Cross & Gavel Podcast

This week, I talk with two executive directors for their respective organizations about modern day slavery in the form of sex trafficking. Liz runs the International Organization for Stopping Exploitation of Women (IoSEW) and Brianna runs Triad Ladder of Hope (here). For more on this heionous crime, check out the memoir Girls Like Us from Rachel Lloyd. RELATED CONTENT 1. Prosecuting Human Trafficking (#50) Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY. The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A special thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

Joining me today to talk about the all important work of preparing the church to tackle the technological age is Jason Thacker — the chair of research in technology ethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). Jason's new book is out now and can be purchased here. For more on Jason's work, I recommend subscribing to his own excellent podcast (Digital Public Square), following him on Twitter (@jasonthacker), & getting his newsletter on weekly tech—all of which can be found here. Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento.

Joining this week to talk about how Christianity lost its cultural influence and can begin rebuilding it anew is assistant professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity International University—Greg Forster. His book, Joy for the World, can be purchased here. RELATED CONTENT 1. My first discussion with Greg on the history of political theology (#113). 2. On Christian leadership in uncharted territory (#110). Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

For our first ever Leadership Roundtable, the students and I were joined by Dr. Jason Lepojärvi on the topic of overcoming resentment culture and better loving our neighbors. Jason is the C.S. Lewis Associate Professor of Theology & Literature (Honors Program) at George Fox University. For more on the forum and the speaker, check out the YouTube page here.

Finding contentment is difficult. So, instead, we replace that pursuit with temporal acts of distraction and pleasure. Joining me this week to discuss the search for meaning through the eyes of four french philosophers is AEI Fellow and author of "Why We Are Restless" — Benjamin Storey. Get his latest book here. Read his latest NY TIMES op-ed, with co-author Jenna Storey, here. RELATED CONTENT 1. How and How Not To Be Happy (#118). 2. On Civility and Montainge (#121) Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A special thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

Joining me today talk about the ministry of presence and the role of chaplaincy on university campuses is Dr. Winnifred Sullivan – professor of religious studies and co-director of the Center for Religion and the Human at Indiana University. And, Pete Williamson, staff members with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and a chaplain at Harvard University. Check out Winnifred's fauclty page here and Pete's article in Christianity Today — "Why I Voted For the Atheist President of Harvard's Chaplain Group."  RELATED CONTENT 1. Steve Collis talks heroic chaplains durnig WWII (#105). 2. Doing religion in Silicon Valley (#120). Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

Closing out our summer of Dobbs is a discussion about the opinion itself and the looming state of demedicalized aborton. Joining me today is senior counsel at Americans United for Life — Clarke Forsythe. Check out his work at AUL (here) and read his latest paper on State Regulation of Chemical Abortion After Dobbs (here). His seminal study on Roe is a must read (available here).   RELATED CONTENT 1. Discussing the Post-Roe Society (#109 and #122). 2. Diving into the neuroscience and theology of the body (#107 and #123).    Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

With the end of Roe comes a renewed conversation about the meaning of sex and the purpose of our physical bodies. Here to discuss the theology of the body and his new book — Wonderfully Made — is a Lutheran man from a land down under: John Kleining. Check out John's faculty page at Australian Lutheran College (here) and buy his book (here) today!   Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

With the end of Roe v. Wade comes the next chapter of the abortion saga. Here to discuss whether the pro-life movement has adequately prepared us for this moment, and what States must do next to help women, is three experts on the topics of employment, community, and life: Amelia Ragan (employment attorney and partner), Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa (Founder of New Wave Feminists), and Cherilyn Holloway (Founder of Pro-Black Pro Life). Also, check out this article from Destiny in the Church Life Journal at Notre Dame University: The Bigger Vision of a World Without Roe v. Wade.   Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.

The loss of civility has not gone unnoticed, as more and more of us seek the institutional self over the service of community and higher principles. Discussing the intellectual history of the self in the work of Michel de Montainge — and, how his understanding of civility has failed today — is philosopher Ann Hartle. For more on Ann's work, check out her faculty page and buy her new book today!   Episode produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A Special Thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible.