Within Reason

New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman discusses the Gospel of Judas, exploring Judas Iscariot's motives for betrayal, the historical context of 'Messiah', differing perspectives on Judas across gospels, Gnostic beliefs, interpretations of Jesus, and the discovery and restoration of the Gospel of Judas.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Jonathan Pageau, a French-Canadian icon carver and symbolic thinker, dives deep into the Genesis story of Adam and Eve. He explores the serpent's complex role, challenging traditional views on good and evil. The discussion spans themes of temptation, choice, and the consequences of the fall, illuminating the intricate dynamics of biblical narratives. Pageau also touches on Gnostic theology's implications, advocating for spiritual equality. This rich dialogue invites listeners to reflect on morality, chaos, and the quest for redemption.

In this engaging discussion, Steven Bonnell II, known as Destiny, dives into the complexities of free speech on social media, sparked by personal experiences with platform bans. He explores the balance of voting rights and responsibilities in a democracy, dissecting the broader impact of individual civic engagement. The conversation takes a critical look at Section 230 and media bias while emphasizing the evolution of political principles in practice. Their exploration of emotional agility in debates adds depth to understanding public discourse.

Rabbi David Wolpe discusses the complexities of Jewish identity and conversion, the concept of chosen people, ethical dilemmas in the Bible, interpreting the Book of Job, the afterlife in Judaism, challenges to Jewish theology including circumcision, conversion to Judaism, debating Christopher Hitchens, friendship parallels to religion, and insights into religious debates with well-known figures.

A PhD student in philosophy at Princeton University, Joe Schmid, explores arguments for atheism, discussing topics like non-resistance in non-belief, the role of geography in Christianity, religious diversity, and the atheist argument from the scale of the universe. They delve into the nature of God's omnipotence, the connection between God and goodness, and the comparison of good and evil God hypotheses. The podcast also examines material causation, the improvability argument against God's existence, and philosophical arguments for atheism.

John Nelson, a PhD holder in Biblical Studies, discusses the lack of detailed physical descriptions of Jesus in the Gospels. The podcast explores the intentional absence of Jesus' physical description to emphasize his character and promote imitation. It also delves into diverse artistic renditions of Jesus and Mary and the symbolism of Jesus' clothing in the Gospels.

Joe Folley, creator of 'Unsolicited Advice,' joins to discuss nihilism in philosophy. They explore historical roots, Nietzsche's views, and the erosion of traditional beliefs. The conversation delves into literary characters, the absurdity of seeking meaning, and the correlation between beliefs and behaviors.

Guest Steven West is the host of the popular podcast "Philosophize This!" where he makes philosophy accessible. He discusses the Socratic method's role in seeking truth and contrasts Socratic and pre-Socratic thinkers. The value of philosophy for critical thinking is examined, along with its practical implications for personal decision-making. West emphasizes the importance of selecting interesting topics for beginners and highlights Simone Weil's unique contributions to philosophy, advocating for openness and curiosity in understanding ideas.

Psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist discusses the distinct roles of the left and right brain hemispheres, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and competition for optimal brain functionality. The conversation delves into visual and auditory processing differences, challenges the adequacy of truth in scientific terms, and explores the complexities of human nature, love, and God beyond conventional measures.

Andrew Mark Henry, a scholar of religious studies, discusses the enigmatic Gospel of Thomas, exploring its hidden sayings, connection to Gnosticism, and the potential twinship of Thomas and Jesus challenging traditional Christian beliefs. The significance of Apostle Thomas in early Christianity, the complexities of Doubting Thomas in Christian theology, and the unique theology of the Gospel of Thomas emphasizing inner knowledge for salvation are also explored.