These Go To 11

Dave Shive returns to the podcast to "clean up the mess" of so many erroneous comments he's heard since! Bill Heidel, an elder at Christ Fellowship joins the podcast for the first time. Our previous Isis podcast left him with some questions and comments that get clarified. Nathan sets up a great debate between Greg and Dave on whether the "sons of God" in Genesis 6 were angels or humans. 

Back to the podcast for a second time from the frozen tundra of Anchorage, Alaska- Pastor Jeff Crotts shares great thoughts on expository preaching. Greg starts off a discussion on why he has found the resurrection of Christ THE most helpful apologetic in engaging with unbelievers. Nathan asks how we can prepare our hearts for Easter so that the weekend actually holds some meaning!

In our significantly numbered 11th episode, we are joined by our first true radio professional. Steve Melewski from MASNSports.com sports joins the podcast to talk all things Orioles. Steve is a born and bred Baltimorean with encyclopedic knowledge of the Orioles. Greg and Nathan interact with him on best ballparks, minor league development and the Birds chances in 2015.

Christina Canapp, with New Tribes Missions, visits the podcast just two weeks before returning to the Philippines. Nathan and Greg ask her about everything from weather, stomach bugs, singleness and the impact of the gospel.

Steve Hartland from Trinity Church makes his second visit to the podcast. He asks a classic elephant in the room question- “Why are so many of my non-Christian friends kinder than my Christian ones?” Nathan shares a real life example where Christian school kids are outraged by their principal’s horrible behavior. Does submission to authority preclude raising questions or concerns? Finally Greg skates close to the edge and suggests that maybe we don’t need to read the Bible every day.

Matt Smith makes his second visit to the podcast. Greg and Nathan try to shame him with his love of all things Stallone, but Matt doesn't flinch. What is it like for a pastor who is good at preaching AND music? Is it a blessing or a curse? What are some of the ups and downs in a church's worship service? Finally, they talk about how the gospel connects with people who struggle with mental illness.

Friend of Nathan, J.R. Woolsey joins the podcast. J.R. is a sharp dude- a beer expert, lover of sports and a very thoughtful agnostic. Nathan and Greg have fun talking about beer, sports, and how Christians can come across as pushy.

Dave Shive from Frontier Ventures  joins the podcast- finally! Can we call members of ISIS evil in light of the fact that we are all evil? What may be behind our vested interest in Islamic evil that could betray our ignorance of the evils at home? Finally- Dave provocatively sets the stage for another podcast on how the church might be getting missions wrong.

Nathan asks probing questions about Greg's first book- chiefly, what would he change six years later? Are witches and wizards always evil- even when they are in the hands of two of the greatest fantasy writers ever? Finally they explore the counterintuitive notion that God- even in his fatherhood- should be feared.

Our first out-of-town guest joins us via Skype. Jeff Crotts is the senior pastor of Anchorage Grace Church in Alaska. He, Greg, and Nathan talk about this years Oscar awards. This leads to an interesting discussion on race and the Gospel. Finally they spend a few minutes on the highs and lows of Christian conferences.

Motorcyle-riding, Steve Hartland, pastor at Trinity Church, joins Nathan and Greg on the podcast this week. Steve has had a real journey out of legalism and he shares some of the dangers of equating man's practices with God's law. Also- how should we think about Christian celebrities (Dave Ramsey, Jim Dobson, John Piper, etc...). Finally- we devote a few minutes to the role of seminary/formal education in the life of the church.

Matt Smith (sorry not the cool, hip Dr. Who version- the much more boring version), Lead Pastor at Grace Community Church joins Nathan and Greg on the podcast. Are today's sermon listeners too application-happy? Do we REALLY find a New Testament command to tithe? What lessons/challenges face Christians in a movie like 50 Shades of Grey?

Our inaugural episode! Host- Nathan Bell and Greg Dutcher discuss their hopes for this podcast. To have honest (at times even uncomfortable) conversations about real issues affecting Christians today. Greg shares how there is so little time on a Sunday morning to go deeper into the weeds on so many subjects. The three special guests (one per week) are introduced: Pastors Matt Smith, Dave Shive and Steve Hartland.