Our guest this week is author and literary critic Jonathan Levi , whose most recent book is Septimania , a ” strange and magical picaresque romance.” Then Scott is joined by David Zahl and Sarah Condon to consider questions like: “Do we live in the Matrix?” and “Did Jesus have a wife?”. The post Did Jesus Have A Wife? Do You Have Septimania?!? appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jun 17, 2016•50 min
This week Scott Jones talks with Erik Guzman about his new book, The Seed: A True Myth . Then Scott is joined by the usual suspects to talk about, among other things, the dangers of being authentic and doing what you love. The post Should You Ever Be Authentic Or Do What You Love? appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jun 10, 2016•45 min
This is the second of an ongoing, albeit semi-regular series, where the host of the Mockingcast goes to the cinema with his lovely wife, Lindy . This episode we review Love and Friendship , a film inspired by Jane Austen’s unpublished novella. Happy listening! The post Bonus Mini-Cast: Lindy and Scott Review “Love And Friendship” appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jun 07, 2016•12 min
We have one of the top experts on Zombie Apocalypses on the show this week. Alissa Wilkinson teaches at King’s College in New York City. She is the author most recently of How to Survive the Apocalypse: Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics at the End of the World (co-written with Rob Joustra). Then the crew gets into the content of Another Week Ends , and yes, Sarah talks Gorilla Mom. The post How’s A Gorilla Mom Like Me Gonna Make It Through The Zombie Apocalypse? appeared first on New Persuasi...
Jun 03, 2016•56 min
This week we have as our guest Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, the author of numerous books and essays, including her most recent work, Nurture The Wow , a deeply affecting, funny, insightful meditation that challenges readers to find the spiritual meaning of parenting. Then the usual suspects discuss faith conversions, safe spaces, saying you’re sorry and the Gospel in Vietnam. The post Nurture The Wow appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
May 28, 2016•1 hr 6 min
This week’s show features an interview with Fleming Rutledge about her recent book, The Crucifixion:Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ. Then the usual suspects review the contents of Another Week Ends. Scott, David and Sarah talk social media and emotional health, whether we have free will, and consider a documentary that reminds us that the Gospel is first, foremost and forever for sinners. The post The Gospel Is For Sinners appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
May 20, 2016•54 min
In this special episode of the podcast we talk about the most recent issue of our magazine which is all about the Church. We talk with the editor of the magazine, Ethan Richardson, as well Molly Worthen , Professor of History from UNC and New York Times contributor. The episode concludes with a panel Scott Jones moderated and a conference about Reformed Theology and the Mission and Life of the Church in North America sponsored by the Missio Alliance. The post Special Episode: The Church Magazine...
May 18, 2016•1 hr 25 min
In this episode Scott talks with Rev. Dr. Kenyatta Gilbert , Professor of Homiletics at Howard Divinity School. Dr. Gilbert teaches preaching and is also a student of its history. Following the interview Scott is joined by David Zahl and a special guest sitting in for Sarah Condon, Leslie Hall. Among other things the three of them consider the role of jokes in church. The post Preaching Can Be Powerful, But Should It Be Funny? appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
May 13, 2016•48 min
In this episode we’re joined by John Newton, author of the Falling Into Grace: Exploring Our Inner Life With God. Following that conversation David, Sarah and Scott discuss the content of Another Week Ends . The post Falling Into Grace appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
May 06, 2016•51 min
In this episode Scott talks with Geoff Holsclaw , author of, most recently, Transcending Subjects: Augustine, Hegel and Theology , and the co-host of the Theology On Mission Podcast. The usual suspects (Scott, Ethan Richardson and Sarah Condon) go on to talk Choose Your Own Adventure books, smugness, as well as reflecting on a story about a judge that sentences a veteran to 24 hours in jail, then joins him behind bars. The post What Is True Freedom? And What’s The Deal With Choose Your Own Adven...
Apr 29, 2016•48 min
In this episode we air a conversation that David Zahl and Scott Jones had with Derek Webb at the 2016 New York City Conference. Then the usual suspects discuss the contents of Another Week Ends. The post Our Conversation With Derek Webb, Thoughts On Prince, And The Joys Of Crashing Weddings appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Apr 22, 2016•59 min
In this special episode of the podcast all our content was recorded live from the #mockingbirdnyc2016 conference. Our usual cast of characters, with the welcome addition of Jacob Smith, talk about the story and identity of Mockingbird, and Scott has a conversation with one of our speakers, Dr. Ted Peters , joined by his wife Karen. If you couldn’t make it to the conference or you’re in NYC with some free time and can’t get enough of #mockingbirdnyc2016, check it out! The post The Mockingbird NYC...
Apr 15, 2016•38 min
In this episiode Scott talks with Mandy Smith, author of The Vulnerable Pastor . Then the panel talks about the loss of a great artist, Merle Haggard, and reflect on the anniversary of the loss of a great preacher of grace, Michael Spencer. We also consider what antinomianism really is and if it’s a probem. The post Vulnerability, Loss & The Anti-Law appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Apr 08, 2016•50 min
In this episode we are privileged to talk with noted author Chris Bachelder about his newest book, The Throwback Special. We also discuss some of the highlights of Another Week Ends , including the American Psycho musical and Microsoft’s genocidal social media bot Tay, as well as considering the relationship between faith and doubt in a post-Easter world. The post Tay The Twitbot Has Spoken, We’re All American Psychos Now appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Apr 01, 2016•54 min
In this episode my mystery guest who’s secret identity is revealed on the podcast joins me to give a first look and reaction to the just released Batman V Superman film. SPOILER ALERT : Spoilers start at minute 12. The post Special Episode: The Superman V Batman First Look appeared first on New Persuasive Words .
Mar 26, 2016•21 min
On this episode released at the end of Holy Week we talk art history with Matt Milliner of Wheaton College. He talks about three great artists and their eventual forsaking of their own performace idolatry. Then Ethan Richardson and Sarah Condon join our host to talk about the contents of Another Week Ends. The post The Passion of Christ and Our Passion for Performance appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Mar 25, 2016•54 min
This week we have Jacob Smith back on the podcast to talk about preaching and hearing sermons during Holy Week. David, Sarah and Scott also record live from the Mockingbird Tyler conference in the Lone Star State. The stars and night are big and bright, clap, clap, clap….! The post Preaching and Hearing The Word In Holy Week And A Live Recording From #MbirdTyler2016 appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Mar 19, 2016•36 min
This week Scott talks with David Dark, author of Life’s Too Short To Pretend You’re Not Religious. You can click here for the full length, unedited version of the conversation. Then Scott, David and Sarah talk about moral aligment, criticism and the trajic nature of suicide. The post Life’s Too Short To Pretend You’re Not Religious, Let The Healing Begin appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Mar 11, 2016•50 min
In this episode we sit down with John Zahl to talk music and movies. Then David Zahl, Sarah Condon and Scott Jones discuss the contents of Another Week Ends . The post The Power of Empathy, The Excesses of Leadership and The Episcopalian Skeletor appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Mar 04, 2016•54 min
In this week’s episode we debut our new co-host, Sarah Condon. Sarah is an Episcopal priest, wife, mom and regular Mockingbird contributor. She, David Zahl I talk about Donald Trump, Flannery O’Conner, Facebook-like options and the power of extending gracious and encouraging words from a distance. As always you can find all the things we reference on our website, mbird.com. The post Meet Our New Co-Host… appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Feb 26, 2016•41 min
This week we’re priveleged to have Mockingbird contributor and Rector of Calvary-St.George’s in New York City. ( http://www.calvarystgeorges.org ) He shares some thoughts on the theology of the cross and how it can inform the Lenten season, keeping it from being yet another venue for the pursuit of a theology of glory that celebrates human religiosity rather than clinging to divine grace. We also look at the content of Another Week Ends with Kanye fan and Mockingbird contributor, C.J. Green. The...
Feb 19, 2016•41 min
In this episode of the show we talk with some really interesting people. We begin with a conversation with J.R. Rozko, co-director of the Mission Alliance ( www.missioalliance.org ). They are doing a series of conference gatherings to explore what different past traditions have to offer the church and its mission in a post-Christian future. We’ll actually be doing a live recording of the show at their May gathering in Philadelphia which will look at the Reformation tradition ( http://www.missioa...
Feb 12, 2016•56 min
In this episode we talk with first time guest Stephanie Phillips about the dance working career moms have to do and how she changed her dance steps. Then David Zahl shares some thoughts about the nature of criticism (the literary and artistic kind), beauty and the place of the church in the world. The post Everyone’s A Critic appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Feb 06, 2016•41 min
In this episode of the Mockingcast we have Sarah Condon reflecting on the futility of the New Year’s Resolution and how it connects to the Lenten journey. We also have Ethan Richardson sharing his take on the contents of Another Week Ends , the weekly round-up post from www.mbird.com. The post Regret, Resolve and the Possibility of Relief appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jan 30, 2016•40 min
This special edition of the Mockingcast comes to you by the good graces of Greg Strawbridge. Greg is a pastor in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He’s also a musician and an online sound producer extraordinaire. You can find his interviews, sermons and talks at wordmp3.com. Greg and I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Oppenheimer, editor of Tablet magazine , regular New York Times contributor, host of the Unorthodox podcast , and one of only two authors published in both Playboy and The Chri...
Jan 25, 2016•51 min
This week we talk about the contents of Another Week Ends with David Zahl as he hunkers down in preparation for the first impending blizzard of 2016. The post Talking Science, Shame, and Satire in the wake of the Snowpocalypse appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jan 22, 2016•21 min
In this week’s episode we cover the highlights of Another Week Ends with David Zahl. As usual all the content we mention can be found on our website: www.mbird.com. Have a great weekend. The post David Bowie, David Brooks and the God Who Hates When We Hate Our Mess appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jan 15, 2016•31 min
In this special edition of The Mockingcast we talk with Will McDavid about the state of the Church as of 2015. We also get a rundown on Todd Brewer’s best theological reads from 2015. The post Mockingcast Special Edition: The State of Theology and Church in 2015 appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Jan 12, 2016•30 min
In this episode C.J. Green breaks down the highlightd of Another Week Ends . We consider the power of Derek Webb’s recent published confession, talk about failure and mediocrity, and consider how the story of our lives isn’t always one we can chart with any kind of rational metric. All this and a special guest appearance by Paul Zahl who reflects on the rise of Trump and what it tells us about the country and ourselves. The post The Power of Confession, The Fear of Failure, and Paul Zahl on Dona...
Jan 08, 2016•35 min
This is our Christmas Show. It’s short, sweet and full of Christmas cheer. Enjoy. And Merry Christmas! Show Notes: Here is the essay by Dan Harmon which was quoted at the beginning of the show. The post Have Yourself A Mockingbird Christmas Time appeared first on New Persuasive Words ....
Dec 24, 2015•24 min