What’s a Christian, anyway?

In our 2025 political environment, terms like evangelical begin to lose the meaning they once held, or they require further refinement and definition. Glenn Packiam’s new book brings a fresh perspective to this conversation. It turns out the answer lies in the Nicene Creed.

This year, the Nicene Creed turns 1,700 years old. This ancient work, built from Scripture and the public life of the ancient church, is often considered part of a “dead” spirituality, especially in traditions which put an emphasis on individual experiences with God. However, Russell and Glenn unpack the depth of personal and congregational meaning within the creed and discuss its power to redefine what Christian means in an environment where the term is constantly changing. 

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

What’s a Christian, Anyway? By Glenn Packiam

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We convince ourselves that we can be cruel and nihilistic and Christian all at once.

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It’s time for another books episode.

Russell Moore is joined again by Ashley Hales, the former producer of the show and now CT’s editorial director for print, in a discussion about what they’re reading now and about how reading as a practice is necessary and helpful in a windblown world. 

What books are you loving? And which books would you be sure to pack if you were planning to be marooned on a desert island? Email us: [email protected]. 

Books/essays mentioned in this episode:

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The death of Hooters holds a message for the church.

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What has play got to do with suffering? 

Annie F. Downs has built her career on having fun. Her New York Times bestseller titles include That Sounds Fun, Remember God, and 100 Days to Brave. Her new book for kids seems very different from the fun-loving Downs. 

Downs explains how the death of her nephew TJ led her to write a children's book to help kids (and grownups) understand suffering and loss at the same time as the love of God. 

In this episode, Downs tells us what surprised her about how kids respond to this kind of suffering and what that taught her about getting rid of fake platitudes, about what to do when someone you love is hurting, and about how to genuinely grieve while still recognizing a world of joy, hope, and even fun.

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American Christians ought to care about how Venezuelan gang members are deported.

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“ It may not be until the new heavens and the new earth, but we’re eventually going to know that God had goodness that was behind the dark clouds of our lives.”

So says Mark Vroegop, newly appointed president of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, during his conversation with Russell Moore. Moore and Vroegop talk about the ways TGC has evolved since its founding through leaders such as Tim Keller and Don Carson. They talk about the nature of belief, how trust in Jesus alters our understanding of who we are, and navigating seasons of doubt. Their conversation covers ministry partnerships, vocational decision making, and the importance of deep friendships. 

Moore and Vroegop consider what the Psalms have to say about seasons of doubt and grief, the relationship between character and gifting, and trust in the goodness of God.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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Russell shares how a piece of art showed him he wasn’t thinking big enough about the church.

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When Time magazine named Stanley Hauerwas “America’s Best Theologian” in 2001, Hauerwas replied, “‘Best’ is not a theological category.”

This response encapsulates the work and conversational style of Hauerwas, who joined Moore to discuss his new collection of essays, Jesus Changes Everything: A New World Made Possible. With his signature approach that prompts the audience to wonder if there’s another way to think about a topic, Hauerwas talks about the books that shaped him, how he came to be a theologian, and why he believes that being a Christian is the most interesting thing that could happen to a person.

Moore and Hauerwas consider the importance of Christian friendship, the person of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and the life-changing power of the truth. The two offer poignant, practical insights for reclaiming Christian vocabulary and better understanding our lives as narrated by Christ.

Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:

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From care for aging parents to concerns about money, life for modern-day Christians can feel, in a word, overwhelming. Russell Moore and Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, offer words of wisdom and a sense of solidarity with listener questions about all kinds of challenges. They provide practical advice, spiritual comfort, and reasons for hope in family life, social relationships, and society at large.

Questions addressed during this episode include:

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Resources:

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