The Carson Center Podcast

In this lecture, Don Carson explores Jesus's conversation with Nicodemus in John, where Jesus teaches the necessity of being "born again" through the Spirit for spiritual renewal and entry into the Kingdom of God. Carson explains the symbolism of light and darkness in the passage, connects new birth to Old Testament promises, and highlights the transformative power of the Spirit. Carson also discusses the role of faith in receiving eternal life, with God's love as the motivation behind Jesus's sacrifice.

He teaches the following:

• How Jesus's response to Nicodemus challenges his understanding of the Kingdom of God
• The theme of light versus darkness illustrates the spiritual blindness of unbelievers
• How the concept of new birth is rooted in Old Testament passages
• Nicodemus's confused focus on national transformation instead of personal renewal
• How Jesus challenges Nicodemus to accept his testimony based on his divine authority
• The love of God is the motivation for Jesus's sacrifice and the new birth

In this lecture, Don Carson examines Jesus's cleansing of the temple in John 2:13–25, which symbolized his role as the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. Carson explores the historical and theological context of Jesus's actions, contrasting the old and new covenants. He also highlights Jesus as the final temple in Revelation, calling Christians to a God-centered approach to life and worship.

He teaches the following:

• Jerusalem's unique role in Jewish history
• The temple's historical and cultural significance
• How the Gospel accounts of this event support its historical accuracy
• Two important lessons from Jesus's cleansing of the temple
• Jesus's claims about himself require a response of worship and faith
• Jesus is the fulfillment of various Old Testament types and symbols
• The Gospels' primary purpose to reveal Jesus and call people to faith
• Why Jesus as the temple has implications for how Christians live and worship today

In this lecture, Don Carson explores the profound theological themes in the prologue of John's Gospel (John 1:1–18), emphasizing the significance of the Word (Logos) as both the inner thought of God and the outward expression of his self-disclosure. Carson highlights the dual roles of the Word as light and life, and he contrasts the law given through Moses with the grace received through Jesus Christ.

He teaches the following:

• The contextual significance of the Word (Logos)
• How John’s prologue is connected to Genesis 1
• The Word is the light of men and the life that prepares them for eternity
• Witness as a theme in John’s Gospel
• How John the Baptist’s role as witness sets the stage for the incarnation
• How the Word confronts and divides humanity
• The significance of Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God

In this lecture, Don Carson examines the final consummation of God's plan as described in Revelation 21 and 22. He emphasizes the transformation of the universe into a new heaven and new earth free from death, sin, and corruption. Carson explains the symbolic significance of the New Jerusalem, the River of Life, and the Tree of Life, underscoring the God-centered nature of the new creation.

He teaches the following:

• Why it is essential to anticipate and pray for the end’s arrival
• The implications of justice that will be witnessed at God’s final consummation
• The importance of storing treasures in Heaven
• How earthly blessings can distract us from a heavenly perspective
• Why believers should reflect on the new heavens and earth
• The significance of God’s new dwelling place
• A description of the purity and perfection of the new creation

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God's wrath, arguing that it is unavoidable judgment, not abstract punishment, as seen throughout Scripture. Carson explores key themes in Revelation 14, including the eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the severity of God's wrath. He addresses the eternal reality of hell, urging listeners to reflect on the significance of the cross and the permanent consequences of sin.

He teaches the following:

• Modern society’s perception of anger and its contrast to righteous anger
• Why Revelation 14 is a key text in exploring the theme of judgment
• A definition of the eternal gospel mentioned in Revelation 14:6–7
• How Revelation 4–5 reveals God’s purposes for judgment and blessing
• A reflection on Babylon as a symbol of arrogance and godlessness
• How biblical metaphors emphasize the inevitability of God’s judgment
• Why contemplating hell should lead to a deeper understanding of God’s love and sacrifice

In this lecture, Don Carson critiques Western individualism and its societal effects, explaining the church’s unique role as an eternal institution distinct from the world. Carson emphasizes the transformative power of biblical grace, contrasting it with harmful uses of religion and secular ideologies, and he explains the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live righteously. Carson highlights the global impact of Christian faith, illustrating how it leads to profound spiritual transformation and societal change.

He teaches the following:

• A biblical perspective on the church as the only eternal human institution
• How Christianity is fundamentally different from other religious movements
• The role of grace in transforming individuals and societies
• How the cross has created peace between Jews and Gentiles
• The role of the Holy Spirit as a helper to believers
• Why suffering for Jesus is a privilege and a gift
• How evangelism brings a spiritual transformation that secular efforts alone cannot achieve

In this lecture, Don Carson explores the concept of God's justice and righteousness, particularly as presented in Romans 3:21-26. Carson explains that all humans are guilty before God because of their sin, and justification comes through faith, not works, which is available to all. Carson highlights that faith must be rooted in the truth of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, and is essential for salvation, excluding any boasting of personal merit.

He teaches the following:

• How Romans 1 argues the universality of human guilt before God
• A contrast between Paul’s view with humanity’s contemporary self-perception
• The absurdity of balancing good deeds and bad deeds for justification
• The heart of all evil is rebellion against God
• How rejecting God leads to self-destructive behaviors
• God's righteousness is provided through Christ Jesus as the propitiation for our sins
• How God's justice is demonstrated both in forgiving us and punishing sin

In this lecture, Don Carson explains the central role of Jesus's death and resurrection in Christian theology, stressing that understanding these events is key to grasping the gospel. Carson contrasts Jesus's death with that of other figures and highlights the unique nature of the canonical Gospels, particularly focusing on the ironies of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice. Carson emphasizes the importance of Jesus's resurrection and forgiveness of sins as foundational to Christian belief and reconciliation to God.

He teaches the following:

• Why understanding the gospel requires grasping the significance of Jesus's death and resurrection
• The ironies in Matthew 27, a passage that records Jesus’s death
• How Jesus's followers experienced a transformation of moral categories
• The difference between historical accounts and cultural perceptions
• The importance of internal moral imperatives in Jesus's life and teachings
• An argument for Jesus’s resurrection as a factual historical event
• Why Jesus's sacrifice is the only way to be reconciled to God

In this lecture, Don Carson explores the multifaceted nature of God's love as presented in the Bible, contrasting it with both historical and modern misconceptions. Carson outlines the five aspects of God's love and emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate measure of this love. Carson concludes by highlighting faith, gratitude, and humility as the appropriate responses to God's love, which offers life and salvation through Christ.

He teaches the following:

• God’s love for both believers and unbelievers is a central theme in the Bible
• God’s providential love is non-discriminating, extending to both the just and the unjust
• The importance of understanding Scripture’s diverse expressions of God's love
• Faith is the means by which we come to experience God's love and life
• Repentance and gratitude are the appropriate responses to understanding God's love and salvation

In this lecture, Don Carson exposites John 3, explaining how spiritual birth is a transformative power from God that brings moral and spiritual change. Carson emphasizes the connection between this imagery, Jesus's death, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Carson also explores the need for reconciliation to God, moral transformation, and the reversal of sin’s effects. New birth is not a result of human effort but a life-changing process enabled by the Holy Spirit.

He teaches the following:

• How the desire to challenge God and usurp his authority leads to social evils and strife
• Rebellion against God results in death, but God's mercy leads to a new humanity through Abraham
• God showed the need for sacrifice under the Old Covenant, promising a Redeemer from the Davidic line
• Jesus's revelation is grounded in his identity as God's own self-expression
• The new birth is grounded in Jesus's death, which provides the means for eternal life

In this lecture, Don Carson explores the biblical theme of the incarnation, explaining the Old Testament’s anticipation of God's visitation which culminates in the New Testament. Carson shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises, embodying both judgment and mercy. And he highlights the significance of John's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus as God's self-expression and agent in creation, connecting these themes to the New Covenant.

He teaches the following:

• God’s declared promises of forgiveness, transformation, and an eternal Davidic King
• The linguistic significance of Jesus’s name, and its connection to the theme of salvation
• The historical interpretation of John 1:1–18, and its relation to the creation account
• The role of John the Baptist as a witness to the true Light
• How the Old Testament law prepared the way for Jesus’s arrival
• Why Jesus’s sacrifice is the most profound display of God’s glory

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses two depictions of God in the Bible: the God who inspires worship from his people and the God who is unfathomably wise, emphasizing the expression of these themes in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. 

Carson delves into key Psalms to highlight the contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, the importance of repentance, and the deep emotional and spiritual truths embedded in these texts. Carson also discusses the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, illustrating humanity’s search for wisdom and ultimately pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of wisdom and righteousness.

He teaches the following:

• Two depictions of God in the Bible, and how these themes reflect literary genres in the Old Testament
• The linguistic meaning and historical significance of key phrases and metaphors in Psalm 1
• How Job’s story reveals the limits of human understanding
• The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches that true wisdom is attained by fearing God
• The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament points to ultimate wisdom that is found in Jesus

In this lecture, Don Carson examines the biblical concept of God as the reigning King. He contrasts modern perceptions of monarchy with ancient understandings, and he traces the evolution of Israel’s desire for a king. He explores God's promise to David of an enduring dynasty, the fulfillment of this promise through Solomon, and the covenant’s ultimate fulfillment in Jesus—the eternal King. Carson also highlights the ongoing tension of God's kingdom being "already here and not yet come," with Jesus as the victorious King who will ultimately defeat death itself.

He teaches the following:

• The Israelites were called into covenant with God, making him their Ruler and King
• God’s promise to David was fulfilled in Solomon, but the dynasty faced challenges and corruption
• An overview of the Davidic kingdoms and their eventual schism
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant as the Messiah and the Son of David
• A biblical perspective on the continuous struggle despite the arrival of the promised King

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God’s role as both Creator and Legislator, challenging listeners to consider the Bible's laws and their relevance in today's society amidst objections to Christian morality. He explores the importance of boundaries in truth and freedom, drawing connections between God's laws, the Mosaic Covenant, and the story of the Israelites. Carson concludes by pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that fulfills the law and reconciles humanity to God.

He teaches the following:

• All communities have boundaries, and no community can be completely inclusive
• Truth is inevitable and cannot be escaped, even in a post-modern context
• Why freedom must have discipline, and how this truth is biblically based
• The historical significance of each commandment in Exodus 20, and their relevance for Christians today
• How the Ten Commandments are related to God's self-disclosure in a redemptive act
• How the sacrificial system fits into the broader storyline of God’s relationship with his people

In this lecture, Don Carson discusses God's sovereignty and covenant promises as he unpacks Abraham's story in Genesis 12. Carson critiques common misconceptions about God's relationship with humanity, demonstrating how God's covenant with Abraham points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. The lecture stresses the importance of understanding God's grace, as seen in Abraham's obedience and trust in God's promises.
 

He teaches the following:

• The three common misconceptions of God’s relationship with humanity
• Why God does not need humanity’s worship or obedience
• Why it's important to understand God’s sovereignty and grace
• God unconditionally fulfills his promises, even when humans fail
• The cultural significance of Abraham’s obedience to God
• The story of Abraham and Isaac is a prefiguration of God's ultimate act of grace in sending his Son to die for humanity

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. 

They discuss: 

• The rise in Bible sales in 2024
• Declining fertility rates worldwide
• Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South
• The advance of assisted suicide in the UK
• The Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatments
• Encouraging signs among Gen Z
• Trump’s election victory and a GOP shift
• Anticipating the 2025 Gospelbound season
• Book highlights from 2024
• Personal projects and updates
• Don Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministry

Mentioned on this episode:

"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)

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In this lecture, Don Carson examines Genesis 3, focusing on the Serpent's deceit and humanity's rebellion, which leads to shame, guilt, and broken fellowship with God. He discusses the curses placed on Satan, Adam, and Eve, highlighting the introduction of sin and the long-term effects on creation. Carson emphasizes the need for reconciliation with God, pointing to the promise of redemption through Jesus.

He teaches the following:

• How Satan openly contradicted God’s Word in his temptation
• The immediate and long-term consequences of sin
• The foretelling of enmity between the Serpent's offspring and the woman's offspring points to future atonement
• Humanity’s ultimate problem is alienation from God due to our willful rebellion
• How the promise in Genesis 3 points to ultimate redemption through Jesus

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In this lecture, Don Carson introduces a new series, “The God Who Is There.” He explores the creation account in Genesis, highlighting key attributes of God and humanity. Carson also emphasizes the importance of Genesis 1–2 for understanding the fall in Genesis 3, the concept of a new creation through Jesus, and the foundational differences between the biblical worldview and other religious or philosophical systems.

He teaches the following:

• Why it’s important to understand the Bible’s organization and structure
• How God reveals himself supremely through his Word
• The significance of the creation narrative
• How creation’s intelligent, complex design points to a Designer
• The attributes of God as revealed in Genesis 1–2
• How humanity bears God's image
• How the context of Genesis 1–2 helps us understand the fall in Genesis 3
• The connections between human responsibility and God’s

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In this lecture, Don Carson teaches mainly from Ezekiel 16, which describes Jerusalem’s spiritual adultery and compares the city to an ungrateful prostitute who turns to infidelity. Carson also points to Israel’s rebellion in forming a political alliance with Egypt. He explains that, despite the severe punishment described, God promised eventual restoration through an everlasting covenant when Jerusalem would repent and experience God's faithfulness.

He teaches the following:

• Why Israel is compared to a “useless vine” and how it connects to the Bible’s larger metanarrative
• Absolutizing any one form of God’s love results in absurd theology
• How political alliances contributed to Israel’s downfall
• God remembered Jerusalem and established an everlasting covenant with her
• The new covenant would bring atonement for Jerusalem’s sin
• How the metaphor of marriage and apostasy is used to illustrate the severity of Israel's rebellion
• The importance of fidelity and the consequences of betrayal in both human and divine relationships
• The imagery of marriage and atonement conveys God’s enduring love for his people

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In this lecture, Don Carson contrasts false prophets, who lead others astray, with genuine prophets who speak truth grounded in God's revelation and call people to repentance. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in times of cultural decay and highlights the vitality of remaining faithfully rooted in the Scripture and committed to moral uprightness despite the pressures of a confused world.

He teaches the following:

• Genuine prophets speak from God, while false prophets speak from imagination
• False prophets will face divine judgment for their deception
• Genuine prophets call people to repentance and biblical knowledge
• What’s spoken by genuine prophets aligns with revealed redemptive history
• God’s sovereignty embraces both good and evil
• False prophets are accepted by many, while genuine prophets are accepted by few
• Faithfulness and discernment are necessary in a world that promotes moral relativism

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