The Esau McCaulley Podcast

Denzel Washington was recently baptized and now believes he's been called to ministry. How does he compare to other celebrity Christians and do we expect too much, or not enough from the most famous believers? Also, Esau talks about a recent CT article on family estrangement drawing from his own personal experience. How do we follow the commandment to honor our mother and father when we are cut off from them?

Christianity Today article on Estrangement: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/estrangement-parents-love-carrie-mckean/

Esau is joined by Justin Giboney and Tish Harrison Warren to look back at the major religious, cultural, and political stories of 2024. From the impact of the election and the rise of AI in churches to surprising shifts in church demographics and the ongoing challenges of political polarization, the conversation dives deep into what shaped the church this year.

Esau is joined by fellow Wheaton professors, Emily McGowin and Timothy Larson to talk about the origins of some of our favorite Christmas traditions and why Christians should fully embrace celebrating all 12 days of Christmas.

Why do we read the Bible? What are the best practices to interpret it? And how does the way we approach scripture shape who we become? Kevin Vanhoozer joins Esau to try to answer these questions as they discuss his most recent book, Mere Christian Hermeneutics. They discuss CS Lewis' influence on the book and why there is a difference between reading the Bible literally and literalistically

Mere Christian Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What It Means to Read the Bible Theologically: https://a.co/d/fLINdN9

Russell Moore’s Book List:

https://www.russellmoore.com/2024/12/11/my-favorite-books-of-2024-2/

New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, joins the show to talk about her journey to becoming a movie reviewer, the best films of 2024, and what makes a movie truly great. Esau and Alissa also dive into their favorite Christmas movies and the state of religious films in the industry today.

Esau sits down with Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt to discuss her latest book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Can Teach the Church Today. Together, they explore the fascinating history and theology surrounding Mary Magdalene, dismantling misconceptions about her past and highlighting her role as a model disciple and preacher. Along the way, the conversation touches on spiritual warfare, women in ministry, and the importance of retrieving overlooked stories from church history.

The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today:

https://a.co/d/6JqNrh2

It’s Thanksgiving, and we’re serving up a special holiday edition of The Esau McCaulley Podcast! First, Esau, Kaitlyn Schiess, and Skye Jethani go head-to-head in a Thanksgiving food draft to create the ultimate feast. Then, Esau and Producer Mike dig into your questions, tackling how to lovingly disagree with others, a time when Esau admitted he was wrong, what Jesus meant when he said he came not to bring peace, but a sword, and Esau’s hot take on turkey.

Mike Cosper joins Esau to talk about Trump’s cabinet picks—Dr. Oz? Matt Gaetz? These picks are more controversial than past presidential cabinet picks and show a bit of where the administration’s priorities lie. He also breaks down the big ideas in his book, The Church in Dark Times.

Ever wonder what a hip hop beef can teach us about disagreements in the church? Esau McCaulley sits down with friends Malcolm Foley and Justin Giboney to dig into the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake saga and how it actually mirrors some of our own church conflicts. They chat about when disagreements are just for fun (LeBron vs. MJ) and when they go deeper, revealing what we truly believe. From handling low-stakes beefs to learning how to disagree without tearing each other apart, they dive into how conflict can help us grow, and maybe even bring us closer together.

Trump Won. Are we surprised? How did it happen? What does this say about the Democratic party? Where do we go from here? Esau, Justin Giboney, and Michael Wear give their thoughts on the election and what this’ll mean for Christians.

In this Halloween special, Esau teams up with Kaitlyn Schiess and Emily McGowin for a deep dive into the mysteries and controversies of October 31st. Is Halloween too pagan for Christians, or can it actually be a way to mock and confront evil in a deeply faithful way? And why do some people shun haunted houses and horror movies, while Kaitlyn finds them thrilling—and even theological? Plus, a fierce debate over the best Halloween candy, and a shocking discovery: Esau’s childhood nightmare, Freddy Krueger, might be closer than he ever imagined.

Former NFL running back, Matt Forte, and his wife Danielle Fortet sit down with Esau talk about the challenges of balancing professional athletics with faith, marriage, and family life. Matt reflects on his NFL career, the pressures of performing on the field, and how his faith guided him through the highs and lows. Danielle shares her journey of finding her identity beyond being a “trophy wife,” discussing the unique challenges faced by spouses of professional athletes and how her relationship with Christ kept her grounded.

They also talk about their children’s book, My Hair Can, inspired by their daughter’s experience with racism and is an encouraging reminder for young readers about loving their hair, respecting differences, and celebrating their God-given uniqueness.

My Hair Can - https://www.amazon.com/My-Hair-Can-Matt-Fort%C3%A9/dp/1496480899

Esau sits down with Lisa Fields, CEO of the Jude 3 Project, to explore the complex relationship between faith, logic, and emotion. Together, they discuss how apologetics has evolved beyond purely intellectual arguments, how we’re often less rational than we think, and why understanding the emotional roots of belief is crucial in today’s world. Lisa also shares insights from her own life and how our own stories of pain can become a powerful source of encouragement for others facing similar struggles.

When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe and What We Experience by Lisa Fields: https://a.co/d/bqc1Cw9

Esau sits down with friends Jonathan Warren Pagan, rector of Emmanuel Anglican Church, and Kimberly Deckel, executive pastor of Church of the Cross. They dive into the complexities of multiracial identity within the church, exploring how churches can better serve multiracial families and create genuinely welcoming spaces. The conversation touches on the unique challenges multiracial individuals face, the politics of identity surrounding public figures like Kamala Harris, and the importance of cultural curiosity in faith communities.

Esau McCaulley sits down with Grammy-winning artist Lecrae for a candid conversation about his career, faith, and the personal challenges of living in the public eye. Reflecting on how his music has evolved over the years, Lecrae opens up about the journey that has shaped him both spiritually and professionally. The two discuss everything from Kendrick Lamar's and Simone Biles' unexpected shoutout to navigating criticism from fans and the church alike. Lecrae also delves into the pressures of creating music while wrestling with faith in a secular world and how he now sees himself as a "hybrid" between two cultures.

In this inaugural episode of The Esau McCaulley Podcast, Esau is joined by Nancy French and Ameen Hudson for a conversation on sports rivalries, identity, and the power of narratives. From the WNBA rivalry of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to iconic NBA players like Magic and Bird, the group explores how trash talk and competition shape perceptions, and the way political and racial dynamics impacts how athletes are viewed. Then, Nancy and Ameen open up about the cultural and political narratives they've found themselves trapped in. Nancy shares her journey from being deeply embedded in the Republican Party to facing rejection for challenging its current direction, while Ameen reflects on navigating the expectations placed on him as a Black man who cares about justice, but also holds socially conservative views. Also, is Nancy French the greatest pickleball trash talker of all time?