Soil and Roots

Handsome Kyle and Brian jump into the Greenhouse to further explore Richard Foster’s comment, that what the world needs most is deep people. If a deep disciple is someone increasingly attuned to the heart of God, others, and themselves, what does that mean, exactly?  And why is a consistent awareness of our own thought patterns, behaviors, inner desires, and assumptions so essential to our walk with God? Join us online!   Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

If what the world desperately needs is “deep people,” what do we mean by that? In this Season 5 bonus episode, Brian provides one of his occasional reviews, pulling back out to 30K feet and giving us a flyover of The Great Omission and how we come together to solve it.  He also dives into the definition of a deep person. Thoughtful luminaries such as Dallas Willard and Richard Foster agree that the most pressing need in the entire world is genuine apprentices of Jesus – men and women of great spiritual, emotional, and relational depth.  However, as Brian explores, the characteristics of a genuinely deep person are not what we might expect. Come along for a short overview of the Soil & Roots journey and what it means to be awake or attuned to God and the world around us.      Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

How do our views of the End Times impact our understanding of the Kingdom of God?  And how does that impact our journey to become more like Jesus?   The guys meet in the Greenhouse to wrestle with Brian’s previous conversation with Dr. Darrell Bock.  Dr. Tim raises some challenging questions about the role of Israel, the church, how we anticipate the future, and why it all matters as we seek to be spiritually formed more like our King.     Discussions and debates about different theological views can be confusing and frustrating, so the guys take a page from Dr. Bock’s playbook and focus on how we love and engage people with whom we might disagree.  Follow us online!   Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

In Season 4, we spent a few episodes exploring how our views of the End Times impact our journey to become more like Jesus today. We briefly examined the four major modern perspectives: pre-millennialism, dispensationalism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism.    Today, we dive back into that discussion with Dr. Darrell Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies and Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Bock is a progressive dispensationalist, which means he doesn’t quite fit into the “boxes” we outlined earlier this year!    Dr. Bock shares some of the foundational aspects of progressive dispensationalism, including how they read and interpret the Bible, the role of Israel, and the nature and purpose of the Kingdom.  Though we talk through some of the primary differences between his views and others, we quickly hear Dr. Bock’s heart for unity in the church, serving those with whom we disagree, and how we should live in and testify to the Kingdom of God, regardless of how we think the world is winding up.    Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Sometimes our institutional churches provide comfort, care, instruction, and community. And sometimes not.  Much like the human person, our Christian communities are beautiful messes.  The guys jump back into the Greenhouse to expand on Brian’s conversation with ex-mega church pastor Matt Davis and our exploration of The Formation Gap.  Dr. Tim guides the conversation through some challenging questions: What is the role of the modern pastor today, and does it reflect a biblical shepherd? Are mega-churches helpful for spiritual formation? Are they necessary and good? We hear news of near-constant scandals and abuses of power in Christian institutions.  How do deep disciples evaluate and process these power structures in light of Christ as a suffering servant?  Join us for this thoughtful and thought-provoking dialogue regarding our journey to become more like Jesus in modern Christian institutions.  Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e   #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Brian is joined by Matt Davis, former megachurch pastor and now head of an organization committed to helping leaders and laypeople heal and find purpose after church hurt.  In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss and debate several key questions about the modern church: Do the power structures that so often characterize our churches help or hurt? Is the assumed role of the modern pastor what the Bible envisions for a pastor?   How often is the institution valued over and above the needs of the individual? If we go to a church where we remain lost in the crowd, can that even be considered discipleship? Listen in to their raw, unfiltered conversation as they wrestle with modern Christianity in modern churches. You can reach Matt at www.pastoraltransitions.com and check out his fabulous podcast (which he cohosts with his wife, Marilee) called Life After Ministry.   Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Doc, Kyle, and Brian further the last episode's interview with Emily Riffe, in which she and Brian explore character development in children. Are children "empty vessels" waiting to be filled, or are they independent, unique persons waiting to be inspired? What light and dark ideas are at work in school systems, churches, and families in the hearts of our kids? And how can parents relate to their children in ways that best help form their hearts? Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.orgSubstack: https://substack.com/@soilandrootsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandrootsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Over the years, we’ve mentioned how the most supple, malleable time in a person’s life is childhood. The heart is the most impressionable and formable when it’s new. So why do we hear so little about spiritual formation in children? Why does so much of the modern discipleship/spiritual formation movement focus on adults? Author and innovator Emily Riffe joins the podcast today to explore these and other questions. She draws heavily on the work and thinking of British educational reformer Charlotte Mason, who held to a very high view of the personhood of the child and the potential of human beings as image-bearers of God. What role do the home, nature, creation, culture, and self-knowledge play in the spiritual formation of our children? It’s a fascinating, wide-ranging, and at times surprisingly discussion about how the West often misses key elements in child formation, and how the Church can lead the way to restoring a holistic, loving approach. And check out Emily’s book, Raising Wildflowers, which is all about educating kids with character as the primary focus. Just search for it on Amazon. Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

