All Things New

Last month, Trinity Classical Academy sent forth its first class of graduating seniors. To mark this milestone, we're republishing an interview that first aired in 2020 on Owen Strachan's now-defunct podcast. At that time, Dr. Strachan was on the faculty at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he invited Bob Thune to MBTS's Spurgeon Library to talk about the founding of Trinity Classical Academy. The founding and building of institutions is critical for gospel renewal, for societal health, and for the preservation and propagation of Christian faith. The story of TCA's success—from a fledgling startup school to a thriving educational institution—should inspire Christians to be dreamers and builders and doers.(0:00) Introductions: Bob Introduces Owen Introducing Bob(4:33) The Origin Story of Trinity Classical Academy(20:30) The Aim of Education: Formation(27:13) How Can You be a Catalyst in Your Context?

Welcome back for part 2 of the AI Debate! Bob Thune and Jacob Tewes continue their friendly debate about the proposition: "Christians can and should use AI tools." This episode considers the downstream effects of AI, the faulty anthropology it assumes, the question of whether Christians should be "early adopters," and whether demonology should factor into the conversation. Catch up on Part 1 if you missed it.(0:00) Introductions: Diving Right Back In(4:41) AI Assumes an Unbiblical Anthropology(8:12) Does AI Open Us Up to the Influence of Spiritual Beings?(20:26) Is Healthy Skepticism Enough?(35:21) What Should Christians Do with AI?

Special guest Jacob Tewes joins the podcast to engage Bob in a friendly debate about AI. The proposition: "Christians can and should use artificial intelligence." Bob argues the negative; Jacob, based on his background as an attorney for multiple AI-related startups, argues the affirmative. We talk education, innovation, Christian freedom, and the question of responsible use. Whether you're optimistic or skeptical about AI, this conversation will deepen your thinking about the ethics, implications, and limits of artificial intelligence. Catch the next episode for part 2 of the debate!(0:00) Introductions: Jacob & Jacob Join The Podcast(2:21) The Proposition(9:58) Jacob: AI is a Tool Christians Should Use Wisely(15:19) Bob: AI is Not a Neutral Tool(19:51) Is Responsible Use of AI Possible?(31:10) AI is a Bad Shortcut

Numerous Silicon Valley startups now offer parents the ability to test and screen embryos, identifying those at increased risk for various health problems. But while the marketing language seems helpful, the dark reality is that these companies promise to destroy human lives before they have time to grow. In this episode, we use an article from the American Enterprise Institute as a catalyst to begin a conversation about consumer eugenics. We explore how companies like Orchid Health weaponize parents’ fears and anxieties, and why Christians need to be ethically proactive and wise in evaluating reproductive technology.(0:00) Introductions: Consumer Eugenics is Becoming a Big Thing(1:39) Why Consumer Eugenics Is Not a Good Thing(15:12) Understanding the Ethics & Language of Consumer Eugenics(18;53) The Need for a Robust Anthropology(24:58) Keeping Our Eyes Wide OpenArticle: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/silicon-valleys-consumer-eugenics/

The death of Pope Francis and subsequent election of Leo XIV has put the papal office at the forefront of cultural discourse. But how and when did Christians start to revere the bishop of Rome? Where did the Pope's authority and importance originate? And why did the Reformers strongly critique the papacy? In this episode, we discuss the development of the papacy in church history, the internal and external pushback against the Pope, and the importance of developing thoughtful, convictional Protestant sensibilities.(0:00) Introductions: Why We’re Not Papists(3:24) The Rise of the Pope in Church History(11:07) Apologetic Arguments Against the Papacy(24:47) Reading a Letter from Luther(31:36) It's OK to Be a Convictional Protestant

For decades, Christianity has been in decline in the UK. The common wisdom held that secularization was inevitable, and that the US would follow the same pattern. But a brand-new study shows a surprising trend. Over the last 6 years in England and Wales, church attendance has risen 50%. The largest increases are among young people – especially young men. And they're not just showing up to church, they're also reading the Bible and practicing spiritual disciplines. In this episode, we dig into what the Holy Spirit is doing across the pond and what it portends for the future of the church.(0:00) Introductions: Katrina’s Last Snacks(1:48) The Quiet Revival in the UK(6:47) The Kids are Alright(11:57) The Stats Say: Invite Your Friends to Church!(16:54) Investing in the Kingdom of GodStudy: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival

Everyone is in need of change. But how do Christians actually participate in the work of change? In this archive episode from 2018, we survey Paul Tripp’s book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands to discuss the simple biblical pattern for helping people change: love, know, speak, do.

A couple weeks ago, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School announced the impending closure of its Chicago-area campus. The demise of TEDS is the latest in a spate of struggles among Christian higher-ed institutions. Why are seminaries and colleges closing their doors? What does it mean for the future of theological education? In this episode, we dig into the history of 20th-century American Christianity to explore the founding of evangelical institutions, the challenges that brought them to this point, the "Southern takeover" of American evangelicalism, and what the future might hold.(0:00) Introductions: Theological Education is Suffering(5:00) What Happened at TEDS(10:36) Some Broader Analysis & Bob's Historical Survey(22:16) The Rise of the SBC(32:29) What this Means for Christian Scholarship(37:07) Opportunities for the Future

Intelligence is everywhere. People used to say that "knowledge is power," but machine learning is changing everything. One author argues that we've moved from the Information Age to the Age of Agency. In this new era, your impact will be measured not by what you know, but by your ability to take action and make things happen. What changes might this new era require in education, discipleship, and spiritual formation? In this episode, we discuss how Christians can apply the wisdom of the Scriptures to this moment and spur one another to renewed agency.(0:00) Introductions: We’re Talking A.I. Again(3:10) The Rise of Agency(10:31) 4 Eras of Human History(16:07) You Can Just Do Things(22:41) Wisdom vs. Knowledge(24:56) Applying Wisdom to the Intelligence AgeArticle: https://jeffgiesea.substack.com/p/agency-is-the-new-superpower

In our recent conversation about the recent Pew Religious Landscape Study, we missed an interesting data point: the decline of the Roman Catholic church. In this episode, we interact with a WORLD Opinion piece that explores the data and proposes some explanations for the downward trend. We discuss Catholic/Protestant apologetics; why high-profile "celebrity conversions" don't tell the whole story; and why discipling and catechizing our kids is vital to the growth and health of Christianity.(0:00) Introductions(1:19) Something We Missed from the Pew Religious Landscape Study(13:38) What the Decline of Catholicism Means for Culture At Large(16:14) Opportunities for Charitable Conversations Among Protestants and Catholics(24:17) The Importance of Discipling and Catechizing Our ChildrenArticle: https://wng.org/opinions/mass-exodus-1743031983Research Study: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/