Podcast
Everyday Theology In Plain English
Hosted by Charlie Miller · EN
What if theology didn’t feel intimidating—but inspiring?
Everyday Theology in Plain English helps ordinary believers explore who God is and how His truth changes real life. In each short, conversational episode, host Charlie Miller breaks down big biblical ideas into simple, practical truths you can actually use — from understanding Scripture to trusting God in everyday moments.
No jargon. No lectures. Just real conversations about who God is, what He’s like, and why that matters for your Monday morning.
📖 Season 1: God’s Word for Real People
Learn how to trust the Bible, study it with confidence, and build your life on its truth. Over 18 episodes, you’ll discover that theology isn’t just for pastors or professors — it’s for anyone who wants to know God more deeply and follow Him more faithfully.
Because God isn’t hiding from you.
He wants to be known — and that’s exactly what we’re here to explore.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Getting to Know the Unknowable God - S2E20
Mar 2300:17:11Tap to summarizeHow can you possibly know an infinite God when you can barely figure out how your smartphone works? In this episode, we're tackling one of the biggest tensions in the Christian faith: God is so far beyond us that we can never fully comprehend him — and yet he's made himself knowable. We'll discover why God's "incomprehensibility" is actually good news, how he reveals himself through creation, Scripture, and ultimately through Jesus, and the crucial difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally. If your faith has ever felt like guessing in the dark, this episode will change that. "We can know God truly without knowing him totally. We can have real, genuine knowledge of God without having exhaustive knowledge of God." In This Episode, You'll Discover:What theologians mean by God's "incomprehensibility" — and why it doesn't mean what you think The difference between general revelation (creation and conscience) and special revelation (Scripture and Jesus) Why knowing facts about God isn't the same as knowing God personally — and how to make the shift Practical Applications: Pursue God through his Word with the expectation of actually meeting him there — not just checking a box Pay attention to how God reveals himself in everyday life — his fingerprints are everywhere Grow in your knowledge of God through honest relationships with other believers Your Assignment This Week: Try all three approaches for growing in your knowledge of God. Before reading your Bible each day, pray: "God, I want to know you better. Show me who you are." Look for one way God reveals himself through creation or circumstances each day. And have one conversation with a fellow believer about what you're learning about God. 💬 Community Question: What's one way you've experienced knowing God personally — not just knowing about him? Maybe through Scripture coming alive, seeing him in creation, or experiencing his presence through another believer. Or maybe you're still struggling to move from head knowledge to heart knowledge — if so, what's the biggest barrier you face? We're building something important together in Season 2, and YOUR voice matters. Hit subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who wants to know God more deeply! 📖 Want to go deeper? Grab the Season 2 companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Nvi2fkSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →Proof That God Exists (Beyond a Reasonable Doubt) - S2E19
Mar 1600:17:57Tap to summarizeThink believing in God is just a blind leap of faith? Worried your faith might crumble if someone asked you the hard questions?In this Season 2 premiere, we're tackling the most fundamental question of all: Does God actually exist — and can we back that up with real evidence? We'll walk through four powerful lines of reasoning that point to God's existence — from the origin of the universe, to the fine-tuning of creation, to the moral truths written on every human heart, to the deep longings nothing in this world can satisfy. This isn't about winning arguments — it's about discovering that your faith stands on solid ground."Faith isn't a blind leap in the dark — it's a confident step into the light of evidence that God himself has provided."In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why "proof" for God works more like a courtroom case than a math equation — and why that's actually more convincingFour lines of evidence that point to God's existence: creation, design, morality, and desireHow even non-religious scientists and philosophers find the case for God compellingPractical Applications:Gain confidence in your own faith — knowing it's built on evidence, not just feelings or traditionBe equipped to share your faith when someone says "there's no evidence for God"Find an anchor for those inevitable moments when doubt comes knockingYour Assignment This Week: Think through the four evidences for God — creation, design, morality, and desire. Pick the one that resonates most with you and spend some time thinking it through more deeply. Then try explaining it to someone in your own words — the goal isn't to win an argument but to strengthen your own confidence.💬 Community Question: Which of these four evidences for God — creation, design, morality, or desire — speaks most powerfully to you, and why? Is there one you've personally experienced or wrestled with? Or maybe there's an evidence we didn't cover that has been meaningful in your own journey?We're kicking off Season 2 — "Getting to Know the Unknowable God" — and YOUR voice matters as we explore who God really is together. Hit subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who's wrestling with questions about God's existence!📖 Want to go deeper? Grab the Season 2 companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Nvi2fkSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →Building Your Life on God’s Word (The Foundation That Never Fails) - S1E18
Mar 900:20:38Tap to summarizeConvinced the Bible is trustworthy — but not sure how to actually build your whole life on it? Worried it means becoming a "religious fanatic"? In this Season 1 finale, we're tackling the big question: what does it actually look like to make Scripture the foundation of everything — your decisions, your identity, and your daily rhythms? Spoiler: it's not about becoming rigid or disconnected from reality. It's about discovering the one foundation that will never crumble beneath you, no matter what storms hit. If you've ever made decisions based mostly on feelings, culture, or other people's opinions, this episode will show you a better way. "Everyone builds their life on something — the question isn't whether you have a foundation, but whether your foundation can hold up when the storms come." In This Episode, You'll Discover: • Why everyone already builds their life on a foundation — and how to tell if yours is solid or shaky • Four reasons Scripture is uniquely qualified to be your life's foundation (drawn from everything we've learned this season) • Why building on God's Word doesn't restrict your life — it actually sets you free to flourish Practical Applications: • Develop a biblical filter for every decision — always asking how you can honor God and align with His principles • Let Scripture shape your identity and self-worth instead of performance, circumstances, or opinions • Create sustainable rhythms and habits that keep you consistently grounded in God's Word Your Assignment This Week: Pick one area of your life where you've been building on something other than God's Word — your relationships, finances, career, or how you handle stress — and ask God to show you what it would look like to rebuild that area on the foundation of Scripture. 💬 Community Question: What's one area of your life where you want to start building more intentionally on God's Word rather than on your feelings, cultural trends, or other people's opinions? And what's one practical step you're going to take this week to begin that process? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're wrapping up Season 1, and YOUR voice has been such an important part of this journey. Hit subscribe so you don't miss Season 2 — we're moving from exploring God's Word to exploring God Himself, and trust me, it's going to change everything about how you relate to Him. 📖Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →How to Apply Ancient Truth to Modern Life - S1E17
Mar 200:18:42Tap to summarizeYou're reading your Bible and hit instructions about not muzzling an ox while it treads grain, rules about servants, or warnings about meat sacrificed to idols. And you're thinking, "I don't have an ox, I don't have servants, and I've never seen meat sacrificed to idols. How is this supposed to help me with my actual problems?" Here's what you need to know: God didn't give us his Word to be a museum piece we admire from a distance. He gave it as a living guide that speaks to every generation — including ours. The same truths that transformed lives 2,000 years ago can transform your life today. You just need to know how to bridge the gap wisely. In this episode, I'm giving you a simple framework that will revolutionize how you apply Scripture to your modern life. "The principles of Scripture are timeless, but the applications can be time-bound." In This Episode, You'll Discover: The crucial difference between timeless truths and time-bound applications A three-question framework: What was the original situation? What's the timeless principle? How does it apply today? Guidelines for knowing which commands are cultural and which are universalPractical Applications: Look for the heart behind the command — not just the letter of the law Consider how Jesus and the apostles applied Old Testament principles to new situations Apply Scripture in community, not in isolation — God gave his Word to his people to understand together Your Assignment This Week: Pick one passage that's always seemed culturally irrelevant. Use the three-question framework, then discuss your conclusions with a mature Christian friend. 💬 Community Question: What's one Bible passage that used to seem irrelevant to modern life but now makes sense when you see the timeless principle behind it? Or if you're still struggling, what's one ancient-seeming passage you'd love help understanding? Share in the comments! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Hit subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it! Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below!📖 Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →Why the Old Testament Still Matters Today - S1E16
Feb 2600:17:18Tap to summarizeBe honest — do you really need to read the Old Testament? You start strong in Genesis, but then you hit Leviticus with all those laws about sacrifices and skin diseases and think, "What does this have to do with my life in the 21st century?" Maybe you've wondered if the New Testament is enough, or even thought the God of the Old Testament seems different from Jesus. Here's what I want you to know: the Old Testament isn't the irrelevant, outdated section you have to endure to get to the "good stuff." It's essential for understanding who God is, who you are, and what Jesus came to do. Without it, the New Testament doesn't make complete sense. It's like watching only the final season of a long-running show — you'd miss why everything matters so much. "The Old Testament isn't the opening act before the main event — it's the foundation that makes the main event make sense." In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why the God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament How the pattern of human failure throughout the Old Testament explains why we needed Jesus How every Old Testament promise finds its fulfillment in Christ Practical Applications:See God's character and consistency — his patience with Israel helps you understand his patience with you Understand why you needed Jesus — the Old Testament shows the problem so you can appreciate the solution Discover the promises Jesus fulfilled — it's like putting on 3D glasses for the New Testament Your Assignment This Week: Choose one Old Testament passage that's always seemed confusing or irrelevant. Read it and ask: What does this teach me about God's character? How does it lead to Jesus? What timeless principles apply today? 💬 Community Question: What's your honest relationship with the Old Testament right now — challenging, boring, confusing, or meaningful? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Hit subscribe so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it! 📖 Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →The Bible’s Big Story in 20 Minutes - S1E15
Feb 1600:19:45Tap to summarizeEver felt overwhelmed by the Bible's 66 books written over a thousand years? Maybe you know David fought Goliath, Jesus died on the cross, and Paul wrote letters – but you're not sure how it all connects into one message. Is the Bible just a collection of separate religious writings, or is there actually one big story being told?Here's what I want you to know: the Bible isn't a random collection of ancient texts. It's one beautiful, unified story of God's love and his plan to rescue us from our brokenness. In this episode, I'm walking you through the entire Bible in just 20 minutes – four movements that will transform how you read every single page. "The Bible isn't 66 separate books that happen to be bound together – it's one epic story told in 66 chapters."In This Episode, You'll Discover:The four movements of Scripture: Creation, Fall, Redemption Promised, Redemption AccomplishedHow genealogies, laws, and prophecies all point to one coming SaviorWhy the Old Testament pattern of human failure is actually the entire point Practical Applications:Read confusing passages with confidence – they fit into God's bigger planDiscover your place in God's ongoing story – you're not just reading history, you're living in itFind hope that transcends your circumstances – knowing the ending changes everything Your Assignment This Week: Pick one Old Testament passage that's always seemed confusing or irrelevant. Read it again and ask: "How does this fit into God's plan to rescue and restore his broken world?"Community Question: What's one part of the Bible that used to confuse you but now makes more sense when you see how it fits into the bigger story? Or if you're just starting to see this unified narrative, what's one "aha!" moment you've had recently? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it!Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →How Scripture Interprets Scripture (Your Best Tool for Understanding Difficult Passages) - S1E14
Feb 900:18:49Tap to summarizeEver hit a Bible passage that seems to contradict something else you read? Or wondered how to know who's right when people interpret the same verse completely differently? Is understanding the Bible just a matter of personal opinion – or is there actually a way to figure out what it really means? Here's incredible news: there's a simple but powerful principle that can revolutionize your Bible reading. The Bible is its own best interpreter. In this episode, we're discovering how comparing Scripture with Scripture resolves apparent contradictions, builds your confidence, and helps you understand even the most challenging passages – no seminary degree required. "The Bible is like a conversation where every book is talking about the same God, and when you listen to the whole conversation, the individual voices make much more sense." In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why this principle works – one ultimate Author means one consistent message How clear passages illuminate unclear ones (like how James and Paul actually agree on faith and works) Why themes and truths are repeated throughout Scripture so nothing essential is hidden in one obscure verse Practical Applications: Become an active investigator – ask "What else does the Bible say about this?" instead of getting stuck Use clear passages as your foundation – let them guide your understanding of complex ones Develop a cross-referencing system – gather multiple passages on the same topic and read them together Your Assignment This Week: Pick a topic that interests or confuses you – prayer, suffering, money, relationships – and find five passages that address it. Read them together and ask: "What's the consistent message? How do they interpret each other?" Community Question: Can you think of a time when a confusing Bible passage became clearer when you compared it with other verses? Or if you've never tried this approach, what's one topic you'd like to study using this method? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it! Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →What to Do When the Bible Doesn’t Make Sense - S1E13
Feb 200:19:13Tap to summarizeYou're reading Scripture, feeling pretty good about your understanding, and then BAM – you hit a passage that might as well be written in ancient Martian. Maybe it's a genealogy with unpronounceable names, a prophetic vision full of bizarre imagery, or a verse that seems to contradict what you thought you knew about God. If you've ever thought, "Everyone else seems to understand the Bible, but apparently I'm too dumb for this" – I have great news: encountering confusing passages doesn't mean you're failing as a Christian, and it doesn't mean the Bible is unreliable. Even the apostle Peter said some of Paul's writings were "hard to understand." In this episode, we're discovering why confusing passages exist and practical strategies for navigating them with confidence instead of frustration. "A passage that's confusing to you isn't necessarily a confusing passage – it might just be a passage that needs some context." In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why the Bible contains challenging sections – and why that's actually a good thing What confusing passages DON'T mean about you or your faith How to shift from frustration to curiosity when you hit difficult texts Practical Applications: Use the "bookmark and return" strategy – don't let one hard passage derail your reading Apply the "zoom out" principle – find the main point even when details are confusing Build your interpretation on clear passages – let the clear inform the unclear Your Assignment This Week: If you've been avoiding Bible reading because of difficult passages, start again with John or James. When you hit confusing sections, apply these strategies: bookmark and return, zoom out, and build on what's clear. Community Question: What's one Bible passage that has confused or frustrated you, and how did you work through it – or are you still working through it? Maybe you found a helpful resource, or maybe you could use some encouragement from this community. Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it! Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend us Fan MailWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com...Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion GuideEveryday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion GuideYou can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon:CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's booksThanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →How To Study The Bible On Your Own (Without Feeling Lost Or Overwhelmed) - S1E12
Jan 2600:20:54Tap to summarizeEver sat down with your Bible, notebook ready, and thought... "Okay, now what? Am I supposed to just read? Take notes? What if I don't understand something? What if I'm missing the point completely?" If you've ever felt like real Bible study is for people who went to seminary, I have great news: you don't need a theology degree, expensive software, or special spiritual gifts to study God's Word meaningfully. In this episode, I'm giving you a simple method that has transformed the Bible study of thousands of people – and it will work for you too. Personal Bible study isn't about impressing God with your insights; it's about spending time with him in a way that feeds your soul and transforms your life. "Bible study isn't about becoming smarter – it's about becoming more like Jesus." In This Episode, You'll Discover: The difference between reading the Bible and studying it – and why both matter The three essential components anyone can learn: observation, interpretation, application The SOAP method – a simple structure that takes the guesswork out of Bible study Practical Applications: Use a simple but powerful study method (SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) Ask the right questions – questions that move you from information to transformation Build sustainable habits that fit your life – start smaller than you think, be more consistent than you think Your Assignment This Week: Choose one book of the Bible (try 1 John or Mark) and commit to studying a few verses each day using the SOAP method for the next week. Don't worry about being perfect – just be consistent. Community Question: What's been your biggest challenge with personal Bible study – is it finding time, knowing where to start, understanding what you read, or something else entirely? And after today's episode, what's one thing you're excited to try? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below! We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it! Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend a textWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com... Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion Guide Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion Guide You can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon: CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's books Thanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
Transcribe →Why Different Translations Say Different Things (And How To Choose Wisely) - S1E11
Jan 1900:20:28Tap to summarizeEver been in a Bible study where someone reads from the ESV, another quotes the NIV, and someone else has the NLT – and you're thinking, "Wait, those sound completely different! Which one is right? Am I reading the wrong Bible?"Here's what you need to know: having multiple translations is actually a gift, not a problem. In this episode, we're discovering why translations differ, how the translation process actually works (it's both an art and a science), and most importantly, how to choose and use different Bible versions with confidence. You don't need to learn Greek and Hebrew to understand God's Word – and you're definitely not missing something crucial by reading in English."No essential Christian doctrine hangs on a single verse or a particular translation choice. God made sure His main message comes through loud and clear."In This Episode, You'll Discover:Why languages don't work like math equations – and what that means for translationThe difference between "formal equivalence" (word-for-word) and "dynamic equivalence" (thought-for-thought)Why manuscript differences almost never affect any major doctrinePractical Applications:Choose a good primary translation and stick with it for regular readingUse multiple translations for deeper study – but don't let options paralyze youTrust the scholarly process – translation teams work for years to faithfully communicate God's WordYour Assignment This Week: If you don't have a primary Bible translation, choose one and commit to reading it regularly for the next month. When studying a particular passage, try comparing two or three versions to see what insights you gain.Community Question: What's your current primary Bible translation, and why did you choose it? Or if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the translation options, what's making that decision difficult for you? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below!We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who needs to hear it!Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VFSend a textWatch our podcast episodes on YouTube. Follow our channel right HEREGet The Books! Grab your copy of the Season 1 and Season 2 Companion Guides from Amazon.com... Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 1 Companion Guide Everyday Theology In Plain English: Season 2 Companion Guide You can find ALL of Pastor Charlie's books on Amazon: CLICK HERE to see Pastor Charlie's books Thanks for listening to Everyday Theology In Plain English!
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