Mortification of Spin

Back in the bunker, the three amigos meet with Julie Roys. Julie is the embodied combination of Sherlock Holmes and Lois Lane. She’s a longtime investigative reporter committed to uncovering the truth, and—much like Carl, Todd, and Aimee—interested in “mortifying the spin” concerning issues in the contemporary church.Julie has achieved some notoriety for her investigative work and her latest coverage on the alleged spiritual abuse, intimidation, misappropriation of funds, etc. surrounding Harvest Bible Chapel and Pastor James MacDonald. Unfortunately, this isn’t a unique case. The fabulous four discuss the devastating effects on the Church when disqualified men remain in leadership without being confronted, and the shame it brings to the name of Christ. Join us!Show NotesAbout Julie RoysHard Times at Harvest - World Magazine articleThe Broken TwigThe Elephant’s DebtThanks to our friends at Reformation Heritage Book we can offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of An Able and Faithful Ministry: Samuel Miller and the Pastoral Office. Register now!Congratulations to the winners of "Love Came Down at Christmas" from our past episode Christmas: Non-Biblical vs. Unbiblical.Howard Q. - North Potomac, MDLibby S. - St Charles, MOMartin C. - Olathe, KS

What do you do when you make a mistake that affects, perhaps, over a million people in their youth; an error that would cause many to regret their decisions more than 20 years later?The crew grabs some popcorn to watch and discuss Joshua Harris’ documentary, I Survived “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”. The intrepid trio is ready to comment on the “Purity Culture”, those responsible for its proliferation, and its long-term ramifications. Along the way, our heroes offer insight on the cultivation of virtue and morality, and alternative means to correct our errors. Grab a snack and buckle in!We’re offering Sex, Dating, and Relationships: A Fresh Approach by Hiestand and Thomas. Register for the opportunity to win a free copy. The book is a complimentary gift from our friends at Crossway.Congratulations to the winners of Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible from our episode The King’s False Friends. Thanks to Lexham Press and Jones Literary for the copies!Joe C. - North Richland Hills, TXVicki, W. - Harrisonburg, VA

Some churches are taking a break from worship on the Lord’s Day, and the crew brings the topic under the spotlight. A sound, biblical doctrine of worship, and of the means of grace, are essential to the understanding of why God’s people gather on the Lord’s Day. It’s how we recognize and appreciate the benefits we receive from the Lord through the preaching of His word, through the Lord’s supper, the fellowship of the believers, and more.Of course, there are some inevitable and unexpected events that might compel a small church to cancel a service. But, can the same events provide the reason for a church of hundreds, or even thousands, to call off the assembly? Don’t miss this important discussion of the Sabbath!Show NotesTHE 2000 BAPTIST FAITH & MESSAGEVIII. The Lord's DayWestminster Confession of FaithChapter 21 - 7 & 8We are pleased to offer a few copies of Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung, which are a generous gift from our friends at Moody Publishers. Register for the opportunity to win one.Congratulations to the winners of Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon from our past episode Susie Spurgeon’s Life and Legacy:Cheryl L. - Great Barrington, MAChip B. - Baltimore, MDKathy K. - Oak Hill, VAErin D. - Sacramento, CAJonathan F. - Milton, FL

Listener Sam has called upon the crew to address missions, in light of the terribly sad death of missionary John Chau in the North Sentinel Island. The topic has stirred up strong emotions and opinions about missions in the media; it has even compelled Todd to resume Tweeting.The death of Mr. Chau has been compared to Jim Elliot’s, but the crew disagrees, and is willing to explain why. General preparedness, and the ability to handle Scripture, begs the question whether missionaries need to be ordained ministers. Carl offers some thoughts on that, and on the disadvantage of solo missionaries (making a case for missions teams), while conceding to Aimee that women are fundamental for missions work.Who’s responsible to prepare missionaries - the denomination, or missions agencies? You’re about to witness what transpires when Todd works hard not to offend people, but Carl incites him to action nonetheless!Show NotesArticle topic of the conversationThanks to the generosity of our friends from Banner of Truth, we can offer you one of the best autobiographies ever written. Register for the opportunity to win a copy of John G. Patton - The Autobiography of the Pioneer Missionary to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu).Congratulations to the winner of Grounded in Heaven by Michael Allen from our episode Heavenly Minded, Earthly Good.Elizabeth J. - Martinsburg, WV

Is “out with the old, in with the new” something you can do with parts of the Bible? The crew takes a look at a statement made by Andy Stanley, suggesting that Christians “unhitch” the Old Testament from their faith. Meanwhile, Carl digs into his historical archives and pulls a file of someone who made the same statement some 1,850 years ago.Imagine what Paul and the apostles would have had left if they had “unhitched” from the Old Testament and the Jewish historical tradition; what would Jesus have been talking about with the men on the road to Emmaus if He had done the same?Can we completely ditch the Ten Commandments, and affirm that Jesus gave only one command: to love one another? Listen in to hear how Stanley’s statements play out when the whole counsel of the Bible is considered.ResourcesGod Dwells Among Us by G.K. Beale and Mitchell KimFrom Eden to the New Jerusalem by Desmond AlexanderWe recommend God Dwells Among Us as one of the best resources on this topic, and we’re pleased to give away a few copies. Register for the opportunity to win one.The copies are a generous gift from our friends at InterVarsity Press.Congratulations to the winners of Journeys with Jesus: Every Path in the Bible Leads us to Christ from our episode The Making of a Minister.Andrew M. - Savage, MNFranklin S. - Cincinnati, OHSuzanne M. - Elk Grove, CAAbigail R. - Beltsville, MDDavid M. - Athens, GA

After a delicious Christmas dinner and dessert, Aimee, Carl, and Todd relax around the fireplace and answer some Christmas ‘letters’ from listeners. For example: Are nativity scenes with baby Jesus in the manger a second commandment violation? Some attribute the origin of Christmas to a pagan tradition, and the Christmas church service as an infringement of the regulative principle of worship. The crew give their views on those, as well as some thoughts on the Reformed position of Advent, and “making room for Jesus in your heart” during this time of the year.Todd’s cultural insensitivity is remarkable, but he redeems himself by offering the sole criteria for a children’s Christmas pageant. Wanna know who’s the most personable of the three, and Carl’s alias on Twitter? Don’t miss this episode!We are pleased to give away few copies of Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair Ferguson. If you’d like the opportunity to win one, register here. The copies are a complimentary gift from our friends at The Good Book Company.Congratulations to the winners of How to Think by Alan Jacobs from our past episode Dear Comrade,.Zachary B. - West Lafayette, INPhilip R. - Northport, ALCynthia C. - Jonesborough, TN

This week’s destination is the Evergreen State of Washington. The crew meets with Mark Ward, author of Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible. In his book, Mark considers—on one hand—the value of the KJV, and what we lose when we put aside the still most-read bible translation in the US. On the other hand, what happens when we cling to James’ Authorized Version with an unhealthy degree of loyalty?What’s best: dynamic equivalence, or more literal translations? Mark gives his honest opinion, along with some pros and cons pointing back to intelligibility for the sake of edification. Betwixt all this, Dr. Ward shares a crash course on dead words and “false friends.” Don’t miss it!Show Notes· More about Mark Ward· King James Only Movement/Controversy· Elizabethan vocab (for amusement purposes only)Thanks to Jones Literary and Lexham Press, we are able to offer to our listeners the opportunity to win a free copy of Mark Ward’s Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible. Register now!

To put the brakes on the Spin, the crew is addressing some very important questions sent by the listeners…like this, from Scott S. in Orlando: Will there be peanut butter in the new heaven and new earth? And, if so—creamy or crunchy? The theological implications are staggering.It’s totally OK if you don’t like the way your pastor parts his hair, or even his choice of psychedelic print ties, but is it a good enough reason to leave your church? On a more somber note: How does one talk to a three year old about death? We cover public critique/criticism dos and don’ts…the difference between criticizing a bad idea and attacking the person behind the idea…even whether a seminary education is imperative for someone already in pastoral ministry. Hey, you asked; now pull up a seat and listen to what Carl really thinks about one of the most popular of American foods.Vocab Words· Haggis, Carl’s replacement for peanut butter · Chip ButtyLooking for a good book to read, or an audio series to gift this Christmas season? Browse our Reformed Resources page, and enjoy the sale on a number of titles.

Most people have heard of the famous Charles H. Spurgeon, also known as the “Prince of Preachers.” Ray Rhodes dug deeper—delving into Spurgeon’s family life—and found Spurgeon’s greatest earthly treasure: his wife, Susannah. Ray serves as pastor of Grace Community Church in Dawsonville, GA and is president of Nourished in the Word Ministries. It was during his doctoral studies that Pastor Rhodes decided to do a deeper research on the marriage and spirituality of the Spurgeons. He found some very surprising facts about “Susie,” and uncovered how she lived such a busy and productive life alongside Charles—perhaps, even more so, after his death.In Susie, Ray tells an amazing story of commitment, encouragement, poor health, faithfulness in trials, and much more. And if you appreciate book pictures like Todd, this biography puts the icing - and the cherry - on the cake!We are pleased to give away a few copies of Susie, The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon.Sign up! They are a complimentary gift from Moody Publishers.Congratulations to the winners of Nancy Guthrie’s book Even Better than Eden from our episode,No Going Back!Tom K. - Harrisburg, NCSherry W. - Memphis, TNLisa K. - Elk Grove Village, ILJoshua L. - Chesapeake Beach, MD

The crew sits down with Michael Allen to chat about his latest, Grounded in Heaven - Recentering Christian Hope and Life on God. Allen is the John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He’s also a multiple-time guest, making the professor a real Spin survivor!This time around, Michael challenges the contemporary idea of a new heaven and new earth with a more classical, Reformed term: visio Dei, or beatific vision. Does he mean that you can be so heavenly-minded that you’re no earthly good? How does being heavenly-minded inform the way we face life struggles? Allen gets personal answering these queries, and debunks a myth that heavenly-minded people are uninvolved or unproductive in social affairs. Michael keeps building his case, and even uses the word - wait for it - asceticism! Obviously, you don’t wanna miss this conversation…but, have a dictionary close at hand!Show Notes·The Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life by John Calvin·The words of Jesus in Matt. 13:44-46; Matt. 10:38-39; Matt 6:33We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Grounded in Heaven, which is a generous gift of Eerdmans Publishing. Also, Dr. Allen and the Paideia Center for Theological Discipleship are offering five free registrations for their conference in Orlando this January (each, a $99 value). Register here for the opportunity to win one, if you intend to go!Congratulations to the winners of Still Protesting: Why the Reformation Matters, from our episode More Dangerous Than Yoga?Angelia C. - Bedford, VAMatt H. - Colorado Springs, COYvonne S. - Centreville, VA