#1469
Mentioned in 16 episodes

The Sin of Empathy

Compassion and Its Counterfeits
Book • 2025
In this book, Joe Rigney argues that while empathy is often seen as a virtuous trait, it can also be a tool for manipulation and a source of harm.

Rigney distinguishes between empathy and sympathy, suggesting that empathy involves joining people in their darkness and distress without making judgments, whereas sympathy involves showing compassion while maintaining a sense of boundaries and truth.

He discusses how unregulated empathy can lead to emotional blackmail, selectivity, and cruelty, and how it has been exploited in various contexts, including under the progressive gaze and within feminist and church settings.

The book emphasizes the importance of genuine compassion that is grounded in truth and justice.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 16 episodes

Discussed by
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Joe Rigney
as a thesis on how empathy, when not based on truth, can become destructive.
94 snips
The Empathy Debate: Virtue or Vice?
Mentioned by
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Phil Vischer
as a book arguing that empathy can be manipulative or sinful.
88 snips
659: The Root of Racism is Greed Not Hate with Malcolm Foley
Mentioned by
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Albert Mohler
as the topic of their conversation.
60 snips
The Sin of Empathy — A Conversation with Joe Rigney
Mentioned by
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Sean McDowell
as a provocative book that generated discussions about empathy and its potential downsides.
51 snips
Is Empathy a Sin? (with Tim Muehlhoff)
Mentioned by R. Albert Mohler Jr. in a discussion about empathy versus compassion.
45 snips
Friday, March 7, 2025
Recommended by R. Albert Mohler Jr. as a new book release discussed on his podcast, "Thinking in Public."
37 snips
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Mentioned by
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Phil Vischer
in the context of a discussion on empathy in conservative Christian circles.
33 snips
658: Justice, Mercy, & Becoming Good News People with Derwin Gray
Mentioned by
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Brad Onishi
when discussing her positions on empathy and various social issues.
17 snips
Weekly Roundup: Trump, Epstein, John MacArthur, Allie Beth Stuckey, and Theology for Psychopaths
Mentioned by
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Eric Cloward
in discussion of the potential negative consequences of empathy, particularly in the context of parental relationships with LGBTQ+ children.
17 snips
337 - Evil Is the Absence of Empathy
Mentioned by
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Andy Kind
as a provocative work arguing that empathy becomes sinful when untethered from truth.
14 snips
Is Empathy a Sin? Can caring too much ever become morally wrong? Dr. Joe Rigney and Dr. Alastair Roberts
Mentioned by
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Joshua Lewis
to tell about his book and its inspiration.
13 snips
When Empathy Becomes Sinful
Recommended by the guest,
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Joe Rigney
, as a controversial book arguing empathy becomes sinful when divorced from truth and biblical standards.
JOE RIGNEY - The Dark Side of Empathy: When Victims Become Manipulators
Mentioned by
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Dan Miller
in contrast to Allie Beth Stuckey's book, described as more rigorous.
It's in the Code ep 146: “Empathy is…What, Exactly?”
Recommended by
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Becket Cook
as a must-read for pastors and Christians.
The Sin of Empathy: Joe Rigney Interview
Mentioned by Tony Kennett as the author of a book that will be discussed in the podcast.
Historic Poll Shift, Harvard to Lose Contracts, Trump & King Charles on Canada | May 28, 2025
Mentioned by the host as the central topic of the episode, criticizing its theological arguments.
"The Sin of Empathy" Part II: You Are Not God
Mentioned by
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Malcolm Foley
as one of the two people who talk about empathy.
What LeBron James Teaches Us About Parenthood and Empathy
Mentioned by
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Brad Onishi
as a book that critiques empathy from a theological perspective.
The Sin of Empathy Part III: Dehumanization is the Goal
Mentioned as a provocative book that created a lot of conversation all over podcasts.
Is Empathy a Sin? A Clarifying Debate
Mentioned by
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Kristin Brey
as the author of a book that started the debate around empathy being a sin.
You Need To Listen: Episode 11 - Is Empathy a Sin?

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