Listen and Learn

In a recent conversation the question came up, “Can you recommend Christian audio resources I could listen to during my commute?”

My answer:  “Yes.”  But first, three clarifications:  1) A measure of input from some non-Christian sources is fitting, if you listen with discernment; don’t cloister yourself in a Christian media bubble.  2) There are many other providers of soundly evangelical Christian media content in addition to those I mention.  3) Recommending a media provider does not mean I endorse everything they say.

Podcasts I’ve appreciated (see the online version of this article for links to all resources—go to gosshenbaptist.org / Resources / Blog):

• Ask Pastor John (John Piper)
• Think Biblically (Biola University)
• The Gospel Coalition Podcast (various speakers)
• Mere Fidelity (various contributors)
• Signposts (Russell Moore)
• ERLC Podcast (Ethics and Religious Liberty Commis­sion)
• Knowing Faith (Matt Chandler and the Village Church)
• Pray the Word (David Platt)
• Help Me Teach the Bible (Nancy Guthrie)
• The Way Home (Daniel Darling)
• The White Horse Inn (Michael Horton)

Online audio sources I’ve appreciated (and some video), with free, downloadable content that can be saved as MP3 files:

• The Gospel Coalition (sermons, lectures, interviews, conference messages—a wealth of excellent material)
• Desiring God (sermons, interviews, conference messages, mostly from John Piper)
• Together for the Gospel (conference messages)
• Gospel in Life (Tim Keller ser­mons)
• Christian Audio (including free audio-book of the month)
• Truth for Life (Allister Begg sermons)
• Wayne Grudem’s church-based teaching series on his book, Systematic Theology
• All Souls Church London (especially John Stott’s messages)
• Billy Graham audio archives.

Online Bible and theology courses from reputable evangelical Christian scholars and teachers—again, free downloadable resources.  Let me recommend two sites that provide a plethora of excellent content:

• Biblical Training (with courses on OT, NT, Christian beliefs, church history, spiritual growth, apologetics, religions, ethics, etc.);
• The Gospel Coalition Courses (including a similar wide array of topics).

So load up your audio device, and “go to school”—listen and learn!

Not sure how to save audio files to your device so you can listen as you go without Wi-Fi and without using up your data plan?  Tech advice is not my cup of tea (to say the least), so check with someone who knows a thing or two.  But one way you can do it is this:  1) download and save audio files (typically MP3 format); 2) create a free Dropbox account (you can store 2.75 GB of files); 3) upload your audios to Dropbox; 4) on the Dropbox app on your phone/tablet, select “make available offline” to save an audio to listen on the go.