Life and Books and Everything

Even though only Justin still lives in the Midwest, this episode has a distinctly Midwestern flare as the three amigos reminisce about favorite Christmas presents, Christmas places, and Christmas foods. You'll also hear about favorite books from the past year, some football banter, and a special section on the airing of grievances (note: Kevin had twice as many as the other two put together).Chapters:00:00 Intro00:50 Don’t Skip the Sports Banter15:20 An Airing of Grievances 31:18 Sponsor Break | Crossway32:32 Favorite Books51:25 Sponsor Break | Desiring God52:41 Christmas Questions1:44:20 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest TeacherRemaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian WestThe Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol. IVOrdinary Man, An: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. FordThoughts on PreachingThe Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of ChristLord Jesus ChristAmerican Visions: The United States, 1800-1860Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFKAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

If you ever wanted to be in the room as two minister friends talk about preaching and pastoral ministry, this is the episode for you. Kevin asks Alistair about his “ordinary” preaching style, about whether he ever thought about leaving Parkside, and about whether he’s an American or a Scotsman. Plus lots of other questions about books, the state of the church today, and the shaping influence of Cleveland.Books & Everything:The Christian Manifesto: Jesus' Life-Changing Words from the Sermon on the PlainTruth for Life: 365 Daily DevotionsTruth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions (Volume 2)The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the CultureAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsAsk Pastor John PodcastAll the Light We Cannot See: A NovelA Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of RedemptionCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 1: The Claims of TruthCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 2: Systematic TheologyCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 3: Life, Sermons, Reviews

Any Christian trying to formulate a political theology cannot afford to ignore the impressive work done by David VanDrunen over the past decade. In this long-ish interview, Kevin asks Dave about two kingdoms theology, natural law, the purpose of government, and the importance of the Noahic Covenant. Stick around and you'll also learn what VanDrunen means by "conservative liberalism" and "legal polycentrism." You'll also hear what Kevin and Dave would do (or not do) if they were starting a Presbyterian colony on Mars.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:30 Politics after Christendom16:45 Covenants and Reformed Theology31:10 Sponsor Break | Crossway32:00 Does Christ Redeem Political Institutions?36:00 Responding to Criticism43:10 A Presbyterian Colony on Mars?55:00 Does Government Protect, Perfect, or Provide?1:03:40 Sponsor | DesiringGod1:04:10 A Conservative Liberalism1:11:10 Legal Polycentrism1:20:55 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured WorldO Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to EpiphanyAsk Pastor John PodcastAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

Carl Trueman, knowledgeable on various topics, talks about Billy Graham, Pride Month, Christian Nationalism, and his dissatisfaction with America and Catholicism. They discuss the influence of Roman Catholicism in American intellectual and legal spheres, and the concept of culture warrior. They also reflect on changing views of cultural Christianity, societal shifts, hobbies, cultural differences, and changing attitudes among young Americans.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Melissa Kearney, professor of economics at the University of Maryland, about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind (University of Chicago Press, 2023). What is so great about being raised by two parents? When did marriage become a significant cause (and effect) of class distinctions? What can be done to restore the importance of marriage? How can we normalize the two-parent home without stigmatizing single mothers? Listen in as Kevin and Melissa tackle these questions, and many others, in this fascinating discussion about the economics of marriage.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:25 A Little About Melissa7:55 The Two-Parent Privilege26:45 Sponsor Break | Crossway27:10 Charts, Numbers, and Trends43:30 Sponsor Break | Desiring God43:55 Social Norms56:50 What’s Coming Up?58:00 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling BehindMinistry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 CorinthiansFoundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

We've heard the terms before: cultural Marxism, socialism, intersectionality, microaggressions, standpoint epistemology, the Frankfurt School, Critical Race Theory, Queer Theory, and many more. But what do they mean? Where did they come from? And how should Christians respond? Kevin talks to Neil and Pat about their new book, Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to try answer these questions and to think carefully about we can understand and engage the dominant ideologies of our day.Chapters:0:00 Welcome1:17 The Critical Dilemma23:25 Sponsor | Crossway Books24:00 What is Contemporary Critical Theory57:30 Sponsor | Desiring God58:05 CRT: A Worldview or Religion?1:11:40 A Final Word1:14:45 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and SocietyWhy Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to ChristianityFive Lies of Our Anti-Christian AgeFoundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

Former lesbian and author, Rosaria Butterfield, discusses key questions about homosexuality, transgenderism, and Christian kindness. They explore topics such as the normalcy of homosexuality, the difference between acceptance and approval, and the lies of our anti-Christian age. They also address the counter-cultural idea of coming out as a Christian struggling with same-sex attraction, the issue of modesty, and the importance of recognizing the inherent worth of every person.

Was the Protestant Reformation a repudiation of the church's history? Was it a rejection of Medieval theology? Did the Reformation lead to schism in the church? Kevin talks to Matthew Barrett, professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and many more in this episode of LBE. Listen in for some big picture analysis on church history as well as some deep nerdery on Reformation theology.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:47 The Reformation as Renewal17:17 Jonathan Leeman’s New Book18:00 Let’s Go Back to Aquinas40:30 True or False?: The Reformation Divided the Church48:20 Desiring God’s Light & Truth Podcast48:50 Unsung Reformers53:48 Books1:05:37 Until Next TimeBooks:The Reformation as RenewalAuthority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human FlourishingIntroduction to Reformed ScholasticismProtestant Scholasticism: Essays in ReassesmentAquinas Among the Protestants

Discussion on college football realignment, impact of mental health issues on college campuses, reflections on a trip to London, prevalence of therapy and therapeutic language, exploration of weakness and fragility in mental health, generational divide in prioritizing mental health, and analysis of biblical imagery in 'East of Eden'.

Don't skip over the preposition. This special episode is an interview with Kevin, instead of an interview by Kevin. Not long ago, Tom Groelsema, one of the pastors at Christ Covenant, took the evening service to interview Kevin. This was not Kevin's idea, but he was grateful for the opportunity to share about life, and books, and everything for his congregation—and now for this podcast as well.