Mere Fidelity

There’s a movement in Evangelicalism you may have heard of: the New Calvinism. Apart from its theological significance, it turns out that this sort of movement is of great interest to sociologists too. The guest on this episode, Brad Vermurlen, decided to apply the tools of sociology to the young, restless, and reformed, and see what turns up. His book is Reformed Resurgence: The New Calvinist Movement and the Battle Over American Evangelicalism. He talks about his fascinating results with Matt and Derek, about the Evangelical landscape, the secular landscape, the movement of the Holy Ghost, new models of leadership behavior, and demographic factors that all point to the direction that the New Calvinism is headed. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Continuing the Mere Fidelity series of discussions on the Beatitudes, Alastair, Derek, and Matt talk about the blessing for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. It’s not as clear as it might at first seem. Specifically, why are there two beatitudes for persecution? What is the righteousness that is being persecuted? Why do multiple beatitudes promise the Kingdom of Heaven to the poor and to the persecuted? The answers to these questions have very real consequences for situations that you could find yourself in today. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Is gossip always bad? Are you sure about that? Inspired by a recent cover story of Christianity Today Derek, Alastair, and Matt take up the topic of gossip in the church. They explore the topic from Biblical, personal, and organizational perspectives. You may be surprised at the results. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Everyone has a Beatitude that is their least favorite or that they are most confused by. We’re not saying Matt has an issue with peacemaking. (We’re just sayin’.) This episode in the Mere Fi series on the Beatitudes features a lively discussion of the role of peace and conflict in the life of the church and the Christian. Alastair, Derek, and Matt also talk about the profound ways that Christ is our peace. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Mike Cosper, Director of Podcasting for Christianity Today, has created a podcast exploring the rise and the fall of Mars Hill church in Seattle. He joins Derek, Alastair, and Matt to discuss the story, the scandal, and what this project hopes to accomplish. What is the danger of celebrity pastors? Why does this keep happening? And how can pastors prevent it from happening to their churches? Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Many blessings are promised to the ones named in the Beatitudes. But the pure in heart are told that they will “see God.” That is an amazing promise, indeed! What does this mean for us here in the world? Matt, Alastair, and Derek discuss this plus the concept of purity generally in the Old Testament and in the Gospel. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm is the founder of The Joshua Project. He is one of the youngest leaders of a major Jewish organization in the U.S., serving as chief executive of Bnai Zion. Dr. Lamm joins the full cast of Mere Fidelity to discuss the recent resurgence of antisemitism in the world and how we can approach it from a Biblical perspective. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Continuing the series of discussions on the Beatitudes, Matt, Alastair, and Derek come to “Blessed are the merciful.” Mercy is a virtue that has enormous possibilities for social transformation. It is so central to God’s identity and to ours as His creation. But what is the relation of mercy to justice? And what is the relation of mercy to forgiveness? What does the structure of Scripture teach us about mercy? Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

We need a renewal of baptismal imagination. Peter Leithart joins Andrew, Alastair, and Derek to help point the way toward that renewal. Did you know that baptism implies an anthropology that cuts across the grain of our modern notion of consent? There is a ton of typology. Water events! Food events! And of course the debate over full immersion makes an appearance. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Punching back against Eternal Functional Subordination theory, Dr. Matthew Barrett has written Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit. Matthew, Derek, and Alastair have questions. If you’ve ever wondered why God gave us the names “Father” and “Son,” or what implications the Trinity has for our society, then this is the conversation for you. (Some free copies of Dr. Barrett’s book are available for the Merrie Band of Patreon Supporters.) Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Continuing our series of discussions on the Beatitudes, Alastair, Derek, and Matt next consider “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness.” At first glance this statement seems completely obvious. But when you dig deeper and look at the connected issues of justice, humility, and anger (as well as actual physical hunger) you discover so much more. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

As secularism has grown ascendant and liberalism has become decadent, Christians have used different strategies to respond. Some change to accommodate the culture, some hunker down and wait for it to blow over, and some propose re-Christianizing America. Ross Douthat recently wrote a piece analyzing these responses. You’ll get a lot more out of this Mere Fidelity conversation if you read Ross Douthat’s article first. Nothing says Mere Fidelity better than a heated exchange over the pronunciation of ‘amicable.’ Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Meekness is not often understood. And when it’s understood, it’s not often commended. And when it’s commended, it’s not often lived out. And yet we are told that the meek will inherit the earth. How should we understand this virtue Biblically? And how should we practice it in our cultural moment? Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

He is risen indeed! This high holy day calls for reveling in the glories of the best Easter hymns. Visit the full show notes to read the lyrics of the three hymns that Matt, Alastair, and Derek discuss in this episode. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Continuing their series of discussions of the Beatitudes, Alastair, Derek, and Matt ask about mourning. What is the role of mourning in the Old Testament? Does our culture allow us to mourn properly? Is there joy to be found in mourning? Listen and consider why Jesus calls those who mourn blessed. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Did you know that the Mere Fidelity cast & crew host live Q&A shows where you can ask your questions about theology, the church, and the culture? To hear the latest Q&A show, and to get to ask your question on the next one, become a Patreon supporter at the appropriate level at www.patreon.com/merefidelity.

Announcing "Passages," a new podcast from the Mere Orthodoxy Podcast Network. www.mereorthodoxy.com/passages

Matt claims that the Mere Fidelity team won’t read fiction with him (though they counter that this is merely due to lack of a suitable reading companion). Karen Swallow Prior joins the conversation to set the record straight about the value of fiction and literature, along the way clearing up misconceptions about moral formation, church community, and the values and dangers of empathy. Karen is the author of the new book, On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity. Please visit the Mere Fidelity Patreon page for more information about the Live Q&A show for supporters this Friday, March 19th, 2021.

Mere Fidelity’s own Andrew Wilson (teaching pastor at King’s Church London) has written a stunning book, devotional in nature, but premised on examining things as Things, theologically. So in this episode Andrew gets to be both guest and host as he converses with the other hosts, Alastair, Derek, and Matt. Since you deal with things every day, you will definitely get something valuable out of this conversation. Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.

Hannah Anderson is captivated by Genesis chapters 1 and 2. Her writing comes from that deep wonder at God’s creation, and she approaches practical-theological issues in a poetic-devotional mode. This is a delightful conversation with the entire Mere Fidelity team. They talk about being formed in the school of nature, why we have lost the ability to read natural revelation, and so much more. There is also a new benefit for the Merrie Band™ of Patreon supporters: Exclusive Confessions wall prints from Scale House Print Shop. Listen for details. https://www.patreon.com/merefidelity Full show notes at www.mereorthodoxy.com/categories/mere-fidelity.