The Laymens Lounge

A Church for the Rest of Us

What is the CREC (Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches)? How can such a small group of churches make such a national impact? What itches does this crew scratch, and what is it about …

After receiving a devastating brain cancer diagnosis, Jay Hewitt had a decision to make: Should he give up on faith or practice what he preached and …

Join us as we sit down with Zachary Garris author of "Masculine Christianity" and ask: Should wives always submit to their husbands (what if he is a …

One may characterize this book as non-ecclesiastical kingdom work. In the footsteps of Abraham Kuyper, the well-known Dutch theologian and …

Let Twitter rage; Douglas Wilson is the People's Theologian.

Join us for a conversation with Douglas Wilson, where we delve into his recent book, …

Join us as we sit down with Biblical Theologian and captain-of-common-sense Bnonn Tennant and discuss the telos of man, white knights, weak pastors, …

A Biography of Abraham Kuyper the Alpinist, Globetrotter, Celebrated Speaker, Scholar, Activist, Journalist and Statesman

Who was Abraham Kuyper? We …

"God's child remains the old man's grave-digger until the hour of his own departure." - Abraham Kuyper

An excerpt From "The Work of the Holy Spirit" …

In John 15, Jesus says, “I have called you friends.” But what does it mean to be friends with Jesus? In the early 1650s, theologian John Owen …

Neo-Calvinism, also known as “Kuyperianism,” is a nuancing and application of Christianity to all aspects of life that was developed by Abraham Kuyper

Tracing the History of Abortion in America by Looking beyond the Laws to the Dramatic Stories and Colorful Personalities of the People They Touched

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So far about 75 of us are going to be reading Abraham Kuyper's "Pro Rege: Living under Christ’s Kingship, Volume 3" and we would love to have you …

The gLAWspel is Depressing but the Gospel is Sweeeeeet!

Happy new year! To kick off season 4, hosts Benji and Jason chat (this is episode 1 of 2) a bit about their own stories and the glory of the Gospel over and …

Because there are no throwaway verses

When starting a new Bible-reading plan, many readers begin enthusiastically in Genesis but then lose momentum when they encounter the Old Testament laws and genealogies. But the …

Trevin Wax is a pillar of the SBC and recently wrote a book called “The Thrill of Orthodoxy Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith” published by IVP. Join us as we see just how far the creeds and orthodoxy touch …

Toward a Christian Vision of Government

The cult of Climate, Covid, CRT, LGBT, and "unity. We’re at a cultural moment. It’s a product of counter …

The Rule of Faith for Reading the Bible

Today we sit down with Todd Hains, author of “Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith” (IVP), and we learn there …

Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship

“I have entitled this book, "Limping with God" instead of Walking with God or Running with …

In this interview we sit down with Richard Gaffin, author of “An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of Acts and Paul - In the Fullness of Time” …

The Baptist shift from Calvin’s “Feeding” to Bunyan’s “Memorial”

When it comes to baptism and the Lord’s Supper, many Baptists reject the language of sacrament. As a people of the book, the logic goes, Baptists must not …

Do you know you would have done otherwise?

Jonathan Edwards owned a slave. George Whitfield owned slaves and was a pro-slavery activist. Thomas …

Translating Kuyper, the rise of liberalism amongst the ICS and Neo-Calvinists, and reformation not revolution.

In this episode with Harry van Dyke, …

"It’s no secret that the Bible has a lot of stories; at Covenant [they] are concerned to show how it all fits with the Big Story. But what are we to do with the littler stories? We warn you about an overly simplistic …

To silence the silent screams of a desperate conscience that longs to be free and forgiven

Help! I keep sinning!!! 

Join us as we sit down with Sam Storms, author of "A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin (And Three …

Getting at the Fundamentals via a Survey of History

Today we are joined with Greg Parker Jr., editor and translator of the recently released book from Herman Bavinck called “What is Christianity?”

No mere theories. No lofty principles to form society... Just get to Church

"The Cultural Mandate" - who said it first? Of course the idea was there …

“Whatever is true of Christ is true of humanity.”

Today we chat with Dr. Ross Hastings, author of “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Exploring Its …

Are we Human Beings or Human Doings?

Join us as we sit down with Christopher Holmes, author of A Theology of the Christian Life: Imitating and …

Most Christians around me seem to be answering questions that nobody is asking. Christianity seems more to answer the question of a damned-soul and …

Rejoice! God is interested in your hobbies, your projects, and the things you love

“Glorify God and enjoy Him forever…” That sounds great, but how exactly does one do that? In what way does my considering the lilies of …

Christian Democrats? Church & State? “Not of this world”?

Join us as we sit down with Bruce Ashford (author of “Letters to an American Christian” …

Let God be true and every hermeneutic a liar

John Walton appreciates Calvin, gleans from Vos, and his happy to draw from the ancient confessions - but he offers them no allegiance. Metanarratives and hermeneutical grids …

What does Neo-Calvinism applied look like? 84 years of insight

Today we sit down with Jan Boer, an 84 year old Dutch/Canadian who is a translator of …

When Union & Theosis Shake Hands

“These themes of perfection, union with Christ, and the necessity of the incarnation point to the fact that …

If you know only one thing, know this

“Whoever knows well this art of distinguishing between Law and Gospel, him place at the head and call him a …

“Humanity is no aimless mass of people which only serves the purpose of giving birth to the elect. On the contrary, the world now, as well as in the beginning, is the theater for the mighty works of God, and humanity …

Means, Ends & Expectations of Personal Devotion

What should my “quiet time” consist of? What should be taking place – increased knowledge? felt …

Satiated with Kuyper as Mystics or the with Kuyper as Cerebral Theologians and Worldviewers? 

Join us we sit down with Steven Garber and identify and …

The Rise, Demise, and Global Resurgence of Abraham Kuyper

Listen in as we sit down with the treasurer of the heritage of neo-Calvinism himself: Dr. George Harinck. In this episode we survey the spread and implications …

Naming the presence of God in our midst

“God with us.” God with us? “YHWH with us” (But isn’t that the first person of the Trinity?)? Jesus left, but he leaves the Spirit? And that’s better how? Join us as we sit down …

Gettin’ stoked on metaphor, allusion, & foreshadowing

Chad Bird is in the business of turning on lights. If you crack open one of his books, or listen to his podcasts, don’t’ be surprised if one of his hands comes …

Genealogy, “14 Generations,” the "Son of David," the “Christ," the Exile

We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Tom Schreiner to discuss the first chapter of Matthew – asking how best to make sense of it all and …

Everybody loves Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (well, at least the movies), but who was this man? Was he best friends with Hudson Taylor and …

A Hospitable Bed Interview on Spiritual Formation with Jim Houston

“I came here to die.” Speaking from Hospice that is what Christian pillar James …

Questions about what we have assumed

A few weeks ago, I happened upon a 2-part article series by Michael Cooper called “Ephesiology and the Critique …

Getting the Big Picture of the Pilgrims. Fact vs Fiction. Pilgrim Theological Emphasis. Theonomy Applied. Etc.

Thomas Kidd just showed me that I …

Lim Swee Hong and Lester Ruth

“God inhabits the praises of His people” Psalm 22:3. With this verse as the Theological lynchpin, a new way of …

15 years ago Collin Hansen identified a movement; “Young, Restless and Reformed.” John Piper, Mark Driscoll, John MacArthur were all pillars. With a …

A Trinitarian Theolog of Gratitude and Giving

“We swim in gifts, in things given freely by God… But you don’t feel this very often though, do you? …

Join us as we sit down with Pastor Benji Magness and discuss the life of the believer and the enjoyment (or rejection?) of Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone, creepy stuff and horror films, punk rock and burning your CDs …

Dr. Sandra Richter speaks all manner of ancient languages, has a doctorate from Harvard, is a professor, an archeologist, a leading voice in academic …

Father as “Not Begotten” – Son as “Begotten” – Spirit as “Spirated”

Join us as we sit down with the Trinity powerhouse Dr. Matthew Barrett author of “

“I’ve found Borger’s vocation to be more similar to a pharmacist than a bookseller. People come to Hearts and Minds [Bookstore] with one deficiency or another. After some listening, Borger prescribes just the right …

In part 2 of our interview with Lutheran/Country Music/Vocation powerhouse, Dr. Gene Veith (part 1 is here), author of “The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals” (Concordia Publishing House), we …

Attempting to Apply a Mystery to Daily Life

Join us as we sit down with Trinity-nuance master Fred Sanders and bombard him with questions on all things Father, Son and Spirit. Dr. Sanders is the author/editor of “The …

“Eastern Orthodoxy is perceived as an exotic and picturesque remnant from an alien past”

-Bartholomew I (the 270th and current archbishop of …

Fuel for Ethics from WWJD? Fake it ‘til You Make it? “Kingdom”? Gratitude? Imitation? or Creation?

“As Bavinck works out the concrete content of his …

A glimpse into “Holy Worldliness” across the globe

“Through the making of culture, as opposed to simply criticizing it, Christian architects, …

A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Consequence

"We need to have a vision of the day our sons will leave our homes and work backward from that day with a plan to help them gain the knowledge, skills, character, and …

Listen in, because the Gospel is not just “true”, but it is actually truly wonderfully good news – and not just in theory but in lived-reality. Dr. …

“You don’t use your job as an excuse to evangelize, but you treat people as full human beings – and part of being a human being is you have …

Christ infuses purpose into every facet of the ordinary.

Folding laundry. Weeding the garden. Cooking dinner. Changing diapers. Work in the home can …

Before the Fall, we were all artists and poets

“Can our churches be beautiful again, and not just promote goodness and truth?... It’s one thing to …

“The Bible became alive to Him, it was not as some Elizabethan artifact but as a living book, appropriate for the gritty lives of butchers, cement layers, radio-preaching mothers, and the drunks who lounged in the alley …

Listen in as we sit down with Dr. Bruce Pass and discuss his book “The Heart of Dogmatics: Christology and Christocentrism in Herman Bavinck”. Here …

“I immediately saw that neither pious homilies or straightforward religious education were cutting it. Instead, I brought in albums, video and newspaper clips. By exploring the stories behind pop music, entertainment …

“Our weary hearts long to hear the gospel reverberate around us in surround sound. We hear the voices of our fellow church members and remember that were not in this alone. God has welcomed us into his family.”

Listen …

Not long ago, Dr. Michael Kruger came across a list of ten principles set forth by proponents of progressive Christianity. They are, in effect, a new Ten Commandments. What’s striking is that they are far less about God …

Ok, so were saved… Now what? Once we know we are firm in Christ, we ask, along with Luther, what should we do now? We know we don’t perform good …

When the desire to be on fire for Jesus is a living hell

“Is there a God for those who are not changing anything but diapers? Is there a God for those who simply love their spouse and pour out rarely appreciated …

The Trinity is not a Mere Concept, Idea or Formula

Questions to Dr. Sonderegger

1. What did God’s internal relationship look like as Father, Son and …

Dr. Ross Hastings is a pure and utter delight and a fount of wisdom - a medium for compelling truth for the Christian just trying to make it through the day. Bombarded with temptations from within and without, how do we …

In the late 1960s and on into the next decade, Francis Schaeffer regularly received requests from evangelicals across North America seeking his help …

We all know Santa Claus didn’t really punch Arius in the face at Nicea (but we still share the memes), but there are a few other urban legends of Church history we need to come corrected on. In this episode Dr. Michael …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Vincent Bacote, (interview part 2 of 2) (Associate Professor of Theology, Director of Center for Applied Christian …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Vincent Bacote, (the first of two interviews with) (Associate Professor of Theology, Director of Center for Applied …

An Introduction, Overview & Step-by-Step Guide

“The Book of Common Prayer” seems amazing but having grown up Baptist I have no idea what this thing is and how its to be used. So, we wrangled in the editors of IVP’s …

Join us as we sit down with Seth Dillon, CEO of the Babylon Bee and co-founder of Not the Bee, asking him:

1. Having been at the helm of the Babylon Bee for awhile now, what has been the most mind-blowing thing that’s …

(Ep. 56) Jordan Ballor: Being Discipled by Abraham Kuyper

“Kuyper Must be Understood as an Artist”

Few people have read, and know the works, of Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) better than Dr. Jordan Ballor – editor of the 12 …

