The Overthinkers

Why Does Grace Matter? (With David Zahl)

Christians talk a lot about grace. But how does one define grace? And in an age where morality seems to be on the decline, how does one balance grace and faithfulness to what's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author of "The Big Relief" and founder of Mockinbird Ministries, David Zahl. References and resources:Grace definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace
Protestant Grace definition: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-graceCatholic Grace definition: https://www.catholic.com/tract/grace-what-it-is-and-what-it-doesWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjourneal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmesDavid Zahl: christchurchcville.org/david-zahl

Should We Be Scared of Hollywood? (With Jeffrey Overstreet)

Lots of people have mixed to negative feelings about Hollywood. Christians in particular are often scared that Hollywood hates them and is out to propagandize against them. But is fear the right attitude to have towards Hollywood movies? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with Jeffrey Overstreet, Christian film critic and author of the new book "Lost and Found in the Cathedral of Cinema". WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmesJeffrey Overstreet: jeffreyoverstreet.com

Is Ignorance Bliss? (300th Anniversary Episode)

It's been six years and 300 episodes of The Overthinkers! To celebrate, Joseph and Nathan discuss whether ignorance is bliss--and if by educating everyone these past six years we've been making the world a worse place!References and resourcesDefinition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorance%20is%20bliss
Ignorance is only bliss when someone else is being the adult taking care of the problems: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-headshrinkers-guide-to-the-galaxy/201108/is-ignorance-bliss
There’s only so much truth people can take: https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area/400281/is-ignorance-blissWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmes

What's Wrong with Gen Z? (With Freya India)

Everyone's talking about all the struggles Gen Z is having. But what does Gen Z think about what they're going through? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with culture writer and author Freya India about her own experiences and research on her generation, as well as her new book "Girls: Gen Z and the Commodification of Everything".References and resourcesComparing Gen Z to other generations: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/generations-by-jean-m-twenge-review-and-reflections/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesFreya India: freyaindia.co.uk/about

What's the Truth About Human Trafficking? (With Raleigh Sadler)

Everyone agrees that human trafficking is bad. But what wrong ideas about it do we have that make it harder to solve? Raleigh Sadler, founder and executive director of Let My People Go, author of Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking, and the host of MercyCast, explains. References and resources
Trafficking - awareness and consensus: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311402868/en/REPORT-Americans-Think-Human-Trafficking-Is-a-Major-Global-Problem-But-Overlook-Urgent-Realities?utm_source=chatgpt.comBipartisan nature of consensus: https://www.cambridge.org/core/blog/2018/09/17/the-politics-of-fighting-child-sex-trafficking-in-the-united-states/Myths perpetuated by media: https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/sound-of-freedom-starts-streaming-survivors-speak-out-against-film-1234912709/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesRaleigh Sadler: raleighsadler.com
 

Will There Be Marriage in Heaven? (With Dr. Dru Johnson)

One of the least popular Christian traditions is the idea that there will be no marriage--which means no sex--in heaven. But is that actually Biblical? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with returning Bible Scholar Dr. Dru Johnson.References and resources
Various religious perspectives on marriage after death: https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10992/29458
Thomas Aquinas - Summa Theologica: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/summa-theologica-12488NT WRight on marriage after resurrection: https://www.premierchristianity.com/will-i-be-married-in-heaven/17833.articleWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: link.ree/JosephHolmesDr. Dru Johnson: drujohnson.com

What's Wrong with Identity Politics? (With Dr. George Yancey)

Our society seems to be tearing itself apart. One potential culprit is identity politics. But what is identity politics? Sociologist Dr. George Yancey joins to talk about his new book "Identity Politics in the United States: An Exploration of Identity in Red, White, and Blue". He explains the movements' history, what's wrong with it, and what we can do instead. References and resources:Identity politics definition: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/identity-politics/
Ibram X Kendi on antiracism: https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/ibram-x-kendi-definition-of-antiracist
Mark lila on problems with identity politics: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/dec/21/mark-lilla-identity-politics-liberals
Review/Summary of Stephen Wolf’s Book:https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-i-book-summary/
https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-iii-objections/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesDr. George Yancey: www.georgeyancey.com

Is Fantasy Bad for Us? (With Nathan Sherrer)

Is indulging in fantasy books and movies keeping us children? Or is it something good for us that we need? Overthinkers producer Nathan Sherrer (Nathan A) joins Nathan Clarkson (Nathan 1) and Joseph Holmes (just Joseph) to discuss. References and resourcesFantasy definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasyCriticisms of Lord of the Rings: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151215-did-tolkien-write-juvenile-trashArthur Brooks on fantasy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/Beth Web defends fantasy: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/apr/23/bridgingthegapswhyweneedFantasy builds empathy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9714674/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

Can Women Be Church Leaders? (With Dr. Preston Sprinkle)

Does the Bible prohibit women from any leadership positions in the church? The question has divided Christians for a long time, so Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Bible scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss. References and resources:
Catholic view of female priests: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-the-church-doesnt-ordain-women
Evangelical views of women in leadership (Piper Keller):https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/should-we-call-female-leaders-pastorshttps://times12.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GenderEldersTimKathyKeller.pdfNT Wright on women in leadership: https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/womens-service-in-the-church-the-biblical-basis/Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesPreston Sprinkle: prestonsprinkle.com

Should We Try to Win Awards? (With Spencer Folmar)

With the Oscars on the horizon, everyone's talking about awards. But should we try to win awards? Or are they a distraction from what our true priorities should be? Spencer Folmar of Hard Faith Films and the Hard Faith Film Festival joins Nathan and Joseph to discuss.
Definition of award: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awardChristian artist Forrest Frank no longer accepting awards: https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/forrest-frank-says-he-will-no-longer-participate-awards-shows-shares-convictionHollywood actorTimothy Challamet wants to be great: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65146405/Why awards are meaningless: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2023/2/23/23610516/awards-oscars-grammys-best-business-mediaActors who say awards don’t matter are lying: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64429244/?ref_=hm_nw_tp_4WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesSpencer Folmar: hardfaith.org