Thinking Out Loud

Nathan Rittenhouse & Cameron McAllister
  • 4.8 (107)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

For those interested in thoughtful cultural analysis without all the apocalyptic forecasts, Thinking Out Loud is a podcast about current events and Christian hope. Hosted by Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister, co-founders of Thinking Out Loud, a ministry that seeks to bridge the gap between discipleship and apologetics, this is a show that seeks to connect the dots on the subject of Christian realism.

  1. 2d ago

    Are Riots Ever Justified? A Christian Perspective on Civil Unrest

    In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister explore the causes of riots, civil unrest, and social upheaval through a Christian and biblical perspective. Examining Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous statement that “a riot is the language of the unheard,” Nathan and Cameron discuss whether rioting can bring meaningful social change, why people resort to destruction, and how government, personal responsibility, and community relationships shape public unrest. They also examine what the Bible teaches about justice, suffering, loving your neighbor, and responding to injustice without destroying the lives and property of others. Drawing on the early church, the teachings of Jesus, and the biblical message of 1 Peter, Nathan and Cameron argue that lasting social change requires thoughtful reform, personal agency, and the difficult work of rebuilding broken communities rather than resorting to violence. This conversation challenges Christians to consider how faith should shape their response to political protests, riots, social justice, and cultural conflict, while offering a deeper perspective on biblical justice, Christian ethics, and the role of the church in a divided world. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

    Are Riots Ever Justified? A Christian Perspective on Civil Unrest

  2. 5d ago

    The New Horror: Why Horror Movies Are Getting More Psychological

    Nathan and Cameron explore the evolution of horror movies and examine why modern horror increasingly focuses on psychological fear, grief, trauma, loneliness, and social anxiety rather than graphic violence and gore. In this Thinking Out Loud episode, they discuss how films like Backrooms, Obsession, and The Haunting reflect contemporary culture, changing attitudes toward evil, and the human desire to experience fear from a place of safety. Drawing on Aristotle’s understanding of horror, Edmund Burke’s theory of the sublime, and the cultural significance of Halloween, Nathan and Cameron consider why audiences enjoy being frightened, how horror reflects society’s deepest fears, and what the popularity of existential horror reveals about modern relationships and human nature. This thoughtful conversation connects horror film analysis, psychology, philosophy, and Christian perspectives on evil, offering viewers a deeper understanding of why horror movies continue to captivate audiences and how the genre reflects the anxieties of our time. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  3. Oct 16

    Should Christians Watch Death Videos? Morbid Curiosity, Public Executions & Christian Ethics

    Nathan and Cameron explore the Christian ethics of watching real death footage, public executions, fatal accidents, and graphic videos circulating on social media. In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, they examine the difference between morbid curiosity and genuine education, how modern technology and social media can turn human tragedy into entertainment, and why graphic depictions of death risk desensitizing people to the value of human life. Drawing on the writings of Augustine, biblical teachings, and Christian perspectives on justice, forgiveness, revenge, and the sanctity of life, Nathan and Cameron challenge viewers to consider their motives when watching another person's death. They also discuss public executions, the limits of human justice, the importance of compassion for grieving families, and how Christians can respond to death with humility, mercy, and a deeper understanding of God's heart for humanity. This thoughtful conversation invites Christians to reflect on morbid curiosity, online violence, media consumption, and what it truly means to respect the dignity of every human life. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  4. Oct 13

    Meryl Streep as Aslan? Greta Gerwig’s Narnia, C.S. Lewis, and the Christian Controversy

    Nathan and Cameron discuss the controversy surrounding Meryl Streep’s reported casting as the voice of Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, exploring what the decision could mean for C.S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy series and its Christian theological themes. They examine whether reimagining Aslan’s gender would fundamentally change the character’s Christ-like symbolism, the role of artistic license in adapting classic literature, and whether fans and Christians have a legitimate reason to be concerned about changes to the original story. Through comparisons with The Shining, The Shack, Barbie, and The Pilgrim’s Progress, Nathan and Cameron unpack the tension between authorial intent, creative freedom, cultural debates, and faithfulness to source material. They also explore how C.S. Lewis understood storytelling, the relationship between fiction and divine revelation, and the biblical significance of God’s masculine imagery, pronouns, and identity. Rather than jumping to conclusions before the film’s release, Nathan and Cameron consider how Christians can thoughtfully critique Hollywood adaptations while continuing to appreciate the original Chronicles of Narnia books and their enduring spiritual significance. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  5. Oct 9

    Is the Golden Rule Really Christian Ethics? Prayer, the Sermon on the Mount, and Following Jesus

    Nathan and Cameron explore whether the Golden Rule—“do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—is really the highest standard of Christian ethics, or whether Jesus intended something deeper in the Sermon on the Mount. Nathan and Cameron examine Matthew 6–7, Luke 6, the teachings of Jesus on loving enemies, turning the other cheek, prayer, asking, seeking, and knocking, and the role of the Holy Spirit in helping Christians navigate difficult moral decisions. They discuss why human desires can make the Golden Rule insufficient as a one-size-fits-all moral principle, how prayer is about aligning our will with God rather than simply getting what we want, and why following Jesus requires divine empowerment rather than human willpower alone. Along the way, Nathan and Cameron reflect on Scripture, Christian ethics, biblical interpretation, the Lord’s Prayer, and the importance of slowing down when a passage raises difficult questions. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  6. Oct 6

    Evangelical Worship: Excellence, Accessibility, or Mediocrity?

    Nathan and Cameron explore the tension between evangelical worship and traditional Christian worship, examining how smoke machines, contemporary Christian music, accessibility, artistic excellence, sacredness, and congregational participation have shaped modern church services. Nathan and Cameron trace the roots of contemporary evangelical worship back to the Jesus Movement, Larry Norman, Christian rock, and the cultural rebellion against formal and institutional Christianity, while considering why today's seekers may increasingly be drawn toward liturgy, Anglicanism, Orthodoxy, tradition, and a stronger sense of the sacred. They discuss whether modern worship represents mediocrity or intentional accessibility, the importance of authenticity and excellence in Christian worship, the role of theological education and leadership, and how churches can avoid swinging between extremes. Ultimately, Nathan and Cameron argue that Christian worship should be guided not simply by cultural preferences, professionalism, aesthetics, or tradition, but by Scripture, the pursuit of truth, genuine worship, community, and conformity to Christ. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  7. Sep 29

    Ian McGilchrist, Community & the Search for a Good Life

    Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister explore why modern life can leave people feeling disconnected, restless, and dissatisfied, examining Ian McGilchrist’s ideas about human flourishing through people, place, and prayer. They discuss the importance of meaningful community, connection to nature, worship, tradition, Christian faith, and having a larger story that gives life cosmic significance. Nathan and Cameron also consider how modern individualism, mobility, technology, economic opportunity, and the breakdown of traditional institutions have reshaped the way people think about relationships, family, work, and the good life. Drawing on Christian theology, Ian McGilchrist, C.S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, Charles Taylor, Paul Kingsnorth, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, they offer practical reflections on cultivating rootedness, resisting isolation, staying connected to meaningful communities, and learning to rejoice in goodness even when it is not personally experienced. This conversation asks an important question for Christians and young adults today: What does it actually take to build a meaningful, rooted, and flourishing life? Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raggjja9lMQ DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

  8. Sep 25

    Christian Contentment, Money & Resentment: What 1 Timothy 6 Teaches

    Nathan and Cameron explore what 1 Timothy 6 teaches about money, contentment, ambition, resentment, and finding satisfaction in God in a culture increasingly shaped by financial pressure, comparison, advertising, and the pursuit of more. Nathan and Cameron discuss the meaning of “the love of money,” the danger of tying security and happiness to wealth, the difference between healthy excellence and unhealthy ambition, and why Christians can struggle with resentment when life does not match their expectations. Drawing from Paul’s teaching, Jesus’ words, Scripture, Christian discipleship, work, stewardship, generosity, and an eternal perspective, Nathan and Cameron consider how to live faithfully with what God has given, cultivate gratitude for other people’s gifts, resist comparison, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness rather than allowing money, success, or status to define a meaningful life. DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate   BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speaker  JOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect   TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

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4.8
out of 5
107 Ratings

About

For those interested in thoughtful cultural analysis without all the apocalyptic forecasts, Thinking Out Loud is a podcast about current events and Christian hope. Hosted by Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister, co-founders of Thinking Out Loud, a ministry that seeks to bridge the gap between discipleship and apologetics, this is a show that seeks to connect the dots on the subject of Christian realism.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Rittenhouse & Cameron McAllister
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    488
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nathan Rittenhouse & Cameron McAllister
  • Show Website
    Thinking Out Loud

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