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For all the benefits that technology provides, many people are increasingly feeling a sense of disquiet. The question is not simply about what technology can or cannot do for us; the deeper question is about what technology is doing to us. How is it transforming us and our understanding of what it means to be human? Paul Kingsnorth, one of the most perceptive and compelling writers of our time, joins us to consider just this. Paul is an acclaimed novelist, essayist, poet, and former environmental activist, and the author of ten books across fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. His most recent book, "Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity," has been described as a spiritual manual for dissidents in a technological age. In this episode, we explore Paul’s argument that Western culture has become uprooted from the people, places, traditions, and spiritual beliefs that once gave it meaning — and that what has emerged in its place is not simply a collection of new technologies, but an entire way of life that he calls “the Machine.” We talk about how we’ve arrived at this particular cultural moment, why technology is never truly neutral, and how modern technology raises ancient questions about our desire to transcend our limits and even remake what it means to be human. Drawing on Paul’s own remarkable spiritual journey — from a secular upbringing, through Buddhism and neo-paganism, and ultimately to Orthodox Christianity — we consider his conviction that the crisis we are facing is ultimately not political, cultural, or technological, but spiritual. What does all of this mean for the Church? If we are living in an increasingly uprooted culture, what would it look like to become a more deeply rooted Church? And how can Christians faithfully resist the formative power of a global technological society while continuing to live, work, and minister in the modern world? This is a fascinating conversation about technology, culture, faith, and ultimately what it means to be human in the age of the Machine.   Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity by Paul Kingsnorth   Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes modern life, many people are asking big questions: Will these technologies help solve humanity’s greatest problems or create entirely new ones? Will AI help human beings flourish, or slowly erode our capacity to think deeply, relate meaningfully, and live responsibly? Few people are better equipped to help us wrestle with these questions than Rosalind Picard, professor at MIT, founder of the field of affective computing, and a pioneer in the development of wearable technologies used in epilepsy detection, autism support, and neurological research. But alongside her groundbreaking work in AI, Roz has also become an important voice calling attention to the ethical, psychological, and spiritual challenges these technologies may create. In this conversation, we discuss the promise and dangers of AI, the rise of large language models, the impact of AI on human attention, identity, and formation, and why technologies that simulate empathy and wisdom can never replace genuine human relationships, moral responsibility, or spiritual life. Drawing from both her groundbreaking work at the MIT Media Lab and her Christian faith, Roz challenges us to think not only about what AI can do, but about the kind of people we are becoming, and what it will take to remain deeply human in an age increasingly shaped by machines.   Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

At first glance, many of us would assume that a long, happy, and healthy life is the key to flourishing. But what if a life can be successful, comfortable, and even enjoyable, yet still fail to become a life truly worthy of our humanity? At a time when many people, especially young adults, are searching for meaning, purpose, and direction, Miroslav Volf has spent years helping students wrestle with one of life’s most important questions: What makes a life truly worth living? In this conversation, we explore the difference between happiness and flourishing, why modern culture often leaves people feeling spiritually restless, and how the Christian vision of the good life differs from both secular success and self-fulfillment. We also discuss how to incorporate the reality of failure, suffering, and even death into our vision of flourishing and how Jesus must form the center of a meaningful life. Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, parent, student, or simply someone asking the big questions about meaning and purpose, you will find this episode thoughtful, rich, and deeply encouraging. Miroslav Volf is a theologian and author as well as the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School where he co-created the renowned course Life Worth Living, one of the most popular humanities courses at Yale. He is also the founder and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.   Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good by Miroslav Volf Yale Center for Faith & Culture, Yale Divinity School   Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Questions of transgenderism have already for a time been a challenge that has often caught ministry leaders off guard and unprepared. But there is another new phenomenon on the horizon that requires our prayerful attention, and that is the explosion of new terms that young people are using to describe and curate their sexual and gender identities. In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Mark Yarhouse about the book he recently co-authored entitled “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark helpfully explains the new terms people may use to describe not only their sexual orientation but also their gender identity, their romantic feelings, their sexual attraction, and their sexual behavior — and the ways in which these terms might be mixed and matched with a high degree of specificity to create what he calls “micro-minoritized identities.” In addition to orienting us to this emerging language, Mark offers advice for parents, pastors, and youth leaders regarding best practices to embrace and common pitfalls to avoid as we seek to minister to young people exploring emerging sexual identities. Mark offers a strong encouragement to help bridge the gap between the language of the Bible and the language of our culture in order to promote a robust outreach and discipleship effort within our respective ministries. Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith. In addition to being the author of “Understanding Gender Dysphoria” and “Emerging Sexual Identities,” Mark is a Psychology Professor at Wheaton College, and he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective.   The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark Yarhouse   Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

It is incredibly heartbreaking to hear someone say that they feel like they are trapped in the wrong body. As Christians, we want to respond in love and guide people in ways that will honor God and contribute to their flourishing. But we often struggle to know what to do or say. In this episode, Dr. Mark Yarhouse defines terms such as gender dysphoria, gender identity, and transgender identity, he presents a series of different frameworks for addressing gender dysphoria concerns, and he offers an integrated model for Christians. This conversation is filled to the brim with thoughtful and actionable advice for pastors and parents, for pediatricians and educators, and for the good friends and colleagues of those struggling with gender identity. Dr. Mark Yarhouse is an author and psychology professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, where he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute and the Mental Health Collective. Dr. Yarhouse is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. In particular, he assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith.   The Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College; Wheaton, IL Talking to Kids About Gender Identity: A Roadmap for Christian Compassion, Civility, and Conviction by Mark Yarhouse Emerging Sexual Identities: Navigating the Landscape with Today’s Youth by Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky   Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Many of our most deeply cherished values and strongly held commitments did not arise out of ancient Persia, Sparta, or Rome, but they are uniquely and distinctively Christian. That is the powerful argument that Tom Holland makes in his book “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.” In this episode, we discuss how thoroughly Christianity has shaped Western society — so much so that we tend to take it for granted. With fresh insight and perspective, Tom discusses the radical strangeness of Christianity and the completely unexpected and charismatic figure of Jesus. For those individuals and parts of the world that have grown familiar or bored with the Christian story, Tom makes Christianity an object of curiosity once more. Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, author, translator, and broadcaster. He is co-presenter of the world’s most popular history podcast called “The Rest is History.” Among many other books, Tom is the author of “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World.”   Dominion: How The Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland The Rest Is History podcast Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

According to Jim Davis and Michael Graham, approximately 15% of American adults used to attend church at least once a month, but now they attend less than once a year. At first it might seem like this shift in religious participation supports the argument that traditional religion will wither away as society advances. To the contrary, a more detailed analysis of the research suggests that while the Church is no doubt facing serious challenges, there is also a significant degree of spiritual openness on the part of the “dechurched.” In this episode, Michael Graham offers wise and timely advice regarding how Christians can engage those who have stopped attending church. If we were to embody some of the principles he proposes — with diligence and prayer — we might witness a dramatic shift in the opposite direction. Michael Graham is the program director of the Keller Center for Apologetics and the co-author of “The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Where Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?”   The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham Dechurching.com online resource As In Heaven Gospel Coalition Podcast Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

You don’t have to be a political scientist to recognize that American democracy is in crisis. It’s easy to see that we are living in a time of significant social upheaval. The problem is that many of the potential solutions we put forward to address the issues do not go deep enough. Most people, including many American Christians, often make the mistake of thinking that we can resolve our issues through political solutions. But James Davison Hunter believes it is naive to narrowly focus our energies on politics, because the root cause of our difficulties is not political or economic, but rather cultural. In this episode, leading sociologist James Davison Hunter discusses his most recent book, “Democracy and Solidarity,” which tells the story of how we arrived at our present cultural moment and how we should respond in an appropriate way, especially as Christians. James provides insightful commentary regarding our post-Christian and increasingly post-liberal society, the destructive emergence of a new common culture of nihilism (which even Christians are tempted to embrace), and the call for the Church to rediscover its true identity and enact a vision of the Kingdom of God with courage, conviction, and imagination. James Davison Hunter is Labrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and the founder and director of the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Hunter is the author of several books and the originator of the term “culture war.” He is the foremost expert on culture and how culture changes.   Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America’s Political Crisis by James Davison Hunter Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America by James Davison Hunter To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World by James Davison Hunter Restore our Mission to the City, a 2018 sermon by Jason Harris Christlike, a 2022 sermon by Jason Harris Sign up for the Resound Project newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound Project on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Two of the most opinionated and emotionally charged cultural arenas are higher education and politics. Campuses of higher education are ripe with fresh minds and strong opinions, but lately they have also been characterized by division, isolation, and loneliness. The strong polarization of the political sphere extends not only to colleges and universities but also to the American church. In this episode, historian and former university president Nathan Hatch reflects on the state of higher education in America and the political captivity that threatens the Christian church. Though there are significant issues plaguing our most important cultural institutions, Nathan suggests that these divisive times provide Christians with a remarkable opportunity to rise above ideological cults and make a positive difference. Nathan Hatch is the former provost of Notre Dame University, the president emeritus of Wake Forest University, and the author of the award-winning book “The Democratization of American Christianity.” An active leader in American higher education and in local and community affairs, he has served on the board of the American Council on Education and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014. The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan Hatch The Political Captivity of the Faithful by Nathan Hatch Win, Lose, or Draw, It’s Going to Be Ok, a sermon delivered by Jason Harris on September 27, 2020 Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

When we consider the ways scripture can sometimes be mishandled, misinterpreted, and misapplied, it’s understandable why some people may feel put off by the Christian faith. If one is not careful, misreadings of the Bible can often result in an ethic that fosters chauvinism, sexism, or other dehumanizing ideologies — gender-related or otherwise. So how should we address these erroneous views?  In this episode, author and speaker Rebecca McLaughlin explains why distancing ourselves from the Christian faith on account of harmful misinterpretations is not the solution; instead, we should seek God’s heart on the hot button topics of our day by stepping closer to the full storyline of the Bible. When we begin with the character of Jesus and his teachings, a very different ethic is uncovered — one that champions the dignity of men and women alike, celebrates the beauty of God’s design for human sexuality, and offers hope to a broken world. Rebecca McLaughlin grew up in the UK and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Cambridge and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. She is the author of several books including Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion and Jesus Through the Eyes of Women. Friendship — The Lost Art a sermon series by Jason Harris Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion by Rebecca McLaughlin Jesus Through the Eyes of Women by Rebecca McLaughlin Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

If you feel dissatisfied or disappointed with the state of your romantic relationship—or lack thereof—or if you’re confused by the conflicting messages from our culture and from the Church regarding sex and sexuality, this episode is for you. Sam Allberry is a pastor, apologist, and speaker, and the author of a number of books including "Is God Anti-Gay?," "Why Bother with Church?," "7 Myths about Singleness" and "What God Has To Say About Our Bodies." In this episode, Sam shares his own personal story of wrestling with the Bible’s instruction on sexuality, and why he believes Jesus is still worth following. We discuss why it’s imperative for the Church to be a place of compassion, clarity, and courage, practical ways to love and care for friends with differing views on sexuality, and how the credibility of a Biblical ethic of sexuality is determined by the way in which the Church values and supports those who are single.  The Greatest Sermon Ever Told: Love, Lust, and the Christian Life, a sermon by Jason Harris Books by Sam Allberry: Is God Anti-Gay?Why Bother with Church?7 Myths about SinglenessWhat God Has To Say About Our Bodies Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

In addition to preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care, pastors and Christian leaders today are increasingly expected to make pronouncements on the latest events in the news cycle while providing ongoing social and political commentary. But playing the role of a pundit is dangerous territory for a pastor. So what role should Christian leaders and the local church play in the public square? In the first episode of our second season we speak with Michael Wear about what the Christian tradition has to offer to public life and the opportunity Christians have to bring a sense of well being and joy to our political culture.   Michael Wear is the Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer.   Michael is the author of "Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America" and "The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life" which will be released on January 23, 2024. The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life  Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Given the combustible relationship between the two, conventional wisdom suggests that you should never mix religion and politics. But that is an overly simplistic response. If you want to better understand the dynamic relationship between religion and politics—from the standpoint of Christianity as well as the Constitution—there is no one better to ask than Michael McConnell.  Michael is a professor of constitutional law and the Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School as well as a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and a former Circuit Judge for the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In addition to being a committed Christian, Michael is an expert on the First Amendment.  In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss religious freedom, the separation of church and state, the politicization of the church, the Capitol riot on January 6th, critical race theory, and the inspiring role that people of religious conviction have played in American history. Michael offers timely advice for how to mix religion and politics in all the right ways. Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience The President Who Would Not Be King: Executive Power Under the Constitution Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Princeton professor Eric Gregory about what we can learn from Augustine as we consider our fraught social life and divisive political culture. In true Augustinian fashion, we discuss how Christians should resist the false choices that are often presented to us, for example, between either idolizing America or condemning it, between either fleeing from the secular world of politics or embracing it in a kind of power grab, between either committing oneself to one’s nation or considering oneself a citizen of the world. Eric concludes the episode by offering some practical suggestions for how Christians can take inspiration from the past while creatively addressing problems in the present. Eric Gregory is Professor of Religion at Princeton University and the author of Politics and the Order of Love: An Augustinian Ethic of Democratic Citizenship. In addition to being an expert on Augustine, Eric teaches courses on religion, ethics, and politics. Politics and the Order of Love: An Augustinian Ethic of Democratic Citizenship by Eric Gregory Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.

There’s no question that we are living in a time of cultural upheaval, but it is nothing compared to the fall of Rome in 410 AD. Rome was considered the “eternal city” not only by pagans, but also by Christians who were equally distraught by its collapse. Civilization as they knew it had been shattered. And yet, despite the uncertainty and panic swirling around him, Augustine maintained his sense of balance and began writing The City of God just three years after the sack of Rome. When he completed the book 15 years later, Augustine gifted the church with an instant classic that would prove to be one of the most influential works in all of Western literature. In this episode, we speak with Princeton professor Eric Gregory about his personal faith commitments as a Christian, his concerns about the state of the broader Church in America, and his sense of why Augustine is such an important person for us to know and to read as we grapple with the tumultuous times of our own cultural moment. Eric Gregory is Professor of Religion at Princeton University and the author of Politics and the Order of Love: An Augustinian Ethic of Democratic Citizenship. A graduate of Harvard College, he earned a Master of Philosophy and Diploma in Theology from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and his doctorate in Religious Studies from Yale University. In addition to being an expert on Augustine, Eric teaches courses on religion, ethics, and politics. Politics and the Order of Love: An Augustinian Ethic of Democratic Citizenship by Eric Gregory Sign up for the Resound newsletter. Find more resources on our website. Follow Resound on Instagram and LinkedIn.