The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Della Lago on how Christians everywhere can play a role in supporting teens in the foster care system

Brian discusses a federal judge's ruling that President Trump's ban of CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House was likely unconstitutional, arguing press freedom must be protected regardless of political affiliation. He reflects on a poll showing young voters increasingly favorable toward socialism over capitalism, making the case that neither political-economic system is the ultimate answer — the way of Jesus, marked by generosity and love of neighbor, is. Brian digs into Brad East's Christianity Today essay arguing Christians should seriously consider deleting social media entirely, not because it's sinful but because it fails to build up the soul, and shares Trevin Wax's Gospel Coalition piece questioning whether evangelicals give too little attention to angels and the unseen spiritual realm described throughout Scripture. He discusses a new study linking loneliness to nearly six fewer years of mental health for men, and shares Tim Challies's critique of Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia adaptation, questioning whether reimagining Aslan as genderless and voiced by Meryl Streep constitutes a "death work" that mocks rather than honors C.S. Lewis's Christ figure. He closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on Romans 8:1 and the freedom of "no condemnation" in Christ, illustrated through Peter's restoration after denying Jesus.

Brian discusses a federal judge's ruling that President Trump's ban of CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House was likely unconstitutional, arguing press freedom must be protected regardless of political affiliation. He reflects on a poll showing young voters increasingly favorable toward socialism over capitalism, making the case that neither political-economic system is the ultimate answer &mdash; the way of Jesus, marked by generosity and love of neighbor, is. Brian digs into Brad East's Christianity Today essay arguing Christians should seriously consider deleting social media entirely, not because it's sinful but because it fails to build up the soul, and shares Trevin Wax's Gospel Coalition piece questioning whether evangelicals give too little attention to angels and the unseen spiritual realm described throughout Scripture. He discusses a new study linking loneliness to nearly six fewer years of mental health for men, and shares Tim Challies's critique of Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia adaptation, questioning whether reimagining Aslan as genderless and voiced by Meryl Streep constitutes a "death work" that mocks rather than honors C.S. Lewis's Christ figure. He closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on Romans 8:1 and the freedom of "no condemnation" in Christ, illustrated through Peter's restoration after denying Jesus.

Press Freedom Restored, the Loneliness Epidemic, and Should Christians Delete Social Media?

Brian reflects candidly on the small signs of getting older as he approaches 50, and pivots to processing his disappointment over New York Giants quarterback Jackson Dart's season-ending knee injury as a window into how we handle life's bigger disappointments — encouraging listeners to run toward God rather than away from Him in moments of hurt. He shares an uplifting story of a Melbourne landlord who gifted his longtime tenant her home before his death, contrasting it with the real financial pressure many listeners feel amid rising prices, and makes the case for contentment and generosity as the antidote to discontentment. Brian digs into a Gospel Coalition piece on how Jesus reads the book of Jonah as a type pointing to His own death and resurrection, and the call to be ambassadors of reconciliation rather than reluctant, self-protective messengers. He shares troubling survey data on rising stress and heavy drinking among adults ages 50-64, discusses practical missionary-style tips for workplace evangelism from Sam Chan, and closes with Max Lucado's six steps toward forgiveness, reflecting honestly on his own ongoing struggle to forgive after being let go from the church he planted.

Brian reflects candidly on the small signs of getting older as he approaches 50, and pivots to processing his disappointment over New York Giants quarterback Jackson Dart's season-ending knee injury as a window into how we handle life's bigger disappointments &mdash; encouraging listeners to run toward God rather than away from Him in moments of hurt. He shares an uplifting story of a Melbourne landlord who gifted his longtime tenant her home before his death, contrasting it with the real financial pressure many listeners feel amid rising prices, and makes the case for contentment and generosity as the antidote to discontentment. Brian digs into a Gospel Coalition piece on how Jesus reads the book of Jonah as a type pointing to His own death and resurrection, and the call to be ambassadors of reconciliation rather than reluctant, self-protective messengers. He shares troubling survey data on rising stress and heavy drinking among adults ages 50-64, discusses practical missionary-style tips for workplace evangelism from Sam Chan, and closes with Max Lucado's six steps toward forgiveness, reflecting honestly on his own ongoing struggle to forgive after being let go from the church he planted.

Getting Older, Living with Financial Stress, and Learning to Forgive

Brian shares a comically frustrating weekend story — a single leaf clogging his garage drain and flooding his basement despite recent drainage work — and draws out the spiritual lesson that we're never as in control as we think, and the small "leaves" in our lives can throw everything off course. He pushes back on President Trump barring CNN, MS Now, and Politico reporters from the White House, arguing the move threatens press freedom regardless of one's opinion of those outlets. Brian shares Kathy Keller's reflections on how her late husband Tim Keller conducted funerals by pointing people to Jesus rather than eulogizing the deceased, and discusses a Christianity Today roundtable on rethinking retirement not as maximum leisure but as a continued season of Christian purpose and "becoming." He shares a study finding that group discussion, not solo reflection, is what actually helps people spot fake news — tying it to the power of Christian community and discipleship — and closes with Tim Challies's case for the underrated "ministry of presence," simply showing up faithfully to church.

Brian shares a comically frustrating weekend story &mdash; a single leaf clogging his garage drain and flooding his basement despite recent drainage work &mdash; and draws out the spiritual lesson that we're never as in control as we think, and the small "leaves" in our lives can throw everything off course. He pushes back on President Trump barring CNN, MS Now, and Politico reporters from the White House, arguing the move threatens press freedom regardless of one's opinion of those outlets. Brian shares Kathy Keller's reflections on how her late husband Tim Keller conducted funerals by pointing people to Jesus rather than eulogizing the deceased, and discusses a Christianity Today roundtable on rethinking retirement not as maximum leisure but as a continued season of Christian purpose and "becoming." He shares a study finding that group discussion, not solo reflection, is what actually helps people spot fake news &mdash; tying it to the power of Christian community and discipleship &mdash; and closes with Tim Challies's case for the underrated "ministry of presence," simply showing up faithfully to church.

Della Lago on how Christians everywhere can play a role in supporting teens in the foster care system

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