Gospelbound

Michael (Mike) Graham, program director at The Gospel Coalition’s Keller Center and cultural commentator on technology and epistemology, joins the conversation. They trace COVID’s upheaval of worship and digital acceleration. They examine the Trump era’s legal and cultural shifts, the moral transformation after Obergefell, and the iPhone’s role in reshaping social life and knowledge.

Michael Graham, program director and researcher on American religious trends, gives data-driven perspective on church decline and shifting affiliations. He charts the rise of non-denominationalism, global leadership moving south, China’s church boom and crackdown, and America’s dechurching. Short, clear takes highlight demographic shifts, persecution patterns, and changing needs for apologetics.

Bob Thune, pastor and Keller Center fellow who writes on ecclesial apologetics, discusses why the visible church matters for public witness. He explores Western narratives of freedom, contrasts freedom from with freedom for, and shows how gathered Christian life shapes cultural persuasion. Practical topics include hospitality, solidarity, and how churches can embody an alternative public good.

Robin John, cofounder and CEO of Eventide and author of The Good Investor, builds faith-driven, values-aligned investing into a practical vision. He discusses how retirement money can unintentionally support harm, why investors implicitly root for the companies they own, and how collective, faith-based capital can reshape corporate behavior for the common good.

Thomas West, pastor of Nashville First Baptist Church, and Trevin Wax, NAMB research VP and author, discuss The Gospel Way Catechism and its role today. They talk about why catechisms return in cultural upheaval. They explore Western self-centeredness, controversial cultural narratives like sexuality, and how a counter-catechism equips Christians for spiritual formation.

Justin Giboney, author and public theologian, cofounder of the AND Campaign, dives into the legacy of the Black church and its role in social justice. He highlights the courage of civil rights leaders like Fred Shuttlesworth, advocating for a faithful, action-oriented approach to activism. Giboney discusses why moral progress isn't guaranteed and critiques the current culture war, urging a third way beyond political binaries. He emphasizes humility, self-critique, and the importance of integrity in activism, offering valuable insights for young activists.

David Bahnsen, founder of The Bahnsen Group and author of Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life, delves into the intertwining of work and identity. He shares a personal story about finding purpose through work after losing his father. Bahnsen critiques the church's discomfort with ambition and emphasizes the biblical case for work as a creational purpose. He discusses the social consequences of declining male labor participation and rejects the notion of a zero-sum game between work and family. He also highlights the importance of in-person collaboration and the responsibilities that foster personal fulfillment.

Join Melissa Kruger, a ministry leader and podcaster, as she collaborates with Collin Hansen to dissect the most compelling theology stories of 2025. They delve into the intensified crackdown on Chinese house churches and the legacies of influential Christian leaders like MacArthur and Baucham. The conversation explores the impact of AI on religious knowledge, the revival of penal substitution debates, and the surprising rise of church attendance among UK youth. Additionally, they share favorite interviews and books, revealing insights into their personal and professional projects.

Josh Chatraw, the Billy Graham Chair for Evangelism at Beeson Divinity School, and Christopher Watkin, an Associate Professor at Monash University, delve into the concept of cultural apologetics. They argue that apologetics should reach the heart and hands, not just the head. The duo explores historical figures like Augustine and Pascal for insights on engaging culture. They emphasize adapting the gospel to various contexts and using personal storytelling to connect with skeptics, urging the church to embrace apologetics as a communal responsibility.

Rob Smith, an ordained Anglican minister and theology lecturer, offers a deep dive into transgender theory and its cultural rise. He discusses the philosophical influences of thinkers like Judith Butler and Michel Foucault, breaking down arguments around gender as a construct. Smith emphasizes that sex is binary, contrasting it with varying expressions of masculinity and femininity. He highlights the need for pastoral care in responding to children experiencing gender distress and raises concerns about rigid gender stereotypes within church culture.