So We Speak

Best Of: Jesus and the Roman Empire

We're re-releasing our episode on Jesus and Pontius Pilate as an interlude to the Rome series. During Jesus's lifetime, Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. In this episode, Cole and Terry place Jesus's life in the Roman empire, and things converge in a monumental conversation between Jesus and Pilate. 

Empires: Rome - Caesar to Christ

There is no empire more important to the biblical story than Rome. It is the culmination of Daniel's prophecy and the ruling power at the time of Christ. In this first of two episodes, Cole and Terry discuss the origins of Rome and the world Christ was born into. 

Distraction, Dopamine, and Discipleship with Terry Feix

Is your phone hurting your discipleship? It almost certainly is. How can we continue to grow in this culture of distraction? Cole and Terry discuss some trends in our technology and media as well as some thoughts on how to continue to grow and thrive as Christians in any environment.

 

Resources: 

“State of the Culture 2024” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker 

“How to Break Free from Dopamine Culture” - Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker 

“Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet” - L. M. Sacasas, The Convivial Society

“Get Phones Out of Schools Now” - Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic 

“Bixby Public Schools Prohibiting Cell Phone Use” - Kristen Weaver, News on 6

“Why Your Smart Phone Might Be Stopping You from Following Jesus” - Martin Saunders, Premier Christian 

Dopamine Nation - Anna Lembke

The Burnout Society - Byung-Chul Han

Discipleship and Deconstruction with Terry Feix

Deconstruction remains an important topic, but it's changing. At the end of 2021, we recorded two episodes on deconstruction (Part 1 & Part 2), discussing its nature and phenomenon. Now, we're looking at how faith, loss of faith, and strengthened faith are changing. What does discipleship have to do with deconstruction? Are people really leaving the Christian faith? Cole and Terry discuss these questions and the following articles in this episode: 

“Observations on Exvangelicals and Deconstructing” - Jake Meador, Mere Orthodoxy

“Reading the Exvangelicals” - Miles Smith, Mere Orthodoxy

“Editor’s Note: Sound Doctrine” - Jonathan Leeman, 9Marks

Merit, Equality, and Education with Terry Feix

The American education system has not been the same since Covid. What's changed? In this episode, Cole and Terry revisit an essay written in 2020 by Harvard historian James Hankins titled, "American Meritocracy: A Tipping Point?" They discuss the state of education, opportunities for Christian schools, and the roles merit and equality play. 

Terry's Best Books of Summer

Summer is here and it's time for some book recommendations. This week, Terry recommends some books from the stack.

 

Books mentioned in this episode:

Our Ancient Faith - Allen Guelzo

Patton's Prayer - Alex Kershaw

Is Atheism Dead? - Eric Metaxas 

Rubicon - Tom Holland 

Haiku - Everyman's Library 

Biblical Typology - Vern Poythress 

Eusebius: The Church History - Edited by Paul Maier

Cole’s Best Books of Summer

Summer is here and it’s time for some book recommendations! In this episode, Cole talks about the books he’s reading and recommending. From devotional books to enjoyable summer reads, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Next week, don’t miss Terry’s favorites for the summer. 

 

Books in this episode:  

The Pastor in Prayer - Charles Spurgeon (Banner of Truth)

Prayers on the Psalms - Introduced by David Calhoun (Part of Banner of Truth’s Pocket Puritans Series) 

Reformed Systematic Theology - Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley 

The Great Gain of Godliness - Thomas Watson

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ - John Bunyan 

The Mortification of Sin - John Owen 

The Other Half of Church - Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks 

Fighting Shadows - Jon Tyson and Jefferson Bethke 

You’re Not Crazy - Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund 

The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Dominic Sandbrook 

Mirrors of Greatness - David Reynolds 

Churchill’s D-Day - General Sir Richard Dannatt and Allen Packwood 

Jonathan Edwards: A Life - George Marsden 

Revival - Martyn Lloyd-Jones 

After Disbelief - Anthony Kronman

Unbelievers - Alec Ryrie 

Therapy Speak and Christian Growth with Terry Feix

In recent years, terms like "trauma," "narcissism," "toxic," and others have skyrocketed. Why is that, and should we be concerned? In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss an article in Christianity Today, "Be Quick to Listen, Slow to ‘Therapy Speak’" by Mia Staub. How can Christians think wisely about the therapeutic worldview, counseling, and therapy speak?

Habits of the Household with Justin Whitmel Earley

In this interview recorded at Carlton Landing Community Church, Justin discusses marriage, habits, technology, and relationships in an increasingly isolated age. Look for book giveaways on our Instagram page this week!

Habits and Technology with Justin Whitmel Earley

How do our habits form us? Technology, social media, and smartphones have a huge impact on shaping us - even spiritually. Justin Whitmel Earley is the author of Habits of the Household, Made for People, and The Common Rule. In this episode, he discusses how Christians can approach technology, reconnect relationally, and flourish in a digital age.