How did the Catholic Church respond when Luther's hammer struck the church door? In this Christmas Day finale, Dr. Alan Strange and Jared Luttjeboer explore the other side of the Reformation story: Rome's counter-offensive. From the rise of the Jesuits as the Pope's "shock troops" to the monumental Council of Trent that would define Catholic theology for years to come, you'll learn how the Catholic Church navigated one of its greatest crises. Was it genuine reform or strategic resistance? The answer might surprise you. This episode also traces the surprising connections between 16th-century debates and the Catholic Church of today, and reveals why these centuries-old decisions continue to have relevance in modern Christianity.
Venture north of England to the Reformation in Scotland, which created something truly distinctive—a Presbyterian church that would reshape the English-speaking world. Dr. Alan Strange guides us through the smuggling of Lutheran tracts in cargo shipments, the martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton, and the extraordinary life of John Knox, the fiery preacher who once dared to tell a French ambassador to call his king a murderer to his face. Learn how Knox's time as a galley slave, his years in Geneva with Calvin, and his commitment to justification by faith alone contributed to the formation of a movement that produced groundbreaking documents like the Scottish Confession and the Books of Discipline.
Why did England's Reformation begin with a king's divorce rather than a theologian's protest? In this episode of MARSCAST, Dr. Alan Strange guides us through the fascinating and tumultuous story of how England broke from Rome, not primarily for doctrinal reasons, but through political upheaval. From Henry VIII's quest for a male heir to the brief but transformative reign of the boy king Edward VI, from the brutal persecutions under "Bloody Mary" to Elizabeth's controversial middle way, the English Reformation took a path unlike anything seen on the Continent. Along the way, we'll learn how these religious and political shifts gave rise to the Puritan movement and ultimately shaped the various groups that would later settle in America.
What happened after Luther's 95 Theses? In this episode, we trace the explosive spread of Protestantism across Europe—from the Lutheran state churches of Germany and Scandinavia to the persecuted Reformed communities of France. Dr. Alan Strange guides us through the wars of religion, the Formula of Concord, and the complex church-state entanglements that shaped the legacy of the Reformation. Discover how the Reformed tradition adapted to kingdoms, city republics, and hostile territories alike, and learn about the tragic St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre that nearly destroyed French Protestantism. This is the story of how a theological movement became a continental transformation—complete with political intrigue, bloodshed, and the struggle to establish Protestant churches across a resistant Europe.
What if the largest category of prayers in the Bible is one we've almost forgotten how to pray? In this conclusion to the series on walking with God through pain and suffering, launching on Thanksgiving morning of 2025, Rev. Paul Ipema challenges modern Christians to rediscover the ancient practice of lament, and to recognize that it's not faithlessness, but honest faith crying out to God. From prisoners serving life sentences who've found supernatural joy, to elderly saints confined to wheelchairs who ministered more than they received, this conversation reveals how believers can face suffering without losing hope. On a day often marked by gratitude for blessings, this episode helps us see that thanksgiving and lament aren't opposites, but two sides of the same faithful coin. We pray that you discover, through listening, why looking at life "from the end of your nose" leaves you seeing only dots, and how the perspective of eternity reveals the beautiful picture God is painting through our pain.
When suffering strikes, where is God? In this conversation, Rev. Paul Ipema and Jared Luttjeboer explore one of faith's most pressing questions: how a sovereign God can be both in control and deeply compassionate in the midst of our pain. Moving beyond easy answers, they examine how the doctrine of the Fall reframes our expectations, why the cross reveals God's character in suffering, and how pastors can minister to those in pain without pretending to have all the answers. Drawing on Tim Keller's insights, this episode offers a pastoral perspective on holding together divine sovereignty and human responsibility, especially when life doesn't make sense. Whether you're walking through hardship yourself or seeking to support others in their struggles, this discussion provides biblical wisdom for navigating suffering with honesty and trust in God's redemptive purposes.
