Efca Theology Podcast

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Evangel, Evangelical, Evangelicalism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Mark Noll’s opening message on the topic, “'Evangelical' in the Early Twenty-First Century: An Historical and Global Perspective.” Mark serves as the research professor of history at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and professor emeritus at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Evangel, Evangelical, Evangelicalism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Greg Strand’s introduction to the preconference. Greg serves as the executive director of theology and credentialing in the EFCA.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. As part of this conference, there was a “Statement of Faith Q&A” on the motion to amend Article 9 of our EFCA Statement of Faith, which consists of removing the term “premillennial” and replacing it with “glorious.” On this episode of the podcast, Bill Kynes and Greg Strand, members of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, gave an introduction to the session by responding to a few of the commonly-asked questions regarding this motion. Bill serves as senior pastor at Cornerstone Church (EFCA) in Annandale, Virginia. Greg serves as the executive director of theology and credentialing in the EFCA.

In the fall of 2018, a number of pastors and leaders from across the EFCA gathered at the national office for the annual Missional Summit. Our theme for the Summit was “What it Means to be Evangelical,” which was the topic of the opening lecture. On this episode, we include the second session, part 2, which includes messages from Pablo Cachon and Bryan Lair, with a more focused and specific message to us, “What It Means to be Evangelical in the EFCA.” The speakers addressed the following questions: What are the challenges or positive aspects you face in reaching your community because of the name evangelical? Does this term cause barriers or does it open doors? Do church members and attenders know the rich history of evangelicalism or do you need to take time to explain what the word evangelical means? How do you share with someone: Who you are? Why you exist? What it is you believe and do as an Evangelical Free Church? The speakers provided practical insights from their own ministry contexts that helped us

In the fall of 2018, a number of pastors and leaders from across the EFCA gathered at the national office for the annual Missional Summit. Our theme for the Summit was “What it Means to be Evangelical,” which was the topic of the opening lecture. On this episode, we include the second session, part 1, which includes messages from Ken Young and Jenni Key, with a more focused and specific message to us, “What It Means to be Evangelical in the EFCA.” The speakers addressed the following questions: What are the challenges or positive aspects you face in reaching your community because of the name evangelical? Does this term cause barriers or does it open doors? Do church members and attenders know the rich history of evangelicalism or do you need to take time to explain what the word evangelical means? How do you share with someone: Who you are? Why you exist? What it is you believe and do as an Evangelical Free Church? The speakers provided practical insights from their own ministry contexts that helped us to t

In the fall of 2018, a number of pastors and leaders from across the EFCA gathered at the national office for the annual Missional Summit. Our theme for the Summit was “What it Means to be Evangelical”. Considering societal turmoil, the word "evangelical" has developed various meanings, some which are not favorable. On this episode of the podcast, we share the opening message from the Summit by David Dockery, in which he chronicles the history of evangelicalism and where he sees evangelicalism today. In his message, David also provides a look forward with a focus on some ways we in the EFCA can respond in order to be a beacon of hope and light in an increasingly challenging world. Since 2014, David has served as President of Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois — the educational arm of the EFCA.

During this Advent and Christmas season, Christians and churches remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This emphasizes his full humanity. As we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, we also worship him. This emphasizes his full deity. This is the heart of who Jesus Christ is, God the Son incarnate, fully God and fully man. In our EFCA Statement of Faith we confess, “4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.” To guide us in our thinking about the incarnation this Christmas season, Steve Wellum joined me for a discussion on Christmas and the Incarnation. A couple of years ago he wrote a masterful book on this topic entitled, God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ. Steve serves as Professor of Christian Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a role he has held since 1999. Prior to his ministry as a professor training pas

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this episode of the podcast, we share the third and final message from Mark Yarhouse, “Gender Dysphoria: Toward a Pastoral Response.” Mark is the Hughes Endowed Chair and professor of psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is a core faculty member in the doctoral program in clinical psychology. Mark is also the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity.

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this episode of the podcast, we share the second message from Mark Yarhouse, “Gender Dysphoria: Scientific – Biological, Psychological and Sociocultural Considerations.” Mark is the Hughes Endowed Chair and professor of psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is a core faculty member in the doctoral program in clinical psychology. Mark is also the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity.

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this episode of the podcast, we share the first message from Mark Yarhouse, “Gender Dysphoria: Foundational Considerations (Key Terms and Biblical Perspectives).” Mark is the Hughes Endowed Chair and professor of psychology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is a core faculty member in the doctoral program in clinical psychology. Mark is also the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity.

In 2016, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the postconference was on the theme, “The Ministry of the Gospel and Gender Dysphoria.” On this brief episode of the podcast, we share the introduction to this topic from Greg Strand.

On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that preconference by Roy Oksnevad, “Who are the real Muslims?” Roy serves as Director of COMMA Network, a Coalition of Ministries to Muslims in North America, and ReachNational All People Director of Muslim Ministry.

In 2018, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered in San Antonio, Texas, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Understanding Islam, Loving Our Neighbors.” On this episode of the podcast, we share a message from that preconference by Mike Urton entitled, “What do Muslims Believe?” Mike serves as Associate Director of the COMMA Network, a Coalition of Ministries to Muslims in North America, and ReachNational All People Muslim Ministry.

At the end of the day, we long to hear the words of Jesus: "Well done, good servant!" (Luke 19:17). In light of the topic of this Theology Conference, what does that mean? What guides us to that end? What enables us to live in such a way? Jesus informed us in some of his final words to his disciples on the way to the cross, the time and manner in which the new covenant would be ushered in through his death, burial and resurrection and the subsequent pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Join us in the final message of the EFCA Theology Conference from John Perkins as he discusses how we move forward in unity.

Are compassion and justice ministries the gospel? Or are they entailments of the gospel? On the one hand are those who make them the gospel who end up denying the biblical gospel, that which is done and accomplished in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is the good news that affirms "it is finished," and is to be proclaimed. Rather than a biblical gospel, they end up with a social gospel applying Christian ethics to the social ills of the day, e.g., economic inequality, poverty, racial tensions, addictions, etc. but without the biblical gospel. Join us as Dr. Peter Cha discusses the call of compassion and justice for believers.

One of the word of the year lists last year consisted of xenophobia, a "fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers." In light of the worldwide migration, and of the fear associated with immigration, it is not surprising. But is it biblical, is it the appropriate response of a believer, of an Evangelical? Interestingly, one of the biblical commands is the opposite of this, evidence in the term philoxenia, a "love for strangers or foreigners; hospitality, kindness to strangers." Join us as Dr. Daniel Carroll explains the response of believers in an increasingly xenophobic society.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This often is one of those racial markers over which there are differences of opinion. Likely, many white brothers and sisters have probably not thought much about this anniversary. Conversely, most African American brothers and sisters are quite aware of this anniversary, and not to remember or recognize this in some way would be hurtful. Many of the differences regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. are along racial lines. Join us as Dr. Carl Ellis Jr. discusses the relationship between The Gospel, Martin Luther King, Jr., Contextual Theology, and Evangelicalism.

It is one thing to address this issue theoretical or academically. It is another to address this personally and experientially. One is not more or less important than another. Both are necessary, even though the issue is approached from different vantage points. Both provide significant and important insights into the issues we are studying, discussing and living. Join with other EFCA pastors as we listen to the wisdom of Dr. John Perkins as he discusses the need for unity within the church.

The church, committed to and compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ, has engaged in both the proclamation of the gospel and its accompanying social ministries of compassion and justice. This has been reflective of the church from the beginning. Affirming this reality, it is important to address and assess how Evangelicals have historically addressed these matters of race in the 18th-19th centuries, some of our significant right-steps and have some of the other painful missteps and sins of the past 150-200 years which remain with us today. Join with other EFCA pastors as they listen to Doug Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Church History and History of Christian Thought at Trinity Evangelical School.

As Evangelicals more broadly, and as the EFCA more specifically, we are people of the Book. One EFCA motto has been and remains, "where stands it written," which addresses both the biblical truth of a doctrine and also the practical outworking of that truth in life. Join us as Dr. Jarvis Williams, an Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary walks us through how to live out this truth.