The Ryley Heppner Podcast

Memory, History and The Reliability of the Gospels | Craig S. Keener

Are the Gospels historically reliable? In this episode, I sit down with renowned New Testament scholar Craig Keener to discuss his book Christobiography: Memory, History, and the Reliability of the Gospels. We explore how the Gospels fit within the genre of ancient biography (bios), what that means for their historical accuracy, and how eyewitness testimony shaped the accounts of Jesus' life. Keener also addresses common objections about memory, oral tradition, and historical reliability, offering insights that challenge both skeptics and believers.
Craig S. Keener (Ph.D., Duke University) is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is author of 37 books, 5 of which have won awards in Christianity Today. More than a million copies of his books are in circulation; the most popular is The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, which provides cultural background on each passage of the New Testament. Craig is also the New Testament editor for the NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, which won the International Book Award for Christianity and Bible of the year in the Christian Book Awards. Craig is editor of the Bulletin for Biblical Research and is past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Craig's wife, Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener, was a refugee in her home country of Congo; their story appears in Impossible Love: The True Story of an African Civil War, Miracles, and Hope against All Odds (Chosen, 2016).
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Galatians and the Fight For the Gospel | Thomas R. Schreiner

What is the heart of Paul’s message in Galatians, and why does it still matter today? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner to explore the powerful themes of his book, Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians. We discuss justification by faith, the role of the law, Christian freedom, and the centrality of the cross in one of Paul’s most urgent and passionate letters.
Dr. Tom Schreiner is an Associate Dean for the School of Theology and the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology. Prior to joining Southern, he taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University. He also taught at Bethel Theological Seminary for 11 years. Schreiner is a Pauline scholar who has written extensively on this subject. He is married to Diane and they have four children. Schreiner is a member of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
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The Unlikely Journey of Joshua S. Porter

Joshua Porter has lived a life of raw creativity and radical faith. From fronting a beautifully chaotic band to becoming an author, filmmaker, and pastor, his journey has been anything but conventional. In this episode, we dive into his unexpected path—exploring music, storytelling, and the intersection of art and faith.
Joshua S. Porter is pastor of teaching and creative vision at Van City Church in Vancouver, Washington. He is also a former member of the experimental art-punk band, Showbread, and the author of With All Its Teeth, Death to Deconstruction, novel Punk Rock Vs. More. His upcoming book is entitled How to Die: A Spiritual Odyssey through Christian Discipleship. 
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Life, Faith, and Wakeboarding | Shaun Murray

In this episode, I talk with wakeboarding legend Shaun Murray about the role of faith in his life and career. We discuss what it means to trust God through the ups and downs of professional sports, how his faith has shaped his perspective on success and identity, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Shaun shares how he stays grounded, what keeps him passionate about coaching and mentoring others, and why his relationship with Christ is at the center of it all.
Whether you are into wakeboarding or just interested in the intersection of faith and perseverance, this is a conversation worth hearing!
Shaun Murray is a four-time world champion wakeboarder. His wakeboarding career started in 1995 and was full of innovation and accomplishment, including many pro tour and world championship titles. Murray invented several wakeboard tricks, including the Bel Air, Tweety Bird, Square Raley, Crook, Crow 5, Heelside frontside and more. He promoted his own "Backyard Tour" with pro rider and friend Gerry Nunn; has been featured in many wakeboard movies, magazine and television pieces; created his own wakeboard instructional series entitled "Detention;" and was the star of his own video game, Wakeboarding Unleashed. In the summer of 2004, Murray dislocated his knee while riding. He tore his ACL, PCL, and MCL. After reconstructive surgery he was told he might not ride again. But, just months later he was back riding. He helped develop signature products that include boats, wakeboards, life jackets, wet suits and clothing lines. Murray was the first wakeboarder to land a 900 (Regular Heelside) in a competition, and he is the only rider ever to hold World, Pro Tour and National Championship titles at once.
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The Beauty of The Gospel According to Matthew | Charles Quarles

Matthew’s Gospel is more than just a historical account—it’s a masterpiece of theology, fulfillment, and discipleship. In this episode, I sit down with New Testament professor Charles Quarles to explore the depth, structure, and significance of The Gospel According to Matthew, and to talk about his new Matthew commentary in the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series.
Charles Quarles is an experienced pastor, missionary, and theological educator. He served as Senior Pastor of three churches in North Mississippi and East Tennessee for over ten years. He served as a missionary of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Bucharest Romania from 1999 to 2002. He has served as a professor of New Testament and Greek at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, the Bucharest Baptist Theological Seminary, the University of Bucharest, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University). Turkey, and Cuba.
He is the editor or author of a dozen books including The Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Modern Church; The Illustrated Life of Paul; A Theology of Matthew; Matthew in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series; and Matthew in the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary series.
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The Power of the Gospel in Romans | Beverly Gaventa

In this episode, I sit down with renowned biblical scholar Beverly Gaventa to discuss her latest work, a groundbreaking commentary on Paul's letter to the Romans. We explore the rich theology of Romans, focusing on its central themes of grace, righteousness, and the transformative power of the Gospel. Beverly shares her insights on how this letter speaks to the church today, the challenges of interpreting Paul’s complex arguments, and what makes Romans a timeless theological masterpiece. 
Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa is Distinguished Professor of Religion in Baylor University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She is a graduate of Phillips University (BA), Union Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Duke University (PhD). Dr. Gaventa is one of the leading New Testament scholars in the world who engage in theological and historical interpretation of the Christian Scriptures, particularly the letters of Paul, and has lectured on university and seminary campuses around the world. The author or editor of 14 books, including Our Mother Saint Paul and When in Romans, she also has published more than 70 articles and essays and is currently writing a commentary on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans for the New Testament Library Series.
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Guiding Kids Toward Christ-Centred Identity | Jonathan Holmes

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Holmes, author of Grounded in Grace: Helping Kids Build Their Identity in Christ. We discuss the challenges kids face in today’s culture, from performance-driven identities to issues of gender and peer pressure.
Jonathan shares practical insights for parents, youth leaders, and mentors on fostering gospel-centered conversations and guiding children toward a secure, Christ-centered identity.
Whether you’re a parent or someone invested in the spiritual growth of the next generation, this conversation is packed with wisdom and encouragement.
Jonathan Holmes, MA, is the Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling. He previously served for fifteen years on the pastoral teams of Parkside Church and Parkside Green. He is the author of several books, including Counsel for Couples, Rescue Skills, and Rescue Plan. Jonathan serves as a visiting faculty member and on the board of trustees for CCEF (Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation), as well as an instructor at Westminster Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters.
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Following Christ in Action Sports | Beaver Fleming

In this episode I dive into a conversation about faith, skateboarding, and Nitro Circus with professional skateboarder Beaver Fleming. From his journey into action sports to joining the legendary Nitro Circus team, Beaver shares the highs and challenges of his career, the wildest stuff he's attempted, and the lessons he's learned along the way. We explore how his faith in Christ has shaped his life and career, keeping him grounded in a culture often focused on thrill and self-promotion.
Whether you're a fan of skating, inspired by bold faith, or curious about how to balance passion and purpose, my hope is that this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s plan and live for His glory, no matter where He’s placed you.
Beaver is a skateboarder originally from Knoxville, TN, who embarked on his skateboarding journey at the age of 10. Beaver's enthusiasm for skating led him to be invited to join Nitro Circus in his final semester of high school, where his skills quickly gained recognition. Notably, he clinched the Simple Sessions "Best Trick" award three times, showcasing his innovation and prowess in the world of skateboarding. In 2017, Beaver Fleming made a mark at the Nitro World Games, securing an impressive 2nd place. With a unique style and a history of standout achievements, this skateboarder continues to leave a mark on the skateboarding scene.
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A Conversation About Film, Faith and Seasons | Abby Olcese

In this episode, I sit down with film critic and author Abby Olcese to discuss her new book, "Films for All Seasons." Abby highlights how the changing seasons influence our emotional connection to movies, how certain films reflect the rhythms of life in profound and unexpected ways and how Christians can engage thoughtfully with film.
Abby Olcese is a writer on film, popular culture, and faith. Her work has appeared at Think Christian, Sojourners, Paste, RogerEbert.com, and /Film. She is also the film editor for The Pitch, a website and magazine serving the greater Kansas City, Missouri, area. She lives in Kansas City.
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The Revelation Conversation (Part 1) | G. K. Beale

I had the immense privilege today of getting to chat with renowned biblical scholar G.K. Beale to explore the profound depths of the Book of Revelation. Known for his expertise in biblical theology and his groundbreaking works on Revelation, Dr. Beale unpacks the book’s rich symbolism, its connections to the Old Testament, and its enduring message for the Church today. 
Dr. Gregory K. Beale is Professor of New Testament at RTS Dallas. He has had a long and distinguished academic career, teaching at Grove City College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Wheaton Graduate School, and Westminster Theological Seminary. Before joining the RTS Dallas faculty in 2021, he served as Westminster’s J. Gresham Machen Chair and Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation. He is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Dr. Beale is a native Texan and a graduate of Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas Theological Seminary, and Cambridge University.
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