In this challenging and timely conversation, Dave and Dante sit down with theologian and author Dr. Joe Rigney to discuss a topic that has sparked significant debate in both Christian and cultural spaces: the sin of empathy.
Empathy is often celebrated as an unquestioned virtue—but what happens when empathy is detached from truth? Dr. Rigney helps clarify the difference between biblical compassion and disordered empathy, showing how misplaced emotional identification can lead men away from wisdom, courage, and faithful leadership.
This episode is especially relevant for fathers and husbands navigating emotional pressure, cultural confusion, and moral compromise—both inside the home and in the public square.
What Dr. Rigney means by "the sin of empathy"
Why empathy is not always a virtue when divorced from truth
The difference between compassion and emotional manipulation
How empathy can be weaponized in modern culture
Biblical examples of rightly ordered love and mercy
Why men are especially vulnerable to disordered empathy
How fathers can lead with both truth and tenderness
The role of courage and clarity in Christian masculinity
Teaching children to care without surrendering conviction
Pastoral and parental wisdom for engaging emotionally charged issues
Truth must lead love, not the other way around
Compassion does not require agreement
Fathers must model emotional strength rooted in Scripture
Saying "no" can be the most loving response
Biblical empathy always points people toward repentance, restoration, and Christ
Dr. Joe Rigney is a theologian, author, and pastor known for his work on Christian ethics, masculinity, and cultural engagement. He has written extensively on the relationship between truth, love, and emotional formation within the church.
