Mortification of Spin

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 implications of this shift, includin...

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 faith, their role in binding us to...

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 and surprising blessings. 

We are me...

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 calling. – John Stonestreet

This epis...

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 Christian faith. 

I think oftentime...

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 who identify as conservative now t...

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 experiences can guide modern pastors t...

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 from Smartphones, argues that the an...

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 American power, its rich 150-year ...

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 speed. – Todd Pruitt

Todd shares ins...

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 seductive nature and how it differs f...

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 everything for us, he is the foundation of o...

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 and conversion, there isn't going to ...

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 humanity, the concept of being a cybor...

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 cultural landscape, the challenges of mod...

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."

Discussing its significance in the biblica...

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 preparatory, in some way or another? – Lydia...

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 loves and obligations that is faithf...

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 that Christians often fail to realize...