’90s CCM, Slogans, and Joy: What We’re Reading

It’s time for the quarterly books episode of The Russell Moore Show! Tune in as Russell and producer Ashley Hales talk about their recent reads ranging from politics to poetry. The two discuss a variety of topics including Augustine’s argument in City of God , how theological convictions become slogans, and the world of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Their conversation considers what true joy looks like, why it’s okay not to understand everything we read (even in the Bible), and how books can give us words for our most deeply felt human experiences. Books mentioned in this episode include: God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne City of God by Augustine  God's Rascal: J. Frank Norris and the Beginnings of Southern Fundamentalism (America's Baptists) by Barry Hankins Joy: 100 Poems by Christian Wiman Zero at the Bone by Christian Wiman Four Quartets: A Poem by T.S. Eliot Lutheran Slogans: Use and Abuse by Robert W. Jenson A Shining by Jon Fosse The Inferno by Dante Alighieri The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy The Maytrees: A Novel by Annie Dillard Additional resources mentioned in this episode include: Petra Amy Grant Rich Mullins “Christian Wiman’s Work Against Despair”  George M. Marsden Eugene Peterson Music & Meaning with Charlie Peacock Owen Barfield C.S. Lewis J.R.R. Tolkien Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to [email protected]. Special offer for listeners:  Russell Moore will join friends David French and Curtis Chang in Washington, DC for The After Party LIVE! on April 19. As a faithful listener to the podcast, we'd love for you to join us and use this $20 off offer just for listeners! The After Party is a free six-part video curriculum designed for people & pastors alike, and offers "a better way" for Christians to engage in politics. Learn more and buy tickets here — we've saved a seat for you! Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today. “The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today  Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper  Host: Russell Moore  Producer: Ashley Hales  Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Audio engineering by Dan Phelps  Video producer: Abby Egan  Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices