Description: In this episode, host Oren Martin is joined by guests Blake Holmes and Dr. Stephen Presley to discuss why church history matters, what we can learn from it, how to engage our culture with the gospel, and how to think and act Christianly when it comes to politics. 

Part I: Introduction (00:00-04:23) 

1. Center for Religion, Culture, & Democracy 
2. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
3. Dr. Stephen Presley, Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church 

Part II: What is the value of church history and why should it matter for Christians today? (04:23-08:24) 

1. Athanasius, On the Incarnation (Introduction by C.S. Lewis) 
2. St. Augustine, On the Catechising of the Uninstructed 

Part III: Is politics the downstream from culture and how should our discipleship to Jesus inform our culture and our politics? (08:24-13:06) 

1. 10 Things You Should Know about Catechesis 
2. James Davidson Hunter, To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World 

Part IV: As believers, how are we to live as Christian citizens? (08:24-16:17) 

1. “We should avoid the dangers of both the warrior mentality that can lead to anger and the passivity that can generate separatism and seclusion. This is no mushy middle, but a stalwart high ground on which one will not lose footing or tumble off in either direction. Walking this tightrope requires the pursuit of virtuous living that demonstrates Christians to be the best citizens.” Dr. Stephen Presley, Cultural Sanctification (page 70). 
2. “I choose not to fall on either side, but have a posture of confidence, of hope, of fortitude, of living faithfully in this situation and that is what I found in the early church doing.” Dr. Stephen Presley. 

Part V: How do we see similarities and dissimilarities between the early church and the church today? How can we as Christians today glean wisdom from the past? (16:17-22:06) 

1. Ferdinand Mount, Full Circle: How the Classical World Came Back to Us 
2. Who was Justin Martyr? 
3. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 
4. Tom Holland, Dominion 
5. Peter Greer & Chris Horst, Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches 
6. Andrew Walls, The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith 

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 

Part VI: What does it mean to be a faithful citizen and to honor those in authority, even when it’s hard? (22:06-30:15) 

1. Who was Tertullian? 
2. Who was Polycarp? 
3. Blandina: A Sister in Christ and a Spiritual Mother 
4. Who was Eusebius of Caesarea? 
5. “Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity, by country, language, or custom. For no where do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric lifestyle. They demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship, that is, they live in their own countries as aliens, they participate in everything as citizens, yet endure everything as foreigners. They live on earth, but their citizenship is on Heaven.” – The Epistle to Diognetus 

Scripture Mentioned: Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13-17, 1 Peter 3:14-17. 

Part VII: Who are some things from church history that we can learn from today? (30:15-40:54) 

1. Tertullian, The Apology 

In this episode, hosts Oren and Caitlin introduce Dr. Jeremy Pierre, who spoke at Watermark’s Training Day, to discuss biblical change and counseling others through Ephesians 4. 

Part I: Introduction (00:00-02:11) 

1. The Billy Graham School at The Southern Theological Seminary  
2. Dr. Pierre’s books: The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life, The Pastor and Counseling, When Home Hurts, How Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?, God With Us 

Part II: What is biblical change? (02:11-13:41) 

1. Handout from Training Day 
2. Biblical Change: The people of God changing together and acting to change one another  

Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 4:1-16 

Part III: Christ causing growth in His people (13:41-27:21) 

1. Christ calls us to Him and gives us what we need to change  
2. If your answer to “who changes us” starts with you, you’re always going to fail 
3. Christ gives us grace, nothing we’ve earned but what He earned  
4. Christ gives us leaders and pastors to labor for the Church’s good and to equip the saints for ministry 
5. We’re freed from the dominance of sin, meaning we don’t have to sin 

Scripture Mentioned: John 10:27 

Part IV: Christ’s people cause growth in one another’s lives (27:21-39:12) 

1. We are the means through which Christ completes change in us  
2. False Doctrines: anything false about God or His design for human life  
3. We must use discernment and speak the truth in love 
4. The truth is the Gospel, which we should remind each other of often 
5. We often need others to tell us truth as it is the means through which Christ changes us 

Part V: Different kinds of ministry (39:12-42:03) 

1. Public Ministry: everything we do when we gather together 
2. Private Ministry: your walk with God as an individual  
3. Personal Ministry: interpersonal relationships in which people speak to one another in the various scripture models (encourage, comfort, etc.) 

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In this episode, hosts Oren and Caitlin discuss the Doctrine of Scripture by walking through the “5 P’s of Scripture” and how it should effect our everyday lives.  

Part I: Introduction (00:00-01:32) 

Part II: What are the 5 P’s of Scripture? (01:32-03:35) 

1. Profession – Scripture claims to be God’s Word and makes good on those claims. 
2. Production – refers to the glory of scripture; written over 1,500 years, 40+ authors, 3 continents, 66 books—and comes altogether into one grand story of redemption. 
3. Preservation – process of canonization and transmission.  
4. Prophecy – promises are made, and promises are kept; proves its reliability.  
5. Personal Testimony – transformed lives. 

Part III: What does the “profession of Scripture” mean? (03:35-12:17) 

1. “If we want to have a high view of Scripture, then we must have the same view of Scripture that Jesus has” – Dr. Mark Thompson  

Scripture Mentioned: Exodus 20, Genesis 12,15,17, 2 Samuel 12, John 1:1, Genesis 1:1, Matthew 4, Hebrews 1:1-4 

Part IV: How does the Doctrine of Inspiration apply to Scripture’s profession? (12:17-14:56) 

Scripture Mentioned: 2 Timothy 2, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Acts 16, 2 Peter 1 

Part V: What does the “production of Scripture” mean? (14:56-24:06) 

1. What is Theological Triage? 

Scripture Mentioned: Luke 24:44-45 

Part VI: What does the “preservation of Scripture” mean? (24:06-35:44) 

1. Three criteria for preservation: 
2. Apostolicity
3. Conformity & compatibility 
4. Universality & wide-spread usage 
5. The Process of the Biblical Canon 
6. Michael Kruger, Canon Revisited 
7. Michael Kruger, The Question of Canon 
8. “Let us see Scripture as Scripture: as God speaking” – Augustine.  

Scripture Mentioned: John 14-16, Matthew 5-7, 2 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 1, 1 Corinthians 15 

Part VII: What does the “prophecy of Scripture” mean? (35:44-37:15) 

1. How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill?  

Scripture Mentioned: Isaiah 53 

Part VIII: What does the “personal testimony of Scripture” mean? (37:15-39:43) 

Scripture Mentioned: John 6 

In this episode hosts Oren and Caitlin discuss the Resurrection in anticipation of Easter, including its significance and five things that are true because of it. 

Part I: Introduction 00:00-02:50 

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Corinthians 15, John 1:1-5 

Part II: Why is the Resurrection important in our everyday lives? 02:50-12:01 

Scripture Mentioned: Genesis 3:15, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Acts 9, Genesis 12, Acts 2  

Part III: What are five things that are true because of the Resurrection? 12:01-25:53 

1. His preaching and message are true  
2. Our Faith is not in vain  
3. We are no longer in sin  
4. We are the most to be envied... our hope can’t be taken away   
5. Death will not be our end; it is a door to more  
6. Resources and quotes: 

• Athanasius, On the Incarnation 
• “Our greatest enemy is death. Christ has defeated death, and so Christians need not fear it because death is not the end but the beginning of a new life in Christ” – Athanasius 
• “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime” – Martin Luther 

Scripture Mentioned:  1 Corinthians 15:12-20 

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In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by two of Watermark’s worship leaders, Jon Abel and Davy Flowers, to discuss the importance of corporate worship, what it is, why we do it, and answering some of the most commonly asked questions. 

Part I: 00:00-02:27 

Introduction 

Part II: 02:28-04:00 

What is worship in the context of the church and where do we see it in scripture?  

1. Ed. D.A. Carson, Worship by the Book 
2. Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God 
3. Mike Cosper, Rhythms of Grace: How the Church’s Worship Tells the Story of the Gospel 

Scripture Mentioned:  Exodus 15, Revelation 15 

Part III: 04:00-06:02 

Has congregational singing always been present in the church? 

1. David Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship 

Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, Revelation 19 

Part IV: 06:02-07:36 

What makes corporate worship in the local church different from singing Christian music in your home or car?  

1. Matt Merker, Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People 

Part V: 07:36-11:32 

What are some misconceptions about corporate worship?   

1. “Our hearts are like idol factories, seeking things to worship” - John Calvin. 
2. “True Christian worship addresses God not just merely as creator and preserver, or as the great Lord of the universe, but as one who is very near kin to us, our Father, beloved of our souls. It is the worship of a child towards a Father, feeling within himself a kinship with the Divine. It is a worship wrought in us by God the Holy Ghost because the Father has sought us out and taught us how to worship Him. It is a worship which is not outward but of the inner man, and occupies not hand, eye, and foot, but heart and soul and spirit. And it is a worship which is not professional and formal, but real, hearty, earnest, and so acceptable before God ” – Charles Spurgeon.  

Scripture Mentioned: Romans 12:1, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Mark 12:30, Romans 1:21-23.  

Part VI: 11:32-13:05 

When we sing in church, why and to whom are we singing? 

Part VII: 13:05-20:02 

How do you think about the role of a worship leader?   

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Peter 4:10. 

Part VIII: 20:02-25:10 

How do you choose the songs we sing on a Sunday? Why would you choose to not sing a song?   

Part IX: 25:10-26:58 

Why has Watermark started to produce its own music?  

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Peter 4:10 

Part X: 26:58-30:40 

How have your own perspectives on leading worship changed over the years?    

Part XI: 30:40-36:39 

Quick Hits 

1. Watermark Music, “As Loud as He Is Worthy (Psalm 47).” 
2. The Worship Initiative, “All Sufficient Merit.” 
3. Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, 4 Volume Set. 

Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 47 

In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Dani Stoll, a resident in the Watermark Institute. They will discuss the story of the Old Testament, how all the parts fit together, and why it matters to us as Christians today.  

Part I: 00:00–03:11 

Introduction 

1. What is the Watermark Institute? 

PART II: 03:11–05:33 

Why is it important for Christians to understand the Old Testament?  

1. “The Old Testament is a richly furnished room dimly lit”– B.B. Warfield  
2. “Although the Old Testament is prior in time, the New Testament has precedence in intrinsic value” – Augustine 
3. Why should we study the Old Testament?  
4. 10 Reasons the Old Testament is Important for Christians 

Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 1:26-28 

Part III: 05:33–07:05 

What are some common misconceptions about the Old Testament?  

Scripture Mentioned: John 5:37-40 

Part IV: 07:05–23:17 

The story of the Old Testament 

1. What is the Old Testament about? 
2. The Biblical Covenants  
3. The Five Key Covenants God Makes with Humans in the Bible 

Scripture Mentioned: John 1:1-3, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 12:1-3, 2 Samuel 7, Ezekiel 36:22-38, Jeremiah 31:31-40 

Part V: 23:17–26:37 

How has understanding the story of the Old Testament impacted your faith?  

Part VI: 26:37–30:46 

If someone wanted to truly understand the Old Testament, where would they start? 

1. David Helm, The Big Picture Story Bible 
2. Vaughan Roberts, God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible 
3. Dr. Jason DeRouchie, 40 Questions About Biblical Theology 
4. The Watermark Institute 

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In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner kick off season 2 with a special episode about prayer and fasting with Watermark’s Lead Pastor of Vision and Preaching and returning guest, Timothy “TA” Ateek.  

Chapter 1: 00:00-02:39 

Introduction 

1. Sermon Series: A Praying Church 
2. 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 
3. Vision Sunday: Ten Markers for Watermark Community Church 

Chapter 2: 02:39- 05:05 

Why do we want our church family to enjoy prayer and fasting? 

Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 34:8, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 37:4  

Chapter 3: 05:05-08:18 

Why do we find it hard to enjoy God?  

1. Michael Reeves, Enjoy Your Prayer Life 
2. David Mathis, Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines 
3. J.I. Packer, Knowing God 
4. “If you want to know how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child” – J.I. Packer 
5. “The life of Christianity consists in possessive pronouns” – Martin Luther 

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 6:9-13 

Chapter 4: 08:18-10:52 

What does it mean that “prayer is the chief exercise of faith”? 

1. “Prayerlessness is practical atheism” – Michael Reeves 

Scripture Mentioned: Romans 10:17 

Chapter 5: 10:52-14:56 

What do you do when prayer feels burdensome rather than enjoyment? 

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 26:36-46, 6:9-13, John 1:14, 10:10 

Chapter 6: 14:56-18:53 

If God is sovereign, why do we need to pray? 

Chapter 7: 18:53-26:18 

How do you deal with unanswered prayer? 

1. “The best preparation for suffering is good theology” – Tom Schreiner  
2. “Don’t listen to yourself, talk to yourself” – Martin Lloyd Jones 

Scripture Mentioned: John 6:68, Psalm 24:1, Luke 22:42, Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 42, 43 

Chapter 8: 26:18-32:58 

Is there something special about corporate prayer? 

Scripture Mentioned: Acts 12, 4:31, Matthew 18:20, James 5:16 

Chapter 9: 32:58-35:03 

What is the connection between prayer and fasting? 

Scripture Mentioned: Philippians 3:10, Matthew 4:4 

Chapter 10: 35:03-38:38 

How have you grown in prayer and fasting? 

Chapter 11: 38:38-40:56 

Why should Watermark members jump in with prayer and fasting? 

In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Dave Bruskas to finish out our two-part series on union with Christ, including discussions on applying it to our everyday lives, putting off sin, and signs we're getting it wrong. 

Chapter I: 00:00-07:37

How does the concept of being united with Christ apply to our everyday lives? 

Scripture Mentioned:  Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 3:1-17 

Chapter II: 07:38-13:00

Is it common to think less of putting ON CHRIST than we do of putting OFF SIN? 

Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 3:3, Romans 8, Colossians 3:15-16 

Chapter III: 13:00-20:27

What are some signs we are getting this wrong? 

1. What is re:generation? 

Scripture Mentioned: Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32 

Chapter IV: 20:27-27:28

How can we grow in the concept of being united with Christ? 

1. Jerry Bridges, Who Am I?: Identity in Christ 
2. Sinclair Ferguson, Union with Christ: Life-Transforming Implications 
3. J. Todd Billings, Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church 
4. Robert Letham, Union with Christ: In Scripture, History, and Theology 
5. Rankin Wilbourne, Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God 
6. Paul E. Miller, J–Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life 

Scripture Mentioned:  Galatians 3:24-25, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 10:45 

Chapter V: 27:28-33:12

How has the concept of being united with Christ played out in your own stories?

Scripture Mentioned: Philippians 2:3-8 

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In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Dave Bruskas, Watermark's Director of re:generation to discuss what "union with Christ" means, including how to live out of our identity in Christ.

Part I: 04:58-15:20

What does it mean to be united with Christ?

Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 1:3-4, John 15:5 

Extra Resources: 

1. On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius 
2. Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin 

Part II: 15:21-19:14 

Why is the concept of "union with Christ" important?

Scripture Mentioned: 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Part III: 19:14-27:18

Where does the concept of union with Christ appear in the scriptures?

Scripture Mentioned: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Genesis 2:23-25, John 15, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:20, 3:1-3, Ephesians 1:4, 5:31-32, Romans 6, Galatians 2:20 

Part IV: 27:18-32:15

What is the scope of our “union with Christ”–what does that mean for us?  

Extra Resources: 

1. What is Progressive Sanctification? 
2. What is Positional Sanctification? 

Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 3:4, Romans 5:12-21, 5:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8, John 15:11 

Other Resources:

1. “The great temptation most of us face is to believe that very little has happened to us through grace” – Sinclair B. Ferguson 
2. What is re:generation? 

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In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Watermark's Director of Membership Ethan Moehn, as they discuss the historical significance of the Protestant Reformation, including the events surrounding it, why it was necessary, and its impact on our lives today.

Part I:  00:47-02:30

What was the Reformation?

1. The Reformation: A historical event that brought about happiness in the church because it had recovered the gospel. 
2. Extra Resources: 
3. 3 Things Every Christian Should Know About the Reformation 
4. What is Reformation Day? 
5. Stephen J. Nichols, Reformation ABCs: The People, Place, and Things of the Reformation–from A to Z 

Part II: 02:30-03:58

Why should I care about Church history and how is the Reformation relevant today?

1. Extra Resources: 
2. Why Study Church History? 
3. Podcast: “5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols”  

Part III: 03:58-13:36

Why was the Reformation needed? What led to the Reformation? Who were the key figures in the Reformation?

1. “I defy the pope and all his laws. If God spare my life many years, I will cause a boy who drives the plough to know more of the Scripture than the pope” – William Tyndale 
2. Extra Resources: 
3. Why Was the Reformation Necessary? 
4. The History of the Reformation 
5. Steven J. Lawson, The Bible Convictions of John Wycliffe 
6. Who Was William Tyndale? 
7. Who Was John Huss? 

Part IV: 13:37-26:06

What happened during the Reformation?

1. Extra Resources: 
2. Who Was Martin Luther? 
3. How the Reformation Spread 
4. What is the Gutenberg Bible? 
5. Steven J. Lawson, The Heroic Boldness of Martin Luther 

Scripture Mentioned: 

1. Isaiah 55:11  
2. John 6:68 

Part V: 26:07-31:50

What effect after did the Reformation have ?

1. Extra Resources: 
2. The Reformation of Worship 
3. The Council of Trent 
4. 9 Things You Should Know About the Council of Trent 

Part VI: 31:50-40:00

Why is it important for modern-day Christians to understand the Reformation?

1. Extra Resources: 
2. Jason K. Allen, Sola: How the Solas Are Still Reforming the Church 
3. What Are the Five Solas? 
4. What Is the Church?  
5. Kirsi Stjerna, Women and the Reformation  

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In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Timothy "TA" Ateek to discuss the doctrine of the Trinity: what it is,  how to explain it, and its' implications for our daily lives.

Part I: 01:30-06:59

What is Trinity?

1. The Trinity: the word that describes the conviction that God exists as three co-equal, co-eternal persons that are distinct yet are one in essence.  
2. Trinitarian Heresies 
3. Scott Swain, The Trinity: An Introduction
4. 1 Minute Videos on the Trinity 

Part II: 07:00-10:20

How can I explain the Trinity in a simple way?

1. Use an illustration, knowing it ultimately breaks down
2. Catechesis: teaching in the form of questions  
3. The New City Catechism  
4. Brandon Smith, The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture 

Part III: 10:20-15:30

Why is the Trinity important in our everyday lives?

1. To love God rightly, you have to know God rightly 
2. The Trinity helps us understand God more fully, ourselves more fully, and the Gospel more fully. 

Scripture Mentioned: Deuteronomy 29:29, Galatians 4:4-7 

Part IV: 15:30-19:40

Where do we see the Trinity in the Bible?

1. “The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lit...” – B.B. Warfield
2. Progressive Revelation 
3. Tertullian: Early Church father who coined the term Trinity to describe who God is
4. Scott Swain, The Trinity & the Bible: On Theological Interpretation 
5. The Nicene Creed 
6. Tertullian’s View of the Trinity 

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 3:13-17, Genesis 1:1-2, 26, Colossians 1:15-23 

Part V: 19:40-22:46

Is the Trinity unique in comparison to other religions? 

1. While Jews and Muslims believe that only one God exists, they reject the Christian belief in a Triune God.
2. Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God?
3. 5 Reasons the Trinity Matters So Much

Part VI:  22:46-26:50

Common questions on the Trinity

1. Is there a person of the Trinity that you favor? 
2. “…When I think of anyone of the three, I think of him as the whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking escapes me. I cannot grasp the greatness of that one so as to attribute a greater greatness to the rest. When I contemplate the three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the undivided light.” – Gregory Nazianzen
3. Who do we pray to?  We pray to the Father, by the Son, and through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 6:5-15, Acts 7:59 

Recommended Resources:  

1. Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity

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