Trinity Forum Conversations

The Trinity Forum
Trinity Forum Conversations

Trinity Forum Conversations is a podcast exploring the big questions in life by looking to the best of the Christian intellectual tradition and elevating the voices, both ancient and modern, who grapple with these questions and direct our hearts to the Author of the answers. We invite you to join us in one of the great joys of life: a conversation among friends on the things that matter most.

  1. Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

    JAN 7

    Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

    Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer The start of a new year prompts the reflection that if we are not intentionally modeling our life after Jesus, we are likely being formed by something or someone else. Adrift in the cultural current, we're likely to be carried to places we never consciously chose and wonder how we got there. In Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer explores what it means in our times to be a disciple of Jesus -- to be with him, to become like him, and to do as he did: “ It seems to me that the telos of the spiritual journey in the Christian way is becoming a person of love through deepening union with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…It's the two greatest commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself, that Jesus put at the center of apprenticeship to him.” - John Mark ComerWe hope this conversation encourages you to move slowly as you abide with Jesus this year, and by his grace are transformed into a person of deeper love, joy, and peace. This podcast is an edited version of a conversation recorded in 2024. Learn more about John Mark Comer. Episode outline 00:00 Introduction to Practicing the Way01:00 Formation is Inevitable02:26 John Mark Comer's Background and Influences05:21 Evangelical Discipleship and the Influence of Dallas Willard08:05 From Burnout to the Inner Journey11:26 Being Christian and Being an Apprentice of Jesus21:04 The Destructive Power of Hurry, and the Pace of Love26:13 The Practice of Contemplation and Abiding33:17 Final Thoughts and Prayer Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Live No Lies, God Has a Name, Garden City, Practicing the Way, all by John Mark Comer Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard Jacques Philippe St. Therese N.T. Wright Gary Haugen Robert Bellah Mother Teresa Dorothy Day Francis Chan John Stott Three Mile an Hour God, Kosuki Koyama Mary Oliver  Marjorie Thompson Kurt Thompson Brennan Manning Related Trinity Forum Readings: Augustine's Confessions, with an introduction by James K. A. Smith Bright Evening Star, by Madeleine L’Engle A Practical View of Real Christianity, by William Wilberforce Wrestling with God, by Simone Weil Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard Why God Became Man, by St. Anselm Related Conversations:Making as a Spiritual Practice with Mako Fujimura Writing as a Spiritual Practice with Jonathan Rogers, Tish Harrison Warren, and Doug McKelvey Walking as a Spiritual Practice with Mark Buchanan To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society Special thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

    36 min
  2. Waiting on the Word with Malcolm Guite

    12/24/2024

    Waiting on the Word with Malcolm Guite

    Renowned poet, singer-songwriter, and Anglican priest Malcom Guite joins us for a conversation about his work of poetry for the season of Advent, "Waiting on the Word."

    49 min
  3. Heaven & Nature Sing with Hannah Anderson

    12/10/2024

    Heaven & Nature Sing with Hannah Anderson

    Heaven & Nature Sing with Hannah Anderson Advent invites us to enter into the joy of the season through rhythms of remembrance, renewal, and waiting. But often, our very familiarity with the Advent story can leave us dulled to the miracle and joy of the season. In her book of Advent reflections, Heaven and Nature Sing, author Hannah Anderson invites us all into a fresh reading of the Christmas story by drawing together 25 meditations on the beauty of creation: “What I believe creation invites us back to is reorienting ourselves, not only to God, but to our environment and perhaps even to our own bodies and to ourselves. And so when we are giving our attention to the patterns and rhythms and cycles of creation it has the potential to be an access point for some deeper truths that maybe we've forgotten or we've overlooked.” - Hannah AndersonThis podcast is an edited version of a conversation recorded in fall of 2022. Learn more about Hannah Anderson. Episode outline 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Advent 01:51 Introducing Hannah Anderson and Her Work 02:28 The Inspiration Behind 'Heaven and Nature Sing' 04:39 Attentiveness to Creation and Its Lessons 07:57 The Link Between Caring for Creation and Others 11:58 The Legend of the First Christmas Tree 15:27 Jesus' Birth and the Concept of Habitat 19:11 The Brutality and Honesty of Nature 22:49 Reconnecting with Nature in Modern Times 26:49 Practical Steps to Attune to Nature 29:32 Closing Thoughts and Poem 31:07 Final Farewell and Podcast Information Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: All That's Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment, by Hannah Anderson The Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit, by Hannah Anderson Heaven and Nature Sing, by Hannah Anderson An Immense World, by Ed Yong Related Trinity Forum Readings: Bright Evening Star, by Madeleine L’Engle Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard Babette’s Feast, by Isak Dinesen A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens The Gift of the Magi and Two Thanksgiving Gentlemen, by O. Henry God’s Grandeur: the Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins Related Conversations:Waiting on the Word, with Malcolm Guite Joy to the World: Caroling Christmas and Christian Formation, with Keith Getty Advent: The Season of Hope, with Tish Harrison Warren To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society.

