Simply Put

Ligonier Ministries

About

Have you ever wished that someone would explain theology in a way that doesn’t require a degree or a dictionary? Maybe you’ve listened to a sermon and it seemed like the pastor was speaking another language. Or perhaps you’ve thought that the notes in your study Bible could use a commentary of their own. From imputation to justification, theophany to theodicy, keeping all these concepts straight can be a challenge for any believer. This is a short podcast about long words. Every week, Barry Cooper sheds light on a different biblical or theological term, using helpful illustrations to apply it to your life. Listen to this week’s episode to expand your understanding and deepen your faith, one word at a time.

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260 episodes

Justification

We can never be good enough to meet the demands of God's law. In this episode, Barry Cooper testifies to the One who met those demands on our behalf. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/justification/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Apr 02, 2024
Sanctification

Our sanctification occurs in the past, present, and future. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers this "time-traveling" word. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/sanctification/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Mar 26, 2024
Original Sin

Sin isn't just what we do; it's who we are. In this episode, Barry Cooper defines the term "original sin" and explains how it became our natural state. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/original-sin/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Mar 19, 2024
128. Universalism and Hell

Why do some people claim that hell will ultimately be unpopulated? In this episode, Barry Cooper contrasts this idea with the clear teaching of Jesus on who will inherit eternal life and who will not. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/universalism-and-hell/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

8m
Mar 12, 2024
127. Preterism

Is it possible that the apocalypse has already happened without many of us realizing it? In this episode, Barry Cooper considers two related ways of interpreting the Bible's end-times prophecies. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/preterism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

7m
Mar 05, 2024
126. Adonai

The name Adonai refers to God's absolute sovereignty over creation. In this episode, Barry Cooper examines the most exalted title used to describe God in the Old Testament. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/adonai/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Feb 27, 2024
125. Theophany and Christophany

If we're paying attention in our Bible reading, we'll find that the New Testament isn't the first place we meet Jesus. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers the Old Testament appearances of Christ and the Lord's heart to be present with His people. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/theophany-and-christophany/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

8m
Feb 20, 2024
124. Biblical Theology

To make sense of the many details in Scripture, we need to get to grips with the overarching story of the Bible, following God's unfolding revelation chapter by chapter and book by book. In this episode, Barry Cooper introduces the important discipline of biblical theology. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/biblical-theology/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Feb 13, 2024
123. Anthropomorphism

In order to reveal Himself in the most unmistakable way imaginable, God spoke with language that our minds can understand. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers why God often uses human traits and characteristics to describe Himself in His Word. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/anthropomorphism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Feb 06, 2024
122. Impassibility

In His unchanging divine nature, God does not and cannot suffer. Does that mean He's unable to love us or empathize with our pain? In this episode, Barry Cooper uncovers why the doctrine of divine impassibility is wonderful news for sufferers and sinners. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/impassibility/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

8m
Jan 30, 2024
121. Immutability

We live in a world that never stops changing. But there is One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In this episode, Barry Cooper explores the security we have in knowing the unchanging God. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/immutability/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

8m
Jan 23, 2024
120. Postmillennialism

How optimistic are you about the future? In this episode, Barry Cooper examines one of the main views Christians have held about the end of the world, the glory of God's kingdom, and the reign and return of Christ. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/postmillennialism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Jan 16, 2024
119. Apollinarianism

"The Word became flesh" in John 1:14 means that Jesus took on a human body. But did Christ take on a human soul too? In this episode, Barry Cooper discusses a heresy that seems slightly off but actually makes a world of difference. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/apollinarianism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Jan 09, 2024
118. The Second Coming

If you are a Christian, your best days are ahead of you and getting closer by the moment. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers how the promised return of Jesus calls us to steward our lives faithfully and look with hope to the moment we see Him face to face. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/the-second-coming/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Jan 02, 2024
117. Eschatology

What makes people so obsessed about the end of the world? In this episode, Barry Cooper considers what Christians should know about the "last days" and how we ought to live in light of the promise of Christ's soon return. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/eschatology/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Dec 26, 2023
116. The Ascension

When we talk about the ascension, we aren't merely referring to Jesus' physical rising into the sky. In this episode, Barry Cooper explains that in this climactic moment, the victorious Christ rose to His throne as King of kings and Lord of lords. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/the-ascension/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Dec 19, 2023
115. Lamentation

It can sometimes seem as if Christians don't have permission to be unhappy. In this episode, Barry Cooper reminds us that Jesus Himself was a "man of sorrows"--and our expressions of sadness are heard by our good God. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/lamentation/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Dec 12, 2023
114. Abba

God tells us in His Word to address him as "Abba," the Aramaic word meaning "Father." Today, Barry Cooper considers God's unqualified goodness as our heavenly Father. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/abba/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Dec 05, 2023
113. Elders

How should a local church be organized? Does everyone in any given church have the same role, or do particular people have particular responsibilities? In this episode, Barry Cooper explores what Scripture says about leadership in the local church. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/elders/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Nov 28, 2023
112. Imago Dei

The fact that we are made in God's image sets us apart from every other creature on earth (Gen. 1:27). In this episode, Barry Cooper reminds us of the extraordinary privilege we have of being made in the image of the triune God. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/imago-dei/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

8m
Nov 21, 2023
111. The Fall

Though darkness and death entered the world through one man, light and life have entered through another. In this episode, Barry Cooper considers the fall of man and the promise of the Savior. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/the-fall/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Nov 14, 2023
110. Being Filled with the Spirit

What does it mean to be "filled with the Holy Spirit"? In this episode, Barry Cooper turns to the book of Ephesians to help grasp the truth behind this often misunderstood question. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/being-filled-with-the-spirit/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Nov 07, 2023
109. Exegesis and Eisegesis

Our responsibility as Bible readers is to draw out the truth from the page open before us, not to try and make Scripture say whatever we'd like. In this episode, Barry Cooper explains the importance of studying God's Word rightly. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/exegesis-and-eisegesis/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Oct 31, 2023
108. Selah

Have you ever seen something so beautiful, so awe-inspiring, that it left you breathless? In this episode, Barry Cooper explains the meaning and significance of the Hebrew word "selah." Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/selah/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Oct 24, 2023
107. Quietism and Activism

How do we grow as Christians? Do we passively "let go and let God," or is it all about us and our hard work toward holiness? In this episode, Barry Cooper shows us how the truth revealed in Scripture avoids both of these pitfalls. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/quietism-and-activism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

5m
Oct 17, 2023
106. Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism

In eternity, did God choose to elect His people to salvation based on His decision to permit humanity's fall into sin, or was it the other way around? In this episode, Barry Cooper takes up this heady question and the two big words that seek to answer it. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/supralapsarianism-and-infralapsarianism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Oct 10, 2023
105. Demons

Scripture is clear: demons have the power to oppress human beings. So who--or what--are they? In this episode, Barry Cooper looks at the demonic forces in the Bible and the One who is more powerful than them all. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/demons/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

6m
Oct 03, 2023
104. Incarnation

The eternal Son of God took on flesh and died as a man, all so that death itself would die. In this episode, Barry Cooper speaks on an awesome reality, recorded in Scripture, that sets the Christian faith apart from all other religions. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/incarnation/

7m
Sep 26, 2023
103. The Sufficiency of Scripture

Is the Bible all we need to live life well? In this episode, Barry Cooper explains that Scripture tells us everything we must believe in order to be saved and what we must do in order to please God. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/the-sufficiency-of-scripture/

6m
Sep 19, 2023
102. Abomination of Desolation

Jesus warned His disciples of an "abomination of desolation" who would defile the temple. What does this startling name refer to? In this episode, Barry Cooper explains the context of Christ's warning for clarity on this figure's identity. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/abomination-of-desolation/

8m
Sep 12, 2023