Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch strike a chord in their exploration of the dynamics of modern Christian worship music. Their conversation covers the ways that average Christians are becoming limited in their singing abilities, the concert-like performance style of worship leaders in our sanctuaries, and the commercial influence of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Curtis and Andy contend a musical reformation in the worship lives of believers is needed urgently today, ...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 133
Host Curtis Chang goes back to school and sits down with Geneva College President Dr. Calvin Troup and student Mattigan Burleigh to explore the college's long-standing political coursework, dating back to 1881. They delve into how, in an era fraught with political anxiety, the culture of niceness has eroded an authentic engagement across differences. Listen and learn how to serve your communities by focusing on Jesus as the central norm in our common life. Learn more about Geneva College's Polit...
Jul 10, 2024•45 min•Ep. 132
In the second part of their extensive conversation, host Curtis Chang and author Tim Alberta discuss how some people in the church use the message of the cross as a weapon to exert political power over others, thus diluting its significance. They explore how many truth-seeking non-believers are put off by what they perceive as the hypocritical political engagement of some evangelicals. Curtis and Tim also hold a question-and-answer session that provides helpful strategies for staying focused on ...
Jul 06, 2024•44 min•Ep. 131
Tim Alberta and Curtis Chang suggest a long-term approach for Christians when it comes to political engagement. They explore how the pursuit of short term political power has led believers away from effectively sharing the Gospel message. Alberta and Chang encourage listeners to consider how a deeper alignment with Jesus can lead to genuine engagement with people and the culture that lasts beyond immediate but temporary gains. Listen to The Kingdom of Jesus and get sheet music, lyrics, and praye...
Jun 29, 2024•53 min•Ep. 130
Host Curtis Chang and "founding friend" David French sit down for a deep dive into ways people are detecting threats in today's polarized landscape. They explore how both conservatives and progressives (including Christians of both stripes) often distort potential dangers, creating a misleading perception of reality and double standards. They also provide practical strategies for repairing our dysfunctional threat detectors. Listen to The Kingdom of Jesus and get sheet music, lyrics, and prayers...
Jun 22, 2024•58 min•Ep. 129
Host Curtis Chang engages in an enlightening discussion with renowned New Testament scholar, pastor, and author N.T. Wright. They delve deeply into the concept of the "principalities and powers" in the writings of the Apostle Paul, examining the invisible - but powerful - spiritual realities behind our institutions, politics, and culture. Listen and discover how God meant for us to relate to these "powers" in the light of the Gospel. Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE Bring The After Party course to...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 128
Host Curtis Chang invites Dr. Mark Turman, Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries, to join him in examining the unique challenges faced by pastors in the American evangelical tradition. Both former pastors themselves, Curtis and Mark unpack the actual and perceived struggles that have made so many pastors contemplate leaving their roles. They also champion a missional mindset that can change the way pastors do gospel work and practical advice for congregants...
Jun 08, 2024•50 min•Ep. 127
Host Curtis Chang sits down with Elizabeth Neumann, a national security expert who served both the George W. Bush and Donald Trump administrations. Together, they explore the alarming rise of radicalization among everyday citizens, including within evangelical communities, and its implications for both the Christian church and democracy. Neumann shares her insights on the roots of this growing extremism and what we can do to address and mitigate these threats. Donate to Redeeming Babel HERE Brin...
Jun 01, 2024•56 min•Ep. 126
Host Curtis Chang and Washington University professor of law & religion John Inazu explore principles that can teach us to cultivate greater empathy and respect for the differences we encounter in our daily lives. If you feel like you always have to be right, their conversation offers practical insights and stories that reveal how legal frameworks and Christian principles can inspire more compassionate interactions in a world brimming with diverse thoughts. Bring The After Party course to yo...
May 25, 2024•48 min•Ep. 125
Curtis Chang and David French delve into the multifaceted impact of youth sports culture on both parents and children. They explore how it demands our time, influences our social status, can strain our finances, and even affects our spiritual well-being. Listen as they uncover the hidden costs of turning what used to be play into a semi-professional lifestyle and discuss practical steps we can take to reclaim balance and well-being for our families. Bring The After Party course to your church or...
May 18, 2024•52 min•Ep. 124
Host Curtis Chang engages in a profound and moving conversation with distinguished professor, pastor, and champion of Christian healthcare, John Swinton. Together, they delve into the theology of dementia care, exploring the spiritual dimensions of how God treasures all of His created beings, regardless of their cognitive abilities. Professor Swinton sheds light on the sacred act of caring for those afflicted with dementia and points listeners to the profound truth that God remembers His people,...
May 11, 2024•55 min•Ep. 123
Host Curtis Chang explores the intersection of faith, music, and biblical harmony with acclaimed singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken in a conversation focusing on the craft of scripture-soaked songwriting. While discussing the influences that have shaped Sandra's art, they unravel the importance of music in our daily lives and worship routines. The pair also share insights from a recent collaboration between the Porter's Gate and Redeeming Babel that produced a new batch of songs that fosters uni...
May 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 122
We can't get enough of our friend Nancy French! Her debut memoir, "Ghosted: An American Story," is available now. That's why we decided to revisit host Curtis Chang's journey into the realm of storytelling with Nancy as his guide. By embracing the narratives of our lives and recognizing the divine Author behind our individual stories, the duo urges listeners to explore family histories and origin tales to gain deeper insight into their journeys. Trust us, if you haven't listened to this episode ...
Apr 27, 2024•56 min•Ep. 121
Host Curtis Chang sits down for a gripping conversation with author and frequent Good Faith guest Nancy French to discuss her compelling new memoir "Ghosted: An American Story." Nancy opens up about wrestling with dark family and church secrets, shedding light on the complexities of transracial adoption and the challenges of losing one's community. She explores the power of being truly known and finding resilience in an unexpected romance that would also show her the enduring hope found in the c...
Apr 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 120
From Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman to Johann Sebastian Bach, host Curtis Chang engages in a captivating conversation with Good Faith contributor Andy Crouch about the profound significance of music in our everyday existence. Through insightful anecdotes and reflections, they explore how to actively listen to music and let it transcend mere entertainment to become a powerful conduit for meaning, expression, and even spiritual meditation. Join them as they harmonize on the transformative role of mu...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 119
Host Curtis Chang sits down with Kaitlyn Schiess, author of the thought-provoking book, "The Bible and The Ballot." Delving into the intersection of faith and politics, this conversation offers a compelling analysis of how Christians can use or abuse scripture to influence civic engagement and public policy. Drawing from her extensive research and personal experiences, Schiess discusses how Christian traditions can interpret scripture and apply its teachings more faithfully to contemporary polit...
Apr 06, 2024•58 min•Ep. 118
Host Curtis Chang and "founding friend" David French engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the relationship between Democrats and Republican Evangelicals. With a nuanced exploration into topics like the "God Gap," they shed light on why Democrats frequently fail to grasp the perspectives and values of Evangelicals. Also in this episode, David and Curtis address the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and explain whether or not their views on the conflict have changed amidst the widenin...
Mar 30, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 117
In this thought-provoking episode, public theologian and The After Party partner Russell Moore explores the need for pastors to equip themselves and their congregations for the distinctive challenges of a presidential election featuring repeat candidates and all new potential for national drama. Russell and Curtis also offer valuable insights into the role of faith communities in fostering both political discernment and public witness as they answer questions from pastors and church leaders. Bri...
Mar 23, 2024•56 min•Ep. 116
We tend to think of spiritual disciplines as taking us out of the world: privatized quiet times, sequestered retreats, individual Bible reading, and such. We especially disconnect spiritual disciplines from the very public world of politics. Michael Wear joins Curtis to challenge this disconnection. Together they explore how spiritual disciplines can form us for healthier politics, and also how politics can form our spiritual lives. The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovat...
Mar 16, 2024•52 min•Ep. 115
In this first episode in a series on faith and political engagement, we delve into the intersection of anxiety and politics, as Christians navigate the mounting tension of the 2024 election cycle. In an interview conducted by DT Slouffman, Redeeming Babel's Director of Content, Curtis shares insightful perspectives on how faith can helpfully form our emotional, relational, and church life. If you're wondering how to navigate the coming months with both hope and humility, this episode is for you!...
Mar 09, 2024•48 min•Ep. 114
Our outer world – our politics, our society, our organizations, even our local community and families – can be enormously complex and even chaotic at times. How do we make sense of all that happens around us? Author and therapist Alison Cook joins Curtis to explore a key strategy: exploring our inner world. They discuss why grasping our inner complexity is critical to properly understanding our external world. This rich discussion covers the theological reasons for this process, as well as many ...
Mar 02, 2024•57 min•Ep. 113
40% of all Americans will receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime and practically every adult will know someone who already has. How do we talk about this reality? Nancy French, who recently was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer, joins Curtis to talk about how we talk. In a wide ranging, vulnerable, and candid conversation, Nancy shares about topics like why she doesn't personally find the "fight cancer" language helpful (even if it might be helpful for others); why peop...
Feb 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 112
Repeated studies show that the current media landscape is worsening polarization and weakening our ability to grasp truth. How do we escape getting trapped in our own "bespoke realities?" This Good Faith episode draws on a recent webinar led by Curtis and David French where they address how Christians can adopt better information habits. Check out The After Party here "Welcome to our new 'Bespoke Realities" by David French (in the New York Times)...
Feb 17, 2024•55 min•Ep. 111
How are Christians supposed to think, feel, and act as they walk by a homeless person? As they drive through an impoverished neighborhood and pass by its residents? Our reactions will be strongly influenced by how we answer the question, "Why? Why are these people poor?" To wrestle with this question, Curtis is joined by the leading scholar on American poverty today, Matthew Desmond, author of Poverty, by America. Together, they explore why most Americans are missing the full answer – and the sp...
Feb 10, 2024•55 min•Ep. 110
The dominant narrative is that Western culture is headed for ever greater levels of atheism, agnosticism, or at least departure from belief in the Christian God. Andy Crouch returns from his sabbatical to question this narrative. He points out that the dominant secular worldview of the West - deterministic, rationalistic, and reductionist - is starting to run on empty. Can this lead to a greater hunger for the Christian God? Curtis and Andy examine what Christians would need to do to meet this h...
Feb 03, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 109
The ongoing war in Gaza has sent out reverberations in the political, military, and economic spheres. But what about the moral sphere? Curtis is joined by "founding friend" David French to examine the moral aftershocks of Gaza in two disparate spheres: the moral practice of war and the moral practice of free speech at universities. We examine why Christians should care about both spheres, and also uncover the surprising theological similarities between them. Please leave your review of Good Fait...
Jan 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 108
AI feels like a tornado that has hit society: unpredictable, powerful, and out of our control. How do we as Christians respond to this force in the world? Curtis is joined by two friends who live and work at the intersection of AI and spiritual reflection: James Cham of Bloomberg Beta and John Kim of the Karamaan Group. Together, the three friends explore how Christians might flip the question from "Where is AI taking us spiritually?" to "Where should Christians take AI?" Pose your questions to ...
Jan 20, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 107
American evangelicalism's pull towards the far right is felt by anyone that comes into contact with the movement. But how did this happen? Who did the pulling? What were the motivations? What were the pre-conditions that made evangelicals so susceptible? With his latest book, The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, Tim Alberta has written the definitive book that answers these questions. He and Curtis discuss the key types of individuals, the organiza...
Jan 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 106
This episode drops on the three year anniversary of the Capitol insurrection of January 6 2021. The event revealed the dangerous nature of Trumpism and political violence. We should be worried about what happened, even today. But the event also presented an opportunity: it contained an invitation from God for all of us, one that applies to our role in our own corner of the world, even today. In this Good Faith Classic (from also two years ago exactly), Curtis and "founding friend" David French u...
Jan 06, 2024•57 min•Ep. 105
"Founding friend" David French returns to wrap up 2023 (we're taking a break for a few weeks). He and Curtis look back at the year through the lens of two core spiritual values of The After Party: Humility and Hope. We discuss what happened in 2023 that grew our humility, reminding us of the need to recognize complexity, to grow, and to learn. We also talked up the signs of hope from the year, including many that are hidden or counter-intuitive. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts for Good Faith Go...
Dec 16, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 104
