Mortification of Spin

Carl has come out with yet another book, and today, he and Todd sit down for Part 1 of a two part discussion about The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. In The Desecration of Man, Carl argues that modern man’s crisis of meaning stems from a rejection of a simple fact—that he was made in the image of God. The revolutions of modernity have proved in the long run to be fundamentally dehumanizing. – Carl Trueman Todd and Carl explore the cultural implications of modernity's rejection of God, touching on topics such as abortion, gender identity, and the significance of human dignity. Drawing on insights from various intellectuals and a critique of contemporary society, this episode challenges listeners to consider the moral foundations of humanity and the necessity of reconsecrating our understanding of personhood through a Christian lens. We are pleased to offer listeners the opportunity to win a copy of Carl’s book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity, thanks to the generosity of Sentinel Publishing. Enter here to win. Show Notes: Episodes referenced by Carl and Todd: https://mortificationofspin.podbean.com/e/feminism-against-progress/ https://mortificationofspin.podbean.com/e/five-lies-of-our-anti-christian-age/

Carl and Todd welcome philosopher J. Budziszewski to discuss his insightful new book, The Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy. They delve into the current societal confusion surrounding morality, ethics, and identity, exploring the philosophical underpinnings of these issues. The confusion in the society has caused us to dig deeper and to think more thoroughly about these things, but the desire to perpetuate the lunacy has also caused the other side to dig deeper and come up with much more elaborate justifications. – J. Budziszewski With a blend of humor and serious inquiry, the conversation reveals how the church can respond to contemporary challenges with clarity and conviction. We are pleased to offer listeners the opportunity to win a copy of Pandemic of Lunacy, authored by J. Budziszewski. Enter here to win. Show Notes: Creed & Culture Publishing: https://creedandculture.com/

In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd welcome Ryan Anderson, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, to discuss the critical topic of religious freedom in America. As the nation grapples with challenges to this fundamental right, they delve into its historical context, the implications of recent political climates, and the intersection of religious liberty with contemporary social issues. Justice and the common good need to be maintained, and you want to have as much religious liberty as possible consistent with that. – Ryan Anderson Join us for an engaging conversation that explores the nuances of faith, freedom, and the future of religious rights in a changing world. We are pleased to offer listeners an opportunity to win a copy of, Tearing Us Apart: How Abortion Harms Everything and Solves Nothing, co-authored by Ryan Anderson and Alexandra Desanctis. Enter here to win. Show Notes: Articles referenced by Ryan Anderson: https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/proxy-wars-over-religious-liberty https://www.wsj.com/opinion/religious-liberty-isnt-enough-11612125595 https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/07/67142/

Todd and Carl engage in an interesting discussion about the church calendar and its role in the Reformed Protestant tradition. They explore the historical context of the church calendar, its significance, and the nuances of its acceptance among different denominations. I think observation of the church calendar should be a matter of, should we say, congregational conscience. My own view on it has softened over the years in that I used to be very much the Puritan, you know… I've changed my opinion… – Carl Trueman They examine the pedagogical benefits of observing the calendar while addressing concerns about legalism, with a particular focus on Advent and Lent. Tune in for a rich conversation that challenges and inspires listeners to consider the implications of the church calendar in their worship practices. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, we have awarded three copies of Kevin DeYoung’s beautiful board book for children, The Biggest Story: Advent. Congratulations to JD W. from Bridgewater, VA, Georgie M. from Sunnyvale, CA, and Maretta H. from Grottoes, VA.

Carl and Todd are a bit giddy as they talk to astronaut Jeffrey Williams, the subject of the new biography, Zero Gravity, by Chris Anderson. Spending 534 days in space across four missions, Jeff not only broke records but captured stunning images of Earth—offering a powerful perspective on God’s handiwork in the universe and His love for humanity revealed in Christ. From the challenges of living in zero gravity to the camaraderie among crew members, Jeff offers a unique perspective on life as an astronaut. He also discusses his faith journey and how it intersects with his scientific career, providing insights into the relationship between science and Christianity. Don't miss this fascinating conversation! Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Church Works Media, we are pleased to award three of our listeners a copy of Jeff William’s biography, Zero Gravity, by Chris Anderson. Congratulations to Cheryl B. from Norristown, PA, Brad K. from Pagosa Springs, CO, and Greg P. from Greenville, SC. Show Notes: Book site: https://churchworksmedia.com/product/zero-gravity/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Gravity-Story-Astronaut-Williams/dp/B0FN3Y2323 YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7HYFexkY0 Jeff also wrote a book about his experiences in space that you may want to check out: https://www.cph.org/the-work-of-his-hands

Carl and Todd sit down with Devan Patel to discuss the hot topic of artificial intelligence. A legal and political strategist in Washington, D.C., an adjunct professor of law at Notre Dame Law School, and the senior advisor of public policy and ethics at the American Security Fund, Devan advises on religious and scholarly engagement to ensure that AI development and use are ethical, human-centric, and rooted in Western civilizational values. Self-described as "not the happy, fun guy," Devan dives into the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Together, they discuss the alarming rise of AI companion chatbots, particularly those aimed at children, exploring the potential dangers and moral dilemmas they present. Patel sheds light on the urgent need for accountability in AI development and the importance of integrating ethical considerations into technology. Don't miss this sobering and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of AI, ethics, and human values! Show Notes: To find out more about Devan Patel’s publications/speaking engagements: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannpatel/ American Security Fund: https://www.americansecurityfund.com/