Bully Pulpit

Many churches have men in the pulpit who care for the flock, remembering they are "shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Their ministries can be a resource for unity, healing, and growth for a congregant. But in recent years, several high-profile cases of abuse have been reported—and there are many more we don't hear about. Often, the victims of such abuse are compelled to suffer in silence.
Michael Kruger serves as a professor and president at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, and he—once again—places his reputation in jeopardy by appearing on this podcast. With his new book, Michael seeks to help leaders and laypersons identify and deal with the problems that may be caused by spiritual abuse in their church. All as Todd continues to proselytize for your conversion to Presbyterianism.
Congrats to our winners of a copy of Michael's book, Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church, courtesy Zondervan Reflective:
*John H. from Rio Rancho, NM 
*Pete T. from Mt. Vernon, OH 
*Jonathan H. from Tampa, FL

So What Is Marriage?

How swiftly things change. Signed into law in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) refused to codify same-sex “marriage” federally, as it preserved the rights of each state to choose to recognize such unions. Recently, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), repealing DOMA and requiring the federal government and every US state and territory to recognize homosexual matrimony.
 
So what is marriage if it can be redefined in less than 30 years? Carl and Todd analyze statements made by the president and others as they discuss whether religious liberties will truly be preserved. Could RFMA provide an entree for polygamy or other challenges to the Christian definition of marriage? Are traditional mores still relevant?
Congratulations to our winners of copies of What is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense: .
*Joe G. of Meridien, ID
*Donald T. from Omaha, NE
*Brian M. of Annapolis, MD

Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction

Brad Littlejohn reminds us of the powerful influence of Protestant social teaching throughout the millennia. In his roles as president of the Davenant Institute, professor, author, and researcher, our guest has spoken of the radically anti-human concepts now creeping into the national dialogue as the leavening influence of Christian moral teachings is redefined or forgotten. Dr. Littlejohn‘s essays are an essential contribution to the book Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction, where the reader will come to appreciate that the tradition of Protestant moral theology still offers concrete guidance for political, social, medical, and judicial leaders on subjects like marriage, sexuality, life, death, and more.
We'd like to congratulate our winners of a copy of Protestant Social Teaching, courtesy of the Davenant Press:
*Collin W. from Beaufort, SC 
*Andrew B. from Ruston, LA 
*Stacy C. from Akron, OH

”Live Your Truth” and Other Lies

Alisa Childers knows the difference between “live the truth” and “live your truth.” In her new book, the former ZOEgirl singer/songwriter explains how modern lies disguised as truth in today’s culture have taken hold in many churches. Does Scripture call Christians to “follow their hearts” and “make their dreams a reality?” Alisa points the way to freedom and relief from popular deceptions that can leave us anxious, exhausted, and self-obsessed. 
Congratulations to our winners of a copy of Alisa's book, Live Your Truth and Other Lies, courtesy of Tyndale Elevate:
*Freddy F. from Jacksonville, AR 
*D. Lee G. from Friday Harbor, WA 
*Kenny L. from Spokane, WA
 

Cranky is the New Winsome

One of our guests encourages parents listening in to enforce a “PG-13” content label on today’s show, but—remembering some disturbing stories Todd has shared on the podcast—we confidently move forward with today’s topic. On the table: a frank discussion of the ongoing fallout from the Revoice conference and other sexually-charged issues challenging the Church. 
Joining Carl and Todd are author, speaker, former professor, and current sock maker Rosaria Butterfield, along with Joshua Gielow. Joshua is from truthXchange, an organization that helps the next Christian generation think clearly and live virtuously in a culture antagonistic to their faith. You’ll learn to discern the subtle shifts in language used to normalize certain behaviors making their way into the Church and the attitude of victimhood used to silence any criticism. 
Congrats to our winners of copies of The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality by Christopher Gordon:
*Karlie B. from Deltona, FL (who also won a pair of socks hand-knitted by Rosaria Butterfield!)
*Jacob L. from Tuscumbia, AL 
*Bill Z. from Charlottesville, VA

Fire in the Streets

Few of us will forget the hot summer of 2020. The COVID pandemic closed schools and businesses, and—as many Americans were shuttered in their homes—angry mobs took to the empty streets protesting police brutality, perceived inequities, and other burning issues. Some sense of order has since returned, but can we afford to move forward without a careful evaluation of what brought fire to our streets?
Our returning guest, Christian philosopher and apologist Dr. Douglas Groothuis, is a prolific author and professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary. His latest release considers what Jesus followers bring to the current debate about race and gender in America, offering insight into the origins and dangers of critical theory. Carl and Todd’s evocative questions foster a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Thanks to Salem Books we have our winners of copies of Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics by Douglas Groothuis:
*Scott T. from Tomball, TX 
*Mark S. of Rochester, MN 
*Kelvin M. from Bronx, NY

Literary Talent On Loan from God

From the EIP (Excellence in Podcasting) Studios, it’s David Limbaugh! The brother of the late talk radio icon is an attorney and distinguished author in his own right. David joins us today to discuss his latest book and discern whether Carl’s accent is authentic, wholly contrived, or simply unnecessary.
 
The goal of The Resurrected Jesus: The Church in the New Testament, co-authored with daughter Christen Limbaugh Bloom, is to draw readers closer to Jesus by focusing on the Savior’s intimate friends and their epistles to the Church. In the process, we learn that many of the struggles of the early Church are similar to those Christians encounter today.
 
Congrats to Mike N. in Wooster, OH, the winner of a copy of The Resurrected Jesus courtesy of Regnery Publishing. 
 

Why Believe?

Carl and Todd are, for the first time in quite a while, recording their podcast face-to-face within the Alliance compound. Careful to remain socially distanced—not because of COVID, but to prevent any regrettable chance of human contact whatsoever—the pair welcomes Dr. Neil Shenvi to the mix. He’s a former Yale and Duke University researcher turned homeschooling father with a passion for Christian apologetics.
Of course, every new generation brings with it a fresh set of challenges for the apologist. The “new atheist” may find Christianity to be, for example, oppressive of women or impossibly judgmental. Is the Bible true, or even morally good? Our guest engages with the best contemporary arguments against the faith and provides a clear and compelling case to embrace Christ and Christianity.
Congrats to our winners of a copy of Shenvi’s Why Believe? A Reasoned Approach to Christianity:
*Annette K. of Speculator, NY   
*Brant K. from Sygnet, OH   
*Tyler H. of Colorado Springs, CO

Situating Our Suffering

After a few moments of whining about their generous Alliance salaries, our pouty podcasters welcome a return guest—a "repeat offender," as Carl sees it—to the Spin. In the second installment from his series Suffering and the Christian Life, Mark Talbot encourages readers to place their suffering within the arc of the entire biblical story. In doing so, we better understand our suffering and can take courage and find comfort in God as we walk through it. We'll understand why Christians suffer and how we can rest in knowing that our suffering will someday come to an end. 
Crossway Books congratulates our winners of Talbot's Give Me Understanding That I May Live: Situating Our Suffering within God's Redemptive Plan:
*Samuelis L. from Montpelier, VT
*Brad K. from Goshen, IN
*Todd K. from McBain, MI

Life after Roe

Reaction from both sides of the debate to the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade has been swift and predictable. So, what exactly happened that Friday in June? Did the Supremes actually vote to make abortion illegal? And where do we go from here?
Frank Beckwith is a philosopher who publishes, speaks, and teaches on religion, jurisprudence, politics, and ethics at Baylor University. He’s written extensively on abortion and the sanctity of life and can thus offer an informed explanation of the Dobbs v Jackson decision and its implications. Though the professor (a skilled mimic) is unable to render a serviceable impression of POTUS 45, you’ll appreciate his exceptional insights on today’s topic.
Congratulations to our winners of a copy of Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing by Alexandra DeSanctis and Ryan T. Anderson:
*Bret R. from San Luis Obispo, CA
*Jeff D. from Mechanicsville, VA
*David E. from Philpot, KY