Mortification Of Spin

The recent Trinity Debate has raised an eyebrow (or two) in both the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches. If you're not in the know by now, we'll give you the twenty-minute brief today. There's more at stake than the ontology and economy of the Trinity.  This also impacts how we view women as well. The Word's alleged submission to the Father in eternity has been used in this debate to provide justification for the authoritarian headship of men over women ... hmm, something's not right here. There are patriarchal undertones to this debate and Carl, Aimee, & Todd have sniffed them out and express serious concern for how this theology can cause great harm within the Church and within marriages.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free pdf booklet download entitled "How to Be Happy as Family" Discount is applied at checkout.

Today we have Rod Dreher on the show. Rod is a Gumbo-eatin’, Louisiana City-Slickin’ Eastern Orthodox and author. He’s here to explain the Benedict Option, and … we’re still not sure we get it! He talks about moral and civil life, and how Christians ought to live in this crooked world. Rod says preaching of the word and the Benedict Option are the only way forward in sharing our faith with the world around us. Very interesting … please pass the hollandaise!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Christianity & 'Culture Wars'" by Michael Horton. Discount is applied at checkout.

In Desperate Theology this week is… it's always 2008 somewhere. Fast forward 8 years and we find our public schools are an ever-increasing world of confusion especially in regards to gender. Is the (latest) Sexual Revolution as bad as it looks? The transgender issue is a fundamental redefinition of personhood with huge implications on the malleable minds of our youth. We fight for hormone-free chickens yet parents are berated (or worse!) for refusing hormone therapy for their "transgender" child. What on earth is happening here? We need to know what we believe and thus equip our children with sound theology to stand firm on Christ the solid rock.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Christian Godliness and Holiness: The Importance of Sexuality to the Next Generation" Discount is applied at checkout.The Global Sexual Revolution by Gabriele Kuby

Most assume sex trafficking starts with a brutal kidnapping - like in a movie. However, it’s often a long process: seduction, coercion, seasoning, and recruiting. VAST (Valley Against Sex Trafficking) works diligently to bring awareness about trafficking while restoring God-given dignity to survivors of this dark market. Heather Evans, co-founder of VAST, is here to share sobering stats, and lessens the appeal and glamour often associated with this social justice movement. Are you part of a middle-class church? Then you worship in one of the most common sources fueling the sex industry due to the common use of pornography - so much to your surprise, this hits quite close to home.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a few copies of Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir by Rachel Lloyd that we would like to giveaway.Heather Evans serves at VAST where you can find links to additional resources and does counseling at Evans Counseling Services. She also writes - check ou

Desperate theology has gone viral in the Church of...! Not to worry, we have more class than to spoil the win but let’s just say Liam Goligher will wish he's Welsh after crowning today's Desperate Theologizer. In other news, the Gang discuss some recent pulpits going political. Is Sunday morning an appropriate place to discern whether Hillary or Trump is the godlier vote? Is it wise for pastors to campaign from the pulpit? Today’s conversation is a charge to all ministers: beware the divisive nature of misusing the pulpit!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "To Each His Own." Discount is applied at checkout.

Our favorite Catholic is with us again: Dr. Frank “Clinton” Beckwith! Once the laughter subsides, we get to some pressing questions about religion in the public sphere: Can you really leave your religion at the door? What is pure religious liberty? What liberties can we live with, which ones can we live without?The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Sovereignty of God and Politics by Dave Chanski. Discount is applied at checkout.

On this week’s Desperate Theology, we crown another lucky lady! In other news, Carl & Todd have a question about preference in preaching: what’s the best rule-of thumb … is it best to preach thematically or systematically? Do you go big-picture, dabble in topics, or lead your congregation through a one-book series? What issues does each approach pose? It’s certainly not rocket science but well worth a conversation … (or are the boys making it more complicated than it needs to be?).The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a few copies of "The Power of Gospel Preaching."The winners are:Jonathan S., Warrior, ALPete W., Bellingham, WADerrick B., Fort Oglethorpe, GAJoseph B., Doylestown, PA

So if all dogs go to heaven? … where do cats go? Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Chair of of New Testament professor at Northern Seminary and author of Heaven's Promise (today’s giveaway!), joins a discussion on Heaven with Carl, Aimee, and …Tom? Often we get dreamy ideas of heaven’s glories or carried away with people's wild "accounts", but there’s a danger: we can undermine the sufficiency of scripture.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a few copies of Heaven's Promise by Scot McKnight to giveaway. Sign up for a chance to win.

On this week’s edition of Desperate Theology, find out what Presbyterians and Prince have in common. And per popular demand, our three hosts give more clarification on their complementarian views with a specific focus on teaching Sunday School. Things get a bit hostile/it’s basically a bloodbath … (all bet’s on Aimee because she works out!).The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "How the Word Builds the Church", by Ligon Duncan. Discount is applied at checkout.

Hailing from the sunny sands of California to the red-hand of Ulsterland, we have two listeners chiming in with questions for our hosts: “How high or low should the confessional bar be set in church: for the leadership and for the membership?” and, “Do elders have the right to reign you in as a pastor - Who has that sort of dominance in the session?”The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "What is Happening to the Evangelicals?", by John Armstrong. Discount is applied at checkout.

This week's Desperate Theology is a bit of a looney tune. You'll have to grin and bear it to hear Carl, Aimee, and Todd answer a listeners' question: "Should a Paedobaptist marry a … (reformed) Baptist?" It's a legitimate question with legitimate concerns. What of a wife's call to submit ... even if she's opposed to her husband's theological stance on baptism? What about the covenant theology in paedobaptism - do you treasure or toss it to appease your fiance or spouse? And is it wise to overlook your differences until children are part of the equation?We would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Marriage and Its Many Problems", by James Boice. Discount is applied at checkout.

Beloved Covenant College professor, author, and family man, Dr. Kelly Kapic, joins us to talk number 2 pencils and the spirituality of college students. He shares some of his joys teaching at Covenant College, a small private Christian college atop Lookout Mountain, and also voices misconceptions of Christian college. There are some valid concerns Dr. Kapic has for today’s Christian college student yet many encouraging thoughts, too. So what hurdles does a Christian education pose to a students’ spirituality? What invaluable lessons about community and singleness can be gleaned from such a unique institution? And what’s this … the Mad Woman went to Covenant College - who ever let her out of the attic!?The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Theological Options in Worldview Formations", by Robert Shelton. Discount is applied at checkout.

Child abuse … it's not just a Catholic church issue but pervades into the pulpits and pastorate of the Protestant church, too. What measures does your church take in checking the backgrounds and even reputations of its leaders? What cover-ups are there? Is there room for questioning a leader…even leaders with "immaculate" records or "big-names"? The Church must take seriously the damage done when turning a blind eye, misusing grace and mercy at the expense of victims who may remain silent and leaders going unchecked in their power. 1 Timothy and Titus give us ample reason to put our leaders under a magnifying glass so to protect the flock from a potential, even preying shepherd. This is a relevant conversation, one every church should take time to consider and apply.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away Low Deeds in High Places by James Boice as a free audio download. The Discount is applied at checkout.

With us today is Dr. Scott Manetsch from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His charge for us is to consider the importance of reading and “knowing” John Calvin. Dr. Manetsch wears many hats: a professor of Church History and the History of Christian thought, author of Calvin’s Company of Pastors, and old friend to Carl Trueman. (It goes without saying, his most trying role is that of his friendship to Carl. Surely heaven’s reward is to be great for such a long-suffering saint!). Tune in to hear Dr. Manetsch attest to Calvin’s exemplary, intense pastoral care as he shares inspiring stories from Calvin’s ministry.Enter to win a free set of MP3 messages by Carl Trueman entitled The Protestant Reformation and John Calvin.The winners are:Chip B., Baltimore, MDMelissa W., Canandaigua, NYBetty S., Peoria, AZMichael H., Montogomery, ALMichael G., Wilmington, DE

