Calvary Conversations

October 7, 2023: Hamas invaded Israel. Why? What did Hamas hope to gain? What are the causes of the conflict between not just Hamas and Israel but much of the Arab world and Israel?

Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds—and the Calvary Conversations team—invited Dr. Teddy Bitner, who has 26 years’ experience in the United States Army including as a Colonel commanding a battalion during Operation Desert Storm, to discuss the historical background issues which have led up to this current conflict and some of the biblical and theological issues related to this current conflict in the Middle East. Dr. Bitner is currently Calvary University’s Chief Academic Officer and History Professor.

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An “evangelical” is a “good news proclaimer”! It’s a perfectly good word to describe those who take the Bible seriously and desire to “proclaim the good news” of Jesus Christ. But, in recent times, it has become politicized—evangelicals are now thought of by many as a voting bloc. So, many who would have at one time embraced the label “evangelical” now consider it an outdated word that has obscured the true mission and message of God's people. What do you think?

In this Calvary Conversation, Calvary’s Shaun LePage, will lead the Calvary Conversations team—Drs. Tim Hange, Josh Paxton and Mike Dodds—to explore the question of whether evangelicals should give up their “activism” and mind their own business.

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Does everyone need to be converted to Christianity? Evangelicals say yes. It’s called “Conversionism”: the belief that lives need to be transformed thorough a “born-again” experience through faith in Jesus Christ. But not everyone is excited about this belief. It assumes everyone is a sinner—we’re not okay the way we are.

Dr. Joshua Paxton leads the Calvary Conversations team—Dr. Mike Dodds, Dr. Timothy Hange and Shaun LePage—in a conversation about this distinctive of Evangelicals listed by historian David Bebbington. How shall Christians be “evangelical” in a world that can easily be offended by conversionism?

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How do we know what is true? The National Association of Evangelicals claims that most evangelicals believe in “biblicism.” They have a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority. Where do Christians get this idea? Are they anti-intellectual?

Calvary’s Dr. Mike Dodds had a conversation with the Calvary Conversations team—Dr. Tim Hange, Dr. Joshua Paxton and Shaun LePage—about this important distinctive and why it is such a fundamental part of the definition of “evangelical.”

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The cross is an unusual choice for the symbol of a religion. It shows that the death of Jesus is one of the key beliefs of Christians—evangelicals in particular. But many today are asking whether we got it right—was Jesus our substitute? Was His death an atonement which satisfied the wrath of God? Some say this is akin to “cosmic child abuse.”

Dr. Tim Hange led a conversation with the Calvary Conversations Team—Dr. Mike Dodds, Dr. Joshua Paxton and Prof. Shaun LePage—about what is technically labeled as “crucicentrism.” Is the cross truly central to the Christian faith? Join us as we explore this important question, and we invite you to participate in the conversation using the links below.

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The term “evangelical” has a rich heritage in Church History, going all the way back to the Greek word behind “preaching” or “proclamation” in the Bible, up through the Reformation. But in modern U.S. culture, it has been linked to politics and is often used for people and movements that are unbiblical in their beliefs.

The Calvary Conversations team is asking the question, “Should we continue to call ourselves ‘evangelical’?” But the first important step is to ask, “What exactly is an ‘evangelical’?” Join us as we explore these important questions about the identity of God’s people in our culture.

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People all around us need help. They need encouragement, help and answers. Should ordinary, average Christians wade into the waters of “counseling” or should we leave that to the professionals?

Calvary’s Dr. Tim Hange, along with Dr. Joshua Paxton and Shaun LePage, invited Dr. Luther Smith—Chairman of Calvary University’s Biblical Counseling Department—to explore this issue.

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Is the Old Testament for us today? Is everything in it for Christians living in the 21st Century? If we fail to study the Old Testament, what might we be missing? What might we be getting wrong?

Calvary’s Dr. Mike Dodds invited Joel Williamson, professor of Hebrew and Old Testament studies at Calvary University, for a conversation about the importance of studying the Old Testament today.

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For 50 years, most missionaries have been focused on reaching unreached people groups—prioritizing people who have the least access to the gospel. Today, this focus is falling out of favor by critics of the Western missionary enterprise because they feel it reflects “Western” or Enlightenment thinking.

