Life and Books and Everything

If you don’t like freewheeling conversation, laughter, and banter among friends, then this may not be the episode for you. But if you are interested in hearing the three amigos share their thoughts on George Washington, figure skating, patriotism, and the state of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement, then you are in for a treat. And you won’t want to miss Collin’s list of favorite human beings and whether he has emphysema or was simply jogging on a treadmill before the episode.

"I love being a pastor, and I love pastors, which is why I hope you will consider joining us at the Coram Deo Pastors Conference in 2026." —Kevin DeYoung Register now: https://clearlyreformed.org/coram-deo

This year is a special anniversary for the United States as Americans celebrate 250 years of independence. But 1776 was an important year in more ways than one. Besides the Declaration (and several other key events and people), 1776 was the year that Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations. In this episode, Kevin talks to Dordt professor Jan Van Vliet about his book on Adam Smith (P&R, 2024). Together, Kevin and Jan explore Smith’s biography, his two most important works, whether those works contradict each other, and whether Smith was religious. Along the way, they look at how Smith influenced the modern world and what lessons we can still incorporate today.

The United States is unique in how much attention it pays to its founding, its founders, and its founding documents. Arguably, the most famous and most important thing that Americans have ever written is the Declaration of Independence. In this fascinating and illuminating conversation, Kevin talks to Matthew Spalding, of Hillsdale’s D.C. campus, about his new book The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence. In particular, they explore the theology and the Declaration and the essential role that the Christian tradition played in the founding and in the Declaration. Was America founded as a Christian nation? Listen all the way to the end to hear Dr. Spalding careful and nuanced answer to that question.

In this timely interview, Kevin talks to Neil Shenvi about his new book (co-authored with Pat Sawyer), entitled “Post Woke: Asserting a Biblical Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality” (Harvest). What does it mean to be woke, and is wokeness still a thing Christians need to be concerned about? Where did the idea of wokeness come from? How can we spot woke ideas and respond to them with biblical fidelity? Can wokeness exist on the right as well as the left? Join Kevin and Neil as they explore why wokeness is as relevant as ever and how Christians, in the most contested issues of our day, can be shaped by the Bible instead of the world.

If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, then this is the episode for you! It’s also an opportunity to hear the three amigos laugh, tell funny stories, and end with a reflection on the many simple gifts and graces in their lives.

In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborhood just a few streets apart. What a time to be alive, people! In this hometown episode, Kevin talks with Clint Pressley—native Charlottean, senior pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist, and current president of the Southern Baptist Convention—about life and ministry in the Queen City and how things work in the SBC. Stick around to the end and find out which one of these Charlotte pastors lifts weights with other people and which one prefers to run around away from people.

How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion, at the conclusion of Christ Covenant’s Faithful Conference, Kevin talks to three of his colleagues from Reformed Theological Seminary about what it means to be Protestant. They also explore potential weaknesses in their own tradition and how Eastern Orthodoxy differs from both Catholicism and Protestantism.https://www.faithfulconference.org/

If you haven’t seen the viral clip, go see it right now. In this episode, Kevin talks to Alistair about the preaching clip he didn’t intend to give, he never put online himself, and he never expected to be one of the most well known moments of his ministry. The content from that clip has been combined with two other Jesus encounters in the Gospels and turned into a short book. Listen to Kevin and Alistair talk about that book as well as the Ryder Cup, “retirement,” and reflections on growing older (though Alistair doesn’t look it).

You may not think you need 1,000 pages on the Heidelberg Catechism, but you do! R. Scott Clark, professor at Westminster Seminary California, has written a rich, theological, and historical commentary on one of the Reformation’s most beloved catechisms. Listen in as Scott and Kevin talk about the history of the catechism and walk through several key sections—including important differences with Lutheran theology and Catholic theology. You’ll also want to hear the paean to all things Nebraska at the start of the episode.

What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Has it failed? It is worth preserving? And what about Christian Nationalism? And while we’re at it, how should Christians assess the Charlie Kirk memorial service? Listen in as Kevin talks to John Wilsey, a history professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and about John’s new book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer (Eerdmans).

Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk to Kevin about his latest two-volume mega-project with James Hankins, their new book The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Listen in as Kevin and Allen talk about remembering, history as gratitude, and the fragility (and resiliency) of Western Civilization. You won’t want to miss Dr. Guelzo recount the many blessings of the Western Tradition (and mention some faults too), while also singing Bach and reciting Shakespeare.

If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with pastor, scholar, and writer S.A. Fix—who goes by the name Fix (really he does)—as they talk about the Old Side/New Side controversy, the Adopting Act of 1729, and John Thomson’s Explication of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Come for the Presbyterianism, and stay for a look at what it means to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Be sure to look for Thomson’s Explication in the next week or two, introduced and edited by Dr. Fix and published by our friends at Westminster Seminary Press.

It’s been a long time since the last LBE episode—too long some (i.e., our mothers) might say. But after a summer hiatus, the three amigos are back in the podcast studio to talk about familiar topics like football, books, and “what time it is” in our world. They also touch on a few unfamiliar topics like weight loss and how funerals bring people together.

The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many book recommendations as well.CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors1:47 Greeting & Salutations4:10 The Midwestern Scale Of How Are You Doing?5:10 The First Midwestern Pope14:05 Deep Dive Into New Pope Expectations18:20 Why Don’t We Believe In A Pope?28:35 From The Midwest To Midlife32:44 Get A Tattoo And Buy A Motorcycle?35:07 Sponsor Break36:55 More On Midlife & Life As A Parent40:56 Have We Changed In Significant Ways?52:31 Collin’s Reading List57:50 Kevin’s Reading List01:03:01 Justin’s Reading List01:06:59 Summer Sports Report01:08:38 Thank You & Goodbye

What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centuries? How should we respond to familiar slogans like “My body, my choice”? In this important episode, Kevin talks with Tom Pennington, Pastor at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, Texas, about his new book The Biblical View of Abortion: God’s Heart for Life in the Womb. Listen in as Tom and Kevin try to equip Christians to defend life and love the unborn, just like God does.CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors1:39 Greeting & Salutations2:48 Who Is Tom Pennington?4:16 Grace To You Origins5:04 Tom’s Time In Texas7:24 Let’s Talk About The Book9:08 What’s Happened Since Roe v. Wade Overturned?11:40 The Effort To Persuade & Promote Biblical View15:17 Counterargument To “Historical Acceptance”18:33 Counterargument To “Might As Well Make It Safe”20:13 Counterargument To “Keep State Out Of Bedroom”21:35 Counterargument To “My Body, My Choice”22:19 Counterargument To “Can’t Legislate Morality”24:30 Positive Rights & Negative Rights29:28 Lack of Scientific Debate About Origin Of Life30:25 How Do We Diagnose This Issue Spiritually?33:55 Sponsor Break35:54 Speak To The Person Who Hates What We’re Saying39:42 Counterargument To “When Personhood Begins”42:24 Connections To Jesus Christ & Christology45:25 The SLED Acronym47:08 Church History Related To Abortion49:10 Rape, Incest & Life Of The Mother57:04 Ending Treatment vs Ending Life58:38 Pray For Us Pastor Tom1:00:55 Thank You & GoodbyeBOOKS & EVERYTHINGThe Biblical View of Abortion: God’s Heart for Life in the Womb by Tom PenningtonCROSSWAY | A Light On The HillDESIRING GOD | Be Happy EventGREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral TheologyWESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Theological Studies

Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair look at the theology and the history behind the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Constantinople (381). Yes, there are a lot of names and concepts flying around in the podcast studio with this one, but for good reason. What could be more important than the doctrine of the Trinity, than knowing who God is?CHAPTERS0:00 Sponsors & Intro2:11 Who Is Blair Smith?9:34 Four Degrees & Education Background12:20 Conversation Outline & Begin Nicene Discussion19:38 What Should We Know About The Fatherhood Of God?25:25 Nicene Origins & The Need For Clarity28:40 Sponsor Break30:54 How Does This Help Us Understand The Eternal Son?37:15 Trinity Debates & Subordination Controversy46:59 What Led To The Revision Of The Nicene Creed?54:53 Common Ground & Finding The Right Language57:07 How Does Augustine Fit Into Nicene Orthodoxy?1:01:38 Books From Blair To Consider1:03:42 Why Should We Care About The Doctrine Of The Trinity?BOOKS & EVERYTHINGThe Nicene CreedReformed ConfessionalismOne God Almighty: The Biblical Doctrine of the Triune GodOur Father in Heaven: Rediscovering and Embracing the Fatherhood of GodCROSSWAY | The Nicene CreedDESIRING GOD | What’s The Difference?GREENVILLE SEMINARY | Pastoral TheologyWESTMINSTER SEMINARY | Biblical Languages