And so adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu. What have we learned in seven years? What's changed? How have we changed - and why are conservative evangelicals so reluctant to admit to changing? I guess the clue is in the title... Anyway, here are Cooper & Cary's Last Words, with a few fresh jingles as well as some golden oldies.

Keep in touch with Cary at Cary’s Almanac

Keep up to date with Coops' latest work here, his health situation here, and his sermons here.

Celebrities burning themselves (Joe Gaudet)

Trump thinks he’s doing well (Austin Nasso)

You already have the BIBLE based on: (NSFW)

Books 

The Devil’s Candy: The Anatomy of a Hollywood Fiasco

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go by Nancy Guthrie

The Unseen Realms by Michael Heiser

Through New Eyes by James B Jordan

Typology by Jim Hamilton

Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge

Podcasts 

Simply Put by Our Very Own Coops

The Christ-Centred Cosmic Civilisation with Paul Blackham

Bible Talks 9Marks podcast

The Bible Overbrew

Speak Life

YouTube

The Reformed Mythologist with Nate Morgan Locke

The Bible Overbrew

Speak Life

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Ahead of the last ever episode dropping next time, Cooper and Cary thought this would make a good episode for our last 'replay'. Recorded in front of a tiny audience at Speak Life back in November 2021, this one has a bit of Cooper and Cary behind-the-scenes backstory and the importance of the absurd and daft jingles. And the interviewer/MC is friend of the show, the one who became Reformed Mythologist, Nate Morgan Locke.

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Originally entitled 'Too cool for School?', this stridently pro-homeschooling episode from 2021 generated more emails than any other to date. Have a listen and you might find out why. Or maybe you feel differently now?

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Back in November 2020, we released this episode as "I'm Not Your Buddy Guy", which is a South Park reference Cary doesn't get, so he changed it to The Rest is Guy Fawkes, for obvious reasons. If you want to go to Cary's Almanac, you'll find that HERE.

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Ever heard an audible voice from God? Or fetl that God was clearly instructing you to do something? Does that make you a "Charismatic" Christian? What's the difference between a Cessationist and a Continuationist? Back in October 2022, Coops and Cary chatted this one through.

For other back episodes - dozens of them! - join us on Patreon! And access to our Discord server which is basically what you hoped social media would be, but isn't.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Back in September 2021, Coops and Cares got together to talk about the uncomfortable idea of rewards in heaven. Christians don't tend to dwell on this. Not today. Why? And what is the truth of the matter? Let's look at Luke 19.

For other back episodes - dozens of them! - join us on Patreon! And access to our Discord server.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

While we await our final episode #180, here's one from back in May 2021 about a question that comes round and around: should I leave my church? You could listen to an extended version via Patreon where you can access all previous 179 episodes!
https://www.patreon.com/cooperandcary

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Back in 2019, before everything got really weird, Coops and Cares recorded this episode about endings. The presenting issue was the Game of Thrones season finale, but it's not really about that. How do you end something? I guess we've been thinking a bit about that around here... Hope you enjoy.

More from the archives over on Patreon. You're still welcome to join us there and fill in some blanks...
https://www.patreon.com/cooperandcary

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

This is not episode 180. That's still to come. But that'll be the last one. After that, it'll be "So long, and thanks for all the fish." You can listen to back episodes if you join us on Patreon.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with fellow writer, SD Smith (Green Ember) - and whaddayaknow? They complain about how hard it is to be a writer, even though they get to live in castles. In fact, it's mandatory. Anyway, the Green Ember series is huge. Find out why and how and what happened next. And check out SD Smith's wares at his website: https://sdsmith.com

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with Dr Ted Turnau, academic, author and fanboy. What does it mean to be a fan, dress up and go to conventions? Is it a form of religion or a rival faith? And what happened with those guys who collected My Little Ponies? Is it high time we learned to Love Thy Nerd? https://lovethynerd.com And check out Oasis of the Imagination: https://amzn.to/4cMxURZ Imagination Manifesto https://amzn.to/4bPaERZ and The Pop Culture Parent https://amzn.to/4bVOptD

