The Ryley Heppner Podcast

Bonhoeffer for the Church | Matthew D. Kirkpatrick

In this episode, I sit down with Bonhoeffer scholar, Matthew D. Kirkpatrick to discuss his new book, "Bonhoeffer for the Church: An Introduction." Kirkpatrick offers a fresh and accessible look at the life, theology, and enduring legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most influential Christian voices of the 20th century. In our conversation we explore how Bonhoeffer’s insights on discipleship, community, and faithfulness in times of crisis remain profoundly relevant for the church today. 
Matthew D. Kirkpatrick is Tutorial Fellow in Christian ethics and doctrine at Wycliffe Hall, the University of Oxford. He has published widely on Bonhoeffer's thought, including Attacks on Christendom in a World Come of Age (2011), Bonhoeffer's Ethics (2011) and, as editor, Engaging Bonhoeffer (2016).
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Mobilizing for the Gospel | Jim Essian

In this episode, I sit down with pastor and author, Jim Essian,  to discuss his latest book, "Send: Loving Your Church by Praying, Giving, or Going." Jim shares about his journey from professional baseball to church planting and founding the Plant Fort Worth network, which has helped plant 15 churches in just six years. He unpacks the heart of his new book, what it means to "live sent," and how churches and individuals can embrace God's global mission.
Jim Essian planted The Paradox Church in 2011 in Downtown Fort Worth and serves as Lead Pastor. He played eight years of professional baseball in the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Detroit Tigers organizations, prior to planting. He founded the church planting network Plant Fort Worth, which has seen 15 churches planted in the Greater Fort Worth area in the last 6 years. He is the author of Jesus For You: He Became Like You So You Could Become Like Him. Jim is married to Heather and they have three girls: Harper Grace, Hollis Jane, and Hadden Faith.
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From Southtown to P.O.D. | Sonny Sandoval

In this episode I have the amazing privilege of getting to sit down with Sonny Sandoval, the legendary frontman of P.O.D., to talk about his upcoming autobiography, Son of Southtown: My Life Between Two Worlds. This conversation was one of, if not the highlight of this podcasting thing so far. Sonny was one of a kind. The nicest guy, and clearly so passionately fixated on Christ.
Hope you enjoy and are encouraged by our conversation. And I hope you go grab a copy of Sonny's new book on February 25th. It is absolutely worth the read.
Sonny Sandoval is the lead singer and lyricist of the multi-platinum band P.O.D. (Payable on Death) and cofounder of The Whosoevers. He is a product of Southtown, the southern part of San Diego that approaches the border with Mexico. He is the founder and president of the Youth of the Nation Foundation, which reaches out to children from underprivileged neighborhoods and gives them the opportunity to find their self-worth and value. Sonny is married to his high school sweetheart, Shannon, and they have three children.
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A Multiethnic Approach to Scripture | Janette H. Ok

In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Janette H. Ok, a leading New Testament scholar, to discuss her contribution as editor and commentator in the groundbreaking commentary, "The New Testament in Color." Dr. Ok shares the inspiration behind this project and reflects on how her own cultural background has shaped her approach to Scripture. We explore what "in color" signifies—not just diversity, but also interpretive depth and theological nuance—and how this approach can challenge traditional readings of the New Testament.
Janette H. Ok is associate professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is the author of Constructing Ethnic Identity in 1 Peter (T and T Clark). She is currently writing a commentary on the Letters of John (NICNT, Eerdmans) and To Be and Be Seen, coauthored with Jordan J. Cruz Ryan (Baker Academic).
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Rediscovering Christmas Stories | Timothy Larsen

In this episode I chat once again Timothy Larsen, this time to discuss his wonderful new book, "12 Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales" (Moody Press). Whether you're a lover of classic literature or simply looking to deepen your appreciation of Christmas traditions, and connect them to Christ, this book will do it, and hopefully this conversation as well!
Timothy Larsen is McManis Professor of Christian Thought and Professor of History at Wheaton College, an Honorary Fellow, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, and an Honorary Research Fellow, School of Theology, Religious Studies and Islamic Studies, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.  He has been a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, All Souls College, Oxford, and Christ Church, Oxford and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. He has been elected President of the American Society of Church History for 2025. He is the author or editor of twenty books including Crisis of Doubt: Honest Faith in Nineteenth-Century England, A People of One Book: The Bible and the Victorians, The Slain God: Anthropologists and the Christian Faith, John Stuart Mill: A Secular Life and The Oxford Handbook of Christmas (all with Oxford University Press).
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The Lifelong Pursuits of a Godly Man | Tim Challies

