Mortification of Spin
Mortification of Spin is a casual conversation about things that count. Todd Pruitt and Carl Trueman deliver a humorous, informal podcast with bite. Listen each week for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on the challenges facing the Church and the Christian, and decide for yourself if words spoken in a British accent truly carry more weight.
Episodes
Infertile But Fruitful
Carl and Todd engage in a heartfelt conversation with Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead, author of Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive. Leigh shares her personal journey through infertility and adoption, offering insights into the emotional struggles faced by couples yearning for children. Knowing that those suffering from infertility too often do so in silence, isolation, an
The Culture of God's Word
Some fight to recover Christian culture; others abandon any hope of transforming culture. Both mindsets are at odds with the early church. The apostles weren't seeking to convert cultures but people, because God's Word cultivates its own culture--the culture of the Word. When the Word is sown, the culture is grown.
Carl and Todd sit down with returning guests, Harold Senkbeil and Lucas Woodford,
Israel: Past, Present, and Future
In this thought-provoking episode of Mortification of Spin, hosts Todd and Carl engage in a critical conversation about Israel, the Jewish people, and the rising tide of anti-Semitism. They explore the historical context of anti-Semitic sentiments, the troubling connections to certain movements, and the theological perspectives surrounding the future of the Jewish people as indicated in Scripture.
Biblical Masculinity
Todd and Carl engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Brian Cosby, pastor, author, and YouTube influencer, about the concept of biblical masculinity. They explore the importance of the roles of men in today's society, addressing the challenges and crises facing young men as they seek to understand their identity and responsibilities.
The more I thought about it…really distilling down those
The Earth Will Be Filled
Carl and Todd engage in a lively discussion today with returning guest Michael Morales, a professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Theological Seminary. They delve into the concept of God's glory, drawing from Donnie Berry’s book, The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God, which was edited by Michael. According to Donnie Berry, glory refers to all the things the triune G
Church Discipline
Today, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the difficult issue of church discipline. They explore the historical context of church discipline, its necessity for maintaining the integrity of the church, and the challenges pastors face in implementing it. With personal anecdotes and theological insights, they shed light on how discipline serves not only the church community
The Desecration of Man, Part 2
Carl and Todd continue their engaging conversation about Carl's new book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. Today, they delve into the implications of modernity on human dignity, exploring the tension between freedom and belonging, and the significance of being made in the image of God. The discussion also addresses contemporary issues surrounding reproductive
The Desecration of Man, Part 1
Carl has come out with yet another book, and today, he and Todd sit down for Part 1 of a two part discussion about The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. In The Desecration of Man, Carl argues that modern man’s crisis of meaning stems from a rejection of a simple fact—that he was made in the image of God.
The revolutions of modernity have proved in the long run to
Pandemic of Lunacy
Carl and Todd welcome philosopher J. Budziszewski to discuss his insightful new book, The Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy. They delve into the current societal confusion surrounding morality, ethics, and identity, exploring the philosophical underpinnings of these issues.
The confusion in the society has caused us to dig deeper and to think more thoro
Religious Freedom
In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd welcome Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, to discuss the critical topic of religious freedom in America. As the nation grapples with challenges to this fundamental right, they delve into its historical context, the implications of recent political climates, and the intersection of religious liberty with contempo
The Church Calendar: Yay or Nay?
Todd and Carl engage in an interesting discussion about the church calendar and its role in the Reformed Protestant tradition. They explore the historical context of the church calendar, its significance, and the nuances of its acceptance among different denominations.
I think observation of the church calendar should be a matter of, should we say, congregational conscience. My own view on it has
Zero Gravity
Carl and Todd are a bit giddy as they talk to astronaut Jeffrey Williams, the subject of the new biography, Zero Gravity, by Chris Anderson. Spending 534 days in space across four missions, Jeff not only broke records but captured stunning images of Earth—offering a powerful perspective on God’s handiwork in the universe and His love for humanity revealed in Christ.
From the challenges of living i
AI: Should We Be Concerned?
Carl and Todd sit down with Devan Patel to discuss the hot topic of artificial intelligence. A legal and political strategist in Washington, D.C., an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, and the senior advisor of public policy and ethics at the American Security Fund, Devan advises on religious and scholarly engagement to ensure that AI development and use are ethical, human-centric,
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Based on the current state of the church and the challenges faced by congregations today, many Christians find themselves asking, "When should I consider leaving my church?" Or, "When does my church need to leave the denomination?" Carl and Todd discuss these topics today, touching on reasons an individual should (or should not) consider leaving a church, as well as the implications of leaving a d
The Eternal Son
Carl and Todd are pleased to welcome returning guest, Robert Letham, to the podcast to discuss his new book, The Eternal Son. The Eternal Son is the second of a planned trilogy on the Father, Son, and Spirit that will complement Letham’s prizewinning book, The Holy Trinity.
The conversation delves into the critical issues surrounding Christology and the importance of understanding the doctrine of
Gig Eva
Todd and Carl engage in a lively discussion about the cultural influences shaping evangelicalism today. They explore the phenomenon of 'Gig Eva,' a term coined by Carl in an article he recently wrote, to describe the new landscape of evangelical influence that has shifted from traditional conference settings to the informal and often chaotic realm of social media. The conversation touches on the i
What's the Big Deal About Creeds?
Today, Todd is joined by Timothy Winterstein, pastor and author of the new book, Worshiped & Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed. Celebrating its 1700th anniversary this year, the summary of Christian faith known as the Nicene Creed has been a fixture in the church for centuries and is still recited in worship to this day. Todd and Timothy explore the significance of creeds in the Christian
Paradox People
Jonathan Landry Cruse, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI, returns to the podcast with Todd and Carl to discuss his latest book, Paradox People: Learning to Live the Beatitudes. Together they explore the significance of the Beatitudes in today’s culture. In fact, Jonathan says, when we embrace the paradoxical character preached by Jesus in the Beatitudes, we experience rich a
Truth Rising
Today, Carl and Todd are joined by John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center and co-host of the new documentary, “Truth Rising,” with Os Guinness. Featuring powerful stories and expert insights, it challenges viewers to recognize the cultural moment we’re in, stand firm in biblical truth, and choose courage over fear.
Christians need to embrace this time and place that we're in as their ca
Forgive & Forget?
In light of recent tragic events, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the complexities of forgiveness in the wake of tragedy. They reflect on the recent memorial service for Charlie Kirk and the profound act of forgiveness demonstrated by his widow, Erica Kirk. The conversation delves into the nature of forgiveness, the challenges it presents, and its implications within the
Religious Freedom
In this episode, Todd flies solo with guest John Wilsey, a professor of church history at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of the thought-provoking book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer. In his book, John addresses urgent questions about religious freedom in America today. How have conservatives historically understood the meaning of religious freedom? How do Americans
Dealing with Criticism
Todd and Carl sit down today to engage in a candid discussion about the complexities and challenges of pastoral ministry, particularly in relation to suffering and criticism.
Suffering is not a bug within the ministry system; it's actually going to be a feature of ministry. – Todd Pruitt
They explore the insights of the Apostle Paul, especially from his letters to the Corinthians, and how his exp
The Tech Exit
It’s no secret that addictive digital technologies like smartphones and social media apps are harming a generation of kids socially, mentally, and even physically. But a workable solution seems elusive. After all, don’t kids need phones, and won’t they be vulnerable or socially isolated without tech? Clare Morell, author of the new book, The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens f
A Light on the Hill
The dynamic duo of Todd and Carl engage in a fascinating discussion with Caleb Morell, assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and author of the book, A Light on the Hill: The Surprising Story of How a Local Church in the Nation's Capital Influenced Evangelicalism. They explore the rich history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, located just blocks away from the center of
Dr. Todd on Pastoring
Our hosts sit on opposite sides of the table today as Carl welcomes his guest, the Reverend Todd Pruitt, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. They delve into the evolving challenges faced by pastors over the decades, from social media scrutiny to the changing dynamics of church leadership.
The ease with which a pastor's reputation can be harmed is now light s
Happy Lies
Carl and Todd welcome special guest Melissa Dougherty to the podcast, a Christian apologist best known for her YouTube channel, where she covers a variety of theological topics. Melissa is also the author of the thought-provoking book Happy Lies: How a Movement You Probably Never Heard of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World, in which she shares her insights on the New Thought movement, exploring its se
A Spiritual Check-up
Carl and Todd welcome Reverend David McKay to discuss his new book, A Spiritual Checkup for a Healthy Life with Christ. With over four decades of pastoral experience, David shares insights on spiritual health, the importance of living out our faith, and the role of the church in our spiritual journeys. But why does David advocate a spiritual checkup for believers?
Because Christ has done everythin
Why Should We Read Neil Postman?
In this episode, Carl and Todd are joined by Francis Maier, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, to discuss the influential works of Neil Postman. They explore Postman's critiques of technology, particularly in relation to culture and education, and how these ideas resonate with contemporary issues.
Until people understand that they have the personal responsibility of reform an
Are We All Cyborgs Now?
As technology increasingly blurs the distinction between man and machine, new questions emerge about the future of religion, education, work, politics, and family life. Today, Todd and Carl engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Joshua Pauling, co-author of the book Are We All Cyborgs Now? Reclaiming Our Humanity from the Machine. Together, they explore the implications of technology on hum
Thoughts for Young Men
In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd discuss the pressing issues facing young men today, exploring the need for role models and the church's potential to fill this void.
The church is a community, and if we're living in a world where young men really lack good role models, there is a tremendous opportunity for the church to speak to that. -- Carl Trueman
They discuss the cultur
In the Wilderness
In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd are joined by their friend, Michael Morales, professor of biblical studies at Greenville Theological Seminary. Together, they discuss Michael's much-anticipated 2-volume commentary on the Book of Numbers, an often-overlooked by preachers and students of the Bible. According to Carl, "If Michael Morales writes it, you need to read it."
Discuss
Flourishing in God's Word
In this episode, Todd Pruitt and Carl Truman welcome back Lydia Brownback, the director for women's resources at Crossway and a well-known author. They dive into Lydia's journey from seminary to writing and teaching, and how the Lord wove all of these experiences together in her life to prepare her for the work she is now doing.
Isn't it true that what He is doing in our lives is always preparato
The Order of Love
Todd and Carl, now officially an American citizen, dive into the challenging subject of immigration. Together, they explore the theological concept of the "order of love," its implications for prioritizing our obligations to others, and how this intersects with the responsibilities of the State versus the Church.
The situation is complicated. How do we navigate? How do we develop a hierarchy of l
Retrieving Christian Liberty
In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Brad Littlejohn, director of Programs and Education at American Compass, about Brad's newly published book, Call to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License.
Christians in the modern West hear a lot about—and talk a lot about—"freedom." The word has taken on so many meanings th
Death Teaches Us How to Live
In this poignant episode, Todd and Carl welcome author Whitney Pipkin to discuss her book, We Shall All Be Changed: How Facing Death with Loved Ones Transforms Us. Drawing from her own experience, Whitney sheds light and hope, reminding us that we are not alone in our grief. And she reveals the mysterious way God ministers to and transforms us through death and suffering.
"The places you are most
Digging Into Proverbs
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10
Today, Todd and Carl are joined by Chris Ansberry, associate professor at Grove City College, and a colleague of Carl's who refuses to wear socks, much to Carl's chagrin. Wardrobe choices aside, Chris recently wrote a commentary on the Book of Proverbs, published by Zondervan Academ
Gender Ideology and Pastoral Practice
Join Carl and Todd as they tackle the pressing issues of gender ideology and pastoral practice with special guests Mary Rice Hasson and Theresa Farnan from the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Mary and Theresa have worked on a book titled Gender Ideology and Pastoral Practice: A Handbook for Catholic Clergy, Counselors, and Ministerial Leaders, which Carl believes to be immensely valuable for Prot
Todd's Book of the Year
Todd and Carl, the self-proclaimed Hall and Oates of podcasting, spend a few minutes reflecting on the longevity of Mortification of Spin – "We've been doing this for over a decade now. Easily we must be one of the longest-standing podcast partnerships in history." They then turn their attention to today's returning guest and their friend, Kevin DeYoung, to discuss his latest book, Daily Doctrine:
Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse
Todd is pretty excited to have today’s guest on “his podcast,” who is none other than his Mortification of Spin co-host, Carl Trueman. Together, they discuss Carl’s latest book, To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse, where Carl examines the historical roots of critical theory, its evolution, and its impact on contemporary culture.
I wanted to produce a book that was not a kin
Reclaiming the Dark Ages
Carl and Todd welcome Yannick Imbert and Iain Wright to discuss their new book, Reclaiming the Dark Ages: How the Gospel Light Shone from 500 to 1500. An often overlooked period, Yannick and Iain challenge the notion of the "Dark Ages" by highlighting key Christian figures and their contributions to church history including Leo the Great, Anselm of Canterbury, and Jan Hus.
We wanted to take a sel
The Juvenalization of American Christianity
Join us in this enlightening episode as Todd and Carl welcome Thomas Bergler, a distinguished professor of ministry and missions at Huntingdon University, to discuss his insightful book, The Juvenilization of American Christianity. What exactly is “juvenalization?”
Juvenilization is the process by which the beliefs, traits, developmental characteristics of adolescence become normative or celebrate
Supernatural Christianity
Todd and Carl explore Christianity as a supernatural religion, diving deep into the Gospel of John and its portrayal of miracles as signs of Jesus' divine authority. Together they discuss the historical and philosophical shifts in belief systems from the Enlightenment to modern-day skepticism, and reflect on the modern quest for meaning and morality.
"We are creatures who crave meaning, and any i
Finding My Vocation
Many young (and not-so-young) adults today struggle to figure out what they should do with their lives. Focusing on this significant issue, Todd and Carl talk with William (Bill) Boekestein about his new book, Finding My Vocation: A Guide for Young People Seeking a Calling.
If people are in the situation of not having a sense of what they ought to do with their life, or people who are highly motiv
The Way of Medicine
Carl and Todd delve into the evolving complexities of medical ethics in today's world with guest Farr Curlin, the Josiah C. Trent Professor of Medical Humanities at Duke University and co-author of The Way of Medicine: Ethics and the Healing Profession. Together, they explore the crucial role of pastors in guiding their congregations through ethical medical decisions, the significance of understa
Why Reformed Covenant Theology Matters
Carl and Todd sit down with Harrison Perkins, pastor of Oakland Hills Community Church and lecturer at Westminster and Edinburgh Theological Seminaries, to discuss his insightful new book, Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction. Why is the study of covenant theology significant, and how can it shape our understanding of the Bible and the Gospel?
This is a framework for understandin
Cultural Sanctification
In an increasingly secular world, Christians are often pulled in two directions. Some urge us to retreat and build insular communities. Others call upon us to wage a culture war, harnessing the government to shore up Christian cultural power. Is there a better way? Stephen Presley, senior fellow for religion and public life at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy and associate professor
Making Ethical Decisions
How do we know if we're making the best choices possible? Todd and Carl discuss this important topic with their guest, T. David Gordon, former professor at Grove City College and the author of Choose Better: Five Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions. Over the centuries, Christians in different traditions have distilled scriptural guidance into five models for ethical decision-making: law,
The Care of Souls
Carl and Todd welcome special guest Harold Senkbeil, executive director of Doxology, the Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care, and the author of the popular book The Care of Souls: Cultivating a Pastor's Heart. Together, they discuss the essence of pastoral ministry, the significance of patience, and the importance of the Word and sacraments in pastoral care.
Pastoral work is really the work of Jes
Behaving as Christians in an Election Year
Maintaining appropriate Christian behavior can be particularly challenging in a world where political discourse often becomes heated and divisive. In today's timely episode, Carl and Todd delve into the complexities of navigating faith and politics, especially during an election year.
"We want to talk today about how Christians can have strong opinions on important issues and express those opinio
Religion and Republic
Carl and Todd dive deep into the complex relationship between religion and politics with Miles Smith from Hillsdale College as they discuss his new book, Religion and Republic: Christian America from the Founding to the Civil War. Why did he decide to write this book now, and why did he intentionally not use the more commonplace terms “Church and State”? What is the difference between Christian in
Youth Ministry: Yesterday and Today
Many adults look back fondly on their years in the church youth group or other parachurch ministries like Young Life and understand the impact that those ministries had on their faith. How has youth ministry changed over the years, and what has stayed the same? What qualities are needed to be an effective youth minister, and what challenges do leaders face in today’s culture?
To shine some light o
How Should We Then Die?
Is it ethical for physicians to assist patients in hastening their own death? Should Christians who are facing death accept the offer of an assisted death? Carl and Todd talk to physician Ewan Goligher about these important issues addressed in his book How Should We Then Die? In his book, Ewan draws from general revelation and Scripture to persuade and equip Christians to oppose physician-assisted
Pascal Is Smarter Than You Are
Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth-century French philosopher and scientist, is perhaps best known for his "wager," an argument about the existence of God. But there was much more to Pascal and his brilliance, according to today's guest, Douglas Groothuis, a leading Christian thinker and longtime student of Pascal. In his latest book, Beyond the Wager, Doug introduces readers to Pascal's life and the
Prodigal Children
Many faithful Christian parents today grieve for their adult children who have left the faith. They ask, "Where did we go wrong? What should we have done differently?" Carl and Todd discuss this important topic in this episode and encourage parents not to give up hope.
"Parents have enormous impact on their kids' lives, even into adulthood. Even when there's been pain, a parent has enormous influ
Knowing God's Truth
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, meaningf
The Transfiguration of Christ
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 f
Why Do Protestants Convert?
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 conversat
Critical Dilemma
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 ha
Celebrating 500 Episodes!
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 re
Pilgrim's Regress
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, aposta
The Deconstruction of Christianity
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 disrup
The Abolition of Man
Originating as lectures delivered at the University of Durham over 80 years ago, The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis is a classic and one of the most debated of his extraordinary works. Lewis sets out to persuade his audience of the importance and relevance of universal values such as courage and honor in contemporary society.
Listen in as Carl and Todd discuss why Christians today have much to le
Chasing Proof, Finding Faith
Tom Rudelius had science and an Ivy League pedigree—why did he need God? Immersed in his physics studies at Cornell, he never thought much about God until his brother, a new convert to Christianity, challenged him to explore faith. Tom joins Carl and Todd to discuss his new book, Chasing Proof, Finding Faith, where he traces his journey to unexpected faith, through subsequent doubt and anxiety.
“I
Created in the Image of God
The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God, but how can believers remain firmly rooted in the imago Dei when culture is more confused than ever about issues of human dignity? Today’s guest, Lauren McAfee, along with co-editor David Dockery, gathered a team of expert collaborators to bring clarity and guidance from a biblical perspective as they explored what it means to be m
Abortion: Tearing Us Apart
Carl and Todd are joined by Ryan Anderson and Alexandra DeSanctis to discuss their book, Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing. Todd puts this exceptional book in the top three of all time on this critical issue. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion law to the democratic process, Ryan and Alex reflect on our fifty-year experiment
The Character of Christ
Returning to the podcast today is Jonathan Landry Cruse to discuss his new book, The Character of Christ, with Todd and his plaid waistcoat-wearing partner, Carl. In this practical and applicable book, Jonathan examines the godly attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in the Lord’s example, showing us that we can bear true fruit for God only by our union with the life-giving Vine. Be sure to tune i
Bulwarks of Unbelief
Joseph Minich joins Todd and Carl to discuss his new book, Bulwarks of Unbelief. Millions of people in the West identify as atheists. Christians often respond to this reality with proof of God’s existence, as though rational arguments for atheism were the root cause of unbelief. Joseph argues that a felt absence of God, as experienced by the modern individual, offers a better explanation for the r
Holy Sexuality
Todd and Carl are quite excited about the new Mortification of Spin swag available at Reformed Resources. Still, they’re even more excited about their guest, Christopher Yuan, and his latest work, The Holy Sexuality Project, a 36-part video series intended for teens and their parents. It is a thoroughly gospel-centered study on sex, sexuality, and gender. With so much confusion regarding these iss
Don’t Follow Your Heart
Having narrowly escaped being held hostage at gunpoint, Carl and his partner-in-crime, Todd, sit down with Thaddeus Williams to discuss his latest book, Don't Follow Your Heart: Boldly Breaking the Ten Commandments of Self-Worship. Don't Follow Your Heart offers a compelling vision for the kind of Christianity that is truly countercultural, that rebels against the status quo, and offers something
The Doctrine of Justification
Todd acts as solo host today as Carl, clad in the latest fashions from J.Crew (thanks to his wife), shifts to the other side of the table to discuss John Owen’s book for which he recently wrote the foreword, The Doctrine of Justification by Faith. Owen’s classic work presents one of the most rigorous defenses of the Reformed doctrine of justification. While technical and challenging, Carl argues t
The Reformed Deacon
The PCA has been the subject of much buzz on the podcast, but today it’s the OPC’s turn to grab the spotlight. Carl and Todd sit down with David Nakhla and Tim Hopper, deacons in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, to talk about the ways the OPC is working to create a network of deacons within the OPC and how they seek to train and encourage deacons in their local church.
Show Notes:
In case you h
Feminism Against Progress
Mortification of Spin welcomes Mary Harrington to the podcast, and Carl is in full fan-boy mode. Mary, the author of Feminism Against Progress, shares how the birth of her daughter radically changed her view of feminism and why she now describes women’s liberation as more of an economic transition than “progress.” Mary purports that this so-called progress no longer benefits the majority of women,
Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
Clad in a Texas flag shirt, Carl and his button-down-wearing cohost Todd welcome their good friend Rosaria Butterfield back to the podcast to discuss her latest book, Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age. In this powerful book, Rosaria uses Scripture to confront cultural lies she once believed about sexuality, faith, feminism, gender roles, and modesty. Tune in to hear why Rosaria says it’s more im
The Shepherd’s Toolbox
Tim Witmer, one of Carl’s only friends (or so Carl claims), is back on the podcast today to discuss his latest book, The Shepherd’s Toolbox. Designed to complement his well-loved book The Shepherd Leader, Tim’s latest book gathers seven church leaders to show how they and their churches have innovatively addressed specific shepherding challenges. Tune in to hear more and discover why Carl has call
The Political Christian
Should Christians be involved politically? “How can they not be?” asks David Innes when he sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss the upcoming Prince George’s Conference on Reformed Theology, The Political Christian: Citizens of Heaven in the City of Man. Partisan politics has divided our country and, sadly, even our churches. How are we to think biblically about government and our role in it?
T
What’s Happening in the PCA?
Armed with his leather-bound copy of Robert's Rules, Fred Greco joins Todd and Carl to discuss the recent General Assembly meeting of the Presbyterian Church in America and his role as moderator. Breathing a sigh of relief, Fred and Todd report that the 2023 GA was more charitable and constructive than in previous years, and good progress was made. And yet we find Carl is still not ready to change
Kids Talk Church History
Today is the battle of the podcasts as the hosts of Mortification of Spin welcome the hosts of Kids Talk Church History to discuss their growing podcast, the importance of studying church history, and to debate Scottish vs. English culture and Bronte vs. Austen. Despite Todd’s best attempts, Emma and Linus don’t seem too intimidated by the international scope of the podcast, but Emma’s grandmother
The Toxic War on Masculinity
Nancy Pearsey joins Carl and Todd to discuss her important new book, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes.
Books have appeared with titles like I Hate Men and Are Men Necessary? Mainstream news organizations publish articles like "Why Can't We Hate Men?" T-shirts are sold with messages like "So Many Men, So Little Ammunition.” And Christian men, in particular, are be
Social Conservatism for the Common Good
After a brief discussion about craziness you can understand and craziness you can't, Carl and Todd get down to business talking to Andrew Walker, editor of the new book Social Conservatism for the Common Good. A collection of essays from high-profile evangelical writers and academics – including our very own Carl Trueman – the book focuses on the work of renowned catholic, social conservative thin
Reformation as Renewal
Carl and Todd welcome Matthew Barrett back to the podcast for the fourth time…or is it the fifth?…to discuss his latest book. Many Protestants are confused about what it means to be Protestant. The Reformation as Renewal offers a fresh history of the Reformation to help Protestants understand their origin and identity. Far from being the clean break many paint it or the schism others would have us
