THE CHARGE with Dennis Metzler

The Church as God's Mission: Witness/Converting Worlds with Dr. Amos Yong

Dr. Amos Yong discusses Acts as foundational in forming the church's understanding of witness and mission as well as the sending and activity of the Spirit in relation to the nature and life of the church. He talks about conversion as a two-way street and also considers hospitality and shared life as integral to the mission of the church. We also cover the Spirit's work in regard to other nations and end by comparing Yong's work with Kärkkäinen's.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Amos Yong is Professor of Theology and Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of many books including "Witness: Converting Worlds" (Wipf & Stock, 2026) Check it out at:
https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Converting-Worlds-Spirituality-World/dp/B0GJGJVFTD/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CE0ScuRAi0JxgiFi9Tc6xeQRLciFk7U3soyM3EL5gEo49pNUOrew6uOqWzsqhrYj2bCQq_8iPlUgmUI7WR9tnAqDoSp8COoLfpUXHFlf5e3hnlGSABiOHfxShMjwndkB5jdyx0bwzPKw3sCUo2WLgblGRdOPCmeep-tiyAgZnvADxMbxe8_k7foZOv1wpfnUXT41pQ4k0MwD_TTeJhoXjQ.euaVNu8uWr82cRR42KGNufl4rszWGMayumxBiF-tASI&qid=1777668949&sr=1-1
 

The Theology and Glory of the Ascension with Dr. Ross Hastings

Dr. Ross Hastings leads us through the Ascension of Christ, covering the biblical data, what happened to the body of Jesus, the relationship of the ascended Christ to God, its theological significance, its relationship to salvation and atonement, the nature of humanity, its relevance for the church, the intercession of Christ, Jesus as prophet, priest, and king, and its connection to the Second Coming.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or shoot me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com I apologize for my poor audio quality. I used the best software (Waves X-Click) to remove the clicks and pops but it is still bad.
Dr. Ross Hastings is Professor of Theology at Regent College and the author of many books. Check out Dr. Hastings' book, "The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church":
https://www.amazon.com/Glory-Ascension-Celebrating-Doctrine-Church/dp/1514010615/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
 

The Radical Culture of the Early Church: "Strange Religion" with Dr. Nijay Gupta

Dr. Gupta looks at Greco-Roman culture, how the Romans saw Christianity, power in weakness, worship, sacrifice, priesthood, Spirit-led ethics, eschatology and ethics, orientation towards time, and more. The book also covers the radical hospitality of the Christian household, personal sanctification and holiness, the contrast with Roman values of masculinity, and the move towards equality.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out "Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling" at
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Religion-Christians-Dangerous-Compelling-ebook/dp/B0C9RWB2T6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NDGN12072MP0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.axiQZMyHKfEg0oqWfH6XY_79HXTuf611uvhg4TAkjEY.cQf2zVp4vnlETUJgRdFo4OSoQdKvrT1kCgKpyq2rvSs&dib_tag=se&keywords=nijay+gupta+strange+religion&qid=1769628196&sprefix=Nijay+Gupta+Stra%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1
 

2 Corinthians: Diving in the Deep End with Dr. George Guthrie (Baker Exegetical Commentary)

Dr. George Guthrie and I take a look at 2 Corinthians including, background, the city of Corinth, structure, unity, purpose and the triumphal parade. The discussion continues with the contrast of old and new covenants, suffering as Paul's apostolic credential, his theology of power in weakness, the thorn in the flesh, the ministry of reconciliation, and Paul's boasting.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Checkout Dr. Guthrie's 2 Baker Exegetical Commentary:
https://www.amazon.com/Corinthians-Baker-Exegetical-Commentary-Testament/dp/0801026733/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PFSKSC0GPNRN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5RZID4-h8Vpnpo8MlZXLTWbm8EAU9mlTAaanZWKI7and1461fDS-NudtLIQ2_esOS5L6vL-KwAGTysUqi113Ex9AOAXotRD-Az1hMo8S2FQ.28t59FAvfliQXQenAVWCUtOD3I3z17pxWMIgtcrjzbs&dib_tag=se&keywords=2+corinthians+Baker+Exegetical+Commentary&qid=1765822341&s=books&sprefix=2+corinthians+baker+exegetical+commentary%2Cstripbooks%2C126&sr=1-1
 

Did the Resurrection of Jesus Really Happen? Evidence for the Resurrection with Dr. Gary Habermas

Dr. Gary Habermas--likely the most qualified expert on the resurrection of Christ--takes us through related topics including the difference between Christ's natural body and his resurrection body, minimal historical facts including Jesus' death on the cross, the disciples experiences, the earliest proclamation of the gospel, the disciples' transformation, and the conversions of James and Paul. We also discuss known facts including the empty tomb and the despair of the disciples. Habermas then covers scholarly views on the historicity of the resurrection, the hallucination theory, veridical NDEs, and mythicists.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com.
Check out Dr. Habermas' books: On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences
https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-1-Evidences/dp/1087778603/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-1
On the Resurrection, Volume 2: Refutations
https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-2-Refutations-Gary-Habermas/dp/108777862X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-3
On the Resurrection, Volume 3: Scholarly Perspectives
https://www.amazon.com/Scholarly-Perspectives-3-Resurrection/dp/1087778646/ref=sr_1_2?crid=21M42PAFALS6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rMg-_EMBqiyokLezjshULXiT4UdA6nnhWQmTRVlV3JbDEtEvVOxxkZgA7UO7RZwqayQaV7FASj6cyza6BF1SMqDZ6qCcwE2KcGtTy9ElOfNml1UMFh03g7H0Nqy2B7Ym_rVrlU1c23O25ACN2fu3TQWkIYd3bVX7C3_hk4zB06DUALIyuIWFz1RfjAyiDjz5J7ykucZCcbl2Nxg9Qj607sNyhBoE9CMSYHWlJNsCa9I.OZz79H6pmq2SqZpE6adii_1qgtuo55530dLv8ijoxuA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Gary+Habermas&qid=1762099656&s=books&sprefix=gary+habermas%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-2
Check out Rivas, Dirven, and Smit's book on veridical NDEs: The Self Does Not Die: Verified Paranormal Phenomena from Near-Death Experiences
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Does-Not-Die-Experiences/dp/B0CGKK5KFD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IGJLHYAU6W2L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9N4k8c7n2pJvDjyMid6MTA.kGAh1dAUogDWaHH5PGF3suU9QflbLl97ClApxqfCDqc&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Self+Does+Not+Die%3A+Verified+Paranormal+Phenomena+from+Near-Death+Experiences&qid=1762190744&s=books&sprefix=the+self+does+not+die+verified+paranormal+phenomena+from+near-death+experiences%2Cstripbooks%2C157&sr=1-1
 

Doing Church the Vineyard Way with Alexander Venter

Alexander Venter of South Africa discusses his vision for the church, connected deeply to the Vineyard movement. He tells his story of apartheid era interracial intentional community along with his philosophy of ministry, the purpose of the church, the values of the church, and the priorities of the church. Venter then addresses the practices of the church and finishes ups with the issue of commitment to the congregation.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Alexander Venter's book Doing Church: "Building from the Bottom Up"
https://alexanderventer.com/product/book-doing-church/
 

The 10 Commandments and Ethical Principles: "Doing Right" with Dr. David W. Gill

Dr. David W. Gill discusses four cover principles: love for God, love for others, freedom, and justice. He covers area principles for each of the ten commandments, showing how they are relevant well beyond their specific wording.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out David Gill's website for more info on him and his work: davidwgill.org Check out his book "Doing Right: Practicing Ethical Principles"
https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Right-Practicing-Ethical-Principles/dp/1666747270/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ON53BNV8O7UG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A4vhJfFGQG6qkW7Wa-c6YA.HJEtc3xrrLxiz9TVqnwNiTbOrNkU0zNh-fGFJnjsoc0&dib_tag=se&keywords=David+W+Gill+doing+right&qid=1755986194&s=books&sprefix=david+w+gill+doing+right%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-1
 

A Wisdom Theology of Culture: Facts on the Ground with Dr. Bill Dyrness

Bill Dyrness tackles the topics of cultural wisdom, creation theology, general revelation, artistic expression, ethical practice, and especially nonviolence. We also consider divine sovereignty and action, Ancient Near East parallels, wisdom in the OT, NT, and early church, Greek philosophy, and Charles Taylor's fullness, reform, and benevolence.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. William Dyrness is Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Check out his book "The Facts on the Ground: A Wisdom Theology of Culture"
https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Ground-William-Dyrness/dp/172529964X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10VUAOY5QCYOG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZzpXsqcBdPHq8olybYi8tqW9J69Kf5hqpJLcWreQRSI.2lWJ_4wgi4KGCkKWOJaGlNzFkFzkEZfQwAJvP4PDD9A&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+facts+on+the+Ground+Dyrness&qid=1753403386&s=books&sprefix=the+facts+on+the+ground+dyrness%2Cstripbooks%2C144&sr=1-1
 

The Theology of Kierkegaard with Dr. Simon Podmore: The Self Before God and Struggling with God

Simon Podmore discusses Kierkegaard's personal background, his relationships with his father, Regine, and the church, his thought on the individual before God, God's attitude towards humanity, Hegel's theology, truth as subjectivity, and nationalism. Podmore also considers Kierkegaard's understanding of Christology, the Incarnation, despair, sin, faith, reason, ecclesiology, spiritual struggle, God as totally other, and the fluence of Kierkegaard on Barth.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Dr. Podmore's books: Kierkegaard and the Self Before God: Anatomy of the Abyss
https://www.amazon.com/Kierkegaard-Self-before-God-Philosophy/dp/0253222826/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3813X701LQEXC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IiiVI2eXmXh02LmsoFNa-g.BLFRUrE-IniPBe1x1l3SUGwglGVqj7ct6aREzwbHNhM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Kierkegaard+and+the+Self+Before+God%3A+Anatomy+of+the+Abyss&qid=1750303452&s=books&sprefix=kierkegaard+and+the+self+before+god+anatomy+of+the+abyss%2Cstripbooks%2C162&sr=1-1
Struggling with God: Kierkegaard and the Temptation of Spiritual Trial
https://www.amazon.com/Struggling-God-Kierkegaard-Temptation-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B0DYZVRRK2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=67BQIW8H6Z49&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8VDHmILJIPCCHj0e7oHMRw.B8F0PtATqsXc6HeImSu6nj02cTzmh-4RCfnpfmE8hkA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Struggling+with+God%3A+Kierkegaard+and+the+Temptation+of+Spiritual+Trial&qid=1750303500&s=books&sprefix=struggling+with+god+kierkegaard+and+the+temptation+of+spiritual+trial%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1
 

Did God Command Genocide? Old Testament Violence & "The Crucifixion of the Warrior God" with Greg Boyd

Dr. Gregory Boyd offers his original interpretation of passages in the Old Testament attributing violence to Yahweh. We cover the centrality of Christ and the cross, different approaches to OT violence, literary crucifixes, divine accommodation, the masks of God, Scripture as God-breathed, the face-value interpretation vs. deeper meaning, the cleansing of the temple, 'buy a sword', and cruciformity.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Greg Boyd is Senior Pastor at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota and the author of many books including The Crucifixion of the Warrior God: Interpreting the Old Testament's Violent Portraits of God in Light of the Cross
https://www.amazon.com/Crucifixion-Warrior-God-Volumes/dp/1506420753/ref=sr_1_1?crid=315FWNITGJTJU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O5lW2yFsYE45RfD3N_C1cTNVlFpKxJtTr38JnFDlrUOOQ2XG7uh5UcCm-fetAtvXp90K5ha4nhbZ__y88bypKjQItAX3lMyBpPJLs0BopGKr0zccr4Rv4vyRZu2ZL-A0B202vR4u8WeD3zW_BiGLt2i1EAnhB2HmvFUFFC60PzUGb0bW98VMAwvDrNMr3xw2pCNjgsrgWj38GCrWj1vSprbsIkyD0XLSR75XvoYNuDA.Ib8yiL9QreVWs5YawK8lTPuOJYdxzFVmpt3VW_Shkho&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+crucifixion+of+the+warrior+god&qid=1747690287&sprefix=the+crucifixion+of+the+warrior+god%2Caps%2C379&sr=8-1
He also authored a condensed version called Cross Vision: How the Crucifixion of Jesus Makes Sense of old Testament Violence
https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Vision-Gregory-A-Boyd-audiobook/dp/B074P7RCZX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TZECN6WZBEA3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hwycbo9g-M9f_yjmN4d1YE_x2fT46-748oHrXZ_Tl3NSJUTT6Tx6Hjt7H0wudv1q.bX9-_SEkI6bWw98grcGnkose2vHS7TWHEA0VMwNB5CQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cross+Vision+boyd&qid=1747690349&sprefix=cross+vision+boyd%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1