TCJ Podcast

In this episode we discuss two main ideas: 1) Culture shapes individuals and societies while simultaneously being dependent upon the very individuals it shapes.  2) Culture is a vacuum: when spaces and symbols are destroyed, they are replaced. Guest Tyler Lowe argues that in addition to historical value, there is urgency and importance to preserving culture from a Christian worldview.  And, yes, some cultures are inherently better than others! Join us as we talk about why culture thrives when the basic needs of individuals are met and why oppressive systems and regimes target cultural aspects of society. Tyler Lowe holds a Master of Arts in Antiquities from Johnson University and a Master of Letters in Ancient Cultures with a focus on Archaeology from the University of Glasgow, and is a member of the US Army reserves as a Monuments Officer.  In the private sector he is involved in restoration work and is TCJ’s Director of Development.

In this episode we visit early American church history: the Huguenots and their presence in Florida.  Guest Ben Goldsmith shares this little-known chapter, discovering the blood of the martyrs on the First Coast. As persecution increased in France the Huguenots sought safety on the shores of the New World in 1562, landing at the mouth of the St. Johns River.  For a time they enjoyed freedom… but then it all went wrong.  Starting with a bloody pre-dawn raid at Fort Caroline and ending with the martyrdom of Jean Ribault (Ribault High School in Jacksonville is named after this Frenchman), the Huguenots were all but wiped from history.  Fort Caroline, the Arlington area of Jacksonville, Matanzas Bay, Menendez, the Spanish, and the French, all feature in this fascinating story.  Hear all about it with Ben Goldsmith!

Mr. William Sirls, Professor of English at TCJ, shares a behind the scenes look at his life and how he came to Christ while in prison.  Having turned himself in over money laundering, he shares how that time “was the best thing that could have happened” to him and some of the lessons he has learned along the way.  From how he has grown spiritually to his successful career as a writer, he sees God’s hand in each facet of his life. Join us for an unusual conversation that will remind you of God’s providence and desire “to seek and to save that which was lost”.

Dr. Jeremiah Stanley is Pastor of Trinity at Mandarin, previously VP of Student Affairs at TCJ for many years.  In this episode he shares his thoughts on the power of journaling as a spiritual discipline.  A practice he adopted in college and continues to this day, journaling has played an important role in his spiritual growth and personal development.  He shares tips on how to approach the discipline to avoid burnout or disappointment and explains how it can be a valuable personal resource within a short time.

Season 4, Episode 7 is live!   Plenty of marriages outside the Christian faith display life-long loyalty and familial success – markers we often equate with a healthy marriage.  But does God have more in mind for a thriving, healthy marriage?  This week’s guest, Mr. Wyman Winbush (Pastor, Minister, and Life Coach) explains that all too often, divine potential is overlooked in the marriage covenant.  “Good people can have a long marriage, but that does not mean they are living out God’s divine purpose for marriage.”  Listen today to learn what that divine purpose might look like and how vast its potential could prove to be!

Alumnus Gib Wood (who happens to be father of our host, Mr. Keith Wood) has been a missionary to the American military population in Germany for the past 39 years. In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of missionary life and lessons learned on the field.  As he transitions into a different role within missions, Mr. Wood shares insight on some of the pressures missionaries face to “perform well” on paper instead of being free to focus on faithful ministry.

Dr. Tadlock is a history professor at Trinity College of Jacksonville. In this episode, we take a look at what slavery meant in the ancient world, exploring the core definition of slavery as a lack of personal freedom.Discovering some unexpected truths along the way, we discuss the two main paths to slavery in ancient times, how common it was, and why revolts were an uncommon issue. We wrap up the conversation with a look at how slavery shows up throughout the Bible and how it is often misunderstood when read through a modern lens.

The average adult in the US spends 140K hours in the workplace, compared to approximately 4K hours at church.  Based on time expenditure alone, the potential for Christians to impact their workplace is unbelievable!  But is that impact taking place?  If not, what can be done about it?  Is there a model we can follow? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tammie McClafferty, CEO of LifeWork Leadership First Coast, as we explore the habits, disciplines, and mentalities that can help us to see our work through the lens of ministry.

Bible translations have been controversial for as long as there has been translation work on the Scriptures!  Did historical Bible translators believe their work was the final authority?  Is there a danger in being faithful to a specific translation in perpetuity?  In this episode, Dr. John Williams takes on the topic of Bible Translations and some common concerns and questions that surround Bible Translation in general and the KJV in specific.

Can a noble cause make a misstep?  In this episode we go back in time with church historian Dr. John Williams to trace the history of the Baptists.  Some may argue that there is a clear line of descent (of theological purity) from the time of Jesus to the Baptist church – a theory commonly referred to as the Trail of Blood.  Does history corroborate this claim?  Can theological purity be passed down removed from a genealogical timeline?  What are the implications?  How should one address historical evidence that contradicts traditional doctrinal beliefs?  Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the TCJPodcast!

We are back with season 4, Episode 1 of the TCJ Podcast, featuring return guest and biblical archaeologist, Mr. Brian Maggard! Last time Mr. Maggard was with us we had a fascinating discussion regarding an archaeological dig where he believes is the location of biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.  This time, we discuss some well-known finds that turned out to be hoaxes (whether intentional deceptions or otherwise) as well as how to guard against the type of individuals he calls “False Friends”.

This episode features alumnus and veteran pastor Dan Proctor, founder of Help for Hurting Pastors.  Today he shares helpful thoughts on the soul health of a ministry leader: warning signs, how to support a pastor through difficult seasons, and why “every pastor needs a pastor”.

What does it really mean when a book is “banned”? In this episode, Dr. John Lucy, Head Librarian at Trinity College of Jacksonville, gives us a peak at the deceptively complex world of banned books: where they’re banned from, who makes those decisions, for what reasons, and on whose authority.  And that begs the question: why does it matter if books are banned or not?  We briefly explore well-known examples of controversial titles and discuss what it could look like to thoughtfully engage young readers with challenging literature without compromising personal and biblical values.  As it turns out, the library world deals with some interesting drama (and not just as a genre)!

The use of AI is a hot topic in higher education, with loud voices arguing for either side.  Ms. Rebecca Whitley, English professor at Trinity, gives her perspective on how AI is impacting her classroom and how it challenges her as an instructor in the areas of learning objectives and priorities.  Sharing research on how AI is influencing our thinking processes, and why students need to understand AI in order to maintain/achieve intellectual integrity.

Meet Brian Maggard, biblical archaeologist and Dean of Men at Trinity College of Jacksonville!  Maggard offers a fascinating perspective on the location of Sodom and Gomorrah, what likely happened at the sight (from a scientific perspective), how archaeology informs our understanding of the biblical narrative, and how it compares with “historical record”.   He shares how his own wrestling with the scriptures influenced his decision to pursue archaeology and argues for intellectual integrity and humility.

Join us for a fascinating discussion about truth with Jordan Karausky, doctoral candidate of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh and Philosophy graduate of Biola University.  Our world is full of differing opinions and often starkly opposing points of view (and each individual sincerely believes their perspective to be accurate).  But what does it actually mean for something to be true? In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle some tough questions such as: Is there a difference between truth and belief? Can one be authentic and still get it wrong? Is truth relative?We have great news: you don’t need a background in philosophy to follow the conversation!  Karausky discusses these topics in an accessible way that is relevant to everyday life. After all, developing a clear definition of truth is essential to successfully navigating relationships, media, and personal values in a manner that is consistent with reality and biblical wisdom.

In this episode, we take a look at the tough questions students should ask themselves when making a college decision.  As an experienced recruiter, our guest, Mr. Lawrence, shares insight on the importance of being honest with yourself about what you want, what you need, and what truly matters when it comes to your college experience. We also explore how college culture can make or break your experience and long-term success and how fear of the unknown can pop up when and where you least expect it. Whether you’re a high school student, a parent, or an educator, this conversation offers some clarity on what can often feel like a confusing decision.

Practical Insights: Trinity Athletic Director John Jones discusses the importance of Christian Athletic ProgramsTrinity’s Athletic Director John Jones discusses the key differences between secular and Christian athletic programs and shares his perspective on the God-given gift of competition: that it is the seed of improvement and should be nurtured to bring benefit to mankind and glory God.   Offering some insight for young coaches, he emphasizes the importance of identifying core values and remaining vigilant to avoid falling into an unhealthy spirit of competition.

Practical Insights: an interview with Dr. Chappell, former US Navy Captain and current Business Department Chair at TrinityMost would agree that managing time is important.  But are goals crucial for success?  Is self-discipline more natural aptitude or a learned behavior?  In this episode, former commander of a US destroyer, Dr. Meger Chappell, talks about time management, personal ambition, and tips for cultivating a mentality of self-discipline and productivity.

Welcome to Season Two of the Trinity Podcast! In this episode, we turn the tables and interview our host, Mr. Keith wood.  Curiosity is an important characteristic in a podcast host, and it is certainly one of the qualities that recommended Keith to this role.  A second-generation Trinity alumnus turned faculty member, Mr. Wood’s natural curiosity led him to an interest in magic tricks, philosophy, and a little bit of everything in between.  In this interview hosted by Matthew Heavener, VP of Enrollment Management at Trinity, you’ll enjoy hearing about Keith’s background, how he came to develop an interest in Philosophy, and its relationship to theology, foster care, and AI.Mr. Wood earned his master’s degree in philosophy from Biola and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Florida.

Episode 4 of the TBC Podcast features Mr. Keith Wood and special guest Dr. James Buckner, Criminal Justice program director and developer at Trinity.   He shares insight on questions such as,  Why should every Christian to have a clear understanding of justice?  Does a biblical worldview of justice differ from the world’s perspective?  How does one morally navigate the spirit of the law vs the letter of the law?

Episode 3 of the TBC Podcast features guest speaker Mr. Matt Heavener, VP of Enrolment Management and Development at TBC.  Join us for a conversation that discusses the idea of “value”: What is it? Why does it matter? Is there such a thing as a win-win transaction (business or otherwise) and what does it look like?  Does our understanding of value have any implications from a theological perspective?

Should culture influence worship?Join us for Episode 2 of the TBC podcast with Mr. Keith Wood and Dr. Jacob Leporacci, head of the Biblical Studies department at TBC.  Dr. Leporacci shares insight on various worship practices and their history, addressing questions such as: What is the relationship between culture and worship?  Are there elements of worship that transcend culture?  Can trans-cultural elements of worship be meaningful and relevant within local cultural contexts? Culture changes over time – should the church change with it?  If so, how can the church safe-guard against adopting a harmful worship practice?

Join Mr. Keith Wood and Dr. John Williams as they jump right into the deep end with a conversation on "What is a Liberal?".  How has the definition shifted over time?  Why should Christians be informed on this topic?  Do emotions play in our interpretation of scripture?  How does all of this affect ethical living?  Why is it so polarizing?The purpose of this conversation is not to provide answers to every question, but to promote critical thinking and provide a framework for further investigation.What particular point in this conversation would you like to hear discussed in-depth?  Let us know in the comments!