Episodes

In this episode, James sits down with Terry Wildman. Terry is the lead translator of the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament. Terry and James discuss the current state of minsitry to Native Americans and the process involved in creating the First Nations Version. Terry also shares some passages from the text and describes the approach to the translation and its ongoing impact beyond the Native American population. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or...

In this episode, James welcomes Dr. Kevin Chen, author of Wonders of Your Law. James and Kevin discuss Kevin's idea of "nexus passages" and their value in understanding the Old Testament, tracing themes, and pulling together a cohesive Old Testament narrative. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. You can purchase Kev...

In this episode, James hosts Samuel Parkison author of To Gaze Upon God. They discuss the beatific vision, eschatology, and Christians conceptions of the afterlife. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. You can purchase Samuel's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). Discover more Christian podcasts a...

In this episode, James and Nate host Tony Cardello. Previously featured on "I Am Second," Tony shares his testimony. He describes his life prior to coming to Christ and the way Christ healed his marriage, family, and life. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inqu...

In this episode, James offers a biblical perspective on regime changes based on the transition from judges to monarchy in ancient Israel as portrayed in 1 Samuel. He considers the consistent call to love God and neighbor and to fear the Lord and keep his commandments. He encourages Christians to focus on living faithfully and with understanding whether their candidate won or lost. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and t...

In this episode, James wecomes Dan Cameron. Dan is the editor of Theology, Religion, and 'The Office': Beauty in Ordinary Things that will be available later this year. They discuss James's contribution to the volume, as well as several of the other included essays. Dan and James also consider how Christians might engage with popular culture. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com...

In this episode, James wecomes Vince Miller. Vince is an author and speaker focused on helping men live faithfully. Vince and James discuss Vince's new book (Essential Elements: Forging Godly Men) the difference between walking by the flesh and walking by the Spirit and the importance of understanding that we are God's adoptive children. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You...

In this episode, James welcomes Justin Kendrick author of How to Quiet a Hurricane. James and Justic discuss the pitfalls and promise of helping God's people establish a firm foundation in their faith. They talk about the role of trials in the development of Chrisitan character and the necessity of discipleship. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpent...

In this episode, James speaks with Zach Clinton author of Even If: Developing the Faith, Mindset, Strength and Endurance of Those Who Are Built Different. James and Zach discuss the "even if" life, as well as diving into discussion of anxiety, election-related stress, and the importance of attention and focus in the Christian life. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can a...

In this episode, James wecomes Denise Grace Gitsham. James and Denise discuss the way Chrisitan participation in politics differs from participation in politics more generally. Denise is an on-air political commentator and strategist, attorney, speaker, and author of Politics for People Who Hate Politics: How to Engage without Losing Your Friends or Selling Your Soul. Denise has worked at the highest levels of the federal government, from the White House, to the US Department of Justice, to the...

In this episode, James and Nate sit down with Brock Simmons. Brock is the founder of the Always Present Institute. He has many years of experience in executive coaching and organizational development. James, Nate, and Brock discuss the importance of leadership and the various ways of approaching leadership within organizations and within the church. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on ama...

In today's episode, James and Nate welcome Julie Bradley. Julie and Nate have known each other for a long time and attend the same church in Lenxa, KS. Julie talks about the "40 Days of Lament" that she has been leading with her church's prayer ministry and on social media. James, Nate, and Julie discuss the insights lament can provide, as well as the significance of lament as an extension of the church's witness. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and ...

In this episode, James welcomes Christian Werner. She is an SVP with Public Square, a company focused on helping local businesses succeed while upholding specific values that have been abandoned by some of the other major companies in the United States. Christina and James discuss Public Square and the way businesses often sell ideologies rather than products. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Wit...

In this episode, James offers a perspective on Halloween that highlights its role in promoting discontentment. He discusses the challenges of being Chrisitan in a consumer society and encourages God's people to rethink the holidays so that they become times for conforming more closely to Christ. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcome Rachel Wojo, author of Desperate Prayers. James and Rachel discuss the difficulties associated with prayer. Rachel offers insights intot he ways she has developed a vibrant prayer life. She also discusses the way life's challenges provide us with opportunities to sharpen our relationship with God. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also ...

In this episode, James and Nate use Carl Bernstein's "The Idiot Culture" as a jumping off point to discuss the relationship between Christians and media. They address the various ways the media landscape has changed, as well as looking back to Augustine for wisdom about how to love our neighbor despite our finite capacity to love. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can al...

In this episode, James and Nate discuss some of the ways the Bible and other theological concepts and theologians are pressed into the service of political agendas. They urge listeners not to encourage falsehood, but to hold accountable those who seek to apply biblical language to modern-day politics. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves...

In this episode, James discusses the Sabbath commands, particularly the Sabbath command in Deuteronomy. He offers his thoughts on how Israel's time in Egypt might inform our understanding of the Sabbath commands. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about ...

In this episode, James considers Deuteronomy 8. He discusses the dynamics of obeidence and the way that it aligns us with God's order. He also distinguishes God's promised blessing and the prosperity gospel highlighting the dangers of prosperity and the necessity of remembering God. To connect with James and to find additional content, like the 30-Days in the Gospels Reading Plan or the Walk Through the Gospels course, visit, usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com a...

In this episode, James discusses 1 Corinthians 9 and Paul's adaptability in relation to U. S. politics. He urges Christian to follow God's example and discusses that challenges of being "all things to all people" in a digital age. For more from James visit usefultogod.com or pick up James's new book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at amazon.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.co...

In this episode, James welcomes Ed Uszynski, author of Untangling Critical Race Theory: What Christians Need to Know and Why It Matters. James and Ed discuss Marxism, critical theory, and critical race theory, as well as the biblical idea of partiality. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here. You can purchase Ed's book ...

In this episode, James welcomes Mark Matlock, author of Faith for the Curious: How an Era of Spiritual Openness Shapes the Way We Live and Help Others Follow Jesus. James and Mark discuss Mark's research about the spiritual curious in the United States, the relative lack of curiosity in the church, and how Christians might think about evangelism and discipleship differently. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art...

In this episode, James discussed Genesis 15-22 (the life of Abraham). He focuses on Abraham's legitimate concerns and the way he learns to trust God rather than chart his own course. Abraham is, in this sense, a model of discipleship becasue God allows Abraham the time to learn how to truth in Him and, ultimately, to become "one who fears the Lord." To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on ama...

In this episode James welcomes Carl Amari. Carl hosts Hollywood360, a nationally syndicated radio show, as well as serving as a producer on a variety of audio projects and movies. James and Carl discuss his early interest in radio dramas and how that led him to create dramatized audio versions of the Bible. To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and...