The death of Pope Francis and subsequent election of Leo XIV has put the papal office at the forefront of cultural discourse. But how and when did Christians start to revere the bishop of Rome? Where did the Pope's authority and importance originate? And why did the Reformers strongly critique the papacy? In this episode, we discuss the development of the papacy in church history, the internal and external pushback against the Pope, and the importance of developing thoughtful, convictional Protestant sensibilities.

(0:00) Introductions: Why We’re Not Papists
(3:24) The Rise of the Pope in Church History
(11:07) Apologetic Arguments Against the Papacy
(24:47) Reading a Letter from Luther
(31:36) It's OK to Be a Convictional Protestant

For decades, Christianity has been in decline in the UK. The common wisdom held that secularization was inevitable, and that the US would follow the same pattern. But a brand-new study shows a surprising trend. Over the last 6 years in England and Wales, church attendance has risen 50%. The largest increases are among young people – especially young men. And they're not just showing up to church, they're also reading the Bible and practicing spiritual disciplines. In this episode, we dig into what the Holy Spirit is doing across the pond and what it portends for the future of the church.

(0:00) Introductions: Katrina’s Last Snacks
(1:48) The Quiet Revival in the UK
(6:47) The Kids are Alright
(11:57) The Stats Say: Invite Your Friends to Church!
(16:54) Investing in the Kingdom of God

Study: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival

Everyone is in need of change. But how do Christians actually participate in the work of change? In this archive episode from 2018, we survey Paul Tripp’s book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands to discuss the simple biblical pattern for helping people change: love, know, speak, do.