Jonathan Edwards characterized sin as an unbearable weight that—without the securing hand of God—would inevitably drag the unbeliever down a slippery slope into hell. In recent times, however, many have reduced sin to merely “missing the mark” or “experiencing brokenness.” In his new book, Canadian PCA pastor Mark Jones helps his readers see the neglected doctrine of sin through the eyes of the Puritans rather than in the more psychological ethic of contemporary evangelical culture.
Dr. Jones joins Carl and Todd to discuss the origins of sin and how ignorance of the holiness of God has left so many Christians with such an anemic view of sin. Along the way, Mark reminds us that seeing sin for what it truly is helps the believer more fully appreciate his need for a savior and the powerful grace offered by God.
Congratulations to our winners of Knowing Sin: Seeing a Neglected Doctrine through the Eyes of the Puritans: 
*Brad P. from Prattville, AL 
*Enoch C. from Cambridge, MA   
*Scott R. from Syracuse, NY

Show Note
Let Your Sins Be Strong: Luther’s Letter to Melanchthon

Knowing Sin

Mortification of Spin is a casual conversation about things that count. Todd Pruitt and Carl Trueman deliver a humorous, informal podcast with bite. Listen for engaging and thought-provoking conversations on the challenges facing the Church and the Christian, and decide for yourself if words spoken in a British accent truly carry more weight…

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For many years, there was a lack of good Protestant literature addressing the transfiguration— a central event in the life of Christ. Thanks to Patrick Schreiner’s new book, The Transfiguration of Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Reading, that is no longer the case. Patrick is an associate professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and writes from a solid conservative Protestant evangelical perspective. So what is it that Protestants miss when we overlook the transfiguration? What is its significance and place in redemptive history, and how can it be applied?
“I think the transfiguration is this unique event where the humanity and the deity of Christ come together, where his humanity is transfigured or transformed, but his deity is also revealed. This reality [is] that we have the God-Man in one subject and one person, and both things are made evident at the same time.” – Patrick Schreiner
Be sure to tune in for this fascinating conversation on a much-neglected subject. You may gain a new perspective on the importance of this unique event in the life of Jesus and its practical application to our lives. And stay tuned to the end for barbeque recommendations in Kansas City!
We are pleased to offer a few copies of The Transfiguration of Christ to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Baker Academic. Register here for the opportunity to win.
Show Notes:
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: https://www.mbts.edu/
Recommended Reading:
Light on the Mountain: Greek Patristic and Byzantine Homilies on the Transfiguration of the Lord

The Transfiguration of Christ

Many of the best and brightest Protestant thinkers have converted to Roman Catholicism in recent decades. Some have found Protestantism shallow in doctrine, history, ethics, and worship. Chris Castaldo, co-author of Why Do Protestants Convert? sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss the psychological, theological, and sociological factors behind these conversions. 
As someone who has had conversations with those who have converted from Protestantism to Catholicism or, in some cases, Eastern Orthodoxy as well, very often in my conversations with them, theology is not the first thing. Oftentimes [there are] other issues that they will name first, like the historical rootedness or the reverence that they found or the beauty that they found in the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox traditions.  – Todd Pruitt
Although many converts’ criticisms of contemporary Protestantism may be warranted, Chris points out that historic Protestantism contains the answers to these objections and the resources for a Protestant renewal.
We are pleased to offer a few copies of Why Do Protestants Convert? for our listeners, thanks to the generosity of the Davenant Institute. Register here for the opportunity to win.
 
Show Notes:
Chris’ article on the state of the Roman Catholic Church:
https://mereorthodoxy.com/is-rome-a-true-church

Why Do Protestants Convert?

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

Critical Dilemma

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/

Celebrating 500 Episodes!

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/

Knowing Sin

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