Jonathan Huggins

Jonathan Huggins joins us on the podcast today with a sermon for the season of Advent reflecting on peace. How does the Gospel redefine shalom—peace—with God, within ourselves, and with others? How can we maintain relational and psychological rest in our souls when facing the anxiety-producing situations of our modern world? 

Peace JONATHAN HUGGINS
Center for Pastor Theologians
What We're Reading — December 2024

For our December episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading (and, on this occasion, watching):

What We're Reading — December 2024
Caleb Campbell
Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski

Today, Chris Ganski shares a sermon on Acts 17:1-9. In the wake of the 2024 election, the book of Acts can be an excellent resource to consider the relationship between church and politics. In the context of Acts 17, does Caesar have anything to fear from the church? What is the church, and what does it mean to belong to the church? How does the church’s identity influence our understanding of the gospel as political? This and more on today’s podcast. 

Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski
Caleb Campbell
Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell

Pastor Caleb Campbell joins the podcast to discuss how pastors might guide their congregations through the results of the 2024 election, drawing from his experience pastoring in Phoenix, AZ. He also discusses his book "Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor." How can we helpfully engage those in their community who align with combative political perspectives? How can pastors support members who are struggling to have conversations with family members, or for whom the election stirs up difficult emotions? This and more on today's episode. 

Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell
Douglas Estes
On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas ...

Douglas Estes joins the podcast once again to discuss the second volume of a collection of essays he edited on theology in the works and worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien. We talk about the role of narrative fiction in shaping pastoral theology and how works like The Lord of the Rings can serve those who lead the church in the present day.

On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas Estes

Christology and the Jesus of Evangelicalism | Dan Treier

Christology and the Jesus of Evangelicalism | Dan Treier

Dr. Dan Treier, Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology at Wheaton College, joins the podcast to discuss his recent book on Christology, Lord Jesus Christ. In this conversation, we dig into questions of methodology, pastoral theology, and the strengths and weaknesses of evangelical understandings of Jesus. What does faith seeking understanding mean? How can we recover deep, biblical understandings of Jesus as our Lord and Christ? What is "theodramatic ontology"? All this and more on this new episode!

You Shall Not Take His Name in Vain | Josh Stone

You Shall Not Take His Name in Vain | Josh Stone

"In order to understand the third commandment, we have to understand how it relates to the greatest commandment." Josh Stone shares a sermon he recently preached on Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." He unpacks what it means to take his name in vain, showing that when we relate to God as means to an end, not as an end himself, we use the name of Lord in vain. 

Special Episode: Kingdom Politics | CPT Staff

Special Episode: Kingdom Politics | CPT Staff

Why are is the CPT hosting a conference on Kingdom Politics this September? Joel Lawrence and Zach Wagner preview the 2024 CPT conference, explaining why creating space for intentional conversations about the church and politics fits within the mission of the CPT to equip pastors to be theologians for today's complex world. What will the conference be about? What will it not be about? Why should you plan to attend? All this more on this special episode!

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Josh Stone

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Josh Stone

Josh Stone joins the podcast to tell his story of becoming a pastor theologian. He discusses the influence of significant medical diagnoses in his family, his journey of education, his studies in gender, and what it means to be a pastor theologian. Some of the questions we discuss are how does a PhD help serve the pastorate? What are unique challenges and opportunities in multi-site ministry? Why is Cleveland becoming a central location for working out the pastor theologian vision?

A Race Worth Running | Walter Kim

A Race Worth Running | Walter Kim

Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), joins the podcast to discuss the mission of the church in the present political climate. Along the way, he shares about his journey of faith and call to ministry, the work of the NAE, and how Deuteronomy can inform a holistic vision for church discipleship and engagement with the world. He and Joel discuss questions like, How does the mission of the church relate to civil government? In what ways has the evangelical church fallen prey to anti-gospel ideologies? What can churches do to develop holistic discipleship programs? All this and more on this episode!

Know the Theologians | David and Jennifer McNutt

Know the Theologians | David and Jennifer McNutt

David and Jennifer McNutt join the podcast to discuss their recent book Know the Theologians, an introduction for the church to theologians who have had a significant impact in the history of the church. In our conversation we cover such questions as: Who were these theologians? Why do they matter in church history and for the present? How big is the family of God? All this and more on this episode.

What Is a Doctor of Ecclesial Theology? | Emmaus Theological Seminary

What Is a Doctor of Ecclesial Theology? | Emmaus Theological Seminary

Paul Morrison and Cory Wilson join the podcast to talk about ecclesial theology and an exciting new degree program at Emmaus Theological Seminary. In partnership with the CPT, Emmaus is launching a ThD in Ecclesial Theology which will provide pastors and church leaders with academically rigorous training informed by an understanding of theology in service of the church. What is a ThD in Ecclesial Theology? Why the focus on church-based theological education? How does rigorous theological training serve the church? All this and more on this latest episode!

Understanding the Post-Christian West | Andrew Wilson

Understanding the Post-Christian West | Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson, pastor at King's Church, London, joins the podcast to discuss his recent book Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West.  In this book, Wilson argues that 1776 is a pivotal year for the WEIRDER (contemporary Western) world. But this is something which we often forget, and that forgetfulness has consequences. Join to hear more about why understanding our history and conditionality matters as we seek to navigate the world in a manner that remains faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ today. 

Critiquing Culture as Christians | Chris Watkin

Critiquing Culture as Christians | Chris Watkin

Chris Watkin joins the podcast to discuss his recent book Biblical Critical Theory, winner of Christianity Today's Book of the Year Award. He shares about the vision behind his recent book, the journey of faith and study that led to it, and how Christians can take up the same project as they work to interact with, critique, and call to repentance the world around them. Along the way Chris and Joel discuss Augustine's City of God, numerous biblical texts, current political questions, and much more!