In this episode, I sit down with well-known author and blogger, Tim Challies, to discuss his book Running to Win: The Lifelong Pursuits of a Godly Man. We dive into the spiritual disciplines and habits that shape a faithful life, exploring the parallels between the Christian walk and the discipline of running a race. Tim shares insights on marriage, doctrine, self-control and the importance of commitment to godly living in all seasons of life.
Tim Challies is a pastor, noted speaker, author of numerous articles, and a pioneer in the Christian blogosphere. Tens of thousands of people visit Challies.com each day, making it one of the most widely read and recognized Christian blogs in the world. Tim is the author of several books, including Visual Theology, The Next Story, and, most recently, Pilgrim Prayers: Devotional Poems That Awaken Your Heart to the Goodness, Greatness, and Glory of God.
 
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Redeeming Violent Verses | Eric A. Seibert

In today's episode, we’re diving into one of the most challenging topics in biblical interpretation: how to approach the Bible's violent texts in a way that is faithful, thoughtful, and pastoral. I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Eric Seibert, a renowned scholar, author, and professor, formerly at Messiah University, whose work has been instrumental in helping Christians wrestle with difficult passages in Scripture. 
In his new book, "Redeeming Violent Verses: A Guide for Using Troublesome Texts in Church and Ministry," Eric equips pastors, ministry leaders, and everyday readers with tools to interpret these texts responsibly, making sense of their historical and theological contexts while addressing real-world questions of faith, justice, and morality. 
Dr. Eric A. Seibert is a writer, speaker, pastor and until recently a Professor of Old Testament at Messiah University. He enjoys helping people deal with problematic portrayals of God in the Old Testament and is the author Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God, and most recently, "Redeeming Violent Verses: A Guide for Using Troublesome Texts in Church and Ministry,"
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The Barriers and Brilliance of the Book of Hebrews | Amy Peeler

Today's episode was with Amy Peeler out of Wheaton College. Amy has just released a new and wonderful Hebrews commentary in Eerdmans' "Commentaries for Christian Formation” series and I had the wonderful chance to chat with her today about it. Our conversation ranged from what led to her initial excitement about Hebrews, to what value it holds for the church today, to how we can overcome the barriers of understanding and applying it.
The Rev. Amy Peeler, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, IL and an Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, IL. Author of Women and Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022), “You Are My Son”: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews (T&T Clark, 2014), and co-author with Patrick Gray of Hebrews: An Introduction and Study Guide (T&T Clark, 2020), she continues to research, write, and speak on Hebrews and familial language in the New Testament. She received her BA in Biblical Languages from Oklahoma Baptist University, M. Div. and Ph. D. in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary, and served as a Senior Research Fellow with the Logos Institute at the University of St. Andrews.  She is an active member of the Institute for Biblical Research, Society of Biblical Literature, and a Fellow with the Center for Pastor Theologians. 
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What Makes Mark’s Gospel Unique? | Dr. C. Clifton Black

In this episode I have the privilege of chatting with New Testament scholar Dr. Clifton Black to explore his journey as a biblical scholar, his recent book Mark’s Gospel, and his deep insights into the unique qualities of this often-underappreciated Gospel. Dr. Black offers valuable insights on how Mark’s Gospel can deepen our understanding of the Christian faith and its significance for the modern church.
Dr. C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary’s Otto A. Piper Professor of Biblical Theology, earned his MA in theology from the University of Bristol, his MDiv from Emory University, and his PhD from Duke University. He is an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. While his research interests concentrate in the New Testament’s Gospels, particularly in Mark, he publishes in many fields, including biblical theology, New Testament rhetoric, and the history of biblical interpretation. He offers a broad array of courses, including New Testament introduction, the exegesis of Mark’s Gospel, biblical theology and the practice of ministry, the parables of Jesus, major themes in New Testament theology, the biblical and Shakespearean visions, prayer in the New Testament, series in faith and film, as well as several doctoral-level seminars. He is the author, editor, or collaborating author of 20 books, and has published more than 200 essays, articles, and reviews. Black is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, the Center of Theological Inquiry, and the American Association of University Professors. He serves as secretary of the American Theological Society.

Sermon: By Becoming the Curse For Us (Galatians 3.10-14)

The scandal of the Gospel. That a perfect God would substitute himself in the place of the guilty. More than that, in the place of enemies. As Charles Wesley so wonderfully wrote, "How can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me?"