Ayaan Hirsi Ali is well-known in intellectual circles and was one of the most prominent atheists in the world. Once a devout Muslim, she became an atheist after the 9/11 attacks. Even more recently, she’s become a Christian. In this episode, we discuss a bombshell article she wrote just a few weeks ago explaining her conversion to Christianity.

Article: https://www.thefp.com/p/ayaan-hirsi-ali-why-i-am-now-christian-atheism

The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be a central, global focus. One troubling aspect of the situation is the justification for Hamas’ terrorism that has been offered from all corners of our society. In this episode, we analyze the moral dialogue in our culture from a Christian perspective and explore the broader conversation around the rhetoric of "decolonization."

Article: https://archive.ph/2023.10.28-061758/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/decolonization-narrative-dangerous-and-false/675799/

Gen Z (1997 to 2012) is a generation marked by digital savviness and infinite connection, but also profound loneliness. And in the wake of the Asbury revival last year and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, many believe that this generation is not only longing for but is primed for spiritual renewal. In this episode, we are joined by Coram Deo’s communication coordinator (and Gen Z representative) E.Beth Hemphill to discuss why this generation is positioned for revival.

Article: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gen-z-primed-spiritual-renewal/

What’s next for the church? In August, Mere Orthodoxy editor-in-chief Jake Meador laid out a vision for the future of the church in America, combining cultural observations with insights from recent church history. In this episode, we discuss Jake's proposal that the best path forward is to build something like a New Mainline. What does that mean? And what would it look like to try?

Article: https://mereorthodoxy.com/the-american-church-in-the-fourth-republic

On Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Since that day, the unfolding conflict has been the focus of newspapers, political pundits, social influencers, and concerned citizens alike. This was the biggest loss of Jewish life in one attack since the Holocaust, and some of the reactions have been troubling to say the least. For Christians, it is especially concerning as some populations call for the erasure of the Jewish state.

In this episode, we discuss a few questions that have risen to the surface in response to the Hamas attacks: Does this connect to biblical prophecy? What are the moral and ethical realities of the situation? How does this tie to current American debates and conversations?

"One who destroys the family is digging away the moral foundations of society," writes Herman Bavinck in Chapter 9 of The Christian Family. In this installment of Third Wednesday Theology, we explore Bavinck's insights about the connection between family and society.

The week of this recording, we officiated three funerals. Funerals can feel unnatural and even uncomfortable, and many people find them difficult to navigate. But the gospel frees us to show up with a Spirit-filled presence in moments of loss. In this episode, Bob asks Dusty to share some of what he’s learned from his experiences as a police chaplain and pastor.

If you’ve walked through a season of physical suffering, you’ve probably had someone say they are “praying healing over you” or even “claiming healing for you.” In today’s episode, we explain what the Bible says about healing and try to answer questions like: Why do some Christians claim they can heal someone? How should I respond to such claims?

Weeks ago, we talked about The Great Dechurching (ep. 439) - the downward trend of church involvement in America over the past 20 years. In a new article, Lyman Stone suggests this de-churching problem is less about the secularization of American culture and more a problem of families not passing their faith to their kids. In this episode, we engage Stone's essay and explore its implications for the family and the church.

Article: https://ifstudies.org/blog/secularization-begins-at-home

Is it nature or nurture? Herman Bavinck weighs in on the age-old question about human formation in this installment of Third Wednesday Theology. In chapters 7 and 8 of The Christian Family, Bavinck speaks of singleness, marriage, childbearing, and the nurture of children.