Mortification of Spin

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Chief Scottish Man May 26, 2021

Show notes

Carl and Todd sit down to chat with an old friend. Sandy Finlayson is the library director and professor of Theological Bibliography at Westminster Theological Seminary. Carl leads the conversation by describing the genesis of the Free Church of Scotland and the men who led what was called “The Great Disruption.” Among them, we find Thomas Chalmers, one of the main leaders of the movement and the subject of Sandy’s academic interest. In the Church of Scotland, who had the right to call a minister to the congregation–the state, the head of the church, or the parishioners? The many different opinions on the subject led to some denominational schism. Even if Scottish history is not your cup of tea, you will appreciate—and enjoy learning about—the Scotsman Thomas Chalmers’ public and private life, and about Presbyterian heritage. We are giving away some free copies of Chief Scottish Man. Register for the opportunity to win one! The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Evangelical Press Books.

Partners in the Gospel May 19, 2021

Show notes

Our special guest today is a prolific author, editor, mom of 4, pastor’s wife, and pastor’s daughter. Megan Hill joins Carl and Todd for an energetic conversation about her most recent book, Partners in the Gospel: 50 Meditations for Pastors’ and Elders’ Wives. Through her writing, Megan offers comfort and encouragement to wives as they encounter the joys and challenges of ministering alongside their husbands. Hill offers questions for reflection, topics to be lifted in prayer, and recommended action to be taken to challenge our natural sinful tendencies. Is there a specific and defined role for pastors’ and elders’ wives? How might they deal with criticism and loneliness, counseling their children while enduring scrutiny and high expectations from other church members? Megan shares sage advice learned from her parents that might very much enrich your life. Take note! Show Notes •A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church by Megan Hill • Megan was a speaker at the 2021 Quakertown Women’s Conference Contentment in Christ Partners in the Gospel is available for purchase at Reformed Resources.

Redemption from the Powerful Art of Selling Fake News May 12, 2021

Show notes

Carl and Todd can truly say that they have “arrived” when they have the privilege to chat with former Cosmopolitan magazine writer Sue Ellen Browder! Our guest played an important role in the feminist movement and “sexual revolution” of the 1970s, 80s, and beyond. Sue’s story is compelling as she tells us about her “double life” as a happily married woman raising children, tending her garden, and baking fresh bread while writing made-up stories on feminism and sexual liberation. Can a media outlet have a manual on how to write fake news to accomplish the desired outcome? You’ll hear about some of those stories today. Browder explains the radically distinctive movements that were at play in the 1960s and early 70s—the “Sexual Revolution” and the “Women’s Movement” that later united to achieve a common goal—and you can probably guess just what their purpose was! Hear how Sue realized what she was doing, turned from that path to make things right, and now offers sage advice for parents and young people in today’s society. Show Notes Sex and the Catholic Feminist by Sue Ellen Browder

The Celebration of Apostasy May 05, 2021

Show notes

Walking away from the faith is a phenomenon as old as humanity itself…but a recent “twist” has emerged in how some high-profile Christians choose to abandon their beliefs. Today, Todd attempts to school Carl on the cyber world of TikTok as the dynamic duo discusses one recent and disturbing “deconversion.” The two are talking about Abraham Piper; he’s the son of John Piper, the well-known pastor and founder of the ministry Desiring God. Abraham has attracted a lot of attention as he uses the big platforms of social media and prominent publications to spread his personal story, mock Christianity, and profit from it all. With Abraham being just one of several influencers to publicly “deconvert” here of late, what does it say about them…about us…about the faith in general, and our fascination with “Christian celebrities? Listen and weigh in on this tragic topic. Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of the fresh-off-the-press book, “Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College” by Michael Kruger. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Crossway.

How the West Was Lost Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

“A thorn in the side of the Archbishop of York.” That’s how our special guest is introduced today. Reverend Melvin Tinker was the vicar of St. John’s Newland in England for many years. He’s now the director of Theology of the Christ Church Network and the author of an amazing book entitled That Hideous Strength, addressing cultural Marxism in society and in the church. Now in a second expanded edition, the book challenges Christians to understand the culture in which they are ministering and the battle they face against the “War of Position." How has the Church contributed to the spreading of Marxist ideas, and what must be done to reverse it? How crucial is language in ideological warfare? Pull up a chair and join this conversation of ultimate relevance and importance! Show Notes ·Antonio Gramsci’s War of Position ·Sir David Lindsey ·“Useful Idiot” political jargon Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of That Hideous Strength. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at EP Books. Click here to learn more about Reverend Tinker, or here for a list of his publications.

