FTC Mailbag

Is there good news for men at midlife? Jared Wilson thinks so. He's written a new book titled exactly that -- Good News for Midlife -- and in this episode, he and Ronni Kurtz discuss the mysterious season of middle age with its unique challenges and opportunities. When does midlife even begin? How should we navigate it or prepare for it? What's the deal with the midlife crisis phenomenon? And how does the gospel apply uniquely to marriage, parenting, work, friendship, ministry, and legacy in this new season. The book Good News for Midlife: Navigating Middle Age with Guts and Grace is available now from Multnomah Publishers wherever Christian books are sold. More info here: https://sites.prh.com/goodnewsformidlife

A mailbag question from a listener inspires an episode's worth of discussion on endurance and joy in ministry when things have gotten tiring. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the phenomenon of ministry exhaustion and offer some counsel on where to find encouragement and energy for the road ahead.

In anticipation of October 31, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the enduring influence of the Protestant Reformation on evangelicalism today and where they see the ongoing need for further reforming toward the 5 Solas.

Hey, what's that in Jared's hand? It's the grab bag! In this occasional feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz bring surprise questions for each other. Listen in to see which ones catch them off guard.

Cold takes only on a subject that seems to rile up evangelical social media every new moon. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the ins and outs of ministry sabbaticals, and why people seem to get so upset about them.

It's possible Jared just wanted to trick Ronni into talking about UFO's again, but on this new installment in the FTC Film Club feature, the guys discuss the artistic excellence and spiritual resonance of M. Night Shyamalan's 2002 film, Signs.

It's a new installment of the FTC Mailbag, in which Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz respond to your submitted questions and topics. On this episode, the guys speak to: applying to be a lay elder, cultivating the soul, keeping your mind from wandering during spiritual disciplines, preaching's importance in a church, responding to a Catholic challenge on the sufficiency of Scripture, and breaking out of introverted ruts. If you've a question or topic to submit for a future episode, you can always email us at [email protected]

Should "Christian celebrity" even be a thing? How should we think about Christians and fame? How should we think about the concept of public ministry and platform? On this ep of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the challenges -- and potential -- of Christian celebrities and Christian celebrity culture.

The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 -- "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." But what does it mean? And how do we do it? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss how to cultivate a Christ-captivated imagination.

Why do we experience such distance between the idea of doctrine and delight? Why do we insist on a separation between learning doctrine and practical life? This week Jared Wilson talks to Ronni Kurtz about Ronni's new book Theology for Life: A Joy-Filled Introduction to Christian Doctrine (Baker Books) releasing this week. Theology for Life takes a distinctive approach to introducing Christian doctrine. Each chapter does two things: first, it explains a crucial doctrine clearly and accessibly; then, it shows you how to delight in that doctrine and be shaped by it into the person God calls you to be. Good theology, Kurtz argues, isn't simply about learning--it's about living. And it produces not division or drudgery, but joy. Available now wherever Christian books are sold.