Mere Fidelity

Carl Trueman, professor of biblical and theological studies and author, outlines how modern culture’s frenzied violation of the sacred reshapes ethics and personhood. He explores desecration’s pull in abortion, gender, technology, AI, and end-of-life debates. He proposes consecration through creed, worship, and a hospitable moral code as the church’s response.

Alan Noble, associate professor of English and author of To Live Well, offers a short guide to virtue-centered living. He discusses the four cardinal and three theological virtues, courage and temperance in anxious times, choice paralysis and vocational pivoting, the challenge of justice, and why friendship and grace matter for flourishing.

Brad East, scholar in Pauline studies who argues Paul stayed Torah-observant, briefs the debate. He defends reading Acts 21 literally and appeals to Messianic Judaism and Paul Within Judaism. Conversation covers Acts 21, Galatians 2, 1 Corinthians 9, adiaphora versus divine command, and whether Jewish identity can persist inside the church.

A candid conversation about how to draw near to God with both confidence and reverence. They explore the Lord's Prayer, the raw honesty of Psalms and Job, and Jesus’ lessons on bold, persistent petition. They wrestle with forgiveness that inspires fear, assurance as a lived relationship, and why showing up matters for spiritual growth.

Paul Gutacker, historian of American religion and author of The Old Faith in a New Nation, explores nineteenth-century Protestant debates. He discusses biblicism, how Scripture and tradition shaped arguments around slavery, and how history was mobilized or misused in moral conflicts. He offers reflections on hermeneutics, international influences, and how pastors might responsibly use the past.

James Wood, a theological scholar versed in de Lubac and historical theology, and Joseph Minich, a philosopher-theologian probing metaphysics and tradition, trace the nature and grace debate. They sketch de Lubac’s challenge to “pure nature,” weigh risks of dualism and pantheism, and explore desire, participatory metaphysics, and whether the incarnation shapes creation’s destiny.

Jason Thacker, a technology ethics scholar and author of The Age of AI, explores how AI forced society to rethink creativity, human uniqueness, and moral responsibility. He contrasts generative models with human consciousness, explains why writing was automated first, warns about tech idolatry, and urges multi-level responses from individuals to governments.

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.