In this episode of MINDSET, we ask a question that has puzzled and delighted Tolkien readers for decades: What do we do with Tom Bombadil? Clad in a bright blue coat and yellow boots, Tom dances and sings his way through the Old Forest, obviously out of place in the battle for Middle Earth. And yet, according to Chris Wiley, Bombadil is not an oddity or narrative leftover—he is a profound signpost.

Join host Mike Schutt as he and Chris explore the significance of this entertaining and mysterious “signpost” for Christians seeking to have the right mindset about the reality of the world around us. 

In this episode of Mindset, host Mike Schutt sits down with guest Nathan Pegors to explore C.S. Lewis’s great novel, Till We Have Faces. A reimagining of the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche, Lewis’s 1956 novel is a profound meditation on divine providence and revelation.

Pegors unpacks how Lewis uses this myth not just to retell an old story, but to reveal the depth of the oldest story—God’s true story. The discussion delves into the theological richness of the novel, discusses the power of story, and reflects on why Till We Have Faces resonates so deeply with those wrestling with faith, doubt, and the hiddenness of God.

Whether you’re new to the novel or a longtime admirer, this thoughtful conversation will deepen your appreciation for one of Lewis’s most complex and moving works.

Why are stories so important to us? Why are we fervent story-making and story-consuming creatures? In this episode of Mindset, Dr. Betsy Howard, assistant professor of literature at Bethlehem College and Seminary, joins host Mike Schutt to explore these questions. Dr. Howard unpacks how stories shape us, reflect our Creator, and serve as powerful tools for understanding reality, and she explains how good stories magnify truth and model virtue in profound ways. Join the conversation as we dive into the deep connection between storytelling and our identity as image bearers.

One of the basic questions of human identity is “What does Scripture teach about the relationship between the soul and the body?” This is the question at the heart of a new book by Stan Wallace, "Have We Lost Our Minds?" 

Wallace says that Christians are confused about what the soul is and about its role in human flourishing. He believes that this confusion is exacerbated lately by the writings of “neurotheologians,” who imply that our brains— our physical bodies-- are ultimately the cause of our thoughts, beliefs, desires, choices, and even our very identity. 

In his book and on this episode, he explores a biblically and philosophically sound understanding of our soul and its relation to the body, and he illustrates how this understanding is the a helpful path toward more fully loving God and others.

Join host Mike Schutt as he and Stan discuss how to have the right Mindset about the soul, the body, and human identity. 

In this literary episode of Mindset, Mike Schutt and his guest, Dr. James McGlothlin, discuss Beowulf, the epic poem that has captivated readers for centuries. A philosopher and theologian, Dr. McGlothlin speaks to the worldview-rich themes of the poem and the lessons it holds even for casual readers. 

Join the conversation as Mike and James unpack the ways in which Beowulf explores the nature of good and evil, the role of providence, and the complex relationship between earthly glory and eternal salvation.

Lots of folks are discussing the “unchurched evangelical” these days. Yet it seems odd that a person would identify as “evangelical," yet never attend church. Perhaps church attendance is simply icing on the cake to true faith—an option that enhances our relationship with God. Or is it more than that?
 
Recently, Pastor Mark Bertrand joined Mike Schutt on a video “Worldview Conversation” to discuss the issue of church attendance, exploring what it means to identify with Christ and His body. Now we’ve converted that discussion for this episode of Mindset. Listen in to explore this important topic! 

Sports and games are a prominent feature of our world. From family games in the living room and youth recreational leagues, to college athletics, professional sports, and the Olympics, we are surrounded by—and captivated by—sport and play. 
 
In this episode of Mindset, Mike Schutt and his guest explore the fascinating concept of sports. Why does sport captivate so many of us, and how can Christians navigate that draw? Join Mike and Dell Cook—educator, coach, and Worldview Academy faculty member—as they discuss cultivating a faithful mindset about sports and play.

Some say that Christians are “anti-science.” Sillier yet, some claim that our faith requires us to believe things that have been proven untrue or impossible. As ridiculous as these claims are, the relationship between faith and science sometimes seems more complicated than it really is. And sometimes that’s our fault.

Apologist Roy Swart, an engineer who has worked in various scientific fields his entire career, says that Christians often misunderstand what “science” really is and are therefore intimidated in their efforts to share the gospel. Listen in as host Mike Schutt has Roy unpack this idea with an eye toward adjusting our mindset to strengthen our confidence in the gospel of Christ.

How can we chase after wisdom in today’s world? 
 
The answer may be more complicated than you think, given the built-in barriers we face today. For starters, we live in a world that prizes youth, and extended adolescence seems to be the rule for this generation. Why is that, and what how can we have a mindset that leads to change—and ultimately, to wisdom? 
 
On this episode, Mike Schutt and his guest Myron Steeves explore the complex causes and potential solutions to the decline of concern for virtue in our world. 

On this episode, Mike Schutt discusses the writings of Augustine with Professor Zach Howard. What can this fourth century “doctor of the church” possibly have to say to ordinary Christians today? Plenty, it turns out! From the role of imitation in Christian discipleship to discourses on proper and improper curiosity, the insights of Augustine have surprising power and relevance to contemporary believers. Listen in.