The Caffeinated Christian

Send us a text Jesus warned that life doesn't consist in the abundance of possessions - yet we're bombarded with 4,000-10,000 ads daily telling us otherwise. This Christmas, what if we chose simplicity over accumulation and discovered that our deepest desires are satisfied not by what we can buy, but by the One we can receive? What if the secret to a truly joyful Christmas isn't found in getting more, but in wanting less? This week's episode comes from a sermon Pastor Mike preached at Centerpointe on December 7th, 2025. It is part of a larger series called "The White Lies of Christmas." You can check that series out here Support the show

Send us a text Hey Caffeinated Listeners! We had some unforeseen events take place that delayed releasing a new episode. But not to worry. We are drawing from our classic archive again. Enjoy this conversation from four years ago, where the guys sat down with the author of We Will Not Be Silenced , Dr. Erwin Lutzer. The book does a great job of examining the origins of the cultural rot that has infected the country and how we can live faithful lives as followers of Jesus in the midst of it. We asked Dr. Lutzer about why he wrote his book, his thoughts on Critical Race Theory, and the rise of Social Marxism. Support the show

Send us a text Today we’re revisiting a classic episode where the guys sit down with Pastor Scott Lackey. He is the Pastor and founder of New Story Church in Buffalo NY. Scott is also the author of the book Journey into Greater Concern. Support the show

Send us a text Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and tis the season where we're told to be thankful. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline for all Christians that we ought to always practice, and for many, we can find something in our past and present to anchor our gratitude in. But others of us have really difficult lives, or live in parts of the world where all we know is mistreatment, hardship, and pain. Others still may be mentally unable to find anything from their past to be grateful for. So, how can we be thankful even when life is terrible? We don't claim to have all the answers, but I hope this next hour gives you some encouragement and hope! Support the show

Send us a text Social media gives us the news we want, but it doesn’t always give us the news we need. Today, we’re looking at a story that you may not have heard about. If you have heard about it, chances are, you’re not getting accurate information. Brothers and sisters in Christ are being killed by the thousands, but the country’s government and mainstream media outlets are framing it as something very different. Watch to find out more! Resources: Raymond Ibrahim Mike Winger Interview w/ ETP ________ Letter to Congress & Senate (Originally from Mike Winger ): Subject: Please Support H. Res. 220 and S. 2747 to Defend Persecuted Christians in Nigeria Dear [Congressman/Senator] [Last Name], I am writing to urge you to take immediate action on behalf of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, who are enduring one of the worst humanitarian and religious freedom crises in the world today. Thousands of Christians have been slaughtered, kidnapped, raped, and displaced by radical Islamist terrorists. Entire villages are being wiped out while the Nigerian government turns a blind eye—or, in some cases, is complicit in these atrocities. The United States must not remain silent in the face of such evil. I strongly urge you to: Support and co-sponsor H. Res. 220, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith, which calls on the U.S. Department of State to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its severe violations of religious freedom. Support and co-sponsor S. 2747, Senator Ted Cruz’s Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which would impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials who enable or ignore persecution and human rights abuses. Designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and enforcing targeted sanctions are critical first steps in holding the Nigerian government accountable and protecting vulnerable Christian communities. These measures will help ensure that U.S. foreign policy truly reflects our nation’s commitment to religious liberty, justice, and human dignity. Please stand with the persecuted, and let your voice be one of moral leadership and courage in defense of the innocent. Thank you for your time, compassion, and commitment to defending freedom and human rights. Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [City, State] [Email Address or Phone Number (optional)] Support the show

Send us a text In this week's episode, Mike and Ryan discuss the idea of the renewal of the mind. If you're a Christian, you've heard or read verses that call believers to be transformed by the renewing of their mind or to think on things that are good, noble, and worthy of praise. That's all well and good. But how do we do that practically? Listen and find out! Support the show

Send us a text Things have been shaking in the church world recently, from the restoration of pastors to false resignations of college presidents. Mike and Ryan are discussing some of the month’s biggest breaking stories in the Christian world and asking, “What is God showing us through all of this?” Grab your mug and join the conversation. Support the show

Send us a text Today we're revisiting a classic episode where the guys sit down with Jim Walton from The 3rd Choice to talk about the Bible. Jim walks us through the Bible's trustworthiness, why certain books are or aren't in the Bible and more! Support the show

Send us a text It looks like faith. It sounds like hope. But what if this common theology celebrated in the church is something else entirely? It promises health, wealth, and happiness—but offers a counterfeit gospel that dethrones Christ. Join us as we trace the history of this movement, expose its modern preachers, and open Scripture to see why this ideology is more antichrist than Christian. Support the show

Send us a text Studies estimate between 4,000-7000 churches are closing in America annually. This startling trend should encourage church leaders to get an honest assessment of how well their church is positioned to reach their neighborhood. This has been on Pastor Mike's heart, and today, Dr Ryan sits down and interviews Mike about a step churches can take towards future health and vitality. Find out more about the work Pastor Mike is doing at mikewrigglesworth.net/ Support the show

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into two topics making their rounds on the internet: the continued conversation around Charlie Kirk and the failed rapture prophecy proclaimed by Brother Joshua for September 23–24, 2025. We explore Kirk’s lasting impact, the ripple effects of his death on churches across the nation, and how fear, faith, and false hope collide when apocalyptic predictions don’t come true. This conversation is raw, thoughtful, and pressing for anyone wrestling with truth in turbulent times. #CharlieKirk #Rapture2025 #BrotherJoshua #FalseProphecy #Martyrdom #ChurchLife #FaithInCrisis #Podcast Support the show

Send us a text In today's episode, we get into some of the heated comments that came from a previous episode. We also take some time to address the videos and blogs of a Youtube Bible teacher. Support the show

Send us a text On this classic episode the guys are talking apologetics with Greg Koukl. Koukl is the founder and president of Stand to Reason. He has his Master in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and a Masters in Christian Apologetics. Mr. Koukl has also spoken at more than 88 colleges in the U.S. and abroad and has hosted his own radio call in show for over 30 years. Please go to str.org to learn more about the amazing work he has done! Episode originally aired on March 13th 2021 Support the show

Send us a text Today we revisit a classic episode where Mike and Ryan sit down with Pastor Doug Bursch. Bursch is the author of ‘Posting Peace: Why social media divides us and what we can do about it.’ It the digital landscape we inhabit, we thought this was a beneficial episode to bring out of the archives for you to enjoy and be challenged by. This episode originally published on June 6th, 2021. Support the show

Send us a text The nation is reeling from the tragic and brutal assasination of conservative author and political activist Charlie Kirk. It's no surprise that he was a very outspoken and polarizing figure. Kirk spent much of his time on college campuses debating the ideologies and worldviews that have captured today's youth. But this moment is much bigger than Kirk's death. It actually pulls back the curtain on something deeper and sinister that social media influencers and news media aren't talking about. Support the show

Send us a text Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world, with deep historical, cultural, and spiritual influence. But what does Islam actually teach? How does it differ from Christianity? And why should Christians pay attention to its rapid global rise? In this episode, we walk through the basic beliefs of Islam—its view of God, prophets, Scripture, and salvation—while also discussing the key theological differences that set it apart from Christianity. We’ll also share concerns about its growing popularity and how followers of Jesus can respond with both truth and love. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or just want to be better equipped, this episode will help you understand Islam and think biblically about engaging with Muslims in today’s world. Support the show

Send us a text Today we tackle a long-standing theological debate. During communion, what happens to the elements? Do they change their substance, becoming the literal body and blood of Jesus? Or are these symbols in which we call to remembrance the sacrificial death of Jesus? Support the show

Send us a text The sister of a prominent leader in the evangelical church spoke out about verified SA allegations against him during a sermon preached earlier this month. It’s one of the most spiritually abusive and unhinged sermons you’ll ever hear. This is emblematic of cover up culture in the charismatic church. It’s something that needs to end, so we’re calling it out in today’s episode. Support the show

Send us a text James Dobson died on August 21st 2025. Like anyone who carried a great notoriety in the Christian world, Dobson had his fans as well as his critics. Truth is, if you grew up in the evangelical world, even if you didn’t know him by name, you were likely influenced by Dobson’s teachings. Today on this emergency episode of TCC we look back on his life, his legacy and how we should remember James Dobson. Support the show

Send us a text From overblown headlines to fear-driven narratives, Christians are inundated with half truths and outright lies from all directions. Social media has become an incubator for anger, suspicion and fear. We explore why believers must be people of discernment, integrity, and hope in the way we consume and share information in the age of outrage and offense. We also discuss practical ways believers can resist the pull of sensationalism so that our faith shines brighter than the noise. Support the show

Send us a text Family relationships can be both our greatest joy and deepest pain, as illustrated in the story of Jacob and Esau. Their family was marked by parental favoritism, with Isaac loving Esau for his hunting skills and Rebekah favoring Jacob. This favoritism led to destructive patterns: Jacob's manipulation in trading stew for Esau's birthright and later deceiving his father for the blessing, and Esau's impulsivity and rage. These cycles of dysfunction mirror our own family struggles today. Yet God's grace can and does work through broken families. This message was preached at Centerpointe Community Church by Pastor Mike Wrigglesworth on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025 Support the show

Send us a text John MacArthur stepped into eternity in July of 2025. Few leaders have left a mark on the American church quite like him. In this episode of The Caffeinated Christian, we take an honest look at his legacy—his decades of faithful teaching, his commitment to Scripture, and the impact of his global ministry. We also wrestle with the more difficult parts of MacArthur's ministry: allegations of mishandled abuse cases, his often combative tone toward theological disagreement, and how his church navigates its first pastoral transition in 50+ years. This isn't a hit piece or a tribute—but it's a conversation that holds both truth and grace, honoring the complexity of his legacy. Support the show

Send us a text We just wrapped up looking at false teachers that use the scriptures, evangelism and miracle-working for their own benefit. It’s easy to see misuses and abuses like this and look at Christians and the Bible with skepticism. One of the questions that comes up is “Are miracles for today?” Lies and staged miracles may be a reality in our world, but they’re merely counterfeits of the real thing. So today we go back into the archives to a talk given by Ryan in the summer of 2022 on the defense of the supernatural. Support the show

Send us a text We just wrapped up looking at false teachers that use the scriptures, evangelism and miracle-working for their own benefit. It’s easy to see misuses and abuses like this and look at Christians and the Bible with skepticism. One of the questions that comes up is “Are miracles for today?” Lies and staged miracles may be a reality in our world, but they’re merely counterfeits of the real thing. So today we go back into the archives to a talk given by Ryan in the summer of 2022 on the defense of the supernatural. Support the show

Send us a text Todd White, the founder of Lifestyle Christianity, has a dramatic testimony, charisma, and a unique ability to capture the attention of an audience. But are there issues with his teachings? And does his character match the lifestyle that he preaches? Read the Open Letter to Todd White End Video Credit: The Messed Up Church Support the show