New Persuasive Words

In this episode, after a few minutes talking news, we turn to the recent controversy about sexuality and LGBT inclusion in the United Methodist Church.

In this episode we talk about the visible and invisible church, and our ideals and the church's realities.

In this episode, inspired by something we read online, we talk about the inability of facts to change minds. If facts are stubborn things, are our minds even more stubborn? Why is this the case? You can find the article we reference here. (https://heleo.com/facts-dont-change-peoples-minds-heres/16242/)

In this episode, inspired by a piece written by Valerie Tarico, we talk about the strange similarities between some types of conservative evangelicals and woke activists. Most people wouldn't see these groups having much in common. But does their particular sort of tribalism make their similarities greater than their differences? You can find Valerie Tarico's piece here: http://new.exchristian.net/2019/02/the-righteousness-and-woke-why.html.

In this episode we talk with friend and always interesting interlocutor David Fitch. Dave is a theologian, pastor and church planter. He's also a self-described "Neo-Anabaptist." He also identifies as an evangelical Christian. We ask him about his Neo-Anabaptist theological vision and how it relates to the evangelical tradition in North America. Special Guest: David Fitch.

In this our 250th episode, we are joined by our friend Matt Milliner. We discuss a host of issues and ideas and do a lot of laughing along the way. Special Guest: Matt Milliner.

In this episode we talk about grace. Specifically, we talk about the term common grace, and how to us grace always seems particular and special.

In this episode we talk about the things that keep us up at night, and the things that don't.

In this episode we consider two different ancient approaches to the meaning of redemption and the role of Jesus in it, and how it shapes our understanding of Christmas.

In this episode we talk about the blessing of Advent and Christmas traditions and the benefits of living in a culture even superficially shaped by the Christian story.

In this episode we interact with a recent piece that appeared on the Gospel Coalition website. The author claims that there is slippery slope (or natural progression?) from progressive evangelical Christianity to atheism. We're less than convinced. You can find the piece, written by Alisa Childers, here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-beliefs-progressive-christians-atheists-share/.

In this episode we talk about how to deal with contentious hot button issues at the holiday dinner table.

In this episode we talk about what happens in the wake of horrific things when we lose the capacity to call them evil in a meaningful way. We referenced two books on the episode: People of the Lie and Evil in Modern Thought. You can find the links below: https://www.amazon.com/People-Lie-Hope-Healing-Human/dp/0684848597 https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Modern-Thought-Alternative-Philosophy/dp/0691168504

This past week we saw 16 people killed in hate crimes in 2 states, one of which was the biggest killing of Jews in American history. We also saw a crazed man send bombs to some of the Democratic party's leadership and key supporters. We try to think about where we go next.

In this episode we talk about a new study of the American electorate, inspired by a recent op-ed in the NY Times by David Brooks. New research shows that the political tribalism that characterizes American political culture is actually fueled by the elites on the right and the left. You can find the David Brooks piece here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/opinion/politics-race-white-tribalism.html. You can find the research he cites here: https://hiddentribes.us.

In this episode we reflect on America's deep political divisions and tribalism in light of the theology of the cross.

In this episode, recorded as the Senate was voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, we discuss the events that led up to his confirmation and what they might mean for the future of American politics and culture. We reference two articles during our discussion. They can be found below. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/10/02/brett-kavanaugh-lying-politics-220812 http://mbird.com/2018/10/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-lost-doctrine-of-sin/

In this episode, inspired by an essay that appeared in the Expository Times, we talk about the relationship between Christianity and philosophy. Specifically we consider what Christ crucified, "the foolishness of God," has to do with the philosophical enterprise. You can find the essay we discuss here: (http://www.academia.edu/36913090/Towards_a_Christian_Philosophy_of_the_Cross_page-proofs_2018_) This is the Von Balthasar quote referenced: Neither religious philosophy nor existence can provide the criterion for the genuineness of Christianity. In philosophy, man discovers what is humanly knowable about the depths of being; in existence, man lives out what is humanly livable. But Christianity disappears the moment it allows itself to be dissolved into a transcendental precondition of human self-understanding in thinking or living, knowledge or deed. It thus seems at first that the extrinsicist and historical approach of the newer apologetics is the only way forward. This approach does not altogether collap

In this episode we talk about life's most universal experience: death.

In this episode we discuss the results of a recent study that show that there is an increasing number of secular and irreligious people forming Trump's GOP base. These less religious Republicans tend to share more of Trump's views that their religious counterparts. What does this mean for the future of the Republican party and the conservative movement? We found out about the study in a recent New York Times piece by Ross Douthat (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/15/opinion/sunday/conservatism-after-christianity.html).