Socialism or Social Responsibility?

Socialism or Social Responsibility?

Tis the season to… sponsor an angel child, send a shoe box of gifts, volunteer at a soup kitchen, gift blankets and jackets and hats… That is, it’s the season for charity. Christmas is a time when we typically thing about people in need. We fill up the red kettles as...
Un-Erasing Christopher Columbus

Un-Erasing Christopher Columbus

In this episode of the Standfast-cast, George talks with Andy and Ernie, showing them how so much information that we know “believe” and “share” about Christopher Columbus is totally…. get this… wrong. In fact, most people...
The 2020 Election & the Media

The 2020 Election & the Media

One of the obstacles voters face as they head to the polls in 2020 is the paucity of good and practical information about the issues and the candidates. Of course, with 24-hour cable news, a myriad of social media platforms, internet news sites, magazines, and...
Get Covid Right

Get Covid Right

We’re in a season unlike any other. And, regardless of where you stand politically, there are a few things we can do to make sure we “get Covid right.” That is, regardless of what we think about the politics, the efficacy of masks (or the need for them), the test...
Stirling Bridge

Stirling Bridge

Many of us would love to read the great books. But it’s hard to when…   You don’t feel like you have the time   You don’t know where to even start   You don’t have a trusted voice to lead you towards those great books + help you take a...
Active Waiting (James 5)

Active Waiting (James 5)

The final chapter of James encourages us with the admonition to “be patient.” That is, “wait.” He refers us to several Old Testament heroes— including Job and Elijah— who were examples of actively enduring while patiently waiting. And he offers us this hope: we...
It Comes From Within (James 4)

It Comes From Within (James 4)

  Whereas we tend to think that trouble comes from “out there,” James tells us to do something shocking: take a look in the mirror. In chapter 4, he outlines what worldliness look like, as well as what Godliness looks like. And, as James tends to be, he’s pretty “cut...
Visible Wisdom (James 3)

Visible Wisdom (James 3)

In chapter 3, James takes us from “invisible faith” (James 2) to “visible wisdom.” Turns out, wisdom is seen by her fruits… … and the “chief fruit” of wisdom is the words we say (and, of course, the ones we don’t say that we mutter under our breathe). Furthermore,...
Invisible Faith (James 2)

Invisible Faith (James 2)

In James 2 we discuss one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament: “Faith without works is dead” (2:26). What does James mean by this? We discover that true Biblical faith moves beyond objective facts to experiential reality. And, it turns out that...
It’s All Joy (James 1)

It’s All Joy (James 1)

This talk kicks off a 5-part series on the book of James. Join us as we walk through this 5-chapter powerhouse of a book, using the Keystones approach as our guide. In James 1, we learn about trials, trouble, and tribulation… … and we discover that James says we...
Umberto Eco & Why You Should Read Deep & Wide

Umberto Eco & Why You Should Read Deep & Wide

George reads a lot. And a lot of what he reads is very different from what most people read. Among his most enduring influences is the great Italian academic semioticist Umberto Eco (1932-2016). On this episode of the StandfastCast podcast, Karen asks George about why...
The Expulsive Power of a New Affection

The Expulsive Power of a New Affection

In 1819, when he was at the height of his influence and effectiveness, Thomas Chalmers preached a sermon on growing in Christ and resistance to temptation and sin.  It has been heralded as a classic ever since. The sermon has been particularly influential in George’s...
Things Worth Doing (Throwback #6)

Things Worth Doing (Throwback #6)

Brent Hebert introduces this talk… He says he had the pleasure of meeting George Grant 2 or 3 years ago at the For God & Truth Conference in Trinity, Alabama. Brent adds, “It has been said that if you want to know the heart and love of a pastor, take a glimpse at...
The Begats of Geneaology  (Throwback #5)

The Begats of Geneaology (Throwback #5)

Tim Yarbrough introduces this “throwback” talk in which George discusses how God uses covenantal succession through people… even the unexpected people. Turns out, the Lord only has imperfect people to use. That means, we’re all— by His grace— qualified. (This talk...
Classical Education and Nation Building (Throwback #4)

Classical Education and Nation Building (Throwback #4)

Perry Coghlan introduces another talk by George in this “throwback” lecture. (Perry also introduced the first talk in the series, SF73.) He offers a warning on this one, though… He says you might NOT want to listen to it. He offers four reasons why— #1- if you don’t...
Theology of Wonder (Throwback #3)

Theology of Wonder (Throwback #3)

Ernie Yarbrough introduces talk #3 in our throwback series… In Dr. George Grant’s lecture entitled “Theology of Wonder – Integrating the Humanities,” our modern view of a fragmented education that serves primarily utilitarian purposes is confronted with a...
Why We (Still) Need the Electoral College

Why We (Still) Need the Electoral College

Every presidential election is important, but the 2020 election may well define the trajectory of American politics and culture for a generation or more. And, chief among the issues that will dominate the campaigns of both major political parties as well as the...
Dumb & Dumber (Throwback #2)

Dumb & Dumber (Throwback #2)

