Mere Fidelity

Break out your bibles and join Alastair, Derek, and Matt for an old fashion bible study of Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob's name change. Why does Jacob demand the name of the one he wrestles? Why do the Psalms refer back to Jacob as 'Jacob,' and not 'Israel'? What do wrestling and blessing have to do with each other? Listen to Alastair explain all this and more.

Andrew, Matt, and Derek sit down to discuss the phenomenon of multi-site churches. Andrew argues for the soundness of such an ecclesiastical practice and Matt and Derek aren't so sure.

Who is an evangelical? Dr. Thomas Kidd joins Matt and Derek to discuss this pertinent question which is also the title to his recent book. Listen in on why Dr. Kidd does not include activism as an identifiable factor for evangelicals, why evangelicals are susceptible to politicization, and if being "born again" unmoors evangelicals from historical institutions?

Jemar Tisby joins Derek and Alastair to discuss the history of racism in the American church. Listen in as they discuss everything from the theological importance of "remembering" to why today's political issues are often framed differently for black demographics and how our theology helps us to respond to issues of racism today.

The entire cast and crew are together to discuss Jesus' temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane. What is the nature of temptation, what are the Christological distinctions to be made in these passages, and how are Jesus' temptations different from our own?

Dr. Tara Isabella Burton joins the crew to discuss why occultism, astrology, tarot cards, folk religion, and New Age spirituality are all the rage and why this phenomenon is not particular to religious "nones."

Matt, Derek, and Alastair dive into the difficult and unsettling text of Jephthah's vow in Judges 11. The crew covers recent and old interpretations of the troubled passage, asking if certain texts can or should be "smoothed over" with typology, how we should handle texts with seeming contradictions, and how to poise ourselves in the face of scripture's ethical dilemmas?

How can Christians fulfill the Law of Love and be good neighbors in a fragmented age? Jake Meador contributes to answering this question in, "In Search of The Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World." Jake joins Matt and Derek to discuss his recent book and untangle some of the modern presuppositions that have been found a home in the church today.

Chris Arnade joins Andrew, Derek, and Alastair to talk about his new book, "Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America," where he tells the stories of how America's poor find dignity and identity in their forgotten communities.

Matt, Derek, and Alastair mull over the "boring" parts of scripture to see how these monotonous passages can be more greatly appreciated and share advice and resources that everyday Bible-readers can use. Matt also shares why Derek and Alastair are wrong for suggesting any book but John as the first book of the Bible a new Christian should read.

Matt, Derek, and Alastair sit down with Joe Carter to discuss the ongoing cultural theme of online radicalization and how the church can respond.

Matt and Alastair sit down with Dr. Justin Holcomb to discuss the difficult topic of sexual abuse in the church and how to identify and prevent it.

Sam Allberry joins the crew to discuss his new book, 7 Myths about Singleness. Sam helps to unravel some of the modern assumptions around being single and share his experience of being a single minister.

Why are more people foregoing religious affiliation in favor of the term "religious nones"? Here to help Matt, Derek, and Alastair wrestle with this subject is Dr. Tricia Bruce. Dr. Bruce is an accomplished sociologist of religion, award-winning author, an affiliate with the University of Notre Dame. Join the crew as they seek to understand the shifting cultural and religious ground in our current context.

Is it possible for one to know all there is to know about theology by just reading the Bible for themselves? Join Andrew, Alastair, and Derek as they deal with the idea of Biblicism and balance between isolated readings of scripture and implicit faith in church traditions.

Should individual Christians be politically active or should the church as an institution be politically active? Join the whole cast and crew as they discuss (and debate) the doctrine of the Spirituality of the Church.

How do we find 'the good' in a world of bad hot takes? Here to help the crew pan for gold is Hannah Anderson. She joins Andrew, Alastair, and Derek to discuss her new book, All That's Good: Recovering The Lost Art of Discernment, and shares how, through discernment, we can not only survive the world but enjoy it.

