Good Faith

Latest Episodes:

Why youth leave the church - and what can be done (with Kara Powell) Nov 04, 2023

Show notes

American youth who grew up in Christian families are leaving the church at a massive pace. Curtis talks with Kara Powell, executive director of The Fuller Youth Institute, about the complex reasons for this trend - and what can be done. They discuss why any understanding of the causes – and therefore the necessary response – must include parents and churches doing the hard work of self-examination and self-transformation.

To make an end of year contribution to the Good Faith podcast, donate online here (https://redeemingbabel.org/donate-to-redeeming-babel/).

For major gifts, donor advised funds, or family foundations, please email us at info@redeemingbabel.org.

Kara's Ten x 10 Initiative that seeks to combine efforts to reach the next generation

For resources on preventing and responding to suspected abuse in youth ministry, see GRACE (Godly Responses to Abuse in Christian Environments).

Can political controversy actually serve the local church? (with Chuck Mingo) Oct 28, 2023

Show notes

Some churches seek to exploit political controversy for self-serving ends. But many more churches instinctively avoid controversy, and steer away from topics that may reveal differences. In this episode, Curtis is joined by Chuck Mingo to explore a different route: treating this upcoming election season as an opportunity for spiritual growth. They make the case that the same spiritual muscles that get built in politics apply also to marriages, parenting, employment and other areas of discipleship. Curtis and Chuck also talk about the practicalities involved: what should happen on Sunday morning (and what shouldn't); the top rookie mistakes made when first trying to engage in politics; how the posture of the "wounded healer" is necessary for pastors; and much more.

Find out more about the Undivided course and ministry here.

Pre-order Chuck's book (written with Troy Jackson), Living Undivided: Loving Courageously for Racial Healing and Justice

How anxious institutions affect us all (with Yuval Levin) Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

In the diagnosis of the epidemic of anxiety sweeping through society, the examination has tended to focus on individual risk factors or macro-social trends (like social media and smartphone adoption among teens). But this misses something going on at the intermediary level between individuals and mass society: the state of the institutions that shape so much of our daily life. Curtis is joined by renowned scholar Yuval Levin in exploring the concept of "the anxious institution." They make the case that institutions both externally cause and internally experience anxiety in fascinating and important ways.

The Great Dechurching (with David French and Michael Graham) Oct 14, 2023

Show notes

In a wide ranging conversation, founding friend David French takes over the reins for Curtis Chang and discusses the new book, The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? by Jim Davis, Michael Graham, and Ryan Burge. David and coauthor Graham discuss all the reasons for "the great dechurching" with a particular emphasis on the more surprising results, as well as the difficulty reversing the decline in church attendance.

We want to hear your "Campfire Stories" about living out your good faith! Share your stories with us today.

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

How to Relate to Those Who Still Support Trump (with Pete Wehner) Oct 07, 2023

Show notes

It sure looks like Trump isn't going away. Many of us around the Good Faith campfire oppose him deeply. But we have people in our lives – sometimes in fractured relationships – who are going to support Trump once again. How do we relate to those people – those who are also parents, relatives, friends, co-workers, and neighbors? To wrestle with this complicated question, Curtis is joined by Pete Wehner, Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and contributor to the New York Times and the Atlantic.

We want to hear your stories of living out your "good faith!" Share your stories with us today

Pete Wehner's Atlantic article on the psychology of the Trump voter

Check out resources to equip depolarizing conversations at Braver Angels

Good Faith CLASSIC: College, God, and the Good Life (with Meghan Sullivan and David French) Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

In this Good Faith Classic episode, Curtis and David talk with Meghan Sullivan, philosopher, teacher, and creator of the most popular class at the University of Notre Dame, "God and the Good Life." As many of us send our kids off to college (or head off to college ourselves), Meghan helps us appreciate the role of education–and of philosophy in particular–in helping students take on the big questions of life.

Show Notes:

–The Good Life Method by Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko

–God and the Good Life (Notre Dame course)

–What is Philosophy?: Crash Course Philosophy #1

-We want to hear your stories of living out your "good faith!" Share with us at: https://redeemingbabel.org/campfire-stories/

The Uses and Misuses of the Book of Revelation (with Tremper Longman III) Sep 23, 2023

Show notes

Many Christians are tempted to just avoid the Book of Revelation. It can seem confusing and hard to read. Yet this avoidance can leave us vulnerable to the misuses of this part of Scripture, especially in making sense of our world. Here to help us is distinguished Biblical scholar, Tremper Longman III. Join us as we dive into the helpful - and unhelpful - ways to read the final culminating book of the Bible.

We want to hear your stories of living out your "good faith!" Share with us at: https://redeemingbabel.org/campfire-stories/

Revelation Through Old Testament Eyes by Tremper Longman III

Is the COVID vaccine the "mark of the beast?" by Curtis Chang

Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus' Return Gives Strength for Today by Chris Davis

Revelation for Everyone (The New Testament for Everyone) by N.T. Wright

Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright

Revelation (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture) by Peter S. Williamson

All Things New: Revelation as Canonical Capstone by Brian J. Tabb

B2THEWORLD: Join the Christian effort to rebuild high quality schools in war torn parts of the world.

Matthew 5:9 Fellowship: Join with other pastors and Christian leaders seeking a way out of our political division.

Investing Rooted in a Biblical Worldview (with Robin John and Finny Kuruvilla) Sep 16, 2023

Show notes

Should your investment portfolio as a follower of Jesus look any different from everyone else's? Do our Biblical values have implications for our 401K? Robin John and Finny Kuruvilla founded Eventide Investments because they believe the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" They join Curtis to explore how we as Christians can pursue a kind of financial investing that "makes the world rejoice."

Redeeming Babel is hiring! Check out our openings here for a Director of Development and a Manager of Partnerships and Projects. https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/

The article the guests cited on the connections between pornography and the sex slave trade can be found here. Their article on how common mutual funds are complicit in fostering childhood smoking can be found here.

Also, read about the work of the Justice Defense Fund in exposing how publicly traded companies - and investors in those companies - profit from pornography and sex abuse.

B2THEWORLD: Join the Christian effort to rebuild high quality schools in war torn parts of the world.

George Fox University: Check out the offerings of one of the premier Christian universities in the country.

Responding to Suffering (with Dr. Curt Thompson) Sep 09, 2023

Show notes

What is happening inside us when we ourselves suffer or those around us are suffering? What is happening in our brain? In our soul? Curtis is joined by "the other Curt" - Dr. Curt Thompson - to talk about his new book, The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope. Their conversation explores questions such as: What is the connection between our desire for beauty and our vulnerability to suffering? Why do we avoid others when we ourselves are suffering? Why do the sufferings of others make us so uncomfortable? Most of all, the they probe for the invitation of God amidst suffering.

Redeeming Babel is hiring! Check out our openings here for a Director of Development and a Manager of Partnerships and Projects. https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/

The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope by Dr. Curt Thompson

Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland

B2THEWORLD: Join the Christian effort to rebuild high quality schools in war torn parts of the world.

George Fox University: Check out the offerings of one of the premier Christian universities in the country.

When Will Things Return to Normal? (with David French) Sep 02, 2023

Show notes

"Founding friend" David French returns to address with Curtis the visceral question in many hearts and minds, "When will things return to normal?" They explore all the questions behind the question, such as "What exactly is 'normal?" Does it differ for different people? What picture of the past undergirds my longing?" They compare this political and social moment with past eras in American history and church history. Most importantly, they ask, "Is this the right question that God would have us ask - or is there a better question to pose in this particular moment?"

Redeeming Babel is hiring! Check out our openings here for a Director of Development and a Manager of Partnerships and Projects. https://redeemingbabel.org/we-are-hiring/

The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism by Matthew Continetti

"Three Generations Under One Roof" by David French in NYT

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