Aaron
Salvato

Aaron gets invited to come onto Brenna Blain's podcast "Can I Say That?", a podcast that tackles tough topics around Christianity and faith. In the episode, Aaron speaks with Brenna about the topic of Progressive Christianity. What is progressive Christianity? What are some common held beliefs of those who would consider themselves to be progressive Christians? Why is this an important topic to study? Like most things we talk about on the show, we tried to cover it with a ton of grace and compassion, but that doesn't stop Aaron from issuing some warnings to those who feel they are drifting towards a more "progressive Christianity." He communicates reasons for why he truly believes it is not the right path to be on for those seeking faithfulness to Jesus. At the same time he tries to critique some of the extremes on the other side that often drive people to progressive Christianity. Afterwards, Aaron and Brian Higgins get together to close the episode by diving further into the topic. You may not agree with everything in this episode, but we truly hope you can sense the love we feel towards anyone struggling with their faith, and the heart we have to see people walking with Jesus despite challenges and difficulties. Wherever you fall on the Christian spectrum, take a listen to the episode and let us know if it helped you, or even if you have some pushback!

In this episode, we dive into some dangerous territory: questions about God's sovereignty. The sovereignty of God can be an extremely challenging topic for Christians. A lot of the debate centers on the phrase "God is in control." What do we mean when we say God is in control? For many, this question leads to an even bigger one: if God is in control, does that mean he causes evil and suffering? Brian and Aaron contrast two theological views of the issue, one framed by renowned reformed pastor John Piper and the other by seminary professor Dr. Gerry Breshears. They discuss why they prefer one view over the other. The guys also get into the Biblical story of Joseph, the phrase "what you meant for evil God meant for good," and what this passage implies (and does not imply) about God's sovereignty. Then we take some hard looks at what extreme positions have to be adopted if we embrace Piper's view of God being the author behind human sins. Finally, we end with a look at prof. Gerry Breshears's framework for what it means to be "Calminian", or rather, a Christian who holds the sovereignty of God and the free will God affords to man in a healthy tension. On the next episode, we will dive into the question: "isn't God allowing suffering just as bad as causing it?" All this and more on the GoodLion Podcast!

Brenna Blain (host of the Can I Say That? Podcast) shares her story about the unique challenges of being a same sex attracted woman of faith. She tells us about her testimony of following Jesus, what led her to embrace an orthodox view of sexuality and faith, the important role that sensitive/empathetic youth ministry can play in a SSA child's life, and answers questions like "are all Christians called to be straight?" It's a nuanced conversation and we hope it helps you in your walk with Jesus and your pursuit of growing in understanding about this extremely important topic.

No one wants to admit they are weak. Our culture puts a high value on strength. But even the strongest among us have weaknesses. Everyone does, even though we all try to mask it. In this episode, Aaron and Brian open up about their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, how they have effected them in life and ministry, and most importantly, how they have found strength in Christ in their moments of weakness. 1 Corinthians 12:9-11 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Aaron sits down with his old friend Jordan and her boyfriend (now fiancé since the time of this recording!) Hip-Hop and R&B artist Jon Keith to discuss dating, sex, and waiting for marriage to engage in sexuality. In this culture it's harder than ever for couples to wait, and many don't even really have a theology for "why" they should wait or what the purpose is. Many people who have struggled and made mistakes in this area are constantly battling guilt and shame and finding it difficult to feel right with God. In this episode, Jordan and Jon Keith have a candid and open discussion about the reality of the struggle of sexual sin, temptation, porn, guilt, shame, hope, redemption, and repentance. They describe what it looks like to follow Jesus in today's sexually saturated culture, and what it looks like to walk through this struggle as a couple. It's a great discussion and we hope it points you to Jesus and helps you follow him closer in your romantic relationships!

The way to win is not through violence, revolution, or political power. The way to win is through the person of Jesus, and for Christ followers our strategy is laid out all throughout scripture. This is how you win: Remember that our leader Jesus has overcome the world, the battle is already won. (John 16:33) Do not use violence as a method of bringing about God’s kingdom. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. (Matthew 26:52) Remember the Kingdom of God was never meant to be brought to bear through violent revolution. The kingdom is “not of this world!” (John 18:36) Go and make disciples! Preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel. Preach the Gospel. Help people learn what it means to follow Jesus. (Matthew 28:16-20) Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-48) Be willing to lay down your rights and liberties for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 9-11) EXPECT to be persecuted (John 15:20) and instead of complaining when it happens, count it all joy. (Matthew 5:11 + Colossians 1:24) Overcome evil not with more evil, but with good. (Romans 12:21) Be literally willing to go the extra mile for anyone, even your enemies, for the sake of winning them over to Jesus. (Matthew 5:41) Avoid being consumed with conspiracies and endless arguments. Point people not to theories, but to WHO you know to be absolute truth. (Isaiah 8:12 ) (James 4:1-2) (John 14:6) Lead a quiet and humble life. Work hard and don’t stir up trouble, work to win the respect of non believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) Devote yourself to prayer! (Colossians 4:2) Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other! Repent and help others repent. (James 5:16) Be willing to speak truth to power even when it inconveniences you. (Mark 6:14-29) Never. Stop. Forgiving. (Matthew 18:21-22) Make peace. (Matthew 5:9) Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8) Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9) Don’t put your trust in earthly rulers, they cannot save you and they WILL fail you. (Psalm 146:3-7) Make your identity LOVE. Be KNOWN for how you love. (John 13:35) #uscapitol #christianity #faith

Brian and Aaron discuss discipleship. What is discipleship? Why do we do it? Why is it important? What are ways we misunderstand it? All these questions and more on today’s GoodLion podcast! –––– The GoodLion podcast is a show by Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins, the founders of CGN’s GoodLion Podcast Network. Each episode, their goal is to ask hard questions, push past easy answers and always look to Jesus, the God who is not safe but is very good.

Nyah Bhone leads us through a discussion on mental health. We talk about some of the common misconceptions about mental health, and try to break down what it really looks like to struggle with mental health, but also to cope with it as followers of Christ. - The Good Voice Collective is a part of the GoodLion podcast network, and is produced by the GoodLion interns. Our goal is to give young christ followers and platform to use their voices for good.

Aaron and Brian have a holiday hangout and discuss a topic that they know nothing about: Advent! Is it essential to the faith? Is It just "Hipster Christmas?" Or is it something more? Can it help us grow during the season of Christmas and fix our eyes more on Christ? Brian and Aaron intend to find out as they ask both friends and strangers on social media about the true meaning of Advent.

On this week's episode, Aaron sits down with Pastor Benjamin Morrison to discuss two articles he wrote for CalvaryChapel about the issue of systemic racism. The articles received some pushback due to the tense feelings many people have in this moment around the topic, and so Aaron and Ben take time to flesh out a lot of the common concerns and issues that revolve around the term. It's a lengthy yet interesting discussion that gets to the heart of the issue and how Christians can think critically about it. Benjamin Morrison is the planter and lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Svitlovodsk, Ukraine. He is also the Coordinator for City to City Ukraine and serves as Training Coordinator for City to City Europe.

Kai shares a short devotional on what it means to know God’s will and follow it even in the mundane, and then Aaron and the rest of the interns join in for a discussion on the topic.

The entire Good Voice Collective intern team discusses all the crazy challenges facing churches and Christians during Covid-19.

Aaron sits down with Phil Metzger (lead pastor at Calvary San Diego) to talk about the art of "Crossing Cultures." Phil and his family have spent meant years overseas as missionaries and in that time he has learned all about how to communicate and relate to those who see the world differently. The first season of Phil's show is all about racial relations, and so Aaron and Phil discuss the problem of racial blindspots, the need for openness to different points of view, the necessity of reconciliation and forgiveness, and the debate around the "hot button" issue of the phrase "white privilege."

Aaron & Brian are back together to talk about 5 practical ways to Re-Center ourselves on Jesus (when the world seems crazy.) In all the insanity, loss, and change of 2020, many of us have felt distant from God, or like we've lost our focus on our purpose. Aaron and Brian walk us through these ideas: Return to Scripture Get back into Prayer (and pray purposefully) Less Screen-Time and Phone-Time Meditate on Jesus Serve Others While this episode and discussion is laid back and fun, it packs some deep insights as well! We hope it will help restore your sanity and focus on what Jesus has in store for us in the days to come.

GL Interns Victoria Fernald, Corrie Jackson, and show producer Aaron Salvato sit down to talk about how emotion, liturgy, & community relate to Worship. - The Good Voice Collective is a part of the GoodLion podcast network, and is produced by the GoodLion interns. Our goal is to give young christ followers and platform to use their voices for good.