Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. 

They discuss: 

• The rise in Bible sales in 2024
• Declining fertility rates worldwide
• Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South
• The advance of assisted suicide in the UK
• The Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatments
• Encouraging signs among Gen Z
• Trump’s election victory and a GOP shift
• Anticipating the 2025 Gospelbound season
• Book highlights from 2024
• Personal projects and updates
• Don Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministry

Mentioned on this episode:

"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)

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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen takes the interviewee seat, diving into the abiding value of reading fiction. Guest host Kendra Dahl asks Collin about his favorite genres to read, from historical to Scandinavian, Russian, and Southern fiction, and how each offers unique perspectives on humanity and culture. Hansen shares personal connections to these genres, recommending books that have deeply affected him, from his personal faith to his evangelism.

They also discuss how fiction can cultivate empathy, deepen our understanding of others, and help us appreciate the complexities of human nature—all through the art of storytelling.

Check out Collin Hansen's fiction novel recommendations.

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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Michael Horton discuss Horton's new book, Shaman and Sage, tracing the deep historical roots of "spiritual but not religious" movements from ancient civilizations through modern technological trends.

They discuss:

• The evolution of spirituality and its ancient pedigree
• The concept of the divine self and its historical roots
• The Axial Age and its impact on philosophical religions
• The interaction between Christianity and philosophical religions
• The role of Jesus's incarnation in Christian theology
• A critique of Charles Taylor's thesis on secularism
• The historical trajectory of enchantment
• The impact of Horton's book and future volumes
• The connection between New Age spiritualities and technologies

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Hans Madueme explore how Christian theology, particularly the belief in a good creation, underpins the rise of science, contrasting it with Gnostic and Manichaean views. Madueme also delves into his book Defending Sin, discussing the theological challenges posed by modern science to doctrines like original sin, the historical Adam, and the importance of maintaining a coherent approach to Scripture in both creation and eschatology.

They discuss: 

• Theological implications of scientific challenges
• Galileo and the role of Scripture
• The provisional nature of science
• The conflict metaphor and historical scientists
• Methodological naturalism and its implications
• The historical Adam and theological implications
• Young earth creationism and its theological importance
• Trusting Scripture in protology and eschatology

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Timothy Carney explore how individualism, economic shifts, and cultural changes have weakened family structures, urging communities—especially churches—to restore support and promote both marriage and singleness as paths to societal health. 

They discuss:

• The collapse of civil society and its impact on families
• The unintended consequences of modern parenting
• Religious subcultures and family norms
• Economic and political factors in family dynamics
• Cultural shifts affecting family life
• How churches can support families
• The importance of self-sacrifice in parenting
• The dignity of both marriage and singleness
• The role of community in supporting families
• Family decline and the economic and political implications

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Bob Doll discuss generosity, stewardship, and faith-based investing. Bob shares insights from his Christian journey, emphasizing that all resources are God's and the importance of mentoring young Christians, balancing faith, family, and work, and aligning investments with values.

They discuss:

• Bob's journey to faith and how that shaped his vocation
• Values-aligned investing
• Navigating workplace challenges
• Advice for business leaders and pastors
• Good stewardship practices
• How to balance generosity and family

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Michael Reeves discuss the need for gospel-centered unity in the church, emphasizing the dangers of allowing cultural or political differences to overshadow the core message of the gospel. Reeves explains the themes of his books, Gospel People and Evangelical Pharisees, which address confusion over the gospel and highlight the importance of defining evangelicalism through theological rather than cultural lenses. 

They discuss: 

• Clarifying the gospel's role in church unity
• Global perspectives on evangelicalism
• The concept of evangelical pharisees
• The role of humility in maintaining evangelical integrity
• How preaching can help restore evangelical integrity
• Preachers who effectively lift up Christ
• Defining "orthocardia" and how it affects evangelical identity
• Cultural apologetics and evangelical renewal
• The future of evangelicalism

Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Nancy Pearcey discuss her new book, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. They explore the cultural challenges facing modern masculinity, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of negative perceptions of men.

They discuss the following: 

• Nancy Pearcey's motivation for writing The Toxic War on Masculinity
• Historical context and the Industrial Revolution's impact
• A sociological study on a "good man" vs. a "real man"
• Empirical evidence and Christian men's behavior
• Challenges and solutions for modern masculinity
• The role of kinship networks and church communities
• Addressing domestic abuse and violence
• Pearcey's conversion and her experience at L'Abrie

Learn more about Nancy Pearcey at her website: https://www.nancypearcey.com/

• Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow.
  Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Cameron Cole discuss Cole's book Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth and how hope for an eternal future with Christ shapes everyday Christian life. Cole shares how the loss of his son led him to a deeper understanding of heaven, emphasizing Paul's eschatology and its practical impact on sanctification, mission, and living with an eternal perspective.

They discuss: 

• Heavenward by Cameron Cole
• The impact of personal loss on eternal perspective
• The Bible's concrete imagery of heaven
• Hope for heaven and the absence of sin
• Barriers to living a heavenward life
• Union with Christ and its implications
• Heaven in evangelism and personal reflections
• Scriptural meditations on the hope of heaven

In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Jamie Dunlop discuss the challenges and beauty of diversity in churches, emphasizing unity in Christ. Drawing from his experience at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Dunlop shares insights on managing disagreements within Christian community with patience, grace, and charity, as outlined in his book, Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy.

They discuss:

• Challenges and opportunities in church diversity
• Why disagreements don't indicate something is wrong
• The line between celebrating differences and tolerating heresy
• The foundation of Christ in church friendships