The Humble Skeptic

What is a good definition of “culture,” and why is it so effective at conforming us to believe certain things, and to behave in certain ways? How do we protect ourselves and the next generation from the negative influences of our increasingly secular culture? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these issues and more with Brett Kunkle, founder of Maven, and co-author of A Practical Guide to Culture.SHOW NOTESResources by Brett KunkleA Practical Guide to Culture and A Student’s Guide to Culture (books)The Ambassador’s Guide to Mormonism (booklet)A Motivating Mormon Roleplay (article & video)Don’t Just Doubt Your Faith, Doubt Your Doubts (article)Five Tools to Equip Your Kids (article)Do Pronouns Matter? (article)Brett Kunkle Interviews his Co-Author John Stonestreet (podcast)Maventruth.com (Brett Kunkle’s website)Other Related ResourcesThe Lost Tools of Learning, Dorothy Sayers (article)Creed or Chaos?, Dorothy Sayers (article)Recovering the Art of Persuasion, Shane Rosenthal (article)What is Faith? Shane Rosenthal (article)The Virtue of Doubt, Shane Rosenthal (article)Be a Berean!, Shane Rosenthal (article)So The Next Generation Will Know, McDowell & Wallace (book)Post Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought, Gene Veith (book)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Tax-deductible giving options are also available. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

The word “totalitarianism” describes a political system in which the state has total authority over every aspect of life. In regimes of this kind, external conformity is just the first step—what they really want is your soul. According to Rod Dreher, we’re now seeing the rise of a new “soft totalitarianism” which is closer to Huxley’s Brave New World, than Orwell’s 1984. In soft totalitarianism, conformity is achieved by manipulating access to things like status and comfort, often by means of a social credit system. On this program, Shane Rosenthal talks with Rod Dreher about these and other disturbing trends that he outlines in his bestselling book, Live Not By Lies, which also happens to be the subject of a forthcoming documentary series.SHOW NOTESResources by Rod DreherLive Not By Lies (book)The Axis of the Human Heart (essay)Exclude the Excluders! (essay)Live Not By Lies, Rod Dreher on The Jordan Peterson Podcast (video)The Fog of Propaganda: Rod Dreher on American Thought Leaders (video)Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ResourcesLive Not By Lies (essay)A World Split Apart (Harvard commencement address)One Word of Truth (Nobel Prize speech)Solzhenitsyn at Harvard: The Address & Responses (book)The Solzhenitsyn Reader (book)A Portrait of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, David Aikman (Mars Hill Audio) The Christian Humanism of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Mars Hill Audio)Aleksander Solzhenitsyn: A Brief Autobiography (essay)Other Related ResourcesLive Not By Lies: The Documentary Series (video preview)We Are Repaganizing, Louise Perry (essay)Why I Am Now a Christian, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (essay)Yes, The West is Becoming More Like China, N.S. Lyons (essay)Post Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought, Gene Veith (book)Post Christian, featuring Shane Rosenthal & Gene Veith (podcast)Modern Fascism: Liquidating the Christian Worldview, Gene Veith (book)The False Gospel of Fascism, Shane Rosenthal & Gene Veith (podcast)The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman (book)Politics & Original Sin, Shane Rosenthal & Michael McClymond (podcast)How to Detect Deception, Shane Rosenthal (essay)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

Fifty years ago, Os Guinness released his book, The Dust of Death, which offered a piercing analysis of the sixties counterculture movement with its revolutionary ideas about human nature and sexual liberation. In his preface to a new edition of this work, Guinness argues that during this tumultuous decade, “many of the seeds of today’s most radical ideas were sown, only to flower more recently in their most destructive forms.” Shane Rosenthal talks with Os about many of his observations and predictions from a half-century ago, as well as how these radical ideas eventually became mainstream.SHOW NOTESResources by Os GuinnessThe Dust of Death, and Last Call for Liberty (books)The Magna Charta of Humanity and Fools Talk (books)We’re All Children of the 60’s (article - TGC)I Believe in Doubt (article - Ligonier)A Free People’s Suicide (video - Socrates in the City)The Magna Charta of Humanity (video - Socrates in the City)The Future of Freedom (podcast - WHI)Additional Resources by Os Guinness (website)Other Related ResourcesOs Guinness: The Christian Public Intellectual, John Shelton (article)Let’s Be Civil About It, Michael Horton & Os Guinness (article - MR)Time for Truth, Ryan Glomsrud (article - MR)Be a Berean!, Shane Rosenthal (article)The Virtue of Doubt, Shane Rosenthal (article)Live Not By Lies, Rod Dreher (book)Modern Fascism, Gene Veith (book)The False Gospel of Fascism, S. Rosenthal & Gene Veith (podcast)The Political Implications of Original Sin, Rosenthal & McClymond (podcast)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

As discussed on recent episodes, when it comes to religion and worldview preferences, most people tend to follow their own internal feelings, intuitions, and experiences. But what are the larger social implications of this increasing emphasis on the subjective? According to Carl Trueman, in today’s culture of “expressive individualism,” the idea of conforming to anything external—anything outside the “self”—has come to be seen as “inauthentic.” As a result of this cultural shift, identity is now being formed by a person’s internal feelings and desires rather than by external considerations, including nature itself. Shane Rosenthal talks with Dr. Trueman about this and many other issues he addresses in his book, The Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self.SHOW NOTESResources by Carl TruemanThe Rise & Triumph of the Modern Self & Strange New World (books)Dylan Mulvany and the Real Clash of Civilizations (article - First Things)In Our Chaotic Age, Some Atheists are Rethinking Secularism (article)6 Ways Christians Can Respond to Our Strange New World (article - TGC)The Genesis of Gender (podcast)Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age (podcast)Other Related ResourcesThe Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane Rosenthal (article)The Story of Us, Shane Rosenthal (article)What is Faith?, Shane Rosenthal (article)Liberalism or Christianity?, J. Gresham Machen (article)Is Faith a Feeling?, The Humble Skeptic, Episode 4Religion on Trial, The Humble Skeptic, Episode 5Faith & Experience, The Humble Skeptic, Episode 28We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

In his 1923 classic, Christianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen argued that the liberal churches of his day had abandoned everything distinctive about Christianity in favor of a non-redemptive religion that was rooted in moralism and personal experience. According to Michael J. Kruger, contemporary liberal and progressive Churches are making the same crucial mistakes a century later. On this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Kruger about his book, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity.SHOW NOTESResources by Michael J. KrugerThe Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity (book)The Question of Canon & Canon Revisited (books)Surviving Religion 101 & Christianity at the Crossroads (books)A Review of The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity (article)No, the Church Didn’t Create the Bible, Kruger & Carson (video)Keeping the Faith in College, (podcast)Other Related ResourcesChristianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen (book)Liberalism or Christianity?, J. Gresham Machen (article)History & Faith, J. Gresham Machen (article)Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian?, Sir William Ramsay (article)What Do Progressive Christians Believe? Alisa Childers (article)Why Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane Rosenthal (article)What is Faith?, Shane Rosenthal (article)The Story of Us, Shane Rosenthal (article)American Gospel: Christ Crucified (video)Progressive Christianity: Another Gospel? (podcast)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

On this edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, we’ll contrast popular beliefs about ghosts and the afterlife with the views presented in the Old and New Testaments. Joining Shane to discuss this important topic is Dr. Michael McClymond, who is the professor of Modern Theology at St. Louis University, and the author of numerous books including Familiar Stranger: An Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth, and The Devil’s Redemption: A New History & Interpretation of Christian Universalism.SHOW NOTESResources by Michael McClymondThe Devil’s Redemption & Familiar Stranger (books)Exploring the Theology of Richard Rohr (article)Original Sin: A Tool for Decoding Human Nature (article)The Untold Story of Purgatory (podcast episode)Does Everyone Go to Heaven? (podcast episode)Other Related ResourcesUnseen Realities, R.C. SproulThe Story of Us, Shane RosenthalWhat is Faith?, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalKarma vs. Grace (podcast episode)Heaven in Pop Culture (podcast episode)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

T. David Gordon served as a professor of Media Ecology at Grove City College for several decades, and as laptops, smartphones, and social media arrived on the scene in successive waves, he and his colleagues began to notice a change in students’ ability to pay attention and to process the various reading assignments. Shane discusses this with Dr. Gordon along with some of the issues he addresses in an article he recently wrote titled, “The Material is Not Immaterial.”SHOW NOTESRelated ArticlesThe Material is Not Immaterial, by T. David GordonMedia Ecology for the Family, by T. David GordonWhy Johnny Can’t Preach (article), by T. David GordonA Discussion of Postman’s Amusing Ourself to Death, by T.D. GordonAn Interview with Neil Postman, Modern Reformation Yes, It’s the Phones (and Social Media), by Jean TwengeRelated BooksWhy Johnny Can’t Preach, by T. David GordonAmusing Ourselves to Death, and Technopoly, by Neil PostmanUnderstanding Media, by Marshal McLuhanGeneration Me, and iGen, by Jean TwengeLife on the Screen, and Alone Together, by Sherry TurkleDistracted: The Erosion of Attention, by Maggie JacksonRelated PodcastsSocial Media, Technology & Cultural Decline, T. David Gordon on WHI Distracting Ourselves to Death, T. David Gordon on WHIPop Culture, Technology & Worship, T. David Gordon on WHIYouth Ministry & Youth Culture, T. David Gordon on WHIRecovering Focus in a Distracted Time, Maggie Jackson on WHIWe Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

How can we know whether religious experiences are authentic, or just a trick of the brain? And if they really are supernatural, how we be sure that they emanate from the God of the Bible, as opposed to the Koran? Too often we allow our experiences to confirm that which we already believe. On this episode, Shane discusses this with believers from a wide variety of faiths and also airs the second half of his conversation with Dr. J.R. Miller, author of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. SHOW NOTESRelated ResourcesMore Than Cake, J.R. Miller’s SubstackOne Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, J.R. Miller (book)The Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane RosenthalActs 2 & The Tongues Controversy, Shane RosenthalThe Story of Us, Shane RosenthalThe Megachurch Century, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalRelated EpisodesFaith & Experience (Part 1), The Humble Skeptic #28Is Faith a Feeling?, The Humble Skeptic #4Religion on Trial, The Humble Skeptic #5Faith & Proof, The Humble Skeptic #7Proof & The Gospel, The Humble Skeptic #8The Gospel Creed, The Humble Skeptic #9We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). We also now have tax-deductible giving options as well. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

Mormons know their religion is true because they experience a “burning in the bosom.” Pentecostal Christians believe they have proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because they speak in tongues. So how are we to know which religious experiences are truly authentic? Is experience a proper way to ground faith in the first place? On this episode, Shane talks with Dr. J.R. Miller, co-founder of The Center for Cultural Apologetics about his book, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which traces the history of the “subjective turn” that has taken root in many Christian circles over the past few centuries.SHOW NOTESRelated ResourcesMore Than Cake, J.R. Miller’s SubstackOne Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, J.R. Miller (book)The Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane RosenthalActs 2 & The Tongues Controversy, Shane RosenthalThe Story of Us, Shane RosenthalThe Megachurch Century, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalRelated EpisodesFaith & Experience (Part 2), The Humble Skeptic #29Is Faith a Feeling?, The Humble Skeptic #4Religion on Trial, The Humble Skeptic #5Faith & Proof, The Humble Skeptic #7Proof & The Gospel, The Humble Skeptic #8The Gospel Creed, The Humble Skeptic #9The Jesus of History, The Humble Skeptic #12We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Use the button below for more information about giving options. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

Have you ever noticed that conversations about religion and politics tend to produce more heat than light? Because most of us are aware of this, we tend to avoid conversations relating to our deepest convictions. So how can we discuss our beliefs with others in a way that ends up producing more light than heat? How do we have difficult conversations on controversial topics such as the use of personal pronouns? On this episode, Shane talks with Greg Koukl about his forthcoming book Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Questions.SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksStreet Smarts, Greg KouklThe Story of Reality, Greg KouklTactics, Greg KouklLive Not By Lies, Rod DreherRecommended ArticlesI’d Like to Have an Argument, Please, by Greg KouklRecovering the Art of Persuasion, by Shane RosenthalIron Curtain Diary, by Greg KouklRecommended AudioGreg Koukl on Blind FaithDealing with DoubtGreg Koukl on The Problem of EvilWalking in Wisdom Toward OutsidersLive Not By Lies (Shane’s full interview with Rod Dreher)We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Use the button below for more information about giving options. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe