New Persuasive Words

Episode 320: It's Friday, Sunday's Coming!

November 20th, 2024  |  33 mins 4 secs

In this episode we pa tribute to the recently deceased evangelist, sociologist, and activist Tony Campolo. He was pivotal in the development of late 20th century progressive evangelicalism and served as a spiritual advisor to former President Bill Clinton in the wake of the Monica Lewinski scandal.

Episode 319: Christ the King

November 19th, 2024  |  35 mins 2 secs

In this episode we reflect on the liturgical history and meaning of Christ the King Sunday. But first we banter about the news of the day.

Episode 318: The Real Election Podcast

November 15th, 2024  |  43 mins 15 secs

In this episode, amidst the political tsunami that hit last week, we talk about the election that counts. We look at the doctrine of election in the history of the church and what it means for us today amidst a moment of massive cultural change and anxiety.

Episode 317: Confessing the Faith Today, part 1

November 12th, 2024  |  36 mins 12 secs

barmen, barth, bonhoeffer, confession, theology

In this episode we talk about the nature of Christian confession. Why do we confess the faith? When do we do it and why? We'll talk specifically about the Barmen Declaration today in this ongoing occassional series.

Episode 316: Our Post-Election Autopsy

November 8th, 2024  |  41 mins 41 secs

In this episode we reflect on the results of this week's 2024 Presidential election. How'd we get here? What's next? Where is the country going?

Episode 315: A Requiem for the Evangelical Left

October 4th, 2024  |  35 mins 11 secs

In this episode we discuss the death of a progressive evangelical community in Philadelphia. We also consider what it means for the ongoing legacy of the "evangelical left."

Episode 314: The Promise of Presuppositionalism

September 30th, 2024  |  29 mins 15 secs

In this episode we talk about presuppositional apologetics. It's a 20th century strategy for defending religious faith. We consider what it tells us about the nature of religious faith, and what insights it gives into the process of thinking and making intellectual commitments.

Episode 313: Two Truths Are Better Than None

September 27th, 2024  |  26 mins 45 secs

In this episode we talk about our culture's propensity toward reductionism. We make the case that living with two truths in tension is better than settling for a truth.

Episode 312: Theological Family Trees

September 19th, 2024  |  44 mins 5 secs

In this episode we talk about theological family trees. What influences shape our core religious convictions and make us who we are? We also talk a little about the debate and the near extinction of humanity that almost happened 900,000 years ago.

Episode 311: The Birth of Tragedy

July 21st, 2024  |  30 mins 22 secs

In this episode, recorded minutes after Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, we talk Nietzsche. We think a bit Nietzsche's early work, The Birth of Tragedy. We try to think through what it might speak to a dramatic, polarized political situation, and what it might teach us about how both parties understand the human condition.

Episode 310: Hulkamaniacs Are Running Wild!

July 19th, 2024  |  35 mins 5 secs

In this episode Bill and Scott talk about Donald Trump, his shooting, and his convention where he accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States. We were both excited to see the Hulkster back in public life!

Episode 309: Failure of Nerve

July 13th, 2024  |  28 mins 50 secs

In this episode we discuss a phenomenal text on leadership, Failure of Nerve. We think with the author about what's behind the emotional limitations to change in church, society, and our personal lives. We conclude with some Christian reflections on Rabbi Friedman's work, which we think could be useful inside and outside the church.

Episode 308: Hamilton, Burr and Atheistic Arguments

July 11th, 2024  |  31 mins 45 secs

In this episode, recorded on the anniversary of the historic duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, we consider some of the best arguments against the existence of God.

Episode 307: We're all Dogmatic...Get over It!

July 6th, 2024  |  29 mins 6 secs

In this episode we talk about the nature of faith in a modern and pluralistic world. What does it mean to have faith and have it challenged? What do you do when people call you dogmatic for believing? How do you share that faith in an inviting, reasonable, and humble way?

Episode 306: Motel Six or Seal Team Six?

July 1st, 2024  |  29 mins 28 secs

In this episode we talk about recent Supreme Court decisions and their short term and long term implications for life in the Republic.

Episode 305: Our First 2024 Post-Debate Show

June 28th, 2024  |  28 mins 16 secs

Continuing in the New Persuasive Words tradition, we bring you our legendary post-debate coverage.