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!

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?

The text of Genesis 1 helps us understand who God is, who we are, and what our purpose in the world is. In this sermon, Charles Anderson explains the structure and purpose of Genesis 1 to help us understand how God is purposefully at work in creation and in our lives, even the midst of seeming chaos.

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!

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.

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!

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. 

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!

Charles Anderson shares his story of faith and calling as a pastor theologian, reminding us all that God is the providential giver of our lives and vocations. He talks about the various influences and experiences God gave to lead him towards a PhD and then full time pastoral ministry. His story shows us that God's providence, like the Hebrew language, is best read backwards.

Chris Castaldo and Brad Littlejohn join the podcast to discuss their recent book Why Protestants Convert. In this conversation we talk about the reasons why many Christians, particularly in the contemporary evangelical church, feel both pushed and pulled towards a conversion to Roman Catholicism. Along the way we talk about the historic Christian moral theology, smoke machines, the place of evangelism and catechesis in the Christian faith, and especially why there is a rich historic heritage available to Protestants within their own tradition.

Books we're reading in February 2024:

• Stephen H. Travis, Christ and the Judgement of God: The Limits of Divine Retribution in New Testament Thought, 2nd ed. (Baker Academic, 2009)
• Jhumpa Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies (Mariner, 2019)
• William T. Cavanaugh, The Uses of Idolatry (Oxford University Press, 2024)