In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss how to keep the focus of the Christmas season on Jesus, as the birthday celebration it should be. “Keeping Christ in Christmas” has become almost a mantra in response to the ever-increasing consumerization of Christmas and how far we've seemed to drift from the historical event of Jesus's birth. And this has implications beyond how to tangibly keep Christ in Christmas. We also have to find ways to keep Christ in our giving and in our gatherings at Christmastime - the relationships that can make the holidays challenging for so many people and can take away from the joy this season is meant to hold. Episode Links There are a couple messages series that you may want to check out related to today's conversation. The first shares the title of today's episode, “Keeping Christ in Christmas.” It will help you take an even deeper dive into the various ways to keep Jesus as the focus of the Christmas season, with installments that look at: Keeping Christ in Your Celebrating, Keeping Christ in Your Relating and Keeping Christ in Your Giving. The installment on “relating” is particularly helpful if the holiday season brings more anxiety than joy. There was a book that he noted as well written by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend called Boundaries that would be a good one to read. Dr. White also touched on the significance of the season of Advent and all that can hold for our lives. For this, we'd encourage you to look at “The Advent Conspiracy.” When talking about the idea of giving being a key way to keep Christ in Christmas - particularly by beginning our gift-giving with Jesus - Dr. White mentioned an annual effort that was launched by Mecklenburg Community Church in 1994. You can read more about the “Giving to Christ at Christmas” effort in a recent blog that Dr. White wrote HERE. Finally, you heard Dr. White mention something called the Daily Headline News at Church & Culture - a collection of headlines from around the globe that are curated by Dr. White each weekday. The news stories shared here are to help give you a better picture of what's happening within our culture today, and how many of these cultural events impact the Church. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

The discussion explores the gripping phenomenon of near-death experiences, sharing both awe-inspiring and haunting accounts from those who have faced clinical death. Insights reveal common themes of joy and divine encounters, juxtaposed with nightmarish experiences. The conversation delves into cultural interpretations and the biblical view on death and the afterlife, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul. Additionally, it examines how these experiences challenge and shape personal beliefs about mortality and spirituality, inviting listeners to reconsider their views on life beyond death.

The discussion dives into the provocative question of whether salvation can be lost, probing biblical interpretations and the concept of apostasy. It touches on the rising number of 'nones'—those with no religious affiliation—and the growing trend of faith deconstruction. Delving into the emotional toll of loved ones losing their faith, the hosts emphasize the importance of compassionate dialogue for reconnection. The conversation also highlights salvation as a personal journey of acceptance and the vital role of perseverance in one's spiritual life.

A recent study shows 80% of churchgoers want pastors to discuss modern cultural issues. The hosts explore challenges in addressing sensitive topics like gender identity and immigration. They emphasize the importance of pastors engaging with these issues to guide their congregations through ethical dilemmas. The conversation highlights the gap between churchgoers' expectations and pastors' hesitance. Ultimately, fostering trust and understanding is vital for meaningful discussions in today's complex society.

In the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, the discussion emphasizes a Christ-centered perspective over political affiliations. It highlights the importance of maintaining Christian loyalty amidst political authority. The podcast explores early Christians' challenges under Roman rule, urging prayer for leaders regardless of their actions. A focus on the divine establishment of authorities and the need for a higher allegiance in times of conflict underscores the essential role of prayer for wise governance and unity in challenging political climates.

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the growing cultural force of social media influencers. Given what these influencers can make for simply sharing their opinions through their social media platform of choice, it's led many young people from Gen Z and Gen Alpha to aspire to become influencers themselves - a goal that a very minuscule percentage will attain. It's also interesting to note how willing people are to take the advice of influencers who, quite frankly, sometimes know very little about what they are even promoting. Episode Links Today's discussion was prompted by a Pew Research article titled “Who U.S. Adults Follow on TikTok,” revealing that users in the United States follow pop culture and entertainment personalities at a far greater rate than politicians or news organizations. And as mentioned earlier, young people today are increasingly saying they want to follow in the footsteps of social media influencers to become internet stars themselves. We'd encourage you to check out these articles to read more about that: Jacob Dirnhuber, “Children Turn Backs on Traditional Careers in Favour of Internet Fame, Study Finds,” The Sun. Tanith Carey, “Can Social Media School Make Your 16-Year-Old a Star?” The Telegraph. They also discussed how pastors and clergy are losing their influence on culture as more and more people have witnessed moral failings of pastors. This was discussed in CCP4: On Pastors and Moral Failings and CCP31: On Celebrity Pastors. Finally, when Alexis asked what the church could do to increase its reach and influence, Dr. White stressed the urgency for churches to have a stronger presence online - meeting culture where they are at in the world in which they live. You can read more about this in his book Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

Dive into the intriguing history of Halloween, where ancient harvest festivities merge with Christian traditions. Discover how trick-or-treating evolved and how the holiday transformed post-World War II. Explore the deeper meanings behind costumes and the commercialization of Halloween, which has shifted perceptions among various communities. Learn how Christians can embrace the season's fun while honoring its rich cultural roots. This lively discussion invites a thoughtful consideration of Halloween's true significance.

The conversation dives into the intriguing reasons behind the numerous Bible translations available today. It addresses common concerns about the fidelity of translations to original texts. A notable discussion focuses on the impact of the King James Version in modern worship and beliefs. The episode also distinguishes between translations and paraphrases, highlighting their roles in comprehension. Recommendations for further reading delve into the nuances and complexities of interpreting scripture, emphasizing the importance of diverse translations for deeper understanding.

A fascinating look at how cultural Christianity is rising even as people identify as religiously unaffiliated. There’s a surprising appreciation for Christian symbols among many who don't actively practice faith. The conversation dives into reflections from notable atheists on the social value of these traditions. Balancing modern practices with worship's rich history is explored, along with the ongoing search for community beyond traditional churches. Ultimately, it highlights how core Christian values can influence culture amid shifting spiritual landscapes.

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss a recent statement made by the Surgeon General that parenting is now considered a health hazard. He said that stress, loneliness and financial woes are so acute as to limit the ability of parents to function in every day life. To be sure, there are some new parenting dynamics today that parents haven't had to face before. So how can parents navigate these challenges and come out on the other side intact? Episode Links There is pressure on today's parents to provide everything for their children - Dr. White mentioned the term “intensive parenting.” There are several articles that have talked about the impact this is having on parents, and we'd suggest you take a look at those: Julie Jargon, “Parenting Is Hazardous to Your Health, the Surgeon General Warns,” The Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2024. Clair Cain Miller, “Today's Parents: ‘Exhausted, Burned Out and Perpetually Behind',” The New York Times, September 16, 2024. “Surgeon General Says Parenting is Horrible For Your Health,” The Skimm, August 29, 2024. Even those outside of the U.S. have a consistent opinion that while the U.S. is an incredible land of opportunity, it is not a good place to raise children, with a lot of the problems stemming from the overprotectiveness of American parents. This was the subject of an article from The Atlantic that Alexis mentioned titled, “Why Parents Struggle So Much in the World's Richest Country.” She also mentioned a book written by Jonathan Haidt titled, The Anxious Generation. One of the most difficult challenges facing parents today is the impact the online world is having on our children, and particularly social media. It's led to a culture of comparison for parents, and increased levels of anxiety for both parents and their children. The impact of social media was discussed in a past podcast, CCP25: On “Doing” Social Media. Social media has also been a contributing factor in the loss of childhood. This was discussed at length on the podcast in episode CCP43: On American Girl Dolls and the Disappearance of Childhood. There are several series that Dr. White has delivered at Mecklenburg Community Church on parenting. You can find those messages in .mp3 and .pdf formats on the Church & Culture website at the following links: “Parent Traps,” “The Under Protective Parent,” and “Parent-Child Turning Points.” Finally, finances play a big role in some of the stress that parents face when raising children today. For many Millennials and those in Generation Z, these concerns are fueling a desire to not have children to begin with. You can check out the article “Almost 1 in 4 millennials and Gen Z-ers say they won't have kids due to finances” from CBS News HERE. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.