Faithful Presence Podcast

Dr. Dean Weaver (D.Min.Th.M.), Stated Clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, joins Michael to talk about ideological and cultural trends that are driving a period of migration from both sides of the theological perspective. Just as is happening in many denominations, the EPC has recently been receiving churches and individuals from both sides of their theological position, the PCUSA and the PCA, which has, in turn, forced co...

In this episode, Jamie Dangers, Director of Federal Affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, joins Michael for an illuminating and important conversation on the complex and critical issue of advocacy for the unborn. Jamie shares insights on the evolution of the pro-life initiative and how the Dobbs decision has refocused their efforts. Along the way, they discuss the place of a pro-life view in the history of the Christian chu...

Michael welcomes Dr. William Peel (Th.M., D.Min.), President of 24Seven Faith, co-founder of the Faith & Work Summit, member of the Advisory Council for the Lausanne Movement Workplace Ministry, and author of Going Public with Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at Work, and others.

In this episode, Michael and Dr. Peel discuss the importance of robust vocational formation as a part of whole-life discipleship, the work of th...

The Faithful Presence Podcast’s new series, “Thinking Deeply,” is here.

We start off with Rev. Dr. Peter Lillback (Ph.D), President of Westminster Theological Seminar and author of George Washington's Sacred Fire (2006), and Saint Peter's Principles: Leadership for Those Who Already Know Their Incompetence (2019).

In this episode, Michael and Dr. Lillback discuss the state of theological education in North America, what the Apostle P...

Faithful Presence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, our president, Rev. Michael Langer, shares a message he delivered in 2022 that focuses on the importance of whole-life discipleship for Christ-centered engagement with the public square. The message delves into social media algorithms' intentional and damaging role in civil dis...

William Monroe (Ph.D), Vice President of Analytic AI, discusses AI's multifaceted opportunities and dangers, including what it can and cannot do. This includes describing some of Analytical AI's work with various government agencies that encourage the good,l repair the broken, and oppose evil. Along the way, they talk about the importance of understanding the image of God, AI as a therapy tool, MadMax, red-lining, free markets, and...

"Full-Time 2.0: Work and the Meaning of Life" with David Bahnsen

David Bahnsen joins the podcast to discuss his most recent book and everything from the fallacy of the work-life balance movement to why people are policy, properly defining Christian nationalism and post-millennialism, and the connection between growing up a pastor-theologian's kid and managing large sums of other people's money—all through the lens of the gospel!

NEW SERIES: The Church in the Public Square
In the first episode of Season 4, Michael talks with Pastor David Bailey of Arrabon about the role that the church could and should play in forming disciples that not only welcome diversity but also seek reconciliation. They also discuss their love of bow ties, and offer some insights on how pastors can navigate the current political climate. 
--

Subscribe to our weekly devotional ...

Michael and Dr. Mullen discuss connecting the social implications of the gospel to the salvific, the messiness of pastors trying to navigate social media's impact on ideological development, the impact of the "Big Sort" on mission, and whether people "have" opinions or "are" their opinions, the false humility of individualized truth claims, "changing the world," the importance of curiosi...

Michael and Dr. Bobo plumb the depths of seminary education,  working in both the public and theological worlds, navigating culture, a redemptive view of vocation, and how a divinity degree helps with bioethics conversations. 

Works Cited
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, Os Guinness (2003)

--
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole...

Michael talks with scholar, author, and Faithful Presence board member, Dr. Randy Newman, about his most recent book, "Questioning Faith." Together they explore getting to know people, suffering, alcoholism, Christopher Hitchens, the importance of switchbacks, and how many books Dr. Newman has actually written. 

For NPR's interview with Christopher Hitchens referenced by Dr. Newman, go to: https://www.npr.or...

Michael interviews Dr. Justin Bailey on his recent book and the importance of wedding ideological and cultural formation to emotional formation.  Together they discuss aspects of Dutch-culture in NW Iowa and Chicago, the relationship of mental health to ideological discernment, the development of partisan polarization,  power plays and changing the world, and how the five lenses paradigm can equip us for participating well in Chris...

In this episode, Michael hosts "D.B." and "Supe," two Chicago area pastors from vastly different demographic contexts living in the same Congressional District. Together, they explain how their love of the gospel and excellent preaching formed a friendship that pulled both into the work of racial reconciliation in their individual congregations. Finally, they explore the cultural objections to such services, the...

In this episode of the podcast, we dig back into the vault (aka Michael's computer) for another gem for the much-heralded "Tommy Tapes" delivered in 1995 during a church planting conference. 

In the public square, networking is an essential skill for flourishing. It is how relationships are made, opportunities opened, and agendas advanced.  And, while we should never see people as projects, we are called to ...

Michael and Jeremy discuss three recent articles from David Brooks, Peter Leithart, and Anne Snyder which all explore the ramifications of locating our identity in the therapeutic-driven constructions of culture:

David Brooks, "Hey America, Grow Up" from the New York Times 
Peter Leithart, "Man Up!" from First Things
Ann Snyder, "Words Against Flesh" from Comment Magazine

Othe...

The trial of Jesus in Matthew 27 provides some fairly pointed insight and commentary on how we view those serving and leading in government.  In this episode, Michael unpacks how the gospel upends our political values and exposes our political longings. 

--
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Conne...

In Washington, and everywhere else, flourishing and success often comes to those that freely use unrighteous and unjust means to get there and those who remain faithful often feel as though they do not receive what they deserve from God for being faithful. In this episode, Michael speaks to this situation using a number of Psalms. 

--
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Lif...

In this episode Michael outlines and examines the four questions of Faithful Presence which are: 
1: What is good that needs encouragement? 
2: What is broken that requires restoration? 
3: What is missing that awaits creation? 
4: What is evil that demands opposition? 

--
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the W...

In this episode, Michael shares a rare recording of Dr. Tim Keller giving a seminar to a small group of church planters circa 1995 (before any of his published works).   While aimed at church planters, this talk is universally helpful in navigating culture in a post-modern and post-Christian world, overcoming defeaters to Christian faith claims, and making the gospel clear to seekers and skeptics. In this talk, Keller covers everyt...