Mortification of Spin

By popular demand we bring Darryl Hart over from Michigan to the Chesapeake Bay State for a conversation about the fascinating life of J. Gresham Machen. His influence reached the highest levels of the U.S. government in matters of education, alcohol consumption, and military draft to name a few. We can’t help but ask how Machen would had approached issues on civil and religious life in our day.If that’s not enough for you, Darryl also brings up the life of H. L. Mencken and his relationship with Machen. Who was he? Could these two opposite poles have anything in common? You might be surprised!And as pipe smoke fills the room, the tables are turned as the guest takes over, and Carl is put on the spot to answer some serious questions!We have a several copies of "Defending the Faith" by D. G. Hart courtesy of P&R that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

While on a celeb tour, Carl worked on a cool mustache - maybe compensating for hair loss? In the meantime, Aimee and Todd, two recovering Baptists, tell of their “journey” to Presbyterianism. Todd even wanders into his love for the Book of Church Order. Tune in to get that whole story!But that’s not all folks! The conversation explores the term “redemption” and its meaning. Who or what is the object of redemption? Could God have co-redeemers? Then, what about us redeeming the culture? What does THAT even mean? What does the Bible tell us about God redeeming the present culture? Or will He simply destroy it all and create new heavens and a new earth at His coming? So much to cover!So join us for all these things and to see who's losing hair faster (spoiler alert, it’s not Aimee)!We have a several copies of "Redeemed! Redemption Accomplished" from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

This week the crew invites James Dolezal for a crucial conversation on the doctrine of God. James is the assistant professor of Theology in the School of Divinity of Cairn University. In his latest book All That Is in God he defends the classic orthodox doctrine of God while engaging with some contemporary deviations.What is divine simplicity? Why is it so important for the doctrine of the Trinity? What’s the cost of getting it wrong? Can we even have a doctrine of the Trinity without it? The answers are not so simple, but James does a wonderful job taking us back in history and guiding us through.And what do a Capuchin Friar, classic rock, and Thomas Aquinas have in common? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out!We have a several copies of "All That Is In God" by James Dolezal courtesy of Reformation Heritage Books that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

Is it the end of the world as we know it? Recent natural disasters around the world have once again drawn speculative voices claiming it’s the end times. Yep! And the date now is September 23rd, 2017… Really?How are we to think about natural disasters and personal tragedy? Are they indicators that we’ve come to the end? What do we do when tragedy strikes? God is sovereign, subverts evil for His greater glory and for the ultimate good of Christians. But what motivates God to act in certain ways at certain points and time?So finish up that ice cream in the freezer as the 23rd is approaching fast. And listen in to the very interesting conversation turned argument between Carl and Aimee about the correct pronunciation of the word hurricane.We have a several copies of "Eschatology in Church History" an audio set from the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

From rocking chairs on Todd’s front porch, our hosts try to sort out the lack of common sense among evangelicals. The mega-market of media is often “guiding” Christians to replace their mama’s basic teaching or their conscience as to what’s right and wrong.Do we need multiple reasons not to send nude selfies, not to shoot grandma, or not to punch the kid at the bus stop? Are we over spiritualizing things and becoming unable to make common sense decisions? What about that voice inside your head? What about The Pogues? Prophetic Rock? Seeing Jesus in Wonder Woman? The conversation continues into the wee hours, and you’re welcome to join in!We have a several copies of "Good News for Anxious Christians: 10 Practical Things You Don'd Have To Do" by Phillip Cary published by Brazos Press that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.Mortification of Spin LiveFor the first time ever (in almost five years), the underground bunker is being cracked open to the public.  Aimee opens the door of her home and welcomes you to be part of the conversation with Mortification of Spin on a more intimate level. You can pull up a chair around her dining room table along with Carl and Todd. Join us on Friday September 15 at 1:15PM ET for a live Mortification of Spin podcast recording. Register at alliancelive.org

With the notes coming out of the Music City, the Mortification of Spin Trio decides to chime-in on the Nashville Statement.Who is the intended audience? What do the writers hope to accomplish? Our skeptical English host – who doesn’t sign statements whether he agrees with them or not! – wonders if such statements are even effective?Tune-in as the crew thinks through each of these issues while considering who’s affected by this statement and who’s really on the front line facing the toughest questions. Is it possible to stand firm on sexuality issues without alienating the very people we must witness to?All that and more, including this week’s great giveaway, “The Gospel & Sexual Orientation”, a booklet birthed out of RPCNA Synod Report to provide guidance on the same points addressed by the Nashville Statement!

We’re joined by a familiar guest this week, someone who knows the underground bunker very well. Todd and Aimee try to keep him humble by setting the ground rules right from the start.Having recently returned from his celebrity tour, our special guest, Carl Trueman, uses the opportunity to talk about his newest book “Grace Alone”. He addresses the importance of distinguishing the Protestant and Catholic meanings of “grace” and gives us a brief history of the word.And, being the well respected man that he is, Carl will fill us in on what’s next. This time he’s taking a year off from Westminster Theological Seminary to join Princeton University as a fellow research scholar.Pull up a chair and join our conversation to find out about Carl’s projects this coming year.We have a several copies of "Grace Alone: Salvation as a Gift of God" by Carl Trueman published by Zondervan that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

Carl’s globetrotting celebrity tour continues! So as Todd polishes off a fresh batch of gospel-centered cupcakes, he and Aimee stare into the bright spotlight of listener questions.What’s the difference between error and heresy? Can we declare someone a heretic? When is appropriate to do so? What's the importance of the creeds in all this? Aimee starts by defining orthodoxy in order to answer these questions and once cornered, Todd rightly turns to the apostle Paul to define the Gospel of Christ and its implications.Join us in this week’s conversation!We have a several copies of "A Christian's Pocket Guide to Justification" by Guy Waters published by Christian Focus that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

We travel this week to experience real southern charm. And there’s no one better to sit down with for sweet tea and casual conversation than Melissa Kruger, writer and Women’s Ministry Coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC.Aimee talks with Melissa about her books The Envy of Eve and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood. We’ll hear the circumstances in which they were birthed and how they help women. Then Carl and Todd jump in for advice on the most important things OTHER pastors need to understand about women’s ministry. Oh and of course, to brag about how sensitive they are to the women in their own churches! Please pull up a seat and join us!We have a several copies of "Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World" by Melissa Kruger published by Christian Focus that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.

As Carl and Todd are nowhere to be found, Aimee is left to defend the bunker alone. There she uncovers that very first MoS recording from the grand ole’ days before she was voted in as “one of the guys.” Not at all surprising, they’re talking about a woman, Rosaria Butterfield in particular, and her first book The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. Join the conversation as we listen to Carl and Todd’s review of this powerful testimony of God’s saving grace and how helpful and instructive it is for the Church. Oh, and Todd’s brief public admission of his dark past as a Baptist.We have a several copies of "The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert" by Rosaria Butterfield published by Crown and Covenant Publications that we are giving away. Enter for your chance to win.