It’s Elementary - An Asbury Theological Seminary Podcast

Worship, Community and the Triune God | Rev. Dr. Alan Torrance | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 28

What is Christian theology really about—and how do we actually know God? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson sits down with Rev. Dr. Alan Torrance (Professor Emeritus, University of St. Andrews) to explore some of the most important questions in Christian theology, faith, and knowledge of God. This conversation dives deep into: -The Trinity and Christian life -How we come to believe that Jesus is Lord -The difference between belief in God vs. saving faith -Why theology must shape real life, politics, and suffering -The role of forgiveness and reconciliation in society Dr. Torrance explains why Christian faith is not just about arguments—but about a transformative encounter with the living God through the Holy Spirit. This episode also explores analytic theology, properly basic belief (Alvin Plantinga), and the relationship between truth, justice, and forgiveness. If you're interested in systematic theology, apologetics, philosophy of religion, or spiritual formation, this episode offers rich, practical insights. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction to Alan Torrance 2:00 Theology and real-world impact 6:00 Political theology and the lordship of Christ 10:00 The Trinity and communion with God 16:00 How we know Jesus is Lord (faith vs reason) 21:00 Analytic theology explained 35:00 Forgiveness, justice, and reconciliation 40:00 Truth & Reconciliation Commission (South Africa) 53:00 Advice for young theologians MENTIONS Persons in Communion — Alan Torrance Country of My Skull — Antjie Krog Advice for Christian Philosophers — Alvin Plantinga ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Investigating Truth for the Church | Daniel Silliman | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 27

Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Daniel Silliman, senior reporter and editor for The Roys Report and former senior news editor at Christianity Today, for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation on journalism, truth-telling, and the life of the Church. Silliman shares his fascinating background from growing up in the Jesus People movement to becoming a crime reporter and eventually a leading voice covering religion and evangelical life. Drawing from his academic work in American religious history and years of reporting, he reflects on what it means to serve both faith and neighbor through careful, honest storytelling. The conversation explores the unique challenges of being a Christian journalist in a polarized and often suspicious media environment, where even faithful reporting can be misread as hostility.  The episode also delves into his work investigating abuse and misconduct within Christian organizations, and addresses why accountability, transparency, and truth are essential to the integrity of the Church. With pastoral sensitivity and theological conviction, Silliman frames investigative reporting not as opposition to the Church, but as a necessary act of love and faithfulness. MENTIONS • One Lost Soul: Richard Nixon’s Search for Salvation by Daniel Silliman • Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith by Daniel Silliman • The Roys Report - https://julieroys.com/ • Christianity Today - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #ItsElementaryPodcast #ChristianJournalism #ChurchLeadership #Evangelicalism #FaithAndCulture #AsburySeminary

The Way of the Kingdom | Dr. Kim Maas | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 26

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Kim Maas, preacher, prophetic leader, and founder of Kim Maas Ministries, for a rich and candid conversation on the Holy Spirit, theological formation, and discernment in today’s charismatic and Pentecostal movements. Dr. Maas shares her powerful testimony from a dramatic encounter with God that transformed her marriage and faith, to her calling into preaching and global ministry. She reflects on her journey through different churches and charismatic contexts and explains how theological education deepened rather than diminished her passion for the work of the Holy Spirit. The conversation addresses urgent concerns within contemporary charismatic Christianity, including prophetic accountability, celebrity culture, private revelation, and doctrinal confusion. MENTIONS * Kim Maas Ministries - https://www.kimmaas.com/ * Global Awakening - https://globalawakening.com/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS * Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts * Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.   #ItsElementaryPodcast #AsburySeminary #WesleyanTheology #Christian

Burning With The Holy Fire | Rev. Matt Reynolds | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 25

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone are joined by Rev. Matt Reynolds, President of Spirit and Truth Ministries and alumnus of Asbury Theological Seminary, for a candid and compelling conversation about renewal, evangelism, and the cost of real obedience to Jesus. Rev. Reynolds shares his personal journey from local church pastor to renewal leader, reflecting on the moment he realized he was preaching the gospel weekly while rarely talking about Jesus outside church walls. What follows is a testimony of spiritual awakening sparked through prayer, repentance, and deep conviction that eventually led him to step away from a “dream job” in ministry and into a missionary posture within the American church. The conversation explores themes of spiritual hunger, presence-based leadership, prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit, and the dangers of consumer-driven Christianity. Rev. Reynolds also describes the heart and mission behind Spirit and Truth Weekends, where churches are invited to slow down, seek God together, and practice everyday obedience through prayer, testimony, and simple acts of evangelism. MENTIONS Spirit and Truth Ministries https://www.spiritandtruth.life/ Firebrand Magazine https://firebrandmag.com/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #ItsElementaryPodcast #AsburySeminary #WesleyanTheology #Christian

Women Witness in Christ | Dr. Lynn Cohick | It's Elementary Podcast Ep. 24

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Lynn Cohick, Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Director of Houston Theological Seminary at Houston Christian University, for a wide‑ranging conversation on Scripture, scholarship, women in the church, and the global body of Christ. Dr. Cohick shares her faith journey and scholarly path, shaped both by encouragement and by institutional barriers faced by women pursuing advanced theological study. The conversation explores her work on the Pauline letters, second‑century Christianity, biblical interpretation through a global lens, and the formative role of community in reading Scripture faithfully. MENTIONS Christian Women in the Patristic World — Lynn H. Cohick & Amy Brown Hughes https://www.bakeracademic.com/p/christian-women-in-the-patristic-world/409470 New Living Translation (NLT) https://www.thenlt.com/ The Alabaster Jar Podcast https://thealabasterjarpodcast.com/ Institute for Biblical Research (IBR) https://www.ibr-bbr.org/ Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) https://www.sbl-site.org/ Houston Christian University https://hc.edu/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #ItsElementaryPodcast #AsburySeminary #WesleyanTheology #Christian