Life and Books and Everything

Any Christian trying to formulate a political theology cannot afford to ignore the impressive work done by David VanDrunen over the past decade. In this long-ish interview, Kevin asks Dave about two kingdoms theology, natural law, the purpose of government, and the importance of the Noahic Covenant. Stick around and you'll also learn what VanDrunen means by "conservative liberalism" and "legal polycentrism." You'll also hear what Kevin and Dave would do (or not do) if they were starting a Presbyterian colony on Mars.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:30 Politics after Christendom

16:45 Covenants and Reformed Theology

31:10 Sponsor Break | Crossway

32:00 Does Christ Redeem Political Institutions?

36:00 Responding to Criticism

43:10 A Presbyterian Colony on Mars?

55:00 Does Government Protect, Perfect, or Provide?

1:03:40 Sponsor | DesiringGod

1:04:10 A Conservative Liberalism

1:11:10 Legal Polycentrism

1:20:55 Until Next Time

Books & Everything:

Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany

Ask Pastor John Podcast

Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

In this fun and frank discussion, Kevin and Carl talk about everything from Billy Graham to Pride Month to Christian Nationalism. Along the way Carl reveals what he hates about America and why he is not a Catholic.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Melissa Kearney, professor of economics at the University of Maryland, about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind (University of Chicago Press, 2023). What is so great about being raised by two parents? When did marriage become a significant cause (and effect) of class distinctions? What can be done to restore the importance of marriage? How can we normalize the two-parent home without stigmatizing single mothers? Listen in as Kevin and Melissa tackle these questions, and many others, in this fascinating discussion about the economics of marriage.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:25 A Little About Melissa

7:55 The Two-Parent Privilege

26:45 Sponsor Break | Crossway

27:10 Charts, Numbers, and Trends

43:30 Sponsor Break | Desiring God

43:55 Social Norms

56:50 What’s Coming Up?

58:00 Until Next Time

Books & Everything:

The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind

Ministry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 Corinthians

Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

We've heard the terms before: cultural Marxism, socialism, intersectionality, microaggressions, standpoint epistemology, the Frankfurt School, Critical Race Theory, Queer Theory, and many more. But what do they mean? Where did they come from? And how should Christians respond? Kevin talks to Neil and Pat about their new book, Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to try answer these questions and to think carefully about we can understand and engage the dominant ideologies of our day.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome

1:17 The Critical Dilemma

23:25 Sponsor | Crossway Books

24:00 What is Contemporary Critical Theory

57:30 Sponsor | Desiring God

58:05 CRT: A Worldview or Religion?

1:11:40 A Final Word

1:14:45 Until Next Time

Books & Everything:

Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society

Why Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to Christianity

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

Is homosexuality normal? Is transgenderism a sin? Is Christian kindness the same thing as spiritual niceness? What's the difference between acceptance and approval? In this episode, Kevin and Rosaria probe these questions and many others like them. Whether you are struggling with sexual sin, know someone who is, or even if you think Kevin and Rosaria are dead wrong, you won't want to miss this important and provocative episode.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:40 A Little About Rosaria

15:43 Sponsor: Crossway | The Lord of Psalm 23

16:19 Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

27:26 Lie #1: Homosexuality is Normal

41:48 Lie #2: Being a Spiritual Person is Kinder Than Being a Biblical Christian

48:30 Lies #3, 4, & 5

55:20 Sponsor: DesiringGod | 20th Anniversary of ‘Don’t Waste Your Life’

55:55 Arguments Against Coming Out

1:10:55 “Would you rather have a dead daughter or a living son?”

1:18:46 The Difference Between Acceptance and Approval

Books & Everything:

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age

The Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and Host

The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality

Don't Waste Your Life

Was the Protestant Reformation a repudiation of the church's history? Was it a rejection of Medieval theology? Did the Reformation lead to schism in the church? Kevin talks to Matthew Barrett, professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and many more in this episode of LBE. Listen in for some big picture analysis on church history as well as some deep nerdery on Reformation theology.

Timestamps:0:00 Introduction

1:47 The Reformation as Renewal

17:17 Jonathan Leeman’s New Book

18:00 Let’s Go Back to Aquinas

40:30 True or False?: The Reformation Divided the Church

48:20 Desiring God’s Light & Truth Podcast

48:50 Unsung Reformers

53:48 Books

1:05:37 Until Next Time

Books:The Reformation as Renewal

Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing

Introduction to Reformed Scholasticism

Protestant Scholasticism: Essays in Reassesment

Aquinas Among the Protestants

The three amigos are back to kick off a new season of LBE. From college football to dropping kids off at college to the rise of mental health issues on college campuses (and everywhere else!), this episode has a back-to-school vibe you won't want to miss. Stick around for one summer book recommendation from each of the fellas at the very end.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:45 College Football

8:40 Kids to College & Other Life Changes

15:33 Collin’s Summer in the UK

19:30 Digital Liturgies

20:55 Trauma, Anxiety, and Mental Health

43:30 Desiring God - Light & Truth Podcast

44:25 Books

1:00:34 Until Next Time

The triumvirate managed to get together one last time before setting sail for summer plans. With little time to spare before Collin needed to run Tom Cruise-style after a plane bound for the UK, the three amigos chat about the legacies of Tim Keller and Harry Reeder, the books they’ve been reading and hope to read this summer, and whether they think we’ve reached Peak Pride in America. Plus, you’ll hear whether Kevin ever plans to drink Bud Light again (and whether he’s ever had that or any beer ever).

Mentioned Blog Post:

Preaching Resources: A Summer Reading List

Chapters:

0:00 Intro & Sponsor

2:35 Summer Plans, Civil Wars, and Sioux Falls

12:53 Tim Keller’s Ministry & Legacy

32:45 Remembering Harry Reeder

39:35 Books

57:30 Are We at Peak Pride?

1:06:10 Closing Comments & Sponsor

What is feminism? What is intersectionality? Who is Judith Butler? How does childbearing change a woman? Why do Catholic feminist scholars have such interesting Italian last names? These are just some of the questions Kevin explores with Abigail Favale as they talk about her book, The Genesis of Gender (Ignatius Press, 2022). With learning, wit, and great aplomb, Abigail shares her how story of deconversion and reconversion and how she came to see, from the inside, the emptiness of mainstream feminist ideology.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro and Sponsor

2:10 Guest: Abigail Favale

26:01 Who is Judith Butler?

33:22 Is Gender Studies Godless and Truthless?

40:17 What is Intersectionality?

47:54 How do We Contend for the Goodness of Gender?

55:47 What Does the Bible Say to Gender Studies?

1:04:46 Developing a Theology of Sexual Difference