Real Talk
Real Talk is a podcast presented by Reformed Perspective focused on having meaningful and honest conversations with subject experts about the various challenges and issues facing the Reformed church community. Hosted by Lucas Holtvluwer and Tyler Vanderwoude, Real Talk aims to inform your discussions and inspire you to have challenging but important conversations with fellow Christians in the spirit of brotherly love.
Episodes
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Ep. 57 - Real Talk Round Up - Mark & Jon
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Happy Monday, friends! Today, we're testing out a new type of feedback episode, calling it the Real Talk Round Up. Joining us for this is Reformed Perspective's Executive Director, Mark Penninga and editor, Jon Dysktra. We're grateful for their thoughtful perspectives on these last number of episodes. Also included in this new format is the brief coverage of a certain topic (this weeks being teacher shortages) and a book review/recommendation. Be sure to let us know what you think of this style of feedback. We are always open to new ideas. Contact us via social media or email us at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com
0:00 - Intro
3:00 - Youth Culture Recap
8:40 - New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality Recap
13:35 - CanRC and URC Relations Recap
As mentioned, If you have a voracious reader in your house, and they’ve already worked their way through Tolkien’s the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and Lewis’ Narnia, what’s next? Well, Jon Dykstra had on offer a top 10 list of fantasy books that, while not all explicitly Christian, do seem to come from a Christian worldview.
10. The Sword Bearer - by John White - written by the author when his kids request more Narnia stories. It is imitative, kids going to another world, though updated in that instead of going through a wardrobe, they enter via a TV.
9 .Wings of Dawn by Sigmund Brouwer - Thomas is a young boy seeking to win back his castle by using the technologies that might seem like magic in England, but which were in use at that time elsewhere in the world (like gunpowder, or kites).
8. Warlord of Nin - Stephen Lawhead - well written sword and knights story set in another realm. Lawhead had some clear Christian undertones to this earlier stories that get lost in this later book, so go with early Lawhead.
7. Urchin of the Riding Stars by M. L McAllister - squirrels with swords. Need I say more?
6. The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton - a fun romp, with all sorts of inventive ingredients including:
• Piles of poison-tongued jumping turtles
• A castle built on top of a mountain that rises and falls once each day.• A tyrant twelve-year-old pepper-hoarding king
5 Brave Ollie Possum by Ethan Nicolle - the author is one of the guys behind Babylon Bee. A kid who is scared of everything can’t get his parents to believe him that there is something on the roof outside his window. But he’s right. Kind of a terrifying premise, but the comic hijinks soon take over, with the scared boy getting turned into a possum, a creature that faints whenever it is scared.
4. Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw - a nephew made me and most of our church read it. And no one has regretted doing so. Only downside is that book 2 has been more than 5 years in the waiting.
3. The Green Ember by S.D. Smith - rabbits with swords. ’Nuff said.
2. Bark of the bog owl by Jonathon Rogers - loosely and hilariously riffing off the story of David and Saul. But in the American South, if it had castles. It’s been described as a Mark Twain crossed with C.S. Lewis.
1. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson - sat on shelf how can person so go at music really also be good at writing too? What are the odds? But this is fantastic, rating right up there with Lewis and Tolkien. Three children contending with the Fangs of Dang, Lizard Creatures that have conquered the land of Skree, and their ruler Gnag the nameless.
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Ep. 56 - CanRC and URC Relations - Rev. Steve Swets & Rev. Dick Wynia
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian listeners. Today, we have a really exciting episode that has been a long time coming. For this conversation we're joined by Pastors, Steve Swets and Dick Wynia who are well versed in this topic as they both have been heavily involved in unity discussions. We cover the history of these denominations, especially how it relates the CRC churches. We also discuss what conversations are happening currently and how we can move forward.
00:00 - Intro
04:50 - Dividing vs. Leaving
06:40 - The History 18:00 - Current State of the CRC
22:50 - Why didn’t those leaving the CRC join the CanRC?
35:00 - How the denominations have changed
43:20 - What stalled these unity conversations?
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
We got a great episode for you. All the way from California, we chatted with Rev. Christopher Gordon, pastor of Escondido United Reformed Church and author of the New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality. This piece was featured in the latest issue of Reformed Perspective. We cover why Gordon wrote this new catechism, how it differs from others and also the importance of sharing the positive message of God's good design. If in Canada be sure to get your copy at Reformed Book Services and if in the US at Reformation Heritage Books.
0:00 - Intro
5:50 - Why write a new catechism
17:00 - Difference between this and the confessions
21:30 - How to use this resource
26:00 - Why does the devil attack sexuality
32:00 - The positive message
40:00 - What is covered in this
54:00 - Sexual desire and Sin
1:00:00 - Children and Parents
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Ep. 54 - Youth Culture - Pastor Bill DeJong
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
WE'RE BACK! After a lengthy summer break we're back with all new episode. Pastor Bill DeJong joins us to talk about the exciting topic of youth culture. We cover the sociological trends that are current in the younger generations and how things like social media and 'authenticity' play into that. We also discuss how the church should respond to these issues and treat the youth. Be sure to check out more content from Pastor Bill on his podcast, Tyrannus Hall. We can't wait to hear your thoughts on this episode!
00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Moral Therapeutic Deism
09:00 - Knowledge vs Experience
14:00 - Social Media
22:56 - Authenticity
40:00 - The Narrative
48:00 - How does the Church respond
52:00 - The Creeds
55:55 - Hard Core & Soft Shell
1:16:22 - Focusing on the Youth?
1:25:00 - Parents and the Youth
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Ep. 53 - The Future of Real Talk
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Time for a feedback episode! Joining us on this one is our editor, Mariah Tamminga. We thought it would be fun to have her on this episode as we cover the last number of episodes, give some personal updates and share about the future of Real Talk. With Tyler's big move to Alberta on the horizon, we need to pivot the format of the podcast. Listen in as we share some ideas of what could look like and please be sure to let us know your thoughts!
As mentioned in this episode, this will be our last podcast for the month of August and we'll be coming back in September with some all new content for you!
If you like what you're hearing on Real Talk and what to support the podcast, please consider donating to Reformed Perspective.
0:00 - Feedback
25:00 - Personal Updates
31:00 - Podcast Format Ideas
36:00 - Future Episodes
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Ep. 52 - Safe Families - Hildy Sloots
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
We got a special episode for you today! We sat down with Hildy Sloots, the director of Hamilton/Halton Safe Families. This amazing organizations exists to build a network of support for families in need in a variety of ways. We're so grateful Hildy was willing to come on to share about the important work Safe Families does and how we can and why each of us should consider getting involved! We hope this episode impacts you the way it did us. If you're interested in volunteering with Safe Families be sure to check out their website or contact Hildy directly at hildy.sloots@safefamilies.ca or 289-707-5760. Be sure to let us know what you think!
0:00 - Intro
8:40 - Safe Families
18:00 - Why do these institutions exist?
27:10 - Where does CAS fit in?
32:00 - Gender agenda road-blocks
36:00 - Biggest challenges
48:16 - Fund Structure
53:22 - Legal guidelines
54:40 - Likeminded organizations
58:00 - Getting outside your comfort zone
1:07:00 - The impact of expressing interest (Jesus' love)
1:14:30 - How to get involved.
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Ep. 51 - General Synod 2022 - Chris deBoer
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Monday Jun 27, 2022
We sat down with Chris deBoer, an elder from the Canadian Reformed Church (CanRef) of Carman East. He recently attended the CanRef General Synod as a delegate, so we thought it would be good to get a summary of the hot-button topics that were discussed. He also gives a bit of background on the workings of Synod and how it is made up. We know this might be more of 'niche' episode of but even if you’re not part of the CanRef church, it might be helpful to get an idea of the topics being discussed within the federation and see how it relates to your own. Let us know your thoughts!
0:00 - Intro
4:49 - What does the hosting church do?
7:35 - Who are the delegates
11:30 - How does Synod choose topics?
15:15 - Why was there a change in the process?
20:00 - How do topics get to General Synod?
25:05 - Overtures
30:00 - Stand in committees and trust
35:00 - The Hymn Cap
47:00 - Primacy of Psalm singing
51:00 - Lord’s Supper Form
56:00 - Inter-Church Relations
1:17:00 - Aldergrove Senate
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Ep. 50 - Into The Light - Jacob Valk & John-Michael Bout
Monday Jun 13, 2022
Monday Jun 13, 2022
We've made it to episode 50 and this may just be our most important episode yet. Two documentary filmmakers, Jake Valk and John-Michael Bout were kind enough to come on the podcast to share their stories and about the amazing teaching documentary they're working on. Into The Light is a teaching documentary that walks through the fundamentals of change from bondage to sexual sin to freedom in Christ. This is a hard topic and yet may be one of the most relevant struggles facing our communities.
We sincerely ask you to support this important project, first by praying, and then by going to www.givesendgo.com/IntoTheLight and giving what you can. We're so excited for both these brothers and to see the change this film may bring for so many, by God's grace.
Be sure to check out the full website where you can watch the trailer and learn more - www.intothelightdocumentary.com and follow along on Instagram: @intothelightdocumentary and Facebook: Into The Light Documentary
Below is a list of books Jake & John-Michael mentioned throughout the episode. We encourage you to check them out.
Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Heath Lambert https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0310499232/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_R7XXFGRJ7Q11SCP01PRK
Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God by J. Garrett Kell https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1433574896/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6DQ18DF1GE4J2D2KZ33D
The Purity Principle: God's Safeguards for Life's Dangerous Trails by Randy Alcorn https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B002ZW7EI2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_X2SG789YHY3S93G5BE47
Rescue Plan: Charting a Course to Restore Prisoners of Pornography by Deepak Reju and Jonathan D. Holmes https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1629953830/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4DJ6XAGB368H3M2N31XZ
Redeem Your Marriage: Hope for Husbands Who Have Hurt through Pornography by Curis Solomon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1645072258/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_J83RS7RY2EPWP0RGQV4J
Sexual Sanity for Women: Healing from Sexual and Relational Brokenness by Ellen Dykas https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1938267001/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_PNCZ9CDTZPQSV7FQQYKF
0:00 - Intro
3:50 - John-Michael’s Story
10:40 - Jake’s Story
12:00 - The Lead Up
15:00 - Looking at Real Change
24:00 - Who should watch it?
26:00 - Chapter 1 - Sin
28:30 - Where should it be used?
29:00 - Where will it be available and how can you support?
31:50 - Chapter 2 - God’s Love for sinners
33:00 - Chapter 3 - Fighting sin/temptation
34:30 - Chapter 4 - Practical Measures
40:35 - Chapter 5 - Endurance
46:30 - Chapter 6 - Hope
48:00 - What is not covered in the film?
54:30 - Women Struggling
59:00 - The Way Forward
1:14:00 - Crowdfunding
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN ! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Ep. 49 - Deconstruction - Paul Vanden Brink
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Monday Jun 06, 2022
We have an interesting episode for you today! We are so grateful to have sat down of sitting down with Paul Vanden Brink, the pastor of Grace Valley Church in Dundas. Pastor Paul has his own podcast called Clearer Thinking. He recently did a series on Deconstruction and we wanted to get him to share with us about this complex topic. This idea might be new for some of you, so we hope it gives you a helpful summary of what deconstruction actually is, the dangers, and how we can combat it in our own homes and churches. Be sure to check out the Clearer Thinking Podcast where ever you listen to podcasts. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one!
00:00 - Intro
12:10 - Clearer Thinking Podcast
15:30 - Deconstruction Definition
22:30 - Deconstruction and Critical Theory
27:00 - Faith Leaders losing their faith
28:30 - Penal Substitutional Atonement
36:00 - What leads to Deconstruction
44:30 - How to get ahead of Deconstruction?
56:00 - The triggers of Deconstruction
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN ! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!
Monday May 23, 2022
Ep. 48 - The Ontario Party - Derek Sloan
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
One more politics episode for you and then we're done on this topic for a while!
With the election around the corner, the Ontario Party reached out to us to sit down and have a conversation regarding the state of the province, where there needs to be change and how they hope to facilitate this change. We discuss all the hot button issues Ontario is facing, such as housing, immigration, inflation, education and also how Christians should engage in politics.
Please note the guests hosted on the podcast should not be viewed as a direct endorsement by Real Talk of the person and their views whether that be theologically, politically or otherwise.
00:00 - Intro
11:00 - What is the Ontario Party trying to achieve?
14:50 - The Ontario Party vs The New Blue Party
17:30 - Policies
19:20 - Digital ID
22:50 - Decentralization & Crypto
25:20 - Housing
27:00 - Immigration
30:00 - Inflation
33:11 - Religious Freedoms
37:00 - Education and CRT
42:00 - How can Christians make a difference in Politics?
43:30 - Why vote for The Ontario Party?
A BIG THANKS TO OUR OFFICIAL SPONSOR, TRIVAN ! WE APPRECIATE YOU HELPING US MAKE THIS CONVERSATION POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TRIVAN.COM
To keep up with the podcast, check out our website: https://www.realtalkpodcast.ca/
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, clips, and more! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformedRealTalk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reformedrealtalk/
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your questions, comments, or other feedback at reformedrealtalk@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please share this podcast with your family and friends!