Show Summary

Every day we are reminded that our world isn’t even close to the Eden paradise God created. We know everything is in need of redemption. But that doesn’t prevent shock and outrage when particular instances of brokenness are exposed in people, systems, and society at large. When everything seems terrible, terrible becomes the norm. It becomes the way things are or the way things have always been—and that’s when we are in danger of conflating the status quo with God’s intent for the world. We need to think creatively to imagine something more than the norm.

In this episode of Persuasion, Erin Straza and Hannah Anderson continue their Ready, Set, Think! series with a conversation about taking a fresh look at how the status quo shapes our thinking. Things that have always been a certain way become the normal mode of thinking and living, a thought framework that operates in our subconscious and influences everything we see. For example, our culture has incorporated Darwinian thoughts of might makes right and survival of the fittest. Most Christians would disagree with these theories on the surface but are completely unaware of how these still hold sway over their everyday choices for education, career, voting, and care for the least in society. How do we detect when the status quo is ruling us more so than God’s promised redemption? What societal norms do Christians need to be cautious about practicing? Can we subvert what’s always been to make room for God’s kingdom to flourish?

Listen in for dialogue on questions like these, then continue the conversation on Twitter @PersuasionCAPC or in the CAPC members-only community on Facebook.

Your Hosts

Erin Straza: Web / Twitter
Hannah Anderson: Web / Twitter

Episode 159 Resources & Links

“Scandals drive calls for top Virginia leadership to resign,” AP News
“Was Everyone Terrible 30 Years Ago?” Washington Post
“How Powerful Is Status Quo Bias?” Psychology Today

Did you enjoy this episode of Persuasion? Give these a listen!

Persuasion 156 | Thinking It Through
Persuasion 157 | Thinking Twice, with Jen Pollock Michel
Persuasion 158 | Good Thinking

Theme music by Maiden Name. Produced by Jonathan Clauson.

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