

Tillich Today
Tillich Today
Tillich Today is a podcast inspired by the life and works of German-American theologian and philosopher Paul Tillich. Here, you can find interviews, casual discussions, and educational content related to philosophy, theology, cultural analysis, and religion.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 16min
Reading with Paulus: WE FINISHED THE INTRO GUYS!
That's right, Nathan and Taylor managed to actually finish the introduction to the Systematic Theology, with only a small handful of side tangents about philosophy, theology, and religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 19min
Reading with Paulus: Introduction
The hosts kick off their return with a lively discussion about Paul Tillich's complex theology. They dive into critiques of religious fundamentalism and the interplay between theology and philosophy. A humorous touch comes through philosophical banter and pop culture references. The conversation challenges traditional views of God and ultimate concerns while navigating the relevance of Tillich's ideas in modern faith. Personal anecdotes deepen the exploration of love, grief, and spiritual reflection, revealing how these themes resonate today.

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 1min
Worship and Witness in the Gardens of Babylon with Tommy Philips
In this episode, Nathan sits down with Tommy Philips for discussion on what faithful witness looks like. They talk about the concept of "Christian Vision" and what it looks like to leave one's denomination in the face of LGBTQ exclusion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 17, 2025 • 58min
Why Jewish Ethics are Different than Christian Ethics with Rabbi Geoff Mitelman
"Judeo-Christian" morality is a concept that's frequently thrown around in contemporary western culture. The problem? It doesn't really exist. That's why I asked friend of the show, Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, to return to Tillich Today to discuss Jewish Ethics, the Hebrew Bible, and the myth of Judeo-Christian values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 29, 2025 • 1h 12min
Can Science and Religion Find Common Ground? with Rabbi Geoff Mitelman
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, the founding director of Sinai and Synapses, dives deep into the interplay between science and religion. He emphasizes the benefits of constructive disagreement, advocating for mutual understanding across differing beliefs. The conversation explores how communal practices in Judaism can adapt with scientific inquiry, linking identity and morality. Mitelman also addresses the complexities of Jewish identity and contemporary Zionism, highlighting the importance of nuanced dialogue in fostering peace and social justice.

Feb 22, 2025 • 1h 5min
"Trust the Process" with Dr. Thomas J Oord
This week, I welcome Dr. Thomas J. Oord to the podcast to discuss process philosophy, relational theology, and his defense of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Christian spaces. As someone who is comfortable identifying as an atheist and still has a lot of resentment towards her conservative Baptist upbringing, Oord's approach to theology and his emphasis on building relationships as a key feature of his ministry was a breathe of fresh aid. To learn more about his work and browse his books, see http://thomasjayoord.com
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Jan 7, 2025 • 24min
When the Abyss Gazes Back: Nosferatu, Paul Tillich, and the Weimar Republic
As many of you may already know, I also run an educational YouTube channel called BYTE-GEIST. As a special bonus episode this week, I'm uploading one of my recent video essays.
Monsters, especially when it comes to horror films, are never just monsters. Sure, they’re human creations, but what they reflect is anything but simple fantasy. Horror, as a genre, has always acted as an unsettling mirror to society’s deepest fears and insecurities. The shit that keeps us awake at night and makes our hearts skip a beat, all personified as imaginary beasts of every shape and size. Few films capture this dynamic as powerfully as F.W. Murnau’s 1922 masterpiece, Nosferatu. It’s not just a cheap vampire movie—it’s a haunting window into the spiritual and cultural anxieties of the German landscape immediately following World War I. So….what happens when a society collectively stares into the abyss? Let’s find out
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Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 33min
"The Long and Sartre of it" with Dr. James McLachlan
Tillich Today has returned after a long hiatus! Our first episode features Dr. James McLachlan, a professor at Western Carolina University who specializes in theology and philosophy of religion. We talk about French existentialism, literature, and how well Robert Pattison puts on an Appalachian accent.
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Jun 4, 2024 • 1h 4min
"The Theology of Daredevil" with Will Rose of Systematic Geekology
In this episode, Will and I geek out on theology, philosophy, and one of our favorite superheroes: Daredevil! Enjoy our conversation on the life and times of Matt Murdock and be sure to check out Will over at the Systematic Geekology podcast!
Aside from being a certified geek, Will is also a life long Lutheran and a full time minister.
The price drop for using the TILLICHTODAY promo code at theology beer camp has increased to $50 off of your ticket! For more information, check out the link below:
https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/theology-beer-camp-24/
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May 27, 2024 • 47min
"Is 'Hell' Biblical" with Dr. Rodney K. Duke
This week, I am cross-posting a popular episode featured on my other podcast, Byte-Geist, to Tillich Today. In this episode of Byte-Geist, I dive into the fiery depths of one of Christianity's most enduring and controversial concepts: Hell. Together, let's challenge the traditional depictions of eternal damnation through a lively discussion with Dr. Rodney Duke, a biblical scholar and distinguished professor at Appalachian State University. Known for his insightful scholarship and engaging teaching style, Dr. Duke has just the right expertise to help us explore what the New Testament really says about Hell and how these interpretations have evolved over time. We review the historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts that have shaped Christian understandings of the afterlife.
Don't forget to get your Theology Beer Camp tickets! Using the promo code TILLICHTODAY at check out will get you $25 off of your purchase!
For more on Dr. Duke's work, see the following links and be sure to check out his online devotionals.
Devotional Blog: https://dukesdevotional.blogspot.com/
Scholarly Work: Rodney Duke, "Eternal Torment or Destruction? Interpreting Final Judgment Texts" Evangelical Quarterly 88.3 (2016/17) 237-58. https://brill.com/view/journals/evqu/...
Rodney Duke, “The Idiom of ‘Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth’ in the Gospels: A Funerary Formula,” Perspectives in Religious Studies 47.3 (2020) 283-98.
• Rodney Duke–Eternal Torment or Destru...
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