“The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” is one of the most popular Christian podcasts of the past year. It chronicles how Mars Hill Church in Seattle went from one of the most influential multisite evangelical churches in the U.S. to an abuse- and scandal-ridden nightmare, finally having to shut its doors for good in 2014 following the resignation of its charismatic founder, Mark Driscoll.
 
Eric Kohn, Acton’s director of marketing and communications, sits down with Mike Cosper, producer, writer, and host of the podcast, to discuss the lessons from the stories Cosper tells in “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill,” as well as the problems associated with celebrity pastors and church institutions. 
 
Subscribe to our podcasts
 
‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’ Podcasts | Christianity Today 
 
About Mike Cosper
 
Is Christianity doing more harm than good to American men? | Acton Institute PowerBlog 
 
Saving men requires the leadership of laymen | Acton Institute PowerBlog 
 
Faithfulness Is the Future of the Church | Acton Institute
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Cosper on ‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’

Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

News

Politics

In 2022, the Acton Institute launched The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage. The mission is to advance research and education on economics, liberty, and human flourishing from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives.
As part of this mission, earlier this year the Collins Center launched a debate series on the relationship between government and religion, featuring robust dialogue between scholars and leaders of different faiths. 
On today’s episode, we present to you the second of these debates. Moderated by Acton’s director of research, John Pinheiro, senior editor of The European Conservative Sebastian Morello and professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University Kevin Vallier discuss whether government and religion really should be separate. 
Subscribe to our podcasts
The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage
DEBATE: Sebastian Morello vs. Kevin Vallier | Christianity and the State

DEBATE: Christianity and the State

During times of extreme divisiveness, civility can help us transcend important differences and flourish amid them. It is through true civility, the recognition of the innate dignity of others, that we can bridge social, cultural, and political disagreements.
In this episode, Alexandra Hudson discusses her new book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,” with Acton’s director of programs and education, Dan Churchwell. 
How can we empower people to live tolerantly with others? How should our shared humanity inform the respect that we have for others with different lives and opinions? We can’t change others, but if enough of us choose civility, we might be able to change the world.
Subscribe to our podcasts
The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves | Alexandra Hudson
Acton Lecture Series

Seeking Civility: Important Principles for Divided Times

On today’s episode, Acton librarian and research associate Dan Hugger sits down with Acton research director John Pinheiro to talk about the state of higher education in America and contrast it with the philosophy of liberal learning advanced by the late Fr. James V. Schall, S.J. 
Has philosophy fled the academy? How does the crisis in higher education compromise the teaching and learning of the liberal arts? What are the perils and promises of liberal learning outside the university? Are the “Great Books” the solution to the crisis? What role should the Christian faith play in higher education? What practical steps can students and teachers take to advance liberal learning in institutions uncongenial to the cultivation of wisdom and virtue?
Subscribe to our podcasts  
Education for a Free Society | Acton Line Podcast
Rumble in the Christian College Jungle | Acton Unwind Podcast
On Christians and Prosperity | James V. Schall
The Great Books: Enemies of Wisdom? | Frederick Wilhelmsen
A Student's Guide to Liberal Learning | James V. Schall, S.J.
Another Sort of Learning | James V. Schall, S.J.
The Life of the Mind: On the Joys and Travails of Thinking | James V. Schall
On the Unseriousness of Human Affairs: Teaching, Writing, Playing, Believing, Lecturing, Philosophizing, Singing, Dancing | James V. Schall
Education of a Wandering Man: A Memoir | Louis L'Amour
Philosophy as a Way of Life | Pierre Hadot
The Book of Chuang Tzu | Martin Palmer, Elizabeth Breuilly (translators)

Fr. James Schall and the Crisis in Higher Education

In 2022, the Acton Institute launched The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage to advance research and education from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives on economics, liberty, and human flourishing.
As part of its mission, the Collins Center earlier this year launched a debate series on the relationship between government and religion, featuring robust dialogue between scholars and leaders of different faiths. 
On today’s episode, we present the first of these debates: dean of the Islamic Seminary of America Yasir Qadhi and Cato senior fellow Mustafa Akyol exchange a wide range of ideas on Islam and the state. The dialogue is moderated by Collins Center manager Nathan Mech.
Subscribe to our podcasts
The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage
DEBATE: Yasir Qadhi vs. Mustafa Akyol | Islam and the State

DEBATE: Islam and the State

The modern world is a busy and complicated place for Christians. Obligations to jobs, friends, and family, along with personal interests, frequently overshadow our relationship with Christ. 
In spite of all this, John Michael Talbot shows there are many ways to deepen a connection to Christ with a busy life. He's written 28 books, produced 59 music albums, and still maintains an active ministry from Little Portion Hermitage in Arkansas, where he teaches the importance of community living and finding inspiration in the Scriptures.
In this episode, Acton's director of research, John Pinheiro, speaks to John Michael about converting to Christianity, the choice to live the monastic life, and the challenges of following Christ in today’s world.
Subscribe to our podcasts 
John Michael Talbot
Late Have I Loved You | Troubadour

Mike Cosper on ‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’

Download our free app to listen on your phone