The Russell Moore Show

One of the great American novelists on her little-explored Theological foundations

Over the next few weeks, the Russell Moore Show is digging into the archives and bringing back some of our favorite episodes, like this one from 2021 (before the show included video!) with great American novelist, Marilynne Robinson.

On the occasion of her new novel, Jack, Russell welcomed Marilynne to explore some of her Theological foundations that no one asks (but he wished someone would). They talk about the place of religion in society, sin and evil, and the transforming power of grace in each of our lives. 

In a review of Jack, Russell wrote, "Reading this book, you will find yourself bound up in the stories and in the characters' spoken and unspoken internal dialogues, but you will end up realizing that you have been meditating on such big themes as love, fidelity, regret, and as always in Marilynne Robinson, a theology of creation, fall, redemption, meaning, and grace."

These were things worth meditating on in 2021, and they remain so in 2026.

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: How you can protect yourself from brain rot—and why it matters to the rest of us. Find the David Brooks episode here.

Watch the video of this episode on The Russell Moore Show YouTube Playlist here.

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Russell’s conversation with Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute).

Watch this conversation on YouTube.

Over the next few weeks, the Russell Moore Show is digging into the archives and bringing back some of our favorite conversations. 

This inaugural “best of” episode from May of 2023 is with Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute from the TV series, The Office, who utters this phrase: “Whenever I’m about to do something, I think ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.” 

In an age of cultural division and religious disagreement, many people feel that talking to someone with a different perspective on faith is, well, something an idiot would do. But Rainn Wilson disagrees: he’s fascinated by spirituality, generally. In fact, he’s the cofounder of SoulPancake, which develops content rooted in human connection (remember Kid President?), and the author of the book Soul Boom. 

Though Russell and Rainn have genuine disagreements, the conversation is respectful, and ultimately covers pop culture depictions of religion, Wilson’s upbringing in the Baháʼí Faith, and what it was like to skyrocket from relative obscurity to fame. They talk about trying to discuss religion in Hollywood, what transcendence means, and whether or not the longing for justice points to a judgment day.

Resources discussed during this episode include:

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Do you have what it takes to thrive in the era of AI?

Watch the video of this episode on YouTube Playlist

We talk a lot about AI on this show. And at a time when everyone is questioning the ethics of it all, David Brooks is more interested in what kind of people we should be no matter what happens with AI. His latest for The Atlantic, “The People Who Will Thrive in the AI Age” starts with a comforting bit of research: AI is not necessarily taking our jobs or lessening our workloads. Instead, it’s changing the way we relate to our work. And, the way we respond to this change will have more to do with our success in an AI era than anything else. Brooks says that the future doesn’t belong to those who optimize every task, but to those who continue pursuing the uniquely human work of enthusiasm and volition.

If you’ve been wondering what kind of person will succeed in the onslaught of AI technology, how to be the kind of person that weathers the perceived storm, or what the development of AI means for the modern Christian: this conversation is for you. 

Resources mentioned in the episode:

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: No matter which way we turn, we don’t know what home is. That’s why Homer still rings true, even in the era of IMAX and SpaceX.

Watch the video of this episode on YouTube here.

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What would it look like if Christians were known less for winning political battles and more for being good neighbors?

⁠Watch this conversation on YouTube .

And now for something a little different! On the occasion of Lee C. Camp’s paperback release of his book Scandalous Witness, he invited Russell to interview him for his own podcast, No Small Endeavor.  Since the conversation included topics like Christian nationalism, how Christians have been neighbors both good AND bad, and how Christian witness can actually recover some humility, it felt appropriate to share the episode here too.

This conversation explores what it would mean if, in this divided and exhausted era, Christians (and others) stopped despairing and allowing themselves to be held captive to tribes and ideologies, and instead, actually did the patient work of loving God and neighbor.

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: the spiritual reason our elderly leaders refuse to give up power.

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What keeps a marriage standing after decades of walking through the ordinary and unimaginable?
Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman have spent more than 40 years together, raising a family while navigating a life in the public eye. Their new book, Still Here, is the story of this life–one shared by two imperfect people learning over and over again what it means to bear with one another in love. 

The Chapmans join Russell from Steven’s home studio to reflect on marrying young, surviving seasons of insecurity, balancing family with a demanding career, and why the real work of marriage lies in showing up again, day after day. They also speak candidly about the tragic loss of their daughter Maria, and the deliberate decision they made to fight the enemy rather than one another. 

This conversation is an honest reminder that faithfulness isn't the absence of hardship, rather, it’s trusting Christ together on the long road home.
Resources mentioned in the episode:

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: the Graham Platner scandal shows us about how a good comeback story can be dangerous.

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Beth Moore returns as Russell's co-host for a conversation with acclaimed novelist Daniel Nayeri.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

It was Beth who first insisted Russell read Daniel's award-winning novel, Everything Sad Is Untrue. After dragging his feet to pick it up, Russell only had one regret: waiting so long.

Together, the three talk about Nayeri’s novels, including Everything Sad Is Untrue and his newest hit, The Teacher of Nomad Land. Daniel reflects on fleeing Iran as a child refugee, Beth shares why these books affected her so deeply, and all three consider the Christian hope (and Tolkien reference!) that gives Everything Sad Is Untrue its unforgettable title. 

If you've ever wondered whether stories can make us more truthful—or whether every sad thing really will one day become untrue—you'll find this conversation both beautiful and deeply hopeful.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) — Daniel Nayeri

The Teacher of Nomad Land — Daniel Nayeri

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