Episode Details

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Brett McCracken, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition, to discuss his book The Wisdom of Sleep and why sleep and rest are biblically significant, countercultural practices in a chaotic, achievement-driven world. Brett shares what drew him to a theology of sleep, the balance between work and rest, and how prioritizing sleep can be an act of trust in God and a witness to others. Together, they discuss research linking poor sleep to major health risks, the importance of good sleep "stewardship," and the role of limits in Christian maturity.

The conversation explores sleep as a daily reminder of mortality and resurrection hope, the science and theology of dreams, and practical approaches to Sabbath as communal worship and grateful enjoyment of God's gifts.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(1:30) Why write about sleep

(5:30) Work rest balance

(8:12) Culture sleep myths

(11:21) Sleep crisis stats

(18:08) Bible on sleep

(19:56) Sleep versus rest

(22:06) Sleep as trust

(38:59) Dreams in Scripture

(40:08) Science of dreaming

(43:24) Spiritual warfare at night

(46:33) Remembering dreams

(48:06) Sabbath as trust

(52:12) Communal Sabbath savoring

(55:54) Where to find The Wisdom of Sleep book

(57:03) Conclusion

Resources

• The Gospel Coalition website
• Brett McCracken’s website
• Ask Us Anything: info@denisonforum.org
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Brett McCracken

Brett McCracken is a senior editor for The Gospel Coalition and a leading voice at the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts.

For two decades he has written articles and books that have helped Christians love the church, understand cultural trends, and engage the arts with thoughtful appreciation and biblical discernment. In recent years his focus has been on how the digital age shapes souls and erodes wisdom. This emphasis began with his influential 2021 book, The Wisdom Pyramid, followed by a co-edited project in 2025, Scrolling Ourselves to Death. His newest book, The Wisdom of Sleep(Zondervan Reflective, 2026), doubles as a theological reflection on rest and a critique of our optimization-obsessed technological moment.

Born and raised in Tulsa and Kansas City, Brett attended Wheaton College (IL) before venturing west to California, where he received an M.A. at