Thinking Out Loud

Are we downplaying how grim things look? Are we being naive? Are we capitulating to our cultural moment by refusing to take it seriously? In this episode, we talk about the persistently hopeful tone that characterizes this podcast and ministry and even mention some of the things that keep us up at night. 

In our increasingly post-Christian moment, those of us who follow Jesus are going to stand out. In the past, cultural Christianity made it possible to blend in, but now many of us are having a hard time adjusting to our status as "resident aliens." In this episode, we talk about why this is the case and how we can move forward. 

One of the latest dramatic scientific ambitions is to bring back a marsupial from extinction--the thylacine to be exact, otherwise known as the "Tasmanian tiger." In this episode, we go full Jurassic Park , and delve into the ethical implications of "de-extinction." 

British novelist, Salman Rushdie, was recently attacked at a reading in New York and stabbed ten times. Though his condition is table, his injury are "life altering." In the wake of his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, a fatwa was issued on his head by the nation of Iran. Rushdie was forced into hiding and any public appearances necessitated tight security measures. This latest assassination attempt...

In a provocative article for Christianity Today , Daniel K. Williams, a professor of history at the University of West Georgia, charts the decline of the church in the South by focusing on the mass exit of white southern evangelicals. Though hardly representatives of the entire southern church, this group does point to a sea change in the spiritual life of this region. Is this further evidence of...

In our episode on the Victoria's Secret scandal, we made a strong case against the objectification of human beings. But are there ever contexts where it's justified? What about an art class tasked with painting a nude model? In this episode, we consider this complex question, which was submitted by one of our listeners. 

Will Smith's recent assault on comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars caused a furor. Since the incident, Smith has retreated from the public eye and all of his current projects have been shelved. The actor recently broke his silence with an apology video . In this episode, we consider the difference between damage control and genuine remorse. We also press into the question of whether our culture has...

Jordan Peterson's gone viral again--it's what he does--with a video addressed to Christian churches. For those familiar with Peterson's tone and message, it will come as no surprise that he thinks (all) of the Christian churches are failing to meet the challenges of our cultural moment. In this episode, we dive into Peterson's critique and consider what we might learn. 

A recent Hulu documentary has intensified the public scrutiny surrounding Victoria's Secret. In this episode, we explore how we as Christians can push against the many ways in which our culture predisposes us to objectify human beings. 

The speed of cultural change these days is truly dizzying, especially where it concerns issues of sexual identity. In particular, transgenderism has steadily risen to the forefront of concerns in the church. The questions are not abstract: Many of us are dealing with family members and dear friends who embrace an increasingly radical understanding of identity. How do we have these conversations? H...

Are we living in a simulation? Can we trust our senses? How do we move past radical skepticism? Join us as we explore the wonders and the limits of human knowing. 

The beginning of the school year is fast approaching and many of us are deeply conflicted about the current trajectory of education in America. Should we homeschool? Go to a Christian school? But don't we want Christian kids in public schools as well? Join us as we press into this important conversation. 

With the record heatwave in Europe prompting more urgent discussions on the topic of climate change, this episode arrives at a timely moment. Join us for Part 2 of our conversation.

Is it possible to move beyond politics when it comes to the topic of climate change? Why is this such a difficult issue to research? And why are Christians often suspicious of the conversation? We explore these questions in this episode. For a deep dive into the topic of climate justice, here's a talk that Nathan gave a few years ago.

By far the most damning pronouncement against Christianity these days is that it's simply boring or irrelevant. In the episode, we explore some of the contributing factors to this misunderstanding, as well as some of the subtle ways in which Christians get pulled into this mindset.  

What does it mean to say that Scripture describes reality? How can an ancient book inform our perspective on, among other things, smartphones, COVID-19, mass shootings, and war in Ukraine? This episode considers the practical reality of affirming the authority of Scripture. 

That title is just a fancy way of saying that Nathan wanted to chat about Beyonce's new single, "Break My Soul." The song's emphasis on quitting unfulfilling work and pursing a life of meaning and significance is resonating with people for whom the recent lockdowns served as a kind of spiritual awakening. 

In this episode, we interview a special guest from Nathan's church about he and his wife's experiences with abortion in the early '70s and their subsequent journey into a holistic form of pro-life activism. We then bring this story to bear on the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  

We encountered a technical problem on our latest episode, so it's release is slightly delayed. Here, we offer a brief teaser. 

The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) recently published the Human Sexuality Report , a document that's making waves, not least because of its impact on the CRC's flagship school, Calvin University (formerly Calvin College). Though the report focuses broadly on a Christian sexual ethic, it does stipulate that a repudiation of homosexuality be added to the denomination's public confessions. A third o...

Over at Mere Orthodoxy , Susannah Black recently published an excellent article, When Belief is Agony . Taking our cues from this essay, we consider questions like "Is my faith sufficient?" "Am I truly saved?" and "Does God really love me?" 

An apocalyptic mood is dominating our cultural landscape. Whether the perceived crisis is spiritual, political, or ecological, many of us find ourselves in an increasingly pessimistic frame of mind. Frequently, said pessimism masquerades as realism--"This is just the way things are. I call 'em as I see 'em." Since the tone of Thinking Out Loud is overwhelmingly hopeful, it's worth asking: Are we s...

In a recent article for First Things , James R. Wood argues that popular pastor Timothy Keller's "winsome" approach to cultural engagement is no longer effective. As the church faces growing hostility and resistance from secular society, maintains Wood, she must adopt a more realistic approach for the current climate. He's not the only one singing this song. Thinkers as diverse as Rod Dreher, Sohr...

We recently received a question about the " Back to Land Movement ," which has been steadily gaining traction once again. From influencers aiming their phones at their morning farm routines to survivalists trying to gain a higher degree of self-sufficiency, the movement covers quite a range of attitudes and mindsets. In this episode, we delve into some of the aspirations of the movement and consid...

Pride Month celebrates sexual behavior condemned by the church, but couples that celebration with increasing social pressure to join in the affirmation. Undeniably, this demand arises in part because of past hurt and mistreatment on the part of Christians. Add to this the dynamics of zero sum culture warring and we have a recipe for increasing levels of weariness, confusion, and occasional hostili...