Great Stories with Charles Morris

#115: Dr. Ben Witherington Responds to Christian Myths About Money

New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III joins Charles Morris for a new interview on what Scripture teaches about money. Considering recent food shortages, price hikes, and the looming fear of recession, there may be no better time than now for Christians to consider their relationship with Jesus and their personal finances.

Offering sage wisdom and curt biblical advice, Witherington takes a no nonsense approach to building a biblical framework around how Christians should handle their money. For him, it starts with one often neglected truth — your money is not your own, but the Lord’s.

#114: Dr. Donald Brake on the Mysterious Beginnings of the King James Bible

A lot can happen in four centuries. Technologies have skyrocketed, new nations have formed, and yet one book has changed very little in as much time . . . the King James Bible.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had with Dr. Donald Brake in 2011 — the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. They discuss how this longstanding Bible translation revolutionized the English-speaking world by exploring the KJV's mysterious beginnings, the men who translated it, and its incredible impact for many generations. 

Dr. Brake is an authority on the history of the Bible and has been an avid collector of rare Bibles and manuscripts for more than thirty years. His is one of the most complete private collections of rare English Bibles and Greek New Testaments in North America. He served as President of Jerusalem University College and Vice President and Dean of Multnomah Biblical Seminary.

Even if it’s been years since you’ve read the King James Bible, this episode on the fascinating history of the English language’s longest-running Scripture translation is something every Christian should consider. 

#113: Lysa TerKeurst Wants You to Crave God, Not Food

During the holidays, it’s nice to enjoy turkey for Thanksgiving and cookies at Christmas. But then New Year’s Day rolls around, and with it comes a reckoning. It’s when many of us begin to regret our lack of restraint over the past few weeks and commit to finally dropping a few pounds.

Today's episode of the Great Stories podcast features a conversation with New York Times bestselling author of “Made to Crave” Lysa TerKeurst. Yes, you'll hear Charles and Lysa talk about food cravings and healthy eating practices. But, unlike other podcasts on the topic, you'll also hear them discuss how this is a spiritual issue, not a physical one.

Ultimately, this isn’t about what you should and should not be eating. It’s about the idolatry we have surrounding the things we often love a little too much in life. Lysa helps us remember that craving isn’t necessarily a bad thing . . . the challenge is to realize how God created us to crave something so much more than what’s in the pantry.

If you or someone you know is struggling with unhealthy eating practices, this New Year’s episode is for you. 

#112: Max McLean on Portraying C.S. Lewis in ”The Most Reluctant Convert” (repost)

If you’ve ever listened to an audio version of the Bible, chances are you were hearing the captivating voice of Max McLean. A classically trained actor, McLean dedicates his talents for the presentation of Scripture and other Christian material. And though many may recognize his voice as the narrator of multiple translations for the Listener’s Bible, he also received great acclaim for his theatrical presentations of The Screwtape Letters, Mark's Gospel, and Genesis.

In this conversation, Charles Morris speaks with Max McLean about his experience writing, starring, and now filming his newest production: The Most Reluctant Convert. Hear what went into telling this groundbreaking story behind C.S. Lewis' long, heel-digging conversion to Christianity, along with how this film is now touching countless lives around the world today.

#111: Christmas in the Beginning (Feat. Sally Lloyd-Jones, Randall Goodgame, Lee Strobel, and Barry Black)

When we celebrate Christmas, we usually concentrate on a very specific moment in time when a young married couple traveled to Bethlehem and delivered a child in a manger. But Christmas didn’t start there. We can trace the promises and events of our Savior’s arrival all the way back to the beginning of time. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to Christmas special from 2017 where he traced the line from Christmas to Genesis with Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ), Sally Lloyd-Jones (The Jesus Storybook Bible), Randall Goodgame (Sing the Bible), and Senate Chaplain Barry Black (Nothing to Fear).

#110: When Christmas Comes Again

Christmas is a time for us to celebrate Immanuel: God with us. But this isn't just limited to a single event in history — because Jesus didn't just make a one-time visit to Earth. The first Christmas also looks forward to that final day when he will come again and make all things new. 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to a Christmas special from 2018 where he spends time helping us visualize the full scope of the incarnation — God with us then, God with us now, and God with us in the time to come.

As you prepare your heart to celebrate the Messiah this Christmas, let's follow the example of the classic Christmas Carol Joy to the World and celebrate Christ's birth while also looking forward to when Christmas comes again.

#109: David Zadok On Preaching the Gospel in Israel

David Zadok was born in Iran, rose to the rank of Major in the Israeli Defense Forces, went to Seminary in the U.S., and now shares the gospel throughout Israel. In today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to two fascinating conversations he had with David in 2010 and 2014 that tells the story behind the violence he experienced early in life and what it's like now to minister the gospel in Israel.

As the pastor of Grace and Truth church and the director of HaGefen Publishing, we are confident that David's story will give you a new appreciation for how God is at work in Israel's growing Christian community.

#108: Fernando Ortega Shares His Favorite Christmas Songs

The Christmas season is here. Whether you’re planning your family get-together, buying gifts, or simply reflecting on Christ's incarnation, there is no doubt we are in a season of anticipation. And one of the best ways to help us get in the spirit of anticipating the Messiah every year is through the music of Christmas. 

This is what Charles Morris and singer-songwriter Fernando Ortega talk about in a new interview. In this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you’ll hear about the significance behind some powerful Christmas songs, what Christmas was like for Fernando growing up in New Mexico, and what it is about the advent season that so powerfully draws us nearer to Christ. You’ll also hear some segments from Fernando’s Christmas Songs album.

We pray this conversation will help you prepare your heart for the Messiah this Christmas.

#107: Bob Bowman Gives Thanks for the Haven of Rest and FEBC

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

—1 Thessalonians 1:2,3

 

How often do we overlook the words of thanksgiving that the Apostle Paul writes to the churches in Asia Minor? Bob Bowman and Charles Morris believe that we too often race past them. And so as we approach Thanksgiving in the United States, we’re bringing back a classic conversation from 2004 on giving thanks. 

For anyone who has been around Haven any length of time, Bob Bowman is a name you’ll be very familiar with. A founding member of the Haven Quartet and founder of Far East Broadcasting Company, Bob was also the Friday Speaker for Haven from 1967-1984. On this episode, you’ll learn more about this history, as well as what both Bob and Charles were thankful for in 2004. 

This episode also serves as a window into the past. Haven Today sounded much different in the early 2000’s. From the opening jingle to the quartet music that Bob hand-selected for this episode, this is truly a Thanksgiving blast from the past. 

As you ponder what you’re thankful for this year, we hope this episode points you to all you have in Christ.

#106: Dr. Norman Wright on Facing an Empty Chair During the Holidays

The holidays is often a time for families and friends to gather around the table to give thanks and celebrate the joy of each other's company. But how do you give thanks and celebrate joy when there's an empty chair that would have been filled by a recently deceased loved one? 

We don't often discuss grief during the holidays, but it is certainly the time when the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or friend is especially painful. Holiday grief is also something that's experienced more often than we might like to think.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had in 2007 with Dr. Norman Wright. A Christian counselor, Dr. Wright spoke to Charles not long after losing his wife to cancer. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, we pray this raw conversation will be a balm and a resource for anyone facing their own empty chair this holiday season.