Other Formative Voices

Let me start by saying that this list could never be comprehensive. I’ve done studies and read books by Priscilla Shirer, Jennie Allen, Jackie Hill Perry, John Mark Comer, Eugene Cho, David Platt, and more, and they've each been deeply formative in my spiritual development. It’s difficult to choose my “favorite” studies, but there are three that have perhaps shaped me the most:

• Entrusted by Beth Moore – In this study of 2 Timothy, Beth Moore repeatedly talks about “the Gospel and the gifting,” as she encourages participants to use the talents and resources that they have for the sake of the Gospel. The first time I did Entrusted (January 2017) was the first time I began to feel rumblings of a Call to speak, teach, or write. 

• No Other Gods by Kelly Minter – This study came during a season (2019) when God was punting all of my heart idols off of their proverbial pedestals. Mentors failed. My faith in our pastor crumbled. Marriages that I thought were unbreakable, started to shatter. Idol by idol, the idea of “God alone” began to carve itself into my soul. No Other Gods helped me make sense of the madness, and pointed me back to the only One who will never fail us. 

• Seamless by Angie Smith – This is not an exaggeration: I have done this study 4 times. I love Angie’s humor, authenticity, and the way she teaches the threads of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Every time I do this study, I am reminded that in order to read the Bible well, we must understand that the Bible is telling one cohesive story: the story of God’s love for, and redemption of, His prized creation (us!).  

My favorite thing about podcasts is that it’s not a two-way conversation – I don’t get a chance to respond, or rebuke, or complain about the things I don’t initially agree with. The only thing I can do, for 30-60 minutes, is hear another person’s perspective. In short, podcasts force me to slow down and practice the art of listening to learn. The three most formative podcasts in my weekly queue are:

• The Church Politics Podcast with Justin Giboney has transformed the way I view the tension between my faith and the 2-party political system we have in America. 

• Theology in the Raw with Preston Sprinkle has shaped the way I approach difficult questions and hot-button cultural issues with a balance of both biblical truth and Christlike love. (Hint: the two are not at odds!) 

• Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture is hosted by two Biola professors, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae, and has forced me to (pun-intended) think biblically about how Christians can and should live out our faith in our daily lives.

One of the beautiful things about modern technology is that we all have access to phenomenal biblical teaching, from all around the world, like never before in history. When I’m cleaning the house or driving to a meeting, it’s most likely that I am listening to a sermon from one of these three incredibly gifted teachers:

• Matt Smallbone – His approach to teaching Scripture is beautifully crafted, and almost always gives listeners the perfect balance of well-researched teaching, combined with thought-provoking life application.  

• Christine Caine – Whenever Christine Caine speaks, you can actually feel the Spirit of God light up in the room. I’ve never heard anyone teach with such passion and fire for the Word of God – I want to be just like her when I grow up! 

• Tim Keller – An OG teacher of our generation, and a master at emphasizing the balance of truth and love. Follow him on Twitter, listen to his sermons, read his books: Tim Keller is a source of godly wisdom like few others.