What can the lives and trials of our Asian American neighbors teach the rest of us?
Michael Luo, executive editor of The New Yorker and author of the new book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, joins Mooreto talk about our country’s treatment of its Chinese residents, which drew Luo to trace his own family’s path to the United States.
Moore and Luo discuss not only American sentiments toward the Chinese populations but also the ways our country deals with perceived strangers, the unique challenges of Asian American churches grappling with whether to become multiethnic, Luo’s experience of being a Christian in secular media spaces, and the ways his friendship with Tim Keller informed his view of Keller’s unique gifts and legacy.
Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:
Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo
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33:34
Moore to the Point: The Audacity of Pope
An American evangelical considers the life of Pope Francis.
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11:09
Jon Guerra on the American Gospel
What does it mean to sing about Jesus when the name has been co-opted by politics, performance, and power?
In this episode Dr. Moore welcomes singer-songwriter Jon Guerra to discuss Guerra's new album simply titled "Jesus." Guerra shares how his music serves as devotional art—less Sunday morning worship and more Monday morning prayer—and explains his journey back to the words of Christ after experiences that created distance.
Moore and Guerra explore themes of nationalism, church collapse, and finding authentic faith in a politically charged culture. Guerra reflects on his time as a worship leader during the painful public downfall of James MacDonald's ministry, offering honest insights about power, performance, and platform in Christian leadership.
The conversation moves through Guerra's creative process, including his work on Terrence Malick's films, and unpacks the countercultural message of songs like "Citizens"—which confronts the marriage of faith and political power. As the child of Cuban immigrants, Guerra also opens up about his fear of scarcity and how it shapes his understanding of Jesus's teachings about treasure and provision.
At a time when Jesus's name is often wielded as a tribal symbol, Guerra's music invites listeners to encounter Christ not as a political mascot, but as the One who welcomes immigrants as citizens and calls us to a narrower, and better, way.
Join Jon on tour this spring, and listen to Jesus here.
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52:37
Glenn Packiam on Why We Need Creeds
What’s a Christian, anyway?
In our 2025 political environment, terms like evangelical begin to lose the meaning they once held, or they require further refinement and definition. Glenn Packiam’s new book brings a fresh perspective to this conversation. It turns out the answer lies in the Nicene Creed.
This year, the Nicene Creed turns 1,700 years old. This ancient work, built from Scripture and the public life of the ancient church, is often considered part of a “dead” spirituality, especially in traditions which put an emphasis on individual experiences with God. However, Russell and Glenn unpack the depth of personal and congregational meaning within the creed and discuss its power to redefine what Christian means in an environment where the term is constantly changing.
Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include:
What’s a Christian, Anyway? By Glenn Packiam
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50:34
Nietzsche Loves You and Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life
We convince ourselves that we can be cruel and nihilistic and Christian all at once.
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Listen in as Russell Moore, director of Christianity Today’s Public Theology Project and Editor-in-Chief, talks about the latest books, cultural conversations and pressing ethical questions that point us toward the kingdom of Christ.
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