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.  To win a copy of Carl’s book, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Crossway Books, enter here.   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 offer three copies of Leigh’s book to our listeners. Enter here to win.    Show Notes: Leigh Snead’s website: https://leighfitzpatricksnead.com/about/ Carter Snead’s book on bioethics: What It Means To Be Human

Some fight to recover Christian culture; others abandon any hope of transforming culture. Both mindsets are at odds with the early church. The apostles weren't seeking to convert cultures but people, because God's Word cultivates its own culture--the culture of the Word. When the Word is sown, the culture is grown.  Carl and Todd sit down with returning guests, Harold Senkbeil and Lucas Woodford, to discuss their latest book, The Culture of God's Word: Faithful Ministry in a Post-Christian Society. They explore the necessity of a biblically-rooted approach to ministry amidst a rapidly changing cultural landscape, emphasizing the importance of Scripture over contextualization.  If evangelism is only about contextualization, then you don’t need the Word of God. – Lucas Woodford Join us as we delve into the dynamics of preaching, the centrality of worship, and the necessity of a stubborn commitment to proclaim God's Word.  Thanks to the generosity of Lexham Press, we are pleased to award three listeners a copy of Harold and Lucas’s book, The Culture of God’s Word. Congratulations to Isaac S. from Crittenden, KY, Diane T. from Muncy, PA, and Jane M. from Rockland, ME!   Show Notes: Books referenced: The Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil Pastoral Leadership for the Care of Souls by Harold Senkbeil The Desecration of Man by Carl Trueman Wonderfully Made by John Kleinig

In this thought-provoking episode of Mortification of Spin, hosts Todd and Carl engage in a critical conversation about Israel, the Jewish people, and the rising tide of anti-Semitism. They explore the historical context of anti-Semitic sentiments, the troubling connections to certain movements, and the theological perspectives surrounding the future of the Jewish people as indicated in Scripture.  We need to treat Jewish unbelievers the same way we treat Gentile unbelievers. They need Jesus and they need to be evangelized. – Todd Pruitt Tune in for a nuanced examination of a complex issue that is more relevant than ever.   Show Notes: Christian Witness to Israel:  CWINA.org/publications

Todd and Carl engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Brian Cosby, pastor, author, and YouTube influencer, about the concept of biblical masculinity. They explore the importance of the roles of men in today's society, addressing the challenges and crises facing young men as they seek to understand their identity and responsibilities.  The more I thought about it…really distilling down those fundamental callings of a man…it’s not a fundamental identity – that would be in Jesus for the Christian – but certainly the fundamental calling is a duty for men to provide for and protect not only himself, but also his family, his church, and his community. – Brian Cosby With insights from Brian's new book, Provide and Protect: A Guide for Men in a World of Weakness, Wokeness, and Compromise, this episode offers a compelling look at the need for men to step up as providers and protectors in a world filled with confusion and compromise. We are pleased to offer listeners the opportunity to win a copy of Brian’s book, Provide and Protect, thanks to the generosity of Mindster Media. Enter here to win.   Show Notes: Brian’s YouTube channel: Provide & Protect Richard Phillips’ book: Masculine Mandate Mindster Media: https://mindstirmedia.com/

Carl and Todd engage in a lively discussion today with returning guest Michael Morales, a professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Theological Seminary. They delve into the concept of God's glory, drawing from Donnie Berry’s book, The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God, which was edited by Michael. According to Donnie Berry, glory refers to all the things the triune God is full of—his wisdom, love, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion, justice, life, joy—made manifest for us to see, to experience, to respond to, and, perhaps most surprisingly, to participate in.  The glory of God is the core of who He is, His goodness as God defines it. – Michael Morales Discover how the glory of God is a central theme that runs through Scripture, and why it is crucial to see how it is at the heart of the gospel and of the entire story of the Bible.  Thanks to the generosity of our friends at IV Press, we are pleased to award three copies of The Earth Will Be Filled to our listeners. Congratulations to Jerry H. from Albia, IA, Paul P. from Philadelphia, PA, and Jami C. from Cookeville, TN!

Today, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the difficult issue of church discipline. They explore the historical context of church discipline, its necessity for maintaining the integrity of the church, and the challenges pastors face in implementing it. With personal anecdotes and theological insights, they shed light on how discipline serves not only the church community but also the individual believer.  The church disciplines for three reasons, one of which is the recovery of the offender…the second reason is it sends a message to members of the church and to those outside of the church that certain behaviors, certain opinions are not tolerable…the third reason and, I think, perhaps the most important one is it vindicates the name of Christ in public. – Carl Trueman Tune in for a deep dive into a topic that often goes unaddressed in many congregations!

Carl and Todd continue their engaging conversation about Carl's new book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity. Today, they delve into the implications of modernity on human dignity, exploring the tension between freedom and belonging, and the significance of being made in the image of God. The discussion also addresses contemporary issues surrounding reproductive technology and its impact on our understanding of humanity.  I would say that's why anthropology is so critical. If you don't have an understanding of what it means to be a human being, then you're going to have all “the sky is the limit” to what technology can do.  – Carl Trueman We were pleased to award two listeners a copy of Carl’s book, The Desecration of Man: How the Rejection of God Degrades Our Humanity, thanks to the generosity of Sentinel Publishing. Congratulations to Keith D. from Strong, ME and Michael L. from Wheaton, IL!