All Things New

Bob Thune is joined by Tom Sommerville and Merlyn Klaus to tell the story of Sean Barrett, an Omaha man who was serving a 60-year sentence for murdering his wife. After coming to faith in Christ in jail, Sean spent the rest of his life growing in faith and serving as a missionary to other inmates at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. As they reflect on Sean’s life and sudden death in 2026, Bob, Tom, and Merlyn consider the transforming power of grace, the unseen work of God behind prison walls, and what it means to see wherever God has placed us as a mission field.

Bob Thune is joined by Will Walker to discuss Why Do Protestants Convert? by Brad Littlejohn and Chris Castaldo. Together they explore some of the psychological, theological, and sociological reasons behind the trend of Protestant conversion to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. They discuss the weaknesses of modern American evangelicalism, the importance of recovering historic Protestantism, and why Christians should do more than get their theology from YouTube.

Bob Thune is joined by Hunter Beaumont and Kevin Cawley for a wide-ranging “Soul Brothers” conversation about some of the biggest shifts happening in the church and culture. They discuss the changing landscape of seminary education, including the decline of mainline seminaries and the rise of online learning and counseling programs. They also touch on "AI Twins," The Gospel Coalition’s decision to draw a line against AI-assisted writing and Bryan Johnson’s ongoing quest to defeat death.

Dusty White rejoins Bob Thune to discuss Dusty’s recent sabbatical and the value of intentional rest and renewal in ministry. They explore the rhythms of rest, recalibration, and reentry, reflecting on what Dusty learned about prayer, dependence on God, family, ministry, and his own patterns of worry. Together, they lay out a vision for the purpose and significance of sabbaticals for pastors.

In this Faith + Work episode of All Things New, Bob Thune and Bethany Gilbert sit down with designer and entrepreneur Ben Lueders, founder of Fruitful Design. Ben shares his vocational journey, from discovering graphic design to starting out in the field to eventually launching and leading his own business. They discuss the challenges of being a Christian in the creative industry, the difference between fine art and communication arts, and the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Bob Thune is joined by Will Walker for another "Bob Reads Books" conversation, this time discussing Everything Is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness by Bobby Jamieson. Together they explore the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on why knowledge, work, pleasure, money, and achievement can never fully satisfy — and how honesty about life's frustrations ultimately points us toward enjoying God's gifts, fearing God, and finding lasting hope in Christ.

The era of the "ten blue links" is over. In May 2026, Google unveiled a massive redesign of their search algorithm that will forever change how we navigate the internet. In this episode, Bob Thune is joined by author, cultural analyst, and Keller Center program director Michael Graham to discuss the change. Bob and Mike discuss why trust and wisdom will be more valuable than knowledge alone, what these changes mean for churches and Christian ministries, and how believers can thoughtfully navigate an AI-driven future while prioritizing embodied relationships and faithful witness.

In this episode, Bob Thune and Dusty White explore the concept of expressive individualism — the cultural belief that a person's core duty is to look inward, find their own unique identity or feelings, and express them outwardly to the world. Drawing on insights from works by Carl Trueman and Alan Noble, they trace the cultural roots of this worldview and discuss how it fuels anxiety, social media habits, the relentless pressure to prove ourselves and, ultimately, how the gospel offers a better story.

In this Faith + Work episode, Bob Thune and Bethany Gilbert sit down with architect, urban planner, and nonprofit leader Scott Dobbe to explore how Christians can pursue the common good through architecture, city planning, and real estate development. Together, they discuss beauty as a reflection of God's character, the importance of stewardship over ownership, the challenges of balancing idealism with political and financial realities, and why ordinary Christians should invest in the places they call home.

In this episode, Bob introduces the theology and worldview of Neo-Calvinism, a movement that stems from the work of Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck. Bob explains how Neo-Calvinism offers a compelling Christian response to secular modernity by affirming Christ's lordship over every sphere of life, recognizing that every person is inherently religious, and embracing the truth that grace restores nature.

From rising costs to demanding schedules, the current state of youth sports often pressures families to sacrifice time, money, and agency. In this episode, Bob interviews Dusty about his experience starting a new youth baseball team — one that prioritizes character, family rhythms, and Sunday worship over performance and profit. Bob and Dusty also reflect on the challenges of navigating select sports, the importance of setting boundaries, and how Christians can creatively build alternatives that better align with their convictions.