Adventist Review Podcasts

unScripted EP 9 | Church Dropout Crisis

Join Shawn Boonstra and Justin Kim in unScripted EP 9 for raw talks on SDA life from the March Adventist Review. Tackle the hot debate on Ellen White's city vs. country counsel in our urban world – is it time to step up outreach? Face the facts on marijuana and vaping: are they harmless highs or faith-killers? Plus, Shane Anderson's 7 raw reasons people skip church, with real tips to connect and keep them. 

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A MELODY FOR THE UNCHAINED (April 10, 2026)

Is grace, at heart, believable?

‘Of course,’ you say. Why not believe? It’s the noun that always follows “Amazing,” the tune the bagpipers skirl at dawn; the soaring hymn a tenor lifts into a vast cathedral.

For some, it may be what the sermon is about, or what we learned in Bible class.

But is grace believable at the baseline of our fears—in those tough places in the soul where shame and memory combust to make us cringe again, again? Does grace reach down below the intellect, the wonderful idea, and heal those wounds we so much never want to show the world?

At its heart—and in our hearts—grace offers us what no one else is giving. Redemption is for real—for all those moments and those years we’ve blown it big and ruined all our future. “All we like sheep have gone astray. We’ve turned every one to his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him”—on Jesus, the only righteous one who ever lived—"the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6).

It seems too good—too kind; too merciful—to be true. And so we linger in the half-light of our fears, humming a tune we dream might yet be ours.

The hymn has outlived every copyright. God’s grace is clearly in the public domain.

Make this song yours. And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

THE MORNING DOUBTS DISAPPEAR (April 03, 2026)

“What if?” the soldiers wondered, as they watched His body sag. “A miracle man with a brazen claim—could He really rise again?”

“What if?” the wise ones wondered, with a nagging, dull unease. “Could disciples come in the dead of night and spirit His body away?”

“What if?” the governor worried, as he doubled the guarding troops. “Is there truly a power in heaven or hell that would dare to break my seal?”

But the doubts that rang in their hollow souls had begun to lose their grip. This Man had life—gave life—gives life. No sword, or spear, or stone, or seal could keep the dawn from rising.

What if the night is over? What if He won’t stay dead? What if the dying Lamb of God becomes our living Head?

When we begin to doubt our doubts, the life of faith begins. We pull the morning toward us, certain only of one thing: we’ve had enough of night and fear and death and loss. There’s joy beyond the cross.

Resurrection—His and ours—begins to change the world. So pick some lilies. Sing His song. Plant some kindness. Practice risen life each day.

And stay in grace. -Bill Knott

THE JOURNEY OF A WEEK (March 27, 2026)

We walk the Passion story slowly, knowing it will seem to end as far too many stories end—with pain, with shame, with lonely death.

The palm fronds we waved wildly on Sunday were woven into simple brooms that swept up 30 tarnished silver pieces; in ropes that tied Messiah to the blood-stained lashing post on Friday. All things trudge slowly toward His end, as if no other fate could be.

Of Himself, the Saviour said: “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death . . . They will mock Him, and spit upon Him, and flog Him, and kill Him” (Mk 10:32-33).  

But never miss the finish of His prophecy: the future of the world hangs on it, or actually, on Him. “And after three days He will rise again” (vs 33).

There is no darkness, long or dull, that Light can never penetrate. It’s not a story that must end with grief on Friday afternoon. “If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him” (Rom 6.8).

Keep walking through His Passion, then, for it will end as you will end—with hope, with light, with joy, with life. The morning dawns, and so will you.

Now stay in grace. -Bill Knott

NOTHING IN MY HAND I BRING (March 20, 2026)

Ever long for the bad old days when you could at least depend upon yourself?

We tire of grace when we’re tempted by the easy arrogance of effort. “If I just say another prayer; read another Bible verse; light another candle—then I can pull the love of God toward me and close up any distance.” We think to work our way back toward His will with scrupulous self-discipline—with vegetables, and fasting, and money given to the homeless. We want connection, but without the cross.

As satisfying as it can feel to deliberately make the life of faith more painful and intense, the gospel shines with clarifying grace: “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Cor 1:24).

The self-denial for which Christ calls isn’t made of beets or gruel or things we naturally dislike. It’s the denying of our own efforts, of the value of our “good deeds,” and yes, of our own homemade theology to which the Saviour calls us. “Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord’” (I Cor 1:30-31).

“Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent’” (John 6:29).

Now stay in grace. -Bill Knott

A WORLD WITHOUT HATE (March 13, 2026)

The great illusion of our age is that the world must be divisible into clans and races and nations who inevitably hate each other.  The histories of some countries—and entire political careers—have been built on this dangerous idea. 

Left versus right; rich opposed to poor; theists against atheists; the educated despising the illiterate. Trillions of dollars, euros, yen and rubles have been invested to sustain this pernicious illusion, for much money can be made by channeling hatred and distrust. 

So it is that grace, which teaches us that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5)—grace will always seem so strange and otherworldly to people who believe that they have been fated to hate those different from themselves. The gospel declares of Jesus, “For He is our peace; in His flesh He has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Eph 2:14).

Grace is the promise that we can learn to love without divisions, without malice, without hate.

And when it comes to you, you’ll stay in grace. -Bill Knott

Ep 6 unScripted—Daniel 3's Fiery lists

Welcome to Episode 6 of unScripted — live real talk on what's happening in the Seventh-day Adventist Church right now. Shawn Boonstra and Justin Kim unpack the latest Adventist Review, Bible truths, and jaw-dropping mission stories.
This episode covers:

New March 2026 Adventist Review spotlight: Superstition cover story + Justin's editorial "etcetera" on Daniel 3—why the Bible's repetitive lists poetically shout God's total supremacy over every power and ritual.
The One Voice global initiative: Coordinated revival and evangelism in 2026, studying Daniel chapter-by-chapter (March on Daniel 3). Fresh insights, reading tips, and why prophecy matters.
Inspiring testimony: "From Iran to God's Ultimate Freedom"—Raha flees oppression in Iran, finds a loving God through providential SDA connections in Polish refugee centers.
Exclusive PNG follow-up: After PNG for Christ’s massive baptisms (250,000+ reported), Shawn and Kyle went on-site. Hear Philip's transformation—from rebel/prisoner to baptizing 50 and leading a home for abused kids. Lay-led revival in action.

No fluff, just honest encouragement on faith, prophecy, and God's leading.
Your thoughts? Comment below—we read and respond! Suggest next topics?
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👍 Like if these stories fire up your mission spirit!
💬 Share your "God was working all along" story.
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Timestamps (approx. ~32 min total runtime):
0:00 - Intro banter, jacket crest fun, new Adventist Review tease
2:30 - Why subscribe to AdventistReview.org + flagship global voice
4:45 - Justin's "etcetera" editorial: Daniel 3 lists & God's supremacy
9:30 - One Voice / Daniel study push + deeper Bible reading tips
14:00 - Daniel criticisms, prophecy accuracy, personal impact
18:15 - "From Iran to God's Ultimate Freedom" refugee testimony
24:00 - PNG baptisms exclusive: Philip's full story & lay-led impact
29:00 - Wrap-up: future mission push + amen!
Subscribe at AdventistReview.org for the full March issue and global church pulse!

A LIGHT THAT NEVER FAILS (March 06, 2026)

If you should meet a person happy with his life, or joyful in her story, you’ve likely met someone experiencing the deep security of living in the grace of God.

He can look upon the rubble of his past with clarity but without shame—for he has found the liberating power of forgiveness. She can candidly assess the threats and stress the future may portend without the customary fear: her “life is hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).

They do not take themselves too seriously, for they are quick to tell that all they have and all they are is given them in mercy.

You watch them pour themselves into the broken, fear-filled lives of those around them, for grace never was for them alone. Their peace shines like a steady and unblinking light in all the aching darkness.

Mark them well, for this is who you want to be—who you can be—by saying “Yes” to grace.

“Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Rom 5:1).

And when your life is also glad and free, you’ll stay in grace. -Bill Knott

unScripted Episode 5 | Can the Church Ever Be Wrong?

Can the SDA Church ever be wrong? Was Hitler really a Christian? And was that "impression" from God... or just last night's pizza? 😅
In this raw, no-holds-barred episode of unScripted, Shawn Boonstra sits down with Adventist Review assistant editor Jonathan (the guy with the fancy logo code we all envy) for real talk straight from the heart of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

We dive into:

Audrey Anderson's powerful GC article: "Could the Church Be Wrong?" – Yes, mistakes happen, but God still uses a broken people (home for sinners being mended).
Shawn's deep-dive article: "Was Hitler a Christian?" – Unpacking the occult, theosophy roots (Ellen White warned about this!), pagan influences, and why it's not biblical Christianity that fueled the horror.
Wes Peppers' "Pizza or Providence?" – Don't over-spiritualize everything! Discern real providence from bad digestion, gut feelings, or random crows flying over. 

Plus: Jonathan shares his journey from Austria to the Review, the vital role of Adventist artists in mission (submit your work to art@adventistreview.org!), why the Review focuses on positive mission (not stone-throwing), and how slow change can be a blessing.
Real questions. Honest answers. No scripts. Just unScripted truth for today's SDA world.

📖 Read the articles:

Could the Church Be Wrong? 
Was Hitler a Christian? 
Pizza or Providence? 

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Adventist Review – the official voice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1849. Grounded in the Bible. Focused on mission.

TOO GOOD TO BE FALSE (February 27, 2026)

It’s the critic’s counterclaim, the “faithful doubter’s” last redoubt:

“Say less about the grace of God, and more of human duty.”

Afraid that others may secure by gift what they haven’t won by long, intensive effort, persistent voices challenge those who speak and preach of grace. 

“You make it all too easy,” they complain. “Where’s the struggle, pain, and sacrifice? Where are the nights of deep uncertainty when you despair of ever being right with God?” 

There’s just one answer for such fears, and it originated in the mind of God: “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8). 

Only the Word that comes from God can overcome the human pride that needs its efforts recognized. The apostle Paul, filled with the truth that rests in God, emphatically declared: “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Rom 3:28).

Those who truly grasp God’s grace are never slow to live His love. The life of holiness begins when we receive what we can never earn. 

So stay in grace. -Bill Knott