Mortification of Spin

One of our guests encourages parents listening in to enforce a “PG-13” content label on today’s show, but—remembering some disturbing stories Todd has shared on the podcast—we confidently move forward with today’s topic. On the table: a frank discussion of the ongoing fallout from the Revoice conference and other sexually-charged issues challenging the Church.  Joining Carl and Todd are author, speaker, former professor, and current sock maker Rosaria Butterfield, along with Joshua Gielow. Joshua is from truthXchange, an organization that helps the next Christian generation think clearly and live virtuously in a culture antagonistic to their faith. You’ll learn to discern the subtle shifts in language used to normalize certain behaviors making their way into the Church and the attitude of victimhood used to silence any criticism.  Congrats to our winners of copies of The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality by Christopher Gordon: *Karlie B. from Deltona, FL (who also won a pair of socks hand-knitted by Rosaria Butterfield!) *Jacob L. from Tuscumbia, AL  *Bill Z. from Charlottesville, VA

Few of us will forget the hot summer of 2020. The COVID pandemic closed schools and businesses, and—as many Americans were shuttered in their homes—angry mobs took to the empty streets protesting police brutality, perceived inequities, and other burning issues. Some sense of order has since returned, but can we afford to move forward without a careful evaluation of what brought fire to our streets? Our returning guest, Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. Douglas Groothuis, is a prolific author and professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary. His latest release considers what Jesus followers bring to the current debate about race and gender in America, offering insight into the origins and dangers of critical theory. Carl and Todd’s evocative questions foster a conversation you won’t want to miss. Thanks to Salem Books we have our winners of copies of Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics by Douglas Groothuis: *Scott T. from Tomball, TX  *Mark S. of Rochester, MN  *Kelvin M. from Bronx, NY

From the EIP (Excellence in Podcasting) Studios, it’s David Limbaugh! The brother of the late talk radio icon is an attorney and distinguished author in his own right. David joins us today to discuss his latest book and discern whether Carl’s accent is authentic, wholly contrived, or simply unnecessary.   The goal of The Resurrected Jesus: The Church in the New Testament, co-authored with daughter Christen Limbaugh Bloom, is to draw readers closer to Jesus by focusing on the Savior’s intimate friends and their epistles to the Church. In the process, we learn that many of the struggles of the early Church are similar to those Christians encounter today.   Congrats to Mike N. in Wooster, OH, the winner of a copy of The Resurrected Jesus courtesy of Regnery Publishing.

Carl and Todd are, for the first time in quite a while, recording their podcast face-to-face within the Alliance compound. Careful to remain socially distanced—not because of COVID, but to prevent any regrettable chance of human contact whatsoever—the pair welcomes Dr. Neil Shenvi to the mix. He’s a former Yale and Duke University researcher turned homeschooling father with a passion for Christian apologetics. Of course, every new generation brings with it a fresh set of challenges for the apologist. The “new atheist” may find Christianity to be, for example, oppressive of women or impossibly judgmental. Is the Bible true, or even morally good? Our guest engages with the best contemporary arguments against the faith and provides a clear and compelling case to embrace Christ and Christianity. Congrats to our winners of a copy of Shenvi’s Why Believe? A Reasoned Approach to Christianity: *Annette K. of Speculator, NY    *Brant K. from Sygnet, OH    *Tyler H. of Colorado Springs, CO

After a few moments of whining about their generous Alliance salaries, our pouty podcasters welcome a return guest—a "repeat offender," as Carl sees it—to the Spin. In the second installment from his series Suffering and the Christian Life, Mark Talbot encourages readers to place their suffering within the arc of the entire biblical story. In doing so, we better understand our suffering and can take courage and find comfort in God as we walk through it. We'll understand why Christians suffer and how we can rest in knowing that our suffering will someday come to an end.  Crossway Books congratulates our winners of Talbot's Give Me Understanding That I May Live: Situating Our Suffering within God's Redemptive Plan: *Samuelis L. from Montpelier, VT *Brad K. from Goshen, IN *Todd K. from McBain, MI

Reaction from both sides of the debate to the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade has been swift and predictable. So, what exactly happened that Friday in June? Did the Supremes actually vote to make abortion illegal? And where do we go from here? Frank Beckwith is a philosopher who publishes, speaks, and teaches on religion, jurisprudence, politics, and ethics at Baylor University. He’s written extensively on abortion and the sanctity of life and can thus offer an informed explanation of the Dobbs v Jackson decision and its implications. Though the professor (a skilled mimic) is unable to render a serviceable impression of POTUS 45, you’ll appreciate his exceptional insights on today’s topic. Congratulations to our winners of a copy of Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing by Alexandra DeSanctis and Ryan T. Anderson: *Bret R. from San Luis Obispo, CA *Jeff D. from Mechanicsville, VA *David E. from Philpot, KY

It seems a lot of “New Testament Christians” would prefer to simply dispose of the Old Testament. Perhaps that’s because it’s often difficult for modern believers to find relevance in the rules and wrath of a seemingly angry, vengeful Old Testament God. Today’s guest posits that simply writing off the Old Testament is not an option, so perhaps we might start our study of the Old by examining key chapters of the New. In his book, Old Made New: A Guide to New Testament Use of the Old Testament, Greg Lanier aligns Old and New Covenant passages along 13 major themes of the Bible and provides a “big picture” understanding of the Old Testament’s primacy in such New Testament themes as grace, adoption, sanctification, and more. As a bonus, our hosts and guest briefly discuss how annoying certain English accents can be. Don’t miss a minute! Congrats to our winners of Greg’s Old Made New: A Guide to New Testament Use of the Old Testament, courtesy of Crossway Books: *J.C. from Columbus, OH *Tracy A. from Metairie, LA *Collin V. from Edgerton, MN Show Notes *Old Made New Study Guide *Redemptive-Historical Bible Reading Plan

Having established that Carl has neither the hair nor the physique to hang with Snooki and company at the Jersey Shore, our curmudgeonly cohosts welcome the much better-behaved Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn into the mix. The pair met at seminary, married, and—five children later—offer sound advice for couples desiring to build a Gospel-Shaped Marriage. Those who struggle with concepts like “headship” and “submission” in marriage will find satisfying, biblical answers to their questions in the Van Dixhoorns’ book. Remembering how God uses marriage as a means of discipleship, couples can begin to help one another in their shared calling to love and respect their spouse.  Congrats to our winners of a copy of Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints: *Samuel B. from St. Petersburg, FL  *Flynn E. from Louisville, KY  *David V. of Merced, CA

Iceman and Maverick (aka J.V. Fesko and Craig Carter) are feeling the need…the need for creeds. Though neither will claim the title of “top gun,” both will speak of the necessity of creeds in the life of the Church as they headline the 2022 Prince George’s Conference on Reformed Theology in September. In addition, Iceman—uh, Fesko—has penned an exceptional book on the subject, which provides the foundation for today’s conversation. Carl and Todd (the Orville and Wilbur Wright of podcasting) engage their “dangerous” guests in a discussion of the biblical and historical case for the creeds and confessions, showing why they are essential for Christian faith and practice today. Congratulation to our winners of copies of JV Fesko’s book—The Need for Creeds Today: Confessional Faith in a Faithless Age: *Wayne S. from Gardendale, AL  *Michael M. from Spartanburg, SC Show Notes The 2022 Prince George’s Conference on Reformed Theology

From his high perch within a “boutique denomination,” Carl feels comfortable taking shots at Todd and the much larger PCA. With the sniping finally in check, the didactic duo brings aboard a special guest. Dr. Steven Duby is the author of Jesus and the God of Classical Theism: Biblical Christology in Light of the Doctrine of God. He’s associate professor of theology at Phoenix Seminary and has written several substantial books on the Doctrine of God. In his latest, Duby asserts that—when Classical Theism informs our Christology—we can better understand Jesus’ unique incarnation, how He relates to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and the efficacy of the Lord’s atonement. Congratulations to our winners of a copy of Stephen’s book: *Michael H. from Ft. Lee, NJ  *Annette Y. of Bull Valley, IL