Nuance: Being Faithful in the Public Square

The Collaborative
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity

Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative helping Christians to faithfully live out their faith in their work. We recognize most of life is not lived in black and white but rather lived in the gray, lived in the nuance. You can find more, including complementary spiritual exercises, at www.collaborativeorlando.com/nuance.

  1. 6d ago

    Why Optimism is a Lie About the World with Dr. Steven Garber

    How do we hold onto a hope that refuses both cynicism and naivete in a world filled with contradictions of beauty and brokenness?    Author and sage Steven Garber returns to the Nuance podcast with host Case Thorp for part two of their conversation on his new book, Hints of Hope. They dive deeper into the concept of proximate justice, the profound influence of Augustine's understanding of love, and why the American church desperately needs to listen to global voices.   The discussion covers: Why Augustine's timeless insights on the "ordering of our loves" are central to both individual and societal flourishing.The urgent need for North American Christians to learn from global voices who have lived through the trauma of oppressive regimes.How modern technology and shifting views on sexuality challenge us today, even as we remain perennial "sons of Adam and daughters of Eve".Why bad books lie about the human condition, and how true art tells the truth about life's difficulty.The critical difference between true hope and naive optimism, and why optimism ultimately becomes a lie about the world.The profound reality of bearing both remarkable joy and remarkable sorrow in our vocations, just as Christ did.  Whether you are wrestling with the chaos of the public square or seeking deeper meaning in your daily life, this conversation offers a profound reminder that even amidst our glorious ruins, true hope is always worth the work.📚 Episode Resources: Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate by Steven Garber: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9TPCTB4Dr. Garber's Other Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Garber/author/B00JG6XT84The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture: https://washingtoninst.org/"Making peace with proximate justice" in Comment Magazine: https://comment.org/making-peace-with-proximate-justice-reprise/Economics of Mutuality: https://eom.org/Paraclete Press: https://paracletepress.com/#podcast #podcastclips #faith #vocation #publicsquare #theology #listen #nuance #listenable #christianpodcast #christianliving #faithandwork  Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more.  Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith. Visit wecolabor.com for resources, events, and more. Timestamps00:00 Introducing Dr. Steven Garber02:49 Proximate Justice in the Midst of Chaos04:04 Augustine and the Ordering of Our Loves05:49 Understanding Augustine the African09:35 Writing for a Global Audience12:16 Why American Christians Need the Global Church16:01 Technology and How Students Have Changed18:23 Sexuality and Our Perennial Human Nature21:25 Why Bad Books Lie About the Human Condition22:40 The Difference Between Hope and Optimism26:54 Holding Remarkable Joy and Sorrow28:22 Finding Projects of Honest Hope

  2. Aug 6

    Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate with Dr. Steven Garber

    Why do we so often struggle when our best work remains unfinished, and how can people of faith be okay with achieving only proximate justice?  Author and thinker Steven Garber joins host Case Thorp on the Nuance podcast to discuss his newest book, Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate. They explore what it means to wrestle with the "now but not yet" of our vocations, and how to faithfully engage in the messy reality of politics, business, and culture. The discussion covers: 🕊️ What it means to make peace with doing work that is true and good, even when you cannot fix everything.🕰️ The theological tension of the "now but not yet" and why believers still experience the brokenness of life after salvation.🇨🇿 The lingering legacy of totalitarianism and what the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution taught Garber about dashed hopes.🎻 How a Slovakian cellist created a national arts festival to bring beauty into a landscape scarred by communist-era architecture.🍫 The "Economics of Mutuality" and the surprisingly complex question a major global corporation asked about the right level of profit.Whether you are a young professional entering the workforce or a seasoned leader navigating complex cultural challenges, this episode provides a theological framework for pursuing honest, good work without giving in to cynicism. 📚 Episode Resources: Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate by Steven Garber: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9TPCTB4Dr. Garber's Other Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Garber/author/B00JG6XT84The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture: https://washingtoninst.org/"Making peace with proximate justice" in Comment Magazine: https://comment.org/making-peace-with-proximate-justice-reprise/#podcast #podcastclips #faith #vocation #publicsquare #theology #listen #nuance #listenable #christianpodcast #christianliving #faithandwork  Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more.  Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith. Visit wecolabor.com for resources, events, and more. Timestamps0:00 Introducing Dr. Steven Garber 3:09 The Impact of Visions of Vocation 5:16 Defining Proximate Justice 8:57 Living in the Now and Not Yet 12:02 Theology Through Storytelling 17:36 The Velvet Revolution 24:53 Eastern European Perspectives 29:24 Bratislava and the Convergency Festival 32:06 Christian Hope Under Dictatorships 34:39 Proximate Justice in Daily Work 37:28 The Economics of Mutuality

