TGC Podcast

Michael Lawrence, pastor and theologian at Henson Baptist Church and author of Conversion, offers a concise mini bio. He outlines conversion as God’s initiating work followed by human repentance and faith. The conversation contrasts American reduction of conversion to a decision, traces Old Testament promises of new hearts, and explores pastoral and practical implications for church life.

Brett McCracken, author and commentator on Christian cultural trends, reads an article on metamodern Christianity. He defines metamodernism and its oscillating mood. He warns about bespoke, aesthetic-driven faith and explains aesthetic conversion and the Nova effect. He explores church cohesion, a hunger for stable truth, Christianity's constructive telos, moral formation, and revival potential among Gen Z.

Vaneetha (Benita) Risner, author who walks through divorce, grief, and identity in Christ. Blair Lynn, Bible teacher and spoken-word artist who speaks from a fatherless-child perspective on forgiveness and church care. Wendy Alsup, math teacher and author who offers pastoral counsel on forgiveness. They discuss theological marriage, safety and abuse, lament and Scripture for healing, forgiveness versus reconciliation, and practical church care.

Nadia Williams, author and reader, reflects on bringing classical literature into Christian family life. She traces the classics' historical role and their modern decline. She encourages adults to start learning with their children and suggests practical paths: schools, co-ops, or family study. Tips include daily reading goals, building a home library, and using modern resources to keep learning alive.

Benjamin Gladd, a Biblical theologian who traces New Testament quotations and allusions, joins the conversation. They unpack how to spot direct quotations versus subtle allusions. They trace Old Testament threads through Mark, Acts, Revelation, and 1 Peter. Practical tips for using cross-references and tracing themes to connect Scripture to Christ are highlighted.

Brett McCracken, author and cultural commentator on faith and technology, reads his article about trusting embodied experience. He contrasts sensory grounding with the chaos of online feeds and AI-driven mediation. He urges prioritizing direct observation, local relationships, and embodied wisdom over mediated summaries.

Melissa Kruger, VP of discipleship programming and author, and Mike Kruger, seminary president and New Testament professor, discuss parenting rooted in God-centered hope. They talk about placing hope in Christ, parents modeling faith first, spiritual self-care, basics like Scripture and prayer, warm authoritative parenting, guiding teens through conversation, allowing safe failures, and welcoming doubts.

Sandy Willson, pastor and church leader, offers pastoral perspective on healthy male-female service. Blair Linne, church leader, shares personal testimony and pushes for accountable elder plurality. Wendy Alsup, author and speaker, grounds the discussion in Genesis and discipleship. They discuss biblical definitions of complementarianism, spiritual adoption and church family, practical harms and accountability, and concrete steps for discipleship and Sunday involvement.

Stephen Witmer, lead pastor near Boston and TGC council member, gives a keynote on a Christian view of marriage rooted in Ephesians 5. He describes marriage as a window revealing Christ, traces historical shifts in how marriage is valued, and explains male-female complementarity as serving the gospel. He warns against idolizing or dismissing marriage while calling listeners to cherish its role pointing to Christ.

Michael Keller, pastor at Redeemer Lincoln Square and son of Tim Keller, gives a keynote-style talk on cultural narratives. He explores how stories like "be true to yourself," freedom as escape, and happiness as pleasure shape our imaginations. He critiques these narratives, highlights what Christianity affirms and corrects, and offers practical ways to spot and respond to competing cultural stories.