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A moment of public forgiveness stunned millions and reminded us of something ancient: grace is not cheap, sentimental, or soft on justice. We sat down to unpack why forgiveness sits at the heart of the Christian gospel, how Scripture frames it, and what it demands of us when wounds feel unhealable. From 1 Corinthians 15 to Matthew 18, we trace the Bible’s logic of mercy—penal substitution, the release of personal debt, and the call to forgive “seventy times seven”—and we talk honestly about how hard that is without the Spirit’s help.

We don’t blur categories. Forgiveness and reconciliation are related but not identical. You can release someone from personal debt even if they never repent, while reconciliation requires truth, repentance, and rebuilt trust. We explore why civil consequences remain, how to live at peace “so far as it depends on you,” and what it looks like to refuse revenge while still pursuing justice. Along the way, we remember historical examples—from church shootings to missionary martyrs—where grace interrupted the cycle of vengeance and made the gospel visible to a watching world.

This conversation moves from headline moments to daily discipleship: marriages strained by betrayal, friendships bent by slander, and church conflicts that test our witness. We offer a practical, Scripture-shaped path to forgive from the heart, pray for offenders, and keep our eyes on Christ who forgave us first. If you’re wrestling with whether forgiveness is naïve or necessary, you’ll find clarity, courage, and hope here.

If this resonates, follow the show, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to choose grace today.

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What does biblical church leadership look like? In this thought-provoking episode of Courier Conversations, host Jeff Robinson sits down with veteran pastors Phil Newton and Rich Shadden to discuss their new book "Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership" published by Courier Publishing.

The conversation dives deep into the biblical foundation for elder plurality in Baptist churches—a practice that may surprise many modern Southern Baptists but actually has deep historical roots in Baptist life. Newton, who served as a pastor for over four decades and now mentors pastors through the Pillar Network, explains how the metaphor of "mending nets" applies to church leadership: many churches have good leadership components but need biblical realignment rather than complete reconstruction.

Shadden, senior pastor at Park Avenue Church in Memphis since 2011, offers compelling reasons for why God prescribes plurality in church leadership: it maximizes pastoral care, prevents personality-centered ministry, and provides essential accountability. Together, they tackle common objections and questions: Aren't elders just a Presbyterian concept? If we have deacons, why do we need elders? How do multiple elders work alongside a senior pastor?

Most valuable for church leaders are the practical insights on implementing elder plurality in churches with different traditions. Newton and Shadden emphasize patience, consistent biblical teaching, and intentional development of qualified men—a process that might take years but yields healthier churches and sustainable ministry. Their wisdom comes not from theory but from having successfully navigated these transitions in their own pastoral contexts.

Whether you're a pastor considering this leadership model, a church member curious about biblical church governance, or someone interested in Baptist history and theology, this conversation provides both theological depth and practical guidance. Subscribe to Courier Conversations for more discussions that inform and inspire Baptists and beyond.

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Baptist historian Dr. Tom Nettles joins Courier Conversations to share the story behind his newest book, "Baptist History for Kids" – a beautifully illustrated journey through Baptist heritage designed to help children understand their theological roots.

Drawing from over four decades of experience teaching at institutions like Southwestern Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Nettles brings his scholarly expertise to a format accessible for young readers. The book, featuring stunning artwork by his son Robert Nettles, covers fundamental questions: What does "Baptist" mean? How did Baptists begin? What do Baptists believe and do? Who are some significant Baptists throughout history?

During our conversation, Dr. Nettles shares how his earlier groundbreaking works "Baptists and the Bible" and "By His Grace and For His Glory" helped establish that Baptist commitment to biblical inerrancy and Reformed soteriology weren't recent innovations but reflected the denomination's historic foundations. This new book extends that mission to the next generation.

What sets this resource apart is its unflinching portrayal of the cost many early Baptists paid for their convictions. Through stories of figures like Obadiah Holmes, who was publicly whipped for his Baptist beliefs, children learn that theological distinctives like believers' baptism by immersion weren't held cheaply but represented deeply-held biblical convictions worth suffering for.

The book highlights familiar Baptist giants like Spurgeon and Bunyan alongside lesser-known figures such as George Lyle, a freed slave who became an effective missionary, and John Jasper, whose preaching gifts were so extraordinary that his master freed him to preach more widely. Dr. Nettles also discusses South Carolina's central role in Baptist history, from establishing the first Baptist association in the South to providing key leadership in forming the Southern Baptist Convention.

Whether you're a parent wanting to nurture your child's denominational identity or someone curious about Baptist roots, this conversation illuminates why understanding our theological heritage matters in an increasingly anti-denominational age. As Dr. Nettles reminds us, Baptist history represents not just cultural tradition but theological conviction worth preserving and passing down.

Ready to help your children discover their Baptist heritage? Find "Baptist History for Kids" at courierpublishing.com or on Amazon today.

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