Questions of transgenderism have already for a time been a challenge that has often caught ministry leaders off guard and unprepared. But there is another new phenomenon on the horizon that requires our prayerful attention, and that is the explosion of new terms that young people are using to describe and curate their sexual and gender identities.

In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Mark Yarhouse about the book he recently co-authored entitled “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark helpfully explains the new terms people may use to describe not only their sexual orientation but also their gender identity, their romantic feelings, their sexual attraction, and their sexual behavior — and the ways in which these terms might be mixed and matched with a high degree of specificity to create what he calls “micro-minoritized identities.” In addition to orienting us to this emerging language, Mark offers advice for parents, pastors, and youth leaders regarding best practices to embrace and common pitfalls to avoid as we seek to minister to young people exploring emerging sexual identities. Mark offers a strong encouragement to help bridge the gap between the language of the Bible and the language of our culture in order to promote a robust outreach and discipleship effort within our respective ministries.

Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith. In addition to being the author of “Understanding Gender Dysphoria” and “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark is a Psychology Professor at Wheaton College, and he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective.

The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College

Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky

Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark Yarhouse

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It is incredibly heartbreaking to hear someone say that they feel like they are trapped in the wrong body. As Christians, we want to respond in love and guide people in ways that will honor God and contribute to their flourishing. But we often struggle to know what to do or say.

In this episode, Dr. Mark Yarhouse defines terms such as gender dysphoria, gender identity, and transgender identity, he presents a series of different frameworks for addressing gender dysphoria concerns, and he offers an integrated model for Christians. This conversation is filled to the brim with thoughtful and actionable advice for pastors and parents, for pediatricians and educators, and for the good friends and colleagues of those struggling with gender identity.

Dr. Mark Yarhouse is an author and psychology professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, where he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective. Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith.

The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College; Wheaton, IL

Talking to Kids About Gender Identity: A Roadmap for Christian Compassion, Civility, and Conviction by Mark Yarhouse

Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky

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Many of our most deeply cherished values and strongly held commitments did not arise out of ancient Persia, Sparta, or Rome, but they are uniquely and distinctively Christian.

That is the powerful argument that Tom Holland makes in his book “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.” In this episode, we discuss how thoroughly Christianity has shaped Western society — so much so that we tend to take it for granted. With fresh insight and perspective, Tom discusses the radical strangeness of Christianity and the completely unexpected and charismatic figure of Jesus. For those individuals and parts of the world that have grown familiar or bored with the Christian story, Tom makes Christianity an object of curiosity once more.

Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, author, translator, and broadcaster. He is co-presenter of the world’s most popular history podcast called “The Rest is History.” Among many other books, Tom is the author of “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.”

Dominion: How The Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland

The Rest Is History podcast

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According to Jim Davis and Michael Graham, approximately 15% of American adults used to attend church at least once a month, but now they attend less than once a year. At first it might seem like this shift in religious participation supports the argument that traditional religion will wither away as society advances. To the contrary, a more detailed analysis of the research suggests that while the Church is no doubt facing serious challenges, there is also a significant degree of spiritual openness on the part of the “dechurched.”

In this episode, Michael Graham offers wise and timely advice regarding how Christians can engage those who have stopped attending church. If we were to embody some of the principles he proposes — with diligence and prayer — we might witness a dramatic shift in the opposite direction.

Michael Graham is the program director of the Keller Center for Apologetics and the co-author of “The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Where Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?”

The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham

Dechurching.com online resource

As In Heaven Gospel Coalition Podcast

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You don’t have to be a political scientist to recognize that American democracy is in crisis. It’s easy to see that we are living in a time of significant social upheaval. The problem is that many of the potential solutions we put forward to address the issues do not go deep enough. Most people, including many American Christians, often make the mistake of thinking that we can resolve our issues through political solutions. But James Davison Hunter believes it is naive to narrowly focus our energies on politics, because the root cause of our difficulties is not political or economic, but rather cultural.

In this episode, leading sociologist James Davison Hunter discusses his most recent book, “Democracy and Solidarity,” which tells the story of how we arrived at our present cultural moment and how we should respond in an appropriate way, especially as Christians. James provides insightful commentary regarding our post-Christian and increasingly post-liberal society, the destructive emergence of a new common culture of nihilism (which even Christians are tempted to embrace), and the call for the Church to rediscover its true identity and enact a vision of the Kingdom of God with courage, conviction, and imagination.

James Davison Hunter is Labrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and the founder and director of the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Hunter is the author of several books and the originator of the term “culture war.” He is the foremost expert on culture and how culture changes.

Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America’s Political Crisis by James Davison Hunter

Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America by James Davison Hunter

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World by James Davison Hunter

Restore our Mission to the City, a 2018 sermon by Jason Harris

Christlike, a 2022 sermon by Jason Harris

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Two of the most opinionated and emotionally charged cultural arenas are higher education and politics. Campuses of higher education are ripe with fresh minds and strong opinions, but lately they have also been characterized by division, isolation, and loneliness. The strong polarization of the political sphere extends not only to colleges and universities but also to the American church.

In this episode, historian and former university president Nathan Hatch reflects on the state of higher education in America and the political captivity that threatens the Christian church. Though there are significant issues plaguing our most important cultural institutions, Nathan suggests that these divisive times provide Christians with a remarkable opportunity to rise above ideological cults and make a positive difference.

Nathan Hatch is the former provost of Notre Dame University, the president emeritus of Wake Forest University, and the author of the award-winning book “The Democratization of American Christianity.” An active leader in American higher education and in local and community affairs, he has served on the board of the American Council on Education and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014.

The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan Hatch

The Political Captivity of the Faithful by Nathan Hatch

Win, Lose, or Draw, It’s Going to Be Ok, a sermon delivered by Jason Harris on September 27, 2020

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When we consider the ways scripture can sometimes be mishandled, misinterpreted, and misapplied, it’s understandable why some people may feel put off by the Christian faith. If one is not careful, misreadings of the Bible can often result in an ethic that fosters chauvinism, sexism, or other dehumanizing ideologies — gender-related or otherwise. So how should we address these erroneous views? 

In this episode, author and speaker Rebecca McLaughlin explains why distancing ourselves from the Christian faith on account of harmful misinterpretations is not the solution; instead, we should seek God’s heart on the hot button topics of our day by stepping closer to the full storyline of the Bible. When we begin with the character of Jesus and his teachings, a very different ethic is uncovered — one that champions the dignity of men and women alike, celebrates the beauty of God’s design for human sexuality, and offers hope to a broken world.

Rebecca McLaughlin grew up in the UK and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Cambridge and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. She is the author of several books including Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion and Jesus Through the Eyes of Women.

Friendship — The Lost Art a sermon series by Jason Harris

Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin

Jesus Through the Eyes of Women by Rebecca McLaughlin

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If you feel dissatisfied or disappointed with the state of your romantic relationship—or lack thereof—or if you’re confused by the conflicting messages from our culture and from the Church regarding sex and sexuality, this episode is for you. Sam Allberry is a pastor, apologist, and speaker, and the author of a number of books including "Is God Anti-Gay?," "Why Bother with Church?," "7 Myths about Singleness" and "What God Has To Say About Our Bodies." In this episode, Sam shares his own personal story of wrestling with the Bible’s instruction on sexuality, and why he believes Jesus is still worth following. We discuss why it’s imperative for the Church to be a place of compassion, clarity, and courage, practical ways to love and care for friends with differing views on sexuality, and how the credibility of a Biblical ethic of sexuality is determined by the way in which the Church values and supports those who are single. 

The Greatest Sermon Ever Told: Love, Lust, and the Christian Life, a sermon by Jason Harris

Books by Sam Allberry:

• Is God Anti-Gay?
• Why Bother with Church?
• 7 Myths about Singleness
• What God Has To Say About Our Bodies 

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In addition to preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care, pastors and Christian leaders today are increasingly expected to make pronouncements on the latest events in the news cycle while providing ongoing social and political commentary. But playing the role of a pundit is dangerous territory for a pastor. So what role should Christian leaders and the local church play in the public square? In the first episode of our second season we speak with Michael Wear about what the Christian tradition has to offer to public life and the opportunity Christians have to bring a sense of well being and joy to our political culture.

Michael Wear is the Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer.

Michael is the author of "Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America" and "The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life" which will be released on January 23, 2024.

The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life 

Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America

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Given the combustible relationship between the two, conventional wisdom suggests that you should never mix religion and politics. But that is an overly simplistic response. If you want to better understand the dynamic relationship between religion and politics—from the standpoint of Christianity as well as the Constitution—there is no one better to ask than Michael McConnell. 

Michael is a professor of constitutional law and the Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School as well as a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and a former Circuit Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In addition to being a committed Christian, Michael is an expert on the First Amendment. 

In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss religious freedom, the separation of church and state, the politicization of the church, the Capitol riot on January 6th, critical race theory, and the inspiring role that people of religious conviction have played in American history. Michael offers timely advice for how to mix religion and politics in all the right ways.

Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience

The President Who Would Not Be King: Executive Power Under the Constitution

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