boundaries — Podcast List — THE UNCENSORED UNPROFESSOR

Nov 5

Nov 5 441 What about the Good?, Convos w/Mark

Can Christians be good? Can non-believers be good? Mark and I work through questions like these inside a biblical and Christian worldview. There is an established and severe piety that says human beings are only evil, and there is a kind of popular piety that say I can never be good enough. How should we think through these issues? What kinds of patterns in life can we recognize that go toward the good? And then, just what is the Christian mission? Evangelism alone? Or is doing good, even beautiful, things also part of what the Lord has for us? In that work do we have to be perfect for the action to be blessed of God? How perfect? Why? Come laugh and think with us as we work through this oft-misunderstood topic, goodness.

Jan 8

Jan 8 398 Jesus said. . . That?! (11) Love Your Enemies

Uncensored Unprofessor

Jesus said. . . That?!, Jesus' Hard Sayings

Hindus who've never read four Gospel sentences and Wiccans all know he said it, "love your enemies." But since we know Jesus was not trying either to lay down a new ethical code or teach pacifism, what was his point? What did his words mean in a first century business framework of amicitia? What did Jesus' words mean in light of the Old Testament teaching on enemies? Just how should one pray for one's enemies? How have these specific words of Jesus reshaped western civilization? In the show's opening I also reflect on how Daniel Dennett, a leading evolutionary philosopher, explains away consciousness and mind. Moreover, I lament the global Church's leadership vacuum; what do we do in light of the dearth of leaders?

Sep 1

Sep 1 222 What Comprises a Christian Worldview (1) Reality, Infection, Agency

Uncensored Unprofessor

Christian Worldview

I refer to it all the time: a Christian worldview. But what is it? What essential elements go into such a worldview? How does that worldview compare to common philosophic and religious worldviews? Or, how does it compare to a postmodern worldview? I explore how the Bible presents reality, the infection, and the topic of agency. Come laugh with me!

Dec 9

Dec 9 184 Drip, Drip, Drip—Change Through Incrementalism

Uncensored Unprofessor

Current Events

This episode: my reflections on the state of the election; ancient Jewish wisdom about friendships; and how most things in life change. On the latter I explore incrementalism regarding ourselves as individuals and then about families and nations. We tend to assess the big events and ignore the little ones, when it is the small things that really add up.

Feb 20

Feb 20 024 The Beauty of Boundaries

Uncensored Unprofessor

Quick Hitters

My neighbors will be happy when there is a fence adjacent my jacuzzi. There are sights they need not behold! :) Much of life is like that: we need to draw a line, a border, a boundary in order to protect the dignity of all the parties involved. Boundaries, psychological and physical, are necessary for health.