Podcast roundup
James Griffiths – Lisvane, Cardiff
Exploring the World of Christian Podcasts
We really do live in a golden age — the age of the podcast! It’s estimated that there are around 4.5 million podcasts worldwide, with roughly 100 million listening hours produced to date. They’re perfect for dog walks, exercising, cooking — and best of all, they’re free. So, what good Christian podcasts are out there? Unsurprisingly, plenty. Here are some of the best I’ve come across.
Sermons
Many churches now publish their weekly sermons as podcasts. We should exercise a little caution here, because nothing can replace the preaching of our *local* church. We might not have a preacher as gifted as those online, but those online preachers don’t know us or understand the context of our lives. Local ministry is irreplaceable.
That said, online teaching still has its place. I would recommend:
- Truth for Life (Alistair Begg)
- The Gospel in Life (Tim Keller)
- Light and Truth (John Piper)
Testimonies
It is always a joy to hear how God is at work in people’s lives. I love listening to stories — whether of conversion or of faithful service to the Lord. Two podcasts stand out to me:
- Facing the Canon (J John)
- Inspired (Simon Guillebaud)
Both J John and Simon Guillebaud interview Christians from all walks of life. The conversations are always engaging and — as J John likes to say — give a real faith-lift.
Miscellaneous
Speak Life (Glen Scrivener)
This podcast describes itself as “seeing the world with Jesus at the centre.” Its focus is on engaging thoughtfully in apologetics and evangelism within today’s cultural moment.
Mortification of Spin (Carl Trueman & Todd Pruitt)
Todd and Carl offer a humorous yet punchy podcast. They tackle thought-provoking issues facing the Church and the Christian. Though Carl is British, both live in the US, so the discussion sometimes leans toward American concerns — but it remains well worth listening to.
The Quiet Revival Podcast (Andrew Ollerton & Rhiannon McAleer)
The “Quiet Revival” phenomenon has been widely discussed in recent months. It was first highlighted in a report published by the Bible Society. In this podcast, the report’s author joins Dr Andrew Ollerton to explore its findings and discuss related issues.
Beauty for Ashes (David Robertson)
There’s really nothing else quite like this one. David Robertson (aka *The Wee Flea*), formerly minister at St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, now serves at a Scots Kirk Presbyterian church in Newcastle, Australia. Known for many years as ‘Quantum of the Wee Flea’, this recently rebranded podcast discusses faith, culture, and politics from a Christian perspective. It’s an excellent way to stay informed about world events and to think through the issues facing church and society today.
Look at the Book (John Piper)
This is, again, a podcast like no other. In Look at the Book, John Piper walks listeners through books of the Bible in short episodes that unpack the text with meticulous care. It’s line-by-line exposition, with each 10–15 minute episode covering just a few verses. Outstanding.
Remnant Radio
Hosted by three young(ish) pastors who blend Reformed beliefs with charismatic practices, Remnant Radio creates space for meaningful conversations about both the Bible and the Holy Spirit. The hosts interview a wide variety of Christian guests from different denominations to talk about theology, church history, and the gifts of the Spirit.