Mere Fidelity

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.*

Michael Sacasas, a leading writer on the ethics of technology, joins Alastair and Matt to make sense of the subject.

Derek, Matt and Alastair consider astrology, beauty, and other themes from Book IV of Augustine's *Confessions.*

The entire cast considers whether the Reformation made everything awful with church historian Carl Trueman.

Matt, Derek and Alastair take up Book 3 of Augustine's Confessions.

Matt, Alastair and Derek consider Book 2 of Augustine's *Confessions.*

Derek and Alastair discuss Bible translating with two scholars who have recently published a new translation of Genesis.

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

Derek, Matt, and Alastair consider the ethics and benefits of engaging in theological controversies.

We're back. The whole crew gets together to recap and review the discussions about the relationship between orthodoxy and sexuality, and the Nashville Statement.