Challenges Facing the Protestant Church [TGC Podcast Ep. 403 and 404]

In this session from TGC25, three speakers address critical weaknesses in our discipleship that cause believers to drift from the gospel. They provide a defense of Protestantism and give compelling reasons to rediscover the church’s beauty. Jared C. Wilson talks about the danger of assuming gospel centrality rather than cherishing it. Gavin Ortlund talks about the desire, especially felt by young men, for assurance and depth, and he explains how the Protestant Church can provide these things. Brad Edwards considers how to address the modern assumption that the church is inherently harmful. Following three brief talks, Brett McCracken leads a conversation with the speakers about practical solutions to the challenges they've raised. HOSTED BY: Zondervan 📝ON THIS VIDEO: 0:01 – Introduction 3:25 – Jared C. Wilson on Gospel Centrality 26:01 – Gavin Ortlund on Ecclesial Anxiety and Assurance 44:49 – Brad Edwards on The Reason for Church 1:07:01 – Q&A and Practical Advice 1:42:30 – Personal Devotional Practices 1:46:20 – Final Thoughts and Prayer 🔗MENTIONED: 'Lest We Drift' by Jared C. Wilson: https://www.amazon.com/Lest-We-Drift-Departure-Dangers/dp/0310155762/?tag=thegospcoal-20 'What It Means to Be Protestant' by Gavin Ortlund: https://www.amazon.com/What-Means-Be-Protestant-Always-Reforming/dp/0310156327/?tag=thegospcoal-20 'The Reason for Church' by Brad Edwards: https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Church-Matters-Division-Individualism/dp/0310166675/?tag=thegospcoal-20 ——— 🎁 Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at https://tgc.org/together 🎧 Don’t miss an episode of TGC Podcast: ▫ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tgc-podcast/id270128470 ▫ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1iE3aJkf8fJ2FVTvJGFd4h ✅ SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thegospelcoalition