How far do we go in investing in systems that are, in some ways, opposed to God’s kingdom?

When does engagement become entanglement?

Are we salvaging a sinking ship—or are we being drawn into a false hope in human progress?

Are we engaging to serve, love, and witness—or to gain power, security, or identity?

Are we humble, prayerful, and distinct—or are we blending in, compromising, or losing our prophetic voice?

Is our ultimate hope in Christ and his kingdom—or in the myth of progress, politics, or institutional reform?

Maybe the ship is sinking—but our role isn’t necessarily to patch every hole. It’s to bear witness to another kingdom, even as we love and serve those on board. We’re not called to save Babylon, but to seek its peace while pointing to the New Jerusalem.

In this episode of Thrive Perspectives, we’re peeling back the layers of a truth that’s both unsettling and liberating: our natural resistance to God. Whether you're a lifelong believer or just beginning to explore faith, this conversation invites honesty, because the tension isn’t just “out there”—it’s in us. Even as Christians, called to surrender, we often find ourselves resisting the very grace we profess to follow.

Why do we resist the very presence we crave? What does it mean to be drawn toward God while holding back from the mountain’s edge? And how can spiritual knowing emerge not from mastery, but from surrender?

Postmodernism questions many of the assumptions that undergird Western Christianity, but it also invites a return to deeper, more relational expressions of faith. Postmodernism’s critique of sterile rationalism may actually clear space for a more embodied, awe-filled spirituality.

Join us as we discuss the ideas of postmodernism and how it confronts many of the assumptions of the Enlightenment, and opens an opportunity to embody truth in ways that resonate with postmodern sensibilities.

Today we’re diving into the controversial and provocative ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche who boldly declared "God is dead," challenging the very foundation of Christian belief.

In the late 19th century, as the world embraced the rational and reasoned approach to all things, Nietzsche called for a radical consistency of thought: without God, there can be no inherent morality, no ultimate meaning, and no divine purpose. He envisioned a humanity, that creates new values and meaning, rejecting the moral and spiritual truths that Christianity upholds. In every way, Nietzsche’s idea sits in direct contradiction to Christ.

Yet, in the 21st Century, the predominant worldview still tries to keep a foot in both camps. We like the sense of right & wrong, of the sacred, of looking out for those less fortunate than ourselves, of purpose beyond ourselves . . . and yet this is all founded in Abrahamic traditions and diametrically opposed to what Nietzche advances.

In today's episode from our series on Big Ideas that Changed the World, we're diving deeper into the fascinating world of modern thought. We break down the complex ideas about knowledge from the 18th and 19th centuries that still shape how we understand truth today. So, join us as we explore the evolution of Western thought and its significant impact on our thinking.

There was a time when mystery wasn’t a problem to be solved but a truth to be honored. When our place in the universe wasn’t something to escape or redefine, but to accept as sacred, given, and good. So what drove the change from wonder to skepticism, from reverence to rationalism, from listening to the heavens to harnessing the world for our own ends. What led us away from embracing the divine order… to questioning everything, mastering everything—even each other? How did the philosophy of splitting reality into mind and matter impact our understanding of the world, our existence and purpose?

These ideas have, and continue to inform our understanding of knowledge, reality, and the human person. Join us as we discuss these ideas and how they shape our worldview today, even as Christians.

Have you ever wondered how a single act of defiance could reshape the course of history? In

1517, Martin Luther, a German monk, nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. What was he challenging, and why did it ignite such a widespread theological debate?

The Reformation was more than just a religious movement. It called for a return to biblical Christianity, emphasizing God's Word as the ultimate authority.

The Reformation also had profound political and social repercussions. It challenge established ecclesiastical authority and paved the way for modern concepts of state governance and individual rights.

Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of the Reformation. How did this movement forever change the course of history?