Faith & Culture

In this follow up episode, the guys discuss how we can learn from historical examples to address the rising trend of Christian violence in our culture. Various traditions have dealt with this differently, but the guys hone in on the broader just war tradition as a framework for thinking through these tough issues. They bring up how historical examples (like the Crusades) challenge our modern sensi...

In this episode, the guys discuss the rising trend of violence in our culture and how the Christian ought to think about and respond to violence. Various Christian traditions have dealt with this differently, but all groups agree who the real enemy is: The Spiritual Forces of Darkness. How do we wrestle against spiritual forces rather than flesh and blood enemies? What effect does spiritual warfar...

In this episode, the guys discuss the way our Christians ancestors viewed the calendar. Why did the church put holidays like Christmas and Easter on the calendar when they did? What is the significance of seeing time as a means of retelling God's story? How should a Christian view time and history to see God working in them? Does our faith give us a better view of reality than just an empty cl...

 In this episode, the guys explore the important role of laughter in the life of a Christian. What is laughter, why did God give us laughter, and what benefits does it give to us? What role can comedy and laughter play in improving a person and improving a culture? How can Christians use joviality to increase our faith and obedience? How can laughter help us through suffering, temptation, and conf...

The guys discuss the importance of gift giving as a spiritual practice. They share stories of great gifts they have received and what the Bible tells us about being generous, caring, and jovial. How does God excel at giving good gifts? What are some of the greatest gifts we have received in Christ? How can we make gift giving a means to deepen our relationships and further our faith? Welcome to th...

The guys explore the classic Christmas tale "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss as a timely portrayal of our culture's own "grinchy" spirit. In what ways has our culture taken up the Grinch's attitude of cynicism, bitterness, and resentment? How can we learn from the indomitable joy of the who's? What does choosing joy and meaning at Christmas look like fo...

In this episode, the guys discuss the importance of kids stories for cultivating virtue in our children. They discuss the issues with many modern kids stories, the value of many forms of children's tales, and the importance of storytelling for faith and character formation. What kind of world are we showing our kids through the stories we tell them? What kind of people will they become if they...

In this episode, the guys discuss the current state of the debate over creation. They discuss the serious issues and consequences of the darwinian worldview and present some of the major ideas and thinkers pushing back against evolutionary theory. What is really happening in Genesis 1? What evidence is there for belief in creation? Why doubt darwin? What options exist for thinking Christians discu...

In this episode, the guys discuss C.S. Lewis's imaginative story about inhabitants of hell being offered a vacation to heaven and a chance at redemption. More than speculating on the afterlife, Lewis is inspecting the human soul to reveal how our hearts cling to sin even when offered God's grace. Why do people choose evil? How do our sins entangle us? What does it take to love and pursue G...

In this episode, the guys discuss the harrowing events surrounding the murder of Christian commentator and political organizer, Charlie Kirk. How should Christians react to the life and death of Charlie Kirk? What range of reactions have we seen from Christians and what does this tell us about our cultural moment? What does this latest violence demand from us as Christian witnesses moving forward?...

In this episode, the guys discuss the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School that recently shocked the nation with a transgender shooter murdering two innocent Christian children and injuring 21 other people. What's behind the chaos violence of our times? What does this kind of violence say about our culture and the kind of people our culture builds? Why do ideologies that fight...

In this episode, the guys discuss which fruit of the Spirit is least likely to be cultivated by western American Christians and why. They investigate the kinds of virtues our culture wars against and how Christians have neglected some of these same spiritual markers. What work of the Holy Spirit are we most likely to resist in our culture? How have we twisted some of these fruit of the spirit into...

What is a Christian/biblical viewpoint on immigration? What does loving our neighbors mean in this arena? Is it more Christian to let everyone across the border who desires to enter our country? Is immigration a natural human right and is immigration by any means necessary a matter of justice? What responsibilities does God's word give to governments, churches, citizens, and even immigrants th...

When faith (Pope Leo) and culture (Mission Impossible 8) are both turning their attention to A.I., then it's time for the Faith and Culture Podcast to do the same! How has A.I. developed over this last year? What are the emerging threats and opportunities? What does this technological revolution mean for our view of human beings, human dignity, productive work, and social connections? Welcome...

We are surrounded by art, everything from movies, to music, to books, to the fine arts like painting and sculpture. Many attempts at "Christian art" have left something to be desired, either in their quality or in their convictions. What makes art good or bad? What makes art truly Christian? What can the tradition of Christian art teach us about being human and living as a Christian? How...

There's lots of name calling among Christians, calling each other "liberal" or "conservative" which might be translated "sell out" and "backward" respectively. But what do we mean when we use these terms? What does it mean to be "progressive" and what is their understanding of moral "progress"? What makes a Christian "conservativ...

In this episode, the guys explore the landscape of Christian fellowship and cooperation in a post-Christian age. What binds all Christians together and how do we know whose "on our team"? What Christian fundamentals bind all believers together, even with our differences? Where might our old denominational differences be less important than our current worldview divides? How might even co...

In this episode, the guys discuss what Christians should consider when they go to the store. Should Christians be worried about the moral or social stances of their grocery store or favorite shoe brand? Is there money the same thing as supporting that company's views? When should Christians boycott a company for their views, or support them for their convictions? What do our dollars mean, and...

In this final episode in our series on a theology of work, the guys discuss the Christian work ethic. They explore topics of virtuous labor, the quality of effort, the moral aspect of the way we approach our jobs, diligence vs. sloth, integrity vs. dishonesty, , pursuing excellence vs. accepting mediocrity, shrewdness vs. naivete. How do we navigate a world of fallen workers? How should we labor a...

In this continuation of our series in a theology of work, the guys look at the kinds of work people do and the situations that determine our work. We explore how male and female and even the Industrial Revolution impact what kind of jobs we occupy today. We discuss how to pick a career, what factors should help Christians decide between job opportunities, and how faith can help direct us toward wo...

The guys continue their series exploring a Christian theology of work. They discuss how the purpose of work has been frustrated by the fall and the human sin that has followed ever since. They look at how the 21st century has gotten both work and workers wrong and what might be a way forward in a world where work is cursed and corrupted. How does our modern approach to work harm both our humanity...

The guys begin a new series exploring a Christian theology of work. They discuss what the creation account of Genesis 1-3 tells us about human purpose as it relates to work and how the New Testament picks up these themes to provide a vision for the role of work in the life of the believer. What is the purpose of our work? Is work part of the curse and something to be avoided or carried as a burden...

The guys discuss why many Christians don’t share their faith with others. They will look at the cultural trends that are making evangelism today difficult and some of the enduring difficulties that Christians today have in sharing the Gospel. Why is so much of our evangelism “gimmicky”? What strategies could make our evangelism more effective in today’s culture? What are some simple ways to get st...

This week the guys bring the discussion about how to improve the church home to Lake Ridge. Each of the guys brings one idea to improve the faith and practice of our church today. Then all the others discuss what that particular “home improvement” might “cost”. This episode gets very practical and unpacks the hopes and concerns the guys have for Lake Ridge. They believe that this church home is wo...

This discussion focuses on the religious levels of authority we give to the importance of health and safety in our culture. From billionaires trying to live forever to lawnmower parents leveling any obstacles their kids might face to COVID guidelines that shut down churches in the name of health, our culture worships health and safety. How do we as Christians prioritize our lives when real risks e...