What part does story play in modern Christianity? If it is vital to our spiritual formation, where do we find people and places to explore God’s story and how ours fits into His? The guys are back in the Greenhouse to further explore Brian’s conversation with Zach Leighton (Episode 102). Dr. Boswell brings his usual zinger questions, researched quotes, and heartwarming stories to help us mine the depths of how narrative weaves its way into the life of a Christian, and how repeating and exploring our stories are often pathways to healing, hope, and a deeper experience in the Kingdom. Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Substack: https://substack.com/@soilandroots YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Storytelling is essential to Jesus, makes up a large portion of the Bible, and is fundamental in our spiritual formation journey. However, according to our guest, less than 1% of all church communication worldwide involves story.  What does this say about modern Christianity and our quest to become deep disciples? Brian welcomes innovator and entrepreneur Zach Leighton to the podcast.  Zach is a leading thinker in the realm of storytelling, its role in the Bible, and its impact on the church and culture around the globe.  He and Brian discuss what happens when the church fails to tell stories, why that habit is missing today, and how we recapture this essential piece of our journey to become more like Jesus.   Follow us online! Web: ⁠soilandroots.org⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots⁠ Substack: ⁠https://soilandroots.substack.com/⁠

Doc, Kyle, and Brian pull apart some key points from Episode 100, where Brian begins to answer the question, "So What?" Why does it matter if we live in an era of The Great Omission (a lack of genuine disciple-making)? If we are "saved" and have our ticket to Heaven, does a lack of deeply formed people really impact anything? Doc guides a transparent dialogue on how this lack of depth impacts individuals and the culture. They wrestle with the often misunderstood passage, "be in the world but not of the world," what happens to the human heart when we aren't aware of the ideas that govern us, and how a return to deep discipleship fosters hope, love, and human flourishing. Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Substack: https://soilandroots.substack.com/

Today we celebrate 100 episodes of the podcast with you! Thanks for being a part of the Soil & Roots community.  Brian carefully walks through key highlights from the last four seasons, tying together The Great Omission, the vital importance of "ideas," and how we come together to restore New Testament discipleship.  Then he asks a key question: So what? What is the cost of not making deep disciples on the individual and civilization? What is the benefit to society when we do become people of spiritual depth?  Let's celebrate 100 episodes with this special bonus!  Follow us online!  Web: soilandroots.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots  Substack:https://soilandroots.substack.com/  #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Kyle, Doc, and Brian sit down to unpack Brian’s recent conversation with Dr. Jim Reiter regarding The Critical Journey, one way of describing our spiritual adventure. It’s a passionate and animated dialogue, and it covers three main questions: 1. If modern church institutions help us prepare and walk through the first three stages of our discipleship but don’t help or guide us into the last three, what is the impact of that void on individuals, church, and culture? How does it impact The Great Omission? 2. There have been several recent high-profile celebrity pastor scandals in the U.S. These men preached the Gospel and claimed biblical accuracy for decades. What does that say about “being right” compared to “being formed?” 3. Jim brought up the spiritual discipline of "cinema divina" (and Kyle happily jumped out of his seat). What does it mean to look for Jesus’ speaking to the world through means many consider "secular” or “bad?” Lots of good material to discuss, debate, and argue with your friends! Follow us online! Web: soilandroots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoilAndRootsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilandrootspodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kStr423THe8lYQoLwf3J3?si=c79a43c83fa84a4e YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soilandroots Substack: https://soilandroots.substack.com/ #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Dr. Jim Reiter joins Brian to discuss The Critical Journey, a book we’ve discussed a few times on the podcast. It theorizes there are six phases in our walk to become more like Jesus, though modern Christianity focuses almost exclusively on the first three. Our lack of education on and guidance through Stages 4, 5, and 6 is one of the key drivers of The Great Omission - the condition we are all here to explore and help overcome. Jim and Brian explore the ups and downs of the modern church, our deep desire for connection and spiritual formation, and the impact of The Great Omission on our souls and communities. Jim spent many years in pastoral ministry and Christian leadership before he and his wife launched an effort to help people wade into the deep end of spiritual formation on a more personal, individual level. He is a keen cultural observer, critical thinker, and wonderful communicator. Connect with Dr. Reiter at https://zoe-life.net/. #SoilAndRoots #DeepDiscipleship #DiscipleshipPodcast #SpiritualFormation

