When considering theology, you may think of confusing, lofty terminology that only concerns scholars and pastors. But really, theology is for anyone who wants to understand God better and learn more about the Bible. Carl and Todd welcome Jon Nielson, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, IL, to discuss his new book Knowing God's Truth. Written to make systematic theology clear, meaningful, and practical, Nielson introduces systematic theology in this volume and guides readers through its application in their daily lives. Jon's highly accessible book is a valuable resource for those yearning for a deeper understanding of God and the Bible, including young people and newer believers. "Systematic theology is important… it's recognizing that Scripture actually does give us a system of doctrine; that we're able to do systematic theology because the Bible gives us a unity of theology and so we're able to actually say, here's what the Bible says about God, about sin, about salvation, etc., etc. "  – Todd Pruitt We are pleased to award three copies of Knowing God's Truth to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway. Congratulations to Rena C. from Florence, CO, Gary S. from Jackson, MS, and Jared W. from Spring, TX!

For many years, there was a lack of good Protestant literature addressing the transfiguration— a central event in the life of Christ. Thanks to Patrick Schreiner’s new book, The Transfiguration of Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Reading, that is no longer the case. Patrick is an associate professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and writes from a solid conservative Protestant evangelical perspective. So what is it that Protestants miss when we overlook the transfiguration? What is its significance and place in redemptive history, and how can it be applied? “I think the transfiguration is this unique event where the humanity and the deity of Christ come together, where his humanity is transfigured or transformed, but his deity is also revealed. This reality [is] that we have the God-Man in one subject and one person, and both things are made evident at the same time.” – Patrick Schreiner Be sure to tune in for this fascinating conversation on a much-neglected subject. You may gain a new perspective on the importance of this unique event in the life of Jesus and its practical application to our lives. And stay tuned to the end for barbeque recommendations in Kansas City! We are pleased to award three copies of The Transfiguration of Christ to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Baker Academic. Congratulations to Dawn W. from Clarkston, WA, David B. from Little Rock, AK, and Harry J. from Brenham, TX! Show Notes: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: https://www.mbts.edu/ Recommended Reading: Light on the Mountain: Greek Patristic and Byzantine Homilies on the Transfiguration of the Lord

Many of the best and brightest Protestant thinkers have converted to Roman Catholicism in recent decades. Some have found Protestantism shallow in doctrine, history, ethics, and worship. Chris Castaldo, co-author of Why Do Protestants Convert? sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss the psychological, theological, and sociological factors behind these conversions.  As someone who has had conversations with those who have converted from Protestantism to Catholicism or, in some cases, Eastern Orthodoxy as well, very often in my conversations with them, theology is not the first thing. Oftentimes [there are] other issues that they will name first, like the historical rootedness or the reverence that they found or the beauty that they found in the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox traditions.  – Todd Pruitt Although many converts’ criticisms of contemporary Protestantism may be warranted, Chris points out that historic Protestantism contains the answers to these objections and the resources for a Protestant renewal. Thanks to the generosity of the Davenant Institute, we had two copies of Why Do Protestants Convert? to give to our listeners. Congratulations for Jennifer W. from Southern Pines, NC and Nicholas R. from Plantation, FL!   Show Notes: Chris’ article on the state of the Roman Catholic Church: https://mereorthodoxy.com/is-rome-a-true-church

Critical theory and its expression in fields like critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer theory are having a profound impact on our culture. Carl and Todd sit down with Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer, authors of Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to discuss how contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and secular spheres alike. As a robust meta-narrative worldview, critical social theory and its expansive expressions are categorically against biblical Christianity. – Pat Sawyer While Neil and Pat acknowledge that critical theory can provide some legitimate insights into issues impacting our culture today and urge Christians to condemn racism and seek justice, racial healing, and unity, they argue that the false assumptions at the heart of critical theory pose a serious threat to both the church and society at large.  Congratulations to Archibald D. from Monroe, NC, Wes W. from Glen Ellyn, IL, and Kristen S. from Cedar Falls, IA who were selected to receive a copy of Critical Dilemma, thanks to the generosity of Harvest House Publishers!   Show Notes: Natasha Crane’s article, “Here Comes the He Gets Us Campaign Again: Why Its Portrayal of Jesus is Still a Problem: https://natashacrain.com/here-comes-the-he-gets-us-campaign-again-why-its-portrayal-of-jesus-is-still-a-problem/ Stand to Reason with Greg Koukl: https://www.str.org/ God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis: https://a.co/d/hNVsBWw

