Church buildings don’t just house Christians—they are built to facilitate so much more—each building quietly tells a story about what your church values. Long before a word is preached, the space itself establishes the way in which people will engage—how people understand authority, worship, and the mission. For each denomination, and each tradition the building guides believers to better understand their theology in different ways. 

From persecuted Anabaptists meeting in homes and fields, to simple Baptist meetinghouses in the New World, to revival-era preaching spaces, suburban church complexes, and today’s eclectic mix of megachurches, old buildings and minimalist spaces—by examining what Baptists have built—we ask a foundational question for today: what do our meeting spaces say about what we believe, prioritize and whether our buildings still serve the mission they were meant to support?

In today’s episode of the Postscript, I’m joined by Dr. David Bains, professor at Howard College of Arts and Sciences at Samford University. Dr. Bains teaches courses that examine the interaction between theology, culture and religious life. His research has appeared in over a dozen books and journals. Today we hope that Dr. Bains will help us better understand the correlation between the historic Baptist mission and the buildings in which they met.

For more information, please follow the link to read the notes for Ep. 260

Visit https://magiccityreligion.org/spaces-for-worship/varieties/classic-auditorium/combination/ to see a recent project of Dr. Bains.

Visit http://lfbi.org/learnmore 

Church planting involves people, prayer, and the teaching of God’s word—but sooner or later—every church planter runs headlong into a very practical question: where do we actually gather? In a city like London, that question isn’t a footnote—it’s a weekly dilemma. Do you invite strangers into your home, or relegate meetings to public spaces until trust is built? When does a Bible study become a church family, and what kind of space helps that happen? And what do you do when historic church buildings are closing, but you’ve been priced out? Today’s conversation is about that tension: staying faithful to evangelism and discipleship while navigating a city where “space” is scarce, expensive, but important.

Our guest is Brian Clark, an experienced church planter who previously planted a church in London in the Chislehurst area—and by God’s grace, that work is now healthy and autonomous. Brian and his family are now stepping out to plant a second church, but even with experience and a deep knowledge of the city, he’s facing fresh uncertainties: how to build fellowship, how to move from street evangelism to intimate community, and how to think creatively about meeting spaces when traditional options feel out of reach.

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Every Christian holds a Bible, but few stop to ask why they trust the text in their hands. Questions about manuscripts, translators, editions, and revisions are often treated as technical matters best left to specialists. Yet they carry enormous implications: Is the Bible I hold the very word of God—truly infallible and inerrant?

For the preservationist, the story of the English Bible is not one of constant loss and recovery, but of transmission, reception, and faithful use within the life of the church—giving believers confidence in what has been handed down.

In this episode of the Postscript, I’m joined by Dr. Jim Alter, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Sidney, Ohio, and co-founder of Ancient Baptist Press. Dr. Jim is also the founder, curator, and educator behind Purified Seven Times, a traveling exhibit that teaches the history of Bible translation into English with special attention to the preservation of God’s word. Through pastoral ministry, publishing, and hands-on historical education, Dr. Jim helps Christians think carefully—and faithfully—about where their Bible came from and why that history still matters today.

Visit https://www.gracebaptistsidney.com/exhibit to learn more about Purified Seven Times
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When a missionary or pastor plants a church, they’re not just gathering people—they’re making decisions that quietly shape the work for years to come. And one of the decisions that carries great weight is that of “space.” Where do we meet? When do we start on Sundays? How do we stay nimble and mission-focused without being homeless—or overbuilt? Today’s conversation sits right in that tension: the blessings a building can provide, and the burdens it can introduce, especially when the work is still small and the people are still growing.

My guest today on the Postscript is Blade Sbisa, a church planting pastor in St. Louis who’s just getting the work on the ground with a small team. Blade recently stepped into a rare opportunity to purchase a church building at a phenomenal price—complete with a parsonage—before the plant is really ready to use it. So what do you do when the building is bigger than the congregation? How does it effect the culture and set expectations? Blade is thinking through it all in real time, and his process will help a lot of planters—and sending churches—think more clearly about buildings, stewardship, and the work of making disciples.

For more information, please follow the link to read this episode’s notes.

