The Wednesday Conversation

Episode 561: Christian Zionism

How should Christians think about Israel?Questions about the nation of Israel and its place in the world have resurfaced following the October 2023 attack by Hamas and Israel’s response. These events have precipitated a rise in anti-Semitism and prompted pointed conversations around Zionism. How should Christians relate to the modern state of Israel? In this episode, Bob responds to a listener request for some perspective on that question. He defines Zionism, addresses four common critiques, and offers three compelling reasons for Christian Zionism.Chapters:(0:00) How Should Christians Think about Israel?(1:18) What is Zionism and Why is it in the News?(7:00) Answering Four Critiques(27:22) Christian and Zionist?(33:32) Closing ThoughtsArticles & Resources: https://firstthings.com/the-patriarch-and-the-palestinians/

Episode 560: Chris Says Goodbye

In Chris’s final episode, we reflect on his journey over the past 11+ years.In this episode, we say goodbye to Pastor Chris Hemmelman as he prepares to move from Bellevue, Nebraska to Woodstock, Georgia. We reflect on his journey from church planting resident to lead pastor at First City Church — and what he’s learned along the way. Chris shares what he’s learned about church planting, leadership development, risk-taking, and the slow, relational work of faithful ministry. The conversation closes with reflections on gratitude, presence, and trusting God in seasons of transition.Chapters:(0:00) Introductions: Chris’s Farewell Episode(2:00) Discernment, Risk, and Residency(7:45) Lessons in Leadership Development(10:30) What Would You Tell Yourself 10 Years Ago?(15:20) Favorite Podcast Moments(22:40) Transition, Presence, and Prayers for What’s Next

Episode 559: Harmonizing the Gospels

How do we make sense of the differences within the four Gospels?Readers of the Bible can't help but notice that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John sometimes tell the same stories differently. Was there one angel at the tomb (Matthew), or two (Luke)? Did Jesus cleanse the Temple at the beginning of his ministry (John), or near the end (Matthew)? In this episode, we explore how to make sense of this variety within the Gospel accounts. We discuss apparent contradictions, the literary conventions of first-century biographies, and how to read the Gospels with wise confidence in the reliability of Scripture.Chapters:(0:00) Introductions: The Problem of Harmonization(4:27) Not Video Camera Footage(10:50) Place Names and Geography(14:25) Order, Grouping, and Theological Structure(21:09) Letting Matthew Be Matthew

Episode 558: American Solidarity

Why does American life feel so fractured, and what can Christians do about it?American society feels increasingly polarized, anxious, and divided — and many people sense that the problem is deeper than politics. In this episode, we explore the idea that what’s really fraying is solidarity. Drawing on James Davison Hunter’s Democracy and Solidarity and a recent article by Jake Meador, we examine three competing visions for renewing American solidarity. We argue that neither free-market individualism nor ethnic nationalism offers a meaningful solution, and we discuss how Christianity provides a framework for a distinctive and robust solidarity.Chapters:(0:00) Introductions: The Future of The Wednesday Conversation(7:45) Liberal Individualism and the Loss of Solidarity(14:55) Nationalism as a False Solution(22:34) A Christian Vision of Dependence(30:35) What Solidarity Looks Like in Everyday Life(34:00) Stitching the Fabric Back Together Locally

Episode 557: Evangelicals’ Elite Problem

Do evangelicals really lack cultural elites — and if so, does it matter?An essay in First Things argues that evangelicals have failed to cultivate elites in America’s most influential institutions, leaving them underrepresented in culture-shaping domains like media, academia, and politics. In this episode, we examine author Aaron Renn’s claims, question his definition of “elite,” and explore where the argument resonates — and where it falls apart. We discuss populism within evangelicalism, the absence of a robust theology of vocation, the tension evangelicals feel toward ambition and power, and reflect on how the gospel reframes ambition, faithfulness, and cultural impact.Chapters: (0:00) Introductions: Evangelical Elites? (8:07) Why Evangelicals Struggle with Power (19:08) Ambition, Leadership, and Discernment (26:26) The Need for Flagship Churches (32:29) The Gospel’s Reframing of Success