N.T. Wright, best-selling author and New Testament Scholar, discusses the enduring influence of ancient gods on our desires for money, sex, and war. He explores the historical and cultural context of belief in a new order, the rise of secularism, and the role of Jesus in a divided world. The podcast explores wisdom, science, fear of the Lord, and the significance of Jesus' resurrection in transforming worldviews.
Our internal lives are driven by primal desires for money, sex, and power, which are the modern manifestations of ancient gods like Aphrodite, Mammon, and Mars.
The divide between religion and the secular world is a modern development with deep historical roots, and recognizing the complex history of ideas can help us understand the nature of belief and its impact on society.
Deep dives
The Power of Unrecognized Gods
The speaker highlights the enduring presence and influence of ancient gods, such as Aphrodite, Mammon, and Mars, in modern society. These gods continue to shape human desires and motivations, including the pursuit of money, sex, and power. While our external circumstances have changed over time, our internal lives remain constant, driven by these primal desires. The worship of these gods may not be overt or named, but their impact is evident in society's sacrifices, such as the neglect of family for Eros, the relentless pursuit of wealth, and the willingness to resort to violence. The recognition and understanding of these unseen gods can shed light on our motivations and the challenges we face as a society.
Secularism and the Splitting of Religion and Politics
The speaker argues against the perceived standoff between religion and the secular world, asserting that this divide is deeply problematic. He traces the origins of secularism to the Enlightenment, influenced by ancient Epicureanism, which sought to eliminate religious fears and divine intervention from people's lives. However, this split between religion and politics is a modern development and not a fixed cultural landscape. The pressure to banish God from public life and rely solely on visible and scientifically measurable realities has led to the dominance of secularism. This polarization oversimplifies the complex history of ideas and hinders a deeper understanding of the nature of belief and its impact on society.
The Relevance of Wisdom in an Integrated World
The speaker posits that wisdom, as depicted in biblical traditions, offers an alternative mode of knowing and understanding in an integrated world. Wisdom is not solely limited to religious practices but encompasses a fuller appreciation of the interconnectedness of various disciplines and areas of knowledge. True wisdom transcends the artificial divide between objectivity and subjectivity and acknowledges the limitations of purely scientific or philosophical approaches. Through wisdom, a holistic view of the world emerges, recognizing the need for reverence, empathy, and love in our pursuit of knowledge. Ultimately, the speaker suggests that Jesus embodies this wisdom and offers a transformative perspective for navigating the complexities of our existence.
The Call for Integration and a Redefinition of Love
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of integrating different realms of knowledge and redefining love in our fragmented culture. He highlights the inherent limitations of a purely objective or subjective approach to understanding the world. By embracing the teachings of Jesus, who embodied divine wisdom, humans can tap into a larger reality grounded in agape love. This love provides a framework for unifying all knowledge, fostering respect, curiosity, and admiration for the multitude of interconnected aspects of existence. It transcends the reductionist preoccupation with power, wealth, and sexuality, offering a more fulfilling and comprehensive way of engaging with the world.
Much of our external circumstances differ from how they were 2,000 years ago — largely, to our benefit. However, our internal lives are surprisingly similar. Our desires for money, sex, and power — and the extreme lengths we’re willing to go to get them — remain.
In this episode, you’ll hear from best-selling author and New Testament Scholar, N.T. Wright (Oxford). He suggests that the sacrifices we make for a “ideal” life are, in a way, worship. Our sacrifices may not be the burnt incense of ancient times, but, he says, our hearts are captivated by money, sex, and power just the same.
This Forum was held at Northwestern University in 2012 and originally titled “What Gods Do We Believe in Now?” Since then, it’s earned over 100,000 views on YouTube. Watch the full Forum — featuring great discussion with Dr. Gary Morson of Northwestern — here.