Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin – Details, episodes & analysis

Rebecca engages in a profound conversation with Rachel Gilson, author and theologian, on navigating the complexities of raising Christian children in an LGBT-affirming world. Reflecting on her newest book, "Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love", Rachel shares the impetus behind her writing and the life experiences that shaped her perspectives.
Throughout the episode, Rebecca and Rachel deeply explore the challenges that today's Christian parents face. They address the growing cultural shifts around sexuality and gender identity, especially how Christian sexual ethics, which was once seen as respectable, is now often perceived as suspicious or even harmful. Using personal anecdotes and sobering reflections, Rachel elaborates on why it's essential to start conversations about faith and sexual ethics early, fostering an environment where children feel safe to ask challenging questions. Join us as they walk through practical steps for discipling children with grace, authenticity, and Jesus-centered love

Rachel Gilson is a noted author and speaker specializing in Christian sexual ethics. She serves on the leadership team for theological development and culture at Cru, a dynamic missionary organization. Rachel is also in the advanced stages of completing her PhD in public theology from Southeastern Theological Seminary. Her acclaimed book, "Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next" is considered a valuable resource on Christian sexual ethics. Rachel is passionate about helping Christians navigate complex cultural issues with a gospel-centered approach.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Cultural Shifts: Rachel sheds light on how Christian parents can stay true to biblical principles while adapting to today’s ever-changing cultural landscape.
• Early Conversations: Discover why it’s crucial to start talking to your kids about sexuality and faith early on, and how to weave these discussions into the fabric of the gospel.
• Authenticity and Compassion: Rachel advocates for a genuine approach to parenting—living out Christian values in a way that radiates love and compassion.
• Practical Parental Guidance: Get actionable advice on preparing your children to engage thoughtfully with diverse beliefs about sexuality they’ll encounter in their daily lives.
• Community Support: Learn how leaning on your church community can provide invaluable support and wisdom as you raise your kids in faith.

Visit: Rachel's website
Follow: Rachel on X
Pre-order: Rachel's new book Parenting without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World

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Purchase Rebecca's Books:

• Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion
• Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality
• 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity
• Jesus though the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord
• No Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for Friendship
• Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels

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Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

In season 5 we will explore important questions like how to talk to kids about sexuality, the relevance of Christianity's history today, and how faith can help with depression and anxiety. We'll also discuss perspectives on immigration, slavery in the Bible, women's right to choose, and Buddhism as a path to peace. Rebecca will talk with various friends and experts to see how their faith shapes their thoughts and lives.

For more insights, you can sign up for weekly emails at rebeccamclaughlin.org

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Tom Rudelius to discuss Tom’s story, the probability of the multiverse, belief in God, and where hope can be found in suffering.Questions Covered in This Episode:

• How did you become a Christian?
• How did you originally tie science and academics with your faith once you became a Christian?
• What areas and topics are you currently researching?
• Why is it called string theory?
• Is the idea of the Big Bang incompatible with belief in God?
• Help us understand where we are today in the Universe in the laws of nature with intelligent life and/or the multiverse.
• Do most of your colleagues believe in the multiverse? What do they think of people who believe in God?
• What does Christianity have to offer in terms of facing suffering?

Guest Bio:Tom Rudelius completed his undergraduate work at Cornell, earned a doctorate in physics at Harvard, and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Currently a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, Tom will begin a faculty position at Durham University in the fall of 2023. His research focuses on string theory, quantum field theory, and early universe cosmology. A man of faith and an avid sports fan, he is frequently requested to speak on topics related to science and faith.Resources Mentioned:

• Romans 13, Genesis 1, Job
• “Just Six Numbers” by Martin Rees

Follow Us:
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Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Matthew Martens to discuss if Christianity can help reform the criminal justice system. Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What is the quick summary of what you are proposing in this book?
• What does Christianity have to do with the criminal justice system?
• Why does Christianity have a proposal for reforming the criminal justice system in America?
• The number of people has increased substantially, what is the reason for that?
• When you think about where we are today for criminal justice, how is that politically motivated?
• Is the right Christian response to just let people go freely even if they have done something wrong?
• How can we tell if someone has truly repented of their crimes?
• Were you a Christian before you became a lawyer? Did that lead to your decision to become a lawyer?

Guest Bio:Matthew Martens has been a lawyer for 27 years after graduating first in his class at the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1996. At the outset of his legal career, Matthew spent two years in Washington, DC serving as a law clerk for a federal court of appeals judge and then to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist at the US Supreme Court.In the years that followed, he has worked both as a federal prosecutor (9 years) and as a criminal defense attorney (13 years). Matthew is currently a partner in the Washington, DC office of one of the world's largest law firms. Along the way, he attended seminary part-time at Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with a master's degree in biblical studies in 2010. Matthew is currently pursuing a Th.M. in theological ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.Resources Mentioned:

• Romans 13
• “Reforming Criminal Justice” by Matthew T. Martens

Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Vermon Pierre to have a conversation about how God's love for His church deepens our love for each otherQuestions Covered in This Episode:

• What does your day-to-day life look like as a pastor?
• How did you become a Christian? What draws you to Christian community?
• What ethnic background was the church you grew up in?
• What was your experience with your faith at Princeton?
• What do you think about the local church theologically? What does that look like practically?
• Can you share an example where you have seen this lived out?
• How would you encourage someone who is hesitant to participate in a local church?
• How can someone be vulnerable in friendship?
   

Guest Bio:Vermon Pierre is a founding pastor and the lead pastor at Roosevelt Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the author of Gospel Shaped Living, Dearly Beloved and a contributor to The New City Catechism Devotional. Vermon is a Princeton University graduate and has a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Dennae live in downtown Phoenix and have five children.Resources Mentioned:

• “Dearly Beloved” by Vermon Pierre

Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Ian Hutchinson to discuss the relationship between science and the Christian faith.Questions Covered in This Episode:

• What is your scientific research on?
• When did you become a Christian?
• Is there a contradiction between the Christian faith and science?
• How would help someone who thinks miracles are not plausible?
• What is the strongest piece of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus?
• What would you say to someone who doesn’t think there is a need to choose to believe or not believe?
• What would you say to someone who feels like it is too late to put their faith in Jesus?

Guest Bio:Ian H. Hutchinson is Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His primary research interest is plasma physics, especially the magnetic confinement of plasmas (ionized gases): seeking to enable fusion reactions, the energy source of the stars, to be used for practical energy production. Hutchinson received his B.A. in physics and M.A. from Cambridge University. He then received his Ph.D in engineering physics from Australian National University, where he was a Commonwealth Scholar. In addition to 250 journal articles on a variety of plasma phenomena, Dr. Hutchinson is widely known for his standard textbook on measuring plasmas: Principles of Plasma Diagnostics, and A Student's Guide to Numerical Methods. He has written and lectured extensively on the relationship between science and the Christian faith, and authored the books Monopolizing Knowledge and Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?. Resources Mentioned:

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
• “Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?” by Ian Hutchinson

Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Irwyn Ince to have a conversation about CrossFit, Jesus, and where his hope is found. Questions Covered in This Episode:

• How did you get into CrossFit?
• Tell us about the community aspect of Crossfit.
• How did you become a Christian?
• How did becoming a Christian change your way of thinking?
• How does the history of race in America impact the way we view church today?
• What would you say to someone who knows something is missing from their life but thinks that CrossFit is meeting their need for community?
• How does the reality of hope in the Christian life inform the race you are running now?

Guest Bio:Irwyn Ince is a pastor at Grace DC Presbyterian Church, director of the Grace DC Institute for Cross Cultural Mission, and a Board member of The Gospel Coalition. He has contributed to the books Heal Us, Emmanuel and All Are Welcome: Toward a Multi-Everything Church and authored The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best. He and his wife, Kim, have four children.In addition to his passion for his family and for ministry, Dr. Ince is gleefully committed to coffee and CrossFit. When he’s not spending time with his family or preaching and teaching in the church, you can find him coaching classes at a local CrossFit gym in DC.Resources Mentioned:

• Hebrews 11-13
• “Hope Ain't a Hustle” by Irwyn Ince

Follow Us:
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Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Vaneetha Risner to discuss her life story and what God has taught her through suffering. Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Can you share a little of your life and how you became a Christian?
• What happened once you became a Christian?
• Has suffering helped you set your eyes on the future hope we have as Christians?

Guest Bio:Vaneetha Rendall Risner is the author of several books including but not limited to; Desperate For Hope, Walking Through Fire, and The Scars That Have Shaped Me. Vaneetha and her husband Joel live in Raleigh, NC, where she writes at her website, encouraging readers to turn to Christ in their pain.Resources Mentioned:

• Psalm 119, John 11, 2 Corinthians 4:17

Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Gray Sutanto to have a conversation about why God doesn’t save everyone.Questions Covered in This Episode:

• Can you give us a 60 second overview of your life?
• When you were 12, what made you turn to atheism? When you were 17 what made you turn to Jesus?
• Why doesn't God save everyone?
• Are human beings fundamentally good?
• What is concupiscence?
• Were we created with concupiscence? Or is this a feature of our curroption from the fall?
• How is it fair that God chooses one person over another to save?
• How is this invitation open to everyone, if not everyone has heard the gospel?

Guest Bio:N. Gray Sutanto (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is assistant professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He is the author of God and Knowledge, coauthor of Neo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction, cotranslator of Herman Bavinck’s Christian Worldview, and coeditor of Handbook to Neo-Calvinism. Gray is married to Indita and they have a daughter. He is an ordained minister in the International Presbyterian Church. You can follow him on Twitter.Helpful Definitions:

• Concupiscence: The gravitational pull to sin.

Resources Mentioned:

• Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 3, Job

Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Elizabeth Woodson to discuss how following Jesus is better than you could possibly imagine.Questions Covered in This Episode:

• How would you explain what the gospel is for those who don’t know?
• What inspired you to write “Embrace your Life,” what is it about?
• What story is the bible telling us?
• How does our story either fit or not fit into the Story of the Bible?
• What would you say to someone who says it feels childish to put their hope in Jesus?

Guest Bio:Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher and author who is passionate about equipping believers to understand the rich theological truths of Scripture. She loves helping people internalize their faith and connect it practically to everyday life. She is a contributing author for World on Fire and the author of Embrace Your Life: How to Find Joy When the Life You Have Is Not the Life You Hoped For. She is also a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education.Resources Mentioned:“Embrace Your Life” by Elizabeth Woodson Follow Us:
Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:
Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