Mortification of Spin

Desperate theology has gone viral in the Church of...! Not to worry, we have more class than to spoil the win but let’s just say Liam Goligher will wish he's Welsh after crowning today's Desperate Theologizer. In other news, the Gang discuss some recent pulpits going political. Is Sunday morning an appropriate place to discern whether Hillary or Trump is the godlier vote? Is it wise for pastors to campaign from the pulpit? Today’s conversation is a charge to all ministers: beware the divisive nature of misusing the pulpit!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "To Each His Own." Discount is applied at checkout.

Our favorite Catholic is with us again: Dr. Frank “Clinton” Beckwith! Once the laughter subsides, we get to some pressing questions about religion in the public sphere: Can you really leave your religion at the door? What is pure religious liberty? What liberties can we live with, which ones can we live without?The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Sovereignty of God and Politics by Dave Chanski. Discount is applied at checkout.

On this week’s Desperate Theology, we crown another lucky lady! In other news, Carl & Todd have a question about preference in preaching: what’s the best rule-of thumb … is it best to preach thematically or systematically? Do you go big-picture, dabble in topics, or lead your congregation through a one-book series? What issues does each approach pose? It’s certainly not rocket science but well worth a conversation … (or are the boys making it more complicated than it needs to be?).The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a few copies of "The Power of Gospel Preaching."The winners are:Jonathan S., Warrior, ALPete W., Bellingham, WADerrick B., Fort Oglethorpe, GAJoseph B., Doylestown, PA

So if all dogs go to heaven? … where do cats go? Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Chair of of New Testament professor at Northern Seminary and author of Heaven's Promise (today’s giveaway!), joins a discussion on Heaven with Carl, Aimee, and …Tom? Often we get dreamy ideas of heaven’s glories or carried away with people's wild "accounts", but there’s a danger: we can undermine the sufficiency of scripture.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has a few copies of Heaven's Promise by Scot McKnight to giveaway. Sign up for a chance to win.

On this week’s edition of Desperate Theology, find out what Presbyterians and Prince have in common. And per popular demand, our three hosts give more clarification on their complementarian views with a specific focus on teaching Sunday School. Things get a bit hostile/it’s basically a bloodbath … (all bet’s on Aimee because she works out!).The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "How the Word Builds the Church", by Ligon Duncan. Discount is applied at checkout.

Hailing from the sunny sands of California to the red-hand of Ulsterland, we have two listeners chiming in with questions for our hosts: “How high or low should the confessional bar be set in church: for the leadership and for the membership?” and, “Do elders have the right to reign you in as a pastor - Who has that sort of dominance in the session?”The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "What is Happening to the Evangelicals?", by John Armstrong. Discount is applied at checkout.

This week's Desperate Theology is a bit of a looney tune. You'll have to grin and bear it to hear Carl, Aimee, and Todd answer a listeners' question: "Should a Paedobaptist marry a … (reformed) Baptist?" It's a legitimate question with legitimate concerns. What of a wife's call to submit ... even if she's opposed to her husband's theological stance on baptism? What about the covenant theology in paedobaptism - do you treasure or toss it to appease your fiance or spouse? And is it wise to overlook your differences until children are part of the equation?We would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Marriage and Its Many Problems", by James Boice. Discount is applied at checkout.

Beloved Covenant College professor, author, and family man, Dr. Kelly Kapic, joins us to talk number 2 pencils and the spirituality of college students. He shares some of his joys teaching at Covenant College, a small private Christian college atop Lookout Mountain, and also voices misconceptions of Christian college. There are some valid concerns Dr. Kapic has for today’s Christian college student yet many encouraging thoughts, too. So what hurdles does a Christian education pose to a students’ spirituality? What invaluable lessons about community and singleness can be gleaned from such a unique institution? And what’s this … the Mad Woman went to Covenant College - who ever let her out of the attic!?The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled "Theological Options in Worldview Formations", by Robert Shelton. Discount is applied at checkout.

Child abuse … it's not just a Catholic church issue but pervades into the pulpits and pastorate of the Protestant church, too. What measures does your church take in checking the backgrounds and even reputations of its leaders? What cover-ups are there? Is there room for questioning a leader…even leaders with "immaculate" records or "big-names"? The Church must take seriously the damage done when turning a blind eye, misusing grace and mercy at the expense of victims who may remain silent and leaders going unchecked in their power. 1 Timothy and Titus give us ample reason to put our leaders under a magnifying glass so to protect the flock from a potential, even preying shepherd. This is a relevant conversation, one every church should take time to consider and apply.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away Low Deeds in High Places by James Boice as a free audio download. The Discount is applied at checkout.

With us today is Dr. Scott Manetsch from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His charge for us is to consider the importance of reading and “knowing” John Calvin. Dr. Manetsch wears many hats: a professor of Church History and the History of Christian thought, author of Calvin’s Company of Pastors, and old friend to Carl Trueman. (It goes without saying, his most trying role is that of his friendship to Carl. Surely heaven’s reward is to be great for such a long-suffering saint!). Tune in to hear Dr. Manetsch attest to Calvin’s exemplary, intense pastoral care as he shares inspiring stories from Calvin’s ministry.Enter to win a free set of MP3 messages by Carl Trueman entitled The Protestant Reformation and John Calvin.The winners are:Chip B., Baltimore, MDMelissa W., Canandaigua, NYBetty S., Peoria, AZMichael H., Montogomery, ALMichael G., Wilmington, DE