Elisha's Bears: Talking Faith, Bible, and Baptists
Join Pastor Danny Chisholm as he talks about the Bible, Baptists, and how faith intersects with life. He holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1996). Danny has served churches in the Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He is currently serving as Pastor of First Baptist Church in historic Clinton, TN. He's a coffee drinker and has been known to play pickleball on occasion.
Episodes
"Let not your heart be troubled" is a challenging and encouraging instruction from Jesus. These words spoken to his disciples are recorded in John 14 and are part of his farewell discourse. He wanted the disciples to realize that his departure from them was necessary and real, but temporary. These words are often quoted during times of death, loss and grief. Yet, they are also timely for believers who deal with the uncertainty that...
In this episode, Danny reflects on the themes of courage, faith, and the importance of liberty of conscience through the lens of historical and biblical narratives. He discusses Randy Pausch's last lecture, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the significance of religious freedom, emphasizing the need for conviction in the face of adversity.
In this episode, Danny offers his experiences and insights from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in St. Louis. This includes references to remarks made by keynote speakers at luncheons and worship services. Danny also offers a few takeaways from the Assembly, which includes a visit to Busch Stadium to watch the Cardinals (sadly, they lost to the Cubs).
In this conversation, Dr. Rick Bennett, coordinator of Tennessee CBF, shares his journey in ministry, the challenges faced by pastors today, and the diverse landscape of churches in Tennessee. He also talks about the need for community engagement and the mission of CBF. Rick has been Field Coordinator of Tennessee CBF since 2016.
In this conversation, Adam Velk discusses the historical significance of the Clinton 12, the first group of black students to desegregate a school in the American South. He shares insights into the challenges faced by these students, the role of community leaders like Reverend Paul Turner, and the ongoing impact of these events on the town of Clinton. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding this history, the significance...
In this episode, Jeff Langford drops in for an interview about the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships in ministry and notes some challenges faced by churches today. Jeff notes the generational perspectives within CBF, the role of women in ministry, and the impact of Christian nationalism. There’s a nod to Father’s Day and reflections on being a dad. Jeff is a husband and father, a...
Father's Day can be an emotional day for a variety of reasons. This episode explores the significance of Father's Day, the emotional complexities surrounding fatherhood, and the impact of father absence on children. It highlights personal stories and societal observations, emphasizing the importance of father figures and community support in nurturing children. The discussion also touches on the spiritual role of fathers and the ne...
The Ascension is a vital part of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This event is referenced at the end of the gospel of Luke as well as the beginning of the book of Acts, having been recorded by the same author. This episode deals with the exploration of spiritual navigation, the mission of discipleship, and the importance of staying connected to Christ. It also references how Christians can remain anchored in their faith amid...
Life as a preacher's kid has its own special set of challenges, stressors, and blessings. Kelly Dean Johnson talks about her parents and what it was like growing up in a church and town as a "PK." She shares some of the joys as well as difficulties of that experience, and some life lessons she learned along the way. Kelly is Director of Clinton City Schools in the historic town of Clinton, TN, where her dad served as Pastor of Clin...
Rev. Jason Taylor unpacks a recent sermon concerning the bribe and lie the religious leaders gave the soldiers to explain the empty tomb. Yet there have been additional "lies" that have been told that impact the church's life and ministry. Jason offers some thoughts about how to respond to questions about the Christian faith, while emphasizing the importance of authenticity for followers of Christ. Jason is an ordained Baptist mini...
FOMO is a real thing! This "fear of missing out" can distract or even consume our lives, keeping us from doing those things which can glorify Christ. It's important to note that even one of those first disciples who walked with Jesus still failed him. Simon Peter suffered a rather humiliating and public failure and a public restoration, yet this was not enough for him--he had to know what Jesus had in mind for someone else. This un...
Mother's Day is an emotional holiday for many people for a lot of reasons. Not every woman is wife or a mom, and some persons are approaching this day for the first time since the death of their mom. Yet, it is also a very happy time for moms and families who have good relationships and can be together. The relationship of Jesus and his own mother is a good model for us to consider as we try to understand the meaning of Mother&...
Hypocrisy is a real problem in the church, yet many religious leaders do not see this character flaw in their own lives. It's easier to point out the sins of others than it is to recognize on our shortcomings and failures. Jesus saved his harshest criticisms for the Pharisees and Scribes who were responsible for guiding the people into the knowledge of God. Yet, they often "did not practice what they preached." This c...
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, and his funeral has drawn political and religious leaders from around the world. Soon after this, the Roman Catholic Church leadership will enter a time and place to call their next Pope. Conclave is a secretive and ancient process resulting in the election of the next Pope to lead more than one billion Roman Catholics worldwide. Obviously, not all churches function in this manner when it comes t...
Thomas is best remembered for his "doubting" when the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord. It wasn't called "deconstruction" then, but Thomas provides an example for this kind of struggle to discern between truth and fiction. There are many who question and doubt regarding Christianity's truth claims. There's nothing wrong with honest doubt, provided that it is part of a process of d...
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in human history. Christians as well as unbelievers come together on Easter Sunday to hear the testimony of the eyewitnesses to the risen Jesus as recorded in the Bible. The church exists not because of the power of human effort but due to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While there are a number of witnesses to this event, Mary Magdalene stands out because ...
In this episode, we explore the profound significance of Holy Week, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on the events leading up to Easter. This is the last week of Jesus' earthly life, and includes his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, and the emotional responses of the people. It's important for us to embrace the journey of Holy Week, while acknowledging the challenges and disappointments t...
Habakkuk is considered a minor prophet because of the brevity of his prophecy. He is frustrated to God's perceived inactivity in dealing with injustice in his world, and this leads to his complaining to God about his situation. Habakkuk provides a wonderful model of moving through the spiritual seasons of complaint, prayer, and ultimately praise of God despite the circumstances around us.
In this episode, we revisit Jesus' visit with the Samaritan woman at the well. This conversation from John 4 is significant not only because it's the longest recorded conversation involving Jesus, but also because he reveals himself as Christ for the first time to this unlikely person. This woman has been vilified due to her past, yet Jesus does not condemn her. Once we get beyond inferences of her sinfulness, we discover p...
Stress is a real problem for us. It keeps us from "being where our feet are" and appreciating who we are and the people around us. In this episode, we listen in on a conversation between Jesus and Martha concerning her frustration with her sister Mary. This beautiful moment is a template on how worry leads to anger and being distracted from what's truly important. We take our cues on what's important by what Jesus...
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