Episodes

Season 2, Episode 135 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on conversational apologetics by examining several common ways good arguments can be undermined by poor communication. Drawing from Gregory Koukl’s Tactics, they discuss the “Steamroller,” the “Rhodes Scholar,” and the importance of getting the facts right. The conversation explores why overwhelming someone with information is rarely persuasive, why credentials do not automatically settle an argument, and why Christia...

Season 2, Episode 134 In this episode, Michael and Zach begin a new series through Paul’s letter to the Galatians by examining its opening verses and the controversy that prompted the letter. After introducing Paul, the Galatian churches, the possible date of the letter, and its relationship to the Jerusalem Council, they turn to Galatians 1:1–10, where Paul wastes no time confronting a distorted gospel. The discussion explores Paul’s apostolic authority, the theological significance of his gre...

Season 2, Episode 133 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on conversational apologetics by exploring two more tools from Gregory Koukl’s Tactics: Sibling Rivalry and Taking the Roof Off. Both tactics help expose weaknesses in a worldview, but they do so in different ways. Sibling Rivalry highlights tensions between beliefs a person holds at the same time, while Taking the Roof Off follows an idea to its logical conclusion and asks whether that worldview can actually support ...

Season 2, Episode 132 In this episode, Michael and Zach sit down with Charles Smits to discuss his Lowcountry roots, Christian education, homeschooling, family, and unexpected journey into musical theatre. Charles reflects on growing up at Ferndale School, the strengths and challenges of different approaches to Christian education, and his wife Angela’s behind-the-scenes role as Head of Operations for House Theatre. The conversation also explores how Charles entered theatre through the involve...

Season 2, Episode 131 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on conversational apologetics by exploring Gregory Koukl’s Suicide Tactic—a way of recognizing claims that undermine or contradict themselves. Drawing from examples such as “There is no truth,” “You should never judge,” and “You shouldn’t force your morality on others,” they explain how some ideas collapse when consistently applied to themselves. The discussion also examines biblical examples of exposing faulty reason...

Season 2, Episode 130 In this episode, Michael and Zach return to their series on cults and religious movements to respond to comments generated by their recent episodes on Roman Catholicism. Rather than mocking commenters or attempting to settle every Catholic-Protestant disagreement, they address several recurring objections concerning biblical authority, church history, the canon of Scripture, Martin Luther, justification by faith alone, good works, and James 2. Along the way, they clarify f...

Season 2, Episode 129 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on conversational apologetics by introducing the third question in Gregory Koukl’s Columbo Tactic: “Have you considered...?” While the first two Columbo questions help Christians understand what another person believes and why, the third gently introduces a new perspective and invites that person to evaluate the consistency of their own ideas. Drawing from examples such as Paul at Mars Hill, Paul before King Agrippa,...

Season 2, Episode 128 In this episode, Michael reflects on the surprising gospel themes he discovered while preparing to portray Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in House Theater’s production of Annie. This is not an argument that the musical was intentionally written as a Christian allegory. Rather, it explores how enduring stories often resonate because they reflect truths God has woven into reality—our longing for redemption, adoption, belonging, justice, and hope. Through Warbucks, the episode cons...

Season 2, Episode 127 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on conversational apologetics by exploring Gregory Koukl's signature "Columbo Tactic"—the art of asking thoughtful questions that invite conversation rather than confrontation. While many Christians assume effective apologetics depends primarily on having the right answers, this discussion argues that wise questions often accomplish far more. Looking to the example of Jesus, who frequently responded to questions with ...

Season 2, Episode 126 In this episode, Michael and Zach conclude their series on government and their two-part discussion of the PCA's 2026 Ad Interim Committee Report on Christian Nationalism by examining the report's treatment of the historic Reformed tradition, the American revisions to the Westminster Confession, and the proper relationship between Christianity and civil government. The conversation explores the committee's argument that while the original Westminster Confession reflected t...

Season 2, Episode 125 In this episode, Michael and Zach launch a new series on conversational apologetics by exploring the heart that should shape every Christian witness. Drawing inspiration from Gregory Koukl's Tactics, they emphasize that apologetics is not about winning debates or showcasing intellectual ability, but about faithfully representing Jesus Christ as His ambassadors. Through passages such as 1 Peter 3, 2 Corinthians 5, Colossians 4, and Proverbs, the discussion examines the bibl...

Season 2, Episode 124 In this episode, Michael and Zach begin a two-part discussion of the PCA's 2026 Ad Interim Committee Report on Christian Nationalism, carefully examining what the committee was—and was not—asked to accomplish. Rather than presenting a complete political theology, the report seeks to provide pastoral and constitutional guidance to the church as it addresses the growing conversations surrounding Christian Nationalism, Ethno-Nationalism, and related movements. The discussion ...

Season 2, Episode 123 In the concluding episode of this series on sin, desire, identity, and the gospel, Michael and Zach explore how biblical theology should shape the qualifications for pastoral leadership. Building on previous discussions of original sin, concupiscence, sanctification, and Christian identity, they ask a practical question facing many churches today: How should elders and pastors speak about, fight against, and model the battle with remaining sin? Drawing from Scripture, the ...

Season 2, Episode 122 In this episode, Michael and Zach reflect on several key themes and insights that emerged from their recent roundtable discussions on government, politics, and Christian civic engagement. The conversation begins by considering how many political disagreements are not ultimately disagreements about moral principles, but disagreements about facts and competing understandings of reality. Drawing on biblical commands concerning truthfulness, wisdom, and charity, the discussion...

Season 2, Episode 121 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on sin, desire, identity, and the gospel by applying the theological foundations established in previous episodes to the contemporary discussion surrounding same-sex attraction and Christian identity. Recognizing that this topic is often approached through political or cultural categories, the conversation instead seeks to examine it through the lenses of biblical anthropology, sanctification, and union with Christ. D...

Season 2, Episode 120 In this episode, Michael and Zach conclude their government roundtable series with returning guests Matthew Gilbert and Jonathan White by examining the relationship between nations, immigration, and the Christian's responsibility to love both neighbor and stranger. Early in the discussion, Jonathan—a Colson Center alumnus—offers four guiding questions that help frame faithful Christian cultural engagement: 1. What is good that we can promote, celebrate, and preserve? 2. ...

Season 2, Episode 119 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on sin, desire, identity, and holiness by examining the biblical doctrine of concupiscence and the ongoing struggle against indwelling sin. Building on the previous discussion of original sin and fallen human nature, the conversation addresses a difficult question: What should Christians think about sinful desires that seem to arise without conscious choice? Drawing from passages such as James 1, Romans 7, Galatians 5...

Season 2, Episode 118 In this episode, Michael and Zach are once again joined by Jonathan White and Matthew Gilbert for the second installment of their government roundtable discussion. The conversation tackles some of the most challenging questions Christians face in political engagement, including whether believers should prioritize just outcomes or just processes, how Christians ought to think about democratic norms, and what role the church should play in addressing political issues. Drawin...

Season 2, Episode 117 In this episode, Michael and Zach begin a new series exploring the biblical relationship between sin, desire, identity, and the gospel. Before addressing contemporary debates surrounding temptation, same-sex attraction, identity language, and pastoral qualification, they lay a theological foundation by asking a more basic question: What is sin? Many Christians think of sin primarily as outward behavior, but Scripture presents a much deeper picture. Sin includes not only ou...

Season 2, Episode 116 In this episode, Michael and Zach are joined by returning guests Jonathan White and Matthew Gilbert for a roundtable discussion on one of the most difficult questions facing Christians in modern politics: how much should a candidate's character matter? Unlike most of human history, citizens in democratic societies have a direct role in selecting their leaders, creating unique moral and spiritual questions for believers. Drawing from passages such as Proverbs 29, Titus 1, R...

Season 2, Episode 115 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on common mistakes in Bible interpretation by addressing one of the most pervasive errors in modern Bible reading: making ourselves the central character of Scripture. From David and Goliath to Daniel in the lion’s den, many familiar Bible stories are often reduced to moral lessons about courage, perseverance, or personal success. While Scripture certainly has practical application, the discussion argues that the Bibl...

Season 2, Episode 114 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on the biblical role of government by exploring how Christians should think about the civil laws of ancient Israel. Rather than treating the Mosaic Law as a direct blueprint for modern nations, the discussion examines how these laws often reveal enduring principles of justice, responsibility, and social order. Through examples such as the parapet law, the dangerous ox law, and the biblical treatment of public harm, th...

Season 2, Episode 113 In this episode, Michael and Zach continue their series on common mistakes in Bible interpretation by examining the importance of literary context. Scripture was not originally written as isolated verses but as letters, narratives, poems, and arguments that unfold over time. The discussion explores why some of the most frequently quoted passages in the Bible—including Philippians 4:13, Matthew 7:1, Romans 8:28, and the Great Commission—are often misunderstood when separate...

Season 2, Episode 112 In this episode, Michael and Zach examine one of the most foundational political questions in Scripture: what is the actual God-given role of government? Beginning with a social media debate over abortion and state responsibility, the discussion moves into Romans 13, Genesis 9, and the broader biblical framework for civil authority. The episode argues that government is not morally neutral, but instead exists as a delegated institution established by God to punish evil and...