World Upside Down

Indianapolis Theological Seminary

Welcome to World Upside Down, the official podcast of Indianapolis Theological Seminary, where we engage in deep theological discussions on ”load-bearing” doctrines of the Christian faith. Each episode delves into a key Scriptural topic from a unique perspective, providing valuable insights for current and future ministry leaders.

  1. JAN 28

    How Creation Informs Modern Life | Dr. Christopher Watkin | S2E7

    What does it really mean to be made in God’s image? Dr. Christopher Watkin unpacks this alongside the cultural mandate to show how Genesis 1 grounds our everyday life. Timestamps 00:00 — Opening & Big Questions (image of God, creation mandate) 00:50 — Guest Intro: Dr. Christopher Watkin 01:07 — “Cultural” vs “Creation” Mandate (why both terms work) 01:44 — “Thinking Through” Creation: Three Senses 03:33 — God Creates by Speaking: Truth, Power, Relationship 06:04 — Not Solipsistic: Trinity & a Relational Reality 08:03 — Love vs Power: Why the Trinity Changes Everything 12:03 — God Lacks Nothing: Creation as Gift, Not Need 15:19 — Church as Participation: Word, New Creation, Liturgy 17:48 — Diagonalization: A Biblical Path Beyond False Binaries 24:37 — Example: Image of God (humbling and dignifying) 25:19 — Method Hints: 1 Corinthians 1; Prodigal’s Two Brothers 29:47 — Politics & Camps: Commit Without Being Captured 33:36 — Truth → Strategy → Tactics (don’t reverse-engineer truth) 35:14 — Creation Before Fall: The Measure for Cultural Critique 42:02 — 1 Corinthians 15: Labor in the Lord Is Not in Vain 45:53 — Why French Philosophy Helped (reading from the “inside”) 54:03 — Sabbath: Humane Limits & Witness in a 24/7 Culture 57:41 — Work Without Idolatry; Good Work vs. Destructive Work 59:01 — “Communion Before Commission”: Identity Then Activity 1:00:08 — Fill and Subdue: Home & Public, Manual & Intellectual 1:05:05 — Closing & Giveaway Note Interested in going deeper? Learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how you can take your next step toward robust theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info   Enter for a chance to win a copy of Dr. Watkin's book, "Thinking Through Creation: Genesis 1 and 2 as Tools of Cultural Critique": https://forms.gle/64orBgPu4Zj483ox8 #ImagoDei #CreationMandate #BiblicalTheology #Trinity #Sabbath #Vocation #Culture #Apologetics #Genesis #BiblicalCriticalTheory #Discipleship #Church #Philosophy #NewCreation

    1h 6m

  2. JAN 14

    What Does "Redemption" Mean? | Dr. T. Desmond Alexander | S2E6

    Is redemption just forgiveness, or far more? Dr. T. Desmond Alexander traces the Exodus Passover pattern, showing how it restores access to God’s presence and anticipates Christ. Along the way, he explains why redemption includes the renewal of creation—fueling real Christian hope. Timestamps 00:00 — Opening & Guest Intro 01:12 — Exodus: From Oppression to God’s Presence (Tabernacle's Goal) 03:02 — What is a Priest? 04:43 — Firstborn & Levites as Substitutes (Exod 13; Num 3, 8) 08:01 — Passover Pattern: Ransom, Purification, Consecration 14:05 — Jesus as the Passover Lamb (John, Revelation) 20:05 — “Royal Priesthood”: Access Now, Glory Not Yet (1 Pet 2) 24:02 — Justification as Ransom (“Redeem” Verbs: ga’al & pādâ) 26:34 — Beyond Verdict: Cleansed & Made Holy 29:03 — Biblical Theology vs. Systematic Theology 36:07 — Advice to Pastors: Keeping Christ Central 39:04 — Redemption of Creation (Isaiah; Rev 21–22) 46:10 — Beginning of New Creation in Christ 49:15 — Pastors: Model Reading Scripture; Teach the Big Story 52:05 — Wrap Up Interested in going deeper? Learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how you can take your next step toward robust theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info Enter for a chance to win a copy of Dr. Alexander's book, From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology: https://forms.gle/64orBgPu4Zj483ox8 #BiblicalTheology #Redemption #Passover #Exodus #Jesus #NewCreation #KingdomOfGod #BibleStudy #Theology #Christianity #Gospel #Seminary

    52 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    The Story of All Stories (A Lecture Episode)

    For Christmas, we're pressing pause on our regular World Upside Down programming. In this special episode, Dr. P delivers a sweeping, 40,000-foot overview of the Bible’s grand storyline—from creation and fall, through promise and exile, to fulfillment in Christ. Rather than focusing on a single text or theme, this message traces the coherence of Scripture itself: one unfolding story centered on God’s presence, God’s promises, and God’s King. Though not originally delivered on Christmas, this message is especially fitting for the season. Christmas is most glorious when seen within the larger biblical narrative—the long-awaited arrival of the Seed of the woman, the Son of David, and the true restoration of humanity to the presence of God. If you’ve ever wondered how the whole Bible fits together—or how your own story fits within God’s—this lecture offers clarity, depth, and hope. Interested in going deeper? Learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and take your next step toward robust theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info

    1h 45m

  4. 12/16/2025

    Creation Ex Nihilo: A Historical Look at the Doctrine of Creation | S2E5

    In this episode of World Upside Down, we trace how the early church confronted rival worldviews like Gnosticism, Marcionism, Arianism, and ancient materialism, and why confessing God as the maker of all things, visible and invisible was not a side issue, but essential to the gospel itself. Along the way, we consider how creation and redemption are inseparable, why the Trinity grounds creation as a free act of divine generosity, and how losing the doctrine of creation leads to confusion about truth, meaning, human dignity, and vocation. Interested in going deeper? Learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how you can take your next step toward robust theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info

    1h 17m

  5. 12/03/2025

    How to Read the Book of Revelation | Dr. Tom Schreiner | S2E4

    What does Revelation tell us about the new creation? How does it transform your Christian life and ministry? Dr. Tom Schreiner walks through Revelation 21–22, showcasing how its symbolism feeds the imagination and nourishes our soul, pointing us towards what God is going to do to restore the world. Timestamps: 00:00 — Topics to Cover in this Episode 01:17 — Eden in Rev 21–22 ("Healing of the Nations") 05:48 — New Creation is BETTER Than Eden 07:13 — Enhancing the Image of God 10:18 — Perfecting the Creation (City, River, No Temple) 13:42 — Should We Read Revelation Symbolically? 16:45 — Referents: What the Symbol Communicates (Beast, Dragon, etc.) 19:56 — Is There a Literal New Jerusalem? 23:43 — Revelation as the Climax of the Bible 26:27 — "Sea is No More" (End of Evil/Chaos) 30:39 — "Tree on Either Side of the River" (God Provides Forever) 33:04 — "Walls w/ Open Gates" (Safest Place Imaginable) 34:37 — “No Night” (No Moral Evil) 36:42 — What Can We Bring With Us? ("Glory and Honor of the Nations") 44:06 — "He Who Conquers" (Sonship Theme) 45:08 — About Dr. Schreiner (Serving the Church & Seminary Education) 53:45 — Ezekiel’s Temple (& New Testament as Interpretive Guide) 1:01:23 — Significance of the Ending to the Bible (Application for Today) Interested in going deeper?   Learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how you can take your next step toward robust theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info Leave a comment below and click the following link to be entered to win a copy of Dr. Schreiner's commentary on Revelation: https://forms.gle/xr28WFs3jWHmY6r89   #Revelation #NewCreation #NewJerusalem #Eschatology #BiblicalTheology #Apocalyptic #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #TomSchreiner #Theology

    1h 9m

  6. 11/18/2025

    How Christ’s Resurrection Reshapes the Present Age | S2E3

    What did the Old Testament prophets expect when they spoke of a coming new creation, and how does Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection launch that new reality today? Dr. Nicholas Piotrowski and Pastor Roger Williams explore Jesus’s miracles, the overlap of the ages, and Paul’s vision of believers as firstfruits of God’s renewed world. This episode gives listeners a clear, hope-filled framework for understanding inaugurated eschatology, life in the Spirit, and what it means to be part of God’s new creation right now. For those interested in going deeper, learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how to take the next step toward a Christ-centered journey of theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info

    55 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    God-Centered Creation Theology | Dr. Jason DeRouchie | S2E2

    What if Genesis 1–2 launches a God-centered story that the whole Old Testament keeps advancing until new creation dawns in Christ? Dr. Jason DeRouchie traces that amazing narrative through the Bible in our latest video of World Upside Down.   0:00 – Welcome to Dr. DeRouchie 0:34 – What You Should NOT Miss About Genesis 1 & 2 8:21 – God-Centered Understanding of the World 13:55 – The Light Always Triumphs Over the Darkness 15:57 – One Way of Applying Genesis 1 & 2 17:03 – The Garden of Eden as a "Sanctuary" 22:09 – The Rest of the Story: The Fall Resolved 28:19 – "De-Creation" Before New Creation 36:36 – Our Purpose in God's Story 38:38 – Moses' Hope: The Promised Land 42:08 – The Church as Seed of Jesus 47:04 – Humanity's Failure & Jesus' Death in Our Place 49:14 – Creation is the Context of Our Life 51:22 – The Old Testament is Messianic   For those interested in going deeper, learn more about Indianapolis Theological Seminary and how to take the next step toward a Christ-centered journey of theological education: https://go.indysem.org/request-more-info

    52 min

  8. 10/17/2025

    Genesis: All Your Questions Answered | S2E1

    In this episode, Dr. John Currid helps us answer some questions from critics regarding the biblical creation account. We also discuss what Genesis 1–2 reveals about who God is, why he created, and how Genesis sets up the whole Bible.

    1h 7m
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About

Welcome to World Upside Down, the official podcast of Indianapolis Theological Seminary, where we engage in deep theological discussions on ”load-bearing” doctrines of the Christian faith. Each episode delves into a key Scriptural topic from a unique perspective, providing valuable insights for current and future ministry leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Indianapolis Theological Seminary
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    World Upside Down

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