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with Christopher. That would be the utterly delightful Christopher Ash, who has just written a massive four-volume work on the Psalms for Crossway that shows us Christ in the Psalms. You can find it here: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-psalms-hcj-5/ 

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with Ellie Wiener, a young ancient linguist whose bluff was called and she found herself researching a PhD on the Book of Job. Cary wonders if the beginning is so tragic it teeters over into comedy. And when God speaks to Job, is He sarcastic? Ellie has some thoughts.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with Dr Graham Shearer about politics following his talk entitled:  “Contemporary Politics and the Crisis of the Spiritual Sense”. Turns out politics is not downstream from culture, as Cary had often assumed. Who knew? Well, Dr Graham knew. He's a Lecturer in Theology at Union Theological College, Belfast, so I guess he would, right?

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary and (Rev Ash) Carter have words about the life and times of an extraordinary man: Richard Baxter. He lived from 1615 until 1691, and went from preaching to Parliament on a day of repentance for executing the King - to being imprisoned for being a theological troublemaker. What can we learn from his life, ministry and truly voluminous writings, including The Reformed Pastor. There's an updated and abridged version from Crossway here.

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with author, podcaster, failed atheist and former Director of Theos, Elizabeth Oldfield who looks at the seven deadly sins in her new book, Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. 

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

What is Protestantism? And why are Protestants reluctant to use the term about themselves? Is it useful anymore? Rhys Laverty should know. He is Editor in Chief at Ad Fontes, Managing Editor at Davenant Press, and Director of Communications at the Davenant Institute. Find him and his work here: https://thenewalbion.substack.com/

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cooper, Cary and Morgan Locke talk about The State of the Culture, art, entertainment, distraction, addiction and whether dopamine is all that. Plus some EXCITING new jingles...

Referring to this article: https://www.honest-broker.com/p/the-state-of-the-culture-2024

And mentioning The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt https://amzn.to/44c7PIz

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cary has words with friend of the show, Randy Newman, author of Questioning Evangelism, Mere Evangelism and a new book about spiritual journey called, Questioning Faith.  This is a conversation about how God uses us despite our terrible attempts at evangelism, and how non-believers are often stopped in their tracks by unexpected things. And it turns out there's one book by CS Lewis that neither Cary or Newman can understand or get into.  Find out what it is in this episode.

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

From November 2022. Cooper and Cary have words about THAT line in the Apostles' Creed. What exactly was Jesus doing between his death and resurrection?

https://journal.rts.edu/article/he-descended-into-hell/
Support the show

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Well, that was 2023. Join James and Barry as they choose their favourite episodes, dive into the C&C mailbag, and talk about their favourite books, films, tv, podcasts, and moments of 2023. Pull up a cocoa, recline by the glowing hearth, and - sure, go ahead - stoke the auld acquaintance, as we see out another year together.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

James and Barry have extended words about Unidentified Autonomous (or Anomalous, or Aerial) Phenomena - UAPs to their friends. Strange things are being seen in the skies, even by highly trained and highly sceptical USAF fighter pilots, there is video evidence which has been made publicly available, and these things are being discussed at the highest levels of government. What's going on? Why have governments previously wanted to keep quiet about it? And how should Christians think about these things? Is it a threat to historic, biblical Christianity - or confirmation of it?

UAP footage on NBC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nSIKYlm2eE

Declassified UAP footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO_M0hLlJ-Q

Haunted Cosmos podcast: https://www.thehauntedcosmos.com

Medieval X-Files courtesy of the Middle Ages Music YouTube Channel

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cooper and Cary have words about spiritual revivals with Jonathan Thomas, writer and presenter of the documentary Welsh Awakenings. Jonathan is pastor of Cornerstone Church Abergavenny, and the presenter of All Things Considered on BBC Radio Wales.

Watch the documentary trailer here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/welshawakenings

Jonathan's book, Intentional Interruptions: Learning to be Interrupted the Way God Intended: https://tinyurl.com/2e4nrdam

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

James and Barry have words about the TV juggernaut that is The Chosen. Lots of their friends love it. But James and Barry have... thoughts. Is The Chosen a 2CV - second commandment violation - and if not, is it still worth watching?

