The Russell Moore Show

When John Starke, an author and the pastor of Apostles Church Uptown, moved to New York City, he quickly realized that he wasn’t all that impressive to his neighbors. It didn’t feel great at first. But now, he sees the ability to embody seasons of being unimpressive—even being embarrassed and humiliated—as a gift.On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Moore and Starke talk about perseverance, suffering, and the power of Jesus’ presence. They discuss the temptation to be performative in ministry, how to embrace our limitations, and what it looks like to heal shame. Starke shares rhythms and practices for growing in understanding ourselves as hidden in Christ, which he writes about in his new book The Secret Place of Thunder.Moore and Starke’s conversation also includes reflections on their mutual friend, Tim Keller, who passed away recently. Tune in for an episode that looks thoughtfully at the human heart, the character of God, and the encouragement in Scripture to live as those hidden in Christ.Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Secret Place of Thunder: Trading Our Need to Be Noticed for a Hidden Life with Christ by John Starke Tim Keller’s Final Message to Redeemer Churches The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery by David G. Banner Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses by Martin Luther “Jonathan Haidt Says Social Media Is Making America Stupid” “Social Media is a Major Cause of the Mental Illness Epidemic in Teen Girls. Here’s the Evidence.” by Jonathan Haidt A Secular Age by Charles Taylor “Millennial Burnout Is Being Televised” by Sophie Gilbert Preorder Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore?Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin DuthuCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anxiety is having a moment. Compared to prepandemic rates, for example, anxiety has doubled in young people. The increase feels daunting and downright scary at times as Christians struggle to determine how to help.Enter Curtis Chang, theologian, consulting faculty member at Duke Divinity School, and senior fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. Cohost of the Good Faith podcast, executive director of Redeeming Babel, and cofounder of The After Party with Moore and David French, Chang is also an author. His new book, The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self, invites readers to under anxiety as a doorway to spiritual transformation rather than a sin to overcome.On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Chang explains that the root of anxiety is the fear of loss. He and Moore discuss their personal experiences with anxiety and the importance of paying attention to the signals our bodies send us when under stress. They talk about shame, the biblical passages that address worry, and how Jesus related to people who faced anxiety. Their conversation also covers social media, the role of medication in addressing mental health struggles, and various spiritual practices for responding to anxiety.Finally, Chang and Moore introduce their new project, The After Party, which calls Christians toward their higher allegiance to Jesus, transcending partisan loyalty—and partisan anxieties.Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk “The Future” by Leonard Cohen “This Too” by J Lind “Social Media is a Major Cause of the Mental Illness Epidemic in Teen Girls. Here’s the Evidence.” by Jonathan Haidt “The truth about Gen Z - and the rest of us (with Jean Twenge)” on the Good Faith podcast “Opinion | The Sandwich Generation Is Getting Squished” by Jessica Grose “For Millennials Making Their Way, a Detour: To Caregiving” by Susan B. Garland “The Agony of Putting Your Life on Hold to Care for Your Parents” by Jaeah Lee “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin Pre-order Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesEditor and Mix Engineer: Dan PhelpsAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIACoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“He was always shot through with gratitude.”So says Russell Moore of pastor, theologian, and author Tim Keller, who died on Friday, May 19, 2023. Husband to Kathy and father of three, Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and the cofounder of Redeemer City to City. Moore believes Keller to be the most significant American evangelist since Billy Graham, a designation he explains throughout the episode.“The death of @timkellernyc is an incalculable loss to the church, the world, to those of us who loved him, those of us he helped in our darkest hours,” Moore tweeted on Friday. “This is gain for Tim, now in the presence of Christ. He need no longer explain the reason for God, just to enjoy him forever.”On this special episode of The Russell Moore Show, Moore shares stories of spending time with Keller, especially highlighting Keller’s remarkable approach to describing the gospel in conversations with non-Christians. He recalls the way Keller responded with profound empathy when attacked by critics. And Moore shares some of the wisdom Keller imparted to him that helped Moore make significant life decisions.This episode features portions from conversations Moore had with Keller over the years. Listeners will hear Keller speak on forgiveness, the Resurrection, and grieving the deaths of loved ones. And they’ll hear the many and beautiful reasons why Moore will miss his dear friend.Learn more about Keller’s life and work, and find updates about the upcoming livestream worship service honoring him, at TimothyKeller.com.Pre-order Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesEditor: Matt StevensMix Engineer and Music: Dan PhelpsAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsSocial Media: Kate LuckyVideo Producer: John RolandCT Administration: Christine Kolb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Whenever I'm about to do something, I think 'Would an idiot do that?' And if they would, I do not do that thing.” - Dwight Schrute, The OfficeIn an age of cultural division and religious disagreement, many people feel that talking to someone with a different perspective on faith is, well, something an idiot would do. But today’s episode of The Russell Moore Show tells a different story as Russell welcomes Rainn Wilson, best known for his iconic performance as Dwight Schrute, to the podcast. Wilson is fascinated by spirituality. In fact, he’s the co-founder of SoulPancake, which develops content rooted in human connection (remember Kid President?), and the author of the book Soul Boom. Moore and Wilson’s conversation covers pop culture depictions of religion, Wilson’s upbringing in the Baháʼí Faith, and what it was like to skyrocket from relative obscurity to fame. They talk about trying to discuss religion in Hollywood, what transcendence means, and whether or not the longing for justice points to a judgment day. And they consider what it might look like to encourage today’s young people to consider the role of faith in their lives. Resources discussed during this episode include: SoulPancake Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution by Rainn Wilson The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron Pre-order Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps CT Administration: Christine Kolb Social Media: Kate Lucky Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Production Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin Duthu Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort Video Producer: John Roland Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From disagreements about baptism to a tendency toward tribalism, it’s easy to feel like the state of American Christianity is best summed up in the word division. But does that have to be the case?On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Russell and producer Ashley Hales answer listener questions on finding a church, theological disagreements, and living out Christian beliefs in the workplace. They talk about partnering across divisions and the belonging that can be born of joining a church community—even when it’s imperfect. Questions addressed during this episode include: How should someone who feels like American Christianity is a tribe that doesn’t accept them find a church? Why did Russell say on an episode of The Bulletin that 2022 was the end of an era for complementarianism?  How can churches that disagree on issues like women’s roles or baptism partner together?  What can churches do to spur imaginative possibilities for working across lines of difference? How should Christians reconcile their beliefs with different beliefs in the workplace? How might a pastoral candidate think about tertiary tools (like the Enneagram) that could cause division among staff or congregants?  Resources discussed during this episode include: The Bulletin Neo-Conservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea by Irving Kristol The Enneagram The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling Pre-order Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps CT Administration: Christine Kolb Social Media: Kate Lucky Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Production Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin Duthu Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort Video Producer: John Roland Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the most racist thing you’ve ever experienced? That’s the question that was posed to Esau McCaulley, an author, assistant professor, and contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, as he sat on a panel in front of a mostly white audience. He didn’t answer the question. On a new episode of The Russell Moore Show, he explains why. Tune in for a rich conversation on suffering, how we tell our stories, and the meaning of empathy. Moore and McCaulley cover systemic injustice, the function of society, and how our personal backgrounds inform everything from our political engagement to the way we read Scripture. Reflecting on the wounds and grace of fatherhood, they discuss how they work to make God’s love plausible. They talk about McCaulley’s forthcoming book, a memoir titled How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family's Story of Hope and Survival in the American South. And they talk about addiction, pastoring, and what McCaulley has learned as a military spouse.Resources discussed during this episode include: How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South by Esau McCaulley Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Esau McCaulley All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore The works of James Baldwin The works of Martin Luther King, Jr. The works of Zora Neale Hurston The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley Confessions by Saint Augustine The Seven Storey Mountain: An Autobiography of Faith by Thomas Merton Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage by Paul Elie Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Pre-order: Russell Moore's Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America Esau McCaulley's How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps CT Administration: Christine Kolb Social Media: Kate Lucky Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Production Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin Duthu Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort Video Producer: John Roland Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When people look at the American church today, many perceive instability and division. But what if some of the fragmentation they see is actually God’s work?On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Russell and producer Ashley Hales respond to listener questions that revolve around how people relate to communities and institutions. They talk about God’s way of pulling apart old patterns in order to bring about renewal, the hope they have for Gen Z’s future, and what it looks like to grieve when a former church or ministry is no longer a part of your life.The questions they address include: What are some examples or microcosms that illustrate the greater divisions in the American evangelical church? How might Christians think about the role of institutions and institutional belonging? What has Moore noticed about how younger members of Gen Z think about institutions? How can pastors minister to congregants who are only in town half of the year? What are some resources for people who are grieving the loss of a church, denomination, or ministry they loved? Preorder Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin DuthuCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I am convinced that it’s not just an American Dream that has been consuming our lives. There’s actually an American gospel that’s hijacked our hearts.”So says David Platt, pastor and author of three New York Times bestsellers, on today’s episode of The Russell Moore Show. Referencing his 2010 book Radical, Platt now believes that the core issues in American Christianity run even deeper than he thought they did. His new book, Don’t Hold Back, speaks to those issues.On this episode, Platt and Moore talk about the unique contexts of the various regions of America where they have ministered, including the political climate of Washington, DC, where Platt now pastors. They talk about the ethos of the prosperity gospel, chasing success, and what biblical parenting looks like. And they talk about Scripture’s description of how to live according to the belief that we are all called to do justice and love mercy.Resources discussed during this episode include: Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully by David Platt Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America by Stephen Bullivant The Journals of Jim Elliot edited by Elisabeth Elliot Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin DuthuCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Russell Moore first heard the title of Christopher Watkin’s new book, Biblical Critical Theory, his mind immediately went to the controversy around critical race theory. But, as this episode’s conversation with Watkin—a professor and senior lecturer at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, reveals—it’s about so much more.Tune in for a rich discussion of what critical theory actually is (and isn’t), what it means to critique the status quo, and where the Bible fits into all of this. Moore and Watkin talk about the authority of Scripture and the role of morality in the lives of both Christians and non-Christians. Their conversation touches on social media, gender and sexuality, and moral relativism. And they consider what it means to let the Bible interpret the Bible, looking to Augustine as a model for cultural and political thought, and how to begin investigating the stories we tell ourselves.Resources discussed during this episode include: Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin A Secular Age by Charles Taylor City of God by Augustine Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason by John Milbank Gospel and Kingdom by Graeme Goldsworthy God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible by Vaughan Roberts Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie The Order of Things and The Birth of Biopolitics by Michel Foucault Heidelberg Disputation by Martin Luther Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin DuthuCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to a new quarterly feature of The Russell Moore Show: all about books! The enthusiastic listener response to the “Best of Books 2022” episode encouraged Russell and producer Ashley Hales to share their recent reads more often.Tune in for a conversation that celebrates reading widely while also going deep into a few books, specifically Looking for the Hidden Folk by Nancy Marie Brown. This episode delves into the tendency to praise or criticize people based on their generation, the effect of social media and influencers, and genre-bending works by both Christian and secular authors.Books discussed on this episode include: Looking for the Hidden Folk: How Iceland’s Elves Can Save The Earth by Nancy Marie Brown The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien A Secular Age by Charles Taylor His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America by Philip Bump The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane The works of Eugene Peterson Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam The Influencer Industry: The Quest for Authenticity on Social Media by Emily Hund Speaking of books, pre-order Russell’s new title, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, here!Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike CosperHost: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesAssociate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae PhelpsCT Administration: Christine KolbSocial Media: Kate LuckyDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: coreMEDIAAudio Engineer: Kevin DuthuCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortVideo Producer: John RolandTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices