Mortification of Spin

In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd welcome Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, to discuss the critical topic of religious freedom in America. As the nation grapples with challenges to this fundamental right, they delve into its historical context, the implications of recent political climates, and the intersection of religious liberty with contemporary social issues. 
Justice and the common good need to be maintained, and you want to have as much religious liberty as possible consistent with that. – Ryan Anderson
Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the nuances of faith, freedom, and the future of religious rights in a changing world.
We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of, Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing, co-authored by Ryan Anderson and Alexandra Desanctis. Congratulations to Ethan A. from Janesville, WI, Jacob M. from Montgomery, AL, and Peter M. from Kalamazoo, MI!
 
Show Notes:
Articles referenced by Ryan Anderson:
https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/proxy-wars-over-religious-liberty
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/religious-liberty-isnt-enough-11612125595
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/07/67142/

Todd and Carl engage in an interesting discussion about the church calendar and its role in the Reformed Protestant tradition. They explore the historical context of the church calendar, its significance, and the nuances of its acceptance among different denominations. 
I think observation of the church calendar should be a matter of, should we say, congregational conscience. My own view on it has softened over the years in that I used to be very much the Puritan, you know… I've changed my opinion… – Carl Trueman
They examine the pedagogical benefits of observing the calendar while addressing concerns about legalism, with a particular focus on Advent and Lent. Tune in for a rich conversation that challenges and inspires listeners to consider the implications of the church calendar in their worship practices.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, we have awarded three copies of Kevin DeYoung’s beautiful board book for children, The Biggest Story: Advent. Congratulations to JD W. from Bridgewater, VA, Georgie M. from Sunnyvale, CA, and Maretta H. from Grottoes, VA.
 

Carl and Todd are a bit giddy as they talk to astronaut Jeffrey Williams, the subject of the new biography, Zero Gravity, by Chris Anderson. Spending 534 days in space across four missions, Jeff not only broke records but captured stunning images of Earth—offering a powerful perspective on God’s handiwork in the universe and His love for humanity revealed in Christ.
From the challenges of living in zero gravity to the camaraderie among crew members, Jeff offers a unique perspective on life as an astronaut. He also discusses his faith journey and how it intersects with his scientific career, providing insights into the relationship between science and Christianity. Don't miss this fascinating conversation!
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Church Works Media, we are pleased to award three of our listeners a copy of Jeff William’s biography, Zero Gravity, by Chris Anderson. Congratulations to Cheryl B. from Norristown, PA, Brad K. from Pagosa Springs, CO, and Greg P. from Greenville, SC. 
Show Notes:
Book site: https://churchworksmedia.com/product/zero-gravity/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Gravity-Story-Astronaut-Williams/dp/B0FN3Y2323YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7HYFexkY0
 
Jeff also wrote a book about his experiences in space that you may want to check out:
https://www.cph.org/the-work-of-his-hands

Carl and Todd sit down with Devan Patel to discuss the hot topic of artificial intelligence. A legal and political strategist in Washington, D.C., an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, and the senior advisor of public policy and ethics at the American Security Fund, Devan advises on religious and scholarly engagement to ensure that AI development and use are ethical, human-centric, and rooted in Western civilizational values. 
Self-described as "not the happy, fun guy," Devan dives into the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Together, they discuss the alarming rise of AI companion chatbots, particularly those aimed at children, exploring the potential dangers and moral dilemmas they present. 
Patel sheds light on the urgent need for accountability in AI development and the importance of integrating ethical considerations into technology. Don't miss this sobering and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of AI, ethics, and human values!
Show Notes:
To find out more about Devan Patel’s publications/speaking engagements: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannpatel/
American Security Fund: https://www.americansecurityfund.com/

Based on the current state of the church and the challenges faced by congregations today, many Christians find themselves asking, "When should I consider leaving my church?" Or, "When does my church need to leave the denomination?" Carl and Todd discuss these topics today, touching on reasons an individual should (or should not) consider leaving a church, as well as the implications of leaving a denomination, such as those that have occurred recently within the Anglican Communion, including the GAFCON movement. 
When do you know that a church is apostate?...It becomes apostate when it either denies the gospel positively…or denies the gospel practically, and that means when the rules are the rules, but it becomes absolutely impossible to apply them. – Carl Trueman
Join them as they navigate these complex issues and provide insights for Christians seeking to maintain their faith in a rapidly changing world.
We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of J.I. Packer’s book, Concise Theology, courtesy of our friends at Crossway Publishing. Congratulations to Anthony M. from Coatesville, PA, Justin C. from Lebanon, PA, and Cathryne S. from Fuquay Varina, NC!
 
Show Notes:
GAFCON: https://gafcon.org/

Carl and Todd are pleased to welcome returning guest, Robert Letham, to the podcast to discuss his new book, The Eternal Son. The Eternal Son is the second of a planned trilogy on the Father, Son, and Spirit that will complement Letham’s prizewinning book, The Holy Trinity.
The conversation delves into the critical issues surrounding Christology and the importance of understanding the doctrine of the Trinity in contemporary evangelicalism. Letham highlights the historical heresies that continue to influence modern beliefs and emphasizes the necessity of systematic theology for both pastors and laypeople. Tune in for an enlightening exploration of faith, doctrine, and the rich heritage of Christian theology!
We are pleased to award two listeners a copy of Robert Letham’s book, The Eternal Son, courtesy of our friends at P&R Publishing. Congratulations to Sarabeth K. from Lynchburg, VA and Dan G. from Eugene, OR!
 
Show Notes:
Books by Robert Letham:
The Holy Trinityhttps://reformedresources.org/the-holy-trinity-revised-and-expanded-paperback/
The Eternal Sonhttps://reformedresources.org/the-eternal-son-paperback/
The Holy Spirithttps://reformedresources.org/the-holy-spirit-paperback/

Todd and Carl engage in a lively discussion about the cultural influences shaping evangelicalism today. They explore the phenomenon of 'Gig Eva,' a term coined by Carl in an article he recently wrote, to describe the new landscape of evangelical influence that has shifted from traditional conference settings to the informal and often chaotic realm of social media. The conversation touches on the implications of this shift, including the rise of celebrity influencers and the dangers of online discourse.
The game is not actually the upbuilding of the church. The game is the upbuilding of personal platforms and excluding those we don't approve of from market share. – Carl Trueman
Join them as they navigate these pressing issues and reflect on the true essence of Christian community.
We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Guy Water’s book, How Jesus Runs the Church, courtesy of our friends at P&R Publishing. Congratulations to Grant B. from Hart, MI, Jon M. from Olathe, KS, and Jaime O. from Fayette, AL.
 
Show Notes:
To read Carl’s article, “Goodbye ‘Big Eva,’ Hello ‘Gig Eva,’” visit https://firstthings.com/goodbye-big-eva-hello-gig-eva/
 

Today, Todd is joined by Timothy Winterstein, pastor and author of the new book, Worshiped & Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed. Celebrating its 1700th anniversary this year, the summary of Christian faith known as the Nicene Creed has been a fixture in the church for centuries and is still recited in worship to this day. Todd and Timothy explore the significance of creeds in the Christian faith, their role in binding us to Scripture, and the historical context surrounding the development of the Nicene Creed.
The Nicene Creed is a particular way of telling that scriptural story that binds us to the Scriptures. – Timothy Winterstein
Timothy shares insights from his book, emphasizing how the creed shapes our worship and understanding of God, as well as what it means to confess faith in Him together at a deeper level.
We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Timothy Winterstein's book, Worshiped & Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed, courtesy of Concordia Publishing House. Congratulations to Marty P. from Sanford, NC, Steve O. from Midlothian, VA, and Micah B. from Oakland, ME. 
 
Show Notes:
Check out Timothy’s podcast which he co-hosts with his brother, Jay: https://www.saintsandcinema.com/

Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI, returns to the podcast with Todd and Carl to discuss his latest book, Paradox People: Learning to Live the Beatitudes. Together they explore the significance of the Beatitudes in today’s culture. In fact, Jonathan says, when we embrace the paradoxical character preached by Jesus in the Beatitudes, we experience rich and surprising blessings. 
We are meant to live these ways for the sake of the world, so we have a responsibility to the world, but it starts here, it starts with us. I need to take seriously these characteristics and say, I need to live this way; that’s how I can be most helpful to the world. And it’s going to look a lot different than what a lot of popular voices are saying right now in the Christian community, especially what you find on X or Twitter. Because it’s about meekness, it’s about humility, gentleness, and that is just as nonsensical today as it was 2,000 years ago. – Jonathan Landry Cruse
Their conversation touches on the complexities of human identity, the role of technology, and the challenges faced by Christians in a rapidly changing world. Join us as we unpack how the Beatitudes can guide us in embodying Christian character amidst cultural tensions. 
We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Jonathan Cruse’s book, Paradox People, courtesy of P&R Publishing. Congratulations to James M. from Waynesboro, PA, Buzz H. from Seattle, WA, and Julian S. from Sugar Land, TX!
 
Show Notes:
To check out Jonathan Cruse’s books, including Paradox People, click the link below:
https://reformedresources.org/authors/jonathan-cruse/

Today, Carl and Todd are joined by John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center and co-host of the new documentary, “Truth Rising,” with Os Guinness. Featuring powerful stories and expert insights, it challenges viewers to recognize the cultural moment we’re in, stand firm in biblical truth, and choose courage over fear. 
Christians need to embrace this time and place that we're in as their calling. – John Stonestreet
This episode explores the urgent need for Christians to engage with contemporary issues and the importance of understanding truth. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges listeners to embrace their calling in today's complex world.
The Colson Center has generously made this documentary available to all and it can be viewed at https://www.truthrising.com/.
 
Show Notes:
Colson Fellows Program: https://www.colsonfellows.org/