Essay / Podcasts

Oprah-Style Religion: Choosing The Truth Over "The Secret"

One of the most popular trends in modern spirituality is the “visualization” approach, which claims that health, wealth, and happiness are only a positive thought away. These principles seem harmless, perhaps even beneficial for everyday life–but are there dangers below the surface? What’s in store

Essay / Podcasts

How Now Shall We Listen?: Determining What Makes Music “Good”

In a culture inundated with iTunes, media players, and songs-on-demand, have we lost sight of music’s intended purpose? What is its real use? What should take precedence in determining our musical choices–the melody or the lyrics? Should Christians feel remorse over some of the songs

Essay / Podcasts

Flourishing in Singleness

In an overly-sexualized society in which about 97% of people will be married at some point, how should a Christian (and the church in general) think about the devout single life, in comparison to the devout married life? What does a whole and meaningful life

Essay / Podcasts

The End of the World: Why Christians are Culturally Defensive

“If your child wants bread, give them bread and not stone.” Why is most of the Christian subculture perceived as ‘cheesy,’ derivative, and defensive? Why are few Christians, especially youth, convinced of Christianity’s meaningfulness, cultural force, and complexity? Join John Mark Reynolds from the Torrey

Essay / Podcasts

Tweets and Possibility Junkies: The Online "Conversation"

Since human communication is only 15% verbal, what are the benefits and deficiencies of online communication? Is it a conversation? Or merely information distribution? Does it promote discussion and deep thinking or is it just “aphoristic” and “attention-getting?” Join John Mark Reynolds and Paul Spears

Essay / Podcasts

Rush Limbaugh, Conservative Leader?

Rush Limbaugh has taken center stage as America’s conservative thought leader and figurehead. Many conservatives are happy with Rush as their thought leader, but is Rush’s current role as the figurehead and thought leader of the conservative movement the one he is best at and

Essay / Podcasts

Why Are They Leaving?

Over 50% of Christian students graduate college outside of the faith. Join John Mark Reynolds as he, Rebecca Fort (Executive Director of Wheatstone Academy) and Alishia Fry (Wheatstone Academy alumni and student at Torrey Honors Institute) discuss this phenomenon, its causes, and the ways Wheatstone

Essay / Podcasts

Happy New Year's from Middlebrow

Kick off the new year right with the guys at Middlebrow as they make their big predictions for 2009. From the economy to politics to Bono, Narnia and 3-D NFL games, this is a new year’s podcast that everyone should resolve to hear. Click here

Essay / Podcasts

Merry Christmas from Middlebrow!

Grab a cup of egg nog, seat yourself comfortably in front of the fire, and join John Mark Reynolds, Paul Spears and their special guest Dr. Charlie Chuck Chuckleman, a professor from the School for Seminary Preaching located at an undisclosed location on the East

Essay / Podcasts

With All the Stuffing and Feathers…

Reflecting on the upcoming holiday, The Middlebrow team discusses the value and purpose of Thanksgiving with a special guest, the Rev. Canon Dale Owen Th.D., of www.revdaleowen.org, who expresses cynicism about the object of gratitude on Thanksgiving and instead advocates the celebration of Self. Click

Essay / Podcasts

Reflections on the Revolutions of Change

In light of the discussions and rhetoric surrounding Election 2008, John Mark Reynolds, Paul Spears, and Fred Sanders discuss Edmund Burke, his political philosophy which supported change but not revolution, his ability to capture the imagination of the younger generation, and the implications of these