Episodes
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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 2024Declining fertility rates worldwideBig changes for the United Methodist Church and the role of the Global SouthThe advance of assisted suicide in the UKThe Cass Report and the truth about transgender treatmentsEncouraging signs among Gen ZTrump’s election victory and a GOP shiftAnticipating the 2025 Gospelbound seasonBook highlights from 2024Personal projects and updatesDon Carson’s legacy and an important update about his life and ministryMentioned on this episode:
"My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024" by Collin Hansen (article)
Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 can cultivate empathy, deepen our understanding of others, and help us appreciate the complexities of human nature—all through the art of storytelling.
Check out Collin Hansen's fiction novel recommendations.
Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 pedigreeThe concept of the divine self and its historical rootsThe Axial Age and its impact on philosophical religionsThe interaction between Christianity and philosophical religionsThe role of Jesus's incarnation in Christian theologyA critique of Charles Taylor's thesis on secularismThe historical trajectory of enchantmentThe impact of Horton's book and future volumesThe connection between New Age spiritualities and technologiesHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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:
Theological implications of scientific challengesGalileo and the role of ScriptureThe provisional nature of scienceThe conflict metaphor and historical scientistsMethodological naturalism and its implicationsThe historical Adam and theological implicationsYoung earth creationism and its theological importanceTrusting Scripture in protology and eschatologyHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 familiesThe unintended consequences of modern parentingReligious subcultures and family normsEconomic and political factors in family dynamicsCultural shifts affecting family lifeHow churches can support familiesThe importance of self-sacrifice in parentingThe dignity of both marriage and singlenessThe role of community in supporting familiesFamily decline and the economic and political implicationsHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 vocationValues-aligned investingNavigating workplace challengesAdvice for business leaders and pastorsGood stewardship practicesHow to balance generosity and familyHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 gospel's role in church unityGlobal perspectives on evangelicalismThe concept of evangelical phariseesThe role of humility in maintaining evangelical integrityHow preaching can help restore evangelical integrityPreachers who effectively lift up ChristDefining "orthocardia" and how it affects evangelical identityCultural apologetics and evangelical renewalThe future of evangelicalismHelp The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow. Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together
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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 MasculinityHistorical context and the Industrial Revolution's impactA sociological study on a "good man" vs. a "real man"Empirical evidence and Christian men's behaviorChallenges and solutions for modern masculinityThe role of kinship networks and church communitiesAddressing domestic abuse and violencePearcey's conversion and her experience at L'AbrieLearn more about Nancy Pearcey at her website: https://www.nancypearcey.com/
Help The Gospel Coalition build up a renewed church for tomorrow.
Let's Build Together: Donate Today at tgc.org/together -
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 ColeThe impact of personal loss on eternal perspectiveThe Bible's concrete imagery of heavenHope for heaven and the absence of sinBarriers to living a heavenward lifeUnion with Christ and its implicationsHeaven in evangelism and personal reflectionsScriptural meditations on the hope of heaven -
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 diversityWhy disagreements don't indicate something is wrongThe line between celebrating differences and tolerating heresyThe foundation of Christ in church friendships -
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 conversionThe integration of faith into her academic workThe challenges of teaching history in a secular contextThe role of historical narratives in finding meaning and purposeInsights from her book, Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric Age. -
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen invites Mark Vroegop to discuss his book, Waiting Isn't a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life.
They discuss:
learning to wait welldeepening our trust in God's timing and strengthening our faithour culture's aversion to waitingthe importance of God's sovereignty in our "gap moments" -
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen talks with Gavin Ortlund about his new book, What It Means to Be Protestant, which addresses the struggles of Protestants experiencing "ecclesial angst" and encourages those interested in Protestantism.
They discuss:
The influence of social media and podcasts on religious trendsUnderstanding church history and its relation to current Protestant-Catholic dialoguesThe role of Scripture's authority in Protestant theologyThe challenges of fragmentation within Protestantism and the ongoing need for unity and focus on the gospel -
In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen talks with James Davison Hunter about his book, Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis, where Hunter argues that America's political crisis is rooted in cultural divisions rather than just political differences.
They discuss:
how a loss of shared values has led to a lack of solidarity and the rise of identity politicsgrowing resentment on both sides, the left and rightthe need for Christians to adopt a "faithful presence" in culture rather than seeking political powerthe value for deep engagement and courageous leadership in these challenging times -
How can you be a Christian given the church’s record on race? How can you believe what the Bible says about sexuality when Christians have acted so hatefully? Questions like these have caused many to doubt and even deconstruct their faith. How can followers of Jesus help those who are deconstructing? How can we find help when we feel racked by doubt?
In this breakout session from TGCW24, Collin Hansen and Rebecca McLaughlin explore these questions and offer hope and help.
For more TGCW24 conference media, visit TGCW24.org
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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen interviews David Brooks about his new book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. They explore what it means to be an "illuminator" who helps people feel seen and significant and the need to cultivate a societal value for kindness and respect. They also discuss how personal suffering can foster empathy and strengthen our human connections.
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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Dr. Allen Guelzo discuss Guelzo's book, Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment. As they examine the historical parallels between the challenges facing democracy during Abraham Lincoln's presidency and today, they emphasize the importance of understanding historical contexts to better appreciate and uphold democratic values in modern times.
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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen talks to Steve Preston about how Preston's Christian faith has influenced his leadership and community service, particularly at Goodwill Industries where he serves as President and CEO. Preston is committed to addressing poverty and providing opportunities to strengthen communities through social enterprise, and his experience demonstrates how faith can impact significant, positive change and human flourishing.
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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and George Marsden discuss Marsden's book, An Infinite Fountain of Light: Jonathan Edwards for the 21st Century. They highlight the relevance of Edwards's theology for modern times, exploring his view of the universe as an expression of God's love and the beauty of Christ's sacrificial love. They also discuss Edwards's greatest sermons, changes in his studies, and the contrast between Edwards's spiritual perspective and Benjamin Franklin's more materialistic view. Marsden reflects on how Edwards's insights have been personally transformative, underscoring the lasting impact of Edwards's spiritual perspective.
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In this episode of Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Claude Atcho discuss the relevance of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus (John 4) for Christian witness in contemporary society. Atcho emphasizes the power of personal transformation through Jesus Christ as foundational to effective apologetics, advocating for sharing one's genuine experiences with Christ as a bridge to engaging a skeptical world. Hansen and Atcho discuss the need for Christians to maintain authenticity and relational integrity in their witness, reflecting Jesus's engagement with those on the margins.
You can read Claude Atcho's chapter in Faithful Exiles.
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