Podcast appearances and mentions of byron borger

In this conversation, we welcome fan favorite, Byron Borger, back to the podcast. Along with host Daniel Johnson, they discuss the importance of reading as an embodied experience, the significance of seasonal reading aligned with the liturgical calendar, and the recent resurgence of work and faith materials. He emphasizes the challenges college graduates face transitioning into the workforce and the importance of integrating faith into their work lives. The podcast also highlights various books that can aid in this transition and the necessity of community support for maintaining faith post-college. In this conversation, Byron discusses the importance of balancing vocation and rest, the beauty of nature as explored through literature, and the need for community engagement in environmental care. They highlight books that inspire readers to appreciate creation, engage in ecological restoration, and reflect on personal narratives through memoirs. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, nature, and personal growth, encouraging listeners to explore these themes in their own lives.We encourage you to purchase your books at Heartsandminds Bookstore. Learn more about them here = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/ List of books:After College by Erica Young Reitz (2025, InterVarsity Press)Serious Dreams: Bold Ideas for the Rest of Your Life edited by Byron Borger (2015, Square Halo Books)The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God's Purpose for Your Life by Os Guinness (2003, Thomas Nelson)Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good by Steven Garber (2014, IVP Books)Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom Nelson (2025, Made to Flourish)Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf (2012, Dutton)The Sacredness of Secular Work: Four Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity by Jordan Raynor (2025, WaterBrook)Go Forth: God's Purpose for Your Work by Redeemer City to City (2025, Redeemer City to City)Birds in the Sky and Fish in the Sea by Matthew Dickerson (2025, Square Halo Books)Refugee of Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Deborah Rienstra (2025, Fortress Press)Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as a Spiritual Practice by Belden Lane (2015, Oxford University Press)Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Kenoshae by Gail Hefner and David Warners (2025, Michigan State University Press)Beyond Stewardship: New Approaches to Creation Care edited by David Warners (2025, Calvin College Press)The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found by Frank Bruni (2022, Avid Reader Press)Mr. Oweita's Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart by Carol Wall (2014, G.P. Putnam's Sons)God Struck: Seven Women and Their Religious Conversions by Kelsey Osgood (2025, HarperOne)Chapters:00:00 The Embodied Experience of Reading04:29 Seasonal Reading and the Church Calendar09:54 Navigating Work and Faith16:50 Books for Transitioning Graduates24:13 The Importance of Community in Transition27:04 The Balance of Work and Rest28:01 Exploring Nature Through Literature30:16 Creating Habitats and Healing the Earth31:42 Wilderness as a Spiritual Practice36:09 Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship42:23 Reconciliation Ecology and Creation Care43:30 Memoirs and Personal Stories52:25 Summer Reading Recommendations

Should Christians care about the ecological crises that we face? Should climate change be a concern for believers? Many Christians still view their faith as primarily a “spiritual” matter that has little to do with the “physical” world in which they live. Our guest is Steven Bouma-Prediger, who contends that protecting and restoring our planet is an essential practice for Christians. Steve has studied the Bible and understands what it teaches about this earthly life. He has written extensively about how humans are called, in the words of Genesis 2:15, to “work and take care of” the world in which we live. He is troubled by how too few Christians see this as a crucial part of Christian discipleship.Scroll down to learn more about Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app!Thanks for listening!Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney. Go to re-integrate.org for further resources on reintegrating all of life with God's mission. Steven Bouma-Prediger, Ph.D.Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger is Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he has also served as the chairperson of the Department of Religion and as the associate dean for teaching and learning. He also oversees the Environmental Studies minor. In addition, Steve teaches in Belize and New Zealand for the Creation Care Study Program. His latest book is Creation Care Discipleship: Why Earthkeeping Is an Essential Christian Practice (from Baker Academic).Among his previous books are Earthkeeping and Character: Exploring a Christian Ecological Virtue Ethic and For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care, and (co-authored with Brian J. Walsh) Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement.His books can be purchased from independent bookseller Byron Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Byron and Susan explore the significance of Lent as a time for reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. They discuss various resources, including books and devotionals, to help individuals engage meaningfully with the Lenten season. The conversation emphasizes the importance of slowing down, paying attention to one's spiritual life, and integrating faith into everyday experiences. Our host is Susan Smetzer-Anderson, she is the Senior Writer and Content Manager for the SL Brown Foundation. Our guest for today's podcast is Byron Borger, he is the owner of Hearts and Minds bookstore, and his knowledge of books and their shaping power is truly extraordinary. In this podcast, he shares his recommendations for good reads for the liturgical season of Lent. ====Watch this conversation on YouTube!https://youtu.be/JAca0Kuvwpk

This conversation delves into the significance of Advent, emphasizing its historical context and spiritual preparation for Christmas. Byron Borger shares insights on the liturgical calendar, the importance of repentance, and the tension of living in the 'already and not yet' of Christ's coming. The discussion includes a variety of book recommendations that explore these themes, highlighting the role of literature, poetry, and community in enriching the Advent experience. In this conversation, the speaker discusses various books about Advent and Christmas, highlighting their significance in spiritual formation and family traditions. The discussion includes a range of literature, from poetry to children's books, emphasizing the importance of community and liturgical practices in contemporary faith expressions. The speaker also touches on these works' relevance in understanding the Christmas story's historical and cultural contexts.----Be sure to order your Advent readings through Hearts and Minds bookstore:https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/----

In this conversation, host Daniel Johnson and guest Byron Borger from Hearts and Minds bookstore discuss various topics, including reading in different seasons, the church calendar, and the role of reading in the life of a Christian. Byron recommends several books on topics such as education, creation care, and politics. The conversation provides insights and recommendations for readers who are interested in these subjects. This conversation explores the intersection of literature, theology, and culture.----We encourage you to purchase your books from Hearts and Minds bookstore!https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com ----

To help us, as Christians, have a clear understanding of modern-day Israel, and how it relates to the Bible, we have asked one of the nation's foremost authorities on the subject onto the podcast.Dr. Gary Burge (Ph.D., from King's College at the University of Aberdeen, and M.Div., from Fuller Theological Seminary) is a New Testament scholar, professor, author, and ordained minister. After 25 years teaching at Wheaton College and Graduate School, he is now Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary.Scroll down to learn more about Dr. Gary Burge and his books.Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!Dr. Gary BurgeGary Burge has written biblical commentaries and scholarly books on the New Testament. He has also tackled the theological and practical issues surrounding the people and the land of Israel and PalestineIn Jesus and the Land: The New Testament Challenge to "Holy Land" Theology (Baker Academic, 2010), Dr. Burge meticulously studies the Scriptures to describe first-century Jewish and Christian beliefs about the land of Israel. He offers a full survey of New Testament passages that directly address the question of land and faith.Gary Burge's other book on the topic is Whose Land? Whose Promise?: What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians (Pilgrim Press, 2003, Revised 2013). This book explores the history and conflicts of modern-day Israel and Palestine and also provides a study of what both the Old Testament and New Testament teach about Israel and the promised land. In this book, he also tells personal stories stemming from his many years visiting the people who struggle to live in this war-torn land, including the friendships he's made with the people of God found in Palestine, that is, the many Christians who have suffered under Israeli persecution.You can purchase Dr. Gary Burge's books from independent bookseller Byron Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. Order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about these books on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off.Thanks for listening! Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney.Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God's mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission.You'll find more episodes and ways to contact Bob and David on Reintegrate's podcast page.  Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

ORDER BOOKS: www.heartsandmindsbooks.comThe Jubilee Conference has long invited students to take seriously the Lordship of Christ over all of life. In every zone of culture and every corner of our lives, we can live out the story of God's love for the world and play our part creating signposts of the Kingdom. Reading has always been a key Christian discipline but now, more than ever, books are tools for changing the world. Come be inspired to read more and grow your faith, living into the Jubilee vision, nurturing the Christian mind. Our conference bookseller is eager to share a theology of reading, ideas about how to become a better reader, and answer questions about what to read next.BOOKS MENTIONED IN THE WORKSHOPSho Baraka | He Saw That It Was Good: How Your Creative Life Can Change a Broken WorldMarilyn McEntyre | When Poets PrayDavid Dockery | What Does It Mean to Be a Thoughtful Christian?Austin Carty | The Pastor's Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters for MinistryJessica Hooten Wilson | The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in ...Claude Atcho | Reading Black BooksMarilyn McEntyre | Caring for Words in a Culture of LiesChaim Potok | The ChosenORDER BOOKS: www.heartsandmindsbooks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is on your summer reading list? In this episode, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson has a conversation with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. They discuss the importance of books and reading in shaping our imagination, empathy, and faith. Byron shares insights on the power of narratives and the impact of literature on our spiritual growth and understanding of the world. He also recommends books that offer guidance on reading thoughtfully and spiritually, emphasizing the transformative nature of literature. The conversation delves into the power of narrative, the practice of deep reading, and the impact of technology on reading habits. It also explores the themes of hospitality, vocation, and the purpose of education. ----Order your books through the Hearts and Minds bookstore = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com----

Yes, we should reintegrate the Christian faith with science. But what if that means that we should look for the creator God in every aspect of God's creation? What if the Bible and science are meant not only to coexist but actually to inform one another? John Van Sloten has written God Speaks Science: What Neurons, Giant Squid, and Supernovae Reveal about Our Creator (Moody, 2023), in which he dives into what God reveals about life and himself in the created order, which is explored and studied through scientific vocations.Scroll down to read more about this episode.Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!On this EpisodeJohn Van Sloten is a pastor, theologian, and writer who seeks to discern God's voice revealing himself in all things, both in the book of the Bible and the book of God's creation.John has written two other books reintegrating the Christian faith with all of life. His first book, The Day Metallica Came to Church: Seeing the Everywhere God in Everything (Square Inch, 2010), listens for God's whispers in pop culture. His second book, Every Job a Parable; What Walmart Greeters, Nurses and Astronauts tell us about God (NavPress, 2017), looks at what God reveals about us and himself in the things we do at work.Check out this review of John Van Sloten's previous books from independent bookseller Byron Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. You can order any of John's books online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about this book on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off.Thanks for listening!Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney.Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God's mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission.On Reintegrate's podcast page, you'll find more episodes and ways to contact Bob and David.  Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore speaks with Dru Johnson about literacy, theology, and the need for bookstores to cultivate the Christian imagination.  AI Generated Takeaways —The decline in reading and literacy rates among Americans is a concern, particularly among younger generations. —Books play a crucial role in personal growth and Christian discipleship, expanding one's understanding of the world and deepening their faith. —The power of books to inspire imagination and critical thinking is essential for engaging with complex texts, including the Bible. —Wise book recommendations that consider individual interests and readiness are important for fostering a love of reading. —Christian publishing has seen trends towards ecumenical reading, contemplative spirituality, and a commitment to social justice. Christian books should go beyond self-help and focus on worldview formation and the lordship of Christ over the life of the mind. —Christian bookstores should offer diverse book categories to cater to different interests and needs. —The rise of online marketing and the influence of Amazon have changed the publishing industry, with authors now expected to promote their own books. —Supporting local bookstores is important to maintain a human connection and receive personalized recommendations. —Physical spaces like bookstores and libraries provide opportunities for serendipitous discoveries and foster lifelong learning. —Lifelong learning is a distinctively Christian act that can be seen as an act of worship and a way to practice the presence of God.

Books, books, books—that is our focus today, with two individuals who spent their lives surrounded by them. Joining me is the bookseller (Hearts & Minds) out of Pennsylvania, Byron Borger. And, law librarian from Nebraska University School of Law, Richard A. Leiter (bio here).   RELATED EPISODE: 1) Previous episodes with Byron (56, 64, 71) 2) Previous episode with Richard (48)    The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. A special thanks to Nick and Ashley Barnett for their contribution in making this podcast possible. Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY.

You're not supposed to “let God take control” of your life and work. You're not supposed to “hear God's voice in your heart.” And, you're not supposed to be guided by God's Holy Spirit by inner feelings of peace, intuitions, or impressions. These are three things believers have recently come to believe as being essential to being Christian. But according to our guest Phillip Cary, they are not found in the Bible and actually will cause harm – psychologically, morally, and spiritually.  Phillip Cary is a Professor of Philosophy and the Chair of the Philosophy Department at Eastern University. He has written several books on Augustine, drawing on his doctoral dissertation at Yale under the guidance of Nicholas Wolterstorff.  Brazos Press has just released the expanded second edition of his best-selling book, Good News for Anxious Christians: 10 Practical Things You Don't Have to Do. Andy Crouch says of this book, “Graceful and liberating, it is a word of wisdom and hope that just might convince anxious Christians that the gospel really is better news than we've yet imagined."  Byron Borger wrote, "Tremendously rich and thoughtful and wonderfully written… This book is written by a gentleman [who] is, well, a genius… This is an anti-self-help book that takes historic and solid theology and uses that to counter the silliness – silliness that may become toxic – that is often found in popular-level evangelicalism. This is solid pastoral theology, inviting deeper and more mature thinking about the slogans and clichés we too often hear.” Purchase this book from Byron at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. You can order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about Phillip Cary's book on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off! >> Thanks for listening! Your hosts for the Re-integrate Podcast are Dr. Bob Robinson (@Bob_Robinson_re) and David Loughney (@David_Loughney). Go to re-integrate.org for the latest articles on reintegrating your callings with God's mission and online resources for further learning. You can also find out about a Bible study book that you can use in your small group or individual devotions: Reintegrate Your Vocation with God's Mission. On Reintegrate's podcast page, you'll find more episodes and ways to email us to comment on this podcast. Music provided by Brian Donahue.

“I've found Borger's vocation to be more similar to a pharmacist than a bookseller. People come to Hearts and Minds [Bookstore] with one deficiency or another. After some listening, Borger prescribes just the right supplement of Al Wolters or Richard Middleton or an obscure gem hidden in a tacky dust jacket… Byron is the Michael Jordan of synthesizing ideas. Each ["BookNotes”] post is rife with connections: connections between art and faith, between politics and science, between gardening and prayer. Byron is a true interdisciplinarian, a renascence man if ever there was one.” - Dustin Messer “Somewhere in central Pennsylvania there is a warm and inviting labyrinth called Hearts & Minds Bookstore. Byron and Beth Borger, the caretakers of Hearts & Minds, have worked there tirelessly for over three decades to create a space for serious, reflective readers. The Borgers are committed to helping their customers live out Christ's Lordship in the midst of our highly secularized, postmodern culture. They have carried out this mission through their shop, mail-order services, and book tables at conferences around the country. Their unremitting efforts to offer quality books for thinking biblically about every area of life has inspired a volume on this, their bookstore's thirty-fifth anniversary. One of the many ways Hearts & Minds has blessed their customers has been through BookNotes. In those reviews, Byron shares colorful anecdotes and passionate arguments for why to read books, and amplified lists suggesting what books to read. In this book, the Borger's friends have adopted the BookNotes model and offer a defense for books in their spheres of interest, along with a number of titles for the reader to consider investing their time in for deeper study.” – From “A Book For Hearts & Minds: What You Should Read and Why”

How have the various political ideologies become idolatries? We have David Koyzis on to guide us through the strengths and weaknesses of each of them - Liberalism, Conservatism, Nationalism, Democracy, and Socialism. This is a crash-course in political science during the election season from one of our generation’s best thinkers on the subject. David T. Koyzis earned his Ph.D. in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame. He has taught undergraduate political science for thirty years. The new second edition of his highly acclaimed book, Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies came out last year, published by InterVarsity Press.  It is the very best book Bob’s ever read about politics from a Christian worldview. This is a book with a broad international and historical perspective, so it is not bogged down with the punditry that infects so many books. It is not only an equal-opportunity critique but is also a book of hope -- that we can move beyond the ideologies that divide us in our civil and public life.  Thanks for listening! Go to re-integrate.org for several years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, online resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. Please consider purchasing this book from our friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent bookstore owners of Hearts and Minds Bookstore.

2020 has been an incredible year of turmoil. It is the first year of a decade that promises to have lots of challenges.  Tom Sine and Dwight Friesen are the authors of a fresh new book, 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerated Change. Brendan and Bob discuss with them how these three vital practices can prepare young people, ministry leaders, and marketplace Christians for a decade that promises to be incredibly challenging. How can Christians be on the front lines, changing challenges into opportunities to serve and to show the love of Christ?  Tom Sine is what we might call a futurist. He is co-founder, along with his wife Christine, of Mustard Seed Associates. For three decades, he has consulted countless churches and organizations to help them forecast and innovate for the challenges of the future. They live in an intergenerational community in Seattle where they seek to model a new way of living for the 2020s called the Mustard Seed House. He encourages and equips who he calls the New Changemakers. http://www.newchangemakers.com/about/ Dwight Friesen is a professor of practical theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. He has been a leading innovative church leader for years which has led him to initiatives like Parish Collective, a global movement of Christians reimagining church in, with, and for the neighborhood as well as the Inhabit Conference, a gathering of Christian leaders who share a common vision for seeing the transformation of the church through their participation in their neighborhoods. Born & raised in Canada, he now lives in Washington State with his wife Lynette. http://dwightfriesen.com/ Thanks for listening! Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for several years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, online resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ Please consider purchasing this book from our friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent bookstore owners of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/

How do we reintegrate the Christian faith with how we watch movies? We can go to the movies to just be entertained or escape for a couple hours, or we can look closer and dig deeper. What do the stories and characters in today’s movies tell us about the human condition? How can art teach us things that God wants us to grasp that we may not understand in any other way? Dr. Craig Detweiler (MFA, University of Southern California’s School of Cinema/TV and Ph.D. in Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary) has thought and wrote about these things for years and helps Bob and Brendan to wrestle with the messages of many of today’s best movies. Movies Discussed in this Podcast: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Mean Streets (1973) Silence (2016) The Tree of Life (2011) The Witch (2015) A Quiet Place (2018) Get Out (2017) The Invisible Man (2020) Black Panther (2018) 42 (2013) Da 5 Bloods (2020) Lady Bird (2017) Little Women (2019) The Vast of Night (2019) Palm Springs (2020) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Arrival (2016) Les Misérables (2019) Snowpiercer (2013) Parasite (2019) Shoplifters (2018) Moonlight (2016) Craig Detweiler is a filmmaker and author. He has written or co-written many books on Christian engagement with pop culture, media, and technology. Check them out: Selfies: Searching for the Image of God in a Digital Age iGods: How Technology Shapes Our Spiritual And Social Lives Halos and Avatars: Playing Video Games with God Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture Deep Focus: Film and Theology in Dialogue Purchase these books from independent booksellers Beth and Byron Borger at Hearts and Minds Bookstore! Craig’s cultural commentary has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He’s served as a professor at Biola University, Pepperdine University, and Fuller Seminary (where Bob took a class from him on a theology of pop culture for his doctoral degree).  Craig is the co-founder of the Windrider Forum, an approved and sanctioned event that takes place during the Sundance Film Festival. Windrider is an immersive experience for 200 students from 25 Christian universities and seminaries and leaders from film, media, business, academia, ministry, and journalism. They invite Sundance’s cutting-edge filmmakers into the Windrider Forum, where Craig leads a Q&A time with them to honor their craft, listen to their stories, and find thoughtful, spiritual themes in their work. Thanks for listening! Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ If you like this podcast, please subscribe and write a quick review at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app to encourage others to listen too!

For the final episode of this season on The DiscipleMakers Podcast, we talked with a special guest, Byron Borger, about what it practically means for us to live as though Jesus is Lord in all areas of life. We particularly focused on what this means for college students when it comes to their studies, majors , and future carriers.We were blown away by Byron’s passion and excitement for this topic and walked away from our conversation with full hearts and minds. We hope you have a similar experience as you listen and soak up the wisdom he has to share. He paints a beautiful picture of what it looks like to not just be a Christian that studies a specific topic or has a specific carrier, but what it looks like to fully integrate and intertwine our fields of study with our faith in Jesus and use that as a launching pad to reverse the curse of the fall, build God’s kingdom, and share the Gospel. -- Resources from this episode: Check out Byron's Bookstore "Hearts and Minds" Books mentioned in the episodeThe Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life by Os GuinnessLearning for the Love of God: A Student's Guide To Academic Faithfulness by Donald Opitz & Derek MellebyThink: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John PiperYour Mind's Mission by Greg Jao--- Our theme music is:bedtime after a coffee by Barradeen | https://soundcloud.com/barradeenMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unportedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

In this podcast, we continue our discussion with Dr. John Fea. Professor of American History at Messiah University. He provides a historical framework for understanding the rise of the Religious Right and the political environment that led to evangelicals embracing Donald Trump in the 2016 election. We discuss the political playbook of the Religious Right that has limited the strategy to overturning Roe v Wade with Supreme Court justices. This framework for political engagement doesn’t ask wider questions like, What can we do to reduce abortions to the point that women no longer see a need to have one? or How can Christians best live and witness for Jesus in a pluralistic society? Dr. John Fea received his Ph.D. in American History from Stony Brook University. He is a sought-after writer and speaker and has written for several publications, including The Atlantic, Christianity Today, The Washington Post, USA Today, Fox News, Vox, Religion News Service, and several other publications. He has appeared on NBC News, CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, NPR, and dozens of radio programs across the country. Dr. Fea has a popular daily blog called “The Way of Improvement Leads Home” which offers reflections on the intersection of American history, religion, politics, and academic life. https://thewayofimprovement.com/ He also hosts a podcast with the same name. https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/the-way-of-improvement-leads-home?selected=ADL6403914481 His books include the book he named his blog and podcast after, The Way of Improvement Leads Home: Philip Vickers Fithian and the Rural Enlightenment in Early America. He has also written a college textbook Why Study History?: Reflecting on the Importance of the Past and the history book we discussed on the previous episode, Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? In this podcast, we discuss some of the ideas he shares in his latest book, Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump, of which Publishers Weekly wrote, “Clear, concise, and convincing… Fea uses his training as a historian to trace a chronology of the evangelical attraction to political power…and offers an alternative way (relying on hope and humility) for evangelical leaders to think about their relation to power.” https://believe-me-book.com/ Please consider purchasing these books from our friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent bookstore owners of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/ Thanks for listening! Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ If you like this podcast, please subscribe and write a quick review at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app to encourage others to listen too!

