Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life

Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life

Author: The Gospel Coalition, Collin Hansen October 21, 2025 Duration: 55:48

Imagine you could save your life through one simple, regular act. You wouldn’t always want to do it. Every week you’d come up with multiple excuses. The night before would often be a struggle. Same with the morning before. Every time you finish you feel refreshed, energized, eager to undertake that day’s agenda. But then when it came time to do it again, somehow you’d still struggle to do it.

Ok. I don’t know what comes to mind for you. Maybe the gym. Maybe a quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. Maybe a call or meeting with a family member or friend. But I’m talking about church and a new book by Rebecca McLaughlin, How Church Could (Literally) Save Your Life, published by Crossway and TGC.

Rebecca is widely known to Gospelbound viewers and listeners as author of several of the most encouraging and successful books in TGC history, including Confronting Christianity, The Secular Creed, and Jesus through the Eyes of Women. She’s also a fellow with The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. She returns to Gospelbound to discuss the life-changing research on what makes church good for your health.

In This Episode

04:30 – What Makes Church Unique

08:00 – How many modern moral values come directly from Christianity 

16:00 – Real Benefits, Real Belief

23:00 – The Church as Family

30:00 – Sharing Faith in a Skeptical World

45:00 – Healing from Church Hurt

48:00 – A Practical Vision for Believers 

Guest  Resources

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In a world that often feels unsteady, Gospelbound offers conversations grounded in something deeper. Host Collin Hansen, with The Gospel Coalition, sits down each week with thoughtful guests to explore how historic Christian faith speaks into our current moment. These discussions aren't theoretical; they're about the actual books people are reading, the ideas shaping our culture, and the practical challenge of living out conviction when the ground seems to shift. This podcast recognizes the particular anxieties of a post-Christian context but refuses to be defined by them, turning instead to the resources of the gospel for clarity and hope. You'll hear a focus on enduring truth, but the tone is far from detached-it's engaged, curious, and built for anyone who wants their faith to be both thoughtful and resilient. The result is a series of dialogues that feel like a necessary pause, a chance to consider how a centuries-old story provides a surprisingly fresh compass for life today. Tune in for a perspective that is both timely and intentionally rooted beyond the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Gospelbound
Podcast Episodes
God Is Working While You’re Waiting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Collin Hansen and Mark Vroegop discuss the biblical significance of waiting and how it can deepen our trust in God's timing and strengthen our faith.
Hoping Against Hope in American Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Collin Hansen and James Davison Hunter discuss America's political crisis and the need for Christians to practice "faithful presence" instead of seeking political power.
LIVE at TGCW24: Hope and Help for Doubters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:31
Collin Hansen and Rebecca McLaughlin tackle today's tough cultural questions, offering hope and guidance for those wrestling with doubt.
Abraham Lincoln and Today’s Trials for Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:26
Collin Hansen and Dr. Allen Guelzo discuss Abraham Lincoln's democratic leadership during the Civil War and its relevance to understanding and preserving democratic values today.
Goodwill's CEO on Christian Leadership and the Fight for Opportunity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:12
Collin Hansen and Steve Preston discuss Preston's integration of Christian faith with his leadership roles, notably as President and CEO of Goodwill Industries, where he focuses on social impact and poverty alleviation.
Jonathan Edwards’s Vision for the 21st Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Collin Hansen and George Marsden discuss the enduring relevance of Jonathan Edwards's theology, demonstrating how God’s beauty and love are foundational to understanding our faith today.
Lessons on Evangelism from an Unlikely Evangelist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Collin Hansen and Claude Atcho explore the transformative power of personal encounters with Jesus, using the Samaritan woman's story as a blueprint for modern Christian witness in a skeptical society.
Melissa Kruger on Hopeful Parenting in a Secular Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:36
Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger delve into the intricacies of Christian parenting in today's secular society, offering insights and practical advice from Kruger's new book, "Parenting with Hope."