Lively Faith

What is the "Protestant Reconquista" Movement? | Ep. #35

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 18:30:00 -0400

In this episode we discuss Redeemed Zoomer's "Protestant Reconquista" movement aimed at reclaiming Mainline Protestant denominations. What is this movement, why is it more popular with younger people, and is it a worthwhile endeavor?

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – What is the “Protestant Reconquista”?

07:05 – The Gospel does not require institutions

15:00 – Why the Great Tradition attracts younger people

23:00 – Why Mainline Protestantism went extinct

27:45 – Mission should drive ecclesiology

29:30 – When is a break from a denomination justified?

34:35 – Church unity and the Lambeth Quadrilateral

38:15 – Practical difficulties with the Reconquista

42:58 – Mainlines abandoned the Great Commission

49:00 – You can’t have unity without truth

52:45 – Concluding thoughts

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Concerning Trends for Churches in America | Ep. #34

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode we review the devastating impacts of the U.S. demographic “cliff” and the parallel decline of the Church. We also dive into ACNA membership statistics which could spell a troubling future for the denomination. Finally, we discuss what it will take from everyday Christians to begin reversing decades of institutional decline.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:33 – The U.S. demographic cliff

22:13 – The decline of the Western Church

28:58 – Concerning trends within the ACNA

45:58 – Global religious landscape & growth of Islam

59:13 – How to rebuild the Church

01:10:08 – Conclusion

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Moral and Philosophical Implications of AI | Ep. #33

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode we consider proper and improper uses of AI, the near occasion for sin, the idol of transhumanism, and principles for engagement with new technologies.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

06:21 – Considerations for Ministry

09:47 – Day-to-day use of AI

16:27 – How we relate to AI

24:47 – Worshipping dumb idols

29:17 – Principles for using AI

33:44 – “The Cambrian Implosion” / The retreat of nature

39:37 – “Making the Best of Dystopia” / Transhumanism

49:21 – Greater capabilities, greater risks

54:59 – Spiritual guardrails of daily prayer

01:03:21 – Conclusion

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Understanding Free Will and Predestination | Ep. #32

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the relationship between free will and predestination, and explore how these concepts are understood in Anglicanism in light of the 39 Articles of Religion and the Book of Common Prayer.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:35 – Man’s fall in the garden

05:57 – Deprived, not depraved

09:30 – O Happy Fault!

12:40 – Modern Protestant and Evangelical views of free will

17:30 – Sacraments, grace, love, and free will

20:50 – Anglican tension between Reformed and Catholic

25:31 – Were the 39 Articles of Religion Calvinistic?

29:30 – The concept of mystery

31:15 – The 39 Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and Anglican history

36:15 – Article XVII, on Predestination and Election

39:29 – The role of the 39 Articles in American Anglicanism

44:29 – Reconciling predestination and evangelism

50:47 – The two creation narratives in Genesis

54:20 – Why Anglicanism is irenic

55:53 – “Apostolic Succession” vs. “Historic Episcopate”

01:03:05 – First conclusion

01:06:47 – The collapse of the Episcopal Church

01:08:33 – Final conclusion

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Don't Lose Your Courage | The Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk | Episode #31

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode we reflect on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, process this tragic event, and join the Church in prayer for our nation and those who mourn.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:23 – Remembering Charlie Kirk

15:20 – Why this tragedy feels personal to so many

19:18 – A servant is not greater than his master

22:28 – Media reactions to this tragedy

28:08 – The need for a shared moral framework

32:40 – Taking ownership of our children’s education

42:35 – Don’t ever lose your courage

46:44 – Praying for our country and those who mourn

50:01 – Conclusion

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Anglicans, Presbyterians, and the Future of Ministry | The Rev. Chad Tvenstrup | Ep. #30

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we are joined by The Rev. Chad Tvenstrup to explore his journey from Anglicanism to Presbyterianism, discuss the differences between the two traditions, and share our love for Common Prayer. We also discuss the apprenticeship model of ministry and what training future church leaders will look like.

Chad Tvenstrup is the Lead Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, Florida. He has a BA in Economics from Connecticut College, an MA in Biblical Studies from Providence College, an MA in Anglican Studies from Trinity School for Ministry in PA and is pursuing a DMin from Birmingham Theological Seminary. Chad has served in ordained ministry for 18 years.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

07:46 – Anglican ministry at Church of the Apostles

16:52 – Switching from Anglicanism to Presbyterianism

19:35 – The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC)

23:50 – Favorite parts of Presbyterianism and Anglicanism

31:00 – What Presbyterians can appreciate about Common Prayer

37:40 – Next-Gen Church Leadership article

42:55 – The apprenticeship model of ministry

50:30 – Developing a congregational episcopacy

56:50 – Discussing differences in church polity

01:01:00 – Challenges of mentoring new leaders

01:09:50 – Partnering to share the Gospel

01:17:00 – Conclusion

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Will Pope Leo XIV Take the Catholic Church in a New Direction? | Ep. #29

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s background, his namesake, how he compares to Pope Francis, and the challenges faced by the Catholic Church.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:15 – Pope Leo XIV’s background and election

10:40 – Differences between Leo and Pope Francis

17:35 – Understanding Pope Leo’s namesake

22:30 – Pope Leo XIII and the rise of capitalism

28:22 – Dueling camps within Catholicism

33:30 – TCT Article: Where is Pope Francis?

35:45 – The canonization of Francis would be a death knell

40:30 – Roman Catholic vs. Anglican understandings of purgatory

50:45 – Article continued

01:02:50 – Poor Roman Catholic catechesis

01:09:02 – Why we should care about the Pope

01:14:00 - Conclusion

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// LINKS //

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WANTED: Men with Chests | Understanding "The Aboliltion of Man" by C. S. Lewis | Ep. #28

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we explain the meaning and importance of “The Abolition of Man” by C. S. Lewis, showing how this book predicted the moral decay of modern society, and what the Church can learn from it today.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

04:47 – Men without chests

07:55 – Against deconstruction

14:50 – The brilliance of C. S. Lewis

18:00 – C. S. Lewis on contraceptives

21:50 – Everyone tries to claim C. S. Lewis

23:55 – Lewis predicted the birth rate crisis

29:15 – The Church needs to focus on core Gospel issues

32:30 – Objective morality is essential

36:00 – Science is always changing

38:08 – Natural philosophy

40:44 – Lewis and Tolkien

43:30 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

C.S. Lewis and the Importance of Natural Law

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Millennial Perspectives on God, Life, and Money | Josh Fenton | Ep. #27

Sat, 03 May 2025 16:00:00 -0400

In this episode, our editor Josh Fenton joins to discuss Millennial perspectives on faith in God, masculinity, social media, inflation, starting a family, and much more.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction & Lively Faith Magazine

05:40 – Josh’s background

08:10 – Reading books

14:00 – Materialism vs. Intelligent Design

20:50 – Running a YouTube channel

24:00 – Managing burnout and motivation

31:00 – Sports betting and retail investing

39:15 – Young men and masculinity

42:40 – Family structure and Natural Law

47:50 – Modern over-emphasis of emotions

52:15 – Attention and overstimulation

56:00 – Social media

01:02:00 – Working from home

01:08:00 – National debt and inflation

01:20:10 – Falling birth rates and starting a family

01:30:38 – Goodness, truth, and beauty

01:44:50 – What are we living for?

02:01:20 – The impact of working on this podcast

02:06:00 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Substance vs. Spectacle: Understanding the Transfiguration of Jesus | Ep. #26

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the supreme importance of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ in the Christian life, the importance of substance over spectacle in liturgy and worship, and the hope to be found in the good, the true, and the beautiful.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction & magazine

01:00 – Discussing the Transfiguration of Jesus

50:30 – Christianity and the nature of true freedom

56:00 – Why young people are becoming High-Church

01:10:24 – Why long-form podcasts are so popular

01:17:35 – Standing up for what you know is true

01:21:30 – The ancient liturgy is true and supernatural

01:25:50 – The hope and substance in goodness, truth, and beauty

01:31:00 - Conclusion

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Calvin Robinson, Justin Welby, and the Need for Bold Christians | Ep. #25

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:00:00 -0400

This episode was recorded and released prior to the defrocking of Calvin Robinson after his imprudent and unwise actions.

In this episode, we review recent articles from Fr. Calvin Robinson and Rod Dreher, react to Justin Welby’s resignation, and discuss why the Church needs bold Christians now as much as ever.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction & Magazine

02:20 – Calvin Robinson article

12:00 – Resurgence of traditional Christians online

18:00 – What the future Church will look like

23:20 – Rod Dreher article

26:10 – Speaking the truth has consequences

28:50 – The Church must speak the truth boldly

31:00 – Justin Welby resignation

41:30 – The self-correction of true republics

44:24 – Christians and the Trump presidency

54:35 – Gospel issues are pre-political

56:18 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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The Intersection of Faith and Sport | Jim Whiting | Ep. #24

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Jim shares stories from his career in tennis as we explore what Christians can learn from the world of sports.

Jim Whiting is a Lay Elder and Congregational President at Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Ashaway, RI, and a Board member of Lively Faith Ministries.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

4:30 – Becoming childhood friends with John McEnroe

7:20 – Getting involved with college sports

11:00 – Coaching the nephew of the King of Jordan

14:00 – Coaching and playing professionally

18:00 – Playing against Martina Navratilova

22:00 – What it’s like to coach professional athletes

28:00 – Lessons Christians can learn from sports

36:00 – Growing spiritual gifts takes hard work

39:35 – Enduring life’s hills and valleys

42:40 – Christianity puts sport in right perspective

47:00 – Connection between physical and spiritual discipline

52:50 – Conclusion

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How to Handle Political Chaos | Ep. #23

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we offer advice to Christians in the wake of the U.S. Presidential election and consider how we can cultivate faithfulness and perseverance for times of political chaos.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Cultivating faithfulness and perseverance

08:40 – The clash of diverging worldviews

14:55 – Nothing new under the sun

22:30 – Post-election advice to Christians

32:09 – Justin Martyr

37:45 – John Cosin

49:55 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

For the Time Being | Robert Royal

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Should Christians Support Open Borders? | Ep. #22

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we examine the theological implications of borders in creation, nations, and worship. We also discuss Christian perspectives on the border crisis and illegal immigration, answering the question: Can Christians support open borders?

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:00 – Ordered creation

10:35 – Boy Scouts of America drop “Boy” from their name

20:00 – Ordered liberty and illegal immigration

28:50 – Not loving to have open borders

39:50 – The fallacy of unlimited hospitality

43:55 – Ordered worship

46:20 – Open Communion vs. closed Communion

59:00 – The new boundaries of progressives

1:02:30 – Impossible to have no borders

1:08:00 – Conclusion

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Deep Connections Between Anglicans and Lutherans | Jim Whiting | Ep. #21

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 09:30:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the historical connections between Lutheranism and Anglicanism, the mystery of free will, and how Christians can approach denominational differences with charity.

Jim Whiting is a Lay Elder and Congregational President at Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Ashaway, RI, and a Board member of Lively Faith Ministries.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Why Lutheranism?

08:30 – Difficulties with Reformed theology

10:45 – Joining the LCMS

16:00 – Feeling connected to historic Church Tradition

17:30 – The need for charity between denominations

22:30 – Legalism vs. antinomianism

24:00 – Speaking the truth in love

26:15 – The mystery of free will

29:50 – The mystery of Holy Communion

30:50 – Looking at historical figures in context

32:10 – Connections between Lutheranism and Anglicanism

38:30 – Engaging in ecumenical dialogue

42:08 – How to reconcile differences between denominations

46:00 – Praying the LCMS holds its ground

48:00 – Conviction and courage in the next generation

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Human Dignity and the Importance of Christian Burial | Ep. #20

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we examine the recent Rhode Island bill legalizing “human composting” as an alternative to cremation or burial (H7212). We discuss the dignity of the human body and how our treatment of the body after death communicates what we believe about human life.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

00:40 – LifeSiteNews article

08:20 – Reacting to Rhode Island “body farm” legislation

09:30 – Extreme environmentalism as neo-paganism

11:30 – What makes humans different from animals

13:10 – The unity of body and soul

15:10 – The rise of anti-human worldviews

17:00 – The self-moderation of nature

19:52 – What Christology teaches us about the body

22:20 – How people justify “human composting”

25:00 – Christian witness in burial

26:45 – The duplicity of climate alarmism

29:55 – Treating pets better than human beings

31:30 – Can Christians support “human composting”?

34:00 – Why human beings deserve dignity in burial

37:00 – Where denominations stand on types of burial

38:50 – How Christians should respond

// REFERENCES //

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Why Cultural Christianity Cannot Save Us | Ep. #19

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we react to famed atheist Richard Dawkins’ recent admiration for ‘cultural Christianity’ and examine it alongside trends of rising secularization in America. We also discuss how Christians can evangelize a highly secularized culture.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

00:27 – Start of Dawkins article

04:00 – The rise of the ‘nones’

06:40 – Impact of rising secularization

12:25 – Dawkins’ logical inconsistencies

15:40 – The atheist dilemma

18:10 – Trend of secular public figures warming to Christianity

21:20 – “Practical” atheism

26:20 – How Christians should respond

// REFERENCES //

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Catholicism, Theology of the Body, and Humanae Vitae | Tobin Dancy | Ep. #18

Sat, 25 May 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss Roman Catholicism vs. Evangelicalism, Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae, the call to sacrifice in the Christian life, objections to Christian sexual morality, and how Christians can build community.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

06:50 – Maturing in the Catholic Faith

10:40 – Visiting different denominations

15:00 – Different understandings of Communion

18:45 – Emphasis on Word vs. Sacrament

20:15 – Evangelical sermons vs. Catholic homilies

27:34 – The essential parts of Catholic mass

30:00 – Returning to a Catholic church

42:08 – Favorite things about being Catholic – the Saints

46:08 – Favorite things about being Catholic – call to sacrifice

48:23 – Understanding the call to sacrifice

52:23 – Pure in Heart ministry and importance of chastity

55:28 – The Theology of the Body and Christopher West

59:03 – Appealing to younger generations with chastity

1:01:53 – Understanding Humanae Vitae

1:06:33 – Sexual ethics must be backed by Church Authority

1:09:43 – Church concerns over contraception

1:15:18 – Answering objections to contraception

1:24:34 – Shared heritage between Anglicans and Catholics

1:27:00 – Eucharistic visitation ministry

1:31:24 – Advice for Christians seeking community

1:41:00 – Conclusion

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What Does the Church Say About IVF? | Ep. #17

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:15:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the moral issues with in vitro fertilization (IVF), differences between Catholic and Protestant Church teachings on IVF, the Alabama Supreme Court ruling on frozen embryos, and why pro-life Christians must stand firm against the use of IVF technology.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Overview of IVF

05:00 – Life starts at conception

09:00 – The Catholic position on IVF

11:30 – Compounding moral problems with IVF

15:00 – The rise of “Designer” babies

19:20 – Pro-life Christians got lazy?

