Life and Books and Everything
by Clearly Reformed
Life and Books and Everything is a podcast hosted by Kevin DeYoung where discussions center on, well, life and books and everything. As a church pastor and theology professor, Kevin loves to talk about faith, theology, history, current events, and the occasional hot topic. We hope you will learn something, laugh a little, and get some good book recommendations along the way.
Episodes
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Scroll Less, Live More with Samuel James
After his excellent book Digital Liturgies (2023), Samuel is back with a new book aimed at young adults called Scroll Less, Live More. Join Kevin and Samuel as they talk through some of the book’s ten habits for recapturing our real embodied lives. In this practical episode, you’ll get some...
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Thriving in Lifelong Ministry with Joel Beeke
When someone has pastored the same church for nearly 40 years, you should listen to what he has to say about thriving in ministry. That’s the topic of Joel Beeke’s new book and the focus of this week’s LBE. Listen in as Kevin and Joel talk about the benefit of long-term pastorates, how a pastor...
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Classical Theology and the Modern World with Carl Trueman
What is classical theology? Why was it sometimes forgotten by evangelicals in the 20th century? What difference does this theology make for our modern world? Listen in as Kevin talks to Carl Trueman about his newest book, and they discuss important doctrines like immutability, impassibility, and...
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No Contact with Noelle Mering
“What do I do about my grown children who not only have abandoned the faith and values they were raised with but have also estranged themselves from us?” This painful, and increasingly prevalent question, is what Noelle’s Mering’s new book is about. Noelle is a fellow at the Ethics and Public...
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We Will Be Changed with Alistair Begg
Just before heading to Belfast and Glasgow, Alistair stopped by LBE to talk to Kevin about his new book on the fruit of the Spirit. Listen in as Alistair explains why it’s “fruit” not “fruits” and why it is the work of the Spirit not ultimately our will power that makes the difference. You’ll…
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Banter, Books, and AI with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
After a summer in the sun (as much as Scandinavians can dare to be in the sun), the boys are back in town and full of witty banter—on everything from the World Cup to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Make it to the middle, and you’ll get a bevy of book recommendations (including several books…
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America 250 with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
A true LBE spectacular 250 years in the making. Come for Kevin’s amazing shirt. Stay for a slew of questions about America, including: What forgotten founding father deserves more attention? What is your favorite patriotic song? What four presidents would you put on Mt. Rushmore? What five places...
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The Most Special Guest Ever with Trisha DeYoung
Whatever you think of Kevin, everyone knows that his wife, Trisha, is his much, much better half. After much cajoling, and by popular demand, Trisha agreed to be interviewed by her husband and share more about her background, her family, her faith, and, of course, her favorite books. Don’t miss...
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The Heart of Preaching with Mike Bullmore
With many decades of experience as a preacher and as an instructor in preaching, Mike Bullmore has a lot to offer pastors of every age and stage. Listen in as Mike and Kevin talk a little football, share stories, and explore what kind of heart and what kind of skills are necessary for effective...
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The Way of Repentance with Chris Brauns
It is not an exaggeration to say that repentance is at the very heart of the gospel. And yet, Christians talk about repentance too little, and when we do, we are often confused about what repentance is and isn’t. In this episode, Chris Brauns, an author and pastor in rural Illinois, joins Kevin…
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The Desecration of Man with Carl Trueman
Over the past ten years, Carl Trueman has proven to be one of the most incisive and helpful voices when it comes to identifying and understanding the problems of our contemporary world. In his new book, The Desecration of Man, Carl not only laments what we’ve lost, he calls us to a reclaim a...
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The Redeemed Man with Rick Phillips
Good friend and fellow PCA pastor Rick Phillips joins Kevin to talk about the new book The Redeemed Man and why men don’t need a reactionary model for manhood but a comprehensive biblical model. That’s the last part of the episode, but mainly Kevin talks to Rick about redemption in his own...
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The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
If you don’t like freewheeling conversation, laughter, and banter among friends, then this may not be the episode for you. But if you are interested in hearing the three amigos share their thoughts on George Washington, figure skating, patriotism, and the state of the Young, Restless, and…
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An Invitation to the 2026 Coram Deo Pastors Conference
"I love being a pastor, and I love pastors, which is why I hope you will consider joining us at the Coram Deo Pastors Conference in 2026." —Kevin DeYoung Register now: https://clearlyreformed.org/coram-deo
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Sense, Sensibility, and Adam Smith with Jan Van Vliet
This year is a special anniversary for the United States as Americans celebrate 250 years of independence. But 1776 was an important year in more ways than one. Besides the Declaration (and several other key events and people), 1776 was the year that Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations. In...
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The Making of the American Mind with Matthew Spalding
The United States is unique in how much attention it pays to its founding, its founders, and its founding documents. Arguably, the most famous and most important thing that Americans have ever written is the Declaration of Independence. In this fascinating and illuminating conversation, Kevin…
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What Is Wrong with Wokeness? With Neil Shenvi
In this timely interview, Kevin talks to Neil Shenvi about his new book (co-authored with Pat Sawyer), entitled “Post Woke: Asserting a Biblical Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality” (Harvest). What does it mean to be woke, and is wokeness still a thing Christians need to be concerned about?…
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Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, then this is the episode for you! It’s also an opportunity to hear the three amigos laugh, tell funny stories, and end with a reflection on the many...
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Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborhood just a few streets apart. What a time to be alive, people! In this hometown episode, Kevin talks with Clint Pressley—native Charlottean, senior...
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Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion, at the conclusion of Christ Covenant’s Faithful Conference, Kevin talks to three of his colleagues from Reformed Theological Seminary about what it...
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The Man on the Middle Cross with Alistair Begg
If you haven’t seen the viral clip, go see it right now. In this episode, Kevin talks to Alistair about the preaching clip he didn’t intend to give, he never put online himself, and he never expected to be one of the most well known moments of his ministry. The content from that clip has been...
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The Heidelberg Catechism with R. Scott Clark
You may not think you need 1,000 pages on the Heidelberg Catechism, but you do! R. Scott Clark, professor at Westminster Seminary California, has written a rich, theological, and historical commentary on one of the Reformation’s most beloved catechisms. Listen in as Scott and Kevin talk about the...
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Conservatism and Religious Freedom with John Wilsey
What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Has it failed? It is worth preserving? And what about Christian Nationalism? And while we’re at it, how should Christians assess the Charlie Kirk...
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The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo
Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk to Kevin about his latest two-volume mega-project with James Hankins, their new book The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Listen…
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John Thomson and the Shaping of American Presbyterianism with Stephen A. Fix
If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with pastor, scholar, and writer S.A. Fix—who goes by the name Fix (really he does)—as they talk about the Old Side/New Side controversy, the Adopting...
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The Boys Are Back in Town with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
It’s been a long time since the last LBE episode—too long some (i.e., our mothers) might say. But after a summer hiatus, the three amigos are back in the podcast studio to talk about familiar topics like football, books, and “what time it is” in our world. They also touch on a few unfamiliar…
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More on the Midwest and Midlife with Kevin, Collin, and Justin
The triumvirate comes back together to wrap up another season of LBE. Along with the obligatory sports chatter, the three guys talk at length about the first Midwest Pope (and why they are not Catholics) and about life in middle age (and why they are not too depressed). There are, of course, many...
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The Biblical View of Abortion with Tom Pennington
What does the Bible say about life in the womb? When does life begin? What about personhood? What has the church taught about abortion over the centuries? How should we respond to familiar slogans like “My body, my choice”? In this important episode, Kevin talks with Tom Pennington, Pastor at...
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Nicene Orthodoxy with Blair Smith
Kevin welcomes his good friend—neighbor, church colleague, and seminary colleague (soon to be boss!)—Blair Smith to the podcast. As a systematic theology professor, Blair’s expertise is on Trinitarian theology, in particular in the crucial fourth and fifth centuries. Listen in as Kevn and Blair...
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Pastoral Theology with Jonathan Master
First published in 1877, Thomas Murphy’s Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office is one of the absolute best books of its kind. Murphy’s treatise is inspiring, challenging, comprehensive, opinionated, practical, and spiritual in the deepest sense of the word. Listen as...
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A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation with Matthew Bingham
It is often believed, by friends and critics alike, that the Reformed tradition, though perhaps good on formal doctrine, is impoverished when it comes to spiritual formation. The charge is that the Reformed approach to piety is all about head knowledge, about learning things as brains on sticks....
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On Tyndale House, the Old Testament, and the Promises and Pitfalls of Biblical Scholarship with Peter Williams and Will Ross
Recently, Peter Williams, Principal at Tyndale House in Cambridge, preached at Christ Covenant Church for its missions week. At the end of the evening service, Kevin sat down with Peter and fellow Cambridge-alum Will Ross, who teaches Old Testament at RTS Charlotte, for a discussion about the...
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Preaching and Pastoral Ministry with John Piper
In this wide-ranging interview, recorded live at Christ Covenant Church in conjunction with the Coram Deo Pastors Workshop, Kevin asks John about everything from preaching style, to the influence of his parents, to growing up in the South, to his strengths and weaknesses as a pastor. You’ll hear...
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The Most Influential Family in America with Obbie Tyler Todd
Before the Bushes or Clintons, before the Kennedy or Kardashians, there were the Beechers—a sprawling family of preachers, suffragists, abolitionists, and moral crusaders that defined (and exemplified) America as much as any single family in the nineteenth century. Join Kevin as he interviews…
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A Special Episode from the Doctrine Matters Podcast by Crossway
Listen to a special episode of Life and Books and Everything promoting Crossway's new Podcast, Doctrine Matters.
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The Person and Work of Christ with Brandon Crowe
Kevin welcomes to the podcast Brandon Crowe, a native Alabamian, an SEC fan, a Teaching Elder in the PCA, and a professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. Believe it or not, there is only question about football, and it comes at the very end. The rest of the time is spent...
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A Very Special Episode with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
There has been some concern that Justin and Collin have been kept out of the “very special guest” designation. In order to make up for past offenses, this episode, with two very special guests, is being hailed as a very special episode. The three amigos start out by talking about football (of...
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A Life of Hope and Hurdles with Andre Levrone and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone
How can you shine as a Christian in the world of professional sports—when sometimes your dreams come true and often they don’t? What does it take to be an elite athlete (and why is it a great profession for sleep enthusiasts)? You’ll want to listen to this special episode of LBE as Kevin asks...
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It’s Christmastime with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally here: the annual Christmas LBE. Listen in as the three amigos talk about Christmas movies, favorite books, which LBE member is the most like Jerry Seinfeld, and, of course, the airing of many grievances. Chapters: 0:00 Sponsors & Intro 5:50 The Vibe Shift...
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What Is the Mission of the Church? with Brian DeVries
Mission is one of those words that Christians use all the time. So are words like “missions” and missionaries.” But what do they mean? Is “mission” even the best word to use to describe what Christians should be doing in the world? In today’s episode, Kevin talks with fellow Michigander, Brian...
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Evaluating the Thought of Cornelius Van Til with Keith Mathison and James Anderson
It is hard to exaggerate the influence of Cornelius Van Til (1895–1987) in conservative Reformed circles over the past hundred years. And yet, there continues to be much discussion about what Van Til believed and how he meant for his apologetic ideas to be put into practice. Kevin welcomes Keith...
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The Life and Ministry of R.C. Sproul with Stephen Nichols
Recently, Steve Nichols spoke at the Faithful Conference, an annual conference for Christ Covenant Church. After giving a lecture on R.C. Sproul, Steve sat down with Kevin to talk about his own life and what he learned writing the biography of Sproul. Listen in as Kevin asks Steve about Sproul’s...
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Everyday Gospel with Paul Tripp
Most Christians in conservative churches are familiar with Paul Tripp’s books. He’s one of the most popular authors in the church today, with a knack for applying the gospel to all of life. His devotional New Morning Mercies has been a consistent bestseller. Now Tripp has a new devotional…
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What Does It Mean to Be an Evangelical? With Andrew Atherstone and David Ceri Jones
A few months ago, a prominent American scholar, Matthew Avery Sutton, published an article arguing there is no “through line” from Christians of the past to today’s post-WWII evangelicals. In order to assess this argument, Kevin invited two scholars of the evangelical movement to join him: Andrew...
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A Critical Look at Critical Theory with Carl Trueman
In his new book To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse, Carl Trueman argues that “Critical theory [sees] any notion of human nature as merely an ideological or social construct, a function of discourses of power.” Even though critical theory makes for dense reading, and is...
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Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn
It’s not everyday you get to hear from the world’s expert on the Westminster Assembly (and who among us does not wish to know more about the Westminster Assembly?!). So sit back and enjoy this freewheeling conversation as Kevin and Chad talk about a guy named John Arrowsmith, the importance of...
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Life, and Ministry, and Laughter with Jason Helopoulos
Listen as the two friends talk about the Land of Lincoln, about influential books and authors in their lives, and how the importance of friendship. You’ll get to learn more about Jason’s background, more about why he loves the PCA, and you’ll get to hear his great laugh. Chapters: 0:00 Intro &...
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Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
After a summer hiatus, the fellas are back together to kick off a new season of LBE. If you always look forward to the sports banter with these three, then you will LOVE this episode. You get a deep dive on the Olympics, including what makes them so joyful, what other countries besides America to...
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The Airing of Gratitude with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Kevin is joined once again by his friends—and by now, only somewhat special guests—Justin and Collin. Listen in as the three amigos talk about books, summer plans, and what they are grateful for. Once again, you’ll find that the guys hit that sweet spot that combines ephemeral chatter and…
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The Blessing (and Danger) of Authority with Jonathan Leeman
We live in a day where authority is often rebuffed and where many people are quick to assume all authority is abusive authority. And yet, some authority is abusive. But the antidote to bad authority is not “no authority” but “good authority.” Kevin welcomes Jonathan Leeman, editorial director for...
About this show
Life and Books and Everything is a podcast hosted by Kevin DeYoung where discussions center on, well, life and books and everything. As a church pastor and theology professor, Kevin loves to talk about faith, theology, history, current events, and the occasional hot topic. We hope you will learn something, laugh a little, and get some good book recommendations along the way.
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Clearly Reformed
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