Episodios

  • Episode 355: Proper Confidence Revisited

    Episode 355: Proper Confidence Revisited
    May 2 2025
    In this episode, we’re diving into an essay Scott wrote for Mockingbird Ministries. It's called “A Proper Confidence,” and it's reflection on what it really means to have faith in the modern world. Drawing heavily on the work of theologian Lesslie Newbigin, he hallenges the idea that faith needs to be about absolute certainty. Instead, he argues that Christian confidence should be grounded in a personal, lived commitment to following Christ—not in proving something beyond doubt. You can find the essay here. (https://mbird.com/theology/a-proper-confidence/)
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    33 m
  • Episode 354: From Order to Chaos: The Unraveling of the Post-Cold War Dream

    Episode 354: From Order to Chaos: The Unraveling of the Post-Cold War Dream
    Apr 24 2025
    In this episode of New Persuasive Words, we trace the dramatic rise and fall of the liberal democratic order that shaped the world after the Cold War. Between 1988 and 2003, liberal democracy flourished, free trade expanded, and a rules-based international order took root. But by 2014, that world was coming apart. We explore how the 2008 financial crisis, endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the meteoric rise of authoritarian China shattered the pillars of the old consensus. And we follow the thread through the global convulsions of 2014—Putin’s annexation of Crimea, Modi’s election, ISIS’s rise, and the wave of right-wing populism that would soon sweep across Europe and America. Now, in the era of Trump’s second act, we consider what it means to live in a “shadow world”—where liberal democracy shades into authoritarianism, free trade gives way to protectionism, and power, not principle, shapes international relations. It’s a story of transformation, disillusionment, and the uncertain road ahead. Much of the insights from this podcast come from Rory Stewart's recent conversation with Jon Stewart. You can watch the conversation here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at-smySDPNU&t=25s)
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    29 m
  • Episode 353: The Death of the World's Conscience

    Episode 353: The Death of the World's Conscience
    Apr 21 2025
    In this episode of the New Persuasive Words podcast, we reflect on the life, legacy, and passing of Pope Francis. From his unexpected election as the first Jesuit pope and first from the Global South, to his efforts to shift the tone of the Catholic Church toward mercy, justice, and care for the marginalized—Pope Francis was a singular figure in a time of deep cultural and religious change. We discuss what his papacy meant for both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, how he navigated the complexities of modernity with humility and courage, and what his death might mean for the future of the Church and the world.
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    27 m
  • Episode 352: What's so Holy about this Saturday?

    Episode 352: What's so Holy about this Saturday?
    Apr 19 2025
    In this episode of New Persuasive Words, we reflect on the meaning of Holy Saturday—the in-between day of waiting, silence, and uncertainty. We explore its theological significance, its emotional resonance in times of personal and collective loss, and what it can teach us about living faithfully in the tension between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Join us as we consider how Holy Saturday might speak to our contemporary moment, inviting us to sit with mystery, grief, and hope.
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    33 m
  • Episode 351: Spy Wednesday

    Episode 351: Spy Wednesday
    Apr 16 2025
    In this episode of the podcast, recorded on Holy Wednesday—also known as Spy Wednesday—we turn our attention to one of the most enigmatic and troubling figures in the story of Jesus: Judas Iscariot. Traditionally remembered as the day Judas conspired to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Spy Wednesday invites us to reflect not only on the act of betrayal, but on the deeper questions it raises about loyalty, fate, forgiveness, and the role of evil in a redemptive story. What do we make of Judas? Was he a necessary part of the divine plan, or simply a tragic figure lost to greed and disillusionment? Join us as we explore the complexity of Judas’s role and what it means for how we understand the Passion narrative today.
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    29 m
  • Episode 350: Holy Moly, it's Holy Monday!

    Episode 350: Holy Moly, it's Holy Monday!
    Apr 14 2025
    In this episode of the podcast, we talk a little bit about Holy Monday—the often-overlooked day in Holy Week that nonetheless carries rich theological and spiritual significance. We reflect on the stories and symbols associated with the day, and what they might have to say to us in our own moment. Join us as we explore how the drama of Holy Week continues to speak to faith, justice, and the human condition.
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    36 m
  • Episode 349: The Politics of Palm Sunday

    Episode 349: The Politics of Palm Sunday
    Apr 11 2025
    In this episode of the podcast, we explore the political implications of Palm Sunday. Far from being a quaint prelude to Easter, Palm Sunday is a dramatic act of public protest—Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a deliberate, provocative counter-procession to the powers of this world. We unpack how this story speaks to the tension between religious hope and political realism, between divine kingship and human authority. What does it mean to follow a king who rides a donkey? And how might Palm Sunday reframe our understanding of power, resistance, and public witness in a time of political uncertainty? Join us as we reflect on the subversive message at the heart of Holy Week.
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    34 m
  • Episode 348: Liberation Day!

    Episode 348: Liberation Day!
    Apr 2 2025
    In this episode of the podcast, recorded as Trump delivered his "liberation day" address, we wrestle with a fundamental question at the heart of American political life: what happens when a society loses its sense of meaning? Inspired by a striking passage from Robert Jenson’s Story and Promise (https://www.amazon.com/Story-Promise-Brief-Theology-Gospel/dp/1498200826), we explore the creeping influence of nihilism in our political culture—how it erodes trust, hollows out institutions, and leaves us grasping for narratives that can hold us together. Is there a way forward? Can we recover a sense of shared purpose in an era of cynicism and fracture? Join us as we take a thoughtful, clear-eyed look at the challenge ahead and consider what it will take to rebuild faith—not just in politics, but in the very idea of a common good.
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    40 m
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