What if our common understanding of heaven and the afterlife misses the plot of the biblical narrative? In this episode, Ed Stetzer connects with biblical scholar and theologian N. T. Wright to talk about his book, God’s Homecoming. Wright explains how popular Christian ideas about escaping the physical world to live in a disembodied heaven are rooted more in Platonism than the text of Scripture.

Tracing themes from Genesis to Revelation, Wright highlights God's design for heaven and earth to work together, culminating in a future resurrection and a renewed creation. He discusses the current role of the Holy Spirit in looking after believers between death and the final resurrection, and how the church can act as a local model of this new creation today. For leaders navigating modern ministry, this conversation provides a challenge to align our language, hope, and social action with a historic, biblical framework.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

N. T. Wright is a leading New Testament scholar, theologian, and former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England. He is widely known for his work on the historical Jesus, the Apostle Paul, resurrection theology, and the kingdom of God. Wright has taught at Oxford, Cambridge, and McGill University and currently serves as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

He has written influential books including Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, and Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Wright is respected for making complex theology accessible to pastors, students, scholars, and everyday Christians around the world.

What does it mean to be human in an age that celebrates the destruction of the sacred? In this timely episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with renowned historian and author Carl Trueman to discuss his latest work, The Desecration of Man. Following the success of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Trueman explores how the rejection of external authority and the ascent of "expressive individualism" have led us to a point where we no longer just ignore meaning—we actively delight in smashing it.

From the pervasive influence of technology and AI to the complex ethical landscapes of IVF and surrogacy, Trueman traces the roots of our modern malaise back to thinkers like Rousseau, Freud, and Nietzsche. Together, Ed and Carl wrestle with how the church can offer a "consecrated" alternative, pointing to the Imago Dei as the only stable foundation for human dignity. This is a vital conversation for leaders seeking to navigate a culture that is rapidly reconfiguring the very definition of humanity.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Carl Trueman is a theologian, historian, and author known for his work on church history, theology, culture, and the modern self. He serves as a professor at Grove City College and previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Nottingham.

Trueman is widely recognized for his thoughtful analysis of contemporary culture through the lens of historic Christianity. His bestselling book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self has significantly shaped evangelical discussions about identity, expressive individualism, and cultural change. 

A frequent conference speaker and commentator, Trueman combines scholarly depth and cultural insight as he helps Christians think carefully about faithfulness and truth in a rapidly changing world.

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https://churchleaders.com/news/503438-joby-martin-pastors-understand-grace.html

Joby Martin joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to discuss what happens when a church leader has truly been run over by the "grace train" and understands the profound love and grace of God.

Last week, we ran our second-most listened to episode of the year, with Jennie Allen. Jennie explains why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive. Check out our conversation with her here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html 

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"Run Over by the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything" by Joby Martin

The Church of Eleven22

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html

In our next most listened to episode of 2024, Jennie Allen joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive. 

Last week, we revisited our conversation with Jon Acuff, who shared why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html

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"Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts" by Jennie Allen

"Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It" by Jennie Allen

IF:Gathering

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html

In our top performing episode of 2024, Jon Acuff joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God.

Last week, Dr. Libin Abraham joined us to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential" by Jon Acuff

"Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking (Overcome Toxic Thought Patterns and Take Control of Your Mindset)" by Jon Acuff

"Stuff Christians Like" by Jon Acuff

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html

Dr. Libin Abraham joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman joined us last week to share what the research shows about how pastors are doing and how they can best disciple their people. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502143-david-kinnaman-pastors-skill-set-preaching.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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Bent Tree Bible Fellowship

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502143-david-kinnaman-pastors-skill-set-preaching.html

Barna CEO David Kinnaman joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what the research shows about how pastors are doing and how they can most effectively disciple their people.

Nona Jones joined us last week to share what God has taught her about rejection and how she came to see it, not as an enemy, but as a gift. Check out our conversation with her here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/501752-nona-jones-rejection-gift-god.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon" by David Kinnaman

Barna Group

State of the Church

State of Pastors Summit

RightNow Conference

"Ex-Christians Aren't the Only Ones Deconstructing Faith" by Barna Group

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/501752-nona-jones-rejection-gift-god.html

Nona Jones joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what God has taught her about rejection and how she came to see it, not as an enemy, but as a gift. 

Dr. Jody Dean joined us last week to explain why church administration is an essential part of ministry and how, far from taking away from ministry's personal side, administration supports and empowers pastoral care.

Check out our conversation with him here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/501014-jody-dean-church-administration.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"The Gift of Rejection: Harness Your Pain To Propel Your Purpose" by Nona Jones

Open Door Church

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/501014-jody-dean-church-administration.html

Dr. Jody Dean joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why church administration is an essential part of ministry and how, far from taking away from ministry's personal side, administration supports and empowers pastoral care.

Rev. Dr. John Dickson joined us last week to discuss the historical impact of Christianity, the importance of acknowledging the church's failures as well as its contributions, and how Christians should engage with culture today.

Check out our conversation with him here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/500763-john-dickson-good-evil-church-history.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"Managing the Ministry: A Practical Guide to Church Administration" by Dr. Jody Dean

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

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Practical Tools for Church Leaders

Brotherhood Mutual

Church Community Builder

Church Form

ChurchLeaders

ChurchLaw&Tax

Evernote

Google Suite

Planning Center

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast

Todoist

Get notes on this podcast here:  

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/500763-john-dickson-good-evil-church-history.html

Rev. Dr. John Dickson joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to discuss the historical impact of Christianity, the importance of acknowledging the church's failures as well as its contributions, and how Christians should engage with culture today.

Mike Cosper joined us last week where, drawing on the work of Hannah Arendt, he explained the dangers of ideological movements within the church and shared how church leaders can resist being captivated by anything other than the gospel. Check out our conversation with him here: 

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/500594-mike-cosper-church-leaders-resist-banality-evil.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History" by Rev. Dr. John Dickson

"A Doubter's Guide to World Religions: A Fair and Friendly Introduction to the History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Big Five" by Rev. Dr. John Dickson 

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https://churchleaders.com/podcast/500594-mike-cosper-church-leaders-resist-banality-evil.html

Mike Cosper joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" where, drawing on the work of Hannah Arendt, he explains the dangers of ideological movements within the church and shares how church leaders can resist being captivated by anything other than the gospel.

Rev. Dr. Chris Adams joined us last week to discuss the critical intersection of mental health and ministry, emphasizing the special role church leaders play in helping other people's mental health and the unique challenges pastors face with their own. Check out our conversation with him here:

https://churchleaders.com/podcast/500253-chris-adams-pastors-helping-mental-health.html 

► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685

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"The Church in Dark Times: Understanding and Resisting the Evil That Seduced the Evangelical Movement" by Mike Cosper

"The Bulletin" on Christianity Today

"The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill" on Christianity Today

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