At a Glance
There is nothing in this life that can cause a Christian to lose hope. Why? Because we follow the Author of history—His-story—the God of eucatastrophe.
Eucatastrophe, a term coined by renowned author J.R.R. Tolkien, describes the powerful theme throughout Scripture where stories of seeming catastrophe suddenly take a dramatic turn for good at the last possible moment.
In this episode, Scott, Dwight, and Luke explore how understanding eucatastrophe can transform a Christian’s perspective on hope, faith, tribulation, and suffering. Join them as they unpack this profound concept through Scripture, literature, and its relevance in today’s challenges, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, God is the author of the redemptive story.

Richard Nelson
Richard Nelson is the founder and Executive Director of the Commonwealth Policy Center. He’s served on numerous boards including the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Hopkinsville Community College Board (chair 2020-2021), Kentucky Council on Environmental Education, Pennyrile Christian Community Board (chair 2018-2021), and Trigg County Hospital Corporation Board. Richard was elected to the Trigg County Fiscal Court as magistrate in 2010 and served until 2014. He’s an active member of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort.
Richard’s previous employment includes: Field biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Jamestown, ND; Research Assistant in the Wisconsin State Capitol; Policy Analyst for Family Research Institute of Wisconsin; Field Representative and Policy Analyst with the Family Foundation. He graduated with a triple major BS in biology, wildlife management, and resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1992 and earned a Master of Arts in public policy from Regent University in 1995.
He is certified by the Wildlife Society as a wildlife biologist and certified by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a secondary education teacher in environmental science.
Richard is an outdoors enthusiast and formerly ran an award-winning taxidermy studio in Cadiz, KY. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and camping. Father of three girls and a boy, he resides in Franklin County with his wife Bobby Jo on Dry Ridge Farm.
What You'll Hear
Using the link above, you can read the transcript or listen along while highlighted text follows the podcast audio.
"How many of us can be the person who actually turns somebody else's catastrophe into something good?"
Dwight Vogt (50:26)
Quotes
Go Deeper
When the principles of the Bible are understood as a comprehensive worldview, it has tremendous power to work transformation in individuals, families, communities, and even nations. Too often, Christians are ineffective because they have absorbed cultural thinking that is not in alignment with truth.
Not all worldviews are equal. Some lead to brokenness and poverty, while the biblical worldview leads to God’s intended flourishing and the blessing of the nations. Our Kingdomizer Training Program can help you understand the biblical worldview and discover areas in your own thinking that need to be transformed by God’s Word.
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