I still have them. By “them” I mean the slew of copy-and-pasted text messages I sent to several brothers in Christ soon after listening to the first episode of Christianity Today’s “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” podcast – “Highly recommend☝🏼”. Fast forward, and I am writing this article, and doing so at a decidedly slower pace, and with a decidedly more measured tone. And why? Because while “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” certainly has many things going for it, the podcast also presents many areas of concern for the biblically-minded and discerning follower of Christ.

Almost 15 years ago, on a shoreline outside of Athens, Greece, I stood confident in my relationship with the Lord and my ministry trajectory. I was traveling the world on a private Gulfstream jet doing “gospel” ministry and enjoying every luxury money could buy. After a comfortable flight and my favorite meal (lasagna) made by our personal chef, we prepared for a ministry trip by resting at The Grand Resort: Lagonissi.