Trinity Forum Conversations

In this podcast, edited from an Evening Conversation in 2018 titled "The Lonely American: Rootedness and Reconciliation in a Riven Land" with Senator Ben Sasse and Russell Moore in Washington, DC, we discuss the growing problem of loneliness in the country — the ways in which our alienation from each other is destroying individual lives and the fabric of society — and what can be done about it. Learn more about Senator Ben Sasse and Dr. Russell Moore. Watch the full Evening Conversation from November 2018. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance, by Ben SasseThem: Why We Hate Each Other--and How to Heal, by Ben SasseJames K.A. SmithDaniel Patrick MoynihanRobert PutnamCharles MurrayTen Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, by Jason LanierMarilynne RobinsonThe Screwtape Letters, by C.S. LewisThe Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis, by Alan JacobsElie Wiesel Related Conversations:Strong and Weak, with Andy Crouch Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music.

On February 12th, 2021, we were delighted to welcome award-winning author and professor Diana Glyer. Glyer is intrigued by the creative process, particularly how creativity thrives within small groups and creative clusters. She has written extensively on the lives and work of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and their beloved community known as the Inklings.We hope you enjoy this conversation on the importance of collaboration and the necessity of friendship to the creative process, and we hope you’ll be inspired to think imaginatively about how you can cultivate generative and culture-shaping friendships and communities. Learn more about Diana Glyer. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from February 12, 2021.  Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:The Company They Keep: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as Writers in Community, by Diana GlyerBandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings, by Diana GlyerThe Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. TolkienCharles WilliamsC.S. LewisShakespeareOwen BarfieldHugo DysonOut of the Silent Planet, by C.S. LewisJerry RootThe Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis Related Trinity Forum Readings:On Friendship, by CiceroThe Golden Key, by George MacDonaldThe Oracle of the Dog, by G.K. ChestertonThe Lost Tools of Learning, by Dorothy Sayers Related Conversations:Suffering, Friendship, and Courage: What Lewis & Tolkien Teach us about Resilience & Imagination, an Online Conversation with Joe Loconte Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music.

On Friday, November 6th, 2021, we were delighted to partner again with our friends at Coracle to present Speaking Peace and Seeking Reconciliation in a Fractured Culture, an Online Conversation with David Bailey and Marilyn McEntyre. Recorded at the end of the election week, we spoke with David and Marilyn, exemplars of peace and reconciliation both in word and action, and discussed what we can do, as individuals and as the Church, to walk in the way of true shalom, love of neighbor, and truth telling. Learn more about David Bailey and Dr. Marilyn McEntyre. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from November 6, 2020.  Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Arrabon: Learning Reconciliation Through Community & Worship Music, by David BaileyCaring for Words in a Culture of Lies, by Marilyn McEntyreSpeaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict, by Marilyn McEntyreCulture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, by Andy CrouchEzra PoundThe Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, by Ken SandeG.K. ChestertonA Book of Uncommon Prayer: 100 Celebrations of the Miracle & Muddle of the Ordinary, by Brian DoyleOscar RomeroT.S. EliotMiddlemarch, by George Eliot Related Trinity Forum Readings:Politics and the English Language, by George OrwellAbraham Lincoln: The Spiritual Growth of a Public ManLong Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela Related Conversations:Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies, with Marilyn McEntyreCreating Cultural Artifacts that Build New Legacies | David Bailey | TEDxRVASpecial thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music.

