Knowing Faith

What Is The Church Doing Wrong? (The State Of Theology 2025 And Discipleship Report)

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss the State of Theology survey, why it is so concerning, and what we can do next.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is the state of theology survey?What is an evangelical according to this survey?What is the Lifeway report?What is a common discipleship strategy used by churches?What is a roadblock to making disciples?What are some things that are concerning in the report?Why is it a problem that people don’t think the Holy Spirit is a person?How the difference between interpretation and orthodoxy?Why is this so concerning?What do we do?Do you have a definition of disciple?Why do scope and sequence matter?How does dissonance play a role in discipleship?Why do we believe so much in the Training the Church Ministry Cohort?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:1 Corinthians 2, Genesis 3, Romans 5State of Theology ReportLifeway Pastors’ Views on Discipleship“Deep Discipleship” by JT EnglishDeep Discipleship CurriculumTraining the Church Ministry Cohort Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are Predestination And Election Biblical?

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss what predestination and election mean.Questions Covered in This Episode:Can you remember how you were introduced to these doctrines?What is reformed theology?What is predestination? What is election? Are they synonyms? Where do we find them in scripture?What have been faithful approaches to these doctrines?Who do you disagree with on this, but you respect the way they articulate their view?What is determinism?What is the point? Why should we care about this?Helpful Definitions:Predestination: God has ordained specific things to happen.Election: God administers His saving benefits and/or judgment.Pelagius: Man is not stained by sin; humanity is neutral before God.Augustine: Humans are dead in their sin and saved by grace.Arminianism: Humans are dead in their sin and allowed to choose saving grace.Determinism: God is so other than, there is no meaningful place for human agency. Compatibilism: God directs our desires, and humans act in accordance with our desires.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Romans 9, Genesis 1-2, Genesis 12, Ephesians 1, Romans 5-6, Proverbs 16:9, Romans 8, John 6, Matthew 13, John 10Deep Discipleship ProgramLigonier MinistriesRenewing Your MindActs 29T4G“Let the Nations Be Glad!” by John PiperBFM 2000 Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Happens To Animals When They Die?

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley have a conversation about what happens to animals (and Jen’s pugs) when they die.Questions Covered in This Episode:What happens to animals when they die?How are humans and animals different?How does any creaturely thing make it into heaven?Are animals in need of redemption?Does the fall impact animals?Do animals have a soul?What is a soul? Do only humans have souls?How do we give the right level of importance to things that have breath?Will any animals be brought into the new heaven and the new earth?Helpful Definitions:Psychosomatic Unity: Humans are unions of body and soul.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Training the Church Ministry Cohort Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Season 16: Tricky Topics

Season 16 of the Knowing Faith podcast begins on January 15th! In this episode, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley give you a preview of what is to come in Season 16.Questions Covered in This Episode:What are we doing this season?What are some of the topics we will cover?How can I submit questions for you to cover?If you could put your cohost on the hotseat for any question, what would it be?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Apple Podcast ReviewTraining the Church Patreon Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Season 15 Q&A

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley answer questions submitted by listeners!Questions Covered in This Episode:Can you talk to the value or lack thereof of being a credential holder in any particular fellowship or denomination? Are there any secondary beliefs your denomination holds that you don’t agree with?Why is it good that denominations have core confessions?Do you think there will be salt in the new heavens and the new earth since there is no sea or no tears?Jen, what is your favorite classical music?Can you share thoughts on what your church requires of members? How does your church handle discipline?I have heard that Old Testament prophecies have an immediate fulfillment and another fulfillment in the future. Can you explain that?Is any of the content in the Deep Discipleship Program in conflict with Lutheran beliefs? (or other denominations)After the episode on therapeutic language, I wonder if you are going to talk about the fascination with “New Age” practices?What is going on with Women’s Bible Study? How do you evaluate curriculum?Did Jesus ever make mistakes during his earthly life?Does Jesus display the imcommunicable attributes?Is the incarnation itself an accommodation?Did God the Father love the Son at the moment of the crucifixion?Do you have resources for the “false stories” you talk about on the podcast?What would you tell someone about tithing who is in deep debt?Should we as Christians celebrate the feasts given to Israel?How is orthodoxy determined? How do we explain differences among believers?Where would you start a scope & sequence for college students and young adults?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Deep Discipleship ProgramBFM 2000Westminster ConfessionNicene CreedThe Creed of ChalcedonApostles CreedHandel’s MessiahVivaldi The Four SeasonsKnowing Faith: Has Therapeutic Language Invaded the Church?Jen Wilkin's Instagram Highlight of bible StudyKnowing Faith: Does God have Emotions with Ronni Kurtz“Remember and Rehearse” by JT English“Formed for Fellowship” by Kyle Worley Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcast:Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.