The Table Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Engaging the Culture Through the Heart May 12, 2026

Show notes

Is telling a better story more effective than winning an argument? Join Kasey Olander on this episode of The Table Podcast as she sits down with authors Daniel and Mike Blackaby to explore how Christians can better engage today’s culture through the heart. They discuss the power of storytelling, art, and authentic community in sharing the gospel with a generation that is increasingly emotionally driven. Discover why emphasizing the beauty and goodness of God’s narrative is an essential complement to traditional apologetics when communicating biblical truths.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:52 Christian Apologetics: Logic vs. Emotion

07:53 The Ultimate Question: Is God Good?

14:43 Opportunities in an Emotionally Driven Culture

16:59 How Storytelling Shapes Culture & Belief

25:12 Jesus and the Power of Biblical Narrative

29:27 The Role of Arts and Media in the Church

33:16 Why Beauty Matters in Christian Worship

40:10 Gen Z, The Loneliness Epidemic, & Authentic Community

46:37 Intergenerational Opportunities for the Church

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Christianity in Ireland May 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Table Podcast, Kasey Olander sits down with DTS alumni Ciaran and June Loughran to explore the shifting landscape of Christianity in Ireland. The Loughrans share their journey from working as engineers to planting Living Hope Church, discussing the unique opportunities of leading a highly multicultural congregation in a post-religious society. Listen in for their insights on maintaining cultural flexibility, keeping the Gospel central, and building trust through authentic pastoral leadership.

Time codes:

01:53 Ciaran’s journey

05:46 June’s story

08:07 A leap of faith: Leaving engineering for Dallas Theological Seminary

15:20 The religious history, geography, and demographics of Ireland

25:39 The “New Irish” and pastoring a growing multicultural church

34:10 Navigating cultural expectations, dress, and pastoral titles

42:04 Building trust in a post-religious society through authentic leadership

47:18 Final encouragements

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Tim Keller's Legacy on Cultural Engagement Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

How should Christians engage a culture that feels increasingly hostile to the Gospel? Join Darrell Bock, Collin Hansen, and Josh Chatraw as they unpack the enduring legacy of Tim Keller and his "Third Way" approach to biblical cultural engagement. Together, they explore how Christians can effectively navigate a polarized, secular age by moving beyond the culture wars and grounding apologetics in deep cultural analysis and the Gospel.

Time codes:

6:35 Tim Keller’s Tri-Perspectival Perspective

14:04 The Third Way and Tone

20:13 Challenges and Opportunities in Cultural Engagement

23:27 Tone in the New Testament

30:06 Culture and Lenses

38:16 Meaning, Hope, and Value in a secular World

43:20 Differentiating the Waves and Currents in Culture

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The Church in Changing Times Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

How does the church stay relevant in a world defined by artificial intelligence, extreme polarization, and a global loneliness epidemic? Join Darrell Bock and Jurie Kriel as they explore the unprecedented cultural shifts redefining human identity and unpack why returning to the “irreducible minimum” of authentic community is the ultimate key to reaching the next generation.

Time codes:

01:23 What Does Church Relevance Mean Today?

02:04 Lessons on Truth and Trust from South Africa

10:33 Navigating Rapid Cultural Change

15:19 The 6 Shifts Shaping the Future

17:01 AI and the Global Human Identity Crisis

24:15 The Paradox of Digital Connection and Loneliness

28:30 The “Irreducible Minimum” of the Church

34:49 Surviving the Echo Chamber and Cultural Polarization

43:32 How Technology is Forcing a Return to True Belonging

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Playing to the Strengths of Our Senior Saints Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

How can the local church better serve and utilize the strengths of its senior members? In this episode of The Table Podcast, Bill Hendricks sits down with Hal Habecker to discuss a biblical view of aging, the critical need for multi-generational community, and how older adults can continue to discover their God-given purpose in their later decades.

Time codes:

3:21 The Generational Gap

5:04 Finding and Embracing Purpose in Aging

19:01 How the Church Can Build a Multi-Generational Mindset

36:16 Discovering Your Giftedness through Story

35:33 Practical Steps for the Church to Foster Intergenerational Relationships

37:59 Balancing Church and Family

42:31 Finishing Well

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Youth and Sports: A Balanced Discussion Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Description/Excerpt: Join Darrell Bock, Ed Uszynski, and Brian Smith as they explore how Christian parents can faithfully navigate the intense culture of modern youth sports, sharing practical strategies for surviving the "youth sport industrial complex" while using athletics as a powerful tool for your child's character development and discipleship.

Time codes:

1:54 What is Athletes in Action?

7:43 Five Principles for Sports Ministries

10:04 Relational Aspects of Sports

13:20 How Parents Should Approach Sports for Their Children

21:29 Challenges of Modern Youth Sports

26:32 Sports and Identity

28:34 Sports as Discipleship

35:41 7 Virtues to Cultivate in Sports

40:06 Towards a Theology of Sports

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Is God Really There? Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Is God really there? Listen in with Kymberli Cook as analytic theologian Kevin Wong and philosopher Charity Anderson explore one of the oldest and deepest questions, diving into the complex concept of divine hiddenness and asking why a loving God might not always make His presence obvious.

Time codes:

3:19 What is Divine Hiddenness?

5:29 Classic Arguments for Divine Hiddenness

8:27 How Divine Hiddenness Affects How We Think About God

14:33 How Creating a Stronger Argument for Divine Hiddenness is Helpful

22:31 Hiddenness and a Knowable God

27:24 Navigating Divine Hiddenness as a Christian

32:12 Wrestling with the Question of Divine Hiddenness

41:34 Summary of Divine Hiddenness

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Is Christian Education The Same As Discipleship? Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Table Podcast, Kymberli Cook and Rick Yount explore the crucial difference between the structured programs of Christian education and the life-changing, relational process of discipleship. Listen to discover practical ways church leaders and believers can revitalize ministries and foster genuine spiritual growth through clarity, warmth, and flexibility.

Time codes:

2:49 What Happens in Christian Education

5:54 When Did Christian Education Arise as a Field

10:33 Key Objectives for Christian Education

15:42 Process vs Program: The Difference between Discipleship and Education

26:29 How to Reignite the Life in Your Organization

34:38 The Three Most Important Things About Teaching

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Understanding Dispensationalism (Classic) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

In this classic episode, Kymberli Cook, Glenn Kreider, and Craig Blaising discuss the history, core beliefs, and diversity within dispensationalism, including its view of salvation and the relationship between Israel and the Church.

Timecodes

02:39 What is Dispensationalism?

09:27 What Makes Dispensationalists Unique?

20:06 The Historical Context for Dispensationalism’s Growth

28:39 Controversy Surrounding Dispensationalism

41:12 Rooting Dispensationalism in Scripture

43:36 Progressive Dispensationalism

51:00 Diversity within Dispensationalism

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The Spirit World in the Old Testament (Classic) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In this classic episode, Kymberli Cook, Bob Chisholm, and John Walton discuss the reality of spiritual beings in the Old Testament and how to understand them in their proper context.

Time Codes

02:04 Walton’s Background in the Old Testament

06:16 Chisholm’s Background in the Old Testament

10:34 Context for a Discussion Around the Spirit World

17:37 Approaches to Old Testament Interpretation

23:13 Describing the “Good Guys” in the Spirit World

29:25 Defining the “Bad Guys” in the Spirit World

38:57 The Description of Satan in the Old Testament

46:32 How Does Our Understanding of the Spirit World Impact Us?

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