Jon and Justin have a discussion on views of eschatology and how it has affected modern biblical interpretation. Do historical Dispensational views contradict the clear teaching of Scripture on the atoning work of Christ? Is one’s view on eschatology a measure of orthodoxy? Should our views of eschatology drive the rest of our theology, or is it the other way around?
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.
What is the origin of the naturalistic view of Genesis 6? There is a surprisingly alarming and sinister history to the conception and widespread acceptance of the Sethite, non-supernatural view of scripture. In this episode, Jon and Doug give an overview and summary of Doug’s article on the origin and history of the Sethite heresy and how it was used to discredit Jesus and His divine authority!
When you hear the word “humility,” what comes to mind? How do you feel when you recall how a pastor, perhaps in your past, spoke to you about the need to be humble? How did that affect you? In today’s episode, Jon and Justin have a conversation about humility—specifically, humbling ourselves before and under the mighty hand of God. The purpose of humility may not be what you’re expecting. It leads to much good, because God is mighty to save and deliver us. He is our faithful God who loves us and desires that we come to Him with all our anxieties and burdens. All of this is tied to being humble before Him. We hope this episode comforts and encourages you in Christ.
As confessional pastors, Jon and Doug hold historic, biblical theology in high regard. However, tradition is not our highest authority. Scripture is our highest authority! That being said, is newer theology that differs from church tradition inherently bad, worse, or even, dangerous?
Jon and Justin were recently invited onto the Room for Nuance podcast with Sean DeMars to discuss various topics surrounding assurance of salvation, law-gospel distinction, and the relationship between faith and works. We hope you find this conversation informative and encouraging!
Demon exorcisms, pulling demons out of people, casting out demons… Are these things Christians should be trying to do? Do we even hold the power to do so? Popular culture, sensationalism, and media would say yes, but what does scripture say about these phenomena? Unsurprisingly, the common ideas of these actions are far off from how the Bible instructs us to fight this supernatural, spiritual warfare of good versus evil!
Oh no, Jon and Justin are talking about obedience again. Yes, we are—and it’s an important subject because, to be frank, we truly want everyone who listens to this podcast to obey sincerely. The question is, how is that accomplished? There is no good news for those who only emphasize obedience. We have to look to a power beyond ourselves, and that’s what we’re going to be discussing today.
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