Calvary’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Dr. Ted Esler, President of Missio Nexus, to discuss this development and how it impacts global missions as well as individual believers.

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Times have changed.

At one time, the Church in America lived in a positive world—a culture that was positive toward the Bible, respected clergy, and considered the Church to be a force for good in the world. But times have changed.

We now live in a world that considers the Christian faith to be bigoted, misogynistic, even hateful.

So, how can Christians and churches be faithful to Christ in this negative world? Join Shaun LePage as he leads the Calvary Conversations team—Drs. Joshua Paxton, Tim Hange and Mike Dodds—in the second part of a discussion about the so-called negative world and how Christians and churches need to think, speak and act in order to thrive.

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Do you have questions about God, the Bible or Christianity? Shea Houdmann, as a new graduate of Calvary Seminary in 2001, decided to pose that question to the world. He created gotquestions.org and offered to provide answers from the Bible to any and all questions. As it turns out, lots of people “got questions”! Houdmann recruited a team that has now responded to more than 741,000 questions. The site receives millions of visitors every month—either to ask questions or read the answers to the questions others have already asked.

Calvary University’s Shaun LePage invited Houdmann, Founder, President, and CEO of Got Questions Ministries, who is also the keynote speaker for the 2023 CU President's Dinner on September 28, to discuss not only gotquestions.org, but also to help Christians understand the importance of providing biblical answers to the curious.

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“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end . . . And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.” (Matthew 24:6, 12, NASV). To what extent should we expect to see these end times prophetic events to occur in our day?

Join Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds as he and Dr. Richard Schmidt of Prophecy Focus Ministries discuss his recent book, Globalism, and end time prophecies.

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Can we really know what is true? How do we know what we think we know? In other words, what is the worldview of Postmodernism and on what is it based?

Calvary’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Calvary University graduate student, Joshua Barr, to discuss his recent paper exploring this issue of Postmodern Epistemology.

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Anyone following the news about concerns over school curriculum, traumatic events at schools, adult agendas being pushed on children and youth in schools and in the community, and the documented mental health crisis being experienced by children and youth know that young people need help today!

Dr. Mike Dodds invited Hanna Sims, the founder of NETWorkersTEC, to have a conversation about how to best minister to children and youth in these confusing and troubled times.

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At one time, the Church in America lived in a positive world—a culture that was positive toward the Bible, respected clergy, and considered the Church to be a force for good in the world. But times have changed. We now live in a world that considers the Christian faith to be bigoted, misogynistic, even hateful. So, how can Christians and churches be faithful to Christ in this negative world?

Join Shaun LePage as he leads the Calvary Conversations team—Drs. Joshua Paxton, Tim Hange and Mike Dodds, in a discussion about this world-changing shift and how Christians and churches need to think, speak and act in order to thrive.

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Since the 1960’s, Americans have seen numerous social norms change or disappear. What is the impact of this? Does it mean freedom from outdated ideas or does it create new problems? Surely some norms need to change, but aren’t some good? And how do we figure out which social norms should not be changed?

Join Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds as he leads the Calvary Conversations team in a discussion about the pros and cons of changing societal norms.

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Throughout history, people have played games. But today’s “gaming” options are more abundant than any other time in history. This raises questions for many: Are there pitfalls to some games, but not others? Are there “fake” pitfalls to gaming? What about balance of time, community and cost? Should Christians participate in role-playing games?

Join the two coolest Calvary Conversations’ hosts, Drs. Timothy Hange and Joshua Paxton, as they explore and wrestle with these difficult, but very relevant, questions.

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For a Christian young person graduating from high school, should a Christian college be the obvious next step? Should Christians go to non-Christian universities—is that ever a good idea? How does the rising cost of college factor into this question?

Join Calvary’s Timothy Hange and the Calvary Conversation’s team for a conversation on this important and practical question.

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What are the most seductive ideas being embraced by Americans? This question was recently explored by the Arizona Christian University’s Christian Research Center. They then released The American Worldview Inventory 2023: A National Survey of Biblical and Competing Worldviews and The Top 10 Most Prevalent Seductive Unbiblical Ideas That Are Embraced by Americans Today. Some of these ideas may seem obviously unbiblical, but the reality is that Christians are tempted by these ideas too. Some of them sound good at first, and how they contradict the Bible is not immediately clear to all.

Join Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds as he leads the Calvary Conversations team in exploring how we should respond to people who hold these unbiblical ideas, and how Christians can help each other to avoid being “seduced.”

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According to the recent Ligonier “State of Theology” study 10% of those who self-identify as “evangelical” disagree with the statement: “Biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. This event actually occurred.”

Does it matter whether the resurrection was literal and physical? And, if it really happened, why does it matter? In other words, would it matter to the Christian faith if archeologists found the remains of Jesus? Join the Calvary Conversations team as they explore the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Why would the Chairmen of two Christian university departments waste their time on gaming? Shouldn’t they be studying, writing and lecturing? Shouldn’t they be discouraging their students from participating in pointless activities? Or, is it possible there are actually some benefits to gaming? Is it possible that games could conceivably be a tool for something good?

Join Calvary University’s Dr. Joshua Paxton and Tim Hange for a discussion about their own experiences in seeing gaming through the lens of the biblical worldview.

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Is there really a God? Is the Bible really His perfect revelation? How can God be good when He allows people to suffer? Especially when we are going through difficult things, it is common to experience doubt. Is that wrong? Is “a double-minded man unstable in all his ways”? Or is it part of a natural progression to a mature faith?

Join Calvary’s Tim Hange as he leads a discussion with the Calvary Conversations team about this important and common struggle. Click on the links below to join in the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts about doubt. 

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How can a loving God allow evil and suffering in the world? This is a sticking point for many who choose not to believe. Christians, however, choose to believe that God has a purpose in what he plans and in what he allows.  There is, however, still tension in our belief and our experience, and it is acutely felt when we encounter difficult pain, or witness the abused or suffering innocent.  We ask “why is God distant?”

As Christians, we often talk about how God is near and present. One needs to look no further than the psalms to hear about how God is an ever-present help in times of trouble.  The Psalms, however, also mourn about times when God seems absent in our times of suffering (Psalm 88). Even in the New Testament, we feel this tension: Christ telling us that He is leaving to go to the Father, while also promising to be with us until the end.

Join the Calvary Conversations team as they explore a proper understanding of both the nearness and the distance of God?

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Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, has recently been in the news for an on-campus revival. Thousands of people are headed to Wilmore in hopes of seeing a move of God with their own eyes. Dr. Mike Dodds, Dean of the Calvary University Seminary, and a distinguished member of the Calvary Conversations team, was a student at Asbury when a similar event took place in the 1970’s.

How should Christians respond to the news of a revival? Should we hop in our cars and go? Should we be skeptical? Join the Calvary Conversations team as they discuss the important and exciting issue of revival.

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What do most people believe the Bible says? What do “evangelical” Christians believe the Bible says? And why are more and more Christians believing things the Bible does not really say—things contrary to the Bible and to what Christians have asserted to be the truth down through the centuries?

Join the Calvary Conversations team as they discuss “The State of Theology” survey findings and the implications for how we evangelize and teach biblical Christianity to others.

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Is time a blessing or a burden? Why has God placed us under a system marked by seasons and years? What does it mean to be good stewards of time?

Calvary University’s Shaun LePage, led the Calvary Conversations team in a conversation about this important subject that impacts every human on the planet. The focus is on having a biblical worldview of time so that we can think rightly about it and use it well.

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It’s one of the most frequently asked questions: Why does God allow suffering? Why does He allow cancer, hurricanes, pandemics, heart-break, war, etc.? Why doesn’t He fix His world?

The Calvary Conversations team explores these questions and more through the lens of the biblical worldview. What does the Bible teach about suffering? Has God already done something about it? What about the future? Whether you are new to Christianity or going through some challenges, we invite you to join us for this important conversation.

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What is it like to grow up as a missionary kid (MK)? How does it shape the way kids see the world? How does it impact their faith?

James Gleaves has some stories to share. Calvary University’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Gleaves—a mobilizer with Ethnos 360, a former missionary, and a former MK—to have a conversation about his experience as an MK, and some of the lessons learned that can benefit every believer, including non-MKs. Join us for this fun, yet inspirational conversation.

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The benefits of partnering with indigenous leadership for global missions are enormous. But those benefits can be eclipsed by several and various problems.

Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Shawn Haynie, Director of Adelphos USA, to discuss some key questions about partnerships: What are the benefits and potential dangers of partnering with national missionaries? How can we partner with nationals in a way that does not create dependency or paternalism? Is there a process for helping the national missionary to become supported by the local national church?

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With all the great needs around the world, why should anyone consider serving in North America? This is the question posed by Dr. Joshua Paxton to three leaders of North American mission agencies—Jon Hansen, Doug Clark and Dr. Henry Vosburgh.

Their conversation not only explores the reasons why North American missions is so necessary, but also the question of need—what are the greatest obstacles faced by North American missions agencies? The answer from all three leaders may surprise you.

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Christmas – “the most wonderful time of the year!” And yet it’s become loaded with a lot of unbiblical traditions and expectations. How should Christians respond? Which should we clearly avoid? Which should we engage with caution? And which should we employ with a clear conscience?

Join Dr. Mike Dodds as he leads a discussion with the Calvary Conversations team—Tim Hange, Dr. Joshua Paxton and Shaun LePage—as they seek to bring some biblical sanity to the season and its celebrations.

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How do you know when you’re out of balance—overemphasizing some things while neglecting others? What are the dangers of forcing our priorities on other people? What does it mean to actually be “biblical”?

Dr. Joshua Paxton led a conversation with the Calvary Conversations hosts—Dr. Mike Dodds, Tim Hange and Shaun LePage—about this important subject and the importance of finding balance, setting priorities and living with tension between differing viewpoints.

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“How could I ever help anyone with a personal problem? I wouldn’t know what to say or where to turn for finding good advice to share! And if it’s a conflict situation, for sure I would be at a loss!” Every Christian knows this dilemma but also needs to have wisdom for how to help others – we ALL need to know how to do Biblical Counseling and to how to deal with conflict.

That’s why Dr. James Clark has written two books on the subjects, and he has written them to help the maturing Christian, not just for the professional counselor. Join Dr. Mike Dodds as he welcomes Dr. James Clark, President Emeritus of Calvary University, for a conversation about his most recent book, Dealing with Conflict Biblically.

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Calvary’s Shaun LePage visits with two former addicts who say that if a person has an “addict mentality” then their behaviors will be like an addict. But how can a person escape the “addict mentality”? How can a person with an addiction begin to see themselves as something greater than an addict?

Join Calvary alum Tim Chally, and students Kelly Bowlin and Richard Barham—all of whom have been in the trenches, helping people deal with addiction from the biblical worldview—as they discuss the important identity issues related to addiction recovery.

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Is addiction a disease or sin or both? Is someone dealing with addiction always an addict—does it become part of their identity? The way we answer these questions will have a huge impact on how we think about and deal with addiction.

Calvary University’s Shaun LePage invited two Calvary University students—Kelly Bowlin and Richard Barham, who have personally dealt with the devastating power of addiction—to have a conversation with CU alum and pastor, Tim Chally, who has worked in addiction recovery, about this critical issue from the biblical worldview.

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What is the most important aspect of our identity? Is it our gender? Our physiology? Is it something less tangible—the way we think or feel or believe? We can all agree that human identity is a critical issue—gaining clarity is at the heart of our mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Join the Calvary Conversations team as they discuss this important subject from the biblical worldview. Has God spoken about human identity? Does the Bible teach that our identity is personal and fluid, or is our identity God-given?

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Does God exist? Everyone has to answer this question, not just Christians. Of course, there are numerous answers people give to that question, but your answer shapes your worldview more than any other idea or belief.

Dr. Mike Dodds invited Ian Bacon of Calvary University’s Bible & Theology Department, to join fellow Calvary Conversations hosts Tim Hange and Shaun LePage to discuss this primary subject along with ideas for how to help non-Christians embrace the true and living God.

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Our value system should be impacted by the biblical belief that we are created in God’s image. But how? How should it distinguish us from people who don’t believe this? And how should it impact how we treat other people? Speak to other people?

Join the Calvary Conversations team—Dr. Joshua Paxton, Dr. Mike Dodds, Tim Hange and Shaun LePage—as they explore this important aspect of the biblical worldview.

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Who are we? What are we? Are humans a highly evolved type of animal, or are we—as the Bible teaches—made in “the image of God”? If we are image-bearers, what does that mean and how does it relate to our individual identities?

Join the Calvary Conversations hosts— Dr. Joshua Paxton, Shaun LePage, Tim Hange, and Dr. Mike Dodds—as they explore this important subject from the biblical worldview and how it relates to our everyday lives.

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It’s common for us—both Christians and non-Christians—to see some things as “sacred” (i.e., holy, religious) and other things as “secular” (i.e., worldly, having nothing to do with spirituality and God). But, what is truly sacred? And what is truly secular? And does the biblical worldview divide them up neatly into black and white categories?

Join the Calvary Conversations hosts for this conversation about how Christians can navigate these questions and live “sacred” lives of worship and wisdom in an increasingly “secular” world. 

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The church in Western civilization is facing an opportunity it has never faced on such a large scale: migrant populations coming in large numbers. How are we to view them? Their religion? Their culture? Also, what are ways we can and should share our faith with them? What is the best way to present the gospel? What stories will help us connect with them? How can we maintain faithfulness to the gospel?

Calvary's Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Mike Urton, Director of Immigrant Mission for the All People Initiative of the Evangelical Free Church of America, to have a discussion about the unreached people groups who are right here in our own backyards. 

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One of the significant discussions by Christian mission boards, by church mission committees, and by individual missionaries is: What is the most effective way to reach people for the Gospel of Christ in other cultures – especially those in places “closed” to Western missionaries? 

Dr. Mike Dodds, Mentor for the Master of Divinity degree at Calvary University, invited Dr. Paul Holritz, the Academic Vice President of the National Theological College and Graduate School (NTCGS), to discuss how NTCGS is reaching people in “closed” places.

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How can the Christian businessperson prepare for and thrive in a post-Christian culture in the workplace? 

Join our Calvary Conversation hosts, Dr. Mike Dodds and Tim Hange, as they welcome Mr. Kevin Holman, Director of Positive Influence at Chick-fil-A, Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Dr. Germain Washington, Dean of the Calvary University Graduate School and Department Chair of Business Administration, about this critical topic.

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Our mission is encouraging conversations about life from the biblical worldview. This begs the question: What exactly is the biblical worldview? 

Join the four hosts of Calvary Conversations as we discuss the idea of "worldview" in general and the biblical worldview specifically.

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Most of us have had wonderful adventures in the forest, on the beach or stargazing on a clear night. Others point to trekking, rafting and rock climbing as some of the best experiences of their lives. What is it about being outdoors, coming face-to-face with creation, that has such a memorable impact on our hearts and minds?

Tressa Barnes, Assistant Professor of Calvary University's Outdoor Adventure Leadership (OAL) track, joins Calvary's Shaun LePage for a conversation about the value of outdoor adventures, the uniqueness of Calvary's OAL program, and several practical ideas for how you can make the most of your own time with family, church groups and others in the great outdoors. 

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Why would someone already engaged in a successful career complicate life by enrolling in graduate school? Why would a person who has completed a successful career go back to school? Or what if you or a friend are involved in ministry as a lay person, why would you or they need seminary training? Is getting a degree online worth the hassle of the extra time and effort added to an already busy and fruitful life and ministry? 

Join Dr. Mike Dodds, Mentor for the Master of Divinity degree at Calvary University, as he talks with Ric Joyner, founder of "Bible Study Company" (biblestudycompany.com), about why he is pursuing a graduate degree at CU, and how learning to study the Bible has changed his life and marriage.

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"There are so many unsaved people here in the United States. Why should we send missionaries to other countries?" As American becomes increasingly post-Christian, this view seems more reasonable. 

This week's podcast is a little different: we’re asking YOU to vote!

Calvary Conversations started almost on a whim during the COVID-19 shutdown, so we didn’t clarify our mission as much as we should have. So, as we reached the one-year point we started having discussions to do just that: clarify our mission.

Some believe Christians should stay off social media entirely. Others see it as a very useful tool for communicating truth, especially the gospel.

In this episode, Tim Hange leads the Calvary Conversations hosts in Part 2 of a conversation about Christians and social media. Join us as we explore the good, the bad and the ugly of social media. If we're going to use it, how should we do that? Why does it matter who we're interacting with? What are some best practices for communicating well?

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