Here's the Justin Peters Youtube Video

Cary’s Water into Wine show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cooper and Cary have words about power and its abuse with Mark Stirling, former medical doctor and pastor. He's the author of Not So with You: Power and Leadership for the Church.

Mark's book: Not So With You (Amazon UK)
Not So With You (Amazon US)
 
The spate of recent scandals of power abuse by leaders within the evangelical world suggests something is wrong in our churches. When a leader misuses power, they have misunderstood and misrepresented God and the gospel. This volume addresses the key underlying issue of what a biblical and healthy use of power in the church actually looks like. Authors from a variety of Christian backgrounds and traditions help frame a biblical and theological understanding and practice of power use, describe what it looks like when things go wrong (and how to recognize the signs), and suggest how the contemporary church can and must do better in this area. This book is a rigorously grounded biblical challenge to much contemporary practice. It is a call to reformation.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

James and Barry have words about the shift from "being anxious" to "having anxiety". What does anxiety have to do with idols? What are the reasons behind the current "anxiety epidemic"? Is anxiety a condition that ought to be pathologised? Is looking back at historic "trauma" always a helpful way to improve mental health? And how does our new identity in Christ change things?

References
The Student Health Crisis Is A Myth https://unherd.com/2023/09/the-student-mental-health-crisis-is-a-myth/

Why Do Teenage Girls Feel Unsafe? https://unherd.com/thepost/why-do-so-many-teenage-girls-feel-unsafe/

Humans Are More Resilient Than You Think (podcast about "trauma") https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humans-are-more-resilient-than-you-think/id1570872415?i=1000547660535

Common Questions About Mental Illness (podcast with David Murray)
https://www.crossway.org/articles/podcast-answering-common-questions-about-mental-illness-david-murray/

Jon Haidt's Substack, After Babel:  https://jonathanhaidt.substack.com/

Jon Haidt's article about the decline in mental health since 2013, and how colleges have been performing "*reverse cognitive behavioral therapy": https://jonathanhaidt.substack.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

James and Barry have extended words with Thomas Umstattd (@ThomasUmstattd) about writing. In 2009, Thomas started AuthorTechTips.com, a website to help authors use the web to promote their books. In 2014, Thomas’s blog post Why Courtship is Fundamentally Flawed went viral and reached over a million people in just a few weeks. As a podcaster, he hosts the Novel Marketing Podcast, and the Christian Publishing Show.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

James and Barry discuss the art of listening. What does the Bible have to say about it? And how does it relate to anger? Are we bad at listening because it's a selfless thing to do? After all, there's no "I" in "LISTENING" is there? Oh wait.

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Cooper and Cary have  words with Matt Fuller, pastor of Christ Church Mayfair in London - yup, the most expensive one on the British Monopoly board. Matt is the author of Reclaiming Masculinity: Seven Biblical Principles for Being the Man God Wants You to Be. (Cary has known Matt for 25 years and is fine with the fact that Matt did not dedicate this book to him, but went with two other guys instead...)

Support the show

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Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.

Has the church become a battleground for personal preferences? Is the holy communion of believers threatened by our own biases and individualistic tendencies? Cooper & Cary have words about disagreements and disputes in the church, and how to handle them.

In Philippians 4, Paul pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to "agree in the Lord". How do we do that? What does that even mean? And should there be times when we simply can't "agree to disagree"?

Philippians 4

https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/paul-barnabas-split-over-mark/
https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2022/03/conflicts-over-lesser-matters/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-steps-to-conflict-resolution/

Support the show

Unlock extended ad-free episodes, advance access, a huge episode archive, and bonus content, by subscribing to Cooper & Cary+ on Apple Podcasts. Or get everything on C&C+, together with video, and access to the exclusive C&C Discord server, by becoming a Patron.

Encouragement and/or open derision should be addressed here: cooperandcary@gmail.com

Production and music by Cooper & Cary. Opening theme by Beyond Our Galaxy.