by Richard Shin
So when Cesar and I signed up for this Tag Team bit, I had no idea Stephen had initially considered doing any form of “lively discussion” or “robust debate.” If we were to pursue such a thing, I recruit Pastor Patrick into my team.
In any case, here are my top three.
- Ask Pastor John – If The Briefing is “gold” (per Stephen), then this one is platinum. Desiring God, the organization that produces this podcast, receives a slew of questions from everyday Joes and Janes like us on a regular basis. In response, John Piper addresses one question every weekday. The topics can range from current events to theological questions to counseling issues to whatever else you can think of. Each podcast is usually 5-10 minutes long, and Piper does a good job of tackling the heart of the issue in that short time. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of the finer points, this is not it, but it serves as a good launching pad for you to study the topic on your own, as you should.
- The Dividing Line – James White is an apologetic genius. He not only knows his Greek and Hebrew, but he studied Arabic to read the Quran and debate Muslims (uh… what?). I was introduced to him when I first came to Lighthouse, and he has not yet disappointed. I remember devouring his debate videos one after another until my eyes and my brain couldn’t handle anymore… until the next day. His podcasts are often a hodgepodge of random unconnected topics, but they generally revolve around getting to the truth through fact-finding and biblical exegesis. His podcasts usually go over an hour, but don’t be too scared of the length; if you follow the blog, White always follows up his podcasts with a quick recap of his latest session which is handy if you want to pick and choose. Furthermore, he has compiled a dangerous archive of videos, sermons, articles, and podcasts on his website aomin.org (or the old website, vintage.aomin.org) you can use at your disposal.
- White Horse Inn – Are you like me who enjoys the panel discussions at conferences? The White Horse Inn’s motto is to help you “know what you believe and why you believe it.” A theological giant himself, Michael Horton hosts the weekly podcast which seeks to understand and apply truth through dialogue (similar to the Christ the Center podcast from Stephen’s set). The podcast is usually ~30 minutes long, which isn’t bad for a weekly production. The discussions that transpire are always informative, never dull and extremely enlightening, and they undoubtedly give way for a time of heartfelt reflection.
Stay tuned for Cesar’s post to be continued next Monday.
Coram Deo