Listen to the latest episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast as Dr. Brian German joins as guest to talk about the newest edition in the Concordia Commentary, Haggai and Malachi, which he authored. In the newest volume Dr. German details literary themes, historical insights, and New Testament connections found in the books of Haggai and Malachi.

Get the newest volume in the series at cph.org.

Show Notes
In this new episode, Dr. German joins host Elizabeth Pittman to discuss the Biblical books of Haggai and Malachi. In his new Concordia Commentary volume covering these books, readers will explore a rigorous analysis of Haggai's exhortation to rebuild the temple and Malachi's concern with the practices therein—both revealing the standard to which God calls His church.

Questions

• What special challenges did God's people face in this time period after the return from exile in Babylon?
• How did each of these prophets address those challenges?
• How long was the time interval between Haggai and Malachi?
• What particular events did Haggai have to address? How did he address them?
• How did the prophet Zechariah's work overlap with that of Haggai?
• What things had changed by the time of Malachi, and what did he have to address?
• How did each prophet present the promise of the Messiah?
• What were some of the pressures the people of Judah would experience during the intertestamental period - those 400 years between the Old and New Testaments?
• How did Haggai and Malachi prepare the people for these pressures?
  

About the Guest
Brian German is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and director of the Concordia Bible Institute.

God’s Word is overflowing with promises for you yesterday, today, and forever. In this new episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Terry Zuehsow joins host Elizabeth Pittman to discuss God’s promises that he guides readers through in his book, Exploring God’s Promises: A Guided Journey through His Word.

Pre-order the book on cph.org now. Available September 10!

Show Notes
God earnestly wants you to grow to know Him and to more fully experience His promises in your life.

In author Terry Zuehsow’s new book from CPH, Exploring God’s Promises, readers will journey through more than 200 encouraging and assuring promises in this devotional journal. Each promise contains devotional material and theological talk to help you see how God gives and keeps this promise. Then, there’s journal space for you to answer reflection questions and truly connect with the Savior, offering Him your thanks and praise. Listen now as Terry discusses his background, how he was inspired to write about God’s promises, what promises in the Bible have impacted him the most, and more.

Questions

• Tell our listeners a bit about yourself.
• What led you to write this book?
• You give readers an “itinerary” for the book. Why is this important and what is your goal for it?
• 228 promises of God are covered. Is this an exhaustive list?
• What promises have you found to be meaningful to you personally?
• What promise would you share with someone experiencing loneliness? Anger? Major life changes?
  

About the Guest
Terry Zuehsow is a certified physician associate, practicing psychiatry in a Christian outpatient setting. In the past he has taught high school and college science and religion, and has worked for decades as a computer systems architect, including in research and development. Throughout his adult life, he has led Bible classes in his local church. Terry has been married to his wife Angi now for 49 years (off to a great start!), and they have two daughters and six grandchildren. His hobbies include choir, family games, and long walks.

In this episode, CPH author Chad Lakies brings a new perspective to the discussion about outreach and witnessing, one that makes us aware of the hurt felt on all different sides in society, and aims to find healing through what Christ brings His creation. Chad talks about this and more in his new book, How the Light Shines Through: Resilient Witness in Dark Times, coming soon in September.

Pre-order his book on cph.org.

Show Notes
Will people meet Jesus in us if we aggressively respond in kind to the threats we feel in the world around us? Or are these people more likely to meet Jesus in us if we patiently endure the challenges that have been set before us constantly relying on Christ? In his new book, author Chad Lakies helps in this task by first acknowledging our reality and how the church has reacted to it thus far, then he helps us to imagine better ways that we can interact with the world around us - ways that will help the light shine through and reflect the life-changing love of Jesus to our neighbors.

Listen to the episode as Chad dives into his book and discusses what it means to live in a secular age, engaging in political discussions as Christians, ways to thoughtfully discuss Christ with our peers, and more.

Questions

• Unpack what it means “to live in a secular age.”
• Let’s talk about some of the misconceptions covered in chapter 9.
• As political discussions take over more and more of the national conversation and likely our personal conversations, can you share some tips for how we can “concentrate on sameness” rather than difference and preserve relationships despite disagreements?
• Perhaps one way to summarize this book is to say that our reactions matter for our witness, and much of the book explores how we can react differently to the difficult situations we’re in every day to better witness to those around us. Do you have any tips or reminders that you use yourself to help you temper your reactions in the moment, especially if tensions or emotions are high?
• “Authenticity” is thrown around a lot these days. Why is this problematic, and what is a better standard for authenticity?
• What are three goals for a resilient church?

About the Guest
Chad Lakies (MDiv, PhD) is Vice President for Ministry Engagement within the United States at Lutheran Hour Ministries. His former life as a nonbeliever provides exceedingly relevant experience for thinking about how to engage with friends and neighbors outside the kingdom of God. He and his wife, Bethany, have two daughters, Anabel and Daphne.