Nuance: Being Faithful in the Public Square

How can the church stay ahead of rapid cultural shifts rather than constantly playing catch-up on the most pressing issues of our day?Author and program director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, Michael Graham, returns to the Nuance podcast with host Case Thorp to pull back the curtain on the Keller Center's mission. They dive into how the Center equips the church to evangelize in today's culture before transitioning to a candid conversation about the integration of faith and everyday work. The discussion covers:🔬 Inside the Keller Center's mission to act as the "R&D department" for local churches, testing ideas to see what sticks.🏃‍♂️ Why the evangelical church is often 5 to 15 years behind cultural conversations, and how to proactively address incoming issues like medical assistance in dying.🏛️ The three core questions of cultural apologetics—Is Jesus good? Is He true? Is He beautiful?—and why all three deserve compelling answers today.🤝 The foundational workplace principle of treating your teammates as your very first clients before you can successfully serve external clients.🧠 The six key "awarenesses" that make you a more trustworthy leader. Whether you are serving in vocational ministry or navigating the secular marketplace, this episode offers a compelling roadmap for building trust, practicing Spirit-led awareness, and engaging your culture with confidence.📚 Episode Resources:📖 The Great De-Churching by Jim Davis & Michael Graham: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310147433/🤖 The AI Christian Benchmark: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/ai-christian-benchmark/✝️ The Gospel Coalition Website: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/🤔 The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/thekellercenter/📖 How to Reach the West Again by Tim Keller: https://redeemercitytocity.com/reachthewest🎧 Tim Keller's "Mere Fidelity": https://mereorthodoxy.com/mere-fidelity-tim-keller-making-sense-god/🎙️ Gospelbound Podcast: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/gospelbound/📜 TGC Foundation Documents: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/about/foundation-documents/#podcast #podcastclips #faith #vocation #publicsquare #theology #listen #nuance #listenable #christianpodcast #christianliving #faithandwork Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more. Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith.Visit wecolabor.com for resources, events, and more.Timestamps0:00 Intro & Michael's Vocational Journey3:56 The Keller Center as the Church's R&D Department7:45 Why the Church is 15 Years Behind Culture11:51 Expanding the Pro-Life Ethic Conversation15:19 How the Keller Center Equips Leaders19:31 The Challenge of Faith and Work Integration21:52 Treating Your Teammates as Your First Clients23:19 The Six Awarenesses for Trustworthy Leadership26:33 Conclusion

How do we hold onto a hope that refuses both cynicism and naivete in a world filled with contradictions of beauty and brokenness? Author and sage Steven Garber returns to the Nuance podcast with host Case Thorp for part two of their conversation on his new book, Hints of Hope. They dive deeper into the concept of proximate justice, the profound influence of Augustine's understanding of love, and why the American church desperately needs to listen to global voices. The discussion covers:Why Augustine's timeless insights on the "ordering of our loves" are central to both individual and societal flourishing.The urgent need for North American Christians to learn from global voices who have lived through the trauma of oppressive regimes.How modern technology and shifting views on sexuality challenge us today, even as we remain perennial "sons of Adam and daughters of Eve".Why bad books lie about the human condition, and how true art tells the truth about life's difficulty.The critical difference between true hope and naive optimism, and why optimism ultimately becomes a lie about the world.The profound reality of bearing both remarkable joy and remarkable sorrow in our vocations, just as Christ did. Whether you are wrestling with the chaos of the public square or seeking deeper meaning in your daily life, this conversation offers a profound reminder that even amidst our glorious ruins, true hope is always worth the work.📚 Episode Resources:Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate by Steven Garber: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9TPCTB4Dr. Garber's Other Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Steven-Garber/author/B00JG6XT84The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture: https://washingtoninst.org/"Making peace with proximate justice" in Comment Magazine: https://comment.org/making-peace-with-proximate-justice-reprise/Economics of Mutuality: https://eom.org/Paraclete Press: https://paracletepress.com/#podcast #podcastclips #faith #vocation #publicsquare #theology #listen #nuance #listenable #christianpodcast #christianliving #faithandwork Nuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more. Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith.Visit wecolabor.com for resources, events, and more.Timestamps00:00 Introducing Dr. Steven Garber02:49 Proximate Justice in the Midst of Chaos04:04 Augustine and the Ordering of Our Loves05:49 Understanding Augustine the African09:35 Writing for a Global Audience12:16 Why American Christians Need the Global Church16:01 Technology and How Students Have Changed18:23 Sexuality and Our Perennial Human Nature21:25 Why Bad Books Lie About the Human Condition22:40 The Difference Between Hope and Optimism26:54 Holding Remarkable Joy and Sorrow28:22 Finding Projects of Honest Hope

Why do so many church services feel disconnected from the messy reality of the workweek and demand a forced positivity that leaves no room for honest lament? Public theologian Rev. Dr. Matthew Kaemingk and ministry consultant Katie Roelofs return to the Nuance podcast with host Case Thorp to dive into the practical application of their book, Leading Worship for Workers. They discuss how pastors and worship leaders can deepen existing practices rather than overwhelming themselves with new ones. They also explore how viewing worship as an active dialogue can transform a congregation's discipleship. The discussion covers:🛑 Why the church's lack of authenticity prevents workers from bringing their workplace stress and laments to God. 🛠️ How overwhelmed pastors can perform a simple "self-audit" to deepen existing worship practices without adding more to the Sunday service. 🐟 The messy, worker-led reality of Old Testament and early church worship, complete with specific blessings for cheese and fish. 🎵 The lack of "sending songs" in modern hymnals and the Worship for Workers initiative to commission new music that sends people back into their daily vocations. 🏥 Why contextualizing worship to your specific congregation is far more powerful than using generic templates. 🧱 How the shift to a cash economy destroyed the ancient practice of offering our "first fruits," and how churches are creatively bringing tangible work to the altar. Whether you are a ministry leader planning the Sunday liturgy or a professional sitting in the pews, this conversation offers practical wisdom for turning weekly worship into a dynamic, honest dialogue that honors the real work of your hands.📚 Episode ResourcesLeading Worship for Workers: How to Design Liturgies for All of Life by Matthew Kaemingk and Kathryn Roelofs - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540969843Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy by Matthew Kaemingk and Cory Willson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540961982Worship for Workers Initiative - worshipforworkers.comThe Porter's Gate - portersgateworship.com#faithandwork #publictheology #publicsquareNuance is a podcast of The Collaborative where we wrestle together about living our Christian faith in the public square. Nuance invites Christians to pursue the cultural and economic renewal by living out faith through work every facet of public life, including work, political engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and more. Each episode, Dr. Case Thorp hosts conversations with Christian thinkers and leaders at the forefront of some of today's most pressing issues around living a public faith.Learn more at wecolabor.comTimestamps00:00 The Need for Honest Lament in the Sanctuary00:18 Welcome Back Dr. Matthew Kaemingk and Rev. Katie Roelofs03:00 How Overwhelmed Pastors Can Deepen Existing Practices06:29 Viewing Worship as an Active Dialogue with God08:24 Stop Feeling Guilty About Workplace Distractions During the Sermon10:30 The Messy and Worker-Led Reality of Biblical Worship13:53 Free Liturgical Resources at WorshipForWorkers.com15:43 The Sending Songs Competition and The Porter's Gate20:00 Making Worship Contextual by Praying for Local Workers22:30 Worship as Discipleship and Churches with Chimneys25:35 Ancient Israel's Rehearsal of God's Deliverance27:30 How Money and Digital Currency Changed the Offering Plate30:50 Recovering the Joy and Pride of the First Fruits Offering34:00 Bringing Tangible Work to the Altar