The Deep Thoughts Podcast with Matt Shantz

Thaddeus Williams is convinced that social justice is one of the most epic and age-defining controversies facing the 21st-century church. In this episode Thaddeus chats with Matt about his new book, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth, bringing biblical faithfulness and timely clarity to issues such as racism, Black Lives Matter, Intersectionality, and Critical Race Theory. By distinguishing 'Social Justice A' (biblically required and socially necessary) from 'Social Justice B' (our culture’s present definition), Thaddeus shows us that while Social Justice B contains some truth, it represents a completely different worldview. This may be the most important episode you listen to this year.

*Warning: Deep thoughts not guaranteed.

ABOUT:

THADDEUS WILLIAMS

Thaddeus Williams loves enlarging students’ understanding and enjoyment of Jesus at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, where he serves as assistant professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology. He has also taught Philosophy and Literature at Saddleback College, Jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, and as a lecturer in Worldview Studies at L’Abri Fellowships in Switzerland and Holland, and Ethics for Blackstone Legal Fellowship the Federalist Society in Washington D.C. His latest book, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth is the subject of this episode.

In an episode about Harry Potter as much as anything else, Matt chats with Rebecca McLaughlin about her 2020 Book of the Year, Confronting Christianity and forthcoming, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (And Answer) About Christianity. In the interview Rebecca responds to some tough questions including:

“Why is Christianity accused of being anti-intellectual?”; “Doesn’t Christianity denigrate women?”; “Isn’t Christianity homophobic?”; “How should we understand transgender identities?”

*Warning: Deep thoughts not guaranteed.

ABOUT:

REBECCA MCLAUGHLIN

Rebecca holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. She spent 9 years as VP of Content with The Veritas Forum where she had the privilege of identifying and equipping Christian professors to speak about their faith in relation to their work. She co-founded Vocable Communications in 2017, which is a speech-focused, data-driven communications firm dedicated to helping leaders deliver messages that change minds.

Follow ups to her Christianity Today Book of the Year, Confronting Christianity are 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (And Answer) About Christianity (March 16, 2021) and The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims (Spring).

Matt sits down with Dave Currie to talk about porn and the damaging effect it has on our brains, souls, and relationships. They also talk about how the gospel provides forgiving grace (to wash us clean) and empowering grace (to fight sin), and provide a roadmap for recovery. Matt also recounts an embarrassing story that Dave had the pleasure of witnessing.

ABOUT:

DAVE CURRIE

Matt sits down with Andy Crouch for a sprawling conversation on everything from Jeopardy to Lecrae, cyborgs to culture-making, and how to approach the easy-everywhere nature of technology with wisdom and faithfulness.

The Deep Thoughts Podcast engages deep thinkers on some of their deepest of thoughts so listeners can explore aspects of the Christian faith a little more deeply.

*Incredibly, no deep thinkers were harmed in the making of this podcast.

ABOUT:

ANDY CROUCH

Andy is an author, speaker, and musician whose work focuses on culture, creativity, and the gospel. He is the author of several books including Culture Making, Playing God and the primary focus of our conversation today, The Tech-Wise Family and My Tech-Wise Life, the latter of which he co-authored with his daughter Amy.

Just to add even more cred, his work has been featured in Time, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and best of all Lecrae’s single “Non-Fiction.” He’s a full-time partner in theology and culture with Praxis and lives with his family in Pennsylvania. It turns out he was mentored by a Canadian couple when he was a young adult. So, Andy, as Canadians we are happy to take credit for all your success and most wonderful attributes.

While Christians are undeniably generous and compassionate, more than relief projects, “missions tourism”, and individual evangelism are required in order to carry out the work of Jesus in bringing good news to the poor. Matt’s guest, Barry Slauenwhite, explains how it requires strategic compassion. At the end of the episode, we share some ways that you can shine the light of Jesus on some of the poorest children and families this Christmas through Gifts of Compassion. Season 4 of The Deep Thoughts Podcast engages deep thinkers on some of their deepest of thoughts so listeners can explore aspects of the Christian faith a little more deeply. *Incredibly, no deep thinkers were harmed in the making of this podcast…yet.  ABOUT: BARRY SLAUENWHITE Barry served as the President & CEO of Compassion Canada for 26 years and now serves as President Emeritus. His book, Strategic Compassion, unpacks a theology of poverty and how the gospel is the means and answer to alleviating poverty around the globe. It requires more than mere relief projects or our evangelism individually. It will require us to be strategic in our compassion, focusing on the full depth and breadth of Jesus’ good news for the poor. Check out Child Sponsorship and Gifts of Compassion.

Matt sits down with Pat Sczebel for a conversation on liturgy, exploring the structure and goals of our worship gatherings. We also talk about the fact that liturgy plays a huge role in all of us individually and corporately whether we recognize it or not. This episode was not brought to you by IKEA.

Season 4 of The Deep Thoughts Podcast engages deep thinkers on some of their deepest of thoughts so listeners can explore aspects of the Christian faith more deeply.

*Incredibly, no deep thinkers were harmed in the making of this podcast…yet.

ABOUT:

PAT SCZEBEL

Pat has pastored, led worship, and written songs for the past 30 years. He's been married to his best friend for 33 years and has 8 children and 3 grandbabies. He is most passionate about Jesus, his church, good food, and good coffee.

Pat’s songs have been featured on Sovereign Grace albums and C2C Music’s Revive Us Again. He also co-hosts the Worship God podcast for TGC Canada.

Pat and Norm Funk are in the process of replanting Culloden MB Church as Midtown Church in Vancouver in January 2021.

Is progressive Christianity just that? Christianity progressing? Or has it progressed into something else entirely, and a whole other gospel? And what legitimate critiques of evangelicalism is progressivism responding to that we would be wise to listen to and engage with? I talk about all this and more with my guest, ZOEGirl’s own, Alisa Childers. Season 4 of The Deep Thoughts Podcast engages deep thinkers on some of their deepest of thoughts so listeners can explore aspects of the Christian faith a little more deeply. *Incredibly, no deep thinkers were harmed in the making of this podcast…yet. 

ABOUT: ALISA CHILDERS From singer in the Christian teen pop group, ZOEGirl (think the Spice Girls but less spicy) to the author of one of the bestselling apologetics books of the year, Alisa’s path has been less than conventional. As a lifelong church-goer and follower of Jesus, Alisa experienced a period of profound doubt about her faith in her mid-thirties. She didn’t know where to find answers to her questions, or if answers existed at all. In her book, Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity, she invites you into her journey from unreasoned doubt into vibrant, intellectually informed faith. Whether you are exploring faith in Jesus, have big doubts about Christianity, or wanting to become better at articulating your faith, this book will be a lifeboat for you as you tackle tough questions together.