White Horse Inn

Walter Strickland and Carl Ellis discuss how the sermon is a piece of rhetoric that is not merely made of wise words (Acts 4:13), but could also be described as a piece of art. Even if there are no icons, tapestries, and stained glass windows in a church, there is still art in worship and in the sermon.   Dr. Carl Ellis began his ministry as a Senior Campus Minister in New York, he studied under Francis Schaeffer at LÁbri in Switzerland, completed his MAR at Westminster Theological Seminary, and holds a D.Phil. from Oxford Graduate School.    In recent years, Dr. Ellis has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and as Dean of Intercultural Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and is now the leader of the African American Leadership Initiative at Reformed Theological Seminary, where he teaches, and collaborates with RTS presidents, deans and faculty to cultivate mentoring and modeling of students who aspire to serve in predominantly

Justin Holcomb sits down with Lloyd DeWitt to discuss how the church has historically thought of sacred space and architecture, what we can learn from categories and trends that have impacted church architecture, and what we miss when we replace steeples, pulpits, and cathedrals with many eclectic, modern designs.    Dr. DeWitt is the Chief Curator and Irene Leache Curator of European Art at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he specialized in Northern Baroque and Northern Renaissance Art and his interests range broadly, from African art to 20th-century Canadian art.    CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S OFFERS: Sign up to receive an original art print for this series at whitehorseinn.org/offers Subscribe to Modern Reformation magazine, and don’t miss this month’s issue, “The Arts.” Become a Partner to support the work of White Horse Inn as we apply the riches of the Reformation to the modern churc

Bob Hiller is joined by Dan van Voorhis to discuss a theology of the arts and how Reformational theology, and Lutheran theology specifically, instructs Christians on the place of art as we live coram deo (in the presence of God). They discuss if art can be “redeemed,” cultivating good taste in art, differences in Lutheran and Reformed traditions, and more. After receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political thought at Concordia University, Irvine. He is now the 1517 Academy Dean. He also spends his time writing for 1517 and hosting the Soul of Christianity and the Christian History Almanac podcasts.    CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S OFFERS: Sign up to receive an original art print for this series at whitehorseinn.org/offers Subscribe to Modern Reformation magazine, and don’t miss this month’s issue, “The Arts.” Become a Partner to support the work of White Horse Inn as we apply the riches of the Reformation to the mod

The Bible is a large library of ancient books, covering different ancient literary genres. While all things that pertain to how we can be saved are made plain and clear in the words of Scripture, not everything in the Bible is equally as clear. There are many passages that seem to contradict themselves, which can create a hay day for those antagonistic toward the faith. It can also make for a difficult devotional time for the Christian just trying to faithfully read Scripture. In this episode, Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller show how we can make sense of passages in the Bible that seem to subvert each other and more.  

From the Nephilim to the imprecatory psalms, there is a lot of weird stuff in the Bible. The problem is that for many people, these texts can quickly turn into rabbit holes of vain speculation. In the episode, Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller show how ordinary Christians can be inquisitive readers of Scripture—being receptive to their meaning and place in God’s revelation—while also refraining from making the strange and the niche central to our who we are.

When it comes to cultural concerns of our day, Bible passages are often used by pastors, politicians, or concerned family members to calm or stoke anxiety and fear in others. In this episode, Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller situate these passages in their original context and discuss how they’re often used to address the salient cultural and political issues that occupy so many people’s attention today.

What are some of the most misunderstood passages in the Bible? In this episode, Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller discuss three of the most Googled verses in the Bible and how these verses are often shared to help motivate people amidst uncertainty, anxiety, and sufferings big and small.  

Thank you for supporting and listening to White Horse Inn this year! In this special year-end episode, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland answer listener questions and reflect on what excites them as they anticipate God’s work in 2024.  

As we consider Christ’s birth, we can’t help but consider his death. From a baby in a manager to a man hanging on a cross, it is through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection that we find the hope and joy we sing about at Christmas. In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland reflect on The Song of Simeon, recognizing God’s faithfulness and Jesus’s redemptive purpose.

"Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point," said Scrooge, "answer me one question." In this special episode re-release, Michael Horton shares how the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol' points us to our need for a transformation, but how only the gospel can move us from behavioral change to living a new life of gratitude and joy.

"Come in! and know me better, man!" In this special episode re-release, Justin Holcomb shares how the Ghost of Christmas Present in Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol' teaches us about grace and peace and the invitation to feast in the Christian life.

“Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!” In this special episode re-release, Bob Hiller shares how the Ghost of Christmas Past in Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol' teaches us about guilt, the law, and how we are freed from its condemnation through Christ.

Angelic announcements are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, but angels remain perplexing. Why does God use these messengers, and what is the nature of their message? In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland delve into the mysteries of these terrifying warriors and their message of peace.  

Watch this interview at youtube.com/WhiteHorse1990.  In this bonus episode of White Horse Inn, Michael Horton and Sinclair Ferguson discuss James Montgomery Boice's lasting impact on systematic expository preaching and tackle the modern challenges faced by leaders in the age of social media. Sinclair offers a candid take on the role of pastors versus leaders, as well as the Scottish Reformation, and how to avoid the pitfalls of antinomianism and legalism. (Episode SP015)

Old Testament birth stories often begin with barren women, and the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth follows suit. Conceived in their old age, John the Baptist is born out of a miracle at just the right time—mere months before Jesus. But why is he such a prominent figure in Jesus’s birth narrative? And what can we learn from his father’s song? In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland discuss the song of Zechariah and how a fiery prophet can “guide our feet into the way of peace.”

In the small town of Nazareth, an angel told a humble virgin girl that she would be God’s chosen instrument through whom the deliverer would come. And, though she couldn’t fully comprehend all this would entail, Mary received the Lord’s word and took her place in God’s unfolding plan of redemption. In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland dive into Mary’s song of praise. They consider how this simple girl became the mother of the mediator, how she responded to the responsibility of caring for the Savior of the world, and what her life means to us.  

In this bonus episode of White Horse Inn, Michael Horton interviews Joni Eareckson Tada, who shares her story of hope through hardship and how her determination continues to help others with similar disabilities all across the globe. (Episode SP014)  

What does Christianity and liberalism look like 100 years later? How does Machen’s writing apply to us today, and what does that mean for the future of the American church? In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland advocate for a modern reformation, reflecting on what must still be recovered and what it looks like to resist the pull of liberalism today.

We admire and imitate our heroes, and we’re often shocked when we discover their flaws. But is there value in facing their failures? In this episode of White Horse Inn, hosts Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, and Walter Strickland break down the history of racism within the American church and consider what we can learn from the past as we move forward in love.  

The following is a special bonus episode from our sister program, Core Christianity. In this cross-confessional conversation, Core Radio host Pastor Adriel Sanchez is joined by Kendra Dahl and Gretchen Ronnevik to discuss how to help our kids keep their faith. With both a reformed and a Lutheran perspective at the table, we thought this conversation would be perfect for our White Horse Inn audience. (Episode SP013)  You can also watch this three part series on Core Christianity's YouTube channel.  Just go to youtube.com/corechristianity.