Mortification Of Spin

The Spin team hit up their local Christian bookstore to browse the shelves and peruse the contents of some popular books. Based on the message of these books, the American Church is in danger of forgetting the truth of the Bible: we are wretched sinners in need of an amazingly gracious Savior. Along with that, the state of women's literature is abysmal, and lacks robust theology, distilling the reality that women must be learned Christians. It's always imperative for Christians to read quality, biblical literature. Listen in for some reading suggestions and tips for discerning books that are worth your time.  dowload for our free MP3 Thinking and Acting Biblically by Philip Ryken   Here are some recommended resources that can be purchased here:Housewife Theologian: How the Gospel Interrupts the Ordinary  by Amiee Byrd     A Christian Primer by Timothy Cross     Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive & Readable Theology by James Boice

What is the purpose of a robust theology if it cannot serve to practically help the believer? How does that theology play into God's sovereignty through our suffering? Aimee, Todd, and Carl talk with pastor and cancer survivor Paul Wolfe about his battle with cancer and its impact on his relationships with Christ and the congregation he serves. Paul also discusses the importance of the local church body in helping on cope with trial and suffering. Listen now!  Winners of Paul Wolfe's title My God is True! J. Scheurer - Leavenworth, KSJ. Olivetti - West Lafayette, INM. Debowski - New Boston, NHA. Kelly - Corona, CA  Mentioned on Mortification of Spin.  My God is True! by Paul Wolfe     Setting Our Sights on Heaven: Why Its Hard and Why its Worth it by Paul Wolfe      

This edition of the Mortification of Spin marks the inauguration of a new game: Bully Pulpit Challenge! Carl, Aimee, and Todd respond to a listener's email asking for a critique of an interview that "pastor" Carl Lentz gave recently. In this image-obsessed world, many times churches feel the need to bow to the image idols and create environments that are completely foreign to the mindset of biblical Christianity. There are many who claim to be pastors but deny God's Word through their words and actions. Why do we continue to give these people a platform, and why do we give credence to their voices? To use a forbidden phrase, the whole thing is "utterly ridiculous.."Interview with Carl Lentz   The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled A Catholic Church by Mark Dever.

Aimee, Carl, and Todd like to push buttons, and this week’s installment of the Mortification of Spin is no different as they discuss sexual ethics. Our current cultural milieu is one which exalts sexual behavior, and to speak out against it is seen as heresy. But where does it stop? When will we take our stand? The gang helps to vocalize some of these major concerns, and attempts some answers to the cultural pressure.   Enjoy this free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsThe traditional chronology was love, marriage, sex, and baby. It was like the old schoolyard rhyme: "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes someone in a baby carriage." The new chronology is a plot for postmodern times: sex, baby, marriage, and love. It is almost exactly backwards, except that the baby comes after the sex. But this is simple biology, and not even Harlequin can change the way God made us. The new romances turn romantic relationships upside down, making sex the basis for love, and separating procreat

On this installment of Bully Pulpit, Aimee, Todd, and Carl discuss the multi-generational nature of the Bride of Christ. How do we reconcile the fact that different generations seem to want different things from a church? Is it true that we need to constantly be looking to the youth? We must fight the cultural trends and look to the wisdom of age within our churches. Listen in to this anniversary episode of Mortification of Spin and learn more about this perennial issue.  Enjoy this free resource from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals by Dr. J.I. Packer from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology.Divisions in the Church - by J.I. Packer

Aimee, Carl, and Todd are joined in the studio via the internet by Gloria Furman, author of Glimpses of Grace, published through Crossway, and blogger over at Domestic Kingdom. As a pastor's wife serving in Dubai, a major city in the United Arab Emirates, Gloria has a unique perspective on the topic at hand: modesty. Listen in as the gang seek to enlighten themselves and the listeners as to what it means to be modest, and all that Christian modesty implies.Enjoy this free resource from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.Holding Hands, Holding Hearts Part 1 - by Richard and Sharon PhillipsFind the entire "Holding Hands, Holding Hearts" set in MP3 format here, and CD format here.     Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home - Gloria Furman    

Aimee, Carl, and Todd are back at it - this time discussing the church's involvement in the public square, specifically when dealing with the polarizing issue of abortion. How are Christians to conduct themselves, in the church and on the street, when talking about and protesting abortion? Are we to engage in political debate or sit back and let it happen? Or is there a third way? Listen to the team's lively conversation.Click here for a free MP3 download of God's Church & God's Purpose by Eric Alexander

What's the purpose of a sermon? Is it to inspire the congregation or just a means of transmitting knowledge? Or is the sermon something greater? Dead bones came to life when Ezekiel preached. Are the sermons you listen to that powerful? Listen to Aimee, Carl and Todd once again discuss sermons.     Free digital download: A Layman's Primer on Bible Interpretation by Richard Phillips from the Alliance.

What do you look for in a good church? Bouncy castles, a good social network, a place to land a good business deal? Those may be fun, but there’s more to it than that. Don't forget about good preaching and a robust confession. Listen to Bully Pulpit with Carl, Todd, and Aimee to learn more.  If you want to really understand something, one of the best things you can do is study its origin, or beginning. This is true of nations. If you want to understand why America is as it is today, what its institutions are about, how its self-identity formed, then you have to go back and learn about its birth in the Revolutionary War, its struggle as a colony seeking independence, its ideal of equality under God, its pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. Click here to download this free message.

