In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Rustin Umstattd, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Midwestern Seminary and pastor at Northland Church in Kansas City, about the importance of understanding the Bible as a unified story. Rustin explains how seeing Scripture as an unfolding narrative—from Genesis to Revelation—transformed both his theological study and pastoral ministry. Together they discuss why biblical theology matters, how genre fits into the Bible’s story, and why reading the whole Bible is essential for understanding Jesus, the gospel, and the Christian life.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

biblical theology, story of Scripture, Old Testament, New Testament, preaching, discipleship, seminary training, Scripture reading, church ministry

Takeaways

• The Bible tells one unified story that centers on Jesus Christ.

• Understanding the story of Scripture helps clarify difficult passages like Hebrews and Melchizedek.

• Systematic theology is strengthened when grounded in biblical theology.

• Reading the whole Bible is essential for making sense of individual books and doctrines.

• Different biblical genres contribute uniquely to the overall story of redemption.

• Teaching and preaching become richer when rooted in the unfolding narrative of Scripture.

• The Bible’s story provides a compelling and objective framework for Christian faith.

Sound Bites

• You don’t need a decoder ring—you need to know the story.

• You can’t make sense of Romans without Genesis through Malachi.

• Once you see how Jesus fulfills the story, you can’t unsee it.

• The Bible’s story proves more than it proposes.

Resources Mentioned

• T. Desmond Alexander, From Eden to the New Jerusalem

• Stephen Dempster, Dominion and Dynasty

• G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology

• Bartholomew and Goheen, The Drama of Scripture

• James Hamilton, What is Biblical Theology?

• Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology

• Gentry and Wellum, Kingdom Through Covenant

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Rustin Umstattd’s Background

2. 01:30 Discovering the Bible as a Story

3. 03:12 Abraham, Galatians, and the Unity of Scripture

4. 04:29 Hebrews, Melchizedek, and Story Context

5. 05:30 How This Shaped Rustin’s Ministry

6. 08:12 Teaching Theology Through the Story of Scripture

7. 09:50 Preaching and Reading the Bible Biblically

8. 11:30 Story, Culture, and Worldview Formation

9. 12:57 Biblical Genres and the Place of Proverbs

10. 17:19 Stories, Songs, and Scripture’s Power

11. 21:25 Why Whole-Bible Reading Matters

12. 24:49 Recommended Resources on Biblical Theology

13. 28:21 Why the Story of Scripture Validates Faith

14. 30:33 Closing Reflections

In January 2026, students of Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus gathered for an intensive week of class, worship, and fellowship. In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery gathers the professors teaching Winter Week classes—Colton Strother, Ken Parker, Dale Johnson, Wes Pastor, and Todd Chipman—for a conversation on friendship in ministry. They share their experiences of calling, mentoring, seminary friendships, loneliness in modern life, relational vulnerability, and the challenges and blessings of maintaining friendship while serving the church. The panelists offer biblical wisdom, seasoned pastoral insight, and practical strategies for cultivating healthy, life-giving friendships in ministry and in the local church.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

friendship, ministry, seminary, pastoral leadership, loneliness, community, vulnerability, spiritual formation, relationships, church life

Takeaways

• Friendship is essential for long-term faithfulness in ministry and grounded in the relational nature of God.

• Many ministers are first encouraged toward seminary by pastors, mentors, or professors who see gifting and potential.

• Seminary friendships can become lifelong ministry partnerships, especially when grounded in shared calling and service.

• Loneliness is both a cultural and spiritual issue—exacerbated by digital life and healed through embodied Christian community.

• Vulnerability, honesty, and intentionality are key ingredients of meaningful friendship.

• Ministers must pursue friendship both inside and outside their churches, while also cultivating friendship within their families.

• Friendships require proactive effort—through hobbies, shared routines, text threads, or simply making space for people.

• Betrayal is an inevitable risk in ministry, yet the call to love and serve without demanding reciprocity remains central.

Sound Bites

• Real friends are few—and they require vulnerability.

• God uses friendship to steady us in ministry’s ups and downs.

• Loneliness thrives where self-focus grows; love pulls us outward.

• Love is often a one-way street—and that’s okay.

• We flourish when we risk being known and loved.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introductions and Panel Overview

2. 01:50 Panelists’ Ministry Roles and Backgrounds

3. 04:20 Who First Encouraged You Toward Seminary?

4. 09:31 Seminary Friendships and Lifelong Ministry Relationships

5. 14:10 Loneliness in Culture and the Church

6. 17:41 Biblical and Practical Approaches to Isolation

7. 23:04 Vulnerability, Honesty, and Being Known

8. 24:58 Faith, Hope, Love, and Relational Health

9. 26:52 How Busy Ministers Make and Maintain Friendships

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Kris Raven, pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church and MBTS doctoral student focusing on the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Kris shares how biblical authors intentionally draw from the Old Testament to shape Christian theology and practice, and how understanding these connections strengthens preaching, discipleship, and the health of local churches. Their discussion covers how Kris first encountered this field of study, how it has shaped his walk with Christ, and why it matters for every believer—especially in a world filled with unhelpful or confused approaches to the Old Testament, such as the Hebrew Roots Movement.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

New Testament use of the Old Testament, biblical theology, hermeneutics, preaching, discipleship, healthy churches, Scripture interpretation, typology, intertextuality

Resources

G. K. Beale, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker)

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker)

Nick Roark and Robert Cline, Biblical Theology: How the Church Faithfully Teaches the Gospel, 9Marks Building Healthy Churches Series (Crossway)

Blog: Jason DeRouchie, “How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament: Step 10 – Biblical Theology”

Takeaways

• The New Testament frequently quotes, alludes to, and echoes the Old Testament to reveal Christ and God's redemptive story.

• Understanding how biblical authors use earlier Scripture deepens our confidence in the unity of the Bible.

• Careful study prevents misinterpretation and guards churches against unhelpful teaching—including misuses of the Old Testament like the Hebrew Roots Movement.

• Biblical theology helps us see how the entire Bible fits together around Christ.

• Diligent interpretation enriches preaching and strengthens discipleship in the local church.

• Study tools such as Beale’s handbook and commentary can guide pastors and students in understanding intertextual connections.

Sound Bites

• There is intentionality in the way New Testament authors draw from the Old Testament.

• The New Testament is not a new story—it is the continuation and fulfillment of the Old.

• We don’t ignore the Old Testament; we read it through the lens of Christ.

• Diligence in study is an act of love for God and His Word.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Kris Raven’s Background

2. 01:27 What Is the New Testament Use of the Old Testament?

3. 03:27 How Kris First Encountered This Field of Study

4. 04:57 Beale’s Handbook and the Academic Journey

5. 07:43 Why These Connections Matter for Bible Readers

6. 09:31 Examples from John and Hebrews

7. 11:20 How This Study Deepened Kris’s Walk With Christ

8. 12:48 Diligence in Study as Spiritual Formation

9. 14:47 A Real-World Ministry Challenge: Hebrew Roots Movement

10. 15:55 How Understanding NT/OT Use Protects Healthy Churches

11. 17:26 Reading the Old Testament Through the Lens of Christ

12. 21:16 Recommended Resources for Further Study

13. 25:44 Closing Reflections