Mortification of Spin

Carl and Todd welcome Justin Poythress, PCA pastor (and former student of Carl’s), to discuss his new book, Who Am I and What Am I Doing with My Life? Finding Stability and Purpose in Jesus. They explore the pressing issues of identity in today's culture, particularly among young men, and how a Christian understanding of identity can provide clarity and confidence amidst confusion. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that tackles the complexities of self-worth, societal expectations, and consider the importance of grounding our identities in Christ. We are pleased to offer three copies of Justin’s book, Who Am I and What Am I Doing with My Life?, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of The Good Book Company. Enter here to win.

Today, Carl and Todd engage in a thoughtful conversation about the importance of devotional reading in the Christian life, sharing their personal experiences and recommending various devotional books that have enriched their spiritual journeys.  Devotional reading can be tremendously encouraging and helpful for your daily walk with Christ. – Todd Pruitt From the Psalms to the writings of Charles Spurgeon and Matthew Henry, this episode emphasizes the value of structured devotional practices to deepen one's relationship with God. Tune in for insights and recommendations that could transform your quiet time with the Lord! And don’t forget to check the Show Notes below for a complete listing of the titles recommended by Carl and Todd.   We are pleased to offer three copies of Prayers of the Bible: 366 Devotionals to Encourage Your Prayer Life by Gordon Keddie to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Crown and Covenant Publishers. Enter here to win.   Show Notes: Recommended Devotional Reading: Spurgeon & the Psalms, Thomas Nelson Publishing Reading the Psalms with Luther, Concordia Publishing House The Valley of Vision, Banner of Truth The Book of Common Prayer (other online versions available) Prayers of the Bible by Gordon Keddie, Crown and Covenant Publications The Pastor in Prayer: A Collection of the Sunday Morning Prayers of Charles Spurgeon, Banner of Truth Matthew Henry’s A Method for Prayer (or sign up for the daily online devotional email here) Glorifying and Enjoying God by William Boekestein, Jonathan Landry Cruse & Andrew Miller, Reformation Heritage Books Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology by Kevin DeYoung, Crossway Books

Kevin DeYoung is back on Mortification of Spin, this time to discuss his new book, Church History for Everyone, Volume 1, with Todd and Carl. Together, the three amigos delve into the importance of understanding Church history, exploring its relevance to modern Christianity, and the rich narratives that shape our faith.  This is our family history. It's important to know our family history. –Kevin DeYoung With humor and insight, the conversation touches on various historical figures, the significance of monasticism, and the lessons that can be drawn from both the celebrated and the flawed characters of our past. Join us for this enlightening journey through the annals of Christian history! We are pleased to offer three copies of Kevin’s book, Church History for Everyone, Volume 1, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Crossway Books. Enter here to win.   Show Notes: Church History for Everyone by Kevin DeYoung   

In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Todd and Carl welcome back Neil Shenvi and Patrick Sawyer to discuss their new book, Post Woke: Asserting a Biblical Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality. A follow up to their earlier book, Critical Dilemma, Neil and Pat wrote Post Woke to help Christians understand how ideas drawn from critical theory have shaped cultural conversations and practices that are in direct conflict with a Christian worldview.   "We wanted to point Christians to embracing a fully orbed, deep understanding of race, gender and sexuality from the Bible's perspective." They delve into the implications of critical theory within the Church and explore how Christians can navigate the complexities of race, gender, and sexuality through a biblical lens. With insights on the current cultural climate and the ongoing influence of wokeness, this conversation is both timely and essential for anyone seeking to understand and respond to these pressing issues. We are pleased to award three copies of Post Woke to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Harvest Apologetics. Congratulations to Shari D. from East Haddam, CT, Barbara W. from San Antonio, TX, and Mark C. from Ovieda, FL!   Show Notes: Post Woke by Neil Shenvi and Patrick Sawyer: https://www.harvestapologetics.com/books/post-woke/ Critical Dilemma by Neil Shenvi and Patrick Sawyer: https://criticaldilemma.com/

Carl and Todd welcome Chris Castaldo back to the podcast to shed some light on the apparent trend of young evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism. Chris, lead pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois, and author of Why Do Protestants Convert?, has some excellent insights into this movement. Together they explore the factors influencing this shift, including the appeal of liturgy, historical rootedness, and the search for intellectual depth in faith.  We do hear people talking about a desire for more textured liturgy, more historical rootedness, you know, a personal faith that is embodied. – Chris Castaldo Tune in for insights on how pastors can better equip their congregations to understand these dynamics and build and maintain a strong foundation in their churches. We are pleased to award a copy of Chris Castaldo’s book, Why Do Protestants Convert?, to one of our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Davenant Publishing. Congratulations to Stephen C. from Georgetown, TX!   Show Notes: Chris Castaldo’s Substack: https://chriscastaldo.substack.com/ Article by Chris: https://chriscastaldo.substack.com/p/what-mamaw-knew?utm_source=activity_item Article about conversions in other countries: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/23/catholicism-has-lost-people-to-religious-switching-in-many-countries-while-protestantism-has-gained-in-some/ Why Do Protestants Convert? https://davenantinstitute.org/davenant-press/why-do-protestants-convert/

