Great Stories by Haven Today

#58: Christmas in the Beginning (Feat. Sally Lloyd-Jones, Randall Goodgame, Lee Strobel, and Barry Black)

When we celebrate Christmas, we usually concentrate on a very specific moment in time when a young married couple traveled to Bethlehem and delivered a child in a manger. But Christmas didn’t start there. We can trace the promises and events of our Savior’s arrival all the way back to the beginning of time. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to Christmas special from 2017 where he traced the line from Christmas to Genesis with Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ), Sally Lloyd-Jones (The Jesus Storybook Bible), Randall Goodgame (Sing the Bible), and Senate Chaplain Barry Black (Nothing to Fear).

#57: Ray Ortlund Jr. on Finding Christmas in Isaiah

Hundreds of years before the Messiah arrived in Bethlehem, Isaiah prophesied about him many times. And when modern readers turn to this Old Testament prophet, passages related to Christmas can’t help but leap from the page. Prophesies about a great light, a child born, someone named Immanuel, a suffering servant, the lamb of God, and, of course, the prince of peace.

To help unpack this book of Christmas prophecies, Charles Morris speaks to Ray Ortlund Jr., Old Testament scholar and son of Haven’s third Speaker. If you are a longtime listener to Haven, his voice will be immediately recognizable. A pastor to pastors, Ray is the perfect person to help you reflect on the powerful themes of Christmas and the cross in the book of Isaiah. 

#56: Dr. Iain Duguid on Finding Christmas in Zechariah

Jesus said that all of Scripture points to Him. One of the best places to verify this is in the writings of the Old Testament prophets. In fact, though the book of Zechariah is often neglected by casual readers, it is quoted no fewer than 67 times in the New Testament. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Dr. Iain Duguid, currently professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, sheds some light on this minor prophet. Here he discusses what the book of Zechariah has to teach us about living out our faith in a difficult world, while also examining some of the book's most prominent prophecies about the Christ of Christmas.

#55: Ronnie Martin Wants You to Stop Complaining

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are known as a time that bring friends and families together with attitudes of thankfulness and joy. But it's hard to have a heart of gratitude when food is burning in the oven. When things start to go wrong — as they inevitably do — that's when we resort to one of the most natural human experiences: grumbling and complaining. 

To help you get through the holidays with a heart of contentment centered on Christ, Charles Morris returns to his interview with author Ronnie Martin on a topic many of us would like to avoid. But it's a message we all need to hear. 

#54: Tyler Van Halteren Introduces Pilgrim’s Progress to a New Generation

Christians throughout history have faced countless trials and tribulations. You might even feel like we’re living through a moment like that right now. But one of the greatest benefits of having multitudes of Christians come before us is that we can benefit from the treasure trove of wisdom they left behind. One such treasure is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

On today’s episode, Charles Morris speaks with author and missionary Tyler Van Halteren about this classic story that touches on many of the highs and lows of the Christian life. It also conveys our lives a journey with a glorious destination. All of that is captured in a new, beautifully-illustrated storybook Tyler published titled Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey, which helps even the youngest readers learn from the timeless truths embedded in this literary masterpiece.

Listen in to hear Tyler’s story of being a missionary to Cambodia, a young father, and a Christian with a heart to bring Pilgrim’s Progress to a new generation.

#53: Jeremy Begbie On the Interplay Between Theology, Music, and the Mysteries of God

Music has the power to lift us up and bring us down. Just changing one note in a chord can alter the entire meaning of a subject or story in an instant. Dr. Jeremy Begbie, a professional musician and systematic theologian, knows this well and has found a unique way to share the gospel through music.

In this episode, you’ll find out how hearing just a few notes on the piano can raise the curtain on the drama of the gospel and even help us understand the nature of God. Originally recorded in 2010, Charles Morris and Jeremy Begbie sat down in a large hall with a steinway grand on the premises of Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. You may have heard the gospel presented in many ways, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never heard it quite like this.

#52: Kristin Vazquez & Hannah Santi on The Manger Mission and Family Christmas Traditions that Lead to Jesus

One of the best ways for kids to learn is through play. Kristin Vasquez and Hannah Santi believe that the Advent and Christmas seasons create a perfect opportunity them about Jesus in a fun, interactive way through the children’s book and traveling nativity set called The Manger Mission.

In this conversation, executive producer Troy Lamberth steps in for Charles Morris to discuss what is at the heart of this new book and activity created by Kristin and Hannah. They also discuss how our family Christmas traditions are important opportunities for the whole family to anticipate and encounter the living Christ in meaningful and memorable ways.

#51: Mike McKinley on What the Bible Actually Says (and Doesn’t Say) About the Devil

Do you believe in the devil? Most Americans would say no. Might as well believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Others believe in the devil so much that they attribute every bad thing that happens to Satan himself.

What is true? What does the Bible actually say about the devil?

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Mike McKinley gets to the heart of what the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say) about the devil. According to McKinley, the devil is a real character who lies, fights with God’s angels, prowls, plans to outwit believers, and blinds unbelievers. The question is, what are we supposed to do about it?

#50: Dr. Joseph Loconte on the Faith and Friendship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien Following WWI

They were friends with two things in common — great literature and a great war. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien both fought in World War I, which profoundly influenced their writings and drove them to Christ.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Dr. Joseph Loconte joins Charles Morris to discuss the beloved books written by both authors in light of the spiritual crisis sparked by the conflict in WWI. Loconte has spent years exhaustively researching how these two men’s traumatic experiences in the first world war shaped their faith and their writing . . . and the way millions would later read and be influenced by their work.

#49: Dallas Jenkins on “The Chosen” Series’ Development, Impact, and Road Ahead

After just two seasons, the hit television show “The Chosen” is the #1 highest crowdfunded media project of all time. After creating “The Shepherd,” for his church, a short film about one of the first witnesses of Christ's birth, Dallas Jenkins started down the road to filming the first ever multi-season TV show about Jesus. Here, he discusses how the show got started, the impact it’s had on the world, what it's like to film during a pandemic, and what lies ahead for the next five seasons.