Real Life Theology Podcast

We renew the teachings of Jesus to fuel disciple making. We envision disciple-making disciples among all nations and ethnic groups. The Renew.org Network Podcast champions all biblical truth, including hard topics, by sharing discussions, webinars, public presentations and other similar resources.

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Episodes

3 days ago

Navigating Faith and Thinking Critically in Today’s World (feat. Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy).
Welcome back to the Real Life Theology Podcast. In today's episode, Chad Ragsdale, the Academic Dean at Ozark, and Daniel McCoy, the Editorial Director for Renew.org, explore the importance of critical thinking and a biblical worldview for Christians navigating today’s complex cultural challenges. This session was taken live from an Event at Ozark Christian College, therefore I am honored to get to share it with you today. They introduce their new book, 'The Disciple's Mind,' aimed at encouraging Christians to think more biblically and critically. The session includes discussions on the impact of competing ideas in society, the necessity of loving God with our minds, and practical advice on promoting unity and thoughtful engagement within the church. The speakers also address common obstacles to effective thinking, such as tribalism, emotional reasoning, and the influence of technology. This insightful session, enriched by audience interaction, emphasizes the importance of wisdom, understanding, and empathy in our responses to both cultural issues and within church communities.
This session was filmed at Ozark Christian College 
Get the Book
 
Watch the Video
 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
04:11 Presenters' Background and Purpose of the Session
08:05 The Importance of Thinking Biblically and Critically
09:52 Historical Examples of Destructive Ideas
13:42 The Need for Discipleship of the Mind
14:51 Understanding the World as a Christian
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Mar 19, 2024

The Journey of Faith and Unity: A Conversation with Jason Ishmael
Today we feature Jason Ishmeal, lead pastor of Antioch Christian Church in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Daniel and Jason talk about the Restoration movement, some of its history but they emphasize the conversation about unity and faith in our culture today. In this episode Jason discusses his early calling to ministry, the influence of his diverse religious upbringing, and his pastoral journey at the church in Eastern Iowa. Jason Ishmael shares insights into his passion for unity within the church, derived from his extensive study in Church History and Historical Theology, looking critically at both the past division and potential for unity within Christianity. Drawing from his education and personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of unity, not for its own sake but as a mission to follow Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel. The discussion also goes into the challenges and opportunities of leading a church within the Restoration Movement, fostering a community geared towards discipleship, and leveraging every aspect of church life towards fulfilling the Great Commission. If you are interested in more conversations about Unity, Faith, the restoration movement and more visit Renew.org. 
Get the Book:
 
Watch the Video 
 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to Jason Ishmael and Antioch Christian Church
00:48 Jason's Early Calling to Ministry and Religious Background
02:30 Finding a Vibrant Community of Faith
04:06 The Impact of Antioch Christian Church in Eastern Iowa
06:12 Jason's Academic Journey in Church History and Theology
08:16 Exploring the Challenges and Controversies in Church History
15:46 Discovering the Restoration Movement
20:37 Restoration Movement Principles in Leadership
22:32 Reflecting on Restoration Movement History and Unity
29:19 The Gathering and Discipleship Strategies
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Mar 12, 2024

Exploring the Core Values of the Restoration Movement. Unity, Truth, and Winning the World to Christ (feat. Daniel McCoy and Dr. Rick Cherok). 
 
Today’s episode dives into the significance of the Restoration Movement, emphasizing its focus on unity and truth. Daniel McCoy Editorial Director for RENEW.org and Dr. Rick Cherok, a history professor at Ozark Christian college highlights the value of the Restoration movement. They emphasize Jesus' prayer for unity and the importance of adhering to God's word. The Restoration Movement is portrayed as a call to return to the biblical church model, continuously reforming the church to align with scripture. The discussion covers the movement's goal of showing a unified Christian witness in a divided world, touching on social justice and collaboration across denominations. Personal anecdotes illustrate the perils of division among Christians and stress the importance of embodying Christ to the world. They further explore the concept of unity, balancing essential and non-essential doctrines, and the challenges of defining truth. Historical figures and their perspectives on error, heresy, and scripture's transformative power are also discussed. The need for ongoing church reform and the importance of restoration movement principles like unity, truth, and evangelization for the modern church are emphasized, cautioning against straying from these foundational values.
 
Get the Book:
 
Watch The Video 
 
 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to the Restoration Movement
01:22 The Importance of Unity and Truth in the Church
03:12 The Restoration Movement's Approach to Church Unity
05:47 The Role of the Church in Society
06:59 Understanding Biblical Unity
07:32 The Essentials and Non-Essentials of Scripture
10:18 The Importance of Scripture in Guiding Church Practices
12:44 The Role of the Restoration Movement in Modern Christianity
17:19 The Importance of Church Heritage and Connection
21:05 The Balance Between Unity and Truth in the Church
22:59 The Dangers of Overemphasizing Unity or Truth
28:29 Conclusion: The Faith Once for All
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

[Part 2]
Today's episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast goes deep into the life, contributions, and challenges faced by the influential religious reformer, Alexander Campbell. It explores Campbell's journey from Ireland to America, his relentless commitment to delivering biblical Christianity, and his drive for unity. Dr. Rick Cherok, a keen admirer of Campbell, a well known professor of history at Ozark Christian College, discusses lesser-known aspects of Campbell's life, including his tenacity, fearlessness, and ability to remain constant in achieving his goals, as well as engrossing personal anecdotes. The interview further illuminates Campbell's far-reaching impact as a powerful Christian apologist of the pre-Civil War era in America, his role in sparking social reform, and how his life and beliefs could be relevant for 21st-century Christians seeking a biblical justice route not grounded in liberalism. The narrative highlights Campbell's resilience even in the face of significant adversity and underscores his fervent faith and dedication to his mission of bringing the world to Christ, which shaped his powerful legacy.
Get the Book:
 
Watch the Video 
 
 
Key Takeaways00:00 Introduction to Alexander Campbell
00:18 Campbell's Journey to America
00:36 Campbell's Early Life and Education
01:00 Campbell's Influence and Recognition
01:26 Campbell's Role in Biblical Christianity
01:57 Campbell's Publishing Endeavors
02:28 Campbell's Debates and Theological Discussions
03:37 Campbell's Encounter with Robert Owen
06:28 Campbell's Influence and Legacy
07:36 Campbell's Vision for Evangelism
09:51 Campbell's Approach to Social Reform
18:41 Admiring Campbell's Characteristics
22:26 Conclusion: Reflecting on Campbell's Life
22:49 Campbell's Struggles and Faith
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Feb 27, 2024

Do you know the History of the Restoration Movement? 
[Part 1] 
Today we launch a new series featuring Dr. Rick Cherok a professor of history at Ozark Christian College. Today's discussion leads us to the foundation of the Restoration Movement. Dr. Cherok provides us with a detailed history of the restoration movement, starting from its roots in the 19th century to its current divisions. This interview includes discussion on the ideologies of different groups including Disciples of Christ, Christian Church, and Church of Christ. The DNA of the restoration moment involves individuals uniting based on the principles of biblical Christianity. 
Get the Book:
 
Watch the Video
 
 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Understanding the Restoration Movement
01:21 The Struggle for Unity and Biblical Christianity
04:13 The Role of Key Leaders in the Movement
05:10 The Impact of Theological Liberalism
06:52 The Restoration Movement and Protestantism
08:20 The Challenges of Maintaining Biblical Christianity
14:39 The Impact of the American Civil War on the Movement
19:24 The Division within the Movement
21:56 The Current State of the Restoration Movement
22:20 Conclusion: The Ongoing Reformation of the Church
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     
 
 

Tuesday Feb 20, 2024

On this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast Andrew Jitt and Daniel McCoy discuss the vertical rhythms of life and the significance of disciple making. They share insights from their book and highlight the experiences of individuals from around the world who have embraced these rhythms of faith. They also discuss the importance of cultivating a relationship with God, the different ways to engage with the Bible, and the importance of bringing tough questions and doubts into the light. The episode concludes with a conversation about the significance of prayer and how to make a difference in the world through living out the rhythms of faith.
 
Get the Book Rhythms: 
Read the Series:                                        
Real Life Theology Conversations    
Real Life Theology Handbook                 
Real Life Theology
 
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:34 Exploring the Rhythms of Disciple Making
00:36 The Importance of Disciple Making in Faith
00:36 The Role of Relationships in Disciple Making
00:36 The Challenges and Rewards of Disciple Making
00:38 The Power of Prayer in Disciple Making
02:05 The Role of the Bible in Disciple Making
08:46 Keeping the Faith: A Disciple's Journey
13:56 Making a Difference: The Impact of Disciple Making
15:54 Conclusion: The Legacy of Disciple Making
22:57 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Feb 13, 2024

Today's episode discusses the themes of living in community and the power of forgiveness. Guests Daniel McCoy and Andrew Jit share their personal experiences and insights on these topics. The conversation explores the importance of building healthy relationships, connecting with people of different worldviews, and the transformative nature of forgiveness. We look at the Horizontal Rhythms of life, looking at who we are in community with one another. This podcast series of Rhythms deals with the How Tos of the Christian Faith, this episode highlights how to live in community, how to connect with people of a different worldview, how to forgive others, how to make a disciple and far more. Join Daniel McCoy and Andrew Jit as we talk about the horizontal Rhythms of life. 
 
Get the Book Rhythms: 
Read the Series:                                        
Real Life Theology Conversations    
Real Life Theology Handbook                 
Real Life Theology
 
 
Key Takeaways:
0:00 The Horizontal Rhythhms 
12:44 The Importance of Connecting with People
16:09 Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Sharing the Gospel
17:46 The Power of Forgiveness and Grace
20:54 The Journey of Discipleship and Reading the Bible
26:04 Keeping the Faith and Making a Difference
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Tuesday Feb 06, 2024

"How do we live out our identity, our purpose, our meaning?" 
This episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast we continue our conversation on Rhythms looking at the Internal Rhythms and dealing with the How Tos of the christian faith. Daniel McCoy and Andrew Jit discuss themes of self-discovery, identity, and life management. The discussion weaves around the ideas presented in the book 'Rhythms', focusing on the importance of knowing oneself, finding identity in God, and developing healthy habits. The talk further highlights the significance of managing personal life and recognizing one's purpose, along with the need to evaluate daily habits for a fulfilling life. It explores the idea of living in community and understanding the influence of different aspects of our lives on our future. Daniel McCoy and Andrew walk us through an internal view of ourselves, answering questions such as why it is important to know yourself? Or what does it mean to manage your life? 
 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and the Book 'Rhythms'
00:42 Understanding the Importance of Self-Knowledge
01:28 Exploring the Concept of Identity in God
07:35 The Role of Personality Profiles in Self-Understanding
12:26 The Importance of Managing Your Life
20:52 Seeing the Future Through the Lens of Faith
24:13 Learning and Unlearning Habits for a Better Life
28:44 The Power of Community in Personal Growth
28:44 Conclusion and Invitation to the National Gathering
 
Get the Book Rhythms: 
Read the Series:                                        
Real Life Theology Conversations    
Real Life Theology Handbook                 
Real Life Theology
 
