Crypto-Religious Explained: Bob Dylan, Madonna, and the Hidden Language of Faith (Part 1)
In this two-part episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister dive deep into the fascinating idea of being “crypto-religious”—a term coined by Polish poet Czesław Miłosz and revived in Paul Elie’s new book The Last Supper. Together, Nathan and Cameron explore how artists like Bob Dylan, Madonna, Prince, Bono, and Andy Warhol used religious imagery while keeping their personal beliefs ambiguous, inviting audiences to wrestle with questions of faith in a post-Christian world. Through thoughtful theological and cultural analysis, they examine whether “crypto-religiosity” can still exist today amid political polarization and spiritual confusion. This rich, intellectually honest discussion invites Christians to think deeply about hidden belief, creative expression, and how faith continues to shape modern culture.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
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Santa, The Great Pumpkin, and Wishful Thinking| Nathan & Cameron
In this special Halloween episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown—exploring how wishful thinking, childlike faith, and imagination reveal profound theological truths about human desire and divine hope. Known for their thoughtful Christian analysis of culture, Nathan and Cameron unpack C.S. Lewis’s argument from desire, the role of fantasy in spiritual formation, and the controversial idea that belief in figures like Santa Claus or the Great Pumpkin can be formative tutors of faith. Drawing connections between pop culture, philosophy, and Christian theology, they invite listeners to rediscover how imagination and longing point to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. Perfect for Christians seeking rich theological reflection on Halloween, faith, and the deeper meaning behind our stories.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
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the Anglican Breakup & The $10 Million Cannon Press Offer
In this episode, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into the theological and cultural earthquakes shaking the global church, beginning with the dramatic shift in the Anglican Communion as the Church of England appoints Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury—a move many global Anglicans see as proof that the English church has abandoned biblical authority. With sharp insight and theological nuance, they unpack the growing divide between progressive Western Anglicanism and the vibrant, Scripture-centered Global South, drawing powerful parallels to the recent Methodist split. The conversation explores not only gender and sexuality debates but the deeper issue of biblical authority, orthodoxy, and faithfulness to historic Christianity. Nathan and Cameron also react to Canon Press’s $10 million offer to buy Christianity Today, analyzing what these events reveal about the realignment of authority, mission, and truth in the modern church. Perfect for Christians seeking thoughtful, Reformed, and intellectually rigorous discussion on current events in theology and the church.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
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The Hidden Cost of Globalization
In this episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into a rich theological discussion on globalization, nationalism, and the Christian’s calling in a hyper-connected yet fractured world. Through the lens of American farm policy, overproduction, and the global soybean market, they explore how shifting trade dynamics, political realignments, and cultural homogenization reveal both the power and fragility of modern systems. Drawing on biblical wisdom and thinkers like Wendell Berry and Marshall McLuhan, Nathan and Cameron challenge Christians to discern where their true responsibilities lie—between interest, concern, and focus—and to reclaim a distinctly Christian vision of diversity, culture, and stewardship amid global uncertainty. This conversation is perfect for believers seeking thoughtful, gospel-centered insight into current events and how faith shapes our engagement with economics, culture, and identity.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
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The Death of Reading? Christians, Smartphones, and the Rise of Post-Literacy
In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into what it means to be Christian "people of the Book" in a society rapidly drifting into post-literacy. Drawing from James Marriott’s article The Dawn of the Post-Literate Society, they explore the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual consequences of our screen-saturated age — and what it means for Christians committed to truth, Scripture, and careful thinking. From the decline in reading comprehension to the passive consumption of endless digital content, they examine how smartphones, edutainment, and modern distractions are shaping our minds and our theology. With references to thinkers like Neil Postman, Kant, and Matthew Arnold, this episode is for Christians who crave rich theological discussion, cultural critique, and a challenge to reclaim deep literacy in a distracted world. Subscribe for more Christian commentary on current events, media, and philosophy.LINK TO ARTICLE: https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-dawn-of-the-post-literate-society-aa1DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
For those interested in thoughtful cultural analysis without all the apocalyptic forecasts, Thinking Out Loud is a podcast about current events and Christian hope. Hosted by Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister, co-founders of Thinking Out Loud, a ministry that seeks to bridge the gap between discipleship and apologetics, this is a show that seeks to connect the dots on the subject of Christian realism.
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