Mortification of Spin

Kevin DeYoung, pastor, theologian, and bestselling author, explores why Christians need the whole story of church history, not just the Reformation. He discusses using memorable biographies to make the past accessible, choosing figures from across Christian traditions, the role of monasticism, learning from flawed heroes and doctrinal mistakes, and how historical memory connects to worship, with Scripture remaining the final authority.

Christian author and cultural commentator Patrick Sawyer and apologist Neil Shenvi, co-authors of Post-Woke and Critical Dilemma, return for a timely conversation on critical theory’s influence in churches and institutions. They explore race, gender, sexuality, identity, oppression, Gen Z, and why wokeness persists. The discussion closes with pastoral ways to engage these issues through Scripture, truth, and careful listening.

Chris Castaldo, lead pastor of New Covenant Church and author of Why Do Protestants Convert?, joins a lively discussion on young evangelicals exploring Roman Catholicism. They examine the pull of liturgy, historical rootedness, intellectual depth, ethical clarity, and embodied faith, along with overlooked doctrinal differences and how churches can strengthen Protestant foundations through catechesis, confessions, church history, and gospel preaching.

Noelle Mering, author and EPPC fellow who writes on culture, discusses the rise of ideological estrangement. She explains how politics, online communities, and identity movements drive young adults to cut ties. Conversations cover social media recruitment, gender ideology’s impact on kinship, why modern relationships are brittle, and practical paths toward repair and reconciliation.

A lively discussion on reclaiming classical theology for today. They explore creeds, theological retrieval, and how historical doctrine shapes worship. Conversation covers why Protestants drifted from classical categories and how confessions guide Scripture reading. Practical tips on persuading skeptical Christians and keeping doctrine tied to devotion round out the talk.

N. Gray Sutanto, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Bavinck scholar, guides a tour of Herman Bavinck’s significance. He discusses Bavinck as a systematizer of neo-Calvinism and a retriever of Reformed orthodoxy. Conversation touches on theology’s relation to science, Christian engagement in public life, pluralism, and how Bavinck’s norms help students and thinkers today.

They answer listener questions on church security, weighing pacifism versus trained protection. They discuss compassion fatigue in ministry and ways pastors can find support. They speculate, with humor, about the theological implications if alien life were discovered. Brief banter and celebrity stories punctuate the conversation.

Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead, author and speaker who navigated infertility and adoption, shares her lived experience. They discuss ending isolation around infertility. Conversations cover pastoral compassion, bioethical questions about procreation and marriage, adoption as a procreative vocation, and inducing lactation to bond with an adopted child.

Lucas Woodford, Lutheran pastor and district president and co-author, brings leadership perspective. Harold Senkbeil, seasoned pastor and author, brings pastoral care wisdom. They discuss why Scripture, not cultural tailoring, should shape ministry. They debate preaching as sent Word, worship as formation, and catechesis for forming a Christian culture. Conversations focus on faithful proclamation in a post-Christian landscape.

A candid conversation about rising anti-Semitism, its online and historical roots, and why conspiratorial scapegoating spreads. They debate theological readings of Romans 11 and whether Scripture points to a future Jewish turning to Christ. The hosts distinguish support for Jewish people from political backing of modern Israel and call for rejecting anti‑Semitic attitudes while urging evangelistic care.