The Gospel Coalition

Jan 22, 2025 • 50 min

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses two depictions of God in the Bible: the God who inspires worship from his people and the God who is unfathomably wise, emphasizing the expression of these themes in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament.  Carson delves into key Psalms to highlight the contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, the importance of repentance, and the deep emotional and spiritual truths embedded in these texts. Carson also discusses the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, illustrating humanity’s search for wisdom and ultimately pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of wisdom and righteousness. He teaches the following: Two depictions of God in the Bible, and how these themes reflect literary genres in the Old Testament The linguistic meaning and historical significance of key phrases and metaphors in Psalm 1 How Job’s story reveals the limits of human understanding The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches that true wisdom is attained by fearing God The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament points to ultimate wisdom that is found in Jesus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 17, 2025 • 45 min

Jesus told his disciples it’d be to their advantage that he was going away because, if he didn’t, the Helper wouldn’t come to them. Then in Acts, we read about the Holy Spirit's descent on believers. So what advantage does the Holy Spirit bring? In this breakout session from TGCW24, Nancy Guthrie considers how our experience of the Holy Spirit today differs from that of Old Testament saints. She also unpacks the advantages of the Spirit's indwelling and what the Spirit-empowered life looks like. She discusses the following: The biblical imagery of wind and fire A survey of the Holy Spirit in the Bible Longing for guidance Longing for power Longing for more of Christ Longing for spiritual fruit Longing for glory Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 15, 2025 • 48 min

In this lecture, Don Carson examines the biblical concept of God as the reigning King. He contrasts modern perceptions of monarchy with ancient understandings, and he traces the evolution of Israel’s desire for a king. He explores God's promise to David of an enduring dynasty, the fulfillment of this promise through Solomon, and the covenant’s ultimate fulfillment in Jesus—the eternal King. Carson also highlights the ongoing tension of God's kingdom being "already here and not yet come," with Jesus as the victorious King who will ultimately defeat death itself. He teaches the following: The Israelites were called into covenant with God, making him their Ruler and King God’s promise to David was fulfilled in Solomon, but the dynasty faced challenges and corruption An overview of the Davidic kingdoms and their eventual schism Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant as the Messiah and the Son of David A biblical perspective on the continuous struggle despite the arrival of the promised King Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 10, 2025 • 34 min

In this special episode, Ligon Duncan sits down with Mark Vroegop, the new president of The Gospel Coalition, to discuss his journey of faith, pastoral ministry, and vision for TGC's future. Hear Mark's testimony, the personal trials that shaped him, and the passion driving his commitment to serve pastors, churches, and believers around the world. Mark shares his thoughts on: TGC’s role in supporting the local church Challenges and opportunities facing the church today The importance of cultural apologetics His vision for TGC’s next chapter How he hopes TGC will continue building on the gospel-centered legacy of Tim Keller and Don Carson Learn more about Mark at https://tgc.org/president Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 10, 2025 • 45 min

We’re currently living through the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history, with 40 million people having left houses of worship, mainly in the last 25 years. In this breakout session from TGCW24, Jim Davis and Michael Graham, authors of The Great Dechurching , unpack four types of people who’ve left evangelical churches, why they left, and why more than half of them are willing to return. They discuss the following: Why we need data on dechurching Key findings from The Great Dechurching ’s study The timeline and causes of dechurching Four profiles of dechurched individuals Myths and misconceptions about dechurching Practical steps for engaging the dechurched Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 8, 2025 • 53 min

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God’s role as both Creator and Legislator, challenging listeners to consider the Bible's laws and their relevance in today's society amidst objections to Christian morality. He explores the importance of boundaries in truth and freedom, drawing connections between God's laws, the Mosaic Covenant, and the story of the Israelites. Carson concludes by pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that fulfills the law and reconciles humanity to God. He teaches the following: All communities have boundaries, and no community can be completely inclusive Truth is inevitable and cannot be escaped, even in a post-modern context Why freedom must have discipline, and how this truth is biblically based The historical significance of each commandment in Exodus 20, and their relevance for Christians today How the Ten Commandments are related to God's self-disclosure in a redemptive act How the sacrificial system fits into the broader storyline of God’s relationship with his people Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 3, 2025 • 40 min

Joanna Kimbrel, Amy Gannett, Gretchen Saffles, and Trillia Newbell reflect on their practice of spiritual disciplines, offering encouragement and practical suggestions for various seasons of life. They discuss the value of community in cultivating accountability, the need to start small and build consistency, and the abundant grace for those who find themselves in seasons of struggle. They also address common misconceptions about spiritual disciplines, stressing the joy of receiving these practices as a means of grace. They discuss: Defining spiritual disciplines Practicing spiritual disciplines in different seasons Overcoming lies about spiritual disciplines Encouragement for different life seasons Recommended Resources Word before World: 100 Devotions to Put Jesus First by Gretchen Saffles 52 Weeks in the Word: A Companion for Reading through the Bible in a Year by Trillia Newbell Fix Your Eyes: How Our Study of God Shapes Our Worship of Him by Amy Gannett Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 1, 2025 • 37 min

