The Ryley Heppner Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with pastor, author and scholar, Paul Hoffman, to talk about his book "AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep" and to explore how artificial intelligence and digital habits are shaping the way pastors lead, churches function, and disciples are formed.

Paul A. Hoffman (PhD, University of Manchester) is associate professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies and director of the Preministe...

What kind of man was the Apostle Paul? In this episode, Frank Thielman joins me to explore Paul’s life, mission, and message. We talk about how Paul’s years in chains shaped his message of grace, why he often concealed the deepest parts of his story, and the surprising misconceptions people still carry about him today.Frank Thielman joined Beeson Divinity School faculty in 1989, and teaches courses in Greek, New Testament Theology ...

In today's episode I chat with Dave Ripper about his new book Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus: Reading the Bible like Dallas Willard. Dave unpacks how Dallas Willard’s vision of the “with-God life” can transform the way Christians approach Scripture—not as a textbook to master, but as a living Word to encounter and experience.

Dave Ripper is the lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church, a multicongregational church in ...

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? And is it possible that it's simpler than we think? When we look at the first disciples—the twelve who left everything to follow Jesus—we see a template for what it means to walk with Him. They weren’t perfect. They stumbled, doubted, and even failed. Yet their lives reveal three core patterns that defined their following.

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In this conversation, Reed Dunn joins me to talk about his new book "When You Don’t Have the Words: Praying the Psalms." Reed shares how the Psalms give us language for every season of life—joy, sorrow, doubt, and hope—and how they point us to Christ as they shape our prayers.

Reed Dunn is the pastor of Redeemer Hudson, New Jersey. He cares deeply about pastoral care and spiritual formation.

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In this episode, I talk with Robert S. Smith about his new book The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory. We explore what transgender theory is, how it became so influential in Western culture, and why the Bible’s vision of the body as “given” rather than self-crafted offers a more hopeful and truthful foundation for identity.

Robert Smith is lecturer in theology, ethics & music ministry at Sydney Missionary...

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Kim, a speaker with Apologetics Canada and a PhD student researching transhumanism, to explore one of the most pressing worldviews emerging in our time. We talk about what transhumanism is, why it matters, and how it’s already shaping how people think about identity, purpose, and salvation. Drawing on the ideas of Nietzsche and Chesterton, Steve helps us see what’s at stake in the push to beco...

In this episode I sit down with skateboarding legend, Ray Barbee, to explore the heart behind his creativity and faith. We talk about the early days of his skateboarding journey and how music, photography, and especially his relationship with Jesus have shaped the way he approaches art and life.

Ray Barbee is a legendary skateboarder, musician, and photographer known for his smooth style, creative spirit, and joyful presence. Turni...

In this episode, Brett McCracken joins me to talk about his new book Scrolling Ourselves to Death and the spiritual toll of living in a world of endless scrolling, constant noise, and digital distraction. Brett offers insight into Neil Postman’s prophetic warnings, the dangers of dopamine-driven media, and how the church can resist the tide with a vision of embodied, thoughtful discipleship in the digital age.

Brett McCracken is a ...

What do ancient manuscripts found in desert caves have to do with the Bible in your hands today? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Perrin—author of Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds—joins us to unpack the strange, surprising, and deeply relevant world of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We talk lost texts, wild apocalyptic imagination, messianic hopes before Jesus, and why these 2,000-year-old documents still matter for Christian faith, biblical inte...

Are the Gospels historically reliable? In this episode, I sit down with renowned New Testament scholar Craig Keener to discuss his book Christobiography: Memory, History, and the Reliability of the Gospels. We explore how the Gospels fit within the genre of ancient biography (bios), what that means for their historical accuracy, and how eyewitness testimony shaped the accounts of Jesus' life. Keener also addresses common objections...

What is the heart of Paul’s message in Galatians, and why does it still matter today? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner to explore the powerful themes of his book, Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians. We discuss justification by faith, the role of the law, Christian freedom, and the centrality of the cross in one of Paul’s most urgent and passionate letters.

Dr. Tom Schreiner is an Associate Dean for th...

Joshua Porter has lived a life of raw creativity and radical faith. From fronting a beautifully chaotic band to becoming an author, filmmaker, and pastor, his journey has been anything but conventional. In this episode, we dive into his unexpected path—exploring music, storytelling, and the intersection of art and faith.

Joshua S. Porter is pastor of teaching and creative vision at Van City Church in Vancouver, Washington. He is al...

In this episode, I talk with wakeboarding legend Shaun Murray about the role of faith in his life and career. We discuss what it means to trust God through the ups and downs of professional sports, how his faith has shaped his perspective on success and identity, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Shaun shares how he stays grounded, what keeps him passionate about coaching and mentoring others, and why his relationship wit...