The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn

Four Eyes Media
  • 5.0 (7)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Can we believe the resurrection of Christ actually happened? The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn delves into the historicity of the resurrection and how this event changed human history—past and future! We interview authors, historians, personalities, and academics to dive deeper into this key historical event that changed human history. The conversations between a contemporary songwriter and members of the scholastic community will offer rare moments of insight for believers and skeptics. Melanie Penn introduces this podcast with the launch of her album, The Rising.

  1. Room to Wonder: Perspectives on the Resurrection of Christ with Dr. Joel C. Elowsky

    2D AGO

    Room to Wonder: Perspectives on the Resurrection of Christ with Dr. Joel C. Elowsky

    In this episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie interviews Dr. Joel C. Elowsky, a distinguished theologian known for his work on the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Dr. Elowsky provides a scholarly deep dive into the resurrection narrative, particularly from the Gospel of John. Listeners will gain insights into the historical and theological perspectives of early Church Fathers on the resurrection, including their interpretations of details such as the linens left in the tomb, the appearances of angels, and Jesus’ interactions with Mary Magdalene and Thomas. This episode is perfect for those seeking a deeper understanding of the resurrection story, yet still allowing for the “wonder” of the mysteries contained within.  Thought-Provoking Quotes: “It’s interesting that Christ’s side is pierced. They didn’t pierce His heart. The fathers made a big deal about this because they go back to Genesis and they said, ‘How did God bring Eve into being? Well, He brought her into being from the side of Adam.’ And so they say just as Eve was the birth of the human race, so when Christ’s side is pierced, it’s the birth of a church, because they’re out of his side, of water and blood.” - Dr. Joel C. Elowsky “You know, this is one of the things I like to teach evangelicals about is the fact that the sacraments were actually pretty important in the life of the church. They weren’t kind of add-ons. They were God’s delivery system of His means of grace, His forgiveness. That’s one of the things you learn from the church that way, in the early ages. - Dr. Joel C. Elowsky “I kind of like that the gospel writers leave things out because I think in some ways it’s giving us an opportunity, with our sacred imagination, to just wonder, to meditate on some things and wonder. Thomas doubted, and maybe Mary didn’t. Are there allowances for people where they are? Does God allow different things at different moments, depending on what we need to overcome our doubts?” - Melanie Penn “I see John emphasizing the fact that God has an important place for women in the life of the church, to give them the honor of being the first witnesses. That's pretty amazing to me.” - Dr. Joel C. Elowsky Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Drew University Concordia University Center for Early African Christianity (CEAC) Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture Easter Enigma by John Wenham Ancient Christian Doctrine Series On the Incarnation by Saint Athanasius Popular Patristics Series by St. Vladimir’s Press Thomas C. Oden Institute for Classical Christian Studies Systematic Theology by Thomas C. Oden Worshiping with the Church Fathers by Christopher Hall  *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Dr. Joel C. Elowsky’s Facebook Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    30 min
  2. The Resurrection Mandate: Living in the “Now and Not Yet” ft. Zach Windahl

    FEB 12

    The Resurrection Mandate: Living in the “Now and Not Yet” ft. Zach Windahl

    In this episode of The Rising, host Melanie Penn chats with author and teacher Zach Windahl, who has an amazing knack for helping people really get the Bible in a simple, practical way that changes lives. Zach dives into his latest book, The Bible, Simplified, sharing his perspective on how the whole Bible tells one continuous, overarching story about how much God wants a personal connection with us. Melanie and Zach explore how ancient wisdom sheds light on the idea of a new beginning, what’s significant about the timing of Christ’s return, and how surprising moments of wonder give us a peek at something better right here on earth.  Thought-Provoking Quotes: “Something clicked for me when I understood the through line of Scripture and how it’s all one unified story instead of just a bunch of random pieces.” - Zach Windahl “God wants a relationship with His creation, and creation went their own way for many, many, years. It’s been a roller coaster of a relationship with Him, and we are now in the place of moving towards restoration and it’s already begun.” - Zach Windahl “Stories and testimonies should be repeated and talked about constantly, because I think it boosts faith in other people to believe that God could do that for me.” - Zach Windahl Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl The Day the Revolution Began by N.T. Wright  Logos Bible Software The New Bible Commentary *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Zach Windahl’s Website Zach Windahl’s Facebook Zach Windahl’s Instagram Zach Windahl’s YouTube Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    23 min
  3. Africa and the First Echoes of Resurrection: Mike Glerup

    FEB 5

    Africa and the First Echoes of Resurrection: Mike Glerup

    In this episode of The Rising, Melanie welcomes scholar Mike Glerup to help widen our understanding of how the resurrection story spread in the earliest days of the church. Together they trace how the news of Jesus’ rising didn’t remain confined to Jerusalem but moved outward quickly, taking root across Africa and shaping communities, languages, and even entire cultures long before Christianity became established in the West. Mike shares why the first documented convert outside Jerusalem was an African official, how early Christian movements grew in places like Nubia and Ethiopia, and how African theologians played a vital role in preserving and interpreting the story of the risen Christ. If you’re curious about how the resurrection spread and how African Christianity helped carry the story forward, this episode offers a fresh and eye-opening look. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “I think the existence and spread of the community kind of proves the Bible, and then the Bible proves the existence of the community. It's kind of a self-reinforcing loop.” - Mike Glerup  “You see that the second oldest Christian country in the world is Ethiopia, that it's been praying in an African language to God for almost 17 centuries.” - Mike Glerup   “Africans have been confessing Jesus as Lord, that he died, he rose again, and he will come again, he will rise and will come in African languages for much longer than we've been doing it in English.”  - Mike Glerup “In a lot of ways, Christianity is the history of trade routes, wherever people traveled, they brought the gospel with them.” - Mike Glerup Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture by Thomas C. Oden Nicene Creed Classical Christianity: A Systematic Theology by Thomas C. Oden  *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Mike Glerup’s Project Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    26 min
  4. A Miraculous Claim Under Historical Scrutiny: Michael J. Kruger

    JAN 29

    A Miraculous Claim Under Historical Scrutiny: Michael J. Kruger

    In this compelling episode of The Rising Podcast, host Melanie Penn welcomes Dr. Michael J. Kruger, a leading scholar in New Testament and Early Christianity. Their fascinating discussion goes beyond typical religious debates, exploring the historical evidence surrounding one of humanity's most extraordinary claims: the resurrection of Jesus. Dr. Kruger unpacks the common objections raised by skeptics, revealing how underlying worldviews often shape our evaluation of historical events. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or simply curious about history, this episode challenges assumptions and invites you to consider the profound implications if a man truly rose from the dead. Join us as we scrutinize ancient texts, analyze historical anomalies, and explore why the resurrection, if true, changes everything.  Thought-Provoking Quotes: “If Jesus did not rise from the dead, you’re left with a rather meaningless universe. You have things that just happen and they’re random and there’s no real purpose, no real meaning, but if Jesus did rise from the dead, then that means there’s something more in the universe than you and me.” - Michael J. Kruger “The fact that the church exists at all in those early centuries and continued on is an anomaly and a historical fact that deserves a historical explanation. And I would say to somebody, regardless of what you think about God or the existence of God or the Bible, you have to explain that.” - Michael J. Kruger “One of the greatest evidences of the resurrection is; how in the world would the early Christian movement have ever survived the death of its savior? Why would it continue? Why would it even exist?” - Michael J. Kruger Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College by Michael J. Kruger *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Michael Kruger’s Website Michael Kruger’s Facebook Michael Kruger’s X Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    25 min
  5. Why Thomas Doubted (and Why We Might Too) with Dr. Vincent Bacote

    JAN 22

    Why Thomas Doubted (and Why We Might Too) with Dr. Vincent Bacote

    In this episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie Penn sits down with Dr. Vincent Bacote, Professor of Theology and Director for the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College. They delve into the oft-told story of “doubting” Thomas from the Bible, exploring why John included this pivotal moment in his gospel and what it reveals about Jesus's patience and understanding of human doubt. Dr. Bacote encourages listeners to re-familiarize themselves with the awe and significance of the resurrection, discussing how to navigate moments of wavering faith and the profound truth that “death is a comma, not a period,” for believers. He also touches on the historicity of the resurrection and the unique claims of Christianity regarding Jesus’s life, death, and ascension. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “Sometimes we need help to be hopeful. And here's an example of Jesus helping Thomas to believe [He was back from the dead]. He says, ‘Here I am, you can put your hand here.’” - Dr. Vincent Bacote "Recognizing the fact that [the resurrection] is such a singular, history changing event, and staying in awe of that is really important. One of the ways we can keep that awe, if we’re over-familiarized, is thinking about where Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 that more than 500 people saw him at one time." - Dr. Vincent Bacote “I think the truth of the resurrection is to give Christians the confidence that death is a comma and not a period.” - Dr. Vincent Bacote Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Black + Evangelical Documentary  “Born Toward Dying” article by Richard John Neuhaus  *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Dr. Vincent Bacote’s Website Dr. Vincent Bacote’s Instagram Dr. Vincent Bacote’s X Dr. Vincent Bacote’s Facebook Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    22 min
  6. “Liar, Lunatic or Lord?” Foundations of the Resurrection ft. J.D. Greear

    JAN 15

    “Liar, Lunatic or Lord?” Foundations of the Resurrection ft. J.D. Greear

    Pastor J.D. Greear, leader of the rapidly growing Summit Church and author of Everyday Revolutionary: How to Transcend the Culture War and Transform the World, discusses faith amid today’s polarized culture. Drawing from biblical insights, he emphasizes the resurrection as the pivotal answer to doubt and suffering, stating, “Faith is accepting what you cannot understand based on what you can understand.” Greear highlights the ongoing experiential role of the Holy Spirit and advocates earnestly desiring spiritual gifts without chasing signs. Addressing apologetics, he outlines common questions believers face and defends the resurrection’s historical accuracy as foundational to Christian hope. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “My favorite definition of faith is accepting what you cannot understand based on what you can understand. You can understand the resurrection and the resurrection gives you the ability to trust God and the things you don't understand.”  - J.D. Greear “What Jesus is saying is there's something about the Holy Spirit in your experience with Him that's supposed to be greater. You would actually choose that over just Me in front of you. If you had the choice.”  - J.D. Greear “In light of the resurrection, if the resurrection is true, then your doubt, whatever it is, it's not pointing you to something that is actually a problem. It just means something you don't quite understand right now.” - J.D. Greear “The idea that a bunch of blue collar fishermen who had not been trained in any of this kind of resistance maintained till their dying day they'd seen Jesus raised from the dead all the while knowing that it really wasn't true. He said that pushes reason to the point of almost absurdity.”  - J.D. Greear Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Everyday Revolutionary: How to Transcend the Culture War and Transform the World by J.D. Greear  *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: J.D. Greear’s website J.D. Greear’s Facebook J.D. Greear’s Instagram  J.D. Greear’s X J.D. Greear’s YouTube  Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    26 min
  7. The Resurrection: Science Fiction or Historical Fact? Ft. Sam Allberry

    JAN 8

    The Resurrection: Science Fiction or Historical Fact? Ft. Sam Allberry

    Pastor, apologist, and author Sam Allberry joins The Rising to talk with Melanie Penn about faith, doubt, and the hope we find in the resurrection of Jesus. Sam shares his journey from skeptic to pastor, how he thinks about offering hospitality to those who struggle with belief, and why the resurrection is both the most “absurd” and the most compelling truth at the heart of Christianity. Together, Melanie and Sam explore what it means to be in Christ, how the cross unites us to God and to one another, and why the evidence for the resurrection points to more than just reason—it points to a living hope. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “I think when it comes to the resurrection in particular, to a thoughtful skeptic, it still sounds very absurd. It does sound science fiction-y, and I’m very conscious of that. I want to try to show how historically, philosophically, in as many ways as I can, that actually it’s more absurd to not believe in it, given what we see and know.” - Sam Allberry “Evidence alone is not going to generate faith in someone. That doesn’t mean I don’t present the evidence. I present the evidence, but pray that the Lord would use it to spark faith in someone.” - Sam Allberry “There’s a resurrection-shaped hole in human history, but it’s hard to account for otherwise. There’s so many other reasons to suppose Jesus is alive today.” - Sam Allberry “When we come to Christ in faith, we become one with Him. That the most common New Testament way of describing a Christian believer is to call them someone who is in Christ.” - Sam Allberry Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: One With My Lord by Sam Allberry Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity by Paul Barnett The Crucified King by Jeremy Treat *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel! *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Sam Allberry’s website Sam Allberry’s Facebook Sam Allberry’s Instagram Sam Allberry’s YouTube Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    21 min
  8. The Breath of New Life: From Death to Divine Union ft. Trevin Wax & Thomas West

    JAN 1

    The Breath of New Life: From Death to Divine Union ft. Trevin Wax & Thomas West

    In this captivating episode of The Rising Podcast, Melanie Penn sits down with authors Thomas West and Trevin Wax to explore the profound implications of Jesus’ ascension and the resurrection for humanity today. Drawing from their new book, The Gospel Way Catechism, Trevin and Thomas delve into how the resurrection is not merely a past event, but a “new beginning” of God’s new creation, impacting our present and future. They discuss how Jesus’ resurrected body offers a glimpse into a “new way of being human” and challenge our perceptions of heaven as a distant place, describing it instead as God’s “dimension of reality” that is “closer than we realize.” Discover how the unseen realm of heaven and earth will ultimately be one, and how our yearning for immortality is fulfilled in Christ’s gift of eternal life, a truth worth staking everything on. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “It's not just that by coming back from the dead, Jesus assures us a heavenly afterlife. It's that this new creation that has happened here is connected to the resurrection of our physical bodies when we will be made like Him. Me recognizing how my future resurrection is grounded in, tied up with and united to Jesus and His physical resurrection makes the story so much more compelling.” - Trevin Wax “We have so much that we're looking forward to in the future, but God is presently doing a new thing right now. What a wild truth to let your heart and mind start to rise up to. I think it invades the present now with  wonderful potential, wonderful hope. We're in the middle of a new thing.” - Thomas West “The resurrection is not the happy ending after Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday. It is the new beginning of God's new creation.” - Trevin Wax  “I think marketers know something that Augustine would have said or that other people have known throughout history is that we yearn for immortality. We yearn for eternity. Eternity is written in our hearts. And that's why people can sell stuff to us for that.” - Trevin Wax Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Trevin Wax’s website Thomas West’s website Trevin Wax’s Facebook Thomas West’s Facebook  Thomas West’s Instagram Trevin Wax’s Twitter Thomas West’s Twitter Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media.

    24 min
See All (24)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Can we believe the resurrection of Christ actually happened? The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn delves into the historicity of the resurrection and how this event changed human history—past and future! We interview authors, historians, personalities, and academics to dive deeper into this key historical event that changed human history. The conversations between a contemporary songwriter and members of the scholastic community will offer rare moments of insight for believers and skeptics. Melanie Penn introduces this podcast with the launch of her album, The Rising.

Information

You Might Also Like