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God's sovereignty and covenant promises as he unpacks Abraham's story in Genesis 12. Carson critiques common misconceptions about God's relationship with humanity, demonstrating how God's covenant with Abraham points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The lecture stresses the importance of understanding God's grace, as seen in Abraham's obedience and trust in God's promises.   He teaches the following: The three common misconceptions of God’s relationship with humanity Why God does not need humanity’s worship or obedience Why it's important to understand God’s sovereignty and grace God unconditionally fulfills his promises, even when humans fail The cultural significance of Abraham’s obedience to God The story of Abraham and Isaac is a prefiguration of God's ultimate act of grace in sending his Son to die for humanity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 27, 2024 • 1h 9m

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025.  They discuss:  The rise in Bible sales in 2024 Declining fertility rates worldwide Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South The advance of assisted suicide in the UK The Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatments Encouraging signs among Gen Z Trump’s election victory and a GOP shift Anticipating the 2025 Gospelbound season Book highlights from 2024 Personal projects and updates Don Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministry Mentioned on this episode: " My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024 " by Collin Hansen (article) Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 25, 2024 • 55 min

In this lecture, Don Carson examines Genesis 3, focusing on the Serpent's deceit and humanity's rebellion, which leads to shame, guilt, and broken fellowship with God. He discusses the curses placed on Satan, Adam, and Eve, highlighting the introduction of sin and the long-term effects on creation. Carson emphasizes the need for reconciliation with God, pointing to the promise of redemption through Jesus. He teaches the following: How Satan openly contradicted God’s Word in his temptation The immediate and long-term consequences of sin The foretelling of enmity between the Serpent's offspring and the woman's offspring points to future atonement Humanity’s ultimate problem is alienation from God due to our willful rebellion How the promise in Genesis 3 points to ultimate redemption through Jesus Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 20, 2024 • 56 min

John Piper delves into the Gospel of Luke, showing how the first chapters highlight God's central role in the birth of Jesus. He explores the significance of faith, humility, and obedience, drawing insights from biblical characters like Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. He teaches:  The purpose and structure of Luke's gospel The importance of confidence in faith Parallelism in the first two chapters of Luke The centrality of God in Luke's gospel Jesus's unique nature The assurance of salvation through Jesus The way of faith and humility The joy of the Holy Spirit The call to receive the Holy Spirit The final encouragement to know and experience the gospel Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 18, 2024 • 59 min

In this lecture, Don Carson introduces a new series, “The God Who Is There.” He explores the creation account in Genesis, highlighting key attributes of God and humanity. Carson also emphasizes the importance of Genesis 1–2 for understanding the fall in Genesis 3, the concept of a new creation through Jesus, and the foundational differences between the biblical worldview and other religious or philosophical systems. He teaches the following: Why it’s important to understand the Bible’s organization and structure How God reveals himself supremely through his Word The significance of the creation narrative How creation’s intelligent, complex design points to a Designer The attributes of God as revealed in Genesis 1–2 How humanity bears God's image How the context of Genesis 1–2 helps us understand the fall in Genesis 3 The connections between human responsibility and God’s Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 13, 2024 • 47 min

In this episode of TGC Podcast , Kendra Dahl, Andrew Wilson, and Glen Scrivener explore the incarnation's richness and the unique opportunities for evangelism during Christmas. They discuss the following: Cultural challenges and the transition from Advent to Christmas The richness of the incarnation Challenges of preaching the incarnation Learning from the United Kingdom's evangelism at Christmas Christmas as a paradigm for year-round evangelism Recommended resources: Andrew Wilson, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas (book) Glen Scrivener, The Gift (book) Glen Scrivener, “ Glory to God in the Lowest ” (article) SpeakLife “ There’s a Dragon in My Nativity ” (video) Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 3m

In this lecture, Don Carson teaches mainly from Ezekiel 16, which describes Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery and compares the city to an ungrateful prostitute who turns to infidelity. Carson also points to Israel’s rebellion in forming a political alliance with Egypt. He explains that, despite the severe punishment described, God promised eventual restoration through an everlasting covenant when Jerusalem would repent and experience God's faithfulness. He teaches the following: Why Israel is compared to a “useless vine” and how it connects to the Bible’s larger metanarrative Absolutizing any one form of God’s love results in absurd theology How political alliances contributed to Israel’s downfall God remembered Jerusalem and established an everlasting covenant with her The new covenant would bring atonement for Jerusalem’s sin How the metaphor of marriage and apostasy is used to illustrate the severity of Israel's rebellion The importance of fidelity and the consequences of betrayal in both human and divine relationships The imagery of marriage and atonement conveys God’s enduring love for his people Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 6, 2024 • 1h 5m

