Mere Fidelity

Philip G. Porter, assistant professor of theology and author of Unnatural Death, explores the idea that death is a wound on creation caused by an angelic fall. He draws on Augustine, Aquinas, Tolkien, and others. Short, provocative conversations cover angels as administrators, the timing of cosmic corruption, biblical imagery of death, and why the angelic revolt reshapes how we think about sin and redemption.

Dr. Lyndon Jost, Presbyterian pastor and author of Transfiguring Headship, offers a figural reading of biblical headship rooted in Israel’s scriptures. He reframes headship as representation rather than mere authority. The conversation covers typology, Paul’s use of Genesis, cultural history of gender, and practical responsibilities tied to unity and one-flesh marriage.

A lively dive into the Ten Commandments' structure and the two-table ordering. They trace a bookend pattern linking desire to the first and tenth rules. Conversation highlights how negative commands point to positive love and delight. Law, Christ, and the Spirit are connected as the law shapes community life and internal motivation.

They probe whether UFO encounters are spiritual phenomena and whether reports point to angels, demons, or extraterrestrials. They compare modern alien narratives with premodern theological categories and testimony traditions. They debate the uniqueness of the incarnation, how angelic fall might affect other worlds, and whether space exploration raises theological and moral questions.

A conversation about why our moment feels uniquely threatening and how online anxiety distorts risk. They explore how agency, scale, and eschatology shape realistic hope. Practical practices are highlighted: scripture, prayer, memory work, habits like deleting apps, crafts, and investing in children. The talk frames apocalypse as revealing priorities and urges active, long-term commitments that counter despair.

Andy Crouch, Partner for Theology and Culture at Praxis and author on technology and Christian formation, weighs how social media, video games, and pornography shape young people. He discusses data showing strong harms to girls, why boys’ problems can be hidden, how algorithms amplify impulses, and practical ideas like limiting phones and providing off-ramps for healthier formation.

Jake Meador, writer and editor at Mere Orthodoxy who studies evangelical institutional culture, explores why leadership transitions often fail. He discusses how charismatic, brand-driven leadership and market/media forces undermine long-term institutions. The conversation also covers generational bottlenecks, long-tenured churches as counterexamples, and what healthier succession mindsets look like.

James Wood, theologian and teacher who traces spiritual formation history, guides a lively tour of Foster, Willard, Comer, and others. They probe why disciplines attract amid digital distraction. Short takes on liturgy, set prayers, risks of self-optimization, communal vs private formation, and how suffering and pastoral guidance shape lasting practices.

Myles Werntz, professor of theology at Abilene Christian University and author of Contesting the Body of Christ, walks through twentieth-century upheavals that reshaped how Christians imagine the church. He uses global case studies to show contestation as intrinsic to ecclesial life. The conversation highlights the Spirit's renewed visibility, theological guardrails, and how to argue faithfully across deep disagreements.

Dr. Jason Staples, a professor specializing in Second Temple Jewish studies, delves into the nuances of Paul's theology surrounding Israel's restoration. He challenges the narrow view of Israel being only ethnic Jews, emphasizing a broader inclusion of Gentiles. The conversation also highlights 'restoration eschatology,' discussing how Paul's writings link the resurrection of Jesus with the promised restoration of all Israel, including the ten lost tribes. Staples explores the transformative role of the church as an assembly of Israel, reshaping contemporary understanding of faith and identity.