A new form of relationship estrangement is afoot. Whereas, in the past, relationships tended to rupture over issues like abuse, today, people are increasingly estranged because of politics. On today’s episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion with author Noelle Mering about her book, No Contact: How a Seductive Ideology Broke Families and Friendships and How We Can Repair Them. They explore the rising phenomenon of estrangement among families and friends, particularly among young adults cutting ties over ideological differences.  The no contact movement is mostly young adults cutting off their parents over politics and ideology. -- Noelle Mering Certainly, the emotional toll this has on families is immeasurable, but Noelle offers guidance for those navigating these complex relationships. According to Noelle, if we cannot hold fast to one another in the face of disagreement, we risk losing not only our most intimate bonds but also the foundation of a free and humane society.  We are pleased to award three copies of No Contact to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Forum Books. Congratulations April J. from Goldsboro, NC, Diane P. from Deerfield Beach, FL, and Kendal B. from Rockingham, VA!   Show Notes: Awake, Not Woke by Noelle Mering

Western culture impatiently demands practical results and therapeutic comfort. Many within the church have even adopted this mindset, falsely believing that God is most important when he is tending to our earthly needs. How can we help churches resist this pragmatic approach and instead embrace the mystery, awe, and reverence of our great God?  Today, the dynamic duo discusses Carl’s latest book, Classical Theology for the Modern Mind, exploring the significance of creeds, the concept of theological retrieval, and the implications of historical theology on contemporary Christian worship.  The Church fathers never considered their efforts to understand God to be vain philosophy, but a pious duty to get God right. – Carl Trueman With insights drawn from their own experiences and observations in the Church, they delve into how a deeper understanding of traditional doctrines can enrich our faith and practice today.  Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, we have selected three winners to receive a copy of Carl's book. Congratulations Trent S. from Bettendorf, IA, Michael C. from Mooresville, NC, and Donald M. from Manassas, VA!   Show Notes: Classical Theology for the Modern Mind by Carl Trueman Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman

Today, Todd and Carl welcome back theology professor N. Gray Sutanto to the podcast. They discuss the profound contributions of Herman Bavinck, drawing on the new book, The Essential Herman Bavinck: A Reader and Commentary, to which Gray contributed. The conversation delves into Bavinck's legacy, his approach to engaging with contemporary issues, and the relevance of his theological insights in today's pluralistic society.  Bavinck was trying to not only capture but also transmit the scholastic reform orthodox tradition for the modern age. – Gray Sutanto From Bavinck's thoughts on the interplay between faith and science to his vision for Christian engagement in public life, this conversation is rich with insights for anyone interested in Reformed theology and its application in the modern world. If you're like me, and if you've worked your way through the multi-volume dogmatics that Bavinck wrote, something like this could be very helpful for you. – Todd Pruitt If you’d like to get a copy of The Essential Herman Bavinck for your library, Baker Publishing Group is generously offering Mortification of Spin listeners 40% off and free shipping from July 29 to August 31, 2026! To get your copy, click this link and enter the code ACEBAVINCK at checkout! US Residents only. 

Today, our listeners ask the questions, and our fearless hosts, Carl and Todd, have the answers. From the debate on church security measures to the topic of compassion fatigue among pastors, they tackle a variety of subjects that resonate with our audience. They even engage in a humorous discussion about the implications of discovering alien life and its potential impact on faith. Join Carl and Todd for some serious reflection mixed with a little humor – you know, the usual. 

Carl and Todd engage in a heartfelt conversation with Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead, author of Infertile but Fruitful: Finding Fulfillment When You Can't Conceive. Leigh shares her personal journey through infertility and adoption, offering insights into the emotional struggles faced by couples yearning for children. Knowing that those suffering from infertility too often do so in silence, isolation, and even shame, Leigh wrote her book with a desire to encourage couples who are struggling with these issues. I wanted people to feel... not to feel alone. – Leigh Snead The discussion also delves into broader bioethical issues surrounding marriage, procreation, and the importance of understanding infertility from a compassionate perspective. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of family, faith, and hope. Thanks to the generosity of Sophia Institute Press, we are pleased to award three copies of Leigh’s book to our listeners. Congratulations to Katie L. from Fargo, ND, Wesley B. from St. Marys, GA, and Stacey S. from Kingsville, MO!   Show Notes: Leigh Snead’s website: https://leighfitzpatricksnead.com/about/ Carter Snead’s book on bioethics: What It Means To Be Human