Culture Conversations

Stephen Crenshaw is a husband, father, pastor, partnership development manager at 20schemes, and works with Acts 29's Church In Hard Places initiative. Stephen's conversion story is very unique (as every believer's story is). We trust you will enjoy this episode with Stephen. Reach Stephen Crenshaw at: 1. https://twitter.com/stephencrenshaw 2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-crenshaw-435884178 3. http://www.victorybaptistky.com/meet-the-staff.html 4. https://20schemesequip.com/multi_author/stephen-crenshaw/

Politics in the USA is extremely divisive in the year 2020. We as Christians need to make sure that we are engaging in politics in a biblical and God-glorifying way. Disagreement and debate are necessary and needed for our form of democracy however Christians should be a shining example of how to disagree and debate with one another (1 Peter 3:15, Philippians 2:15). The Elders of Eternal City seek to show how to engage one another with gentleness and respect surrounding explosive and serious issues. Recommended resources: 1. David Platt: Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask: https://www.amazon.com/Before-You-Vote-Questions-Christian/dp/1734952237/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=David+Platt&qid=1604412664&sr=8-2 2. Jonathan Leeman: How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age: https://www.amazon.com/How-Nations-Rage-Rethinking-Politics/dp/1400218446/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jonathan+leeman&qid=1604412709&sr=8-1

Timothy Brindle is a Christ-centered hip hop artist, author, and youth pastor. Tim is married to Floriana and together they have 9 children (one who is in heaven with Jesus). To hear Tim's music and learn more about his endeavors: 1. Timothy Brindle Ministries: https://timothybrindleministries.com 2. Lampmode Records: https://lampmode.com 3. Youtube Chanel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3AgitgU4-LpERUEgtw8ZQ 4. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HKh82YLkcXrxveZKxdSwg 5. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Timothy+Brindle&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 6. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/timothy-brindle/166111672

In this part 2 interview, Timothy Brindle explains his experience with Critical Race Theory or CRT and how it affected his life and worldview. He then seeks to show the incompatibility between CRT and the gospel. To hear Tim's music and learn more about his endeavors: 1. Timothy Brindle Ministries: https://timothybrindleministries.com 2. Lampmode Records: https://lampmode.com 3. Youtube Chanel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3AgitgU4-LpERUEgtw8ZQ 4. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HKh82YLkcXrxveZKxdSwg 5. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Timothy+Brindle&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 6. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/timothy-brindle/166111672

David Pinckney is the US Rural Strategist for the Rural Collective and Church in Hard Places for the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. David serves as the Northern New England Are Lead for A29 and also pastors River Of Grace Church in Concord, New Hampshire. To contact David and learn more about him: Email: david.pinckney@acts29.com Email: dpinck410@gmail.com River Of Grace Church: https://rogchurch.com/ Acts 29 Rural Collective: https://www.acts29.com/network/rural-collective/ Acts 29 talks: https://www.acts29.com/media/?speaker_id=669 TGC Podcast: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/david-pinckney/ Resources recommended or mentioned in this episode: 1. A29 Gospel Nobodies Podcast: https://www.acts29.com/gospel-nobodies-podcast/ 2. John Piper: Desiring God, Revised Edition: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist: https://www.amazon.com/Desiring-God-Revised-Meditations-Christian/dp/1601423101/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36GWI6K9G9NNM&dchild=1&keywords=desiring+god+by+john+piper&qid=1601398861&sprefix=desiring+god%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1 3. J.I. Packer: Finishing Our Course with Joy: Guidance from God for Engaging with Our Aging: https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Our-Course-Joy-Guidance/dp/1433541068/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RP933JQ7GINF&dchild=1&keywords=finishing+our+course+with+joy+by+ji+packer&qid=1601398969&sprefix=ji+packer+joy%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1

In this follow up episode, hip hop artist Believin Stephen describes his past and current church life then gets into the concepts, themes, and ideas for his new album "After The Storm" dropping on 10/9/2020. To reach Stephen or purchase/stream any of his music check out the links below: Email: stephenbrindle@gmail.com 1. Bandcamp: https://believinstephen.bandcamp.com/ 2. iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/believin-stephen/291666425 3. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C7cApykc389MmY7iCEJzG 4. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelievinStephen 5. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believinstephen/ 6. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BelievinStephen/videos

Stephen Brindle is a Pittsburgh born Christian hip hop artist living Philadelphia PA. Steve has recorded 5 albums (one about to drop in October 2020) and two mixtape albums. Steven also started a label called Gametime Records and is continuing to make music while working as a strength and conditioning coach for college athletes. Check out the links below for Stephen's music and how to get in contact with him. 1. Bandcamp: https://believinstephen.bandcamp.com/ 2. iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/believin-stephen/291666425 3. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C7cApykc389MmY7iCEJzG 4. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelievinStephen 5. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believinstephen/ 6. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BelievinStephen/videos

Ricky Love is an Acts 29 church planter in West Virginia. In this episode, Ricky shares his childhood to conversion story, his love for the broken and addicted, as well as his journey to planting a church. His desire is to see many people come to know Jesus savingly and get connected to a gospel-centered local church.

