The Deep Dish Podcast
Episode: Recognizing Our Own Marks of Righteousness
Hosts: Courtney Doctor & Melissa Kruger
Date: April 2, 2026
Source: The Gospel Coalition
Overview
In this episode, Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger delve into the theme of "marks of righteousness"—exploring both the subtle and serious ways Christians (and people broadly) look for worthiness or moral standing apart from the true righteousness given by Christ. Their warm, candid, and often humorous conversation unpacks how easily we let secondary opinions—about parenting, church service, lifestyle choices, and more—become badges of honor or division, both in the church and broader culture. They anchor the discussion in Scripture, calling listeners to humility, discernment, and a renewed focus on the gospel.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Defining “Marks of Righteousness”
- Marks of righteousness are the ways we judge ourselves and others by standards—sometimes biblical, often cultural or personal—that we see as conferring worth or approval, either vertically (with God) or horizontally (with others).
- There are “serious marks” (like church involvement or doctrinal purity) and “silly but real marks” (like parenting bragging rights or personal habits).
- Melissa (02:46): “We have these big things that are real issues that make us feel somehow…vertically okay. And then these horizontal ones that help us feel like we measure okay in the world around us.”
2. Righteousness: Its Biblical Roots and Confusions
- Righteousness isn't just a Christian jargon word; it’s at the center of the gospel.
- It is who God is, what He does, and what He gives.
- Our salvation depends on the righteousness of Christ, received by faith—it can’t be produced by our efforts.
- Courtney (04:29): "The root of our righteousness is Christ and Christ alone, and that's kind of what we're gonna talk about, because when we start making that righteousness something that we can produce, then...that is like detestable to the Lord."
3. Turning Good Things into Badges of Honor
- Even good, biblical practices—serving in church, parenting, personal discipline—become problematic when worn as virtue-signaling badges or tools for ranking others.
- Examples:
- Pride in serving (and how we rank different types of service)
- Melissa (08:15): "We can elevate certain gifts and de-elevate certain services or whatever."
- Judgments about parenting choices (“real Christians educate their children this way…”)
- Petty marks—timeliness, health, food, exercise, etc.
- Courtney (09:56): “Timeliness is not actually a moral virtue. Like, I view it as a moral virtue.”
- Pride in serving (and how we rank different types of service)
4. Cultural and Secular Parallels
- Self-righteousness is everywhere—even outside the church. Cultural tribes form around political, dietary, and lifestyle preferences.
- Melissa (11:01): "Isn't it funny how moral we are as a culture?...Now it's natural at home. There are all these things...falling on the right side of some of these issues...has become a moral virtue."
5. Self-Righteousness: The Pendulum of Pride and Despair
- The same standards we use for pride also lead to our despair when we fail to meet them.
- Melissa (13:12): "Where do I feel like the biggest failure is actually probably a sign to spot my own mark of righteousness."
6. Scriptural Anchor: Paul’s Resume (Philippians 3:4-10)
- Paul lists his religious credentials and then dismisses them as loss compared to being found in Christ.
- Melissa reads the passage (13:44) and Courtney explains how, today, Christians build similar “resumes” (degrees, church roles, giving, etc).
- True fruit: love, joy, peace, etc. (the fruit of the Spirit), not achievements or group identity.
7. Tribalism and Group Identity in the Church
- Group loyalties (“I follow Paul/Apollos”) remain a current and divisive problem, especially given social media's ability to amplify factions.
- Melissa (17:43): “There really is this pile on effect...it becomes, ‘Well, I heard so and so said this...’ So we become tribes.”
- Not all issues are equal—issues of gospel truth are non-negotiable, but much division is over secondary/tertiary matters.
8. Theological Triage: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Issues
- Primary issues: Core gospel truths (salvation by grace through faith, deity/humanity of Christ, Trinity, etc.)—non-negotiable for unity.
- Secondary issues: Important but not salvation-defining (mode of baptism, eschatology, how to keep the Sabbath, etc.).
- Tertiary issues: Matters of personal conviction or wisdom—should not cause division (diet, worship style, educational choices, etc.).
- Courtney (27:20): "Primary issues are issues that if somebody does not agree with you on that issue, then you actually would not extend the right hand of fellowship..."
- Courtney (29:00): "...There are these third place issues...but these are actually the areas that we are dividing the most over."
9. Practical Example: Parenting and Spiritualized Convictions
- Parenting choices (feeding, sleep training, education) easily become spiritualized marks of righteousness.
- Melissa (32:58): “We can...take pride in how and where and when we gave birth...it can really divide fellowship among women.”
- Melissa (34:22): “We can put a spiritual veneer on it. ‘God made me as a person to be able to breastfeed, therefore it must be his way of doing it.’”
- Older women with perspective can be a vital help, but beware: age doesn't automatically bring humility or gospel focus.
- Melissa (37:41): “Sometimes older voices in the church can just get more hardened in their views of self righteousness.”
10. How to Respond: Self-Examination & Gospel Reminders
- First step: Remember and preach the gospel to yourself—righteousness is Christ’s gift, not self-made.
- Courtney (21:01): “Remind myself of the gift and then that allows me to humble myself.”
- Humble yourself before God has to humble you.
- Watch for pride in both achievement and despair over failure.
- Recognize marks of righteousness and consciously humble yourself, asking, “Where am I requiring sameness and agreement on non-essential things?”
11. Engaging with Others: Openness, Compassion, and Firmness
- Be a “redemptive presence” in your circles: encourage different convictions on tertiary issues, delight in difference, and prioritize love over being right.
- Courtney (41:09): “Jesus prayed that we would be one. He did not pray that we would be the same. Sameness and oneness are not the same.”
- Romans 14: Welcome those with different opinions, don’t quarrel over opinions, and safeguard unity as a witness to the world.
- Courtney (43:31): “The stronger person understands what’s tertiary and they understand Christian freedom...do not destroy the work of God [over lesser issues].”
12. How Do We Grow?
- Main antidote: Immerse yourself in God’s Word and prayer, let the Spirit’s fruit grow in you (Galatians 5), and regularly repent as self-righteous tendencies resurface.
- Melissa (45:28): “The goal is like, hey, let’s grow in the faith and let’s walk toward the Lord together...the greatest way we battle self righteousness is to constantly be in the Word, be in prayer, walking with Jesus.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the heart of the gospel:
- Courtney (01:58 & 21:01): “I am completely bankrupt. I have none. And without this outside righteousness being given to me, I am lost...It is only by faith, which is also a gift.”
On spiritualized parenting opinions:
- Melissa (34:22): “We can put a spiritual veneer on it...it becomes spiritualized. And I think that’s where we get really dangerous when we kind of add a little, ‘Well, God’s way is my way.’”
On church tribalism:
- Melissa (17:43): “It’s almost like, ‘No, I am righteous because my view aligns with X person. You’re unrighteous because you’re saying something that that person’s saying who is completely unorthodox in other ways...’"
On gospel humility:
- Courtney (21:01): “I add nothing to my salvation except the sin that necessitates it. I bring nothing to the table except moral bankruptcy, sin.”
On lessons from older women:
- Melissa (37:41): “Sometimes older voices in the church can just get more hardened in their views of self righteousness.”
On pursuing unity, not uniformity:
- Courtney (41:09): “Jesus prayed that we would be one. He did not pray that we would be the same. Sameness and oneness are not the same.”
- Courtney (43:31): “It is okay if you disagree on these things, these tertiary issues, like, it is okay. And it's actually...I think life is more interesting and enjoyable.”
On growing together:
- Melissa (45:28): “The spiritual growth is always saying, come be more like Jesus. Let me point you to him…”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:46] – Defining “marks of righteousness,” big & small examples.
- [04:29] – The three dimensions of biblical righteousness.
- [08:14] – Church service as a badge of honor.
- [09:56] – Personal examples: timeliness, health as “virtue.”
- [11:01] – Cultural examples: lifestyle trends as morality.
- [13:12] – Spotting self-righteousness: pride and despair.
- [13:44] – Philippians 3: Paul’s religious “resume” and its true worth.
- [17:43] – Modern tribalism and pile-on culture in the church.
- [21:01] – Gospel remedies for pride and self-derived righteousness.
- [27:20] – Theological triage: primary, secondary, tertiary issues.
- [32:58] – Parenting as a showcase for spiritualized marks.
- [37:41] – The example of spiritually mature older voices.
- [41:09] – Practical advice: How to respond when groups get tribal.
- [43:31] – Romans 14 on welcoming differing convictions.
- [48:47] – Summary: Growing through the Spirit, rooting out self-righteousness.
- [49:05] – Fun wrap-up: favorite “non-sinful guilty pleasures.”
Tone and Closing Thoughts
Courtney and Melissa maintain a lighthearted, honest, and deeply biblical tone throughout. They gently poke fun at themselves and each other (the "hot tamales vs. cinnamon jelly bellies" debate, [49:05]) to illustrate their points about the little ways we all find “marks of righteousness.” The episode encourages listeners to reflect, repent, and intentionally celebrate unity in Christ rather than conformity around non-essential issues.
Summary Takeaways
- Examine your own “marks of righteousness”—where do you seek worth or judge others?
- Anchor your identity in Christ’s righteousness, not achievements, convictions, or group membership.
- Discern which issues are essential—and which are not. Pursue unity, especially amid diversity on lesser matters.
- Humble yourself, pray for Spirit-led discernment, and cultivate relationships with both spiritual mentors and peers.
- Let your main badge as a Christian be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
For more resources, visit TGC.org/women.