It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! Cole and Terry discuss their favorite books from 2025 and a few for next year as well.  Let us know your favorites from this year!   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Best Books of 2025 03:02 Reflections on Reading Habits 05:56 Exploring Hasidic Judaism 08:46 Navigating Technology in Parenting 12:06 Christian Perspectives on Parenting 15:06 Art, Beauty, and Christianity 18:01 Insights from Tim Keller 20:51 The Role of Rituals in Life 23:51 Churchill and World War II 27:00 British Politics and John Major 29:53 The Influence of Christianity on Western Values 32:48 The Golden Thread of Western Civilization 36:06 Fiction and Science Fiction Recommendations

The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy. Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem. 

Why is it so hard to navigate disagreements with other Christians? In his new book, When Christians Disagree: Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter, Dr. Tim Cooper uses the historical differences between two giants of the faith, John Owen and Richard Baxter, as a lens for seeing our disagreements today. Through their story, Christians can better work through our differences for kingdom impact. 

In the early 60s AD, leadership changes and warring factions produced the rumblings of war. Jewish rebels closed the temple to foreigners, and the Romans extracted taxes from the temple treasury. The leaders who emerged would play decisive roles in the events to follow. Was this the point of no return? 

After the time of Jesus, the Jews revolted against the Romans. This series of wars and rebellions led to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. This monumental event has shaped the New Testament, the church, and the Jewish people to this day. How did it happen? In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Jews in the time of Jesus, the political and religious factions, the rulers in Jerusalem and in Rome, and set the stage for the war to come. 

"A century ago, the most potent moral figure was Jesus Christ. Now it is Adolf Hitler." This bold statement from Dr. Alec Ryrie frames an exchange that has been made in our society. We know what we're against; what are we for?  In this episode, Cole speaks with Alec Ryrie about the moral landscape of the world today, the implications of what he calls the "age of Hitler," and how the church can respond.  Get a copy of Dr. Ryrie's excellent book, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It. 

Near the Western Wall, archaeologists found a small clay tablet from the King of Assyria demanding that the Kingdom of Judah pay tribute. It's the first time an Assyrian inscription has been found in Jerusalem, and it falls perfectly in place during the story of Hezekiah, who defied Assyria and stopped paying tribute in the late 8th century. Cole and Terry discuss this new discovery and other evidence that supports the veracity of Scripture. 

Three weeks ago, the Trump administration announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a peace plan in Gaza. Now, it looks as though it might fall apart. Cole and Terry discuss the peace plan, summarize the major moves over the last year, and look to the future. 

Job is the longest sustained meditation on suffering in the Bible. Job, the righteous man, suffers horrendously, is accused of wrongdoing, but is vindicated in the end. It's not difficult to see a picture of Christ in this book. But the parallels go ever deeper. In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss ways to see Jesus in the book of Job. 

Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God by name, but God is moving behind the scenes. Through the story and the characters, we see glimpses of God's plan to save the world and defeat the enemy through his son, Jesus.

With a couple of weeks to process, Erika Kirk's message at the memorial service for her husband still resonates. This will be the note that echoes into the future, and it's one Christians should pay attention to. Our superpower is not conquering, but forgiving. God will continue to work through what happened to Charlie Kirk, and our witness to the world will be through our love, grace, and forgiveness.    "The Glory of Forgiveness: The Superpower of the Gospel"

Nehemiah is one of the great leaders in the Bible, but there's more to him than that. The book of Nehemiah lets us into his heart and his inner thoughts. It shows a leader surrendered to God and obedient to his mission. In these moments, we see Nehemiah as a preview of Christ. At the end of the book, the people are settled in the land, waiting for the Messiah to come. 

Ezra and Nehemiah were some of the final leaders in the Old Testament. They brought people back to Jerusalem, but also brought them back to God through the renewal of the covenant. As a scribe and teacher, Ezra models the ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. As he led the people, the backdrop for the first century began to take shape. 

The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the country, and conservative Christians have mourned his death with services and prayer vigils. Even as we mourn, we can be wise in the way we process and respond. As Christians, we shouldn't be surprised when we see evil, but we should also look for God to build his kingdom.  Read Cole's two-part essay: "Mourning in America: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk" "Morning in America: The Legacy of Charlie Kirk" 

The age of the kings provides us with a glimpse of God's plan for Israel. David and Solomon show us the majesty to expect in the Messiah, but they also display the repetitive, sinful nature of humanity, even the great kings of Israel. In the midst of it all, the prophets continue to bring the Word of God to bear on the people, pointing ahead to what God will do to save his people from their sins. 

The book of Chronicles reflects on the history of Israel with a look ahead to the end of the exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. The authors focus on worship and service in the Temple, previewing the time of Jesus. In addition, we see a glimpse of Jesus's eternal reign in the reign of Solomon. As the history of Israel seems to come to an end, God has other plans to fulfill his promises and continue his faithfulness to his people. 

Are 1-2 Chronicles just a repeat of 1-2 Kings? The differences between the two accounts of Israel's history also show us something about Jesus Christ. Terry and Cole discuss the role 1 Chronicles plays in helping us to see Jesus as the true and greater temple and as the one his people worship. 

Even in the downfall of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, we can see a preview of the coming of Christ. Following in the tradition of the prophets and fulfilling the glory of the temple, Jesus embodies the best of the history of Israel. In the end, God keeps his promise to David that one of his sons will reign on the throne through an improbable twist. A king of Judah dines at the king's table in Babylon.

As the David story comes into focus, so do the parallels with Jesus. David provides the template for Israel's coming king and messiah. As one of the greatest figures in the Bible, David is a model for Jesus, but even he cannot measure up to all that Jesus will be. 

Education is already undergoing a radical change. Can it survive AI? Cole and Terry discuss the implications of widespread AI use among HS and college students and suggest that maybe the future holds a return to the past.  Read Cole's essay from the Weekly Speak, "Education in the Age of AI."