Thinking Out Loud

We recently had the privilege of participating in a symposium at Restoration Presbyterian Church devoted to the topic of understanding our cultural moment. This week’s episodes will thus be a bit different: we’re going to release both of the talks we gave at the symposium, starting with Cameron’s. We pray that it’s helpful to you. 

There’s been a concerted effort in recent years not only to construe Bonhoeffer as a card-carrying evangelical (he wasn’t), but also as a right-wing culture warrior who would have voted for Donald Trump. Bonhoeffer’s family, along with a number of scholars, have vigorously protested this use of the man’s name and legacy. Join us as we explore the growing temptation to use respected Christian voices from the past as pawns in the culture war.

Join us as we discuss the election and explore some of its outworkings.

Christians recognize that we live in a fallen world. Nevertheless, when we survey the growing levels of despair among believers, it’s clear that many are suffering because of unrealistic expectations. Here, we do our best to balance hope with realism.

Non-traditional forms of media, whether podcasts, YouTube channels, or substack writers, are outpacing mainstream media. In this episode, we consider what this changing media landscape says about the state of our culture.

It’s our annual Halloween episode where Nathan lets Cameron off his leash to talk about spooky season and horror films. Cameron doesn’t have the most sympathetic audience here, but the discussion is always fun.

In a fascinating discussion, Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins grapple with the nature of truth, Christianity, and…the virgin birth. As is usual, Peterson seems reluctant to come down firmly on direct questions regarding the supernatural events of Scripture. We decided to jump in.

As our nation grows increasingly post-Christian, many believers find themselves on the margins. This is a new experience for Christians in North America and one that will require some adjustment. However, one small group seems to have escaped the cultural scrutiny. Ironically, the Amish are more countercultural in their lifestyle and more insular than most believers. And yet they remain strangely popular. Why? Join us as we dive in.

Social critics have coined the phrase “apocalypse fatigue” to characterize the general weariness that’s a byproduct of our constant catastrophizing. Throughout history, many people assumed that the end was drawing near and that the world had reached such a chaotic state that no recovery was possible. And then the world kept on turning as it does today. In this episode, we consider whether things really are that bad, or whether we’re simply falling prey to the perennial temptation to see our own challenges as utterly unique.  

A recent article detailing the misdeeds of the social media giant is bringing it under scrutiny once again, this time for its role in harming teens, young women in particular. In this episode, we consider the overall value of social media and also pose the question of whether it’s even worth redeeming for the purposes of ministry.