In and For

Sightline (formerly Josh McDowell Ministry)

As Christians who are in and for Christ, we can't simply stand by as culture crumbles. We must be more than just "in" culture. We must also be "for" its ultimate good. Join us as we look at current cultural trends and apply ideas from apologetics and evangelism to equip you to impact those around you with compassion, truth, and grace.

  1. APR 13

    The "Safe" Jesus vs. The Real Jesus with Josh Newell

    Share your thoughts with us! “Who do you say that I am?” It is one of the most significant questions any of us will ever answer. Yet today, the world seems more confused than ever about the response. We have turned Jesus into a "safe" figure: a moral teacher, a social activist, or a wise prophet. We often reshape Him to fit our own comfort zones and cultural narratives. But what happens when we strip away the misconceptions and see Jesus clearly? In this episode of In & For, we sit down with Josh Newell, Executive Director of the Jesus Film Project. Josh shares incredible insights from a ministry that has reached billions of people in over 2,000 languages. Together, we discuss the global "category crisis" surrounding Jesus and why the "real" Jesus is so much more radical and more hopeful than the "safe" versions we create. In this conversation, we explore: The Global Perspective: Why 3 billion people still have not heard the name of Jesus and the "injustice" of that gap.Heart Language and Dignity: How hearing the Gospel in a native tongue (including the first ever Jesus Film for the Deaf) removes barriers to the heart.The "Idol Maker" Problem: How our hearts naturally tend to reshape Jesus into something non-threatening.Post-Christian Lessons: What the U.S. can learn from the "post-church" culture of France about listening and engaging in spiritual conversations.The Next Generation: A first look at the upcoming Animated Jesus Film designed for Gen Alpha and the visual "heart language" of the future.Practical Next Steps for You: Get Honest: Ask yourself where you have reshaped Jesus to fit your life instead of letting Him reshape you.Start a Conversation: This week, ask one person, "Who do you think Jesus is?" and just listen.Watch the Story: Experience the Gospel of Luke anew at JesusFilm.org/watch."The Jesus you believe in is the Jesus you follow." Join us as we cut through the noise to see Him for who He truly is. Sightline and the Jesus Film Project are both part of the Cru family of ministries. We work together to ensure the world sees Jesus clearly. Visit us online: Sightlineministry.org Subscribe: YouTube Follow us on: Facebook Instagram X

    34 min
  2. FEB 25

    Expressive Individualism: Why "You Do You" is Exhausting w/ Jonathan Morrow

    Share your thoughts with us! Does "Living Your Truth" feel more like a heavy burden than a breakthrough? In 1994, the average 21-year-old had seen 300,000 ads. Today, that number is 38 million. We are constantly told we have the power to control our lives, define our identities, and create our own truth. But as we discuss, with Jonathan Morrow, when we become our own highest authority, we don't actually find freedom; we find a crushing sense of performance and despair. In this episode, we cut through the cultural fog surrounding "Expressive Individualism" to discover why the "authentic self" is a shaky foundation for a life. We dive deep into: The Rise of Scientism: How the loss of moral knowledge left us with nothing but power struggles.The Freedom Paradox: Why modern freedom (doing whatever you want) is actually a form of slavery to our shifting desires.The "Ought" Problem: Why we never feel like we’re "enough" when we are the ones setting the standards.The Antidote: How moving from autonomy to obedience actually grants us the freedom to flourish."Freedom is found in cooperating with how God designed us to be." Join us for a conversation that moves past the debate and toward the relief found in the authority of Jesus. About Our Guest: Jonathan Morrow  Jonathan knows that today’s culture can feel like a maze of conflicting messages. That’s why he has spent years providing solid ground for those questioning their faith or heading into the 'front lines' of college. As the author of Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible’s Authority and Welcome to College, Jonathan cuts through the intellectual and cultural confusion that often clouds our view of God. Beyond the books, Jonathan is a practical advocate for the family, having created Refresh to help busy parents confidently lead their children through the challenges of social media and technology. He is a passionate voice for anyone wanting to build a faith that isn't just a tradition, but a conviction. Follow Jonathan on Instagram: @followjesuswithyourphone Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Chasing Love by Sean McDowellThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl TruemanVisit us online: Sightlineministry.org Subscribe: YouTube Follow us on: Facebook Instagram X

    31 min
  3. FEB 4

    Settling for Spirituality with Matthew Tingblad

    Share your thoughts with us! Spiritual hunger is resurging, but is it leading us closer to Christ or further into confusion? In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the surprising rise of "spiritual but not religious" beliefs and what they really mean for believers today. While headlines shout about a spiritual revival or the decline of faith, the truth is more nuanced: a global shift toward superficial spirituality, swallowing many into a dangerous blend of contradictory beliefs. Matthew Tingblad shares compelling data tracing the explosive growth of the "nones" and the subtle but profound difference between atheism, agnosticism, and genuine spiritual longing. You'll discover how most people aren't rejecting faith outright but searching for authenticity in a culture that offers a confusing smorgasbord of beliefs. Learn about the critical differences between true Christianity and the myriad of spiritual paths competing for attention. We break down why Christianity uniquely offers a relationship—not just rules—addressing the deep hunger that no other worldview satisfies. The episode explores powerful frameworks like the "one-one-one" gospel and the importance of asking thoughtful questions to navigate this spiritual landscape effectively. Don’t miss why embracing biblical discernment, clarity, and authentic relationships is more crucial than ever. Ignoring this spiritual awakening risks missing the fertile ground where God is working, while on the flip side, properly guiding the hungry toward Christ’s truth can transform lives in this confusing age. Perfect for pastors, evangelists, and believers eager to respond wisely and compassionately, this episode equips you to stand firm and speak clearly in a pluralistic world. Join us to understand what’s really happening behind the headlines and how to turn spiritual curiosity into authentic discipleship. The harvest is plentiful—are you ready to lead with love and truth? Visit us online: Sightlineministry.org Subscribe: YouTube Follow us on: Facebook Instagram X

    35 min
  4. 12/22/2025

    The Unfiltered Christmas Story

    Share your thoughts with us! While we often imagine the Nativity Story as a silent night with angels sweetly singing, the actual event bears little resemblance to these themes. It was a chaotic, messy, difficult scene that our Lord entered into. It’s important to get this story right, because when we do, we see how He still enters into our chaos today to redeem a world in desperate need of a Savior. Listen in as we discuss the real story. In this episode, we explore the true nature of the Nativity, contrasting the peaceful imagery often associated with Christmas with the chaotic reality described in scripture. We discuss the significance of Jesus' birth in a broken world, the role of shepherds and angels, and how understanding this unfiltered version of Christmas can impact our lives. The conversation emphasizes the hope found in Jesus amidst chaos and the importance of recognizing the already and not yet of our faith. Key Takeaways from this Episode The Nativity is often portrayed as peaceful, but scripture reveals chaos.Mary was a young girl, alone and terrified during childbirth.The shepherds were under pressure, watching over sacrificial lambs.Angels appeared as battle-armored warriors, not gentle beings.Jesus' birth signifies hope in a broken world.We often polish the Nativity to avoid confronting chaos.True peace comes from Jesus, not from perfect circumstances.Understanding the Nativity helps us navigate our struggles.We live in the tension of the already and not yet.The perfect Christmas was the arrival of Christ, not our celebrations. Visit us online: Sightlineministry.org Subscribe: YouTube Follow us on: Facebook Instagram X

    23 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

As Christians who are in and for Christ, we can't simply stand by as culture crumbles. We must be more than just "in" culture. We must also be "for" its ultimate good. Join us as we look at current cultural trends and apply ideas from apologetics and evangelism to equip you to impact those around you with compassion, truth, and grace.

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