Christopher Gillespie

  1. 385: Woodford - Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?

    book
    03/27/25
    7 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? In this episode, we read Lucas Woodford’s book, Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession? and discuss the Great Commission, evangelism, the radical gospel, the purpose of the church’s preaching about Jesus, post-modern consumerism, and many, many rabbit trails into uncharted topics.
    385: Woodford - Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?

  2. 384: Peterson - The Stunted Imagination

    book
    03/21/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    First It Giveth. In this episode, we discuss Jonah’s vocation, gospel imagination, dogmatic materialism, spell casting, the contemporary effects of the Industrial Revolution, and God’s preference for wasted places while reading Eugene Peterson's Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness.
    384: Peterson - The Stunted Imagination

  3. 383: Tolkien - The 'protestant' search backwards for 'simplicity' and directness ... is mistaken and indeed vain

    book
    03/08/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    And so it begins. In this episode, we read the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien for Lent. We discuss sin and mercy, Eden and scientific materialism, ecumenism and cults, and much more!
    383: Tolkien - The 'protestant' search backwards for 'simplicity' and directness ... is mistaken and indeed vain

  4. 382: Riley - Our False Gods and Addiction

    book
    02/28/25
    9 mins
    By Donavon Riley | Christopher Gillespie
    In this episode, we explore The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction, a forthcoming book that examines addiction not just as a habit or illness, but as a form of misplaced worship. We discuss how addiction draws us toward false gods, demanding our devotion and shaping our lives in ways we barely recognize. More than a personal struggle, addiction weaves itself into families, communities, and churches—warping trust, distorting love, and hollowing out the soul. How can we reclaim what has been lost? How do we confront addiction not just physically and mentally, but as a deeply spiritual battle? Join us as we dig into these questions and consider a way forward, one rooted in truth, grace, and the renewal of the whole person.
    382: Riley - Our False Gods and Addiction

  5. 381: Kleinig - The Things That Make a Theologian

    book
    02/15/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Who Made Who? Today, we read an essay by Rev. Dr. John Kleinig about what makes a theologian. Dr. Kleinig explains Martin Luther’s threefold description of how the master of theology, the Holy Spirit, makes one a theologian through contemplative prayer, meditating on Scripture within the communion of saints, and being translated into the kingdom of heaven by God’s Word—all this and much more on this week’s episode of the podcast.
    381: Kleinig - The Things That Make a Theologian

  6. 380: Anselm - Bracing the Heart Against Despair

    book
    02/09/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    You May Be Right… In this episode of Banned Books, we read Anselm of Canterbury’s Meditation on Sin and Penance. We discuss the consequences of sin, the Fountain of Mercy, Jesus’ excuses, the doctrine of simul iustus et peccator, theological presuppositions, and how we speak influences our behavior.
    380: Anselm - Bracing the Heart Against Despair

  7. 379: Chrysostom - On Wealth and Poverty

    book
    01/31/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Dig, Lazarus, Dig! In this episode of Banned Books, we read St. John Chrysostom’s sermon on the Rich Man and Lazarus — wealth, poverty, Satanic feasts, ivory beds, spiritual warriors, Chaldean comfort dogs, and the dangers of actors and perfume on this podcast episode.
    379: Chrysostom - On Wealth and Poverty

  8. 378: Giertz - The Essential Firm Kernels

    book
    01/25/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Leper Messiah. In this episode, we read Bo Giertz’s commentary on Jesus’ healing of a leper and Cornelius’ servant… boy… slave boy. Giertz addresses textual criticism, catechesis, miracles, and the liturgy of the Church, and we delve into the effect of disbelief in Jesus’ power to heal and make whole affects modern Christians and non-believers alike.
    378: Giertz - The Essential Firm Kernels

  9. 377: Origen - The Church as Superior to All Things Pagan

    book
    01/18/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Good Christians, One and All Rejoice? In this episode, we read Origen’s response to Celsus about whether or not Christians are detrimental or beneficial to society. Does the Church uplift or undermine culture? What part does faith play in living a virtuous life?
    377: Origen - The Church as Superior to All Things Pagan

  10. 376: Origen - Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans

    book
    01/10/25
    8 mins
    By Donavon Riley | Christopher Gillespie
    Superabundance. In this episode, we read Origen’s commentary on St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans. We discuss the accusations leveled at Origen’s orthodoxy, exegetical method, and critique of Marcion and discuss how what was written so long ago is relevant to Christians today.
    376: Origen - Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans

  11. 375: A New Year and the Same Old Stuff (Pliny, Clement, and Justin)

    book
    01/04/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Same Old Story.. In this episode, we read various Christian and non-Christian sources from the first two centuries, discussing their understandings of Jesus Christ, the church, law, and the Gospel, and the effect of the Christian faith on people in Roman society.
    375: A New Year and the Same Old Stuff (Pliny, Clement, and Justin)

  12. 374: Nagel - A Sermon for Christmas Day

    book
    12/21/24
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    That’s How Love Goes. In this episode, we read a Christmas sermon by Norman Nagel and discuss the nativity, the mother of God, iconography, Bible translating, story-telling traditions, teaching through the story, God’s strange way of loving people, and people’s expectations of Christmas and how it affects the Church.
    374: Nagel - A Sermon for Christmas Day