Podcast
Thinking Out Loud
Hosted by Nathan Rittenhouse & Cameron McAllister · EN
For those interested in thoughtful cultural analysis without all the apocalyptic forecasts, Thinking Out Loud is a podcast about current events and Christian hope. Hosted by Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister, co-founders of Thinking Out Loud, a ministry that seeks to bridge the gap between discipleship and apologetics, this is a show that seeks to connect the dots on the subject of Christian realism.
45episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Missing Piece in Christian Thinking (It's Not Logic)
2d ago00:33:12Tap to summarizeBooks Referenced: -Faith, Hope and Poetry by Malcolm Guite Mentioned as the primary source for defining imagination as an "active power of perception" and "reason's twin faculty."-Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef PieperRecommended as a foundational work on contemplation, leisure, culture, and the rich inner life.-Disruptive Witness by Alan NobleMentioned as one of Noble's influential books.-On Getting Out of Bed by Alan NobleMentioned as another significant work by Alan Noble.-Fear and Trembling by Søren KierkegaardReferenced by Nathan in discussing imagination, fear, and possibility.-The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor DostoevskyUsed as an example of a book too rich to simply "download" as information.-Julius Caesar by William ShakespeareRecommended as a timeless lens for understanding political anger, betrayal, and power.Essays & Articles-Tradition and the Individual Talent by T. S. EliotDiscussed extensively as an example of entering "the Great Conversation" between tradition and individuality.-"The Great Conversation" (concept)Referenced as the tradition of engaging with classic works across generations.In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron explore the power of imagination, its relationship to reason, and why it is essential for human flourishing, Christian discipleship, moral decision-making, empathy, creativity, and a rich inner life. Drawing on the insights of Malcolm Guite, Blaise Pascal, Josef Pieper, T.S. Eliot, Aristotle, Søren Kierkegaard, Shakespeare, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, Nathan and Cameron discuss how imagination helps people perceive reality, envision a better future, cultivate contentment, engage deeply with Scripture, and participate in the great conversation of human thought. They also examine the dangers of fantasy, distraction, and deception, while making a compelling case for reading great books, slowing down, practicing reflection, and developing the imagination as a gift from God. If you're interested in Christian worldview, apologetics, philosophy, theology, classical education, faith and culture, spiritual formation, and the role of imagination in everyday life, this conversation offers practical wisdom and thought-provoking insights.
Transcribe →What If Your Church Closed Tomorrow? | Church Decline, Grief & Christian Hope
1w ago00:33:39Tap to summarizeNathan and Cameron explore the difficult reality of church decline, asking whether a local congregation must survive forever to fulfill God's purposes and what Christians should do when their church faces decline or closure. Drawing on insights from Karen Kilby's article It's Not All Good Man, they discuss church growth, shrinking congregations, denominational decline, grief, suffering, Christian hope, and the difference between the local church and the broader Kingdom of God. Through thoughtful theological reflection, personal experiences from rural America and Europe, and conversations about faithfulness, loss, and institutional change, Nathan and Cameron challenge listeners to consider how Christians should respond when churches fade, die, or complete their mission. This episode offers a compelling discussion on church leadership, church health, evangelicalism, discipleship, Christian theology, the future of the church, and finding hope in seasons of decline while trusting that God remains faithful to His Church.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →The Future of Christian Education with Jesse Wilson
2w ago00:36:56Tap to summarizeDONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →Why Society Is Afraid of Aging (And Death)
2w ago00:46:32Tap to summarizeIn this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron explore modern culture's growing obsession with youth, longevity, and the fight against aging. From the booming fitness industry and anti-aging technologies to social media vanity and society's treatment of older generations, they examine why so many people fear growing old and what that reveals about identity, mortality, and human purpose. Drawing on Christian theology, cultural trends, personal experiences, and insights from thinkers like Ernest Becker, Nathan and Cameron discuss the dangers of reducing human worth to physical appearance, the rise of "health as wealth" ideology, and the importance of embracing the realities of aging with wisdom, dignity, and hope. This episode offers a compelling Christian perspective on aging, fitness culture, mortality, body image, self-improvement, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life in a world determined to stay young forever.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →Is God Narcissistic? Why Christians Believe We Are Made to Glorify God
3w ago00:36:03Tap to summarizeIn this thought-provoking episode, Nathan and Cameron tackle one of Christianity’s most fundamental questions: What does it mean to glorify God, and why is that the purpose of human life? Drawing from biblical theology, Christian apologetics, and personal stories—including Nathan’s remarkable near-death experience—they explore the famous Westminster Catechism statement that humanity’s chief purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The conversation addresses common objections from skeptics, including whether God’s desire for worship is narcissistic, while examining concepts such as worship, glory, the image of God, human flourishing, gratitude, purpose, and eternal joy. Through insights from Scripture, C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, and Christian tradition, Nathan and Cameron explain how glorifying God leads to true fulfillment, contentment, and abundant life, offering a compelling introduction to Christian faith, discipleship, spiritual growth, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →Demons, Satan, and Spiritual Warfare: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
3w ago00:47:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Nathan and Cameron tackle one of the most requested and misunderstood topics in Christianity: demons, Satan, spiritual warfare, and the supernatural realm. Responding to listener questions about demonic influence, spiritual attacks, possession, oppression, and the power of Satan in the life of a believer, they explore what the Bible actually teaches about demons and how Christians should think about spiritual warfare in a modern world increasingly interested in the occult, paranormal experiences, and unseen spiritual realities. Drawing from Scripture, church history, C.S. Lewis, Milton, deliverance ministry, and personal experience, Nathan and Cameron discuss the difference between demonic activity and the struggles of the flesh, whether Christians can be possessed by demons, the dangers of both skepticism and obsession, and how believers can cultivate spiritual discernment without falling into fear or fascination. This thought-provoking conversation offers a biblical framework for understanding evil, temptation, spiritual oppression, prayer, the authority of Jesus Christ, and the hope Christians have in a world where spiritual forces are real but ultimately defeated by God.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →“What Happens When the Bible Doesn’t Give a Clear Answer?” | Church Authority Explained
May 2600:38:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister explore one of the most pressing questions facing modern Christianity: how should churches handle authority, biblical interpretation, and cultural issues that are not explicitly addressed in Scripture? From AI-generated sermons and marijuana use to cohabitation, church tradition, conscience, and Christian freedom, Nathan and Cameron discuss how believers can faithfully apply timeless biblical principles to rapidly changing cultural realities. They unpack the difference between “rethinking” Christianity and “re-articulating” historic Christian faith, while emphasizing the importance of church leadership, discipleship, catechesis, and honest conversations within the church. This deep discussion on church authority, Christian ethics, biblical principles, theology, discipleship, and modern culture is essential listening for Christians navigating faith in the digital age.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →Hantavirus Cruise Ship Panic: Should You Actually Be Worried?
May 1900:38:47Tap to summarizeNathan and Cameron dive into the latest hantavirus cruise ship outbreak, unpacking the growing public anxiety around viruses, global travel, and pandemic-era distrust in institutions like the World Health Organization. In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, they explore the science behind hantavirus, the media frenzy surrounding the cruise ship crisis, and the lingering cultural impact of COVID-19 on public trust, epidemiology, and scientific communication. From discussions about social media misinformation and expert credibility to Christian perspectives on fear, community, and the unknown, Nathan and Cameron offer a nuanced conversation about science, faith, public health, and modern society. If you're interested in discussions on viruses, pandemic response, COVID-19 lessons, media narratives, scientific trust, Christian worldview, and current events, this episode delivers a compelling and balanced perspective.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →The Viral AI Graduation Speech That Backfired
May 1500:36:25Tap to summarizeNathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister unpack the viral AI commencement speech controversy in this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, exploring why younger generations are increasingly skeptical of artificial intelligence, corporate tech culture, and the promises of the digital revolution. Nathan and Cameron discuss the growing backlash against AI hype, the loss of authentic human connection in a hyper-digital age, and the cultural divide between technological optimism and the desire for deeper community, meaningful work, and rooted living. Drawing on insights from thinkers like Ben Sasse, Wendell Berry, Paul Kingsnorth, and Ian McGilchrist, they examine how practices like reading books, digital sabbaths, hard physical work, travel, church community, and shared stories can help people remain fully human in an AI-driven world. This conversation dives into AI ethics, technology and Christianity, digital culture, social media addiction, humanities education, and the future of human flourishing in the age of artificial intelligence.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Transcribe →Performative Christianity: Why So Many Christians Feel FAKE Online
May 1200:34:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister explore the tension between public faith and performative Christianity through the lens of Matthew 5 and Matthew 6. Discussing Jesus’ teachings on prayer, fasting, giving, and letting your light shine before others, Nathan and Cameron unpack the difference between authentic Christian practice and virtue signaling in the age of social media, branding, and online ministry. Drawing from biblical examples like Daniel, the Pharisees, and the Apostle Paul, they examine motivations, humility, Christian witness, spiritual formation, worship, and the danger of performative faith in modern evangelical culture. This thoughtful Christian podcast conversation also highlights practical ways believers can live with sincerity, cultivate “sneaky righteousness,” and pursue a doxological life that glorifies God rather than self.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
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