(E23) Extravagant Grace

Rev. Canon Dr. Scot McKnight, world-renowned speaker, writer, and New Testament scholar, joins me to discuss his passion for the Word of God and his new book “Invisible Jesus: A Book about Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ.” He tackles the controversial topic of Christians “deconstructing” their faith. Show Notes: Listen to the “Kingdom Roots” Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hjRedTooXmqsCWaasDQHF?si=ca4cea94a3ba405e Read the Newsletter on Substack: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/ Follow on “X”: @scotmcknight

Have you ever seen a video (or a photograph) that made an illustration in the Bible come alive? This week, I share how a BBC video of an Alpine Ibex brought a simile from Psalm 18 (and Habakkuk 3) to life. A simile is a powerful literary tool that turns abstract concepts into concrete illustrations through comparison. The Bible is filled with them, because they communicate with a rich vividness that literal language cannot.

Writer, Bible teacher, and women's ministry consultant, Marny Köstenberger, Ph. D., joins me to share her journey of faith, the joy of engaging the Scriptures, and her latest book, Sanctification as Set Apart and Growing in Christ.
Check out the wealth of resources available on Drs. Marny and Andreas Köstenberger's Biblical Foundations Website:https://biblicalfoundations.org
Follow on "X" (a.k.a. Twitter):@mkostenberger


Has the message of the gospel become commonplace to you? Have you lost the sense of wonder and amazement at the grace of God in Christ? When you read a passage of Scripture, hear a Christ-exalting sermon, or sing a worship song that describes who Jesus is and what He has done, does it warm your heart and stir your affection for Him anew? May what you learn from Jeremiah 32 stoke your affection for Christ today. YouTube Link: www.youtube.com/@EngagetheWordWithERod Cooler Podcast Player Invite Code: ENGAGE Piper Sermon Link: www.desiringgod.org/messages/eternal-security-is-a-community-project--2

This episode is a conversation with my dear friend, sister in Christ, and partner in the ministry of the Word for women at our church. Stef Dowd shares how engaging the Word of God impacted her life and helped her discover that the Lord was calling her to serve Him as a Bible teacher. She also provides practical tips that will help you engage the Word at any age or stage, as she is learning to navigate through a new season in her life. Her insight and transparency is sure to equip and encourage you. To God be the glory! The Bible Recap: https://www.thebiblerecap.com Echo Prayer App: https://www.echoprayer.com Beauty for Ashes by Crystal Lewis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDhlTzbyFRo

Have you ever come across a verse of Scripture that, for whatever reason, you could not hurry past? What do you do? In this episode, I share one of my favorite methods of prayerful meditation: the "Garland of Four Strands" from Martin Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray. Link to the Four Strands Worksheet: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGKSzkkwUg/oj3uWxuNUPBAv2m-FOgDnA/view?utm_content=DAGKSzkkwUg&utm_campaign=share_your_design&utm_medium=link&utm_source=shareyourdesignpanel Article: Agony in the Garden https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/agony-in-the-garden

Matthew S. Harmon, Ph. D., Professor of New Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary, joins me to discuss how he came to faith in Christ, how he discovered his passion "to help people to see the beauty of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures," and his book "Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible". Show Notes: Free Resource for "Asking the Right Questions": https://static.crossway.org/excerpt/bookmark-asking-the-right-questions.pdf TGC Course for "Asking the Right Questions": https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/asking-the-right-questions/ Listen to the "Biblical Theology Briefing Podcast": https://open.spotify.com/show/7rZWl29HobtEyK9K2E6FYw?si=7a9d671845be406b Listen to the "Various and Sundry Podcast": https://open.spotify.com/show/0Xy43fyH64BWQPBSM3nbnA?si=74be10411d464831 Follow on "X" (a.k.a. Twitter): @DocHarmon

Are you spending time sitting at the Lord's feet listening to His teaching? Did your plans to read, study, or memorize God's Word fizzle out? God willing, this week's episode will encourage you to press on and spend time engaging the Word alone.

We can pursue God only because He loves and pursues us first. Though human fathers ought to reflect our perfect, loving Heavenly Father, many do not. Even those who do cannot reflect Him perfectly. As we look at Luke 15, I pray that the extravagant grace of God the Father will encourage you.

We study the Bible to grow in our love for God as we learn about who He is and what He has done—according to His own words. Because the Bible is a book written by God about God, the most important question we should ask and answer when we read or study is, "What do I learn about Him?"