Episode 97 finds the guys back in the Greenhouse to dig into Brian’s interview with Adam Ormord (Episode 96) regarding spiritual formation and “soul care.”   What is a helpful definition of spiritual formation?  And what does it mean that we are being formed more like Jesus for the “sake of the world?” How might our expectations of God be off-center, and how does that affect our daily lives and the care of our souls? Lastly, Adam mentioned some of us function from the idea that the trinity is the Father, Son, and Bible.  What did he mean by that??

Welcome to Season 5! We kick off this new season (called Conversations) with Brian's short introduction to the new material. Then he has a fascinating conversation with pastor, thinker, spiritual director, and innovator Adam Ormord. As we continue to wrestle with all we’ve explored in the first four seasons, Adam helps us step back and contemplate what “spiritual formation” truly is. Is it the same thing as discipleship? How does the modern church play a role in our formation? And what does this odd term “soul care” mean? What role might it play in our discipleship journey? Jump on into this fascinating, challenging, provocative conversation with one of the leaders of the modern spiritual formation effort. You can connect with Adam at https://www.lifepointresources.org/.

What do we mean when we pray for the Kingdom to come? Dr. Tim Boswell returns to the Greenhouse for a vulnerable and in-depth conversation about our modern ideas about the Kingdom, and how they may or may not align with what Jesus meant when He instructed us to pray for it to arrive.   Is the Kingdom spiritual, or is it also physical?  Is the Kingdom right now or just in the future?  Does the Kingdom refer to Heaven, or does it include some form of Heaven on Earth? Of our four relationships (with God, others, self, and creation), which are included in the Kingdom? Join us for the last episode of Season 4, as we finish our months-long exploration of the Forgotten Kingdom!  

As we review and wrap up Season 4 (The Forgotten Kingdom), Brian explores a challenging question: what exactly are we praying for when we ask, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done?" The Lord's Prayer has been uttered countless times, though has it become such a rote habit that we haven't truly considered what we're requesting when we pray it? Let's look at the very first petition Jesus taught us to pray in light of our deep dive into the Kingdom of God. What does it mean for the kingdom to come in each of our four relationships (God, others, self, creation)?

The guys head into the Greenhouse to explore modern ideas about Heaven versus the biblical concept of the New Heaven and the New Earth.  They share how their personal stories impacted their view of the afterlife, how those ideas have adapted and changed in recent years, and how they affect their journey to become more like Jesus. Then they wrestle with how and why Splitters and Joiners disagree on the impact of the Kingdom on creation and culture today, and what that means for the everyday follower of Jesus in everyday life.  

How does the story of the Kingdom of Light wrap up? Do our "ideas" about Heaven match up with what the Bible teaches about the final consummation of the Kingdom? Will we spend eternity playing harps on clouds, or do the New Heaven and New Earth have more in common with our life right now than we assume? Let's explore our ideas of Heaven, and discuss when and how it's coming to Earth.