Stone Pillar Podcast

In Episode 82 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Brian sits down with Albert Dean, who grew up in the context of South Paris Baptist Church (SPBC) in the 1950s and 1960s, trusted in Christ as a teenager at an evangelistic service at SPBC in 1961, and subsequently served for many years as one of SPBC's financially-supported missionaries. Be blessed, encouraged, and instructed as you listen to Albert sharing about his life and ministry.

In Episode 81 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on the call to evangelize in light of divine sovereignty and the doctrine of election. They move through four observations, namely, as we proclaim the gospel, we know that: (1) we don't know how specific individuals will respond to the gospel; (2) the power to save sinners is not in the sinners who hear the message; (3) the power to save sinners is not in us who preach the good news; and (4) only those whom the Father draws to Christ will come to Christ. They also draw out some implications of this teaching.

In Episode 80 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian focus their attention on three individuals – all Gentiles – who exhibited great faith in God: a Canaanite woman (Matt. 15:21-28), a centurion (Matt. 8:5-13), and another centurion named Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8). Whatever our ethnic or cultural background, we can ask ourselves: are we no-faiths like the Pharisees and scribes, little-faiths like the disciples early on in their walk, or great-faiths like these Gentiles?

In Episode 79 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian have a discussion that serves to equip us in our evangelistic efforts. When we are sharing the Good News about Jesus, it is essential to accurately communicate who Jesus is. Christology is the branch of theology that focuses on who Jesus Christ is and what He did for our salvation. We must get Christology – the person and work of Christ – right as we seek to evangelize the world!

In Episode 78 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian have a discussion designed to cultivate wisdom in our use of smartphones. This discussion is a follow-up to the September 14 sermon, which explored the same theme.

In Episode 77 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian are joined by Tom Williams, one of the elders at SPBC. The threesome discusses the legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose earthly journey came to an end on September 10 by an assassin's bullet. In the aftermath, we do well to draw lessons from a life so productively and impactfully lived.

In Episode 76 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian speak words of encouragement and counsel to those who were recently baptized. This episode is therefore dedicated to the edification of Arlo, Alder, Amelia, Wesley, Jacob, and Kathryn, and to anyone else, anywhere, at any time, who is newly baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

In Episode 75 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Brother Tim Douglas joins Dane and Brian for some practical reflection on walking with God in light of the August 17, 24, and 31 sermons about prayer, speech, and action.

In Episode 74 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian are joined by Joel Foster and Charlotta Wilbur in order to have a roundtable conversation about the battle which Christian believers experience and must wage against sin. Let this discussion encourage and equip you for the everyday spiritual battle that we all face!

In Episode 73 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian discuss two lines of thought from the Book of Acts: being filled with the Spirit (e.g., Acts 4:8) and being led by the Spirit (e.g., Acts 8:29). What does it all mean? Have a listen – and be edified and encouraged so that you may always "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25 ESV).

In Episode 72 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on faith, works, and justification in James 2:14-26 and in some passages that Paul wrote. First, they discuss the relationship between faith and works. Second, they show that James and Paul agree on both the centrality of faith and the necessity of works. Finally, they unpack how the terminology of "justification" is used to describe: (1) being forgiven and made right with God, received by faith alone; (2) demonstrating in actual practice by faith-filled works that you are right with God; and (3) receiving final commendation and vindication from God on the day of judgment, at which time God will bestow praise upon every true believer in accordance with his or her faithfulness.

In Episode 71 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, we (Dane and Brian) engage the topic of Christian Nationalism and express our concerns about it. You may or may not be familiar with the term "Christian Nationalism" and the debate surrounding it. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex term that is used by different people in different ways, we may say that "Christian Nationalism" refers to the pursuit of building an overtly Christian nation-state – whether a Christian America, or a Christian Denmark, or a Christian Zambia, and so on. Although we love Jesus and want Him to be exalted among all people groups, and although we have an appreciation for our own earthly country and want to see it honor God's moral boundaries regarding good and evil, we nevertheless find the project of "Christian Nationalism" to be seriously misguided. To find out why, you'll have to listen to the podcast!

In Episode 70 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian sit down with Doug Wilbur (Brian's Dad) in order to learn about his upbringing, his conversion to Christ, his walk as a Christian, and some other highlights from his life.

In Episode 69 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian conclude their critique of worm theology. They call attention to four other places where worm theology pops up: (1) In the half-true, half-false phrase, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven"; (2) In the errant idea that a Christian's good works are like filthy rags; (3) In the mindset that you should perpetually distrust yourself, your emotions, and your decisions; and (4) In the claim that Christian should "die to themselves" when, in fact, true Christians have already died to sin and are wonderfully alive in Christ. Let's grow together in the grace of Christ!

In Episode 68 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian continue to discuss and critique worm theology. Where does worm theology come from? How does worm theology manifest itself in Christian settings? How should we think about the relationship between a professing believer's pre-profession life of sin and post-profession identity as a Christian? They plan to keep analyzing worm theology in the next episode too, so they would be pleased to hear from you with any feedback, questions, or requests for clarification!

In Episode 67 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian springboard from Tim Douglas's recent sermon on Ephesians 1:1-14 and discuss the Christian's new identity in Christ and how this new identity in Christ is incompatible with "worm theology". The reflection on identity and our identity in Christ runs for the first 18 minutes, and then the application of this teaching against "worm theology" covers the last 50 minutes of the episode. Lots of good food for thought here! If you're not sure what "worm theology" is and why it is wrongheaded, have a listen!

In Episode 66 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian address two very good questions from a podcast listener related to the previous episode, and then they conclude this episode by reflecting on the Book of Jonah (which was the subject of the May 4 sermon).

In Episode 65 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on "the whole package" – the past, present, and future aspects of salvation

In Episode 64 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian sit down with fellow church member and sister-in-Christ Connie Staples in order to learn about her life and her spiritual journey

Dane and Brian reflect on the way of the cross during Holy Week 2025

Dane and Brian reflect on four questions related to Acts 4:32-5:11

Dane and Brian reflect on three realities that are presented to us in Acts 1:15-4:31

Dane and Brian reflect on questions that arise from Acts 2:42-47

Dane and Brian reflect on some questions that arise from Acts 1-2

Dane and Brian sit down with Judi Weston in order to learn about her story

Dane and Brian sit down with Pastor Phil Andrukaitis and learn about his life and ministry

Dane and Brian reflect on the education of children within the framework of a biblical worldview

Dane and Brian launch out from the most recent sermon text (Psalm 13) and reflect on the nature of suffering and the importance of praying honestly to the Lord

Dane and Brian sit down with our gospel partner Jason Strout to learn about his story

Dane and Brian reflect on the Scriptural instruction to love our enemies

Dane and Brian reflect on a number of important secondary matters to illustrate a gracious approach to differences

In Episode 51 of the Stone Pillar Podcast, Dane and Brian reflect on the recent presidential election and also salt their conversation with a biblical worldview perspective at points along the way

Brian sits down with Jon Washburn to learn about his story

Dane and Brian celebrate Reformation Day by reflecting on the five solas of the Reformation

Dane and Brian sit down with brother Tim Douglas to learn about his story

Dane and Brian discuss various aspects of shepherding and soul care

Dane and Brian address a variety of topics

Dane and Brian share their final reflections on the Book of Genesis

Dane and Brian reflect on important lessons from Genesis 50:15-21

Dane and Brian reflect on God's grace in relation to Jacob's sons

Dane and Brian sit down with guest Joel Foster to learn about his story

Dane and Brian reflect on the two alternative ways: darkness or light, your way or God's way

Dane and Brian reflect on what it means to be God's pilgrim people

Dane and Brian dig deeper into Genesis 43-45

Dane and Brian reflect on Joseph in Genesis 42:1-45:15

Dane and Brian reflect on what the Bible teaches about government

Dane and Brian sit down with Pastor Eric Hanson to learn about his life and ministry

Brian sits down with Tom McGarvey to learn about his life and outlook

Dane and Brian reflect on lessons related to Genesis 41:14-57

Dane and Brian reflect on three things related to Genesis 39-40