So We Speak

Jericho is one of the oldest cities on earth, and it plays a key role in the Bible. Set along a major road leading into the Promised Land, Jericho has always been a border town on the edge of the desert. Joshua and the army of Israel conquered it by God's power in the Old Testament; Jesus and his disciples healed the blind and converted a tax collector in the New Testament. The story of Jericho is one of redemption, God calling the least likely people into his kingdom. 

In the little town of Le Chambon, a pastor, a spy, a philosopher, and a refugee live under the Nazi threat. Shuttling Jews to safety, these heroes deal with loss, tragedy, triumph, and the experience of not knowing what’s next. In Mark Buchanan's new novel, What Is Left of the Night, enter the story of these heroes and grapple with the big ideas of the war, of God's love, and of the nature of violence.  In this episode, Mark joins Cole for an interview about the book, writing, and God's goodness, even in the most difficult circumstances. 

Babel is the first major city in the Bible. On the plains on Shinar, people build a monument to themselves. They rebel against God and his commands. This city becomes Babylon, the paradigm for the way cities amplify human sinfulness. Babylon runs all the way through the Bible and shows us God's plan to redeem the world, even the cities. 

The Bible is full of cities, many of which still exist today. From beginning to end, cities play a big role in God's plan for the redemption of the world. In this series, we'll look at some of the most important cities in the Bible and trace their storylines to see God's redemptive work through history. 

More than three years after Jerusalem had been destroyed, the last group of rebels holed up in the fortress of Masada. More than a thousand feet above the plain, Masada was nearly impenetrable. Led by their leader, Eleazar ben Yair, this group of brave Jews would be remembered forever as freedom fighters, a symbol of the people of Israel. 

In 70 AD, the Romans had encircled Jerusalem. Inside, warring factions were striving for power and weakening the defense. In just a few months, the city and the temple would be destroyed. What caused this destruction, and could it have been prevented?

In this episode, Cole and Terry Feix delve into Byung-Chul Han's book, The Burnout Society, exploring the causes of burnout, anxiety, and depression in modern society. They discuss the shift from an immunological age to an achievement society, where the focus on productivity leads to self-exploitation and a crisis of gratification. The conversation highlights the challenges of finding true fulfillment in a culture that prioritizes achievement over relationships, and concludes with reflections on the gospel's message of value and rest.

It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! Cole and Terry discuss their favorite books from 2025 and a few for next year as well.  Let us know your favorites from this year!   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Best Books of 2025 03:02 Reflections on Reading Habits 05:56 Exploring Hasidic Judaism 08:46 Navigating Technology in Parenting 12:06 Christian Perspectives on Parenting 15:06 Art, Beauty, and Christianity 18:01 Insights from Tim Keller 20:51 The Role of Rituals in Life 23:51 Churchill and World War II 27:00 British Politics and John Major 29:53 The Influence of Christianity on Western Values 32:48 The Golden Thread of Western Civilization 36:06 Fiction and Science Fiction Recommendations

The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy. Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem. 

Why is it so hard to navigate disagreements with other Christians? In his new book, When Christians Disagree: Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter, Dr. Tim Cooper uses the historical differences between two giants of the faith, John Owen and Richard Baxter, as a lens for seeing our disagreements today. Through their story, Christians can better work through our differences for kingdom impact. 

In the early 60s AD, leadership changes and warring factions produced the rumblings of war. Jewish rebels closed the temple to foreigners, and the Romans extracted taxes from the temple treasury. The leaders who emerged would play decisive roles in the events to follow. Was this the point of no return? 

After the time of Jesus, the Jews revolted against the Romans. This series of wars and rebellions led to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. This monumental event has shaped the New Testament, the church, and the Jewish people to this day. How did it happen? In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Jews in the time of Jesus, the political and religious factions, the rulers in Jerusalem and in Rome, and set the stage for the war to come. 

"A century ago, the most potent moral figure was Jesus Christ. Now it is Adolf Hitler." This bold statement from Dr. Alec Ryrie frames an exchange that has been made in our society. We know what we're against; what are we for?  In this episode, Cole speaks with Alec Ryrie about the moral landscape of the world today, the implications of what he calls the "age of Hitler," and how the church can respond.  Get a copy of Dr. Ryrie's excellent book, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It. 

Near the Western Wall, archaeologists found a small clay tablet from the King of Assyria demanding that the Kingdom of Judah pay tribute. It's the first time an Assyrian inscription has been found in Jerusalem, and it falls perfectly in place during the story of Hezekiah, who defied Assyria and stopped paying tribute in the late 8th century. Cole and Terry discuss this new discovery and other evidence that supports the veracity of Scripture. 

Three weeks ago, the Trump administration announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a peace plan in Gaza. Now, it looks as though it might fall apart. Cole and Terry discuss the peace plan, summarize the major moves over the last year, and look to the future. 

Job is the longest sustained meditation on suffering in the Bible. Job, the righteous man, suffers horrendously, is accused of wrongdoing, but is vindicated in the end. It's not difficult to see a picture of Christ in this book. But the parallels go ever deeper. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss ways to see Jesus in the book of Job. 

Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God by name, but God is moving behind the scenes. Through the story and the characters, we see glimpses of God's plan to save the world and defeat the enemy through his son, Jesus.

With a couple of weeks to process, Erika Kirk's message at the memorial service for her husband still resonates. This will be the note that echoes into the future, and it's one Christians should pay attention to. Our superpower is not conquering, but forgiving. God will continue to work through what happened to Charlie Kirk, and our witness to the world will be through our love, grace, and forgiveness.    "The Glory of Forgiveness: The Superpower of the Gospel"

Nehemiah is one of the great leaders in the Bible, but there's more to him than that. The book of Nehemiah lets us into his heart and his inner thoughts. It shows a leader surrendered to God and obedient to his mission. In these moments, we see Nehemiah as a preview of Christ. At the end of the book, the people are settled in the land, waiting for the Messiah to come. 

Ezra and Nehemiah were some of the final leaders in the Old Testament. They brought people back to Jerusalem, but also brought them back to God through the renewal of the covenant. As a scribe and teacher, Ezra models the ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. As he led the people, the backdrop for the first century began to take shape.