The Reforming Lounge: Formation for the Wandering Heart

4th of July threw the guys off for a bit, but they’re back with episode two of culture wars. Today, Fowler and Marco examine relativism. Also — be on the look out for a second episode dropping this week!

Fowler and Marco begin a new series called “Culture Wars” as they examine and discuss a variety of topics and conversations that are prevalent in our time such as self-love, deconstruction, biblical womanhood and manhood, and more. Self-love is the first to go under the microscope — is it helpful? Is it harmful? Should Christians practice self-love? In any case, the guys are back with a new season filled with new content. In this episode, you get to simply catch up with Fowler and Marco. Enjoy!

In this episode, the guys continue the conversation by answering a few questions that came up during the Spring hiatus along with some updates for what’s ahead at The Reforming Lounge.

Welcome back to The Reforming Lounge! Today is marks the start of season two. We know that we’ve been away for some time — the Spring brought out a lot different challenges and changes for the guys. In DFW, Fowler’s private practice, Fowler Family Therapy, grew and demanded more of his attention while in the RGV, the church Marco pastor’s at, Storehouse Community Church, experienced growth, new leadership, and celebrated their five year anniversary! In any case, the guys are back with a new season filled with new content. In this episode, you get to simply catch up with Fowler and Marco. Enjoy!

We love books so we thought we’d hook our listeners up with a book review on Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerich. This resource has had a tremendous impact on many Christians and their marriages or relationships. The guys review some of the helpful insights provided, but also address a few areas that raise an eyebrow. You’ll have to listen. Also — this is our last episode for the season! More details on what’s coming in January!

Spiritual abuse in the church can range from domineering leadership to manipulation of the word of God toward the people of God and it’s absolutely sinful, devastating, and incredibly hurtful in many different ways. This morning, the guys discuss spiritual abuse and its effects on the church.

2020 was something else for everyone — from increased need for mental health awareness to job security to racial tensions to the state of the local church in the United States. The effect of 2020 is still something many are processing and healing from — how can we help?

Trigger warning! The guys tackle triggers — that is, they tackle the distinction, dangers, and healthy perspectives on both clinical and cultural triggers. But first, they spend time defining triggers and where they come from, but also take a look at how our current culture can — at times — provide unhelpful views of what we call, triggers.

When it comes to the conversation about emotion, Christians can land in one of two spaces. On one hand, there’s stoicism where emotion is removed from theology while on the other hand, there is emotionalism where theology is reduced and emotions are the primary source of interpreting theology and life.

Last episode of our series in “the secular trinity”! Self-care has always been around, but has literature and influence has soared in the last decade over the culture of self-care. This morning, we explore the benefits and the concerns of self-care.

This morning, the guys continue the series on the Secular Trinity as they discuss “the new psychology,” taken from The Screwtape Letters from C.S. Lewis. The conversation is centered around the temptation to take what is popular in pop-psychology philosophy and practice and fold that into the message of the gospel.

For the next three weeks, Fowler and Marco will explore the contours of what they call “The Secular Trinity.” In the last several years, Christians have seemed to almost lose sight of the beauty and necessity of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to their spiritual formation and opted for a more “secularized” approach. This morning, the guys begin with therapy and discuss how Christians can have a fruitful and biblical approach in the areas of therapy, the new psychology, and self-care

The enneagram is a popular tool used by many churches, organizations, and individuals to help better understand their personality and wiring. However, what is the origin of the enneagram, and is it beneficial within the church? Fowler and Marco address the benefits and issues surrounding the enneagram.

It all begins with an idea.