The idea that America was founded to be a Christian nation is a presumption that many evangelical Christians have. It is no wonder, since so many conservative preachers and teachers perpetuate the myth, including Robert Jeffress, Eric Metaxas, and David Barton. Dr. John Fea, Distinguished Professor of American History at Messiah University, wrote a detailed history book on the subject and provides insight and analysis on what the founders actually believed and what they were attempting to do in the founding of the United States. He says that Christians should be seeking the truth about history, and not allow those with political agendas to use the past for their purposes. If we are going to have a positive influence in our country, it should not be based on a foundational myth. Dr. John Fea received his Ph.D. in American History from Stony Brook University and before that his Master of Arts in Church History and Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is a sought-after writer and speaker and has written for several publications, including The Atlantic, Christianity Today, The Washington Post, USA Today, Fox News, Vox, Religion News Service, and several other publications. He has appeared on NBC News, CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, NPR, and dozens of radio programs across the country. Dr. Fea has a very popular daily blog called “The Way of Improvement Leads Home” which offers reflections at the intersection of American history, religion, politics, and academic life. https://thewayofimprovement.com/ He also hosts a podcast with the same name. https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/the-way-of-improvement-leads-home?selected=ADL6403914481 His books include the book he named his blog and podcast after, The Way of Improvement Leads Home: Philip Vickers Fithian and the Rural Enlightenment in Early America. He has also written a college textbook Why Study History?: Reflecting on the Importance of the Past. The book we discuss in this podcast is Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?, written in 2011 and revised in 2016 (WJK). https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/066426249X/was-america-founded-as-a-christian-nation-revised-edition.aspx Please consider purchasing these books from our friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent bookstore owners of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/ Thanks for listening! Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ If you like this podcast, please subscribe and write a quick review at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app to encourage others to listen too!

Now that I know what I know (about myself, this world, and God), what am I going to do with my life? According to Dr. Steven Garber, this is the essence of the word, “Vocation.” For decades, Steve has been thinking and writing on the deep things of vocation, on finding a vision for life, responding to the call of God, and how to live wisely so that our ordinary lives are filled with meaning and purpose. Steve discusses these topics with Brendan Romigh and Dr. Bob Robinson, providing insights for people Bob’s age (in his mid-life crisis) and Brendan’s age (in his quarter-life crisis) and everyone in between. What is the difference between "vocation" and "occupation?" Do you have a vision for life that shapes what you will do day-by-day, year-by-year?   As you live in a “dis-integrated” and frustrating world, how do you “re-integrate" so that all of life has meaning and purpose? What does it look like to live in light of God's wisdom? Dr. Steven Garber has been the wise sage of the faith-and-work movement for decades. He started The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation and Culture, has mentored scores of pastors and marketplace leaders, served as a consultant for foundations, corporations, and universities, has taught at seminaries and colleges, and has written amazing articles and fantastic books. His wife is Meg and they have five children and several grandchildren. His latest book is The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love & Learning, Worship & Work from InterVarsity Press. https://www.ivpress.com/the-seamless-life Two of his earlier books have made a deep impression upon Bob and his way of life and of doing ministry: The Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief and Behavior, and the second is Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good, both also published by InterVarsity Press. https://www.ivpress.com/the-fabric-of-faithfulness https://www.ivpress.com/visions-of-vocation Please consider purchasing these books from our friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent bookstore owners of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/ Links to things discussed in the podcast: Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation and Culture: https://washingtoninst.org/ Steven Garber, “Making Peace with Proximate Justice”: https://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/finding-our-way-to-great-work-even-in-politics-making-peace-with-proximate-justice/ Walker Percy, The Second Coming: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780312243241 JI Packer, Knowing God: https://www.ivpress.com/knowing-god-paperback   Thanks for listening! Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ If you like this podcast, please write a quick review at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app to encourage others to listen too.

Sure, God “loves” me… but… Does God LIKE me? So many of us Christians feel that God is angry with us, or disappointed in us, or even disgusted with us. We are grateful for Jesus Christ, who acts as some sort of go-between, a shield from a God who does not like us but has to “love” us because of the cross. In this podcast, Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw explain to us that this is a severely warped understanding of who God is, what God has been doing and continues to do in our lives, and how we are meant to relate to God. God not only loves us, but actually wants to be with us, and he wants us to work with him in the “family business.” Cyd and Geoff are the co-authors of Does God Really Like Me?: Discovering the God Who Wants to Be With Us (InterVarsity Press, 2020), a warm, engaging book, filled with clear teaching from the Bible, personal stories, and practical helps for their readers to find the joy of being God’s presence and working with him to bless the world. https://www.ivpress.com/does-god-really-like-me Geoff Holsclaw is Affiliate Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. Cyd Holsclaw is a ministry and life coach and spiritual director. They are Associate Pastors of Youth and Family at Vineyard North in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They’ve been married for 20 years and have two teenage boys, Soren and Tennyson. Check out more from Geoff Holsclaw: http://geoffreyholsclaw.net/ Thanks for listening! If you like this podcast, please write a quick review at Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app to encourage others to listen too. Go to https://www.re-integrate.org/ for years’ worth of articles on reintegrating your callings with God’s mission, resources for further learning, links to the Reintegrate YouTube channel, and more. On Reintegrate’s podcast page, you’ll find ways to email us or call us to comment on this podcast. https://www.re-integrate.org/reintegrate-podcast/ Please buy the book from our good friends Beth and Byron Borger, independent booksellers at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/booknotes/

Bonus holiday episode! We come at you once again LIVE from the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania clergy conference in Cape May, New Jersey! Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, joins us. Suggested talking points: why books matter, Amazon is evil, shop local, John Calvin, Calvin and Hobbes, the reformation, using tech wisely with children and youth, and more. https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/  

  There is a higher law than human law, one from which the authority and justice of man’s law flows into bountiful life. Accordingly, we often see Christian legal theories in terms of knowledge about law, so that what we know of the higher law informs what we should affirm or deny about human law. But Dean Eric Enlow says that another important kind of Christian knowledge about law is how to praise God in relation to it. This praise stirs up and responds to the joy which Christians experience in law, just as praise does when it recognizes and replies to God’s presence in other parts of creation. Dean Enlow gave two addresses on this topic at the 2017 Christian Legal Society national conference in Newport Beach, encouraging those in attendance to learn to praise God in law.  His first presentation was Joyful Jurisprudence: God's Presence in Law and Man's Praise of God, the keynote for the annual Christian Legal Scholars' Symposium, sponsored by CLS friend and partner Trinity Law School. It was an inspiring presentation and discussion, and the conversation spilled over into the conference bookstore afterwards.  This episode of Cross & Gavel allows listeners to sit in on that conversation, with host Mike Schutt, Dean Eric Enlow, and our friend Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore.  Enjoy the conversation! Dean Enlow graduated from Yale University and Washington University School of Law. During law school, Professor Enlow served on the editorial boards of the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy and the Washington University Law Quarterly. He has clerked in the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and he was in private practice in intellectual-property, international, and appellate law. In addition to being dean of the Handong International Law School, Enlow teaches Christianity and Law, International Intellectual Property, Patents, Private International Law, and Torts.  Byron Borger has been talking books almost his whole life, and doing it well and for the good of Christ's kingdom. Since the early 80's, he and his wife Beth have, through Hearts and Minds Books in Dallastown, PA, lived out a mission to see the body of Christ encouraged and the world around them flourish. They believe that ideas matter and that books are an important part of Christian discipleship-- "a disciple is learner, after all," says Byron. Whether you're in his store, on the phone with him, or at one of the many conferences at which he and Beth serve, it is always a treat to talk books with Byron. Subscribe to his amazing Booknotes here. (He mentions this podcast in the latest edition).  Cross & Gavel Audio is a project of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies, a cooperative ministry of Regent University School of Law and Christian Legal Society. Mike Schutt is associate professor at Regent and director of ICLS and Law Student Ministries for CLS. 

Okay, so it's not "live"-- BUT: Mike Schutt recorded this podcast with Byron Borger, Rockstar Bookman, live and in person at the famous Hearts & Minds Bookstore in Dallastown, PA. Anyone who has ever been to a Christian conference that is serious about readers knows Byron and Beth Borger, owners of Hearts & Minds. The Borgers are particular heroes of the Christian Legal Society and the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), because Hearts & Minds has been serving their conference participants for years-- and decades, respectively.   Mike and Byron begin by discussing this year's Jubilee conference and what he saw as he discussed books with college students. From there, they range to their personal favorites, important new releases, and other great stuff. If you love books, you'll enjoy this conversation! Jump in and listen! The books they touch on (or ramble over, depending) include: Tish Harrison Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary James K. A. Smith, You are What You Love Andy Crouch, Culture Making and Strong and Weak Bob Robinson, ReIntegrate John Mark Comer, Garden City Kinnaman and Lyon, Good Faith Sarah Arthur and Erin Wasinger, The Year of Small Things Michael Wear, Reclaiming Hope  And BTW, Michael Wear will be live and in person at Hearts & Minds on March 10.  Byron will be announcing a discount on any book mentioned in the podcast, if you order within ten days of this podcast! To subscribe to Byron's Booknotes Blog, click here. Mike Schutt is the host of Cross & Gavel, and he directs both Law Student Ministries and Attorney Ministries for the Christian Legal Society. He is an Associate Professor at Regent University School of Law.  

As Charlie Clauss reminds us in this podcast, the Book of Common Prayer offers a beautiful invitation (voiced by the minister at the Ash Wednesday service) to enter into Lent: I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning  of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now  kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. In that spirit, Charlie and host Mike Schutt discuss the whats and whys of this important season of the church year. What is Lent? What practices are usually associated with Lent? Why might Christians considering this season, and what tips might we give to those entering into these practices for the first time?  Join Charlie and Mike as they consider these questions and more.  As you think about pushing into this season with new practices, remember to take Charlie's advice: this can't be about you-- it's not a legalistic obligation, nor is it a challenge to conquer for your "spiritual checklist." This is the road to guilt or to pride. Rather, Lent is a time to consider the love of God manifested on the Cross and displayed in the power of the resurrection! Among other things, Lent is a season that helps us to celebrate Holy Week and Easter more fully. And don't forget, as Charlie reminds us: Easter is a fifty-day party! Please celebrate fully! After you listen, consider some of the books suggested by our friend Byron Borger at Hearts & Minds Books in his Booknotes Blog: 2017 Books for Lent. Charlie Clauss is married to Nancy and they live in Minneapolis, MN with their two daughters. He says he is a curmudgeon, but his friends and family know otherwise. Mostly. Cross & Gavel is a project of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies, a cooperative ministry of Regent University School of Law and the Christian Legal Society. Host Mike Schutt is Associate Professor of Law at Regent and directs Attorney Ministries and Law Student Ministries for CLS.   

In this episode, Brian and Keith sit down to talk with Nicole Bromley Braddock. Nicole is the founder of OneVOICE and the founder and Executive Director of OneVOICE4freedom, a non-profit organization stopping child sex trafficking around the world. In 2010 Nicole began a campaign across East Africa to Stamp Out Child Sexual Abuse and Trafficking and was the first woman to ever give a public address on the topics of sexual abuse and child sex slavery in the country of Uganda.During the interview, they discuss the work of her non-profits, actual stories of people experiencing freedom, and ways in which stories impact our lives and practices. Links:Find everything about Nicole's work hereOne Voice 4 FreedomObama's 2015 Speech at the Clinton Global Initiative on Modern SlaveryInternational Justice MissionWorld VisionCatch Court in ColumbusUnleashing Opportunity If you're looking to support a independent book seller and don't have someone local. Please reach out to our Superhero Bookseller, Byron Borger at Hearts and Minds to purchase one of these resources. Tell him we sent you!

Sunday, November 27, 2016 marks the beginning of the Christian year-- the first Sunday in Advent. Charlie Clauss, curator of the Keeping Advent Facebook page, joins us again this year to talk about how Advent serves to center us during what we've taken to calling "the holidays."  What is so great about Advent? What is it? Why observe it?  Listen in as Charlie and Mike discuss these questions as they explore a Christian vision of time, the nature of the human person, and the deep significance of the feast of Christmas. Along the way, Charlie offers advice on observing Advent, some refections on why we should make the effort, and how it is connected to our celebration of Christmas.  After you listen, go check in at the Keeping Advent Facebook group and listen to our conversation from last year, Cross & Gavel episode 43. Also consider some of the books suggested by our friend Byron Borger at Hearts & Minds book in his Advent "Booknotes." Charlie Clauss is married to Nancy and lives in Minneapolis, MN. He says he is a curmudgeon, but his friends and family know otherwise. Mostly. Cross & Gavel is a project of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies, a cooperative ministry of Regent University School of Law and the Christian Legal Society. Host Mike Schutt is Associate Professor of Law at Regent and directs Attorney Ministries and Law Student Ministries for CLS.      

If you love books, there is nothing better than talking books with Byron Borger. Byron has been talking books almost his whole life, and doing it well and for the good of Christ's kingdom. Since the early 80's, he and his wife Beth have, through Hearts and Minds Books in Dallastown, PA, lived out a mission to see the body of Christ encouraged and the world around them flourish. They believe that ideas matter and that books are an important part of Christian discipleship-- "a disciple is learner, after all," says Byron. Whether you're in his store, on the phone with him, or at one of the many conferences at which he and Beth serve, it is always a treat to talk books with Byron. We hope that this podcast gives you at least a taste of what that's like. Cross & Gavel host Mike Schutt wondered what books Byron would recommend during this crazy political season, and he and Byron spend some time talking about Byron's work, books in general, and books on politics. As usual, Byron is knowledgable, helpful, and light-hearted as he tosses out nearly 30 great recommendations on the topics of politics, vocation, leadership, and more. The conversation ranges widely, from Jamie Smith to CS Lewis; from Os Guinness to Katelyn Beaty; from James Skillen to Yuval Levin.  Join Mike and Byron as they talk books and books on politics. Then order a few of them from Hearts & Minds!  To subscribe to Byron's Booknotes Blog, click here. Mike Schutt is the host of Cross & Gavel, and he directs both Law Student Ministries and Attorney Ministries for the Christian Legal Society. He is an Associate Professor at Regent University School of Law. Meet Byron and Beth in person (and Mike, too!) at the Christian Legal Society National Conference, October 20-23 in Washington, DC. 

Walt and Jason discuss news related to caffeine, pornography, The Beatles, smartphone addiction, 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' and more. Then Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds books joins the podcast to talk about reading to the glory of God and the future of books. Then Byron runs through a long list of books that he highly recommends for our audience.