Biola hosted a live taping of the White Horse Inn radio show last Friday in Calvary Chapel.

The radio hosts, Michael Horton, Rod Rosenbladt and Kim Riddlebarger, all theology professors or pastors, focused on how the apostles argued for the faith in the book of Acts. A question and answer session about controversies related to the Gospel followed the show, which was hosted by the AS Department of Religious and Academic Relations.

“The event exceeded my expectations in a few different ways,” said Adam Rodriguez, director of Religious and Academic Relations. “I knew that people from outside the Biola community would show up because the radio show is pretty popular, but I was not expecting the turnout that many people to show up. I guess it is safe to assume now that the radio show will have follower wherever it next does a live taping.”

White Horse Inn launched in 1990 as a theological talk show covering topics like faith, culture and apologetics. The unusual name was taken from a pub in Cambridge, England, where the Reformation came to English–speaking world. White Horse Inn hosts strive to preserve the principles of the early reformers, particularly Martin Luther and John Calvin.

“In every episode, the Gospel reigns supreme and in some way or form is the underlying point of discussion,” Rodriguez said. “Anytime the true Gospel is involved in any endeavor, by God’s grace, it is bound to transform minds, hearts and souls.”

The Gospel is controversial because Jesus is controversial, the co-hosts said. His opponents crucified Jesus not for his miracles or teachings, but for claiming to be the Son of God.

Acts 4:17-20 reveals just how divisive Jesus and the Gospel are, they said. In that passage, the high priests, in order to prevent any further spread of the Gospel in the name of Jesus, charged Peter and John for proclaiming in Jesus resurrection from death. Peter and John, however, were unwavering in their commitment to faith in Christ.

Christians, the White Horse Inn speakers discussed, have to learn to not become the center of attention when sharing the Gospel. Christians must be like the apostles who preached the truth and excluded themselves from the message.