Church & Culture Podcast

Dr. James Emery White and Alexis Drye dive into a significant IRS ruling that now allows churches to endorse political candidates. They explore the history behind the Johnson Amendment that previously restricted such endorsements. While White supports the change, he prefers to keep pulpit endorsements at bay, emphasizing the importance of outreach and unity over political affiliations. The duo also discusses the desire for pastors to guide congregants in applying a biblical worldview to politics and the dangers of ideologically driven churches.

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss another significant anniversary happening this year. We recently aired CCP165: On the Nicene Creed as 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the creed. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of what's known as the Scopes Trial (or the “Monkey Trial”) - a sensational trial in American history where the debate over creation vs. evolution entered the courtroom. Set in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee back in 1925, the trial set defenders of evolutionary theory against those who wanted public schools to teach what was considered to be a biblical view of the origin of the world's inhabitants. Episode Links As Dr. White mentioned, the church plays a huge role when it comes to apologetics - helping people to know why they believe what they believe and to be able to give an account of their faith to others. This has always been a priority at Mecklenburg Community Church. In fact, you may be interested in checking out the following series that were given by Dr. White, all related to apologetics and/or faith vs. science: “Doubt” “Don't Check Your Brains at the Door” “The Science of God” “Astrophysics… for People Who Are Open to God” “Why Believe?” There are two resources we'd suggest you check out related to the conversation today. For a better understanding of the Hebrew mindset, we'd suggest Our Father Abraham written by Marvin R. Wilson. And then for more on the interplay between faith and science, we suggest you read How I Changed My Mind About Evolution, edited by Kathryn Applegate and J.B. Stump. Finally, today's discussion was sparked by an article on NPR by Scott Neuman and Nell Greenfieldboyce titled “100 years after evolution went on trial, the Scopes case still reverberates” outlining the cultural ramifications of this trial even 100 years later. You can read or listen to that article 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.

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss a recent article in the New York Times written by Claire Kane Miller titled, “What Happens When Most of the Adults in Boys' Lives Are Women.” Studies show that children struggle acutely from the lack of a father figure in their lives and, according to the US Census Bureau, nearly one in four children lives without a father in the home. Today's conversation explores the impact and significance of not only fathers, but also positive male role models in the lives of young boys in particular, and how the church can play a role as well. Episode Links There are two books that Dr. White mentioned in today's episode that would be helpful for fathers and men to read to understand the impact they can have on the lives of their boys, as well as other young men. John Trent and Gary Smalley wrote a book titled, The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance. And John Eldredge wrote a book titled, Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul. He also discussed two articles that highlight both the impact and role of men in the lives of boys, and also the challenge today in knowing what it even means to be a man: Demaryius Thomas, “For Mamma,” The Player's Tribune. Glenn Stanton, “Manhood Is Not Natural,” Public Discourse. Finally, Dr. White noted how the church needs to step in and cast the vision for manhood, fatherhood, and the way that men can step up and be father figures in the lives of young boys within the church. There are several series that Dr. White has given at Mecklenburg Community Church that you may be interested in checking out: “Father Figure,” “Man Up,” and “The Sins of the Fathers.” 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.

Dr. James Emery White, founding pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church and a prominent theologian, engages in an enlightening discussion with co-host Alexis Drye about the Nicene Creed's significance on its 1700th anniversary. They explore how this ancient document helped unify the early church during rapid growth and the challenge posed by heretical views. Dr. White emphasizes the creed's ongoing relevance for modern congregations, highlighting its role in defining Christian identity and combating misunderstandings in today's cultural landscape.

Join a lively discussion on the current cultural climate, its impact on local churches, and how to adapt in a post-Christian world. Discover insights from the Pew Religious Landscape Study and explore the lasting changes brought on by the pandemic. Get a glimpse of how early Christians navigated culture and learn parenting tips for Generation Alpha. Plus, intriguing previews of interviews with thought leaders and authors tackle why traditional religion has waned. It's a resource-rich conversation for engaging today's world.

A new animated film, "KPop Demon Hunters," is taking the world by storm, becoming Netflix's first number one box office hit. The hosts dive into its unique blend of music, dance, and empowering characters that appeal across cultures. They tackle the film's portrayal of demons, comparing it to popular series like Harry Potter and Narnia. The discussion emphasizes the importance of parental engagement with media, encouraging families to use films as a platform for spiritual talks. It's a fascinating look at pop culture's intersection with faith and family.

The discussion dives into the controversy surrounding Chip and Joanna Gaines featuring a same-sex couple on their show. It explores the backlash from the Christian community and the nuances of judgment versus acceptance. The hosts reflect on the moral dangers of being judgmental while emphasizing the importance of care in feedback. With a focus on grace and truth, they dissect the complexities of inclusion within Christianity. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the need for love and unity over doctrinal disputes in public Christian witness.

Explore the troubling themes of violence and innocence in the streaming series 'Adolescence,' revealing the harsh realities of teenage life in a digital world. Discover the urgent issues of cyberbullying and online exploitation that today’s youth face, often hidden from parental view. Gain practical communication strategies to bridge the gap between parents and their adolescents, fostering openness during this critical developmental phase. Delve into how faith can offer guidance in navigating these complex challenges.

This summer, we're taking a short break from our regular podcast format, and instead have selected various installments from past message series given by James Emery White at Mecklenburg Community Church where he serves as the Senior Pastor. There are several critical areas of our spiritual life and our relationship with God that have both “good” and “bad” dynamics. When we confuse these areas, it can bring great spiritual harm. Today's episode comes from a Meck series titled "The Flip Side: The Bad Side of Good Things" with a look at "Good Guilt vs. Bad Guilt.” Episode Links Below you'll find the link to the full series if that's something you are interested in checking out, along with the sources that were used in the development of the message itself: “The Flip Side: The Bad Side of Good Things” Becca Cowan Johnson, Good Guilt, Bad Guilt: And What to Do with Each. Verne Becker, Tim Stafford and Philip Yancey, What They Never Told Me When I Became a Christian. For more message series given by Dr. White that would fall under the banner of living out our Christian faith, check out the “Christian Living” resources. 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 question of the unforgivable sin in Christianity. The discussion sheds light on the concept of blaspheming the Holy Spirit and its serious implications for faith. Listeners are encouraged to explore their personal beliefs and the nature of divine forgiveness. The importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding relationships with God is highlighted. A call to embrace faith through prayer and baptism wraps up the conversation, inviting reflection on spiritual journeys and community celebrations.