Theology for the People

What does it really mean to be an apprentice of Jesus in a fragmented world? In this episode of Theology for the People , Pastor Heath Hardesty shares how his years as an apprentice plumber shaped his vision for discipleship and following Jesus. Heath is the Lead Pastor of Valley Community Church (V...

What does faithful, biblical care for widows look like, and why does the Bible say that it is at the heart of "pure religion"? Susan VandePol became a widow when her husband—a Los Angeles City firefighter—died following a line-of-duty exposure. Out of her own grief the Lord led her to crea...

In this episode of  Theology for the People , Pastor Nick Cady is joined by Pastor Stephen Pomeroy from White Fields Community Church to explore the fascinating story of the  conversion of the Vikings . Stephen, who also hosts the  Viking Legacy and Lore  podcast, shares how his personal heritage sp...

In this episode of  Theology for the People , Nick Cady talks with  Sharon Markey  — missionary, pastor’s wife, and author of the forthcoming book  Finding Home Again . Sharon shares her family’s story of serving in Ukraine for nearly two decades, planting churches in Kyiv, and how the war suddenly ...

In this episode of  Theology for the People , Nick Cady sits down with pastor and author Matt McCullough to discuss his new book  Remember Heaven . Building on the themes of his previous book  Remember Death , Matt explores how the biblical vision of heaven is meant to shape our lives here and now—n...

In this episode of  Theology for the People , Nick Cady speaks with David Mathis, author of  A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul ,  to explore the spiritual significance of physical health. This conversation looks at the theology of the body, and how caring for our bodies...

In this episode, Nick Cady is joined by Sandra Peoples — a disability ministry consultant, author, and pastor's wife — to discuss her new book: Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families Sandra shares from personal experience as both a siste...

In this episode of  Theology for the People , Nick talks with Dr. Drew Martin, professor of theology and church history at Covenant Theological Seminary. Drew shares about his pastoral journey, his transition to academia, and why he wrote his new book on Francis Grimké — an influential but often ove...

In this episode host Nick Cady talks with Matt Smethurst about his new book  Tim Keller on the Christian Life . Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnote...

What does it mean to follow Jesus in an age of constant distraction and digital overload? In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady is joined by Brett McCracken — senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and editor of the new book  Scrolling Ourselves to Death . Drawing inspiration from Nei...

In this episode, Nick Cady is joined by pastor and author Ray Ortlund Jr. to talk about how God's grace meets us in our lowest moments. Ray is the president of Renewal Ministries , and the pastor to pastors at Immanuel Church in Nashville. He is an Old Testament scholar, has taught as a professo...

Everyone who reads the Bible engages in interpretation whether they realize it or not - so how do we do it faithfully and well? In this episode, Pastor Jon Nielsen of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL joins to discuss his latest book, Understanding God's Word , the third installment in his T...

In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady interviews Pastor Miles DiBenedictus of Cross Connection Church in Escondido, California. Miles is a PhD student at Southern Seminary studying AI ethics, and in this discussion, they explore the topic of  epistemology : what it is, why it matters, and how it affects...

What is the enduring legacy of the early church councils, and what role should they play in the lives of Bible-believing Christians today? In this episode, host Nick Cady is joined again by Matt Pursely, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Diego, California and graduate of Westminster Theolo...

In this episode, Nick Cady in joined by Sebastian Frappier, to discuss his incredible journey from a professional acting career to planting a church in the highly secular city of Montreal, Quebec. Sebastian shares how a moment of spiritual emptiness led him to encounter Jesus through a Gideon Bible ...

In this episode, Nick Cady and Shane Angland tackle the critical question: How did the Bible come to be? They explore the formation of the biblical canon, addressing misconceptions, historical processes, and the theological significance of Scripture. From the Old Testament’s roots in God’s redemptiv...

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Does it happen simultaneously with salvation, or is it a subsequent experience? How should our understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit shape our practice in the church? In this episode, Pastor Nick Cady is interviewed by Dr. Alan Stoddard about this ...

Daniel Stevens is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Boyce College and author of Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews .  In this episode, Daniel shares how his accidental dive into Hebrews sparked a decade-long passion, revealing how the Psalms propheti...

In this episode, Nick Cady sits down with Paul Hoffman, pastor and co-author of a new book on artificial intelligence and its implications for Christian faith. Paul, joined by his co-author Sean O’Callaghan, an expert in transhumanism, explores the theological, ethical, and practical dimensions of A...

Zhenya Chekushkin is a pastor from Western Ukraine and a longtime friend. Zhenya shares his unique story: growing up in a communist military family, coming to faith at 13, and now leading a church through the ongoing war in Ukraine. From the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of evangelicalism and...

In this episode, Nick sits down in person with returning guest Shane to explore the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), the fourth ecumenical council of the early church. Recorded live in Colorado during an Expositors Collective training weekend, this conversation traces the events leading up to Chalcedo...

In this episode, we continue our series on the first four ecumenical councils of the early church, diving into the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). Matthew Pursely joins us again to explore the theological debates surrounding Nestorius, the nature of Christ, and the implications of the hypostatic union—...

How did the early church come to a clear understanding of who Jesus is and how the Holy Spirit relates to the Father and the Son? And why did it take more than one council to settle these questions? In this episode, I'm joined again by Matt Pursley, Executive Pastor at Park Hill Church in San Di...

What does it truly mean to experience the love of God? In a culture where love is often redefined and misunderstood, how can we anchor ourselves in the steadfast love that Scripture proclaims? In this episode, I sit down with theologian, author, and pastor  Sam Storms  to talk about his latest book,...

Can AI be a helpful tool for pastors, or does it pose a risk to authenticity, integrity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit? Welcome to Season 5 of Theology for the People! In this crossover episode, Theology for the People and Expositors Collective team up to consider the ethics, dangers, and best pra...

Season 5 of Theology for the People begins on March 17, 2025! We've got some great guests lined up, including pastors, authors, and theologians, to discuss topics including: Principles for Biblical Interpretation The Councils of the Early Church The ethics of using AI in Christian ministry and m...

Have you ever wrestled with doubts about your faith? If so, then you are in good company. The Bible contains several stories of men and women of faith who also had seasons in which they struggled with doubts. ⁠Dr. Philip Ryken⁠ is the President of ⁠Wheaton College⁠ in Wheaton, Illinois. He has a D...

How is expository Bible teaching different than non-expository teaching? David Jackman is the founder and director of the Cornhill Training Course , which teaches people how to teach the Bible expositorally. He has also served as a pastor and as president of Proclamation Trust , which exists to eq...

When we talk about “the Early Church” many people’s minds immediately go to the first generation of Christianity, recorded in the Book of Acts and addressed in the New Testament. But what happened after that, and why does it matter for Christians living today? Matt Pursley is the Executive Pastor ...

What is a discipleship pathway, and how do you go about creating one? What is the process by which people grow spiritually, and how do we help them do that? Dr. John Whittaker has served as a pastor and theologian for many years, in different capacities. He is the author of The Listener’s Commenta...

Leadership is a very popular topic in modern business discussions, but what does the Bible have to say about leadership? And is there a difference between the vision for leadership given in the Bible versus that which comes from the world? John Currie is professor of pastoral theology at Westminst...

Cameron Cole experienced every parent’s worst nightmare: they put their son to bed one night, and in the morning they awoke to find that he had died in his sleep. However, the message of the Gospel, is that their son did indeed wake up in a greater and more profound way: he awoke to eternal life w...

Is baptism a requirement for salvation? There are some Christian groups who say that it is, and others who say it isn’t.  In this episode of Theology for the People, I am joined by Pastor Stephen Pomeroy from White Fields Community Church , and we look at the Bible verses and arguments which are c...

Do you know what sex robots, racism, and gender identity all have in common? In addition to being topics that are discussed in this episode, these topics are all related to the subject of Theological (or Biblical) Anthropology. My guest in this episode is Michael Payne. Mike is the Worship Pastor ...

What role should creeds and confessions play in the life of a Christian or of a church? If we have the Bible, then why are creeds and confessions necessary at all? Dr. Carl Trueman is the professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is an esteemed church historian, and a f...

Spiritual disciplines are intentional, repeated practices which help you to grow in relationship with God. In this episode, I speak with my friend and colleague, Mike Neglia about his practice of journaling, and how it has benefited him spiritually. We also talk about the practice of taking note...

Taking a step into the unknown can be scary, and yet, when led by God, it can lead to incredible spiritual growth and benefits for your life. Wendy Zahorjanski is a missionary in Serbia with her husband, Danny, in the city of Kragujevac, where they planted a church. Wendy recently wrote a book a...

Randy Newman grew up in a secular Jewish home, but through relationships with Christians, as well as through a series of personal events and realizations, he became a Christian. Randy is now a senior fellow for apologetics at the C.S. Lewis Institute , and over the past several decades he has talked...

Desiderius Erasmus is one of the most important figures in the history of the Protestant Reformation. He was a key thinker, and the compiler of many of the manuscripts that were used in translating the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into languages of the people. He was also in communication with many o...

Jamie Dunlop is an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, in Washington D.C. and the author of the book, Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church . Jamie's church is only a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol building, and Jamie discusses how the...

In the Parable to the Good Samaritan, Jesus concludes the parable with this phrase: “Go and Do Likewise.” What then is the role of “acts of mercy” or providing for physical needs, in regard to the Great Commission we’ve received from Jesus: to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all people?...

The internet is a tool that nearly everyone uses on a daily basis, but what impact does it have on us in regard to Christian discipleship? How have digital devices transformed the way that communities and churches, function, and what challenges do these technologies pose for us as individuals seekin...

If you read the Bible in English, you may not realize all of the drama and sacrifices that went into getting the Bible translated into the English language.  William Tyndale was an English biblical scholar and linguist who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, until he was execute...

Who is the Holy Spirit, and how does an understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit contribute to our life and faith as believers in Jesus?  Fred Sanders is professor of theology at the Torrey Honors College at Biola University. He is the author of a much sought-after series of theolog...

How should we, as Christians think about mental health and mental illness? Are there ways in which the Bible gives us insights into treating mental illness, that go beyond what modern secular scholarship can provide? In this episode, I speak with David Murray. David Murray holds a PhD from Vrije U...

For many people, the study of the “end times” can feel mysterious and disorienting. But, upon examination, what you find is that there are really only three main lenses through which people interpret the eschatological texts in the Bible. In this episode, my friend Aaron Salvato from the Good Lion...

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Bible. It is often read at funerals, or at times when people are in need of comfort.  And yet, there is more to this Psalm than many people realize. According to my guest, David Gibson, Psalm 23 echoes the major themes of the Bible...

Many people consider Jesus to be a great teacher, but few actually realize just how incredible his teachings actually were. Dr. Peter J. Williams is the principal of Tyndale House in Cambridge, and he is the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project. He is also a member of the ESV Tra...

In this first episode of Season 4, Nick Cady speaks with pastor and author Andrew Wilson about why understanding western culture is important for Christian theology and mission. Andrew has a PhD from King’s College London, and he serves as the teaching pastor at King’s Church London. In his new ...

The new season of Theology for the People will be coming, starting in January 31, 2024, and featuring topics including: Eschatology, Church History, Mental Health, Practical Theology, and more. Upcoming guests include Shane Angland, Andrew Wilson, Peter J. Williams, and Fred Sanders.  If you hav...