Mike Cosper

A few of you have asked what’s next for me since my exit from Christianity Today. I thought I’d send out a quick note and update you. The truth is… I’m not entirely sure. I have a couple of interesting options opening up, but given the nature of what I do best — long form audio storytelling — it’s a unique role to find the right fit. I do plan on doing some more work at Substack in the near term, and likely far less on social media, where one can rarely articulate fully-formed ideas. I am considering doing some video content for YouTube in the vein of news analysis, pop culture commentary, and historical reflections. I am also in conversations with a couple of friends about possibly launching a news and ideas podcast, and given that these are two extremely brilliant and much-better-credentialed persons than me, I think the idea has promise. Much has to be worked out there (including funding, which is always tricky) but if you’re appreciate my work at all, you’ll love this… should it come together. I’m also still working on a manuscript I hope to finish shortly, and I’m excited to share more about that in the next few months. I’m grateful for the encouragements and prayers. It’s been a surprising and surprisingly difficult few months, going back to last fall and all our family has been through, as well as my exit from CT, and many bumps along the road in between. I would be grateful for your prayers for provision for our family. To that end, two quick comments: First, on a limited and short-term basis, I’m taking on some consulting clients to help them think through and refine their podcast concepts. Also, if any readers might be interested in sponsoring or underwriting or being a patron to a larger a Substack initiative, including this news and ideas podcast, please reach out. I can fill you in in more detail. You can reach me here where my DM’s are open, or at mikecosper.net, where I have a contact page. In the meantime, I’m grateful for your encouragement and support, and I look forward to whatever comes next.

There is no one more morally clear-eyed and articulate than Haviv. \

Every word. Foreigners need to stop patronizing Israelis with their tired, broken slogans. Start listening to the lessons they have learned through hard, bloodstained experience. Give us that respect.

@Smuphy It’s a perfect song. Perfect.

I’m not sure any song has as many lines that just stop me in my tracks as this one. “These 5A bastards run a shallow cross It's a boys last dream and a man's first loss” “And it never did occur to me to leave 'til tonight There's no one left to ask if I'm alright” “How long can they keep you in the ICU Veins through the skin like a faded tattoo” Just an incredible song

About once a year, maybe once every two years, a document I'm working on in Microsoft Word just straight-up evaporates. No backups. nothing. Just gone. Maybe user error. Maybe ghosts in the machine. Maybe gremlins. but it definitely makes me want to scream.

@garonnevik Maybe my favorite line in any movie, ever, delivered by Sean Connery about the grail diary, “I should have sent it to the Marx Brothers.”

Family movie night: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. “How are there catacombs in Venice? It’s sinking. It’s not even possible.” “These special effects are like how I dream.” “Wait, that’s Han Solo??!” “How does the knight know modern English? Shouldn’t he be speaking French?”

Uhhhh... I agree here with Ed Young Jr. Hey @EdYoung Thanks for naming this. Also thanks for baptizing me when I was a kid and you were still at Second Baptist. (I'm not joking — I was like 9 or 10 and you baptized me back in the day.)

@thescottbarber @JohnPiper I'd love to know what specifically is either effeminate or heretical about my work either, and I'd love Mark to say it to my face.

I would be very interested in what @JohnPiper thinks of this behaviour from his onetime colleague.

@joeljmiller @iamfujimura So am I.

@MikeCosper @iamfujimura All the best, Mike! Eager to see where you land.

Since a number of you have asked (and CT has announced it), it is indeed true that I've parted ways with Christianity Today. I wish all of them the best as they continue their work. I am still determining what comes next for me, so I covet your prayers and good will.

For real, @PastorMark — let's go. Let's talk. Let's air it out. What did I get wrong? What did you get wrong? Where did you change your views? What makes me a progressive? (I promise youl'll be sorely disappointed on this one — I bet I'm more of a conservative than you politically.) Where did I get you wrong in my podcast? What did I misrepresent? Let's have a conversation. I'll release the full unedited audio. Let's go dude. Come on. Don't be scared. I'm just a lispy effeminate podcaster — why would you run away from me?

@PastorMark I know you won't reply, because — going back to my original reply to your attack on me — you're a coward, and you can't handle a hard conversation or a difficult question. So run back to the desert where no one knows your past and pretend it doesn't exist. Or man up and talk.

You know what's effeminate? Refusing to sit down and answer hard questions.

Time and place @PastorMark — As I've said many times, I'll bring the microphones. You think I'm effeminate? Let's talk about it. You think I'm a heretic? Let's talk about it. I have a few questions for you too, btw. So let's do this.

@ThiagoJVinhas If you can point to a single instance of me advocating left wing values, I'd be very appreciative.

@MikeCosper I hope you find Jesus and start writing more about him and less about leftwing values.

And the truth is this clip could be an hour long.

Also Ramble On is a perfect song and JPJ’s is why.

It's kinda like how you can swap good drummers in and out of Pearl Jam, but the core of the band is Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, with Eddy creating the key lyrical and front man energy. McCready is one of my favorite guitarists of all time — don't misinterpret me. His solos are perfection. But songs are about mood, groove, synchronicity, and several drummers have made outstanding records because Stone and Jeff are rock and roll perfection when they're together. Kinda like Mick and Keith, or like the secret weapon for the Black Crowes, which is not the Robinsons, but the bass and drums. (Marc Ford is the greatest southern rock soloist of all time btw — bring him back fellas) . Music is weird when it comes to why it works.

Lots of folks posting that Robert Plant acoustic and accordion Ramble On... I'm sorry... without Page and JPJ it doesn't have the right energy. Ever. I've heard a couple dozen covers. It takes JPJ pushing the tempo at just the right moment, and Page's... well... guitar god level mastery of phrasing to make the thing be maybe the greatest LZ song ever record. And here's a perfect example as to why. This is insanely good with Grohl. And as good as Grohl is, what makes this great is Page and JPJ. youtube.com/watch?v=uBcVuN…