Recently, journalist and popular blogger Rod Dreher made waves with the publication of his book, The Benedict Option. In it, Dreher argues that the Christian church is far from immune to the precipitous cultural decline in the West, and that many Christians have lost sight of what it means to be in the world, but not of it. Drawing on The Rule of St. Benedict's, The Benedict Option mounts a complex argument for a strategic cultural withdrawal on the part of the Church. How feasible is Dreher's proposal? Aren't there already many examples of people practicing cultural withdrawal (Amish, the homeschooling movement, etc.)? How much is too much? In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss Dreher's provocative thesis. 
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Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

A Discussion of Rod Dreher's "The Benedict Option"

Thinking Out Loud is podcast for Christians who want to welcome difficult conversations. Every other Thursday, Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister will discuss these timely issues and draw from their experience as frontline apologists to show how Scripture addresses all of our most pressing cultural concerns.

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Last year's Christmas episode provides a study in contrast. Nathan and Cameron hosted a jovial discussion on Santa. This year, that kind of tone seems utterly out of place. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss the nature of our celebrations in the midst of deeply surreal circumstances and consider the greater hope of Christ's promise to make all things new.
Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:
Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

A Very Strange Christmas and a Very Real Hope

For most of us, a significant part of Thanksgiving involves food and lots of it. More importantly, it involves a shared meal with those we love (and often struggle with). Of course, this year things looked a bit different. Some of us headed into the holiday with increasing levels of anxiety. Others chose to forego travels altogether this year. In this episode, Nathan and Cameron discuss some of the complex dynamics surrounding shared meals in the midst of a global pandemic. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:
Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Eating Together in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

This week, Nathan and Cameron discuss the challenges of friendship in the digital world as well as the nature of their own friendship. (Cameron also tries not to take offense at Nathan's initial question about the status of their friendship).
Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:
Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Are We Friends?

In this re-run of a Thinking Out Loud episode recorded last year, Nathan and Cameron discussed the election and how to follow Christ through a turbulent time.
While the US wait for the 2020 election results, we thought it would be an ideal time to re-air this episode recorded live from 2019. Though only a year has passed since this recording, the world in which the event took place now feels very distant. How do we follow Christ through it all? This live exchange from last year remains pertinent to our current political climate, so we invite you to take a deep breath and enjoy Nathan and Cameron trying to stay on their feet in front of a crowd.
Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:
Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

Thinking Out Loud Live! Discussing the Election

Many Christians feel conflicted about Halloween, even as they usher their costumed kids out the door for tricks or treats. In this episode, an enthusiast (Cameron) and a naysayer (Nathan) try to make sense of this deeply strange American holiday, and consider the light that the gospel sheds on the matter. Follow the Thinking Out Loud hosts on Twitter:
Cameron McAllister - @CamMcAllister7Nathan Rittenhouse - @N_Rittenhouse1

A Discussion of Rod Dreher's "The Benedict Option"

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