Ash to Ashes

Job: it’s one of the darkest, most troubling, and misunderstood books in the Bible. Christopher Ash, Director of the Cornhill Training Course of Proclamation Trust in London and council member of Tyndale House in Cambridge, has authored a worthwhile book on Job. Carl, Aimee, & Todd sit down to discuss Job: The Wisdom of the Cross, a commentary in the Preaching the Word series. In the book Ash breaks down everything from the difficult conversations with Job’s friends to God’s purpose in redemptive suffering. The main focus of today’s casual conversation:...the leviathan. So is it a dinosaur or what?The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer a drawing for a free book! We have a few copies of Job: The Widsom of the Cross by Christopher Ash that we would like to give away. You can enter the drawing here.

Bully Pulpit: ”Call Me… Contradiction”

Sex change operations have been around for some time but with recent headlines about "Caitlyn" Jenner, transgender issues are a hot topic and something every Christian must be discerning about. So how should we think of our bodies? Is a sex change gender denial, body mutilation, or result of a mental disorder? If someone is converted after they've had a sex change … what then? Should they reverse the operation? Pastors, this is a show you can't miss. The probability of facing this scenario in your congregation is real and the malleable minds of covenant children are in need of godly wisdom to offset enticing, secular lies. As the Kinks said: "It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world," and they've never been more right.For this week's Bully Pulpit, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away a couple free copies of Biblical Personhood and Gender Confusion. You can enter here for a chance to win, or purchase this product on Reformed Resources.

Reclaiming Reverence

How does one approach God in reverence? Is it a tone?... a feeling?... an outward posture? Seems a lot of confusion surrounds our understanding of God’s holiness. Of course, it doesn’t help that we live in an irreverent age that’s traded structured sobriety for what’s casual and comfortable. And what about humor? When is it appropriate and should it be present in the pulpit? To answer these tough questions, we called on the most irreverent people we know... Carl, Aimee, & Todd.If this week's Mortification of Spin has benefited you, then you will be interested in Taught by the Word to Worship by Peter Lillback, a free audio download from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can download this product from Reformed Resources.

Bully Pulpit: Bookworms & Beach Bums

OK kids, it’s summer and your reading list is out! Grab your flip flops, sunscreen, a good read and join the Spin Gang by the shore. My my, Todd's looking rather bronzed in his white-beater and Bermuda shorts - those trips to the tanning salon really paid off. Aimee’s shownin' off her beach-smarts in an SPF 100 denim jumper - class! As for Carl, he was last seen turning 50 shades of red seeking refuge at the cabana… Zinfandel in hand. Scandal! So clearly our team doesn't do the beach well but at least they're well-read! Hear them share what they'll be reading this summer - it's an interesting mix of theological and fictional books to enhance any beach-bumming experience you may have planned this season.For this week's Bully Pulpit, The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away a couple free copies of Developing a Christian Mind: Learning to Think and Act Biblically w/ Study Guide by James Boice. You can enter here for a chance to win, or purchase this product on Reformed Resources.MoS's Summer Reading ListTodd: The Church of Christ - James BannermanStalin: Volume I: Paradoxes of Power - Stephen KotkinThe Buried Giant - Kazuo IshiguroThe World Beyond Your Head - Matthew CrawfordThe Critic's Companion to the Works of Carl Trueman by Todd PruittCarl:Paradise Lost - John MiltonJane Eyre - Charlotte BronteIn the Company of Preachers - Richard LischerShop Class as Soul Craft - Matthew Crawford Aimee:Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery - G.K. Beale and Benjamin LaddA Severe Mercy - Sheldon VanaukenJournibles Short stories - Flannery O'Connor 

Depression: Purposed Pain

Is depression a sin? Can a Christian be depressed and still godly? Thankfully we have pastor David Murray chiming in with his wisdom on the matter. David has authored many books, and a few of them deal with the topic of depression: The Happy Christian and Christians Get Depressed Too. In the Reformed tradition we believe our whole bodies are fallen, falling apart, and in the case of Carl’s hair, falling out. So how should we view depression in light of that? David & Co. confront the theology shaping our thoughts on depression and the difference knowing God can make for the depressed believer.This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a chance to win David Murray's The Happy Christian. You can enter here to win, or visit Reformed Resources to purchase this product.

Bully Pulpit: Beg to Differ

Just back from Yale, Carl & Todd try not to make Aimee feel too bad for missing out on their trip. While at Yale, they shared tables with great thinkers, enjoyed dinners and other pleasantries, but it sometimes seems that no matter where these boys go trouble, dispute, and controversy are sure to follow. Their discussions with others raised an important question: how do we disagree with fellow man, even fellow Christians, in an honorable, civilized, and godly way? The boys share anecdotes from their travels and needless to say, it's a helpful conversation on how we deal with controversy without abandoning our Christian manners.If you have enjoyed this Bully Pulpit then you will benefit from Kosher Cooking and all That by James Boice as a free audio download from The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can also find this product on Reformed Resources.

Forever Young

“Let no one despise you for your youth.” Those were Paul’s words to Timothy. But is that even an issue in today’s culture obsessed with catering to and seeking youthfulness? Youth is highly prized, while seasoned, wise leaders are tossed to the curb. So many churches have turned to attractive, cool, yet inept leaders who have more swagger than biblical knowledge. So how is this damaging the Church and what does it mean to have biblical church leadership that’s more useful than it is hip? Thankfully some churches still hire unpopular nerds like Todd & Carl who possess more Biblical know-how than chic, and we've got Aimee to validate that.If this week's Mortification of Spin has benefit you then you will be interested in Ministry in the Church by Eric Alexander as a free audio download from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can also find this product on Reformed Resources.

Bully Pulpit: You Snooze You Lose

Two shady sheep wandered into Todd's megachurch today. Skirting by security, Carl and Aimee are incognito to rate Todd's preaching and their notes are ... lacking in content. Aimee's doing her usual multitasking - doodling nun chucks and jotting her grocery list while Carl's a man of one talent today: sleep.  Probably not the shining examples you'd expect but raises an important question: How are we on listening to the preached word? Take it from these two, it's not always easy, especially with Pruitt in the pulpit. Is sitting under God's preached word something we take seriously, strategically, thoughtfully? Are we diligent or complacent, prepared or passive? And is there a difference between listening and hearing? Carl, Aimee & Todd take these questions to task while offering some basic tips and aids for congregants and their covenant children. Listen up, this is something we all need to hear.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away How to Listen to a Bad Sermon by Ligon Duncan as a free audio download. You can also find this free gift on Reformed Resources.

Defending Life & Understanding Identity Politics

Where do our rights come from: God or Government? As Christians, how are we using (or should we say misusing) our American liberties? What does God have to say about abortion and sexual identity? These are pressing questions during an era submerged in promoting pro-choice and normalizing immoral sexual agendas. As Christians, we must know our stance. Frank Beckwith, professor of ethics, philosophy, and religion at Baylor University, and author of Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice, joins today's conversation. Hear Frank's fascinating defense against a society that twists virtue and hails immorality.For this week's Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away some free copies of God's Servant in Christian Liberty MP3 set. If you do not recieve a free copy, you can also find these messages on Reformed Resources.

Bully Pulpit: Revisiting an Old Favorite

Time for another book review, and we're giving this one three thumbs up! Our hosts discuss the recent republication of The Church of Christ, a classic of Scottish Presbyterian polity and theory by James Bannerman. This book highlights the Church's role, power, and importance during a time the world (and even Christians!) struggles to see its purpose. Does the church stand a chance in societies that continually belittle its values and undermine its presence? Not surprisingly, the world is growing more uncomfortable for Christians, so we must purpose to understand what God intended for His Bride and keep heart. Bannerman helps us do just that.This week The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give you the opportunity to win a free copy of James Bannerman's The Church of Christ. You can enter here to win a free copy of this timeless work.Additional ResourcesThe Post-Indiana Future for Christians