The Bible Matters Podcast

In this episode  Leo spoke to Richard Coombs, Rector of St Matthew's & The Minster in Cheltenham, UK. Drawing on decades of ministry experience, Richard reflects on two church revitalisation stories, sharing what he learned about leadership, patience, prayer, and the slow work of gospel transformation.
Questions answered in this episode

How can a struggling church be revitalised without causing division?

Why is Bible teaching the foundation of lasting church growth?

What mistakes do leaders commonly make when trying to bring change?

How should Christians handle disagreement within the church, particularly on difficult issues?

Why does real gospel transformation often take much longer than we expect?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters 
 
To contact us, email office@biblematters.org

In this episode we feature a talk by William Taylor on Song of Songs 7-8. In it, William considers the book's conclusion and how it fits into the context of salvation history and the Old Testament's Christology.

Questions answered in this episode:

What does the Song of Songs teach us about true love?

Why does the Bible present love as something to be guarded and treasured?

How are sexual immorality and idolatry connected in Scripture?

In what ways does the Song of Songs point us beyond Solomon to Jesus?

What does it mean to be loved with a love that is stronger than death?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email office@biblematters.org

The Song of Songs is one of the Bible's most beautiful and mysterious books. Is it simply a collection of ancient love poetry, or is there something deeper going on? In this episode, William Taylor joins Leo Elbourne to explore the Bible's celebration of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy, and why this often-misunderstood book remains so relevant today.
Questions answered in this episode

Is Song of Songs really about sex, or is it just a metaphor?

Why does Song of Songs mention Solomon, and what role does he play in the book?

What does Song of Songs teach about love, marriage, and intimacy?

Why is the command "do not awaken love until it pleases" repeated throughout the book?

How does Song of Songs point us to Christ and the church?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters 
 
To contact us, email office@biblematters.org

The Song of Songs is one of the most surprising books in the Bible. Often ignored, misunderstood, or treated with embarrassment, it presents a bold and beautiful celebration of love, marriage, and sexual intimacy as gifts from God.
 
In this episode, we begin our journey through Song of Songs, exploring why the Bible speaks so positively about sex while also insisting that it must be protected within God's design for marriage. Along the way, we consider how God's vision for love challenges both unhealthy religious attitudes and the confusion of modern culture.
Questions Answered in This Episode

What is the purpose of the Song of Songs?

Does the Bible celebrate sexual love?

Why does God place boundaries around sex?

What does the Song of Songs teach about marriage and faithfulness?

How does biblical love differ from modern cultural views of relationships?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters
 
To contact us, email office@biblematters.org

In this episode of the Bible Matters Podcast, Leo sits down with Chris, pastor of a multicultural church in Cape Town, South Africa. Together they explore Chris's journey from accounting to gospel ministry, the challenges and opportunities of serving in a post-apartheid society, and why God's Word remains central to church planting, leadership training, and Christian education.

From raising up future church leaders to building a church across cultural divides, Chris shares lessons learned from more than twenty years of ministry and reflects on how the gospel creates genuine unity where the world often struggles to do so.

Questions answered in this episode

How did Chris move from a career in accounting to full-time gospel ministry?

What does it mean to plant and lead a multicultural church in South Africa?

How can churches raise up the next generation of Christian leaders?

What role should the Bible play in education, discipleship, and church leadership?

How does the gospel bring unity across cultural, social, and historical divides?

The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://linktr.ee/BibleMatters

To contact us, email office@biblematters.org