BOB THE BAPTIST - Faithful or Fooled? How Evangelicals Got Caught Between Bad Pastors and Bad Politics

Former pastor Caleb Bobrycki aka "Bob the Baptist" joins Will Spencer to unpack how theology, politics, and culture collided inside modern evangelicalism — and why so many faithful Christians feel stuck in the middle.Description:Former pastor and YouTube creator Bob the Baptist (Caleb Bobrycki) joins Will Spencer for a wide-ranging conversation about how modern Reformed evangelicalism arrived at its current crisis — and why sincere believers are often caught between bad leadership and bad political options.They trace the influence of the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement, purity culture, and American Reconstructionism, and discuss how theological shortcuts and reactionary politics have replaced deeper confessional grounding. Along the way, they examine figures like John Piper, Machen, Van Til, and Rushdoony, and why responding to cultural chaos without first principles leads to repeated mistakes.Rather than choosing sides in today’s church culture wars, this episode asks a harder question: What would real theological reform actually require?Discussion HighlightsWhy sincere Christians often follow bad leadershipHow theology — not just politics — shaped today’s crisisThe legacy of Young, Restless, and ReformedPurity culture as a reaction to cultural driftWhy reactionary movements repeat old errorsThe danger of tribal theologyWhy confessional depth matters for cultural engagementAbout Bob the BaptistCaleb Bobrycki, known as Bob the Baptist, is a former associate pastor and creator of the YouTube channel Brave New Tube, where he explores evangelical theology, church culture, and political theology through in-depth video essays.His work focuses on helping Christians understand the deeper roots of today’s church controversies while remaining grounded in confessional faith.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bravenewtubeT-Shirts: https://bobthebaptist.printful.me/Patreon: https://patreon.com/bobthebaptist X: https://x.com/BobTheBaptist Email: CanvidFilms‪@gmail.com‬Watch my viral video with Bob: The Dark Trajectory of New CalvinismMentioned in this episode:Biblical Mentorship for MenIf you’re a man who knows something needs to change — not because life is “too hard,” but because you’ve been drifting, avoiding responsibility, or lacking direction — Will Spencer’s Biblical Mentorship for Men is a disciplined, Scripture-based process focused on clarity, responsibility, and spiritual depth. This is not therapy. It’s not self-help. And it’s not about numbing pain. It’s about learning how to suffer well, lead yourself, and live faithfully. You can book a free Clarity Call to talk through where you are and whether mentorship is the right next step.<a...

Eddie LaRow joins Will Spencer for a wide-ranging conversation about masculinity, rootlessness, and the collapse of moral authority in modern life.Rather than reacting to headlines or personalities, this episode examines a recurring historical pattern: when men lose roots in family, church, and community, power rushes in to replace authority. Drawing on thinkers such as Max Picard, Robert Nisbet, Philip Rieff, and Augustine, Will and Eddie explore why Gen Z men are drawn toward radical politics — and why this crisis did not begin online.The conversation moves through history, theology, and culture to clarify the difference between authority and power, how modern speed distorts the inner life, and why formation requires discipline, community, and time. This is a discussion about responsibility, rootedness, and how men can recover moral clarity in a disordered age.Topics DiscussedWhy many young men feel rootlessAuthority vs. power and why the difference mattersHistorical patterns behind modern radicalizationSpeed, chaos, and the modern inner lifeMasculinity, formation, and disciplineThe Church’s role in restoring moral authorityGuestEddie LaRow is an editor and writer whose work has appeared in First Things, Modern Age, and The American Mind. He writes on history, theology, culture, and Generation Z, with a focus on authority, community, and formation.Eddie's LinksSubstack — https://eddielarow.substack.com/ First Things: — https://firstthings.com/archive/?_author=eddie-larow🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORSMentioned in this episode:The Will Spencer Book ClubA guided reading community for men and women who want to slow down, think clearly, and understand the deeper intellectual and spiritual roots shaping our moment. We read demanding books together and discuss them live — not to signal intelligence, but to form judgment. Our first book: "Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity" by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.Learn More About "Black Sun"One-on-One Mentorship with Will SpencerFor men who aren’t lost — but aren’t moving. Mentorship provides structure, clarity, and accountability for ordering your life under responsibility, authority, and long-term direction. 👉 Learn more: <a...

In this episode, I share why I’m changing how The Will Spencer Podcast works—and where it’s headed next.After five years of interviews, something has shifted. I talk about moving from a posture of learning into a season of teaching, why interviews will become less frequent, and what kind of original content I’ll be creating going forward.I also introduce a new book club launching in January, explain why I’m investing more deeply in Substack, and share what led me to begin mentoring men directly.This is a short, honest update about growth, responsibility, and what it looks like to build something with intention over time.Thanks for being here.LINKSSubscribe on Substack:👉 https://willspencer.blogBasic: $60/year • Book Club • Solo Essays • Four Doors book chaptersSignature: $297 one time • Personalized Message • Four Doors full bookBook Club (starts January 7, 2026):Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identityby Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke📘 https://www.willspencer.blog/p/this-isnt-a-political-problemMentorship (Free Clarity Call):👉 https://willspencer.co/mentorship

Public school did not fail by accident. It did exactly what it was designed to do.Robert Bortins—CEO of Classical Conversations and co-author of Woke and Weaponized—joins me to explain why education is never neutral, how parental authority was displaced by the state, and why efforts to reform public schooling consistently miss the point.We trace the historical and ideological roots of the modern education system, discuss social-emotional learning, AI, homeschooling, and classical education, and examine what happens to families, faith, and culture when formation is outsourced.This is not a rant or a political argument. It’s an explanation of how education actually works—and who it ultimately serves.If you’re a parent, a father, or anyone trying to understand why education feels increasingly disconnected from truth and responsibility, this conversation will bring clarity.CONNECT WITH ROBERT BORTINShttps://classicalconversations.comhttps://robertbortins.com/woke-and-weaponized/https://x.com/TheRobertBshowhttps://refiningrhetoric.com/🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORS Mentioned in this episode:Biblical Mentorship for MenIf you’re a man who knows something needs to change — not because life is “too hard,” but because you’ve been drifting, avoiding responsibility, or lacking direction — Will Spencer’s Biblical Mentorship for Men is a disciplined, Scripture-based process focused on clarity, responsibility, and spiritual depth. This is not therapy. It’s not self-help. And it’s not about numbing pain. It’s about learning how to suffer well, lead yourself, and live faithfully. You can book a free Clarity Call to talk through where you are and whether mentorship is the right next step.https://willspencer.co/mentorship

Pastor Matthew Statler is an Army veteran with four Iraq deployments, a former cavalry scout, and a biblical counselor who knows the trauma system from the inside. After years of PTSD diagnoses, alcoholism, and failed therapeutic models, Matthew encountered a biblical theology of suffering that radically transformed his life.In this conversation, we confront the rise of the “Trauma Mindset” as a counterfeit gospel — one that dissolves responsibility, cannot handle guilt or shame, and increasingly turns to psychedelics as a false path to healing and revelation.We explore why Scripture offers a deeper, more honest account of suffering than modern psychology, how psychedelics function as a pseudo-sacrament, and why true healing requires repentance, endurance, and hope in Christ rather than therapeutic escape.This is a serious conversation for men seeking clarity, strength, and a worldview capable of bearing real suffering.📌 Guest LinksPastor Matthew StatlerX: https://x.com/StatlerMatthewSubstack: https://matthewstatler.substack.comSierra Vista Baptist Church: https://sierravista.church🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORSMentioned in this episode:One-on-One Mentorship with Will SpencerFor men who aren’t lost — but aren’t moving. Mentorship provides structure, clarity, and accountability for ordering your life under responsibility, authority, and long-term direction. 👉 Learn more: https://willspencer.co/mentorshipThe Will Spencer Book ClubA guided reading community for men and women who want to slow down, think clearly, and understand the deeper intellectual and spiritual roots shaping our moment. We read demanding books together and discuss them live — not to signal intelligence, but to form judgment. Our first book: "Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity" by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.Learn More About "Black Sun"

Andrew Crapuchettes is a pioneer in labor market analytics and the visionary founder of Red Balloon, a job platform connecting freedom-loving employers with employees who won't compromise their values. In this conversation, he shares how he transformed from a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to building a company that rejects woke ideology in the workplace. The episode explores the false promise of workplace neutrality, the $800,000 difference between A-level and B-level engineers, and why young men must reject the lie that prosperity ladders have been pulled up.CONNECT WITH ANDREW CRAPUCHETTESRed Balloon - https://redballoon.workLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/acrapuchettesMentioned in this episode:Anxiety, Depression, Anger: There's a Biblical Path to FreedomAre you struggling with anxiety, depression, or anger? Living below your potential? Will Spencer's Biblical Mentorship for Men helps you move from fear to confidence, confusion to clarity, and bondage to freedom in 90 days—using Scripture, not worldly red pill nonsense. Book a FREE 30-minute call to get clarity on where you are and where you're heading. Because freedom in Christ isn't just possible. It's promised.https://willspencer.co/mentorship

Andy Felton is a former nuclear submarine officer and author of "Nourished by Design," exploring faith, food and health from a Christian worldview. His journey from personal health struggles to writing a comprehensive theology of nutrition reveals how the secular wellness space has captured territory the church abandoned.The conversation challenges both progressive food co-op culture and conservative McDonald's Christianity, arguing that neither understands God's design for human flourishing through food.CONNECT WITH ANDY FELTONhttps://NourishedByDesignBook.comBuy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2Wajhsm🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORSMentioned in this episode:One-on-One Mentorship with Will SpencerFor men who aren’t lost — but aren’t moving. Mentorship provides structure, clarity, and accountability for ordering your life under responsibility, authority, and long-term direction. 👉 Learn more: https://willspencer.co/mentorshipThe Will Spencer Book ClubA guided reading community for men and women who want to slow down, think clearly, and understand the deeper intellectual and spiritual roots shaping our moment. We read demanding books together and discuss them live — not to signal intelligence, but to form judgment. Our first book: "Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity" by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.Learn More About "Black Sun"

Doug Wilson is a Reformed pastor in Moscow, Idaho, and author of over 100 books on theology, culture, and family. In this conversation, he discusses his recent whirlwind of mainstream media appearances including CNN, The New York Times, and his conversation with Sam Harris.Wilson explains why the media's panic reveals a shifted Overton window, shares wisdom on generational faithfulness from his first-generation Christian parents to his fifth great-grandchild, and offers practical advice to young men navigating the modern dating landscape while critiquing both big-box evangelical feminization and toxic incel resentment.CONNECT WITH DOUG WILSONhttps://noquarternovember.comhttps://douglaswils.com🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORSMentioned in this episode:One-on-One Mentorship with Will SpencerFor men who aren’t lost — but aren’t moving. Mentorship provides structure, clarity, and accountability for ordering your life under responsibility, authority, and long-term direction. 👉 Learn more: https://willspencer.co/mentorshipThe Will Spencer Book ClubA guided reading community for men and women who want to slow down, think clearly, and understand the deeper intellectual and spiritual roots shaping our moment. We read demanding books together and discuss them live — not to signal intelligence, but to form judgment. Our first book: "Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity" by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.Learn More About "Black Sun"

Legendary pastors Joel Beeke, Geoffrey Thomas, Rick Phillips, and Paul Smalley unite to discuss their groundbreaking collaborative work "The Redeemed Man" - a comprehensive guide addressing biblical masculinity across every domain of life.The conversation features powerful testimonies spanning seven decades of faithful ministry, from Thomas's 1950 conversion to Phillips's dramatic transformation at age 30. These four distinguished Reformed pastors reveal the vision behind creating a book that equips men not just spiritually, but in work, family, physical health, and finishing well.The discussion emphasizes that true manhood flows from redemption in Christ and must permeate every area of life.BUY "THE REDEEMED MAN"At Reformation Heritage Books - CLICK HEREPre-Order on Amazon.com - CLICK HERE CONNECT WITH MY GUESTSReformation Heritage Books: https://rhb.orgJoel Beeke Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelbeeke/Rick Phillips' Church: https://spcgreenville.org🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORSMentioned in this episode:One-on-One Mentorship with Will SpencerFor men who aren’t lost — but aren’t moving. Mentorship provides structure, clarity, and accountability for ordering your life under responsibility, authority, and long-term direction. 👉 Learn more: https://willspencer.co/mentorship

Adam Coleman is a husband, father and author of The Children We Left Behind who speaks openly about fatherlessness, marriage and masculinity. In this conversation, Coleman exposes the growing problem of Christians In Name Only (CINOs), where people weaponize Christian rhetoric without living out the faith, driving seekers away from Christ. The discussion challenges victim ideologies in both feminism and the Manosphere, reveals why online dating creates resentment toward the opposite sex, and demonstrates what genuine biblical marriage actually looks like in practice.KEY TAKEAWAYS1. Victim ideologies render you helpless by blaming external forces instead of building internal strength2. Online dating's stranger-based format creates massive failure rates and opposite-sex resentment3. Christians In Name Only drive people from Christ through brow-beating and theological narcissism4. Biblical marriage requires the wife to trust her husband's leadership even through failures5. Show don't tell works better than preaching when advocating for marriage and family6. Win the man not the argument when engaging skeptics about Christianity onlineCONNECT WITH ADAM COLEMANhttps://substack.com/@adambcolemanhttps://x.com/wrong_speakBuy "The Children We Left Behind" - https://a.co/d/aO2Be0m🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW &amp; CONNECThttps://willspencer.co/mentorship Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Support the Show SPONSORS