The Ryley Heppner Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Smethurst to discuss his book "Tim Keller on the Christian Life." Matt talks about what made Tim Keller such a unique and influential voice, his gospel-centered vision of the Christian life, his ability to reach skeptics and secular culture, and why Keller’s work still resonates with so many Christians today.Matt Smethurst serves as lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He also cohosts and edits The Everyday Pastor podcast from The Gospel Coalition. Matt is the author of Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (Crossway, 2025), Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready (10Publishing, 2022) and many more.

In this episode, I sit down with Old Testament scholar Paul R. House to explore his book "The Minor Prophets: Seek the Lord and Live" and the message of the Twelve Prophets. Paul does a great job through the book and through this interview in helping Christians see the power, relevance, and urgency of minor prophets and be drawn back into them with fresh understanding and conviction.Paul R. House is the former professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He has been a pastor or teacher in churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries for over forty years. He is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society and an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature. House is the author of several books, including Zephaniah: A Prophetic Drama; The Unity of the Twelve; Old Testament Theology; 1, 2 Kings (NAC); Lamentations (WBC); Daniel (TOTC); and Bonhoeffer’s Seminary Vision. He was the general editor of the ESV Concise Study Bible.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Jan N. Bremmer to talk about his book "Jews, Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire." Jan explains why Jews were understood (even if distinct), why Christians were often seen as a problem, and what was actually at stake when they refused to participate in practices like sacrifice and statue worship.Jan Nicolaas Bremmer is a Dutch classicist and historian of religion specializing in ancient Greek and Roman religion, early Christianity, mythology, and the historiography of these fields. As Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the University of Groningen, where he held the chair from 1990 until his retirement in 2009, Bremmer has shaped modern understandings of Mediterranean religious practices through rigorous analysis of texts, rituals, and social contexts.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

No shortcuts. No backdoors. You must be born again.⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

The book of Revelation is, first and foremost, a revelation of Jesus Christ. It is a pulling back of the curtain so that we can see Jesus even more clearly.⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Zacharias and Chris Hoklotubbe, coauthors of "Reading the Bible on Turtle Island." We discuss what it means to read Scripture through Indigenous perspectives, the meaning of “Turtle Island,” the historical relationship between Christianity and Indigenous communities, and how Indigenous scholars and Christians are engaging Scripture today. Christopher Hoklotubbe (ThD, Harvard) is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He is the director of graduate studies of NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community, the first accredited Indigenous designed, developed, delivered, and governed theological institute. He is also assistant professor of classics at Cornell College (Mount Vernon, Iowa). He is the author of Civilized Piety: The Rhetoric of Pietas in the Pastoral Epistles and the Roman Empire, which was awarded the Manfred Lautenschläger Award for Theological Promise. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two daughters and live near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Danny Zacharias is a Cree-Anishinaabe/Métis & Austrian man originally from Winnipeg, MB (Treaty One territory), with ancestors also residing in Treaty Two, Treaty Three, and Treaty Five territories. He lives in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) with his wife and four children in Wolfville, and is Associate Dean and Professor of New Testament Studies at Acadia Divinity College. He also serves as an adjunct faculty for NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community.⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

In this episode, I chat with Jason Ballard of The Way Church and The Pastorate about church planting in the secular landscape of Vancouver. Our conversation digs into the lessons Jason learned through his work with Alpha Youth, the tension between cultural contextualization and the gospel and what it looks like to plant healthy churches.Jason Ballard is Lead Pastor of The Way Church Vancouver, a community dedicated to “joining Jesus in the restoration of all things” in Vancouver and beyond. He also serves as Executive Director of The Pastorate (formerly the Canadian Church Leaders Network), where he hosts The Pastorate Podcast—connecting with pastors across Canada to strengthen their heart, vision, and resilience. Jason is passionate about making space for doubt and honest exploration of faith, and helping people grow as disciples of Jesus. He lives in Vancouver with his wife Rachael and their three children, Hudson, Mary, and Millie.⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

What does Paul mean when he says in Ephesians 2 that Christians are “seated with Christ in the heavenly places"?⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

In this episode, I sit down once again with Clifton Black, this time to talk about his latest book, "Biblical Theology: Essays Exegetical, Cultural, and Homiletical," and to discuss what a lifetime of studying, praying, teaching, and training pastors does to the way you read Scripture. Dr. C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, earned his MA in theology from the University of Bristol, his MDiv from Emory University, and his PhD from Duke University. He is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. While his research interests concentrate in the New Testament’s Gospels, particularly in Mark, he publishes in many fields, including biblical theology, New Testament rhetoric, and the history of biblical interpretation. He offers a broad array of courses, including New Testament introduction, the exegesis of Mark’s Gospel, biblical theology and the practice of ministry, the parables of Jesus, major themes in New Testament theology, the biblical and Shakespearean visions, prayer in the New Testament, series in faith and film, as well as several doctoral-level seminars. He is the author, editor, or collaborating author of 20 books, and has published more than 200 essays, articles, and reviews. Black is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, the Center of Theological Inquiry, and the American Association of University Professors. He serves as secretary of the American Theological Society.Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

Mark 7:24–30 and the Syrophoenician woman is an amazing picture of Jesus' words from a few verses earlier, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him.” Jesus crosses several religious and cultural boundaries by engaging with a Syrophoenician woman, and instead of being made unclean by her, his presence brings purifying power to her. The implications of this encounter for Christians and the mission of God are many!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

I was privileged to sit down with author and professor, Joel Looper, to talk about his book Another Gospel: Christian Nationalism and the Crisis of Evangelical Identity. In our hour-long conversation, Joel clarifies what “Christian nationalism” actually is and what it is not, and explores why this movement reveals a deeper crisis of identity within contemporary evangelicalism. On top of that, we discuss the evangelical reactions to Charlie Kirk's tragic death, the immigration situation, and what Bonhoeffer might think of the Christian Nationalist movement.Joel Looper teaches at Baylor University and coordinator for Shalom Mission Communities, a network of international Christian communities. He is also the author of Bonhoeffer’s America: A Land Without Reformation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

What does it take to truly break free from the grip of porn and sexual sin? Today I sit down with Brad Hambrick (pastor and biblical counselor) to talk about his new book False Love: 9 Steps Toward Sexual Integrity. In our conversation, Brad shares why lasting change requires more than behavior management, and talks about the role of honesty, the grip of self-deception, and how sin distorts our view of God and ourselves. Brad serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, has authored several books including God’s Attributes: Rest for Life’s Struggles, and served as general editor for the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused (churchcares.com) project.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request⁠

In this episode, I have the privilege of chatting with Barnabas Piper about growing up with John Piper as a father and about walking through divorce and remarriage. Barnabas reflects on how all of these experiences have shaped and reshaped his understanding of God, the church, and pastoral ministry.Barnabas Piper serves as one of the pastors at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of several books including, The Pastor’s Kid: What it’s Like and How to Help and Belong: Loving Your Church by Reflecting Christ to One Another. He is married to Lauren and has three children.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

Today I had the great privilege of sitting down with biblical counselor and author Ed Welch to dig into his new book, "Fear Is Not a Sin: It Is a Call to Action." In our chat, Ed unpacks what Scripture really says about fear and shows us how to see it as a biblical opportunity to draw near to God rather than a failure of faith. Ed Welch is a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for over forty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In today's conversation, Geoffrey Chang joins me to talk about the ways Charles Spurgeon faced suffering personally and how that suffering informed his preaching. Our conversation draws from Chang's new book which is a curated collection of some of Spurgeon's sermons on suffering, entitled, "Your Only Comfort: Devotions for Hope in Suffering." Geoffrey Chang serves as Associate Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and the Curator of the Spurgeon Library. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), where he wrote his dissertation on Charles H. Spurgeon’s ecclesiology. He also serves the Book Review Editor for History & Historical Theology at Themelios, the academic journal for The Gospel Coalition. He is the volume editor of The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon Volumes 5, 6, and 7 (B&H Academic) and the author of Spurgeon the Pastor: Recovering a Biblical and Theological Vision for Ministry (B&H Publishing).⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode, I’m joined by New Testament scholar, Donnie Berry, to talk about the scope of God’s plan for the world. Drawing from his latest book "The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God," Donnie unpacks how the glory of God and the mission to the nations are not late developments in Scripture, but part of God’s purpose from the very beginning. From creation to Israel to the church, Donnie shows how the biblical story moves toward a world filled with God’s glory, and what that means for how we read the Bible and understand the mission of God today.Donnie Berry (PhD, Amridge University) is an instructor of New Testament and biblical theology with Training Leaders International, helping to train and equip pastors and Christian leaders around the world. He is the author of Glory in Romans and the Unified Purpose of God in Redemptive History.⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode, I have the absolute privilege of chatting with Andy Bannister, the Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity. In our conversation, Andy unpacks why spiritual hunger seems to be returning, why apathy—not atheism—is now the real challenge, and what faithful, thoughtful evangelism now looks like. Andy is the Director of Solas and is an evangelist, speaker, writer, and broadcaster. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of both Christians and those of all faiths and none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. He was co-editor and a contributing writer for Have You Ever Wondered? and authored How To Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot, Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? and The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist. He also co-hosts two podcasts, PEP Talk and Pod of the Gaps and presents the Short Answers video series for Solas.⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

I recently had the privilege of chatting with Michael Kibbe about his new book, "Life in a Lifeless World: Encountering Jesus in the Book of Hebrews." In our conversation, Kibbes unpacks the unique way that the Book of Hebrews shapes Christian endurance, and explains why Hebrews speaks so powerfully to a culture of fatigue, distraction, and spiritual drift.Michael Kibbe is associate professor of Bible and academic dean at Great Northern University in Spokane, WA. He received his PhD in New Testament from Wheaton College, and taught previously at Wheaton College and Moody Bible Institute. His other books include From Topic to Thesis, From Research to Teaching, and Godly Fear or Ungodly Failure: Hebrews 12 and the Sinai Theophanies. He and his wife, Annie, live in Spokane with their three children.⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode I talk with theologian Philip Ziegler about something Christians seem to rarely stop to think about: the devil. His new book makes a serious case for why the doctrine of the devil still matters for understanding evil, the gospel, and Christian hope. Philip G. Ziegler is Professor of Christian Dogmatics at the University of Aberdeen. After holding a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Princeton University's Center for the Study of Religion, Philip taught for several years at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Canada as Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, and joined the faculty of the University of Aberdeen as Lecturer in Systematic Theology in January 2006. He is the author of Doing Theology When God is Forgotten: The Theological Achievement of Wolf Krötke (2007) and Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of Christian Theology (2018) and most recently, God's Adversary and Ours: A Brief Theology of the Devil (2025).⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

A demon named “Legion.” A man restored. And a powerful message to Christians living under Rome’s shadow. Mark 5 hits harder than we often realize!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this conversation, I chat with Revelation scholar, Greg Carey about his new book, "Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance." In the book and in our chat, Greg unpacks the book of Revelation not as a fear-driven prediction manual, but as a pastoral and prophetic call to faithful witness in a world shaped by power, empire, and competing loyalties.Greg Carey is professor of New Testament at Moravian University School of Theology. He currently serves as the school’s chief academic officer and as associate dean of the Lancaster campus. His research interests include the book of Revelation and ancient apocalyptic literature, the Gospel of Luke, and public biblical interpretation. He is the author of numerous books, including Using Our Outside Voice: Public Biblical Interpretation, Stories Jesus Told: How to Read a Parable, Death, the End of History, and Beyond: Eschatology in the Bible, and Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

What does it mean to truly become the man God designed you to be? In this episode, I sit down with John Simons, author of "The Man You’re Meant to Be," to talk about biblical manhood, identity, and purpose in a world that seems to have lost its bearings. John Simons (PhD candidate in Ethics & Public Theology at Southern Seminary) is the Men's Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church. He received his B.A. in Political Science from California Baptist University, as well as a M.A. in Philosophy, and a M.Div from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also served as a Small Groups & Men’s Community Pastor in Southern California. John and his family live in Franklin, TN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

Faith isn’t passive—it’s active, alive, and always moving. When Paul met Christ, his entire life changed direction. He went from persecuting Christians to proclaiming Christ with boldness and purpose. Abraham’s faith was the same—he believed God, and he went. True Christian faith doesn’t stop at belief; it transforms how we live, where we go, and what we do.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode, Todd Korpi joins me to discuss his new book, "AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence." In our chat we explore the potential for both the use and abuse of AI within the Church, asking how pastors, leaders, and congregations can engage this powerful technology with wisdom, discernment, and theological depth.Todd Korpi (DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as Missiologist in Residence at OneHope and Director of the Digital Mission Consortia at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. He is Assistant Professor of Christian Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary and Dean of Digital Ministry programs at Ascent College. With Tara, Todd co-hosts the Mutuality Matters podcast in partnership with the Christians for Biblical Equality. His work has been featured in publications such as Outreach Magazine and Churchleaders.com and has contributed to numerous white papers and book projects.Todd is the author of AI Goes to Church (IVP, 2025), Your Daughters Shall Prophesy (Wipf & Stock, 2023), and The Life-Giving Spirit (Urban Loft, 2017).⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

