What was the world like when the apostle Paul was writing? Was he naive about the sexuality at work then? Was he able or not to make distinctions between behaviors and orientations? This episode will examine a trove of historical data to clarify what the ancients did and did not know or understand about human sexuality. I will also explain why this information matters for contemporary Christianity and Christian ethics.
What did Jesus teach and imply about human sexuality? Was he merely silent on the matter? Was he different from his Jewish background? Did he follow other rabbis on the matter? Was he permissive and lenient? Or, was he legalistic and strict? We do well to know what our Lord taught. How might we replicate Jesus' own m.o. regarding sex, dealing with sin and sinners, and our own heart's attitude?
Atheism, scientism, and nihilism—because they lack imagination— all fail to give a sufficient account of what it means to be human. The Bible, starting in Genesis, gives us a towering view of what it means to be human, but foundationally roots that in our maleness and femaleness. In mysterious and beautiful ways, we mirror the Triune God. But how is that possible? Is God 1/2 male and 1/2 female? Come and think with me.
We are witnessing a swift but enormous societal shift concerning human sexuality. What does that mean? What is driving that shift? Really, just what does it mean to be human? What kinds of issues are related to those questions? Why is any of this important?
Life is both beautiful and interspersed with pain. How should we process the latter? How might Christians process intense pain? Is God causing everything? Does prayer matter? What about mercy ministry to those enduring intense pain? How does gratitude help? What kinds of things should we say and not say to those with intense pain? I worked through these kinds of questions following major back surgery.
We live in an unusual era where ideals, and with them heroes, are seen as burdens to be avoided rather than goals to be sought out. But is this helpful? Is this necessary? What might be a better perspective for we as individuals and for society? (This is a quick hitter.)
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.
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.
Morality matters to Jesus. In fact, sometimes he was downright forceful about morality! He didn't come just so we could go to heaven when we die. In his ministry he modeled all manner of ways he wanted to transform society; and I develop those herein. God cares about the common good. Indeed, he wants shalom for us, and salvation is shalom is salvation.
The Old Testament shows us that morality truly matters to God. But why did God take a huge chunk of 39 books, a huge chunk of human history, and go on and on about morality? Isn't Christianity just about being saved and going to heaven? I reference the movie Apocalypto to help us understand the OT context. (I also review Star Wars: The Last Jedi.)
Between the massive cultural slide into moral relativism and the Church's growing silence, morality does not much seem to matter for Christians. But just what does Jesus' identity have to say toward this mawing gap? Listen to this 5 minute episode.
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.
Christians run reason through a sieve of faith, but that in no way cancels out reason. Faith welcomes reason! Even more, faith makes room for doubt! It is true, yes, that God is far greater than reason, but he comes to us in ways that reason welcomes and embraces. In this episode I tell the stories about the first college class I ever taught and about sharing my faith with my mom. I also explore a recent neuroscientist's book on Near Death Experiences.
Why do I believe? Well, by this world's standards Jesus' method was utterly crazy! His approach is shocking. So he is not your ordinary hero, even though you might not notice that upon first glance. I also have a movie review: 3 Billboards outside of Ebbing, Missouri.
This is my very first "quick hitter" episode (mere minutes long). Just what does tolerance mean? What doesn't it mean? It seems simple, but watching our society apparently it is not.
Why am I a Christian? Just why do I believe? This is the first half of a two-part delineation of why I embrace the Christian worldview. I speak variously to spiritual, existential, and philosophical issues that are profound for me. To that end I describe an automobile accident I was in, why and that beauty is so gripping to me, and what the Bible has to say about human nature.
If God is beyond and outside of reality how can we say the universe then mirrors him? How dare we say that there is reason woven into the universe? Another question, do all people reason the same way? Why or why not? You see, Christianity is a perspective we look through and into reality, not something we only look at.
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.
Which story influences your life? The Bible is a story, with God as the main actor and author, that is meant to influence all lives. But, just what is a narrative approach to theology or to life? (I also review the movie Wonder).
