Mere Fidelity

Christians are told to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, but should we also pray for justice and judgment to befall our enemies? Trevor Laurence joins Derek and Andrew to discuss the imprecatory psalms and their implications in the Christian Life, their biblical-theological framework, and how they can and should be incorporated in our liturgy and worship.

Matt introduces the latest podcast at Mere Orthodoxy, "Sacred Season." Sacred Season is a new podcast hosted by Danielle Hitchen & Erin Morrow Hawley that covers the vocation of parenting. As Hitchen and Hawley talk about the season of life that is parenting, they do so by structuring and tying it into the church calendar. Listen in to this sample of the show, and as long as you are a subscriber to Mere Fidelity, please do subscribe to Sacred Season as well.

Derek and Alastair sit down with pastor and theologian, Dr. Jeremy Treat to talk about his latest book on the Kingdom of God, 'Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything.' Treat helps the guys work through the Christianese that surrounds discussions of "the kingdom," clarifies supposed dichotomies between the kingdom and the cross, and shares pastoral insights from this salient topic.

Matt and Derek are at ETS in San Diego and are joined by friends of the show, Dr. Fred Sanders, Dr. Gavin Ortland, and Dr. Matthew Emerson. Banter aside, this episode gives a great look at what kind of fun and rich conversations take place at ETS. Today's episode ranges from discussions on John Webster's trinitarian theology, evangelical theological retrieval, and Jesus' descent to the dead.

Derek, Alastair, and Matt catch up and talk about the miscellaneous issues they are seeing and experiencing today. Kid's sports on Sundays, Kanye West, the problem of over-booked and busy schedules, the death of New-Atheism, and more.

Is there a theological system that includes future promises regarding Israel that is not dispensational? Dr. Gerald McDermott is here to introduce Derek and Alastair to 'New Christian Zionism.'

Break out your bibles and join Alastair, Derek, and Matt for an old fashion bible study of Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob's name change. Why does Jacob demand the name of the one he wrestles? Why do the Psalms refer back to Jacob as 'Jacob,' and not 'Israel'? What do wrestling and blessing have to do with each other? Listen to Alastair explain all this and more.

Andrew, Matt, and Derek sit down to discuss the phenomenon of multi-site churches. Andrew argues for the soundness of such an ecclesiastical practice and Matt and Derek aren't so sure.

Who is an evangelical? Dr. Thomas Kidd joins Matt and Derek to discuss this pertinent question which is also the title to his recent book. Listen in on why Dr. Kidd does not include activism as an identifiable factor for evangelicals, why evangelicals are susceptible to politicization, and if being "born again" unmoors evangelicals from historical institutions?

Jemar Tisby joins Derek and Alastair to discuss the history of racism in the American church. Listen in as they discuss everything from the theological importance of "remembering" to why today’s political issues are often framed differently for black demographics and how our theology helps us to respond to issues of racism today.

The entire cast and crew are together to discuss Jesus' temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane. What is the nature of temptation, what are the Christological distinctions to be made in these passages, and how are Jesus' temptations different from our own?

Dr. Tara Isabella Burton joins the crew to discuss why occultism, astrology, tarot cards, folk religion, and New Age spirituality are all the rage and why this phenomenon is not particular to religious "nones."

Matt, Derek, and Alastair dive into the difficult and unsettling text of Jephthah's vow in Judges 11. The crew covers recent and old interpretations of the troubled passage, asking if certain texts can or should be "smoothed over" with typology, how we should handle texts with seeming contradictions, and how to poise ourselves in the face of scripture's ethical dilemmas?

How can Christians fulfill the Law of Love and be good neighbors in a fragmented age? Jake Meador contributes to answering this question in, "In Search of The Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World." Jake joins Matt and Derek to discuss his recent book and untangle some of the modern presuppositions that have been found a home in the church today.

Chris Arnade joins Andrew, Derek, and Alastair to talk about his new book, "Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America," where he tells the stories of how America's poor find dignity and identity in their forgotten communities.

Matt, Derek, and Alastair mull over the "boring" parts of scripture to see how these monotonous passages can be more greatly appreciated and share advice and resources that everyday Bible-readers can use. Matt also shares why Derek and Alastair are wrong for suggesting any book but John as the first book of the Bible a new Christian should read.

Matt, Derek, and Alastair sit down with Joe Carter to discuss the ongoing cultural theme of online radicalization and how the church can respond.

Matt and Alastair sit down with Dr. Justin Holcomb to discuss the difficult topic of sexual abuse in the church and how to identify and prevent it.

Sam Allberry joins the crew to discuss his new book, 7 Myths about Singleness. Sam helps to unravel some of the modern assumptions around being single and share his experience of being a single minister.

Why are more people foregoing religious affiliation in favor of the term "religious nones"? Here to help Matt, Derek, and Alastair wrestle with this subject is Dr. Tricia Bruce. Dr. Bruce is an accomplished sociologist of religion, award-winning author, an affiliate with the University of Notre Dame. Join the crew as they seek to understand the shifting cultural and religious ground in our current context.