Mortification of Spin

As the Covid-19 debate rages and protestors have taken to the streets, the US Supreme Court hands down an important ruling in a case, which—unfortunately—seems to have flown under the radar of the media: Bostock v. Clayton County.

The smartest-dressed man on campus returns! Matthew Franck is the Associate Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and lecturer for their Department of Politics. As you won’t hear much about the Bostock ruling elsewhere, Matt joins Carl and Todd to shed some light on what this decision means regarding the interpretation of the legal text of Title VII, as well as its implications for religious freedom in the short and long terms. 

Show Notes

·Supreme Court Ruling on Bostock v. Clayton County - Justice Alito's dissenting opinion begins on page 38

·Grove City College

·Hillsdale College

·Patrick Henry College

Carl rushes in to introduce today’s guest…lest he, once again, forget the man’s name! Jonathan Master is a friend of The Spin and the co-host of Theology on the Go, another Alliance podcast. Just a few days ago, Jonathan officially took the reins as president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, so we brought him back into the bunker to gain some inside info about what the future holds.

What is it like to step into a new position of leadership during a time of so much instability? What are some of the main challenges Jonathan might encounter ahead? If you’re considering going to seminary, you’ll be interested in hearing what Jonathan has to say about GPTS and its distinctives. You’ll also pick up on Carl and Todd’s obvious bookcase ladder envy!

We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to win a free copy of a great book titled Knowing the Trinity by Ryan McGraw, who is a GPTS faculty member.

Todd and Carl’s guest today is Kevin DeYoung. He’s the pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, assistant professor of systematic theology at the Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte campus, and author/contributor for numerous outstanding books.

Kevin joins us today for the first time to discuss the recently-released PCA report on human sexuality. DeYoung recently served as a member of the ad-interim committee that produced this useful study, and he briefs us on the process, structure, purpose, and legality of such reports. Be sure to tune in for this incredibly helpful discussion.

Nota bene: While we may safely recommend any of Kevin's many helpful books on several topics that have been a great blessing to the church at large, please beware if he ever publishes a collection of recipes or offers any sort of dieting advice. 

Register for the opportunity to win a free copy of Kevin’s book What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?

Show Notes

PCA’s General Assembly Committee Report on Sexuality

We’re living in a time of many, simultaneous world crises. Are these global challenges in some way related? Seeking perspective and clarity, our hosts discuss one of Carl’s recent articles at First Things, where he ponders why the British seem more concerned with incidents of police brutality in the US than with China’s aggressive plan to diminish Hong Kong’s democracy as Britain’s former colony. 

How may identity politics and social media be shaping this behavior, and what does it say about us as a society? Carl’s one-word answer: Belonging!

Show Notes

A Dark Cloud for Democracy

Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary debuted on “The Spin” in 2019 in the person of Michael Morales, the seminary’s professor of Biblical Studies. Who Shall Ascend the Mount of the Lord? is Michael’s latest work on the book of Leviticus, and part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series by IVP. Don’t dismiss this outstanding book merely on the subject matter! Leviticus is not “the most boring book in the bible,” and you’re about to learn why!

Michael identifies an intriguing theme in Leviticus, along with its relationship to the sacredness of time and the Sabbath. Don’t miss this important perspective on the Pentateuch!

Matthew Barrett joined us in 2019. He’s associate professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas, MO. Matthew stopped by to chat about his latest work, None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God.

If you’re wondering what Matthew means by the word “undomesticated,” you’re not alone! Could it be that—because of our fallen, limited abilities to apprehend the infinite attributes of God—we tend to try and “tame” Him, or “pull Him down” to our level? Are those immutable attributes what make Him worthy of worship? Don’t miss this thoughtful conversation about the relationship between the doctrine of God and His divine attributes.

The crew receives a visit from Fr. Thomas Weinandy. He is a Franciscan Capuchin priest, systematic theologian, long-time professor, and author of many books. In his latest--Jesus Becoming Jesus: A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels--Thomas focuses on the doctrine and theology of the synoptic gospels, zooming in closely on the acts of Jesus in his earthly life, and the mysteries of the faith as the Lord becomes Yahweh Saves.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of connecting the saving acts of God in the person of Jesus Christ, and the orthodox doctrines of immutability and impassibility. Hear what Fr. Weinandy says about holding both together in preaching, and what is truly essential for our salvation.

Show Notes

About Thomas Weinandy

Does God Suffer?

Thomas C. Oden

Theologian John Webster

Mortification of Spin is on holiday in June, so we are enjoying a few powerful episodes of the podcast just one more time. In 2018, Douglas Groothuis joined the conversation. He’s professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary and had recently written a very personal book titled Walking through Twilight - A Wife’s Illness, A Philosopher’s Lament.

Groothuis reflects on his role as his wife's primary caregiver. He shares with us his personal suffering and life’s dynamics in light of her illness, the ministry of the body of Christ, and how God is glorified through it all.

How does one lament biblically? What are some practical ways in which the local church can minister to and help the suffering brother or sister? This topic is one that many of us have or will face one day. Listen closely and learn about lamentation from the tender heart of a philosopher.

Show Notes

Know more about Douglas Groothuis

Dr. Groothuis’ 2015 article

Primary Progressive Aphasia

The latest Barna Research Institute survey was recently released, and the Magnificent Three break down the results. Although the Barna definition of a “Bible-believing Christian” is a bit broader than ours, the poll results are still quite compelling. It appears the number of believers in fundamental Christian truths has significantly decreased in the past few decades, so the team considers the implications of that change and what factors may have contributed to it. 

 

How can the Church keep its house in order—guarding the minds and souls of God’s sheep? And why is it important to believe the right things about God? Pull up a seat and join us!

 

We are offering you the opportunity to win a free copy of None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Register!

As many states' governments are talking about a “phased” reopening from the COVID-19 lockdown, our quarantined trio –bound in three different states—is asking some important questions concerning going back to church. When might Christians be able to congregate in person? How will we “do church” as social distancing concerns remain? And, what might we discover when we finally gather? 

The crew considers the ethical dilemma of obeying governing authorities in accordance with the dictates of Romans 13 when—in some cases—such civil obedience might lead to Scriptural disobedience. How might the job of shepherding the flock change for church leaders in these days of new spiritual pathologies and—potentially—difficult financial struggles.

Can we get back to normal now? Then again, what is “normal?” Listen to the end and enjoy the encouraging words of God’s promise to his people. And hear why our Englishman Carl, who has always believed that hugging should be banned, is "living the dream!"

Register for the opportunity to win a copy of the wonderful resource, Living in God’s Two Kingdoms by David VanDrunen. The books are a gift from our friends at Crossway.