Can empathy be a bad thing?

This week, Alex and Scott sit down with Joe Rigney, Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrew's College and pastor, as they explore the challenges of Christian leadership, ministry, and missions, and the dangers of emotional sabotage and untethered empathy. Rigney explains that in times of turmoil, leaders must maintain mission clarity and resist being derailed by reactive or manipulative pressures within their organizations.

Joe Rigney discusses that rather than being an unqualified good, empathy can be wielded as emotional blackmail, steering ministries away from their God-given purposes. They also focus on principles of mobilization and missions. Rigney stresses that appeals to missions should be rooted not in guilt but in gratitude, joy, and faith in God’s future grace.

• The concept of mission drift and how institutions get derailed in anxious times
• Difference between biblical compassion and untethered empathy
• The dangers of empathy as emotional blackmail and manipulation
• How appeals to missions should be based on truth and joy, not guilt
• Building sober-minded, resilient leaders who can withstand cultural and emotional pressures

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

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In this special, unplanned episode, Alex and Scott share their raw reflections on this week’s wicked events and how mission-minded Christians must respond in the present hour.

Does studying classical philosophy have any relevance for missions today?

In this episode, Alex and Scott talk with Dr. David Talcott, a philosopher and faculty member at New Saint Andrew’s College, to discuss the intersection of philosophy, culture, and missions. They ask the famous question “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—whether philosophy and Scripture can meaningfully interact. Drawing from Acts 17, they explore how Paul’s intellectual preparation and knowledge of Greek culture allowed him to engage with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, modeling how missionaries today should understand and address the intellectual frameworks of their host cultures.

The discussion broadens into how classical philosophy, particularly Plato and Aristotle, still speaks into modern challenges such as relativism, skepticism, and materialism. Dr. Talcott emphasizes that philosophy provides categories and arguments that can prepare hearts and minds for the gospel, acting as a kind of “preparatory grace.”

Key Topics Covered:

• The question: “What hath Athens to do with Jerusalem?”—philosophy and theology in harmony
• Acts 17 as a model for missionary engagement with culture and thought
• Relevance of classical philosophy for confronting modern ideologies (materialism, relativism, skepticism)
• The role of “common grace” in pagan philosophies and cultures
• The movement to retrieve classical theology and its value for missions today

Being a godly husband and father isn't about one big heroic act, it's about showing up every day. Men need a simple, practical plan to stay faithful in the daily grind. How To Lead Your Family is a no-nonsense guide, from author Joel Beeke, that gives the biblical foundation, Christ-centered encouragement, practical advice for men to purse the high standards that God calls them too. Get 20% off your copy today when you use the promo code: LEADABWE. Additionally, new email subscribers can get 10% off a future order. We are thankful for Reformation Heritage Books for their sponsorship of this episode!

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

• Exclusive bonus content
• A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
• Invite-only webinars
• A free gift!

Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium

The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.