What did Jesus actually say about himself? Was he simply a wise teacher—or did he claim something far more profound? In this episode, I talk with Mikel Del Rosario — “The Apologetics Guy” — about his new book, "Did Jesus Really Say He Was God?: We explore the biblical and historical evidence for Jesus’ divine identity, as well as some common objections, key passages, and how the earliest Christians understood him.Mikel Del Rosario (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He has coauthored thirty-one journal articles on apologetics and cultural engagement in Bibliotheca Sacra with his mentor, Darrell L. Bock. A member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Del Rosario is host of The Apologetics Guy Show, a podcast on YouTube and the Christianity Today Network. He previously hosted Dallas Theological Seminary’s cultural engagement podcast, The Table.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode, I sit down with John McCabe to discuss his new book "Dietrich Bonhoeffer: The Last Eight Days." We talk about the myths that have grown around Bonhoeffer’s death, the unreliable testimonies that shaped past biographies, and the fresh sources that reveal a truer picture of his courage, faith, and humanity in the final days of the Third Reich.John McCabe is Research Associate at the Von Hügel Institute, Cambridge and served as Rector of St Mary’s Church Byfleet from 2006 to 2024.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

In this episode I have the chance to sit down with Dr. Eric Mason to talk about his new book, "Rebranding the Church." We dig into what “rebranding” really means (and doesn’t mean), how the church’s witness has been distorted, and what it will take to restore credibility and trust to the church.Eric Mason is the founder and senior pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia. With over thirty years in ministry, Dr. Mason is known for his commitment to biblical justice, theological depth, and passion for biblical literacy. As a leading voice in urban apologetics, Dr. Mason addresses pressing cultural, societal, and theological issues through a biblical lens. He is the author of several books, including Urban Apologetics and Woke Church, and most recently, Rebranding the Church.⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

From 120 believers in Acts to billions today, God’s Kingdom has faced epidemics, persecution, political hostility, and cultural opposition—yet it has never stopped growing. The lesson? No matter what threats arise in our own day, the Church will endure because God’s purposes cannot be stopped.⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

What does James really mean when he says, “faith without works is dead”? In this episode, I talk with New Testament scholar Joel B. Green about his latest commentary on one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible. We explore how James connects faith and works, why he’s often (wrongly) set against Paul, and what it looks like to live out a faith that actually transforms lives.Joel B. Green is professor of New Testament interpretation and associate dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary. He was an editor of the first edition of the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and is the author and editor of numerous books, including The Gospel of Luke (NICNT), Body, Soul and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible, The Theology of the Gospel of Luke and (with Mark Baker) Recovering the Scandal of the Cross.⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Personal Website/Writing⁠⁠Apologetics Canada Request⁠⁠Outreach Speakers Request

What does exercise have to do with following Jesus? In this conversation, I talk with David Mathis from Desiring God, about his new book "A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul." We explore how movement, discipline, and embodied habits can actually deepen our joy in Christ, shape our discipleship, and help us serve others better.David Mathis is executive editor for Desiring God and pastor at Cities Church. He is a husband, father of four, and author of many books, including most recently, A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul (2025).⁠Instagram⁠Personal Website/WritingApologetics Canada RequestOutreach Speakers Request

What happens when hip hop, art, and apologetics collide? In this conversation, I sit down with Troy Lydiate—better known as Scribe Music—to talk about how art shapes culture, how the church has often struggled to engage with it, and why beauty and creativity matter for apologetics. We explore the tension between the sacred and the secular, the prophetic voice of hip hop in society, and how the church can learn to listen and speak more faithfully in the culture. Troy Lydiate is the Creative Director at Apologetics Canada, where he also serves as host of “The AC Podcast.” As a graduate of Providence University with a Bachelor’s Degree focused on Social Sciences, much of Troy’s professional career has been spent working with youth and young adults. Operating under the artistic moniker Scribe Music, Troy has unveiled four studio albums, skillfully utilizing his music as a conduit to convey the gospel message. His music production has garnered him nominations at the GMA (Covenant Awards), further complemented by widespread recognition through blog features and regular airplay on Canadian Christian radio.Personal Website/Writing: https://www.ryleyheppner.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleyhepp/Apologetics Canada: https://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/Outreach Speakers: https://outreachspeakers.com/ryley-heppner

