BOOKIN' IT

Cooper and Tanner discuss the idea of apologetics--the rational defense of the Christian and faith--and connect it to effective and God-honoring evangelism. Can apologetics be helpful in sharing the gospel? Do people care about rational arguments when deciding to follow Jesus? All this and more! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner scratch the surface in their discussion of Tolstoy's legendary novel, Anna Karenina. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner thank everyone for and reminisce upon exactly five years of podcasting. We only have seven minutes left on our monthly allowance thanks to monster episodes on Rhythm of War and Wind and Truth, but we wanted to drop a quick episode commemorating five years podcasting! To listen to a non-truncated version of this episode minus edits, support us over on Patreon. Enjoy and thanks! We couldn't have done it without you. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

The mega-analysis the internet has been waiting for. Cooper and Tanner discuss the fifth book of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive--the concluding book of the first arc of the series. With their thoughtful, Christian perspective, the guys breakdown everything from character to plot to philosophy. Timestamps below for ease of listening. Enjoy the episode, and feel free to reach out by email, website, YouTube, or wherever: we'd love to hear your thoughts on the book too! 0:00 - 2:41 Intro 2:41 - 3:49 Donor Shoutouts 3:49 - 16:53 Opening thoughts, ranking the Stormlight books, and rating Wind and Truth out of five stars 16:53 - 26:47 Structure and plot 26:47 - 42:50 Jarring, modern attitudes, morals, language, and prose 42:50 - 47:54 On the nose, very literal theme communication 47:54 - 52:03 Intro to the philosophy 52:03 - 1:04:50 What Levin's character arc in Anna Karenina can teach us about Jasnah's character arc and how it can grant insight into the philosophical questions of Wind and Truth 1:04:50 - 1:10:35 Analysis of the ethical systems and theories in Wind and Truth 1:10:35 - 1:27:08 Philosophy in the story and characters 1:27:08 - 1:48:00 Characters 1:48:00 - 1:53:27 Cosmere integration and expansion 1:53:27 - 2:00:46 Concluding rambling thoughts FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner give a second go at discussing the fourth (and perhaps, least liked) book in Brandon Sanderson's magnum opus. Dissecting characters and plot, their conversation surveys and canvasses all the major elements of the story. Enjoy listening! TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and his cousin, Hayden, discuss their summer reading so far. The books they talk about include but are not limited to: The Once and Future King by T.H. White, What it Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund, and two of C.S. Lewis's works: the Screwtape Letters and Miracles. Listen and enjoy! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper makes an argument against the theological view called Eternal Functional Subordination from 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Matthew enjoy a chill, wide-ranging conversation that launches in with no introduction to a discussion of Pope Francis's recent passing. It morphs into a conversation about Easter and Easter traditions and Good Friday and Good Friday movies (Passion of the Christ and Silence come up). From there, Matthew asks a question about disciplines, and they talk about time management, mental fortitude, and habitual spiritual practices. Finally, they discuss the use of the word "struggle" as it relates to sanctification and sin. This episode is laid-back, but contains some good conversation about the Christian life, with two guys who are seeking to follow Christ in everything and live accordingly. Enjoy! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper, Matthew, and Tanner have a lively discussion of the Sacrament of the Altar, commonly called the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, and the Eucharist. Their conversation ranged from the mode of Christ's presence in the elements of bread and wine, ecclesiology and church government and structure, to assurance of salvation. Hopefully this discussion is helpful in wrestling with and worshipfully pondering the glorious Christ in whose body we live and by whose blood we are redeemed. TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner joyfully discuss one of their favorite authors, Jane Austen, and her beloved work, Mansfield Park. A romp of an episode, listen to hear them break down Austen at the height of her craft--even if other books lightly outshine this one in their opinion. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Matthew discuss how they view the relationship between Scripture and tradition(s) and go and various tangent trails--as applicable--about examples. Icon Veneration, the Lord's Supper, Marian Dogmas, Divine Simplicity, and more are all mentioned. Take a listen! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Matthew discuss the tradition of Ash Wednesday and Lent. Is fasting beneficial? Should all Christians celebrate these practices? Can they cause believers to drift into pharisaical tendencies? All this and more! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner have a low-key chat about plot and prose, character and theme in the third book of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive: Oathrbinger. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Matthew convene again to discuss the nature of temptation, sinful desires, the nature of how Jesus was tempted as we were yet without sin. There's a mix of complex theology and terms with practical implications for not giving in to temptation. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper is joined by Matthew once again to discuss the common tendency of Christians nowadays to use words which mean nothing. They talk about short prayers, spiritual conversations, written prayers, fluff in preaching, and much more. It's a hopefully wise conversation about a relevant topic. Take a listen! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner have a chill conversation about Brandon Sanderson's second book in the Stormlight Archive. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner discuss their favorite books from 2024, removing the chaff from the wheat for everything they read until only ten books remain. Take a listen to find out what they are. Or click our Patreon link down below. You could do that too. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper brings on a special guest, his good friend from college, Isaiah Kasowski, who contributes much thoughtful discourse as they discuss the characters, prose, and outlook of Cormac McCarthy's novel. Is the Road nihilist? What makes the story and characters so gripping? Why was the book originally called the Grail? Okay, that last one is asked without much answering, but all the rest and many more are tackled with a hopefully insightful conversation. Enjoy! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!

Cooper and Tanner talk about the first book in the Stormlight Archive. Discussing characters, word building, insight, and Sanderlanches, they have a jolly good time. Take a listen! TEXT US HERE!

It’s our sesquicentennial! 150 episodes! To celebrate, we first discuss Christmas, the Incarnation of Christ, tradition and traditions, the culture, the church, and God’s story. In the second half, we swap stories about the podcast and talk about how much the podcast exceeded our expectations. It’s a delightful romp of an episode. Enjoy the listen and merry Christmas! Cooper’s blog post on the Incarnation. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @bookinitpod CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: https://412podcasting.com SUPPORT US HERE: https://patreon.com/bookinit TEXT US HERE!