Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations

In this second episode of Hank Unplugged, Hank invites “the most interesting man in the world,” Rod Dreher, onto the podcast to discuss his book The Benedict Option. Topics discussed include: who Benedict was and how he laid the groundwork for the rebirth of Western Civilization after the fall of Rome (3:40); Christians that are indistinguishable from the culture (6:40); their conversions to Orthodoxy, difficulties that they faced as a result, and how it helped shape them spiritually (8:30); the importance of a community of believers as opposed to consumeristic Christianity (17:30); historical illiteracy regarding the first 1,500 years of church history and why that is dangerous (21:20); the changing nature of anthropology and the Abolition of Man (26:30); the delusional idea that politics will change the culture and how losing political power might be the very thing that saves the church (30:15); millennials leaving the church and a possible trend toward liturgical worship (40:45); and The Benedict Option as a primer on how to find God in the ruins of Rome (50:30).

Hank Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast and president of the Christian Research Institute, makes his debut into podcasting with the first episode of Hank Unplugged by inviting his close friend and best-selling author Frederica Mathewes-Green onto the podcast to discuss Hank's transition into Eastern Orthodoxy, being diagnosed with cancer, and the way that those two situations have impacted one another. Topics discussed include the difference Orthodoxy has made for Hank after being diagnosed with cancer and reordering his life around the divine (11:00); the history of the church, schisms, and the high priestly prayer that we all must be as one (14:00); community memory as a source of Church authority and the perpetuation of Holy tradition in addition to “being biblical” (22:30); the “spiritual gymnasium” found in the Orthodox Church (37:30); the tension Hank feels between wanting the Lord to heal him and wanting the Lord to prune him for His glory as a witness (40:30); the idea of intercession of the community of the saints through prayer and the idea that there are no dead Christians (46:30); and how Hank has staked his whole career and ministry on his belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (52:30).

List to a teaser about Hank's new podcast "Hank Unplugged".

Hank introduces his new podcast, Hank Unplugged.