christian bible

Rev. Charlie Lyons is an ordained minister who has more than 15 years of experience in various pastoral and parachurch ministries. He has worked in national outreach to Canada's youth and pastoral ministry and has also enjoyed serving on the Boards of multiple Canadian faith-based organizations. Charlie is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Brantford, Ontario, with their three children.
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Listen to Rev. Charlie Lyons, affectionately called ‘Charlie the Chaplain’, who serves as the Ontario Spiritual Care Provider with Leading Influence being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur. Charlie provides spiritual care in the form of non-partisan chaplaincy and pastoral services to members of the Provincial Parliament and their staff at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is a friend who wants to help these leaders flourish, and recognizes that there are times that they, like others who have high stress jobs need rest and rejuvenation. Charlie tries to bring that refreshment and prays for them and with them, for personal and professional concerns - for wisdom, discernment, and patience. 

Rev. Charlie Lyons is an ordained minister who has more than 15 years of experience in various pastoral and parachurch ministries. He has worked in national outreach to Canada's youth and pastoral ministry, and has also enjoyed serving on the Boards of multiple Canadian faith-based organizations. Charlie is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Brantford, Ontario, with their three children.

Learn more about Charlie Lyons: leadinginfluence.com/meetcharlie/

Instagram: instagram.com/charliethechaplain/

Listen to Rev. Charlie Lyons, affectionately called ‘Charlie the Chaplain’, who serves as the Ontario Spiritual Care Provider with Leading Influence being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur. Charlie provides spiritual care in the form of non-partisan chaplaincy and pastoral services to members of the Provincial Parliament and their staff at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He is a friend who wants to help these leaders flourish, and recognizes that there are times that they, like others who have high stress jobs need rest and rejuvenation. Charlie tries to bring that refreshment and prays for them and with them, for personal and professional concerns - for wisdom, discernment, and patience. 

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Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Rev. Charlie Lyons is an ordained minister who has more than 15 years of experience in various pastoral and parachurch ministries. He has worked in national outreach to Canada's youth and pastoral ministry, and has also enjoyed serving on the Boards of multiple Canadian faith-based organizations. Charlie is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Brantford, Ontario, with their three children.

Learn more about Charlie Lyons: leadinginfluence.com/meetcharlie/

Instagram: instagram.com/charliethechaplain/

We are called to cultivate listening communities in a society that does not listen well and that does not fear God. I believe we must speak confidently, faithfully, boldly, and courageously. If I stand up in my congregation and they don't trust that I believe what I'm saying, that I am who I say I am, that I am a Christian, then the appeals to emotion, the appeals even to the Word will probably fall on doubting ears and heart. I never take that trust for granted and I work to earn it every single day of my life.
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Listen to Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson being interviewed by CBS Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling. Prior to Connie's call to ordained ministry within the Anglican Church, she worked in Ontario’s criminal justice system for over 30 years. In this episode, Connie talks about her close relationship with God which started at a young age and how she came to realize that He was calling her to serve. She describes how we are all capable of falling from grace and deserving of redemption.

Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson has served at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), St. Mark’s Anglican Church (Orangeville), and as the Incumbent of St. George’s Anglican Church (Utopia) and Christ Church-St. Jude’s Anglican Church (Ivy). In January 2024, she assumed responsibility as Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Haliburton.

Prior to her call to ordained ministry, Connie worked for 30+ years within the Ontario criminal justice system. At the outset of her career with the Ministry of Correctional Services, Connie provided social work services to inmates and supervised clients on probation and parole. She fulfilled her desire to superintend a large maximum-security male institution when she was appointed Superintendent of the Toronto (Don) Jail. In addition, she held senior management positions at the Toronto East and Toronto West Detention Centres, the Mimico Correctional Centre, Toronto City Hall Court Services, as well as various corporate positions in policy and program development. In 2000, Connie became the first Executive Director to the York Regional Police Services Board and when she retired in 2009, she continued her studies at Wycliffe College.

Connie graduated from the University of Toronto with her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, and Master of Divinity (Honours) degrees. In 2022, she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree in Preaching from Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Learn more about Connie Phillipson: https://www.haliburtonanglican.org/staff

Listen to Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson being interviewed by CBS Ambassador Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling. Prior to Connie's call to ordained ministry within the Anglican Church, she worked in Ontario’s criminal justice system for over 30 years. In this episode, Connie talks about her close relationship with God which started at a young age and how she came to realize that He was calling her to serve. She describes how we are all capable of falling from grace and deserving of redemption.

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Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson has served at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), St. Mark’s Anglican Church (Orangeville), and as the Incumbent of St. George’s Anglican Church (Utopia) and Christ Church-St. Jude’s Anglican Church (Ivy). In January 2024, she assumed responsibility as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. George’s Anglican Church (Haliburton). 

Prior to her call to ordained ministry, Connie worked for 30+ years within the Ontario criminal justice system. At the outset of her career with the Ministry of Correctional Services, Connie provided social work services to inmates and supervised clients on probation and parole. She fulfilled her desire to superintend a large maximum-security male institution when she was appointed Superintendent of the Toronto (Don) Jail. In addition, she held senior management positions at the Toronto East and Toronto West Detention Centres, the Mimico Correctional Centre, Toronto City Hall Court Services, as well as various corporate positions in policy and program development. In 2000, Connie became the first Executive Director to the York Regional Police Services Board and when she retired in 2009, she continued her studies at Wycliffe College.

Connie graduated from the University of Toronto with her Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, and Master of Divinity (Honours) degrees. In 2022, she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree in Preaching from Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Learn more about Connie Phillipson: haliburtonanglican.org/staff

I think a very common, I would say, misperception is that the Bible has been a source of even evil in the world. People think it's done harm in the world. And what we show is that some very core elements of our culture and society come from the Bible. Human rights, for example, the idea that all people are created in the image of God, right, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, right, comes from our foundational documents in our country, but it's based on Genesis 1 and 2, and that all people are created in the image of God and therefore of value and have rights and dignity. So that wouldn't exist without the Bible. That's a unique contribution of the Bible. The healthcare was invented by Christians, the idea that all people, again, have value, they should be cared for. You know, Jesus says, when I was sick, you cared for me. The whole idea of hospitals and the practice of hospitals and healthcare comes from the Bible.

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Listen to Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, Chief Curatorial Officer at the Museum of the Bible, in Washington, DC being interviewed by seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck. Jeff shares the Museum of the Bible's mission which invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible and walks us through the main themes of the museum: history of the Bible, impact of the Bible on culture, and basic stories/narrative of the Bible. He inspires us to think about the impact and influence of the Bible on culture, art, music, and human rights.

Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, the Museum of the Bible's Chief Curatorial Officer joined the museum in 2017 and manages and executes the strategic plans for the museum's Bible Education, Scholars Initiative, Exhibits, Curatorial, and Collections departments. 

Jeff previously served 18 years as professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and also served Concordia as provost/chief academic officer. During that time, he oversaw two accreditation processes, transitioned the institution from quarters to semesters, steered the development of new curricula and managed strategic planning for the institution. He earned the PhD from the University of Leeds.

His areas of teaching and research include the textual and canonical history of the early Christian writings, hermeneutics, and the Pauline Epistles. Jeff is co-editor of Texts and Traditions: Essays in Honour of J. K. Elliott (Brill, 2014) and The Press of the Text: Biblical Studies in Honor of James W. Voelz (Pickwick, 2017). He has published peer-reviewed essays in the areas of New Testament textual criticism and the use of New Testament texts in early Christianity. He is a frequent conference presenter, radio guest, and television documentary commentator.

Learn more about Jeff Kloha: museumofthebible.org/who-we-are 

Listen to Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, Chief Curatorial Officer at the Museum of the Bible, in Washington, DC being interviewed by seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck. Jeff shares the Museum of the Bible's mission which invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible and walks us through the main themes of the museum: history of the Bible, impact of the Bible on culture, and basic stories/narrative of the Bible. He inspires us to think about the impact and influence of the Bible on culture, art, music, and human rights.

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Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, the Museum of the Bible's Chief Curatorial Officer joined the museum in 2017 and manages and executes the strategic plans for the museum's Bible Education, Scholars Initiative, Exhibits, Curatorial, and Collections departments. 

Jeff previously served 18 years as professor of New Testament at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and also served Concordia as provost/chief academic officer. During that time, he oversaw two accreditation processes, transitioned the institution from quarters to semesters, steered the development of new curricula and managed strategic planning for the institution. He earned the PhD from the University of Leeds.

His areas of teaching and research include the textual and canonical history of the early Christian writings, hermeneutics, and the Pauline Epistles. Jeff is co-editor of Texts and Traditions: Essays in Honour of J. K. Elliott (Brill, 2014) and The Press of the Text: Biblical Studies in Honor of James W. Voelz (Pickwick, 2017). He has published peer-reviewed essays in the areas of New Testament textual criticism and the use of New Testament texts in early Christianity. He is a frequent conference presenter, radio guest, and television documentary commentator.

Learn more about Jeff Kloha: museumofthebible.org/who-we-are 

• This Quoircast podcast is brought to you by RJ The Astronaut by Jon Turney. Published by Quoir and available now.
• In this episode we chat with Jennifer Bird
• An East Coaster by upbringing, undergrad, and graduate schools, Dr. Bird has taught in New Jersey, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Oregon and Virginia. She is currently embracing the title, "independent public biblical scholar," and you can follow her commentary and interview videos and her official co-hosted podcast at the links at the top of this site. Her background within the United Methodist Church, education in a Presbyterian affiliated institution, time spent in several ministerial contexts, six years of graduate work in biblical studies, and more than 25 years of teaching in classrooms of all kinds all inform her approach to having quite honest, and sometimes difficult, conversations about what is actually to be found in the scriptures of the Christian Bible.
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To be a true reflection of God now, a true mirror, an image bearer of God now, in the world now, and to actually share in His purpose as an ambassador, a reflection of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 - 21 is a key Scripture in this book that you're brand new, you're not sort of new, you're not that old self, you don't define yourself by that old man, that old nature, that old sin. You have a brand-new nature, you're a brand-new person in Christ, and you have, you get to share in His purpose and walk in His authority right now. And that's the clarion call in this book, is that everything that was lost in the garden has been found in Jesus. Will you take it up? Will you live out of the truth of all that's been found for you, and live with meaning and purpose and power in your life? Because that's where you find your true identity. It's all found in Jesus.
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Listen to Lorie Hartshorn, an acclaimed international speaker, author, and Bible teacher being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur. Lorie recently left her role as co-host of The 700 Club Canada, and finished her new book entitled, Found - which is about identity, and how to find our true identity in Christ. She inspires us to take up the call to live out our true identity and true authority as children of God - to live with greater purpose and power and be a clear reflection of God in the world.

Lorie Hartshorn is an acclaimed international speaker, author, and Bible teacher and a beacon of warmth and inspiration in her role for the last 5 years as co-host of The 700 Club Canada daily TV show. With a passion for making Jesus known and empowering individuals to fulfill their God-given potential, Lorie’s journey reflects a commitment to spiritual growth and leadership.

Having dedicated 21 years to education, Lorie brings a wealth of experience as a teacher. She further honed her leadership skills as the Director of Advancement for EQUIP Leadership Canada, founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell, where she contributed to training leaders globally.

Lorie holds a master’s degree in theological studies from Tyndale Seminary. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community was evident in her role as the pastor of Adult Ministries at Sanctus Church, where she oversaw the Small Group Ministry, fostering connections and spiritual growth within the congregation.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lorie finds joy in cottage life, meaningful conversations, and the richness of community.

Learn more about Lorie Hartshorn: loriehartshorn.com

Listen to Lorie Hartshorn, an acclaimed international speaker, author, and Bible teacher being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur. Lorie recently left her role as co-host of the 700 Club Canada, and finished her new book entitled, Found - which is about identity, and how to find our true identity in Christ. She inspires us to take up the call to live out our true identity and true authority as children of God - to live with greater purpose and power and be a clear reflection of God in the world.

---

Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Lorie Hartshorn is an acclaimed international speaker, author, and Bible teacher and a beacon of warmth and inspiration in her role for the last 5 years as co-host of The 700 Club Canada daily TV show. With a passion for making Jesus known and empowering individuals to fulfill their God-given potential, Lorie’s journey reflects a commitment to spiritual growth and leadership.

Having dedicated 21 years to education, Lorie brings a wealth of experience as a teacher. She further honed her leadership skills as the Director of Advancement for EQUIP Leadership Canada, founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell, where she contributed to training leaders globally.

Lorie holds a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community was evident in her role as the pastor of Adult Ministries at Sanctus Church, where she oversaw the Small Group Ministry, fostering connections and spiritual growth within the congregation.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lorie finds joy in cottage life, meaningful conversations, and the richness of community.

Learn more about Lorie Hartshorn: loriehartshorn.com

It's not that the quest of happiness will fail. It's just that you're missing out on a deeper, qualitatively richer version of happiness if you try and do it in your own strength. And so that's where we talk about, I think, point to Scripture where the Bible actually doesn't say that much about happiness. It's not actually that interested in our happiness. What it says a lot about is joy. And here's where we talk about the one thing that you could say, for almost every ideal and pursuit of the modern mind, and kind of the modern, intelligent, educated person is that what the Bible offers is not something that's just quantitatively different. So, it's not saying: Come to Jesus and you'll be more happy. It's saying: Come to Jesus, and you'll have something that's qualitatively better than happiness. Christian joy just holds. It holds kind of above the storms, regardless of what's happening. So, there is a level of lasting certainty and majesty to what the Bible offers, and joy is one good example as opposed to human generated happiness.
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Listen to Max Jeganathan, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity and Adjunct Speaker for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics being interviewed by seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck. Max talk abouts how happiness comes and goes but Christian joy holds regardless of what's happening. He describes the Bible as a theological document/declaration, not a political one. "It's the way God communicates to us about who He is and who we are, and how He wants us to relate to Him and to one another." he says. Max also talks about sin being something that we are, that it's not based on performance. "Sin is actually an intrinsic brokenness, that explains a break in relationship with God, a relationship that we were all made for." 

Max Jeganathan is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) and an Adjunct Speaker for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA). He has spoken in businesses, universities and legal and political institutions, including the University of Oxford, Imperial College, advisers in Canada’s National Parliament, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Samsung, Lego, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Amazon. 

Born in Sri Lanka, Max’s family moved to Australia as refugees in the mid 1980s. He has worked as a lawyer (civil litigation) and a political & policy adviser in the Australian National Parliament. Max was educated at the Australian National University and the University of Oxford, and is currently undertaking a PhD in Law. He speaks on the intersection between ethics, faith, culture, economics, law, finance and technology. Max lives in Sydney with his wife Fiona and their three young children.

Listen or watch Max Jeganathan, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity and Adjunct Speaker for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics being interviewed by seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck. Max talk abouts how happiness comes and goes but Christian joy holds regardless of what's happening. He describes the Bible as a theological document/declaration, not a political one. "It's the way God communicates to us about who He is and who we are, and how He wants us to relate to Him and to one another." he says. Max also talks about sin being something that we are, that it's not based on performance. "Sin is actually an intrinsic brokenness, that explains a break in relationship with God, a relationship that we were all made for." 

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Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Max Jeganathan is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) and an Adjunct Speaker for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA). He has spoken in businesses, universities and legal and political institutions, including the University of Oxford, Imperial College, advisers in Canada’s National Parliament, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Samsung, Lego, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Amazon. 

Born in Sri Lanka, Max’s family moved to Australia as refugees in the mid 1980s. He has worked as a lawyer (civil litigation) and a political & policy adviser in the Australian National Parliament. Max was educated at the Australian National University and the University of Oxford, and is currently undertaking a PhD in Law. He speaks on the intersection between ethics, faith, culture, economics, law, finance and technology. Max lives in Sydney with his wife Fiona and their three young children.

Learn more about Max Jeganathan: linkedin.com/in/maxprijeg

Providence enables us to trust that history is headed somewhere, might not today be visible to sight. but faith will give way to sight if you wait on God. It's about trusting in promises that have yet to come true and I've always wondered about the truth character of a promise. It's true because you trust the person who made it but it isn't true as a fact yet. And so you're waiting for its fulfillment, but you know enough to trust the promise maker to wait on a fulfillment. And I think that's where John, you know, it's unbelief to give up that hope. You know, we are as one American preacher says: We're prisoners of hope. We're obliged to hope in a very good way to see how the grace of God will emerge here too.
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Listen to Rev. Dr. Richard Topping (President of Vancouver School of Theology) share with Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling (Ambassador, Canadian Bible Society) about the influences that helped shape his faith journey. Recorded as part of the series, The Word for Life: When Scripture Comes Alive, Richard talks about how the Bible is key to our understanding of God, how it stokes our imagination to help us see what we can't see fully yet, and how looking through the lens of Scripture frames our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.  

Richard Topping received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from University of Waterloo, a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Michael’s University in the Toronto School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from Wycliffe College, where his thesis Director was Professor John Webster. His doctoral thesis focused on theological interpretation of scripture in Hans Frei and Karl Barth.

Richard was Minister at Zion and Knox Presbyterian Churches in Muskoka, Ontario from 1993-1996 and at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal, Quebec, where he was Assistant Minister from 1997-1999 and Senior Minister from 2000-2009. He has written or coauthored a number of documents for the Presbyterian Church in Canada, including a Catechism for Today (2008) and Together in Ministry (2006). He currently serves on the Church Doctrine Committee for the national church.

Richard taught at Presbyterian College (2001-2009) in the Montreal School of Theology at McGill University in the areas of Preaching, Pastoral theology, Introduction to Ministry and Church, Ministry and Sacraments.

Richard holds the St. Andrew’s Hall Chair in Studies in the Reformed Tradition and has been the Principal of Vancouver School of Theology since 2013. He teaches in the areas of Introduction to Theology, Reformation History, Christian Spirituality and Reformed Theology of the 19th and Twentieth Century. He has published in the areas of theological hermeneutics, homiletics, philosophy of religion, systematic theology and the theologies of John Calvin and Karl Barth. He has edited a collection of essays, for the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, Calvin @500, and is currently editing a series of faculty essays with Profs. Ashley Moyse and Harry Maier, Theological Ten Percent, which are an introduction to theological study. He is also working on a book which examines the role of the imagination in postmodern theology.

Richard initiated a Karl Barth reading group which has been active now for 11 years. He is a regular preacher in the Vancouver area and lecturer across the country in the areas of pastoral leadership and strategic direction.

Listen to Rev. Dr. Richard Topping (President of Vancouver School of Theology) share with Rev. Dr. Andrew Stirling (Ambassador, Canadian Bible Society) about the influences that helped shape his faith journey. Recorded as part of the series, The Word for Life: When Scripture Comes Alive, Richard talks about how the Bible is key to our understanding of God, how it stokes our imagination to help us see what we can't see fully yet, and how looking through the lens of Scripture frames our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.  

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Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Richard Topping received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from University of Waterloo, a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Michael’s University in the Toronto School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from Wycliffe College, where his thesis Director was Professor John Webster. His doctoral thesis focused on theological interpretation of scripture in Hans Frei and Karl Barth.

Richard was Minister at Zion and Knox Presbyterian Churches in Muskoka, Ontario from 1993-1996 and at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul in Montreal, Quebec, where he was Assistant Minister from 1997-1999 and Senior Minister from 2000-2009. He has written or coauthored a number of documents for the Presbyterian Church in Canada, including a Catechism for Today (2008) and Together in Ministry (2006). He currently serves on the Church Doctrine Committee for the national church.

Richard taught at Presbyterian College (2001-2009) in the Montreal School of Theology at McGill University in the areas of Preaching, Pastoral theology, Introduction to Ministry and Church, Ministry and Sacraments.

Richard holds the St. Andrew’s Hall Chair in Studies in the Reformed Tradition and has been the Principal of Vancouver School of Theology since 2013. He teaches in the areas of Introduction to Theology, Reformation History, Christian Spirituality and Reformed Theology of the 19th and Twentieth Century. He has published in the areas of theological hermeneutics, homiletics, philosophy of religion, systematic theology and the theologies of John Calvin and Karl Barth. He has edited a collection of essays, for the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, Calvin @500, and is currently editing a series of faculty essays with Profs. Ashley Moyse and Harry Maier, Theological Ten Percent, which are an introduction to theological study. He is also working on a book which examines the role of the imagination in postmodern theology.

Richard initiated a Karl Barth reading group which has been active now for 11 years. He is a regular preacher in the Vancouver area and lecturer across the country in the areas of pastoral leadership and strategic direction.

Learn more about Richard Topping: vst.edu/people/richard-topping

The biggest thing for me because it's what I need the most and then I hope it helps other people, is just to wake up to all the ways God is making overtures to us, whispering to us, reaching out to us. And so you know, I think that the big three of goodness and beauty and truth...these you know, that old-fashioned idea that there's these three transcendentals and they're like little radar pings from the God of the universe and they ping in our soul. Any chance that I can in any kind of writing or communication go: Look there's something beautiful! or Look here's something true! or Look at the possibility for goodness that still exists in image bearers, people made in the image of God! That's all part of this quest to just pay attention, wake up, get the message.
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Listen to singer/songwriter, author and Director of Education for Renovaré, Carolyn Arends being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur in this episode of Scripture Untangled. Carolyn talks about the role of Scripture in her life and different ways to engage with Scripture - prayerfully reading of Scripture, imaginative entering into Scripture and meditation on Scripture. They also discuss the honesty, realness and faithfulness that Carolyn weaves into her songs, and her efforts to listen, wake up and pay attention to God's little calling cards. Her hope is that her latest album, Recognition helps other people wake up to all the ways God is making overtures, whispering and reaching out to us. What are the ways we can open ourselves up to God to heal and transform us, to make us whole and holy?

Carolyn Arends has released 14 albums (including two brand new projects, Recognition, and In the Morning) and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Carolyn has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year. Her prose has been recognized by The Word Guild, The Evangelical Press Association and The Canadian Church Press Awards. 

In addition to her busy touring and speaking schedule, Carolyn has been a regular columnist for Christianity Today, Faith Today, and CT Women, and has served as an adjunct professor at a number of universities. She has a degree in Psychology and English from Trinity Western University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband, Mark, and their young adult children Benjamin and Bethany.

Carolyn is currently the Director of Education for Renovaré, a far-reaching organization that encourages and nurtures spiritual renewal. She continues to be available on a select basis for speaking, retreat facilitation, concerts, worship leading and songwriting and performance seminars.

Listen or watch singer/songwriter, author and Director of Education for Renovaré, Carolyn Arends being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur in this episode of Scripture Untangled. Carolyn talks about the role of Scripture in her life and different ways to engage with Scripture - prayerfully reading of Scripture, imaginative entering into Scripture and meditation on Scripture. They also discuss the honesty, realness and faithfulness that Carolyn weaves into her songs, and her efforts to listen, wake up and pay attention to God's little calling cards. Her hope is that her latest album, Recognition helps other people wake up to all the ways God is making overtures, whispering and reaching out to us. What are the ways we can open ourselves up to God to heal and transform us, to make us whole and holy?

---

Learn more about the Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.ca

Help people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donate

Connect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesociety

Whether you’re well-versed in Scripture or just starting out on your journey, The Bible Course offers a superb overview of the world’s best-selling book.  This eight-session course will help you grow in your understanding of the Bible. Watch the first session of The Bible Course and learn more at biblecourse.ca. 

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Carolyn Arends has released 14 albums (including two brand new projects, Recognition, and In the Morning) and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Carolyn has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year. Her prose has been recognized by The Word Guild, The Evangelical Press Association and The Canadian Church Press Awards. 

In addition to her busy touring and speaking schedule, Carolyn has been a regular columnist for Christianity Today, Faith Today, and CT Women, and has served as an adjunct professor at a number of universities. She has a degree in Psychology and English from Trinity Western University and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Regent College. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband, Mark, and their young adult children Benjamin and Bethany.

Carolyn is currently the Director of Education for Renovaré, a far-reaching organization that encourages and nurtures spiritual renewal. She continues to be available on a select basis for speaking, retreat facilitation, concerts, worship leading and songwriting and performance seminars.

Learn more about Carolyn Arends:

Website: carolynarends.com 

YouTube: youtube.com/user/CarolynArends 

Instagram: @carolyn_arends

Facebook: @CarolynArendsOfficial

Lamin Sanneh, wonderful African theologian wrote a great book a few years ago, called Whose Religion is Christianity. And he makes the point that all the major world's major faith traditions have largely stayed focused on the culture where they began. So, Islam is an Arabic faith you pray in Arabic. You pray facing Mecca. Saudi Arabia is the spiritual center, so it's remained centered on Arabia. Thailand...Buddhism...90% of the world's Buddhists are in Thailand, and that part of Asia, you know, the whole thing sort of kicks off.

And so it goes for all the world's major faith traditions. The one exception Lamin says is Christianity. It begins as a Middle Eastern faith, then it expands into Asia and becomes an Asian faith, then it goes west and becomes an African faith then it heads up north and becomes a European faith. It goes across the Atlantic with the Pilgrim Fathers and becomes an American faith. Now it's headed south and becomes a Latin American faith. It's going back into Africa, again, with millions of Christians there, and again, now spreading like wildfire across the Middle East. And he makes the point: Christianity is...you can't pin it down, because it's not tied in to one human culture. Because the God of the Bible is much bigger than human culture even though in the person Jesus, He stepped into one culture in particular.
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Listen to author, speaker and apologist, Andy Bannister being interviewed by author and theologian, Andrew Ollerton. They discuss the difference between the Bible and the Quran, and how to answer questions about the Christian faith and really lean into the tough ones. Andy also talks about his latest book, How To Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot, an accessible, practical, down-to-earth book on Evangelism and how to adopt Jesus' approach of asking questions and listening very closely.

Dr. Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity an evangelism and training organization based in Scotland (but covering the whole of the UK) and is a highly sought after speaker, writer, and broadcaster. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of Christians and those of other faiths or none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. 

Andy holds a PhD in Islamic studies and has taught extensively at universities across Canada, the USA, the UK and further afield on both Islam and philosophy. He is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology and is also Adjunct Faculty at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. His latest book is How To Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot. Andy also hosts two podcasts, PEP Talk and Pod of the Gaps and presents the Short Answers video series for Solas.

Listen or watch author, speaker and apologist, Andy Bannister being interviewed by author and theologian, Andrew Ollerton. They discuss the difference between the Bible and the Quran, and how to answer questions about the Christian faith and really lean into the tough ones. Andy also talks about his latest book, How To Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot, an accessible, practical, down-to-earth book on Evangelism and how to adopt Jesus' approach of asking questions and listening very closely. 

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Dr. Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity an evangelism and training organization based in Scotland (but covering the whole of the UK) and is a highly sought after speaker, writer, and broadcaster. From universities to churches, cafes to pubs, schools to workplaces, Andy regularly addresses audiences of Christians and those of other faiths or none on issues relating to faith, culture, politics and society. 

Andy holds a PhD in Islamic studies and has taught extensively at universities across Canada, the USA, the UK and further afield on both Islam and philosophy. He is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology and is also Adjunct Faculty at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. His latest book is How To Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot. Andy also hosts two podcasts, PEP Talk and Pod of the Gaps and presents the Short Answers video series for Solas. 

Learn more about Andy Bannister: andybannister.net

I mean, people will say, well, do you take the Bible literally? And my question is, well, which parts you know? Because if you mean like, well, then Jesus is a door. Like He is a wood door or He's a vine. Okay? Well, do you think He's a stick? No. Of course you're gonna... this is so important. We always read the Bible in context. We have a little aphorism we use. We say, never read a Bible verse. Never read a Bible verse. What do we mean? We're not saying don't read the Bible. We're saying, just don't read a single verse without looking at the context - the verses before and after the paragraph, the chapter, even the vibe, the book inside the Bible, as the context dictates. So, it's really important that we understand what it is we're reading. I think this is where Christians get all mixed up.
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Listen to speaker, author and apologist Tim Barnett being interviewed by Joanna la Fleur, as they discuss faith and reason, moral relativism, and the Next Gen's key questions and concerns. Are faith and reason at odds? Is there such a thing as right vs wrong? Is Christianity good? Is it ok not to agree with everything in the Bible?

Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (STR), an apologetics ministry dedicated to training Christians to think more clearly about their faith. Tim travels across the U.S. and Canada, speaking to thousands of people each year. He is also a frequent guest on podcasts and YouTube channels.

Before starting at STR in 2015, Tim worked as a teacher, employed in both the private and public sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from York University, a Bachelor of Education from Ontario Tech University, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Between 2014 and 2022, Tim served on the pastoral staff at Cedarview Community Church.

In 2020, Tim began Red Pen Logic with Mr. B, an online ministry that assesses bad thinking on social media by using good thinking. Across all social media platforms, Red Pen Logic (RPL) reaches millions of people every month.

Tim resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife, Stacey. They have three daughters and a morkie poo named Polly. Tim enjoys working in the garden and spending time at his family cottage.

I remember when I first started in youth ministry, a few years after my conversion, you'd shy away from the whole God is judge thing. Maybe we save that for Bible study or one-on-one conversation, you know, we don't want to put people off. And it's like, no, man, you need to come out with that. Like if there wasn't a hell, and if there wasn't a judge, I don't even know if I could be a Christian. And so, when we reframe things, and give the reasons for why we think this. Credible reasons for why we think this, why this is internally coherent within the Christian worldview, and how it satisfies the sorts of existential concerns that we have in questions that we have, I think that that's a huge opportunity.
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Listen to Alanzo Paul, a speaker at the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics being interviewed by author and theologian, Andrew Ollerton. Alanzo shares his origin story, his struggles and how he walks hand-in-hand with Jesus. He talks about the extreme transformation that brought him out of the lowest point in his life to a place where he now has the privilege of connecting with and helping the Next Gen find hope as they seek answers to meta questions like: What is the meaning of life? Does my life have a purpose? Where is God in my suffering?

Alanzo is a speaker at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA). He is passionate about apologetics, art, discipleship, history, literature, mission, philosophy and theology. His work primarily focuses on Christocentrically addressing metaphysical and existential questions like: ‘Does God exist?’, ‘Why does God allow suffering (and evil)’, ‘What is the meaning of life?’, and much more.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Alanzo became a Christian in 2009 after struggling with drug addiction for over ten years. Alanzo worked in the Oil & Gas sector before entering into full-time ministry. He held a corporate position for several years and then embarked upon his first private sector venture as an entrepreneur in the e-commerce world.

Ever since his decision to follow Jesus, Alanzo has been passionate about engaging with Next Gen questions about God, the Bible, life, and the Church. For over a decade now, he has spoken to crowds of students around the world.

Alanzo has a degree in theology (BTh) from the University of Oxford (Wycliffe Hall) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MA) from the University of Toronto. His research thesis on Thomistic metaphysics was entitled, Can a Simple God Incarnate? (2022). Alanzo lives near Oxford with his wife.