Life at the Corner

Life at the Corner is a podcast sponsored by Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Franklin, TN, and hosted by Nate Shurden, Senior Minister of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church and Adjunct Professor at New College Franklin. Each week on the podcast, Nate will address a wide range of matters related to the intersection of life and faith. Sometimes the lone voice, other times marked by the banter of friends and Cornerstone staff, Nate will course through theological topics, current events, books, and so much more.

The Grace of Church Discipline 11/24/2025

The Grace of Church Discipline Today, Pastor Nate goes to the mail bag and answers a question from a listener about church discipline. In today's episode, you'll learn what church discipline is, how it works, and why it's important. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/39123105

A Song of Thanksgiving 11/10/2025

A Song of Thanksgiving Pastor Nate meditates on the history of Psalm 136 and its use by the people of Israel all the way up through the night of Jesus’ capture and interrogation. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38950000

The Man Behind the Reformation 10/27/2025

The Man Behind the Reformation In light of the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Pastor Nate takes time to explore lessons from the history of the Reformation, focusing especially on the man God used to spark the Reformation, Martin Luther. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38793305

The Gift of Friendship (Part 2) 10/20/2025

The Gift of Friendship (Part 2) Today, Pastor Nate finishes this short series on friendship, speaking on the characteristics of true friendship and how it surpasses mere companionship. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38618390

The Gift of Friendship (Part 1) 10/20/2025

The Gift of Friendship (Part 1) Today, Pastor Nate distinguishes between companionship and friendship and talks about the necessity of having real friends. Having many acquaintances doesn’t necessarily mean you have the kind of deep friendship that the Bible recommends so highly. Join us for Part 1 of this two-part series on friendship. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38542165

The Life and Legacy of David Brainerd 10/06/2025

The Life and Legacy of David Brainerd Today, Pastor Nate shares some of the history of this incredible pioneer missionary to the Native Americans in the 18th century. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38482340

To Forgive or Not to Forgive? 10/01/2025

To Forgive or Not to Forgive? In light of Erika Kirk's recent expression of forgiveness at Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service, Pastor Nate takes time on today's podcast to explore the nature of true forgiveness. He also wrestles with hard questions like, "Are we obligated in every circumstance to forgive those who have sinned against us?" and "Does forgiveness wipe out all the consequences for our sin?" If you want to read on the subject of forgiveness, here are a few resources he highly recommends: /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38398340

Learning to Love 09/22/2025

Learning to Love Pastor Nate examines the apostle Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11. Why does Paul ask God for love primarily and put “knowledge” and “discernment” as almost secondary requests? What is the significance of growing in love? Join us today for this reflection on the nature of love and the Christian life. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38243170

Why Do Presbyterians Baptize Infants (Part 2) 09/15/2025

Why Do Presbyterians Baptize Infants (Part 2) Pastor Nate returns to examine the New Testament evidence in favor of infant baptism and to answer a few common Baptist critiques. If you have not listened to Part 1, we highly recommend listening to it first as the argument in this episode depends on the foundation laid in the prior one. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38222380

Why Do Presbyterians Baptize Infants (Part 1) 09/08/2025

Why Do Presbyterians Baptize Infants (Part 1) In response to many queries, Pastor Nate embarks on a two part series on infant baptism. Today, he begins the journey by explaining the Old Testament covenantal background for the practice of infant baptism. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/38062685

Responding to Church Hurt (with Megan Hill) 09/01/2025

Responding to Church Hurt (with Megan Hill) Have you ever been hurt in the church? Today, Megan Hill joins Pastor Nate on the podcast to talk about how to respond to church hurt. Megan Hill is a pastor’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is the managing editor for The Gospel Coalition and a prolific author. In this episode, she and Nate talk about her book, . /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/37982690

Be the Prophet, Priest, and King of Your Household 08/25/2025

Be the Prophet, Priest, and King of Your Household Today, Pastor Nate talks about what it means to be a prophet, priest, and king for your household. If you have questions about how to lead and guide your family, today’s episode is for you. Pastor Nate references Joel Beeke’s book, . You can find it on Amazon. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/37924305

We Are Back! 08/18/2025

We Are Back! Welcome to Season 3! We are thrilled to be back with you again. Today, Pastor Nate takes us on a whirlwind tour of highlights from season's two topics and hits a few of the books he dipped into over the summer. He referenced: by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa. by Mark Sullivan by Matt Smethurst by John Whitecross /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/37837270

Children of God 06/16/2025

Children of God Today Pastor Nate speaks about the heavenly adoption: how God turned his enemies into his children. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/37025955

A Christian View of the Arts (with Greg Wilbur) 05/26/2025

A Christian View of the Arts (with Greg Wilbur) Today, Pastor Nate invites Greg Wilbur, Chief Musician and Worship Director at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, to sit down to talk about the arts. They consider how God's character and creation work together, how to categorize 'good art,' and how the Bible aids Christians in thinking through matters of beauty and art in various forms. A few books mentioned in today’s episode: Francis Schaeffer's Philip Ryken’s Gene Veith’s /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36694385

He Descended Into Hell 05/20/2025

He Descended Into Hell Today, Pastor Nate discusses the most hotly debated phrase in the Apostle’s Creed, "He descended into hell." Bringing history, the Bible, and hermenutics together, Pastor Nate sheds light on this throny issue. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36648575

Who Were the Puritans Really? 05/12/2025

Who Were the Puritans Really? Today, Pastor Nate talks about the real Puritans—not the gloomy, joy-hating ones that are often portrayed to us—but the faithful, joy-filled Christians that they were. Nate explains their historical context and draws a portrait of what they were really like. Here are Pastor Nate’s book recommendations from this episode: John Owen’s J.I. Packer’s Leland Ryken’s Joel Beeke and Michael Reeve ’s /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36513805

A Charge to Graduates 05/05/2025

A Charge to Graduates It is the month of May, a time for graduating—for leaving behind an old life and moving into a new one. As such, it is a time also to be encouraged and strengthened for the new things coming, and encouragement and strengthening is what Pastor Nate offers on today’s episode. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36438635

Why We Love to Gossip 04/14/2025

Why We Love to Gossip Today, Pastor Nate speaks on why gossip is so appealing and so easy to fall into. Gossip in a church quickly divides a congregation, and today’s episode brings to light the deception of this sin so it can more easily be identified and rejected. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36104230

Looking for Mister or Missus Right? 04/07/2025

Looking for Mister or Missus Right? Today, Pastor Nate turns his attention to dating. Drawing on a biblical portrait of the godly man and woman, he offers common sense wisdom for Christians searching for a spouse. If you found today's podcast helpful, please share with family, friends, and on social media platforms. As always, we love hearing from you. Feel free to contact us at . /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/36007380

On Fasting 03/31/2025

On Fasting Today Pastor Nate addresses fasting—a spiritual discipline that gets little publicity. He answers some objections and explores a few biblical examples that show us why we too might fast. One of the resources Nate mentioned was Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney. You can find his book . /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35861270

Wisdom from Above 03/10/2025

Wisdom from Above We often encounter situations requiring great care to navigate well, and it is easy to seek worldly wisdom as we work through them. But we are called to seek the wisdom from above. Today, Pastor Nate explores the nature and character of this wisdom. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35580850

A Christian Perspective on Compassion 03/03/2025

A Christian Perspective on Compassion Today, Pastor Nate welcomes Mr. James Goddard and Miss Anneke Seely on the podcast to talk about the importance of compassion in the work of caring for each other in the body of Christ. Anneke is a graduate of New College Franklin and has a Master’s in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. James is also a graduate of New College Franklin and has a Master’s in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Two books that were referenced and recommended on today's podcast were by Paul David Tripp and by Nancy Guthrie. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35487555

J.D. Vance, Immigration, and the Ordo Amoris 02/24/2025

J.D. Vance, Immigration, and the Ordo Amoris Today, Pastor Nate explores a very interesting comment that Vice President JD Vance recently made about the Trump administration's immigration policy and the ancient Christian teaching of ordo amoris. For background on today's podcast, check out the resources below: See this See this by Dr. John Fesko. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35409935

The Christian Practice of Hospitality 02/17/2025

The Christian Practice of Hospitality Today, Pastor Nate explores the Christian practice of hospitality. Leaning heavily on the biblical revelation and church history, he shows why hospitality is central to the church's gospel witness. With compelling practical advice on how to use your home, organize your schedule, and budget your monies for living out the welcome of God through the Christian practice of hospitality. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35264385

Neo-Calvinism 02/10/2025

Neo-Calvinism Pastors Nate and Sebastian join again to talk about Neo-Calvinism; they discuss some of its founders, history, distinctives, and practical implications. If you didn’t listen to the previous episode, it provides some context going into today’s conversation. Here are links to three of Bavinck’s books that Sebastian recommended if you want to delve into Neo-Calvinism: , , and . /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35090825

The Famed T.U.L.I.P. 02/03/2025

The Famed T.U.L.I.P. Today, Pastor Sebastian Bjernegård of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church joins Pastor Nate to talk about Calvinism. They elaborate on the famous 5 points and clarify some common misconceptions and errors surrounding those doctrines. They will return next week to talk about Neo-Calvinism. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/35056285

We Do Not Wrestle Against Flesh and Blood 01/27/2025

We Do Not Wrestle Against Flesh and Blood Today, Pastor Nate goes to the mailbag and answers a question from a listener. The question concerns how a Christian should think the spiritual realm. Touching on the subject of angels and demons, Pastor Nate offers three foundational points for thinking and responding biblically to the reality of the spiritual realm. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/34922410

Covenant Theology (with Brittain Brewer and Nathaniel Vroom): Part 2 01/20/2025

Covenant Theology (with Brittain Brewer and Nathaniel Vroom): Part 2 This is part 2 of Pastor Nate’s conversation with Brittain and Nathaniel. They finish talking about covenant theology throughout Scripture and move to some applications: What difference does it make to us that we have a covenantal God? Stay tuned for their answers. Brittain is the associate minister at Reformation Covenant Church in Oregan City, OR. Nathaniel is the associate pastor at First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA. Both interned at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church several years ago before going on to seminary. For more resources on covenant theology, here are three books Pastor Nate recommends: , , and /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/34835885

Covenant Theology (with Brittain Brewer and Nathaniel Vroom): Part 1 01/13/2025

Covenant Theology (with Brittain Brewer and Nathaniel Vroom): Part 1 Pastor Nate interviews two pastor friends, Rev. Brittain Brewer and Rev. Nathaniel Vroom, about covenant theology. Today, they give a brief overview of what covenant is, how it works, and how the biblical story is held together by covenant. Brittain is the associate minister at Reformation Covenant Church in Oregan City, OR. Nathaniel is the associate pastor at First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA. Both men were interns at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN, several years ago before going on to seminary and entering pastoral ministry. /episode/index/show/dabb8d1d-6a10-47ee-b2f3-ad690aed7a0f/id/34822750

Life at the Corner

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