Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

How did American Protestantism fracture into fundamentalism and liberalism? Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Walter Strickland, and Bob Hiller explore the context of the late 19th century, examine the influence of "Common Sense Realism" on Americans’ hermeneutics and how it cracked under the crises of Darwinism and German higher criticism.

THE REFORMATION AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION - solamedia.org/offers/reformation-and-spiritual-formation/?sc=NN2604VY
Dr. Michael Horton shows how the Reformers understood and approached spiritual growth.

A HEART AFLAME FOR GOD - solamedia.org/heartaflame?sc=AP2601VY
Discover a Reformed approach to spiritual growth rooted in Scripture and the Puritan tradition with A Heart Aflame for God by Matthew C. Bingham.

0:00 American optimism after the Civil War
6:34 Common Sense Realism
14:03 Darwin's Origin of Species and German Higher Criticism
19:36 When doctrine started not to matter
23:46 The Social Gospel
26:25 The Perspicuity of Scripture

PARTNER WITH US - solamedia.org/partner/?sc=AS2502VY
When you become a partner today, you'll receive two remarkable books as our thanks:
Rediscovering the Holy Spirit by Dr. Michael Horton and Praying with Jesus by Pastor Adriel Sanchez. We believe these books can guide you into a clearer understanding of the Spirit’s work and a richer prayer life.

LISTEN TO THE SHOW
iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-horse-inn/id356920632
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/11CeAFKB1ZF7pAmhGv4fMA

FOLLOW US
Newsletter: solamedia.org/subscribe
Instagram  instagram.com/solamediaorg
X/Twitter  https://x.com/solamediaorg 
Facebook facebook.com/solamediaorg
   
WHO WE ARE 
Sola is home to White Horse Inn, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and Theo Global. Our mission is to serve today’s global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. Our vision is to see reformation in hearts, homes, and churches around the world. 
solamedia.org