The Holy Trinity Institute Podcast

In this episode, Malissa and David are joined by Daniel Westergaard, financial advisor and deacon at Holy Trinity Church, to talk about why our relationship with money is about much more than budgets or giving percentages—it is a matter of spiritual formation.Together, they consider Jesus' teaching on generosity, greed, stewardship, and care for the poor and explore the challenges of practicing financial discipleship in an urban culture. Along the way, Daniel offers practical ideas for taking small, tangible steps toward a life shaped by generosity.In This EpisodeWhy generosity and financial discipleship are matters of spiritual formation, not simply financial managementWhat Jesus teaches about generosity, greed, stewardship, and care for the poorHow comparison, consumerism, and the pursuit of security shape our relationship with moneyPractical ways to cultivate contentment, build margin, and practice generosity in everyday lifeResources MentionedGiving Is the Good Life: The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy - Randy AlcornGod and Money — John Cortines & Gregory BaumerTrue Riches — John Cortines & Gregory BaumerGospel Patrons — John RinehartThe Generosity Practice — Practicing the Way

Systematic theology can sound intimidating, something reserved for pastors, professors, or seminary classrooms. But what if theology is simply the way we think and speak about God? And what if every Christian is already doing theology, whether we realize it or not?In this episode, Malissa and David explore why theology matters for everyday discipleship. They discuss what systematic theology is (and isn't), how Christian doctrine grows out of Scripture, and how the Apostles' Creed has helped Christians across centuries rehearse the story of the gospel together. Join us as we unpack how our beliefs are meant to do more than fill our minds—they are meant to shape our worship, our trust, and the way we live in the world.In this episode...What systematic theology is and why every Christian is already a theologianHow Scripture, doctrine, and the Apostles' Creed work together to shape Christian belief and practiceHow doctrines like the Trinity, resurrection, and salvation become "stage directions" for faithful living today.Further ResourcesIf you'd like to continue exploring theology and Christian doctrine, here are several books mentioned in this episode:Kelly M. Kapic, A Little Book for New Theologians – A short, accessible introduction to why theology matters and how it shapes the Christian life.Roger E. Olson, The Mosaic of Christian Belief – An overview of the major doctrines of the Christian faith, highlighting both historic Christian consensus and areas where faithful Christians have differed.J.I. Packer, Knowing God – A modern classic on the character of God and how true knowledge of him leads to worship and discipleship.A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy – A devotional reflection on the attributes of God that has shaped generations of Christians.John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion – One of the foundational works of Protestant theology, offering a comprehensive vision of the Christian faith.J.T. English, Jen Wilkin, You Are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well - An accessible introduction to Christian doctrine written for the whole church.

How does art shape our faith? In this episode, hosts Malissa and David are joined by Holy Trinity Church Senior Pastor Jon Dennis to explore why novels, paintings, poetry, and music are more than entertainment - they can become powerful tools for Christian discipleship. Reflecting on the Institute's year-long cohort on Life in Our Creative World - Forming Christian Imagination Through the Arts, they discuss how engaging beauty helps form our loves, deepen our understanding of the gospel, and equip us to follow Christ more faithfully in today's culture.In this Episode:Why the arts are an essential part of Christian spiritual formationHow culture and stories shape our imagination and worldviewA biblical framework for engaging art through the lens of the gospelPractical ways to cultivate a richer Christian imagination in community

SEASON 2In our first episode of Season 2, Institute podcast hosts Malissa and David explore "How Bible Stories Work". While biblical narratives are memorable, their historical and cultural distance can often make them difficult to interpret. We break down the unique features of the narrative genre—character, plot, and setting—and introduce a helpful interpretive framework called the "Pathway from Text to Life". Tune in to learn how to avoid common pitfalls (like immediately casting yourself as the hero) and discover how every individual story perfectly fits into God's unified, redemptive plan.Inside this episode:The unique power of the narrative genre and why historical and cultural distance can make biblical stories challenging to understandA helpful three-step framework called the "Pathway from Text to Life" (moving from exegesis, to theological reflection, to application) for faithfully interpreting the BiblePractical practices for reading stories well by paying close attention to character, plot, and settingEncouragement and insights on how to avoid the common pitfall of casting ourselves as the hero, and instead read stories to see God's action and Christ's fulfillment

In this season finale of the Holy Trinity Institute Podcast, David and Malissa are joined by Pastor Sully Curtin to explore a foundational question: What is the Church?In a cultural moment shaped by consumerism, digital gathering, and post-pandemic confusion, many Christians are rethinking what the church actually is — and what it’s for. Is it a building? A weekly event? A place to receive spiritual goods and services? Or is it something far more profound?Together, they unpack a biblical vision of the church as “the gospel made visible” — a redeemed community formed by Christ, sent on mission, and shaped through embodied worship, sacrament, and shared life. From the Great Commission to the rhythms of gathered worship, this episode invites listeners to rediscover the beauty, purpose, and necessity of the local church.Inside This Episode:Beyond Consumerism: Why viewing church as a "product" to consume stifles our spiritual growth.The Gospel Lens: How the local church acts as the "hermeneutic" (the lens) that helps the world make sense of God’s story.Embodied Community: Why gathering in person is a "divine reality" that shapes our hearts in ways a screen simply can't.A People on Mission: The church doesn't just have a missions department; the church is the mission of God in the city.Heart Reorientation: How the liturgy—from the Call to Worship to the Benediction—realigns our "heart compass" for the week ahead.

What does it really mean to be human? In this episode of The Holy Trinity Institute Podcast, Malissa and David explore how Scripture’s story—creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—shapes our understanding of identity, dignity, and purpose. They reflect on how cultural narratives of autonomy contrast with the biblical vision of embodied image-bearers renewed in Christ, and consider how a gospel-centered view of humanity reshapes our relationships, work, and everyday discipleship.Inside this episode:What it means to be made in the image of God — embodied, dependent, and dignifiedHow modern culture’s vision of the “self” differs from Scripture’s story of humanityWhy sin distorts — but does not erase — our created worthHow redemption in Christ restores our identity and reshapes daily life and vocationHow a biblical vision of embodiment informs conversations around gender, sexuality, and human flourishingResources mentioned in this episode:⁠What God Has to Say about Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for Our Physical Selves by Sam AllberryMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/evening-kissesLicense code: ODESUSTTXDCE0SFF 

In this episode, David, Malissa, and Alyssa unpack the big picture of the Bible as one unified story that God is telling from beginning to end. Drawing on the Institute course, Genesis to Revelation, we explore how Scripture’s grand narrative — from creation and fall to redemption and restoration — reveals God’s redemptive purposes and shapes how we read the Bible as disciples today. Inside this episode:Why understanding the Bible as one story transforms how we read Scripture and follow JesusHow the grand narrative from Genesis to Revelation shapes our identity and missionKey resources and insights that help connect the dots across ScripturePractical ways to engage the whole biblical storyline in daily life and discipleshipResources mentioned in this episode:God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughn RobertsMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/evening-kissesLicense code: ODESUSTTXDCE0SFF 

SEASON 1:In this episode of The Holy Trinity Institute Podcast, hosts Malissa and David reflect on the 2025 Spring Semester course News Worth Sharing: Foundations and Practices of Evangelism. They explore what it means to understand and proclaim the good news of Jesus in a way that’s both faithful to Scripture and relevant to our culture. Drawing on the course content, the conversation highlights biblical foundations for evangelism, practical practices for sharing the gospel, and insights from personal experience that help listeners think about how Christians can be more confident and compassionate bearers of Christ’s message in everyday life. Inside this episode:The core biblical basis for evangelism and why it matters todayHow to think about news worth sharing in a world saturated with competing messagesPractical practices for listening, speaking, and living as witnesses to the gospelEncouragement and insights for engaging others with grace and truth in your community