L'Abri Canada

The Surprising Welcome of the Gospel: A Look the Ethiopian Eunuch (Clarke Scheibe)

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:28:28 -0700

What on the surface seems like just another conversion story in the book of Acts is in fact an epiphany of the wideness of the gospel for the world. It was not only a sign that the gospel was spreading to "the ends of the earth," as far as Ethiopia, it also meant that the Gentiles were being incorporated through Christ. This passage has much to teach us about what it means to more radically welcome people and how we might welcome them into the gospel.

The Copyright for all material on the podcast is held by L'Abri Fellowship. We ask that you respect this by not publishing the material in full or in part in any format or post it on a website without seeking prior permission from L'Abri Fellowship. Also, note that not all views expressed in the lectures or in the discussion time necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship. © Canadian L'Abri 2020

Forming, Filling, Naming: The Lost Words as Creational Enchantment (Christian Eickenroht)

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:22:19 -0700

“Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children.”

So begins the preface to The Lost Words, written by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris. Words for childhood like acorn, adder, and bluebell have been replaced with words like blog, bullet-point, voicemail. As this book plays with various genre, through word and image, The Lost Words re-enchants us into a vision of the natural world which is remarkably consistent with a biblical theology of creation. This talk looks at three themes which are central to the biblical account of creation: forming, filling, and naming. Macfarlane and Morris’ playful exploration of these themes re-enchants us into a participatory engagement with the natural world which does not claim mastery, but marvels at mystery—and thereby compels us to orthopraxy in creation-care.

Sojourners: Understanding Pilgrimmage (Hannah Eichelberger)

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:15:18 -0700

"For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding." (1 Chronicles 29:15) Pilgrimage is a metaphor that lends embodiment and physical imagery to the invisibly felt experience of walking through life seasons, internally and externally. Life is seemingly outstretched like a long weary road and we the travelers, making our way toward a distant destination. We will be taking a look at the symbol of pilgrimage through the Biblical lens, specifically how it is used in the Psalms of Ascent - the Pilgrim Psalms traditionally known for those traveling on pilgrimages to the temple in ancient Jerusalem. What does it mean to be a pilgrim sojourner and what does this symbol reveal about our journey through life, our spiritual seeking, and our desires for a place to belong?

Jesus: Myth, Failure, or Lord? (Clarke Scheibe)

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:07:25 -0700

This talk will look at three views - that Jesus was a mythic creation to mimic the Greek gods, that Jesus was historical figure but a failed prophet that the church has propped up through desperation, and that Jesus was the historical figure who was and is what his followers have claimed, the Lord of glory.

Between the Straits: Must a Christian support Israel? (Mark Ryan)

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:05:01 -0700

Guest speaker Mark Ryan join us to discuss the complicated relationship Christians have to Israel. He is the director of Sage Christianity, adjunct professor of Covenant Seminary, associate professor of Calvin Seminary, former director of the Francis Schaeffer Institute, and former director of Canadian L'Abri! He walks the tightrope of a biblically informed tension, between full acceptance and full rejection. (The date of this talk was Nov 2025.)

Reading Providence when God seems absent (Clarke Scheibe)

Mon, 04 May 2026 09:59:25 -0700

We are assured in the Bible that God oversees and provides not just for nature and for all of humanity, but for especially his own children. Jesus said we are not to worry for doesn't our heavenly Father love us more than flowers and birds? But what if God seems absent? How are we to "read the signs" that God does in fact care for us? The Book of Esther is informative in this discussion. Nowhere does the author mention God but it is evident throughout the book that God's invisible hand is orchestrating the miraculous rescue of his people. What might we learn about trusting God and reading "providence" when God seems absent? When life is difficult? How might we journey forward trusting that God's promises will be true?

Holy Silence, Music, and Rest (Jonno Saunders)

Mon, 04 May 2026 09:51:34 -0700

Nobody wants constant noise, in music or in life—we need to rest. Rest is a musical term, and in music it's about breathing, embodying the holiness of time, and giving space to others. We'll explore what music has to teach us about rest. Listen carefully!

AI and Human Dignity (Dr Frank Stootman)

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:50:57 -0700

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly advanced such that human intelligence and creativity is easily challenged and superceded by this technology. What does this mean for being Human? Do significant differences remain between Humankind and machine? How can we defend the traditional position that our uniqueness is because we are created in the image and likeness of God?

God's Journey with me through cancer (Brett Cane)

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:39:20 -0700

Our dear Brett Cane, retired Anglican priest, had an operation for stage 2A lung cancer last January followed by chemotherapy in the Spring and recovery over the Summer. He will speak on his experience and weave it together with the following themes: how God orchestrates his care for us and purposes good for those who love him and how that leads us to trust him, and how we can be thankful in the midst of upheaval and uncertainty and loss and facing our own mortality.

Meaningless Jobs (Clarke Scheibe)

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:52:37 -0700

In recent years, many have expressed the proliferation of meaningless jobs. This goes beyond the burden of mundane tasks. It is the burden of not knowing if most of your working life has any benefit to society beyond the good pay. In this talk, we will look at how people have increasingly reported the sense that their work is meaningless (and potentially harmful), and then at David Graeber's work on the topic, from his influential book Bullsh*t Jobs (2018). Then we will ask if Graeber was onto something and if so, how might the Christian respond with the gospel to a society filled with telemarketers and PR departments.

Wayward Priests and Unsaintly Saints (Christina Eickenroht)

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:02:08 -0700

The titular characters in Frederick Buechner’s historical novels Godric (1980) and Brendan (1987) are wayward priests and unsaintly saints, “just as clay-footed and full of shadows as the rest of us,” and yet, nonetheless, remarkable ministers of divine grace. In his portrayal of such saints, Buechner probes one of the central questions raised by the fourth-century Donatist Controversy—namely, whether the sinfulness of the minister compromises the divine grace which is mediated through his ministry. As we shall see, Buechner’s vision is profoundly Augustinian—and yet, his is an Augustinianism inflected through the Protestant Reformation and into Modernity. Even so, Buechner upholds the wisdom and hope of the ancient Church for the contemporary Church, as the Church reels from and reckons with the exposure of moral failures and ecclesial scandals.

The Abnormality of Death (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:23:32 -0700

Just thinking about hearing a diagnosis that we have a terminal illness sends a shiver up the spine and dampens the joy in the heart. Our life so significant, only to be snuffed out in a moment. It is a subject we'd like to avoid but it is inevitable as we experience the death of others around us and one day our own. How are we to reflect on death? In this talk we will look at how some want to suggest death is natural, necessary, and good. However, this is not the biblical view, where humans view death in all its horror as a curse, yet are not overwhelmed by that fear since Jesus himself broke the power of death by his own death and resurrection. This lead the early church to express a hope that transformed how they lived now. (NOTE: The first 3 minutes are lower volume.)

Despising the Shame: Jesus, a Pharisee, and a Sinful Woman (Clarke Scheibe)

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:22:47 -0700

In this passage we see a scorned woman who is desperate to approach Jesus, despite his being the invited guest of a wealthy and righteous man. To everyone's shock, Jesus welcomes and praises her. This event taught the early church and teaches us that those who are unashamed of Jesus, will be received since he is unashamed of them.

All is Gift, All is Passing Away, and All Shall Be Made New (Christina Eickenroht)

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:34:18 -0700

The table is set: In his 1633 Still life with an overturned silver tazza, glassware, pies, and a peeled lemon on a table, Willem Claeszoon Heda spreads before us a theologically rich feast. This painting is an exemplar of the popular subgenre of breakfast piece (ontbijt), depicting not necessarily a morning meal but any solitary meal which breaks a fast, perhaps at an inn after a long journey. Heda’s 1633 Still life likely would have hung in the interior of a Dutch home, perhaps in a kitchen or dining area, where it would have invited meditation in the midst of everyday life. After offering a thick description of this painting and surveying the history of the interpretation of such paintings, I will sketch a visual theology of Heda’s 1633 Still life which takes into account the pervasive Calvinist imaginary of the time. I will argue that Heda’s 1633 Still life is a nuanced vanitas painting which hints at resurrection hope, affirming not only that all is gift, even as all is passing away, but also that these temporal gifts are harbingers of a delightfully solid and substantial New Creation in the age to come.

For the lecture, please check out this specific painting Willem Claeszoon Heda, 1633. This is the one Christina is referencing.

The Christian and Political Engagement (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:44:45 -0700

Christians have been pressed once again to reconsider what is a biblical way of being politically and culturally engaged. In light of the US Election and in light of increased calls here in Canada to return our countries to our Christian heritage, many - even Christians - are worried of a rise of Christian Nationalism or at least a Christian politicization. One response has been to call Christians to remember the heritage of "two distinct kingdoms," the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. This is called R2K (Reformed Two Kingdom) theology. We will examine if this is an adequate response to society becoming increasingly antagonistic to religion, especially Christianity. We will also examine the theological heritage of L'Abri, Neo-Calvinism.

(This talk was given late November 2024.)

The Mandate for Creation: Pollution and the Death of Man (Clarke Scheibe)

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 01:19:37 -0700

Problems in the environment have gotten far worse since 1970. For some, this has caused many to feel urgency, for others, indifference. How is one to respond? We will look at four contemporary responses: "traditional Christianity," secular materialism, pantheism & nature religions, and biblical Christianity.

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Discerning False Christs (Clarke Scheibe)

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 21:48:59 -0700

People grow frustrated when they see Jesus being misused, for example, by political factions. However, it is easy to project a false image of Christ to match what we want Jesus to be and to be for. This talk will look at various images of Christ, contemporarily and historically, before turning to the image presented in the New Testament. We will consider what it means to measure our own images to that original one and what it means to follow Jesus not just as an image but as the risen Lord.

Jonah, Silence, and the Sea (Hannah Eichelberger)

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:28:49 -0700

Is being swallowed by a sea monster a form of rescue or danger? The book of the prophet Jonah is a perfect example of uncomfortable and often unwanted revelation breaking through an otherwise still life. God, in his relationship to the world and to his creation often disrupts the safety and calm of our known world and bring us deeper into a revelation of who we are and should be. But a break through, in Jonah’s case, requires that he be broken into. Under the calm surface of a silent sea, the book of Jonah shows us that disruption can bring us into the terrifying but wondrous depths of God.

Comic. Tragic. Brutal. The Life and Writings of Flannery O'Connor (Clarke Scheibe)

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 23:39:13 -0700

Flannery O'Connor was a devout Catholic writer from the Deep South (in the US) in the 1950s and wrote hilarious and horrifying short stories. T.S. Eliot, the famous poet, said that Flannery's stories made him blanch and refused to read them. Flannery felt that each story were parables to the modern world, and that she had to shout in order for the modern ear to hear. She questioned the narrative that the modern world was continually progressing. The supernatural invades her characters' stories to show that history is not the human march of progress, but a God-directed story. But the question often remains for her characters and for us, When God shocks you by showing up, will you recognize it as grace or not? This talk will look at her brief life - she died at 39 years old - and at understanding her fiction.

Personality Redeemed (Robb Ludwick)

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:22:45 -0700

The core of the Christian gospel is not that God promises to remove and replace his beloved creation with something better, but that He promises to save and restore the creation He has made. This applies to us as human beings personally as well. In a broken world, the basic elements of our personalities and character can develop along paths where we do not love our neighbours as ourselves. Being 'set free' does not mean dying to myself and being raised as someone else, but rather asking God's help for radically rediscovering and redeeming my personality. In this lecture we will explore this truth through several texts and examples from the Bible itself.

(Robb Ludwick is the co-director of Dutch L'Abri)

Remembering Together: Community, Memory, and Archives (Marta Crilly)

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 21:20:05 -0700

Marta Crilly holds a MA in History, and a Masters in Archives Management from Simmons University. She worked as an Archivist for the city of Boston and is now Head Librarian, User Engagement & Burns Library Public Services at Boston College. This is what she has to say about the talk.

Memory is a key aspect of both individual and community identity. Join us to consider how communities form and maintain memory, how community memory can be erased or falsified, and why remembering together is especially significant for Christian communities.

The Five Themes of L'Abri (Clarke Scheibe)

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:22:37 -0700

While these five themes are not the only important aspects to the work of L'Abri, it does give a coherent picture of what L'Abri believes, in what it proclaims and in what it desires to demonstrate. It will look at the truthfulness of Christianity, the reality of the supernatural, the humanness of spirituality, the reality of the fall, and the lordship of Christ over all of life.

Redemptive Placemaking: Our call to faithfully build places for community flourishing (Sara Joy Proppe)

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:20:43 -0700

She formerly worked in real estate development and affordable housing but has taken that experience to launch Proximity Project, which she is the founder and director. She has years of experience of helping churches steward their properties with the aim of the common good within the context of their neighborhoods. (You can also read two contributions she has made to Comment magazine, based out of Ottawa.)

In our broken world, how can we design and build places that demonstrate God's redeeming work on earth? We will explore how God invites us, as co-creators, to participate in redemptive placemaking - the art of creating places that extol the dignity of being human and foster relationships for community flourishing. You will discover ways how contributing goodness and beauty to our neighborhoods through placemaking is an act of stewardship and obedience to the biblical command to seek the welfare of the city as we await the full restoration of creation.

Why Marriage Still Matters (Liz Snell)

Thu, 09 May 2024 10:23:20 -0700

Marriage rates continue to decline, especially among younger generations, where marriage is often given little importance. Is this a sign of liberation, or does it signal the loss of something foundational? What value might marriage still offer to men, women, children, and society today? We will examine some reasons for the decline in marriage, its effects, and how a Christian view of marriage can help to restore balance.

The Rise of Cultural Christianity (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 11:02:14 -0700

Christianity, particularly in the past few decades, has been under attack. However, it seems that this past decade, and even in the past couple of years, there have been numerous public intellectuals coming out as Christian, e.g. Tom Holland, Paul Kingsnorth, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and so on. Even people like Jordan Peterson , Douglas Murray, Louise Perry, not Christians themselves, arguing for the need for Christian ethics in society. Why is this happening? What are Christians to make of this trend? This talk will look at the historical trajectory since 9/11 that has led to this renewed interest of Christianity as personally and socially necessary, and lead us to consider ways Christians can engage this renewed interest.

The Lowest Room: Comparison through the eyes of Christina Rosetti (Hannah Eichelberger)

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:56:39 -0700

The poem “The Lowest Room” by Christina Rossetti explores what it means to be in the lower place, the spot where you look up and see all the things that you want to be and should be and instead find yourself, discontentedly, on the lower rung. This Friday, we are taking a look at a life of comparison, the standards we set for ourselves and others, and what Christianity reveals about being in the lowest room.

Is the Gospel for Women? A look at Margaret Atwood's _Handmaid's Tale_ and _Testatements_ (Clarke)

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 21:20:21 -0700

This talk looks at the wildly popular books - The Handmaid's Tale (1985) and The Testaments (2019) - by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The popularity of these dystopian novels has arisen alongside concerns and fears of what is seen as political and religious fundamentalist influences in the States and its potential impact on women's hard-won rights. Then we will see how the Bible and the gospel intersect with the questions the books raise, and ask if the gospel can be good news for everyone.

Rumours of a Better Country (Marsh Moyle)

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:42:04 -0700

What does it mean to live together well? To be thriving communities of unique people where trust runs deep, differences does not threaten, and power is not abused? What would make people safe to be vulnerable enough to have deep and meaningful relationships?

Marsh Moyle's book Rumours of a Better Country addresses our hunger for justice and a better way of living by awakening our moral imagination to the potential of trust. Drawing on ancient wisdom and looking through the lens of daily reality, it shows trust and trustworthiness are the foundation for any meaningful freedom.

A Voice in the Whirlwind: Hope and Suffering in Job (Dr Beth Stovell)

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:14:51 -0700

We welcomed Dr. Beth Stovell, professor of Old Testament at Ambrose University, as a part of a local conference on hope and suffering in Victoria. This is the first talk of three. It does stand on its own. About the lecture, Dr Beth Stovell says,

The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man who loses everything and his journey towards hope. It helps us grapple with many questions that arise when we experience suffering: How do we respond when everything in our lives is turned upside down? How do we make sense of grief, pain, and suffering? Is hope possible when everything seems lost? The book of Job offers us an up-close picture of righteous suffering, the pain of accusatory friends, and the hope of God’s presence in the depths of great loss.

Redemptive Hiding: Visual and Verbal Poetics in Bruegel and Dostoevsky (Christina Eickenroht)

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:33:29 -0700

We welcomed guest speaker Christina Eickenroht to give an excellent and accessible lecture on this intriguing topic. Recommended!

What have the cluttered landscapes of Pieter Bruegel the Elder to do with the complex plots of Fyodor Dostoevsky? In each, we find subtle allusions to the holy, hidden and tucked away in the least likely of places. Bruegel and Dostoevsky "bury the lede," so to speak, and thereby implicate us in overlooking or dismissing the presence of the holy—until we stumble over it in double-take recognition, and that hidden detail proves axiomatic. In this lecture, we will consider examples of this phenomenon in Bruegel's paintings and Dostoevsky's novel. Then, we will consider why Bruegel and Dostoevsky employ these compositional strategies. Why is the hiding of the holy so urgent?

(Sorry we cannot include the slides. Bruegel's paintings - left unnamed during the talk - mentioned in the talk are as follows, in order: The Fall of Icarus; The Procession to Calvary; The Census at Bethlehem; The Adoration of the Kings)

Sociology: Friend or Foe of the Church? (Jessa Birdsall)

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:10:08 -0700

The founding fathers of sociology - Marx, Weber, and Durkheim - were deeply secular. The field of sociology has championed the social construction of reality and the power of social structures over individuals. Are these commitments antithetical to a biblical worldview? Or does sociology have something to teach the church?

(Jessamin Birdsall received a doctorate from Princeton in sociology and is currently pursuing a Masters at Regent College in Vancouver by examining the intersection of sociology and theology.)

The Compromise of Biblical Authority - A Look at Schaeffer’s _Great Evangelical Disaster_ (Clarke)

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 16:57:57 -0700

In this talk Clarke looks at the importance of seeing the Word of God (namely, the Scriptures) as our only sure foundation in the midst of our lives and our ever-shifting culture. In The Great Evangelical Disaster, Schaeffer called on evangelical Christians to hold to the full authority of the Word of God instead of compromising its message to current cultural values. If it is in any way accommodated, even in the areas of history or cosmos, it weakens its power to transform its listeners and to keep society from sliding into chaos and authoritarianism. This talk references Schaeffer's book but more importantly, this talk is a new call for Christians to see why and how compromise can so easily tempt us (and come in unawares) and to consider the transformative power of the Scriptures for ourselves and for our own culture.

Religious but not Spiritual: Looking for Assurance through Technique (Clarke S)

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 10:23:55 -0700

While it is more common to hear someone say that they are "spiritual but not religious," in their opposition to organized religion, there has also been an increased focus on religious ritual or spiritual discipline to help us have a more intentional life and a more intimate relationship with God. Ultimately, this is looking to meet God through external forms to create internal transformation. Does this work? If not, why not and what else are we to do? This talk will look at this topic through the lens of King Saul's life as recorded in the biblical book, 1 Samuel, and draw lessons from his "religious but not spiritual" life.

Singleness (Brett Cane)

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 11:05:17 -0700

Is singleness a blessing or a curse? Is marriage the Christian “default” position? What about singles and the church? How do singles address the question of intimacy? Brett speaks from his own experience as a single and draw on the experiences of others. He looks first at Paul’s views on singleness and celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7. Then he looks at the following dimensions of singleness: the challenges of being single, the importance of being the Church, and opportunities for ministry by and to singles. He ends by looking at the question of intimacy and God’s provision for singles in this area.

Biblical Criticism for Christians (Dr. Tim Hogue)

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 10:03:52 -0700

This talk will be about what biblical criticism is and what challenges it poses to believers. We'll cover these challenges under the headings the problem of originality, the problem of contradiction, and the problem of inspiration. Through all that, we will see how biblical criticism differs from theology, what it can and can't say based on its methods, and finally how we can relate it back to theology to make it a useful tool for Christians to take advantage of.

The Sins of our Fathers: Wounds that confuse (Robb Ludwick, Dutch L’Abri)

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0700

There is no perfect parent, but the wounds we receive from our parents can have a long term influence on the beliefs, choices and desires we have as adults. What are some tips for unravelling these connections? In this lecture, we will not be focusing on how to approach that relationship again (questions of confrontation, reconciliation, restoration). Rather, we will primarily be looking at how to identify false patterns in our own thoughts and feelings, the lies we learn to live by, and how the gospel offers us challenge and healing in these areas.

The Difficulty with the Love of God (Clarke Scheibe)

Wed, 10 May 2023 18:51:02 -0700

People struggle to understand the love of God because it is not being expressed in God's people. Difficulties arise because Christians are judgmental or because Christians make Love as an idea, not as arising from the personal holy Creator. Paul prays that Christians may understand the breadth, length, height, and depth of the love of God in Jesus. How are we to experience this love of God, not only in joy but also in purity?

Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:27:39 -0700

This talk is on the perplexing parable of the shrewd manager and how Jesus's teaching has implications for how we are to think of our money and our possessions. Jesus had to tell this parable in a surprising way, to catch people off guard and to help them understand something new. Perhaps it will catch you in a new way of thinking!

E.T. and Human Significance in the Large Cosmos (Dr Dennis Danielson)

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 16:28:41 -0700

The more we learn about our Universe filled with galaxies, the smaller and perhaps the more insignificant we and our Earth can appear. How do we respond to this impression? How should we think about humanity’s cosmic role? What might astronomical discoveries tell us about God and the purposes of his creation?

For this talk, we welcome guest speaker Dr. Dennis Danielson, an intellectual historian, a John Milton scholar, who has an interest in the history and literature of science. He has published several books, such as The First Copernican, The Tao of Right and Wrong, and The Book of the Cosmos.

When Do You Know it is God’s Spirit? Discerning Unusual Manifestations (Scott Anderson, pastor)

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 19:53:03 -0700

What are we to think when we see or hear a story of someone shaking in worship, falling when prayed for, or crying out or even laughing uncontrollably in the midst of a service or a time of prayer? Should we conclude that the devil is running amok or that the Spirit is at hand and at work? Although this may not be our everyday experience, we all find ourselves wrestling at times to discern the Spirit's work. This lecture will seek to learn from the wisdom of an 18th century American pastor named Jonathan Edwards, who wrestled with these very questions during the Great Awakening, and left behind a framework for God-honoring discernment.

Psalms: Our Words to God, God’s Word to Us (Clarke Scheibe)

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:39:03 -0700

The Psalms, a collection of personal and corporate prayers, is considered Israel's hymnbook and they are often our favourites to which we turn in times of sorrow or joy or petition. However, upon closer examination, we find that these psalms, written over a thousand years by several authors, were placed within an intentional structure of five books, reflecting the first five books of the Bible, the Torah. This talk will look at the themes that give the Psalms an overall trajectory, a guiding promise, which was and is fulfilled wondrously, miraculously, in Jesus.

Walking with Loved Ones through Faith Deconstruction (Liz Snell)

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 15:29:27 -0700

Increasing pressures from both within and outside the church are causing more and more people to go through a season of "deconstruction", reevaluating the foundations and assumptions of their beliefs. Some go through deconstruction and return to Christianity, while others never do. What does it feel like to go through such a major transition? And what does it feel like to be a friend or family member of someone whose faith is coming apart? This lecture will examine how friends and family members can care for those who are going through a shift in faith, while also caring for themselves.

Who or What is the Holy Spirit? (Clarke Scheibe)

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 11:43:19 -0700

Clarke ventures into the mysterious yet wonderful reality of the Spirit. Often people speak of the Holy Spirit as a force or an impression or as a "holy ghost." The Bible speaks of the Spirit as a person yet we never see the Holy Spirit; we only see what the Spirit does. How are we to think of this Spirit who is to indwell us and to mark time since Jesus ascended?

Shall Every Knee Bow? A Look at Christian Universalism and Judgment (Clarke)

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 12:14:56 -0700

This talk looks at and critiques Christian Universalism, the belief that all people will be saved through the work of Jesus, whether a person trusts or does not trust in "Jesus as Lord." Is this a real possibility? And if not, how can God be good if he judges people not unto salvation?

Thy Kingdom Come: ls Social Justice the end goal of Christianity? (Clarke Scheibe)

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 10:00:15 -0700

Clarke re-gives an earlier talk due to demand! In this talk, he examines the cultural revolution of the 2000s that led many young evangelicals to despise the lack of social justice from traditional churches and led them inadvertently to abandon traditional faith. He then looks at how Critical Theory works in shaping not only their faith but also society in general. Finally he turns to see how the whole church might pursue social justice in light of the whole biblical witness.

Steadfast Love: Finding Secure Attachment with God (Liz Snell)

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 15:29:08 -0700

Attachment theory gives us helpful insight into how people bond with each other. But what does it mean for our relationship with God? We will look at attachment styles and how we can understand God as our model for secure attachment, providing a base to move forward into secure relationships with each other.

(NOTE: The recordings include the discussion.)

The Way of Wisdom: A Living Epistemology (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 12:39:22 -0700

Exciting! A talk on epistemology! While seemingly an intimidating and abstract topic about how we come to know the world around us, this talk will look at how we might gain an understanding of the world that does not divide faith from reason, or meaning from nature. The wisdom tradition (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Jesus) provides this very much needed integration today. It moves us from a dead modern epistemology to a living one.

Are You Open-Minded? A Case for God (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 13 May 2022 15:17:05 -0700

Often people speak of being open-minded as a way of discrediting a belief in God. However, in this talk, I argue that we need to look beyond closed explanations for existence and open our minds to admit our desire for God. This is a basic argument that suffering and joy are two fundamental aspects of experience that point to the existence of God.

Shame and Grace in Gilead: Reflections on the Novels of Marilynne Robinson (Liz Snell)

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:55:29 -0700

Marilynne Robinson's quartet of Gilead novels, set mostly in rural Iowa, explore the tension between shame and grace. Much of this contrast comes through the medium of sight: how we see the world, ourselves, and God, and how others see us. Saturated in the beauty of the natural world, human relationships, and theological meditations, Robinson's novels have been beloved by many. Join us as we discuss how this Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist teaches us to have eyes that see and truly perceive the goodness of God.

Daniel 2: Fake News, Political Anxiety, and the Kingdom of God (Clarke)

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:17:53 -0700

By looking at Daniel 2, we see that the Bible gives us a reflection on the relationship between God's people, their nation, and the kingdom of God. When we see nations without an anchor, power becomes arbitrary. How might the Christian respond in those times?

Can Christians Love Themselves? (Liz Snell)

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 11:54:34 -0700

Many people accuse Christianity of fostering shame in its adherents. The self-esteem movement has attempted to address feelings of worthlessness. But does self-esteem work? How should Christians think about themselves?

Understanding Jordan Peterson, Part III: Beyond Order

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 07:08:28 -0700

In this third talk on Jordan Peterson, we look at his most recent book Beyond Order, the sequel to his best-selling 12 Rules for Life. Through his personal suffering and through his interactions with many people on tour, his thinking is refined and clarified. We also look at his emphasis on maps and stories as sources of knowledge and meaning, and how might a Christian think about his newest contribution.

Peter, Judas: Is it me? Practical Concerns over Predestination (Clarke Scheibe)

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:43:15 -0700

Both Peter and Judas asked of Jesus, "Is it me?" after Jesus had told his disciples that one of them would betray him. This can be a question that can cause hand-wringing even today. Am I saved or am I not? Am I chosen? This talk deals particularly with 'theological fatalism' (or 'hyper-Calvinism') and the concerns that the doctrine of predestination bring up. While the doctrine of predestination often brings dread, the opposite is intended in Scripture. It is a doctrine, when properly understood, gives assurance and hope.

Floodwaters: The Biblical Journey from Anxiety to Peace (Jez Carr)

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:01:25 -0700

There is a deep resonance between our feelings of anxiety and our fear of out-of-control water. We feel ‘overwhelmed’, ‘flooded’. This resonance was shared by the authors of Scripture, who depict floods, storms and towering waves within the emotional landscape of God’s people. In fact, the bible story is saturated with water imagery. We will explore how that offers us company within our struggles, hope within the story of God’s victory over them, and wisdom for how to handle them.

The Forgotten Thomas Paine: The Father of Unbelief (Dr. Irving Hexham)

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 20:12:36 -0700

Today Thomas Paine is remembered for his books Common Sense (1776) and The American Crisis (1776–1783) which made him the leading propagandist of the American Revolution and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. What is largely forgotten is his devastating attack on Christianity in The Age of Reason (1737-1809) and other writings and his key role in creating what many scholars call "the Victorian crisis of faith." This talk will examine Paine's criticism of Christianity and its influence on writers as diverse as Karl Marx (1818-1883), George Eliot (1819-1880), and Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) as well as Nazism in Germany.

Being Religious but not Spiritual: Lessons from the life of King Saul (Clarke)

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 10:54:36 -0700

While it has been popular in the past to call one's self "spiritual but not religious," we also see people who are "religious but not spiritual." This is not just the legalistic person or "a fundamentalist." We can all fall into this category at times in our lives, perhaps looking to this spiritual practice or this tradition to bring us close to God. It is a hope that an external form will guarantee an internal transformation. This talk will look at this topic through the lens of King Saul's life as recorded in the biblical book, 1 Samuel, and draw lessons from his "religious but not spiritual" life.

The Place of Wisdom: A Look at Job 28 (Clarke Scheibe)

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:51:11 -0700

This is a look at Job 28, an unusual chapter. It is a calm reflection on the nature of humanity and wisdom in the midst of the torrent of argument and lament throughout the book of Job. What does this have to say to us about being human? How can humans be so powerful, intelligent, and adventurous, yet they cannot discover the meaning and wisdom of all these things? Is it all sound and fury signifying nothing? The Bible offers us a different answer, a valuable one during these chaotic days.

Discoveries in the Book of Ruth (Brett Cane)

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:16:43 -0700

In this talk, guest speaker Brett Cane examines the two key themes from the book, of God's sovereignty and of human character. God's sovereignty is revealed not through the miraculous but through the ordinary, and human character is revealed by faithfulness, dedication, resourcefulness and ingenuity, and what's more, by women, showing a unique perspective on the importance of women in God's plan.

Does the Christian Faith Fail? Part 3 - The Goodness of God and Animal Suffering (Clarke Scheibe)

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:30:15 -0700

This is the third talk in this series on Loftus's Christian Delusion. Here we deal with what Loftus refers to as the "Darwinian problem of evil," particularly in regard to animal suffering. Many evolutionists point to the evidence of animals suffering prior to human existence. How can this be? Can God be good if animals were created to suffer before the fall of humanity? Christians have offered several possible solutions to this question but are any of them sufficient? (This was recorded on Zoom in Feb 2021.)

Does the Christian Faith Fail? Part 2 - The Bible (Clarke Scheibe)

Tue, 18 May 2021 11:05:32 -0700

This is the second talk in this series on if the Christian faith fails as it has been claimed to do in John Loftus's The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails. In the first part, we looked at Loftus's "outsider test for faith." He with others now take aim not at Christian faith in general but now the Bible specifically. In it the book claims that the Bible is too scientifically inaccurate, too textually inconsistent, and too easily misinterpreted to be divinely inspired. How could Christians claim otherwise? (This was recorded on Zoom in Feb 2021.)

Hope for the Pornified Imagination (Joshua Chestnut)

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:52:19 -0700

We welcome our colleague Joshua Chestnut from Southborough L'Abri via Zoom to speak to us about how we might have hope when our imaginations have become "pornified." Discussion afterward included.

Does the Christian Faith Fail? Part 1 (Clarke Scheibe)

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 12:38:19 -0700

This is a look at the first part at the five parts of The Christian Delusion edited by John Loftus (2010). This examines his Outsider Test for Faith (OTF), which he claims makes all religious faiths fall short of probability. (The following parts will include the veracity of the Bible, the goodness of God, the resurrection, and Christianity as a social good.)

When Spiritual Heroes Fail Us (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 15:09:48 -0700

This past February, it was discovered that Jean Vanier, an important figure in Canada and around the world, and who many had considered a living saint, had over the decades taken advantage of six vulnerable women. How are we to understand such an incongruity? How are we to respond when our trust is betrayed, and our confidence is lost in the power of the gospel itself? We will look at how we can reflect and respond when our spiritual heroes fail us.

Sports and Faith: A Conversation with Donna Hornibrook

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:47:35 -0700

A classic podcast style! For this episode, we are posting an interview rather than a talk with discussion. I (Clarke) discuss with Donna Hornibrook, a former field hockey player and coach, inducted into Halls of Fame for both, about sports and Christian faith. Then we opened it up to those present to ask their questions. Enjoy!

Plague and the Human Heart: What Can We Learn from Pandemics Past (Liz Snell)

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:30:07 -0700

As the Covid-19 pandemic wears on, most of us have been shaken in unprecedented ways by the global upheaval. However, pandemics have a long history and we have much to learn from the past. From early plagues in the Roman Empire to the medieval Black Death, pandemics have been a means of revealing what lies beneath the surface in society and human hearts. What might this history reveal to us about life in a pandemic today? How can we act in ways that encourage more humanity, not less?.

Recovering the Positive Doctrine of Sin (Clarke Scheibe)

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 12:35:24 -0700

The doctrine of sin is perennially disliked and mocked, yet within this doctrine, we see the seeds of the gospel. What might it mean to recover this doctrine as something positive to proclaim to a society in desperate need for a profound diagnosis and solution.

Beyond Tolerance: Welcoming the Other (Liz Snell)

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:10:04 -0700

We live an age where people are more and more suspicious of, and even violent toward, anyone who doesn't share their views. We often speak of the need for tolerance, but this can become a way of still keeping people at arm's length. What does it mean to truly engage with people we disagree with or may even be scared of? This lecture will explore the Christian call to hospitality toward the stranger.

Science and the Bible, Part 2 Q&A with Frank Stootman

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 16:30:04 -0700

Science and the Bible (Frank Stootman)

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 16:27:07 -0700

We welcomed guest speaker Dr. Frank Stootman (PhD, physics), our colleague from Australian L'Abri, via Zoom, to speak on the relationship between science and the Bible. This is an exploration of Genesis and the Bible with the subtext that all truth is God's truth.

*NOTE*: This was recorded on Zoom. There is also a high resolution video of this talk HERE. On this YouTube clip, you will be able to see Dr. Frank Stootman's visuals. Q&A will be a separate episode.

What Did Jesus Save Us For? (Clarke Scheibe)

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 15:58:19 -0700

In this talk, Clarke explores the biblical view of salvation. Often to say one is 'saved' can create notions of people huddled away, awaiting an eternity that seems overwhelming and boring. Yet the Bible points to a salvation that calls us to become engaged in culture because of what Christ had accomplished through the cross and resurrection. We are not just saved from sin but saved for a renewed cultural agency.

NOTE: This was recorded alongside Zoom. Q&A is included.

Basic Foundations for Prayer (Brittney Salverda)

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:15:50 -0700

Guest speaker Brittney Salverda speaks on four aspects of prayer. While there are more, these foundational aspects are seen in Scripture, and as we reflect on them, give us more encouragement to speak and hear from the God who is truly there.

NOTE: This was recorded alongside Zoom. Q&A is included.

Reflections on Racism and the Gospel (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 13:41:53 -0700

This is simply an introduction to the current discussion over racism in the USA. It first looks at black history in America and at how that informs current protests, and then looks at four views on how to respond: critical race theory, black conservatism, the simple gospel, and the whole gospel.

NOTE: This talk was recorded over Zoom on 19 June 2020 and includes the Q&A afterwards. The discussion focuses mostly on First Nations in Canada.

Daniel 6 and the State of Faith (Clarke Scheibe)

Fri, 08 May 2020 16:10:00 -0700

In this final talk on the stories of Daniel, Clarke examines how this seemingly simple story about Daniel and the den of lions points us to think critically about the place of the Christian in a society that diminishes or denies freedoms of religion and conscience. Daniel 6 calls us to seek the flourishing of society, without being ensnared by its idolatry, by looking to God in all that one does and by entrusting one's life to the one who can raise to eternal life.

NOTE: This talk was recorded over Zoom and includes the Q&A afterwards.

(NEW version) Thy Kingdom Come - Is Social Justice the End Goal of Christanity? (Clarke Scheibe)

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 12:14:07 -0700

This is a new and different version of the podcast under the same name. This was recorded at the annual L'Abri Conference in Rochester, MN, USA in Feb, 2020, hosted by Rochester L'Abri.

In this talk, Clarke examines the cultural revolution of the 2000s that led many young evangelicals to despise the lack of social justice from traditional churches and led them inadvertently to abandon traditional faith. He then looks at how Critical Theory works in shaping not only their faith but also society in general. Finally he turns to see how the whole church might pursue social justice in light of the whole biblical witness.

NOTE: This recording includes the Q&A afterwards.

Is God in the Dark? A Look at Lament Psalms (Clarke Scheibe)

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:47:59 -0700

During times of darkness, those "dark nights of the soul," we feel that God is not with us. We may even feel that it is the opposite of faith. That God is distant. Yet what we discover in Scripture is a rich resource to say that it is not the opposite of faith but an experience even of the faithful, and even of Jesus himself. What does it mean that God is with us, Immanuel, in the dark?

This was recorded on Good Friday, 2018.

NOTE: This recording includes the open discussion afterwards.

The Church, Culture, and Change (Brett Cane)

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 12:23:29 -0700

Is Christ for or against culture? One of the greatest mistakes the Church makes over and over again is to misunderstand the relationship between the Church and the wider world or culture. How do we hold together and relate the unchanging message to the changing world? We will look at major “paradigm” shifts in the Western World that have had profound implications for the life of the Church and how we view our mission and ministry. We will examine the resulting current situation of the Church and the challenges and opportunities to carry out our mission having been moved “to the margins.”

Desire, Part 2: How Will Our Longings Be Fulfilled? (Liz Snell)

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 23:33:52 -0700

In Desire, Part 1 we looked at how our desires can be reordered to bring us toward God. In Desire, Part 2 we'll discuss what kind of fulfillment we should expect for our desires, and what practices might help us live well with unmet longings.