Isn't it fascinating how melody, harmony, and even chord progressions in music can stir our hearts to worship God and remind us of the beauty of his character? In this episode of TGC Podcast , Brett McCracken talks with musicians Caroline Cobb, Cody Curtis, and Eric Owyoung about the unique power of Advent and Christmas music. They explore how music captures the longing, joy, and tension of the season—reflecting the celebration of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of his return. The artists share insights on creating music for these themes, highlighting how Advent and Christmas music can deepen our worship and reflection. Mentioned on this episode: Unto Us: 25 Advent Devotions About the Messiah , Advent devotional by TGC “ The Weary World Rejoices: A TGC Advent Concert ” “Advent Longing / Christmas Joy” by Brett McCracken: article and Spotify playlist Caroline Cobb: Advent for Exiles: 25 Devotions to Awaken Gospel Hope in Every Longing Heart by Caroline Cobb A Seed, A Sunrise album by Caroline Cobb Cody Curtis: Advent Songs and Christmas Songs albums by Psallos Future of Forestry: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” “The Advent Song” “The Earth Stood Still” “What Beauty” Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 13m

In this lecture, Don Carson contrasts false prophets, who lead others astray, with genuine prophets who speak truth grounded in God's revelation and call people to repentance. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in times of cultural decay and highlights the vitality of remaining faithfully rooted in the Scripture and committed to moral uprightness despite the pressures of a confused world. He teaches the following: Genuine prophets speak from God, while false prophets speak from imagination False prophets will face divine judgment for their deception Genuine prophets call people to repentance and biblical knowledge What’s spoken by genuine prophets aligns with revealed redemptive history God’s sovereignty embraces both good and evil False prophets are accepted by many, while genuine prophets are accepted by few Faithfulness and discernment are necessary in a world that promotes moral relativism Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 29, 2024 • 48 min

In his TGCW24 message, David Platt teaches Jesus’s final “I am” statement from John 15:1–11, which Jesus spoke to his disciples on the night he was betrayed. Jesus calls all believers to abide in him like a branch remains in its vine, drawing everything we need from him. We don’t rely on our obedience to save or sanctify us; we rely on the finished work of Jesus, depending fully on him. Because apart from him, we can do nothing. He is the true vine. Platt teaches the following: Childlike boldness and the will of God The metaphor of the vine Jesus as the true vine Experiencing abundant life in Jesus The role of prayer and meditation The battle for belief and trust Bearing fruit for the world Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 27, 2024 • 58 min

In this lecture, Don Carson focuses on Ezekiel's vision of God's glory and the departure of the divine presence from the temple in Ezekiel 10–11. He explores the prophetic denunciation of Israel’s leaders, the promise of a new covenant, and the spiritual transformation of the people. Carson highlights the ultimate fulfillment of God’s purposes as seen in Revelation, where his people dwell with him in the new heaven and earth. He teaches the following: How the departure of God’s glory is a mark of judgment God's promise to gather the exiles and give them an undivided heart The new covenant's removal of the need for mediating teachers How John’s vision in Revelation 5 reflects the fulfillment of God’s promises to Ezekiel God is always in control, and his way will triumph The final consummation of God’s promises is seen in the new heaven and earth Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 22, 2024 • 38 min

In her TGCW24 message, Ruth Chou Simons unpacks Jesus’s statement “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” from John 14:1–14. When we believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we find comfort and hope, knowing that nothing in the world can shake this truth. Jesus’s claim is exclusive, and many will find it offensive. But the truth that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus is the greatest comfort for troubled hearts. Christ, the perfect offering, is the only One who could make a way to God for us. Simons teaches the following: Struggles with striving and seeking clear paths Jesus's response to the disciples' troubled hearts Believing in Jesus and his promises Hoping in Christ and our eternal home Looking to Jesus as the way, truth, and life Choosing Jesus and following his path Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 20, 2024 • 1h 4m

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses Ezekiel’s visions from God in Ezekiel 8–9, which convey Jerusalem’s widespread idolatry and sinfulness. He contrasts the corruptibility of false worship with the necessity of true worship, and he connects the importance of authentic worship to historical awakenings. Carson underscores that without a clear moral vision, society risks decay. He teaches the following: Ezekiel's denunciation of corrupt worship that relativized God How corrupt worship dulls moral vision and invites divine judgment The Western world's interest in worship and search for spirituality The idol of jealousy in Ezekiel’s vision as an example of syncretism God’s judgment of participants of corrupt worship and his mercy on those who grieve over their sin How Ezekiel’s vision shows the moral impetus behind the Great Awakening Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.