Tillich Today

Today, I'm joined by Tolkien Heads sensation Nick Polk. Together we'll explore the Lord of the Rings, the theology of Tolkien, Tillich, Process Theology, and much, much more. Those interested in middle earth, fantasy, and philosophy won't want to miss my conversation with Nick, whose an ace when it comes to talking Tolkien. If you enjoy my podcasting antic and the music featured in each episode, check out the Instagram page! The intro to this week's episode is a LOTR inspired guitar piece arranged and composed by myself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tillich is well known for embracing a school of thought known as Neoplatonism, creatively pairing its ancient insights with his Existential worldview. Plotinus, popularly known as the first Neoplatonism, had a tremendous impact on Tillichian theology, particularly Tillich's understanding of God as the Ground of Being. Today, let's briefly examine some of his main his ideas to get a better sense of why Tillich may have found such inspiration in Plotinian philosophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does one coherently speak about the ineffable? Was Paul Tillich a religious naturalist? This week, I talk with the ever stupendous Jeff Speaks about metaphysics, apophaticism, the complexities of naturalist theology, and how to best characterize Tillich's theological lens. This is an especially relevant episode for any one who, like Jeff and myself, thirsts for a philosophically informed spiritual framework but rejects supernaturalism. Jeff Speaks is a PhD Candidate at Boston University School of Theology studying theology, philosophy, and ethics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Tillich was a well known admirer of Nietzsche's philosophy. Reading Tillich with a close eye, the immense influence of good old Freddie on his own thought becomes crystal clear. Legend even has it that he carried a copy of at least one of Nietzsche's texts with him on the frontlines of the first world war. This week I am joined by Caroline Wall, a Boston University PhD student studying Nietzschean Ethics. With her help, let's take a dee dive into one of Tillich's foundational philosophical influences. This is the first in one of many episodes where we will be focusing on one of Tillich's major philosophical or theological influences and breaking down their ideas into bite sized pieces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are we so afraid of facing death? What's it like to regularly see death and dying as an aspect of your work? Is there a better way to die? In this week's episode, I talk with Nathan Patti, a BU School of Theology graduate and chaplain resident at Yale New Haven Hospital. We discuss Tillich, drug addiction, chaplaincy, and what it means to be "called." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is feminist theology? Can applying this lens enhance the way we understand theological categories like sin and grace? And how do we preserve the wisdom of ancient religious and intellectual traditions without ignoring problematic views concerning race and gender? Find out in my interview with the phenomenal Dr. Rachel Sophia Baard, an extraordinary guest who offers a fresh and much needed perspective on Tillichian theology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's a short clip from the Byte-Geist Podcast that Tillich Today listeners are sure to enjoy. This week, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Schilbrack to discuss philosophy of religion, contemporary threats to the humanities, and the challenges of defining religion. If you like this clip, head on over to Byte-Geist, where you'll find a variety of conversations on culture, philosophy, and religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's common knowledge that Paul Tillich was a military chaplain during the fist world war, which we have discussed here at the Pod Beyond Pod. But what's it really like to serve as a religious leader in a military context? This week on the Tillich Today sister podcast, Byte-Geist, I talk with Jordan Henrick about that very question. We go deep into the meaning of life, the struggle of overcoming trauma and heartbreak, and what makes military chaplaincy unique as a calling. Enjoy this short clip from my conversation and if you'd like to hear the full episode, jump on over to Byte-Geist, now on YouTube as well as Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I discuss the ethical and theological significance of video games with Dr. Benjamin Chicka. Together, we explore the world of gaming and the overlooked but near endless possibilities for virtue cultivation within digital worlds. Dr. Chicka brings nuance and originality to the world of theology and Tillichian scholarship so this is an episode you don’t want to miss. If you’re interested in hearing conversations  like these beyond the context of Paul Tillich, check out Tillich Today's sister podcast, Byte-Geist.  Dr. Chicka has published two books: Playing as Others: Theology and Ethical Responsibility in Video Games God the Created: Pragmatic Constructive Realism in Philosophy and Theology Dr. Chicka's PAX East 2015 Panel "The Science of Online Bullying: A Lesson in Diversity" The North American Paul Tillich Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Christian Atheism? Does theology matter if you no longer believe in God? In today's episode, I try to answer these question with Marqueze Kennedy. We talk about our shared strruggles with faith as well as what it's like to be a non-believer studying in a Methodist seminary. And for those who have been following the Pod since the beginning, it looks we've finally settled on an opening theme song! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices