Rephonic
Artwork for A Brief History of Power
Christianity
Lutheranism
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church
Evangelism
Christmas
Secularism
Gospel
Orders Of Creation
New King James Version
Social Media
Pastoral Formation
Closed Communion
Masculinity
Bible Translation
Labor Movement
Civil War
Spiritual Discipline
Gospel Proclamation
Immigration

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
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for A Brief History of Power

Latest Episodes

Dr Adam Koontz talks about the predicted trend of increased bi-vocational ministry and what Paul wrote about pastors making their living.

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Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem, Memento, and Gnesio Health

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Dr Adam Koontz talks about Christian Nationalism and how the debates around it in the church relate to the proclamation of the gospel.

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Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men.

Dr Adam Koontz ... more

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills answer listener questions about the translation of the Bible into Japanese, linguistic idiosyncrasies, and doctrine and practice.

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Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem, M... more

Dr Adam Koontz talks about the two primary ways of bringing people into the church and the supposed conflict between them.

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Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men.

Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer L... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Dylan Thompson
Author and chemist discussing Faith and Science for the Classroom, Atypical Topics
Concordia Mechwan, Physical Sciences Department
Episode: BHoP#358 Creation, Faith, and Science with Dr. Dylan Thompson
Pastor Koontz
Pastor, guest on the episode
Gird Up Ministries / Pennsylvania church work
Episode: Brief#45 A Primary Allegiance to Christ - Part 2
Willie Grills
Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church in Alexander, Arkansas
LCMS
Episode: BHoP#355 Confessions, Cryptids & the Baptist Belt
Donna Harrison
Dr. Donna Harrison, main speaker announced for the event
Episode: BHoP#350 Luther's Doctrine of Creation and Defending Creation Today
Richard Stuckwich
Reverend Richard Stuckwich, Indiana District President and main speaker
Episode: BHoP#350 Luther's Doctrine of Creation and Defending Creation Today
Jarryd Allison
Memento user interviewed on the program
Episode: Brief#36 Reviewing Memento with Jarryd Allison
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

Hosts

Dr. Koontz
Host of A Brief History of Power.
Colonel Grills
Host of A Brief History of Power.
Willie Grills
Host of the show and co-host mentioned in the intro

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 521 ratings
  • Fine Nippon Steel Podcast Folded Ten Thousand Times

    The best podcast about Japanese culture I’ve ever heard. Very respectful. Honorable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Conner Himself
    United States3 months ago
  • I agree with Brian.

    Too much fiddlefaddle.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sandy Ush
    United States4 months 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 States5 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the biblically grounded approach to complex modern issues.
Listeners praise the show for deep, intellectual discussion on faith, history, and culture.
Some praise production quality and host intellect, with ongoing appreciation for pastoral guidance.
Mixed feedback notes that newer material includes inside jokes, which some find less engaging.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BHoP#356 Three Questions about the Church and Its Future
Q: Could you please explain how the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, stripping the ability to claim moving expenses for pastors, had any effect on pastors taking calls to distant places over the last nine years?
The hosts discuss how moving expenses and financial considerations influence pastors' willingness to relocate, emphasizing that while some groups may still receive tax relief, broader structural and cultural factors—like the availability of calls and the desire for stability—often drive where pastors choose to serve.
BHoP#349 Thoughts on Giving to Missions, Pastoral Formation, and the Importance of Japan
Q: Dear Be Hop, I have a question under the subject that I can only refer to as financial cuckoldry. Should our mission money be going to organizations that we are not in fellowship with?
The hosts argue that congregations should be cautious about funding missions that do not share core confessional standards, and suggest prioritizing doctrinal alignment, stewardship, and possibly local opportunities, while recognizing the emotional complexity of family and friend affiliations.
Brief#39 Why Marriage Matters So Much
Q: What can or should local congregations, families, and society as a whole do to encourage and facilitate marriage?
The host argues that churches should actively foster introductions and matchmaking within congregations, support programs and environments (like youth groups or leagues) that help people meet potential spouses, and emphasize forming Christian families as a core purpose of community life, while recognizing limitations and the need for broader societal support and policy alignment.
BHoP#346 Baptism, Confessional Christianity, and Cultivating Character
Q: How should one approach engaging someone who does not hold a confession?
Reason from Scripture first, avoid patronizing language, and acknowledge the different lenses people bring, while gently directing the discussion to the core biblical doctrines rather than secondary traditions.
Brief#36 Reviewing Memento with Jarryd Allison
Q: Let's talk about memento, kind of your initial impressions maybe to start out and then anything you think it's worthwhile for people to know.
Jarryd describes his initial skepticism turning to appreciation as he engaged with the reading plan, community accountability, and the structure the program provides, while noting that outcomes are subjective and not everyone will have the same experience.

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?

A rigorous, idea-forward show that blends theology, history, and cultural critique. Across episodes, the conversations frequently center on confessional Lutheran perspectives, church governance, and how faith intersects politics, education, and modern media. Listeners can expect deep historical framing, practical pastoral insight, and thoughtful challenges to contemporary culture, often anchored in biblical literacy and a willingness to grapple with difficult questions. A notable strength is the mix of scholarly depth with accessible, narrative-driven examples, as well as candid discussions about church life, leadership, and how communities navigate tradition in a changing society.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with A Brief History of Power:

1. On The Line
2. Issues, Etc.
3. The Gottesdienst Crowd
4. The Word of the Lord Endures Forever
5. Theology Q&A

How many episodes of A Brief History of Power are there?

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. Dr. Dylan Thompson
2. Pastor Koontz
3. Willie Grills
4. Donna Harrison
5. Richard Stuckwich
6. Jarryd Allison
7. Pastor Josh Tinkham
8. Brian Yamabe

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