What role does preaching play in today's church? The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Master joins Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt to talk about the importance and gravity of preaching. Through the book "Preaching & Preachers" by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, they show the necessity and primacy of the proper preaching of the all-sufficient Word of God. Listen the Mortification of Spin to learn more about this imperative and perennial topic.  Free resources from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals on PreachingPractical Considerations for Preaching the Fatherhood of God by Derek Thomas    Preaching Christ and Him Crucified by Alistair BeggBenefits of Expository Preaching by Alistair Begg The Foolishness of Preaching by James Boice   Books mentioned on Preaching & PreachersPreaching and Preachers by Martyn Lloyd-Jones     Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chapell     Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today by John Stott     The Priority of Preaching by Christopher Ash     Posit

How can Christians appropriately, firmly but sensitively talk about the Bibles teaching on sexuality. Our sexuality is for the glory of God and not a means to its own end. There is so much that can be said about our sexual identity so listen now to Carl and Aimee on the Bully Pulpit as they touch this important subject.  Free offer from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsFree download of David Wells' message Unisex: Male and Female from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology.

How do elders function in the church? What's the point of having elders? What is their role in supporting their pastor and caring for their congregation? Dr. Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss the important and perennial topic of biblical elder leadership in this episode of Mortification of Spin. Listen now!  Free resource from the AllianceGrowing Healthy Churchs from the National Pastor's conference is a free MP3 downlaod.

Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt, and Aimee Byrd are back at it, and doing what they do best: tear down your preconceived notions and build up Gospel truths in their place. This time they take on Christmas, and discuss the utter amazing truth of Jesus' incarnation. The trio try their best to cover this hugely important topic in a short amount of time. How do we understand the connection between Jesus' humanity and his deity? What are some good resources in helping to understand this doctrine? What's Carl's favorite Christmas song? Listen in to find out! Free resouce from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsChristian Music through the Ages: Stories of Christmas Carols, a free download.This booklet gives the history and background to several beloved and popular Christmas carols.     Mentioned on Christmas: Bully Pulpit StyleGod with Us by Scott Oliphant      God in Our Midst by Daniel Hyde      The Works of John Owen Volume 3: The Holy Spirit by John Owen      The Works of John Owen Volume 4: The Work of the Holy S

In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt are joined by Christopher Bogosh through the wonders of technology, Carl and Todd interview Christopher about his new book "Compassionate Jesus: Rethinking the Christian's Approach to Modern Medicine." How are Christians to interact with what Christopher calls the "modern medical worldview?" Espousing a consistent biblical worldview, we can see that many people idolize life in a way that is antithetical to gospel truth. We must remember to always claim Christ's triumph over death. Listen in to learn more about these end of life issues.  The drawing is now closed. If you appreciate the podcast please make a donation.

Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt, and Aimee Byrd are back at it! In this edition of Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit they discuss the importance of accountability specifically in church leadership. Leaders must accept and embrace the right to free speech, even when that speech is critical or unwanted. No one can be above accountability, even high-profile church leaders who bring in lots of money. Listen in as they discuss this important and timely issue! Visit this page and fill out the form to receive the free MP3 set Parables of Wisdom and Folly.If you appreciate the podcast please make a donation.

How sufficient is God's Word? Do the charismatic gifts have a place in the church today? Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt are joined via satellite by the Pyromaniacs themselves - Dan Phillips and Frank Turk. The group discusses the cessationism of the charismatic gifts. God has given us all we need in his own, true, infallible word. Listen to the Mortification of Spin to hear their insights on this hotly debated topic... Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsDo you ever stop to think about why God used such extraordinary miracles when he freed his people out of slavery in Egypt?  Not only did he demonstrate his power, but in doing the miracles, he honored his covenant promises.Download the free message Wonders and Signs by Philip Ryken.

In this issue of Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit, Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss the importance of the church fathers to modern Christianity. How can men who lived thousands of years ago speak to today's issues with any relevance? Learn more about some of the important fathers of our faith from Carl and Todd... Winners of Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church.C. Turer - Evansville, IND. Box - Monroe, GAJ. Anderson - Jupiter, FLL. O'Neil - Linville, VAJ. Brick - Bellevue, NE Heard on Bully Pulpit: Church FathersAugustine of Hippo by Simonetta Carr  Athanasius by Simonetta Carr  A Public Faith: From Constantine to the Medieval World AD 312-600 by Ivor Davidson   The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity by Robert Wilken    Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church by Michael Haykin   Confessions by Augustine    City of God by Augustine

What is the meaning of sex? It's all we talk about today. But why did God create sex in the first place? On this episode of the Mortification of Spin we are joined by a special guest who will help us uncover the meaning of sex. Listen now as our hosts discuss sex, not in a salacious way as some may be inclined to do and in a respectful God honoring manner.  Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsDownload the free message Pagan Sexuality by Peter Jones.   What is the Meaning of Sex? by Denny Burk

How do pastors and church leaders keep themselves accountable to their congregations? What happens when a church is treated more like a business than a house of worship? Listen in to the Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit to hear Todd Pruitt and Aimee Byrd as they discuss the dangerous cult of personality that has taken hold of some aspects of the church at large. They give what everyone's come to expect from the Mortification of Spin - stepping on toes and taking the big guys down a few notches!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free download of the audio message, A Fool and His Money. It seems to be ingrained in us to always want more. We want to get ahead, to make our lives pleasant and comfortable. We want to secure our future, so we prepare for retirement. It’s easy for us to be busy storing up our wealth, forgetting that we are told not to gain treasure here on earth, but rather in heaven

Aimee Byrd makes another appearance with Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt, this time her first as co-host. Listen in as the trio discuss Halloween and its impact on the Christian life. Is it problematic for a Christian family to trick-or-treat on Halloween? To what lengths does Christian liberty extend? Listen to the Mortification of Spin to hear the insight of Carl, Todd, and Aimee. Enjoy this free resource from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals - The Use and Abuse of Christian Liberty by D.G. Hart