Brendan Graham Dempsey is an author and speaker specializing in metamodern spirituality, exploring the intersections of traditional faith and contemporary thought.

How can ancient faith traditions adapt to the complexities of the modern world?

In this episode of Voices with Vervaeke, John Vervaeke and Brendan Graham Dempsey explore the potential for metamodern spirituality to breathe new life into the Christian faith. Dempsey shares his transformative journey from traditional beliefs to a metamodern perspective that integrates ancient doctrines with contemporary thought. Their discussion addresses challenging issues such as historical and postmodern critiques of the Bible, the complex relationship between faith and science, and the psychological underpinnings of religious practices. This conversation aims to rejuvenate our understanding of Christianity and enrich our engagement with reality, setting the stage for future dialogues on the essence of God and the sacred.

Support John's groundbreaking work and gain exclusive access to live Q&A sessions, early video releases, and more by joining our Patreon community!

---

"I'm interested in the ways that spirituality begins to dovetail with the sciences, where that antagonism many of us are familiar with is transcended and healed in a profound way." - Brendan Graham Dempsey [00:04:00]

"We need the language of explaining because the language of explaining is the language of science. If we don't have a properly cultivated language of explaining, the gulf between spirituality and science will remain. That is one of the significant drivers of the meaning crisis." - John Vervaeke [00:15:33]

"What's the point of the religious relationship to Jesus? Is it to accurately capture the past or wisely prepare you for the future? I think the latter is exactly what it's most properly for." John Vervaeke [00:39:28]

---

0:00 Introduction: Brendan's Christian Roots and Academic Journey

06:20 Modern and Postmodern Biblical Critiques

10:15 Metamodern Christianity and Its Challenges

13:40 Training vs. Explaining in Religious Contexts

20:45 Bridging Historical Jesus and Imaginal Christ

43:05 Faith, Maturation, and the Interplay of Training and Explanation

51:50 Imaginal Recovery and Theological Continuity

01:02:45 Navigating Order and Chaos: Spiritual Growth Dynamics

01:27:30 Conclusion: Exploring the Numinous - God, Sacredness, and Ultimate Reality

---

Become a part of The Vervaeke Foundation's mission to promote the scientifically rigorous pursuit of wisdom and create a lasting impact on the world.

Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships.

---

The Meaning of Meaning | Transcendent Naturalism #7

The Future of Faith | Transcendent Naturalism #8

Unlocking the Mysteries of Meaning: An Intellectual Odyssey

The Artful Scaling of the Religion that is not a religion w/ Layman Pascal & Brendan Graham Dempsey

---

Ideas, Authors, and Works Mentioned in This Episode:

Metamodernism

Transcendent Naturalism

Jesus of Nazareth

Biblical Studies

Postmodern Critiques

Nietzsche

Foucault

Derrida

Spinoza

Plato

Xenophon

Aristophanes

Solon

Aristotle

Henry IV, V, and IV (Shakespeare)

Shakespeare’s early works

Plato's Socrates

H.G. Gadamer

T.S. Eliot

J.R.R. Tolkien

C.S. Lewis

G.W.F. Hegel

J.L. Schellenberg

J.Campbell

C.Jung

Jordan Peterson

Jared Morningstar

Dr. Johannes A. Niederhauser (Halkyon Academy)

J.A.S. Kelso

Paul (Apostle)

Brian McLaren

D.C. Schindler

Paul Vander Klay

The Language of Coaching by Nick Winkelman

---

Follow John Vervaeke: Website | X/Twitter | YouTube | Patreon

Follow Brendan Graham Dempsey: Website | X/Twitter | Facebook

---

Thank you for listening!

The one with Tuppence Middleton