This is thinking in public, a program dedicated to intelligent conversation about

frontline theological and cultural issues with the people who are shaping them.

I'm Albert Mowa, your host and president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville,

Kentucky.

Russell Reno is the editor of First Things magazine.

It's one of the most important periodicals in the United States.

A native of Baltimore, Dr Reno, earned his PhD at Yale University.

He's written numerous books and articles and of course he regularly appears in the pages of first things.

I want to draw attention to his two most recent books.

Most importantly, the return of the strong gods nationalism populism and the future of the West and just before that the publication of his book resurrecting the idea of a Christian society.

I commend both of them to you for your reading.

First Things magazine was started by the late Richard John Newhouse, one of the most

important public intellectuals in the United States. First Things continues that conversation in the United States. First Things continues that conversation in that line.

It's a very important meeting of theology, culture, ethics,

well just about every part of the contemporary conversation that deserves

attention and a very high level of attention.

Russi Reno, welcome to thinking in public.

Great to be with you.

Well here we are at a time of asking basic questions, and I've looked forward to this conversation with you because we can talk about some of these basic questions.

Basic questions about the position of any kind of

convictional Christianity in the modern world.

Questions about the church in this very perplexing age and

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