

Let's Talk Religion
Filip Holm
This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 22, 2023 • 20min
What is Ramadan?
In this episode, I share some thoughts about the month of Ramdan, its basic features and some perspectives from scholars on the philosophy behind it.#Ramdan #Islam #Fasting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 snips
Mar 10, 2023 • 21min
Pythagoras & The Music of the Spheres
Explore Pythagoras and the music of the spheres, delving into the interconnectedness of mathematics and music. Discover the ancient concept of celestial harmony, from Plato to Kepler. Unveil the magical world of harmonious musical notes and the beauty of intervals in the musical universe.

Feb 10, 2023 • 57min
Neoplatonism in Islamic Thought
It's time to talk about a few ways that Neoplatonic ideas have shown up in the history of Islamic thought.Sources/Recomended Reading:Adamson, Peter (ed.) (2005). "The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy". Cambridge University Press.al-Ghazali - "The Niche of Lights". Translated by David Buchman. Islamic Translations Series. University of Chicago Press.Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their history and doctrines". Cambridge University Press.Chittick, William (2005). "Ibn Arabi: Heir to the Prophets". OneWorld Publications.Chittick, William (1989). "The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn 'Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination".Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press.Chittick, William (2005). "The Sufi Doctrine of Rumi". World Wisdom, inc.Dillon, John (1996). "The Middle Platonists". Bristol Classical Press.Gerson, Loyd P. (ed.) (2019). "Plotinus: The Enneads". Cambridge University Press. (This is the translation of the Enneads I have been using in this episode).Gerson, Loyd P (2008). "Cambridge Companion to Plotinus". Cambridge University Press.Ibn Sina - "A Treatise on Love". Translated by Emil L. Fackenheim. Medieval Studies.Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Translation by Caner K. Dagli. Great Books of the Islamic World.Ibn Arabi - "The Universal Tree and the Four Birds (al-ittihad al-kawni). Translated by Angela Jaffray. Oxford: Anqa Publishing.Ibn 'Arabi - "The Openings Revealed in Makkah: al-futuhat al-makkiyya". Translated by Eric Winkel. Volumes 1-4. Pir Press.Morewedge, Parviz (1992). "Neoplatonism and Islamic Thought". State University of New York Press.Ormsby, Eric (Translated by) (2012). "Between Reason and Revelation: Twin wisdoms reconciled". An annotated English translation of Nasir-i Khusraw's Kitab-i Jami al-hikmatayn. The Institute of Isma'ili Studies. I.B. Tauris.Proclus "The Elements of Theology: A Revised Text with Translation, Introduction, and Commentary". Translated by E.R. Dodds. Second Edition. Oxford University Press.O'Meara, Dominic J. (1999). "Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads". Oxford University Press.Wallis, R.T. (1998). "Neoplatonism". Second Edition. Bristol Classical Paperbacks. Hackett Publishing Company.#neoplatonism #islam #philosophy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 2023 • 54min
What is Neoplatonism?
Sources/Recomended Reading:Cooper, John M. (ed.) (1997). "Plato: Complete Works". Hackett Publishing Company.Dillon, John (1996). "The Middle Platonists". Bristol Classical Press.Gerson, Loyd P. (ed.) (2019). "Plotinus: The Enneads". Cambridge University Press. (This is the translation of the Enneads I have been using in this episode).Gerson, Loyd P (2008). "Cambridge Companion to Plotinus". Cambridge University Press.Gregory, John (ed.) (1998). "The Neoplatonists: a reader". Routledge.Iamblichus "On the Mysteries". Tranlsated by Emma C. Clarke, John M. Dillon & Jackson P. Hershell. Writings from the Graeco-Roman World. Society of Biblical Literature.Proclus "The Elements of Theology: A Revised Text with Translation, Introduction, and Commentary". Translated by E.R. Dodds. Second Edition. Oxford University Press.O'Meara, Dominic J. (1999). "Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads". Oxford University Press.Shaw, Gregory (2014). "Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus". Angelico Press/Sophia Perennis.Wallis, R.T. (1998). "Neoplatonism". Second Edition. Bristol Classical Paperbacks. Hackett Publishing Company.Also check out the excellent episodes about Plotinus on the "Secret History of Western Esotericism" pocast: https://shwep.net/#neoplatonism #philosophy #plotinus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 2023 • 23min
What is the Gospel of Judas?
Sources/Recomended Reading:Asgeirsson, Jon (2005). "Thomasine Traditions in Antiquity The Social and Cultural World of the Gospel of Thomas". Brill.Brakke, David (2012). "Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity". Harvard University Press.Carlson, Stephen C. (2014). "Origen's use of the Gospel of Thomas". Uppsala University.King, Karen (2003). "What is Gnosticism?". Harvard University Press.Van den Broek, Roelof (2013). "Gnostic Religion in Antiquity". Cambridge University Press.Meyer, Marvin (ed.) (2009). "The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume ". HarperOne.Meyer, Marvin & Harold Bloom (1993). "The Gospel of St Thomas: The hidden sayings of Jesus". Bravo Ltd.#gospelofjudas #gnosticism #christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 2023 • 1h 3min
What is Shia Islam? - The Isma'ilis
In this second part in our series about Shia Islam, we explore the esoteric Isma'ilis, their history and Neoplatonist-influenced theology.Thanks to Dr. Khalil Andani for the help. Check out his channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@KhalilAndaniSources/Recomended Reading:Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (1994). "The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam". Translated by David Streight. State University of New York Press.Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2011). "The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam: Beliefs and Practices". I.B. Tauris.Andani, Khalil (Forthcoming). "The Moden Resurrection of Nizari Ismaili Islam: The Reforms of the Aga Khans". In "The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Reform" (ed. Emad Hamdeh & Natana Delong-Bas). Forthcoming. Badakhchani, S. Jalal (Edited and Translated by) (2005). "The Paradise of Submission: A Medieval Treatise on Ismaili Thought". A New Persian Edition and English Translation of Tusi's Rawda-yi Taslim". The Institute of Isma'ili Studies. I.B. Tauris.Daftary, Farhad (2007). "The Isma'ilis: Their history and doctrines". Cambridge University Press.Haider, Najam (2014). "Shi'i Islam: An Introduction". Cambridge University Press.Ormsby, Eric (Translated by) (2012). "Between Reason and Revelation: Twin wisdoms reconciled". An annotated English translation of Nasir-i Khusraw's Kitab-i Jami al-hikmatayn. The Institute of Isma'ili Studies. I.B. Tauris.Virani, Shafique N. (2020). "Hierohistory in Qadi l-Nu'man's Foundation of Symbolic Interpretation (Asas al-Taw'il): the Birth of Jesus". In "Studies in Islamic Historiography (Edited by Sami G. Massoud). Brill.A good source for Isma'ilism is also Isma'ili Gnosis: https://ismailignosis.com/#Islam #ismaili #esoteric Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 2023 • 17min
What is the Gospel of Thomas?
Sources/Recomended Reading:Asgeirsson, Jon (2005). "Thomasine Traditions in Antiquity The Social and Cultural World of the Gospel of Thomas". Brill.Brakke, David (2012). "Gnostics: Myth, Ritual, and Diversity in Early Christianity". Harvard University Press.Carlson, Stephen C. (2014). "Origen's use of the Gospel of Thomas". Uppsala University.King, Karen (2003). "What is Gnosticism?". Harvard University Press.Van den Broek, Roelof (2013). "Gnostic Religion in Antiquity". Cambridge University Press.Meyer, Marvin (ed.) (2009). "The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume ". HarperOne.Meyer, Marvin & Harold Bloom (1993). "The Gospel of St Thomas: The hidden sayings of Jesus". Bravo Ltd.#gospelofthomas #gnosticism #christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 7, 2023 • 27min
The Essenes & The Dead Sea Scrolls
In this episode, we explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran community and ask the question whether or not this group can be identified as the Essenes.Sources/Recomended Reading:Klawans, Jonathan (2016). "The Essene Hypothesis: Insights from Religion 101". Brill.Magness, Jodi (2021). "The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls". Second Edition. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.Vermes, Geza (Trans.) (2004). "The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English". Revised Edition. Penguin Books. #essenes #archeology #deadseascrolls Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 3, 2023 • 18min
The Pagan Jesus? - Apollonius of Tyana
In this episode, we explore the fascinating life of Apollonius of Tyana, a Neopythagorean philosopher whose life in many ways mirror that of Jesus.Sources/Suggested Reading:Dzielska, Maria (1986). "Apollonius of Tyana in Legend and History". L'Erma Di Bretschneider.Kirk, G.S., J.E. Raven & M. Schofield (1983). "The Presocratic Philosophers". Second Edition. Cambridge University Press.Huffman, Carl A. (ed.) (2017). "A History of Pythagoreanism". Cambridge University Press.#Apollonius #jesus #ancient Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 2022 • 37min
Mulla Sadra & Islamic Existentialism
This has been one of the most requested subjects, it is finally time to talk about Mulla Sadra.Sources/Recommended Reading:Adamson, Peter (ed.) (2005). “The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy”. Cambridge University Press.Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press.Kalin, Ibrahim (2005). “Knowledge in later Islamic Philosophy: Mulla Sadra on Existence, Intellect and Intuition”. Oxford University Press.Meisami, Sayeh (2013). “Mulla Sadra”. Makers of the Muslim World Series. OneWorld Academic.Sadr al-din al-Shirazi (2014). “Metaphysical Penetrations: A Parallel English-Arabic text”. Translated by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Edited by Ibrahim Kalin. Islamic Translation Series. University of Chicago Press.Sadr al-din al-Shirazi (Mulla Sadra) (2003). “The Elixir of the Gnostics: A Parallel English-Arabic text”. Translated by William Chittick. Islamic Translation Series. University of Chicago Press.Sadr al-din al-Shirazi (Mulla Sadra) (1981). “The Wisdom of the Throne: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Mulla Sadra”. Translated by James W. Morris. Princeton University Press.Rizvi, Sajjad H. (2009). “Mulla Sadra and Metaphysics: Modulation of Being”. Routledge.Rustom, Mohammed (2013). “The Triumph of Mercy: Philosophy and Scripture in Mulla Sadra”. State University of New York Press.#Philosophy #Islam #Mysicism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.