The Care of Souls

Todd starts this conversation by setting the ground rules and letting everyone know his preferred pronouns: he, him, and his. The bearded one also claims to have the definitive pronunciation of the author’s name of the book topic of today’s conversation. 
The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil explores the classical (biblical) model of pastoral ministry, as opposed to the contemporary models practiced by the church growth movement which tried to do away with the idea of the pastor as a shepherd. Why is this book such an important read not only for pastors, but for lay people as well? What are the different approaches to pastoral ministry? Can some of them be harmful to the pastor and/or to the congregation? What is The Care of Souls encouraging pastors to do? Listen in and find out!
We’re happy to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of The Care of Souls. Register!!
The books are a generous gift from our friends at Lexham Press.

Evangelical Popes, Too Big to Fail

Aimee is away, and the boys are feeling empowered today, tossing out random thoughts from the dark recesses of their man cave. 
Pope Francis’ holy hand slap brings up the topic of unquestionable authority and the lack of accountability among the legions of little evangelical “popes” running around. Elsewhere, 2020 starts with the announcement that James MacDonald will be back preaching once again after being found unfit for ministry and getting fired from his church. What does that say about looking up to high-profile personalities regardless of their character? 
Such Pope-like personalities exist in their respective traditions in different parts of the world. So, our conversation is taken to the other side of the pond, as the Englishman explains the scandals surrounding the Evangelical Anglican Church in the UK and the catastrophic consequences that it may bring.
How do you counsel people who have been disillusioned by the evangelical leaders in their lives? Light a candle and listen in! 
Show Notes
·The holy hand slap
·Philip Schaff
·J. Frank Norris
·Jonathan Fletcher
·St Helen Bishopsgate Evangelical Anglican Church, London
Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Ordinary by Michael Horton. 
The copies are a complimentary gift from our friends at Zondervan.
 

You Might Be a Federal Visionist If...

The three amigos compiled a sizeable list of answers to that conditional statement—perhaps you have a few of your own! But why is this even a topic to be addressed? It seems that, even though the movement has been condemned by the NAPARC denominations over a decade ago, Federal Vision is still alive and well in Reformed circles. Some observers believe the “sympathizer’s club” may be growing! 
What is Federal Vision (FV), who were the spiritual fathers of this theology, and who are its contemporary promoters? What’s the main concern with Federal Vision theology? (Note that this is a broad topic receiving our attention for just a few minutes)
On a much lighter note, the Spinners tell us which other Christian traditions (besides Presbyterianism) they admire, and why. Be forewarned: this episode is not for the faint of heart!
 
Show Notes
 
·  R. Scott Clark, the leading Federal Vision Theology opponent
·  W. Stanford Reid: An Evangelical Calvinist in the Academy by A. Donald MacLeod
·  Getting the Gospel Right by Cornelius Venema
·  Children at the Lord’s Table: Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion by Cornelis Venema
·  Gospel Clarity: Challenging the New Perspective on Paul by Ligon Duncan and William Barcley

Struck Down but Not Destroyed

Following a discussion of various conspiracy theories, bad driving, and why the Spinners will never record episodes while in a car with Aimee at the wheel…the conversation turns to the topic of anxiety. To broach the subject, the crew welcomes Pierce Taylor Hibbs. He’s the associate director of the Center for Theological Writing at Westminster Theological Seminary, and author of Struck Down But Not Destroyed - Living Faithfully With Anxiety. 
Pierce talks about his experience of living with clinical anxiety for over 12 years, about a faith crisis in the midst of anxiety attacks, and the guilt that comes with it. Is anxiety always a sin problem, or are there different kinds of anxiety caused by emotional burdens? Is there such a thing as “noble” anxiety? 
Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, this conversation will give you a good perspective on a common malady, keeping God’s glory and the Christian’s well-being in proper balance.
Show Notes
Learn more about Pierce

Download a free chapter of Struck Down But Not Destroyed

Christians Battling Anxiety Facebook group

Other books by Pierce

Where to buy Struck Down but Not Destroyed
We’re pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of Pierce’s book Struck Down But Not Destroyed - Living Faithfully With Anxiety. Register!

Lessons Learned

Todd’s been summoned to host a popular TV show, but Carl and Aimee guarantee that they can handle this week’s episode without his coaching.
The two have learned a few things this past year that they’re willing to share. Carl discusses how pleasantly different 2019 was for him at his new job, the completion of the biggest projects of his adult life thus far, Hugh Hefner’s “contribution” to modern society, and more. Aimee’s research for her upcoming book on discipleship has taught her—among many other things—how to take criticism in a polarized (social media) world. The dynamic duo discusses true confessionalism, slander, online polemics, and navigating through it all.
Hear about the books of 2019 that you’ll want to read, or read again. You may even wish to give the corresponding episodes another listen!
 
Show Notes
·A 2020 message to Todd Pruitt
·Introducing Evangelical Theology by Daniel Treier
·Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter
·The Mosaic of Atonement by Joshua McNall
·Resourcing Theological Anthropology by Marc Cortez
·The Forsaken Monarch by Amy Mantravadi
·Theological Negotiations by Douglas Farrow
·God Visible by Brian Daley
·John Macnab by John Buchan 
·Witch Wood by John Buchan
·“Evangelical Elites Are Out of Touch” by Carl Trueman 

A Textbook of Theology

The three Spinners are back in the bunker to recommend a book and discuss its highlights. The topic of this conversation is actually a textbook titled Introducing Evangelical Theology by Daniel J. Treier, published by Baker Academic.
Written for all kinds of theology students—from small reading groups, to Sunday school teachers and academic students—Introducing Evangelical Theology is written in a simple, yet not simplistic way, and provides a great foundation from which to retrieve some much needed theological grammar. 
The team offers input about the saggy knees and the misnumbered fingers and toes of the people depicted on the cover…on the greatness of the “one sentence thesis” intro to every chapter…and, on the richness of the glossary. This is a book that you’ll want to read!
Visit the link and register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Introducing Evangelical Theology by Daniel J. Treier. The copies are a complimentary gift from our friends at Baker Academic.

Classical Theism - The Resurgence

Guess who’s on the Christmas naughty list? That’s right--all three Spinners! Aimee’s compared to Yoko Ono, Carl gets blamed for it, and Todd justifies his patriarchal household decisions. When the banter is finally over, we get to today’s topic: the resurgence of classical theism.
What is classical theism? The crew discusses its ancient origins and the recent interest in its return, not only on the academic level, but among lay people as well. Can the doctrine of God be something understood at the popular level, and even have practical implications? How do the two natures of Christ shape our understanding of God’s impassibility…and, why is it important that we understand this well? 
The conversation ends with a plea to presbyteries to keep the theological mutualism taught in some Reformed seminaries out of the pulpits. Listen to learn more... 
 
Show Notes
·None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God by Matthew Barrett
·Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics by Richard Muller
·Credo Magazine series on the Doctrine of God
·The Five Theological Orations by Gregory of Nazianzus 
·Interpreting Scripture With The Great Tradition by Craig Carter
·Simply God by Peter Sanlon
We’re giving you the opportunity to win a great resource about today’s topic. Register for the opportunity to receive a free copy of Sam Renihan’s God Without Passions - A Primer.
The copies are a generous gift from our friends at Reformed Baptist Academic Press.

Transgenderism Tackled by an Unlikely Coalition

Emily Zinos of the Ask Me First Minnesota Family Council returns to the bunker following her outstanding appearance on “Gender Confusion.” This time, Emily brings along her good friend Natasha Chart, who is on the board of directors of the Women’s Liberation Front - WoLF. 
What do a conservative Roman Catholic and a radical feminist have in common? Both believe that biology determines sex, and that women deserve protection. Emily and Natasha are members of Hands Across the Aisle, and—as the title suggests—they join forces with women from across the political spectrum to oppose gender identity ideology. The pair has written an extremely helpful resource guide for parents. Together, they tackle some important questions and tell us why identity politics is detrimental to women. 
Why has the transgender movement been so successful? Have we really thought through the lasting consequences of such ideology? Our guests are here to walk us through the answers. 
Show Notes
Download “Responding to the Transgender Issue - Parent Resource Guide”

Ask Me First Minnesota Family Council

Women’s Liberation Front - WoLF

Hands Across the Aisle - Resources

Q&A - Children of Believers and Our Fallible Heroes

Another curious word game introduction sets the stage for answering a few listener questions. Tackled today: Liturgical dance, Carl’s colorful pants and his “Christian journey,” Todd’s no-book deal, studio cough switches, and more.
Seriously: are the children of believers considered to be Christians, merely by virtue of being born to believing parents? Or, are they “little heathens?” The crew talks about the Presbyterian and Baptist views on the subject. On another matter: how can we appreciate our heroes from the past without ignoring their faults—involvement with slavery and anti-Semitic views, to name a few?
Carl, Todd, and Aimee navigate an episode that evolves from the silly to the sublime!
Show Notes
· The Sacrifice of Praise by Herman Bavinck

Confessional and Missional

Great questions keep coming from our listeners, and the Spin Team speaks ex cathedra, putting to rest once and for all a few queries related to this topic. Is there a true tension between being missional and being confessional? What does it mean to be missional in the current context? The crew addresses a few schools of thought related to the use of the term missional, some of the dangers of its misuse, and the real mission of the church, according to Matthew 28.But that’s not all! Our trio addresses the other side of the fence and discusses how one can [wrongly] excuse apathy for his neighbor and the world under the pretense of confessionalism. Shall we find the balance?