Is sleep a spiritual discipline? A biblical case for rest

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: [email protected] 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 UCLA (Cinema & Media Studies). He’s called Southern California home ever since. From 2008 to 2017 he worked at Biola University, where he met and married his wife Kira. The week he met Kira was also the week Brett’s first book, Hipster Christianity, was released. He invited her to the book-release party and she came. The rest is history! Brett and Kira now live in Orange County, where they are raising four delightful young children and attend church at Southlands Church Santa Ana. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries. Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco. Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org. All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.