The Holy War in Antioch: How to Fight With Brothers - Micheal Foster

How do you fight with a brother without burning the whole thing down? ⚔️

 

Live from Fight Laugh Feast 2026: Holy Wars, Pastor Michael Foster of East River Church takes up the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:36-41 and draws six principles for fighting well in the church. Peace is not the same as quiet, ordinary correction keeps small things small, our loyalties and fears shape how we see a fight, good things have to be rightly ordered, some resolutions stay messy until heaven, and not every quarrel is yours to settle. Along the way: why he doesn't want fans, why the church needs more no's, and why you should never take a pound of flesh when an ounce will do.

 

In this episode:

00:00 Acts 15:36-41: Paul and Barnabas part ways over John Mark

01:30 Why Michael is back at a CREC-adjacent event (and a Norm Macdonald story)

06:14 Six principles from Acts 15 on how to fight with brothers

06:28 1. Conflict is a normal, necessary part of the Christian life: peace vs. quiet

12:08 Some conflicts need more than one conversation: rules of engagement in the church

18:56 3. Family, friendships, money and fear intensify our fights (Barnabas and Mark)

24:19 Cool-kids-table Christianity: "I don't want fans. I want to be your brother."

26:18 4. Good things in the wrong order: why the church needs more no's

34:36 5. Messy resolutions: never take a pound of flesh when an ounce will do

40:18 6. Not every conflict deserves your attention (Proverbs 26:17)

46:35 Encouragement for the weary: stand and fight where you must

 

About Michael Foster:

Michael Foster is the senior pastor of East River Church in Batavia, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati, and the co-author with Bnonn Tennant of It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity (Canon Press). He is a graduate of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

East River Church: https://eastriverchurch.org

It's Good to Be a Man: https://www.itsgoodtobeaman.com

Michael on X: https://x.com/thisisfoster

 

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