Saved by the City

Founded in 2007 as a "learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good," Q was part of a broader movement of Christian cultural engagement in the mid-aughts and early teens. Much of it influenced by the late Tim Keller. Today, Q — now THINQ Media — feels emblematic of the broader tensions within evangelicalism around how Christians should navigate what they see as an increasingly hostile culture. The "winsome" approach is increasingly seen as naive, cultural engagement has given way to culture war rhetoric, and terms like "negative world" have entered the evangelical vocabulary. On this episode of the podcast, Katelyn and Roxy share memories of Q conferences over the years (Portland! Los Angeles! Boston! DC! ... and, finally, Nashville). We examine its decided shift rightward and mourn an importance space that feels lost. We are joined by Collin Hansen, editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition and author of a Tim Keller biography, who offers insight into the fractures among Keller's acolytes and the growing pushback against his approach.  GUEST: Collin Hansen serves as vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He hosts the Gospelbound podcast and is the author of several books, including "Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. " He is an adjunct professor at Beeson Divinity School, where he also co-chairs the advisory board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself mid-doomscroll, suddenly enthralled by a beautiful woman baking a pie and arranging an armful of flowers freshly picked from her garden, while in the background her children play with adorable wooden toys on a natural fiber rug? You have stumbled into the trad-wife corner of the internet. Welcome. The bread is fresh and the grass is definitely greener (it's natural fertilizer). On this episode of the podcast, Katelyn and Roxy give you a tour of the trad wife phenemonon, it's various forms (from supermodels to crunchy granola types to the MAGA evangelists), and what in the Martha Stewart is going on with Ballerina Farm? They also talk with Kelsey Kramer McGinnis about why trad wives have found their moment and what the appeal is — because let's be honest, there is some appeal (even if you're just hate watching the posts). GUEST: Kelsey Kramer McGinnis is a writer, musicologist and educator who holds a PhD from the University of Iowa. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and the coauthor of the forthcoming book "The Myth of Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis was a man of the people. Will the next pope be? After 12 years as the head of the Catholic church — and the most famous Christian in the world — Pope Francis died on Monday (April 21) at 88. A charismatic reformer, the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pope, Francis was beloved well beyond the Catholic church. As world leaders, Catholic faithful and cardinals from around the globe travel to the Vatican this week to mourn Francis, talk of his successor has also begun. The Conclave — made all the more intriguing to many by the recent Oscar nominated movie of the same name — will take place in the coming days and the lists of "papabile," or favored successors, are already rolling in. Katelyn and Roxy are joined by Claire Giangravé, RNS's voice of the Vatican, for a reflection on Francis's legacy and a sneak preview of the Vatican drama to come. GUEST: Claire Giangravé is a Rome-based reporter for RNS, covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good Friday and Easter are basically the pinnacle of the Christian calendar. What it all centers on. But in recent years we’ve seen a lot of angst over what Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection really mean — and if what people grew up believing about them might be all wrong. We're talking, of course, about PSA — or penal substitutionary atonement theory. For some, this explanation of what happened on the cross has become more obstacle than on-ramp to Christianity. And has left many wondering — why did Jesus have to die, really? On this episode, Katelyn and Roxy dust off their theologian caps for a little lesson on historical atonement theories. And, with guest Brian Zahnd, imagine new (and old) ways of approaching the cross that go beyond theory. GUEST: Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is the author of eleven books, including his most recent "The Wood Between the Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chappell Roan says all her friends with kids are in hell. A popular subreddit asks "does anyone else just… not like kids?" A crowd of the usual suspects — pro-natalists, theo bros and mom influencers — pounce on these examples to decry our increasingly "anti-kid" and "childless cat lady" culture. Is this just a recycled generational debate — feminists vs homemakers but this time on TikTok — or is there something new going on here? Are some women (and men too, though maybe to less pearl clutching) just saying the quiet part out loud? That parenthood is really hard and changes your life, not always in super positive ways. That kids can be difficult to handle in public places. Or is this a true shift in public thinking — toward a less kid inclusive world? Katelyn and Roxy explore these questions and look at the evidence (data dump, anyone?), as we also ask: What role do children play in the Church and in Christian life? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices