Thinking Out Loud

The episode title was also the title of a talk that Nathan recently gave to a large gathering at a coffee shop. Here, Cameron and Nathan continue to explore the ways in which our culture seems to be trending away from the rugged individualism that dominated previous generations. But where exactly are we going? Join us as we explore the topic of community in the modern world.

Cameron recently delivered a series of faculty lectures on Critical Theory to a classical school in Oklahoma. In this episode, Nathan grills Cameron on the subject.

In-vitro gametogenesis. If this sounds like the stuff of a sci-fi story, you’re not far off. In fact, in-vitro gametogenesis offers the possibility of making sperm or egg from any cell. The process has already been successfully carried out with mice. Obviously, this new “reproductive technology” raises numerous mind-bending ethical questions and we wanted to take the opportunity to dive in. 

In a recent article for the Atlantic, Russell Moore argues that what many people mean by revival is actually nostalgia in disguise—a fervent desire to go back to the way things were, rather than an openness for the Lord to do something new. Join us as we dive into Moore’s provocative thesis.

In a recent interview, professor Richard Dawkins admitted that religion plays an essential role in human flourishing despite its inherent falsity. The claim is far from unique. Social psychologists like Jonathan Haidt continue to point to the societal benefits of religion while maintaining a naturalistic perspective. In this episode, we dive into the role of religion and consider why we’re often h...

In this episode, we explore three listener questions having to do with the management of chronic pain, speaking in tongues, and curation vs. creation in a world saturated by content. Thanks as always for the thoughtful questions and we hope this is helpful to you.

In this episode, we discuss a recent letter penned by thousands of authors, asking artificial intelligence companies like Meta and OpenAI to stop harvesting their content without their permission. It’s yet another indication of the uncharted territory of our cultural moment. But it also raises questions about the kind of work we value and the people we consider expendable. Join us for a discussion...

A recent piece in Reuters highlights a new expansion to the laws surrounding physician assisted suicide in Canada. The new law would move the criteria beyond terminal illness to include mental illness as well. If this sounds like a slippery slope, a growing number of human rights activists feel the same and are raising serious questions. In this episode, we explore the sad irony surrounding modern...

The western world is becoming more and more of a melting pot and conversations about religious differences are going to be unavoidable. In this episode, Nathan Rittenhouse interviews Dr. Andy Bannister about how we talk to our children about Islam.

We just lost Cormac McCarthy at the age of 89. In this episode, Cameron calls him one of the greatest contemporary American novelists. A very private man, most of the details of his life remain obscure. Here, we talk about the complexity of dealing with an artist who doesn’t fit neatly into a Christian worldview.  

Thanks to the all-encompassing nature of its explanatory power, the scientific pursuit of human origins is attaining a kind of “Holy Grail” status. But is this within the purview of the hard sciences? How do we respond to this endeavor as Christians? In this episode, Nathan interviews Reasons to Believe president, Dr. Fuz Rana, a scientist himself, on this crucial subject.

Happy 4th, TOL listeners! In this episode, we explore the differences between patriotism and nationalism with a little help from Wendell Berry.

The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is raising serious concerns about a possible nuclear disaster. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy is warning that Russians may trigger a nuclear explosion, effectively turning the plant into a dirty bomb. In this episode, we chat about how we respond to disaster scenarios that are largely out of our control.

Six people have been indicted in a grisly scheme involving the sale of human body parts at no less an institution than Harvard Medical School. The bodies had been donated to the facility for scientific research. In this episode, we explore why Christianity gives us a high view of the human body, even one that has expired.

Sadly, the latest reports confirm the implosion of OceanGate’s Titan submersible, a catastrophe that claimed the lives of all five passengers. In this episode, we reflect on the nature of risk, humanity’s irrepressible urge to explore new frontiers, and how we might balance the two. 

That four children managed to survive for 40 days in the Amazonian jungle is an astonishment that we’ll be working through for years to come. Unsurprisingly, search efforts spared no expense in terms of expertise and technology, even going so far as to enlist the help of local shamans. In this episode, we explore the persistent theme of the occult in both Scripture and contemporary culture.  

As you probably guessed, we’re not experienced golfers. Rather, our interest in the sport was sparked by the potential merger between the PGA and Saudi-backed LIV. Once again, it appears we’re seeing a collision between stated moral principles and the almighty dollar. But what do we do when virtue doesn’t pay? Join us as we explore some of the limitations of a market mindset.

The destruction of the Kalhovka dam in Ukraine has set off a chain reaction that will likely culminate in a full-scale ecological disaster. Join us as we explore this latest development in the war-torn region of Ukraine.

The recent debate between Dr. James Tour of Rice University and skeptical YouTuber, Dave Farina, is a bracing emblem of our time. Characterized more by character assassination, belligerence, and agitation than generosity, even-handedness, and careful argumentation, the event raises the question of whether public debate is still a viable option in our increasingly shrill culture. In this episode, w...

The recent debate between Dr. James Tour of Rice University and skeptical YouTuber, Dave Farina, is a bracing emblem of our time. Characterized more by character assassination, belligerence, and agitation than generosity, even-handedness, and careful argumentation, the event raises the question of whether public debate is still a viable option in our increasingly shrill culture.

In the estimation of our cultural elites, Christians are pariahs—people holding to beliefs that are not only outdated and irrelevant, but actively harmful. For those of us who follow Christ, how do we practice the Holy Spirit-inspired art of treating people with this mindset as our neighbors? In this episode, we explore this practice in the context of Pride Month. 

In an admittedly extreme example of our sexual radicalism, a group identifying themselves as “the Sisterhood of the Perpetual Indulgence” is gaining considerable attention in the news. Predictably, their antics are as sacrilegious as they are juvenile. On the one hand, there’s ample cause for alarm when the sacred is profaned on a popular level. But what about laughter? Is there a time to laugh at...

We recorded this episode on May 24th, Bob Dylan’s 82nd birthday. Since Cameron can’t contain his inner fanboy, we opted to use the occasion as an opportunity to discuss the dangers of claiming Christian celebrities in an effort to boost the credibility of the church. We hope you enjoy the episode. Now go spin some Dylan.

As the tributes continue to pour in for the late Tim Keller, we wanted to add our own words of appreciation for the man. Join us as we explore Tim Keller’s legacy and consider what distinguished him as a minister in today’s world.

Do you need a mentor? Should you have a mentor? And what, for that matter, does a mentor do? Have we said "mentor" enough? Join us for a discussion of mentorship and its place in the Christian life.