Mortification Of Spin

Michael Hanby is associate professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America. Dr. Hanby is in today to discuss recent societal changes that are taking place at breakneck speed.  The concept of gay marriage may seem almost conservative these days, considered alongside the issues we all now face. How have once unthinkable sexual standards so quickly become the norm in the political and public sphere? How should one think and operate in a society experiencing such rapid change? Show Notes · The Brave New World of Same Sex Marriage article by Michael Hanby · The Abolition of Man and Woman article by Michael Hanby · The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

CRT (Carl R. Trueman) joins co-host Todd Pruitt, who is primed and ready for today’s discussion of…CRT! Critical Race Theory has seeped into the church—even reaching some more conservative branches of Protestantism—and it’s rapidly gaining ground. What is critical race theory? Carl makes the connection with identity politics as he describes his recent article that demonstrates CRT is another seductive facet of Marxism, trying to solve the problem of evil using oppressor/oppressed categories.  How should the church work through issues of race without failing to address the other challenges of our day? Are “victim and victimizer” biblical concepts? Don’t miss this timely conversation! Show Notes ·Evangelicals and Race Theory by Carl Trueman ·American political activist, philosopher, and author Angela Davis ·Reclaiming the Atonement: An Orthodox Theology of Redemption by Patrick Henry Reardon  ·Carl’s review of Race and Covenant by Gerald McDermott

With Todd hopelessly delayed by an extended hair styling appointment, Carl alone sits down to chat with our special guest. At the table is Andrew Walker, associate professor of Christian Ethics and Apologetics, associate dean of the School of Theology, and executive director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement, all at Southern Baptist Seminary. Andrew’s also an editor and writer for several publications. Simply put, Andrew is an expert in making the Gospel practical, plausible, real, and effective in the daily affairs of modern society—the very topic of today’s conversation. Andrew defines Natural Law, explaining how it informs morality, free speech, and religious freedom—each, an area of great concern for every American.  Show Notes · About Andrew T. Walker · Liberty for All by Andrew T. Walker upcoming book

Life is full of tragedy, sadness, and suffering. Scripture is replete with such stories from Genesis to Revelation. Why is there suffering? Why do Christians suffer? Is there any hope to be found in the midst of suffering? Carl and Todd sit down with Mark Talbot, associate professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College, who has written a very helpful book entitled When the Stars Disappear: Help and Hope from the Stories of Suffering in Scripture. Mark shares the reasons he wrote the book, and an interesting perspective on suffering…including how humans dealt with suffering in times past, and the way we see and deal with suffering in the present. Pull up a seat and join us for this personal and relatable conversation. Show Notes ·Acts 27 and 28  ·“When Suffering is Redemptive/Redeeming a Life of Paralysis,” a free download from ReformedResources.org  We have several copies of When the Stars Disappear that we would like to give away. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from our

Worship is a sacred privilege for Christians, and how we approach worship is key to revealing what we believe about our relationship with the transcendent God. With that understanding in mind, Carl and Todd invite Jonathan Cruse to talk about his book, titled What Happens When We Worship. Jonathan is an ordained minister in the OPC, and pastors Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Cruse helps his readers—both young and old, seasoned believers and those new to the faith—to understand the elements of worship, all that is taking place while we worship, and why certain aspects are done as they are in the Reformed tradition. It’s a rich book, written that every Christian might grasp the wonder and awe of worship.

Brad Littlejohn and Colin Redemer join Carl and Todd for a conversation about the Davenant Institute, and to reflect on the state of education in general and of theological education in particular in the United States. You’ll learn the meaning behind the name of the institution, which was founded to solve a supply and demand problem.  Brad and Colin believe that God’s simplicity, aseity, eternality, immutability, and impassibility are concepts that should be shared with the laity. What’s more, the Davenant duo makes a compelling case that learning is not simply a matter of utilitarianism, as it is “sold” by educational institutions today. Our guests explain the real value and purpose of education, and how they coincide with the philosophy of teaching and programs offered by Davenant Institute. We’re partnering with The Davenant Institute to offer a few free copies of one of their publications titled Without Excuse: Scripture, Reason, and Presuppositional Apologetics. Register for the opportunity to win one. S

Keeping track of the beautiful cities in South Carolina is not an easy task, but Todd finally gets it right as he introduces today’s guest. Jon Payne is the pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC, and serves as the executive coordinator of the Gospel Reformation Network (GRN).  Jon explains what the Gospel Reformation Network is, what brought this group of PCA pastors and elders together about eight years ago, and the pressing issues of the day that keep them standing firm in the purpose of upholding biblical fidelity. Payne shares the vision of GRN, explains the difference between a supporting network and a lobbying group inside the denomination, and announces the upcoming GRN event in May. Oh, and—once again--you’ll notice Carl’s delight in not being like those troubled PCAers! We are pleased to be giving away copies of A Faith Worth Defending: The Synod of Dort’s Enduring Heritage. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Reformation Heritag

