Real Life Theology Podcast

What is “the machine,” and how is technology reshaping our culture, identity, and faith? Explore more Christian insights on technology: https://renew.org/a-jesus-centered-approach-to-technology/ In this RENEW Review, we examine Paul Kingsnorth’s Against the Machine and its warning that modern culture has traded human roots for efficiency, control, and technological power. Kingsnorth argues that healthy societies once shared a past, a people, a place, and a prayer. Today, he says, those roots have been replaced by science, the self, sex, and the screen. The review explores his idea of the “great unsettling,” his comparison of modern technology to a system that reshapes humanity, and his provocative claim that artificial intelligence may be demonic. It also offers an important Christian counterpoint: technology can become an idol, but human creativity and innovation remain God-given gifts. Instead of embracing naïve optimism or anxious paranoia, Christians need wisdom, discernment, and a healthy middle ground. Discover why this challenging book may permanently change how you view technology, culture, and the screens surrounding us. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:05 How long can an uprooted culture survive? 01:18 Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth 01:57 Wendell Berry, Arthur C. Clarke, and modern idols 05:29 The great unsettling and global anti-culture 08:49 What is “the machine”? 09:40 Is Kingsnorth too pessimistic about AI? 11:15 A Christian response to technology Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources. https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media! You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network Facebook: Renew.org Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW

Book Review: 'Practicing the Way' by John Mark Comer - Transforming Discipleship in the Church In this Renew Review, we explore John Mark Comer's book 'Practicing the Way: Be With Jesus, Become Like Jesus, Do as He Did.' This book is the cornerstone of Comer's ministry, aimed at making discipleship central in churches. We dive into the three core goals of being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did, and discuss practical insights and sage advice drawn from Comer's 20 years of ministry experience. The review highlights the practical, realistic, and theologically sound nature of the book, along with its comprehensive approach to spiritual growth. However, it points out a notable omission: the integration of evangelism into the discipleship and spiritual formation process. This episode provides a thorough overview of how this book can serve as a valuable resource for individual Christians and church communities. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a renew review of Kyle Idleman and Mark Moore’s The Missing Messiah, explaining what it means for Jesus to be the Christ/Messiah. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a review of The Case for Christian Patriotism. The review distinguishes patriotism from Christian nationalism and argues that Christians should love their country as an expression of gratitude to God and neighbor love while avoiding both naïve idealization and cynical rejection of America. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a RENEW.org Review of ‘Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?’ by Preston Sprinkle. For more information view this article by John Whittaker: https://renew.org/review-of-does-the-bible-support-same-sex-marriage-by-preston-sprinkle/ Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a RENEW.org Review of Preston Sprinkle’s ‘From Genesis to Junia’. For more information view this article by John Whittaker: https://renew.org/review-from-genesis-to-junia/ Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a RENEW.org Review of ‘Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture’. For more information view this article by Chad Ragsdale: https://renew.org/review-of-joyful-outsiders/ Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode features a RENEW.org Review of ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account,’ by Bear Grylls. For more information view this article by John Whittaker: https://renew.org/review-of-the-greatest-story-ever-told-bear-grylls/ Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

This episode evaluates Jordan Peterson’s book "We Who Wrestle With God" by examining his theology and approach to Scripture. Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

In this episode on the Real Life Theology Podcast you’l hear a review of the book 'Believe' by Ross Douthat.' A brief review of Ross Douthat's book defending religious belief, explaining how it argues that belief best fits reality (through design/fine-tuning, consciousness, and widespread spiritual experiences). Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/ Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/