  3. Jul 23

    Why We Can't Ignore Workplace Distractions in Church with Dr. Matthew Kaemingk & Kathryn Roelofs

    Why do so many church services feel disconnected from the messy reality of the workweek and demand a forced positivity that leaves no room for honest lament?  Public theologian Rev. Dr. Matthew Kaemingk and ministry consultant Katie Roelofs return to the Nuance podcast with host Case Thorp to dive into the practical application of their book, Leading Worship for Workers. They discuss how pastors and worship leaders can deepen existing practices rather than overwhelming themselves with new ones. They also explore how viewing worship as an active dialogue can transform a congregation's discipleship.  The discussion covers: 🛑 Why the church's lack of authenticity prevents workers from bringing their workplace stress and laments to God.  🛠️ How overwhelmed pastors can perform a simple "self-audit" to deepen existing worship practices without adding more to the Sunday service.  🐟 The messy, worker-led reality of Old Testament and early church worship, complete with specific blessings for cheese and fish.  🎵 The lack of "sending songs" in modern hymnals and the Worship for Workers initiative to commission new music that sends people back into their daily vocations.  🏥 Why contextualizing worship to your specific congregation is far more powerful than using generic templates.  🧱 How the shift to a cash economy destroyed the ancient practice of offering our "first fruits," and how churches are creatively bringing tangible work to the altar.  Whether you are a ministry leader planning the Sunday liturgy or a professional sitting in the pews, this conversation offers practical wisdom for turning weekly worship into a dynamic, honest dialogue that honors the real work of your hands. 📚 Episode Resources Leading Worship for Workers: How to Design Liturgies for All of Life by Matthew Kaemingk and Kathryn Roelofs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540969843Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy by Matthew Kaemingk and Cory Willson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540961982Worship for Workers Initiative - worshipforworkers.comThe Porter's Gate - portersgateworship.com#faithandwork #publictheology #publicsquare Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more.  Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith. Learn more at wecolabor.com Timestamps00:00 The Need for Honest Lament in the Sanctuary00:18 Welcome Back Dr. Matthew Kaemingk and Rev. Katie Roelofs03:00 How Overwhelmed Pastors Can Deepen Existing Practices06:29 Viewing Worship as an Active Dialogue with God08:24 Stop Feeling Guilty About Workplace Distractions During the Sermon10:30 The Messy and Worker-Led Reality of Biblical Worship13:53 Free Liturgical Resources at WorshipForWorkers.com15:43 The Sending Songs Competition and The Porter's Gate20:00 Making Worship Contextual by Praying for Local Workers22:30 Worship as Discipleship and Churches with Chimneys25:35 Ancient Israel's Rehearsal of God's Deliverance27:30 How Money and Digital Currency Changed the Offering Plate30:50 Recovering the Joy and Pride of the First Fruits Offering34:00 Bringing Tangible Work to the Altar

  4. Jul 16

    Leading Worship for Workers with Dr. Matthew Kaemingk & Kathryn Roelofs

    Why do Christians often gather in the sanctuary on Sunday morning and hear almost nothing about the work that consumes their entire week? Public theologian Dr. Matthew Kaemingk and Katie Roelofs join host Case Thorpe to discuss bridging the gap between Sunday liturgy and Monday labor. Dr. Kaemingk and Rev. Roelofs outline the practical steps of vocationally conversant worship found in their new book, Leading Worship for Workers: How to Design Liturgies for All of Life. They explain that genuine worship is not about leaving daily stress at the church door. Instead, it requires bringing the realities of your job directly to God, which includes the joys, the laments, and the hard questions. The discussion covers:🎓 Why the traditional training of pastors and worship leaders often leaves them unequipped to engage with the complex working lives of their congregations.🗣️ The crucial difference between treating worship as an individualistic performance and viewing it as a genuine dialogue between God and His people.📋 How to perform a "vocational audit" of your congregation to better understand the faces and daily realities of the workers in your pews.🛠️ Practical tools for integrating work into worship. This involves worker testimonies, specific industry prayers, and navigating the awkwardness of unpolished speakers.🧟 The "zombie ritual" of the modern offering plate and creative ways to revive it. Suggestions include offering "trumpets, ashes, and tears" or practicing vocational silence.🏺 Real-world examples of successful integration. One church in Manitoba crafted communion chalices from native soil etched with congregational vocations. This is a conversation for pastors, worship leaders, and every Christian who wants to navigate their daily vocation as an act of worship and let the sanctuary shape how they live their daily lives. 📚 Episode Resources Leading Worship for Workers: How to Design Liturgies for All of Life by Matthew Kaemingk and Kathryn Roelofs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540969843Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy by Matthew Kaemingk and Cory Willson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540961982Worship for Workers Initiative - worshipforworkers.comThe Porter's Gate - portersgateworship.com#faithandwork #publictheology #publicsquare Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more.  Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith. Learn more at wecolabor.com Timestamps0:00 Bringing Your Daily Work to God0:26 Introducing Dr. Matthew Kaemingk & Rev. Katie Roelofs3:17 The Origin of the Worship for Workers Initiative4:02 Why We Should Bring Workplace Stress into Sunday Worship5:25 Designing Liturgy for Federal Employees in Washington D.C.7:44 Turning Theology of Work into Practical Church Resources11:00 Why Pastors Avoid Talking About Work During Church Services14:02 How to Perform a Vocational Audit of Your Congregation15:08 Incorporating Worker Testimonies and Industry Prayers17:42 Denominational Approaches: Calvinism, Pentecostalism, and Vocation22:18 Individualism, Forced Positivity, and the Church's "Allergy to Honesty"25:17 A Biblical Theology of Vocation: From Adam and Eve to Modern Workers28:13 Using Sunday Liturgy for Daily Personal Devotions30:04 Redefining Liturgy as the "Work of the People"34:04 Real-World Integration: Native Soil Chalices in Manitoba35:08 Reviving the "Zombie Ritual" of the Modern Offering Plate37:04 Offering Trumpets, Ashes, and Tears in a Digital Age39:03 Concluding Thoughts

  5. Jul 9

    Faith in the Administrative State? Why Bureaucracy Diminishes the Shared Good with GianCarlo Canaparo

    How does the administrative state impact our ability to govern ourselves? The founders built a constitutional system designed to limit concentrated power. Today, federal agencies and unelected bureaucrats govern much of our daily lives. Constitutional expert GianCarlo Canaparo returns to Nuance to explain the complexities of federal agencies, regulatory crimes, and the recent overturning of Chevron deference. Case and GianCarlo discuss how massive government bureaucracies can stifle local ministry, limit our ability to practice virtue, and rob citizens of the shared good that comes from participating in self-governance. 🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode:🏛️ How Executive Agencies Make Laws. Federal agencies often create and enforce rules outside the traditional legislative process envisioned by the founders.⚖️ What the End of Chevron Deference Means. The Supreme Court recently shifted precedent so that judges, not agencies, decide what ambiguous laws actually mean.🤝 Why Participating in Local Government Matters. The founders believed that getting involved in local civic institutions makes us better people and multiplies the shared good.🛑 How Government Regulations Hurt Local Charities. Extreme federal regulations can shut down small ministries and prevent Christians from personally caring for their neighbors.🎂 Can the Government Force You to Violate Your Faith? The Masterpiece Cakeshop case shows how believers can navigate a complicated legal landscape to protect their religious freedom. 📚 Episode ResourcesGianCarlo Canaparo's Publications at the Heritage Foundation: heritage.org/staff/giancarlo-canaparo GianCarlo Canaparo's Legal Scholarship: ssrn.com Timestamps0:00 Why True Freedom Requires the Choice to Do Wrong 0:25 The Purpose of Constitutional Checks and Balances 3:05 Introducing Constitutional Expert GianCarlo Canaparo 4:18 Counting the Unknown Number of Federal Crimes 6:55 Defining the Administrative State 8:01 How the Administrative State Bypasses the US Constitution 10:54 How a Single Wheat Farmer Radically Expanded Federal Power 14:26 Inside the Hidden Courts Run by Executive Branch Agencies 15:47 The Best Argument in Favor of the Administrative State 17:46 Chevron Deference and Who Actually Decides the Law 21:44 Why Participating in Local Government is Good for Your Soul 26:47 Practical Ways to Safely Downsize the Administrative State 28:32 Why Christians Should Care About the Size of the Government 31:02 How Excessive Government Regulations Hurt Local Ministries 33:14 Why True Virtue Requires Freedom from the Administrative State 36:23 How Christians Can Protect Their Faith in the Public Square 37:12 Masterpiece Cakeshop and the Fight for Religious Freedom 42:02 Using Prudence to Restructure the Power of Federal Agencies 44:14 Why the President Shouldn't Have the Power to Make Laws 46:37 A Christian Framework for Justice and Civic Duty

  6. Jul 2

    Created Equal: Recovering the Founders' Vision for America with GianCarlo Canaparo

    What did the founders mean by "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence? Many Americans recognize a few famous lines from 1776, but few understand the deep Christian worldview that shaped our nation's founding document. In this episode of Nuance, host Case Thorp sits down with constitutional expert and Department of Justice Deputy Assistant Attorney General GianCarlo Canaparo. They explore the enduring meaning of the Declaration of Independence. They discuss why human rights come from a Creator rather than a government. Giancarlo also unpacks the lost virtue of prudence and explains why the founders were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of self-government. 🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode: 📜 Why the Declaration is an Apple of Gold: Abraham Lincoln viewed the Declaration as the moral vision and the Constitution as the operational frame. ⚖️ What "Created Equal" Actually Means: The founders believed human equality meant no one has a special right to rule over another person without consent. 🧠 Why We Need the Virtue of Prudence Today: Prudence is the ability to navigate complex circumstances toward noble goals, a virtue modern society has largely forgotten. 🏛️ Was the American Founding a Theocracy? The founders did not want a theocracy. They relied on biblical and classical roots to design a system for a moral and religious people. 📚 Episode ResourcesGianCarlo Canaparo's Publications at the Heritage Foundation: heritage.org/staff/giancarlo-canaparo GianCarlo Canaparo's Legal Scholarship: ssrn.com Timestamps0:00 The Enduring Meaning of the Declaration of Independence 1:26 Meet Constitutional Expert GianCarlo Canaparo3:52 GianCarlo's Inspiration for Studying the US Constitution5:22 The Crucial Difference Between Patriotism and Christian Nationalism6:44 Understanding What "Created Equal" Actually Meant in 177610:00 How the Supreme Court Views the Declaration of Independence13:56 Rights Given by God vs. Rights Given by Government16:22 The True Meaning of Human Equality in the American Founding18:50 Self-Government as a Fundamental Human Right20:54 What the Founding Fathers Would Think of America Today23:57 Why the Declaration of Independence Matters to Christians25:16 Debunking the Myth of a Christian Theocracy at the Founding29:01 The Lost Virtue of Prudence Explained31:34 How the Modern Obsession with Comfort Ruins Civic Virtue34:02 The Need for a Revival of American Self-Government36:14 The Incredible Sacrifices Made by the Signers of 1776

  7. Jun 25

    Faith Under Pressure: Loving Others in an Angry World | Dr. Case Thorp

    You believe faith belongs in the public square, and you've tried to be a faithful presence, but you are simply tired. What happens when your neighbors aren't interested in connecting, or your workplace treats your convictions as a liability?   Facing a culture that is increasingly hostile to faith can be exhausting, tempting many to adopt a posture of grievance or to withdraw into their comfortable homes.   In this episode of Nuance, regular host Case Thorp takes the hot seat as guest host Katie Shook asks the hard questions about faith under pressure. Case gets honest about the real cost of showing up in the public square, sharing a personal story about a neighborhood dispute over backyard chickens that tested his commitment to loving his neighbors. They unpack the difference between engaging culture with grace versus angrily fighting back, the temptation to make faith overly palatable, and why creating new things is a better response than endless critique.   From finding hope in the longevity of institutions to learning how to focus on the micro when national issues feel overwhelming, Case and Katie provide a practical roadmap for staying grounded and kind in an angry world.   🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode: 🐔 The Cost of Presence: A firsthand look at what it costs to stay engaged, featuring a story about zoning laws, backyard chickens, and maintaining a Christian witness when neighbors push back.   🎨 Creating vs. Critiquing: Why Christians should focus on creating art, beauty, and positive environments rather than just sitting back and complaining about cultural shifts.   🏛️ The Power of Institutions: Exploring why society has lost trust in organizations, and why investing in healthy, long-lasting institutions is still crucial for stability.   🔬 Focusing on the Micro: Practical encouragement to stop stressing over massive national headlines and start serving the people directly in front of you.  🚪 Knowing When to Step Back: How to exercise wisdom and discernment when someone isn't ready for a deeper conversation, and learning to trust God's timing.  For more resources, including ways to get involved with The Collaborative, visit wecolabor.com Timestamps0:00 Do You Know Your Neighbors? 0:21 Case Thorp Takes the Hot Seat  2:54 Exploring Faith In The Public Square  3:17 The Real Cost Of Faithful Presence  4:06 Navigating Zoning Laws and Backyard Chickens  9:09 Maintaining Righteousness During Conflict  10:21 When Christians Should Withdraw From Culture  11:58 Staying Kind In A Tacky Culture  14:09 Assessing Cultural Hostility Toward Faith  16:47 Avoiding a Posture of Grievance  18:13 The Danger of Making Faith Too Palatable  19:50 Creating New Culture Instead of Critiquing  21:47 Escaping The Comfort of Netflix Homes  25:10 Handling People Who Reject You  28:58 Why Society Needs Long Term Institutions  32:25 Knowing When To Shut Down Failing Institutions  35:54 Finding Real Rest When You Feel Burned Out  38:26 Solving Overwhelm By Focusing on the Micro  40:30 The Powerful Lessons of Staying in One Place  43:21 The Biggest Fear for the Modern Church  44:43 Final Thoughts

  8. Jun 18

    Deconstruction, Spiritual Lament, & the Dark Night of the Soul with Catherine McNeil & Jason Hague

    What happens when the foundational beliefs of your faith meet deep personal suffering? For many believers, major life wounds, like childhood church hurt or the loss of a close friend, make a good and powerful God feel distant. When the anchor meant to hold you steady seems to give way, the spiritual crisis makes all other suffering worse. In this episode of Nuance, host Case Thorp welcomes back Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague, co-authors of Mid-Faith Crisis, to discuss the personal origin stories behind their book. Catherine shares the difficult experience of being shunned by her church family at twelve years old. Jason discusses the grief of his children's severe health diagnoses and the loss of a close friend, leaving him preaching sermons he was not sure he believed. Case also shares about trusting God's providence during his wife's battle with cancer and a recent stroke. Catherine and Jason offer practical steps for surviving dark spiritual valleys, like practicing honest lament and using contemplative prayer to calm the nervous system. They explain how taking your anger directly to God and finding a safe community can lead to a mature faith. 🔑 Key Topics Covered in This Episode: 🌪️ The Compounding Crisis: A faith crisis makes health or vocational struggles much harder. We discuss what it feels like when your spiritual anchor is lost.💔 The Broken Contract: The unique struggle of believing in a good and powerful God when circumstances are painful.🐑 The Seeking Shepherd: Catherine's experience of trusting God's slow providence and moving from decades of darkness into new spiritual life.🗣️ The Power of Lament: Hiding our anger creates distance from God. We look at why bringing your frustration to the Lord is a biblical practice.🧘 Contemplative Healing: Using the Prayer of Examen and breath prayers to soothe spiritual trauma and remember what we already believe.📚 Episode Resources: Mid-Faith Crisis: Finding a Path Through Doubt, Disillusionment, and Dead Ends by Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague: https://www.ivpress.com/mid-faith-crisisCatherine McNiel's website: https://catherinemcniel.com/Jason Hague's website: https://jasonhague.comInterVarsity Press: https://www.ivpress.com/Timestamps:0:00 The Challenge of a Good God 0:35 The Backstory of "Mid-Faith Crisis"  2:00 Catherine's Story: Enduring Church Hurt at Age 12  5:28 Jason's Story: Adulthood, Grief, and Unanswered Prayers  7:44 Why Faith Crises Compound All Other Suffering  12:00 Finding God as the Seeking Shepherd  14:48 Trusting God's Providence Through Severe Health Trials  17:09 Advice for Those Currently in a Faith Crisis  18:59 The Power of Honest Lament  23:05 Contemplative Practices and the Prayer of Examen  27:11 Advice for the Next Generation: Don't Walk Alone  28:54 Concluding Thoughts

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About

Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative helping Christians to faithfully live out their faith in their work. We recognize most of life is not lived in black and white but rather lived in the gray, lived in the nuance. You can find more, including complementary spiritual exercises, at www.collaborativeorlando.com/nuance.

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