Wokeness. Social justice. Critical race theory. Identity politics. How do we help our families and churches navigate a host of ideas that seem antithetical to Christianity? First, we must understand the worldview behind it all: Critical theory. In this episode, Brett and Erin speak with Dr. Neil Shenvi, a theoretical chemist, Christian apologist, and author of the recent book, Critical Dilemma. Dr. Shenvi provides a helpful and accessible understanding of Critical Theory and how it's seeped...

Our culture is fixated on identity. Race, gender, sexuality—these are all identities that our culture entices our kids to declare. As parents, we must ensure our kids are equipped with a solid understanding of who they are as people made in the Image of God and as Christians. In this episode, Brett and Erin continue their conversation with Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager as. they breakdown identity as it's laid out in the Christian worldview, give practical ways to navigate cultural terms...

The church is a mess when it comes to race. Culture is already divided over the topic, and many churches and leaders have adopted secular ideas and conclusions about race and attempted to Christianize them. But what does Scripture say about things like race, racism, justice, and diversity? In today's episode, Brett and Erin sit down with Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager from the Center for Biblical Unity about their new book Walking in Unity, which tackles these topics head on with a...

Is preferring one political party's platform over another's unbiblical? In this episode, Brett and Erin continue the conversation from last week about pastor Matt Chandler's viral sermon on politics. This time they look at some of Matt Chandler's claims about partisanship, the Republican Party, and the Christian's role in it all. Don't miss Part 1 of this conversation: https://linktw.in/aNejMb Watch Matt Chandler's sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4wP4xIydU MAVEN...is...

With two weeks to go before the presidential election, politics is at the forefront of the cultural conversation. Over the weekend, megachurch pastor Matt Chandler's sermon about politics went viral and sparked debate about the church's relationship to politics, partisanship, and more. In this episode, Brett and Erin watch and respond to the specific claims and ideas put forth in Chandler's viral sermon. Link to Matt Chandler's sermon: https://youtu.be/1R4wP4xIydU?si=0L_4_-US9HvU6sq2 MAVEN...

For faithful Christian parents and leaders, protecting our kids from the ideas and values of the secular culture is not a long-term solution. Some protection is good but ultimately, we must EQUIP them to engage cultural challenges with the truth of the Christian worldview. So, we must first consider who is "waiting for our kids" and what objections and challenges they'll hear and encounter. And then we need a practical plan to equip the next generation. In this episode, we're airing a recent...

Talk about identity is everywhere in the culture, as the world tries to tell us and our kids who we are and where to find our value. In this episode, we're airing an essential talk on identity and Scripture, presented by Dr. Kathy Koch of Celebrate Kids at the California MAVEN Conference 2024. Dr. Kathy examines the messages our kids are hearing from the culture, the building blocks of identity, and how we can let Scripture shape our core identities rather than the messages around us. Want to...

Have you ever struggled with doubt? For most of us, seasons of doubt about our faith are inevitable experiences. How do we set up our children well to navigate these moments? In this episode, Brett and Erin interview Bobby Conway, a pastor and apologist, about his story, the nature of doubt, and about his new book Does Christianity Still Make Sense? Check out Bobby Conway's work at https://www.christianitystillmakessense.com Access the videos that accompany his book here. Subscribe to his...

Does it feel like you're always busy? The pace of modern life crowds out quality time with those most important in our lives...and oftentimes that's our own kids. Don't let your kids get lost amidst a hectic overly-busy schedule. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss one very practical idea they've adopted to build significant connection with each of their five children in the midst of the busy day-to-day. MAVEN...is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

Should we teach children to listen to their internal impulses? Many parenting influencers and voices would say, "Yes!" But as we explored last week, autonomy is a highly esteemed value in American society, so it's no wonder that parenting is one area of culture where this value will rear its head. In this episode, Brett and Erin react to a video about child autonomy from the busytoddler, a parenting influencer on Instagram. The busytoddler says that children should "do whatever is best for...

Personal autonomy is our culture's highest good. Unfortunately, Christians can unconsciously absorb this value to varying degrees and at our impressionable kids can easily adopt it wholesale. In this episdoe, Brett and Erin examine a recent article by Dr. Carl Truman reflecting on the recent Republican and Democratic Conventions and the elevating of autonomy and expressive individualism that is so entrenched in our culture's value system. Read the full article here:...

Have you noticed that little kids are little rebels? Why is that? Misbehaving in popular, modern parenting paradigms would say that unmet needs equal bad behavior. But is that true? In this episode, Brett and Erin continue the conversation from last week and answer the question, "What do your kids really need?" The answer may be not be what you think. Don't miss part 1 of this conversation! Watch it here: https://linktw.in/yFjQwy MAVEN is donor-supported...DONATE HERE:...

We have been conditioned by the culture to see the world primarily through a therapeutic and psychological lens. As a result, secular ideas and values can creep into our thinking about parenting and what we perceive to be the most important needs of our kids. And what drops out is a biblical perspective. Brett and Erin discuss this modern trend and compare it to what the Christian worldview says about parenting and kids' needs. Peaceful Parent Basic Needs Checklist:...

Where do you put your identity? We all struggle with various idols in our lives—things we put higher than Christ. How do we overcome the idols in our lives and how do we help our kids discern when they need to investigate their idols as well? In this episode, Brett and Erin continue their discussion with Christian apologist and former cold case detective J. Warner Wallace about his new book The Truth in True Crime. Check out J. Warner Wallace's book: https://thetruthintruecrime.com Come...

How do you think and talk about the Bible with your kids? Do they get the impression the scriptures gives us an accurate historical record of real people, places and events? In this episode, Brett and Erin welcome back to the podcast cold-case detective and Christian apologist J. Warner Wallace as they interview him about his journey to faith, reading the Bible with a forensic lens, and why we need talk with our kids about how the Bible is grounded in historical facts and events. Check out...

Scripture reading—whether individually or in a family setting—is essential to edification and growing in faith. However, due to our culture's strong bent towards individualism, many of us have picked up some bad Bible-reading habits we need to spot in order to make sure we're reading Scripture accurately and objectively. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss four common obstacles to Bible reading that they've encountered in mainstream Christianity and provide you with a practical plan to...

Summertime is in full swing and kids are heading back to school soon. In this episode, Brett and Erin talk about three random parenting tips to help you take advantage of summer downtime and make it more fruitful for kids to learn the life lessons they need. MAVEN is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/

The events over the past few weeks have been full of unprecedented twists and turns—most notably, the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. What do we make of this tragic event? How do we help our kids navigate these confusing and charged times? In this episode, Brett and Erin respond to the assassination attempt and remind us how the Christian worldview can help us make sense of our culture.

Who's gotten this question from their kid: "But Mom, all my friends have phones. Why can't I?!" In this episode, Brett and Erin lay out a smartphone contract that you can use with your kids to help establish ground rules before your kid gets their first phone. Download and make your own smartphone contract here: https://equip.maventruth.com/sign-up MAVEN is donor-supported...DONATE HERE: https://maventruth.com/donation/ 

If you're a frequent listener, you know we say this a lot on the podcast: Social media and smart phones can be seriously harmful to kids. And it seems like the tide is finally turning! Recent news headlines have indicated that addictive social media may be on the way out. In this episode, Brett and Erin highlight the growing call to curbing kids' use of smart phones and social media in connection to the parenting habits outlined in Jonathan Haidt's new book The Anxious Generation. References...

Happy 4th of July! How are you and your family celebrating Independence Day? In today’s culture, it’s become controversial to love and celebrate the United States. But should that stop us from teaching our kids about Independence Day and American history? In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss why we need to teach kids about their country and give you tons of practical tools to help you accomplish that. Mentioned Resources: Thomas Jefferson and Equality: Making America...

What do Joel Osteen, Oprah, and the Law of Attraction all have in common? They are notorious proponents of a subtle and deceptive philosophy called New Thought that is linked to new-age beliefs. In this episode, Brett and Erin interview Christian YouTuber and Apologist Melissa Dougherty about her faith journey, the web of new age and new thought taking the church by storm, and strategies for inoculating your kids. Check out Melissa's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaDougherty

Will you be watching the presidential debate on June 27th? We are in an election year and presidential campaigns are already in full swing. This summer, the culture is handing us the perfect opportunity to model thoughtful political engagement for our kids. In this episode, Brett and Erin outline practical strategies for using the upcoming presidential debate as a tool to teach kids about a Christian view of politics, critical thinking, and civics—even if politics are not your thing. Send in...

Okay, we don't actually want to destroy children's imaginations...in fact, we want to do the opposite. In a culture that discourages the development of healthy imaginations, we have to be intentional about fostering this in our children. In this episode, Brett and Erin discuss Christian thinker Anthony Esolen's book 10 Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child and unpack a few of the essential ways you can preserve and nurture your child's imagination. Check out Anthony Esolen's book...