Church Matters

Gabe, Rene, and Riley respond to some of your questions during the Marriage series. John Piper - Book "This Momentary Marriage"Chris Braun - Book "Unpacking Forgiveness"Kevin DeYoung - TGC Article "Following Up On Forgiveness"

The elders announce and discuss a change in the requirements for membership at Redeemer Church.

We know you love it when we bring our dishes to the potluck. Here for the third straight year in a row, Gabe, Jerod, an Riley bring some conversational apps, entrees, and desserts to discuss as we wrap up the year, Bon appetit. 

Gabe talks to Jeremy Pierre about dynamics of change and the human heart. Jeremy is the Dean of the Billy Graham School at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Notes:Southern Baptist Theological Seminary"The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life" by Jeremy Pierre

Take Redeemer's group survey here: https://thestateoftheology.com/groups/c9VLcikEsNotes:Scripture ReferencesPope Leo saying God loves all without conditionState of Theology Survey'The Consequence of Ideas' by R.C. Sproul

Ligonier did their 2025 study on American evangelicals and their beliefs and a stunning key takeaway was that a majority of Americans have a flawed understanding of the doctrine of sin. Listen as we unpack this important doctrine and recover a beautiful and orthodox view of sin and the holiness of God. NOTES:Scripture ReferencesLigonier Study: https://thestateoftheology.com/"Holiness of God" by R. C. SproulLigonier Holiness of God Youtube Series

Gabe talks with Ryan Denton about Evangelism and the difference between Continuationism, Hyper Cessationism and Classic Cessationism.

Gabe talks with Leonardo De Chirico about church planting in Rome and the differences between evangelical protestants and the Roman Catholic Church. Same Words Different Worlds by Leonardo De Chirico: http://bit.ly/3L89dqaBreccia Di Roma (Leonardo's Church): https://www.brecciadiroma.it/english

Gabe, Jerod, and Riley discuss whether or not the Bible gives a command for us to bless the nation and/or government of Israel. NOTES:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201%3A20&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%209&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%2011%3A1&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202%3A15&version=ESVhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2021&version=ESV

Gabe is joined by Dr. Stephen Nichols to talk about Modern Evangelicalism, Church History and the Legacy of R.C. Sproul.

Dr. Patrick Schreiner joins us to talk about the 'neglected doctrine' of Jesus' ascension. NOTES"The Ascension of Christ" by Patrick SchreinerMidwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Gabe interviews Alex Kocman from ABWE about missions, missionaries and the local church's involvement. Alex's Website: https://alexkocman.com/The Missions Podcast: https://missionspodcast.com/ABWE Website: https://abwe.org/

Jerod, Gabe and Riley discuss Church membership. Listen along to find out just what Church Membership is and isn't and why it's an important part of the local church life and structure. 

Gabe and Riley are visited by some founding leaders of Redeemer to hear about the early days of the church as we celebrate 10 years as Redeemer.

Riley and Jerod sit down with Andrew Kerin from Tiny Heartbeat Ministries and discuss his life, evangelism, abortion, and the upcoming Crucible Conference. Show Notes:The Crucible ConferencePaul Washer: Shocking MessageOpen Air CampaignersWhy We Use Abortion Victim Photography - THM Video

On Knowing Redeemer we talk to different leaders and members of Redeemer so that you can better know the church. In this installment we chat with Gabe Davis. Gabe has served in a pastoral role at Redeemer since 2017 and has been the Lead Pastor since 2020. 

In this episode of the Church Matters podcast, Abigail Dodds, author of "Atypical Women," joins Gabe and Riley to discuss biblical womanhood. We explores what it means to live as a biblical woman, equal in dignity and value but distinct in role and expression. Hear Dodds personal perspective on discipleship worked out as a woman and the importance of understanding and loving God's design for women, even when it challenges cultural norms or personal feelings. (A)typical Woman by Abigail DoddsMy Dear Hemlock by Tilliy Dillehay

Gabe, Jerod and Riley discuss the purpose of animals in God's Creation and how we as Christians should think about and relate to them. 

It's becoming a yearly tradition that we have a conversational potluck around the years end. We each bring a couple "dishes" to talk about with no discussion or preamble beforehand. 

In this episode Gabe and Riley talk to political insider Eric Teetsel about the gospel's implications on politics and the nation of America. Find Eric on X https://x.com/EricTeetselAnd listen to the Bully Pulpit Podcast that Eric Co-hosts here: (Apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bully-pulpit/id1576565924(Spotify) https://open.spotify.com/show/6RznYY7HuiqGkazvhnvcSe?si=e1784d8c125e4c05

In the past year Redeemer has been doing its best to foster closer relationships with other like minded gospel preaching churches in the area. While this may prove hard sometimes given the cultural climate here in the Northwest, these churches do exist, and we have had some of their pastors come and preach at Redeemer even and vice versa as we grow closer in partnership. One of those pastors is Dmitriy Spatarel. Dima pastors Veritas bible church in Federal Way. We hope you enjoy getting to know him little better today. 

Hey everyone. Today we are talking about Politics. I know you might be sick of hearing this by now, but we think it’s an important topic to consider. Our goal with this podcast is to help the church understand and apply a biblical worldview to all of life. Politics is a part of life, so we want to think about it through a biblical worldview and then apply that to our lives. So listen along we discuss some of the foundational elements of politics through a Christian lens and ask some common questions that you may hear when this topic is brought up.SHOW NOTEShttps://christoverall.com/article/concise/encore-a-new-testament-scholar-explains-what-should-be-the-two-key-voting-concerns-for-christians/https://christoverall.com/article/longform/politics-conscience-and-the-church-the-why-what-and-how-of-political-disagreement-and-a-test-case/https://christoverall.com/article/longform/make-civics-great-again-a-pastoral-guide-to-casting-ballots-wisely/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/what-am-i-doing-when-i-vote/

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s sure to stir up some conversation—pro-life vs. pro-choice. It’s an issue often seen as political, but we want to remind you that it’s fundamentally a biblical one. For Christians in the Pacific Northwest, where cultural and political views on this issue can be particularly strong, it’s vital to be informed and prepared to engage thoughtfully. How do we, as believers, approach this debate with grace and conviction? Stick around as we unpack some common pro-choice arguments, and explore how we can respond with both truth and love. SHOW NOTES:8 Pro Choice Arguments from ChatGptPro-choice arguments center on the belief that individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including the decision to have an abortion. Here are some of the strongest pro-choice arguments:Bodily Autonomy: One of the foundational arguments is that individuals have the right to control what happens to their own bodies. Just as people have the right to refuse medical treatments or donate organs, women should have the right to make choices about pregnancy and abortion.Health and Safety: Before the legalization of abortion, many women resorted to unsafe procedures. Legal access to safe abortions protects women’s health by preventing dangerous, unregulated practices.Privacy and Personal Freedom: The argument from privacy, enshrined in U.S. law through cases like Roe v. Wade (1973), maintains that personal medical decisions, including abortion, should be between a woman and her doctor, without government interference.Socioeconomic Factors: Many pro-choice advocates argue that forcing women to carry unwanted pregnancies to term can have severe financial, emotional, and social consequences. For women in poverty or difficult circumstances, an unplanned pregnancy can perpetuate cycles of poverty and disadvantage.Rights of Existing Persons: Pro-choice advocates argue that the rights and welfare of the pregnant woman, as an existing person, should take precedence over the rights of a potential person (the fetus). They emphasize that the legal, social, and emotional impacts on the mother are more significant than those on a non-viable fetus.Circumstances of Conception: In cases of rape, incest, or where the pregnancy threatens the woman’s health, pro-choice advocates argue that forcing a woman to carry the pregnancy to term is a violation of justice and can cause further trauma.Population Control and Environmental Concerns: Some pro-choice advocates argue that limiting family size through access to abortion can help address issues of overpopulation, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.Quality of Life for the Child: Some argue that bringing a child into a situation where they cannot be adequately cared for or loved, or into a life of hardship and suffering, is not in the best interest of the child or society.These arguments are central to the broader discussion on reproductive rights and emphasize a woman's right to choose, taking into account complex medical, personal, and societal factors.Love Life: https://lovelife.org/Care Net of Puget Sound: https://carenetps.org/

Today we answer your questions from our recent series "Wisdom for all of Life" exploring what it looks like to live with a biblical worldview and mission in the stages of singleness, marriage, family and old age. 

Today, we’re excited to have pastor, author, illustrator and cultural commentator C.R. Wiley with us to discuss the topic of family reformation.In this episode, we’ll explore insights on the household as a reflection of the cosmic order and how ordering our families according to God’s design plays a vital role in spiritual warfare. We’ll also dive into themes like self-mastery in leadership, and how Christians can reclaim confidence in God’s Word amid cultural shifts.SHOW NOTES:C.R. Wiley's WebsiteThe Household and the War for the CosmosUpcoming Lectureship Series

Today Gabe and Riley talk about the Presence of God with Dr. Ryan Lister. The Presence of God: Its Place in the Storyline of Scripture and the Story of Our Lives Emblems of the Infinite King: Enter the Knowledge of the Living God

Dr. Köstenberger is a professor and theologian and has worked with the Midwestern Baptist Seminary and the Southeastern Baptist seminary. He has published a number of books and articles including "Bibilcal Theology, A Canonical, Thematic and Ethical Approach", "The Holy Spirit" and "God, Marriage and Family" He joins the podcast on this episode to discuss what it looks like to live in a biblical marriage, a biblical family, or as a biblical single person. -----Dr. Köstenberger's websiteBibilcal Theology, A Canonical, Thematic and Ethical Approach - God, Marriage and Family

Dr. Robert Gagnon is a Professor, writer and scholar with special attention to issues of Biblical sexuality, homosexuality and transgenderism. In this episode Dr. Gagnon clearly lays out the biblical defense of the historic Christian sexual ethic and helps us to see this issue from a biblical worldview. SHOW NOTESDr. Gagnon's websiteDr. Gagnon's Facebook PageThe Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and HermeneuticsRedeemer Eastside Youtube Page

Gabe and Riley discuss a topic that comes up all the time in the life of the church and in pastoral ministry: Assurance of Salvation. How do we know that we really are saved? When doubt crops up in our lives, what do we cling to to remind ourselves of that fact? ---The Bruised Reed - Richard SibbesWestminster Confession Chapter 18 - Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

In this episode Gabe, Jerod and Riley discuss the Cultural Mandate from Genesis 1:26-28. If this mandate applies to us today, as we will argue that it does, how does that affect how we live? What is culture and how should we as Christians seeking to live faithful Christian lives relate to culture?

Today we get to hear about the specific school and model Redeemer is partnering with in the Fall Trinity Classical Christian Academy. Troy and Lauren Schneringer are joining us to talk about the history of the school and what’s coming up for Redeemer and Trinity. https://www.trinityclassicalacademy.org/home

In the first episode in this series we discussed why Redeemer is getting into education. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Greg Forrest, the Head of School at Summit classical Christian School to discuss why we have chosen the Classical Christian education model. 

In the fall Redeemer is hosting Trinity Classical Christian Academy. We believe it's important to be involved in education. In this first of three in a series, we will discuss why Redeemer is running a school and why we think Education is an important part of the long term discipleship of the church, and the area. 

Gabe and Riley discuss Christian Nationalism. What is it? Should Christians be for it or against it? SHOW NOTESAndrew Naselli ArticleEmail questions to [email protected] or [email protected]

You may have heard the term “Gospel-Centered” before. Although it has kind of fallen out of fashion we still describe ourselves as a Gospel centered church. Today we’ll talk about what gospel centrality means and how you can recognize it in our church and others. 

How do we think about Church size? Are smaller churches always better? Are larger churches just machines for celebrity and platforms? Let's think about the size of the church and how it affects our ministry and fellowship. SHOW NOTESLEADERSHIP AND CHURCH SIZE DYNAMICS - Tim Keller

In this episode, Gabe and Riley talk about the Gospel. We often talk about the gospel, but we seldom go through the process of defining it and talking about what the Gospel is and what the gospel means. Today we will do just that, and we hope that after listening, you would be equipped to explain to anyone just what you mean when you say, believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. SHOW NOTES:Crossway Article: "What is the Gospel?"R.C. Sproul Video: "What is the Gospel?"

Today is a conversational potluck where we each bring an item or two and discuss them without preparatio, preamble or warning.SHOW NOTEShttps://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-hobbies-glorify-god

Redeemer is located in the Pacific Northwest, an area that is notoriously secular in culture, life, and faith. How do we think about the area we live in and how does our identity as the church inform how we think about moving or staying in a particular area?Gabe, Riley and Jerod unpack what we think is a biblical way of thinking about where we live. SHOW NOTESPew Research Religious Landscape StudyPew Research Religious Attendance By StateReligion New Service Article: The Pacific Northwest is the American religious futureSeattle Times: The Unchurched NorthwestGallup: U.S. Church Membership Down Sharply in Past Two Decades

Gabe and Riley are joined by Cameron and Robin to talk about Student Ministry at Redeemer. Hear about how Student Ministry is done at Redeemer and how we view the role of parents in the church partnering with the church to disciple the young people in our care. 

The topic of the reliability of scripture is one that many Christians do not feel qualified to argue, or simply take at its face value, or even concede some points on! In this episode, we make a case for the reliability of scripture historically, internally, and coherently. Show Notes:Unity of Scripture GraphicAncient Manuscript Comparison Chart

On this installment of our recurring series "Knowing Redeemer" Gabe and Jerod ask Riley a few questions. 

Gabe, Riley, and Jerod discuss how best to listen to an expository sermon offering 7 tangible points and a couple of cautions. NOTES:https://blog.tms.edu/the-art-of-enjoying-an-expository-sermon

Every Summer Redeemer goes through the Psalms. We started at the beginning and will go through all 150 Psalms. Many of these Psalms are imprecatory or have imprecatory passages. What is the meaning of an imprecatory Psalm, and how should we as new covenant Christians relate to them? Should we sing and pray the imprecatory Psalms? Or were they simply relegated to the old covenant and ancient hebrew culture?SHOW NOTESSam Storms - Imprecations in the Psalmseverypsalm.com - poor bishop hooperthe corner roomBrian Sauvé 

In Part two of our conversation on complementarianism, we discuss the historical underpinnings of the doctrine and how it can play out in the home and the church. 

Today we discuss the last of our theological distinctives: Complementarianism. Listen as Gabe, Lauren and Riley break down what Complementarianism is, its scriptural basis, and why it is God's good plan for humanity. SHOW NOTES:https://www.amazon.com/Men-Women-Church-Practical-Introduction-ebook/dp/B08K3PZMZF/r[…]sprefix=complementarian+theology%2Cdigital-text%2C153&sr=1-10https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/biblical-complementarianism/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/biblical-womanhood/#biblical-womanhood-overviewhttps://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/masculinity/https://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Mistake-Radical-Feminism-Culture-ebook/dp/B002AWX75Q[…]=the%2Bfeminist%2Bmistake&tag=dietofbookwor-20&qid=1483362739https://www.amazon.com/Recovering-Biblical-Manhood-Womanhood-Redesign/dp/1433537125

On June 4th, 2023 Redeemer Church held its first service in a new location on SE 38th St. after officially merging with Eastgate Bible Fellowship. In this episode of Church Matters Gabe and Robin, the former lead pastor of Eastgate, walk through the history of the merger and how we got there. 

On this installment of our recurring series "Knowing Redeemer" we sit down with Lauren Schneringer, our Director of Women's Ministry.

You may have noticed that the most popular music in the evangelical church at large does not show up at Redeemer. On this episode, Riley and Gabe unpack three reasons why we don't sing songs affiliated with Bethel, Hillsong or Elevation. SHOW NOTES(Almost) 100% of the Top 25 Worship Songs are associated with just a handful of Megachurches. | worshipleaderresearch.comWhy Your Church Shouldn't Play Bethel and Hillsong Music | Justin Peters, Todd FrielShould We Use Bethel Songs in Worship? 4 Diagnostic Questions | The Gospel CoalitionShould Your Church Sing Jesus Culture & Bethel Music? | Costi Hinn, forthegospel.org

Riley, Jerod and Gabe finish their discussion on what it means to be an elder and discuss some of the common questions and misconceptions that come up around this topic. NOTESDavid Mathis: How Old Should Elders Be?Am I Called? by Dave HarveyThe Path to Being a Pastor by Bobby JamesonLigon Duncan on the Minimum Age of an Elder