Mortification of Spin

American culture has been moving in a progressive direction at breakneck speed, with it, the language employed to define the trends. Today, Carl and Todd explore the meaning of “Cancel Culture” and the latest “cancellation” of a prominent conservative voice by one of the most powerful corporations in the country. Ryan T. Anderson, who has been a guest on this podcast, was recently “canceled” for his book on transgenderism (“When Harry Became Sally”), which challenges the mainstream sexual orthodoxy and points out the dangers of body mutilation. What’s the significance of this book being removed from a major online retailer? Should we be alarmed? Join us for a timely and important conversation.  Show Notes ·Listen to Ryan’s interview when “When Harry Became Sally” was first published. ·About Ryan T. Anderson ·How Ryan Anderson’s Banned Book ‘When Harry Became Sally’ Helped Me With Gender Dysphoria.

Christian education is highly regarded among Reformed Christians, and for good reason. Teaching young believers the basics of the faith and helping the mature ones swim the deep waters of the catholicity of our creeds and confessions has been, for many years, a passion and mission of today’s guest. Lane Tipton is pastor at Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Easton, PA, and a fellow of Biblical and Systematic Theology at the Reformed Forum. Tipton sits down with Carl and Todd to share how an end goal of teaching and preaching deepens his commitment to help Christians in every stage of faith become fully mature in Christ. Lane points out the importance of systematic theology in preaching, and that Christ’s presence in the Old Testament grows organically through the pages of Scripture, rendering an important means to develop our understanding of the whole of Scripture. Is the mission of the Old Testament merely to point us to Jesus in the New Testament? How may one preach the OT without repeatedly making the same point? Tune in for this week’s conversation, and learn how you can take full advantage of the resources offered by the Reformed Forum. Show Notes · About Reformed Forum

Evil has plagued humanity since the Garden of Eden…and has obviously clouded Carl's judgement. In today’s conversation, the brash Brit attempts to pass as a native Texan, just because he’s been to a Willie Nelson concert at Billy Bob’s wearing cowboy boots and a Stetson. Take a moment to picture the hideous spectacle… Todd, a true native of the Lone Star State, welcomes recent Texas transplant Scott Christensen for a conversation about his most recent work, What about Evil. In the book, Scott addresses the perennial question: “If God exists, and if He’s good, then why does He allow evil?” Perhaps the answer may be found in the unchanging nature of God. Join us for a most useful discussion! We are pleased to offer our listeners the opportunity to win a free copy of What about Evil? Register! Show Notes · About Scott Christensen

Carl and Todd meet to discuss a prevalent problem in the church: spiritual abuse. We know it happens, but pinpointing spiritual abuse in the church—then, working to resolve it--requires a great deal of care and wisdom.  What actually constitutes “spiritual abuse?” Do being confronted, offended, or simply hearing something you don’t like count as forms of abuse? How has the therapeutic culture we live in changed the conversation, even the language employed? Who are more likely to be abused--ministers or congregants? Our hosts weigh in with insight based on personal experience, and offer advice about tools that could help curb abuse in the church. Show Notes ·Evangelicals and Race Theory by Carl Trueman

Michael Hanby is associate professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America. Dr. Hanby is in today to discuss recent societal changes that are taking place at breakneck speed.  The concept of gay marriage may seem almost conservative these days, considered alongside the issues we all now face. How have once unthinkable sexual standards so quickly become the norm in the political and public sphere? How should one think and operate in a society experiencing such rapid change? Show Notes · The Brave New World of Same Sex Marriage article by Michael Hanby · The Abolition of Man and Woman article by Michael Hanby · The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

CRT (Carl R. Trueman) joins co-host Todd Pruitt, who is primed and ready for today’s discussion of…CRT! Critical Race Theory has seeped into the church—even reaching some more conservative branches of Protestantism—and it’s rapidly gaining ground. What is critical race theory? Carl makes the connection with identity politics as he describes his recent article that demonstrates CRT is another seductive facet of Marxism, trying to solve the problem of evil using oppressor/oppressed categories.  How should the church work through issues of race without failing to address the other challenges of our day? Are “victim and victimizer” biblical concepts? Don’t miss this timely conversation! Show Notes ·Evangelicals and Race Theory by Carl Trueman ·American political activist, philosopher, and author Angela Davis ·Reclaiming the Atonement: An Orthodox Theology of Redemption by Patrick Henry Reardon  ·Carl’s review of Race and Covenant by Gerald McDermott

With Todd hopelessly delayed by an extended hair styling appointment, Carl alone sits down to chat with our special guest. At the table is Andrew Walker, associate professor of Christian Ethics and Apologetics, associate dean of the School of Theology, and executive director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement, all at Southern Baptist Seminary. Andrew’s also an editor and writer for several publications. Simply put, Andrew is an expert in making the Gospel practical, plausible, real, and effective in the daily affairs of modern society—the very topic of today’s conversation. Andrew defines Natural Law, explaining how it informs morality, free speech, and religious freedom—each, an area of great concern for every American.  Show Notes · About Andrew T. Walker · Liberty for All by Andrew T. Walker upcoming book

Life is full of tragedy, sadness, and suffering. Scripture is replete with such stories from Genesis to Revelation. Why is there suffering? Why do Christians suffer? Is there any hope to be found in the midst of suffering? Carl and Todd sit down with Mark Talbot, associate professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College, who has written a very helpful book entitled When the Stars Disappear: Help and Hope from the Stories of Suffering in Scripture. Mark shares the reasons he wrote the book, and an interesting perspective on suffering…including how humans dealt with suffering in times past, and the way we see and deal with suffering in the present. Pull up a seat and join us for this personal and relatable conversation. Show Notes ·Acts 27 and 28  ·“When Suffering is Redemptive/Redeeming a Life of Paralysis,” a free download from ReformedResources.org  We have several copies of When the Stars Disappear that we would like to give away. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Crossway.

Worship is a sacred privilege for Christians, and how we approach worship is key to revealing what we believe about our relationship with the transcendent God. With that understanding in mind, Carl and Todd invite Jonathan Cruse to talk about his book, titled What Happens When We Worship. Jonathan is an ordained minister in the OPC, and pastors Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Cruse helps his readers—both young and old, seasoned believers and those new to the faith—to understand the elements of worship, all that is taking place while we worship, and why certain aspects are done as they are in the Reformed tradition. It’s a rich book, written that every Christian might grasp the wonder and awe of worship.

Brad Littlejohn and Colin Redemer join Carl and Todd for a conversation about the Davenant Institute, and to reflect on the state of education in general and of theological education in particular in the United States. You’ll learn the meaning behind the name of the institution, which was founded to solve a supply and demand problem.  Brad and Colin believe that God’s simplicity, aseity, eternality, immutability, and impassibility are concepts that should be shared with the laity. What’s more, the Davenant duo makes a compelling case that learning is not simply a matter of utilitarianism, as it is “sold” by educational institutions today. Our guests explain the real value and purpose of education, and how they coincide with the philosophy of teaching and programs offered by Davenant Institute. We’re partnering with The Davenant Institute to offer a few free copies of one of their publications titled Without Excuse: Scripture, Reason, and Presuppositional Apologetics. Register for the opportunity to win one. Show Notes · Ad Fontes Magazine · The Davenant Institute Resources