Our intrepid (and never tepid) co-hosts welcome good friend Linda Finlayson to the mix. She’s a well-known writer of children’s books, who—for the second time—risks her reputation by sitting down with Carl and Todd to talk about her latest release.  God’s Bible Timeline: The Big Book of Biblical History is the second volume in the series and it’s just off the press. The book combines some of the author’s passions, like church history and her love of teaching children. Linda discusses the idea behind the book, how she addresses difficult passages of Scripture in a way that’s appropriately worded for children, and the resources that laid the foundation of her work. As a big fan of pictures and book illustrations, Todd gives Linda high praise, and recommends the book as a Christmas gift for both young and old. We are happy to give away a few copies of God’s Bible Timeline. Register for the opportunity to win one.The books come courtesy of our friends at Christian Focus Publications.

Carl calls it “the triumph of hope over experience,” as Michael Morales bravely returns for a sit-down with our dynamic duo. Morales discusses his new book, Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption. Michael is professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and an ordained minister in the PCA. How is the book of Exodus a paradigm for salvation throughout redemptive history? Morales takes the challenge of explaining how the book of Exodus can be preached and pastorally applied to modern Christians (particularly in America) in a way to help them understand that they are living as strangers in a strange land. Oh, and don’t miss the charges levied against Carl for allegedly breaking the second commandment. We are happy to give away copies of Exodus Old and New. Register for the opportunity to win one. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at IVP.

The dispute between our hosts about which denomination is the greatest in the kingdom of God—the OPC or the PCA—might never end. Aiming to minimize any controversy and tension within the denomination, we bring in a sound-minded PCA southern gentleman to share some good news. Brad Isbel is a ruling elder in his church, one of the hosts of the podcast Presbycast (where he’s AKA “Chortles Weakly”), and the director of MORE in the PCA, which is the topic of the day. What is MORE in the PCA, how did it start, and what does it seek to accomplish? Brad reminds of the responsibility of churches to send their elders to participate in the General Assembly, with an eye to correcting any imbalance in representation. Listen in to learn how you can help, and how you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by MORE in the PCA.  Show Notes · More in the PCA

Our guest is Greg Lanier, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary’s Orlando campus, and a minister of the Gospel. Lanier’s new book tackles crucial questions about our Lord, including: Did Jesus ever claim to be God? What did Paul and the earliest Christians believe about the deity of Jesus, and do the same beliefs remain today among Christians? What does it mean when the book of Philippians says that He was “in the form of God”? Although the book addresses such deep, theological questions, Greg writes it at a popular level, helping the believer in the pew to think rightly about the deity of Jesus. Listen in for an excellent introduction to an important book. We’re giving away copies of Is Jesus Truly God? Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a gift from our friends at Crossway. Show Notes The State of Theology Research

Clearly, we live in times of sexual identity chaos. Arguments that would have sounded unconscionable just a few decades ago are now plausible, and are defended, adopted, even pridefully celebrated. How did we get here? What seeds were planted that flourished into the modern thinking of sexuality as one’s primary or even sole identity? The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution is Carl Truman’s most recent release and may be one of the most significant books of 2020. Trueman goes back a few centuries to analyze the philosophical underpinnings that gave rise to modern thought, changing even the meaning of language. Join us for an intriguing conversation about a topic that—as time passes—hits ever closer to home. We have copies of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self that we are pleased to give away. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books come courtesy of our friends at Crossway. Show Notes ·The Rise and Triumph of the Mo

Believe it or not, some Presbyterians do jump the fence and become Baptist! Such is the case of Gavin Ortlund. Gavin is a theologian and pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai in California.  As the idea of doctrinal and theological retrieval has risen in prominence, what then is theological retrieval? What exactly are we seeking to “retrieve”—and why?  Gavin shares reasons why he’s communicating the importance of retrieval and why he’s chosen Augustine and the doctrine of creation as keys. If you think that this conversation—and Gavin’s book—are about some complex theological concept, you are mistaken! You’ll be surprised to learn how relevant, practical, and helpful Augustine’s doctrine of creation is for the average Christian.  We’re giving away free copies of Gavin’s book, Retrieving Augustine’s Doctrine of Creation. Register for the opportunity to win one courtesy of IVP Press. Show Notes · Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals by Gavin Ortlund · Anselm’s Pursuit of Joy: A Commentary on the Proslo

