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Every Monday and Thursday Dr. Koontz, Pastor Fisk, and Pastor Grills along with friends and guests explore truths and falsehoods, forgotten ways and forgettable fads, so that you can live wisely.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes300Founded9 years ago
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Religion & SpiritualityHistory

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Artwork for A Brief History of Power

Latest Episodes

Col Willie Grills talks about Nitobe Inazō and his book Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and how it shaped the West's perception of samurai.

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Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk answer listener questions about the written or implied confessions of typical American congregations, having a knowledge and confidence in the Scriptures, distinctions between the sacraments, and seeking coun... more

Dr Adam Koontz talks to Jarryd Allison about his experience using Memento, the benefits of fasting, and potential objections.

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Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about the film Dirty Harry, the significance of the time and place of its setting, why its portrayal of justice outside the law appeals to its audience, and the changes in policing in the last fifty years.

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Recent Guests

Pastor Josh Tinkham
Pastor at Covenant Community Church and Professor at Founders Seminary
Covenant Community Church
Episode: BHoP#344 Confessional Christianity and the Baptist Tradition: A Conversation with a Baptist Pastor and Professor
Brian Yamabe
Podcaster and advocate for pastoral formation issues
Synod Stories
Episode: BHoP#343 Pastoral Formation - Part 3
Nakeema Levy Armstrong
Leader of the protest at Cities Church and former head of the NAACP in the Twin Cities
Black Lives Matter
Episode: BHoP#338 Minnesota Church Invasion, Holy Places, and Immigration
Dr. John West
Author of 'Stockholm Syndrome Christianity', former political science professor
Seattle Pacific University
Episode: BHoP#305 Stockholm Syndrome Christianity with Dr John West
Phil Nation
Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles
Thomas Nelson Bibles
Episode: BHoP#294 The New King James Bible and the Open Bible with Philip Nation
Pastor David Smilek
Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church, engaged in discussing Canadian politics and church life.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Episode: BHoP#293 What's Going On in Canada? State, Church, and the Church's State of Silence
Pastor Joseph Beran
Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Santa Clarita, California and author of The Ends of the LCMS.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Episode: BHoP#291 The End(s) of the LCMS with Pastor Joseph Beran
Adam Koontz
Speaker on the orders of creation and the law
Episode: BHoP#249 Law & Order
Pastor Fisk
Co-host and discussing partner in theological matters
A Brief History of Power
Episode: BHoP#238 Exploring Hell and Evangelism Part 2

Hosts

Dr. Koontz
Host of the podcast and frequent contributor with insights on historical context and cultural commentary.
Colonel Grills
Co-host who often lends a unique perspective on literary and historical narratives within the discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 511 ratings
  • I agree with Brian.

    Too much fiddlefaddle.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sandy Ush
    United Statesa month ago
  • Disappointed

    I’m disappointed in Dr. Koontz’s portrayal in Brief #33/Episode 922 of Calvinism as “considering election abstractly, apart from the means of grace.” This is inexcusably mistaken. The Westminster Confession of Faith says, “As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto” (WCF III.VI). He always proceeds to portray Calvinism as teaching a sort of “nihilism” in which, because one is either elect or repr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    77Matthew77
    United States2 months ago
  • 5 stars, at least for the early episodes

    Koontz has a singular intellect, and offers a wealth of insight about the meeting place of human, political, and church history. This podcast has been consistently the most information-dense that I’ve come across, with little to no filler.

    I encourage new listeners to focus on the early material (during covid). Quality has gradually dropped off post-2024, with excessive inside jokes between Koontz and Grills, and more skippable episodes in general. The newer stuff is indeed more titillating ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brian W 336
    United States8 months ago
  • Pastor Fisk, please come back!

    Pastor Koontz always has interesting insights, but he’s at his best when explaining and clarifying to Pastor Fisk. He and Pastor Grills agree on everything, so he never has to explain or clarify anything anymore. This was once the most valuable podcast on the internet. It’s still usually worth listening to, but is a whole lot less interesting than it used to be.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Friend of the Moose
    United States8 months ago
  • Thoughtful and engaging

    As a Reformed listener, I have some (relatively minor) theological differences with the hosts, but find their analysis of historical and current cultural issues to be consistently on point. Where their Lutheran theology informs a slightly different viewpoint than my own, I find it helpful to have some cross-pollination from a reformational brotherhood.

    The discussion is consistently relevant and yet without devolving into punditry. It also helpfully deals with historical issues. And of particul... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    altysin
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is a noted decline in perceived quality in recent episodes compared to earlier ones, with some expressing dissatisfaction with specific hosts.
Listeners praise the depth and intellect of the discussions, often highlighting the informative nature of the content.
The podcast is described as a must-listen for those interested in thoughtful theological analysis and cultural critiques.
Listeners appreciate the humorous yet serious examination of complicated topics and the insightful theological insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BHoP#344 Confessional Christianity and the Baptist Tradition: A Conversation with a Baptist Pastor and Professor
Q: What do you think about participation in the reality of God in baptism?
Baptism assures the believer of the reality in which their union with Christ is brought to them, symbolizing their death and life through Christ.
Brief#35 Questions on whether Film Makes Us all Voyeurs and on whether Closed Communion is Too Scary
Q: What are your thoughts on the practice of closed communion before regular worship services?
I don't think this is a good idea as it undermines the traditional sequence of preaching followed by communion.
Brief#35 Questions on whether Film Makes Us all Voyeurs and on whether Closed Communion is Too Scary
Q: Is the nature of film simply a collaboration between a voyeur and an exhibitionist?
Yes, but it is not intrinsic to the medium itself; it can reflect a deeper artistic intent.
BHoP#341 Pastoral Formation - Part 2
Q: What are we aiming for when we talk about outcomes in pastoral formation?
Outcomes should focus on both academic knowledge and interpersonal skills, with broader discussions on what those outcomes should encompass.
BHoP#341 Pastoral Formation - Part 2
Q: What is the strongest case against the distributed model?
The strongest case is that it can potentially lead to divergent theology without proper oversight.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About A Brief History of Power

What is A Brief History of Power about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides a rich exploration of historical and cultural themes intertwined with contemporary issues, often through a theological lens. The hosts engage in thoughtful discussions about various topics, ranging from the nature of elites and governance to the implications of modern trends in religion and society. Episodes frequently tackle listener questions, allowing for an interactive experience that encourages critical thinking about societal norms, religious practices, and historical events.

A noteworthy aspect of this podcast is its balanced approach to complex subjects, with a focus on tradition and the scrutiny of modern ideologies. Its mix of humor, insightful analysis, and deep dives into cultural critiques makes it partic... more

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1. The Gottesdienst Crowd
2. On The Line
3. Theology Q&A
4. Issues, Etc.
5. Jonathan McAdam Fisk: Saved

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A Brief History of Power launched 9 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on A Brief History of Power?

Recent guests on A Brief History of Power include:

1. Pastor Josh Tinkham
2. Brian Yamabe
3. Nakeema Levy Armstrong
4. Dr. John West
5. Phil Nation
6. Pastor David Smilek
7. Pastor Joseph Beran
8. Adam Koontz

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