A TIME TO SPEAK is a resource for those seeking to faithfully follow Jesus in a post-Christian society. Dr. Brian Powell and guests examine cultural shifts through the lens of Scripture. Christian leaders from various backgrounds and levels of expertise are invited to help navigate the difficult conversations of our day.
One of the most controversial claims today is that Islam is a religion of tolerance. From both a theological and historical standpoint, that claim is difficult to defend. No Islamic nation currently practices full religious freedom, and throughout history Christian communities have faced persecution under Islamic rule. Scholars widely acknowledge that Islam expanded through conquest, and the Qur’an itself includes passages calling for violence against unbelievers. Today, Dr. Doug Hopkins join...
4 Dec 2025
#17: Islam, Allah, & Muhammad (Part 2)
Islam, as a system, is not ultimately compatible with Western civilization. In traditional Islam, submission to Allah extends into every sphere of life, including civil authority, which naturally moves toward governance and Sharia Law. Christianity, however, sees itself as belonging to a Kingdom not of this world. Our calling isn’t to rule nations but to bear faithful witness to Christ. This episode continues our conversation on Islam, Allah, and Muhammad.
21 Nov 2025
#16: Islam, Allah, & Muhammad (Part 1)
For four consecutive years, thousands of Muslims have gathered in Times Square for public prayer during Ramadan. This year, they declared that they would not stop proclaiming Islam until it reaches every home. The scene is striking—in many ways, ironic. New York City, the place where Islamist terrorists brought down the Twin Towers, now has its first Muslim mayor. On today’s episode, we walk through the origins of the Muslim faith and the five pillars of Islam.
29 Sept 2025
#15: Faith And Courage (In Memory Of Charlie Kirk)
If you’ve found yourself grieving deeply these past few weeks, you’re not alone. It speaks volumes about the bold witness of Charlie Kirk—whose life and sacrifice continue to echo like a voice crying out from the ground. On today’s episode, Dr. Doug Hopkins joins the show for a powerful conversation about faith, courage, and the divine call to speak truth in the face of evil.
2 Sept 2025
#14: Emotional Exploitation
We understand people best when we’ve walked a similar path. Yet even when we haven’t, we can still lean in—listen, imagine their hurt, and choose to care. That’s the heart of empathy. Jesus is the perfect example. He didn’t just feel for us—He entered our world and lived with our limitations. He embodied empathy and compassion. As His followers, we’re called to do the same. So, how do we live like Jesus while navigating a culture that twists empathy into something it's not?
2 Jul 2025
#13: Heart Of The Father
The greatest short story ever told—The Parable of the Prodigal Son—might just as accurately be called The Parable of the Lost Sons. As the story unfolds, we discover, not only did the younger son leave home looking for freedom, but the one who stayed home also became lost. Why do we give so much attention to the sons, when it’s the Father who stands at the center of the story? His response to both sons reveals the very heart of God—one full of compassion and grace. The real question is: Are w...
22 Feb 2025
#12: Lost At Home
Your mind has the capacity to take you places that are very dangerous for your soul. This episode explores the Parable of the Prodigal Son through the lens of the older brother. This story really could be called the Parable of the Prodigal Sons (plural), because not only did the younger son lose his way, but the one who stayed home also became lost. Ultimately, getting lost has nothing to do with one’s physical location. We don’t have to run away to get lost. When we allow our minds to take u...
18 Dec 2024
#11: Long Way Home
The things that preoccupy our minds expose the place we truly call home. This episode explores the Parable of the Prodigal Son through the lens of the younger brother. When we place ourselves in the story, it becomes clear that leaving home is more than a physical state; it’s a spiritual problem. In the far country, we become deaf to the voice of the Father. Leaving home is ultimately disbelief that God provides everything we need.
30 Jan 2024
#10: Furnace Club
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s story offers an excellent example of a life fully surrendered to Jesus. Their willingness to face the furnace is the embodiment of devotion to God. What looked like the end of their lives turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to them. Facing death over worshipping a false idol led to a divine encounter that forever marked their lives. Today’s episode reminds listeners to stand strong in challenging times because God is still meeting people in the...
26 Nov 2023
#9: Generation Sex
For the past few decades, American culture has shifted in ways few saw coming. At the forefront of this movement is the sacrifice and sexualization of our children. From the government to public education, healthcare to big tech, politics to entertainment—our culture is playing along. This neo-pagan sexual revolution brands itself as liberating yet leaves a trail of brokenness in its wake. What is the responsibility of Christians living in a culture that sacrifices their own on the altars of ...
4 Oct 2023
#8: Unauthorized Source
An idol is any unauthorized source that people look to for a sense of identity, purpose, and fulfillment in life. An idol could be a belief, ideology, person, object, place, or anything else that a person turns to as a source of life. It is something besides God that people attach to their identity. This episode explores the allure of idolatry, its impact on society, and how Scripture teaches us to respond.
22 Aug 2023
#7: Identifying Counterfeits
For everything God creates, the devil counterfeits. Discernment is essential in effectively navigating the false narratives of our post-Christian culture. Scripture remains our go-to guide for identifying the counterfeit spirits wreaking havoc today. The Bible doesn’t only tell us what happened in times past; it reveals what always happens in every generation.
15 May 2023
#6: Wake-Up Call
Scripture describes those who introduce false doctrine and strange teachings as divisive and quarrelsome, not those who correct it. Yet today, when pastors and church leaders confront unbiblical ideas, they are the ones considered controversial. The collective conviction of the early church wouldn't allow them to stand by silently in the face of false teachers. They took the call to "contend for the faith" seriously, and so should we.
23 Mar 2023
#5: Progressive Christianity
The western church is biblically and doctrinally adrift. In our wandering, we’ve grown indifferent toward false teaching and silent in the face of evil. Thus, we find ourselves at the crossroads of scriptural faithfulness, orthodox teaching, and cultural pressure. At the forefront of these issues is a movement known as “Progressive Christianity." This episode helps answer the question: What is Progressive Christianity?
13 Feb 2023
#4: Application Heresy
How does one make sense of the Bible? Is it purely a matter of reading it and doing what it says? Is it a simple book that can be plainly understood without the need for interpretation? Dr. Haddon Robinson once said, “More heresy is preached in application than in Bible exegesis.” What did he mean by that? This episode engages the important work of biblical interpretation.
2 Dec 2022
#3: Biblical Worldview
Do you believe God created the universe and still rules it today? Do you believe that only through faith in Christ can a person be saved? Maybe you believe all religions lead to God and that, in the end, everyone will be okay. Questions like these expose a person’s worldview. This episode discusses the importance of adhering to a Biblical Worldview in a culture that’s increasingly antagonistic toward Christian values.
26 Oct 2022
#2: Authority Of Scripture
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. Every year it sells more than 100 million copies. It's been translated into over 700 languages. The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that the Bible has sold over five billion total copies. This episode reviews the authority of scripture, how it's being undermined, and why it matters.
23 Sept 2022
#1: A Time To Speak
We are witnessing post-Christian America emerge before our eyes. In this fascinating cultural moment, the enemy is waging war on the minds of God's people like never before. This episode reviews the cultural shift in the West, its impact on the church, and the importance of spiritual discernment.
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