20:30 – The Alabama Supreme Court ruling

22:30 – Rhode Island IVF statistics

27:30 – The untold stories of IVF

33:30 – Protestant theology and IVF

37:10 – Rapid technological and moral change

43:40 – The dilemma of frozen embryos

47:00 – Snowflake adoption

49:30 – A generation of IVF children

52:45 – Conclusion: Christians must stand firm

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The Crisis of Modern Masculinity | Ep. #16

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 15:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we examine the breakdown of masculinity in modern society, the tragic consequences of abandoning Biblical manhood, and how Christians can respond in faith and love.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – The crisis of masculinity

06:20 – Hyper-masculinity and Andrew Tate

10:00 – Problems with masculinity in the Church

11:30 – Gen Z struggling with masculinity

14:58 – Title IX and the disintegration male roles

18:35 – No distinction between boys and girls

20:00 – Impacts of fatherlessness

22:20 – Fatherlessness is self-perpetuating

24:00 – Popular entertainment and South Park

31:54 – The breakdown of the nuclear family, falling birthrates

36:33 – Anti-masculinity and Harry Styles

40:00 – The false dualism of a man’s “feminine side”

46:00 – The modern feminist assault on gender roles

49:51 – What is “toxic masculinity”?

52:55 – Falling prey to semantic overload

54:40 – Dennis Rodman

56:30 – Gender ideology in public school curricula

01:01:35 – Lowering standards in public education

01:05:30 – Complaining about 9 to 5 jobs on Tik Tok

01:06:42 – Delayed adulthood, “emotional homelessness”

01:12:19 – Feminism has failed our young girls and boys

01:13:14 – Jesus and Saint Joseph as examples of masculinity

// REFERENCES //

Harry Styles on Dressing Up, Making Music, and Living in the Moment | Vogue

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Did Pope Francis Approve Same-Sex Blessings? | A Response to Fiducia Supplicans | Ep. #15

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we unpack the bombshell declaration from the Vatican, Fiducia Supplicans. We respond to Pope Francis approving blessings for same sex ‘couples’ and analyze the impact to faithful Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We also offer advice and encouragement for concerned Christians moving forward.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

06:45 – The nature of blessings

13:00 – “Blessings” for same-sex “couples”

15:40 – Whether or not same-sex “blessings” are liturgical

17:50 – Parallels with the Anglican Communion

22:20 – Orthodoxy and orthopraxy

24:25 – Analyzing the fallout

34:25 – Impact to faithful Catholics

45:25 – Impact to the Anglican Ordinariate

48:54 – Impact to non-Catholic Christians and evangelism

54:50 – Advice for concerned Christians

01:03:50 – Being courageous in the face of opposition

01:07:05 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings (18 December 2023)

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Turmoil in the Catholic Church, and How to Handle Church Controversy | Ep. #14

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we unpack the Catholic "Synod on Synodality," Pope Francis favoring a more liberal church, and how it all impacts non-Catholics, too. Plus, we discuss how all Christians should handle church controversy, and reasons for future hope.

(Note: This episode was recorded prior to the Vatican statement on blessing same-sex couples. That statement will be the topic of a separate episode.)

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – What is a synod? What is synodality?

11:00 – Pope Francis signaled openness to blessing same-sex unions

17:12 – Understanding the Vatican encyclical on climate change

23:28 – What the Church becomes without the Gospel

27:42 – Pope Francis chided U.S. Bishops as ‘backwards’

33:30 – Why should other Christians care about the Catholic Church?

38:55 – Andy Stanley called out Albert Mohler about Biblical marriage

41:40 – What happens next to the Catholic Church?

48:27 – How should faithful Christians handle Church controversy?

52:26 – Learning to do ministry without historic denominational institutions

58:00 – Many reasons for Christian hope around the world

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Israel-Hamas and the Failure of Moral Relativism | Ep. #13

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the Israel-Hamas war from a Christian perspective, the dangers of moral relativism, and why all worldviews are not created equal. We also examine Russia-Ukraine, open borders, the need for intellectual honesty, and how the Second Coming of Jesus Christ puts everything into perspective.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:00 – There is nothing new under the sun

06:00 – Resisting the temptation to knee-jerk reactions

09:30 – A standard of intellectual honesty

13:30 – American ignorance about Islam

18:00 – Understanding the Israel-Hamas conflict

27:00 – The temptation of moral equivalence

31:30 – The pitfalls of dispensational theology

35:30 – The effects of national moral decay

39:00 – The failures of moral relativism

42:00 – Not all cultures are equal

45:10 – Open borders aren’t loving

47:00 – Borders as applied to the Sacraments

50:00 – The refusal to engage with reality

54:00 – India’s rise as a world power

56:00 – Letting market forces run their course

01:00:40 – World events and eschatology

01:07:30 – Conclusion

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Frank Conversations About Christianity | One Year of Lively Faith | Ep. #12

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 09:00:00 -0400

We celebrate the one-year anniversary of the podcast by looking back at our favorite moments and looking ahead to our vision for the future. The Revs. Stomberg and Galloway discuss generational differences, technological change, and the temptation to value style over substance.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Favorite moments, generational differences

05:00 – Keeping up with technological change

11:00 – The moral poverty that comes with advanced tech

18:15 – The loss of community and face-to-face communication

22:00 – Learning about Orthodoxy

24:30 – Rhode Island is the most Catholic state

26:50 – Biggest surprises, new relationships

28:00 – A new way of sharing the Gospel

29:00 – The breakneck speed of current events

33:00 – Discussing ideas, not just reacting to events

37:00 – Correct predictions, artificial intelligence

42:00 – The collapse of cryptocurrency

45:00 – What we’ve learned about podcasting

50:00 – Admitting when you don’t know something

52:20 – Ways we’ve improved, being real

58:40 – Our goals for improvement

01:03:00 – Style vs. substance

01:06:00 – Be bold about the truth

01:09:00 – Vision for the future

01:13:00 – Current turmoil in the Church

01:15:40 – Conclusion

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Why Christians Should Care About Anglicanism | Ep. #11

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss the state of the Anglican Church, the GAFCON Kigali Statement, the start of the Catholic "Synod on Synodality", and divisions in the SBC over women pastors. We also answer the questions: Why should Christians care about these issues, and how can we have peace during religious turmoil?

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:48 – What is GAFCON?

05:00 – The structure of Anglicanism

09:00 – GAFCON Kigali rejects the Archbishop of Canterbury

11:00 – Anglicanism in the Majority World

14:00 – Why GAFCON rejected Archbishop Welby

15:30 – Why Christians should care about Anglicanism

17:50 – Reviewing the GAFCON statement

20:50 – Gender and sexuality issues are clear in the Bible

22:30 – Relationship of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason in Anglicanism

25:00 – Where the GAFCON statement is incomplete

27:00 – Why Holy Communion is an independent Anglican Church

28:00 – Hans Boersma’s critique of GAFCON Kigali

30:20 – The marital act must be open to life

32:20 – Humana Vitae was prophetic

35:20 – Controversy in the SBC over female pastors

38:00 – Responding to Rick Warren and Albert Mohler

39:00 – Ontological and Headship arguments against female pastors

41:00 – Gender and sexuality issues have overwhelmed the culture

42:40 – The fallout from SBC division

44:40 – The Catholic “Synod on Synodality”

47:40 – Hypocrisy in the Vatican

50:00 – German Catholic churches fueling the sexuality issue

54:00 – “Synodality without Spirit”

59:00 – Potential fallout from the Catholic Synod

01:02:00 – How to avoid despair, complaining about the Church

01:05:00 – Our first allegiance is to Christ alone

01:08:00 – Christianity requires personal sacrifice

01:09:40 – Reasons for hope

01:13:00 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Living with Chronic Illness | Ep. #10

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

We interview the Rev. Mark Galloway about his experience living with Parkinson's and POTS, how Christians should respond to suffering, how to best care for loved ones, and spiritual advice for handling chronic illness.

Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute medical advice as we are not medical experts.

Check out the bonus version of this episode on YouTube!

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Stiff Man Syndrome

06:30 – Mark’s first encounter with Parkinson’s and POTS

13:00 – First diagnosis

15:20 – Living with POTS, stealing salt packets

17:00 – Deciding to retire

19:35 – What “normal” looks like

22:00 – Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

23:00 – Adjusting to a new phase of life

27:00 – Muscle spasms

28:30 – Chronic illness as spiritual battle

32:00 – We are disconnected from death

33:00 – Using AI to replace deceased family

35:50 – Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living, Holy Dying

37:00 – Going to cognitive therapy

39:10 – The importance of trusted medical professionals

42:50 – Getting proper medical care

45:50 – Undergoing spinal procedures

48:40 – Daily pain management

53:40 – Suffering as vocation

56:00 – Preaching the Truth in season and out of season

58:00 – Stations of life as vocations

59:30 – Nursing homes

01:00:45 – Impact on family

01:03:40 – Managing the expectations of others

01:06:00 – Getting out of bed in the morning

01:09:19 – The blessing of Godly family

01:10:20 – Showing charity to others

01:11:50 – The danger of comparing your suffering to others

01:14:45 – Going bald and gray

01:16:10 – Mark’s experience at the barber

01:18:00 – Emotional vs. physical suffering

01:19:00 – Future austerity measures

01:20:10 – How to talk to the Church about suffering

01:22:10 – The tendency to embrace nihilism

01:24:10 – Conflating suffering with not getting our way

01:25:25 – How to best care for others with chronic illness

01:30:55 – Suffering is a part of being a Christian

01:32:47 – The centrality of the Sacraments

01:35:10 – The need for Confession

01:37:22 – No situation is ever hopeless

// LINKS //

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Spiritual Formation and the Future of Ministry | Ep. #9

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Get to know the hosts! In this episode, the Rev. Nathan Stomberg and the Rev. Mark Galloway share their personal backgrounds and how they came to faith in Jesus Christ. They also discuss how Christian life and ministry has changed over the last 50 years, and what the future looks like for the next generation of pastors.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – Growing up in 1960’s Exeter

