Jimmy Swaggart, an All-American Prophet of Baal (Ep. 228)

While Jimmy Swaggart died in 2025 at the beginning of July, many people only know him because of his public scandals of being caught with prostitutes in 1988 and then again in 1991. But before those revelations that heralded the decline of his influence, he was an internationally known preacher on TV and radio, making around $150 million dollars per year, who had built his ministry over nearly 40 years.

In this episode, we want to look at Jimmy Swaggart’s message and the techniques he used in his ministry and ask some questions about his success. It’s so easy to dismiss false teachers and to think that we cannot be tricked by them. But in doing research for this episode, Charles went back and listened to some of Swaggart’s old sermons and was surprised to realize how much he sounded like an old-fashioned fire-and-brimstone preacher that would have preached in many churches he grew up in. Swaggart consistently refined his preaching techniques to the point that when he began his ministry, he sounded much like Billy Graham, and toward the end, he sounded much like Joel Osteen.

False prophets will always be a threat to the flock, but we can protect ourselves and others by being aware of how they lead men astray and by keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Timecodes
00:00:00 Entertainer
00:17:10 The Trinity
00:20:24 Speaking in Tongues
00:22:32 Red letter Bible
00:25:30 Cross Idolatry
00:26:43 Strange Ideas
00:38:42 Pride
00:42:56 Swaggart’s Fall
00:51:43 Why People Followed Him
00:57:48 Changing Appeal
01:03:17 Appeal to Sinners
01:09:34 Graham on Swaggart

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Jimmy Swaggart, an All-American Prophet of Baal (Ep. 228 Audio)

While Jimmy Swaggart died in 2025 at the beginning of July, many people only know him because of his public scandals of being caught with prostitutes in 1988 and then again in 1991. But before those revelations that heralded the decline of his influence, he was an internationally known preacher on TV and radio, making around $150 million dollars per year, who had built his ministry over nearly 40 years.

In this episode, we want to look at Jimmy Swaggart’s message and the techniques he used in his ministry and ask some questions about his success. It’s so easy to dismiss false teachers and to think that we cannot be tricked by them. But in doing research for this episode, Charles went back and listened to some of Swaggart’s old sermons and was surprised to realize how much he sounded like an old-fashioned fire-and-brimstone preacher that would have preached in many churches he grew up in. Swaggart consistently refined his preaching techniques to the point that when he began his ministry, he sounded much like Billy Graham, and toward the end, he sounded much like Joel Osteen.

False prophets will always be a threat to the flock, but we can protect ourselves and others by being aware of how they lead men astray and by keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

The Eschatology of the Apostles: Psalm 110 (Ep. 227)

People turn to many different Scripture passages to build their eschatology, but which Old Testament passage did the Holy Spirit inspire the Apostles to use over and over again?

In this episode, we examine Psalm 110, one of, if not the most quoted and referenced scripture passages in the New Testament. It is a remarkable Psalm in that, among its poetic elements, it plainly and straightforwardly describes the order of future events relating to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom and his return. It is a beautiful Psalm in how it glorifies God as God and in the way it shows the plan of God to establish righteousness and to bring peace.

Often, when people attempt to understand eschatology, they look at the various historical views held by leaders in the early church or by prominent Christians at different points in history and then try to compose the correct view. But here is why that is a flawed approach: Scripture should be the primary influence that shapes our thinking. Scripture transforms our minds. It changes the way we think and when our thoughts flow through scripture, we are more likely to think correctly and to come to the correct conclusion. It is very believable that when the early church thought about eschatology through the lens of Psalm 110 (as well as other scripture) that they would come to different conclusions than we would come to today. It was hard for them to imagine 2000 years of history. They may have assumed that Christ would put his enemies under his feet quickly. After all, they may have seen Rome as the primary enemy that needed to be defeated. So this is why a proper view of scripture is important. It does not matter quite so much what conclusions Irenaeus came to regarding future events, what matters far more is that we look at the right scripture and that we give that scripture far more weight than we do to the minds of men. Psalm 110 says some very definite things about specific events. Christ and the apostles quote it in many places so that we know how to think about it correctly. Let us make sure we look to God’s word and not to the teaching of men. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Timecodes
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:27 Christ will be victorious
00:09:50 Believers win
00:12:26 He is victorious while still in Heaven
00:17:28 He will suppress his enemies
00:23:07 Conquering through Holiness
00:24:08 Everlasting Priesthood
00:27:17 Executing Judgments from Heaven
00:34:25 References to Psalm 110
00:36:13 Acts 2
00:50:13 1 Corinthians 15
00:59:03 Conclusion


Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

The Eschatology of the Apostles: Psalm 110 (Ep. 227 Audio)

People turn to many different Scripture passages to build their eschatology, but which Old Testament passage did the Holy Spirit inspire the Apostles to use over and over again?

In this episode, we examine Psalm 110, one of, if not the most quoted and referenced scripture passages in the New Testament. It is a remarkable Psalm in that, among its poetic elements, it plainly and straightforwardly describes the order of future events relating to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom and his return. It is a beautiful Psalm in how it glorifies God as God and in the way it shows the plan of God to establish righteousness and to bring peace.

