Upstream

Shane welcomes Plugged In reviewer Paul Asay to dig into the messages of recent Disney and Pixar animated features, and to figure out where the Mouse House is leading us…and our children.

Wayne Stender asks Shane to further define the role of individuals in churches and ministries to hold leaders accountable. Wayne asks if sin is inevitable and should scandals carry the weight in the church and community life that they do.

Shane welcomes Ministry Watch president, Warren Cole Smith, to dissect the recent scandals that have toppled Christian pastors, apologists, and leaders, and to help us understand how we can guard our hearts and organizations against moral rot.

Shane sits down with Product Manager Wayne Stender to consider his recent conversation with Peter Rutland on Russia. The two discuss Vladimir Putin and Wayne asks questions to dive deeper into what makes Putin's actions evil, and what happens if we're just on the wrong side of history.

Shane welcomes Dr. Peter Rutland, a noted Russia expert from Wesleyan University, to explain the worldview motivations behind Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and to understand what happens if the Russian president succeeds.

Wayne Stender pushes Shane to explain some of the finer points of his conversation with Dr. Dale Alquist. Wayne asks if Chesterton had a low view of humanity, why we should read the book, and can't all civilizations value humanity well?

Shane welcomes Dr. Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, for an introduction to the faith and writing of one of the 20th century’s most influential Christian minds. They dive into Chesterton’s famous retelling of the human story, The Everlasting Man.

Shane fields a host of questions from producer Wayne Stender as they revisit the conversation this week with Bart Gingrich.  Wayne asks Shane to explain why he referenced the early church figure of Marcion. He also asks Shane why it's important for Christians to consider Israel and Jewish history as we exercise our faith in America. To close, Shane encourages Wayne and other listeners to discover and search theology to guide how they live out their faith practically in this cultural moment.

Shane welcomes Rev. Bart Gingerich to talk about recent comments by megachurch pastor Andy Stanley, who says Christianity doesn’t stand or fall on the authority of the Bible. Should we slim down the faith to make apologetics easier, or should we insist on the authority of both Old and New Testaments as the Word of God?

Shane and producer Wayne Stender explore some of the finer points of the recent interview with Dr. Thaddeus Williams. Shane explains a handful of definitions before explaining how Christians can live into the image of God on the issue of race and identity in a time when many are confused and frustrated.