Why does suffering feel so unbearable in our modern world? In this first installment of a three-part series, Rev. Paul Ipema joins host Jared Luttjeboer to explore how Western culture has left us uniquely unprepared for life's hardships. Drawing on Tim Keller's "Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering," they examine the stark contrast between past generations, who viewed hardship as inevitable, and today's expectation of constant comfort and success. The conversation shifts from cultural analysis to an examination of Martin Luther's "theology of the cross," revealing why grace—not performance—must anchor us when life falls apart.
In this final episode of our “Doctrines of Grace” series, host Jared Luttjeboer and Dr. J. Mark Beach turn to one of the most tender truths in the Christian life—the perseverance and assurance of the saints. Many believers quietly ask, Can I lose my salvation? or, What if I’ve fallen too far? With warmth and biblical clarity, Dr. Beach reminds us that perseverance is not about our grip on God, but His steadfast hold on us. Whether you’re walking through doubt, wrestling with sin, or simply longing for renewed confidence in Christ’s promise, this conversation brings us back to the truth that the God who began a good work in you will surely bring it to completion.
When someone comes to faith, what’s really happening beneath the surface? Is belief simply a human choice, or the result of God’s sovereign work in the heart? In this episode of MARSCAST, Dr. J. Mark Beach joins Jared Luttjeboer once again to explore the doctrine of irresistible grace, or effectual calling: the Spirit’s life-giving summons that makes faith possible. Together, they unpack how God’s call differs from a mere invitation, how regeneration relates to faith, and how this truth brings hope for struggling believers, wandering children, and weary parents. A conversation that is both deeply theological and pastoral, this episode invites you to rest in the God who calls and overwhelms our resistance with grace.
In this episode of MARSCAST, host Jared Luttjeboer sits down with Dr. J. Mark Beach to take a closer look at one of the most discussed questions in Christian theology: For whom did Christ die? Together, they unpack what Scripture says about the extent and intent of Christ’s atonement, why it matters, how it shapes the way we share the gospel, and how it brings real comfort to believers who wrestle with doubt. Tune in now to hear this honest, down-to-earth conversation about the grace of God and the assurance we find in Christ’s finished work.
In this final installment of our three-part series, Dr. Marcus Mininger joins MARSCAST to explore how the warnings in Hebrews—though rooted in a unique historical moment—still speak powerfully to believers today. What does it mean to persevere in faith without falling into fear or despair? How can pastors preach the hard passages of Hebrews with both honesty and hope? Dr. Mininger offers deep biblical insight and pastoral wisdom, and shows us that the heart of Hebrews is not paralysis before judgment, but confidence in the sufficiency of Christ.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Dr. Mininger's book, you can find it at the MARS online book store here.
Hebrews has long been called “the riddle of the New Testament.” In this episode of MARSCAST, Dr. Marcus Mininger returns with host Jared Luttjeboer to unpack why this mysterious book has both captivated and confused interpreters. Together they explore the famous warning passages, especially Hebrews 6, and ask what it really means that it’s “impossible to restore to repentance those who have fallen away.” Is the author teaching that some sins are beyond forgiveness? Or have we simply misunderstood his covenantal logic? Dr. Mininger offers a compelling framework for reading Hebrews on its own terms, revealing how its warnings flow from the story of redemption itself. If you’ve ever wrestled with the book of Hebrews, this conversation will challenge and clarify your understanding of its message.
In this opening episode of a three-part series, host Jared Luttjeboer sits down with Dr. Marcus Mininger, New Testament professor at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, to explore the story behind his new book Impossible to be Restored? in the landmark New Studies in Biblical Theology series. Before delving into the rich and sometimes perplexing theology of Hebrews, this conversation takes a step back to explore the personal journey that led Dr. Mininger to one of Scripture’s most challenging texts. From classroom beginnings to years of writing and reflection, he shares how wrestling with the book of Hebrews has shaped his scholarship and his life as a teacher, husband, and father. This conversation serves as an introduction that sets the stage for a deeper exploration of why Hebrews continues to captivate—and unsettle—Christians today.
