Current Theme | August 2025
One Gospel, Four Witnesses
Matthew. Mark. Luke. John. These Gospels definitively answer the question: “Who is Jesus”? He is the authoritative teacher. The Suffering servant. The worldwide Savior. The divine Son. He is the fulfillment of God’s plan, and the “yes” to His promises. These four Gospels are some of the most fascinating and important books in Scripture. And yet, they are frequently misunderstood or neglected—both inside the church and outside. This month, we dive into the structure, message, theology, and glory of the four Gospels, while also confronting several distortions. Join us in unveiling the wonders of these four witnesses to the one gospel.
Table of Contents
Concise
August Intermission: From the Four Gospels to the Doctrine of Vocation
By Kevin McClure • Concise Article • September 1
Join us as we transition from the person and work of Christ in the four gospels to the work of grasping the doctrine of vocation.
Longform
Faithful in All Things: Vocation and Christian Callings
By Rod Martin • Longform Essay • September 2
Every calling is itself sacred, every task a trust, and every laborer accountable before the throne.
Podcast
4.39 Rod Martin • Reading • “Faithfulness in All Things: Vocation and Christian Callings”
By Rod Martin • Reading • September 2nd
Every calling is itself sacred, every task a trust, and every laborer accountable before the throne.
Concise
Pouting Pulpits and Part-Time Pastors: Projection over Proclamation
By David L. Bahnsen • Concise Article • September 3
When pastors model a mediocre work ethic, their example carries through to their congregation. Inversely, when a pastor has a servant-heart, is industrious, productive, and diligent, and does so without complaining or entitlement, he sets an excellent example for his congregation.
Concise
The Calling of the Christian Businessman: Vocation and Capital Allocation as Worship
By Jonathan Wellum • Concise Article • September 5
What does the Bible have to tell us about business and investments? More than you might think! Read as Jonathan Wellum draws on decades of business experience to show how Christians should use their capital well.
Concise
Christianity Vs. Marxism
By Jonathan Wellum • Concise Article • September 8
Can we combine a theory such as Marxism with our Christian faith? In this article, Jonathan Wellum displays how Marxist thought proves antithetical to the Bible's witness concerning wealth, property, and labor.
Podcast
4.40 Rod Martin, Trent Hunter, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Faithfulness in All Things: Vocation and Christian Callings”
By Rod Martin, Trent Hunter, and Stephen Wellum • Interview • September 8th
Listen in as Trent Hunter and Stephen Wellum interview Rod Martin on his COA Essay "Faithfulness in All Things: Vocation and Christian Callings"
Concise
Ambition, Careers, and Marriage: What’s a Single Godly Woman to Do?
By Abigail Dodds • Concise Article • September 10
You're a single godly woman, and you want to be married, but you’re not. What Should you do?
Concise
Brothers, Play the Tortoise: A Word to Aspiring Pastors
By Sam Emadi • Concise Article • September 12
The young man hopping as fast as he can through seminary often short-circuits the necessary growth and wisdom he needs to have a long pastorate. But there’s a better (albeit slower) way.
Longform
We Can’t Replace Charlie Kirk, But We Can Honor His Legacy: Five Ways to Amplify Truth, Freedom, and the American Way
By Colin Smothers and David Schrock • Longform Essay • September 15
Charlie Kirk, who influenced a generation of young men, is gone. What do we do now?
Podcast
4.41 Colin Smothers & David Schrock • Reading • “We Can’t Replace Charlie Kirk, But We Can Honor His Legacy: Five Ways to Amplify Truth, Freedom, and the American Way”
By Colin Smothers and David Schrock • Reading • September 15th
Charlie Kirk, who influenced a generation of young men, is gone. What do we do now?
Podcast
4.42 Scott Polender, David Schrock, Trent Hunter, and Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Grieving with Hope and Getting to Work: A Tribute to Charlie Kirk”
By Scott Polender, David Schrock, Trent Hunter, Stephen Wellum • Interview • September 16th
Scott Polender of Turning Point Education joins our COA Roundtable to reflect on life, work, and ministry of Charlie Kirk.
Concise
Stay-at-home Moms, Stay-at-work Dads? A Plea for Better Thinking on Vocation
By Andrew Ballard• Concise Article • September 17
When little Sally is asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" we need to have categories that go beyond a nine-to-five job. We need to think in the Bible's categories about vocation.
Concise
The Turning Point of a Generation: Remembering Charlie Kirk
By Scott Polender• Concise Article • September 17
What God is stirring in this generation is bigger than any one man, and yet it
bears the mark of Charlie’s faithfulness. It seems we are standing at a true
turning point: A moment when the Lord Jesus is reviving His church, raising up young people, and calling everyone to repentance.
Concise
Sanctified Self-Interest or Subtle Greed? A Pauline Guide to Wealth Management
By David Scott Kotter • Concise Article • September 19
Work for Christ, not greed. Every purchase asks: am I honoring God—or feeding subtle idolatry? Discover Paul’s balance sheet for the heart.
Longform
Working As Unto the Lord: Seven Ways to Work Harder and Be Better
By David Schrock • Longform Essay • September 22
In Ephesians 6:5–9, Paul shows that good works don’t happen by accident. Christ motivates, sanctifies, and coaches believers to work harder, be better, and glorify Him in every sphere of life.
Podcast
4.43 David Schrock • Reading • “Working As Unto the Lord: Seven Ways to Work Harder and Be Better”
By David Schrock • Reading • September 22nd
In Ephesians 6:5–9, Paul shows that good works don’t happen by accident. Christ motivates, sanctifies, and coaches believers to work harder, be better, and glorify Him in every sphere of life.
Concise
The Risk in Getting and Giving
By Jason Glas • Concise Article • September 24
No risk, no reward. Risk is essential to the Christian life, and it's essential to turning a profit. This is a call for more risk-takers in the church.
Concise
Why Young Men Wither: A Call for a Revival of Ambition
By Tyler Cox • Concise Article • September 25
The strength of young men to serve the church and build the world is being sapped, and a recovery of godly ambition is the dire need of the day.
Upcoming
What’s the Unmarried Single Gal to Do?
By Abigail Dodds • Concise Article
A Biblical Theology of Leisure
By Ben Nguyen • Concise Article
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