Podcasts about secular age

All churches need money to run.  But sometimes Derek feels more like a small business owner than a pastor sometimes.  Andy explains how money actually has more power than God in the Secular Age, but this gives churches an opportunity to talk about money, stewardship, budgets, and promises in a new way. Our call-in line is open!  Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

In this episode of the Small Town Summit podcast, Ben speaks with Justin Frank about how Christians can engage their small town cultures with the gospel. We hope you find this interview helpful as you take the message of Christ to your small town. To learn more about Small Town Summits, please visit: www.Smalltownsummits.comTo register for a summit in your state, please visit: www.Smalltownsummits.com/summits

In this episode, Fr. Anthony examines the nature of ultimate reality—God, gods, and the arche'—through Scripture and the Fathers. With insights from Journey to Reality, he shows how God transcends all categories and draws us into worship and transformation.  Enjoy the show! ------ Ultimate Reality: God, gods, arche' Fr. Anthony Perkins; 10 September 2025 Text: Zachery Porcu, PhD. 2025. “Chapter 2 – Ultimate Reality” in Journey to Reality; Sacramental Life in a Secular Age.  Ancient Faith Publishing. Verses to Frame the Discussion Exodus 24:10. And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. Exodus 33:11. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tent. Isaiah 6:5. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” HE IS GREATER EVEN THAN THIS (SOME FUN WITH AN “INCONSISTENCY”  Exodus 33:17-20. And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “I pray thee, show me thy glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face; for man shall not see me and live.” St. Ambrose: “Who shall see my face and live?” Scripture said, and rightly so. For our eyes cannot bear the sun's rays, and whoever turns too long in its direction is generally blinded, so they say. Now if one creature cannot look upon another creature without loss and harm to himself, how can he see the dazzling face of his eternal Creator while covered with the clothing that is this body? St. Gregory of Nyssa: He would not have shown himself to his servant if the sight were such as to bring the desire of the beholder to an end, since the true sight of God consists in this, that the one who looks up to God never ceases in that desire. For he says, “You cannot see my face, for man cannot see me and live.” Scripture does not indicate that this causes the death of those who look, for how would the face of life ever be the cause of death to those who approach it? On the contrary, the divine is by its nature life-giving. Yet it is the characteristic of the divine nature to transcend all characteristics. Therefore he who thinks God is something to be known does not have life, because he has turned from true being to what he considers by sense perception to have being. Job 38:19-20.  “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,   that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? 1 Timothy 6:16. I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;  and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. John 1:18. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. On the resulting religion: Revelation 9-11.  And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,  “Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding[a] the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. St. John Chrysostom.  The Spirit is God, and we are raised to the level of the apostles, because we shall all behold him together with uncovered faces. As soon as we are baptized, the soul beams even more brightly than the sun because it is cleansed by the Spirit, and we not only behold God's glory, we also receive from it a kind of splendor. Segue to the book chapter (theosis requires a repentant mind) Religion should be more than our consumer society would lead us to believe it is. “What is the nature of reality?”  What does it all mean? Mankind wants to know, and he has tried to provide answers.  Many involve a mysterious higher power we call God. The problem with the word “God.” [Psalm 94:3.  For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.] [Isaiah 45:5.. I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.] Zachary Porcu's solution: Arche' Other solutions? Capital “G” God.  “I AM”.  Unmoved Mover. Light.  True God. Tian, Brahman, Absolute. What is the Arche' like? (P. 25; J) Life (essence).  Light (essence) Arche compared to gods, angels, men, and rocks. Last paragraph of chapter; So then, when we ask about whether there is a God in this sense, we are not asking whether there is some specific superhuman entity that orders or governs the universe.  That is thinking far too small.  We are asking about the arche' of all being: the source, principle, the thing that is being itself.  This is the highest of all questions; there is nothing the answer does not affect.  NOTE: The question of whether the God of the Old Testament was the arche' or a demiurge was settled decisively: God was, is, and always shall be perfect and uncreated.

Are you equipped to stand firm in the Christian faith in today's ever-changing culture? Jonathan Youssef welcomes Trevin Wax, co-author of The Gospel Way Catechism, to discuss the importance of Christian catechism as a tool for spiritual formation in today's world. Trevin is a vice president at the North American Mission Board (NAMB), a visiting professor at Cedarville University, and a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition. This conversation unpacks the meaning of catechism, its vital role in discipleship, and the inspiration behind this book, a resource designed to help Christians discern Biblical Truth amid cultural confusion.Listen now to discover how classic elements of catechism can be adapted for modern challenges, including secularism, expressive individualism, and technological developments like artificial intelligence.This episode offers insights into making faith accessible to all ages, with news of an upcoming children's catechism, and practical tips for applying catechetical truths to everyday life and outreach.CANDID LISTENER SURVEYWe love bringing you honest, hope-filled conversations about the Christian faith, and we'd love your feedback. We've compiled a short listener survey to help us plan future episodes you'll love. Will you take a couple of minutes to complete it today? Your voice will help shape what's next! Take the Survey NowFollow Candid Conversations on social media:Instagram: @candidpodTikTok: @officiallycandidpodYouTube: @CandidPodSubscribe & Share:If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others. 

