Welcome to Mortification of Spin, a casual conversation about things that count with Carl Truman,

Todd Pruitt, and Amy Bird. Mortification of Spin is a weekly podcast from the Alliance of Confessing

Evangelicals. Today's conversation touches on some sensitive topics as the spinners talk with Todd Billings

about his cancer and the hope he has

in Christ through his prognosis. Though the discussion's heavy, it's worthwhile for us all to hear

Todd's story of God's grace in his life. Stay tuned after to find out how to get a free copy

of Todd's new book, Rejoicing in Lament.

Welcome to another episode of Mortification of Spin, a casual conversation about things that count.

Today we have a very special guest.

His name is Todd Billings. He's the jurid professor of a reformed theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan,

which is a seminary of the Reformed Church in America, in which denomination Todd is ordained.

He's the author of a number of books, including a marvelous scholarly volume on Calvin Participation and the Gift,

published in 2009, which was actually the winner of the John Templeton Award for Theological Promise.

The reason we have Todd on the show today is that he is struggling at the moment, suffering with a form of cancer, multiple myeloma, and has written a book about his experience entitled, Rejoicing in Lament, wrestling with incurable cancer and life in Christ.

I've had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book, and it's hard to describe. On one level, it's an extended reflection

on the biblical expressions of suffering, particularly as found in the book of Job and the book of Psalms.

On another level, it's a fascinating defense of classical

theism and its practical pastoral relevance today. On another level, it's a deeply personal

and heartfelt memoir of a man reflecting on life and existence in the context of his family and his

current illness. I do recommend that everybody listening should get a copy of this book, read it,

buy another copy to give away to a friend. It is one of the most moving and powerful books I have read

for many, many years. So So Todd, welcome to the show and

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