Well-read? Well, that’s dead. But is it true? Are Americans really reading far less today than in the past? According to recent polls, the answer is yes. Research shows that the current median for American adults is reading five books per year, with half of adults reading less than that. But why are we reading less? And why does it matter? On today’s episode, fellow bookworms Keith and Patrick give a quick cultural analysis of the ways that lower literacy rates are impacting both the culture and the church. They describe oral cultures of the past, citing that America is neither an oral nor a literary culture, but that the digital era has forever changed the way that we take in information. And how should the church respond, particularly Christian leaders? The two end with some practical tips, giving suggestions for why, what, when, and how to read more. Listen now!  Help us help people find great churches! Does your church choose truth over tribe? Tell us about it! Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you did, you won't want to miss what's next (so subscribe now!). And help a friend by sharing this with them. Thank you! 🙏 Plus, the conversation is just beginning! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to join in on the dialogue! If you disagree with anything in this episode, we'd love to hear your thoughts here. Want to learn more about Truth Over Tribe? Visit our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Resources Buy the Truth Over Tribe Book  Bonus Resources from the Book  Subscribe to the TOT Newsletter  Buy the A Framework for Understanding Poverty Book Buy the Unreached Book

Last Friday Tim Keller passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. In this episode, Patrick opens by remembering Tim Keller's influence on his own life, and then has a conversation with Keller's biographer, Colin Hansen about Tim's ministry. This conversation was recorded before Keller's life. Help us help people find great churches! Does your church choose truth over tribe? Tell us about it! Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you did, you won't want to miss what's next (so subscribe now!). And help a friend by sharing this with them. Thank you! 🙏 Plus, the conversation is just beginning! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to join in on the dialogue! If you disagree with anything in this episode, we'd love to hear your thoughts here. Want to learn more about Truth Over Tribe? Visit our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Resources Buy the Truth Over Tribe Book  Bonus Resources from the Book  Subscribe to the TOT Newsletter  Buy the Timothy Keller Book

Joshua Butler’s book on sex, Beautiful Union, has been the center of an online controversy for two months, with many critics warning that it's profoundly harmful. In it, Josh issues a call for Christians to see sex as a window into God’s story. Today, Patrick sits down with Josh to ask him to explain the book’s themes in his words and respond to many thoughtful, substantive critiques. You’ll hear Josh explain his upbringing, who he wrote the book for, and why the beauty of sex is an important apologetic. Plus, you'll hear him address some incredibly important critiques: Is referring to sex as an icon of divine reality really appropriate? Is he just rewrapping purity culture? Was his language too graphic? Does his way of thinking lead to trinitarian heresies? Could it be used to justify marital rape? Does theologizing about sex ignore the real-world plight of women? And more.  Help us help people find great churches! Does your church choose truth over tribe? Tell us about it! Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you did, you won't want to miss what's next (so subscribe now!). And help a friend by sharing this with them. Thank you! 🙏 Plus, the conversation is just beginning! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to join in on the dialogue! If you disagree with anything in this episode, we'd love to hear your thoughts here. Want to learn more about Truth Over Tribe? Visit our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Resources Buy the Truth Over Tribe Book  Bonus Resources from the Book  Subscribe to the TOT Newsletter  Buy the Beautiful Union Book

“Participation in mainstream religion has plummeted, but Americans have never been more spiritually busy.” That’s how author Tara Isabella Burton describes today’s shifting religious landscape in her book, Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World. Today, she joins Patrick to discuss this phenomenon which she refers to as “remixed spirituality,” or the pick-and-choose model of religion that’s driven by our intuitions over our institutions. You’ll hear Tara explain how much of today’s bespoke religions are designed around personal freedom and self-expression. But would Jesus have been pro-self-care? Is society really a cage that must be rejected? And whether we realize it or not, have we let this thinking slip into our understanding of Christianity? Listen now! Help us help people find great churches! Does your church choose truth over tribe? Tell us about it! Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you did, you won't want to miss what's next (so subscribe now!). And help a friend by sharing this with them. Thank you! 🙏 Plus, the conversation is just beginning! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to join in on the dialogue! If you disagree with anything in this episode, we'd love to hear your thoughts here. Want to learn more about Truth Over Tribe? Visit our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Resources Buy the Truth Over Tribe Book  Bonus Resources from the Book  Subscribe to the TOT Newsletter  Buy the Strange Rites Book

Oh my bot! This episode is a first of its kind! This week, we teamed up with the podcast, Love Thy Neighborhood, to talk about whether or not artificial intelligence can be subverted for Gospel purposes. If you’re not already familiar, Love Thy Neighborhood is a narrative-style podcast that explores discipleship and missions for modern times. In this episode, Patrick joins the LTN team to discuss AI in depth: how it works, how it’s shaping our world, and how it’s impacting the faith lives of real-world Christians. You’ll hear stories from several guests detailing AI gone wrong, AI gone right, and whether or not AI can help us have a meaningful relationship with Jesus. Ultimately, we must ask ourselves: What are the problems associated with AI? And can we genuinely use it for good? Listen now!  Help us help people find great churches! Does your church choose truth over tribe? Tell us about it! Ok, truth time... Did you like this episode? Tell us by leaving a rating or review! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If you did, you won't want to miss what's next (so subscribe now!). And help a friend by sharing this with them. Thank you! 🙏 Plus, the conversation is just beginning! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to join in on the dialogue! If you disagree with anything in this episode, we'd love to hear your thoughts here. Want to learn more about Truth Over Tribe? Visit our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Resources Buy the Truth Over Tribe Book  Bonus Resources from the Book  Subscribe to the TOT Newsletter  Listen to the Love Thy Neighborhood Podcast