    32 min
  4. Abraham Kuyper's Sphere Sovereignty with Vincent Bacote

    11/26/2024

    Abraham Kuyper's Sphere Sovereignty with Vincent Bacote

    Abraham Kuyper’s Sphere Sovereignty with Vincent Bacote In this episode of the Trinity Forum Conversations podcast, host Brian Daskam and guest Dr. Vincent Bacote explore Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper’s contributions to Reformed theology, with particular emphasis on his concept of sphere sovereignty: “Kuyper helps us to see that we can be Christian in public spaces without having to turn those public spaces into churches and that we don't have to have a triumphalistic aspiration in order to be faithful in those spaces.” - Dr. Vincent Bacote Kuyper believed that different domains of life, such as church, government, education, and family, each have their own integrity and should operate independently within their God-given roles. As Dr. Bacote argues, Kuyper's ideas can help modern Christians engage more faithfully and imaginatively in public life without succumbing to triumphalism or tribalism. They also address Kuyper's controversial views on race and how to critically appreciate his positive contributions despite his flaws. This podcast is an edited version of a conversation recorded in fall of 2024. Learn more about Vincent Bacote. 00:00 Introducing Dr. Vincent Bacote, professor and Trinity Forum Senior Fellow 00:57 Who is Abraham Kuyper? 01:54 Understanding Kuyper’s Concept of Sphere Sovereignty 04:33 Sphere Sovereignty in Practice 14:35 Kuyper's Views on Race 21:36 Applying Kuyper's Ideas Today 32:10 Vince’s Thoughts on Christians Shaping Culture Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: The Spirit in Public Theology, Appropriating the Legacy of Abraham Kuyper, by Vincent Bacote Contours of the Kuyperian tradition, by Craig Bartholomew Related Trinity Forum Readings: Sphere Sovereignty Wrestling with God, Simone Weil Children of Light and Children of Darkness, by Reinhold Niebuhr Politics, Morality, and Civility,  by Vaclav Havel The Origins of Totalitarianism, by Hannah Arendt The Federalist Papers A Practical View of Real Christianity, by William Wilberforce, Who Stands Fast? by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Related Conversations:Hope Beyond Tribalism with James Mumford Faith, Fear & Conspiracy with David French The Fall, the Founding and the Future of American Democracy How to Be a Patriotic Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace with Elizabeth NeumannDemocracy & Solidarity with James Davison Hunter and David Brooks To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society Special thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

    31 min
  5. Democracy & Solidarity with James Davison Hunter and David Brooks

    11/12/2024

    Democracy & Solidarity with James Davison Hunter and David Brooks

    Democracy & Solidarity with James Davison Hunter and David Brooks One of the biggest questions in the Christian life is what it means to love one's neighbor, both in the personal and the public spheres. While these questions have always been challenging and contested, they seem to have grown increasingly divisive and demoralizing. So how do we begin to restore and reweave solidarity and a love for neighbor into our civic fabric? Today's episode features our recent evening conversation with sociologist and author James Davision Hunter and cultural critic and author David Brooks. Together they help us explore the cultural roots of America's crisis of solidarity, and what it may mean to move together towards a renewed commitment to the common good. “Until we understand the depth that the enemy is in fact not the other side, but in fact the enemy is the nihilism that insinuates itself within almost all of our public institutions, and not least our political institutions, we're really not taking the full measure of the crisis in front of us.” - James Davison HunterWe hope this conversation helps you consider how you’re engaging in relationships, and how the smallest acts of seeing another person and listening to their story can help begin to restore our social fabric and establish new cultural norms. This podcast is an edited version of an online conversation recorded in September of 2024. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about James Davison Hunter and David Brooks. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: Culture Wars by James Davison Hunter The Death of Character by James Davison Hunter Science and the Good by James Davison Hunter To Change the World by James Davison Hunter Democracy and Solidarity by James Davison Hunter The Social Animal by David Brooks The Road to Character by David Brooks The Second Mountain by David Brooks How to Know a Person by David Brooks George Marsden Aristotle The Public Philosophy, by Walter Lippman Arthur Schlesinger John Bowlby Parker Palmer David Hume Edmund Burke Eddie Hillison Simone Weil Mother Theresa American Politics: The Promise of Disharmony, by Sam Huntington Clarence Thomas The Upswing, by Robert Putnam Howard Usock Nicholas Epley The Communist Manifesto Related Trinity Forum Readings: Wrestling with God, Simone Weil Children of Light and Children of Darkness, by Reinhold Niebuhr Politics, Morality, and Civility,  by Vaclav Havel The Origins of Totalitarianism, by Hannah Arendt The Federalist Papers A Practical View of Real Christianity, by William Wilberforce, Who Stands Fast? by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Related Conversations:Hope Beyond Tribalism with James Mumford Faith, Fear & Conspiracy with David French The Fall, the Founding and the Future of American Democracy How to Be a Patriotic Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace with Elizabeth Neumann To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society Special thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

    53 min
  6. Extremism and the Path Back to Peace

    10/29/2024

    Extremism and the Path Back to Peace

    Extremism and the Path Back to Peace with Elizabeth Neumann The appropriation of Christian images and language by extremists who advocate violence has become a shocking feature of our time. Surveys show alarming numbers of people who self-identify as religious expressing openness to political violence. Against such a distortion of Christian witness, how can we faithfully live out our calling to be people of peace? Today's episode features our recent conversation with national security expert Elizabeth Neumann, who offers insight and a sobering perspective on how radicalization has taken root among us and what we can do: “Find ways to check your in-group assumptions about their narratives. Particularly when the narratives involve others.” - Elizabeth Neumann As we approach a national election, we hope this conversation helps you thoughtfully evaluate your own assumptions, and strengthens you to serve as a non-anxious presence within your broader community. This podcast is an edited version of an online conversation recorded in October of 2024. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Elizabeth Neumann. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: Kingdom of Rage: the Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace, by Elizabeth Neumann Related Trinity Forum Readings: Children of Light and Children of Darkness, by Reinhold Niebuhr Politics, Morality, and Civility,  by Vaclav Havel The Origins of Totalitarianism, by Hannah Arendt The Federalist Papers A Practical View of Real Christianity, by William Wilberforce, Who Stands Fast? by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Related Conversations:Hope Beyond Tribalism with James Mumford Faith, Fear & Conspiracy with David French The Fall, the Founding and the Future of American Democracy How to Be a Patriotic Christian To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society

    35 min
  7. Reissue: The Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent Bacote

