In this episode of Question and Ethics, I answer a question about dealing with a combative mentor. How are we to respond to accusations and vitriol from others? What are we to do when we are unjustly maligned, and how are we to respond? As we respond, we must be careful as we are confronting a person who thrives on conflict not to become the same type of person. Because we have a sense of the Judgement Day, and the fact that justice will eventually be done, we are freed from our need to seek jud...
Jul 21, 2021•26 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Question and Ethics, I answer a question about my own crisis of faith. The question comes out of my writing about the generational crisis that is going on among young people leaving the faith and the tension that many are experiencing about the contradiction between what people read in the Bible and the Christian culture around them. Crises are not always a bad thing. They are the points that demand a decision and a moment of reflection. And the different types of crisis will ...
Jun 30, 2021•27 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of Question and Ethics, I answer a question about marriage and Social Security benefits. I once thought that this was a niche or uncommon problem. However, there is a rising number of senior adults who are foregoing marriage because doing so will cost them their social security benefits. There is an understandable (though incorrect) thought process for many of them as they are looking at their financial situation which may be precarious, especially if they lack family support. An...
Jun 09, 2021•21 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of Question and Ethics, I answer a question about productivity. While not a moral question, it is a question that we all face in our lives as we have to face all the demands on our time and responsibilities. Though I’m less productive than people may think, and much of what looks like productivity is really just me doing what interests me, there are some practices that I have which are helpful for me. But I do have some advice for how to avoid the things that make me unproductive...
Apr 21, 2021•34 min•Ep. 25
In today’s episode of The Cross & the Jukebox, we talk about Vampire Weekend’s “Harmony Hall.” There is a dissonance between the dark lyrics of the song and the exuberance of the melody. Koenig’s lyrics speak to the way that anger can create a false sense of harmony, but also how that harmony can lead to injustice creating an incongruence between words and actions or a person’s public and private personas. Further, the imagery of the song points to some of the deepest longings in the human c...
Mar 24, 2021•50 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Question and Ethics, I answer a question about family secrets. How do we react when secrets come to light that change how we see our family members or ourselves? Is it dishonoring to reveal those secrets or should we desire to make things known? This situation reveals something about our desire to understand our own story and how to make sense of it in light of this new situation. When these situations become known, we can ultimately take comfort in the fact that we are not th...
Mar 10, 2021•17 min•Ep. 23
In the relaunch of Question and Ethics, I answer a question that I get so often now: What do I do when my family is so divided over politics? How do I talk to family members that are combative about politics? Part of that division is the result of the way that we have idolized politics in our culture, as well as the growing polarization across a number of issues. However, I think that there are some practices that we can do to not inflame the relationships, even as we communicate truth. We shoul...
Feb 24, 2021•31 min•Ep. 22
In today’s episode of First Word, we look at what is called the Table of Nations before moving into the Tower of Babel. These chapters mark a division between the earlier focus on humanity as a whole, and Abraham’s story specifically. In the story of the building of this tower, humanity was seeking a a sense of power and permanence. However, that seeking of permanence and unity, apart from the bond of God ultimately leads to division. Their attempt to construct this tower is a seeking after glor...
Feb 10, 2021•38 min•Ep. 19
In today’s episode of First Word, we continue the story of Noah and his descendants after the Flood. In this new start for the human race, God provides both a judgement on the ongoing wickedness of humanity as well as a promise of his grace and mercy in the rainbow. Also, we see the importance of blood and the way that God will require justice from those who shed the blood of another. This is continuing the sign of blood of how God is reconciling the world to himself in Christ. We also talk abou...
Jul 21, 2020•49 min•Ep. 18
In today’s episode of The Cross & the Jukebox, we talk about Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.” Though some might use this as a shorthand for fidelity in marriage, I think that the song is not about covenant faithfulness but rather a fatalistic view of human nature, especially in how it pictures how men and women relate to one another. However, as Christians we should expect more of men and women in marriage and in how they treat one another. This is not a protest against divorce culture, ...
Jul 17, 2020•46 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of First Word, we cover the story of Noah and the Flood narrative. Often we think of this story in a happy or serene way. However, this is fundamentally a story about judgment. We should take note of God’s patience in executing judgment on humanity as well as the final arrival of that judgment and God providing a way through it. The New Testament will pick up this image and tell us that our baptism is a sign of the judgment of sin and our deliverance through Jesus’ death. I hope ...
Jul 16, 2020•27 min•Ep. 17
In today’s episode of The Cross & the Jukebox, we take a break from country music to cover R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion.” In a time when stories of people leaving the faith have become all too common, the song has become a sort of anthem for many. For many, this is less about cognitive decisions, and more about how religion has been used as a tool for power and maintaining cultural norms. This song functions as a lament at this contradiction between what the faith says and how the faithful a...
Jul 10, 2020•27 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of First Word, we continue the story of humanity in Genesis by following Cain after he is punished by God, as well as his descendants and those of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. In this transition period between the generations, the example of people like Lamech further evidences the fallenness of humanity. However, the picture of Seth’s birth is a sign of the future promise and the hope of a future overcoming of death for those in Christ. Both genealogies fear death, but w...
Jul 08, 2020•36 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of “The Cross and the Jukebox,” I talk about one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite musicians: Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” The first time I heard it, I thought it was about hell. Later, I came to think it was about love. But now I realize it is about both. Join me each week as I think about some of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 03, 2020•30 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, we continue our journey through Genesis by looking at the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-17. In this dark passage of scripture, there are hints of grace and mercy. In this murderous chapter of human history, we see how the sinful actions start not with the external, but come from the internal motivations and dispositions. And we are reminded that the God who punishes Cain in just judgment is also the God who offers a temporary suspension of doom to Cain in exile. This is ...
Jun 23, 2020•55 min•Ep. 12
In today’s episode of The Cross and the Jukebox, I talk not about a particular song, but about the sub-genre of Outlaw Country. These exiles of country music, were examples of authenticity, or congruence, and that is something that Christians can learn from when ministering to a world in yearning for integrity and truth. Join me each week as I think about some of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The post Cross & the Jukebox: Outlaw Country appeared ...
Jun 20, 2020•27 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, we continue our journey through Genesis by looking at The Fall, God’s judgment, and God’s grace in Genesis 3:6-24. This passage sets the stage for the future storyline of scripture of our guilt before God and our need for a redeemer. Join me as we explore what this moment reveals about the judgment and grace of God. Genesis 3:6-24 English Standard Version (ESV) 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was t...
Jun 11, 2020•42 min•Ep. 10
In today’s special episode of the Russell Moore Podcast, I share my keynote from the Just Gospel 2020 Conference. The title is “Community Is Not Enough: Tribalism, Injustice, and the Freedom to Stand Alone” (Mark 5:1-20).” Listen here or watch below. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The post Community Is Not Enough: Tribalism, Injustice, and the Freedom to Stand Alone” (Mark 5:1-20) appeared first on Russell Moore . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...
Jun 10, 2020•35 min•Ep. 9
This special episode of the Russell Moore podcast is taken from my keynote at the “MLK50: Reflections from the Mountaintop” conference hosted in conjunction with The Gospel Coalition on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Be sure to subscribe for all the latest episodes of the Russell Moore Podcast. The post Racial Justice and the Uneasy Conscience of American Christianity appeared first on Russell Moore . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...
Jun 02, 2020•35 min•Ep. 8
In this episode, we continue our journey through Genesis by looking at the temptation of Adam and Eve and the entrance of sin into the world. In today’s text, we cover Genesis 3:1 – 6. This passage reveals something to us about how the original couple was tempted, but also how each of us are tempted daily by the serpent. Join me as we explore what this moment reveals about the past and our present. Genesis 3: 1-6 English Standard Version (ESV) 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other bea...
Jun 02, 2020•48 min•Ep. 7
In today’s episode of The Cross and the Jukebox, I talk about Don Williams’ “Good Ole Boys Like Me.” This song speaks to the Christ-haunted reality of the South and the culture of Bible Belt Christianity within the South. Join me each week as I think about some of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The post Cross & the Jukebox: Don Williams’ “Good Ole Boys Like Me” appeared first on Russell Moore . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...
May 28, 2020•36 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, we continue our journey through Genesis by looking at the creation and meaning of humanity. In today’s text, we cover Genesis 1:26 – 2:17. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? What does it mean to have intrinsic dignity? Join me as we consider what this passage has to say on these questions. Genesis 1:26 – 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea an...
May 27, 2020•37 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of “The Cross & the Jukebox,” I talk about one of the most iconic songs of country music: “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. Join me each week as I think about some of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The post The Cross & the Jukebox: George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” appeared first on Russell Moore . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 22, 2020•38 min•Ep. 4
In this episode, we continue our journey through Genesis by looking at the rest of the first chapter and the beginning of the next. In today’s text, we cover Genesis 1:3-2:3. This opening chapter sets the stage for the future storyline of Scripture. Join me each week as we journey through Genesis and see what this first book of Scripture reveals about the Kingdom of God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
May 19, 2020•47 min•Ep. 3
In this relaunch of “The Cross & the Jukebox,” I start with one of the most recognizable songs in country music: “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams Sr. This song is the prayer of a backslider, something that we can all understand at some point in our lives. Join me each week as I think about some of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The post The Cross & the Jukebox: Hank Williams Sr.’s “I Saw the Light” appeared first on Russell Moore . Learn mor...
May 14, 2020•28 min•Ep. 2
In my new podcast, we are going to start by journeying through Genesis. I’m calling this series “First Word: The Book of Genesis and the Kingdom of Christ.” In today’s text, we cover Genesis 1:1-3. This is a short passage of Scripture, but there is so much to unpack that sets the stage for the rest of the storyline of the Bible. Join me each week as we journey through Genesis and see what this first book of Scripture reveals about the Kingdom of God. Genesis 1:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV) ...
May 12, 2020•45 min•Ep. 1
In my new podcast, I will be teaching through books of the Bible (the thing I miss most since entering this new role), as well as reviving some older podcast topics. One of these is “Questions and Ethics” where I answer your questions about moral decisions you or those you now might be facing. Another is “The Cross and the Jukebox” which explored religious themes and cultural currents in country music. I hope you’ll subscribe and leave a review or a comment. The first episodes will be available ...
May 05, 2020•2 min
