The Russell Moore Show

Russell’s conversation with Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute).

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Over the next few weeks, the Russell Moore Show is digging into the archives and bringing back some of our favorite conversations.

This inaugural “best of” episode from May of 2023 is with Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute from the TV series, The Office, who utters this phrase: “Whenever I’m about to do something, I think ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.”

In an age of cultural division and religious disagreement, many people feel that talking to someone with a different perspective on faith is, well, something an idiot would do. But Rainn Wilson disagrees: he’s fascinated by spirituality, generally. In fact, he’s the cofounder of SoulPancake, which develops content rooted in human connection (remember Kid President?), and the author of the book Soul Boom.

Though Russell and Rainn have genuine disagreements, the conversation is respectful, and ultimately covers pop culture depictions of religion, Wilson’s upbringing in the Baháʼí Faith, and what it was like to skyrocket from relative obscurity to fame. They talk about trying to discuss religion in Hollywood, what transcendence means, and whether or not the longing for justice points to a judgment day.
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Do you have what it takes to thrive in the era of AI?

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We talk a lot about AI on this show. And at a time when everyone is questioning the ethics of it all, David Brooks is more interested in what kind of people we should be no matter what happens with AI. His latest for The Atlantic, “The People Who Will Thrive in the AI Age” starts with a comforting bit of research: AI is not necessarily taking our jobs or lessening our workloads. Instead, it’s changing the way we relate to our work. And, the way we respond to this change will have more to do with our success in an AI era than anything else. Brooks says that the future doesn’t belong to those who optimize every task, but to those who continue pursuing the uniquely human work of enthusiasm and volition.

If you’ve been wondering what kind of person will succeed in the onslaught of AI technology, how to be the kind of person that weathers the perceived storm, or what the development of AI means for the modern Christian: this conversation is for you.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

“The People Who Will Thrive in the AI Age” by David Brooks

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

The Hungry Mind: The Origins of Curiosity in Childhood by Susan Engel

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: No matter which way we turn, we don’t know what home is. That’s why Homer still rings true, even in the era of IMAX and SpaceX.

Watch the video of this episode on YouTube here.

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What would it look like if Christians were known less for winning political battles and more for being good neighbors?

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And now for something a little different! On the occasion of Lee C. Camp’s paperback release of his book Scandalous Witness, he invited Russell to interview him for his own podcast, No Small Endeavor.  Since the conversation included topics like Christian nationalism, how Christians have been neighbors both good AND bad, and how Christian witness can actually recover some humility, it felt appropriate to share the episode here too.

This conversation explores what it would mean if, in this divided and exhausted era, Christians (and others) stopped despairing and allowing themselves to be held captive to tribes and ideologies, and instead, actually did the patient work of loving God and neighbor.

Keep up with Russell:

Subscribe to Russell on Substack

Sign up for the weekly Moore to the Point newsletter

Submit a question for the show at questions@russellmoore.com

Subscribe to the Christianity Today Magazine: Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription.

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From the Moore to the Point newsletter: the spiritual reason our elderly leaders refuse to give up power.

Keep up with Russell:

Sign up for the weekly newsletter where Russell shares thoughtful takes on big questions, offers a Christian perspective on life, and recommends books and music he's enjoying.

Subscribe to the Christianity Today Magazine: Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription.

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