Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

What does it actually mean to be an evangelical? Rebecca talks with theologian Walter Strickland II about how a word rooted in the good news of Jesus became so closely tied to American politics. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Have we confused love with romance and sex? And why can church sometimes feel like such a lonely place? Rebecca talks with theologian Dani Treweek about what 1 and 2 Thessalonians teach us about Christian love, relationships, and belonging. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Did the earliest Christians really believe Jesus rose from the dead, or did that story develop over time? Rebecca talks with theologian Dani Treweek about what Paul's earliest letters reveal about Jesus, why the first Christians risked so much to follow him, and what the Bible actually means when it says Jesus will return. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca talks with Trevin Wax and Thomas West about raising kids in a changing culture without fear or nostalgia. They discuss why Christians have always been called to live differently, how to teach children a biblical understanding of freedom and identity, and why everyday conversations matter more than we might think. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

What if the Bible isn't just a collection of disconnected stories, but one big story that leads to Jesus? Rebecca talks with Trevin Wax and Thomas West about how seeing the whole story of Scripture changes the way we read it, why some familiar Bible stories make more sense when we know where they're headed, and how we can help kids understand the Bible without underestimating them. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Are people basically good? Rebecca talks with theologian Gray Sutanto about the Christian doctrine of original sin, why our selfishness seems to come so naturally, and whether it's fair that Adam's sin affects the rest of us. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

What makes human beings unique? Rebecca talks with theologian Gray Sutanto about what the Bible means when it says we're made in the image of God, why our value doesn't depend on our intelligence or abilities, and how Jesus shows us what it truly means to be human. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Why are we so uncomfortable with aging, dependency, and death? Rebecca talks with Jen Wilkin about aging, death, dependency, and why Christians should be able to face all three differently. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

What makes a Christian leader worthy of trust? Rebecca talks with Kyle Worley and his father, longtime pastor Joe Worley, about power, integrity, parenting, and why faithful leadership looks more like service than status. Ultimately, our hope isn't in perfect Christian leaders, but in Jesus, the perfect shepherd. PRE ORDER → The First Five: How to Beat the Odds and Thrive as a Ministry Leader Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by John Dickson to discuss if history discredits Christianity. Questions Covered in This Episode: Why are the core Christians's beliefs not surprising to a first century Jewish rabbi, known as Jesus? When were the Gospels written and how can we be sure? What about the claim that Jesus is God in the flesh, where is the evidence of that? Can you give us background on Constantine? What happened during the Crusades? Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin talk about deconstructing; where has this come from and how should we engage? Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca is joined by Vaneetha Risner to discuss her life story and what God has taught her through suffering. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin are joined by author Rachel Gilson to talk about why God cares about who we sleep with. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Gavin Ortlund to answer the question; why doesn't God make Himself more obvious? Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Dr. Danielle Treweek to have a conversation about singleness and marriage. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Rebecca is joined by James Eglinton to have a conversation about the arguments for and against euthanasia, how Christians should think about it, and where our hope can be found. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

Kyle Worley and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss the question; are transgender women, women?Questions Covered in This Episode: What is a man? What is a woman? Is a transgender woman a woman? What issues has this confusion presented? What is our primary responsiblity we have as Christians in this conversation? To what degree should we advance Christian ethics in public squares that are not purposefully evangelistic? Are all feminists on the same page with the question of “are transgender women women?” What do we do with the question of “preferred pronouns?” Helpful Definitions: Transgender woman: Someone who is biologically male but identifies as female. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

The conversation centers around the complexities of being pro-life in a broader context. Bri shares her transformative journey from traditional pro-life advocacy into a holistic pursuit that sees immigration and refugee care as extensions of the same intrinsic Christian value of life and dignity. She elaborates on the misconceptions that surround the pro-life movement and the importance of engaging with human dignity issues beyond political boundaries. She also touches on the hurdles Christians face in balancing political and scriptural obligations. Key Takeaways: Choosing Proximity: Bri emphasizes the influence of building relationships with people who hold different perspectives to align more closely with biblical teachings on human dignity. Holistic Pro-life Ethic: Embracing a consistent pro-life ethic means advocating not only for the unborn but also for vulnerable groups, such as immigrants and refugees, as equally deserving of care and compassion. Beyond Politics: True compassion rooted in Christianity should transcend political labels, emphasizing a Kingdom mindset that values all individuals as God's image bearers. Community Engagement: Practical involvement in local and global human dignity efforts, like adoption and refugee support, can allow Christians to live out their beliefs more fully and tangibly. Resources: Bri's Books: Start with Welcome and The Biggest, Best Light Women of Welcome: Website Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Christianity: Instagram | X Purchase Rebecca's Books: Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity Jesus though the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord No Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for Friendship Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting! Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

What if the worst season of your life became the place where you encountered God most deeply? Rebecca talks with Ray Ortlund about suffering, betrayal, loneliness, depression, and why the cross and resurrection of Jesus offer a hope that no other worldview can match. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.

What do you do when getting out of bed feels impossible? Rebecca McLaughlin talks with Dr. Alan Noble about depression, anxiety, suffering, and the surprising hope Christianity offers—not by removing pain, but by giving us meaning, purpose, and a reason to keep going. Use code GUIDE to get 30% off your copy of "A Christian Guide to AI" at thegoodbook.com today. Get your copy of "The Unstoppable Gospel" by Karl Clauson at MoodyPublishers.com orwherever books are sold.