Jacob Frank introduces this talk by Dr. Grant from over TWENTY YEARS AGO! Jacob meant George just a few years ago (and was in school when this talk was first delivered). Further, in Jacob’s words, “I was in awe not just by what he was teaching, but by his passion!” In...
In Times of Despair

In Times of Despair

Quick on the heels of the Coronavirus pandemic that shuttered much of our nation this spring, America’s fractious racial divide spilled onto city streets following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. For weeks protests, looting, violence erupted across the land...
45 Years of Marriage

45 Years of Marriage

On this edition of the StandfastCast George and Karen discuss marriage. They recorded the day before they celebrated their 45th anniversary—which afforded them the opportunity to look back and recall some of the most important lessons about marriage that they’ve...
Gardening (Garden Graces)

Gardening (Garden Graces)

From the very beginning (Genesis 2:8), mankind has been at home in a garden. In all the intervening years, many of us have found solace from the wearying effects of this poor fallen world among the flowers and herbs, trees and vines, vegetables and fruits— despite the...
Lessons from the Coronavirus

Lessons from the Coronavirus

The Covid 19 novel coronavirus pandemic, though by no means unprecedented in human history, has nevertheless dramatically and unexpectedly changed our culture, our economy, our politics, and our lives in a host of different ways: with social distancing, quarantining,...
How to get the Word “in you” + Colossians 3

How to get the Word “in you” + Colossians 3

As lesson 3 begins, we reflect on when Scripture— and memorizing it— became important… For some of us… An activity (such as exercise, walking, or another time in which we could “stack” this on top of that) led us to do it. Our childhood- we were encouraged to do so...
SF 36- Why discipleship matters

SF 36- Why discipleship matters

Ultimately, discipleship always points people to something beyond themselves AND even beyond the person doing the discipling. Throughout the New Testament, Paul repeatedly said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” That is, “Look at me, yes. I’ll...
SF 35- How discipleship works

SF 35- How discipleship works

  Discipleship works best when it’s imparted through relationships and not mere words. That is, it involves a transfer of heart and soul mores than just facts and data. In this talk we discuss one of the fundamental nuances of HOW we were created. Namely,...
SF 34- What discipleship is

SF 34- What discipleship is

In episode 34 of the Standfast-Cast we begin a new series about discipleship- what it is, how it works, and why we do it. In this talk, we discuss the WHAT. Discipleship is a word that’s tossed around church circles- a lot. People are for it. They think we need...
SF 33- What We’re Reading

SF 33- What We’re Reading

Karen and George always have a stack of books they are working through. On this episode of the Standfast podcast they discuss some of the books they are reading right now–and how those books are shaping their thinking and their day-to-day work.
SF 26- What we’re reading

SF 26- What we’re reading

George and Karen Grant discuss the books they are currently reading. Karen is reading: “A Year with Peter Drucker” (Harper), “Coming Clean” by Kimberly Rae Miller (Houghton Mifflin), “Learning Evangelism from Jesus” by Jerram Barrs...
SF 23- How to have morning devotions

SF 23- How to have morning devotions

On this episode, George and Karen Grant discuss the patterns habits they’ve developed for morning devotions. In particular, they discuss the way the Psalms can provide just exactly the right instruction, inspiration, and insight needed for almost any situation...
SF 22- Yes, Christians get distressed and dismayed

SF 22- Yes, Christians get distressed and dismayed

George’s conversation with Caleb and Rebecca Faires focuses on their new publication, The Book of Comforts, published by Zondervan. A coffee table book filled with stories, Scripture, illustrations, photographs, and inspirations, the book navigates all the ways...
SF 11- The Gospel Story (App)

SF 11- The Gospel Story (App)

We’re back with Ernie & Andy WITHOUT Dr. Grant for one more episode. In this talk we discuss this past summer’s trip to Scotland, which was part of the Gospel Story project. This was a trip that Ernie headed, Dr. Grant helped host, and about 20 others...
SF 10- Ernie Talks About George

SF 10- Ernie Talks About George

In this episode of the StandFast cast Ernie Yarbrough- who’s interviewed Dr. Grant before on the show- talks with Andy about his own journey into the wonderful world of Dr. Grant… You’ll learn about the power of relationships, how most our highs and...
SF 09- Six Things Your Church Can Do to End Poverty

SF 09- Six Things Your Church Can Do to End Poverty

In this episode we outline six things your church can do to end poverty. 1. Develop a robust deacons ministry Elders work with words, deacons work with their hands. We need to keep the two unconfused, and make sure we do both. Notably, this ministry should begin on a...
SF 06- How the Bible Handles Immigration

SF 06- How the Bible Handles Immigration

In this talk we go back to George’s book, In the Shadow of Plenty, to discuss more about how to serve the poor in a land that has so much bounty. To do that, we go back to ancient Israel and discuss their basic societal structure. There, we find that the nation...
SF 02- Compassion vs. Charity

SF 02- Compassion vs. Charity

Tis the season to… sponsor an angel child, send a shoe box of gifts, volunteer at a soup kitchen, gift blankets and jackets and hats… That is, it’s the season for charity. Christmas is a time when we typically thing about people in need. We fill up...