Scripture in Black and White

Can Christians trust artificial intelligence for Bible study, sermon preparation, or spiritual guidance?  Go deeper with a RENEW.org article on generative AI in ministry: https://renew.org/should-we-use-generative-ai-chatbots-for-ministry/ Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday church ministry. Pastors are using tools like ChatGPT for biblical research, sermon preparation, and generating discussion questions. But how much should Christians trust the answers these tools provide? In this episode of Scripture in Black & White, Anthony Walker and Daniel McCoy welcome author Doug Smith for a conversation about the reliability of generative AI and its influence on Christian discipleship. Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Should church leaders use generative AI? Explore the debate over AI in ministry, sermon preparation, and the habits that shape disciples. Read Doug Smith’s related article: https://renew.org/should-we-use-generative-ai-chatbots-for-ministry/ Doug Smith and Wes Woodell join moderators Anthony Walker and Daniel McCoy to discuss whether generative artificial intelligence belongs in Christian ministry. Their disagreement centers on whether carefully limited use can support ministry or whether the technology itself encourages dependence that undermines discipleship. Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Should Christians celebrate Halloween? Explore biblical arguments about Christian freedom and how Halloween traditions shape children’s faith. Read Daniel McCoy’s related article: https://renew.org/should-a-christian-celebrate-halloween/ Renée Sproles and Josh Branham join moderators Anthony Walker and Daniel McCoy to discuss whether Christians should celebrate Halloween. This episode of Scripture in Black and White examines how believers can approach a holiday with mixed religious roots while remaining faithful to Jesus. For parents and church leaders weighing Halloween decisions, this conversation offers contrasting perspectives grounded in biblical reasoning. It encourages thoughtful discernment about personal conscience and the responsibility to help others follow Jesus. Related Resources What’s Halloween Supposed to Be About? https://renew.org/whats-halloween-supposed-to-be-about/ Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? https://renew.org/should-christians-watch-horror-movies/ Register for the RENEW.org Gathering: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Should pastors connect biblical teaching to political positions and politicians? Explore two perspectives on preaching and Christian political engagement. Go deeper with this related RENEW.org article on preaching politics:  https://renew.org/preaching-politics-6-thoughts-from-the-book-of-daniel/ Tom Steele and Michael Demastus join moderators Daniel McCoy and Anthony Walker for Season 7, Episode 9 of Scripture in Black and White Podcast. Their discussion examines whether pastors should connect biblical teaching to specific political positions and politicians during a sermon. Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

The New Perspective on Paul challenges how Christians read Romans, Galatians, justification, and works. John Whittaker and Bob Turner examine its strengths and weaknesses. Explore what it means to be Protestant and always reforming: https://renew.org/what-it-means-to-be-protestant/ John Whittaker and Bob Turner join moderators Daniel McCoy and Anthony Walker on this episode of Scripture in Black and White to examine the New Perspective on Paul. They begin with its central question: Have Christians read Paul in his first-century context, or have they filtered Romans and Galatians through Martin Luther and the concerns of the Protestant Reformation? Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

House churches and traditional churches offer different strengths and risks for disciple making. Matt Dabbs and Jordan Arnold examine both models. Learn how churches can align leaders around disciple making: https://renew.org/leadership-alignment-training-for-disciple-making/ This conversation continues the discussion of house churches and traditional churches. Anthony Walker and Daniel McCoy moderate as Matt Dabbs, a home church planter, and Jordan Arnold, teaching minister at Harpeth Christian Church, examine how church structure shapes discipleship. Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources.  https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Are House Churches More Biblical? Matt Dabbs and Jordan Arnold discuss what the New Testament says about house churches, larger gatherings, and making disciples. Want to become a disciple making church, learn more about RENEW.org's Leadership Alignment Training for churches -- https://renew.org/leadership-alignment-training-for-disciple-making/    

Is speaking in tongues a real human language, a private prayer language, or a spiritual gift the church no longer needs?  Explore a biblical approach to the gifts of the Spirit https://renew.org/gifts-of-the-spirit/ In Season 7, Episode 5 of Scripture in Black and White, hosts Anthony Walker and Daniel McCoy sit down with David Young, academic dean of RENEW University, for a format they have never tried before: asking one guest to argue both sides of the same question. Speaking in tongues appears in five clear New Testament passages, yet debates over what it means—and whether the gift continues today, have shaped entire denominations and still divide Christians within the same congregation. Daniel and Anthony press David on how each side answers the other’s strongest arguments, including Paul’s instruction that speaking in tongues during a church gathering requires an interpreter. Read more and engage with these types of conversations at RENEW.org: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Does the Bible clearly teach a young earth, or is there room for an old earth reading of Genesis 1?  Explore more content at RENEW.org: https://renew.org/ Hosts Anthony Walker and Daniel moderate a frank conversation between Jeff Randleman (young-earth perspective) and Ben Stroup (old-earth perspective) about whether Genesis 1 clearly teaches a young earth. They explore scriptural language, the meaning of "yom," the death-before-fall argument, distant starlight, and pastoral implications for faith and science. The episode emphasizes shared convictions, God as Creator and the need for redemption, while outlining different interpretive approaches and practical ways ministers can guide doubting or curious listeners. Read more and engage with these types of conversations at RENEW.org: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Hosts Anthony and Daniel sit down with Jason Ishmael and Brett Kays to debate whether multi‑site churches are a healthy path for growth. The conversation weighs biblical eldership, practical leadership challenges, and the impact on church planting, especially in under‑resourced rural areas. The episode explores real‑world fears and case studies, including when to launch, release, or subsidize campuses, how to preserve local pastoral care and autonomy, and strategies for multiplying healthy, independent churches while reaching more people for the gospel. Read more and engage with these types of conversations at RENEW.org: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media!  You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network  Facebook: Renew.org  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network  Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW