ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Why does so much of modern evangelicalism seem conditioned to apologize, shrink, andlose? Michael Clary walks through the argument of his forthcoming Canon Press book, Loser Theology — how a pietistic, winsome-at-all-costs impulse took root in the church and taught a generation of Christians to equate faithfulness with weakness. The back half turns to the remedy Michael calls high-agency Christianity. Listeners get both the diagnosis and the path out.
TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] Cold open — Ryan Gosling and Mickey Mouse Club tangent
[03:23] Introducing the book: Loser Theology from Canon Press
[04:08] Where the title and the material came from
[06:48] Origin of the phrase "the poison of loser theology"
[09:20] Defining loser theology and the pietistic impulse
[10:02] Roots in the winsomeness era and church planting
[13:01] When Bible-speech clashes with cultural respectability
[15:00] A church conditioned to lose and feel shame
[20:00] Political correspondence and appeasing sins
[24:06] "Do not offend women" and the loser mindset
[29:02] Jesus with tax collectors — misreading meekness
[31:08] Big names: Tim Keller and Russell Moore's Onward
[34:00] Lampooning conservative doctrine in urban ministry
[37:04] Guilt over success, privilege, and unequal gifts
[40:49] John MacArthur and holding the line
[42:04] The "straight white man as oppressor" framing
[45:04] How not to become the next David French
[55:00] The fear of God as the anchor
[56:00] The remedy — high-agency Christianity
[61:05] Where to get the book and closing
For questions or comments, send us an email at currentrealitypodcast@gmail.com.
Our church is Christ the King Church in Ft. Thomas, KY
The Current Reality Podcast is a resource of King's Domain
Resources mentioned in this episode
APA Academic Article on Kids, Screen Use, and Socioemotional Problems
World News: France Bans Social Media for Those Under 15
Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/dmichaelclary
https://twitter.com/wadethomasjr
Michael's Books
Follow Michael’s writings
