Life and Books and Everything

With everything the pastor must do—preach, pray, visit, raise money, organize meetings, write emails, study, write, marry, bury, and baptize—does he also need to be a leader? John Currie, in his new book The Pastor as Leader (Crossway), says yes. But don't fear, this is not about one more impossible task or another time burden for the pastor. Leadership is about living and preaching as a man of God for the people of God. In this practical episode Kevin talks with John Currie, professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, about what effective leadership in the church looks like (and doesn't look like). There is plenty of rich food for thought—both for the seasoned (and weary) pastor and for the young man just starting out in ministry.Books & Everything:The Pastor as Leader: Principles and Practices for Connecting Preaching and LeadershipThe (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next GenerationDon’t Waste Your Life

For most of us, getting married and forging a strong family is the best way to build a prosperous, meaningful, and happy life. That's the message of Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization, the new book by University of Virginia professor Brad Wilcox. Listen in as Kevin and Brad talk explore why young people aren't prioritizing marriage, why elites don't preach what they practice when it comes to marriage, and why getting married is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for others.Books & Everything:Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save CivilizationESV Bible AppLight + Truth Podcast

Have you ever wondered if King Arthur was justified in cutting off all four limbs of Monty Python’s Black Knight when he refused the king passage? If so, then you’ll want to listen to this episode of LBE with Eric Patterson. Eric is an author, an important leader in Washington, D.C. and an expert in the theology and history of the Just War Tradition. What are the right reasons for going to war? How should a just war be fought? Was the American Revolution a just war (or even a revolution)? What about the firebombing of Dresden in World War II? Join Kevin and Eric and they try to apply the insights of the Just War Tradition to military conflicts past and present. Chapters:0:00 Introductions7:45 A Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition15:45 What Makes a War Just?29:45 Sponsor Break | Crossway30:28 “It’s Only a Flesh Wound.”35:25 A Just American Revolution?46:39 MLK’s Just Cause51:15 Sponsor Break | Desiring God52:00 Current EventsBooks & Everything:Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition: Christian Foundations and PracticesJust War and Christian TraditionsHumility: The Joy of Self-ForgetfulnesAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

With two smart British historians—one from Oxford (Andrew) and one from Aberystwyth (David)--and one curious American pastor (Kevin), you might say that this episode puts the "fun" back in fundamentalism. How did fundamentalism become a pejorative putdown? Are evangelicals and fundamentalists really all that different? What is a fundamentalist anyway? And, to paraphrase Harry Emerson Fosdick, did the fundamentalists win or lose the last century? Join in as Kevin interviews two evangelical scholars about their new edited volume, The Oxford Handbook of Christian Fundamentalism.Chapters:0:00 Introductions6:45 Why So Little Written by Fundamentalists?11:44 Defining Fundamentalism 25:20 Fundamentalism & Evangelicalism36:40 Sponsor Break | Crossway & DesiringGod38:11 The Scopes Trial & Billy Graham48:02 Evangelicalism & Politics in America1:05:25 Did the Fundamentalists Win?1:08:26 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:Oxford Handbook of Christian FundamentalismAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsLook at the Book

He must be one of Kevin's favorite historians and favorite guests, because Dr. Guelzo is back for an unprecedented third visit to the LBE book-cave. Although Dr. Guelzo's new book is about Abraham Lincoln, Kevin and Allen talk about much more than just Lincoln—everything from John Locke to Christian Nationalism to progressivism to a healthy does of Reformed anthropology. And no, Dr. Guelzo did not watch the Super Bowl.Chapters:0:00 Intro6:40 The Lincoln Book14:25 Democracy Consensus29:28 Christianity & Government46:45 Sponsor Break | Crossway & Desiring God48:00 Has Virtue Disappeared?59:51 Was Abraham Lincoln a Racist?01:02:42 Lincoln: The Founder of Big Government?01:09:16 What, then, is the Hope?1:16:37 Until Next Time

In this extra-long episode, Kevin teams up with Justin and Collin to talk about something they were all deeply involved in: the movement known as the Reformed Resurgence, the New Calvinism, or YRR. What was this movement about? What went right? What went wrong? Why did the movement fracture? Is "Big God theology" in retreat or just flourishing in different ways? Stick around for reflections on these questions, plus some book recommendations and how to fix college football.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:48 Let's Start Where Everyone Wants Us to Start - Football 6:47 Let’s Go to the Books19:41 Sponsor Break | Crossway20:44 What Happened to Young, Restless, and Reformed?1:19:03 Is the Movement Still Going Strong?1:24:58 The Last Word1:29:15 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and MurderAuthority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human FlourishingOur Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American ExperimentNever Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on ItAnd There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American StruggleGet Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save CivilizationO Sacred Head, Now Wounded: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Pascha to PentecostReflections on the Evangelical Fracturing, Ten Years InLight + Truth Podcast

Even though only Justin still lives in the Midwest, this episode has a distinctly Midwestern flare as the three amigos reminisce about favorite Christmas presents, Christmas places, and Christmas foods. You'll also hear about favorite books from the past year, some football banter, and a special section on the airing of grievances (note: Kevin had twice as many as the other two put together).Chapters:00:00 Intro00:50 Don’t Skip the Sports Banter15:20 An Airing of Grievances 31:18 Sponsor Break | Crossway32:32 Favorite Books51:25 Sponsor Break | Desiring God52:41 Christmas Questions1:44:20 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:The Surprising Genius of Jesus: What the Gospels Reveal about the Greatest TeacherRemaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian WestThe Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Vol. IVOrdinary Man, An: The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. FordThoughts on PreachingThe Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of ChristLord Jesus ChristAmerican Visions: The United States, 1800-1860Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFKAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

If you ever wanted to be in the room as two minister friends talk about preaching and pastoral ministry, this is the episode for you. Kevin asks Alistair about his “ordinary” preaching style, about whether he ever thought about leaving Parkside, and about whether he’s an American or a Scotsman. Plus lots of other questions about books, the state of the church today, and the shaping influence of Cleveland.Books & Everything:The Christian Manifesto: Jesus' Life-Changing Words from the Sermon on the PlainTruth for Life: 365 Daily DevotionsTruth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions (Volume 2)The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the CultureAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important QuestionsAsk Pastor John PodcastAll the Light We Cannot See: A NovelA Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of RedemptionCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 1: The Claims of TruthCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 2: Systematic TheologyCollected Writings of John Murray, Vol 3: Life, Sermons, Reviews

Any Christian trying to formulate a political theology cannot afford to ignore the impressive work done by David VanDrunen over the past decade. In this long-ish interview, Kevin asks Dave about two kingdoms theology, natural law, the purpose of government, and the importance of the Noahic Covenant. Stick around and you'll also learn what VanDrunen means by "conservative liberalism" and "legal polycentrism." You'll also hear what Kevin and Dave would do (or not do) if they were starting a Presbyterian colony on Mars.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:30 Politics after Christendom16:45 Covenants and Reformed Theology31:10 Sponsor Break | Crossway32:00 Does Christ Redeem Political Institutions?36:00 Responding to Criticism43:10 A Presbyterian Colony on Mars?55:00 Does Government Protect, Perfect, or Provide?1:03:40 Sponsor | DesiringGod1:04:10 A Conservative Liberalism1:11:10 Legal Polycentrism1:20:55 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:Politics after Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured WorldO Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to EpiphanyAsk Pastor John PodcastAsk Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions

In this fun and frank discussion, Kevin and Carl talk about everything from Billy Graham to Pride Month to Christian Nationalism. Along the way Carl reveals what he hates about America and why he is not a Catholic.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Melissa Kearney, professor of economics at the University of Maryland, about her new book, The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind (University of Chicago Press, 2023). What is so great about being raised by two parents? When did marriage become a significant cause (and effect) of class distinctions? What can be done to restore the importance of marriage? How can we normalize the two-parent home without stigmatizing single mothers? Listen in as Kevin and Melissa tackle these questions, and many others, in this fascinating discussion about the economics of marriage.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:25 A Little About Melissa7:55 The Two-Parent Privilege26:45 Sponsor Break | Crossway27:10 Charts, Numbers, and Trends43:30 Sponsor Break | Desiring God43:55 Social Norms56:50 What’s Coming Up?58:00 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling BehindMinistry in the New Realm: A Theology of 2 CorinthiansFoundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

We've heard the terms before: cultural Marxism, socialism, intersectionality, microaggressions, standpoint epistemology, the Frankfurt School, Critical Race Theory, Queer Theory, and many more. But what do they mean? Where did they come from? And how should Christians respond? Kevin talks to Neil and Pat about their new book, Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology, to try answer these questions and to think carefully about we can understand and engage the dominant ideologies of our day.Chapters:0:00 Welcome1:17 The Critical Dilemma23:25 Sponsor | Crossway Books24:00 What is Contemporary Critical Theory57:30 Sponsor | Desiring God58:05 CRT: A Worldview or Religion?1:11:40 A Final Word1:14:45 Until Next TimeBooks & Everything:Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and SocietyWhy Believe?: A Reasoned Approach to ChristianityFive Lies of Our Anti-Christian AgeFoundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy

Is homosexuality normal? Is transgenderism a sin? Is Christian kindness the same thing as spiritual niceness? What's the difference between acceptance and approval? In this episode, Kevin and Rosaria probe these questions and many others like them. Whether you are struggling with sexual sin, know someone who is, or even if you think Kevin and Rosaria are dead wrong, you won't want to miss this important and provocative episode.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:40 A Little About Rosaria15:43 Sponsor: Crossway | The Lord of Psalm 2316:19 Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age27:26 Lie #1: Homosexuality is Normal41:48 Lie #2: Being a Spiritual Person is Kinder Than Being a Biblical Christian48:30 Lies #3, 4, & 5 55:20 Sponsor: DesiringGod | 20th Anniversary of ‘Don’t Waste Your Life’55:55 Arguments Against Coming Out1:10:55 “Would you rather have a dead daughter or a living son?”1:18:46 The Difference Between Acceptance and ApprovalBooks & Everything:Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian AgeThe Lord of Psalm 23: Jesus Our Shepherd, Companion, and HostThe New Reformation Catechism on Human SexualityDon't Waste Your Life

Was the Protestant Reformation a repudiation of the church's history? Was it a rejection of Medieval theology? Did the Reformation lead to schism in the church? Kevin talks to Matthew Barrett, professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, about these questions and many more in this episode of LBE. Listen in for some big picture analysis on church history as well as some deep nerdery on Reformation theology.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction1:47 The Reformation as Renewal17:17 Jonathan Leeman’s New Book18:00 Let’s Go Back to Aquinas40:30 True or False?: The Reformation Divided the Church48:20 Desiring God’s Light & Truth Podcast48:50 Unsung Reformers53:48 Books1:05:37 Until Next TimeBooks:The Reformation as RenewalAuthority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human FlourishingIntroduction to Reformed ScholasticismProtestant Scholasticism: Essays in ReassesmentAquinas Among the Protestants

The three amigos are back to kick off a new season of LBE. From college football to dropping kids off at college to the rise of mental health issues on college campuses (and everywhere else!), this episode has a back-to-school vibe you won't want to miss. Stick around for one summer book recommendation from each of the fellas at the very end.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:45 College Football8:40 Kids to College & Other Life Changes15:33 Collin’s Summer in the UK19:30 Digital Liturgies20:55 Trauma, Anxiety, and Mental Health43:30 Desiring God - Light & Truth Podcast44:25 Books1:00:34 Until Next Time

Don't skip over the preposition. This special episode is an interview with Kevin, instead of an interview by Kevin. Not long ago, Tom Groelsema, one of the pastors at Christ Covenant, took the evening service to interview Kevin. This was not Kevin's idea, but he was grateful for the opportunity to share about life, and books, and everything for his congregation—and now for this podcast as well.

The triumvirate managed to get together one last time before setting sail for summer plans. With little time to spare before Collin needed to run Tom Cruise-style after a plane bound for the UK, the three amigos chat about the legacies of Tim Keller and Harry Reeder, the books they’ve been reading and hope to read this summer, and whether they think we’ve reached Peak Pride in America. Plus, you’ll hear whether Kevin ever plans to drink Bud Light again (and whether he’s ever had that or any beer ever).Mentioned Blog Post:Preaching Resources: A Summer Reading ListChapters:0:00 Intro & Sponsor2:35 Summer Plans, Civil Wars, and Sioux Falls12:53 Tim Keller’s Ministry & Legacy32:45 Remembering Harry Reeder39:35 Books57:30 Are We at Peak Pride?1:06:10 Closing Comments & Sponsor

What is feminism? What is intersectionality? Who is Judith Butler? How does childbearing change a woman? Why do Catholic feminist scholars have such interesting Italian last names? These are just some of the questions Kevin explores with Abigail Favale as they talk about her book, The Genesis of Gender (Ignatius Press, 2022). With learning, wit, and great aplomb, Abigail shares her how story of deconversion and reconversion and how she came to see, from the inside, the emptiness of mainstream feminist ideology.Timestamps:0:00 Intro and Sponsor 2:10 Guest: Abigail Favale 26:01 Who is Judith Butler? 33:22 Is Gender Studies Godless and Truthless? 40:17 What is Intersectionality? 47:54 How do We Contend for the Goodness of Gender? 55:47 What Does the Bible Say to Gender Studies? 1:04:46 Developing a Theology of Sexual Difference

Are male and female distinctions rooted in given biological realities or are “man” and “woman” simply designations we choose for ourselves based on our own feelings and sense of identity?In this episode, Kevin reviews an article written by USA Today’s Nancy Armour about transgender people competing in professional sports.

Though the language sounds similar at times, the beliefs are quite distinct. Mormons do not understand history, God, man, salvation, heaven, hell, the cross, Jesus, or the Trinity as the canonical Scriptures teach, nor do they agree with the conciliar doctrine taught by the one, holy, catholic, apostolic church over the last two thousand years.In this article, Kevin outlines the historical and theological distinctions between Mormonism and Christianity.