Mortification of Spin

Listen today on Mortification of Spin to decide for yourself if your favorite Reformed pastor is more than just a pretty face. The gang’s penchant for the serious, however, is not eclipsed by the silly. Mark Jones joins Carl, Todd, and Aimee to tackle the huge topic of antinomianism. Rev. Jones brings important thoughts to bear on the current debate of justification and sanctification and where the believer gets his assurance of salvation. WinnersBryce A., Torrington, CTDeb F., Ephrata, PASteven M., New York, NYRick M., Orlando, FLChristine R., hugoton, KSA D R., Rogers, ARMatthew M., Union Grove, WIMichael H., Athens, GALinford B., Dayton, VAJames C., Minneapolis, MN

The question of women’s roles in the church is as old as the church herself, but in the past ten years the numbers of women teaching theology has skyrocketed. Women teach on blogs, posts, and tweets from all over the world. Is it OK? What is the difference between her work and a non-ordained man’s? Carl, Todd, and Aimee address this topic on today’s Bully Pulpit. If you have enjoyed this week's Bully Pulpit concerning gender issues you will enjoy Gender Confusion Among Women by Rosaria Butterfield as a free gift from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can download the audio message from Reformed Resources.

The Mortification of Spin hosts delve into a more serious topic today in a discussion with Dr. Diane Langberg. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Langberg has walked alongside victims of domestic violence for almost four decades.  In this sober conversation, she offers sound counsel to a complex and painful issue: how to respond to allegations of childhood sexual abuse in the church. Get equipped to protect and provide hope for the weak and vulnerable. This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is offering a chance to win a MP3 set Hearing God When You Hurt by James Boice. Fill out the form for your chance to win.    These are some additional resources that were mentioned this week:

This week’s Bully Pulpit finds the free-range gang sippin’ coffee made by vulnerable baristas who use only respectfully treated coffee beans.  As Carl, Todd, and Aimee get real, they raise an issue magnified by social media: the blurring of public and private boundaries in our lives and the phenomena of showcasing our emotions.  But as cage-free as they try to be, you’ll have to go elsewhere to see them cry.  After all, there is still a remnant of those who chose to blubber in private.In addition to this weeks Bully Pulpit, The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer A Time to Cease From Weeping by James Boice as a free audio download here.

Melanie Brunson and her dog Sparta join Carl, Todd, and Aimee this week to discuss the church's care for people with disabilities. Blind from infancy, Melanie gives a unique and enlightening perspective on being a part of the body of Christ. How can Christians help those with disabilities in their churches? How does a blind woman meditate on the Sovereignty of God in a culture where the prosperity gospel speaks false promises?  This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like the audio download Faith Healing and the Sovereignty of God by C. Everett Koop for free here.

Todd and Aimee go at it without Carl today to discuss the practice of “Fight Churches.”  Can men beat the living daylights out of each other one day and pray on their knees together the next?  If so, why would they even want to do that?  What does it have to do with outreach and evangelism?  Extra bonus: the team reveals for the first time ever the secret of their very short commute to MoS recording locations.This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer a free audio download, Christ and His Church by Rick Phillips. You can find your free download here.

Back in their secret underground bunker, the spin team phone up David Wells to discuss his body of work and his huge contributions to modern Christianity. As a turncoat, a self-described "African-American," David has a unique experience and insight into American Christianity. David's voice has carried a lot of weight for much of evangelicalism, and he discusses issues related to this movement. Does evangelicalism have a center, a true coherence, anymore? Is it possible to have one again? David's Wells' input on this timely conversation is beneficial both for those who profess to be evangelical, and for those who don't. The week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away a free copy of David Wells new book God in the Whirlwind. For a chance to win this great resource fillout this form (only available for USA mailing addresses).

If you are looking to be inspired the Mortification of Spin team is on task to speak to your mind.  In light of the release of “Heaven is For Real” last week, the team asks important questions about how the church should do evangelism.  While Americans tend to be drawn toward the sensational and the inspiring, the Bible sufficiently teaches that the gospel is to be communicated by ordinary means. Think cross, not glitter. If you have enjoyed this weeks Bully Pulpit the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer The True Word by R.C. Sproul.

After taking care of the official business of making Aimee "one of the guys," the hosts get into a discussion of Easter and its celebration in churches. Is Easter a pagan holiday? It is necessary for pastors to preach the resurrection, so its focus on Easter shouldn't be abnormal, but it should certainly be emphasized. Listen in to hear the gang's thoughts on Easter, chocolate bunnies, lent, and government-regulated nutritional guidelines. For the Easter season the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has  offered this generous gift The Theology of the Cross. Use coupon code, 9ydunu, to redeem this great MP3 set. Only available to US and Canada addresses.

"Gospel-centered" desserts: transforming the culture, or confusing Gospel categories? This "excessively Kuyperian" approach to the Christian life seems to seek to make a vocation Christian, instead of one being a Christian in a vocation. We do not need to "Christianize" things in order to be faithful Christians. Instead of trying to "transform" or "redeem" our vocations, Christians should seek to be the best bakers, mechanics, and rock-and-roll superstars they can be, to the glory of God. All else is a cheap imitation of the true duty of the church. Listen to Carl, Todd, and Aimee briefly discuss these weighty matters of the Christian life. Downlaod the free MP3 message Growing Your Christian Life, Part 1 by Sinclair Ferguson.Also available are Growing Your Christian Life, Part 2 and Growing Your Christian Life, Part 3.Growing Your Christian Life is also available as a CD set.