Summer is a time for reading. Work slows down a bit, at least for some. I’m not traveling as much to speak and teach. School’s out. I spend more time at the lake. In fact, I have probably spent more time reading on a couch next to a lake than any other place. I’ve read everything from history to fiction to theology on that couch that helps put my mind in the right place to relax then concentrate. One of my favorite guests is back on Gospelbound to talk about summer reading as we close out the sp...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 165
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen looks back on the decade since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the 2015 Obergefell decision. He explores why support for same-sex marriage is now declining and why transgender activism hasn't followed the same trajectory. Hansen also reflects on how the church responded to this cultural upheaval and why many ministries didn’t cave under pressure.
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 164
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen talks with Molly Worthen about her new book Spellbound , which explores how charisma has shaped American history. Worthen explains charisma not just as charm, but as a powerful story that invites followers into something morally meaningful. She traces its roots from the New Testament to modern politics and culture, showing how our desire for control—and to give it up—reveals the stories and idols that shape us....
Jun 03, 2025•38 min•Ep. 163
Collin Hansen speaks with Matt McCullough about his book Remember Heaven , exploring the themes of vulnerability in our future, the relevance of heaven in Christian life, and the motivations behind our longing for heaven. They discuss the disconnect many Christians feel towards heaven, the role of suffering, and the significance of Judgment Day. McCullough emphasizes the importance of understanding heaven not just as a distant hope but as a central aspect of Christian faith that shapes our lives...
May 27, 2025•31 min•Ep. 162
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Matt Smethurst reflect on the lasting impact of Tim Keller’s gospel-centered teaching and legacy. Smethurst shares insights from his new book, Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel , which distills Keller’s most influential content on Christian living, emphasizing Keller’s ability to engage both heart and mind with grace-filled clarity. Hansen and Smethurst explore Keller’s unique communication style, his evolvin...
May 13, 2025•49 min•Ep. 160
In this episode of Gospelbound, Paul Putz joins Collin Hansen to examine the deep connections between American Christianity and big-time sports, drawing from Putz's new book, The Spirit of the Game, American Christianity and Big Time Sports . They trace the historical development of Christian involvement in sports, starting with the influence of "middlebrow" mainline Protestants and the pivotal role of the FCA. The discussion highlights the shifting perspectives of sports journalism, from celebr...
May 06, 2025•52 min•Ep. 159
Collin Hansen, Brett McCracken, and Ivan Mesa discuss how digital technology affects culture, especially social media and information overload in younger generations. They explore themes from Scrolling Ourselves to Death , highlighting the need for wisdom, memory, and history in navigating the digital age. The conversation covers parenting challenges, the role of technology in shaping society, and the importance of meaningful family interactions and outdoor experiences. They emphasize the church...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 158
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen sits down with Walter Strickland to discuss his book, Swing Low: A History of Black Christianity in the United States . They explore the rich history of Black Christianity in the United States, considering the importance of participation in theology and the challenges faced by Black church leaders in proving their orthodoxy. Strickland explains how Black theology developed and the need for a story that truly represents the Black Christian experience....
Apr 22, 2025•47 min•Ep. 157
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen interviews Caleb Morrell, author of A Light on the Hill, which explores the rich history and influence of Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, D.C.. The discussion highlights the church's surprising impact on evangelicalism, the key figures who shaped its history, and the essential elements that contribute to a healthy church. Morrell shares stories of ordinary individuals who played extraordinary roles in the church's development, the ...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 156
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen interviews Ian Harber about his journey through deconstructing and reconstructing his faith as outlined in his book, Walking Through Deconstruction: How to Be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith . They explore the impact of social media on deconstruction narratives, the difference between deconstruction and apostasy, and the importance of creating supportive church environments for those experiencing doubt. Harber discusses the emotional aspects of dou...
Apr 08, 2025•49 min•Ep. 155
In this episode, Collin Hansen interviews Nadya Williams about her journey from a secular Jewish upbringing in Russia to becoming a Christian and a scholar. They discuss her book, ‘ Mothers, Children and the Body Politic, ’ which explores the historical and cultural shifts in the perception of motherhood and children. Williams argues that modern society often devalues motherhood and children, viewing them as economic burdens rather than priceless gifts. The conversation delves into the implicati...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 154
Collin Hansen and Russ Ramsey explore the profound relationship between art, suffering, and hope. They discuss Ramsey's book, Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart , and how art reflects our struggles and the beauty that emerges from pain, using examples from Van Gogh and Norman Rockwell. Ramsey emphasizes the importance of understanding art as a means of storytelling and a companion in our experiences of grief and joy. And he offers practical advice for engaging with art in museums, highlighting the acce...
Mar 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 153
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and author Allen Levi discuss the themes and inspirations behind Levi's debut novel, Theo of Golden . They explore the writing process, character development, and the importance of conversation and connection in storytelling. They also touch on art's ability to evoke emotions and they way it helps us understand our place in the world.
Mar 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 152
In this special episode of ‘Gospelbound,’ Collin Hansen revisits the significant events surrounding March 11, 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its profound impact on churches, society, and our collective trust in authorities. He discusses the lessons learned from the pandemic, the cultural shifts that have occurred, and reflects on his 2020 predictions for the post-COVID world, emphasizing the continued importance of faith and community in navigating these challenges.
Mar 11, 2025•48 min•Ep. 151
In this episode of Gospelbound , guest host Kendra Dahl interviews Collin Hansen about his new book, Where Is God in a World With So Much Evil? Collin shares how his background in European history and cultural apologetics shaped his approach to one of Christianity's hardest questions, particularly in light of historical tragedies like the Holocaust. They discuss the post-World War II shift in morality, the rise of Hitler as a moral standard, and how modern comparisons often lead to self-justific...
Mar 04, 2025•34 min•Ep. 150
Collin Hansen is joined by his good friend, Kevin DeYoung, to discuss DeYoung's newest book, Daily Doctrine . They explore the book's blend of devotional and systematic theology, and discuss some of its key themes, like Christology, antinomianism, and the doctrine of God. They reflect on David Wells’s influence, the mission of Clearly Reformed, and the role of family devotions in shaping faith. DeYoung also shares insights into the creation of The Biggest Story , a children’s Bible storybook des...
Feb 25, 2025•47 min•Ep. 149
Collin Hansen sits down with Nicholas Carr to discuss his book, Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart . They explore the rise of fake news, the unintended consequences of social media, and how new communication technologies have historically shaped major conflicts. Carr examines AI’s growing role in media and the challenges of critical thought in a fast-paced digital world. Despite these concerns, the conversation seeks hope for community and meaningful connection in an era of...
Feb 18, 2025•39 min•Ep. 148
Collin Hansen interviews Ross Douthat about his book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious , exploring the cultural shift toward religion and the importance of religious institutions. Douthat critiques the idea that intelligence leads to meaninglessness and discusses the dangers of a purely spiritual approach without structure. The conversation considers how suffering can strengthen faith and examines the modern spiritual crises of isolation and despair, highlighting the enduring relevance ...
Feb 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 147
In this Gospelbound spring season preview, Collin Hansen and Kendra Dahl announce the spring season's upcoming guests, including Ross Douthat, Nicholas Carr, Kevin DeYoung, and others—covering topics from media criticism to theology and history.
Feb 04, 2025•16 min
Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual discussion as they look back on the top theology stories of 2024. They also share their favorite books from 2024, updates on personal projects, and what they're each looking forward to in life and ministry in 2025. They discuss: The rise in Bible sales in 2024 Declining fertility rates worldwide Big changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global South The advance of assisted suicide in the UK The Cass Report and the truth...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 146
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen takes the interviewee seat, diving into the abiding value of reading fiction. Guest host Kendra Dahl asks Collin about his favorite genres to read, from historical to Scandinavian, Russian, and Southern fiction, and how each offers unique perspectives on humanity and culture. Hansen shares personal connections to these genres, recommending books that have deeply affected him, from his personal faith to his evangelism. They also discuss how fiction c...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 145
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Michael Horton discuss Horton's new book, Shaman and Sage , tracing the deep historical roots of "spiritual but not religious" movements from ancient civilizations through modern technological trends. They discuss: The evolution of spirituality and its ancient pedigree The concept of the divine self and its historical roots The Axial Age and its impact on philosophical religions The interaction between Christianity and philosophical religions Th...
Nov 19, 2024•40 min•Ep. 144
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Hans Madueme explore how Christian theology, particularly the belief in a good creation, underpins the rise of science, contrasting it with Gnostic and Manichaean views. Madueme also delves into his book Defending Sin , discussing the theological challenges posed by modern science to doctrines like original sin, the historical Adam, and the importance of maintaining a coherent approach to Scripture in both creation and eschatology. They discuss:...
Nov 12, 2024•45 min•Ep. 143
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Timothy Carney explore how individualism, economic shifts, and cultural changes have weakened family structures, urging communities—especially churches—to restore support and promote both marriage and singleness as paths to societal health. They discuss: The collapse of civil society and its impact on families The unintended consequences of modern parenting Religious subcultures and family norms Economic and political factors in family dynamics C...
Nov 05, 2024•53 min•Ep. 142
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Bob Doll discuss generosity, stewardship, and faith-based investing. Bob shares insights from his Christian journey, emphasizing that all resources are God's and the importance of mentoring young Christians, balancing faith, family, and work, and aligning investments with values. They discuss: Bob's journey to faith and how that shaped his vocation Values-aligned investing Navigating workplace challenges Advice for business leaders and pastors G...
Oct 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 141
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Michael Reeves discuss the need for gospel-centered unity in the church, emphasizing the dangers of allowing cultural or political differences to overshadow the core message of the gospel. Reeves explains the themes of his books, Gospel People and Evangelical Pharisees , which address confusion over the gospel and highlight the importance of defining evangelicalism through theological rather than cultural lenses. They discuss: Clarifying the gosp...
Oct 22, 2024•30 min•Ep. 140
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Nancy Pearcey discuss her new book, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. They explore the cultural challenges facing modern masculinity, including the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of negative perceptions of men. They discuss the following: Nancy Pearcey's motivation for writing The Toxic War on Masculinity Historical context and the Industrial Revolution's impact A sociological study on a "good...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 139
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Cameron Cole discuss Cole's book Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth and how hope for an eternal future with Christ shapes everyday Christian life. Cole shares how the loss of his son led him to a deeper understanding of heaven, emphasizing Paul's eschatology and its practical impact on sanctification, mission, and living with an eternal perspective. They discuss: Heavenward by Cameron Cole The impact of personal loss on etern...
Oct 08, 2024•33 min•Ep. 138
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen and Jamie Dunlop discuss the challenges and beauty of diversity in churches, emphasizing unity in Christ. Drawing from his experience at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Dunlop shares insights on managing disagreements within Christian community with patience, grace, and charity, as outlined in his book, Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy . They discuss: Challenges and opportunities in church diversity Why disagreements don't indicate something is wrong ...
Oct 01, 2024•32 min•Ep. 137
In this episode of Gospelbound , Collin Hansen interviews Dr. Sarah Irving-Stonebraker about her journey from atheism to Christianity and how it shapes her work as a historian. They discuss: Historical figures and intellectual challenges that influenced her conversion The integration of faith into her academic work The challenges of teaching history in a secular context The role of historical narratives in finding meaning and purpose Insights from her book, Priests of History: Stewarding the Pas...
Sep 24, 2024•46 min•Ep. 136