Todd Billings is professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI, and a minister in the Reformed Church in America. He’s the author of Rejoicing in Lament: Wrestling with Incurable Cancer and Life in Christ, but his most recent book—The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live—is today’s topic.  As Todd surveyed his former students and friends in ministry, he learned that—for many—the topic of death and walking alongside the dying is the greatest challenge pastors face in ministry. It’s increasingly evident that we live in a death-denying culture, so how can we help people to think through our inevitability of mortality? Join us for a deeply thoughtful conversation as we consider how the secular culture has twisted and softened the meaning of death--even changing the words we use to discuss it. Register for the opportunity to win a copy of Todd’s book, The End of the Christian Life. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Brazos Pre

Carl and Todd welcome a returning guest: Ismael Hernandez. He’s the executive director of the Freedom and Virtue Institute and author of Not Tragically Colored. Ismael joins in to discuss the current state of racial tension and politics in America. His experience growing up with Marxist ideals, and--later in life—joining a religious Marxist group gives Hernandez special insight into the topic.   Although we uphold the dignity and sacredness of every human life and want to affirm that black lives matter, Ismael suggests that the movement known as “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) harbors some troubling beliefs. Hernandez refers to his recent article which asserts BLM perceives the issue of oppression from within the ideological context of Marxism. Don’t miss this timely conversation!   Show Notes · Listen again to Not Tragically Colored · Freedom and Virtue Institute · “BLM”: the Proposition, the Organization, and the Movement by Ismael Hernandez · Social Justice Isn’t What You Think It Is by Michael Novak and P

It’s been a banner year for great books, and the Spin Crew has chosen yet another winner! This time, Carl and Todd sit down with Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WI, and author of Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. What are the pieces of glass Eric refers to, and how have they changed our world?  Just a few years ago, we were excited about the advances in technology, which promised to bring people together from the four corners of the world. Technology has accomplished that, in a way, but it has also exacerbated loneliness, isolation, and alienation. Listen and discover the relationship between the three pieces of glass, the church, and the sense of “belonging”.  We’re excited to give away copies of Three Pieces of Glass. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Brazos Press.

This week, we reach “across the pond” for insight on the much-anticipated critical biography of Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck. James Eglinton, the Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at New College, the University of Edinburgh, wrote the bio. Eglinton is acknowledged for his pivotal role in extending Bavinck’s popularity outside the Dutch-speaking world.  James tells us where and when his interest in the life of Bavinck began, and what it was about the Dutch theologian that first caught Eglinton’s attention. Bavinck was a man of his day, very much attuned to modernity and its challenges, yet sensitive to the theological needs of a broad spectrum of laypeople. What more can we learn from this intriguing figure, and why should Christians care about Bavinck today?  We are excited to give away copies of Bavinck: A Critical Biography.Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Baker Academic.

The dynamic duo today becomes a trio, as a third pessimist—that is, a third realist—joins in. Rod Dreher is an American writer and editor, culture critic, and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option and the freshly released Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Rod’s book is a wakeup call for Christians about ideas that have become prevalent in American society…notions already adopted in other countries that have proven to be a threat to civil liberties.  Is there still hope to turn from what he calls “soft totalitarianism”? What’s the course of action for Christians to preserve the faith in such an intolerant society, where words and actions are becoming highly surveilled and dealt with “accordingly?” Live Not By Lies is timely and absolutely relevant for Christian dissidents. You can’t afford to miss this conversation! We’re giving away a number of copies of Live Not By Lies. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a complimentary gift from Sentinel, a divisi

After revealing some details of their personal lives, Carl and Todd get down to business. Seems a disturbing phenomenon is plaguing churches all over the country. Since the lockdown, many Christians have become too comfortable with worshipping from home over a screen…dressed in their jammies, eating donuts, and—quite possibly—not really worshipping at all.  Does it really matter? What are people missing by not going back to church as restrictions are slowly being lifted? Our favorite duo discuss the meaning and importance of “being bodily present” for the different traditions like the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and the Protestant. Is there any place for live streaming, and any reason not to physically gather for worship? It’s time to weigh in. Oh, and notice who’s playing the optimist this time!

Carl Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution hasn’t even been released, and—already—it’s the best-selling book of 2020! It is, at least, according to the hosts of this program. Yes, the author feels he’s found a pot of gold, and is buying that dream villa in Venice with the royalties. At the same time, co-host Todd feels privileged as he possesses an advanced copy of this treasure and believes he’ll be enjoying a free stay at his friend's Mediterranean estate.  The runaway cultural train is gaining speed, and revolutionary changes that used to take decades to develop seem to be happening at a breakneck pace—especially, where matters of sexual identity are concerned. From Augustine to Rousseau and Marx, and from Descartes to Bruce Jenner, Carl Trueman traces the thoughts underlying the modern view of the self...helping us understand the present, and preparing us to navigate the days ahead. The Rise and Triumph of the Mode