Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Discipleship in the Digital Age - with Brett McCracken

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 Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death, this conversation explores how modern technology is shaping our souls, eroding our attention, and forming a plausibility structure that makes it harder to believe in transcendent truth.They discuss:How social media is forming us spirituallyThe dangers of disembodied discipleshipWhy embodied church gatherings still matterHow the internet fosters epistemological chaosPractical ways churches and families can reclaim real life in the digital ageWhether you’re a pastor, parent, or just a thoughtful Christian navigating life with a smartphone, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think more deeply about how you engage with technology.📘 Get the book Scrolling Ourselves to DeathVisit TheologyForThePeople.com

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 professor, and was a contributor to the ESV Study Bible.Drawing from Isaiah 57:15 and Ray’s personal experiences of betrayal, regret, loneliness, and loss, they explore how the gospel offers real hope for crushed and broken people.Topics include:How to heal from betrayalWhat to do when you’re trapped by your own sinWhy loneliness is a spiritual crisisHow the doctrine of justification by faith brings healingWhat it means to die well — and live in light of resurrectionThis conversation is filled with biblical encouragement for anyone struggling or walking alongside those who are.Find Ray's book here: Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems LostCheck out the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com

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 Theology Basics series. John shares his background in ministry, from campus work at Princeton to serving in Wheaton, and unpacks the essentials of biblical hermeneutics. He introduces six key tools—Context, Construction, Christ, Clarity, Courtroom, and Crux—for interpreting and applying Scripture faithfully. We also explore common mistakes in Bible study, the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, and how believers can approach God’s Word with confidence.Follow Theology for the People on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theologyforthepeople

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 everything from how we read the Bible to how we navigate truth in a world of misinformation and digital confusion. Whether you're new to the term or already intrigued by philosophy, this conversation will help you think more clearly about how we know what we know—and why that matters for following Jesus today.Follow Miles on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pastormilesVisit Miles' website: https://pastormiles.com/

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 Theological Seminary with a focus on Historical Theology, to discuss what happened after Chalcedon, and why it matters for believers today.We also discuss the views of William Lane Craig, who holds to a Neo-Apolinarian Christology which some see as being in conflict with Chalcedon. We explain what this view is, and how other early councils, such as Constantinople III speak to it. We also explain the importance of the debate over monothylitism and dyathelitism and the question of impeccability vs. peccability and whether Jesus was truly tempted internally or if his temptations were merely external. Subscribe to the Theology for the People YouTube Channel here.Visit the Theology for the People website here.

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 on Guadalupe Mountain in Texas. He reflects on his 12-year journey of preparation, the unique challenges of ministry in a post-Christian culture, and how his acting background informs his preaching and evangelism. The conversation also covers the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Quebec, effective evangelism strategies in Montreal, and the importance of discipleship in a context where biblical knowledge is minimal. Sebastian offers practical advice for church planters in secular urban settings and shares how listeners can support Calvary Montreal’s mission.Sebastian’s Journey to Faith: From a successful acting career in Montreal to a transformative encounter with Jesus while reading the Sermon on the Mount in Texas.Ministry in Montreal: The challenges of pastoring in a highly secular, post-Christian city with less than 0.3% evangelical Christians.Acting and Preaching: How Sebastian’s training in method acting and the Meisner technique shapes his passionate, authentic approach to teaching the Bible.Cultural Context of Quebec: The impact of the Quiet Revolution, the decline of Catholicism, and the rise of humanism in Quebec’s spiritual landscape.Evangelism Strategies: The effectiveness of street and subway evangelism in Montreal, emphasizing authenticity and genuine relationships over large-scale events.Discipleship in a Secular Context: Focusing on basic biblical teachings and one-on-one discipleship due to limited biblical literacy among new believers.Challenges and Encouragement: Sebastian’s experience with a recent church split, the financial struggles of ministry in Quebec, and the joy of seeing individual souls saved.Call to Action: How listeners can pray for, support, or participate in short-term mission trips to support Calvary Montreal.Calvary Montreal Website: calvarymontreal.com – Find information on the church, how to get involved, and support their mission.Subscribe to Theology for the People for more inspiring conversations about faith and ministry.Share this episode with friends or your church community to raise awareness about the mission in Montreal.Visit the Theology for the People website at theologyforthepeople.com

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 redemptive work to the New Testament’s apostolic authority, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word. They also discuss the Apocrypha, the Council of Trent’s impact, and how early Jewish and Christian communities recognized canonical texts.Connect with Theology for the PeopleWebsite: theologyforthepeople.comFollow on X: @nickcady

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 topic.Alan is a pastor and church planter with over 25 years of ministry experience. Alan holds a Master’s Degree from Southwestern Seminary, and a Doctorate in preaching from Gordon Conwell. Both Nick and Alan serve as Adjunct Professors at Calvary Chapel Bible College. Alan also teaches at Rockbridge Seminary. Nick and Alan also serve on the Leadership Team of Expositors Collective. This year, on Easter Sunday, Alan launched a new church plant called Imagine Church in Cressen, Texas.In this episode, Nick and Alan discuss the prepositional approach to understanding the Spirit’s work, and how it helps to address some common questions and even some misconceptions about the baptism of the Holy Spirit.Resources to check out: Perspectives on Spirit Baptism - book, recommended by AlanArticle by Nick: "Is the “Baptism in the Spirit” the Same as Being “Filled” With the Holy Spirit? Yes and No. Here’s Why"Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog

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 prophetically point to Jesus. We talk about the question of who wrote Hebrews, and why it matters — and we talk about how reading the Psalms through the lens of Hebrews can deepen our worship and appreciation of Jesus.Notable QuotesDaniel on Hebrews’ Use of Psalms: “When the author to the Hebrews wanted to make an argument about Jesus, one of the most common places that he goes is to the Psalms.”On Christological Reading: “It’s not reading something into it, it’s reading what’s there and reasoning from it.”On Hebrews’ Argument: “It’s not comparing bad to good… it’s good to better.”For Believers: “If these Psalms aren’t first about us, but about a thing that Jesus has done for us… we can worship Him in finding them.”More Resources: Follow Daniel on XConnect with Us:Subscribe to Theology for the People for more episodes.Visit the Theology for the People website and blog

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 AI. From its potential to advance Bible translation to the risks of “Christian malformation,” they discuss how believers can engage AI selectively to foster human flourishing while staying rooted in the Imago Dei—the image of God. Whether you’re a pastor, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about AI’s role in our world, this conversation will challenge you to think deeply about technology and discipleship.Guest Bio:Paul Hoffman is a pastor at Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Paul previously joined Theology for the People to discuss his book Preaching to a Divided Nation with Matthew Kim. Listen to that episode here.Connect with Paul:Church Website: efcnewport.comSocial Media: https://x.com/pastorhoffman77Visit theologyforthepeople.com