New Persuasive Words

Episode Archive

Episode Archive

297 episodes of New Persuasive Words since the first episode, which aired on August 7th, 2015.

  • Episode 247: Origen, Irenaeus, and The Meaning of Christmas

    December 24th, 2018  |  27 mins 26 secs

    In this episode we consider two different ancient approaches to the meaning of redemption and the role of Jesus in it, and how it shapes our understanding of Christmas.

  • Episode 246: Keep the Christendom in Christmas

    December 10th, 2018  |  27 mins 10 secs

    In this episode we talk about the blessing of Advent and Christmas traditions and the benefits of living in a culture even superficially shaped by the Christian story.

  • Episode 245: Keeping The Faith

    November 23rd, 2018  |  40 mins 35 secs

    In this episode we interact with a recent piece that appeared on the Gospel Coalition website. The author claims that there is slippery slope (or natural progression?) from progressive evangelical Christianity to atheism. We're less than convinced.

  • Episode 244: Talking Politics at Thanksgiving

    November 21st, 2018  |  31 mins 41 secs

    In this episode we talk about how to deal with contentious hot button issues at the holiday dinner table.

  • Episode 243: Why We Need Evil

    November 20th, 2018  |  28 mins 5 secs

    In this episode we talk about what happens in the wake of horrific things when we lose the capacity to call them evil in a meaningful way.

  • Episode 242: It's Been a Rough Week in America

    October 29th, 2018  |  34 mins 3 secs

    This past week we saw 16 people killed in hate crimes in 2 states, one of which was the biggest killing of Jews in American history. We also saw a crazed man send bombs to some of the Democratic party's leadership and key supporters. We try to think about where we go next.

  • Episode 241: The Rich White Civil War

    October 22nd, 2018  |  27 mins 37 secs

    In this episode we talk about a new study of the American electorate, inspired by a recent op-ed in the NY Times by David Brooks. New research shows that the political tribalism that characterizes American political culture is actually fueled by the elites on the right and the left.

  • Episode 240: The Politics of the Cross

    October 8th, 2018  |  36 mins 52 secs

    In this episode we reflect on America's deep political divisions and tribalism in light of the theology of the cross.

  • Episode 239: Politics after Kavanaugh

    October 6th, 2018  |  31 mins 15 secs

    In this episode, recorded as the Senate was voting to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, we discuss the events that led up to his confirmation and what they might mean for the future of American politics and culture.

  • Episode 238: Is There a Philosophy of the Cross?

    October 1st, 2018  |  35 mins 10 secs

    In this episode, inspired by an essay that appeared in the Expository Times, we talk about the relationship between Christianity and philosophy. Specifically we consider what Christ crucified, "the foolishness of God," has to do with the philosophical enterprise.

  • Episode 237: Death

    September 25th, 2018  |  34 mins 20 secs

    In this episode we talk about life's most universal experience: death.

  • Episode 236: A Post-Christian Conservatism?

    September 18th, 2018  |  28 mins 46 secs

    In this episode we discuss the results of a recent study that show that there is an increasing number of secular and irreligious people forming Trump's GOP base. These less religious Republicans tend to share more of Trump's views that their religious counterparts. What does this mean for the future of the Republican party and the conservative movement?

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    Episode 235: What Was Paul's Problem Anyway?

    September 15th, 2018  |  31 mins

    In this episode, drawing inspiration from a book by Stephen Westerholm, we discuss the Old and New Perspective on Paul and whether Paul's "problem" was a Gentile issue or a problem facing the entire human race.

  • Episode 234: Does The Media Get The Church?

    August 30th, 2018  |  35 mins 2 secs

    In this episode, inspired by a piece in Commentary Magazine about the current crisis in the Catholic Church and the controversy surrounding President Trump's recent dinner with prominent evangelical leaders, we talk about how the media covers and sometimes misunderstands the church and church controversies.

  • Episode 233: Socialism on the Rise?

    August 20th, 2018  |  26 mins 42 secs

    In this episode, inspired by a discussion on the Commentary Magazine podcast, we discuss the rising popularity of socialism in America today.

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    Episode 232: Infrastructure and Tradition

    August 16th, 2018  |  34 mins 56 secs

    In this episode we talk about Roman roads, the importance of infrastructure and the nature of preservation and innovation in traditions.