Theology & Ethics

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Mark Saucy) discuss the state of the church in Ukraine.Mark Saucy and his family served as missionaries for 13 years with SEND International in Kyiv, Ukraine, assigned to encourage and develop theological education in Eurasia. Saucy has taught regularly at theological institutions throughout Ukraine and the Evangelische Theologische Facultait in Leuven, Belgium. Saucy continues his affiliation with the Eurasia region as Director of Talbot's extension program at Kyiv Theological Seminary and as member of the editorial board of the Eurasian theological journal, Theological Reflections. He is the author of The Kingdom of God in the Teaching of Jesus, articles in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Trinity Journal, Bibliotheca Sacra and other numerous other works for the Union of Evangelicals-Christians Baptist of Ukraine.Support Kyiv Theological Seminary here:https://ktsonline.org/en/support-kts_/If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#marksaucy #ukraine #warinukraine #ukrainechurch #russianinvasion #putin #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES:00:00:00-Introduction00:06:12-State of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church Post Soviet Union00:10:21-Strictures of the State Registered Church00:19:01-Orthodox Church Under the Soviet Union00:25:29-Orthodox and Evangelical Christians in Ukraine00:30:39-Ukrainian Christians and President Zelensky00:36:55-Putin and the Rússkiy Mir00:43:02-Prayer and Support for the Ukrainian Church00:47:41-Outro

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team discusses Superman 2025, a new comic book movie adaptation courtesy of director James Gunn. We’ll discuss the aesthetics of the film, and analyze it from a theological perspective. Anthony’s articles about the movie:https://kirkwood617.substack.com/p/james-gunns-superman-christus-orhttps://www.patheos.com/blogs/theologicalapologetics/2025/07/james-gunns-not-so-super-superman/If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#anthonycostello #superman2025 #clarkkent #jamesgunn #davidcorenswet #DCuniverse #comics #aristotle #kierkegaard #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction00:02:35-Anthony’s Articles About Superman00:05:50-The Challenge of Movie Adaptations00:11:12-The Role of Comic Book Media in Culture00:15:15-Aristotle’s Criteria for Good Drama00:21:42-Superman’s Error of Trading Plot for Spectacle00:47:44-The Importance of Objectivity in Defining Beauty00:53:11-Kierkegaard and the Productive Use of Imagination01:09:59-The Theological Implications of Gunn’s Clark Kent01:27:31-Should Superman Stories Reflect the Gospel?01:37:23-Do Bad Movies Still Have Redemptive Value?01:47:13-Conclusion

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Brent Lyons) discuss Kierkegaard’s extraordinary theology of anxiety, and its practical implications for daily life. If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#brentlyons #kierkegaard #anxiety #mentalhealth #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction00:01:38-Brent Lyons and His Background with Anxiety00:06:56-The Church Fathers and Anxiety00:26:33-Kierkegaard On Anxiety00:44:59-Quotes from Kirkegaard On Anxiety00:51:14-Where Anxiety and Faith Intersect01:07:33-Kirkegaard On Hereditary Sin01:19:59-Gerard and Mimetic Violence01:29:10-Conclusion

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guests Dr. Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec discuss the New Apostolic Reformation, its prominent members, and the many dangers that it poses. Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec have co-authored four books covering the history, doctrines and practices of NAR and its “apostles” and “prophets.” Doug Geivett has been teaching philosophy at Biola University (La Mirada, CA) since 1993. He was educated at Multnomah University (B.S.), Gonzaga University (M.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (M.A.), and the University of Southern California (Ph.D.). He has participated in public debates on the question of God's existence with Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, Paul Draper, Bruce Russell, John Shook, and Gordon Stein. He lectures nationally and internationally on an assortment of topics related to his publications.Holly Pivec has a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. She was the University Editor at Biola for nearly a decade and also served as managing editor of the award-winning Biola Magazine. If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#newapostolicreformation #bethelchurch #bethelmusic #mikebickle #cpeterwagner #billjohnson #billjohnsonbethel #latterrain #internationalhouseofprayer #prophecy #spiritualpower #prayerCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction 00:08:37-Concerns over NAR’s Cultish Features 00:11:18-A History of The New Apostolic Reformation00:18:24-The Global Scope of NAR00:21:48-Similarities between NAR and Mormonism 00:24:08-Is NAR a Cult?00:29:37-NAR’s Novel and Aberrant Teachings 00:40:56-NAR, Dominionism and Christian Nationalism 00:46:00-NAR and The Shepherding Movement 00:49:21-The Mike Bickle Scandal at IHOP00:58:22-The NAR Idea of “Prayer” and The Story of Olive Heilegental 01:08:17-How NAR “Prophets” Get Around Failed Prophecy 01:12:57-Power and NAR’s Spiritual Abuses01:17:44-How Bethel Music Draws People into NAR 01:20:15-NAR’s Deviant Spiritualism and The Myth of Miracles 01:28:52-Bill Johnson and The Allure of Spiritual Power 01:34:32-Sexual Misconduct & Church Leadership01:40:19-Culture Seeking Spirituality01:42:57-Conclusion

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Dr. Casey Luskin) discuss new findings in the world of common ancestry, and what it means for the world of Darwinian Evolution and Intelligent Design.Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, holding a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg and a law degree from the University of San Diego. In his role at Discovery Institute, Dr. Luskin works as Associate Director of the Center for Science and Culture, where he helps direct the ID 3.0 Research Program, and assists and defends scientists, educators, and students who seek to freely study, research, and teach about the scientific debate over Darwinian evolution and Intelligent Design.See Casey’s Evolution News articles: https://evolutionnews.org/author/cluskin/If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#caseyluskin #darwin #evolution #discoveryinstitute #intelligentdesign #commonancestry #DNA #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction00:02:51-The Problematic History of Common Ancestry00:10:57-So What Do We Actually Have in Common with Chimps?00:18:59-Common Ancestry vs. Common Design00:28:13-How is the New Data Being Received?00:32:52-We’re Overestimating what DNA Can Tell Us00:39:00-The Damage Done by Bad Data00:45:12-What’s Next for Common Ancestry?

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Dr. Ed Echeverria) discuss the new Pope Leo XIV, where he came from, and whether he will carry on the legacy of Pope Francis or carve a new path.Eduardo J. Echeverria is Professor of Philosophy and Systematic Theology in the Graduate School of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the Archdiocesan seminary of Detroit, where he has taught for thirteen years. He is also a Research Fellow in the Theology Faculty of the University of the Free State, South Africa.If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#edecheverria #popeleo #newpope #catholicism #popefrancis #catholicchurch #conclave #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction00:01:09-Pope Leo's Early Life00:05:54-Pope Leo's Doctoral Thesis00:07:25-Pope Leo's Career00:11:22-Pope Leo's Selection00:15:20-The Significance of the First American Pope00:17:06-Is He Another Pope Francis?00:35:59-Is Pope Leo Sticking with the Bible?00:41:35-Why the Name Leo?00:45:59-What We’ve Learned from Leo’s Addresses00:55:31-The Concerning Catholic Relativism01:10:55-Final Impressions

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team discusses the role of doctrine within Christianity, and the dangers of abandoning it.If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#doctrine #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleChapters:00:00:00-Intro00:02:43-Pastoral Care and Counseling00:04:22-The Problem with Doctrine00:06:27-Experience vs Encounter00:08:26-Revelance of Doctrine00:11:04-Theology vs Care00:13:32-Bully Pulpit00:17:41-The Doctrine of Man00:21:10-The Slippery Slope00:25:32-Where Can Protestants Go?00:28:38-Calling Out Sin00:31:56-Transformation00:35:30-Chris Christie00:37:55-Pastoral Dilemma00:40:31-Institutional Pressure00:48:45-Outro

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Dr. John West) discuss the “stockholm syndrome Christianity” phenomenon, why it’s happening, and what we need to do about it.Dr. John West is Vice President of Discovery Institute in Seattle and co-founder of its Center for Science and Culture. An award-winning author and filmmaker, he has written or edited thirteen books and directed a dozen documentaries. Formerly Chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at Seattle Pacific University, he holds a PhD in Government from Claremont Graduate University.Get the book here: https://stockholmsyndromechristianity.com/If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#johnwest #stockholmsyndromechristianity #hostage #liberaltheology #christianitytoday #andystanley #franciscollins #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleChapters:00:00:00-Intro00:05:18-West's Book “Stockholm Christianity”00:25:28-The Main Issues Tackled in Stockholm Christianity00:52:01-Journalism Problems and the Gatekeepers01:11:50-The Issue with Francis Collins01:32:41-Practical Applications from Stockholm Christianity01:41:40-Outro

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guest Ed Echeverria) discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, and what’s coming next.Eduardo J. Echeverria is Professor of Philosophy and Systematic Theology in the Graduate School of Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the Archdiocesan seminary of Detroit, where he has taught for thirteen years. He is also a Research Fellow in the Theology Faculty of the University of the Free State, South AfricaEd’s book on Pope Francis: https://a.co/d/cgU5ypITony’s article on the legacy of Pope Francis: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theologicalapologetics/2025/04/pope-francis-and-the-continued-crisis-of-modernity/If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#edecheverria #deathofpopefrancis #popefrancis #catholicism #pope #vatican #catholictheology #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleChapters:00:00:00-Intro00:02:26-Church teaching vs. church practice00:12:25-Catholicism & The Sacrament of Marriage00:17:31-Where Pope Francis Started00:26:27-Pope Francis' Softness Toward Other Religions00:38:05-Pope Francis & The Amazon synod00:45:11-Pope Francis Enabled Catholic Progressivism00:50:00-Papal Appointment & The New Pope00:58:05-Was Francis a Good Pope?01:06:08-Who is Next for the Papacy?01:08:53-Outro

Welcome to the Theology & Ethics podcast! In this episode, the KC team (and guests Doug Geivett & Danny Vargas) discuss deliverance ministries, demonization, and the biblical basis for how we should deal with demonic activity.If you’d like to get in touch with us, give us a call or send us a text at (909) 493-7799, or send us an email at contact@kirkwoodcenter.org. Visit us on our website at kirkwoodcenter.org.Join the theology & ethics conversation & see more from The Kirkwood Center on our socials!Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R3NKgInstagram: https://shorturl.at/UNcebX/Twitter: https://t.ly/Gt8f8YouTube: https://t.ly/LDbWOSubstack: https://t.ly/wBABvWebsite: https://kirkwoodcenter.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to leave us a review on your podcast app of choice. If this episode made you think of someone you know, shoot them a link!#douggeivett #dannyvargas #deliveranceministries #demonicpossession #demons #demonicoppression #demonicactivity #exorcism #theologyandethicspodcast #kirkwoodcenter #church #christianity #theology #ethics #bibleCHAPTERS & TIMECODES00:00:00-Introduction00:08:16-Deliverance Ministry & NAR00:12:38-The Growth of Deliverance Ministries00:19:47-The Charismatic System of Demon Deliverance00:33:09-Dan's Personal Experience with Deliverance Ministries00:37:47-The Many Non-Demonic Causes for Strange Occurences00:50:50-The Dangers & Abuses of Demonic Diagnosis01:15:06-The Gross Misuse of Scripture in Deliverance Ministry01:19:00-Can Christians Be Demonized?01:34:09-How Deliverance Ministers Defend Their Position01:41:03-So What is The Role of Deliverance Ministry?01:48:36-How We Should Deal with the Demonic