Kainos Project

Christmastime is here, and that means the annual worldwide tour of Santa Claus is upon us! While Santa is a hallmark of the Christmas season, what many people might not know is that this mythical character is based on a real person—a Christian hero, in fact. Saint Nicholas was an early church leader who served as a bishop during the third and fourth centuries. And he was actually around for some pretty significant moments in church history. In this episode, we explore the history of Saint Nicholas and his contributions to church history. We also explain how it is that he came to be called Santa Claus and why he now makes annual appearances on our Coke cans and in our shopping malls. More importantly, we discuss the lessons that Christians can take from the events of his legendary life that will help us to live more like Jesus this holiday season. READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Gospel Coalition recently came under fire after publishing an article written by Trevin Wax titled "Prone to Dechurch, Lord I Feel It." In the article, Wax suggests that the scandals and abuses that have taken place within evangelical institutions aren't as responsible for the dechurching of America as we might think. Instead, the cultural move away from church attendance is best explained as outright disobedience to Jesus. While Wax's claim is backed by recent statistical data that indicates more people are dechurching because they moved to a new city than because of abuse or scandals, his words raised the ire of abuse survivor advocates online. Some accused Wax of gaslighting victims and circling the wagons. On this episode, we discuss Wax's article and the arguments it contains. We highlight the ways in which Wax's words may have been taken out of context, while also offering a nuance critique of the perspective his article puts forth. We also discuss the relationship an individual Christian should (or must) have with the church. Can you walk away from the church without walking away from Jesus? If not, what even constitutes "the church," and how can we hold space for people who have been severely wounded by organized religion but who are still clinging to Jesus? READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ghosts are a major part of American culture. Whether it is the celebration of spirits on Halloween, myths and fables, blockbuster films, or reality television shows about people who hunt them, ghosts feature heavily in the stories we tell each other. For some, that's all they are—stories. But for others, their belief in ghosts is unshakeable. But what does the Bible say about spirits and souls on earth? Are there any insights from Scripture that give us a better understanding of what happens after we die but before the final judgment of Christ? On this episode, we talk about what the Bible has to say about ghosts. Are they real? And if not, how do we account for reports of paranormal activity that make up so much of the mythos of our own culture, as well as cultures throughout history and around the world? READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Halloween is an important celebration in American culture. Trick-or-treating, costumes, and themed parties are all time-honored traditions in most communities. But what are the origins of the holiday? And what do they mean for us as Christians? That’s exactly what we want to discuss. In this episode, which was originally recorded in October 2020, we dive into the history of Halloween, which is actually kind of a long story. It dates back thousands of years and spans Celtic, Roman, Aztec, and American cultures and has often fused together both pagan and Christian celebrations. As we unpack all of that, we talk about whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween, and if so, in what manner. Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

War has broken out in Israel and Palestine following the heinous attack on Israel by Hamas. On Oct. 7, the terrorist organization attacked Israel by land, air, and sea, launching thousands of missiles and engaging in a barbarous ground offensive. As they stormed the streets of Israel, Hamas brutalized Israeli citizens, committing war crimes that they gleefully filmed on their phones. They raped and plundered, taking Israel civilians hostage—including women and children. In response, Israel has launched an offensive on Gaza, where Hamas forces exert control. Water and power has been shut off to the region, and missiles are raining down from above, leaving Palestinians—many of them opposed to Hamas—vulnerable. This week on the podcast, we grapple to find moral clarity in this conflict that is almost as old as the land on which it is fought. We don't have the answers, and we certainly aren't experts in the geopolitical conflicts of the Middle East. Nevertheless, given the significance of the Jewish people in the story of the Church, we do want to grapple with the theological implications of what has transpired and the events that are ongoing. READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

North Point Community Church, which is pastored by Andy Stanley, recently hosted a conference that caused quite a stir. Called the Unconditional Conference, the two-day event was geared toward helping Christian parents of LGBTQ+ children navigate their relationships with the children. However, the conference came under sharp criticism for hosting speakers who are LGBTQ+ affirming theologians, two of whom were gay married men. One of the biggest names weighing into the conversation was Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mohler accused Stanley of departing from "biblical Christianity," a claim Stanley took exception to. While Stanley clarified that he and his church still uphold the traditional view of sexuality and marriage, he said that he doesn't want to "draw lines" but instead "draw circles." Despite his words, many have interpreted Stanley's actions as a tacit endorsement of LGBTQ+ affirming theology. In this episode, we wade into the mess of navigating grace and truth in light of LGBTQ+ issues. How can we prioritize relationships with people within the LGBTQ+ community while not compromising our convictions? What can we learn from Andy Stanley's example, both for the positive and the negative? READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Followers of Jesus are called to stand upon the truth of Scripture. We are also called to be united with one another. But what happens when those two things seem to be in conflict with one another? How united can we, or should we, be with Christians across deeply held theological convictions? What are the limits of cross-denominational unity? Are there more limits than there should be, and if so, what's the best way forward? We are not the first ones to be wrestling with these questions. In fact, for more than a hundred years, a movement of Christians has been seeking to expand the boundaries of unity across different denominations and Christian movements. Broadly speaking, that movement has been called ecumenism. In this episode, we briefly discuss the history of ecumenism, how it came about, and where those efforts stand today. We also grapple with some of the practical concerns involved with trying to unite with other Christians across churches, Christian organizations, and denominational affiliations. What are the limits of our ability to partner with one another, and at what point can we consider ourselves truly united? READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A Missouri pastor recently drew sharp criticism for claiming that children who live with autism are merely being oppressed by demons. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for deliverance preachers to make such a claim. Without condoning the words of this pastor or others who agree with him, it is undeniable that when Jesus healed people throughout his earthly ministry, the cause of whatever ailed the people who came to him was often the result of oppression from demons. That wasn't always the case, however. There were also many instances in which Jesus healed people with no mention of demons. Is there a way to know the difference in our own day and age? On this episode, we discuss the role spiritual forces play in our physical world. What are angel and demons doing in the day to day? Do we place too much emphasis on them? Not enough? How can we cultivate respect for the spiritual realities that surround our lives without becoming obsessive—or, frankly, weird—in the process? READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Astrology and horoscopes seem to be as popular as ever, with adherents looking to the stars for a sign from the universe that will be applicable to their lives in this present moment. But how should Christians feel about horoscopes? While astrology is an ancient practice, its usage in modern time remains common and can be even found in online memes and social media posts, as well as in the mouths of our friends and neighbors—some of them Christian. In this episode, we explore the history of astrology and horoscopes, what the Bible says about divination and fortune telling, and how these practices are portrayed in biblical accounts.  READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When it comes to the Bible, certain passages are so well known that even many non-Christians are aware of them. Among them is the 10 Commandments. Even though not many can name all 10, most people are at least aware that they exist. Nevertheless, just because a biblical concept is familiar, that doesn’t mean that we have a good understanding of its meaning and importance. In fact, sometimes the parts of the Bible that are most familiar are the very parts about which we have the most misconceptions. And that is certainly the case with the 10 Commandments. On this episode, we offer five hot takes on the 10 Commandments—not just to be controversial, but as a bit of a case study in how complicated it can be to properly interpret the Bible, particularly when it comes to the Old Testament. READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE Visit kainosproject.com to find other resources to help you tackle ancient truths in everyday settings, and be sure to subscribe to our email list to get all of our fresh content delivered straight to your inbox.Subscribe on Apple PodcastsFollow on Spotify Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.