05:00 – Trailer homes and one-room schoolhouses

07:00 – The sociology of rural mid-century RI

11:00 – Growing up Catholic

16:10 – Growing up poor

18:15 – Mark’s childhood

24:00 – Demographic transformation of Exeter

25:00 – Mark’s spiritual formation

26:40 – Mark’s high school experience

32:00 – An existential crisis

35:00 – Joining the Anglican tradition

36:00 – What drove Mark to go into ministry

40:30 – Starting out as an Episcopal priest

43:50 – Working at different churches

45:34 – Growing up in middle-class West Greenwich

48:59 – Nathan’s spiritual formation

51:50 – Focus on academic achievement and identity

57:50 – Graduating valedictorian

58:30 – Going to WPI

59:30 – Getting into cross-country and track

01:04:00 – Spiritual maturation and the Rite of Confirmation

01:07:00 – Christian Bible Fellowship at WPI

01:10:00 – Nathan’s denominational journey to Anglicanism

01:12:00 – Planting Holy Communion and getting ordained

01:15:00 – Preparing for ordained ministry without seminary

01:17:55 – Future reality of church ministry

01:19:58 – The paradox of ordained ministry

01:23:00 – Christians need to be more joyful

01:24:50 – The wonder of God’s providence

01:27:00 – The future of Christian ministry

// LINKS //

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Learning About All Things Orthodoxy, Part 2 | Ep. #8

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Subdeacon Cory Dupont about Orthodoxy. We dive into the economy of salvation, differences between Eastern and Western Christianity, our love for the ESV translation, why Orthodox Easter falls on a different date than Western Easter, the Asbury revival, and our common hope in the Resurrection.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – The Economy of Salvation

01:30 – The role of St. Augustine in Orthodoxy

03:20 – Orthodox objections to St. Augustine

05:00 – Bishop N.T. Wright’s perspective

06:50 – The Church Fathers didn’t all agree with each other

08:00 – The Fathers are not complete by themselves

08:55 – Why the Orthodox don’t accept the Immaculate Conception

10:00 – Why the ESV is our favorite translation

11:40 – Orthodox views on Atonement

16:10 – Cultural barriers between East and West

19:00 – God’s Mercy and the Jesus Prayer

20:00 – Fasting in the Orthodox life

22:30 – Differences from Evangelicalism

24:30 – God’s Essence & God’s Energies

26:15 – Divisions over metaphysics

29:30 – Relations between Western Protestants and Orthodox

32:10 – The Dogmas of the Church in Orthodoxy

36:45 – The Western Rite and the Anglican Ordinariate

39:40 – Is Orthodoxy a denomination? Does it have

denominations? The structure of Orthodox Churches

46:00 – The nationalistic nature of Orthodox Churches

49:00 – Orthodox socio-political challenges

51:10 – Break

51:40 – Why is Orthodox Easter after Western Easter?

01:00:55 – What we can learn from the Amish

01:03:50 – Reflections on Lent & Easter

01:08:20 – The Asbury Revival

01:13:35 – Hope in the reality of the Resurrection

01:18:20 – Easter is about being alive

01:20:00 – “BC” vs. “BCE”

01:22:00 – Conclusion

// LINKS //

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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Ep. #7

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 21:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we examine the impact of Artificial Intelligence and discuss how Christians should think through the worldview issues that come with this new technology. We also discuss what it means to be human, how our relationship with technology has changed over time, and we read AI-generated sermons.

(Please excuse us as we work through audio issues in this episode.)

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LINK to the Rev. Stomberg’s article on AI: https://holycommunionri.org/2022/12/02/the-ai-question/

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – First impressions of AI

07:00 – A definition of AI & neural networks

08:00 – AI Image generators

10:00 – Midjourney won an art competition

12:00 – AI-based assistants

13:00 – Stephen Spielberg’s movie, Artificial Intelligence

15:00 – There is nothing new about human nature

16:30 – The need to think critically about AI

17:30 – Parallels to artificial insemination

18:40 – Similarities to splitting the atom

20:00 – Defending the human person

21:00 – Our tendency to ignore negative consequences

22:00 – We should be sober-minded about technology

23:00 – Utilitarian definitions of humanity

25:00 – The pursuit of immortality

26:30 – Elon Musk’s Nueralink

28:40 – Attacks on the Imago Dei

30:30 – Impact of AI chatbots in schools

33:00 – Chat-GPT

34:00 – Captain Kirk delivers a sermon

35:20 – The worldviews of those behind the chatbots

36:00 – Experimenting with Chat-GPT

39:00 – What we can learn from the Amish

40:30 – We need to reject anything that moves us away from God

42:00 – Using technology to avoid suffering

44:00 – Generational perspectives on new technology

48:30 – Impact of technology on the spread of the Gospel

51:50 – Explaining 21st-Century ministry to St. Paul

54:00 – Sharing the Gospel is not complicated

55:15 – Gen X’s relationship with technology

59:00 – The Internet changed how we receive information

01:03:00 – Living in embodied community

01:08:00 – Problems with outsourcing our knowledge

01:11:00 – When clergy misplace their virtue

01:14:30 – The disassembling & re-assembling of the Church

01:19:00 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Learning About All Things Orthodoxy, Part 1 | Ep. #6

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Subdeacon Cory Dupont talks about all things Orthodoxy and clears up some common misconceptions about Orthodox Christianity. We also learn about beards, architecture, icons, theological differences between East and West, and how different traditions can find unity.

(Please excuse our technical difficulties in this episode!)

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – What is a Subdeacon?

03:40 – What is a tonsure?

06:00 – Explaining the different Orthodox Patriarchates

08:00 – Bishops, Priests, and Deacons

09:40 – Why many Orthodox have beards

12:30 – The importance of not hiding as a Christian

14:00 – Cassocks & collars in the Anglican tradition

16:00 – Priestly garments are not for personal expression

19:00 – Explaining “cage stage” Calvinism

20:25 – Beards as a sign of masculinity

21:55 – What drew Cory to Orthodoxy

25:00 – Emphasis on the Incarnation vs. Atonement

27:52 – Historical relations between Anglicanism and Orthodoxy

31:00 – The importance of ecumenical dialogue

35:42 – Understanding the role of icons

39:30 – Explaining the icon screen

41:00 – God tells us that “matter matters”

41:50 – The process of making (writing) icons

43:50 – Cultural prejudice against icons

46:00 – How architecture reflects theology

47:50 – The incredible importance of the Incarnation

48:50 – “The glory of God is a man truly alive”

// LINKS //

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The Great Tradition & Remembering Pope Benedict | Ep. #5

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we explore the concept of the Great Tradition of the Church, examine where Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox believers can find common ground, we remember the life and legacy of Pope Benedict XVI, discuss the future of the Catholic Church, reflect on our need for moral courage, and much more.

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:44 – Defining ‘The Great Tradition’

03:37 – Where Orthodoxy fits in

06:33 – Bringing Protestantism, Catholicism, & Orthodoxy together

08:55 – The difference between “Tradition” and “tradition”

11:19 – The four-legged stool of the undivided Church

14:19 – Evangelicals reclaiming historic Church Tradition

17:48 – The dangers of being apart from historic Church Tradition

19:14 – How Anglicanism treats Church Tradition

21:13 – Discussing the role of historic Church Councils

24:00 – Including Protestantism in the conversation

25:22 – The centrality of liturgy

27:48 – Why liturgy attracts people to the Faith

29:27 – Comparing Lutheranism and Anglicanism

32:14 – Why younger people desire the liturgy

35:50 – Single, young men are attracted to Orthodoxy

37:05 – Masculine and feminine Church Traditions

40:22 – Cultural opposition as a unifying force

44:47 – BREAK

45:17 – Pope Benedict XVI’s legacy

48:20 – Ratzinger’s towering intellect

52:40 – Cory’s perspective on Ratzinger’s work

58:31 – Ratzinger didn’t want to be Pope

01:00:18 – Benedict’s skill in speaking with non-Catholics

01:02:08 – When Benedict met Queen Elizabeth

01:05:20 – The media’s unfair portrayal of Ratzinger

01:07:10 – The Regensburg Address

01:08:11 – Ratzinger’s ability to speak hard truths

01:13:19 – What comes next from Pope Francis?

01:19:39 – Nathan’s perspective on Benedict’s passing

1:22:29 – Not teaching moral courage to our children

1:23:48 – The state of parochial schools in RI

1:26:45 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Christian Perspectives on the Lottery, Gambling, and Cryptocurrency | Ep. #4

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we examine whether or not Christians can buy cryptocurrency, purchase lottery tickets, or participate in sports betting. We also discuss blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX scandal, gambling, the Super Bowl, the debt ceiling, affirmative action, the importance of work, and much more. Finally, we answer the question: how are Christians to guard against so many temptations to "easy money?"

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// CHAPTERS //

(00:00) - Introduction

(03:00) - Definition of "Blockchain"

(07:02) - Definition of "Cryptocurrency"

(11:55) - The rise and fall of FTX

(18:05) - The temptation of "easy money"

(20:51) - Should a church accept donated lottery winnings?

(24:45) - "The ends justify the means"

(26:04) - Is the lottery immoral?

(30:50) - Consequences of gambling go far beyond money

(36:00) - The difference between investing in stocks vs. gambling

(41:05) - Sobering statistics about sports betting

(45:23) - Wealth gained hastily will dwindle

(50:52) - The Christian's reward is in heaven

(53:00) - The prevalence of sports betting

(55:32) - Billions spent on Super Bowl betting

(01:00:54) - Nothing is morally neutral

(01:04:54) - The necessity of work

(01:09:02) - Affirmative action

(01:12:08) - Summarizing our discussion

(01:13:50) - Guarding against the temptation to easy money

(01:18:07) - The temptation of a "trendy" church

(01:22:30) - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Why All Christians Should Care About the Catholic Church | Ep. #3

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode, we discuss Bishop Thomas Tobin's upcoming retirement, and why what happens in the Catholic Church is important for all Christians to understand (not just Catholics). We also review two recent surveys from LifeWay and Pew Research revealing how both Evangelicals and Catholics increasingly deny Christian morality. Plus, what does Mark think about New Year's Resolutions?

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// CHAPTERS //

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:40) - Catholic Bishops must submit their retirement when they turn 75

(04:01) - Why should we care about Catholic Bishops?

(09:28) - What is the "controversy" surrounding Bishop Tobin?

(16:10) - Why so many faithful Christians in Rhode Island admire Tobin

(19:20) - Bishop Tobin's replacement will not be conservative

(22:33) - A Catholic Bishop's power is absolute

(24:25) - The abortion issue is the most important moral issue of our time

(26:29) - It is a Bishop's job to influence people with the Gospel

(27:46) - The public misconception about separation of church and state

(33:18) - The importance of developing a Christian worldview

(35:16) - The consequences of distorting historic Church Tradition

(38:20) - Truth is not determined by democratic majority

(40:28) - Pew Research survey: Rhode Island is the most Catholic state

(44:45) - Declining religiosity is not unique to Catholic Rhode Island

(49:02) - The progressivist vision of history

(52:48) - The importance of guarding against syncretism

(54:16) - The 2022 LifeWay State of Theology survey

(55:10) - An overview of the Arian heresy

(59:22) - Did Scripture or the Church come first?

(1:02:58) - Discussing Sola Scriptura

(1:07:41) - Why professing Christians deny historic Christian truths

(1:11:24) - Religious experience of Baby Boomers

(1:18:54) - Richard Wurmbrand

(1:20:21) - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

(1:22:44) - Saint Maximillian Kolbe

(1:24:16) - Religious experience of Millennials

(1:27:14) - The Gospel requires sacrifice

(1:28:48) - New Year's Resolutions & conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

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Why did people love Queen Elizabeth? | Ep. #2

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Why was Queen Elizabeth II so popular? In this episode, we reflect on the death of Queen Elizabeth, examine her importance in the history of Western Civilization, and consider what Christians can learn from her example. We also look ahead to the Christmas season and share our favorite parts of the holiday.

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// CHAPTERS //

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:47) - The enormous size of Queen Elizabeth's funeral

(04:29) - Prince Philip was Orthodox

(06:10) - Monarchy is inherently religious

(09:45) - Elizabeth will be the last truly faithful Christian monarch

(14:21) - The public's deep, unexpected sorrow over Elizabeth's death

(16:00) - Duty and moral character always come first

(17:19) - The 1957 Christmas broadcast

(22:20) - She never missed church on a Sunday

(24:20) - Modern heroes are hard to come by

(27:20) - People stood in line for over a day to pay her respects

(27:59) - The moral decline of the UK

(32:17) - Taking Christian morality for granted

(33:45) - Differences between Parliament and Congress

(35:39) - The positive vision of the Gospel was the Queen's vision

(38:20) - The collapse of the nuclear family

(44:00) - Lively faith makes us all "Fidei Defensors"

(44:41) - Favorite memories of the Christmas season

(45:00) - Mark's Christmas memories

(46:15) - Nathan's first Christmas sermon

(48:07) - Christmas traditions across generations

(49:21) - Cory's favorite parts of Christmas

(51:48) - Old Christmas movies

(53:34) - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

The Queen's 1957 Christmas Broadcast

// LINKS //

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What is Lively Faith? | Ep. #1

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0400

What do we mean when we talk about 'lively faith'? In this episode, we discuss who we are and what our vision is for the Lively Faith podcast. We examine the differences between our generations (Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial) and the unique challenges of reaching each group of people with the Gospel. We also explore the current challenges facing faithful Christians in a changing America as we look ahead to future topics of conversation.

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// CHAPTERS //

(00:00) - Get to know the hosts

(04:55) - What is Lively Faith?

(13:35) - "Americanized" Christianity vs. historic Christianity

(22:00) - The role of popular myths and the importance of intellectual honesty

(29:57) - The Baby Boomer perspective

(37:39) - The Gen X perspective

(41:50) - Ministering to Baby Boomers

(47:10) - Ministering to Gen X

(55:03) - The honor of the Greatest Generation

(57:10) - The Millennial perspective

(01:06:33) - The Millennial culture of "safetyism"

(01:10:55) - Defining your own identity vs. God defining who you are

(01:14:27) - Not everyone is a "child of God"

(01:15:17) - Mark talks about ministry challenges from his career

(01:19:25) - Ministering to Millennials and beyond

(01:22:50) - We are living entirely virtual lives

(01:25:09) - The great call of Eucharistic traditions and incarnational community

(01:28:00) - Wrapping up and looking ahead

// LINKS //

Last surviving WWII Medal of Honor recipient recounts storming pill box on Iwo Jima

107-Year-Old Veteran receives Silver Star in Denver, CO

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: Lively Faith - Living and Defending a Christian Worldview (captivate.fm)

Introducing the Lively Faith Podcast

Sat, 26 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Do you want to better live out your faith in God? Here we discuss tough questions about faithfully living and defending a Christian worldview by leaning on the collective wisdom of the Universal Church throughout the ages.

We invite you to listen and discover the glory of a life lived with a lively faith!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://lively-faith.captivate.fm/