Mortification of Spin

Digging Into Proverbs

Mortification of Spin

Show Notes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10 Today, Todd and Carl are joined by Chris Ansberry, associate professor at Grove City College, and a colleague of Carl's who refuses to wear socks, much to Carl's chagrin. Wardrobe choices aside, Chris recently wrote a commentary on the Book of Proverbs, published by Zondervan Academic as part of their Exegetical Commentary Series. Wisdom literature seems to be a little bit obscure to many students of the Bible, but Chris has a deep love for these books that have often been marginalized. "Proverbs is not only designed to form our intellect, but it's also cultivating and directing our desires, it's shaping our forms of life, it's helping our perception – how do we see people, how do we see the world? So within that realm of ethics, I think that there's a lot in which Proverbs can do for us…I can't read Proverbs without seeing the same sort of moral vision that's on offer in the Sermon on the Mount." – Chris Ansberry Discover the intricacies of wisdom literature and its place in Christian life and pastoral teaching. Find out how Proverbs can shape ethical understanding and spiritual formation, and how pastors can approach preaching from this often-overlooked biblical text. And find out the answer to Carl's question, "What is the church missing if the pastor never preaches on wisdom literature in general, and specifically if the pastor never preaches on Proverbs?" Thanks to the generosity of Zondervan Academic, we are pleased to award copies of Chris Ansberry’s Commentary on Proverbs to three of our listeners. Congratulations to Donald T. from Omaha, NE, Keith F. from Troy, IL, and Yulia S. from Mililani, HI! Show Notes: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary Series:

Old Testament: https://zondervanacademic.com/promotions/zec#1151215 New Testament: https://zondervanacademic.com/promotions/zec#1151637

Chris Ansberry’s Proverbs Commentary: https://zondervanacademic.com/products/proverbs-2

More from Mortification of Spin

Oct 21, 2026

Today, Carl and Todd engage in a thoughtful conversation about the importance of devotional reading in the Christian life, sharing their personal experiences and recommending various devotional books that have enriched their spiritual journeys. Devotional reading can be tremendously encouraging and helpful for your daily walk with Christ. – Todd Pruitt From the Psalms to the writings of Charles Spurgeon and Matthew Henry, this episode emphasizes the value of structured devotional practices to deepen one's relationship with God. Tune in for insights and recommendations that could transform your quiet time with the Lord! And don’t forget to check the Show Notes below for a complete listing of the titles recommended by Carl and Todd. We are pleased to offer three copies of Prayers of the Bible: 366 Devotionals to Encourage Your Prayer Life by Gordon Keddie to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Crown and Covenant Publishers. Enter here to win.

Oct 7, 2026

Kevin DeYoung is back on Mortification of Spin, this time to discuss his new book, Church History for Everyone, Volume 1, with Todd and Carl. Together, the three amigos delve into the importance of understanding Church history, exploring its relevance to modern Christianity, and the rich narratives that shape our faith. This is our family history. It's important to know our family history. –Kevin DeYoung With humor and insight, the conversation touches on various historical figures, the significance of monasticism, and the lessons that can be drawn from both the celebrated and the flawed characters of our past. Join us for this enlightening journey through the annals of Christian history! We are pleased to offer three copies of Kevin’s book, Church History for Everyone, Volume 1, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Crossway Books. Enter here to win.

Sep 23, 2026

In this episode of Mortification of Spin, Todd and Carl welcome back Neil Shenvi and Patrick Sawyer to discuss their new book, Post Woke: Asserting a Biblical Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality. A follow up to their earlier book, Critical Dilemma, Neil and Pat wrote Post Woke to help Christians understand how ideas drawn from critical theory have shaped cultural conversations and practices that are in direct conflict with a Christian worldview. "We wanted to point Christians to embracing a fully orbed, deep understanding of race, gender and sexuality from the Bible's perspective." They delve into the implications of critical theory within the Church and explore how Christians can navigate the complexities of race, gender, and sexuality through a biblical lens. With insights on the current cultural climate and the ongoing influence of wokeness, this conversation is both timely and essential for anyone seeking to understand and respond to these pressing issues. We are pleased to offer three copies of Post Woke to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Harvest Apologetics. Enter here to win.

Sep 9, 2026

Carl and Todd welcome Chris Castaldo back to the podcast to shed some light on the apparent trend of young evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism. Chris, lead pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois, and author of Why Do Protestants Convert?, has some excellent insights into this movement. Together they explore the factors influencing this shift, including the appeal of liturgy, historical rootedness, and the search for intellectual depth in faith. We do hear people talking about a desire for more textured liturgy, more historical rootedness, you know, a personal faith that is embodied. – Chris Castaldo Tune in for insights on how pastors can better equip their congregations to understand these dynamics and build and maintain a strong foundation in their churches. We are pleased to offer three copies of Chris Castaldo’s book, Why Do Protestants Convert?, to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Davenant Publishing. Enter here to win.

Aug 26, 2026

A new form of relationship estrangement is afoot. Whereas, in the past, relationships tended to rupture over issues like abuse, today, people are increasingly estranged because of politics. On today’s episode of Mortification of Spin, Carl and Todd engage in a thought-provoking discussion with author Noelle Mering about her book, No Contact: How a Seductive Ideology Broke Families and Friendships and How We Can Repair Them. They explore the rising phenomenon of estrangement among families and friends, particularly among young adults cutting ties over ideological differences. The no contact movement is mostly young adults cutting off their parents over politics and ideology. -- Noelle Mering Certainly, the emotional toll this has on families is immeasurable, but Noelle offers guidance for those navigating these complex relationships. According to Noelle, if we cannot hold fast to one another in the face of disagreement, we risk losing not only our most intimate bonds but also the foundation of a free and humane society. We are pleased to offer three copies of No Contact to our listeners, thanks to the generosity of Forum Books. Enter here to win.

See all episodes →