Dr. Marina Hofman, Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, joined Brian and Aubrey to talk about her book, “Women in the Bible Small Group Bible Study,” and the significance of Mary.  

Learn more about Marina and her book at womeninthebible.info and connect with her on Instagram at @marinahofman

Dr. Marina Hofman, Professor at <a href="https://www.pba.edu/">Palm Beach Atlantic University</a>, joined Brian and Aubrey to talk about her book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Women-Bible-Small-Group-Study/dp/1988928435">&ldquo;Women in the Bible Small Group Bible Study,&rdquo;</a> and the significance of Mary.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Learn more about Marina and her book at <a href="https://womeninthebible.info/">womeninthebible.info</a> and connect with her on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marinahofman/?hl=en">@marinahofman</a>

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Guest: Dr. Marina Hofman, Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University - Discussion on her book, “Women in the Bible Small Group Bible Study” - December 23, 2021

Brian From starts with a press pitch about Amelia Earhart’s missing plane and asks why unsolved mysteries fascinate us. He suggests we crave closure, and he encourages listeners facing the unexplainable in their own lives to turn toward God rather than away. He responds to a clip of President Trump claiming “the Christian vote” and saying he’ll lead Christianity into a new era, warning that there is no single Christian voting bloc and no politician is the church’s hope. Brian shares Tim Challies’s working definition of a conspiracy theory and urges Christians, as people of truth, to weigh claims carefully. He draws on Olivia Wilde’s account of her marriage ending to argue that losing curiosity about a spouse helps drive “gray divorce.” In the second hour, he shares Jim Denison’s biblical framework for voting in the midterms and Brett McCracken’s call to resist voyeuristic media. He discusses a Virginia mother placed on a neglect registry for letting her 5-year-old collect goose feathers near home, and a poll finding four in five parents say having a baby is too expensive. He closes with Michael Kruger’s three steps for handling doubt.

Brian From starts with a press pitch about Amelia Earhart&rsquo;s missing plane and asks why unsolved mysteries fascinate us. He suggests we crave closure, and he encourages listeners facing the unexplainable in their own lives to turn toward God rather than away. He responds to a clip of President Trump claiming &ldquo;the Christian vote&rdquo; and saying he&rsquo;ll lead Christianity into a new era, warning that there is no single Christian voting bloc and no politician is the church&rsquo;s hope. Brian shares Tim Challies&rsquo;s working definition of a conspiracy theory and urges Christians, as people of truth, to weigh claims carefully. He draws on Olivia Wilde&rsquo;s account of her marriage ending to argue that losing curiosity about a spouse helps drive &ldquo;gray divorce.&rdquo; In the second hour, he shares Jim Denison&rsquo;s biblical framework for voting in the midterms and Brett McCracken&rsquo;s call to resist voyeuristic media. He discusses a Virginia mother placed on a neglect registry for letting her 5-year-old collect goose feathers near home, and a poll finding four in five parents say having a baby is too expensive. He closes with Michael Kruger&rsquo;s three steps for handling doubt.

We Want Closure on Every Story, but Faith Means Trusting God with What We Can’t Explain

Brian From opens with his son’s hours-long flight delay back to college as a reminder that we’re never fully in control, but God is. He questions why Christianity Today published speculation about Elisabeth Elliot’s sexuality when she never addressed it herself, and shares a study finding that people paid a female AI chatbot less than an identical male one. He applauds Andy Stanley’s planned handoff of North Point Ministries to longtime staffer Joel Thomas, and echoes Dodgers player Alex Call’s complaint about sexualized ads during playoff broadcasts. Brian talks about guarding against spiritual apathy before it sets in, then walks through Dane Ortlund’s “10 Things You Should Know About Heaven.” In the second hour, he reflects on Pope Leo’s recovery from cancer surgery and his words about feeling close to the sick, and offers pastors a new sermon illustration: a 19th-century weapon found in a whale. He welcomes the decision not to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, calls listeners to pray for Christians in Nigeria facing deadly violence, and warns against churches endorsing candidates. He closes with a Gospel Coalition piece presenting the Sabbath as a gift rather than a burden.

Brian From opens with his son&rsquo;s hours-long flight delay back to college as a reminder that we&rsquo;re never fully in control, but God is. He questions why Christianity Today published speculation about Elisabeth Elliot&rsquo;s sexuality when she never addressed it herself, and shares a study finding that people paid a female AI chatbot less than an identical male one. He applauds Andy Stanley&rsquo;s planned handoff of North Point Ministries to longtime staffer Joel Thomas, and echoes Dodgers player Alex Call&rsquo;s complaint about sexualized ads during playoff broadcasts. Brian talks about guarding against spiritual apathy before it sets in, then walks through Dane Ortlund&rsquo;s &ldquo;10 Things You Should Know About Heaven.&rdquo; In the second hour, he reflects on Pope Leo&rsquo;s recovery from cancer surgery and his words about feeling close to the sick, and offers pastors a new sermon illustration: a 19th-century weapon found in a whale. He welcomes the decision not to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, calls listeners to pray for Christians in Nigeria facing deadly violence, and warns against churches endorsing candidates. He closes with a Gospel Coalition piece presenting the Sabbath as a gift rather than a burden.

We’re Never Fully in Control, but We Can Know What Heaven Holds

Brian From starts the weekend glad to have his son home from college for fall break, remembering his own first trip home from Wheaton. With the midterms weeks away, he urges listeners on both sides of the aisle to remember that elections are important but not ultimate, because Christ remains on the throne. He looks at Chick-fil-A’s growth from a small Georgia diner into a $24 billion company and argues its success comes from doing the basics with excellence and integrity, which then opens doors for generosity and witness. He shares Tim Challies’s reflection on stewarding whatever gifts God has given, and draws lessons for the spiritual life from a long overnight drive home. Brian highlights former ESPN producer Nicole Noren, who left the network after it launched its own betting platform, drawing on her family’s painful history with gambling addiction. He closes with John Piper’s classic “Don’t Waste Your Life” sermon and a call to boast only in the cross.

Brian From starts the weekend glad to have his son home from college for fall break, remembering his own first trip home from Wheaton. With the midterms weeks away, he urges listeners on both sides of the aisle to remember that elections are important but not ultimate, because Christ remains on the throne. He looks at Chick-fil-A&rsquo;s growth from a small Georgia diner into a $24 billion company and argues its success comes from doing the basics with excellence and integrity, which then opens doors for generosity and witness. He shares Tim Challies&rsquo;s reflection on stewarding whatever gifts God has given, and draws lessons for the spiritual life from a long overnight drive home. Brian highlights former ESPN producer Nicole Noren, who left the network after it launched its own betting platform, drawing on her family&rsquo;s painful history with gambling addiction. He closes with John Piper&rsquo;s classic &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Waste Your Life&rdquo; sermon and a call to boast only in the cross.

Guest: Dr. Marina Hofman, Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University - Discussion on her book, “Women in the Bible Small Group Bible Study” - December 23, 2021

The Common Good

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