These Go To 11

Having just celebrated the 4th of July, Nathan asks Greg and Steve a series of tough questions. Are we allowed to be American patriots as Christians? Should churches have American flags in their sanctuaries? Is pledging "allegiance" to our country (or any country) wrong? The guys tackle these questions and leave some room for differing opinions.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard about the 5-4 verdict legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states last week. Nathan does not want to engage on the POLITICAL response to this issue but the CHURCH'S response. Greg recaps his recent sermon addressing the issue. Steve Hartland also shares some provocative thoughts on not being too "apocalyptic" in our response to this issue. How does the church continue to fulfill its mission? How do we engage homosexuals in gospel conversations?

This one is NOT a debate but a conversation. We recognize there is no way to "go academic" on such a sensitive issue. Nathan asks Greg a series of questions about the destiny of children who perish. Does Scripture speak to the issue? Is there room for disagreement among Christians? How do we seek to comfort parents who have lost a child? Please let us know if this is a helpful conversation to think through such a sensitive issue.

Nathan reviews the Scriptures both Greg and Dave cited at the end of part 1. Dave argues for a position often called "corporate election-" that God' s choice is not of individuals regarding their eternal destiny but of nations/entities for redemptive historical purposes in the world. Greg and Dave get into the nitty gritty of specific verses in Romans 9-10.

After months of hinting about it and brushing up against it in every podcast, we finally take on Calvinism. Dave Shive is a mentor and friend to Greg. They have for 18 years now never seen eye-to-eye on the issue of God's sovereignty in the salvation of sinners. Nathan asks them how their friendship has endured this divide then rings the bell to let the debate begin. This is PART ONE of a two part episode.

TGT11 is honored to be joined by one of the most prolific, thoughtful theologians of the 21st century. Dr. John Frame has influenced pastors, students and fellow theologians significantly in his almost 50 years of ministry. Nathan picks his brain about philosophy- did Christians lose the upper hand to early in the battle? Steve Hartland asks him tricky questions about what's gotten Dr. Frame in hot water over the years. Finally Greg asks him whether the apostle Paul was an "evidentialist" or a "presuppositionalist" when he preached in Athens. 

How old is the earth? Does a Christian HAVE to believe that the 7 days of creation in Genesis 1 are 24-hour literal days? Is the earth as old as science tells us, and if so, what does that do with our reading of the creation narrative? Mark Sweeney, Executive Pastor of Christ Fellowship, joins forces with Greg this week as they defend an old earth position. Nathan Schneider, Associate Pastor of Grace Anchorage Church, joins regular guest Jeff Crotts in contending for a young earth (literal 24-hour-day) position. Nathan Bell has his hands full trying to keep this debate from getting out of hand!

It's a SIZZLING START TO SUMMER as June is devoted to HOT TOPICS. Up first, Greg's old seminary friend and PCA pastor Mark Fodale argues FOR infant baptism- contra Greg who defends believer's (credo) baptism. Nathan calls a few time outs to make sure they don't geek out too much on paedo-communion (WHAT!!) and other side issues.

Is Jeremiah 29:11 REALLY an appropriate verse for a high school or college graduate? Steve Hartland shares his concerns with treating that verse like a guarantee of the American dream. Greg asks Steve some tricky follow-up questions on his unique thoughts on marriage. Nathan pins Greg down on what wifely submission actually means in real life. Of course, Greg dodges that question and puts it back on Steve!

An unexpected, unplanned episode. Greg has an Orioles ticket "conflict" so the podcast schedule is reshuffled. It leads to Nathan and Greg having a "fireside" chat about the tragic development in the well-known Duggar family. They also hit on a few other topics in no particular order.

Pastor and Author, Zack Eswine, joins the podcast. His new book, Spurgeon's Sorrows, takes an honest look at the difficult subject of depression- using the life of Charles Spurgeon as a template. Fascinating (and dare we say SHOCKING) details emerge from Spurgeon's life as Nathan and Greg discuss subjects with Zack ranging from brain chemistry to ill-timed attempts at encouragement to a tragic, deadly stampede (at a church service) that left Spurgeon near traumatized for life. We believe that many folks suffering from depression will benefit greatly from this podcast and even more from the book!

A These Go To Eleven First! The Pastor's wives come with much in their arsenal. Greg and Matt are worried! Lisa Dutcher and Tracy Smith say they got tricked into joining the podcast. Maybe- but their insights just rock! Nathan asks a number of probing questions about marriage, children, tension, disappointments and unexpected joys in the life of a pastor's wife. 

Les Lanphere from the Reformed Pubcast joins the show! This podcast is one of the most wildly successful podcasts out there that combines beer advice with great theology. Nathan asks him where the line between "blessed euphoria" and "flat-out drunkenness" lies. Greg geeks out a little with Les on all things Breaking Bad and Star Wars.

Youth Specialist, Greg Speck, joins the podcast from "tropical Rockford Illinois!"  He has been working with teens since 1973! Nathan asks Greg about his life, ministry and 2 published books. Then Dutcher puts him on the spot with hard questions about teens who want to do things their parents probably won't like. Finally, we discuss some practical advice for pornography-proofing our marriages.

The Ultimate Nerdfest! Andrew Landis, worship leader at Christ Fellowship, joins the podcast for our GEEKIEST episode yet! We talk about Cinco de Mayo and whether or not Mexico makes truly good beer. We also talk about social drinking and American evangelicalism. Having all seen the Avengers, Nathan asks Greg why our culture has such a preoccupation with superheroes. 

Author Aaron Armstrong drops in! He has an excellent blog with great resources. Nathan asks him why he wrote Contend- don't all Christians already agree on basic Christian doctrine? "You'd be surprised," Aaron says. He shares some examples of how not guarding doctrinal standards can lead to utter chaos in the church. Finally, Greg and Aaron talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of the Internet.

Nathan explains why we are delaying our response to the Baltimore riots and asks for prayer. One of our regulars, Dave Shive, and Greg resume their debate on who are the "sons of God" in Genesis 6. Then they go on to consider the reality of demonic activity in the 21st century.

Stephen Altrogge joins the podcast. Stephen's The Happy Rant has been the model for our own cheap knock off of his superior show! Check out his The Blazing Center for great resources. Pastor and worship leader Matt Smith chats with Stephen about song writing, good and bad worship music and generational preferences. Greg opines about the dangers of politically conservative Christianity. Nathan has a spirited debate (it's nice though!) with Stephen about gay marriages and wedding cakes. Don't forget to listen how you can get one of Stephen's books- FOR FREE!

Pastor and Author Tim Challies, the Cal Ripken of Christian blogging, joins our first international podcast (since the dude is from Toronto after all!). Nathan asks him questions on blogging, pastoring and how to battle pornography. Greg asks him some quick fire questions on Calvinism, Mark Driscoll and the good and bad of reformed Christendom. Also- pay attention to how you can get a free book authored by Tim.

Nathan asks Greg why it seems so hard to transition to spiritual matters when talking with an unbeliever. Steve Hartland from Trinity Church asks really tricky questions about what constitutes a marriage. Should a church accept people who privately married without the approval from the state? Can a person consider himself divorced before God regardless of the state's recognition? Can such a person feel free to date?