Can I Trust the Bible?

Todd and Carl interview Steve Nichols, author and professor of Christianity and Culture at Lancaster Bible College, and they respectfully dub their guest the "Peter Pan of reformed theology." While Steve may look young, he is certainly insightful when it comes to this episode's topics of discussion: the doctrine of Scripture and the current relevancy of church history. If you can put up with the hosts' frequent wise cracks, listen in to hear Steve raise what he calls the compelling question of the modern age.
Mentioned on Can I Trust the Bible?
Ancient Word, Changing World by Stephen Nichols
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: From the Cross, for the World by Stephen Nichols
Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen Nichols
J. Gresham Machen: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen Nichols
The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Stephen Nichols
Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen
 

Anonymous Christians Anyone?

Is there such a thing as a tan Englishman? Todd and Carl debate the issue momentarily before focusing their attention on the recent news surrounded Pope Francis' universalist comments. If you're not familiar with the term "anonymous Christian" (don't worry...we weren't either), listen in and learn how the Pope's flawed theology has been plaguing the church from Justin Martyr in the 2nd century to misguided modern day teachers like Rob Bell. Is there a difference between universalism and inclusivism? What's the real problem with the Roman Catholic Church? Our hosts will answer these questions and more in this "no guest needed" edition of your favorite reformed podcast!    Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals We Are Beggars: Luther's Famous Last Words by Carl TruemanThis is one of the Seminar Messages from the 2012 Quakertown Regional Conference on Reformed Theology, Alone: The Solas of the Reformation. This message is brought by Carl Trueman.    Mentioned on Anonymous Christians Anyone? Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Carl Trueman 

Happiness Questing

 As Todd and Carl report from "The Batcave" to offer a solemn critique of Andy Stanley's book, Deep and Wide, the hosts discuss the biblical role of the church, Jesus' example and the definition of happiness. While both the topic and their critique are serious, the musical interludes certainly are not. If you've ever wondered how the church should relate to the culture around it and what the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" could possibly have to do with it, you'll love this episode of The Mortification of Spin!    Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsHappy, Though Poor by Dr. BarnhouseJoy is the blessing of being at peace with God, and this is by believing in Jesus Christ as one's Savior and having Him remove the burden of sin and guilt from one's life. One may be poor by the world's standards, but belonging to Jesus now and for eternity is true wealth.  Mentioned on Happiness Questing Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend by Andy Stanley      Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel [IX Marks] by Mark Dever

Creating Young (and old) Theologians

Carl and Todd sit down with a special guest—children's book author Simonetta Carr. A successful teacher, writer, and homeschooling mother of eight kids, Simonetta is undoubtedly busy but denies being any sort of "supermom." As Todd and Carl interview their guest, you'll learn about her passion for communicating doctrine through church history's powerful stories and dynamic characters. With several books already published and a few more in the works, her writings are a great resource not only for children but also for adults like Todd and Carl, who tend only to read books with lots of pictures.   
Show Notes:Books by Simonetta Carrhttps://reformedresources.org/books/simonetta-carr/

No pain, No gain, No church

Todd Pruitt and Carl Trueman meet with PCA church planter, Jon “No Gain” Payne, to discuss the struggles, victories and overall philosophy of biblical church planting.  All jokes about skinny jeans and soy lattes aside, the hosts jump right in and ask the tough questions. What does the gospel-centered, reformed version of this ministry look like in an age when church planting is considered “sexy” and glamorous? Jon outlines 8 essential keys to building a proper biblical foundation for any church. While he speaks with excitement about his and his family’s upcoming move to Charleston, SC, he also recognizes that flashy gimmicks will not be the means through which God builds His church. Jon is stepping out in faith and obedience and relying on the means of ordinary grace alone.Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals How to Have a Healthy Church, free pdf booklet by James BoiceWhat should be the distinguishing marks of the Church of Jesus Christ? What should be its most important characteristic? How do we know when our church is healthy? James Boice answers these important questions as he works through John 17.  Mentioned on No pain, No gain, No churchA Faith Worth Teaching: The Heidelberg Catechism's Enduring Heritage by Jon D. Payne and Sebastian HeckThe Lectio Continua Project edited by Jon D. PayneIn the Splendor of Holiness: Rediscovering the Beauty of Reformed Worship for the 21st Century by Jon D. PayneOur Southern Zion: A History of Calvinism in the South Carolina Low Country, 1690-1990         

Stop My Mouth

What do good theology, Pelagius, fish-n-chips, and suffering have in common? The answer is today's guest, the most extraordinary Welsh mind since Pelagius: Dr. Derek Thomas. After a bit of banter and an impressive bit of Welsh, Derek sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss preaching—specifically, Calvin's sermons on Job and the theology of preaching.
Show notesCalvin's Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God by Derek Thomashttps://www.amazon.com/Calvins-Teaching-Job-Proclaiming-Incomprehensible/dp/1857929225

The Happy Lutheran

With no students to teach, Steven Nichols, research professor of Christianity and Culture at Lancaster Bible College, joins Todd and Carl on Mortification of Spin to discuss Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Was Bonhoeffer an Evangelical? Was he even a Christian? At what point are his writings helpful for us? Steve demonstrates that Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an important Christian thinker whose life and death lend weight to his writings. Bonhoeffer has earned the right to be heard whether we agree, disagree, love, or hate him. 
Show NotesBonhoeffer on the Christian Life by Steven Nichols

Necessary Controversies

On Mortification of Spin, Todd Pruitt and Carl Trueman talk about the necessity of dressing up in order to attend church on Sunday and how that standard must be maintained at all costs. However, both aim to avoid conflict but understand that only through conflict will the church be around in 53 years. Listen right now to this episode of Mortification of Spin and Carl will tell you the correct way to pronounce controversy.    Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsDownload the free message Conflict and Triumph by Dr. Donald Barnhouse.An exploration of the great conflict going on between good and evil within the spiritual realm, Dr. Barnhouse carefully traces this vast spiritual conflict back to the period before the beginning of recorded time. Mentioned on Necessary ControversiesFools Rush In Where Monkeys Fear To Tread, by Carl TruemanWestminster Theological Seminary

Unsensational Supernatural Unlikely Conversion

Todd Pruitt and Carl Trueman discuss the recent publication of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield’s Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert.  Dr. Butterfield, a former Lesbian professor, came to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of an unassuming Reformed pastor and his family.  Not only so, but she has come all the way from radical professor to home-schooling pastor’s wife in an exclusive psalm singing denomination.   Free resource from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicalsDownload the message The Conversion of Saul by Dr. James Boice. Use coupon code emezym.He watched the killing of Stephen, the first martyr. He went on to do everything he could to stamp out the newly formed Christian church. We would not expect him to become a convert a missionary and an apostle, but that is what God did. After Paul knew that Jesus was the Son of God, the first action he took was to tell others. This is exactly what everyone who wants a vital spiritual life must do.  Mentioned on Unsensational Supernatural Unlikely ConversionSecret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria ButterfieldRegulative Principle: With Reverence and Awe by D.G. HartMetrical Psalms: http://metricalpsalms.homestead.com/Acts 29Mark DriscollConfessions of a Reformission Rev.Broad evangelicalism: Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, by Carl Trueman

Birth of the Cool

Hosts Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss the evangelical fascination with being cool.  The problem with being cool is that it is the overarching culture or zeitgeist that determines what is cool and what is not. Christians are called to be conformed to the image of the Son and this implies some very uncool ramifications which come in for consideration during this interesting conversation. Mentioned on The Birth of the CoolGod's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes by J. I. PackerYoung, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists by Collin HansenThe Lost Message of Jesus by Steve Chalke