Visit https://lfbi.org/learnmore

In an age of endless Bible translations and growing skepticism about whether we can even know what God has said, many believers are still quietly asking a foundational question: Has God preserved His word? For some, the issue feels academic or maybe even divisive; for others, it strikes at the very heart of authority, confidence, and faith.

In today’s episode, we step into that tension in order to provide a clear, thoughtful, and accessible case for the King James Bible and the doctrine of preservation, tracing how careful study, historical research, and biblical conviction can lead a believer to firm ground rather than confusion.

Our guest today is Brandon Peterson, podcaster, author, and founder of the Truth is Christ ministry. As a younger voice in a conversation often dominated by older generations, Brandon brings a unique perspective—one not shaped by tradition alone, but by personal investigation.

We invite you to listen in as Peterson shares his testimony, his journey through questions surrounding modern Bible versions, and the research that led him to defend the Authorized Version as God’s preserved word. Through projects like KJVcompare.com and his writings on the patterns of scripture. Brandon is helping reintroduce the doctrine of preservation to a rising generation, reminding believers that confidence in the Bible is not inherited blindly—but can be reasoned, tested, and joyfully affirmed.

For more information, please follow the link to read the notes for today’s show.

Visit KJVCode.com and KJVCompare.com

For more information on the Living Faith Bible Institute and its program of study:  https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Artificial intelligence has become a powerful lens through which our assumptions about reality are being exposed. As machines increasingly mimic human reasoning, language, and creativity, they force uncomfortable questions to the surface: What actually defines personhood? Is intelligence merely computational, or is there something irreducibly spiritual about the human mind? Can meaning, morality, or belief be generated by algorithms alone—or do those things require transcendence? These are the kinds of questions that sit at the heart of the AITheist series, where technological progress becomes a testing ground for theology, not just innovation.

To help us explore these tensions, we’re joined today by Michael Svigel, professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and author of the AlTheist trilogy. Through a blend of narrative fiction and serious theological reflection, Dr. Svigel invites readers to examine how artificial intelligence challenges Christian claims about the image of God, belief and divine authority. His work doesn’t take sides in the technology debate—but does call people to think clearly, biblically, and faithfully about what it means to follow Christ in an age of intelligent machines.

Visit http://lfbi.org/learnmore

Compulsive behavior is the product of ones need to establish a sense of control amidst all their anxious thoughts. Obsessive compulsion is fairly common — the National Institute of Mental Health say 2.3% of adults struggle with OCD in their lifetime. Many people get stuck in cycles of excessive and irrational performance BUT what if I told you that oftentimes spirituality and religion can exacerbate these tendencies?

Scrupulosity—often called religious OCD—is a quiet struggle in many churches, where sincere Christians feel stuck in constant guilt and fear. They worry they’re never doing enough for God, replaying thoughts and prayers over and over just to feel “safe.” Instead of resting in Christ, they live exhausted and unsure. It looks like devotion on the outside, but inside it’s a trap of fear that steals joy and confidence. On today’s show we hope to shine a light on this often-misunderstood battle to better understand how the gospel frees people from the weight of compulsive religion and leads them back into real peace with Christ.

To guide us through this important conversation, we’re joined by Jonathan Kindler, biblical counselor, faculty professor at LFBI and host of the Sound Mind podcast.

Visit https://www.soundmind.live/podcast

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Nehemiah 3 is not the kind of chapter most people linger on. It is a list of names, gates, and construction notes that we are all tempted to skim. But if we look close enough, tucked inside those overlooked details is one of the most vivid portraits of the Christian life found anywhere in Scripture. The walls, gates, and towers surrounding ancient Jerusalem serve as a roadmap for spiritual growth, personal boundaries, evangelism, restoration, and the lifelong journey of walking with Christ. In today’s episode pastor Greg Axe of Crest Bible Church joins us to unpack how this “boring chapter” becomes a practical, convicting, and hope-filled blueprint for every believer wanting to build, rebuild, or strengthen their life in Christ.

Greg Axe is author of several great books—including this recently released one called This is Your Life: A Study of Nehemiah Chapter 3 The Walls and Gates and Towers of Jerusalem.

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Purchase This is Your Life by Greg Axe at https://www.lfbi.org/books

Many Christians are also successful business people, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the corporate world. A good portion of these people steward their gifts and influence within their communities to advance the mission of Christ through their work.

Navigating business ownership can be overwhelming, and without a clear foundation many believers simply adopt the patterns and the philosophies of the world around them. Today's conversation is about recovering a distinctly biblical way of building a business, one rooted in wisdom, integrity, stewardship, and the character of God himself. Whether you're running a small side hustle or leading a growing company, Scripture offers practical principles that speak directly to leadership, culture, planning, and the everyday decisions that shape a business. 

To help us unpack all of this, we are joined by Eric Phillips, who serves as the praise and worship pastor at Midtown Baptist Temple and has spent years working in the secular business world in sales strategy and leadership. He is here to discuss his new book, Building Business Biblically, and to help us think wisely about what it means to build a business that honors Christ.

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/books to purchase Building Business Biblically by Eric Phillips

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Dr. Charles C. Ryrie was a key voice in shaping fundamentalist evangelical theology. As a professor and later dean at Dallas Theological Seminary, he helped clarify and defend the value of dispensational teaching during a time when the church was wrestling with questions about prophecy, interpretation, and biblical authority. His approach was thoughtful and scholarly, yet always grounded in Scripture. Ryrie believed the Bible was meant to be understood and enjoyed by everyday believers, not just academics. He devoted his life to making theology clear, accessible, and rooted in a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ryrie’s influence continues to be felt by theologians, churches, pastors, and schools like the Living Faith Bible Institute. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Paul Weaver, professor and biblical scholar at Dallas Theological Seminary and host of the podcast Bible and Theology Matters. Dr. Weaver’s book, Charles C. Ryrie: The Man, The Ministry, and His Method, offers both a compelling look at Ryrie’s life and a helpful introduction to his hermeneutics and theology. It’s a conversation that invites us to appreciate not just Ryrie’s ideas, but the heart and conviction behind them.

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore

Visit https://www.bibleandtheologymatters.com/

Purchase Charles C. Ryrie: The Man, His Ministry, and His Method: https://a.co/d/hHHrMkk

Today we're going to dive into one of the most fascinating and hope filled promises in all of Scripture, and that is the millennial reign of Christ and its connection to the Davidic Covenant. For centuries, God's people have looked forward to the day when the Son of David will sit on the throne in Jerusalem and rule with justice and righteousness over all the earth. From II Samuel to Revelation, the Bible paints a picture of a literal kingdom where Christ fulfills his promise to Israel and demonstrates God's faithfulness. 

But what does the reign look like? Why is it necessary in God's redemptive plan at all? Why does this have to happen, and how does it shape the way we live today? We'll explore those questions and more as we unpack the who, what, when, and where, and why of the Millennial Kingdom. To discuss today's topic, we're joined by Sam Miles, President of the Living Faith Bible Institute and instructor over Biblical Studies at LFBI. Pastor Sam is speaking on the subject of the Millennial Reign at the Certainty Conference, 2025.

Visit https://www.lffellowship.com/certainty to stream all of the sessions regarding God's redemptive plan for Israel.

Living Faith Fellowship's Certainty Conference is October 5-8th, 2025 at First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia, Ohio.

The Certainty Conference will be a focused time of preaching, teaching, and theological discussion centered on the theme “God’s Redemptive Plan for Israel”.

Through main sessions and breakouts, this year’s conference will explore the biblical and prophetic significance of Israel within a dispensational framework—highlighting both the historical roots and doctrinal development of dispensational theology. Guest speakers will address topics such as the rise of dispensationalism, its role as a hermeneutic for rightly dividing Scripture, and the future fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

On October 5-8 to deepen your understanding of God’s word and strengthen your relationships with fellow believers.

Registration is now open! Please visit https://www.lffellowship.com/certainty

On today’s show, we’re tackling a question that has defined centuries of Christian thought: Did the Church replace Israel? This idea, often called supersessionism or “replacement theology,” touches on God’s covenants, the role of Israel in His plan, and the Church’s identity today. 

It’s also one of the key themes of this year’s Certainty Conference, hosted by First Baptist Church of New Philadelphia, Ohio. The conference will bring together pastors, teachers and Bible students to consider why this question is not just theological but deeply cultural, especially in light of recent events in the world and ongoing debates about Israel. 

To help us navigate this conversation, we are joined by Pastor Troy Stogsdill of First Baptist Church.

For more information, please follow the link to read the notes for today’s show.

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore