Faith & Culture

We discuss the academy award winning film A Man for All Seasons (1966) which depicts the heroic stand of Sir Thomas More against all the powers of England as King Henry VIII bends the church and state to his will. The silence and defiance of Sir Thomas paint a compelling picture of Christian conviction in a hostile culture. How can Christians be shrewd in their dealings with cultural traps? What is the role of law in defending conscience? How can Christians prepare to stand up for the truth? Watch this stirring film as a family and then join us for Reel Talk!

"Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." Thy Kingdom Come? What does that mean? What exactly are we praying for? And what exactly are we supposed to do about God's Kingdom on earth... here... now? How should I, as a Christian, relate to the culture around me? Retreat? Attack? Convert? Create? Avoid? Control? Redeem it? Condemn it? Welcome to "Kingdom Come".

In the fourth episode of this series, the guys work to discover all the options on the other end of the spectrum in Christian responses to culture that can fall under the heading of being "of" culture. Each of these approaches will swirl around a basic understanding of Christianity being postively "for" or even rising "from" the culture around it. How does the image of God in all people influence culture? How are Christians combining the truth of Christianity with the trends of culture? How can Christians make a difference without becoming the same? Dive into these tricky issues with us. Welcome to the conversation!

We dive back into the pages of a book that matters in April, so this month pick up a copy of The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin Merkle. This exciting historical book reads like an adventure novel and breathes life into medieval England in the midst of the viking invasions. We follow the young prince Alfred as he becomes king and confronts the great pagan pillaging hordes ravaging his homeland. This book presents poignant lessons on Christian leadership, resistance, and character. What does Christian leadership look like in a crisis? How did our Christian ancestors deal with a world of godless violence while maintaining Christian convictions? Read along with us and then join us for The Book Nook!

"Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." Thy Kingdom Come? What does that mean? What exactly are we praying for? And what exactly are we supposed to do about God's Kingdom on earth... here... now? How should I, as a Christian, relate to the culture around me? Retreat? Attack? Convert? Create? Avoid? Control? Redeem it? Condemn it? Welcome to "Kingdom Come".

In the third episode of this series, the guys work to discover all the options on one end of the spectrum in Christian responses to culture that can fall under the heading of being "against" culture. Each of these approaches will swirl around a basic understanding of Christianity being in conflict with a sinful culture. How should Christians deal with sin in a culture? What kind of cultures need to be opposed by Christians? How can Christianity make its objections most heard? How can Christianity have an influence without being compromised? Dive into these tricky issues with us. Welcome to the conversation!

Every other month, when we are not in our Book Nook series, we watch (and encourage our listeners to watch) a film that captures an important conversation in our culture. We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time!

We return to our Reel Talk series with Chariots of Fire (1981), a sports film about two british runners whose beliefs and ambitions collide at the 1924 Olympic games. Harold Abrahams is a ladder climbing Jewish runner with something to prove. Eric Liddell is a christian runner drawing attention to the mission of God. The story of these two runners asks deep questions about the importance of faith in every endeavor and what it might take to catch the attention of a culture and change it for good. How does our faith make a difference in our ambitions, dreams, and achievements? What does the culture need to see from Christians when our convictions are challenged? Give it a watch and then join us for Reel Talk!

"Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." Thy Kingdom Come? What does that mean? What exactly are we praying for? And what exactly are we supposed to do about God's Kingdom on earth... here... now? How should I, as a Christian, relate to the culture around me? Retreat? Attack? Convert? Create? Avoid? Control? Redeem it? Condemn it? Welcome to "Kingdom Come".

In the second episode of this series, the guys try to get a grip on what we mean by culture. What are all the areas of our lives and society that should be impacted by the Gospel and can be considered part of "culture"? How has the influence of sin and lies already corrupted many of these areas of our lives? How has Christianity influenced these parts of the human experience in the past and has the retreat of Christian influence in society been a blessing or a curse? Welcome to the conversation!

Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxes

We return to our Book Nook series every other month this year to talk about books that matter. These are books that are important for Christians today to read to understand how to better understand and address our cultural conversations with Christian truth. 

In this episode we discuss the inspiring and convicting story of William Wilberforce and the major part he played in the outlawing of the slave trade in England. How did Wilberforce face down such a gigantic cultural institution like slavery with powerful interests arrayed against him? What were the beliefs and virtues that drove a man like Wilberforce to make this impact on history? What can we learn from Wilberforce to topple the systems of evil we encounter in our own societies today? Welcome to the book nook!

"Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."

Thy Kingdom Come? What does that mean? What exactly are we praying for? And what exactly are we supposed to do about God's Kingdom on earth... here... now? How should I, as a Christian, relate to the culture around me? Retreat? Attack? Convert? Create? Avoid? Control? Redeem it? Condemn it? Welcome to "Kingdom Come".

In the first episode of this new series, the guys try to identify why it is so difficult to know how to apply Christian principles to the culture. They discuss the relevant events of today that demand a Christian response and ask hard questions about how Christians should view their place in the cultural conversation. Welcome to the conversation!

In our Reel Talk series, we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture.

In this week's "Reel Talk" episode, the Faith & Culture guys attempt the impossible: a meaningful discussion about Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" in under 12 hours! At some point, we will probably devote an entire podcast series to this Tolkien masterpiece, but in this single episode we begin to scratch the surface of the major themes, and whythis workk is still so timely and relevant today.

We all live in a world shaped by stories. These stories try to win us over to believe their view of the world. But not all stories are created equal. Some stories point beyond the subjective to the permanent things, such as truth, beauty, goodness, justice, and virtue.

Join us as we explore Christmas as practicing the moral imagination. Christmas is more than just another holiday on our calendar. It occupies an entirely unique framework of stories, practices and values from the rest of our culture's year. In Christmas we find a chance to lean into pageantry and in this way we participate in stories that shape the way we think and feel about the world. How does this practice of "make believe" at Christmas relate to the Incarnation, God becoming flesh? How can Christians make the stories we tell and the practices we repeat shape us into better Christians? How can we use mystery to form our hearts to love God more? Could Santa Claus be a way to build better belief? Join us for the conversation!

Each month we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture. In this series, we explore one small corner of the world of cinema and ask, “why are some movies good and other movies… false?” We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time! All of our films are selected to be totally family friendly!
We continue our Reel Talk series looking at the box office bust turned holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life (1947). When the life of George Bailey falls apart, he wishes that he had never been born, which prompts a rescue mission from heaven where an angel comes to show him just how different the world would be without him. Much more than a sappy holiday flick, this deep character study asks powerful questions about the meaning of life and the impact a person can have on others? What happens when we can't follow our dreams? How do we measure the impact of our lives? What makes a man truly great or rich or loved? Watch it as a family and then join the adventure next month in Reel Talk!

We all live in a world shaped by stories. These stories try to win us over to believe their view of the world. But not all stories are created equal. Some stories point beyond the subjective to the permanent things, such as truth, beauty, goodness, justice, and virtue.

Join us as we explore the importance of the family in forming the moral imagination. How do the stories that a family tells shape the worldview of its members? Where do the stories of a family come from? What are the impacts of outsourcing our storytelling to companies and influencers? How can we live in Deuteronomy 6 homes? Welcome to the conversation!

Reel Talk - Each month we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture. In this series, we explore one small corner of the world of cinema and ask, “why are some movies good and other movies… false?” We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time! All of our films are selected to be totally family friendly!
We continue our Reel Talk series looking at the animated Disney classic Pinocchio (1940). When a kind woodcarver wishes for his puppet to become a real boy, a good fairy grants his wish. But now the wooden living puppet must learn the secret to becoming a real boy with the help of his appointed conscience Jiminy Cricket. The pair must face the challenges of growing up and the temptations of a world seeking to corrupt little boys. How do you live a life that is "real"? What are the dangers for children growing up? What does it look like for a boy to be brave, truthful, and unselfish? What does this children's story teach us about growing up and being good today? Watch it as a family and then join the adventure next month in Reel Talk!

We all live in a world shaped by stories. These stories try to win us over to believe their view of the world. But not all stories are created equal. Some stories point beyond the subjective to the permanent things, such as truth, beauty, goodness, justice, and virtue. Join us as we explore the importance of the villains in our stories.

How do villains shape our moral imagination? What's up with all these ghosts, dragons, and witches in children's tales? Wouldn't it be better to get rid of the evil characters and focus on being good instead? What happens to a culture that has erased all of its villains or turned the villains into heroes instead? Welcome to the conversation!

Each month we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture. In this series, we explore one small corner of the world of cinema and ask, “why are some movies good and other movies… false?” We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time! All of our films are selected to be totally family friendly!
We continue our Reel Talk series looking at the western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). This John Ford western starring James Stewart and John Wayne takes us back to the frontier of the American west where the law was in short supply and civilization struggled to establish itself among the greedy and the violent. A young lawyer works to make a life for himself in a small frontier town, but stumbles into a feud with the local bandit Liberty Valance. His friend, a gunslinging cowboy, and the rest of the town can't keep him safe. Will he betray his principles of law and order to fight back with the gun? This story asks deep questions about what brings civilization forward and how it deals with evil. Watch it as a family and then join the adventure next month in Reel Talk!

We all live in a world shaped by stories. These stories try to win us over to believe their view of the world. But not all stories are created equal. Some stories point beyond the subjective to the permanent things, such as truth, beauty, goodness, justice, and virtue. Join us as we explore the contexts and institutions that create false narratives in our culture. Where are all these bad stories coming from? Who is to blame for our moral madness? How can we create spaces and groups where better stories can be told, received, and lived out? Welcome to the conversation!

Each month we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture. In this series, we explore one small corner of the world of cinema and ask, “why are some movies good and other movies… false?” We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time! All of our films are selected to be totally family friendly!

We continue our series by looking at the classic Disney animated fairy tale epic Sleeping Beauty (1959). This beautifully animated story retells an old fairy tale and leans into deep storytelling forms: a princess in danger,  a kingdom in peril, a heroic prince coming to the rescue, an evil witch bringing death, good fairies offering hope. Why do we tell these kinds of fairy stories to our kids and why are they still powerful for adults to watch? Is this story still true? Is it the leftovers of a bygone era or is it drawing from a deeper, timeless story? Watch it as a family and then join the adventure next month in Reel Talk!

In August, we are taking a break from the Book Nook to embark on a journey through movies for the rest of 2023 we call Reel Talk! Each month we will be watching (and encouraging our listening audience to watch) a film that we think captures an important conversation in our culture. We go to the movies for the thrills, the laughs, the drama, the romance. We go for these things but what if we walk away with something else… a worldview, and sometimes — a lie. In this series, we explore one small corner of the world of cinema and ask, “why are some movies good and other movies… false?” These films will challenge us to think deeply about the needs and desires of our society and what kind of heroic action it will take to turn things around. We also hope to model how to get more out of your movies and see more clearly the messages Hollywood is sending us all the time! All of our films are selected to be totally family friendly!We begin our series by looking at the classic wartime film Casablanca (1942) starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. This black and white drama follows Rick, a self-centered nightclub owner, who holds the key to escaping the Nazis for a French resistance leader. However, his past complicates things when an old flame returns and Rick must choose between a noble cause and the desires of his heart. Watch it as a family and then join the adventure next month in Reel Talk!

This month we finish the Thrive series discussing our core cultural belief in "the pursuit of happiness" enshrined in our Declaration of Independence. What did our ancestors mean by "happiness," and would "human flourishing" be closer to the point there? What can churches do to foster the pursuit of human flourishing? What might need to change in our own households as we pursue human flourishing? What would it look like to live into God's good design and plan for humanity? Join us for the conversation.

This month on The Book Nook, we discuss a short but powerful rebuke of the way we have allowed technology to distort our life experiences. This book, which can easily be found on amazon, claims to address "how digital technology affects our children and disconnects us from reality and from each other". With plenty of scientific data and no shortage of insights, this brief 100 page book forces us to ask serious questions about what parts of our lives really matter. Has our use of tech gotten out of hand? Are we allowing our kids to bear the greatest consequences? What exactly does technology do to make our lives better? This conversation will help model an approach to assessing the value of technology and how to put it in its proper place in our lives. Find out as we journey through books that matter in The Book Nook!

This month in the Thrive series, we tackle those areas of our culture that fight against human flourishing. How have we allowed our institutions: our governments, our schools, and even our churches to become engines of upheaval? What needs to change in order for the biblical vision of human life to take hold? Join us for the conversation.

This month on The Book Nook, we discuss a classic of American literature, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Imagine if in the future, books were banned and anyone caught with one would have their house burned down...by firefighters! This haunting vision of the future pictures a world where not only are we numbed by screens and empty of ideas, but we have forgotten the hunger for truth and freedom. Is this the future we deserve? Is there a way to escape? If there is, what will it cost us to remake our crumbling society? Find out as we journey through books that matter in The Book Nook!

*Due to the mature nature of this topic, parental discretion is advised.*
Where have we gone wrong in our thinking about sex today? Does freedom mean that we can treat sex like a game and people as means to an end? If Christians are right, and Humans are spiritual beings, how does that shape our view of sex and its spiritual consequences? How should Christians treat sex and how does it lead toward human flourishing instead of human misery? Join us for the conversation.

This month on The Book Nook, we discuss a short, easy to read, and powerful book called "The Household and the War for the Cosmos" by C.R. Wiley. This book is all about "Recovering a Christian Vision for the Family". It takes a look at how our society's views on marriage, family, and piety have changed over time. He dissects what happens to a culture that has lost a taste for virtue, specifically a love for piety and duty. Wiley then explores how we can reclaim a uniquely Christian perspective on what it means to be a family and the impact that can have on the whole world. How can we make our families a force for good and a light for Christ? Find out as we journey through books that matter in The Book Nook!

Thrive: In Search of Human Flourishing
What does it take for humans to thrive and what would it look like in practice? The guys discuss, What is human flourishing? How could we know if we're thriving or not? Is that a purely individual question or is there an objective definition of human flourishing? What does God really want for us and how can we find it? Join us for the conversation.

Man vs. Machine is a three part series on the effects of our interactions with technology. Are we managing our relationship with our machines, or have the machines become our masters? 

In the third and final episode, May I Be  Excused, we report on our own digital media fasts. Each member made a different attempt to shrink the role of screens and the internet in their lives, and it brought up some valuable lessons for us personally about what really matters and what freedom from digital addiction can look like. We hope sharing our own experiences can inform others on how we can push back against the rise of the machines. Join us for the conversation.

This month on The Book Nook, we discuss the social effects of the internet on our behavior, and how our movement from a text culture to a digital culture has physically changed the structure and functions of our brains! When we change the technology that shapes how we see the world, it turns out to reshape us in the process. What if the things we watch and the way we use our time are actually reshaping our brains so that we think about everything differently? If the internet can rewire our brains, can we take back our minds, or have we lost our marbles forever? Find out as we journey through books that matter in The Book Nook!

Man vs. Machine is a three part series on the effects of our interactions with technology. Are we managing our relationship with our machines, or have the machines become our masters? In this second episode, Modern Monsters, we discuss the technologies that scare us! What do we do as Christians in a world of A.I., deep fakes, nuclear power, social media brainwashing tools, and other potentially problematic powers? Are all new and terrifying technologies inevitable? If it is, how can Christians walk wisely in the aftermath of opening pandora's box? Join us for the conversation.

The Book Nook: Frankenstein
This month on The Book Nook, we discuss a classic of the monster and science fiction genres, "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley. Forget everything you think you know! This monster is not a bumbling green oaf, but a terrifying creature of strength, speed, and intelligence. This is a tragic tale of ambition gone wrong and progress leading to death and destruction. This classic work asks deep questions about the nature of scientific progress, the sinful nature of humanity, and the danger of letting our inventions run amok!  Who is the real monster? What happens when the technology humanity creates gets out of hand?! Find out as we journey through books that matter in The Book Nook!

Man vs. Machine is a three part series on the effects of our interactions with technology. Are we managing our relationship with our machines, or have the machines become our masters? In this first episode, we discuss the difference between TV Trays and Dining Tables. Our tech tends to drive us toward comfort and convenience rather than meaning, quality, and purpose. How can we as Christians evaluate the technologies that clamor for our attention and our wallets? What does our tech teach us about the value of our attention, time, and effort? How has this cult of comfort invaded our churches, perhaps using online worship as an opportunity to make church about "me" rather than the Messiah? Join us for the conversation.

The Book Nook series is dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations.

In this month's episode we discuss a scarily accurate piece of cultural analysis called "Amusing Ourselves To Death" by Neil Postman. This short and accessible discussion of how television has changed the way we think was written in 1985, but it feels like it was ripped right out of today's headlines! Follow along as Postman tracks how each change in technology has reshaped our cultural conversations, and how modern media has turned information into entertainment. Is the way we get our news killing us? How has the church become a place for entertainers instead of truth tellers? How can Christians cut through the static and find out what really matters in an age of trivial news? Join us for the conversation.

"'Tis the Season: The Empty Stocking"
This episode of our holiday series focuses on the difficulties of celebrating Christmas in the midst of grief. For many people, the joy of the sights and smells of Christmas are mingled with sorrow over lost people and relationships. For many people, the empty chair at the Christmas table makes Christmas cheer taste sour. Does Christmas require us to fake a smile? How can we find deeper joy than the flimsy facade of a Hallmark Christmas? What does Christmas have to say to our grief? Can we keep Christmas and find joy while still mourning what we have lost? Join us for the emotional episode of 'Tis the Season.

The Book Nook: A Christmas Carol 

The Book Nook series is dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations. 

In this month's episode we discuss the classic Christmas ghost story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Everyone knows the greedy, grumpy Scrooge, but have they really caught all the wonderful lessons of this 150 year old treasure? Why did Dickens need Scrooge to encounter ghosts for Christmas? Why did the ghosts come from the past, present, and future? What does this book teach us about the true meaning of Christmas? How can we keep Christmas well? Is this really a Christian story at all? We tackle these tough questions and celebrate this literary gift that keeps on giving.

The Holidays are here! Each comes laden with meaning and memories. How might we as Christians celebrate them well? This episode of our holiday series focuses on the contrast between Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Is there perhaps a common thread of consumption baked into both holidays? How does our culture view and teach gratitude? What are the ways that we can cultivate real appreciation for the gifts of God and how can we avoid the pitfalls of a consumer culture obsessed with the next big thing? Join us for the conversation!

In this month's episode we discuss the controversial bestseller by Rod Dreher, The Benedict Option. Dreher claims that the way forward might be the way back, and that the current church can learn from the lessons of medieval monks about how to build culture, thrive in community, and provide a counter-cultural witness to the power of the gospel. Does the church today need a refresh on how to build true fellowship and engage a hostile culture? Can the next key to community and missions be found in the monastery? How can Christians create homes and churches that develop a distinctly Christian culture? How are we passing the faith on to the next generation? When the church integrates with the world does it shine a light or just become like everyone else? Let this bold book make you uncomfortable and face hard ideas! Join us as we investigate The Benedict Option!

The Book Nook series is dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations.

The Holidays are here! Each comes laden with meaning and memories. How might we as Christians celebrate them well? This first episode of our holiday series focuses on Halloween and our culture's growing obsession with gore, violence, and evil. Is Halloween even about kids, costumes, and candy anymore? Why does our supposedly secular culture love scary stories about demons and ghosts? Why do we dress up as villains now instead of heroes? How can Christians participate in halloween without embracing the darkness? Join us for the conversation!

The Book Nook is a new series dedicated to discussing books that matter. We think Christians have some reading to do if they want to stay informed and effective. The books we talk about, both fact and fiction, are important for helping us all think better and inspire our imaginations. 

This first episode is about one of the most famous and enduring ghost stories in American literature, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820). This short story by Washington Irving richly demonstrates the power and importance of ghost stories and why even Christians should read books about things that go bump in the night! Why does the horseman have to be "headless"? Is Ichabod Crane the hero or the villain? What good can Christians get from ghost stories? Join us for a spooky journey to the past!

God Rules 10: Keep Off Their Greener Grass...

In this conclusion to our God Rules Series, we discuss the tenth commandment to not covet what belongs to your neighbor. We about what lies at the root of coveting and whether it is more than just wanting what others have. How has our culture embraced envy as a virtue rather than a vice? How are we cultivating a  culture of toxic comparison and jealousy? What is the antidote for envy? Ultimately, is there a single key to following all of God’s Rules? Welcome to the Conversation.

"God Rule 9: Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth”
In this episode, we discuss the ninth commandment to not bear false witness. We discuss how this command is something more than simply, "don't lie". What role does truth telling play in loving our neighbor? What is at stake when we lie? Are there extreme cases where a Christian can lie for the right reasons? What is the value of sticking to the truth when it comes at great cost? Welcome to the Conversation!

"God Rule 8: Beware the Five Finger Discount”
In this episode, we discuss the eighth commandment to not steal. We discuss how our culture has challenged the notion of ownership and many are calling for the dissolving of private property altogether. How should Christians view wealth and calls to redistribute it? Is there a biblical argument for ownership and what responsibilities does the Bible give the rich and the poor? When do we know that we have made an idol of our possessions? Welcome to the conversation!

In this episode, we discuss the seventh commandment to not commit adultery. We discuss how our culture has completely redefined identity around sexuality and turned marriage into an enemy of happiness. Where can Christians push back against the idolization of desire? How can we elevate the goodness of marriage in a culture that hates self-denial and worships self-expression? How can we communicate the value of marriage to our children and those still looking for love in all the wrong places? Welcome to the conversation!

In this episode, we discuss the sixth commandment: to not murder. We discuss the foundation of human dignity in Christian thought. Where is our current culture devaluing human life? How can we demonstrate a truly pro-life attitude toward others, particularly those who our world dismisses? Welcome to the Conversation.

Continuing our God Rules series: Commandment Four - Remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it Holy. This week we discuss the command to honor the Sabbath. Does Jesus still want Christians to keep a day of rest? Should Christians work on Sundays? What’s so important about resting from work to focus on worship? Welcome to the Conversation!

Welcome back to our new series called "God Rules" - discussing the 10 Commandments. In this episode, we discuss commandment number three: Do not take the Lord's name in vain. But does that really mean? Is it just an expression, or is God's name to be feared and respected?Welcome to the conversation.

Welcome back to our new series called "God Rules" - discussing the 10 Commandments. In this episode, we discuss commandment number two: Make no graven Images and bow down to them. What does it mean to "make graven images?" And how do we bow down to and worship idols today? Welcome to the conversation.