The Redeemed Man with Rick Phillips

In this deeply personal and reflective episode of Life and Books and Everything, Kevin DeYoung welcomes his longtime friend and pastoral colleague, Rick Phillips, for a candid conversation about faith, identity, and the redemptive power of the gospel. Rick recounts his journey from a privileged military upbringing—third-generation West Point officer and tank commander—to a profound conversion at age 30, sparked by a life-changing sermon at 10th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He shares how his father’s decline from multiple sclerosis and his own missed opportunity to serve in Desert Storm shattered his self-reliant, glory-driven worldview, opening space for God’s grace. After a transformative seminary experience at Westminster, Rick was called not to a quiet pastoral role but to serve as executive director of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals under James Montgomery Boyce, a role he initially resisted but ultimately embraced as divine providence. The conversation then turns to Rick’s new book, The Redeemed Man, co-edited with Joel Beeky and Paul Smalley, which offers a comprehensive, Christ-centered vision of biblical manhood that resists both cultural reactionism and toxic masculinity. Rick emphasizes that true manhood is rooted in discipleship, service, emotional intimacy, and godly leadership—not performance or cultural signifiers. The episode closes with a powerful call to mentorship, highlighting the importance of investing in younger men and the enduring legacy of faithful spiritual fathers. Key takeaways include: (1) True identity is found not in achievement or status but in being redeemed by Christ; (2) The gospel transforms character more than behavior, producing a new man through grace; (3) Biblical manhood is not about dominance or image but about servant leadership, emotional availability, and faithful discipleship; (4) Mentorship is essential—spiritual fathers are not optional but necessary for the health of the church; (5) The best response to cultural chaos is not reaction but a deep, abiding commitment to the Word of God. Rick’s story is a testament to the power of providence, the beauty of grace, and the enduring call to be faithful in the ordinary places.