In this episode of MARSCAST, we feature Rev. Paul Murphy’s plenary address from the 2024 Center for Missions and Evangelism Conference. Speaking on what R. B. Kuiper once called “the forgotten office of the believer,” Murphy addresses how Christ not only rescues us in our brokenness but also calls every Christian into the mission of witness. Drawing on John’s account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, he shows how the gospel quenches parched lives and equips ordinary believers to embody grace in a cancel culture of unforgiveness.
This episode features a message from our 2023 Center for Missions and Evangelism Conference, part of a special series leading up to the 2025 CME Conference on October 3–4. Dr. Marcus Mininger challenges us to see Paul’s letter to the Romans not only as a masterpiece of theology but also as a missionary manifesto. Written to prepare the Roman church to become a sending base for Paul’s mission to Spain, Romans calls us to recognize that deep theology and faithful mission are not rivals but partners. As you listen, you’ll be reminded why the health of the church and the spread of the gospel depend on holding both together.
Mark your calendar for October 3–4, 2025, and join us at the CME Conference as we continue to equip the church for the task of gospel proclamation. Learn more and register at https://www.midamerica.edu/cme/conference
This episode features a message from our 2022 Center for Missions and Evangelism Conference, where Dr. J. Mark Beach explores what it means to love both “likely” and “unlikely” neighbors. Drawing from John 3 and 4, he contrasts those who seem most like us (the “likely neighbors”) with those on the margins (the “unlikely neighbors”). Through the example of Jesus, who ministers to both with gentleness and compassion, we are reminded that the church today is called to embody the same heart of the Shepherd: one that welcomes, embraces, and seeks out all who are lost.
To register for our 2025 CME Conference, visit https://www.midamerica.edu/cme/conference
In this episode of MARSCAST, Dr. Andrew Compton joins Jared Luttjeboer to explore the deep ache of homesickness. We tend to think of homesickness as a fleeting emotion, but our hosts go deeper. For Christians, could it be something more, perhaps a deep spiritual longing?
Building on earlier conversations about the biblical story of home, they consider what it means to live faithfully in the tension of the “already and not yet.” Together, they reflect on how homesickness can shape us, challenge us, and ultimately draw us closer to Christ, who Himself knew what it meant to be without a home. With pastoral wisdom and practical insights, this conversation encourages us to see our longings not as weakness, but as reminders of the true home God has prepared for us.
How have you dealt with homesickness?
In this second installment of our series on a biblical theology of home, Dr. Andrew Compton joins Jared Luttjeboer to trace how the prophets and the New Testament deepen and fulfill the story of God’s dwelling with His people. From Ezekiel’s visions to Christ as the true temple, Scripture unfolds a beautiful story of how God Himself makes His home with us in Christ, and by His Spirit builds us together into His dwelling place. This conversation also reflects on the “already and not yet” of our life in Christ, and points us toward the ultimate homecoming promised in the new creation.
In this opening episode of a three-part series, Dr. Andrew Compton joins Director of Marketing, Jared Luttjeboer, to explore the deep biblical theme of home. From Eden to exile, from the Tabernacle to the temple, Scripture tells a sweeping story of God’s dwelling with His people, a story that speaks directly to our own longings for belonging and stability. In a world often marked by uncertainty and upheaval, this conversation will invite you to reflect on how God’s presence shapes what it truly means to be at home.
What do you really know about the reformer of Geneva? In this conclusion to our series on the reformers, Dr. Alan Strange returns to explore the remarkable legacy of John Calvin.
In this episode, we learn how Calvin’s reluctant return to Geneva after three years in Strasbourg shaped not only his theology but the very foundations of Reformed Christianity. Dr. Strange unveils Calvin’s greatest contribution to the church - his understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work - and explains why B.B. Warfield called him “the theologian of the Holy Spirit.”
From his struggles with opposition in Geneva to his influence on everything from our understanding of the eucharist to the formation of Western civilization, this episode reveals how one man’s theological insights continue to endure today.