How do Christians live faithfully in the land of too much (i.e., the suburbs)? In this episode, Dr. Ashley Hales joins Matt, Derek, and Alastair to talk about consumerism, individualism, busyness, and safety, topics that are covered in her new book, "Finding Holy In The Suburbs" (IV Press).

Inspired by the discussion over Andrew's book, Matt, Derek, and Alastair sit down to tackle another ecclesiastical issue: the invisibility of the church.

The crew discusses Andrew's new book and his invitation to have charismatic worship and a high view of the sacraments.

Tucker Carlson recently went on a rant about work, economics and class. So we brought on an expert to talk about it, and about the place of family and the church in responding to shifting economic conditions. Dr. Diane Schanzenbach, economist and Director of the Institute for Policy Research, joins us for a very lively and important conversation. Don't miss this one. (Really.)

Paul Gutacker, Director of the Brazos Fellows, joins the show to discuss Buzzfeed's exploration of how millennials became the 'burnout generation.'

Dr. Tim Keller joins the show to talk about his new book on Jonah, *The Prodigal Prophet.*

The crew considers the biblical basis and shape of Advent.

Derek, Matt and Alastair consider the idea of a 'felix culpa,' or 'happy fall.'

Derek, Alastair, and Matt discuss the reasons why we procreate and the reasons we might choose not to--which is the subject of Matt's dissertation.

Matthew Arbo, who Directs the Center for Faith and Public Life at Oklahoma Baptist University, joins us to discuss his book on infertility.

At long last, we reach the end of our discussion of Augustine's *Confessions.*

The Alan Noble disrupts our show by discussing his new book *Disruptive Witness* with Alastair and Andrew.

Alastair, Matt and Derek consider Book 12 of Augustine's *Confessions,* in which Augustine parses 'In the beginning God created the heavens and earth...'

The whole crew gathers to discuss what it means to trust responsibly in a fallen world and in fallen institutions.

Derek, Matt and Alastair take up and read Book 11 of Augustine's *Confessions,* on time and the spiritual life.

The Weirdness of Matthew 27:51–54 by Mere Fidelity

Derek and Alastair talk with Joe Minich about his new book, *Enduring Divine Absence: The Challenge of Modern Atheism*

Alastair, Matt and Derek take up Book 10 of Augustine's *Confessions.*

Dr. Matthew Kaemingk is an assistant professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary. He joins us to discuss his new book *Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear.*

Derek, Matt and Alastair read Book 9 of Augustine's Confessions together, which includes the vision at Ostia and the death of Monica.

Pastor Matt Chandler joins Andrew, Derek and Alastair to discuss his book (with David Roard) *Take Heart.*

Matt, Derek and Alastair read and discussion Book 8 of Augustine's *Confessions.*

Dr. Vern Poythress joins the crew to discuss how we should understand the 'theophanies' that happen in Scripture, which is the theme of his latest book.

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins the show to talk about Pope Francis and the crisis within the Roman Catholic communion.

Theologian J. Todd Billings joins the crew to talk about the pastoral and theological value of 'heaven.'

Matt, Alastair and Derek consider book 7 of Augustine's Confessions.

Derek hosts a special episode of Mere Fidelity to talk about the new book from Alistair and Andrew. You can check out their new book here, if you're so inclined: https://www.crossway.org/books/echoes-of-exodus-tpb/

Reading Club: 'Confessions,' Book VI by Mere Fidelity

Derek, Alastair and Matt take up (at a listener's request) the theology and philosophy of 'equality' as a social category.

In their final episode of the year, the entire cast considers the theological significance of the Virgin Birth.

Matt, Alastair and Derek consider Augustine's movement from Carthage to Milan in Book 5 of *Confessions.*

The whole crew talks with Matt about the origins of the community BBQ for families of inmates he's recently announced, and about the prospects and dangers of this sort of activism.

Political theologian David Henreckson joins Alastair and Derek to talk about James K.A. Smith's new book *Awaiting the King.*