Mortification of Spin

Our favorite spin slayers believe that Christians and non-Christians alike should care about religious liberty. So, Carl and Todd choose to revisit a prominent First Amendment case and note other offenses that are popping up all around. How should Christians view religious liberty and what should be our response when faced with religious opposition and hostility? How big of a deal is it, really, to bake a cake or arrange flowers for a gay wedding? Carl explains how the concepts of personhood and identity are determining factors in the way liberty is defined in today’s society—even in the opinion of some Christians.  Show Notes ·Public Discourse ·Alliance Defending Freedom ·Becket - Religious Liberty for All ·Pacific Justice Institute ·Freedom and Virtue Institute ·The Institute for Faith and Freedom - GCC ·The Heritage Foundation ·Ethics and Public Policy Center  We are pleased to offer our listeners the opportunity to win a free copy of Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age by Andrew T. Walker. Register! The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Brazos Press.

A very old and common problem in the pastoral world has recently returned to the headlines with allegations of sermon plagiarism lodged against the newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Why is sermon plagiarism such a big deal? Does it reach beyond the simple theft of intellectual property? What are the advantages and blessings of sermon preparation for the pastor and his congregation? Join Carl and Todd for an instructive conversation! We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of the classic Preaching and Preachers by Martin Lloyd Jones, published by Zondervan. Register!

He can no longer blend into the background. Carl Trueman is now officially an influencer; he’s a fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington D.C. and a clear and present danger to the unorthodox and “progressive” in this country.  The legendary secret bunker has been dusted off, equipped with new transmitting devices, and is now ready to harbor our two outspoken hosts. Trueman and his faithful sidekick Pruitt are now targets of “the mob” for bringing the “cultural transformation” movement to the discussion table. What was that movement supposed to be about, and did it fulfill its purpose? How does the Church participate in cultural transformation affecting ethics and public policy in today’s society? Our naïve duo claims it’s through the power of the Gospel, one soul at a time…but what do they know?  We have a few giveaway copies of Ethics beyond Rules: How Christ’s Call to Love Informs Our Moral Choices, compliments of our friends at Zondervan. Register for the opportunity to win one.

Todd Pruitt proves to be a good and supportive friend as he endures Carl’s insufferable bragging for being “canceled” by Instagram and YouTube. What’s more, Dr. Trueman informs that he was labeled as “distinguished” on the pages of The Wall Street Journal! All as our “nutty professor” continues to resist the notion of becoming a patriotic American citizen.  Seriously: Is it okay for a Christian to be patriotic? Is patriotism a virtue? What’s the distinction between nationalism and patriotism? The two friends help us separate our gratitude for the nation where God placed us from a much less healthy form of nationalistic fanaticism. Should the American flag be displayed in places of worship and church buildings? Listen for perspective from our resident Brit! For good insight on today’s topic, we’re offering our listeners the opportunity to win a free copy of Os Guinness’ The Magna Carta of Humanity - Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom. Register! The books are a generous gift from our friends at InterVarsity Press.

Putting his reputation at risk once again, Dr. Thomas Weinandy makes a return visit to the podcast. The topic of conversation for his first visit was Tom’s impressive work, Jesus Becoming Jesus: A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels. The scholar and prolific author is back with the follow-up tome Jesus Becoming Jesus Volume 2: A Theological Interpretation of the Gospel of John.  In this latest work, Father Weinandy takes an in-depth look at the historical systematic theology and interpretation of the Gospel of John–emphasizing the doxological aspect of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and the significance of referring to Jesus as the Logos. Take note of what Thomas has to say regarding the miracles in John, and in particular, what the resurrection of Lazarus means for the interpretation of this book. Show Notes · Jesus Becoming Jesus - First Episode · Does God Change? By Thomas Weinandy · Does God Suffer? By Thomas Weinandy  Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Jesus Becoming Jesus. These books are a complimentary gift from our friends at The Catholic University of America Press.

The podcasting world’s most interesting pair is joined by “the Queen,” as her husband calls her. It’s not Elizabeth II (sorry, Carl!) or the 80s rock band, but Mary Beeke; author, wife of Joel Beeke, mother of three adult children, a former nurse and elementary teacher, and long-time servant of the church.  Mary’s latest book will resonate with most parents as she writes about teaching our children the importance of work and instilling a godly and honorable work ethic. Mary offers an assessment of current societal values that inspire entitlement, complaining, a lack of motivation, and “living for the weekend”…while ignoring the value of earning one’s keep. Does Scripture have anything to say about the issue? Is there a correlation between work and joy? Parents, don’t lose heart! Enjoy Mary’s encouragement as you learn how to persist in “training up” your child! We have copies of Teach Them to Work that we are giving away. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a generous gift from our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.

Believe it or not, our hosts can be positive every once in a while. This week, they sit down to chat about the encouraging outcomes of this year’s PCA General Assembly. What happened at the GA that is giving Todd such encouragement about the future of the denomination? (It’s been well-documented that Carl couldn’t care less!) Todd explains the dynamics inside a denomination comprised of “tribes” (as some have called them) that have different interests and goals for the future. For example, some are committed to reforming Presbyterianism and its distinctives, while others see a more progressive kind of evangelicalism for the PCA. Todd reviews the “overtures” voted on at the Assembly and what they mean in the big picture. Overall, it’s an encouraging affirmation of biblical standards and reformed doctrine. To complement today’s topic, we would like to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Kevin DeYoung’s book Men and Women in the Church, A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction. Register! The copies are a complimentary gift from our friends at Crossway.

In this engaging chat, Michael Kruger, president of Reformed Theological Seminary and author of 'Surviving Religion 101', discusses the realities college students face in maintaining their faith amid secular challenges. He shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the need for churches to foster open dialogues around doubts and sensitive topics like sexuality. The conversation dives into equipping youth to articulate their beliefs and navigate the complexities of modern wokeness, all while encouraging parents to actively engage in these discussions.

Carl publicly concedes that he’s no match for our special guest’s husband after losing their “mustard-colored trouser” Facebook contest a few years ago. That guest is Catherine Stewart, and she’s the editor of Surviving the Fishbowl: Letters to Pastor’s Kids. Catherine reveals what motivated her to lead the project, assembling an exceptional host of contributors.  There is no doubt that pastor’s kids face many unique challenges just for being “PKs." Catherine reminds us that there is also great joy and opportunities for growth as they learn to love and serve the church. How should pastors and their wives talk to their kids about the occasional difficulties and discouragement that are part of pastoral ministry? On the other hand, how can the church be mindful and supportive of the pastor’s kids? We’re happy to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Surviving the Fishbowl. You must register to enter! The giveaway copies are a generous gift from our friends at Reformation Heritage Books.

While Todd laments knowing Carl far too long, the professor tries to boost his brand by mentioning that he was recently referred to as “one of God’s gifts to humanity.” With egos finally in check, the pair introduce today’s guest. Proving they can’t resist a good squabble, our dynamic duo welcomes Thaddeus Williams who recently wrote Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth. The acclaimed book debates whether Critical Race Theory is best understood as a comprehensive worldview rivaling Christianity or a useful tool to spot injustice. So, what is true oppression and how does Jesus define it? Who is a victim by Critical Race Theory standards? You’ll enjoy this captivating conversation! Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Zondervan.