Comic books and movies are monumentally popular in our culture. Their movie titles dominate the best selling movies of all time lists and there has been a massive resurgence in comic book sales in the last decade. In this episode, Chris, Eddie, and Tyree discuss comic book characters, plots, storylines, worldview issues, and how to engage this world of superheroes and ani-heroes through the lens of scripture.

Chris Moran is a husband, father, church planter, & pastor. Chris alongside his wife Meghan planted Eternal City Church in July of 2014. In this episode, Chris shares his spiritual journey from light to darkness then back to light. He shares his conversion story and what it was like to plant a church in Pittsburgh PA.

Caleb and Alexandra Bruski are church planting in Oradea Romania. In this episode, Caleb shares his experience growing up as a missionary kid in a former communist country and what it's like planting a church there. He shares his conversion story and how he learned to exhibit both grace and truth while sharing the gospel and ministering to people. Some resources mentioned and how to help Caleb and Alexandra in their ministry efforts: 1. Financial Support: https://www.gofundme.com/f/2020-bruski-family-in-romania 2. Church Website: https://www.ccmetanoia.com/ 3. Van Til Apologetics: https://smile.amazon.com/Christian-Apologetics-Cornelius-Van-Til/dp/0875525113/ref=sr_1_2?crid=35XFQ6E531TRZ&dchild=1&keywords=van+til+apologetics&qid=1593455887&sprefix=vantil+%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-2

Pete Rew grew up in a pastor's home with five siblings in Philadephia. He shares his unique journey in a fundamentalist baptist environment from infancy to graduating seminary. Pete shares in a raw and transparent fashion what pastoral life and church-planting are often like, from growing up in a church-planting home then himself parachuting into Pittsburgh to plant a church. Resources: 1. Start-Up Podcast: Church Planting: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/startup/llhekv/church-planting-1-the-movement 2.

Eileen Scipione has been a biblical counselor (focused on family, women, and children) for many years. Eileen has raised five children and currently resides in Pittsburgh PA. Eileen has a degree in Special Education and a certification from the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. She has served alongside her husband George in pastoral ministry (as a pastor's wife), in overseas missions, and in biblical counseling, and training biblical counselors at Pittsburgh's Biblical Counseling Institute in Wilkinsburg PA. While still counseling many women and children Eileen is writing a book on female sexuality emphasizing "the whole woman," look out for that forthcoming book.

In this episode, the pastoral elders of Eternal City continue their conversation on race and ethnicity and more specifically they discuss a few New Testament texts involving ethnic tensions; in one instance we are told that the gospel is being undermined. The pastors also recommend many resources for furthering your understanding and going deeper into the topics discussed in the podcast today. Dear White Christian: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-White-Christian-Christians-Experience/dp/1944964126/ref=sr_1_2?crid=4VWYWO74N4N0&dchild=1&keywords=dear+white+christians&qid=1591719206&sprefix=dear+white+chr%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2 Woke Church: https://www.amazon.com/Woke-Church-Christians-Confront-Injustice/dp/0802416985/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591719277&sr=8-1 The Color of Compromise: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Compromise-American-Churchs-Complicity/dp/0310113601/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UAT7KGF36WK3&dchild=1&keywords=the+color+of+compromise+jemar+tisby&qid=1591719317&sprefix=the+color+of+com%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1 Oneness Embraced: https://www.amazon.com/Oneness-Embraced-Reconciliation-Stronger-Together/dp/0802412661/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25L55SWLXAFA7&dchild=1&keywords=tony+evans+oneness+embraced&qid=1591719399&sprefix=Tony+evans+%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1 Let's Get To Know Each Other: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Know-Each-Other/dp/0785281347/ref=sr_1_1?crid=863JXXX7D59P&dchild=1&keywords=tony+evans+lets+get+to+know+each+other&qid=1591719470&sprefix=tony+evans+lets+%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1 Who Is An Evangelical?: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Evangelical-History-Movement-Crisis/dp/0300241410/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7C4QAF41D21V&dchild=1&keywords=thomas+kidd+who+is+an+evangelical&qid=1591719537&sprefix=thomas+kidd%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1 One New Man: https://www.amazon.com/One-New-Man-Reconciliation-Theology/dp/0805448578/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591719622&sr=8-2 Tru-ID Podcast: http://www.truidpodcast.com/ David French: American Racism: https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/american-racism-weve-got-so-very Carl Ellis: Prophets of Culture: http://drcarlellisjr.blogspot.com/2020/06/protest-and-anarchy-in-black-and-blue.html The Next Evangelicalism: https://www.amazon.com/Next-Evangelicalism-Freeing-Cultural-Captivity/dp/0830833609/ref=sr_1_2?crid=D5BR71G3J7GO&dchild=1&keywords=the+next+evangelicalism&qid=1591720133&sprefix=the+next+evan%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-2 God Made Me AND You: https://www.amazon.com/God-Made-You-Celebrating-Diversity/dp/1948130130/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=shai+linne&qid=1591720193&sr=8-2 God's Very Good Idea: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Very-Good-Idea-Delightfully/dp/1784982210/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K3FR8734XXQZ&dchild=1&keywords=gods+very+good+idea+book&qid=1591720234&sprefix=gods+ver%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1

Eternal City Church has 5 core commitments, one of which is to "Unify Peoples." We seek to do this through a variety of means, one of them being honest and open conversations about controversial, hard, and emotionally explosive topics such as race/ethnicity along with all it's accompanying luggage. In this conversation, the pastors of Eternal City have sought to speak in love with the Biblical gospel as the main interpretive principle; seeking to show love, charity, and respect, they discuss openly and transparently these very tense topics.

Justin Coaxum is one of the pastoral elders of Eternal City Church. Justin is a gospel-saturated, people-loving, culturally-savvy man. He has a very keen eye for cultural phenomena and it's meaning towards a love of neighbor and cultural engagement. In this episode, Justin shares his story of conversion, his early life as a Christian and how he navigates all the tension surrounding ethnic-division in the church and wider culture.

Eddie Jones is a pastor at Eternal City Church and has been a Christian for over 30 years. Eddie shares his story of how he came to know Jesus, his struggle with same-sex attraction, and how he experiences living in America as a black man. He shares his desire and strategy for unity in the church and culture surrounding ethnic tensions and misunderstandings. Eddie is an engaging storyteller and his passion comes through loud and clear in this interview.

Scott Prentice is a church planter with the Acts 29 church planting network in Pittsburgh PA. In this episode, Scott shares his story of childhood, conversion, early influences, call to full-time ministry, and what it's like to be assessed by Acts 29 and then eventually become an assessor for Acts 29. The gospel of Jesus' grace is on full display in Scott's story.

What is the nature of the gospel? Is the gospel something we do or something God has done? Is the gospel the good news that Jesus is King or that he is our substitutionary sacrifice? Does the good news come into clear focus during the four gospel accounts? These and many more questions will be answered on this episode of Culture Conversations. Recommended Resources: 1. Greg Gilbert: What Is the Gospel: https://www.amazon.com/What-Gospel-9Marks-Greg-Gilbert/dp/1433515008/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=VH7AMX2NHTSG&dchild=1&keywords=greg+gilbert&qid=1588948516&sprefix=greg+gilber%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUDY3MFJLU1lKTFlNJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTIzNDkwMkE5MTI1WkJRNUIzSyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzM1NDAzU0tVNEJLVVdNVTM2JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 2. D.A. Carson (General Editor): Biblical Theology Study Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Theology-Study-Hardcover-Comfort/dp/0310450403/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2A1DI7FRGQ6MK&dchild=1&keywords=biblical+theology+study+bible&qid=1588947737&sprefix=biblcial+theo%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVkRBVlpIWVU5TDkxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDI3NTgwVk9CTlBTQTZGV0cxJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNTg4OTYxOE84STdDVjEwTFRHJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 3. Harvey Turner: Friend of Sinners: https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Sinners-Evangelism-Harvey-Turner/dp/1632960761/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588947870&sr=8-1 4. Greg Koukl: Tactics: https://www.amazon.com/Tactics-10th-Anniversary-Discussing-Convictions/dp/0310101468/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588948007&sr=8-1-spons 5. Mark Farnham: Every Believer Confident: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Believer-Confident-Apologetics-Christian/dp/1632695200/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588948148&sr=8-1

Benjamin Reaoch is the lead pastor of Three Rivers Grace Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Ben has written an insightful and fascinating book called "Women, Slaves, and the Gender Debate." On this episode, we talk about Ben's book and all the controversies surrounding its interconnected contents. You can purchase Ben's book from Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Slaves-Gender-Debate-Redemptive-Movement-ebook/dp/B009XMI7QK/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=slaves+women+and+the+gender+debate&qid=1551554162&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull