The Russell Moore Show

What does hope look like for the American church as political polarization sparks division and many evangelicals are leaving the pews? It might be found in the words of the British “Poet for ‘Bruised Evangelicals,’” Malcolm Guite. The poet, priest, singer-songwriter, and professor joined Russell to talk about truth, imagination, and illumination.Guite and Moore discuss how they know the Christian story is true, depictions of the gospel in art, and what it means to learn to love. They talk about the power of stories and imagination. Moore asks Guite to share his thoughts on the transfiguration passage in the New Testament, which Guite explores in his book Lifting the Veil. And they talk about how to begin reading poetry for those who don’t know where to start.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Kara Bettis for Christianity Today, “A Poet for ‘Bruised Evangelicals’” C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Weight of Glory J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings Gustaf Aulen, Christus Victor Malcolm Guite: Lifting the Veil, Faith, Hope and Poetry, The Christian Plummet, and Amen The Trinity Forum, “Online Conversation | Waiting on the Word with Malcolm Guite” Richard Hooker, A Learned and Comfortable Sermon of the Certainty and Perpetuity of Faith in the Elect 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

“Just wait until you get married, you’ll drive each other crazy.”“Just wait until that baby is a toddler throwing tantrums, you’ll long for the sleepless newborn nights!”“Just wait until your energetic third-grader is a surly teenager, you’ll crave flag football and trampoline parks.”Sound familiar? Sometimes, when we seek advice or empathy around family life, we’re met with a cynical response that things are only going to get worse. But does that have to be the case? Or can family life be joyful in each season?As a new year begins, many of you have written in with questions for Russell Moore about home life and relationships. From parenting to marriage to a biblical view of sex, this episode offers wisdom and insight into all things family.Listen in for thoughtful responses from Russell and producer Ashley Hales to questions including: What are some resources a mother could give her daughter whose boyfriend senses that he has a calling to become a pastor? How can Christians develop a better understanding of the nature of sex and sexual ethics as they relate to practical decisions like family planning and contraception? What can couples do when they start to feel like their love for each other is growing cold? How can parents of impressionable, sensitive children care for them well in community environments that promote dangerous ideals like Christian nationalism? What is Russell’s favorite thing about raising teenagers and young-adult children? 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.Consider 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 Paul Pelosi, husband of speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was attacked, social media erupted with jokes. Why? What is at the heart of such a calloused response to violence?On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Moore welcomes Elizabeth Neumann to discuss online radicalization, loneliness, and how Christians can navigate an era of political hatred. Formerly the assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention at the Department of Homeland Security, Neumann is now a commentator on ABC News and the chief strategy officer at Moonshot, a social enterprise working to end online harms ranging from child sexual exploitation to political extremism.Neumann and Moore talk about the environmental factors that are creating the right conditions for political violence in America. They consider the role of online communities in radicalization, the power of rhetoric, and how to build resilience in children and teens. And they candidly address the ways the church has negatively contributed to the modern state of affairs, while also expressing hope and sharing ideas for a better way forward.Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Ben Sasse, Them Alan Noble, You Are Not Your Own Life After Hate Parents for Peace SCREEN Hate (McCain Institute) Moonshot's Monthly Bulletin Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism Center for Strategic and International Studies Report: Pushed to Extremes: Domestic Terrorism amid Polarization and Protest 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

“Through reading, I can imagine situations that I ordinarily would never encounter.”So says Russell Moore on this final episode of the year. All about books, the conversation between Russell and producer Ashley Hales covers everything from storytelling and genre to categorizing books and cultivating a love of reading in childhood.Take a peek into Russell’s book clubs, learn more about his reading practices, and discover his favorite books of the year. Russell shares why he loves the books that made his list and shares how they influenced him.Russell’s favorite books of 2022: Malcolm Guite, The Word within the Words Timothy Keller, Forgive Clarence Jordan, The Inconvenient Gospel Wendell Berry, How It Went Thomas S. Kidd, Thomas Jefferson Moisés Naim, The Revenge of Power Paul D. Miller, The Religion of American Greatness Fintan O’Toole, We Don’t Know Ourselves Stephen Bullivant, Nonverts Marc Eliot, The Hag Jay Wellons, All That Moves Us Jason M. Baxter, The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis Additional books, podcast episodes, and resources mentioned include: The Russell Moore Show, “Navigating Friendship and Loss with Peter Wehner” The Russell Moore Show, “Tim Keller Says Forgiveness Is Key to Christian Witness" ”Russell Moore’s newsletter MaryKate Morse, "The Formational Power of Reading: A Requirement for all Leaders" John Grisham, The Boys from BiloxiSquare Books Shakespeare, King Lear T. S. Eliot, Four Quartets Christianity Today’s 2023 Book Awards Barna’s State of the Church C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia Wendell Berry, Life Is a Miracle Marilynne Robinson, “A Theology of the Present Moment” Chris Claremont’s X-Men era Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache series Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today.Chief Creative Officer: Erik PetrikExecutive Producer and Host: Russell MooreProducer: Ashley HalesDirector of Podcasts: Mike CosperDirector of Operations for CT Media: Matt StevensProduction Assistance: CoreMediaCoordinator: Beth GrabenkortProducer and Audio Mixing: Kevin DuthuAssociate Producer: Abby PerryTheme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do parenting, responding to cultural waves, and healing from church hurt have in common?The answer might just be found in Russell Moore’s response to a listener question on this episode of The Russell Moore Show:"The Spirit is going to be walking with you and working within you,” says Moore. “Be patient and let the Spirit work."The topics in this episode range from marriage and family to church leadership to trauma. But what binds these inquiries and responses together is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, who provides guidance and comfort in every confusing and painful area of life.Tune in as Russell and producer Ashley Hales respond to listener questions, including: How should a Christian mother raise her children when her husband says he no longer believes in Jesus? How should congregants engage with church leaders who aren't addressing specific cultural issues? What is the difference between a pastor providing proper leadership and becoming overly authoritative? How can Christians heal from spiritual abuse? 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.“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Chief Creative Officer: Erik Petrik Executive Producer and Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Director of Podcasts: Mike Cosper Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Production Assistance: CoreMedia Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort Producer and Audio Mixing: Kevin Duthu Associate Producer: Abby Perry Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"In the long run, we're really looking to be enfolded in a durable, relational community in which we are known and loved—loved after we're known, instead of loved because we're not yet known."So says Andy Crouch, author, speaker, and partner at venture-building ecosystem Praxis. As someone who fell in love with computers and technology at a young age, Crouch has spent years considering the ways technology shapes societies, families, and individuals. In this post-pandemic era, Crouch sees a universal quest to live humanly as we try to build back our relational muscles. Yet, many of us still hope that technology will make good on its promises of power, happiness, and connection.On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Crouch and Moore discuss what it looks like to live a life of love in a culture that's saturated in technology. They talk about how the online space has shaped our approach to commerce and money. And they share hopeful, redemptive wisdom for putting technology in its proper place so that the things that matter most in life can flourish.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For This American Life, Superpowers Maryanne Wolfe, Reader, Come Home Craig Gay, Modern Technology and the Human Future Screen Sanity 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

