(A)Millennial

How do we reach people for Christ in an increasingly secular age? That is the question Tim Keller considers in his short eBook, How to Reach the West Again. He stops by to chat about what we can learn from the early Church, how Christian writers and institutions can address our current cultural moment, and why we have ultimate hope in an unchanging God when society is constantly changing. He also gives his thoughts on the recent high-profile failures of evangelical leaders and how the Church should respond to them. Also in this episode: We finally determine what is up with Tom Bombadil. Links for this episode: Free eBook and Podcast Author Website Twitter Facebook Instagram Redeemer City to City Dominion by Tom Holland Atheist Overreach by Christian Smith

Approximately 25% of identified pregnancies end in miscarriage. All of us know someone who has lost a child in the womb, or perhaps we have lost one ourselves. Abbey Wedgeworth discusses this difficult topic with great sensitivity, responding to grief with gospel truth. Her book Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God’s Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage is an excellent resource for those who have experienced miscarriage or seek to minister to others who have. Also in this episode: We discover that South Carolina and Ohio may, in fact, have slightly different weather. Purchase Abbey's Book Author Website Held Podcast Instagram Forthcoming Companion Book for Fathers by Eric Schumacher "How Christ Redeemed our Suffering" by Amy Mantravadi

"What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?" That was the question the Church Father Tertullian asked, and ever since then Christians have been attempting to answer it. Can we use ideas taken from secular philosophy to inform our understanding of theology? Is there even a difference between philosophy and theology? Dr. Alex (Shao Kai) Tseng stops by to consider these questions and provide an overview of Christianity's interaction with philosophers from Plato to Hegel. Also in this episode: Alex describes the lengths he will go to for tamales. Purchase Alex's Books Facebook Page Alex's Tribute to J.I. Packer

What role does the imagination play in helping people understand and appreciate the gospel of Jesus Christ? That's the question that Justin Ariel Bailey asks in his book Reimagining Apologetics. We discuss how Christians can share their faith in what has been dubbed the "Age of Authenticity," when a person's individual experience is seen as the best source of truth. Also in this episode: We geek out about Tolkien. Purchase the Book Justin's Website Facebook Twitter Tolkien Tuesdays Video Series In All Things Podcast

The Heidelberg Catechism tells us that our only comfort in life and death is that we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ, but for many people in the modern West, this seems like a false comfort designed to keep us in chains. In his new book, You Are Not Your Own, Dr. Alan Noble argues that the false promises of self-belonging have left us with a world that is inhuman: obsessed with efficiency, built upon self-promotion, and unable to offer hope for eternity. He offers some correctives to popular societal maxims and points us to the hope that is found in Christ. Also in this episode: Listen to the very end to hear us get confused about one of Tim Keller's degrees. Links for this episode: Purchase the book Official website Twitter Facebook Instagram Medium

The past few years have revealed the extent to which sexual abuse has plagued both the Church and society as a whole. How should we talk to our children about this issue, and how can the Church improve its response when predators are reported in our midst? Author and advocate Rachael Denhollander stops by to discuss these important topics, providing advice and a bit of conviction. Also in this episode: Rachael reveals the less high-minded factor that has been motivating her this whole time. Links for this episode: Official website Rachael's autobiography How Much is a Little Girl Worth? Facebook Twitter Instagram "How Christian Theology Shapes Our Response to Abuse" - Speech at CCCU "A Time to Speak: Addressing Justice and Forgiveness" - Speech at Calvin University Rachael's testimony at Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing

Have you heard the term systematic theology but don't know exactly what it means or how it is different from other ways of studying theology? In this episode, Dr. Gray Sutanto of Reformed Theological Seminary discusses what systematic theology is and how it is helpful for the average Christian, providing some tips for those who want to try it out for themselves. Also in this episode: the one thing that Amy's husband says there is to do in Dayton. Links for this episode: Dr. Sutanto's faculty page and publication list Lecture on "Bavinck's Christian Worldview" Discussion with Tim Keller on "Bavinck, Epistemology, and Ministry in Global Cities" "10 Things You Should Know about Systematic Theology" by Scott Swain God and Knowledge: Herman Bavinck's Theological Epistemology by Gray Sutanto The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck The Trinity by Scott Swain

"Believe in yourself." That's the message most of popular culture gives us, but it's not what the Bible teaches. Author Jen Oshman stops by to explain how we can go from stressed out self-promoters to joy filled children of God by the power of the gospel. Also in this episode: Jen tells us the weirdest food she ever tried while serving as a missionary overseas. Links for this episode: Jen's personal website Official book page All Things Podcast Facebook Twitter Instagram Surf Dayton

Our God is a songwriter who inspires us to praise Him with music. Christian recording artist Jon Guerra aims to use his musical talents to inspire others to spiritual meditation. He stops by to discuss his motivations and inspirations, the story behind this podcast's theme song, and his and his wife's contributions to the films of director Terrence Malick. Also in this episode: We find out whether Chicago or Austin has better food. Links for this episode: Jon's official website Twitter Facebook Instagram Keeper of Days audio album Keeper of Days visual album A Hidden Life trailer

We live in a secular age where distraction is all the rage. So says Alan Noble, author of the book Disruptive Witness. He discusses the forces in our society that make contemplation of spiritual matters difficult and gives some ideas for how Christians can break through the distractions to provide a powerful witness the world. Also in this episode: We find out about the glorious career Alan might have had if things turned out differently. Links for this episode: Official website Twitter Facebook Instagram Medium Carillon Brewing Company

How could so many Evangelical Christians vote for Donald Trump, a man who seems thoroughly opposed to certain Christian values? That's a question many have been asking. Author Kristin Kobes du Mez attempts to answer it in her book Jesus and John Wayne, which examines how many Evangelicals in America have tended toward patriarchy, militarism, and nationalism over the past several decades. In this episode, she shares her thoughts on some of the difficult issues within the Evangelical movement and whether there is likely to be any major change in the near future. Also in this episode: We find out just how Dutch Kristin is. Links related to today's episode: Official book webpage Kristin's personal website Blog Twitter Facebook "Jesus and John Wayne" by The Gaither Vocal Band

The past few years have seen many discussions in American society and the Church about how we handle issues of race and ethnicity. Author Jasmine L. Holmes has addressed this topic from a very personal angle, writing a series of letters to her own son called Mother to Son: Letters to a Black Boy on Identity and Hope. She has some excellent insights about how the Church should think about justice and reconciliation, how we should engage with one another in general, and what it's like to be a mother of boys. This is a valuable discussion on a timely topic. Also in this episode: A somewhat unusual birth story leaves Jasmine on edge. Links for today's episode: Official book page Jasmine's personal website Jasmine's Patreon page Twitter Instagram Facebook Let's Talk podcast Dayton Triangles football team

With a difficult year coming to a close and the Christmas season upon us, Amy shares with you the answer to life, the universe, and everything...and it's not the number 42.

So many Christian parents want to know how best to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) Yet with the dizzying array of resources out there and strategies being promoted, it can be difficult to know where to start. Today's two guests have taken it back to basics with their Baby Believer series of primer books, which teach basic concepts of the Christian faith to children in relatable ways. Hear Danielle Hitchen and Jessica Blanchard talk about how they developed the concept for the series and what other projects they have planned. Also in this episode: We consider the nature of the sensus intermissio, a new theological term created by Amy. Links related to today's guests: Catechesis BooksJessica’s webpagePurchase Jessica's workSacred Season Podcast

The story of the Bible is the story of covenants. If we do not have an understanding of how God covenants with humanity, we cannot properly grasp the intent of the biblical authors and the theology they taught. In his book The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, and His Kingdom, Samuel Renihan provides an overview of all the covenants in the Bible, including some with which you may be less familiar. We discuss how they work together and what it means for our Christian worship and practice. Also in this episode: Things get Funkadelic and we learn what Sam wants for Christmas. Links related to today's guest: Book pageTwitterPetty France BlogFrom Shadow to Substance: The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists (1642-1704)Further reading related to today's episode: The Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition CenterCovenant and God's Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner

This week's guest is Matthew Lee Anderson, author of The End of Our Exploring: A Book about Questioning and the Confidence of Faith. All of us have questions about God, the purpose of life, the problem of evil, and other serious issues. How do we ask those questions in a manner that honors God, and how can Christians create communities in which people feel free to explore? Also in this episode: The odd place Amy tried to read the book, an epic mix-up of nomenclature, and a reading from T.S. Eliot. Links related to today's guest: Buy on Amazon.comMatt's official websiteBook pageTwitterMere OrthodoxyMere Fidelity podcastFurther reading for this episode: "Little Gidding" by T.S. Eliot"Letters to a Young Poet" by Rainer Maria Rilke as read by the late Dennis Hopper

Author Rachel Joy Welcher stops by to discuss what got left behind at the purity ball. About twenty years ago, a torrent of literature related to sexual purity was unleashed in Christian bookstores. It spawned an entire culture with purity rings, True Love Waits concerts, and yes, even purity balls. Some of it adhered to biblical truth...but some of it did not. In her new book, Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality, Rachel discusses the effects this had on the Church and how we should think about issues of sexual purity going forward. Links related to today's guest: Buy the bookPersonal websiteFathom MagazineTwitterInstagramFacebook

In the beginning was a bunch of words spoken by a host about the purpose of this podcast. Special guest Jai Mantravadi interviews host Amy Mantravadi about what motivated her to start the (A)Millennial podcast, what listeners can expect, and how she prefers to name goldfish. Also in this episode: Amy explains her theological background and why her baptism was somewhat delayed. NOTE: Apologies for the background noise at various points. It will be reduced in future episodes. Amy's blog Amy's novels Further reading: Charles Taylor's A Secular Age1518 Heidelberg Disputation