Mortification of Spin

After a quick break, the crew just had to return to the pandemic topic, as they remain in bunker lockdown. Stay-at-home orders and global shutdowns have had a huge impact on how we do almost everything—including, how we “do church.” What do church membership and commitment to the local body look like in times like this? How can one be a faithful Christian—serving one other, giving, loving our neighbor—when regular gatherings are not possible?  You’re about to hear a case for tithes and offerings—giving when you miss church—along with the implications of not doing so in times of need for the brethren and the community at large. Not to mention, a few suggestions for ways in which we can serve the most vulnerable. Visit MortificationofSpin.org to read the blogs, and log on at ReformedResources.org to check out what's available at the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals’ online store.

The Spinners are quarantined in the underground bunker and take a break from all the pandemic talk to address a listener question: What should a church be looking for when searching for a new pastor, and how might they go about it? Of course, a candidate’s online presence can tell much about who he is and how he treats people. What else may be used as reliable indicators of character? What are some ways to assess the prospective pastor’s family life? Does he love and treat his wife and children well? Might the applicant's sermons reveal not only his theology, but also his character and the way he views others? Does he view himself as a shepherd or CEO? The team offers some valuable tips on gathering information about a prospective pastor.  Cruise to MortificationofSpin.org to read the blogs, and visit ReformedResources.org to check out what's available at the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals online store.

This is a special pandemic edition of The Spin, as Carl, Todd, and Aimee record—not just 6 feet away, but—100 miles distant from one another, just to be on the safe side. COVID-19 times can be challenging, and they’ve afforded Todd a new opportunity to complement his pastoral calling. The megachurch minister is now a gifted “Mental Toughness Expert,” and he’s making his services available when churches are unable to meet, due to mandatory isolation. Seriously…what do Christians lose when they can’t meet to worship? Is online “church” a good substitute? What could be the lasting effects of not physically assembling with the saints on the Lord’s Day? And, most intriguingly: is social distancing turning some Roman Catholics into Lutherans? Check our website for valuable resources, and—if you’re so inclined--make a donation to help keep us afloat! Show Notes · Moral Matters: A Philosophy of Homecoming by Mark Dooley

The Spin Team gathers once again to answer some of the great questions they’ve received from listeners. The first query concerns must-read classic books from authors long gone. Next, the intrepid trio considers just how many doctrinal differences a congregant should bear in a church before he or she knows that it’s time to move on. Moving to a more controversial topic: Should churches be gun-free zones, or should they have a security team and/or members who are concealed-carrying in case of a threat? The Virginian, the Marylander, and the gun-deprived Englishman offer their two cents...and expect change! We would love to offer our listeners the opportunity to win one of Todd’s “sleeveless T-shirts,” but he would not donate any from his collection. Perhaps that’s for the best. However…we do encourage you to register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Saint Augustine’s Confessions! Show Notes The Church of Christ by James Bannerman Confessions by St. Augustine Pensées by Blaise Pascal  The City of God by St. Augustine Church Mother: The Writings of a Protestant Reformer in XVI Century Germany by Katharina Zell The Life of Macrina by Gregory of Nyssa Daily Readings-The Early Church Fathers by Nick Needham  Orations by Gregory of Nazianzus A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson NewAdvent.org The Christian’s Reasonable Service(4 Vol.) by Wilhelmus À Brakel Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck The Valley of Vision

This week, the team receives a tall order. Listener Chad is requesting the return of Liam Goligher to the theological boxing ring. Can the outspoken pastor handle another two year-long battle for orthodox doctrine of God? As it has often been the case, the conversation quickly digresses to men’s fashion and colorful pants—that’s trousers, for our British audience.  Finally arriving at today’s topic…Carl, Todd, and Aimee share their thoughts about the public fall of a number of non-denominational pastors and leaders, and if such events might drive Christians to consider confessional churches. How do confessional churches differ from the non-denominational? What might the generally smaller size of Reformed congregations indicate about those churches?   Last but not least: today’s seminary. Are there limits to academic freedom concerning institutional standards? Does the teaching in the seminary classroom line up with what students pay for, and believed they’d be learning? There’s much to chew on this week! We’re happy to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of the helpful book So You’re Thinking About Going to Seminary by Derek Cooper. Register!

Due to popular interest, and the large number of allegations emerging across the country, the team continues to address the topics of emotional and spiritual abuse. A broken bone may be evidence in a case of physical abuse, but emotional/spiritual abuse can go undetected, and the victim may be unsure of what he or she is experiencing. What are some indicators of emotional/spiritual abuse, and what may be the characteristics of a manipulator?  Is teaching tithing a form of spiritual abuse? What about fear instilled concerning the possible punishment of God? Even the exhortation, correction, and church discipline mandated by Scripture can be applied in an abusive way. Not everything that makes a person uncomfortable is abuse, but the crew brings much clarity to these difficult issues. Show Notes ·Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work by Paul Babiak and Robert Hare ·How to Spot Spiritual Abuse

Christ’s incarnation is not solely a topic for discussion at Christmas. So today, the crew explores this great and amazing mystery of Scripture.  Were the disciples and others seeing God when they looked at Jesus? The answer to this question reveals much about how one apprehends the doctrine of incarnation, and there is little wonder why so many heresies have sprung from its misunderstanding throughout history. Does Jesus still have a body, or is he currently a spirit? Why is Christ’s human nature so crucial to the work of salvation? What did Jesus take on at the incarnation? Tune in and join us! Show Notes ·Nicene Creed ·Ascension and Ecclesia by Douglas Farrow

The professor, the megachurch pastor, and the housewife theologian (AKA professional potato peeler) gather for a casual chat about a topic that it keeps on giving.  Diverse scandals of abuse involving prominent Christian leaders have been occurring quite regularly, a number of which have come from the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” movement, and from the promoters of the “celebrity culture.” How is an abusive leadership born, and how is such behavior nourished? What might be some red flags that a pastor is stepping over boundaries and abusing his congregants? Accountability seems to be the antidote for this issue, but is it always possible?  Tune in for a reflection on the potentially devastating effects of ministers' egos left unchecked.

Following up last week’s discussion on church discipline, Carl and Aimee bring up the closely related topic of the Lord’s Supper. What does church discipline tell us about the importance of church membership and the Lord’s Supper? Should membership in a church be required in order for a person to partake in the sacrament? Do differences exist within Christian traditions and/or denominations concerning who is allowed at the table? How is the Lord’s Supper served in evangelical churches that do not offer formal church membership? The discussion ends with a reminder of the preparation essential for this solemn, yet celebratory family meal…and, a word about Carl’s ambitious aspirations for retirement.   Show Notes ·Ascension and Ecclesia: On the Significance of the Doctrine of Ascension for Ecclesiology and Christian Cosmology by Douglas Farrow ·The Book of Common Prayer We are giving away a few copies of The Lord’s Supper by the Puritan, Thomas Watson. Register for the opportunity to win a free one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Banner of Truth.

The term “church discipline” might have a negative connotation in the ears of many, but the team wants to dispel some of the misconceptions about it. Just what is “church discipline?” When needed, it’s a component of discipleship. So, when is church discipline necessary and justifiable? Where does the authority to exercise it come from? The fact that church discipline has been abused, and—at times—performed in a cult-like manner also cannot be ignored. So, it’s important to take a close look at the threefold purpose of church discipline and its aftermath, which is different in every case.  Toward further understanding, we’re giving away a few copies of Presbytopia - What It Means to be Presbyterian, which is a complimentary gift from our friends at Christian Focus. Register!!