Often, when people attempt to understand eschatology, they look at the various historical views held by leaders in the early church or by prominent Christians at different points in history and then try to compose the correct view. But here is why that is a flawed approach: Scripture should be the primary influence that shapes our thinking. Scripture transforms our minds. It changes the way we think and when our thoughts flow through scripture, we are more likely to think correctly and to come to the correct conclusion. It is very believable that when the early church thought about eschatology through the lens of Psalm 110 (as well as other scripture) that they would come to different conclusions than we would come to today. It was hard for them to imagine 2000 years of history. They may have assumed that Christ would put his enemies under his feet quickly. After all, they may have seen Rome as the primary enemy that needed to be defeated. So this is why a proper view of scripture is important. It does not matter quite so much what conclusions Irenaeus came to regarding future events, what matters far more is that we look at the right scripture and that we give that scripture far more weight than we do to the minds of men. Psalm 110 says some very definite things about specific events. Christ and the apostles quote it in many places so that we know how to think about it correctly. Let us make sure we look to God’s word and not to the teaching of men. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Avoiding Hero Worship: Examining John MacArthur’s Good & Bad (Ep. 225)

In the wake of John MacArthur’s death, how do we avoid falling into the trap of hero worship or idolatry? How can we examine his life so we keep the good things he taught and avoid carrying forward his mistakes?

Few American pastors have had a longer or more impactful ministry than John MacArthur. From his focus on sequential expository preaching to his emphasis of Lordship salvation, to his late-in-life transition from Arminian to Reformed soteriology, John MacArthur helped reform the American church in significant ways. But like any man, Pastor MacArthur was not perfect and made decisions and had practices that we should not emulate.

In this episode, we discuss John MacArthur’s life and attempt to unpack the aspects that should be emulated and those that should be discarded. We believe that this is a God-honoring practice that helps keep us from idolatry and worship of man. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Timecodes
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:14 Expository Preaching
00:10:22 Lordship Salvation
00:26:39 Charismania
00:32:54 Bible Commentaries
00:36:52 Sabbath
00:50:50 Dispensational Eschatology
00:54:48 Cessationalism
01:04:34 COVID
01:07:05 Celebrity Pastor
01:13:25 Money
01:15:05 Conclusion

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Avoiding Hero Worship: Examining John MacArthur’s Good & Bad (Ep. 225 Audio)

In the wake of John MacArthur’s death, how do we avoid falling into the trap of hero worship or idolatry? How can we examine his life so we keep the good things he taught and avoid carrying forward his mistakes?

Few American pastors have had a longer or more impactful ministry than John MacArthur. From his focus on sequential expository preaching to his emphasis of Lordship salvation, to his late-in-life transition from Arminian to Reformed soteriology, John MacArthur helped reform the American church in significant ways. But like any man, Pastor MacArthur was not perfect and made decisions and had practices that we should not emulate.

In this episode, we discuss John MacArthur’s life and attempt to unpack the aspects that should be emulated and those that should be discarded. We believe that this is a God-honoring practice that helps keep us from idolatry and worship of man. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

The Duties of Christians to Each Other (Ep. 225)

What does it mean to edify one another? We know that the word means to “build up”, but how should we think about that task as brothers and sisters in Christ? In this episode, as we continue to look at the duties of Christians, we come to edifying one another and supporting the ministry of the church, both of which are central to being Christians, both of which are often greatly misunderstood. Please join us as we discuss this oft-neglected topic.

Link to first video in series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u5lvDuSDlI

Listen to the audio version here:

Timecodes
00:00 Intro
02:20 Paragraph 4
59:00 Paragraph 5

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

The Duties of Christians to Each Other (Ep. 225 Audio)

What does it mean to edify one another? We know that the word means to “build up”, but how should we think about that task as brothers and sisters in Christ? In this episode, as we continue to look at the duties of Christians, we come to edifying one another and supporting the ministry of the church, both of which are central to being Christians, both of which are often greatly misunderstood. Please join us as we discuss this oft-neglected topic.

Link to first video in series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u5lvDuSDlI

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Should Women be in the Military? What the Bible Says (Ep. 224)

Often until things become very extreme, people do not recognize the absurdity of things. People who have any credible profession to be Christians are usually quick to say that a man cannot be born in a woman’s body or that two men cannot marry, but often they ignore the precursors that brought our culture to the point where that would be considered moral. One of the things that the church does to make those things appear normal is to have women speak in church or be pastors, because once you have eliminated the idea that there is any difference in roles, how can you say two men cannot marry or that there is any real differences between men and women. If God did not make them different and it is just a social construct, then why cant someone change their gender. Another major component to the societal self-deception that men and women are the same is women in combat. For a long time, governments have used the military to transform the culture and that happened in the United States. They said that they are the same, but they had significantly lower fitness standards for women than for men. Pete Hegseth says that he has eliminated that, but are there things other than strength that theologically and practically make it unwise to have women in combat?

Listen to the audio version here:

Timecodes
00:00:00 Effectiveness
00:05:08 Role of Women
00:09:16 Women in Non-Combat
00:18:55 Biblical Authority
00:23:05 Military Reality
00:28:11 Who Scripture Says Should Fight
00:36:51 Uncleanness in the Camp
00:43:50 Women and Fear
00:51:56 Purpose of War
00:57:43 Women’s Spirit
01:04:28 Physical Differences
01:12:54 Deborah
01:15:18 Jael

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Should Women be in the Military? What the Bible Says (Ep. 224 Audio)

Often until things become very extreme, people do not recognize the absurdity of things. People who have any credible profession to be Christians are usually quick to say that a man cannot be born in a woman’s body or that two men cannot marry, but often they ignore the precursors that brought our culture to the point where that would be considered moral. One of the things that the church does to make those things appear normal is to have women speak in church or be pastors, because once you have eliminated the idea that there is any difference in roles, how can you say two men cannot marry or that there is any real differences between men and women. If God did not make them different and it is just a social construct, then why cant someone change their gender. Another major component to the societal self-deception that men and women are the same is women in combat. For a long time, governments have used the military to transform the culture and that happened in the United States. They said that they are the same, but they had significantly lower fitness standards for women than for men. Pete Hegseth says that he has eliminated that, but are there things other than strength that theologically and practically make it unwise to have women in combat?

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson