Faith & Culture

"'Tis the Season: The Empty Stocking" This episode of our holiday series focuses on the difficulties of celebrating Christmas in the midst of grief. For many people, the joy of the sights and smells of Christmas are mingled with sorrow over lost people and relationships. For many people, the empty chair at the Christmas table makes Christmas cheer taste sour. Does Christmas require us to fake a sm...

The Book Nook: A Christmas Carol  The Book Nook series is dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations.  In this month's episode we discuss the classic Christmas ghost story by Cha...

The Holidays are here! Each comes laden with meaning and memories. How might we as Christians celebrate them well? This episode of our holiday series focuses on the contrast between Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Is there perhaps a common thread of consumption baked into both holidays? How does our culture view and teach gratitude? What are the ways that we can cultivate real appreciation for the...

In this month's episode we discuss the controversial bestseller by Rod Dreher, The Benedict Option. Dreher claims that the way forward might be the way back, and that the current church can learn from the lessons of medieval monks about how to build culture, thrive in community, and provide a counter-cultural witness to the power of the gospel. Does the church today need a refresh on how to build...

The Holidays are here! Each comes laden with meaning and memories. How might we as Christians celebrate them well? This first episode of our holiday series focuses on Halloween and our culture's growing obsession with gore, violence, and evil. Is Halloween even about kids, costumes, and candy anymore? Why does our supposedly secular culture love scary stories about demons and ghosts? Why do we dre...

The Book Nook is a new series dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations.  This first episode is about one of the most famous and enduring ghost stories in American literature, The Le...

God Rules 10: Keep Off Their Greener Grass... In this conclusion to our God Rules Series, we discuss the tenth commandment to not covet what belongs to your neighbor. We about what lies at the root of coveting and whether it is more than just wanting what others have. How has our culture embraced envy as a virtue rather than a vice? How are we cultivating a  culture of toxic comparison and je...

"God Rule 9: Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth” In this episode, we discuss the ninth commandment to not bear false witness. We discuss how this command is something more than simply, "don't lie". What role does truth telling play in loving our neighbor? What is at stake when we lie? Are there extreme cases where a Christian can lie for the right reasons? What is...

"God Rule 8: Beware the Five Finger Discount” In this episode, we discuss the eighth commandment to not steal. We discuss how our culture has challenged the notion of ownership and many are calling for the dissolving of private property altogether. How should Christians view wealth and calls to redistribute it? Is there a biblical argument for ownership and what responsibilities does the Bible giv...

In this episode, we discuss the seventh commandment to not commit adultery. We discuss how our culture has completely redefined identity around sexuality and turned marriage into an enemy of happiness. Where can Christians push back against the idolization of desire? How can we elevate the goodness of marriage in a culture that hates self-denial and worships self-expression? How can we communicate...

In this episode, we discuss the sixth commandment: to not murder. We discuss the foundation of human dignity in Christian thought. Where is our current culture devaluing human life? How can we demonstrate a truly pro-life attitude toward others, particularly those who our world dismisses? Welcome to the Conversation.

God Rules #5: Honor Your Father and Your Mother.... When God commands children to honor their fathers and mothers, He attaches a promise to that command. The one who keeps it will live long in the land that God is giving them. Why would honoring your parents lead to a long life? Does this commandment come with an expiration date? Do we currently live within a culture that honors its elders or idol...

Continuing our God Rules series: Commandment Four - Remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it Holy. This week we discuss the command to honor the Sabbath. Does Jesus still want Christians to keep a day of rest? Should Christians work on Sundays? What’s so important about resting from work to focus on worship? Welcome to the Conversation!

Welcome back to our new series called "God Rules" - discussing the 10 Commandments. In this episode, we discuss commandment number three: Do not take the Lord's name in vain. But does that really mean? Is it just an expression, or is God's name to be feared and respected? Welcome to the conversation.

Welcome back to our new series called "God Rules" - discussing the 10 Commandments. In this episode, we discuss commandment number two: Make no graven Images and bow down to them. What does it mean to "make graven images?" And how do we bow down to and worship idols today? Welcome to the conversation.

Join us as we begin a new series called "God Rules" - discussing the 10 Commandments. In this episode, we lay the groundwork for why the Ten Commandments are still important for believers today. Then we dive into the first commandment that forbids worshipping any other god. Most of us don't have shrines in our homes, so how are we still worshipping idols today and what are the consequences? And ho...

The guys discuss the first principle of Creation. What is man's relationship in responsibility to the earth today? Should we save THIS house, or build THAT habitat? Should we hug the trees or chop them all down? Welcome to the conversation.

Today, we discuss the reality of evil in the world - Where does it come from? How do we account for the evil we see around us? How should we engage with it as Christians, and What's with evil spirits anyway?? Welcome to the conversation... You can connect with us by email at faithandculture@lakeridge.org

The world is captivated by the war between Russia and Ukraine, so Christians are asking hard questions about how we should respond. How might Christians fight in a war, in a way that honors God? How should Governments consider their responsibilities in times of conflict? Lives are on the line and the world needs Christians to know how to respond when bullets start flying.  Welcome to another...

What is the relationship between Faith and Science? What can science tell us, and what can it not tell us? Can we as Christians live rightly in the world if we "just follow the science?"  In this episode, we tackle the modern phenomenon of Scientism.

Why is finding a spouse so hard?! In the dizzying chaos of modern singleness, dating, and marriage, what is God calling you to pursue? How can we set up young Christians for success in their pursuit of a lifelong mate?

Why does the family matter to Jesus and how is the enemy trying to tear it apart? Join us today for a christian discussion of the family, which be believe is a foundational part of God's plan for humanity. What is God's design and purpose for the family? And how does culture view roles and relationships in the home? And what benefits can culture and the church gain by christian families devoted to...

This week the guys welcome special guest Josiah Presley, pro-life speaker and abortion survivor. Join in as they discuss what the gospel has to say about being pro-life.

Stories shape what we love and what we believe. Christians wince at that Jolly Old Elf, but is Saint Nick a friend or foe of true faith? Listen as the guys discuss the power and the importance of story telling.

Social Media! What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul, his mind, and his family? Social media promises connection, but comes with devastating fine print. The guys discuss a Christian perspective on social media, and the distinct challenges Christians (and parents) face navigating the social network of today.