Augustine and the Doctrine of Creation

Believe it or not, some Presbyterians do jump the fence and become Baptist! Such is the case of Gavin Ortlund. Gavin is a theologian and pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai in California. 
As the idea of doctrinal and theological retrieval has risen in prominence, what then is theological retrieval? What exactly are we seeking to “retrieve”—and why? 
Gavin shares reasons why he’s communicating the importance of retrieval and why he’s chosen Augustine and the doctrine of creation as keys. If you think that this conversation—and Gavin’s book—are about some complex theological concept, you are mistaken! You’ll be surprised to learn how relevant, practical, and helpful Augustine’s doctrine of creation is for the average Christian. 
We’re giving away free copies of Gavin’s book, Retrieving Augustine’s Doctrine of Creation. Register for the opportunity to win one courtesy of IVP Press.
Show Notes
· Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals by Gavin Ortlund
· Anselm’s Pursuit of Joy: A Commentary on the Proslogion

The End of the Christian Life

Todd Billings is professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI, and a minister in the Reformed Church in America. He’s the author of Rejoicing in Lament: Wrestling with Incurable Cancer and Life in Christ, but his most recent book—The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Our Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live—is today’s topic. 
As Todd surveyed his former students and friends in ministry, he learned that—for many—the topic of death and walking alongside the dying is the greatest challenge pastors face in ministry. It’s increasingly evident that we live in a death-denying culture, so how can we help people to think through our inevitability of mortality? Join us for a deeply thoughtful conversation as we consider how the secular culture has twisted and softened the meaning of death--even changing the words we use to discuss it.
Register for the opportunity to win a copy of Todd’s book, The End of the Christian Life. The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Brazos Press, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Show Notes
·A Secular Age by Charles Taylor

A Critical ”Critical Race Theory” Conversation

Carl and Todd welcome a returning guest: Ismael Hernandez. He’s the executive director of the Freedom and Virtue Institute and author of Not Tragically Colored. Ismael joins in to discuss the current state of racial tension and politics in America. His experience growing up with Marxist ideals, and--later in life—joining a religious Marxist group gives Hernandez special insight into the topic.
 
Although we uphold the dignity and sacredness of every human life and want to affirm that black lives matter, Ismael suggests that the movement known as “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) harbors some troubling beliefs. Hernandez refers to his recent article which asserts BLM perceives the issue of oppression from within the ideological context of Marxism. Don’t miss this timely conversation!
 
Show Notes
· Listen again to Not Tragically Colored
· Freedom and Virtue Institute
· “BLM”: the Proposition, the Organization, and the Movement by Ismael Hernandez
· Social Justice Isn’t What You Think It Is by Michael Novak and Paul Adams

Three Pieces of Glass

It’s been a banner year for great books, and the Spin Crew has chosen yet another winner! This time, Carl and Todd sit down with Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WI, and author of Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. What are the pieces of glass Eric refers to, and how have they changed our world? 
Just a few years ago, we were excited about the advances in technology, which promised to bring people together from the four corners of the world. Technology has accomplished that, in a way, but it has also exacerbated loneliness, isolation, and alienation. Listen and discover the relationship between the three pieces of glass, the church, and the sense of “belonging”. 
We’re excited to give away copies of Three Pieces of Glass. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Brazos Press.

Bavinck: A Critical Biography

This week, we reach “across the pond” for insight on the much-anticipated critical biography of Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck. James Eglinton, the Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at New College, the University of Edinburgh, wrote the bio. Eglinton is acknowledged for his pivotal role in extending Bavinck’s popularity outside the Dutch-speaking world. 
James tells us where and when his interest in the life of Bavinck began, and what it was about the Dutch theologian that first caught Eglinton’s attention. Bavinck was a man of his day, very much attuned to modernity and its challenges, yet sensitive to the theological needs of a broad spectrum of laypeople. What more can we learn from this intriguing figure, and why should Christians care about Bavinck today? 
We are excited to give away copies of Bavinck: A Critical Biography.Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Baker Academic.

Live Not by Lies

The dynamic duo today becomes a trio, as a third pessimist—that is, a third realist—joins in.
Rod Dreher is an American writer and editor, culture critic, and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option and the freshly released Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Rod’s book is a wakeup call for Christians about ideas that have become prevalent in American society…notions already adopted in other countries that have proven to be a threat to civil liberties. 
Is there still hope to turn from what he calls “soft totalitarianism”? What’s the course of action for Christians to preserve the faith in such an intolerant society, where words and actions are becoming highly surveilled and dealt with “accordingly?” Live Not By Lies is timely and absolutely relevant for Christian dissidents. You can’t afford to miss this conversation!
We’re giving away a number of copies of Live Not By Lies. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a complimentary gift from Sentinel, a division of Penguin Books.

The Power of Being There

After revealing some details of their personal lives, Carl and Todd get down to business. Seems a disturbing phenomenon is plaguing churches all over the country. Since the lockdown, many Christians have become too comfortable with worshipping from home over a screen…dressed in their jammies, eating donuts, and—quite possibly—not really worshipping at all. 
Does it really matter? What are people missing by not going back to church as restrictions are slowly being lifted? Our favorite duo discuss the meaning and importance of “being bodily present” for the different traditions like the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and the Protestant. Is there any place for live streaming, and any reason not to physically gather for worship? It’s time to weigh in. Oh, and notice who’s playing the optimist this time!

Trueman on the Modern Psychological Self

Carl Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution hasn’t even been released, and—already—it’s the best-selling book of 2020! It is, at least, according to the hosts of this program. Yes, the author feels he’s found a pot of gold, and is buying that dream villa in Venice with the royalties. At the same time, co-host Todd feels privileged as he possesses an advanced copy of this treasure and believes he’ll be enjoying a free stay at his friend's Mediterranean estate. 
The runaway cultural train is gaining speed, and revolutionary changes that used to take decades to develop seem to be happening at a breakneck pace—especially, where matters of sexual identity are concerned. From Augustine to Rousseau and Marx, and from Descartes to Bruce Jenner, Carl Trueman traces the thoughts underlying the modern view of the self...helping us understand the present, and preparing us to navigate the days ahead.
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self is available for pre-order. Visit Reformed Resources to place your order.

California and the Church

The state of California has gathered its pitchforks and torches and they’re coming after Grace Community Church, pastored by John MacArthur. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened doors to all kinds of government regulations, including—to no one’s surprise—restrictions on worship gatherings.
The feud between Grace Community Church and the state of California rages on, and our dynamic duo is focusing on the fine line between obedience to Scripture and obedience to the limited, God-given power of the civil magistrate.
Has the state of California overstepped the boundaries of religious freedom, supplanting the authority of the Scriptures and of the Church? The issue has captured a lot of attention on social media with as many different opinions as the number of people offering them. 
As we’re on the subject, we have a few copies to give away of a new release by Concordia Publishing House, Faith in the Shadow of a Pandemic.Register for the opportunity to win one.

Christians and Lit

Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss the value of leisure reading and suggest a few outstanding titles. Todd’s dramatic reading at the conclusion of the podcast is worth the price of admission! Perhaps we should put it another way…
You’ll enjoy reading A Christian Guide to the Classics, by Leland Ryken. Enter to win a copy!