So We Speak

The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy. Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem. 

Why is it so hard to navigate disagreements with other Christians? In his new book, When Christians Disagree: Lessons from the Fractured Relationship of John Owen and Richard Baxter, Dr. Tim Cooper uses the historical differences between two giants of the faith, John Owen and Richard Baxter, as a lens for seeing our disagreements today. Through their story, Christians can better work through our differences for kingdom impact. 

In the early 60s AD, leadership changes and warring factions produced the rumblings of war. Jewish rebels closed the temple to foreigners, and the Romans extracted taxes from the temple treasury. The leaders who emerged would play decisive roles in the events to follow. Was this the point of no return? 

After the time of Jesus, the Jews revolted against the Romans. This series of wars and rebellions led to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. This monumental event has shaped the New Testament, the church, and the Jewish people to this day. How did it happen? In this first episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Jews in the time of Jesus, the political and religious factions, the rulers in Jerusalem and in Rome, and set the stage for the war to come. 

"A century ago, the most potent moral figure was Jesus Christ. Now it is Adolf Hitler." This bold statement from Dr. Alec Ryrie frames an exchange that has been made in our society. We know what we're against; what are we for?  In this episode, Cole speaks with Alec Ryrie about the moral landscape of the world today, the implications of what he calls the "age of Hitler," and how the church can respond.  Get a copy of Dr. Ryrie's excellent book, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It.