On a Sunday afternoon in 1935, J. Gresham Machen stepped into a broadcast booth at WIP Radio in Philadelphia and began something no one had tried …

Part 1 of our 3-part-series where Danny Hyde gives us a primer on each of the 3 documents that comprise the Three Forms of Unity. Today Danny Hyde …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Guy Waters, contributor and co-editor of Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives …

Dr. Craig Keener is a world-renowned Biblical scholar, and so, naturally, he believes the Bible, and takes seriously the command, when it says …

Join us as we sit down and pick the brain of the gracious T. Desmond Alexander in connection with his book "From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An …

A Glorious Discussion on How to Joyously Read the Old Testament

I think this is one of the most practical and applicable interviews we’ve had yet.

“Joy is the word that comes to mind when I reflect on writing about …

Join us as we sit down with Winfield Bevins, author of "Simply Anglican: An Ancient Faith for Today's World" (Anglican Compass, 2020), asking him why so many Christians are trading their “Jonathan Edwards is my homeboy” …

Listen in as I try to interview John Goldingay on Genesis.

What are “Ethics”? What is the need for Ethics when we have Theology? What do ethics have to do with my normal life? How can I become the person I …

There is a reason Tish Harrison Warren is widely received amongst us rank-and-file saints. She’s a Christian, she’s a human with hopes, fears and doubts. It seems many authors and teachers write and speak to the …

“Dogmatics is far from an abstract business but is connected by a thousand and one threads to everyday life.” - Cornelis van der Kooi

Is it weird to …

"Unless we rest in God's personalizing of us, we will try and 'personalize' our faith through our own intensity and emotions. Often, the 'personalness' of the gospel is secured through second-rate means, such as …

"J. Gresham Machen was one of many to fall under the spell of football. 'When I see a vacant field on one of these autumn days,' Machen wrote to a friend while in Europe in 1905, 'my mind is filled with wonder at this …

“People have this weird and irrational tendency to begin a new year with the assumption that things will truly be new during the next twelve months, …

Through thirty-three objects, Tim Challies explores the history of what God is accomplishing in this world, whether through princes or peasants, triumph or trial and (notating his findings in a book and DVD set). Each …

We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Tom Schreiner to discuss the first couple chapters of Luke - asking how best to make sense of it all and have our calloused hearts hear the story afresh. Join us as we take …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Bird and discuss the second edition of his Systematic Theology and what needs he saw that would cause him to take the …

The life and trials of Nicholas of Myra the Saint who would be Santa Claus. Listen in as we sit down with Dr. Adam English and trace the evolution of …

Listen as we sit down with Dr. Andrew Abernethy to discuss what the Old Testament expected of the coming Messiah and to what end? A conquering King? Forgiveness of sins? Flourishing? Justice? A suffering Servant? God …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Greg Lanier and discuss all things incarnation, asking questions like:

1. Why did the Messiah need to be born of a …

Join us as we talk all things Christmas carols with the ever-gracious and holistic Richard Mouw. Dr. Mouw says, “I love Christmas carols, and I even …

Join us as we sit down with leading Islam and Quran scholar Dr. Gordon D. Nickel and ask questions in connection with his recent book, “The Quran …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Robert Tracy McKenzie as he helps separate fact from fiction on Pilgrims, the Mayflower and Thanksgiving. Dr. McKenzie is the author of “The First Thanksgiving What the Real Story Tells …

Join us we sit down with J.V. Fesko and ask him, in connection with his new book “The Need for Creeds Today: Confessional Faith in a Faithless Age”:

- In what ways are some Confessional Christians like grouchy …

What is the focus of the Bible? Heaven? Kingdom? Covenant? Justification? Glory to God? Join us as we sit down with J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel …

Apart from the doctrine of God, no doctrine is as comprehensive as that of creation. Join us as we sit down with the Rev. Dr. Craig Bartholomew as we …

Join us as we sit down with Kristyn Getty and discuss “Evensong’ – Hymns and Lullabies at the close of day, and how we too can, as Getty puts it, “be …

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Carl Trueman and discuss Martin Luther on the Christian Life, the Cross and Freedom.

The Dogmatics and Ethics of Herman Bavinck applied to daily life. Herman Bavinck gave much thought to Dogmatics, ethics, and being a human created in the image of God, or “imago Dei” – join us as we sit down with Dr. …

Join us as we sit down with Mike Wagenman to discuss one of the most important theologians of the last 300 years: Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper still speaks …

Today we sit down with Michael Horton and ask him to ask him a thousand questions about justification. The doctrine of justification stands at the center of our systematic reflection on the meaning of salvation as well …

"Rightly Distinguishing the Law and Gospel is the Most Difficult & Highest art of Christians" - CFW Walther

Today we sit down with Dr. Jordan …

In this episode we sit down for an interview with Dr Matthew Barrett to learn how to read the Bible as one story (and not just a bunch of bizarre un-related scenes) and how Jesus Himself read the Scriptures (as all …

Join us as we interview Danny Olinger, author of the definitive Geerhardus Vos biography. We explore Vos’ personal life, his theology, and we learn …

An Interview with N.T. Wright on C.S. Lewis, Demons, Lament and More.

Join us as we sit down with N.T. Wright to discuss, in connection with his new book “Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World”, …

Paul says we must walk by the Spirit - did Jesus walk by the Spirit? When we walk by the Spirit are we functioning like Christ? Was Jesus Obedient to …

Join us as we pick the brain of Old Testament scholar Jeffrey Niehaus on Genesis 3:1-3 (and more):

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other …

Its been said that for fish that living under water, with all they’ve ever known as underwater living, and all the other fish around them also only knowing underwater living, that these fish might incorrectly assume …

The Chosen, a TV series about the life of Jesus, has had nearly 56 million views. Join us as we sit down with The Chosen Associate Producer Justen Overlander as we ask what the show is all about and why 56 million …

"An Orthodox Life in a Changing World" indeed.

Dr. James Eglinton joins us to discuss the life of Herman Bavinck in connection with his forthcoming "Bavinck: A Critical Biography" (Baker Academic).

Dutch Calvinist …

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” - Abraham …

Dr. Jack Deere is a healer. By the power of the Spirit, and for the glory of the living and active God, he has healed many. He isn't insane, isn't a faker, doesnt want your money, he's not on TV and doesn't wear a …

“Why do we focus on our motivations for [repenting]? Why do we keep asking ourselves ‘Am I heartily sorry? Do I sincerely repent? Or am I only going through the motions?’ Behind the veil of our confused emotions and …

As we make our way through Genesis 1–3, we will glean three interrelated points: (1) God creates the heavens and the earth to be his cosmic …

200 years ago the first Christian missionaries arrived in the Kingdom of Hawaii. There remains a great heritage and legacy of faith in the islands (as well as, sadly, no small residual pain from deplorable acts). …

“If you’re [listening to this podcast] right now, I’m assuming you’re clawing your way through hell, or you have in the past, or you know someone who is. I don’t know where you are—buried under blankets in a dark room, …

Sunday worship and our Monday work desperately need to inform and impact each other but they often seem like worlds apart. Dr Matthew Kaemingk joins us to discuss his forthcoming book Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our …

Christians know we are saved by grace, but we often think we need to conjure up and produce a steady stream of good works to “stay saved” (quiet times, being nice to our baristas, “spiritual disciplines”, etc.). In this …

We all know God delights in the sacred activity of prayers and songs of Christians, but does He also delight in "secular" things as well? Can He …

Listen in as we interview Pastor/Scholar Danny Hyde and discuss how Christians are weary from thinking they always need to be "doing stuff" to …

Join us as we sit down with Reformed scholar/pastor/theologian, Sam Storms, who believes the Spiritual Gifts are still alive and that the church …

Join us as we talk with Dr Edwin van Driel as we ask: what is Jesus doing? Is He even doing anything at all (because it seems like this world is going to hell and the Church seems to have no influence)? Is Jesus just a …

Join us as we interview Dr John Walton (professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and one of the world's most prominent scholars and voices on …

Join us as we interview Amos Yong (professor of Theology and Mission at Fuller Seminary) who seeks to bring Biblical clarity to the person and work …

Bruce Ashford is Professor of Theology & Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and seeks to cultivate a “Christianity for the …