Carl and Todd welcome Chris Castaldo back to the podcast to shed some light on the apparent trend of young evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism. Chris, lead pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois, and author of Why Do Protestants Convert?, has some excellent insights into this movement. Together they explore the factors influencing this shift, including the appeal of liturgy, historical rootedness, and the search for intellectual depth in faith. 

We do hear people talking about a desire for more textured liturgy, more historical rootedness, you know, a personal faith that is embodied. – Chris Castaldo

Tune in for insights on how pastors can better equip their congregations to understand these dynamics and build and maintain a strong foundation in their churches.

We are pleased to offer three copies of Chris Castaldo’s book, Why Do Protestants Convert?, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Davenant Publishing. Enter here to win.

Show Notes:

Chris Castaldo’s Substack: https://chriscastaldo.substack.com/

Article by Chris:

https://chriscastaldo.substack.com/p/what-mamaw-knew?utm_source=activity_item

Article about conversions in other countries: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/23/catholicism-has-lost-people-to-religious-switching-in-many-countries-while-protestantism-has-gained-in-some/

Why Do Protestants Convert? https://davenantinstitute.org/davenant-press/why-do-protestants-convert/

A new form of relationship estrangement is afoot. Whereas, in the past, relationships tended to rupture over issues like abuse, today, people are increasingly estranged because of politics.

On today’s episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion with author Noelle Mering about her book, No Contact: How a Seductive Ideology Broke Families and Friendships and How We Can Repair Them. They explore the rising phenomenon of estrangement among families and friends, particularly among young adults cutting ties over ideological differences. 

The no contact movement is mostly young adults cutting off their parents over politics and ideology. -- Noelle Mering

Certainly, the emotional toll this has on families is immeasurable, but Noelle offers guidance for those navigating these complex relationships. According to Noelle, if we cannot hold fast to one another in the face of disagreement, we risk losing not only our most intimate bonds but also the foundation of a free and humane society. 

We are pleased to offer three copies of No Contact to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Forum Books. Enter here to win.

Show Notes:

Awake, Not Woke by Noelle Mering

Western culture impatiently demands practical results and therapeutic comfort. Many within the church have even adopted this mindset, falsely believing that God is most important when he is tending to our earthly needs. How can we help churches resist this pragmatic approach and instead embrace the mystery, awe, and reverence of our great God? 

Today, the dynamic duo discusses Carl’s latest book, Classical Theology for the Modern Mind, exploring the significance of creeds, the concept of theological retrieval, and the implications of historical theology on contemporary Christian worship. 

The Church fathers never considered their efforts to understand God to be vain philosophy, but a pious duty to get God right. – Carl Trueman

With insights drawn from their own experiences and observations in the Church, they delve into how a deeper understanding of traditional doctrines can enrich our faith and practice today. 

To win a copy of Carl’s book, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, enter here.

Show Notes:

Classical Theology for the Modern Mind by Carl Trueman

Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman

Today, Todd and Carl welcome back theology professor N. Gray Sutanto to the podcast. They discuss the profound contributions of Herman Bavinck, drawing on the new book, The Essential Herman Bavinck: A Reader and Commentary, to which Gray contributed. The conversation delves into Bavinck's legacy, his approach to engaging with contemporary issues, and the relevance of his theological insights in today's pluralistic society. 

Bavinck was trying to not only capture but also transmit the scholastic reform orthodox tradition for the modern age. – Gray Sutanto

From Bavinck's thoughts on the interplay between faith and science to his vision for Christian engagement in public life, this conversation is rich with insights for anyone interested in Reformed theology and its application in the modern world.

If you're like me, and if you've worked your way through the multi-volume dogmatics that Bavinck wrote, something like this could be very helpful for you. – Todd Pruitt

If you’d like to get a copy of The Essential Herman Bavinck for your library, Baker Publishing Group is generously offering Mortification of Spin listeners 40% off and free shipping from July 29 to August 31, 2026! To get your copy, click this link and enter the code ACEBAVINCK at checkout! US Residents only. 

Today, our listeners ask the questions, and our fearless hosts, Carl and Todd, have the answers. From the debate on church security measures to the topic of compassion fatigue among pastors, they tackle a variety of subjects that resonate with our audience. They even engage in a humorous discussion about the implications of discovering alien life and its potential impact on faith. Join Carl and Todd for some serious reflection mixed with a little humor – you know, the usual. 

Carl and Todd engage in a heartfelt conversation with Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead, author of Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive. Leigh shares her personal journey through infertility and adoption, offering insights into the emotional struggles faced by couples yearning for children. Knowing that those suffering from infertility too often do so in silence, isolation, and even shame, Leigh wrote her book with a desire to encourage couples who are struggling with these issues.

I wanted people to feel... not to feel alone. – Leigh Snead

The discussion also delves into broader bioethical issues surrounding marriage, procreation, and the importance of understanding infertility from a compassionate perspective. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of family, faith, and hope.

Thanks to the generosity of Sophia Institute Press, we are pleased to award three copies of Leigh’s book to our listeners. Congratulations to Katie L. from Fargo, ND, Wesley B. from St. Marys, GA, and Stacey S. from Kingsville, MO!

Show Notes:

Leigh Snead’s website: https://leighfitzpatricksnead.com/about/

Carter Snead’s book on bioethics: What It Means To Be Human

Some fight to recover Christian culture; others abandon any hope of transforming culture. Both mindsets are at odds with the early church. The apostles weren't seeking to convert cultures but people, because God's Word cultivates its own culture--the culture of the Word. When the Word is sown, the culture is grown. 

Carl and Todd sit down with returning guests, Harold Senkbeil and Lucas Woodford, to discuss their latest book, The Culture of God's Word: Faithful Ministry in a Post-Christian Society. They explore the necessity of a biblically-rooted approach to ministry amidst a rapidly changing cultural landscape, emphasizing the importance of Scripture over contextualization. 

If evangelism is only about contextualization, then you don’t need the Word of God. – Lucas Woodford

Join us as we delve into the dynamics of preaching, the centrality of worship, and the necessity of a stubborn commitment to proclaim God's Word. 

Thanks to the generosity of Lexham Press, we are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Harold and Lucas’s book, The Culture of God’s Word. Congratulations to Isaac S. from Crittenden, KY, Diane T. from Muncy, PA, and Jane M. from Rockland, ME!

Show Notes:

Books referenced:

The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil

Pastoral Leadership for the Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil

The Desecration of Man by Carl Trueman

Wonderfully Made by John Kleinig

In this thought-provoking episode of Mortification of Spin, hosts Todd and Carl engage in a critical conversation about Israel, the Jewish people, and the rising tide of anti-Semitism. They explore the historical context of anti-Semitic sentiments, the troubling connections to certain movements, and the theological perspectives surrounding the future of the Jewish people as indicated in Scripture. 

We need to treat Jewish unbelievers the same way we treat Gentile unbelievers. They need Jesus and they need to be evangelized. – Todd Pruitt

Tune in for a nuanced examination of a complex issue that is more relevant than ever.

Show Notes:

Christian Witness to Israel:  CWINA.org/publications

Todd and Carl engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Brian Cosby, pastor, author, and YouTube influencer, about the concept of biblical masculinity. They explore the importance of the roles of men in today's society, addressing the challenges and crises facing young men as they seek to understand their identity and responsibilities. 

The more I thought about it…really distilling down those fundamental callings of a man…it’s not a fundamental identity – that would be in Jesus for the Christian – but certainly the fundamental calling is a duty for men to provide for and protect not only himself, but also his family, his church, and his community. – Brian Cosby

With insights from Brian's new book, Provide and Protect: A Guide for Men in a World of Weakness, Wokeness, and Compromise, this episode offers a compelling look at the need for men to step up as providers and protectors in a world filled with confusion and compromise.

We are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Brian’s book, Provide and Protect, thanks to the generosity of Mindster Media. Congratulations to Matthew M. from Cleveland, MS, Philip W. from Pryor, OK, and David B. from Mesa, AZ.

Show Notes:

Brian’s YouTube channel: Provide & Protect

Richard Phillips’ book: Masculine Mandate

Mindster Media: https://mindstirmedia.com/

Carl and Todd engage in a lively discussion today with returning guest Michael Morales, a professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Theological Seminary. They delve into the concept of God's glory, drawing from Donnie Berry’s book, The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God, which was edited by Michael. According to Donnie Berry, glory refers to all the things the triune God is full of—his wisdom, love, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion, justice, life, joy—made manifest for us to see, to experience, to respond to, and, perhaps most surprisingly, to participate in. 

The glory of God is the core of who He is, His goodness as God defines it. – Michael Morales

Discover how the glory of God is a central theme that runs through Scripture, and why it is crucial to see how it is at the heart of the gospel and of the entire story of the Bible. 

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at IV Press, we are pleased to award three copies of The Earth Will Be Filled to our listeners. Congratulations to Jerry H. from Albia, IA, Paul P. from Philadelphia, PA, and Jami C. from Cookeville, TN!