Hope vs. Despair - Collin Hansen

On this episode of This vs. That, we explore the tension between hope and despair in the face of evil with guest Collin Hansen, vice president and editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition. We tackle one of Christianity's most challenging questions: Where is God in a world of suffering?

Collin shares insights from his forthcoming book and his years of wrestling with difficult questions of faith. We discuss practical ways to cultivate resilient hope and challenge common misconceptions Christians have when responding to suffering. Together, we explore how technology and media affect our perception of evil, the role of lament in corporate worship, and the importance of building genuine hope rather than shallow optimism in our churches.

Through examining biblical examples and modern challenges, we discover how to maintain hope without minimizing the reality of suffering, and why the physical gathering of God's people remains irreplaceable in cultivating lasting hope.

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We're really excited to tell you about Anchored Virtual's new podcast, Consult the Counselor. There are very few spaces that are designed for long form conversations on difficult counseling topics. On Consult a Counselor, that's what we want to provide.

In each episode, we invite two of our counselors at Anchored Virtual into a deep dive conversation on a counseling topic. Once a month, we'll release episodes on issues such as addictions, trauma, church hurt, infertility, forgiveness, abuse, and more. You'll get to hear expert counselors discuss the nuances and challenges of these issues and ultimately apply the hope of the gospel in practical and meaningful ways.

To listen search for Consult the Counselor wherever you listen to podcasts.

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 Have you ever experienced the pain of church hurt? Whether it's disappointment caused by leaders, hurtful actions from fellow members, or wounds from the larger church community, these experiences can leave us wondering why we should stay. Join us for Finding Purpose and the Pain of Church Hurt, an auxiliary event at the Gospel Coalition Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This special session will take place on Wednesday, April 23rd from 4:45 to 6 p. m. hosted by Anchored Virtual. Join Rebekah Hannah, Dr. Michael Keller, and Dr. Michael Kruger, as they explore how God can transform even the deepest wounds into growth, resilience, and renewed faith.

Whether you're in the pew or the pulpit, this session will speak to anyone navigating the hard realities of church hurt. Join us online or in person. You can register now at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠anchoredvirtual.com/tgc⁠⁠⁠