Race and Covenant Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Race and Covenant Our delightful duo is honored with a visit from a special guest. Gerry McDermott is an old friend and former Anglican Chair of Divinity at Samford’s Beeson Divinity School. He’s a prolific author, writing brilliantly on a wide variety of subjects ranging from theology and philosophy to famous stutterers. Just a few months ago, McDermott edited Race and Covenant, a collection of essays ignited by the desire to uncover–in the light of Scripture–why race became the number one issue in the country after the presidential election of 2008. Race and Covenant is the work of several very articulate thinkers–Christians and Jews from different traditions, and people from different races and ethnicities contributing their perspectives on the topic. Where does the word “covenant” fit when addressing race? Is there any good to be found in Critical Race Theory? Listen closely to this important conversation, and be sure to share it with a friend! Show Notes · Institute on Religion and Democracy · Robert L. Woodson · The Elect: The Threat to a Progressive America from Anti-Black Antiracists · Carol M. Swain · Derryck Green · Glenn C. Loury · Voddie Baucham Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Race and Covenant: Recovering the Religious Roots for American Reconciliation. The books come compliments of the Acton Institute.

Another Sad Legacy Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

The evangelical world has been shaken once again by the news of yet another influential leader’s tattered reputation. Ravi Zacharias was a prominent Christian speaker, writer, and apologist for over 4 decades. He spoke from the platforms of renowned institutions and college campuses all around the world. Although there were early questions about Zacharias’s inflated qualifications, a different kind of scandal was confirmed after his death last year. Carl and Todd raise a few questions about the “celebrity culture,” and how it is often immune to criticism. Sadly, serious character flaws involving sex, money, and power may then go unchecked. What should one who’s been helped by such leaders feel about that influence? Join us for a poignant and very necessary conversation. Visit our online store for numerous helpful resources addressing the many challenges of the Christian life.

Unmanipulated Trinity Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Our special guest today makes a return visit to the podcast, which can only mean that Carl and Todd have not ruined his reputation (well at least, not yet)! Among the many hats he wears, Matthew Barrett is associate professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Theological retrieval is a process close to Matthew’s heart, and his latest book—Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit—advances the conversation. What do the church fathers have to teach us today about the nature of the Trinity? Matthew addresses the word “unmanipulated,” and how the Holy Trinity is regularly co-opted to represent the positions of government, political parties, family dynamics, and even a social view of the environment. Why are some Christians skeptical of systematic theology and anything philosophical? How does philosophy aid us with theology? Join us for a fascinating discussion. And for more on this topic, don't miss PCRT Live--the 2021 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Our theme is Delighting in Our Triune God. Learn more here. Show Notes · Credo magazine · Best Kansas City BBQ according to Matthew Barrett · Purchase a copy of Simply Trinity from ReformedResources.org. We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit. Register here! The books are a gift from our friends at Baker Publishing.

Learning from the Smyth-Fletcher Abuse Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Learning from the Smyth-Fletcher Abuse Carl flies solo today as he speaks with the Rev. Dr. Peter Sanlon, an old friend and a minister in the Anglican Church in the UK. Their conversation is a somber one dealing with a horrific scandal of abuse that has emerged in the past couple of years involving a prominent Anglican minister, the Reverend Jonathan Fletcher. The full report of the abuses made public just a week ago is challenging to understand when reviewed on this side of the Atlantic, due to its cultural and religious context. Peter provides background information and explains the connection with another prominent name, the late John Smyth. What about the victims who have come forward? Is there a system in place to care for them, and how is that done? The notes below link to additional information about the scandal and to a charity where victims can find help. Show Notes: Support for victims or those affected by Fletcher: Email thirtyone:eight charity in confidence for details of fund to provide counseling: ecwsupportfund@thirtyoneeight.org Reviews on Smyth: https://soulinformation.org/su-report-executive-summary thirtyone:eight review on Fletcher: https://walkingwith.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Final+Report+of+ECW+Review_March+2021.pdf IAG statement on Fletcher review: https://soulinformation.org/iagstatement Learning about abuse: https://soulinformation.org/video-resources The Making of Them by Nick Duffell We’re pleased to offer an important resource on this topic. Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Something’s Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse and Freeing Yourself from Its Power. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Tyndale Momentum.

When Jeff Cancelled Ryan Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Today’s special guest dared to ask questions and present statements from healthcare experts and transgender patients three years ago in his book When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment. Now, he’s been blacklisted and canceled by big tech. Ryan T. Anderson worked for many years at the Heritage Foundation and helped found Public Discourse, a journal of the Witherspoon Institute. He’s recently become the president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., a conservative think tank "dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical public policy issues." A few weeks back, Ryan made headlines after When Harry Became Sally was banned from Amazon. The online behemoth’s decision has raised many questions about trans-ideology and its impact on society—about censorship, big tech, business monopoly, and the lack of accountability of powerful institutions. Carl, Todd, and Ryan sit down to discuss the long-term implications of this kind of censorship and what could lie ahead. Show Notes · The Heritage Foundation · Public Discourse · Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC)

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