The Crossway Podcast

Join Brian Rosner, a New Testament lecturer and former principal of Ridley College, as he unpacks the complexities of Romans. He discusses the powerful influence of Romans throughout history and its vital role during the Reformation. Rosner explains Paul's intentions behind the letter, revealing its missionary and pastoral goals. He also tackles challenging passages, such as the Adam-Christ parallel in Romans 5 and the debated meanings in Romans 7. Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of reading Romans as a cohesive work to fully grasp its profound messages.

Ken Mbugua is the senior pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi and the managing director of Ekklesia Africa, which offers crucial training and resources for churches across Africa. He discusses the rapid growth of Christianity on the continent, highlighting both challenges like prosperity gospel and syncretism, and resource disparities for pastors. Ken emphasizes the importance of theological foundations and the effort to provide Bibles through the Million Bible Initiative, stressing the need for prayer and support to strengthen the African church.

In this conversation, Ryanne J. Molinari, a talented collaborative pianist and worship director, delves into the transformative power of corporate singing in worship. She explains how music shapes our desires and habits, emphasizing its emotional impact. Ryanne discusses the significance of singing together as a communal and spiritual act, which cultivates Christian fruit. She also addresses the challenges of musical preferences within the church and the importance of humility and openness among worship leaders.

Winfree Brisley, an editor at the Gospel Coalition, and Sharonda Cooper, a content coordinator for women's initiatives, dive deep into the enriching world of the Psalms. They explore how these texts give voice to our emotions and model turning to God in all seasons. The duo discusses the importance of reading Psalms with Christ in mind, delves into the significance of lament, and highlights practical ways to pray through suffering. Their insights reveal the Psalms as both a source of comfort and a call to honest expression before God.

Jon Nielson, the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton and author of a teen devotional, dives into the transformative power of prayer for teenagers. He explores themes like praying for their spiritual regeneration and nurturing gospel friendships. Nielson emphasizes fostering a love for Scripture and heartfelt faith while seeking mentors who can guide them. He also highlights the importance of community and equips parents with prayers to help teens navigate cultural pressures with courage.

Rebecca McLaughlin, a prominent author and host of the Confronting Christianity podcast, explores the surprising health benefits of church attendance. She highlights Harvard research linking regular participation to decreased depression and suicide risk. McLaughlin addresses the decline in church attendance and rising interest, emphasizing that while community matters, the significant benefits arise from religious involvement. She shares a personal testimony of transformation through faith and urges embracing honest community support, even amid past church failures.

Kristen Wetherell, a wife, mother, and author of 'Teach Me to Pray,' shares practical advice on instilling a love of prayer in children. She emphasizes prayer as a vital conversation with God, discusses common roadblocks parents face, and encourages modeling prayer even amid personal struggles. Kristen introduces the ACTS model to help kids pray more effectively and suggests making prayer a natural part of daily life. With tips for engaging shy children and establishing sustainable prayer habits, she equips parents to nurture their kids' spiritual growth.

Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music and hymn writer, shares insights into the resurgence of hymnody. He discusses the balance of theology and emotion in song writing, emphasizing the importance of Christ-exalting lyrics. Bob recounts the inspiration behind 'O Great God' and provides tips on refreshing classic hymns. He also reflects on his collaboration with his son and the dangers of pride in worship leadership. Lastly, he expresses hopes for the Sing! Hymnal to enrich congregational worship across communities.

Sandra Peoples, a disability ministry consultant and adjunct professor, dives into the importance of including people with disabilities in church communities. She shares her personal journey, emphasizing how her family's experiences shaped her ministry. Sandra highlights a practical three-step framework for inclusion: approach families, ask about their needs, and adjust church practices. She underscores the significance of seeing individuals beyond their disabilities and offers tips for nurturing belonging, even in resource-limited settings.

This is the fifth interview in a new Crossway Podcast mini-series called "Hymn Stories,"  where Matt interviews modern hymn writers and musicians about their hymns, all of which are featured in the brand new '⁠⁠⁠⁠Sing! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hymnal,⁠⁠⁠⁠' published by Crossway in partnership with Getty Music. Ben Shive is a musician, arranger, and music producer. A long-time collaborator with Andrew Peterson, Shive co-wrote the modern classic “Is He Worthy?” and was a contributor to the 'Sing! Hymnal.'⁠⁠ Check out the entire Hymn Stories series: "His Mercy Is More" (Matt Boswell & Matt Papa) ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ "We Will Feast in the House of Zion" (Sandra McCracken) ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ " Come Unto Jesus" (Laura Story & Jordan Kauflin) ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ "Listen to the Word of the Lord" (Bryan Fowler) ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ "Is He Worthy?" (Ben Shive) ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show.