A German composer’s 1742 oratorio about the life and work of Christ has captivated audiences for centuries. But what makes Handel’s Messiah so powerful and unforgettable? Shane welcomes composer and writer Dr. Joel Clarkson, plus a special guest, to explore one of classical music’s greatest masterpieces.

Douglas McKelvey, author of the Every Moment Holy series, joins the podcast to discuss the power of prayer. They explore how prayer can be a lifestyle, how nature can reveal God, the importance of repetition in our lives, and the origin of 'The Work of the People' projects.

Trevin Wax, author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, joins to explain why the core truths of our faith are an invitation to adventure. They discuss the unity of different Christian traditions, the importance of seeing with fresh eyes, the pressure to conform to secular ideologies, the distinction between orthodoxy and heresy, and conforming oneself to a greater vision in contrast to societal individualism.

Dr. Joe Rigney discusses how to strike a balance between enjoying God's gifts and treasuring Him, exploring topics such as the commercialization of Thanksgiving, the tension between earthly and spiritual appetites, and the integration of love for God and His creation. He also encourages giving thanks to God amidst tragedy and loss.

What is the secret of contentment in all circumstances? The Apostle Paul knew it, and so can Christians who acknowledge God’s presence and seek His face. Shane welcomes Joni Eareckson Tada, herself no stranger to suffering, to share insights from her latest devotional book, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus.

He’s been described like a genie in a bottle, treated like The Force from Star Wars, and is sometimes simply forgotten. But the Holy Spirit is God, and learning to worship Him and recognize His work is central to Christianity. Shane welcomes Costi Hinn to sort truth from error using his new book, Knowing the Spirit.

The world is still reeling from the events of October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and slaughtered over a thousand civilians. As war rages, confusion reigns in academia and politics over who is to blame and what should be done. This week, Shane welcomes David Pileggi, Rector of Christ Church Anglican in Jerusalem, to offer the wisdom of over forty years of pastoring a church in the thick of it. 

The world is filled with tales of ghosts, vampires, sea serpents, and all manner of mythological monsters. The secular mind dismisses these as superstitions, but should Christians? This week Shane welcomes Ben Garrett and Brian Sauvé, hosts of The Haunted Cosmos podcast, to explain how speculation about the spooky can glorify God.

For most of history, nearly everybody has agreed that human beings survive the deaths of our bodies. But somewhere along the way, materialism rose to dominance, and we became nothing but bodies. What’s the truth? Shane welcomes Dr. Joshua Farris, author of The Creation of Self, to make a robust case for the soul. Show Notes: The critical theories that dominate our cultural vocabulary aren't “just” theories. They form an entire worldview that fundamentally contradicts the good, true, and beautiful worldview of Christianity. Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer’s latest book, Critical Dilemma, can help you understand and respond to the bad ideas of Critical Theory with discernment and truth. Request your copy this month with a gift of any amount at colsoncenter.org/upcriticaldilemma. The Creation of Self: A Case for the Soul by Dr. Joshua Farris Related episodes: Why is the Cosmos Comprehensible? | Melissa Cain Travis Does Creation Reveal a Creator? | Stephen Meyer No Plato, No Scripture? | Hans Boersma Synapses or the Soul? | Matthew LaPine How Science Reveals (and Requires) God | Stephen Meyer Loving Your Limits | Ashley Hales A Temple, Not an Amusement Park | John Kleinig Follow Upstream on social media: Instagram: Upstream_cc Facebook: Upstream with Shane Morris

Exploring the mystery of music, guests Andrew Peterson, Jeremy Begbie, The Arcadian Wild, and David Radford discuss topics such as the significance of music, its power to evoke emotions, the symbolism behind songs, the creative process in music, and the importance of singing Psalms in church worship.