

New Persuasive Words
Scott Jones & Bill Borror
New Persuasive Words is a sharp and insightful podcast that dissects the intersections of culture, politics, and theology with intellectual rigor and a conversational ease. Hosted by Scott Jones and Bill Borror, the show offers a thoughtful examination of contemporary issues, blending humor, historical perspective, and philosophical depth. With a keen eye for nuance and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, New Persuasive Words invites listeners into a space where ideas are tested, assumptions are questioned, and meaningful dialogue thrives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2019 • 32min
Episode 273: Guns, God and White Supremacism
In this episode we talk about the recent mass shootings in Texas and Ohio and how to face what they tell us about ourselves as Americans.

Jul 31, 2019 • 40min
Episode 272: Kissing The Faith Goodbye
In this episode we talk about renowned former megachurch pastor Josh Harris's announcement that he has left the Christian faith.

Jul 24, 2019 • 30min
Episode 271: Us, Them, Trump, and The Squad
In this episode, inspired in part by David Fitch's new book, we talk about the recent inflammatory statements President Trump made about four women of color in the House of Representatives.

Jul 11, 2019 • 31min
Episode 270: Apocalypse Now?
Many are troubled by evangelical love affair with President Trump. Sometimes people talk like it means that the sky is falling or that the end is near. Is this overstated? Might historical perspective teach us a thing or two in this cultural moment?

Jun 20, 2019 • 40min
Episode 269: The Gift of Wonder, with Christine Sine
In this episode we talk with a special guest, Christine Sine. Her new book is entitled The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices For Delighting In God.
Can you imagine a God who dances with shouts of joy, laughs when you laugh, loves to play, enjoys life, and invites us to join the fun? Like many of us, Christine Sine had spent many years with an image of God who was "a very serious, workaholic type of God." And even when her theology told her this was not true, she struggled to live into this new way of thinking. What she needed was a childlike spirituality. In this book, Christine Sine, online host of the Godspace community, invites us to pay attention to childlike characteristics that have the power to reshape us. Each chapter addresses a childlike characteristic to embrace, including delight, playfulness, imagination, awe and wonder, love of nature, the ability to live in the present, and much more. Fresh spiritual practices that engage all our senses help us live a new spiritual life that embraces the wonder and joy that God intends for us.

Jun 14, 2019 • 30min
Episode 268: The One, The Three and The Many
In this episode we talk about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and it's connection to reality and everyday life.
We reference a book by our friend Glenn Scrivener. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Story-God-World-You/dp/1909611948.

Jun 7, 2019 • 31min
Episode 267: Game of Thrones and the End of Empathy
In this episode we discuss our thoughts on the Game of Thrones Finale and a recent Invisibilia episode on empathy.
You can find the Invisibilia episode we reference here: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/712276022/the-end-of-empathy.

May 13, 2019 • 29min
Episode 266: Can a Command be a Gift?
In this episode we continue to talk about the moral life, with some theological help from Karl Barth and John Milbank. We also talk a bit about Game of Thrones, and consider the reactions to the untimely and sad death of Rachel Held Evans.

May 1, 2019 • 33min
Episode 265: The Battle of the Dead and the Source of Life
In this episode we talk Game of Thrones, legalism and antinominiasm, in that order pretty much.

Apr 26, 2019 • 50min
Episode 264: Is The Christian Life Worth Living?
Check out this crossover episode we did with our friends from Crackers and Grapejuice in New York City. We talk about the nature of the Christian life and what it means to live it.


