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One of the most important duties of a Christian is reading God’s Word. Unfortunately, we’re not always as consistent with reading and studying the Scriptures like we ought to be. Even still, though, the only thing worse than not reading your Bible is to read it wrongly. Many today have been so deluded by the “best life now” messages that they’ve come to God’s Word with no motivation other than how they can “get better.” All notions of Christology are lost. This debilitation method of Bible reading has infected the Church and has caused a myriad of Christians to misunderstand the entire purpose of the Word altogether.

Chad Bird speaks and writes in the midst of this confusion. As an accomplished theologian, Chad’s aim is to pierce through the delusional mindset of the day and stir those who are hoodwinked by the “do more, try harder” faith back to the gospel of grace. He is committed to honest Christianity and addressing the raw realities of life. Chad devotes his writing to distinguishing both God’s law and God’s gospel, and expounding upon the myriad of ways that such a distinction influences the entire life of the Christian.

In this episode of Ministry Minded, author and speaker Chad Bird joins the show to talk about his ministry writing and speaking on God’s radical gospel of grace. Chad and I dive into the deep waters of the theology of the cross and the distinction between God’s law and God’s gospel. We talk about reading the Bible rightly, with an “Emmaus perspective,” and keeping Christ at the center. We speak to the theology of the cross and discuss the critical nature of Christology in relation to reading the Bible. Chad also speaks to his journey from his Southern Baptist roots to the Lutheran faith. I believe you’ll be greatly enriched by this insightful conversation.

Resources.

Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Chad Bird

Christ Alone, Chad Bird

The Infant Priest, Chad Bird

Against Heresies, Irenaeus

Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther

Commentary on Genesis, Martin Luther

Grace in Practice, Paul Zahl

The Bible Jesus Read, Philip Yancey

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church, Michael Horton

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, Tim Keller

Grace: So Much More Than You Know and So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. Find out more by going to CSBible.com.

Notes.

Chad is an accomplished author and speaker devoted to honest Christianity that addresses the raw realities of life. He currently lives in New Braunfels, Texas with his wife, Stacy. Along with dabbling in hymnody and poetry, Chad hosts a podcast, “40 Minutes in the Old Testament,” and contributes articles for both Christ Hold Fast and 1517. You can also read his own blog at ChadBird.com. Chad’s latest book, Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, is due to release this fall but you can preorder right now. Be sure to do that, and be sure to connect with him on Twitter, @birdchadlouis.

Credits.

Intro music: “West Coast” by Ryan Little, licensed under CC BY 4.0.