+ Listen to the end for an exclusive new song preview from CityAlight, written in conjunction with Tim Challies' and Tim Keesee's new book, "From the Rising of the Sun." Together again with Tim Challies, this time to talk about his new book, "From the Rising of the Sun," co-written with Tim Keesee. The book journeys around the globe, following the sun from Fiji to Alaska, to witness how believers in different nations and cultures worship the same Lord in diverse and beautiful ways.In our conversation, we discuss what the global church can teach us about worship, the surprising ways Christians express their faith across cultures, and how seeing the worldwide body of Christ at worship can challenge and enrich our own understanding of what it means to gather in Jesus’ name.Tim Challies is a pastor, noted speaker, author of numerous articles, and a pioneer in the Christian blogosphere. Tens of thousands of people visit Challies.com each day, making it one of the most widely read and recognized Christian blogs in the world. Tim is the author of several books, including Visual Theology, The Next Story, and, most recently, Pilgrim Prayers: Devotional Poems That Awaken Your Heart to the Goodness, Greatness, and Glory of God.Personal Website/Writing: https://www.ryleyheppner.comApologetics Canada: https://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleyhepp/

As the one-year anniversary of the Westminster Study Bible approaches, I am joined by one of its editors, Dr. Emerson Powery, to dive into the vision, process, and purpose behind it. What really goes into the notes, commentary, and theological decisions of a study Bible? How does a study Bible shape the way we read Scripture? And why does the Westminster Study Bible offer something distinct from the many others already available?Emerson B. Powery is Professor of Biblical Studies at Messiah College. He is the coeditor of True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary and the author of Jesus Reads Scripture: The Function of Jesus’ Use of Scripture in the Synoptic Gospels and Mark in the Immersion Bible Studies series. Powery also serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Biblical Literature and the Common English Bible.Personal Website/Writing: https://www.ryleyheppner.comApologetics Canada: https://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleyhepp/

Can ancient philosophy help us understand the Christian faith? Louis Markos joins me to talk about his latest book, "From Aristotle to Christ," and how Aristotelian thought shaped the way the early church expressed its beliefs. Our conversation digs into topics like why Aristotle still matters, how philosophy can sharpen faith, and what it means for Christians today.Louis Markos (PhD, University of Michigan) is professor of English and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University, where he holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. His many books include From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics, From Plato to Christ: How Platonic Thought Shaped the Christian Faith, The Myth Made Fact: Reading Greek and Roman Mythology through Christian Eyes, Apologetics for the 21st Century, Atheism on Trial, From Aristotle to Christ, and On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis. Personal Website/Writing: https://www.ryleyheppner.comApologetics Canada: https://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleyhepp/

The most important question you will ever answer is this: Who is Jesus? In Acts 17, Paul reasoned with people from the Scriptures, showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again—and that Jesus fulfilled those promises. His simple argument was this: 1)The Scriptures foretold a suffering and risen Messiah 2) Jesus died and rose again. Therefore, Jesus is the Messiah—the risen King.This same question and argument confront us today. Did He rise? If so, then Jesus is who He claimed to be—and that changes everything!https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

Historical context can bring incredible weight to the Bible. Take Revelation 1:9 as an example. John wasn’t just casually writing from an island; he was exiled to Patmos, a place reserved for Rome’s most serious criminalshttps://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

What is the church and why does it still matter? In this episode I chat with Dr. Guy Waters to explore the beautiful biblical doctrine of the church. Drawing from his book One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we discuss the church’s identity, its purpose, and its essential role in the Christian life.Guy Waters is the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament and the academic dean of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MI, where he has taught since 2007. He also serves as an associate editor of the Reformed Exegetical and Theological Commentary on Scripture.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

Biblical scholars Doug Huffman and Paul Gondreau join for me a conversation to explore the historical, theological, and interpretive dimensions of The Chosen. Drawing from their new book "Watching The Chosen: History, Faith, and Interpretation," we discuss how the series portrays Jesus and His followers, where it aligns with the biblical text, where it takes creative liberties, and how viewers can engage with it thoughtfully.Dr. Douglas S. Huffman, the evangelical biblical consultant for the television series The Chosen, is Professor of New Testament and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) in California.Paul Gondreau is a professor of theology at Providence College. He teaches and publishes in the area of moral theology with an emphasis on marriage, Christology, and sacraments, with a specialization in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. He is also an associate editor of the journal Nova et Vetera and a contributor to Inseparable: Five Perspectives on Sex, Life, and Love in Defense of Humanae Vitae.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

Did Jesus ever claim to be God? In John 8:58, Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was, I am.” and his audience responds by picking up stones to execute Him for blasphemy. https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

I wonder what the impact would be if this week, everywhere you normally would take your phone, you took your Bible instead, or also? And then, what if every time you wanted to pick up your phone to scroll this week, you picked up your Bible instead and read it?

Seven years of lead pastoring and I have now resigned. I don't know what is next, but if it is pastoring again, there are some things I would do differently and a few things I'd do the same.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

In this episode, I sit down with comedian and creator Anthony Russo to talk about his latest release, "The Bible Is Funny: Volume 2" - a card game that finds comedy in the most unexpected corners of Scripture. In our conversation we explore why the Bible is funnier than most people realize, how humor can deepen our engagement with God’s Word, and what it means to do comedy as a Christian.Anthony Russo, the author of the bestselling Bible Is Funny Card Game, is the creator of The Bible Is Funny Instagram and one half of the duo Isaac Improv, which offers clean comedy content. A popular comedy performer, Russo grew up memorizing Scripture—partly to understand God’s Word, but probably more so to earn badges for his Awana vest. He is an ordained minister who served on church staff for nearly two decades. He and his wife, Rachael, live in Seminole, Florida, and have two children.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

In this episode, I chat with historian Daniel Hummel about his new book, "The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism." We explore the story behind the Left Behind series, the Scofield Bible, rapture theology, literal bible interpretation and dispensationalism's move from fringe to mainstream.Daniel G. Hummel (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison) is the director of the Lumen Center in Madison, WI and a research fellow in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Eerdmans, 2023) and Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2019).https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

In this episode, I talk with Benjamin MacDonald (Apologetics Canada) about the rise of secularization in the West: what it is, where it came from, and how it’s quietly reshaping not just our culture, but our churches.Ben MacDonald is a theologian, speaker, and educator with a heart for engaging faith and culture. After a brief career in television news, Ben earned his Master of Theology from Acadia Divinity College and completed a PhD in Theological Studies at Wycliffe College, TST. In addition to his work with Apologetics Canada, Ben serves as recruiter and adjunct lecturer at Acadia Divinity College.

In this episode, I sit down with pastor, author and scholar, Paul Hoffman, to talk about his book "AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep" and to explore how artificial intelligence and digital habits are shaping the way pastors lead, churches function, and disciples are formed.Paul A. Hoffman (PhD, University of Manchester) is associate professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies and director of the Preministerial Scholars Program at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He previously served as a senior pastor and is the coauthor of Preaching to a Divided Nation, named an Outreach 2023 Resource of the Year.

What kind of man was the Apostle Paul? In this episode, Frank Thielman joins me to explore Paul’s life, mission, and message. We talk about how Paul’s years in chains shaped his message of grace, why he often concealed the deepest parts of his story, and the surprising misconceptions people still carry about him today.Frank Thielman joined Beeson Divinity School faculty in 1989, and teaches courses in Greek, New Testament Theology and the Pauline letters. His scholarly work concentrates mainly on the apostle Paul. Thielman is the author, among other books, of Paul, Apostle of Grace (Eerdmans, 2025), Romans (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 2018) and Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach (Zondervan, 2005).https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

In today's episode I chat with Dave Ripper about his new book Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus: Reading the Bible like Dallas Willard. Dave unpacks how Dallas Willard’s vision of the “with-God life” can transform the way Christians approach Scripture—not as a textbook to master, but as a living Word to encounter and experience.Dave Ripper is the lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church, a multicongregational church in southern New Hampshire, focused on spiritual formation. He earned a doctor of ministry in spiritual direction from Fuller Theological Seminary and The Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is coauthor of The Fellowship of the Suffering and serves as the chaplain for the Boston Bruins. Dave and his wife, Erin, a mental health therapist, have three children. They make their home in the woodlands of New England near Nashua, New Hampshire.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? And is it possible that it's simpler than we think? When we look at the first disciples—the twelve who left everything to follow Jesus—we see a template for what it means to walk with Him. They weren’t perfect. They stumbled, doubted, and even failed. Yet their lives reveal three core patterns that defined their following.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

For years I thought reading the entire Bible was too much for me—until I broke it down in the simplest way! You don’t need to be a fast reader or super disciplined—just a little math and a small daily habit can transform your Bible reading.https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/

In this conversation, Reed Dunn joins me to talk about his new book "When You Don’t Have the Words: Praying the Psalms." Reed shares how the Psalms give us language for every season of life—joy, sorrow, doubt, and hope—and how they point us to Christ as they shape our prayers.Reed Dunn is the pastor of Redeemer Hudson, New Jersey. He cares deeply about pastoral care and spiritual formation. https://www.ryleyheppner.comhttps://apologeticscanada.com/ryley-heppner/