Banned Books 413: Debrief on the Bondage of the Will
Oct 24, 2025
Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of the bondage of the will, highlighting the tension between gospel clarity and church priorities. The hosts reflect on the challenges pastors face, from congregational apathy to the mockery of faithful preaching. Nostalgic discussions of 80s fantasy highlight hope and moral imagination amidst contemporary nihilism. They critique the commodification of morals and the church's current state, emphasizing the importance of authentic sacramental community and the singular task of gospel preaching.
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Episode notes
Pointing At An Empty Altar
- Riley recounts pointing at an empty altar for months during sermons to teach about weekly communion.
- A parishioner finally noticed and said, 'pastor, you keep pointing at the altar and it's empty.'
Hour Plenary For Mentors’ Sake
- Riley recounts his plenary at the Here We Still Stand conference where he 'went for it' and preached an hour-long plenary.
- He felt the weight of being one of few remaining teachers and aimed to 'bury' his mentors honorably by continuing their work.
Replace Voting Membership With Sacramental Membership
- Stop treating membership primarily as a voting stake; center membership around baptism, Word and sacrament.
- Encourage giving and participation as Spirit-driven fruit rather than transactional membership obligations.
