The Gottesdienst Crowd

TGC 483 – The Character House: Building Saints through Bearing Burdens

In today’s episode, we explore the deep connection between character formation and the Christian call to bear the cross. Inspired by the wisdom of a father in Little Britches, we see how parental discipline shapes not only a child’s character but also their ability to endure hardship in faith.

A father’s words can leave a lasting impression on a child, becoming a guiding principle throughout life. But for Christians, character-building goes beyond earthly honor—it becomes a lesson in cross-bearing. Using examples from Scripture, including Tobit’s perseverance and biblical exhortations to discipline, we see that faithful parenting isn’t just about raising good citizens but about preparing children for the trials of faith.

Discipline, though painful, is a tool by which God teaches endurance. Parents who lovingly correct their children model Christ’s own suffering, reinforcing that the Christian life is not about avoiding hardship but embracing it for the sake of eternal joy. By bearing their own crosses faithfully, parents equip their children to do the same.

Tune in as we discuss how ordinary acts of discipline and example-setting can have extraordinary spiritual significance—both for parents and their children.

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TGC 482 – Thinking Out Loud (Lent 3)

Two pastors thinking out loud about the upcoming Gospel reading. This episode is devoted to the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday in Lent, Luke 11:14–28.

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TGC 481 – The Church’s Year of Grace (Lent 3)

This is a recording of the sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent from George Stoeckhardt’s book Grace Upon Grace: Gospel Sermons for the Church Year, reprinted by Steadfast Press. 

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TGC 480 – Created or Manufactured: The Ethics of IVF

In this podcast, we explore the complex ethical and theological questions surrounding in vitro fertilization (IVF). Is human life something that is created, or does assisted reproduction cross a moral line into manufacturing life? Dr. Donna Harrison examines issues such as the moral status of embryos, the commodification of human life, and the implications of reproductive technology on faith and human dignity. 

• AAPLOG Committee Opinion 12
• Dr. Gilbert Meilaender, Children: Blessing or Project?
• Eggsploitation Documentary

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TGC 479 – Thinking Out Loud (Lent 2)

Two pastors thinking out loud about the upcoming Gospel reading. This episode is devoted to the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday in Lent, Matthew 15:21–28.

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TGC 478 – The Church’s Year of Grace (Lent 2)

This is a recording of the sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent from George Stoeckhardt’s book Grace Upon Grace: Gospel Sermons for the Church Year, reprinted by Steadfast Press. 

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TGC 477 – Tackling Tough Topics (Never Heard)

Every pastor or father who takes teaching the Bible seriously will eventually encounter difficult questions on tough topics. When this happens, we should be ready and lean into them not run away from them. In this series, we’ll be looking at a framework for discussing these topics and walking through how best to answer them by 1) defining what it is and isn’t, 2) how is it bad, 3) how is it good, 4) what are the counterexamples, 5) how is it applied (ratcheting). 

In this episode, we discuss "what about those who never heard the Gospel?" 

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TGC 476 — Thinking Out Loud (Ash Wednesday)

Two pastors thinking out loud about the upcoming Gospel reading. This episode is devoted to the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6:16–21.

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TGC 475 – The Church’s Year of Grace (Lent 1)

This is a recording of the sermon for the First Sunday in Lent from George Stoeckhardt’s book Grace Upon Grace: Gospel Sermons for the Church Year, reprinted by Steadfast Press. 

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TGC 474 — Liberal Arts in the Crossfire

The liberal arts have long been a cornerstone of higher education, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a broad understanding of the world. But within conservative Christian universities, the role of the liberal arts is increasingly under pressure. Balancing faith and intellectual freedom, academic rigor and doctrinal commitments, tradition and modern inquiry—these tensions raise crucial questions about the future of liberal arts education in religious institutions.

In Liberal Arts in the Crossfire, we explore the unique challenges facing liberal arts programs in conservative Christian universities. We examine issues such as censorship concerns, shifts in curriculum, political and cultural influences, and the struggle to maintain academic integrity while upholding religious identity.

📖 Whether you’re a student, educator, or simply interested in the intersection of faith and academia, this podcast offers an insightful and thought-provoking look into the evolving landscape of Christian higher education.

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