Critical theory and its expression in fields like critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer theory are having a profound impact on our culture. Carl and Todd sit down with Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer, authors of Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to discuss how contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and secular spheres alike.

As a robust meta-narrative worldview, critical social theory and its expansive expressions are categorically against biblical Christianity. – Pat Sawyer

While Neil and Pat acknowledge that critical theory can provide some legitimate insights into issues impacting our culture today and urge Christians to condemn racism and seek justice, racial healing, and unity, they argue that the false assumptions at the heart of critical theory pose a serious threat to both the church and society at large. 

We are pleased to offer a few copies of Critical Dilemma for our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Harvest House Publishers. Register here for the opportunity to win.

Show Notes:

Natasha Crane’s article, “Here Comes the He Gets Us Campaign Again: Why Its Portrayal of Jesus is Still a Problem: https://natashacrain.com/here-comes-the-he-gets-us-campaign-again-why-its-portrayal-of-jesus-is-still-a-problem/

Stand to Reason with Greg Koukl: https://www.str.org/

God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/hNVsBWw

Back in 2013, Carl and Todd launched Mortification of Spin with their first episode, "Rock Star Pastors in Las Vegas," sharing a microphone in a small underground bunker. All these years later, they no longer share a mic, but they're still going strong, celebrating their 500th first-run episode. Joining them for this momentous occasion are their good friends, Kevin DeYoung and Matt Eusey. After reminiscing about the early days, the conversation turns toward the importance of meaningful friendships. The guys consider the benefits of friendship and the current challenges we face as these most vital relationships have undergone a dramatic transformation. 

It really is important to have friends. It's not a sufficient condition for being faithful in ministry, but I do think it is a necessary condition, and it's really important to have people to know who you really are and [to] joke with, but also be challenged by, and know that they are looking over your shoulder in a good way. – Kevin DeYoung

For best results, enjoy this special episode as a video podcast on YouTube.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is pleased to offer a box of Mortification of Spin swag for our podcast fans. Register here for the opportunity to win.

Show Notes:

Listen to "Rock Star Pastors in Las Vegas” :
https://mortificationofspin.podbean.com/e/rock-star-pastors-in-las-vegas/

Mortification of Spin on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq5LVxh1Goi5_ZbzUqOaDNjSw1hicGfMF

Mortification of Spin swag:
https://reformedresources.org/mortification-of-spin/

Mark Jones is back on the podcast today, chatting with Carl and Todd about his latest book, The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life. Vowing not to write another book for a long time because of the toll it takes on his life expectancy, Mark explains why he chose to address the uncomfortable topic of backsliding believers—and, to a lesser extent, apostasy—in his latest work. 

After Covid and all that it did to the church, there's a very serious need to confront what is an obvious pastoral issue for many pastors, and that is a lot of people have fallen away or become extremely lazy in their Christian living. - Mark Jones

An important topic infrequently discussed in many Reformed churches, Mark addresses backsliding in this serious, hopeful, and pastoral work informed by wise theologians of the past and present. 

P&R Publishing has provided a few giveaway copies of The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win.

Show Notes:

For a copy of The Pilgrim’s Regress: https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-regress-guarding-against-backsliding-and-apostasy-in-the-christian-life-paperback/

Antinomianism and other books by Mark Jones:

https://reformedresources.org/books/authors/mark-jones/

Mark recommends the following titles:

Personal Declension and Revival of the Soul by Octavius Winslow:

https://reformedresources.org/personal-declension-and-revival-of-religion-in-the-soul-paperback/

Holiness by JC Ryle:  https://reformedresources.org/holiness-its-nature-hindrances-difficulties-and-roots-hardcover/

The Deconstruction of Christianity

What exactly is deconstruction? The movement has been defined in many different ways. Today’s guests co-authored a book to clear up the confusion. Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel?, and Tim Barnett, creator of Red Pen Logic, sit down with Todd and Carl to discuss the true nature of faith deconstruction, which is sweeping through our churches and is disrupting, dismantling, and destroying the faith of so many.

“Sadly, because of the Biblical illiteracy in our culture, because we live in a mic-drop world where someone just makes a claim and then they drop the mic and walk away as if they won an argument…that’s why these things are so persuasive, and they get so many likes and so many shares and such a following.” – Tim Barnett

Alisa and Tim will help you understand what deconstruction is, where it comes from, why it is compelling to some, and how it disorients the lives of so many, as well as how to think through the main issues and explore wise and loving ways to respond from a biblical worldview. Don’t miss this important conversation. 

Tyndale Press has provided a few giveaway copies of The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond for our listeners. Register here for the opportunity to win.

Show Notes:

To purchase a copy of Alisa and Tim’s book: https://reformedresources.org/the-deconstruction-of-christianity-what-it-is-why-its-destructive-and-how-to-respond-softcover/

Red Pen Logic: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIwZDSKSeNboqWKtgX7UrA

Tim’s website:  https://www.str.org/tim-barnett

Alisa’s Website: https://alisachilders.com/

Originating as lectures delivered at the University of Durham over 80 years ago, The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis is a classic and one of the most debated of his extraordinary works. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society. 

Listen in as Carl and Todd discuss why Christians today have much to learn from reading Lewis’ astonishingly prophetic and insightful lectures.

“I think what Lewis was doing, and probably was not fully aware he was doing, was putting his finger on what would manifest itself as the underlying problem of the modern world, which is the complete collapse of the notion of human nature: what it means to be a man, what it means to be human.”  – Carl Trueman

Intervarsity Press provided a few giveaway copies of The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis by Jason Baxter for our listeners. Congratulations to our winners: Robin F. from Trumann, AK, Andrew M. from Savage, MN, and Ben G. from Livonia, MI.

Intervarsity has also provided a discount code for our listeners. Enter IVPPOD20 at check-out to get 20% off Jason’s book and all other titles at ivpress.com, plus free shipping!

Show Notes:

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/6SnPqL2

After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory by Alasdair MacIntyre: https://a.co/d/2UDT4Wf

After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man by Michael Ward: https://a.co/d/4ZSIAgF

Note: As an Amazon Associate, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Tom Rudelius had science and an Ivy League pedigree—why did he need God? Immersed in his physics studies at Cornell, he never thought much about God until his brother, a new convert to Christianity, challenged him to explore faith. Tom joins Carl and Todd to discuss his new book, Chasing Proof, Finding Faith, where he traces his journey to unexpected faith, through subsequent doubt and anxiety.

“I think that what God really wants from us is that we would give him our allegiance, even in the midst of our doubts. And I think that’s the sort of faith that God really calls us to – the sort of faith that says, ‘God, I will take your side, even amidst the doubts. I will choose to give you my life and to follow you, even if I’m questioning.’” 

Though he never found absolute proof of God or Christianity, he ultimately concluded that the existing evidence for both is compelling and compatible with science. Tune in to this fascinating conversation, and find out why Carl compared him to Martin Luther!

Thank you to Tyndale Press for providing a few giveaway copies of Chasing Proof, Finding Faith for our listeners. Congratulations to our winners: Joseph S. from West Chester, PA, Barbara S. from Lancaster, PA, and Michael C. from Evansville, IN!

Show Notes:

Tom recommends this book for those who are interested in investigating Christianity:

Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles with His Father's Questions about Christianity

The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God, but how can believers remain firmly rooted in the imago Dei when culture is more confused than ever about issues of human dignity? Today’s guest, Lauren McAfee, along with co-editor David Dockery, gathered a team of expert collaborators to bring clarity and guidance from a biblical perspective as they explored what it means to be made in the image of God in their new book, Created in the Image of God: Applications and Implications for our Cultural Confusion. Lauren shares the compelling story of how she became interested in this subject with Carl and Todd and touches on many important issues discussed in the book. 

Forefront Books generously provided a few giveaway copies of Created in the Image of God for our listeners. Congratulations to Alexander T. from Altamonte Springs, FL, Jeremy H. from Madison Heights, VA, and Will K. from Charlotte, NC!

Show Notes:

Lauren’s website: https://www.laurenamcafee.com/

Stand for Life organization, started by Lauren: https://standforlife.com/

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

Carl and Todd are joined by Ryan Anderson and Alexandra DeSanctis to discuss their book, Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing. Todd puts this exceptional book in the top three of all time on this critical issue. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion law to the democratic process, Ryan and Alex reflect on our fifty-year experiment with unlimited abortion and argue that it has harmed everyone—even its most passionate proponents.

Congratulations to Ken D. from Marietta, GA, the winner of a copy of Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Saves Nothing, thanks to the generosity of Regnery Press!

Returning to the podcast today is Jonathan Landry Cruse to discuss his new book, The Character of Christ, with Todd and his plaid waistcoat-wearing partner, Carl. In this practical and applicable book, Jonathan examines the godly attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in the Lord’s example, showing us that we can bear true fruit for God only by our union with the life-giving Vine. Be sure to tune in, and as a bonus, you’ll also get a mini-class on Scottish tartans!

Thanks to our friends at Banner of Truth for providing three giveaway copies of The Character of Christ for our listeners, and congratulations to the winners: Christa V. from Appleton, WI, Lori E. from Kenna, WV, and Stephen S. from Springfield, VA!

Joseph Minich joins Todd and Carl to discuss his new book, Bulwarks of Unbelief. Millions of people in the West identify as atheists. Christians often respond to this reality with proof of God’s existence, as though rational arguments for atheism were the root cause of unbelief. Joseph argues that a felt absence of God, as experienced by the modern individual, offers a better explanation for the rise in atheism. In response, Christians should reattune themselves to God’s story, reintegrate the whole person, and re-inhabit the world so that faith can thrive in this age of unbelief.

Our friends at Lexham Press generously provided a few giveaway copies of Joseph’s book for our listeners. Congratulations to Jack E. from Elk Grove, CA, Robert M. from Manville, NJ, and Keenan W. from El Cajon, CA!

Show Notes:

A Secular Age by Charles Taylor, particularly the chapter titled “Bulwarks of Belief.”  

Thomas Aquinas’ Five Proofs for the Existence of God:

(1) argument from motion 

(2) argument from efficient cause

(3) argument from necessary being 

(4) argument from gradations of goodness

(5) argument from design

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Enduring Divine Absence: The Challenge of Modern Atheism by Joseph Minich

Todd and Carl are quite excited about the new Mortification of Spin swag available at Reformed Resources. Still, they’re even more excited about their guest, Christopher Yuan, and his latest work, The Holy Sexuality Project, a 36-part video series intended for teens and their parents. It is a thoroughly gospel-centered study on sex, sexuality, and gender. With so much confusion regarding these issues in our culture, this timely series will be a great help to many Christian families and churches.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Christopher Yuan, three of our listeners were selected to receive a redemption code for The Holy Sexuality Project video series. Congratulations to Brent C. from Granbury, TX, Cathryne S. from Fuquay Varina, NC, and Ike H. from Ronceverte, WV!

Show Notes:

For more information about the video series, visit https://holysexuality.com/.

Christopher Yuan's memoir, highly recommended by Todd: Out of a Far Country

Book recommendation: Openness Unhindered by Rosaria Butterfield 

Mortification of Spin swag: https://reformedresources.org/mortification-of-spin/