Listener’s Choice: Your Favorite Podcast Episodes of 2021

Center for Faith and Culture | December 20, 2021
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A few weeks ago, we asked you to nominate your favorite episodes of the Christ and Culture podcast. You flooded our inboxes with your picks, nominating more than a dozen different episodes.

We tallied the votes. And, without further ado, here are your 3 favorite podcast episodes of 2021.

1. Carl Trueman: No, You Can’t Define Yourself

Western culture is rapidly changing. Gay marriage is legal and celebrated; transgenderism is on the rise; one’s pronouns are now up for debate. How did we get here? Dr. Carl Trueman joined us to answer this question and discuss his new book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. You voted this episode as your favorite of 2021.

Here are some of your comments:

  • “I have a special interest in how our Christian theology interacts with the ethics, morality, and politics of the secular world, and I really enjoyed Dr. Trueman’s take on the rise of the sexual revolution, transgenderism, and homosexuality. He does so gracefully and truthfully. Since listening to the episode, I’ve started reading his book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, and have benefited greatly from his writing.” — Olivia P. 
  • “I appreciated Dr. Trueman’s ability to take these complex cultural issues and explain them in a way that everyone can understand. His ability to trace these themes through different eras of history and cultural movements is masterful and deeply helpful for the times that we are in.” — John S.
  • “Trueman has a finger on the pulse of todays culture and helps us grasp why we see what we see in the midst of a cultural shift.” — William M.

2. George Robinson: Why All Good Christians Should Celebrate Halloween

Some Christians celebrate Halloween, others don’t, and still others participate in church alternatives like fall festivals or trunk or treats. How should you think about Halloween? Dr. George Robinson joined us in October to argue that “all good Christians should celebrate Halloween” — because it offers one of the greatest evangelism opportunities of the year.

Here’s why you appreciated this episode:

  • “As somebody who has never enjoyed Halloween, I was challenged to think of it as a way to witness to the lost while participating (even if not fully enjoying!) in the surrounding activities.” — Brian L.
  • “It is a practical way to share the gospel with those far from God but near to our homes as they knock on our doors. They are in for a treat; they’ll get candy and the greatest news ever.” — Roy V.

3. Mark Liederbach: Abortion, Mask Mandates, and Ethical Hot Topics

In this episode, Dr. Mark Liederbach discussed all kinds of ethical hot topics — from abortion and in vitro fertilization to mask mandates and political idolatries. More than telling us what to think, Dr. Liederbach advocated for how we should think about these topics.

Here’s why you appreciated this episode:

  • “This was so timely to current events — it was one of those pods I kept telling people they needed to get into listening to podcasts so they could listen to the conversation.” — Katherine D.
  • “Really helped think about how we got to this culturally divisive place–even within the Church family. Relevant, insightful, and practical.” — Sam K.

Beyond the Top 3

More than a dozen episodes received votes, and ranking them becomes particularly difficult. (There was a 5-way tie for 4th place!) But we wanted to highlight some of your thoughtful feedback about a a handful of episodes outside the top 3.

Many of you found our conversation with Jeff Struecker about Afghanistan to be uniquely helpful. Here are some of your comments:

  • “I enjoyed the perspective of someone who has military and pastoral experience on a topic with so much murkiness. Often you get an analytical military perspective or a compassionate international perspective, but not one that can consider both perspectives.”  — Austin W.
  • “I really appreciated the perspective offered by the guest. I knew I could trust what he said because he has been on the ground in Afghanistan and has seen first hand the ideologies that war there. His biblical perspective was helpful and I learned a lot about what is going on there.” — Esther W.

Earlier this fall, we talked with Christian pediatrician Lori Langdon about COVID, vaccines, and more. Andrew W. appreciated her insights:

  • “As a parent, I found this podcast episode an extremely informative, helpful, engaging, and accessible resource to think through the topic of the COVID-19 vaccine for my kids.”

Finally, this comment about our episode with Joshua Swamidass highlights the very spirit we want to cultivate at the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture:

  • “Hearing a perspective from which we disagree is helpful. Also, the grace and understanding demonstrated by Dr. Keathley toward a view much different than his own is helpful and serves as an example to Christians in how to disagree compassionately.” — Josh P.

Thank you for voting for your favorite podcast episodes. In our next post, we’ll share your favorite articles of 2021.

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Center for Faith and Culture

The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture seeks to engage culture as salt and light, presenting the Christian faith and demonstrating its implications for all areas of human existence.

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