Back in 2013, Carl and Todd launched Mortification of Spin with their first episode, "Rock Star Pastors in Las Vegas," sharing a microphone in a small underground bunker. All these years later, they no longer share a mic, but they're still going strong, celebrating their 500th first-run episode. Joining them for this momentous occasion are their good friends, Kevin DeYoung and Matt Eusey. After reminiscing about the early days, the conversation turns toward the importance of meaningful friendships. The guys consider the benefits of friendship and the current challenges we face as these most vital relationships have undergone a dramatic transformation.  It really is important to have friends. It's not a sufficient condition for being faithful in ministry, but I do think it is a necessary condition, and it's really important to have people to know who you really are and [to] joke with, but also be challenged by, and know that they are looking over your shoulder in a good way. – Kevin DeYoung For best results, enjoy this special episode as a video podcast on YouTube. In honor of the 500th episode, we selected three listeners to receive a box of Mortification of Spin swag. Congratulations to Chris T. from Dallas, TX, Sumit B. from Sammanish, WA, and Greg P. from Greenville, SC!   Show Notes: Listen to "Rock Star Pastors in Las Vegas” : https://mortificationofspin.podbean.com/e/rock-star-pastors-in-las-vegas/ Mortification of Spin on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq5LVxh1Goi5_ZbzUqOaDNjSw1hicGfMF Mortification of Spin swag: https://reformedresources.org/mortification-of-spin/

Mark Jones is back on the podcast today, chatting with Carl and Todd about his latest book, The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life. Vowing not to write another book for a long time because of the toll it takes on his life expectancy, Mark explains why he chose to address the uncomfortable topic of backsliding believers—and, to a lesser extent, apostasy—in his latest work.  After Covid and all that it did to the church, there's a very serious need to confront what is an obvious pastoral issue for many pastors, and that is a lot of people have fallen away or become extremely lazy in their Christian living. - Mark Jones An important topic infrequently discussed in many Reformed churches, Mark addresses backsliding in this serious, hopeful, and pastoral work informed by wise theologians of the past and present.  P&R Publishing generously provided a few giveaway copies of The Pilgrim's Regress: Guarding against Backsliding and Apostasy in the Christian Life for our listeners. Congratulations to Sally E. from Woodstock, VA, Adam Z. from High Point, NC, and David S. from Martinsburg, WV! Show Notes: For a copy of The Pilgrim’s Regress: https://reformedresources.org/the-pilgrims-regress-guarding-against-backsliding-and-apostasy-in-the-christian-life-paperback/ Antinomianism and other books by Mark Jones: https://reformedresources.org/books/authors/mark-jones/ Mark recommends the following titles: Personal Declension and Revival of the Soul by Octavius Winslow: https://reformedresources.org/personal-declension-and-revival-of-religion-in-the-soul-paperback/ Holiness by JC Ryle:  https://reformedresources.org/holiness-its-nature-hindrances-difficulties-and-roots-hardcover/

The Deconstruction of Christianity What exactly is deconstruction? The movement has been defined in many different ways. Today’s guests co-authored a book to clear up the confusion. Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel?, and Tim Barnett, creator of Red Pen Logic, sit down with Todd and Carl to discuss the true nature of faith deconstruction, which is sweeping through our churches and is disrupting, dismantling, and destroying the faith of so many. “Sadly, because of the Biblical illiteracy in our culture, because we live in a mic-drop world where someone just makes a claim and then they drop the mic and walk away as if they won an argument…that’s why these things are so persuasive, and they get so many likes and so many shares and such a following.” – Tim Barnett Alisa and Tim will help you understand what deconstruction is, where it comes from, why it is compelling to some, and how it disorients the lives of so many, as well as how to think through the main issues and explore wise and loving ways to respond from a biblical worldview. Don’t miss this important conversation.  Tyndale Press provided a few giveaway copies of The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond for our listeners. Congratulations to our winners: Ed C. from Jacksonville, FL, Jean S. from Wellington, OH, and Noah G. from Minneapolis, MN!   Show Notes: To purchase a copy of Alisa and Tim’s book: https://reformedresources.org/the-deconstruction-of-christianity-what-it-is-why-its-destructive-and-how-to-respond-softcover/ Red Pen Logic: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIwZDSKSeNboqWKtgX7UrA Tim’s website:  https://www.str.org/tim-barnett Alisa’s Website: https://alisachilders.com/

This week’s conversation brings in a New Englander, and--mind you--a Grove City College alum! Megan Hill is a pastor’s wife living in Massachusetts. She’s a pastor’s daughter, a mom, an editor, and the author of A Place to Belong - Learning to Love the Local Church. The image we personally hold of the church may not be great, but God’s Word paints a different picture. How might we reconcile what we perceive with what God says about his bride? Should we think of the church as merely a means to our own ends, assessing the local body in terms of what it can offer for our lives? How can we reshape our thinking about the church?  An ordinary group of people who meet weekly and worship their Lord in an ordinary fashion offer a wonderful testimony to the world around them. Megan has much to say about the blessing that is participatory Reformed worship. Show Notes · Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary We have copies of A Place to Belong that we would like to give to some of our listeners. Register for the opportunity to win one. The books are a generous gift from our friends at Crossway.