The Russell Moore Show

4.7 (912)
CHRISTIANITY

Listen in as Russell Moore, director of Christianity Today’s Public Theology Project and Editor-in-Chief, talks about the latest books, cultural conversations and pressing ethical questions that point us toward the kingdom of Christ.

4 DAYS AGO

Beyond Bowling Alone: Finding Community in an Isolated Age

“ Precisely what brings you into communion with the church is not sitting—no matter how good the sermon is—it’s not sitting in an auditorium with 3,000 people,” says Robert Putnam. “It’s connecting with other cobelievers in a small group.” Robert Putnam, political scientist and author of the cultural phenomenon Bowling Alone, joins Russell Moore to talk about social shifts in how we gather with—and separate from—one another. Putnam and Moore talk about religion, partisanship, and social shifts such as delayed marriage. Their conversation covers loneliness, the increasing number of people who do not identify with any religion, and politicization. Moore and Putnam consider the importance of coming together, explore the history of communities in America, and encourage listeners with practical steps for cultivating fellowship. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy by Robert D. Putnam Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis by Robert D. Putnam Join or Die “If You Want to Destroy My Sweater, Hold This Thread as I Walk Away” Christian Smith The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

41 min
FEB 12

An Atheist on What He Got Wrong About Christianity’s Decline

One may not expect Russell Moore and Jonathan Rauch, an openly gay atheist, to become friends—much less to be positive influences on one another’s lives and work. But as this conversation shows, this surprising fact is true. The two discuss their perspectives on politics, Christianity, and culture. They talk about their regular gathering on Thursday nights with fellow thinkers and the ways they see fear taking precedence in American churches. Their discussion covers race, gender, and sexuality, as well as Christian nationalism, parallels between the political left and right, and the reasons why Rauch considers forbearance to be a key aspect of liberal democracy. Moore and Rauch consider the “four Ms”—mortality, morality, murder, and miracles—and talk about why Rauch dedicated his new book, Cross Purposes, to two Christian friends who have passed—Tim Keller and Mark McIntosh. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Jonathan Rauch Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch Brookings Institution The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention Peter Wehner David French Mark A. McIntosh “Let It Be” “U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time” No Compromise Tim Keller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

54 min
FEB 5

What the Black Church Can Teach the Rest of American Christianity

Walter Strickland didn’t read a book from cover to cover until he was 18 years old. Books—from that first read, The Screwtape Letters, to Strickland’s latest work, Swing Low—have shaped his life. So, too, has the Black church. Strickland, an author, educator, and pastor, joins Moore to talk about the titles that have formed their experiences as Christians and academics. They consider how slaveholders used biblical texts to defend their actions and weaponized faith against enslaved people. Strickland and Moore observe the ways that God remains faithful to his Word amid oppression and explore the phenomenon of Black worshipers leaving predominantly white churches. They discuss African American theologians, the witness of the Black church, and the five anchors that Black Christianity has contributed to the body of Christ. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Walter Strickland Swing Low, Volume 1: A History of Black Christianity in the United States by Walter Strickland Swing Low, Volume 2: An Anthology of Black Christianity in the United States by Walter Strickland The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity by Thabiti M. Anyabwile “The Black Church Has Five Theological Anchors” “A Quiet Exodus: Why Black Worshipers Are Leaving White Evangelical Churches” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

52 min
FEB 3

Moore to the Point: Running From Refugees

Jesus’ refugee status ought to inform his followers about how to treat imperiled refugees right now. The Russell Moore Show is bringing Russell's weekly newsletter to all streaming platforms. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell's weekly newsletter here! Do you have questions for Russell Moore? Send them to questions@russellmoore.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 min
JAN 29

A Conversation with Tim Alberta

In December of 2023, journalist and author Tim Alberta joined Russell Moore to discuss the ways that politics have invaded the white evangelical church in recent years. He returns to talk about the election and inauguration of President Donald Trump that have happened since—and to consider what those events mean about the state of American culture. Alberta and Moore talk about numbness, hopelessness, and the lack of persuadability in many Americans. They discuss the effect of social media on righteous indignation and judgmentalism as well as the political exhaustion among wide swaths of Americans. They talk about President Trump’s executive orders, cabinet members, and the possibility of mass deportations. Moore and Alberta describe their reasons for hope and consider what it may look like to build godly community in a time of division. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Tim Alberta “Tim Alberta on the White Evangelical Crisis” The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta “The Most Revealing Moment of a Trump Rally” “Why Democrats Are Losing Hispanic Voters” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

51 min
JAN 27

Moore to the Point: Curb Your Cynicism

Cynicism makes sense right now -- and it could cost us our souls. The Russell Moore Show is bringing Russell's weekly newsletter to all streaming platforms. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell's weekly newsletter here! Do you have questions for Russell Moore? Send them to questions@russellmoore.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 min
JAN 22

Humanity's Universal Addictions: What is the Cure?

Why has everyone gone insane? It’s a question that makes Russell Moore and Ian Morgan Cron—bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and Episcopal priest—laugh, and also one that they approach with wisdom and insight. Moore and Cron talk about the confluence of pressures and stressors in the modern world, the relationship of control to certainty, and varying perspectives on anxiety and depression. They discuss practical actions to take when feeling overwhelmed and dive into the Twelve Steps, which Cron’s new book illuminates as helpful not just for alcoholics but for everyone. Cron and Moore talk about what it means to be addicted, the human desire for relief from pain, and the power of community in the recovery process. Cron sheds light on amends conversations, which book of the Bible each Enneagram type should take to a desert island, and his profound love for God, Scripture, and humankind. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Ian Morgan Cron The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between by Ian Morgan Cron The Enneagram Andrew Peterson “Barth Challenges Bonhoeffer to Return to Germany” Serenity Prayer “In the Blood” The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis Karl Rahner Addiction & Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions by Gerald G. May Curt Thompson Bill Wilson Alcoholics Anonymous David’s Crown: Sounding the Psalms by Malcolm Guite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hr
JAN 20

Moore to The Point: How a Book Club Helped Me to Live and to Die

"The secret of all this is that it’s not really a book club; the books are the excuse we give ourselves to make sure we’re all there." Russell says as he shares about the weekly rhythm that changed his life. The Russell Moore Show is bringing Russell's weekly newsletter to all streaming platforms. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell's weekly newsletter here! Do you have questions for Russell Moore? Send them to questions@russellmoore.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 min

See All (339)

Russell D. Moore

Host

4.7

out of 5

912 Ratings

Interesting and insightful!

Feb 12

anonymous reviewer 800

I have tremendous respect for Russell Moore for so many reasons. His podcast is just as intelligent, insightful, and respectful as one would expect who knows anything of Russell Moore. His opinions always seem to be Biblically-based, and not just in a “take my word for it” kind of way but a way he backs up with scripture. I only wish he was in the forefront more of Christianity these days in the public sphere because his reason and biblically backed principle is exactly what we need right now. Excellent and interesting guests always as well!
“Humanity’s Universal Addictions”

Jan 22

Kirsten in SD

Excellent podcast. I just pre-ordered “The Fix”! I already own Cron’s book “The Road Back to You” and it is great. My UMC women’s group did a book study on it. Your podcasts have been outstanding lately Dr. Moore.
Great show today

12/19/2024

GaleWatkins

The interview with Rich Villodas was encouraging and inspiring. I will not only get the book but start a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount. Thank to both of you for your wisdom.
MiKe Pence interview

Jan 16

the mike pence episode

I admire the work you and David French do and have become a regular follwer of your podcast. However, your interview with Mike Pence was a great disappointment. I fully appreciate your practice of civility in your discussions, but please do not simply backslap a guest just because he was/is an old friend. Mr.Moore, you ask good questions. These deserve answers. Mr. Pence rarely answered them. The questions I would have liked to have heard are: 1. Should President Trump offer you a return to the Vice Presidency, would you accept the offer? 2, Based on your responses in this interview I expect you to answer Yes. Please inform me why and how that makes any sense. Mr.Pence, if, in fact you believe (as I do), that President Biden was dishonest, self serving and governed only by personal pride, but you were serving as a loyal warrior for the man standing in front of you as you meekly defended all his UN-Christlike pronouncements and decisions, then….Then, perhaps you might consider taking a long look into a mirror and then re reading any one of the four gospels to examine the true meaning of loyalty to Jesus. respectfully, Bruce Enns

Listen in as Russell Moore, director of Christianity Today’s Public Theology Project and Editor-in-Chief, talks about the latest books, cultural conversations and pressing ethical questions that point us toward the kingdom of Christ.