    10/15/2024

    Reissue: The Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent Bacote

    The Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent Bacote As the lines between faith, politics, and patriotism have become, in some quarters, increasingly blurred, it is increasingly important to understand the origin, ideas, and consequences of Christian Nationalism — what it means, why it matters, and how best to respond. “Responsible Christian patriots try to show how Christianity can be a service to the nation; extreme nationalists make Christianity a servant of the nation.” - Mark Noll“If you think about the cross: patriotism, rightly construed from a Christian point of view, will put the flag at the foot of the cross. Christian nationalism wants to drape the [flag] over them. So is God serving your country, the sponsor of your country, or are you, as a Christian, operating wherever you are and having loyalty, but not your primary loyalty to your country over God?” - Vincent Bacote We hope you find this conversation insightful and helpful as you consider the state of our culture and shared political life, and your role in reviving responsible Christian patriotism. This podcast is an edited version of an Online Conversation recorded in June of 2021. You can access the full conversation with transcript here. Learn more about Mark Noll and Vincent Bacote. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark Noll God and Race in American Politics: A Short History, by Mark Noll The Civil War as Theological Crisis, by Mark Noll In the Beginning Was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, by Mark Noll The Political Disciple, A Theology of Public Life, by Vincent Bacote Reckoning with Race and Performing the Good News, by Vincent Bacote The Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the legacy of Abraham Kuyper, by Vincent Bacote Related Trinity Forum Readings: A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass City of God by St. Augustine of Hippo Children of Light and Children of Darkness by Reinhold Niebuhr Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Related Conversations:Rebuilding our Common Life with Yuval LevinThe Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent BacoteThe Decadent Society with Ross DouthatScience, Faith, Trust and Truth with Francis CollinsBeyond Ideology with Peter Kreeft and Eugene RiversJustice, Mercy, and Overcoming Racial Division with Claude Alexander and Mac PierHealing a Divided Culture with Arthur BrooksAfter Babel with Andy Crouch and Johnathan HaidtTrust, Truth, and The Knowledge Crisis with Bonnie KristianHope in an Age of Anxiety with Curtis Chang & Curt Thompson To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society Special thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

    42 min
  8. Truth & Trust with Francis Collins

    10/01/2024

    Truth & Trust with Francis Collins

    What does wisdom mean for Christians in an age of polarization, cynicism, and distrust? In confronting the unique concerns of our time, what can help us become wise? On our podcast, Dr. Francis S. Collins joins us to discuss his new book, The Road to Wisdom, illuminating how truth, science, faith, and trust work together to help us discern the best path forward in life: “I think the time has come for many of us to say, I think I need to be part of a solution here. I need to say, it's not enough to say things shouldn't be like this. I'm ready to say, I shouldn't be like this. Let me try to get my house in order, get my worldview reset to the truth, to faith, if that's who I am, and not let all of this other noise out there knock me off my road to wisdom in a way that's bad for me and bad for my society.” - Francis Collins We hope this conversation helps you reflect on the acquisition of wisdom, and how Christians in particular might become agents of healing and trust building in the midst of a cynical and polarized culture. This podcast is an edited version of an online conversation recorded in September 2024. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Francis Collins. Authors and books mentioned in the conversation: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Jonathan Haidt The Road to Wisdom, by Francis S. Collins The Language of God, by Francis S. Collins René Descartes David Hume Related Trinity Forum Readings: Telling Truth to Kings, by Reinhold Schneider Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley Politics and the English Language, by George Orwell Augustine's Confessions The Wager, by Blaise Pascal The Lost Tools of Learning, by Dorothy Sayers Related Conversations:Connecting Spiritual Formation & Public Life with Michael WearThe Kingdom, the Power & The Glory with Tim AlbertaA Life Worth Living with Miroslav VolfTowards a Better Christian PoliticsChristian Pluralism: Living Faithfully in a World of DifferenceWhat Really Matters with Charlie Peacock and Andi AshworthScripture and the Public Square How to be a Patriotic Christian Life, Death, Poetry & Peace with Philip Yancey The Fall, the Founding, and the Future of American Democracy Fear and Conspiracy with David French Words Against Despair with Christian Wiman Hope Beyond Tribalism with James Mumford To listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society Special thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

    39 min
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About

Trinity Forum Conversations is a podcast exploring the big questions in life by looking to the best of the Christian intellectual tradition and elevating the voices, both ancient and modern, who grapple with these questions and direct our hearts to the Author of the answers. We invite you to join us in one of the great joys of life: a conversation among friends on the things that matter most.

Information

  • Creator
    The Trinity Forum
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Trinity Forum
  • Show Website
    Trinity Forum Conversations

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