Life and Books and Everything
Clearly Reformed
Life and Books and Everything is a podcast hosted by Kevin DeYoung where discussions center on, well, life and books and everything. As a church pastor and theology professor, Kevin loves to talk about faith, theology, history, current events, and the occasional hot topic. The format for LBE includes interviews with leading authors and thinkers, recurring conversations with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen, and the occasional solo musing from Kevin. Listen in and we hope you will learn something, laugh a little, and get some good book recommendations along the way.
- 1 hour 12 minutesThe Most Influential Family in America with Obbie Tyler Todd
Before the Bushes or Clintons, before the Kennedy or Kardashians, there were the Beechers—a sprawling family of preachers, suffragists, abolitionists, and moral crusaders that defined (and exemplified) America as much as any single family in the nineteenth century. Join Kevin as he interviews Obbie Tyler Todd, a pastor and professor, about his new biography of the Beechers (LSU Press). From patriarch, Lyman Beecher, to the famous novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, to the most famous pastor of his age, Henry Ward Beecher, this episode explores the crazy and controversial life of Lyman Beecher, his three wives (not at the same time), and their thirteen children.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors
2:00 Introductions
5:37 The Beecher Family and Moral Influence
10:45 Three Themes of the Beecher Family
21:36 Beecherism and Controversy
28:07 The Fate of the Nation and Presbyterianism
36:49 Other Beeches
50:38 Harriet Beecher Stowe
54:43 Henry Ward Beecher
1:09:11 The Beecher Legacy
Books & Everything:
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship
The Supremacy of God in Preaching
13 February 2025, 9:30 am - 14 minutes 59 secondsA Special Episode from the Doctrine Matters Podcast by Crossway
Listen to a special episode of Life and Books and Everything promoting Crossway's new Podcast, Doctrine Matters.
10 February 2025, 9:30 am - 1 hour 5 minutesThe Person and Work of Christ with Brandon Crowe
Kevin welcomes to the podcast Brandon Crowe, a native Alabamian, an SEC fan, a Teaching Elder in the PCA, and a professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Believe it or not, there is only question about football, and it comes at the very end. The rest of the time is spent trying to explain things like the hypostatic union, the communication of properties, Christ’s descent into hell, and how the Son of God could be ignorant of the time of his return. Lots of good theological exploration as Kevin talks to Brandon about his book The Lord Jesus Christ (Lexham Academic).
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
5:49 The Person and Work of Christ
12:53 The Descent Question
26:12 The Transformation Question
38:40 Sponsor Break
40:36 Some Definitions
44:19 4 Major Heresies
49:18 “An” vs. “In”
53:45 Christ’s Offices
1:00:16 Concluding Theses
1:04:31 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible: Theology Rooted in the Word of God
The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work
WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies
The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
31 January 2025, 9:30 am - 1 hour 9 minutesA Very Special Episode with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
There has been some concern that Justin and Collin have been kept out of the “very special guest” designation. In order to make up for past offenses, this episode, with two very special guests, is being hailed as a very special episode. The three amigos start out by talking about football (of course) and a new cultural openness to Christianity. Then they turn their attention to New Year’s resolutions (which they all have) and books on time management and productivity (which Justin and Collin do not read). The episode finishes with a sweet conversation about their wives and lessons learned over the decades of marriage.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
4:15 Football, Culture, and Spirituality
15:26 Goals, Habits, and Productivity
40:07 Sponsor Break
42:02 Marriage, That Blessed Arrangement
1:04:46 Books on Marriage
1:08:29 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church
The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work
WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies
The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports
Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make
The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage
Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace
Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints
16 January 2025, 9:30 am - 1 hour 6 minutesA Life of Hope and Hurdles with Andre Levrone and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone
How can you shine as a Christian in the world of professional sports—when sometimes your dreams come true and often they don’t? What does it take to be an elite athlete (and why is it a great profession for sleep enthusiasts)? You’ll want to listen to this special episode of LBE as Kevin asks Andre, a former NFL player, and Sydney—an Olympic champion, world champion, and world record holder—about the pressure of being the best and the freedom of being in Christ. And don’t miss the bonus questions from a couple DeYoung children.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
3:38 What did it feel like?
7:11 A Question From a Fan
8:49 Olympic Relationships
11:05 Life as a Professional Athlete
16:31 How Did You Two Meet?
20:40 Another Fan Question
22:06 Life and Testimony
32:29 Fifty Seconds
35:57 The Lifestyle of an Elite Athlete
40:08 Sponsor Break 41:55 Fame and Faith
47:45 Nature vs. Nurture
58:46 What’s Coming Up?
1:01:10 Book Recommendations
1:03:26 A Message to Christian Women
1:05:51 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
ESV Daily Reading Bible: A Guided Journey Through God's Word
The Pastor: His Call, Character, and Work
WTS | Master of Arts in Theological Studies
What Is the Mission of the Church?: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission
10 January 2025, 9:30 am - 56 minutes 11 secondsIt’s Christmastime with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally here: the annual Christmas LBE. Listen in as the three amigos talk about Christmas movies, favorite books, which LBE member is the most like Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, the airing of many grievances.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
5:50 The Vibe Shift
20:10 Let’s Talk About Christmas
30:02 Sponsor Break
31:20 The Airing of Grievances
49:27 Books & Everything
55:22 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
How to Memorize Scripture for Life: From One Verse to Entire Books
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology
The Beechers: America's Most Influential Family
Swing Low, volume 1: A History of Black Christianity in the United States
Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age
18 December 2024, 9:30 am - 1 hour 2 minutesWhat Is the Mission of the Church? with Brian DeVries
Mission is one of those words that Christians use all the time. So are words like “missions” and missionaries.” But what do they mean? Is “mission” even the best word to use to describe what Christians should be doing in the world? In today’s episode, Kevin talks with fellow Michigander, Brian DeVries, about his new book You Will Be My Witnesses. Brian has led church planting teams in South Africa and currently serves as a pastor and a seminary president in South Africa. He’s written an insightful and helpful book calling church and Christians to be witnesses for Christ in speaking, in living, in defending the faith, in working for church growth, and in suffering well.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors
1:51 Introductions
11:29 The Book and the Mission of the Church
25:19 The Concept of Witness
32:15 Five Witness Themes
39:17 Sponsor Break
41:00 On Evangelizing
52:35 The Church As Hospital, Temple, Embassy, School, and Fortress
58:07 Stop DoingThis, Start Doing That
Books & Everything:
In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions Through the Psalms
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God's Church Serving in God's Mission
11 December 2024, 11:01 am - 1 hour 19 minutesEvaluating the Thought of Cornelius Van Til with Keith Mathison and James Anderson
It is hard to exaggerate the influence of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) in conservative Reformed circles over the past hundred years. And yet, there continues to be much discussion about what Van Til believed and how he meant for his apologetic ideas to be put into practice. Kevin welcomes Keith Mathison, from Reformation Bible College, to discuss his new book Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til (Mentor). Also joining Kevin is James Anderson, a leading Van Tilian philosopher and a fellow RTS Charlotte colleague. In this stimulating conversation, Kevin talks to Keith and James about what Van Til got right, where he made some mistakes, and whether Van Tilians and non-Van Tilians are all that different when it comes to defending the faith in practice.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
4:50 Who was Van Til?
15:26 Van Til’s Theology
25:38 The Absolute Antithesis
40:00 Van Til’s Chief Epistemological Insight
53:03 Sponsor Break
54:41 The Question of Either/Or
59:33 Van Til’s view of the Trinity
1:18:06 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
Toward a Reformed Apologetics: A Critique of the Thought of Cornelius Van Til
27 November 2024, 9:30 am - 49 minutes 51 secondsThe Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul with Stephen Nichols
Recently, Steve Nichols spoke at the Faithful Conference, an annual conference for Christ Covenant Church. After giving a lecture on R.C. Sproul, Steve sat down with Kevin to talk about his own life and what he learned writing the biography of Sproul. Listen in as Kevin asks Steve about Sproul’s influences, his strengths and weaknesses, his friendships, and what made him such a uniquely gifted and inspiring teacher.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors & Intro
3:30 On Being From Pittsburgh
5:56 Tell Us About Your Family
7:27 From Pennsylvania to Florida
15:00 The Life and Ministry of R.C.
26:20 Sponsor Break
27:37 The Human Side of R.C.
33:53 What Would He Have Said?
44:14 Preaching Influences
Books & Everything:
The Biggest Story Family Devotional
Desiring God | The Great Eight
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
21 November 2024, 9:30 am - 1 hour 8 minutesEveryday Gospel with Paul Tripp
Most Christians in conservative churches are familiar with Paul Tripp’s books. He’s one of the most popular authors in the church today, with a knack for applying the gospel to all of life. His devotional New Morning Mercies has been a consistent bestseller. Now Tripp has a new devotional, Everyday Gospel, that serves as a gospel commentary on the text of Scripture itself. Listen in as Kevin asks Paul about his writing process, his favorite books, and why he does what he does. Along the way, you’ll hear a few dramatic stories from Paul’s life and get his gospel encouragement for pastors and their congregations.
Chapters:
0:00 Sponsors
1:53 Welcome, Paul
4:34 On Mustaches and Painting
11:55 Everyday Gospel
41:30 Sponsor Break
43:10 Life & Ministry
1:07:02 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life
Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology
Desiring God | The Great Eight
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
6 November 2024, 9:30 am - 1 hour 5 minutesWhat Does It Mean to Be an Evangelical? With Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones
A few months ago, a prominent American scholar, Matthew Avery Sutton, published an article arguing there is no “through line” from Christians of the past to today’s post-WWII evangelicals. In order to assess this argument, Kevin invited two scholars of the evangelical movement to join him: Andrew Atherstone from Oxford in England and David Ceri Jones from the University of Aberystwyth in Wales. Together, they explore where the term evangelical comes from, whether the thing we call “evangelicalism” is a recent invention, why people call themselves “evangelical,” the difference between Stott and Lloyd-Jones, the difference between evangelicalism in America, in England, and in Wales, and whether the word “evangelical” is worth retaining. Plus, you’ll hear Kevin’s fantastic idea for Andrew to adopt the slogan “Make Oxford Great Again.”
Chapters:
0:00 intro & Sponsors
4:00 Evangelical Identity
17:45 The Through-line to Evangelicalism
26:42 Evangelicalism Abroad
53:15 The Balancing Act
1:01:43 What is an Evangelical?
1:03:27 Until Next Time…
Books & Everything:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany
Westminster Theological Seminary Biblical Language Certificate
23 October 2024, 9:30 am - More Episodes? Get the App