relationship — Podcast List — THE UNCENSORED UNPROFESSOR

Oct 5

Oct 5 279 Culture via Homelessness

We only see the upper 5' of the iceberg that is homelessness. Down beneath the surface is a massive soul-deadening, cold, indifferent, objectifying culture. That culture teaches us to treat the homeless like incurable objects while politicians use homelessness to score points on their largesse. What should a Christian response be? How does a Christian metaphysic view the problem? How does the book of Lamentations help frame the problem? I also note a recent Pew Forum examination of Christianity in the USA.

Jun 10

Jun 10 158 Trinity (5) A Study of Two Famous Paintings

Uncensored Unprofessor

Trinity

We can learn through different mediums. Herein we examine two preeminent paintings from history: Luca Signorelli's "Anti-Christ" and Andrei Rublev's "Trinity." What insights do these two geniuses show us about human nature, about reality, about our mysterious God? Furthermore, what do these two painters, each of whom lived over 500 years ago, tell us about our current national crisis?

Mar 4

Mar 4 144 Wait, What? (7) Is the New Testament Reliable?

Uncensored Unprofessor

Wait What?

The now-common meme says, "the New Testament is a phony construction, the product of men who got together after Jesus' death and conspired to hoodwink us all." I work through multiple layers of history and truth to expose that trope for just what it is: a time-worn meme. In this episode I also describe a new species of being I've encountered in Idaho. Come think and laugh with me!

Oct 9
Oct 9 122 The Christian Graces (3) Ambiguity-We Hate Uncertainty!

Uncensored Unprofessor

The Christian Graces

I've never met somebody who relished in uncertainty. Ambiguity is hard on us, sometimes it is hard on our faith. In this episode will I celebrate ambiguity? Nope. But I will point out some of the positive dimensions that the space, distance, and freedom which all come from ambiguity make possible in our lives. I also talk about the olfactory wonders of walking my dog, Bindi!

Jul 3
Jul 3 107 Why is the Church Sick? (8) A Millennial View (b)

Uncensored Unprofessor

Why is the Church Sick?

In this conversation with my son, John, we explore the topics of money and cultural relevance. Low churches face the conundrum of needing large donors but not wanting to be controlled by those same donors. How should they go about walking that dicey tightrope? And then, everyone wants to be culturally relevant, so how might Low churches seek relevancy without losing their souls, on the one hand, or seeming like cloistered cults, on the other? Tough questions that deserve our consideration.

Dec 27
Dec 27 079 World Religions (9) Christianity is Superior

Uncensored Unprofessor

World Religions

Christianity is the superior religion because of some categories that are common to all people: personhood, meaning, history, and relationship. These are not only good categories for sharing faith in Christ, they are profound for processing life together. This is the last episode in my series on the World Religions.

Oct 16

Oct 16 067 Is God's Love Really Unconditional?

Uncensored Unprofessor

Spirituality

Unconditional love. It is a slogan, thrown around like a frisbee. Is it biblical? If so, what does it mean? Does it mean God loves sinners? Does it mean that, no matter what, God will still seek relationship with us? What is the nature, the root, of God's love? And more, does God only love us for who we are today? Or is the future of that relationship somehow at stake?
In this episode I also welcome the listeners from 13 new countries!

Apr 9

Apr 9 033 Homosexuality and Pastoral Suggestions

Uncensored Unprofessor

jerry, top25, Sex

Christians seem leery of talking about homosexuality. And so they usually just get swept up by the larger cultural trends. Yet, Jesus called us to an often difficult way of life, one characterized by grace and truth. How do we live that out? How should Christians show love on sensitive matters? For instance, should one go to a homosexual wedding? What is the core issue for one's identity: sexuality or Christ? Or, can one be a Christian and a homosexual? Are people born gay? Is it possible that one's homosexual temptations are one's cross to bear? Is it wrong to have feelings for someone of the same sex? I ask and answer several uncomfortable questions in this episode.

Feb 15

Feb 15 023 Why Does Morality Matter? (4) The Role of Eschatology

Uncensored Unprofessor

Why Does Morality Matter?

What was Jesus about? How did eschatology define both he and his ministry? If Christianity is about going to heaven when we die, why does morality even matter? Jesus was stunningly oriented to eschatology (end-life, after-life) and eschatological themes. These themes still matter today for those of us who follow the risen one. Christian morality is inseparable from eschatological underpinnings.

Dec 26

Dec 26 012 Faith vs. Reason (11) God the Author, Actor of His Own Story

Uncensored Unprofessor

Faith vs Reason

We all live our lives based on a story. By which story are you living? God is a risky author-actor: he lets other subjects and beings have a role in his own very play. We can say “no,” we can somewhat alter the story. But if we're going to join God at recess, we'll be asked to play by the guidelines of his playground. Oh, and I also speak toward what all this means for me.

Dec 8

Dec 8 007 Faith vs. Reason (6) What is Faith?

Uncensored Unprofessor

Faith vs Reason

Perplexingly, the Bible's undergirding presupposition is Faith. But, just what is faith? How should we define it? And, how does the Bible prove faith? Or, to what did Jesus appeal in order to "prove" himself and his identity? Similarly, how do we explain or prove a miracle? How does faith manifest in everyday life? This episode also contains a movie review.

Nov 22

Nov 22 003 Faith vs. Reason (2) Religion and Facts and Trust

Uncensored Unprofessor

Faith vs Reason

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.