Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

Season 7 of Confronting Christianity is here! Rebecca gives a sneak peek at upcoming conversations—from finding hope in suffering and living faithfully as a single Christian, to confronting anxiety, pornography, and the meaning of Jesus’ death. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a single episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned Rebecca’s forthcoming book: How Church Could Literally Save Your Life (Releases Oc...

What happens when you’ve tried everything—and nothing works? In this episode, Justine shares how she searched for meaning through alcohol, relationships, yoga, crystals, and tarot—only to find herself more lost than ever. But a YouTube video, a prayer in Madrid, and a series of quiet nudges led her to confront the truth she could no longer ignore: she needed Jesus. Whether you're skeptical, curiou...

What if rock bottom isn’t the end of the story, but the place where grace runs deepest? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ray Ortlund about the kind of suffering that strips us bare—and the kind of Savior who meets us there. We dig into betrayal, isolation, and the painful honesty of self-examination. Ray shares wisdom from his new book, Good News at Rock Bottom , reminding us that Christianity doe...

What does it look like to follow Jesus at Harvard? In this episode, I talk with senior Andrei Comlosan-Pop about coming to faith in high school, navigating life as a Christian at a secular university, and how literature, economics, and community all play a part in shaping a thoughtful, lived-out faith. Sign up  for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Christianity: I...

I’m joined by my friend Elizabeth Woodson—Bible teacher, author, and all-around theological powerhouse—to talk about Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We dig into what it really means to be free in Christ, why Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle matters so deeply, and how he surprisingly elevated the role of women in his ministry. Elizabeth shares wisdom from her new Bible study, Live F...

Historian Molly Worthen joins Rebecca to unpack her journey from agnosticism to faith, the pull of charismatic leaders, and why Jesus—not political saviors—is the only one truly worth following. From Trump-era evangelicalism to the Spirit-led church, this episode asks: What kind of power really saves? Buy Molly's Book: Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Tr...

Rebecca is joined by Glen Scrivener and Dr. Rob Barward-Symmons to explore a surprising rise in church attendance in the UK—especially among Gen Z and young men. Drawing on new YouGov data, they discuss the impact of immigration, cultural shifts, and the quiet but steady relevance of Christian community in a secular age. Check out the Report: The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendanc...

Is belief in God just a quirk of the human brain—or is it something deeper? In this episode, I’m joined by theologian Gray Sutanto to explore the insights of cognitive science and what they tell us about our built-in sense of the divine. Drawing from his new book Ascends of the Divine, we discuss the limits of human knowledge, the power of revelation, and how Gray’s own journey to faith shapes his...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dan Strange to talk about the deep longings that pull at every human heart—connection, deliverance, destiny—and how they point us to Christ. Drawing from his book " Making Faith Magnetic ", Dan helps us think through how to engage our culture with both truth and tenderness. We also explore the vital role of the church in supporting vulnerable children through fos...

What happens when our deepest longings collide with our latest technologies? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jeremy Meeks—bioethicist, theologian, and expert on all things strange and complicated at the intersection of sex, robots, and Christian ethics. Drawing on the thought of Augustine, we wrestle with questions of human freedom, love, and the lure of transhumanist dreams. Can a robot be a c...

Russell Cowburn, a professor of experimental physics at Cambridge University, joins Rebecca to explore the intricate relationship between science and faith. They explore the concept of God within the scope of scientific discovery, the historical figures who have harmonized faith with scientific contributions, and engage with the question of Jesus' resurrection and its implications. As they approac...

Rebecca hosts a discussion with Dani Treweek and Ellie Wiener, exploring whether women should preach in church. Both Dani and Ellie share their insights and differing perspectives, rooted in a deep respect for Scripture. The conversation goes into key biblical passages, including 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11, providing nuanced interpretations. Dani and Ellie's dialogue underscores their shared...

Join Rebecca and Jen Wilkin in a rich exploration of the Book of Revelation, unraveling its powerful imagery and links to the entire biblical narrative. Discover the symbolism of the Lamb, the recurring motif of weddings, and the age-old struggle against the dragon. They discuss the profound promises and warnings Revelation offers, its portrayal of Jesus as both sacrificial and sovereign, and its...

Join Rebecca and Ana Ávila as they talk about the interplay between productivity, faith, and motherhood. Ana, a senior writer for the Spanish version of the Gospel Coalition, shares insights from her book, " Make the Most of Your Time: A Guide to Honoring God with Your Time ." They discuss the balance of work, parenting, and spiritual habits, highlighting how love and devotion drive productivity....

Join Rebecca and Dr. Mark McDowell as they explore the concept of "Ordo Amoris" and its implications for Christian ethics and political discussions. The conversation explores the theological insights of Augustine and their modern relevance, especially concerning love for one's neighbor and immigrant care. Unpacking biblical parables and teachings, Mark highlights the transformative potential of di...

Derwin Gray, pastor and author, joins Rebecca to explore the transformative power of God's love in a world craving the gospel. They discuss Gray's latest book, "Lit Up with Love: Becoming Good News People in a Gospel Starved World," examining how Jesus' love compels us to love others, transcending racial and social barriers. Buy Derwin's Book : Lit Up With Love Follow Derwin : Instagram | X | Webs...

Rebecca and Rachel Zhang explore the intersection of literature and Christianity on today's episode. Rachel, an assistant professor at Emerson College, discusses her research on 17th-century literature and her experience as a Christian in academia. They analyze the influence of faith on studying literature, the power of fiction, and the importance of engaging with works from diverse worldviews. Fo...

Rebecca and Sam Chan explore the complexities of living an authentic life through a Christian lens. They discuss cultural narratives about being true to oneself and the contrasting biblical perspective of finding true identity through Jesus. Sam shares from his experiences as a medical doctor to explore themes of identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, challenging listeners to seek life's p...

Rebecca and Gavin Ortlund dive into the art of disagreeing while maintaining relationships. They explore biblical insights and discuss the balance between boldness and love in conversations, especially when addressing religious and ideological differences. Whether navigating disagreements with friends or discussing contentious issues, this episode provides thoughtful guidance for engaging in meani...

Kyla Gillespie joins Rebecca to discuss her journey with gender dysphoria and same-sex attraction. Raised in a Christian home, Kyla shares her struggle with identity, navigating both a passion for hockey and feelings of not fitting traditional gender roles. She recounts her experiences with transition, faith, and alcoholism, ultimately returning to faith and finding solace in her identity as a wom...

Rebecca and Dr. Michael J. Kruger discuss the origins and reliability of the New Testament, the textual transmission from early Christianity, the authenticity of gospel accounts, and address common skeptic arguments, including Bart Ehrman's views on manuscript variations. Dr. Kruger highlights the significance of Jesus' character and teachings while discussing the historical importance of early Ch...

Rebecca and Dr. Christy Thornton explore Christian unity and diversity as they tackle key theological topics, including the Lord's Supper and baptism, examining what Christians agree on and where denominational differences lie. Listen into the discussions on important terms like sacraments and ordinances, and discover how these practices shape Christian tradition. Dr. Thornton shares insights from...

Rebecca sits down with Rachel Jones, editor at The Good Book Company and author of The Quiet Time Kickstart: Six Weeks to a Healthy Bible Habit. Drawing inspiration from the Couch to 5K program, Rachel shares how this book was designed to help anyone build a sustainable and meaningful habit of meeting God in His Word. Together, Rebecca and Rachel dive into the real struggles that often hold us bac...

The 6th season of Confronting Christianity is set to launch on January 21st! Sign up  for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Christianity: Instagram | X Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code  TREASURE and get 30% off "Storing Up Treasure" by Kyle Bjerga at thegoodbook.com today!

Rebecca and Justine explore questions submitted by our listeners! They explore challenges of infertility, perspectives on the morning-after pill, and how Christians can thoughtfully engage in politics. The discussion also highlights strategies for evangelism, especially within diverse religious contexts, and how to discern primary doctrinal issues. List of Questions Answered How can we effectively...