Where did the Pharisees and Sadducees come from? Who is King Herod and how did he come to power? Few people understand why the landscape has changed so drastically as we turn the page from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Most people don't understand that 400 years have passed from the time of the book of Malachi to the announcements of the angel Gabriel to Zachariah and Mary. What happened in that 400 years? Why is it known as the 400 years of silence? In this special Advent episode, we answer all those questions and more!

FYI - I recorded this episode about 8 years ago when I first had aspirations of starting a podcast. It was one of five that I never released. So, my style and approach is a little...different. But I hope it's still a fun and educational listen

The Doctrines of Grains season 1 finale is one for the books with our first guest ever, Ben Garrett. Ben is a deacon at Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah, and co-hosts the Haunted Cosmos podcast with his friend and pastor, Brian Sauve. In season 1, we’ve talked a lot about feasting in many forms, and Ben jumped on to help us understand how to take that Biblical concept and apply it to almost every aspect of our life. And he brought some napalm-level truth bombs that you don’t want to miss!

We also finish this season with a review of Horton Vineyards’ Vintage Port, which is the only port made in Virginia that can truly be called a port! If you’re going to be feasting this holiday season, this is a bottle you’ll want to have at the table along with your friends and family.

Have any suggestions for season 2? Email us at doctrines0fgrains@gmail.com

Special thanks, as always, to Scythian for allowing us the usage of their music for our episodes.

Seth and Cole return for episode 7 of Doctrines of Grains! In this spiciest of spicy episodes, we review an American Pale Ale by Vibrissa Brewery - located in Seth's hometown! We also discuss whether or not Christians should be using wine for communion - and the connection that grape juice has to first-wave feminism. And finally, we get into Chapter 3 of Calvin's first book of the Institutes, which dives into the concept that all men are naturally born with this knowledge of God imprinted upon their very minds. It's a great discussion on a foundational principle of presuppositional apologetics! You won't want to miss a single second!

What does it mean for man to know God? What are the implications of knowing God? And is it possible to know God as the Creator, but deny him as Redeemer? We will encounter these glorious truths in greater detail as we continue our foray through John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. We'll also discuss the Bud Light Controversy - and the many tiny compromises it took us to get here. But we'll also review a GREAT beer in contrast: the James Bean porter from James River Brewery in Scottsville, Virginia. Don't miss it!

Seth and Cole are back! AND they're back in the Institutes of the Christian Religion! Have you ever read chapter 1 of Calvin's Institutes? It's a goodun! Join the Doctrines of Grains crew as they dive into the Apostle's Creed, Chapter 1 of the Institutes of the Christian Religion, and review Morning Glow, a delicious blonde ale from Swamp Head Brewery.

Have you ever considered how Christianity could influence every area of life? Did you ever think how that could effect the world through...BEER?? In this episode, Cole and Seth review Stephen Mansfield's The Search for God and Guinness, and they discuss the far-reaching implications of the theology that influenced Arthur Guinness - a mindset that changed the industry, the nation, and the world because of Christ Jesus.

What drives the heart of a Christian? What comfort or assurance can be given to high schoolers about to leave the safety of their hometown, and suddenly be immersed in the free-for-all of college life? Addressing the high school graduates and congregation of Compass Community Church, Pastor Seth Dean answers this question in light of the Apostle Peter's statements in the 3rd chapter of his first epistle. In order to stand firm in the face of violent trials and persecutions - even the jeering of fellow students for trusting in Christ - a Christian must honor Jesus Christ as Lord.

Many messages have been preached on this passage - many times the focus has been of an apologetic nature. And especially when we’re considering sending teenagers off to campuses of both Christian and secular colleges, men in the pulpit like to drive into them the idea of being ready to defend their faith. Now, there is nothing wrong with that. But in my experience, young men and women who have been told that this is the beginning of their independence and subsequently their adult lives, are often thinking less and less of defending the Christian faith and thinking more and more about what their future looks like. Now is a time when they are dreaming of what they will do for themselves. And this isn’t bad in and of itself. It is good to consider the future. It is good to think on the big questions and imagine the best outcomes: excelling in your field, finding the perfect job, finally finding that ever-longed-for spouse, and laying a good foundation for your future. There is nothing wrong with that at all, unless you are considering all of this in the idea of throwing off the faith of your fathers in pursuit of these material blessings. Or perhaps you aren’t considering abandoning it altogether, but are aware of your own frail weakness - and feel wholly unprepared to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ or in defense of Him lest you make a mockery of yourself or your faith. Or perhaps you are firm in your faith, trusting completely in the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross, but have trepidation about what to do if this situation should arise or that situation - what to do if your faith should lead you to be reviled by others. This message is for all of you. In fact, it is a message for the entire Church. It strikes not at man’s will to simply weather a storm. Rather, it calls to the man’s heart. For, as our Lord says,"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” “[Luk 6:45 NKJV]

So, this message is to all of us who call ourselves Christians, but who struggle with proclaiming the excellencies who called us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of His Marvelous Light.

Sermon preached at Compass Community Church on June 4, 2023. For more information on that church, please contact Pastor Lee Reems at lee@wercompass.org