It’s been a banner year for great books, and the Spin Crew has chosen yet another winner! This time, Carl and Todd sit down with Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WI, and author of Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. What are the pieces of glass Eric refers to, and how have they changed our world? 

Just a few years ago, we were excited about the advances in technology, which promised to bring people together from the four corners of the world. Technology has accomplished that, in a way, but it has also exacerbated loneliness, isolation, and alienation. Listen and discover the relationship between the three pieces of glass, the church, and the sense of “belonging”. 

We’re excited to give away copies of Three Pieces of Glass. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Brazos Press.

It’s been a banner year for great books, and the Spin Crew has chosen yet another winner! This time, Carl and Todd sit down with Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WI, and author of Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. What are the pieces of glass Eric refers to, and how have they changed our world? 

Just a few years ago, we were excited about the advances in technology, which promised to bring people together from the four corners of the world. Technology has accomplished that, in a way, but it has also exacerbated loneliness, isolation, and alienation. Listen and discover the relationship between the three pieces of glass, the church, and the sense of “belonging”. 

We’re excited to give away copies of Three Pieces of Glass. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Brazos Press.

This week, we reach “across the pond” for insight on the much-anticipated critical biography of Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck. James Eglinton, the Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at New College, the University of Edinburgh, wrote the bio. Eglinton is acknowledged for his pivotal role in extending Bavinck’s popularity outside the Dutch-speaking world. 

James tells us where and when his interest in the life of Bavinck began, and what it was about the Dutch theologian that first caught Eglinton’s attention. Bavinck was a man of his day, very much attuned to modernity and its challenges, yet sensitive to the theological needs of a broad spectrum of laypeople. What more can we learn from this intriguing figure, and why should Christians care about Bavinck today? 

We are excited to give away copies of Bavinck: A Critical Biography.Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Baker Academic.

This week, we reach “across the pond” for insight on the much-anticipated critical biography of Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck. James Eglinton, the Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at New College, the University of Edinburgh, wrote the bio. Eglinton is acknowledged for his pivotal role in extending Bavinck’s popularity outside the Dutch-speaking world. 

James tells us where and when his interest in the life of Bavinck began, and what it was about the Dutch theologian that first caught Eglinton’s attention. Bavinck was a man of his day, very much attuned to modernity and its challenges, yet sensitive to the theological needs of a broad spectrum of laypeople. What more can we learn from this intriguing figure, and why should Christians care about Bavinck today? 

We are excited to give away copies of Bavinck: A Critical Biography.Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a complimentary gift from Baker Academic.

The dynamic duo today becomes a trio, as a third pessimist—that is, a third realist—joins in.

Rod Dreher is an American writer and editor, culture critic, and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option and the freshly released Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Rod’s book is a wakeup call for Christians about ideas that have become prevalent in American society…notions already adopted in other countries that have proven to be a threat to civil liberties. 

Is there still hope to turn from what he calls “soft totalitarianism”? What’s the course of action for Christians to preserve the faith in such an intolerant society, where words and actions are becoming highly surveilled and dealt with “accordingly?” Live Not By Lies is timely and absolutely relevant for Christian dissidents. You can’t afford to miss this conversation!

We’re giving away a number of copies of Live Not By Lies. Register for the opportunity to win one! The books are a complimentary gift from Sentinel, a division of Penguin Books.

After revealing some details of their personal lives, Carl and Todd get down to business. Seems a disturbing phenomenon is plaguing churches all over the country. Since the lockdown, many Christians have become too comfortable with worshipping from home over a screen…dressed in their jammies, eating donuts, and—quite possibly—not really worshipping at all. 

Does it really matter? What are people missing by not going back to church as restrictions are slowly being lifted? Our favorite duo discuss the meaning and importance of “being bodily present” for the different traditions like the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and the Protestant. Is there any place for live streaming, and any reason not to physically gather for worship? It’s time to weigh in. Oh, and notice who’s playing the optimist this time!

Carl Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self - Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution hasn’t even been released, and—already—it’s the best-selling book of 2020! It is, at least, according to the hosts of this program. Yes, the author feels he’s found a pot of gold, and is buying that dream villa in Venice with the royalties. At the same time, co-host Todd feels privileged as he possesses an advanced copy of this treasure and believes he’ll be enjoying a free stay at his friend's Mediterranean estate. 

The runaway cultural train is gaining speed, and revolutionary changes that used to take decades to develop seem to be happening at a breakneck pace—especially, where matters of sexual identity are concerned. From Augustine to Rousseau and Marx, and from Descartes to Bruce Jenner, Carl Trueman traces the thoughts underlying the modern view of the self...helping us understand the present, and preparing us to navigate the days ahead.

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self is available for pre-order. Visit Reformed Resources to place your order.

The state of California has gathered its pitchforks and torches and they’re coming after Grace Community Church, pastored by John MacArthur. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened doors to all kinds of government regulations, including—to no one’s surprise—restrictions on worship gatherings.

The feud between Grace Community Church and the state of California rages on, and our dynamic duo is focusing on the fine line between obedience to Scripture and obedience to the limited, God-given power of the civil magistrate.

Has the state of California overstepped the boundaries of religious freedom, supplanting the authority of the Scriptures and of the Church? The issue has captured a lot of attention on social media with as many different opinions as the number of people offering them. 

As we’re on the subject, we have a few copies to give away of a new release by Concordia Publishing House, Faith in the Shadow of a Pandemic.Register for the opportunity to win one.

Carl Trueman and Todd Pruitt discuss the value of leisure reading and suggest a few outstanding titles. Todd’s dramatic reading at the conclusion of the podcast is worth the price of admission! Perhaps we should put it another way…

You’ll enjoy reading A Christian Guide to the Classics, by Leland Ryken. Enter to win a copy!

When couples struggle with the pain of infertility, surrogacy may be one of the available options. Is surrogacy as simple as finding a “carrier” for your baby, or are there more considerations to bear in mind? 

Carl and Todd sit down with Adeline Allen, associate professor of law at Trinity Law School. Adeline raises some questions about the moral, Christian ethical, and lawful implications of surrogacy. It is biblical that Christians would strive to raise godly offspring, but does the means of surrogacy justify that end? How are pastors to help their congregants to think through such a sensitive issue? There’s much to be discerned from this thoughtful and important episode.