On Friday, May 15th, 2020 we were delighted to welcome Trinity Forum founder, author, and social-critic, Os Guinness, and Dean of Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, Pete Peterson, to discuss calling and community in the aftermath of this global crisis.Learn more about Os Guinness, and Pete Peterson.Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from May 15, 2020.Mentioned authors and books:The Call, by Os GuinnessJohn StottA Treatise on Vocations, William PerkinsPatrick DeneenSøren KierkegaardDr. James HoustonRange, by Jeffrey EpsteinThe City of God, by St. AugustineStrong and Weak, by Andy CrouchRelated Trinity Forum Readings:“William Wilberforce: A Man Who Changed His Times,” by John Pollock, A Trinity Forum Reading“Why Work?” by Dorothy Sayers, A Trinity Forum Reading“How Much Land Does a Man Need?” by Leo Tolstoy, A Trinity Forum Reading“Letters from Vincent Van Gogh,” by Vincent Van Gogh, A Trinity Forum ReadingRelated viewing:Pete Peterson’s webinar on calling  Our Evening Conversation with Andy Crouch on Strong and WeakTrinity Forum Evening Conversations with Os Guinness:https://www.ttf.org/?portfolio=evening-conversation-with-os-guinnesshttps://www.ttf.org/?portfolio=evening-conversation-with-os-guinness-on-celebrating-the-500th-anniversary-of-the-reformationhttps://www.ttf.org/?portfolio=evening-conversation-with-os-guinness-february-4-2014https://www.ttf.org/?portfolio=evening-conversation-with-os-guiness-september-5-2013Entrepreneurs of Life

On Friday, April 23rd, 2021 we were delighted to launch a new series on “Discovery and Doxology” in partnership with BioLogos and Church of the Advent. This series brings together leading scientists and theologians to discuss the relationship between science and faith. In this, our first event in the series, we hosted author and theologian, Philip Yancey, and Dr. Julia Wattacheril, discussing suffering, healing, and meaning. Yancey and Wattacheril help us to think through the meaning of our personal and national pain and how knowing the God who suffers with us can redeem such suffering, even transform it. This event was made possible through the support of a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. The opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views of Templeton Religion Trust. Learn more about Philip Yancey and Dr. Julia Wattacheril. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from April 23, 2021. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:The Jesus I Never KnewWhere Is God When It Hurts?Disappointment with GodWhat's So Amazing about Grace?A Companion in CrisisC.S. LewisJohn DonneDr. Paul BrandTime MagazineN.T. WrightG.K. ChestertonRev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Related Trinity Forum Readings:Devotions, a Trinity Forum Reading by John Donne and introduced and paraphrased by Philip YanceyWrestling with God, a Trinity Forum Reading by Simon Weil The Purchase of a Soul, a Trinity Forum Reading by Victor HugoMan’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl   Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music!

On March 19, 2021 we were delighted to host Christian author, leader, and teacher, Ruth Haley Barton. Barton is founding President/CEO of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership and Sacred Rhythms. She reflects regularly on spirituality and leadership in her blog, Beyond Words, and on her podcast Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.We hope you enjoy this conversation around her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence. Our attention, Barton believes, has become a commodity that we must protect if we are to avoid being swept away by our distracted age. She invites listeners to engage in these ancient biblical practices to find the rest for our souls that Jesus promises. In this Lenten season, we hope this will inspire you to pursue God’s transforming presence in new ways and contemplatively sit in solitude and silence with the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Learn more about Ruth Haley Barton. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from March 19, 2021. Related reading:A Shocking Lack of Solitude, Cherie Harder Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Blaise PascalJohn MiltonC.S. LewisRichard RohrDallas WillardHenry NouwenShop Class as Soulcraft, by Matthew B. CrawfordRabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelJulian of NorwichInvitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence, by Ruth Haley Barton Related Trinity Forum Readings:Confessions | A Trinity Forum Reading by St. Augustine, introduced by James K.A. Smith.Pilgrim at Tinker Creek | A Trinity Forum Reading by Annie Dillard, introduced by Tish Harrison Warren.Devotions | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Donne, introduced and paraphrased by Philip Yancey.The Long Loneliness | A Trinity Forum Reading by Dorothy Day, introduced by Anne and David Brooks.Wrestling with God | A Trinity Forum Reading by Simone Weil, introduced by Alonzo McDonald.The Pilgrim's Progress | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Bunyan, introduced by Alonzo McDonald. Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music.

On Friday, June 11th, we were pleased to welcome author and cultural analyst, Andy Crouch, and his daughter, Amy Crouch, to discuss their book entitled My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices. In it they explore how to navigate the possibilities and pitfalls of technology and its influence in one’s life. Andy and Amy believe there is a wise path we can walk with our technology, a different and better way to imagine our lives together. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Learn more about Andy Crouch and Amy Crouch. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from June 11, 2021. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Annie DillardMy Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of DevicesCulture Making: Recovering Our Creative CallingPlaying God: Redeeming the Gift of PowerStrong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper PlaceMarshal McLuhanNeil PostmanAlbert BorgmanBowling Alone, by Robert PutnamAugustine of HippoJames K.A. Smith  Related Trinity Forum Readings:Brave New World, a Trinity Forum Reading by Aldous HuxleyThe Confessions of St. Augustine, a Trinity Forum ReadingOn Happiness, a Trinity Forum Reading by Thomas Aquinas, introduced by Fr. Dominic Legge Related conversations:Online Conversation with Andy Crouch on “Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power” in 2013.Online Conversation with Andy Crouch on his book “Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing”  in 2016.  Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music.

David Brooks discusses living a second mountain life focused on commitment to community, family, vocation, and faith. The podcast explores the essence of goodness, public and spiritual life journey, embracing radical goodness, spiritual transformation, and emotional resilience with transcendent faith.

This episode features a conversation we hosted on Friday, May 21st with author and Trinity Forum Senior Fellow Karen Swallow prior on Jane Austen and her novel approach to virtue. Speaking of Austen’s Christian faith, Prior says, “Hers was the restrained, quiet, and personal faith of her Anglican tradition. Her novels are less altar calls than liturgies of ordinary life.” Austen’s world may feel quite removed from ours, but her focus on such everyday liturgies illustrate the importance of the seemingly mundane and illuminate the path towards repaired and rightly ordered relationships. We hope you enjoy this conversation!Learn more about Karen Swallow Prior Watch the full Evening Conversation and read the transcript from May 21st, 2021.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility,   by Jane AustenAmusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil PostmanPraying with Jane, by Rachel Dodge  Alasdair MacIntyreWilliam ShakespeareRelated Trinity Forum Readings:Pride and Prejudice, a Trinity Forum Reading by Jane AustenBulletins from Immortality, a Trinity Forum Reading by Emily DickinsonRevelation, a Trinity Forum Reading by Flannery O’Connor God's Grandeur , a Trinity Forum Reading by Gerard Manley Hopkins Dr. Karen Swallow Prior is Professor of English at Liberty University, where she has won multiple teaching awards. She writes frequently on literature, culture, ethics, and ideas. Her writing appears at Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, Books and Culture and other places. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me, Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist , and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Literature, and her most recent work Sense and Sensibility: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting. Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music!

This episode features a conversation we hosted on Friday, May 14th with artist and author Sho Baraka for a conversation around his new book He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life To Repair A Broken World. Baraka says, “The command to love—in all the fullness and justice of that word—is laid on all, from politician to painter. With every policy pushed, every stroke of the brush, we put forth what we believe about God and about good. With what we make, we affect the world. For better or for worse.” In this conversation we explore how our creative gifts and good works can contribute to the care and repair of our hurting world. We hope you enjoy!Learn more about Sho Baraka Watch the full Evening Conversation and read the transcript from May 14, 2021.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:100 Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García MárquezFrederick DouglassFlannery O’Connor G.K. ChestertonRelated Trinity Forum Readings:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, a Trinity Forum Reading by Frederick DouglassRevelation, a Trinity Forum Reading by Flannery O’Connor The Strangest Story Ever Told, a Trinity Forum Reading by G.K. Chesterton.Telling Truth to Kings, a Trinity Forum Reading by Reinhold SchneiderSho Baraka is a globally recognized recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. His work combines his artistic platform with his academic history to contribute a unique perspective, elevating the contemporary conversation on faith, art, and culture. An alumnus of Tuskegee University and the University of North Texas, Baraka is a cofounder of Forth District and the AND Campaign, and he has served as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest School of Divinity. He was also an original member of influential hip-hop consortium 116 Clique, recording with Reach Records. Baraka lives in Atlanta with his wife Patreece and their three children. Special thanks to Ned Bustard for the artwork and Andrew Peterson for the music!