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     
 

Tuesday Jan 30, 2024

OVERWHELMED BY LIFE?SLOW DOWN AND LEARN THE HOW TOS.
Today we launch a brand new series on Renew.org's latest book Rhythms. We get to feature a behind the scenes discussion between authors Daniel McCoy and Andrew Jit. In 'Rhythms: How To Live Out Real Life Theology,' Daniel McCoy, and Andrew Jit explore key spiritual practices and how to incorporate them into daily life. Throughout their discussions, they highlight tools for personal growth, including how to connect with people of different worldviews, manage life effectively, forgive others, and maintain faith. This episode also features captivating interviews and personal stories, demonstrating the application of these spiritual rhythms. From developing a regular prayer habit to disciple-making methods in line with biblical principles, they provide a comprehensive guide for spiritual growth. 
Furthermore, they go into guiding disciples in understanding and living out real-life theology through the cultivation of spiritual practices and rhythms. This episode features tangible tools to grow deeper in faith and walk closer with the Lord. It highlights key elements such as understanding one's identity in Christ, managing life, connecting earnestly with people of different worldviews, cultivating habits of forgiveness, and persevering in faith. They shift from the theoretical to the practical, bridging scriptural truths to daily living, hence, making the Christian life both doable and life-giving. They provide different insights, ranging from developing internal rhythms to connecting with people holistically and grasping the importance of discipleship. As much as the scripture content is essential, the practical outworking of these scriptural truths in daily encounters is vital. Daniel and Andrew share personal stories from different walks of life, today's episode presents a colorful mosaic of real-life testimonies demonstrating these rhythms in action. Whether you're a seasoned believer keeping the faith or a new believer learning to read the Bible or pray, there are practical resources for everyone. Tune into the Real Life Theology Podcast for an enriching exploration into integral Christian living, and a journey into viewing life through the lens of real-life theology. Come back next week as we dive deeper into the Rhythms of Christian life.
 
Key Takeaways: 
0:00 Rhythms: How To Live Out Real Life Theology  02:10 The Purpose of the Book 'Rhythms'04:35 The Importance of Practicality in Faith05:29 The Role of Music and Rhythms in Faith36:26 Exploring Our Relationship with God37:09 Keeping the Faith and Making a Difference
 
Get the Book Rhythms: 
Read the Series:                                        
Real Life Theology Conversations    
Real Life Theology Handbook                 
Real Life Theology
 
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     
 
 

Tuesday Jan 23, 2024

On this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, hosted by Renew.org, we present an enlightening discussion between Daniel McCoy and Jeremy Bacon as they conclude their series on the Sermon on the Mount. Their study explores the profound relevance of the Sermon today, detailing personal experiences, biblical interpretations, and the impact of this holy discourse on their lives. Dive deep into influential biblical revelations as they discuss themes like mercy, righteousness, judgementalism, Christian behavior, and the significance of taking on God's heart. Stay tuned for more such spiritual enrichment and biblical exploration on our channel.
 
To read Jeremy Bacon's book: https://renew.org/sermon-on-the-mount-building-your-house/ 
 
To read a blog post from Renew.org on the Sermon on the Mount click here: https://renew.org/sermon-on-the-mount-building-your-house/ 
 
Key Takeaways:
 
00:00:39 Deep Dive into the Sermon on the Mount
00:05:00 Struggling with the Concept of Mercy
00:09:51 Confronting Judgmentalism and Embracing Humility
00:11:54 The Role of the Heart in Spiritual Transformation
00:20:10 The Struggle with Cultural Christianity
00:23:48 Conclusion and Preview of the Next Series
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
     

Tuesday Jan 16, 2024

In this episode speakers Jeremy Bacon and Daniel McCoy delve into the transformative power of the Sermon on the Mount. They talk about how the sermon's teachings apply to real-life situations, advising on how to value people more, show respect, and deal with issues such as contempt. The conversation highlights how the sermon has helped Jeremy, particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic and in his professional life, underscoring its relevance to living in today's world. They further discuss the significance of the sermon's teachings in ethical decisions, parenting, overcoming judgmentalism, and fostering a healthier perspective towards ourselves and others.
 
To get a copy of Jeremy's book: https://www.amazon.com/Sermon-Mount-Days-Learning-Kingdom/dp/1959467158/ 
 
Key Takeaways: 
00:01:01 Personal Impact of the Sermon on the Mount
00:01:22 Theological Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount
00:03:09 Seeing Jesus as a Genius
00:05:27 Applying the Sermon on the Mount in Daily Life
00:07:40 The Sermon on the Mount and Wisdom Literature
00:11:28 The Sermon on the Mount and Ethics
00:19:49 The Sermon on the Mount and Values
00:20:45 The Sermon on the Mount and Contempt 
00:28:47 Applying the Sermon on the Mount in Parenting
00:30:20 Conclusion
 
To read a blog post from Renew.org on the Sermon on the Mount click here: https://renew.org/sermon-on-the-mount-building-your-house/ 
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
 

Tuesday Jan 09, 2024

 
In this episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast, Jeremy Bacon unpacks the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven as it intertwines across the Sermon on the Mount. Jeremy explores the various meanings of Heaven in the New Testament, emphasizes the relevance of the Kingdom of Heaven in our current lives, and shares rich insights into the Beatitudes. This discussion aims to illuminate and strengthen the listeners' understanding of Jesus' message. In the next coming episodes we will have deeper explorations and enlightening discussions around the scriptures. Subscribe and stay tuned!
 
To get a copy of Jeremy's book: https://www.amazon.com/Sermon-Mount-Days-Learning-Kingdom/dp/1959467158/ 
 
Key Takeaways:
00:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:02:25 The Meanings of Heaven in the New Testament
00:06:39 The Kingdom of God in the Present Life
00:10:08 The Sermon on the Mount: A Guide to Kingdom Life
00:16:49 The Kingdom as the Subject of the Beatitudes
00:19:28 Becoming a Part of the Kingdom
 
To read a blog post from Renew.org on the Sermon on the Mount click here: https://renew.org/sermon-on-the-mount-building-your-house/ 
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering

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NEW SERIES: The Fool of God

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The Story of Alexander Campbell, Who Made Scripture His Final Authority and Catalyzed a Movement

 

 

 

Get the Book

Podcast Episodes

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Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering

 

 

Our era is a time of tribalistic ethics, tech anxiety, class envy, and “owning” the opposition as if they were trophies. In such a time, disciples of Jesus can’t afford to let the surrounding cultures box the Christian faith into a preset, predictable mold. We are disciples of a creative, courageous King. The gospel of King Jesus renews everything it reaches, starting with us and moving outward into all creation. Our courageous King rescued and redeemed us, and he invites us to participate in his courageous renewal of all things.

 

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Check Out Our Podcast Book Series 

RENEW.org prints and publishes books for church leaders, churches and everyday disciple makers. Our books, as with everything we seek to create, focus on good theology through culturally relevant engagement. These podcast series feature some of RENEW.org's most popular books and provide a behind the scenes conversation with some of our authors. 

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RHYTHMS

How to Live as a Disciple of Jesus (Real Life Theoloogy) 

OVERWHELMED BY LIFE?

SLOW DOWN AND LEARN THE HOW TOS.

 

When does playing music go from formidable to fun? It starts getting fun when you feel the rhythm and join in. In the same way, the Christian life gets more doable when you take the time to learn its rhythms. Knowing what we ought to do only leaves us feeling guilty until we take time to learn the how tos. 

 

This podcast series features 4 episodes talking about the Rhythms of life. Click HERE to view the series. 

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Sermon on the Mount:

40 Days of Learning the Ways of the Kingdom

 

Have you been wading in the shallows of Christianity? When longtime Bible student Jeremy Bacon began seriously studying the Sermon on the Mount, he found his tidy worldview exploding.

In the Sermon on the Mount, street-level wisdom and prophetic declaration collide. This sermon forces you to decide whether you’re going to remain part of the crowd or step out in faith and be a devoted student of Jesus.

Choosing the way of Jesus means more cost—and more reward—than you ever would have guessed. Sermon on the Mount is a forty-day discipling resource that walks you through the ways of Jesus’ Kingdom. Will you respond to the call to go deeper?

 

Click HERE to check out the podcast Episodes! 

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Step Into Scripture 

Tina Wilson, author of Step into Scripture, develops Biblical literacy by exploring the nature of God, the centrality of Christ, the context and purpose of biblical texts, and shadow—fulfillment connections within the Bible. 

 

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Scripture in Black and White

Scripture in Black and White is a show that examines what scripture teaches with clarity and no uncertain terms. We discuss the scriptures in black and white and bring perspectives from ministers who happen to be black and white.

Who is Joining Renew.org Network and Why?

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