Good Faith

Latest Episodes:

The Unseen Spiritual Powers Shaping Our World (with N.T. Wright) Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang engages in an enlightening discussion with renowned New Testament scholar, pastor, and author N.T. Wright. They delve deeply into the concept of the "principalities and powers" in the writings of the Apostle Paul, examining the invisible - but powerful - spiritual realities behind our institutions, politics, and culture. Listen and discover how God meant for us to relate to these "powers" in the light of the Gospel.

Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Get a copy of N.T. Wright's Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies

Keep up with the work of N.T. Wright

The Secret Life of Pastors (with Dr. Mark Turman) Jun 08, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang invites Dr. Mark Turman, Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries, to join him in examining the unique challenges faced by pastors in the American evangelical tradition. Both former pastors themselves, Curtis and Mark unpack the actual and perceived struggles that have made so many pastors contemplate leaving their roles. They also champion a missional mindset that can change the way pastors do gospel work and practical advice for congregants who want to support their spiritual leaders.

Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Check out Dr. Turman's Denison Forum work

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis & Michael Graham

Barna Group Research: 7-Year Trends - Pastors Feel More Loneliness & Less Support

Barna Group Research: Pastors' Credibility Is in Question—Even Among Pastors

Can Political Violence Come From the Church? (with Elizabeth Neumann) Jun 01, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang sits down with Elizabeth Neumann, a national security expert who served both the George W. Bush and Donald Trump administrations. Together, they explore the alarming rise of radicalization among everyday citizens, including within evangelical communities, and its implications for both the Christian church and democracy. Neumann shares her insights on the roots of this growing extremism and what we can do to address and mitigate these threats.

Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Order Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace by Elizabeth Neumann

Learning to Disagree (with John Inazu) May 25, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang and Washington University professor of law & religion John Inazu explore principles that can teach us to cultivate greater empathy and respect for the differences we encounter in our daily lives. If you feel like you always have to be right, their conversation offers practical insights and stories that reveal how legal frameworks and Christian principles can inspire more compassionate interactions in a world brimming with diverse thoughts.

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Order Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect by John Inazu

Discover the power of https://pastors.ai/

The Hidden Costs of Youth Sports (with David French) May 18, 2024

Show notes

Curtis Chang and David French delve into the multifaceted impact of youth sports culture on both parents and children. They explore how it demands our time, influences our social status, can strain our finances, and even affects our spiritual well-being. Listen as they uncover the hidden costs of turning what used to be play into a semi-professional lifestyle and discuss practical steps we can take to reclaim balance and well-being for our families.

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Dementia: Living in the Memories of God (with John Swinton) May 11, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang engages in a profound and moving conversation with distinguished professor, pastor, and champion of Christian healthcare, John Swinton. Together, they delve into the theology of dementia care, exploring the spiritual dimensions of how God treasures all of His created beings, regardless of their cognitive abilities. Professor Swinton sheds light on the sacred act of caring for those afflicted with dementia and points listeners to the profound truth that God remembers His people, even when their remembrances of this life and His love wane.

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Buy Profesor Swintons Books

Read Professor Swinton's Essays

How Music Makers Help Us Make Sense of God's World (with Sandra McCracken) May 04, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang explores the intersection of faith, music, and biblical harmony with acclaimed singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken in a conversation focusing on the craft of scripture-soaked songwriting. While discussing the influences that have shaped Sandra's art, they unravel the importance of music in our daily lives and worship routines. The pair also share insights from a recent collaboration between the Porter's Gate and Redeeming Babel that produced a new batch of songs that fosters unity amidst today's political divisions.

Follow our social media accounts to stay abreast of news about "Songs For The After Party" from The Porter's Gate and Redeeming Babel.

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

See Sandra McCracken on tour: dates here!

Buy Sandra's Book: Send Out Your Light: The Illuminating Power of Scripture and Song

Music mentioned in the episode:

Psalms (album) by Sandra McCracken

We Will Feast In The House of Zion by Sandra McCracken

Steadfast by Sandra McCracken

Trinity Song by Sandra McCracken

Fool's Gold by Sandra McCracken

Song For Rachel by Sandra McCracken

Good Faith Classic: Recovering Our Storytelling Superpower (with Nancy French) Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

We can't get enough of our friend Nancy French! Her debut memoir, "Ghosted: An American Story," is available now. That's why we decided to revisit host Curtis Chang's journey into the realm of storytelling with Nancy as his guide. By embracing the narratives of our lives and recognizing the divine Author behind our individual stories, the duo urges listeners to explore family histories and origin tales to gain deeper insight into their journeys. Trust us, if you haven't listened to this episode yet, you're missing out on a classic!

Order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Order your copy of Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French

Free online journaling: https://penzu.com/

Ghosted: An American Story (with Nancy French) Apr 20, 2024

Show notes

Host Curtis Chang sits down for a gripping conversation with author and frequent Good Faith guest Nancy French to discuss her compelling new memoir "Ghosted: An American Story." Nancy opens up about wrestling with dark family and church secrets, shedding light on the complexities of transracial adoption and the challenges of losing one's community. She explores the power of being truly known and finding resilience in an unexpected romance that would also show her the enduring hope found in the cross of Jesus.

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/

Pre-order The After Party Book by Curtis Chang & Nancy French

Order your copy of Ghosted: An American Story by Nancy French

RESOURCES:

Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment

Dr. Diane Langberg's books to better train abuse counselors

How to Listen to Music (with Andy Crouch) Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

From Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman to Johann Sebastian Bach, host Curtis Chang engages in a captivating conversation with Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch about the profound significance of music in our everyday existence. Through insightful anecdotes and reflections, they explore how to actively listen to music and let it transcend mere entertainment to become a powerful conduit for meaning, expression, and even spiritual meditation. Join them as they harmonize on the transformative role of music and its timeless resonance in the human experience.

Join us at the "Songs For The After Party" concert in Washington DC on 4/19/24. Buy tickets here!

Songs For The After Party: An Evening with the Porter's Gate

Bring The After Party course to your church or small group!

Join the Redeeming Babel Team! https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/

MUSIC REFERENCED:

Olivier Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time V: Praise to the Eternity of Jesus

Johann Sebastian Bach: The St Matthew Passion

Dianne Reeves & The Berlin Philharmonic (feat. Martin Stegner on Viola): "A Foggy Day"

Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman: "Fast Car" at the 2024 Grammys