Podcast

Viral Jesus

Courtesy of Karen Swallow Prior

‘The Work Is the Platform’

Karen Swallow Prior urges Christian writers to focus on doing good work, not attracting more followers.

Author, literary scholar, and social media dynamo Karen Swallow Prior joins Heather for an engrossing discussion on what it means to build a “platform.” They dive right into the debate that is taking over much of Christian influencer culture—is a huge social media platform a byproduct of pursuing one’s call, or is it the call itself? Karen explains what she believes it means to be truly “called” and questions the unhealthy desperation to be published that she sees among some writers. Warning: This episode may ruffle a few feathers, but it will also stir conviction!

Karen Swallow Prior is a research professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her books include Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. She is co-editor of Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues and has written articles for Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Relevant, The Gospel Coalition, and many others.

Also, in our #GrowingViral segment, meet Madison Hart. Madi is a lover of Jesus, books, and the great outdoors, and has created a blog that she hopes will make you feel less alone. You can find Madi and her blog on Instagram @M’s Inklings.

Reach out to Heather Thompson Day on Twitter @HeatherTDay and Instagram @heatherthompsonday.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Producer: Loren Joseph

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

What the Iran War Could Do to Your Soul

War, in every case, is hell. Let’s watch out for ourselves, lest it also make us hellish.

Ideologies Don’t Save, But We Act Like They Do

Domonic Purviance

Even the most admirable societal aims become spiritual distortions when we treat them as ultimate.

John Perkins, in Life and Facing Death

“If we are going to help others understand who Jesus is, our own lives must reflect his character and love.”

News

Excerpts from a Judge’s Ruling in Favor of Minnesota Refugees

Judge John R. Tunheim said the US government had made a “solemn promise” to the persecuted whom it had welcomed to the country.

Can Reading Fix Young Men’s Modern Malaise?

Good literature can steady and orient unmoored men in their early years. But for renewal, they need to read Scripture.

The Russell Moore Show

Allen Levi on ‘Theo of Golden’

The author sits down with Russell in Andrew Peterson’s Chapter House for a conversation on the breakout novel.

News

The Syrian Pastors Who Stayed

Hunter Williamson

Violent clashes have led many Christians to emigrate, yet some church leaders see a revival brewing.

Review

American Christianity Is More Than Its Politics

Matthew Avery Sutton’s impressive new history is insightful, helpful, colorful—and incomplete.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube