Upstream

Christians have long taught that God's existence and power are evident in the world He has made. Yet secular, materialistic science says the universe looks exactly as we would expect if God didn't exist. Shane welcomes philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer at the 2023 Colson Center National Conference to explain why "the God hypothesis" is making a comeback.

Progressive environmentalists seem to worship nature and treat human beings like vermin. But conservative Christians often fall into the opposite trap of downplaying human responsibility to care for God's world. Shane welcomes Tim Padgett to talk more about Christianity and the environment.

Many Christians view concern for nature as a secular, left-wing obsession. But if God loves the world He made and cares about its wellbeing, shouldn't we care, too? Shane welcomes author and apologist Xandra Carroll to make the case for Christian environmentalism.

Music as we know it is surprisingly young. What influence did Christianity have on the rise of this art form, and does that mean there are no universal truths about music? Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to reflect on the conversation with Dr. Jeremy Begbie.

Few art forms have the power music has to move us and enrich our lives. But what gives it that power? Shane welcomes theologian and musician Dr. Jeremy Begbie to reveal how music can voice deep theological truths in a way words can't. Special thanks to Duke University for allowing us to use clips from Dr. Begbie's musical illustrations. The original clips can be found here: Clip 1, Tension and Res...

At every stage of the battle for sexual liberation, adults have assured themselves that kids will be alright. But the kids tell a different story. Shane welcomes Katy Faust to explain why the quest to fulfill adult desires has steamrolled children's needs.

Praise, lament, righteous anger, celebration, and wonder—the book of Psalms contains the full range of human experience expressed in Divine words. Singing those words changes us in a way words alone can't. Shane welcome Tim Padgett to reflect on the conversation with Brian Sauvé.

In the center of the Bible is a giant, divinely inspired song book. What would happen if we sang it? Shane welcomes pastor and musician Brian Sauvé to talk about his new album of psalms set to original music: " Even Dragons Shall Him Praise ."

The theological problem of suffering is distinct from the lived experience of suffering. But remembering God's character can change everything. Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to reflect on the conversation with Adam Mabry about his book, When God Seems Gone .

What happens when tragedy, sorrow, or frustration strike and God seems not to hear our prayers? Shane welcomes Adam Mabry, author of When God Seems Gone: Finding Hope When Nothing Makes Sense to encourage faith in the midst of (apparent) Divine absence.

J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary stories may have more to do with the "real world" than most readers realize. Shane welcomes Tim Padgett to reflect on the conversation with Austin Freeman, author of Tolkien Dogmatics.

What do Valar, Elves, and Hobbits have to do with Christian theology? According to their creator, quite a lot! Shane welcomes Dr. Austin Freeman to discuss his book, Tolkien Dogmatics: Theology through Mythology with the Maker of Middle-earth.

Shane welcomes Tim Padgett to reflect on the conversation with Steven Wedgeworth about the true meaning of the phrase "Sola Scriptura," and why misunderstanding that phrase can distort a Christian's worldview.

"The Bible is the only book I need." How biblical (and historical) is that statement? Shane welcomes Steven Wedgeworth, rector of Christ Church Anglican in South Bend, Indiana to explain what the Protestant Reformers really believed about Scripture, and why it matters.

Is there one right theory of how Christ's atoning work saves us, or does the Bible reveal something more complex and mysterious? Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to reflect on the conversation with Hal Poe about C.S. Lewis and the Gospel message.

If asked to present the Gospel, many of us would speak of God punishing Jesus in the place of sinners. But C.S. Lewis didn't often speak of it this way. Shane welcomes Dr. Harry Lee Poe, Charles Colson Professor at Union University to talk about how C.S. Lewis answered the question: "Why did Jesus have to die?"

What if it's not enough to convince people of the historical truth of Christ's Resurrection? What if it's just as important to love the Gospel as a story? Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to talk more about the conversation with Matt Burnett on re-mythologizing Easter.

Christ's Resurrection is the turning point that reminds us our world's history is a story that ends in hope. But appreciating stories requires imagination! Shane welcomes Anglican pastor Matt Burnett to explore how imagination can illuminate redemption, worship, and catechesis.

"Deconstruction" has become a well-worn path for those who question aspects of their Christian upbringing. But there's another option. Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to reflect on his conversation with Jinger Duggar Vuolo about her book, Becoming Free Indeed.

Shane welcomes Jinger Duggar Vuolo of 19 Kids and Counting to tell the story of how she separated her belief in Jesus from her upbringing under the teachings of Bill Gothard, and to explain how questioning well can deepen your faith instead of destroying it.

Are humans gods or viruses? Should we be merciful or just? Is history headed for disaster or utopia? Such dichotomies are at the center of our cultural debates. But what if there's a story that harmonizes them? Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to talk more about Christopher Watkin's book, Biblical Critical Theory.

G.K. Chesterton observed that critics of Christianity often attack it for contradictory reasons. Dr. Christopher Watkin, author of Biblical Critical Theory, argues that this is because God's revelation is too big for our culture's false dichotomies.

We often feel trapped in an anti-supernatural worldview, but if you have the eyes to see and ears to hear, the world is charged with signs of spiritual truth. Shane welcomes Kasey Leander to reflect on the conversation with Os Guinness about his book, Signals of Transcendence .

A dandelion, a song, a mother's love, the Holocaust; God has used all of these to pierce the godless worldviews of real men and women. Shane welcomes Dr. Os Guinness to tell their stories using his new book, Signals of Transcendence.

Shane welcomes Tim Padgett to talk more about the magic of film, to look back on a few of their favorite titles, and to reflect on wise strategies for introducing movies to young imaginations.