By the age of 34, Max Lucado was burned out, struggling with insomnia, and begging the Lord to help him “have the wherewithal to preach the next day.”Now, decades later, Lucado is still pastoring—he’s the teaching minister at Oak Hills Christian Church in San Antonio. He’s written dozens of books in the years that have passed since he struggled to find the energy to keep going. Lucado doesn’t attribute his renewal to his own efforts, though. Instead, he credits the Holy Spirit as the best friend, comforter, and one who came alongside him in his time of need.On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Lucado and Moore discuss the dynamics of burnout. They talk about what it looks like to pray when it’s hard or when we don’t know what to say. And they explore challenging theological topics like spiritual warfare, church hurt, and what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Max Lucado, Help Is Here  Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones  Frederick Dale Bruner, The Gospel of John: A Commentary Frederick Dale Bruner and William Hordern, The Holy Spirit - Shy Member of the Trinity 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

What are Christians to do when political or religious differences are harming—or even ending—their relationships? Why are so many modern people so deeply lonely? And what might it look like to live in peaceful community with people we see as enemies?On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Peter Wehner, senior fellow at The Trinity Forum and a writer for The Atlantic and The New York Times, joins Moore to discuss friendship, loss, and conflict in today’s world. Wehner and Moore share reflections on their friend Michael Gerson, adviser and speechwriter to George W. Bush and then a Washington Post columnist and author, who recently passed away from cancer at the age of 58. Their insights into Gerson’s suffering, dignity, and civic work include godly ways of thinking about loneliness, friendship, and living in light of the gospel.Wehner and Moore also discuss the dangers of cynicism, the role of social media in political debate, and how gratitude and reconciliation can enhance our lives and relationships.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Peter Wehner, “My friend, Mike Gerson” and “The Evangelical Church is Breaking Apart” Yuval Levin, “Remembering My Friend Mike Gerson” David Brooks, The Second Mountain Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind Amanda Ripley, High Conflict 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

Does social media make us meaner? How do we stay faithful to Jesus when we’re downright exhausted?Tune in for a discussion between Russell Moore and producer Ashley Hales that covers these questions and more. The topics on this episode of The Russell Moore Show range from the recent mayhem on Twitter to Russell’s favorite Christmas present as a child.The listener questions covered in this episode include: How might Christians think about social media in terms of discipleship in the church and the home? What does Christian perseverance look like during this post-pandemic moment in time? What are the dangers of becoming numb to toxic politics? How can pastors and mature believers engage with “radicalized” young men? Resources mentioned include Radical by David Platt and The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch.Russell Moore is Christianity Today’s editor in chief and the director of the Public Theology Project.Ashley Hales is the producer of The Russell Moore Show, the founder of Willowbrae Institute, and an author. Find out more at aahales.com.Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.“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

What does it mean to forgive? Is it just a matter of forgetting and moving on? How do justice, vengeance, and accountability factor into the equation?On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, pastor and author Tim Keller and Russell discuss the "thorny," as Keller refers to it, topic of forgiveness. They talk about the biblical approach to forgiveness and how to understand the subject theologically. And they consider the role of forgiveness in real-life circumstances, ranging from the idea of forgiving oneself to what it means to forgive in situations of abuse.For more on the subject, check out Keller's latest book, Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?Resources mentioned in this episode include: Timothy Keller, Forgive  Wendell Berry, The Need to Be Whole Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace David Powlison, Good and Angry Jonathan Rausch, The Constitution of Knowledge Yuval Levin, A Time to Build “The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today Chief Creative Officer: Erik Petrik Executive Producer and Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Director of Podcasts: Mike Cosper Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Production Assistance: CoreMedia Coordinator: Beth Grabenkort Producer and Audio Mixing: Kevin Duthu Associate Producer: Abby Perry Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices