Life and Books and Everything

Please note: Unfortunately the audio on this episode cuts in and out from time to time. Kevin is joined by the distinguished historian, Dr. Wilfred McClay as the two of them talk about the task of the historian in being a “recording angel” of the past. After discussing McClay’s perceptive article “The Surprising Persistence of Guilt” (2017), they turn to McClay’s recent book on American History, A Land of Hope (Encounter, 2019). McClay talks about his conversion to Christianity early in his academic career and how that has shaped his work as a historian in mingling celebration and criticism. Finally, McClay asks for prayer as he serves on America’s official 250th anniversary committee making preparations for 2026. Timestamps: Introduction and Sponsor [0:00-2:33] Personal Histories [2:34-9:09] The Strange Persistence of Guilt [9:10-15:14] Land of Hope [15:15-21:27] Generosity toward the Past [21:28-31:33] Celebration and Criticism [31:34-43:00] 250th Birthday of the USA [43:01-51:28]

In this episode, Kevin is joined once again by Justin and Collin as they discuss all that is going right in the church. While there are many problems we can—and at times should—point out, there are also many signs of blessing, reform, and faithfulness in the church today. Kevin, Justin, and Collin make a special point to encourage pastors. Turning to books, they discuss two recent books Kevin has read—one book about global politics shifting from left/right to insider/outsider divisions, and the other book about family and civilization. Join the three amigos as they talk on this episode of LBE about many topics from the ridiculous to the sublime. Timestamps: Introduction and Sponsor [0:00-1:19] Life Updates and Sports Banter [1:20-10:27] What's Right with the Church? [10:28-28:16] Encouragement for Pastors [28:17-41:40] Political Shifts: Left-Right to Inside-Outside [41:41-59:48] Family Matters [59:49-1:17:24]

Andrew Walker, a professor of ethics and managing editor for World Opinions, dives into the fascinating realms of natural law and theology. He discusses the biblical roots of natural law and its relevance in contemporary debates. Despite some Protestant apprehensions, Walker explains its critical role in shaping moral arguments. The conversation also touches on religious liberty and offers insights into current issues like gender identity, grounding these discussions in the principles of natural law. Walker concludes with book recommendations for further exploration.

Dr. Joel Beeke is the president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, and editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books. In this conversation, Dr. Beeke, Kevin, and Justin dive into the theological and historical world of the Puritans, providing reading suggestions for both beginners and experts. They also talk about improving your preaching through expository and experiential content. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway. For 30% off books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: Gift Ideas [0:00 – 2:00] Accomplishing Much [2:00 – 8:57] Family Foundation [8:57 – 11:30] Denominations & Hyper-Calvinism [11:30 – 16:58] Experiential Preaching [16:58 – 34:21] The Weary, Wayward, Lazy, & Lost [34:21 – 37:21] Puritans [37:21 – 57:24] Book Recommendations [57:24 – 1:04:30] Books and Everything: Gift Ideas: Good News of Great Joy: 25 Devotional Readings for Advent, by John Piper Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship, by Jonathan Gibson ESV Concise Study Bible New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, by Paul David Tripp George Whitefield: God's Anointed Servant in the Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century, by Arnold Dallimore Spurgeon, by Arnold Dallimore Lectures to My Students, by Charles Spurgeon Preaching & Preachers, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones Pastoral Theology, by Thomas Murphy The European Reformations, by Carter Lindberg Worldly Saints: The Puritans As They Really Were, by Leland Ryken

Kevin and Collin enjoy a fun conversation about the best parts of the Advent/Christmas season, as well as some of those things that are just more annoying. Plus, by popular demand, time management and productivity tips! Learn how Kevin manages to read so many books and also be present for his family. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Worship, by Jonathan Gibson. In Be Thou My Vision, Jonathan Gibson has created a 31-day liturgical guide designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families. Designed to be read in 15–20 minutes a day, this beautifully produced liturgy will give readers focus and purpose to their daily quiet time while teaching them historical prayers, creeds, and catechisms that point them to Christ. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: You Just Keep Turning the Pages [0:00 – 4:22] Airing of Christmas Grievances [4:22 – 11:51] Favorite Christmas Activities [11:51 – 24:33] Keep Christmas Messy [24:33 – 31:25] Time Management & Productivity Tips [31:25 – 43:22] How to Read 82 Books in a Year [43:22 – 57:31] Kevin is working on new books. [57:31 – 1:02:36] Books and Everything: Psalms in 30 Days, by Trevin Wax “Joyous Surrender: A Rhapsody in Red (and Green),” by Joseph Bottum  (Sleigh bell sounds from zapsplat.com.) 

From the 2021 Faithful Conference, Kevin interviews keynote speaker William Taylor. Taylor is the rector of St. Helen’s Church in Bishopsgate, London. There is a lot of fun banter, book recommendations, and a wealth of advice about evangelism, but what shines through most clearly is William Taylor’s firm faith in the Word of God to accomplish the mission of the church. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of The Death of Porn, by Ray Ortlund.  In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE.  Timestamps: William Taylor [0:00 – 3:23] End the Confusion! [3:23 – 4:56] Conversion Story [4:56 – 10:27] Hospitality [10:27 – 14:26] Personal Miscellany [14:26 – 17:59] St. Helen’s and Dick Lucas [17:59 – 26:02] Teaching and Planting in England [26:02 – 32:35] Christian America [32:35 – 35:19] The Word: One to One [35:19 – 39:32] Evangelism Advice [39:32 – 46:03] Lightning Round: Books! [46:03 – 56:13]  Books and Everything: By William Taylor: The Word: One to One Revolutionary Work: What's the point of the 9 to 5? Read, Mark, Learn series On Evangelism: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer Knowing God, by J.I. Packer Questioning Evangelism, Second Edition: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did, by Randy Newman Know and Tell the Gospel, by John Chapman Evangelism As a Lifestyle: Reaching Into Your World With the Gospel, by Jim Petersen True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality, by Allan Chapple Funny: The Jeeves & Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse

Dr. Douglas Moo, theologian and professor at Wheaton, joins Kevin, Collin, and Justin to talk about his new and substantial contribution, A Theology of Paul and His Letters. Weighing in at 784 pages, there is a lot to unpack. Among the topics they cover are: how to balance text and tradition, the biggest change in Pauline theology, Paul’s instructions on the family and sex, the work of N.T. Wright, and how substitution makes everything work. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of Good News of Great Joy, by John Piper, containing twenty-five short devotional readings from John Piper aim to help you keep Christ at the center of the Advent season. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: What Thanksgiving Means in Michigan [0:00 – 2:12] Dr. Douglas J. Moo [2:12 – 7:32] Text and Tradition in Theology [7:32 – 15:17] What is the biggest recent change in Pauline theology? [15:17 – 19:29] Same Text; Different Takes [19:29 – 29:26] Traditional Conclusions [29:26 – 34:05] Women and the Home [34:05 – 37:45] Sexual Mores Conflict [37:45 – 41:08] A Glaring Omission [41:08 – 44:25] On N.T. Wright [44:25 – 49:07] New Realm [49:07 – 51:57] Substitutionary Atonement [51:57 – 55:24] The Gagging of God, by D.A. Carson [55:24 – 1:01:45] Books and Everything: A Theology of Paul and His Letters: The Gift of the New Realm in Christ, by Dr. Douglas Moo Other books by Dr. Moo

How do you use the term ‘elite?’ Is it positive or is it a term of derision? Elites, and especially Evangelical elites, have been criticized a lot lately. Collin, Kevin, and Justin have given this matter some consideration, and on this episode they offer their thoughts, turning the focus both internally and externally, with both positive and negative critiques. But first… books! They’ve been reading a lot. You’ll hear about productivity, theology, classic fiction, and of course a lot of history. Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of the ESV Concise Study Bible. The ESV Concise Study Bible is rich in content yet approachable and easy to carry—perfect for studying God’s Word in any context. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE.  Timestamps: Books First! [0:00 – 2:25] Collin is surprised. [2:25 – 7:36] Kevin is restrained. [7:36 – 19:18] Justin is almost finished. [19:18 – 28:54] Elites in the Spotlight [28:54 – 37:54] Hating on Elites [37:54 – 43:03] Evangelical Elites [43:03 – 46:40] Public Religious Research Institute Survey [46:40 – 49:08] Elitists Out of Step [49:08 – 53:35] Kevin Responds [53:35 – 58:34] Elites Not Reading the Room [58:34 – 1:02:11] The Inner Ring [1:02:11 – 1:03:15] Encouragement [1:03:15 – 1:07:18]  Books and Everything: Collin: Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe--and Started the Protestant Reformation, by Andrew Pettegree Pilgrims and Priests: Christian Mission in a Post-Christian Society, by Stefan Paas Kevin: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman Them Before Us: Why We Need a Global Children's Rights Movement, by Katy Faust and Stacy Manning Wonderfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body, by John W. Kleinig The Viking Heart: How Scandinavians Conquered the World, by Arthur Herman 1984, by George Orwell Justin: Proverbs: A Shorter Commentary, by Bruce K. Waltke and Ivan D. V. De Silva The Zealot and the Emancipator: John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and the Struggle for American Freedom, by H.W. Brands Lincoln in Private: What His Most Personal Reflections Tell Us About Our Greatest President, by Ronald C. White Lonesome Dove: A Novel, by Larry McMurtry Articles on Elites:

On this episode, Kevin interviews Civil War historian Dr. Allen Guelzo , Senior Research Scholar at Princeton. Dr. Guelzo’s new biography of Robert E. Lee paints a portrait of neither a sinner nor a saint, but a full picture of a complex human being. Dr. Guelzo is a historian with a solid theological background. He and Kevin address how General Lee could be both opposed to slavery and commit treason to defend it. The South came very close to victory: How would that have changed history? How did Lee’s fatherlessness affect his leadership? And of course they cover the question of the removal of statues.  Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of new books by Michael Reeves and Dane Ortlund .  For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE. Timestamps: Dr. Allen Guelzo, First-time Listener [1:02 – 2:47] Guelzo’s Other Historical Works [2:47 – 12:53] The Making of a Great Course [12:53 – 14:13] Writing a Biography of Robert E. Lee [14:13 – 19:21] What Movies Get Right and Wrong about Lee [19:21 – 24:47] “…the biography of someone who commits treason?” [24:47 – 29:24] A Christian Way of Doing History [29:24 – 36:18] Neither Saint Nor Devil [36:18 – 44:41] Robert, Son of the Great Light Horse Harry Lee [44:41 – 48:37] Before and After the War [48:37 – 51:53] What if the South had won? [51:33 – 58:30] Lee and Slavery [58:30 – 1:04:20] Should statues be removed? [1:04:20 – 1:09:22]  Books and Everything: Robert E. Lee: A Life, by Allen Guelzo The Great Courses  Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia: 175 Years of Thinking and Acting Biblically, by Philip Graham Ryken  Edwards on the Will: A Century of American Theological Debate, by Allen Guelzo  Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President , by Allen Guelzo Gettysburg: The Last Invasion , by Allen Guelzo Redeeming the Great Emancipator , by Allen Guelzo, et al Fateful Lightning: A New History of the Civil War and Reconstruction, by Allen Guelzo  Faith of the Fatherless, by Paul Vitz  “Of Monuments & Men,” by Allen C. Gue lzo and John M. Rudy

In this episode Kevin and Justin take a long, hard look at abortion in America. With the new law in Texas making news, and a potential challenge to Roe v. Wade, they help us get back to basics with practical resources for changing hearts and minds regarding abortion. They also ask where the primary threat to the American church is coming from. Is it secularism from outside, or corruption and sin inside? And in a moment of light disagreement, they discuss the pro and cons of depicting Jesus in media like The Chosen. Plus, the book recommendations that are not at the top of everyone’s mind.  Life and Books and Everything is sponsored by Crossway, publisher of The Death of Porn, by Ray Ortlund.  In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. For 30% off this book and all other books and Bibles at Crossway, sign up for a free Crossway+ account at crossway.org/LBE .  Timestamps: Eradicate Porn [0:00 – 2:30] Nebraska vs. Michigan State [2:30 – 6:06] Abortion [6:06 – 32:12] Is the greatest threat to the Church internal or external? [32:12 – 50:26] Problems with Depicting Jesus in The Chosen [50:26 – 1:03:01] Non-Top-Ten Book Recommendations [1:03:01 – 1:11:55]  Books and Everything: Resources on Abortion: The Case for Life, by Scott Klusen dorf SLED argument against abortion  Pro-Lifers Shine on Twitter  Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice , by Francis Beckwith Abuse of Discretion: The Inside Story of Roe v. Wade , by Clarke Forsythe  Eternal Perspectives Ministries , with Randy Alcorn Robert P. George and Patrick Lee  Marvin Olasky, book on abortion forthcoming from Crossway Non-Top-Ten Book Recommendations: - From Justin: Commentary on the New Testament, by Robert Gundry  Wrestling with an Angel: A Story of Love, Disability and the Lessons of Grace , by Greg Lucas Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief, by Bruce Milne  - From Kevin: True Devotion: In Search of Authentic Spirituality, by Allan Chapple  Wisdom in Leadership, by Craig Hamilton  The Book of the Dun Cow, by Walter Wangerin, J r.  The Everlasting Man