Today we started our Fall Wednesday evening education series, during which we are working our way through Zachery Porcu's "Journey to Reality" from Ancient Faith Publishing.  Today, after framing our discussion with the "trees walking" account of the healing of the blind man from the Gospel according to St. Mark (8:22-38 - see below), we cover the main topics in chapter one.  Enjoy the show! ------ Trees Walking: the Problem of Discerning the Gospel Fr. Anthony Perkins; 03 September 2025 Text: Zachery Porcu, PhD. 2025. “Chapter 1 – What is Christianity” in Journey to Reality; Sacramental Life in a Secular Age.  Ancient Faith Publishing. St. Mark 8:22-38 (KJV) 22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. St. Ambrose; Through the font of the Lord and the preaching of the Lord's passion, your eyes were then opened. You who seemed before to have been blind in heart began to see the light of the sacraments. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. Why would he see men as trees??? 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. Note the progression. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. 27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. How could they not know? 29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. But even using the right word, how much did he understand? 30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. And how much of this plain speaking were they able to hear? 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. This is the warning: a poor understanding of the truth can lead us to condemnation.  (segue to text) So how can we know the Gospel in a way that saves? Intellectual knowledge.  Study the Bible!  [oops] More intellectual knowledge.  Study the Fathers. [oops] The Bible is not the source of the Gospel or of the Church or of Christianity.  All the written texts of Holy Tradition – to include the Bible - are not the source of Orthodoxy. How can I make this claim? It is not the way that the members of the early Church were saved and grew in holiness.  It was not a text that evangelized the Roman Empire.  It was a way of being; a way of thinking; a way of relating.  It was first called “The Way.” The metaphor of the family (p 13) Our way of relating to information is new.  Before, information was contextualized within relationships.  We still have some of this, but even people's experience of Orthodoxy is increasingly a-contextual and un-Orthodox. The metaphor of sex (p. 15) Two types of Christianity          Text-based (re-enactment).  Ideas.  Dissolute community.          Sacramental participation.  A community with a life-energy (an angel!) Problems with using the Bible.  Genres: myth, song, prophecy, history, rules, authors, styles.  Needs interpretation! Need to avoid:  ignoring – forsaking both the culture AND the text (progressive/individualist).  Make the text and the culture what we want it to be. A paradigm shift to Sacramental Reality.

01:00 Stanford's Practical Guide to 10x Your AI Productivity, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMOmmnjy3sE 20:00 There Are Two Types Of People, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163354 36:00 NYT: What the Bloom After L.A.'s Wildfires Reveals About Our Ecological Future, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163417 40:00 The Logical Song by Supertramp, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163414 42:00 NYT: What Motivated the Minneapolis Church Shooter? We May Never Know., https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163407 46:00 Distinction vs Connection, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163397 50:00 Why Trump is at war with our institutions, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQF5QIYKQEM 52:00 Dan Senor Sneak Peak: Inside Call me Back, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhKTxLLSz0 55:00 Inside The Tribe – What Happens When Jews Talk To Jews?, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163237 1:30:00 Michael joins to discuss the decline of the WASPs, https://x.com/Michaelmvlog 1:38:00 The Atlantic: Trump's Right-Wing Socialism, https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/08/trump-big-government-socialism/684003/ 1:43:00 Conservatives favor law and order 1:52:00 A Secular Age (2007), https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163382 2:18:00 If You Argue Over The Meaning Of Common Words, You're Showing You Can't Argue On Substance, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163339 2:55:00 Stewards Of Democracy: Law As Public Profession (1999), https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=162931 3:04:00 The Rise of the “National Class” and Populist Backlash, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163346 3:36:00 The Netflix Christopher Caldwell Roast, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163265 3:37:00 Know Your Enemy: Christopher Caldwell's Case Against Civil Rights, https://www.dissentmagazine.org/blog/know-your-enemy-christopher-caldwells-case-against-civil-rights/ 3:38:00 Christopher Caldwell's ‘radicalism is so refined, it's uncanceleable', https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=163252

Send us a textWhat if we find Norse myth or Greco-Roman myth more aesthetically pleasing than Christianity? Should we believe in the pagan gods instead? Is the Bible actually good art? Is Christian theology beautiful? Do Christians find their religion beautiful just because they believe it is true? In a 1944 lecture before Oxford's Socratic Club, C.S. Lewis asks and answers these questions - and more. Jonathan and Ryan follow along as Lewis asks, and answers, the question the Socratic Club put before him: "Is theology poetry?"C.S. Lewis's Is Theology Poetry? https://www.samizdat.qc.ca/arts/lit/Theology=Poetry_CSL.pdfC.S. Lewis's The Weight of Glory: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780060653200James Frey's A Million Little Pieces: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780307276902Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780143038252Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780765382030C.S. Lewis's Surprised by Joy: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780062565433C.S. Lewis's Miracles: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780060653019Charles Taylor's A Secular Age: https://bookshop.org/a/25626/9780674986916New Humanists is brought to you by the Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/Links may have referral codes, which earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. We encourage you, when possible, to use Bookshop.org for your book purchases, an online bookstore which supports local bookstores.Music: Save Us Now by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

One SpiritJohn 6:60-69Andrew Root story from Faith Formation in a Secular Age:"We talked about faith absent any language of transcendence or divine action. Here we were talking about “faith,” and yet we had made no assertions about faith having anything to do with a realm beyond us, with a God who comes to us in death and resurrection, Spirit and transformation."“Good, because the church has no future without youth. I really believe if anyone is going to save us, it will be the young. But first, we've got to keep them.”“Since the days of the youth movement, church youth work has often lacked that element of Christian sobriety that alone might enable it to recognize that the spirit of youth is not the Holy Spirit and that the future of the church is not youth itself but rather the Lord Jesus Christ.”–Dietrich BonhoefferWhere one acts, all act.Where one is present, all are present.The Father is Creator.The Son is Redeemer.The Spirit is Renewer.Yet, these distinctions must not turn to divisions in our concept of God.  The Trinity cannot be divided.John 6:60-6960 Therefore, when many of his disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard. Who can accept it?”61 Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn't help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 But there are some among you who don't believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who did not believe and the one who would betray him.) 65 He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father.”66 From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don't want to go away too, do you?”68 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”The Action of the Holy Spirit:The Spirit convicts the world of sin (John 16:8–11). The Spirit reveals and glorifies Jesus (John 16:12–15). The Spirit empowers our confession of Jesus as Lord (1 Cor. 12:3). The Spirit gives us new birth (John 3:5–6). The Spirit gives us new life and a new status as children of God (Rom. 8:10–11, 14–17).CSB Ephesians 3:14-1914 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, 19 and to know Christ's love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.The Holy Spirit is not an accessory to your life; He is your life. But you will either live today by what you can see, or by the unseen presence of the Giver of life.• Ask daily to be filled — Begin each day this week with Paul's prayer from Ephesians 3:14–19. Pray it for yourself, slowly, asking God to do it in you.• Name your ‘visible' crutches — Identify one area where you've been relying on what you can control, measure, or predict rather than on the Spirit.• Practice Spirit-listening — Set aside a few minutes in your day (morning, lunch break, evening) simply to be quiet before God, asking the Spirit to speak or nudge you. Journaling can be helpful.• Act in faith — When you sense the Spirit prompting you to do something this week—encourage someone, confess sin, serve, step into a risk—obey quickly, even if you can't see the outcome.

Derek's friend doesn't believe in the moon landing. Andy explains that modern-day conspiracy theories rooted in the Three Horsemen of the Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx.  It surprisingly has a lot to do with ministry in a Secular Age. Our call-in line is open!  Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

As always, we use the latest dispatch from The Embassy for our discussion - here is an excerpt:The debate concerning the origin or foundation of mathematics has been around for a very long time. Particularly, this question: Is mathematics invented or is it discovered? Because mathematics describes to an unreasonable level of accuracy how the physical world operates, is it something like a part of or an addendum to our universe? Or, is it something humans are inventing, which may be what it seems like in the moment of thinking up new mathematical ideas. For those who are interested in the question, here are a few (very non-technical) minutes from Roger Penrose, one of the most prominent physicists of the past number of decades, on the question. One of the arguments against mathematics being discovered is the unresolved, and probably scientifically and mathematically insolvable question: how did it get there? God doesn't often come up in these discussions, but that might be the beginning of an answer. I suspect this is one of the motivations of those who favor view that mathematics is invented.I have always been on the discovered end of the question, not that anyone cares. As Penrose points out, there are many examples, Einstein's theories being some of the most prominent, where the known mathematics was extended far beyond our knowledge of the physical universe, only to find, through experimentation, that this apparently invented mathematics predicts the outcome of these experiments to an incredible degree of precision. The mathematics, along with those aspects of the universe that the mathematics describes, was waiting, from the very beginning of the universe, for us to discover it. Some on the invented side of the question seem to believe that everything is invented, that nothing exists on its own, rather we make it up and live according to these invented rules. It is all in our heads because everything is. Okay, okay, enough about mathematics, or at least let us move from mathematics to life. This is our question: is our life invented or discovered? And what difference does that make?This is our question: is our life invented or discovered? And what difference does that make?I don't assume you have ever thought about the question, at least not in those terms. But our answer, or our assumed answer, whether we have reflected on it or not, impacts how we approach, think about, and live our lives. As Carl Trueman writes in The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self …… most of us do not self-consciously reflect on life and the world as we live in it but instead think and act intuitively in accordance with the way we instinctively imagine the world to be.Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, p.73As we reflect, with aid from Trueman and his book, we can draw on the work of philosophers Philip Rieff and Charles Taylor. Neither are religious, to my understanding, but both have wrestled with how we have thought about what life is over the course of Western Civilization. Rieff describes society's moral values as finding their foundation in a sacred order (at least until our current age). He describes three successive worlds, with the first two worlds justifying these moral values by appealing to something transcendent, to the sacred. The first world is pagan and is controlled by fate, based on the whims of capricious gods or spirits. The second world in the West is Judeo-Christian and is characterized by faith, and at it's moral foundation is a loving God who made us and everything else. We can move past fate because, in this second world, our lives have a purpose beyond ourselves, we are part of a larger story. The third world, by contrast, moves past belief in anything transcendent. It is only us, no larger purpose, nothing else to justify us, we have to justify ourselves. We have to invent our lives instead of discovering them in a larger story. Rieff writes,Culture and sacred order are inseparable, the former the registration of the latter as a systematic expression of the practical relation between humans and the shadow aspect of reality as it is lived. No culture has ever preserved itself where it is not a registration of a sacred order.Philip Rieff, Sacred Order / Social Order, Volume 1, p.13 - referenced by Trueman, p. 76What Rieff calls the third world, Charles Taylor in his work A Secular Age, calls the immanent frame. Previously, as Rieff describes as the first and second world, we operated in a transcendent frame. In this shift from the transcendent frame to the immanent frame, Taylor describes a shift in how we understand our lives. In the transcendent frame, we view our life as deeper than what is on the surface, the world we see is representative of a larger reality. In the immanent frame, there is no larger reality, there is no order or meaning to discover. We are the creators of the meaning of our lives, instead of the discoverers of the meaning our lives already have. I think it is important to note that Taylor is not arguing for the transcendent frame, I don't want to misrepresent him. He is simply noticing this shift and some of the impacts it has.I have summarized and oversimplified very large ideas - but it is clear we have moved from the idea that our lives are given to us, along with the meaning and purpose that is a part of this gift, to the idea that our lives are completely our own, that we enter in Act 1, Scene 1 of our stories and it is all about the play that we write. Which is pretty much what we are left with if we reject the transcendent frame.Many of us, perhaps most of us, ourselves, our friends, family, and neighbors experience life as chaotic, bewildering, maybe even apparently meaningless. That is true as well for Christians who have signed up for the transcendent frame, and a life of meaning - but who expect to understand the meaning at every step. At various times, I suspect, this describes all Christians, though we may not want to admit it to ourselves. We are impacted by the immanent frame all around us even as we believe in a transcendent frame. We seek to form our beliefs in this transcendent frame, but we feel the pull of a world that has largely rejected itRead the whole thing here.The Embassy is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Embassy at theembassy.substack.com/subscribe

So Andy and I just got back from this wild week in Berlin where we taught 25 folks about Bonhoeffer right there in his actual house - like, we're sitting in his bedroom, walking the same streets, the whole deal. And wow, this trip was different from the others because everyone kept asking the question that used to make me roll my eyes: "Is this our Bonhoeffer moment?" But after spending time with clergy who are dealing with ICE raids in their neighborhoods and congregations split over whether you can even mention certain realities from the pulpit, I'm not giggling at the Protestant saint thing anymore. We delved into the concrete messiness of what it meant for Niemöller and his congregation actually to resist, not just talk about it, and how Bonhoeffer's vision of a religionless Christianity might help us think through what happens when the entire Christian infrastructure starts to crumble. Plus, we got into some heavy stuff about whether the ethical gifts Christianity gave to Western civilization - you know, humanism, universalism, caring about the weak - can actually survive without the ritualistic and institutional foundations, or if we're just headed for some new form of authoritarianism. Oh, and somehow we ended up talking about Moltmann raw-dogging flights and the theological significance of Instagram memes, because that's apparently where we are now. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. Previous Visits with Andy Root Incarnation as Resistance Life Together in Turmoil & Bonhoeffer's Experiment in Community Resonance in an Accelerated Age Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics the Church after Innovation Churches and the Crisis of Decline Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows Ministry in a Secular Age Christopraxis with Andy Root Faith Formation in a Secular Age the Promise of Despair ONLINE SUMMIT:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action. As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.HomebrewedClasses.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and minister Joshua Spatha explores how ancient wisdom and spiritual clarity can address the modern crisis of meaning. With deep insight into history, worldview, and faith, he challenges secular assumptions and outlines a path to personal and societal renewal. This conversation will reshape how you think about truth, culture, and the unseen forces guiding our lives.==========================================

Does raising a teenager in today's culture leave you feeling overwhelmed, outnumbered, or just plain exhausted? Are you longing for real, biblical wisdom—not just trendy tips—to help guide your teen through the chaos of a secular world?  Have you ever wondered why, even after doing ‘all the right things,' your teen still pushes back or drifts from faith in God? Join Ginger Hubbard and Alex Cody, along with special guest Melissa Kruger, as they discuss the importance of providing a firm foundation to create an environment where teenagers' faith can flourish. *** For show notes and episode downloads, go to https://www.gingerhubbard.com/blogs/podcast/episode-235-raising-teens-in-a-secular-age-with-melissa-kruger *** Support this podcast:   https://www.gingerhubbard.com/support *** Sponsor for this episode:   CTC Math | ctcmath.com We Heart Nutrition | weheartnutrition.com, code GINGER

The Velvet Sundown & The Day Music Became Dust On the Wind … GUEST Ryan Peter … writer, ghostwriter, writing coach, Indie author & journalist … https://ryanpeterwrites.com/ The Saint said (who said what & why they said it) … GUEST DJ Marotta … priest and the founder of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, VA and author of the new book “Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place” and “Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord's Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Velvet Sundown & The Day Music Became Dust On the Wind … GUEST Ryan Peter … writer, ghostwriter, writing coach, Indie author & journalist … https://ryanpeterwrites.com/ The Saint said (who said what & why they said it) … GUEST DJ Marotta … priest and the founder of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, VA and author of the new book “Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place” and “Liturgy in the Wilderness: How the Lord's Prayer Shapes the Imagination of the Church in a Secular Age”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I am joined by the eminent historian of science and religion, Peter Harrison. We examine how we've inherited a distorted narrative about the relationship between science and religion. Rather than the conflict narrative we're accustomed to, Harrison reveals that science and religion are not historical foes, and that modern Western sciences are actually built on theological assumptions. The real game-changer comes from tracing how Protestant reforms—notably the attack on allegorical readings of scripture and the demand for each individual to justify their belief— fundamentally transformed how we read both Scripture and nature, eventually leading to our impoverished, utilitarian view of the natural world. Harrison shows how concepts we think are timeless - like "belief," "supernatural," and even "religion" itself - are modern inventions with specific histories, and how understanding these genealogies can help us see that many of our contemporary problems in science-religion dialogue are artifacts of the categories themselves rather than real conflicts in the world. The conversation ultimately suggests that by understanding how we arrived at our current conceptual frameworks, we might find new ways forward that don't trap us in the either/or thinking that dominates so much of contemporary debate. Dr. Peter Harrison is a former Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion in the University of Oxford, and Emeritus Professor of the History of Science at the University of Queensland, where he was also an Australian Laureate fellow and Founding Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). His many celebrated books include The Fall of Man and the Foundations of Science, The Cambridge Companion to Science and Religion, The Territories of Science and Religion, & his newest book Some New World: Myths of Supernatural Belief in a Secular Age. ONLINE SUMMIT:⁠⁠⁠ Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION ⁠⁠⁠ Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action. As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠www.HomebrewedClasses.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I would like to connect!https://thebridgewv.church/guestI would like prayer!https://thebridgewv.church/prayerI would like to give!Visit: www.thebridgewv.church/give

I would like to connect!https://thebridgewv.church/guestI would like prayer!https://thebridgewv.church/prayerI would like to give!Visit: www.thebridgewv.church/give

TWL Summer Break AnnouncementGood afternoon and welcome to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God's word so we can live in God's will.Last week, we finished up our series on the parables, and this week, we begin our summer study break. If you're new to the podcast, let me encourage you to go back through our feed and get caught up. We have a great series of books on James and Hebrews and studies on the Beatitudes, the Twelve Disciples, and others. We return with new episodes on Tuesday, September 9th, as we begin  study in Ecclesiastes, an ancient book that seems to have been written for our Secular Age. Until then, stay in the word. It is God's truth worth living! 

Are you bogged down by the day-to-day struggles of parenting? Do you question if anything is getting through to your kids? Do you feel powerless to impact your child's spiritual growth? Parenting can feel like navigating a storm—chaotic, unpredictable, and uncertain.  So the question is, how do you guide your child toward faith and wisdom in a world pulling them in every direction? If you're looking for hope while parenting in the weeds of life, then this episode is for you. Austin Conner interviews Melissa Kruger, author of Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age. Melissa, a seasoned parent and former high school math teacher, shares insights from her journey, blending biblical wisdom with practical strategies for shepherding teens through this turbulent season of parenting. In this episode you will learn: The power of asking questions over dictating answers The effectiveness of an invitational approach to studying the Bible with your teen The wisdom of avoiding a fear-based controlling approach to parenting The only and ultimate place to derive hope when you're feeling discouraged Whether you're parenting a teen, or just looking for some encouragement in the trenches of parenting, this episode will remind you that your hope rests not in perfect parenting, but in Jesus, who never fails. To find more of Melissa Kruger's resources, check out her website: Melissabkruger.com Connect with us & Subscribe to our weekly newsletter! Website: withyouintheweeds.com Instagram: @withyouintheweeds Facebook: @withyouintheweeds            X: withyou_weeds If you love listening to WYITW, would you please leave us a 5 star rating and a review? Your feedback helps us reach more people!

This week's scripture:Psalm 29Romans 12Hear owner Anthony Wood's powerful reflection this Father's Day on what he wished he would have known going in to college; that our faith in Christ is not easily shaken. 

So we're back with my buddy Dr. Andrew Root and his brand new book Evangelism in the Age of Despair - and no, before you ask, this is definitely not your typical door-to-door evangelism handbook. Andy's doing what he does best here, which is taking some heavy theological machinery (theology of the cross, Charles Taylor, French philosophers you've never heard of) and making it speak to the very despair of our concrete cultural moment. The basic argument? Our whole pursuit-of-happiness project has been a spectacular failure, leaving us isolated and constantly chasing distractions. Perhaps the church's calling isn't to add happiness to people's lives but to accompany them into their sorrow. It's evangelism as consolation rather than conversion, which sounds both obvious and revolutionary at the same time. We dive into why the optimistic 90s crashed into our current age of anxiety, how social media turned authenticity into competitive rage, and what it might mean for pastors to be professionally human rather than professionally shiny. Plus, we got questions from actual Substack subscribers who read the thing, which is always dangerous territory. This will not make you feel better about anything, but it might make you think differently about what the gospel actually is. Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN.⁠⁠⁠ (Andy is coming too!) Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. Check out some of his most recent books  Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Previous Visits with Andy Root Incarnation as Resistance Life Together in Turmoil & Bonhoeffer's Experiment in Community Resonance in an Accelerated Age Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics the Church after Innovation Churches and the Crisis of Decline Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows Ministry in a Secular Age Christopraxis with Andy Root Faith Formation in a Secular Age the Promise of Despair ⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Online Class:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best-selling author Rod Dreher talks to Chris about his latest book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age. Rod explains why we've lost the ability to see the transcendent around us and how we can rediscover enchantment. What do UFO's, demons, and beauty have to do with this? Listen and find […]

Best-selling author Rod Dreher talks to Chris about his latest book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age. Rod explains why we've lost the ability to see the transcendent around us and how we can rediscover enchantment. What do UFO's, demons, and beauty have to do with this? Listen and find […]

Best-selling author Rod Dreher talks to Chris about his latest book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age. Rod explains why we've lost the ability to see the transcendent around us and how we can rediscover enchantment. What do UFO's, demons, and beauty have to do with this? Listen and find […]

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.louiseperry.co.ukMy guest today is Rod Dreher, Substack writer and author of many books, including a new title 'Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age.' We spoke about UFOs as a religious phenomenon, why Medieval peasants would be better placed to understand AI than we are, why young women are increasingly attracted to the occult, and whether men…

In this episode of Hearts of Oak, Reverend Canon Father Phil Harris shares his journey in ministry, his concerns about shifts in the Church of England, and the controversy following his outspoken views on Islam and British identity. Dismissed from his leadership role due to public backlash, he continues to lead services in a local venue, supported by his community. Harris emphasizes the challenges faced by religious leaders in today's society and his commitment to upholding traditional Christian values while seeking a permanent space for worship through crowdfunding efforts. Interview Recorded 09.04.25 Connect with Revd Canon Fr Phil Harris

This Sunday, we will explore Chapter 12 of: You Are Not Alone A Guide to Following Jesus in a Secular Age * By: Phil Manginelli

Originally Recorded February 24th, 2025About Rod Dreher: https://danubeinstitute.hu/en/authors/dreher-rodhttps://roddreher.substack.com/Check out Rod's new book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wonder-Finding-Mystery-Meaning/dp/0310369126 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicallyspeaking.substack.com

In this episode of An Examined Education, host Jeff Yoder sits down with Patrick Claytor, a Bible and Latin teacher at The Cambridge School, to explore how faith and community shape personal identity and societal flourishing. Drawing on the metaphor of a "cut flower society," they examine how secularization uproots individuals from traditional sources of meaning while people continue to seek community in alternative spaces. Claytor shares insights from his theological background on why church community offers unique benefits different from secular affiliations, discussing how Christian identity is grounded in Christ's work rather than personal achievement. The conversation explores the implications of rootedness versus individualism in modern society, offering practical guidance for families seeking to nurture faith and community connections in their children. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the intersection of faith, community, and identity formation, this episode provides valuable perspective on finding stability and meaning in an increasingly disconnected world. Join us as we continue to examine education that prepares students to think well, love rightly, and live wisely.

Owen Barfield was the genius Inkling, said CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. But why does he so much matter today?They consider how Owen Barfield addresses the idea of secularism developed by Charles Taylor and why that might matter in a cultural moment that feels like a folk in the road. They speak personally of how Barfield touched them and why his insights might matter to the psychedelic renaissance.A central idea is that of polarity - moving beyond the dualisms that trap people, on the left and on the right, in a flatland mentality.They ask how Barfield's vision of final participation can be understood, even experienced, in language, in nature, with Indigenous traditions, in sacrament. They also consider how Rudolf Steiner, so important to Barfield, might be appreciated critically.Fundamental is the Christian insight that the transcendent is also immanent, the many are reflections of the one, and that humanity shares in divine purposes.For more on Mark, including his book on Barfield's understanding of Christianity - www.markvernon.comFor more on Ashton - https://ciis.academia.edu/ashtonkohlarnoldy0:00 Barfield's relevance today06:47 Monotheism and the singular self12:02 Encountering worlds of spirit20:26 The task of integration27:49 The ongoing Christian revelation32:34 Steiner and politics today44:03 The experience of polarity49:22 Barfield and ecology53:03 Taylor's interspace and imagination56: 29 The divine power of language01:01:08 Poetry and the evolution of consciousness01:06:54 The past in the present and the future01:11:09 Questions of identity01:16:44 The future orientation of Christianity01:21:09 Residual unprocessed positivism01:25:38 Critical readings of Steiner01:30:42 Concluding remarks

On this episode of The Disciple-Making Podcast, we sit down with Melissa Kruger to explore the challenges and joys of raising teenagers in today's world.We discuss how to create meaningful family connections in a tech-saturated age, establish healthy boundaries while showing acceptance, and maintain availability without sacrificing personal boundaries. Through practical examples and heartfelt insights, we learn how to balance rules with grace, consequences with compassion, and discover why our relationship with God remains the foundation for effective parenting.Whether you're navigating the teenage years or preparing for them, this conversation offers encouraging perspectives on raising teens with biblical wisdom in a secular age.----Resources From This Week's Podcast:Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ In a Secular Age, by Melissa Kruger Walking With God In the Season of Motherhood, by Melissa KrugerThe Gospel CoalitionThe New City CatechismOutliers, by Malcolm GladwellDavid and Goliath, by Malcolm GladwellOur new book "Launch: Biblical Help for Moving Your Teen or Young Adult into the Real World" offers practical guidance for parents navigating the transition period, and you can get a free audiobook of "The Disciple Making Parent" by signing up for our newsletter. You can find all of this and more at thedisciplemakingparent.com.

In Episode 404 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with religious writer Rod Dreher about the crisis of modernity and how to open our eyes to the reality that life and the world are far more mysterious, exciting, and adventurous than we have been led to believe. Dreher and Kofinas spend the first hour of their conversation engaging on fundamental questions about the nature of existence, the knowability of God, the centrality of love, and how to find mystery and meaning in a world that for many has come to feel empty and soulless. In the second hour, Rod and Demetri discuss what the eastern tradition of Christianity can tell us about how we should live in the world, how those lessons apply to the culture wars, how to confront evil, and the appropriate role that Christianity should play in policy and politics. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Joining our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 02/24/2025

Increasing interest in psychedelics, the occult, and the supernatural all point to one thing: enchantment is back.“The thing is you can't have enchantment that's only selective. You can't only have the bright side. You also need to acknowledge the dark side. That's one of the things I really wanted to do with this book and it caused some consternation with my first publisher. She didn't want the dark side in there.”The modern experience is one of disenchantment, argued sociologist Max Weber – a world from which the supernatural, and all gods and monsters, had been scrubbed.Not anymore, apparently. Increasing interest in the occult, and people's willingness to share about their ecstatic experiences, as well as their evil encounters with the supernatural, suggests a higher tolerance for talk about the spiritual realm – for good and ill.Life & Faith kicks off 2025 with an eye-opening interview with journalist Rod Dreher, author of Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age. In this wide-ranging chat, Rod talks about the budding religion of technology worship, the experience of art and beauty as a gateway to enchantment, the possibly malign spiritual forces at work in our world, and his increasing conviction that the world is not what you think it is. ---Explore:Rod's book Living in Wonder Rod's Substack

We are living in a time of great upheaval when the winds of culture are blowing fiercely. Unfortunately, the majority of North American Christians are walking aimlessly through life with a worldview that is informed by worldly ideologies, rather than the word of God. So, where do we begin to address this very serious problem? Tuesday on Mornings with Eric and Brigitte, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church pasor, Rob Pacienza will remind us that God’s Word not only has the answer—God’s Word is the answer. Kingdom Come ConferenceDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshow/wrmbSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Pat is joined by Jason Alligood to talk about the important doctrine of glorification. Jason has a Ph.D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and teaches at Cedarville University. He has just released Raised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Age.

In this episode, Caleb is joined by Jason Alligood (PhD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) assistant professor of theology at Cedarville University to discuss his latest book,Raised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Age.Together, they discuss the hope of glory that transcends the fears and frustrations of a secular age and that not only points to the hope for the future glorification of believers, but that this hope is one that can be enjoyed and appreciated today as well.ResourcesRaised in Splendor: The Hope of Glorification for a Secular Ageby Jason AlligoodGlorification: An Introductionby Graham ColeHuman Nature in Its Fourfold Stateby Thomas BostonTo Gaze upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practiceby Sam Parkison

Rod Dreher's close friendship with U.S. Vice President JD Vance is the subject of this 96th episode of Merely Catholic, the podcast series for the Catholic Herald. He and Dr Gavin Ashenden discuss Mr Vance's shocking accusation in a landmark speech at the Munich that the greatest threat to European security is not posed by Russia or China but by the European elites, and the extent to which Europe is “changing sides” with its ideological opponents of the Cold War. An American author who now lives in Budapest, Hungary, Mr Dreher is perhaps best known for The Benedict Option, his 2017 book about how Christians might prepare themselves for a new dark age. It was one of three New York Times best-sellers, with Live Not By Lies and The Little Way of Ruthie Leming. His latest book, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age, was published last year. Our sponsor: thomasmorecollege.edu

NYT columnist Ross Douthat joins me to discuss his new book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. We explore why skeptics and non-believers should consider religious faith, examining evidence from science, philosophy, and human experience. Douthat makes the case that religious belief is not only reasonable but arguably obligatory for thinking people in our age.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Why-Everyone-Should-Religious-ebook/dp/B0D8VNGWKL/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this enlightening episode, Dr. John Patrick explores a growing trend among public intellectuals rediscovering the profound need for Christianity in a secular world. This thought-provoking discussion challenges modern assumptions and invites listeners to reflect on the deeper truths that shape our lives.   // LINKS // Website: https://www.johnpatrick.ca/ Podcast: https://doctorjohnpatrick.podbean.com/ Biblical Literate Quiz: https://www.johnpatrick.ca/meaning-metaphor-and-allusion/ Recommended Reading list: https://www.johnpatrick.ca/book-list/ Ask Doctor John: https://www.johnpatrick.ca/ask/ LINKS: https://beacons.ai/doctorjohnpatrick  

In an age of reason and rationality are we blinded from seeing the mystical? Rod Dreher author of Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age joins Joseph Backholm for a conversation about how awe and wonder caused him to search for God. He shares personal experiences of mystical encounters, cautions against the occult, and calls on the church to address spiritual warfare and God’s presence. Dreher emphasizes wisdom over emotion, advocating for a grounded faith where spiritual experiences point back to God, not away from him. Resources Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher

In an age of reason and rationality are we blinded from seeing the mystical? Rod Dreher author of Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age joins Joseph Backholm for a conversation about how awe and wonder caused him to search for God. He shares personal experiences of mystical encounters, cautions against the occult, and calls on the church to address spiritual warfare and God's presence. Dreher emphasizes wisdom over emotion, advocating for a grounded faith where spiritual experiences point back to God, not away from him. Resources Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher

In this episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, Melissa Kruger, the Director of Women's Content at The Gospel Coalition, joins Cameron and Anna to discuss her new book Parenting With Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age. Written from her own experience of raising teenagers, Parenting With Hope encourages parents to seek the Lord's wisdom as they parent out of the basic guiding principles of Scripture. Listen in as Cameron, Anna, and Melissa discuss the power of prayer, the value of weekly church attendance, and the most common idols parents face. Finally, you'll hear them share some tools that can help parents cultivate a home where faith can flourish and parent out of the hope of the gospel. Resources:Parenting With Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa KrugerAge of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teensby Paul David TrippThe Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. JensenThe Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids by Madeline LevineCheck out more Rooted resources on prayer here Check out more Rooted resources on church here Listen to more episodes of the Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast.Rooted Youth Ministry Archives - Rooted MinistryFollow @therootedministry on Instagram!

 In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Root. We discuss Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his time in the experimental underground seminary at Finkenwalde. This community became a site for him to enact his broader theological and ethical intuitions in community. We unpack the significance of Bonhoeffer's relational theology, the establishment of illegal seminaries, Bonhoeffer's radical commitment to living out the gospel in dire times, and his enduring legacy. The conversation also touches on Bonhoeffer's formation of deep friendships, notably with Eberhard Bethge, and the practical implications of his ideas for contemporary theological education and church life. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Dr. Root is joining me this DECEMBER for our open online class exploring the 'Theologians of Crisis' - Breaking into the Broken World. Join us to learn about Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rudolph Bultmann as we explore their thoughts and timely reflections in their Advent/Christmas sermons. Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. WATCH the conversation here on YouTube Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. Some of his most recent books are The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018). Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies. Previous Visits with Andy Root Resonance in an Accelerated Age Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics the Church after Innovation Churches and the Crisis of Decline Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows Ministry in a Secular Age Christopraxis with Andy Root Faith Formation in a Secular Age the Promise of Despair _____________________ This DECEMBER, we will be exploring the 'Theologians of Crisis' in our online Advent class - Breaking into the Broken World. Join us to learn about Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rudolph Bultmann as we explore their thoughts and timely reflections in their Advent/Christmas sermons. Join my Substack - Process This! Join our class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought. Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House! Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we sit down with author Rod Dreher to discuss his new book, "Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age," and how Christians ought to respond to miraculous things in the modern day. We also talk about how and why young people are being drawn into the occult at an alarming rate and what this could mean for future evangelism. And we get Rod's take on JD Vance's stance on abortion and the upcoming election and the spiritual battles that come with it. Buy Allie's new book, "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": https://a.co/d/4COtBxy ---   Timecodes: (01:14) Rod Dreher interview (09:59) Continuationism vs Cessationism  (17:23) Young people in the occult (26:58) Doctrinal truth (31:42) What are miracles for?  (38:24) Response to “Living in Wonder”  (42:09) Doctrine and the limits of reason (44:37) Spiritual battles in the election ---   Today's Sponsors: Cozy Earth - Go to COZYEARTH.COM/RELATABLE to enjoy up to 40% off using the code RELATABLE. Seven Weeks - Experience the best coffee while supporting the pro-life movement with Seven Weeks Coffee; use code ALLIE at https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com to save up to 25% and help save lives. EveryLife — The only premium baby brand that is unapologetically pro-life. EveryLife offers high-performing, supremely soft diapers and wipes that protect and celebrate every precious life. Head to EveryLife.com and use promo code ALLIE10 to get 10% of your first order today! My Patriot Supply — Prepare yourself for anything with long-term emergency food storage. Get your new, lower-price Emergency Food Kit at PrepareWithAllie.com. Save $50 on your 4-Week Emergency Food Kit. --- Links: Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher https://a.co/d/8qYYNGh ---   Relevant Episodes: Ep 321 | Biblical Resistance to the Totalitarian Left | Guest: Rod Dreher https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-321-biblical-resistance-to-the-totalitarian-left/id1359249098?i=1000496918842 Ep 1058 | Ex-Witch Reveals LA's Dark World of Sex Cults and Blood Offerings | Guest: Jac Marino Chen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1058-ex-witch-reveals-las-dark-world-of-sex-cults/id1359249098?i=1000666820850 Ep 1046 | Ex-Psychic on Demonic Possession & Taylor Swift | Guest: Jenn Nizza https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1046-ex-psychic-on-demonic-possession-taylor-swift/id1359249098?i=1000664520231 ---   Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: https://alliebethstuckey.com/book Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learning how to be a person of faith in 2024 seems very challenging and the center of a lot of conversations these days. Today felt like the perfect time to talk to my friend Phil Manginelli about what's going on in the world, in the US, in our faith, and where those all meet. Phil equips churches and organizations teaching internationally on navigating the cultural landscape of a post-Christian world and following Jesus in a secular age, and serves as the Lead Pastor of The Square in Smyrna, GA. I think you all will love this conversation and his new book You Are Not Alone: A Guide To Following Jesus In A Secular Age.  . . . . . Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  . . . . . Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! #thatsoundsfunpodcast . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! AG1: Try AG1 and get a FREE bottle of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/soundsfun. Thrive Causemetics:  get an exclusive 20% off your first order at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. Orgain: Go to orgain.com/THATSOUNDSFUN for 20% off and make sure you use my promo code, THATSOUNDSFUN. Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/soundsfun.  Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/TSF and using code TSF at checkout.  . . . . . If you'd like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. . . . . . Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review! You can do the same on Spotify as well. Your ratings and reviews help us spread the word to new friends! And your feedback lets me know how I can better serve you. . . . . . If you liked THIS episode, you will LOVE this one: The Spiritual and Cultural War on Men with Jon Tyson – Episode 887 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pulling kids from public school might be necessary, but speaking up is too.  Receive your copy of What Do I Say When...? by Andrew and Christian Walker and a year-long subscription to the Identity Project with your gift of any amount to the Colson Center this month at colsoncenter.org/october. __________ Register for the Colson Fellows Church Affiliate Informational Webinar at colsoncenter.org/church. 

On today's show Chris leads the Pugs in a reflection on the story of Jonah--not the Biblical prophet, but the seminary student Rod Dreher interviewed for his book, Living in Wonder. Jonah was raised in an evangelical home, and was even homeschooled, yet fell into a spell of dark enchantment that included visions of demons and the use of psychedelic drugs. Eventually he was delivered through exorcism. What happened, and why does Jonah now say his evangelical upbringing did almost nothing to prepare him for any of this? Tune in and learn what the Pugs think. Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age, by Rod Dreher: https://a.co/d/1EIlSua Knowledge is Power (Icon Science): How Magic, the Government and an Apocalyptic Vision Helped Francis Bacon to Create Modern Science, by John Henry: https://a.co/d/3RNoQym Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Sign up for the Persuasion panel event in London: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trump-vs-harris-what-next-for-america-and-the-world-tickets-1026768591497 Yascha Mounk and Charles Taylor discuss the modern struggle for meaning and belonging. Charles Taylor is a Canadian philosopher and Professor Emeritus at McGill University. Taylor is the recipient of both the Kyoto and Templeton prizes, and is the author of major works including A Secular Age and Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. His most recent book is Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Charles Taylor discuss how the modern notion of identity differs from that of the past; the role of religion and religious belonging in today's societies; and the “post-liberal” critiques of liberalism, including the claim that it's impossible to be truly religious or devout in a liberal democracy. This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: podcast@persuasion.community  Website: http://www.persuasion.community Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion Youtube: Yascha Mounk LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 - 14:05)Is This About Free Speech or Serious Crimes? Arrest of Eccentric Telegram Founder in France Raises Major IssuesA Russian Elon Musk with 100 biological children: Meet Pavel Durov by CNN (Joshua Berlinger and Anna Chernova)How Telegram's Founder Went From Russia's Mark Zuckerberg to Wanted Man by The New York Times (Paul Mozur and Adam Satariano)Part II (14:05 - 22:12)You Love Your Animals More Than Your Kids? Horrible Worldview Confusion Now Packaged as EntertainmentWhen Your Child Is an Animal by The New York Times (Amanda Hess)Is My Cat a Prisoner? And Other Ethical Questions About Our Pets. by The New Yorker (The Editors)Part III (22:12 - 24:56)Fox Hunting is a Religion in the UK? In a Secular Age, Definition of Religion Hard to SustainSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.