of the gospel, such as confessing sins and continuing to trust in Christ. Jon and Justin explore how deconstruction can unintentionally foster selfishness and discuss how to navigate this process in a healthy, gospel-centered way that leads to true transformation.
The angel coming down? The key to the bottomless pit? Seizing the dragon? Bound him for a thousand years? All of these details in Revelation have very real significance and meaning. Using the whole of scripture, Jon and Doug identify the subjects of major importance in Revelation 20. Showcasing a sort of timeline of events that will clarify confusions Christians have regarding eschatology!
What comes to mind when you think about God? Do you feel comfort, safety, and love, or do you wrestle with doubt, dread, and judgment? It’s been said that our thoughts about God shape every area of our lives, and today Jon and Justin dive deep into this idea. Join them as they explore who God is, what He is like, and how He has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Tune in for a thoughtful and honest conversation about faith, feelings, and the character of God.
In this episode, we’re jumping right into the Book of Revelation and discussing the integral points of the binding of Satan. When was Satan bound? Is Satan bound today? Why did he need to be bound? And, what does his binding mean for us, the kingdom of God on Earth, and the future to come? Join Jon and Doug as they delve into a new series of discussions on eschatology, the Satan, and the “already, not yet” kingdom!
Many Christians today feel absolutely drained and powerless. They have tried every solution under the sun to overcome their sin, grow in Christ, and mature in their faith, striving for sanctification. Yet, they feel defeated and often question, “Am I even God’s? Do I truly belong to Him?” It seems as though the power of Christianity has disappeared. How did that happen? That’s exactly what Justin and Jon want to discuss today. How did the power of the gospel become gutted from the Bible?
People often look at the commands of God in the Old Testament and think, “How can this be a loving God?” Even more so, He is accused of committing great injustices against large groups of people. Are these accusations justified? Why is there so much violence and killing between the Israelites and a multitude of ancient tribes? Is God guilty of genocide? Jon and Doug answer these questions and more!
Does the Christian life ever feel like you’re sitting on a bicycle, pedaling as hard as you possibly can, but not going anywhere—only to realize there’s no chain on the bike? That’s what we call “gospel-lite, law-heavy living.” You feel like you’re putting in a lot of effort but not making any progress because you’ve been relying on the wrong power source. That’s what Justin and Jon want to talk about today: where the true source of light and power comes from.
The church is much more than a physical gathering of people. There is real spiritual power when believers come together for worship in a scriptural context. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss the true significance of fellowship and the responsibilities Christians have to one another in the relationship between the church and the believer, including church discipline, binding, and loosing.
Christians often examine their “prayer lives,” wondering if they are praying correctly, praying enough, or if their prayers are effective at all. As with other elements of the Christian life, we can rob prayer of its inherent supernatural power by imposing our own fleshly expectations upon it. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss how prayer is less about an action and more about a lifestyle, and how this means of grace is used by our Lord to wage war in the spiritual realm.
Over the years, Jon and Justin have sought to defend the gospel message: that we are saved by Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. This belief has often been met with criticism. People frequently object, saying, “Surely it’s not that simple—it has to involve more than just faith in Jesus.” In response, Jon and Justin argue that faith is not as easy as it might seem. Walking by faith, rather than by sight, is challenging for us as human beings. In today’s discussion, they will explore this concept further, referencing scripture and addressing recent debates about justification, obedience, and good works. They’ll also examine our tendency to want to hold onto or point to something we’ve done as a measure of our salvation.
Many Christians are confused about the sacrament of the Lord’s Table, also known as communion. Some say that it is merely a memorial for remembrance only. Others say that there is a physical element of Christ within it. These focuses are missing the point of communion and the role it holds within the Christian life. Participation in the Lord’s Supper holds significant spiritual power for the believer. An emphasis on the common union between us and Christ. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss the history of communion theology and how integral it is in the success of good over evil in the spiritual realm.
Many Christians often struggle with a significant question: How does God truly feel about me? We are aware of the sins we try to hide and the personal struggles we face. God knows all our weaknesses and failures, and deep down, we question whether He is angry or disappointed with us. We may wonder if He will discipline us or pursue us in judgment because we continue to fail. How can God keep loving someone who repeatedly falls short? This is an essential question, and today, Justin and Jon want to address it. Understanding God’s attitude toward you is transformative, as it shapes your experience in this world and your journey in the Christian faith. We want to reassure and remind you that God’s disposition toward you is not dependent on your performance. Join us as we explore how the gospel frees you from the burden and shame that often weigh heavily on our hearts.
Baptism is more than just a tradition or historical practice, the sacrament contains very real spiritual power and reality! When Christians participate in this blessed sacrament, we receive the baptism of Christ. The means through which God shares His mercy and love are seen in baptism. In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss how baptism is a confirmation to ourselves and others of our newness of life, adoption into the family of God, and, becoming a priest of God?! We hope you find this conversation informative and encouraging! Remember your Baptism!
If God is both sovereign and good, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world? These are questions we often ask. For Justin, who lives in Asheville, North Carolina, they’ve just gone through a hurricane, so there are many people asking these questions. Today, Jon and Justin are having a conversation about this, and we acknowledge that we don’t have specific answers to every question. The secret things belong to the Lord. But we’re going to talk about God—His power, His character, His nature, His love for us—and the truths we know about Him that anchor our souls when everything else is giving way. We hope this conversation encourages you and offers you hope.
In our attempts to make the Bible compelling to the world, we try to downplay or completely ignore the amazing, supernatural power that the gospel holds! In this episode, Jon and Doug discuss the etymology of the word gospel and how its full power is often hidden through improper teaching. The word of the Lord is more than information. It has the power to reach the depths of the soul and save the lost. Justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying us through God’s incredible sovereignty, grace, and mercy.
The distinction between law and gospel is one of the most important topics covered at Theocast, as it lies at the heart of resting in Christ. Many struggle with trusting in Christ’s sufficiency because they mistakenly mix the law with the gospel, believing there’s something they must do to earn God’s acceptance. This episode compiles key points from previous episodes to help clarify this important distinction and encourage listeners to rest in Christ’s finished work.
Christians around the world don’t understand the real significance behind many of the most famous Psalms. The key to understanding the pictures described in these Psalms is a full view of the supernatural battle that takes place throughout the entire Bible. Centering all around Jesus, His work on earth, and His conquering of Hell, the evil realm, and of the beings that rebel against the one, true God.
Is there a right and wrong way to read your Bible? We’re going to argue that yes, there is. There’s a dangerous way where passages are misapplied—for example, reading the law as gospel or the gospel as law, which leads to confusion and distorts the message. In today’s podcast, we discuss how to read your Bible with a law-gospel distinction. We’ll cover how to think about different parts of the Bible, like narratives, Psalms, Proverbs, prophecy, and the New Testament gospels, ensuring you approach them with the right perspective to avoid muddying the gospel.
Satan, the arch-villain of the entire Biblical narrative. How should Christians understand “the Satan” in relation to history, their lives, and the supernatural battle against evil? What insights can scripture show us into how Satan operates and the kind of power he holds as “the prince of this world.” How has Satan demonstrated his grip on the world throughout history?
Today’s conversation is one that Jon and Justin wanted to have as they look at the broader Christian landscape. Even within their own churches, it seems that many Christians operate out of fear and are overly concerned with certain theological directions. This fear may prevent us from partnering with sincere, well-meaning Christians to promote the gospel and could stunt our own growth by keeping us from learning from those outside our tradition, who have valuable insights on many aspects of the Christian life. This episode is two pastors processing things in real time, and we hope it will be helpful, freeing, and comforting for you.
