Welcome back to The Church Resource, the podcast where Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass dive deep into the best tools, materials, and conversations for pastors, church leaders, and everyday believers who want to grow in faith and serve their communities with excellence.

This conversation is both hilarious and deeply practical. From turning 40 and learning patience through parenting, to exploring the tension between biblical truth and cultural relevance, Lucas and Dr. Respass dig into what it means to balance faith, scholarship, and wisdom in ministry.

The episode begins lightheartedly, with Dr. Respus joking about his age and Lucas reminding us that even milestones can be sanctifying experiences. But soon, they shift gears into a thoughtful discussion on whether secular writings, statistics, and historical sources belong in the pulpit or Bible study classroom.

They explore questions like:

How much should pastors rely on secular history when preaching?

Are statistics and cultural studies helpful—or distracting—from gospel-centered teaching?

What makes a source trustworthy when it isn't Scripture?

Dr. Respass introduces a powerful principle: "If it's truth, we ought not be afraid of it." Because God is the God of truth, believers don't have to fear what is true—even if it comes from outside the church. Yet both guests agree: the Bible must remain the primary and ultimate commentary on itself.

Together, they walk through examples from Josephus, Herodotus, Plutarch, and Tacitus, discussing how these ancient historians can add valuable context to biblical events—while also warning that it's easy to get lost in endless research that doesn't actually serve your congregation. As Lucas notes, sometimes all those hours of study boil down to a single sermon sentence: "Secular historians have also confirmed that the biblical narrative is accurate."

The two pastors also touch on the modern challenges of misinformation, AI-generated "fake facts," and clickbait culture—reminding listeners that not every popular "source" is reliable. They encourage leaders to use trusted commentaries, Bible atlases, and resources that synthesize historical material responsibly rather than overwhelm people with information that doesn't point back to Christ.

In short, this episode reminds us that knowledge should build faith, not distract from it. Truth from any source can serve the gospel—but only if it helps people see Jesus more clearly.

If you've ever wondered how much "secular" material belongs in your sermon, Bible study, or small group, this episode is for you.

If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com