A special episode for young children, part of a series of "Kids' Compline: Bedtime Prayer for Young Children." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

A special episode for young children, part of a series of "Kids' Compline: Bedtime Prayer for Young Children." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

A special episode for young children, the first in a series of "Kids' Compline: Bedtime Prayer for Young Children." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Travis Johnson joins Johnathan Arnold and David Fry to discuss Matthew 27:46, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Why does Jesus quote Psalm 22:1 from the cross? Is there a break or separation between the Father and the Son on the cross? Does Jesus bear the wrath of God on the cross? Why is important for pastors to address the myth that the…

Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this episode of the Holy Joys Podcast, Dr. David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss several views on Israel and the church, addressing the common accusation that those who recognize continuity between Israel and the church are proponents of replacement theology and somehow “anti-Israel.” Support the show…

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss approaches to evangelism, the evangelistic duty of the pastor-theologian, and the priority of missions in the life of the church. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss David's recent article, "What Does Healthy Church Growth Look Like?" Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this special episode of the Holy Joys Podcast, Johnathan Arnold talks through his article "How Often Should We Receive the Lord's Supper?" Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss the Sunday Service and how they prepare for weekly worship. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan and David discuss some of their favorite online resources. Johnathan’s list: ccel.org — a wealth of free Christian books; allows you to make an account so that you can save notes and highlights newadvent.org — especially newadvent.org/fathers, which has the full text of many patristic works stepbible.org — Step Bible by Tyndale House, my …

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss their experience at the recent Holy Joys Healthy Church Conference in Frankfort, IN. Visit holyjoys.org/conference for more info about the conference and next year's dates. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Joey Ratcliff joins Johnathan Arnold and David Fry to discuss restoration assessment—what to do if someone's sin comes to light in the local church. Since this podcast was recorded, Joey Ratcliff is now Lead Pastor at The Way Community Church in Muncie, IN. He is a graduate of Wesley Biblical Seminary (MDiv, 2023) and God's Bible School (B.A. MinEd…

Visit holyjoys.org/books-pastor-library to see David and Johnathan's lists. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this episode, Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and its practical implications for the life of the church, especially keeping and restoring one another from sin. Quotes from Fry: Our authority as pastors is a derived authority. We are acting on behalf of Christ and his church. In our leadershi…

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss the relationship between the church and theology, using John 21:17* as a starting place and drawing from William Burt Pope's Compendium on "Theology in the Church." *In the discussion, the verse was accidentally cited as John 21:21. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss why ecclesiology (the study of the church) should be of central importance to every Christian, especially pastors, and explore several key concepts that are neglected or misunderstood. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

After a three-month hiatus, Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss why they were gone and what to expect from Holy Joys going forward. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

The collects for Good Friday from the Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America, John Wesley's adaptation of the Book of Common Prayer. Piano track by Lucas Shrout, used by permission. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Todd Hains, Associate Publisher at Lexham Press, joins Johnathan Arnold and David Fry to discuss children's catechesis and the FatCat series of children's books. Todd is the author of Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith: Reading God's Word for God's People. See also his recent article "Family Discipleship: 5 Easy Things You Can Do with Your Kids." …

Eric Himelick and Andrew Graham join David Fry and Johnathan Arnold to discuss their experiences at Asbury University and the theology of revival. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

After a short break, Johnathan Arnold and David Fry get back to the podcast with a casual discussion of ministry, books, and the work of Holy Joys. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this special episode of the Holy Joys Podcast, Johnathan Arnold offers a primer on two key terms in the doctrines of the Trinity and incarnation: "substance" and "person." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold continues his series on the church and sacraments by looking at how baptism is the sacrament of our entrance or initiation into the church. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold continues his series on the church and its relationship to the kingdom. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss the article "Theological Triage: Unity in Essentials, Charity in Nonessentials," and the attached triage chart. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold continues a class on the church and sacraments, looking at the link between the church and the kingdom in Matthew 16: King Jesus has entrusted the keys of the kingdom to the church. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this episode of the Holy Joys Podcast, Johnathan Arnold teaches the first lesson in a six-week class on the church and sacraments. Topics addressed include: The evangelical emphasis on personal salvation Corruption and hypocrisy in the church Attitudes towards the church today The Bible as a story about God and his people Personal and corporate …

Part of "A Series on William Burt Pope’s Doctrine of the Church." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry continue their discussion of William Burt Pope's Doctrine of the Church. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold continue their discussion of William Burt Pope's doctrine of the church, looking at the second half of his section on "The Preparations in the Gospels." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold continue their discussion of William Burt Pope's doctrine of the church, looking at the first half of his section on "The Preparations in the Gospels." Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold begin a series on Methodist theologian William Burt Pope's doctrine of the church. Read along: holyjoys.org/the-christian-church/. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

At our 2022 Healthy Church Conference, David Fry spoke in the third, Friday morning session on the topic of Healthy Membership. His points were drawn from Colossians 2:19, Ephesians 4:16, and the book of 1 Corinthians. Church membership is designed by God to increase harmony and holiness in the church. Support the show…

At our 2022 Healthy Church Conference, Sarah Fry spoke in the first Saturday session on how to be an emotionally healthy church. A healthy church is one where people are learning both how to regulate their own emotions and treat lovingly other people’s emotions. We easily fall into a “fix-it” mentality. We love one another by listening and letting …

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss four questions about ordination: 1. What is ordination? 2. What does the Bible say about ordination? 3. Who should be ordained? 4. Who has the authority to ordain? Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry continue to discuss modest clothing and biblical nakedness. Topics discussed: Genesis 2–3 A biblical definition of nakedness Nakedness in the law Cultural change Dressing modestly today Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss modest clothing and biblical nakedness. Topics discussed: Genesis 2–3 Nakedness Sin and shame Clothing as a gospel symbol Atonement Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss the church's social witness and how Christians can approach the issues of the day. Topics include: Roe v. Wade Christian social witness 1908 Social Creed of the Methodist Episcopal Church Transitional Discipline of the Global Methodist Church, Part 2: Social Witness A Call to the CHM, "A Call to Christian Soci…

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss how the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers relates to our interpretation of Scripture, as well as related doctrines such as inerrancy, the clarity/perspicuity of Scripture, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this episode, David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss tithing and the larger issue of giving generously from the heart because of God's inexpressible gift to us in Christ. Topics discussed: Views on tithing Tithing in the OT Relationship of OT Law to NT believers Verses on tithing in the NT Tithing in church history Giving generously, cheerfully,…

Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss "the gospel of the kingdom" (Mt. 4:23). Topics discussed include: The gospel The kingdom Dominion, reign The image of God Dwelling Exile Hell The kingdom and the church The Great Commission Heaven and earth The millennial kingdom Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Topics addressed: History of the altar call Altar call and baptism Altar call and the Lord's Supper Sacramental practice in church history and Methodism Church membership The office of the keys The church and salvation Suggestions for using the altar call Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

In this episode, Johnathan Arnold and David Fry continue to discuss the church's happy anticipation of heaven and how it shapes our life in this world. Quotes from Fry: In the end, heaven is a place on earth. Earth doesn't comprehend earth, but heaven comprehends earth. Simply put, heaven is the dwelling place of God. We have so separated heaven an…

In this episode, Johnathan Arnold and David Fry discuss why the church has lost its happy anticipation of heaven and how a robust theology of new creation can help to recover this vital anticipation. Quotes from Fry: An experience that led me to preach a series on heaven was sitting through a funeral service in which almost everything that was said…

David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss legitimate reasons to leave a church, and how to go about doing it in a way that honors Christ. What are acceptable reasons to leave a church? What are the characteristics of someone who is mature enough to leave a church well? What steps should be taken before leaving a church? What should you do after you le…

Dr. David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss church manuals/disciplines, common problems and frustrations, and how approaching the discipline/manual in light of the church's disciple-making mission can help us work towards a healthier future for the church and its members. Support the showBy Johnathan Arnold

Johnathan Arnold and Dr. David Fry discuss the biblical office of deacon (aka the diaconate). Key topics/passages include: 1 Timothy 3:8–13 Acts 6:1–6 Philippians 1:1 Romans 16:1 Female deacons (deaconesses) Deacons in the apostolic fathers and early church tradition Deacons in the Reformers and early Methodism Ordination Deacons in relationship to…

Dr. Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss Bible study tools and methods. Topics include: Active vs. passive reading Pens and marking tools Wide-margin Bibles Inductive Bible Study Tracking themes Christ-centered reading Typological reading Big-picture reading and focused study Contemplative reading and memorization Support the show…

Dr. David Fry and Johnathan Arnold discuss an article by Samuel D. James, "Why is 'Re-Converting' Easier than Repenting?" and discuss ways in which the church has made it difficult for sincere but struggling believers to confess sin and find help, restoration, and accountability from the church. Support the show…