Mortification of Spin

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

Keeping track of the beautiful cities in South Carolina is not an easy task, but Todd finally gets it right as he introduces today’s guest. Jon Payne is the pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC, and serves as the executive coordinator of the Gospel Reformation Network (GRN).  Jon explains what the Gospel Reformation Network is, what brought this group of PCA pastors and elders together about eight years ago, and the pressing issues of the day that keep them standing firm in the purpose of upholding biblical fidelity. Payne shares the vision of GRN, explains the difference between a supporting network and a lobbying group inside the denomination, and announces the upcoming GRN event in May. Oh, and—once again--you’ll notice Carl’s delight in not being like those troubled PCAers! We are pleased to be giving away copies of A Faith Worth Defending: The Synod of Dort’s Enduring Heritage. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Reformation Heritage Books Show Notes ·Gospel Reformation Network

Our intrepid (and never tepid) co-hosts welcome good friend Linda Finlayson to the mix. She’s a well-known writer of children’s books, who—for the second time—risks her reputation by sitting down with Carl and Todd to talk about her latest release.  God’s Bible Timeline: The Big Book of Biblical History is the second volume in the series and it’s just off the press. The book combines some of the author’s passions, like church history and her love of teaching children. Linda discusses the idea behind the book, how she addresses difficult passages of Scripture in a way that’s appropriately worded for children, and the resources that laid the foundation of her work. As a big fan of pictures and book illustrations, Todd gives Linda high praise, and recommends the book as a Christmas gift for both young and old. We are happy to give away a few copies of God’s Bible Timeline. Register for the opportunity to win one.The books come courtesy of our friends at Christian Focus Publications.

Carl calls it “the triumph of hope over experience,” as Michael Morales bravely returns for a sit-down with our dynamic duo. Morales discusses his new book, Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption. Michael is professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and an ordained minister in the PCA. How is the book of Exodus a paradigm for salvation throughout redemptive history? Morales takes the challenge of explaining how the book of Exodus can be preached and pastorally applied to modern Christians (particularly in America) in a way to help them understand that they are living as strangers in a strange land. Oh, and don’t miss the charges levied against Carl for allegedly breaking the second commandment. We are happy to give away copies of Exodus Old and New. Register for the opportunity to win one. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at IVP.

The dispute between our hosts about which denomination is the greatest in the kingdom of God—the OPC or the PCA—might never end. Aiming to minimize any controversy and tension within the denomination, we bring in a sound-minded PCA southern gentleman to share some good news. Brad Isbel is a ruling elder in his church, one of the hosts of the podcast Presbycast (where he’s AKA “Chortles Weakly”), and the director of MORE in the PCA, which is the topic of the day. What is MORE in the PCA, how did it start, and what does it seek to accomplish? Brad reminds of the responsibility of churches to send their elders to participate in the General Assembly, with an eye to correcting any imbalance in representation. Listen in to learn how you can help, and how you can take advantage of the opportunities offered by MORE in the PCA.  Show Notes · More in the PCA

Our guest is Greg Lanier, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary’s Orlando campus, and a minister of the Gospel. Lanier’s new book tackles crucial questions about our Lord, including: Did Jesus ever claim to be God? What did Paul and the earliest Christians believe about the deity of Jesus, and do the same beliefs remain today among Christians? What does it mean when the book of Philippians says that He was “in the form of God”? Although the book addresses such deep, theological questions, Greg writes it at a popular level, helping the believer in the pew to think rightly about the deity of Jesus. Listen in for an excellent introduction to an important book. We’re giving away copies of Is Jesus Truly God? Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a gift from our friends at Crossway. Show Notes The State of Theology Research

Clearly, we live in times of sexual identity chaos. Arguments that would have sounded unconscionable just a few decades ago are now plausible, and are defended, adopted, even pridefully celebrated. How did we get here? What seeds were planted that flourished into the modern thinking of sexuality as one’s primary or even sole identity? The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution is Carl Truman’s most recent release and may be one of the most significant books of 2020. Trueman goes back a few centuries to analyze the philosophical underpinnings that gave rise to modern thought, changing even the meaning of language. Join us for an intriguing conversation about a topic that—as time passes—hits ever closer to home. We have copies of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self that we are pleased to give away. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books come courtesy of our friends at Crossway. Show Notes ·The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Part 1 ·Carl Trueman Explains Liquid Modernity by The American Conservative ·7 Books to Help You Understand the Times by Tim Challies ·Faith and Law - Washington D.C. lecture