It’s Christmas time (and Advent) once again. The hot chocolate is flowing, the movies are on, and the lights are twinkling brightly. The question is does Christmas still matter?
In this special Christmas (and Advent) episode of the Podechesis Podcast, the boys take a break from Wesley’s Revision of the Shorter Catechism to share some of their favorite Christmas memories, movies, songs, and foods. They talk about Christmas lights and the Light of the world, Jesus. They also make a case for why the season of Advent is so important for the church.
Along the way we find out that the Brett loves the movie, A Christmas Story, and Jim and Allen do not. Can The Podechesis Podcast survive with such a vast chasm between the two wayward sons and Brett?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Podechesis Community. We will return with our regular episodes in January.
What is Sin? Why does sin exist? Are we born with sinful natures or are we nurtured into sin? What does it mean to break God’s law? Are we naturally good? What was humanity’s first taste of disobedience—pride or unbelief? Can you have a right understanding of sin without a right understanding of grace? How does Jesus fit into this discussion?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, the Brett, Jim, and Allen discuss questions 13 and 14 of John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: Did our first parents continue in the estate in which they were created (Q. 13), and what is sin (Q. 14)? They talk about how sin entered the world, how our natures are corrupted, and how we are bent towards disobedience to God’s law. They also discuss how a thoroughly biblical and theologically robust teaching of sin is needed in the church today.
Along the way, Jim makes a confession, Allen makes a wager, and Brett is once again left having to clean all the thanksgiving dishes. Oh, and no turkeys were harmed in the production of this episode.
How did God specifically act toward humanity upon their creation? What is the meaning of covenant and why is it important to understand the conditions upon which God entered into relationship with humanity? Why was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil the one thing that was forbidden to eat from in the garden? Are there conditions to God’s love for us? What should our response to God’s love be?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, the guys are joined by Dr. David Watson of United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) to discuss question 12 of John Wesley’s revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate in which he was created? They talk about God’s relational nature, how he reached down to us first, and how the covenants of God were ultimately about true freedom and life.
Along the way, it’s been quite a while since Allen has talked about UGA football, Jim still hasn’t told us how he met Sir Patrick Stewart, and Brett finally admits to being wrong…sort of.
Dr. Watson is an ordained elder in the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, and he also serves on the global leadership council of the Wesleyan Covenant Association. He is married to Harriet, and they have two sons, Luke and Sean.
What happens when your favorite Wesleyan Theology podcast team does a livecast for Youtube and Facebook? Well Check it out here!
A HUGE shout out to our Podechumen community for sending in questions and making this first live show a success. We truly have the best community in the world.
Once again, thank you the talented Andy Bowen of andybowen.com for his Halloween edition of the Podechesis theme.
What is providence? How does God act? What is his handywork and how does a transcendent God also be an intimate God? Is the world just ruled by fate or chance or is there something more? And what about freewill? Did God just create and then back off or is he an involved creator? If God is in charge, are we truly free?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, Brett, Jim, and Allen discuss question 11 from John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, What are God’s works of providence? The guys talk about God’s nature, how he holds all thing in his grasp, and how human free will only comes by God’s providence. They also talk about how God’s providence is more than high theology meant for the ivory towers of academia. God’s providence is at the heart of his eternal nature and our created being.
Along the way, Allen confesses that he just wants a break, Jim admits that he may be a Cylon, and Brett finally gets a title for his book—and then Jim steals it. Oh, and cartoons. All three of the guys have a deep love for Saturday morning cartoons.
Special Halloween theme music produced by Andy Bowen (andybowen.com).
What does it mean that God created humanity? Why is important that God created Adam out of the dust of the earth and Eve from Adam’s rib? Why was it important for Adam to have a partner and what does that say about the role of close relationships and community in human existence? And what is the deal with being created in the image of God?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, Brett, Jim, and Allen discuss question 10 from John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, how did God create Man? The guys talk about how understanding God’s creation of humanity impacts our relationships with each other, with the rest of creation, and with God himself. They also discuss how idea of sacred worth can influence how we think about tough subjects like capital punishment.
What does it mean that God created all things? What does it mean that God created out of nothing? Can one believe in a creator God and in science? Is there any real reason why one cannot hold to a biblical worldview and still believe in science? Did God create all things in seven days or is something else going on in Genesis 1 and 2?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, Brett, Jim, and Allen discuss question 9 of John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, what is the work of creation? The guys will talk about the seven days of creation in Genesis 1, why a being good readers of the Bible can help us understand what the Bible is actually saying in the first chapter of Genesis, and how a belief in a creator God actually draws us to a life of worship.
Along the way, Jim will entice us with yet another snippet into meeting Patrick Stewart, Brett will admit that he has no idea how to use Instagram, and Allen will dream of fishing alongside of Bigfoot.
“My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” —Charles Wesley, “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain”
What are the decrees of God? Do we have any say in our relationship with God or are we predestined from before the time of creation for salvation or damnation? Also, who is John Wesley? What is the Wesleyan way of doing theology and living the life of faith? Why is the Wesleyan way it important? Are Calvinist and Wesleyans so different or is there more that unites us than divides?
On this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, the guys are joined by Dr. Justus Hunter (see below for bio) to discuss John Wesley’s first revisions to the Shorter Catechism–questions 7 and 8: What are the decrees of God and How does God execute his decrees? The guys and Dr. Hunter also spend time talking about the new resource, The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way (Seedbed) authored by Dr. Hunter and Dr. Philip Tallon of Houston Baptist University.
Along the way, Brett causes the guys to apologize to our listening audience within the first 10 minutes, Jim will rush past a story where he met Patrick Stewart, and Allen will attempt knock Jim down with unexpected results.
Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God.-John Wesley
What is God’s nature like? If we, as Christians, worship only one God, then what is the deal God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? Do we really worship one God or are there three God’s that demand our obedience? Or, does any of this really matter anyway? Can’t we just worship God no matter what his nature is like; besides, who am I to make a truth claim about God’s nature?
On this episode of the The Podechesis Podcast, Brett, Allen, and Jim discuss question 6 in John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, How many persons are there in the Godhead? The guys will talk about the Trinity, why the doctrine of the Triune God was formulated, and why it is important today. There will also be a great discussion on bible translations, the need for good English translations, and why the King James should not just be shelved to collect dust.
Along the way, Allen won’t talk UGA Football, Jim won’t talk Kale smoothies, and Brett won’t make 1980’s nostalgic references.
“An Idol is anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God.” – Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods
So, how many gods are there really? Is it possible to worship more than one god if there is only one, true God? Many of us aren’t bowing before golden calves so we can’t be idolaters, correct? Is idolatry truly the sin of our age?
In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, Allen, Jim and Brett talk about question 5 in John Wesley’s Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Are there more gods than one?” During this discussion, the boys will talk about what gods demand their worship, why worshipping the one, true, living God is not limiting; its life giving, how following Jesus demands us to take a deep look at what truly has our hearts.
Along the way, Allen will confess that he has an altar in his office to UGA, Jim will try to convince us that M&Ms should be perfectly fine being used as communion wafers, and Brett will confess his love for dad jokes.
