Finding the Biblical Ruth and Boaz In Today’s Culture of Confusion

 

What does an ancient love story have to say about modern chaos? Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch dive into the Book of Ruth to uncover radical lessons on redemption, loyalty, and faithfulness that challenge today’s culture of individualism and spiritual mobility. From Naomi’s grief to Ruth’s fierce commitment and Boaz’s redemptive actions, Andy and Curtis explore how acts of devotion can disrupt systems of power and reshape community. Discover how an old story can offer fresh vision for navigating displacement, hospitality, and purpose in our fractured world.

 

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Book of Ruth (ESV)
• Rachael Starke’s Boys will be Boaz (TGC article)
• Judges 19-20 (ESV) - the Levite’s concubine
• N.T. Wright explains Scripture as narrative (video) 
• Understanding the Hebrew word hesed
• Understanding gleaning in the story of Ruth
• The role of and the ultimate kinsman-redeemer

 

More From Andy Crouch:

• Interact with Andy’s website
• Check out Andy’s work at Praxis
• Read Andy’s book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy’s book: The Tech-Wise Family

 

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Praying for Change: A Path to National Reconciliation

 

Feeling stuck on how to pray for America? You’re not alone—but there is a path forward. In this timely episode, Good Faith “founding friend” and New York Times columnist David French lays out five virtue-based ways to pray for our nation with clarity, courage, and compassion. Drawing upon Scripture with a healthy dose of personal reflection, David extols the importance of praying for America as a daily act to seek God’s best for our country and each other—restoring unity and healing what’s broken.

 

Episode Companion: Prayer Guide

 

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Scriptures mentioned in this episode:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
• The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:5-13 (ESV)
• "The Ministry of Reconciliation" in 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (ESV)
• Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV)
• Micah 6:8
• Ephesians 4:3
• Isaiah 42:3
• Psalm 34:18

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Ongoing Los Angeles Protests
• Australian journalist shot by rubber bullet during L.A. protests (video)
• Waymo taxis Ablaze in Los Angeles
• Georgetown scholar recalls ‘mockery of due process’ in immigration jail
• The Westminster Confession's Standards for the 9th Commandment
• South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Les Miserables: The Bishop and the Redemption of Jean Valjean
• What Is Restorative Justice?
• More about the work of Brennan Manning
• Tim Keller’s Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
• Dennis F. Kinlaw’s Prayer: Bearing the World as Jesus Does
• E.M. Bounds on Prayer
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Praying the Psalms
• The work of Michael Card
• More about the work of Rich Mullins
• The Lost Dogs’ Pray Where You Are (song & lyrics)

 

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

 

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Inspired by the Good Faith podcast, ER doctor Andy embarks on a transformative journey from the high-stakes of the emergency room to a profound spiritual rediscovery and move to seek out a real life faith community.   Good Faith's series of Campfire Stories, invites listeners to share how the podcast has inspired them to engage deeply with their families and communities. These personal narratives illuminate how individuals like you are grappling with complex issues and fostering meaning right where they live. Join us for Andy's Campfire Story.

 

Send your Campfire Stories to: [email protected]

How do you hold on to faith when life falls apart?

 

Pastor and author Ray Ortlund joins host Curtis Chang for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about suffering, betrayal, regret, and even death—drawing from personal stories and the powerful promise of Isaiah 57:15. From the fractures of the global church to intimate heartbreak, Curtis and Ray explore how spiritual honesty, resurrection hope, the Psalms, and lived community can sustain us through rock-bottom moments. If you're facing pain, loss, or doubt, Ray offers a faithful roadmap toward healing and hope.

 

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• John Wesley’s Rules for Small Groups
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together (pdf)
• A discussion on John Wesley’s theology of dying
• Isaiah 57:15 ESV
• Matthew 5:10-12 NIRV
• Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

 

 

More From Ray Ortlund:

• Ray Ortlund’s Good News at Rock Bottom
• Ray Ortlund & Sam Alberry’s podcast: You're Not Crazy 
• Ray Ortlund’s Renewal Ministries
• Follow Ray Ortlund on Instagram
• Follow Ray Ortlund on Bluesky

 

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What can 1920s Germany teach us about American politics today?

 

Georgetown professor and national security expert Dr. Paul D. Miller joins host Curtis Chang to explore striking parallels between the Weimar Republic and our current moment of democratic fragility. From the rise of Christian nationalism to the erosion of institutional norms, they unpack the theological, historical, and civic fault lines shaping today’s polarized landscape. Buckle up—this episode is for anyone ready to trade tribalism for truth and confront the urgent role Christians must play in defending democracy.

 

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: [email protected]

 

Send Campfire Stories to: [email protected]

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Paul D. Miller’s article: A Confessing Church for America's Weimar Moment
• Paul D. Miller’s previous appearance on the Good Faith podcast: Episode 36: The Religion of American Greatness
• The history of the Weimar Republic 
• The rise and fall of the Weimar Republic (video)
• Christians against Nazis: the German Confessing Church
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church
• Karl Barth in Nazi Germany
• Sandy Berger’s theft of classified information
• Pete Hegseth shares classified information 
• Reining in "Imperial Presidency" executive orders

 

More From Paul D. Miller:

• Paul D. Miller’s The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism
• Paul D. Miller on X (formerly Twitter)
• Paul D. Miller at The Dispatch

 

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What does it mean to truly belong in America? 

Michael Luo, executive editor at The New Yorker and author of Strangers in the Land, joins Redeeming Babel’s director of content, DT Slouffman, to explore the Asian American experience—from the legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from personal stories and a viral moment that sparked national conversation, Luo confronts the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype and envisions a more inclusive vision of American identity. DT and Michael unpack how race, immigration, and belonging continue to shape all of our lives.

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: [email protected]

Send Campfire Stories to: [email protected]

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Michael Luo’s An Open Letter to the Woman Who Told My Family to Go Back to China
• Kirkus Reviews: A Vast History Began With One Sidewalk Encounter 
• Chinese Exclusion Act, 1882
• The Burlingame-Seward Treaty, 1868
• Immigration and Nationality Act, 1965
• Pew Research: Asian American discrimination in the COVID-19 pandemic
• Pew Research: A third of Asian Americans changed daily routine due to threats

 

More From Michael Luo:

• Michael Luo’s Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America 
• Michael Luo’s latest articles at The New Yorker
• Follow Michael Luo on Instagram
• Follow Michael Luo on X (formerly Twitter)

 

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Professor French Tells What Gen Z Can Teach All of Us!

 

What happens when one of America's top legal minds steps back into the classroom—only to be schooled by Gen Z? New York Times columnist and Good Faith contributor David French joins Curtis Chang to reflect on what a year of teaching college students taught him about faith, over-parenting, and the future of American democracy. Together, they explore whether this rising generation is rejecting political tribalism in favor of ethical engagement—or simply afraid to speak up in polarized times. Could Gen Z's quiet shift reshape our fractured public square?

 

Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: [email protected]

Send Campfire Stories to: [email protected]

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership & Public Service
• Supreme Court case: Marbury v. Madison
• Gettysburg Address
• Brown v. Board of Education
• The Coddling of the American Mind (Chapter 1: pdf Download)
• John Locke Foundation
• Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

 

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How Do We Overcome the Hidden Forces Behind Marital Challenges?

 

How does your relationships—or even your parents’ marriage—shape the way you see beauty, brokenness, and the world itself? Therapist Dan Allender joins host Curtis Chang for a raw, insightful conversation on how relationships form the backbone of our worldview, especially in times of stress and trauma. They unpack hidden triggers behind marital conflict, the power of empathy over contempt, and why kindness and repentance are key to lasting connection. Whether you're navigating conflict or craving deeper intimacy, this episode delivers transformative wisdom for healthier, faith-rooted relationships.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Read Becky Allender’s written pieces for The Allender Center

Learn more about Steve Call’s The Reconnect Institute

Learn more about the work of Drs. John & Julie Gottman at The Gottman Institute

 

More From Dan Allender:

Dan Allender & Steve Call’s The Deep-Rooted Marriage

Learn more about Dan’s work at The Allender Center

Check out Dan Allender’s other books

 

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How does the legacy of racial covenants impact housing equity and even fire recovery?

 

Host Curtis Chang welcomes Jasmin Shupper, visionary founder and CEO of Greenline Housing Foundation, to explore how racial injustice magnifies the impact of natural disasters. Together, they dive into the devastating effects of the LA fires—particularly the Eaton Fire in Altadena—where Black homeowners have faced disproportionate losses due to historical practices like redlining and racially restrictive covenants. Jasmin shares how her mission to close the racial wealth gap and prevent mass displacement offers a path toward real estate justice, resilience, and renewal. She also reflects on her personal journey from Chicago’s South Side to leading national efforts for housing equity and disaster recovery.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Remembering the subprime mortgage crisis
• 40 Acres and a Mule (video)
• Pasadena Community Foundation: the Altadena Builds Back Foundation
• Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law
• Richard Rothstein on Fresh Air: How The U.S. Government Segregated America
• Stanford uses AI to find: Racially Restrictive Covenants 
• Redlining in real estate: How discriminatory practices still affect Black communities

 

Aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena:

• All Altadena Land Owners Impacted by Eaton Fire Have Turned in Right of Entry Forms
• Looting Fuels 250% Crime Surge in Fire-Devastated Altadena
• These theater kids rise from the ashes of the Eaton fire

 

More from Jasmin Shupper & Greenline Housing:

• Learn More about Greenline Housing Foundation
• Greenline’s work with Eaton Fire victims: https://greenlinehousing.org/eaton-fire/
• PBS features Greenline's work after the wildfires
• LAist features Greenline's development work to keep Altadena diverse
• CBS News features Greenline and real estate after the Eaton Fire

 

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Is there a Christian response to our divided country?

 

Host Curtis Chang is joined by David French and Russell Moore to unpack what Trump’s agenda and executive actions demand from people of faith. From foreign policy chaos and attacks on democratic institutions to political fatigue and Christian witness, this conversation gets real about the cost of following Jesus in a divided America. Curtis, David, and Russell confront the pull of fear and apathy—and offer a better path rooted in truth, hope, courage, and acts of worship.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• New poll: millions of Trump voters regret their choice
• Here are the top 5 immigration changes from Trump's first 100 days
• Trump’s strange wording illustrates One-sided Ukraine peace plan 
• David Whyte on Anxiety
• Thomas Merton’s Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
• Harvard pledges reforms following internal reports on antisemitism
• Under pressure from Trump, Columbia plans its next move
• Transcript of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
• Explainer Video: Brown v. Board of Eduction II Case Brief Summary 
• Aurelius Augustine’s The City of God: Volume I (pdf)
• Phil Wickham’s What An Awesome God (Organic)
• Worship with Songs for The After Party

More From Russell Moore:

• Sign up for Russell Moore’s weekly newsletter Moore to the Point
• Listen to The Russell Moore Show (podcast)

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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Good Faith on Facebook

 

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