Thinking Out Loud

A routine chapel service that began on Wednesday, February 8th at Asbury University is still going as of this recording. Though the word “revival” is in wide circulation, many Christians are hesitant, preferring to wait and see the long term outworking of this surprising event. In this episode, we explore this new development and consider how to respond in a balanced manner.

In 2019, the American Psychological Association pronounced “traditional masculinity” “harmful,” sparking an intense conversation about the nature of manhood that has yet to abate. (“Toxic masculinity” is now the more popular phrase.) But is there really a crisis of masculinity? And what is masculinity, for that matter? Join us as we dive into the conversation.

Wanna hear us talk about everything from Sam Smith’s satanic GRAMMY performance to Tim Keller’s latest article in the Atlantic? Tune in and buckle up!

Since the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon over the coast of South Carolina, there’s been no end of speculation and jokes. In this episode, we explore what happens when serious news converges with a public primed to see everything as entertainment.

Harold Ramis’s accidental masterpiece, Groundhog Day, is a modern comedy classic. It’s also a morality play in which the central character learns the joys of virtue. That it manages to pull this all off without being preachy is a small miracle. The fact that both Nathan and Cameron like this movie is a full-blown miracle. Be sure to check out Jeff Reimer’s excellent essay on the film.

The recent slaying of Tyre Nichols by five police officers has sent shockwaves through the nation. Doing our best to balance compassion and conviction, we decided to process this terrible event.

Nope, but you should definitely join us as we discuss more of the implications of this emerging technology. We try not to sound too grumpy. Nathan succeeds. Cameron gets an A for effort.

There’s a pronounced dissatisfaction with church among many Christians today. The reasons are various—preaching, worship style, social dynamics—but the strong temptation is to simply leave and find a better “fit.” Of course, there are legitimate reasons to leave a church, but in this episode we suggest that we’re often too quick to “jump ship,” so to speak. Join us as we dive into the glorious mes...

ChatGPT is an open-language, open-ai (artificial intelligence) platform that’s mastered roughly half of the internet, making it a formidable content generator. The implications of this technology are as staggering as they are unnerving. Nathan thinks this something genuinely new that’ll bring about sweeping changes. Cameron’s a bit more circumspect. Tune in and see what you think.

A thoughtful listener recently took the time to write to us and express concern that we were presuming to know other people’s motives. In this case, those of Amy Grant. We took the feedback to heart and decided to devote an episode to it.

If you’re a longtime TOL listener, you might recognize this topic. It’s been nearly three years since we last discussed it, however, and our culture hasn’t made any strides in this area, so we’re revisiting it. In fact, our culture remains relentless in its insistence on moral perfection. But if we can’t be wrong, we can’t grow. Join us as we discuss an area in which we're pretty consistent, namel...

America was shaken after the Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, collapsed on the field following a tackle. Now recovering in the hospital from cardiac arrest, Hamlin’s near-death experience inspired an outpouring of prayers and support. Many were stunned to see everyone from professional football players to sportscasters praying publicly. What does this say about the nature of belief in our nation? And h...

The recent passing of Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) at the age of 95 went largely unnoticed. In this episode, we talk about this extraordinary man, as well as the distinctive strengths and weaknesses of Catholicism in the modern world.

Well, it’s 2023 and many of us have resolutions and clean slates on our minds. In this episode, we suggest that a helpful reorientation might involve the notion of self-discovery, rather than self-construction. Join us as we take something straightforward and make it complex.

Uplifting topic, we know, but we couldn’t fail to notice that for the first time in a while, life expectancy is going down in the US. Given our relative affluence, comfort, and stability, this is a rather striking fact. Join us as we explore the causes of our shortening lifespans.

Amy Grant and her husband, Vince Gill, are drawing criticism from many Christians for hosting a gay wedding on their ranch. The story highlights many of the tensions surrounding so-called Christian celebrities in a cultural moment of mounting hostility towards the church. Join us as we explore this story.

It’s no secret that many of us struggle during Christmas time. Making matters worse is the fact that our culture tends to make the whole thing a performance, rather than a celebration. How can we recover a more holistic vision of Advent? Join us as we dive into holiday fun!

Bestselling author and Anglican priest, Tish Harrison Warren recently ignited a firestorm with a New York Times op-ed, arguing for a generous pluralism that would extend the same rights to Christians as those outside the church. In an article for World Magazine, Bethel McGrew offers a compelling alternative to this form of public Christian witness in the figure of Sean Sheehy, a retired Irish Cath...

The recent breakthrough in nuclear fusion offers a stunning array of possibilities for the future. That said, recent years seem to have tempered optimism regarding the future. Has our culture reached a place of greater maturity regarding technological innovations, or will we continue to place a naive trust in the promises of our machines?

No. But we had a chuckle at this NPR article that highlights several pastors doing their level best to accommodate an increasingly post-Christian culture. In this episode, we suggest that doing the opposite might just be the solution.

The phrase "Goblin Mode" recently made headlines because it's Oxford Dictionary's 2022 word of the year, beating out "metaverse" and "#IStandWith." In an unprecedented move, the committee allowed the public to vote on the matter. What exactly is Goblin Mode and why is it emblematic of 2022? Listen in to hear us do what we always do—take something fun and make it complicated.

Our cultural landscape is changing dramatically. As we move further away from the church's influence, those of us who follow Jesus are not going to be able to blend in any longer. What do persuasion and winsomeness look like in this new context? How do we avoid timidity? And how do we hold onto our deeply unfashionable convictions without coming across as judgmental? 

"Well, Cameron, every once in a while, an international sport runs into a theocracy." So begins Nathan Rittenhouse's opening to this episode, which explores the cultural tensions that have erupted at the Fifa 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Today is Black Friday, a day generally devoted to mass consumerism. So, TOL being TOL, we thought we’d take the occasion to explore the actual nature of gratitude and its role in each of our lives. Take a listen and see what you think!

Want the Thinking Out Loud take on Musk’s Twitter fiasco? Here ya go!