Carl Olson joins Don to discuss the similarities between Andy Stanley's recent Unconditional conference and the ongoing Catholic Synod on Synodality. In both instances leaders claim to want to "journey together with people," especially those with same sex attraction, without bringing theology or doctrine into the conversation. It is a fool's errand. Links to go with the show: https://whatweneednow.substack.com/p/synodality-soteriology-and-sharing https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/10/19/welcome-to-the-church-of-perpetual-change-and-confusion/ https://breakpoint.org/can-ministry-be-unhitched-from-theology/ https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/10/when-being-affirming-isnt-loving

Welcoming sinners where they are is one thing; affirming them in their sin and encouraging them to stay there is another. Carl Olson joins Don to discuss the disturbing tendency among Church leaders to use the language of love and grace to entrench people in destructive lifestyles. Links to go with show: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/how-much-sexual-sin-is-okay https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-conflict-over-communion-is-really-about-the-cheapening-of-gods-grace/ https://americanbabylon.substack.com/p/the-consequences-of-not-taking-sin https://americanbabylon.substack.com/p/what-is-salvation https://www.amazon.com/Called-Be-Children-God-Deification/dp/1586179470 https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Unto-Destruction-Bible-Theology/dp/1683572750/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=twisted+unto+destruction+by+donald+johnson&qid=1694884695&s=books&sr=1-1 https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Discipleship-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/dp/0684815001

Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the sharp decline in church attendance over the past few years as well as offer some thoughts towards a solution. Show links: https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Skeptic-Easy-Follow-Conversations/dp/0764211226/ref=sr_1_1?crid=G7TFFSBY5TLC&keywords=how+to+talk+to+a+skeptic&qid=1693110585&sprefix=how+to+talk+to+a+skeptic%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Unto-Destruction-Bible-Theology/dp/1683572750/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=3Zja6&content-id=amzn1.sym.579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_p=579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_r=147-5353971-9984811&pd_rd_wg=BHHMe&pd_rd_r=217d86d6-3645-4dc7-9883-fb0ecc376e5d&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk https://breakpoint.org/whats-behind-americas-great-dechurching/ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/21/opinion/religion-dechurching.html

Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the popularity of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSA-SY5Hro and how it fits into a growing resentment of the ruling class. This leads into some thoughts about the nature of sin and the relationship between justice, mercy, and judgment, and why everything boils down to worship. Also, Don explains how this relates to his new project about Sodom and Gomorrah: https://donorbox.org/libertyville-a-contemporary-take-on-sodom-and-gomorrah Some other links for the show: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12405739/Oliver-Anthony-BIBLE-VERSE-Rich-Men-North-Richmond.html https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/teen-mental-health-cdc-girls-sadness-violence-rcna69964

What do the Barbie movie and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour have in common? Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss the two biggest cultural phenomenons of the summer, and offer some movie and music reviews along the way. Resources: https://americanbabylon.substack.com/p/what-feminism-gets-wrong-about-love https://runawayplanetpictures.vhx.tv/products/unprotected

Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss various news stories from the week, incuding the explusion of Saddleback Church from the Southern Baptist Convention and the rise of pro-gay and pro-feminist groups battling gender ideology.

Who is really following the science, here? Don and Alden discuss the increasingly cult-like and superstitious nature of the pro-lockdown postion. Links to go with the show: Why Christianity is the Worldview that Best Supports Science: http://donjohnsonministries.org/why-christianity-is-the-worldview-that-best-supports-science/ Masking craziness: https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/john_canzano/2021/04/high-school-coach-calls-on-oregon-health-authority-and-governor-to-reconsider-mask-mandate-for-distance-runners.html https://www.outkick.com/gretchen-whitmers-michigan-lunatics-tell-2-year-olds-to-mask-up/ Fauci the Messiah https://twitter.com/CalebJHull/status/1386700740228521988/video/1 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/opinion/sunday/anthony-fauci.html

What happens when you mix the weak epistemology of the postmodern West with a crooked ruling class? The death of truth. In this episode, Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss several factors that have led to the current cultural chaos, including the crisis of authority that results from widespread corruption among our media, tech, and political elite. They also examine the phrase "it's not who we are as Americans" and chat about whether calling people to "be good Americans" is a strong enough moral appeal.

Don Johnson and Carl Olson discuss various aspects of of our cultural moment, including the fact that even our religious leaders don't seem willing to offer God's perspective on our predicament. Along they way, they reference a recent New York Times article by Pope Francis as well as "Mr Biden and the Matter of Scandal," a First Things piece by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Carl Olson is the editor of Catholic World Report and the author of several books, including Will Catholic be Left Behind? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today's Prophecy Preachers.

Don and Alden try to makes sense of some of the latest coronavirus developments by following the money. They also discuss Alden's interview with Erik Rittenberry about Erik's article "The American Life is Killing You."