Two shady sheep wandered into Todd's megachurch today. Skirting by security, Carl and Aimee are incognito to rate Todd's preaching and their notes are ... lacking in content. Aimee's doing her usual multitasking - doodling nun chucks and jotting her grocery list while Carl's a man of one talent today: sleep.  Probably not the shining examples you'd expect but raises an important question: How are we on listening to the preached word? Take it from these two, it's not always easy, especially with Pruitt in the pulpit. Is sitting under God's preached word something we take seriously, strategically, thoughtfully? Are we diligent or complacent, prepared or passive? And is there a difference between listening and hearing? Carl, Aimee & Todd take these questions to task while offering some basic tips and aids for congregants and their covenant children. Listen up, this is something we all need to hear.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away How to Liste

The Sledge Sisters sing about it, we are born into one, and it’s God’s idea: Family. So how does family relate to the Church and its grander mission (even the Great Commission!)? What constitutes a family, how does it reflect the image of God and … what about singles? We are joined by John McClean, Vice President of Christ College in Australia, teaches Systematic Theology and Ethics, and was a minister four years at Cowra Presbyterian Church. Dr. McClean discusses family in its biblical nature and purpose. He’s Australian so there’s an unspoken competition between the two foreigners, Carl vying he has the more appealing accent, but let’s be honest … anyone or anything sounds better than an Englishman from Gloucestershire.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Covenant of Family, by Joel Nederhood. Discount is applied at checkout.

Round II of Desperate Theology, and the award goes to … The Sacramental Entrepreneur! In other news, the Spin Trifecta has been compromised - Todd has people to see and places to go so couldn't bother with recording, but the show must go on! Carl and Aimee discuss the wisdom and consideration we should exhibit towards our non-believing friends. Do you say grace in front of them at restaurants … in your home … in their home?! Do you give honorable witness or condescending impositions? Something to think and pray about …The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled Offensive Blood, by Robert Godfrey. Discount is applied at checkout.

Tom Schreiner graces Studio B to discuss the many benefits, blessings, and payoffs in understanding our justification. Dr. Schreiner is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Professor of Biblical Theology, and Associate Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Enjoy listening in as Dr. Schreiner spills all...Win a free book! We have several copies of Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification, Run to Win the Prize, and Magnifying God in Christ to give away. The drawing is closed and the winners are:Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification:Thomas P., Milwaukee, WIDane H., Dallas, TXBrendan M., Jacksonville, FLRun to Win the Prize:Hannah H., Grove City, PAFrank A., Conyers, GAJohn B., Jackson, MSMagnifying God in Christ:Jacqueline M., Chicago, ILMike A., Santa Rosa, CATimothy R., Quakertown, PA

This week we start a new segment: Desperate Theology. Tune in each Bully Pulpit for a hilarious insight into the latest theologies out there and how they, at best, can be quite desperate. In other news, the primary goal of today's casual conversation is addressing the significance of the Church's presence in the civic sphere - do we retreat from societal wickedness or attack it? What are the guard rails? What about the individual Christian conscience? What is our real purpose as a Church? In light of the immoral trajectory of our world and its leaders, it's something we ought to consider. The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Two Kingdoms, by Michael Horton. Discount is applied at checkout.

Welcome back to Westminster Theological Seminary, nestled in the quaint city of Glenside, Pennsylvania where the Preaching Conference is still underway. For this portion, students have submitted thought-provoking questions to our LIVE panel which includes Joel Beeke and Kent Hughes - two men with enough wit and wisdom to put our hosts out of a job!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled Calvinistic Experimental Preaching by Joel Beeke and The Glory of Christ in the Scriptures by Kent Hughes. Discount is applied at checkout.