In this conversation, Trevin Wax talks about his book "Life of Jesus in 30 Days" and the prayer journey it offers. He explains the inspiration behind the book and the structure of the prayer journey, which involves praying three times a day. Trevin emphasizes the importance of punctuating the day with prayer and the compounding effect of regular prayer. He also discusses the benefits of engaging with different genres of Scripture in prayer and the importance of blending structure and spontaneity. Finally, Trevin addresses the challenges of busyness and distractions, offering encouragement to maintain prayer discipline.

In this Filter episode, I talked with Drew Dyck about his new book, Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything. Dyck shares his insights on the power of persistence and the significance of everyday faithfulness, challenging the common belief that only big, bold moments matter. He emphasizes the importance of showing up for God, family, community, and oneself, and how these small acts of obedience to God accumulate into a life of meaning and impact. Dyck's candid reflections on his journey, coupled with inspiring stories of ordinary people saying yes to God, offer us a practical demonstration of the power of faithfulness in every area of life.

I’m excited to present another episode featuring Neil Shenvi, co-author of Critical Dilemma. In this conversation, we unravel the complexities of contemporary critical theories like critical race theory and social justice ideology. Shenvi and co-author Pat Sawyer navigate the implications of these theories for society and the church, condemning racism while advocating for racial healing and unity. Their book balances the valid insights of critical theory with critical analysis, exposing its foundational flaws. Praised for its scholarly depth and accessibility, Critical Dilemma offers a nuanced understanding of these divisive theories. It provides a valuable resource for addressing societal challenges and engaging with illiberal progressive arguments.

I’m excited to welcome Scott Klusendorf to the podcast to discuss the new edition of his book The Case for Life. This book is an insightful and compelling defense of the pro-life movement. With engaging writing and well-researched arguments, he dismantles common pro-choice beliefs, presenting a compelling ethical, scientific, and philosophical case for protecting unborn life. This valuable resource equips readers with clear and logical responses to challenging pro-choice arguments, challenging them to consider the moral implications of their stance and grasp the sanctity of human life.

Should Christians participate in Halloween? Glenn Sunshine comes back on the podcast to discuss the history of Halloween. We investigate its origins and how it changed over time. He also informs us how Halloween is celebrated differently today than it was in centuries past, and he helps us discern if a Christian should take part in Halloween celebrations.

What does the Bible have to say about authority? The use of power is addressed all over Scripture and is relevant to every area of our lives. Authority is used in our homes, churches, workplaces, and the broader society. Jonathan Leeman joins the show on this episode to discuss these topics along with his new book Authority.

Evangelicals frequently address the need for discerning the content with intake online. However, we are less likely to draw attention to how the web as a medium forms our character. Samuel James argues that we must draw attention to the habitat of the web and raise our awareness of how it pulls us away from the wisdom of God. We discussed his new book Digital Liturgies which provides an excellent introduction to Christians for how to think wisely about the internet.

I’m excited to welcome back one of my favorite guests in this episode of Filter. I had the privilege of talking with Justin Whitmel Early about his new book, Made For People. Justin is insightful, clear, and practical as always. We discussed the theological foundations for friendship, what Justin calls “covenant friendship,” and practical ways to cultivate these kinds of friendship.

In this episode of Filter, I am pleased to welcome Barry Rowan to discuss his new book The Spiritual Art of Business. Drawing from his forty years of experience in corporate leadership, Barry teaches us about pursuing value in our relationship with God and bringing that value to work. He shares wisdom that applies to all of our lives whether you are in business, education, ministry, and even at home. I must confess that this episode immediately became one of my favorites, and I know you’ll enjoy it too.

Benjamin Laird joins the show to discuss his new book Creating the Canon. We discuss how the New Testament authors wrote their books and how this is different from the typical assumption. Benjamin also explained the process of how the New Testament canon was assembled by the ancient church. Finally, we talked about the authorship of Hebrews and who Benjamin believes wrote that book.

Doug Groothuis returns to the show to share about his newest book World Religions in Seven Sentences. This book is an excellent introduction to studying world religions, as Doug takes a unique and accessible approach to a vast topic. In our conversation, we discussed atheism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity.

Jason Thacker joins the show to discuss the growth of AI technologies. The widespread accessibility of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, raises theological and ethical questions that thoughtful Christians must address. We cover these topics and explore the influence of the advanced digital age.

Brett McCracken joins the show to discuss great war movies you can watch to celebrate the Fourth of July. These movies are chosen for their quality of filmmaking, as well as for their themes of bravery, sacrifice, and more. We also discussed how Christians should think about movies and what it means to discern the worldviews embedded in the content.

I'm glad to welcome back Andy Bannister to discuss his new book How to Talk about Jesus without Looking like an Idiot.

Welcome back to this special two-part interview with Professor Nancy Pearcey to celebrate hitting 100 episodes here on Filter. If you missed part 1, I’d recommend going back to catch up. However, you’ll still get a lot out of part 2, even if you don’t. In this second segment, we continue our discussion on her latest book The Toxic War on Masculinity, exploring the roots of our cultural battle over masculinity, evaluating the voices and influences surrounding masculinity, and discussing how churches can better engage men.

I’m thrilled to bring you the 100th episode of Filter. This podcast has been a blast to host and I hope that all of you in our audience have been helped by it. To celebrate our 100th episode, I am pleased to present this special two-part interview with Nancy Pearcey. Professor Pearcey and I discuss her latest book The Toxic War on Masculinity. In Part 1, she shares her story and tells us about her time at L’Abri. We also cover why she wrote this book and what she is addressing. At the end of part 1, she also gives her critique of the popular book Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez.

In this thought-provoking episode of Filter, I engage in a captivating conversation with Mitchell Chase, biblical studies professor at SBTS, and author of the new book Short of Glory. Together, we dive into the depths of understanding Genesis 3 within its rich context and explore its profound implications across Scripture.

Join us as we explore the profound meaning of the two trees in the Garden of Eden, gaining fresh perspectives on their significance and the choices they represent. Furthermore, we unravel the significance of the serpent, examining its role in the narrative and its symbolic meaning across the biblical narrative. Mitch also sheds light on Adam's calling to work and keep the garden, revealing insights into the profound purpose and responsibility entrusted to humanity.

Through this insightful dialogue, you will gain a deeper understanding of Genesis 3 and its implications for our understanding of God's redemptive plan and the human experience. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and equipped with biblical clarity. Tune in to this profound discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

In this episode of Filter, we delve into fascinating topics with Joshua Rasmussen, a renowned philosophy professor at Azusa Pacific University and author of Who Are You, Really? We'll explore the deep implications of the philosophy of mind, consciousness, and their relevance to Christian apologetics and worldview. We discussed the debates surrounding foundational reality and philosophy of mind, as well as explored the intriguing realms of consciousness and artificial intelligence. In this episode,  you will gain new insights into what it means to be human and how these concepts intersect with matters of faith and reason.

In this episode, I’ll be discussing a topic that is close to many of our hearts - waiting for answers to prayer. In life, we all face moments where we desperately need relief, comfort, or a sense of direction. We turn to God in prayer and ask for help, hoping that our prayers will be answered. However, waiting for those answers can be a challenging and often frustrating experience. It can test our patience, faith, and perseverance. In this episode, I will explore some of the reasons why we may have to wait for answers to our prayers and how practical steps for how to wait in prayer.

I’m glad to welcome Shane Morris back to the podcast. In this episode, we discuss our culture’s confusion over gender and the crisis of masculinity. We talk about the difficulties of defining masculinity, and how Scripture can guide us in this project.