Ask Allen

This week on the Ask Allen podcast we are joined by a special guest, Blake Adams, who is finishing up his counseling degree at Asbury seminary. For this episode we give an example of a crucial conversation around the idea of religious pluralism and the exclusitivity of Jesus Christ.

Last week we looked at the divisiveness of our current culture. This week we continue that discussion and try to find ways that we can become persons of peace; not in a passive way but in active engagement as we both reflect on our own positions and learn to think in ways that can help find common ground.Book referenceAlan Jacobs, "How to Think"Tim Keller, "the Reason for God"

We live in turbulent times. The divisions that run through our political, religious, and social lives seem to grow wider by the day. Why? And what can we do to be persons of peace in a world divided? Join us this week as we explore our current landscape and how we got here. Book References "How to Think" by Alan Jacobs "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt

In this, our fourth and final episode of our "In The Midst Of A Pandemic" series, we recap the last three weeks and get into some lingering questions on Hugh's mind.  Our vision for these conclusion episodes is to develop a more Q&A type episode where we get to answer any extra question that have come up during the series or that have been submitted by listeners. 

In this third episode of the Ask Allen Podcast, we wrestle with the question “In the midst of a pandemic, what difference does God make?”. It’s a bit longer because we started off addressing a question from a listener and then wanted to give some practical ideas to put our faith into practice in this trying time. We hope to hear from more listeners to field questions in our next and final episode in this series… so send one in! Resources:Miracles Volumes 1&2 by Craig KeenerPrayer by Phillip YanceyLife Without Lack by Dallas WillardThe Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

In this second episode, we continue with our conversation of faith during a pandemic by asking the question, Can God be Trusted? Really, I think this is the crux of our struggle when things in life seem to go wrong for persons of faith. We are supposed to be worshipping a powerful and benevolent God, yet evil and suffering persists. How can we make sense of living with this tension. Join us today as we take a dive into a passage of Scripture that has helped anchor Allen’s faith during times of testing and grief. ResourcesCan God Be Trusted? by John StackhouseUnspeakable by Os GuinnessWhere is God in a Corona Virus World? by John Lennox

Hi, Welcome to our first episode of the Ask Allen Podcast. We are kicking off this series of episodes "In the midst of a pandemic" with the question, where is God? Allen and Hugh discuss some of the tough questions regarding God, beliefs and Christians durning COVID-19. 

This is our last episode in our FAQ series and we may have saved the hardest for last. Today we discuss why God might allow suffering. No easy or definitive answers. But we hope you find wisdom and hope through our conversation about a God we believe can be trusted. The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2-3 and the Human Origins Debate (The Lost World Series, Volume 1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830824618/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GRZE0KAG4KS6J69W8PKSThe Problem of Pain https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060652969/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4E65MBZR68MJ90160CY1A Grief Observed https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060652381/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_52H55Z4RDCTSN26QZZE3

In this episode of the Ask Allen podcast, we are joined by a special guest, Pastor Hur Morales to discuss our fourth question in our FAQ series; What does religious freedom mean today? Hur is from Venezuela but has lived in America for almost 18 years and has recently become an American citizen. We are also glad to welcome Blake Adams back on the podcast this week. Show Notes: An updated work from Guinness I mentioned early on. A Free People's Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830834656/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_8271DRCSPFQ88B3GZ2P1Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving through Deep Difference https://www.amazon.com/dp/022659243X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_THJDEN6QRQXPWP69CTC8A Gentle Answer: Our 'Secret Weapon' in an Age of Us Against Them https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400216559/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_0JT82ASSQ0VMAQ5J7470

On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rica McRoy who is an optometrist as well as a teaching pastor at South City Church. Rica comes from a Hindu background and has a unique voice to share about our question for today; is Christianity intolerant of other religions/faiths? We’ll get a chance to hear Rica‘s own testimony and also how she navigates her love for Jesus, while also loving members of her family who have not embraced him yet as Lord. As always will be taking some questions that were sent in from listeners and we invite you to continue the conversation and let us know your thoughts as well.Show notes;Rica mentioned the influence of an apologist named Ravi Zacharias during a part of her testimony. This is one of the books that represents his teacing. However we recognize that Ravi’s character in his later years proved to be far out of line with the gospel message that he so winsomely proclaimed. I (Allen) can no longer support his ministry, but I am grateful for the impact that his words had on my life many years ago. Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message https://www.amazon.com/dp/0849943272/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MXZ9EJTAXVD4DYEV622PHere is a good introduction to the differences among world religions and why those differences make a difference.God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061571288/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_C45F0EZPG9TTZE0WZD0A

In this episode, John Tanner joins us again to talk about how the Bible relates to science. We address some listener questions and go over different ways that Christians understand how science both confronts and confirms their faith. What is the age of the earth? What about the days in Genesis and Adam and Eve? Is evolution really a threat to Christianity? Listen in as we continue to wrestle with a faith seeking understanding. https://reasons.orgConfronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433564238/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3ZVF4APDSCF9RHDJFF33Mapping the Origins Debate: Six Models of the Beginning of Everything https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830839879/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KZ6SH6Q0B2M6WEHN7MTMSurprised by Scripture: Engaging Contemporary Issues https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062230549/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_D73NH9EZAPW1BEZ8XBBFThe Genealogical Adam and Eve: The Surprising Science of Universal Ancestryhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/151400383X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AZJQMB1TEQMBK97A27TB

We are kicking off a new series this week in conjunction with a sermon series all three campuses of Cove Church Ministries will be participating in. This week we have the Lead Pastor of Cove on to discuss the reliability and relevance of the Bible today. Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew about the Bible https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310538858/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VA9D2FXNJW7XPE1N15Q0How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310517826/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5Z2WZFS2QZ1F1YWT078VScripture and the Skeptic https://www.amazon.com/dp/1791004210/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_2JSRZN8051HVHB8BVBQZwww.bibleproject.com

Allen had to privilege of being a guest on the Relentless Positivity Podcast with Joe Martin recently, and we thought it be great to share it with you. Relentless Positivity Podcasthttps://anchor.fm/relentlesspositivityDescription by Joe Martin:Allen Wilson is the lead teaching pastor at South City Church in Huntsville, AL. Allen and his team were tasked with the interesting job of starting a new church in the midst of a pandemic. In this episode we talk about: -Allen's background and how he came into ministry -his impressive education background and how it has served him in ministry to be a "theological mutt" -the experience and challenges of starting a church in a pandemic -why there is a need for a church when there are 4 others within walking distance -managing working, leading a church, and staying connected with family -what the partnership and bilingual church services with Nueva Vida looks like -how his Ask Allen podcast started -why I look like I'm in the Witness Protection Program -his Super Bowl pick between the Chiefs and the Bucs 

On this episode Allen and Blake finish their discussion on identity and CRT.  You'll notice in this episode we actually added an appendix of sorts to the end.  As we listened through this episode Allen felt it was important for us to go back to clarify and add content he felt was missing from the original recording.  Unfortunately we just can’t be as clear or say everything we’d like to about this important topic. Your mercy is appreciated.  As always, we thank you for joining us as we do our best to tackle tough questions. If you're interested in learning more Allen has made a list of a few places to start. They are linked below for your convenience. Web Linkshttps://mereorthodoxy.com/critical-race-theory-presbyterian-church-in-america/https://quillette.com/2021/02/19/towards-practical-empowerment/Book Links Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830833765/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0JSGG2MRKGBMGNJHVSN5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310113601/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5D81T0R0ZH5QY4Q4GASE

This episode is the first of a two part attempt to try to answer a listeners question about our views on Critical Race Theory. 

This is the first of two episodes where we are joined by Blake Adams who’s finishing a degree in Clinical Counseling to discuss identity formation and that impacts other issues in our culture. 

Our fourth and final episode in our World Divided series discusses the recent political happenings and delves into questions of identity as a set up for our next series. If you are enjoying the Ask Allen podcast we would love if you would leave us a review if you're so inclined. And as always, we welcome your questions! If there is a topic you would like to hear us talk about or you just wanna say hey,  please feel free to reach our to us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/southcityhsv/