Mortification of Spin

Armed with his leather-bound copy of Robert's Rules, Fred Greco joins Todd and Carl to discuss the recent General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church in America and his role as moderator. Breathing a sigh of relief, Fred and Todd report that the 2023 GA was more charitable and constructive than in previous years, and good progress was made. And yet we find Carl is still not ready to change...

Today is the battle of the podcasts as the hosts of Mortification of Spin welcome the hosts of Kids Talk Church History to discuss their growing podcast, the importance of studying church history, and to debate Scottish vs. English culture and Bronte vs. Austen. Despite Todd’s best attempts, Emma and Linus don’t seem too intimidated by the international scope of the podcast, but Emma’s grandmother...

Nancy Pearsey joins Carl and Todd to discuss her important new book, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. Books have appeared with titles like I Hate Men and Are Men Necessary? Mainstream news organizations publish articles like "Why Can't We Hate Men?" T-shirts are sold with messages like "So Many Men, So Little Ammunition.” And Christian men, in particular, are be...

After a brief discussion about craziness you can understand and craziness you can't, Carl and Todd get down to business talking to Andrew Walker, editor of the new book Social Conservatism for the Common Good. A collection of essays from high-profile evangelical writers and academics – including our very own Carl Trueman – the book focuses on the work of renowned catholic, social conservative thin...

Carl and Todd welcome Matthew Barrett back to the podcast for the fourth time…or is it the fifth?…to discuss his latest book. Many Protestants are confused about what it means to be Protestant. The Reformation as Renewal offers a fresh history of the Reformation to help Protestants understand their origin and identity. Far from being the clean break many paint it or the schism others would have us...

Much to Carl’s relief, Todd dresses up this week for a serious conversation about the controversial issue of Satan and demons. When is Satan introduced in the Bible, and how are we to understand his power? And how are we to view the demonic realm and its influence in our daily lives?  Crossway provided a few giveaway copies of Against the Darkness by Graham Cole for our listeners. Congratulations...

Carl and Todd sit down with long-time friend and Theology on the Go podcast host, Jonathan Master, to discuss his latest book, Reformed Theology. In this practical book, Jonathan provides a helpful primer for church leaders, study groups, and anyone who wants a well-rounded and concise overview of Reformed theology. Now what was it that Carl said that had Jonathan so concerned? Tune in and find ou...

Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck sparked a theological tradition in the Netherlands that came to be known as Neo-Calvinism. While studies in neo-Calvinism have focused primarily on its political and philosophical insights, its theology has received less attention. Carl and Todd welcome Cory Brock and Gray Sutanto to discuss their new book, by the same name as this podcast, which provides a thorou...

The recent horrific murders at a Nashville Christian school compel Carl and Todd to discuss how believers should respond in the face of such inexplicable tragedy. It’s safe to say that most people—believers included—don’t consider in advance what they might say or do when answers are few. Our hosts offer precious biblical insight and pastoral experience to help us understand how we might represent...

“Citizen Carl” Trueman flies without a co-pilot as he interviews author Leah Savas. She joins the legendary Marvin Olasky in writing The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652-2022. The book offers a unique historical perspective that digs deep between the milestones of the abortion journey in the US and the laws that shaped it to provide insight into the cultural aspects of th...

As international best-selling author Carl Trueman enjoys a few days among the “jet set” in Rome, faithful pastor and co-host Todd Pruitt sits down with guest Michael Allen. Dr. Allen serves as professor of systematic theology and academic dean at Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando. Despite his better judgment, Allen returns to the podcast to chat about his two newest books, released concurrentl...

Carl is flying solo as host for today's podcast and—after a few moments of linguistic snobbery—finds time in his "shed-jule" to interview Abigail Favale. She's a professor at the University of Notre Dame and author of The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory. Dr. Favale explains that current "gender theory" finds its roots in feminist and postmodern thought, and is now reshaping language, law—per...

After reminding listeners of the great public service they provide through this podcast, the beneficent Messrs. Pruitt and Trueman welcome a special guest. Mark Jones is a PCA pastor serving in British Columbia, CA, and the author of numerous books. His most recent work is a two-volume set updating and explaining Stephen Charnock’s classic Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God. Jones...

You’re familiar with non-Christian teachings that simply reject traditional Bible truth. Perhaps just as dangerous are Christian teachings that distort the Gospel, twist Scripture, and introduce New Age and mystical thinking into the faith. Authors Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett expose one such set of fringe teachings that have quickly become mainstream in their new book, Counterfeit Kingdom:...

Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit ranges from calling Him an “it,” to claiming the Spirit is a mere independent force operating in the universe. Systematic and historical theology professor Robert Letham reminds us that the Holy Spirit is holy God, a person of the triune Godhead operating in perfect harmony and inseparably with the Father and Son. In his latest book, Dr. Letham skillfully...

Our intrepid podcasters set out to answer one of life’s most pressing questions: Mello Yello® or Mountain Dew®? This specific gastronomic dilemma should quickly identify today’s special guest. Kevin DeYoung’s dietary list may read like the kid’s menu at Denny’s®, but his theological scholarship is unparalleled. The famed pastor, professor, and author once again places his reputation at risk to vis...

Many churches have men in the pulpit who care for the flock, remembering they are "shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Their ministries can be a resource for unity, healing, and growth for a congregant. But in recent years, several high-profile cases of abuse have been reported—and there are many more we don't hear about. Often, the victims of such abuse are compel...

How swiftly things change. Signed into law in 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) refused to codify same-sex “marriage” federally, as it preserved the rights of each state to choose to recognize such unions. Recently, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA), repealing DOMA and requiring the federal government and every US state and territory to recognize homosexual matrimon...

Brad Littlejohn reminds us of the powerful influence of Protestant social teaching throughout the millennia. In his roles as president of the Davenant Institute, professor, author, and researcher, our guest has spoken of the radically anti-human concepts now creeping into the national dialogue as the leavening influence of Christian moral teachings is redefined or forgotten. Dr. Littlejohn‘s essay...

Alisa Childers knows the difference between “live the truth” and “live your truth.” In her new book, the former ZOEgirl singer/songwriter explains how modern lies disguised as truth in today’s culture have taken hold in many churches. Does Scripture call Christians to “follow their hearts” and “make their dreams a reality?” Alisa points the way to freedom and relief from popular deceptions that ca...

One of our guests encourages parents listening in to enforce a “PG-13” content label on today’s show, but—remembering some disturbing stories Todd has shared on the podcast—we confidently move forward with today’s topic. On the table: a frank discussion of the ongoing fallout from the Revoice conference and other sexually-charged issues challenging the Church.  Joining Carl and Todd are author, sp...

Few of us will forget the hot summer of 2020. The COVID pandemic closed schools and businesses, and—as many Americans were shuttered in their homes—angry mobs took to the empty streets protesting police brutality, perceived inequities, and other burning issues. Some sense of order has since returned, but can we afford to move forward without a careful evaluation of what brought fire to our streets...

From the EIP (Excellence in Podcasting) Studios, it’s David Limbaugh! The brother of the late talk radio icon is an attorney and distinguished author in his own right. David joins us today to discuss his latest book and discern whether Carl’s accent is authentic, wholly contrived, or simply unnecessary.   The goal of The Resurrected Jesus: The Church in the New Testament, co-authored with daughter...

Carl and Todd are, for the first time in quite a while, recording their podcast face-to-face within the Alliance compound. Careful to remain socially distanced—not because of COVID, but to prevent any regrettable chance of human contact whatsoever—the pair welcomes Dr. Neil Shenvi to the mix. He’s a former Yale and Duke University researcher turned homeschooling father with a passion for Christian...

After a few moments of whining about their generous Alliance salaries, our pouty podcasters welcome a return guest—a "repeat offender," as Carl sees it—to the Spin. In the second installment from his series Suffering and the Christian Life, Mark Talbot encourages readers to place their suffering within the arc of the entire biblical story. In doing so, we better understand our suffering and can ta...