Mortification of Spin

Our spin terminators are feuding about Carl’s citizenship status, the environment, and even boiled food, all before introducing their special guests. Both men join us virtually today, but will appear together in person to speak at the Bold North Conference on Reformed Theology November 5-6, 2021, at Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, MN. Camden Bucey is a minister at Hope Orthodox P...

On today’s encore presentation of Mortification of Spin the dynamic duo becomes a trio, as a third pessimist—that is, a third realist—joins in. Rod Dreher is an American writer and editor, culture critic, and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option and the freshly released Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Rod’s book is a wakeup call for Christians about ideas...

Our favorite spin slayers believe that Christians and non-Christians alike should care about religious liberty. So, Carl and Todd choose to revisit a prominent First Amendment case and note other offenses that are popping up all around. How should Christians view religious liberty and what should be our response when faced with religious opposition and hostility? How big of a deal is it, really, t...

A very old and common problem in the pastoral world has recently returned to the headlines with allegations of sermon plagiarism lodged against the newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Why is sermon plagiarism such a big deal? Does it reach beyond the simple theft of intellectual property? What are the advantages and blessings of sermon preparation for the pastor and his con...

He can no longer blend into the background. Carl Trueman is now officially an influencer; he’s a fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington D.C. and a clear and present danger to the unorthodox and “progressive” in this country.  The legendary secret bunker has been dusted off, equipped with new transmitting devices, and is now ready to harbor our two outspoken hosts. Trueman and...

Todd Pruitt proves to be a good and supportive friend as he endures Carl’s insufferable bragging for being “canceled” by Instagram and YouTube. What’s more, Dr. Trueman informs that he was labeled as “distinguished” on the pages of The Wall Street Journal! All as our “nutty professor” continues to resist the notion of becoming a patriotic American citizen.  Seriously: Is it okay for a Christian to...

Putting his reputation at risk once again, Dr. Thomas Weinandy makes a return visit to the podcast. The topic of conversation for his first visit was Tom’s impressive work, Jesus Becoming Jesus: A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels. The scholar and prolific author is back with the follow-up tome Jesus Becoming Jesus Volume 2: A Theological Interpretation of the Gospel of John.  In...

The podcasting world’s most interesting pair is joined by “the Queen,” as her husband calls her. It’s not Elizabeth II (sorry, Carl!) or the 80s rock band, but Mary Beeke; author, wife of Joel Beeke, mother of three adult children, a former nurse and elementary teacher, and long-time servant of the church.  Mary’s latest book will resonate with most parents as she writes about teaching our childre...

Believe it or not, our hosts can be positive every once in a while. This week, they sit down to chat about the encouraging outcomes of this year’s PCA General Assembly. What happened at the GA that is giving Todd such encouragement about the future of the denomination? (It’s been well-documented that Carl couldn’t care less!) Todd explains the dynamics inside a denomination comprised of “tribes” (...

Despite the inestimable success of his most recent book, Carl finds himself “cancelled” by a school where he was to deliver a speech. It’s an outcome that raises Dr. Trueman to an even higher level of recognition; he’s now almost as important as Ryan T. Anderson, who was famously cancelled by Amazon! Now, Carl and Todd hope their special guest won’t be “cancelled” for merely being in their company...

Carl publicly concedes that he’s no match for our special guest’s husband after losing their “mustard-colored trouser” Facebook contest a few years ago. That guest is Catherine Stewart, and she’s the editor of Surviving the Fishbowl: Letters to Pastor’s Kids. Catherine reveals what motivated her to lead the project, assembling an exceptional host of contributors.  There is no doubt that pastor’s k...

While Todd laments knowing Carl far too long, the professor tries to boost his brand by mentioning that he was recently referred to as “one of God’s gifts to humanity.” With egos finally in check, the pair introduce today’s guest. Proving they can’t resist a good squabble, our dynamic duo welcomes Thaddeus Williams who recently wrote Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth. The acclaimed...

Once again Carl and Todd welcome a guest brave enough to make a return visit to the lions’ den. Craig Carter is research professor of theology at Tyndale University and theologian in residence at Westney Heights Baptist Church in Ajax, Ontario. Craig is renowned for producing some very fine work on recovering Trinitarian classical theism and classical metaphysics. His newest book is Contemplating...

After Carl’s Freudian slip concerning his being a pastor, our resident professor/minister/author quickly recovers and gets back on track by introducing his sidekick and their special guest. Benjamin Fischer is a missionary priest of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, rector of Christ the Redeemer, a congregation in the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), and the associate professor of Literary Hi...

With the PCA General Assembly approaching soon, Todd needs to decompress…so, Carl meets him at our mythical “local pub” to act as his therapist. Of course, Professor Trueman doesn’t miss the chance to snub his old friend, and “rub in” the fact that Todd belongs to a boring and uncontroversial denomination (as if!). The call to love the brethren and be charitable toward one another is not only an h...

Our precocious pair shares a discussion of “Pride Month,” when big corporations, the media, and others strive to display their unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ movement. Carl and Todd take on everything from cartoons, to advertisements, to countless other means employed by “gender activists” to indoctrinate society and shape our children at a very early age. How might we develop persuasive apolog...

Todd is thrilled to fly solo today as Carl dons his bathing attire (BMP) to soak up some much-needed sun at the Jersey shore. It’s just as well; Dr. Trueman doesn’t really get along with cheerful guests! Todd is delighted to share a fun conversation with Lisa Updike, the decidedly cheerful director of Children’s Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church (where Todd also serves). Lisa works closely...

Anthony Selvaggio joins Carl and Todd today. He’s the pastor of Rochester Christian Reformed Church in NY, as well as a conference speaker and author. Considering Job: Reconciling Sovereignty and Suffering is the title of Anthony’s most recent book, and the topic of our conversation. The book of Job is one of the most complex found in Scripture, in part for its paradoxical nature in dealing with s...

Carl and Todd sit down to chat with an old friend. Sandy Finlayson is the library director and professor of Theological Bibliography at Westminster Theological Seminary. Carl leads the conversation by describing the genesis of the Free Church of Scotland and the men who led what was called “The Great Disruption.” Among them, we find Thomas Chalmers, one of the main leaders of the movement and the...

Our special guest today is a prolific author, editor, mom of 4, pastor’s wife, and pastor’s daughter. Megan Hill joins Carl and Todd for an energetic conversation about her most recent book, Partners in the Gospel: 50 Meditations for Pastors’ and Elders’ Wives. Through her writing, Megan offers comfort and encouragement to wives as they encounter the joys and challenges of ministering alongside th...

Carl and Todd can truly say that they have “arrived” when they have the privilege to chat with former Cosmopolitan magazine writer Sue Ellen Browder! Our guest played an important role in the feminist movement and “sexual revolution” of the 1970s, 80s, and beyond. Sue’s story is compelling as she tells us about her “double life” as a happily married woman raising children, tending her garden, and...

Walking away from the faith is a phenomenon as old as humanity itself…but a recent “twist” has emerged in how some high-profile Christians choose to abandon their beliefs. Today, Todd attempts to school Carl on the cyber world of TikTok as the dynamic duo discusses one recent and disturbing “deconversion.” The two are talking about Abraham Piper; he’s the son of John Piper, the well-known pastor a...

“A thorn in the side of the Archbishop of York.” That’s how our special guest is introduced today. Reverend Melvin Tinker was the vicar of St. John’s Newland in England for many years. He’s now the director of Theology of the Christ Church Network and the author of an amazing book entitled That Hideous Strength, addressing cultural Marxism in society and in the church. Now in a second expanded edi...

Race and Covenant   Our delightful duo is honored with a visit from a special guest. Gerry McDermott is an old friend and former Anglican Chair of Divinity at Samford’s Beeson Divinity School. He’s a prolific author, writing brilliantly on a wide variety of subjects ranging from theology and philosophy to famous stutterers. Just a few months ago, McDermott edited Race and Covenant, a collection of...

The evangelical world has been shaken once again by the news of yet another influential leader’s tattered reputation. Ravi Zacharias was a prominent Christian speaker, writer, and apologist for over 4 decades. He spoke from the platforms of renowned institutions and college campuses all around the world. Although there were early questions about Zacharias’s inflated qualifications, a different kin...