All tagged philosophy
If God is all-powerful and loving why is there so much evil in the world? Why doesn't God stop avalanches, floods, and forest fires? Following theologian John Feinberg, I propose all manner of logical questions and the likely consequences of God's miraculous interventions in nature. Also? This episode has a review of the new Matrix Resurrections movie.
In this conversation with Political Science professor Darren Guerra I ask, were the Founders Christian? Or better, how were they? What were they doing with their faith that is so lacking in the contemporary Church? What is presentism and how does it shape people's assessment of history? What were the Founders' core commitments about being human? What did they borrow from Greek philosophy to build society? Why do core principles matter so much? And, why oh why did they value the Old Testament so much?
The Patristic world was both less opposed and less cut off from the supernatural world. MA student Michael Bozmarov shares with me the insights he learned writing a sizable paper on Ambrose of Milan's reflections. How are angels greater than us? In what ways are we greater than them? Why does God use angels? What can we learn from philosophy about angels? Come think with us about angels during Advent season!
What is the anthropology (doctrine of human nature) that lies beneath Marxism? It's important to understand that because that doctrine both undergirds and reveals what is going on in our woke-scolding era today. Herein I argue that while a Marxist can convert and come to know the living Christ, Marxism itself is beyond redemption: at its core it is atheist. Trying to transform Marxism into Christianity is like a human being trying to live among grizzly bears.
"God is love" is not nearly as thick or rich as saying, "God is three persons in one essence." My point? Our words about God matter more, not less, than our words about other realities. But God as a Trinity crucifies the human intellect! So what to do? Then, what terms did the ancient Church give us that still inform us today? Why do those words matter? What is the essence of God? I also do a bit of processing the recent death of a family member.
"Trinitarian doctrine is a capitulation to Greek philosophy." So goes the standard critique. But is that true? Actually? Nope. Amazingly, the ancient church resisted Greek constructions of truth by developing Trinitarian worship. In this episode I explore that ancient Greek context as well as clarify who and what the ancient—biblically committed—Church pushed back against. The gist of it all? Jesus was not a plug n' play construction of truth. Jesus shatters all pre-existing categories and constructions!
Today isn't today for no reason. All kinds of philosophies and turns and twists across western history landed us on this doorstep. In my second interview with Dr. Greg Austring, himself a missionary to Guatemala for 10 years, we will explore the Pre-Modern, Modern, and Postmodern eras and address how those unique eras affected Christianity. You might see your own self in a new light. Come and laugh with us!
One of our show’s slogans is "Good questions lead to good answers." If that's true, how should we ask good questions? Toward these ends I interview Dr. Dennis McNutt, himself a professor for 40 years (and my father-in-law). Come and think with us both about asking questions!
What categories inform how I watch and review movies? Well, I look for philosophic development, values, integrity, character development, and the good/true/beautiful. Let's use our brains, be aware of getting emotionally played, and enjoy movies as a means for cultural engagement. I also review my favorite movie ever: No Country for Old Men.
We are bombarded with daily instructions to doubt all of reality. Contrastingly, the Bible shows us that we simply must begin with faith. Jesus himself called for faith, faith in him and his message. But there can be no appeal greater than God himself, and in this episode I will explore the logic of why that is the case. In the end, believers are called to exhibit humble confidence or a confident humility. Oh, and I share some of my own faith-journey.
The standard mantra goes, “faith is for religion, facts are for science.” But the truth is huge chunks of our everyday lives are lived by faith. You don't know how electricity works, but you trust the people who do, and you trust who built your appliances, wired your house. It takes faith to learn how to play the guitar. Faith, then, is not so unusual as we think. This episode also contains a movie review.
