The Russell Moore Show

• Jon Guerra on the American Gospel

  What does it mean to sing about Jesus when the name has been co-opted by politics, performance, and power?  In this episode Dr. Moore welcomes singer-songwriter Jon Guerra to discuss Guerra's new album simply titled "Jesus." Guerra shares how his music serves as devotional art—less Sunday morning worship and more Monday morning prayer—and explains his journey back to the words of Christ after experiences that created distance. Moore and Guerra explore themes of nationalism, church collapse, and finding authentic faith in a politically charged culture. Guerra reflects on his time as a worship leader during the painful public downfall of James MacDonald's ministry, offering honest insights about power, performance, and platform in Christian leadership. The conversation moves through Guerra's creative process, including his work on Terrence Malick's films, and unpacks the countercultural message of songs like "Citizens"—which confronts the marriage of faith and political power. As the child of Cuban immigrants, Guerra also opens up about his fear of scarcity and how it shapes his understanding of Jesus's teachings about treasure and provision. At a time when Jesus's name is often wielded as a tribal symbol, Guerra's music invites listeners to encounter Christ not as a political mascot, but as the One who welcomes immigrants as citizens and calls us to a narrower, and better, way. Join Jon on tour this spring, and listen to Jesus here. Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Glenn Packiam on Why We Need Creeds

  What’s a Christian, anyway? In our 2025 political environment, terms like evangelical begin to lose the meaning they once held, or they require further refinement and definition. Glenn Packiam’s new book brings a fresh perspective to this conversation. It turns out the answer lies in the Nicene Creed. This year, the Nicene Creed turns 1,700 years old. This ancient work, built from Scripture and the public life of the ancient church, is often considered part of a “dead” spirituality, especially in traditions which put an emphasis on individual experiences with God. However, Russell and Glenn unpack the depth of personal and congregational meaning within the creed and discuss its power to redefine what Christian means in an environment where the term is constantly changing.  Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: What’s a Christian, Anyway? By Glenn Packiam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Nietzsche Loves You and Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life

  We convince ourselves that we can be cruel and nihilistic and Christian all at once. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell’s weekly newsletter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Books with Ashley Hales: Tolstoy, Carr, Vonnegut, Worthen, and More

  It’s time for another books episode. Russell Moore is joined again by Ashley Hales, the former producer of the show and now CT’s editorial director for print, in a discussion about what they’re reading now and about how reading as a practice is necessary and helpful in a windblown world.  What books are you loving? And which books would you be sure to pack if you were planning to be marooned on a desert island? Email us: [email protected].  Books/essays mentioned in this episode: Learning in War-Time by C. S. Lewis War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Superbloom by Nicholas Carr Digital Future in the Rearview Mirror by Andrey Mir Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Silas Marner by George Eliot  Spellbound by Molly Worthen The Theological Imagination by Judith Wolfe Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Moore to the Point: The Owl of Hooters Flies Only at Dusk

  The death of Hooters holds a message for the church. Listen to his most recent newsletter every Monday! Subscribe to Russell’s weekly newsletter here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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