

Deep Talks with Paul Anleitner
Paul Anleitner
Deep Talks is a podcast dedicated to exploring the integral relationship between religion, culture, philosophy, and science. Featuring long-form discussions and lectures about culture, theology, philosophy, science , and the pursuit of meaning in life.
Paul Anleitner is a cultural theologian whose work focuses on the role of culture and story in our quest for meaning. His unique interdisciplinary approach integrates theology, philosophy, and science to help individuals and institutions navigate cultural shifts and address perennial religious longings.
Paul Anleitner is a cultural theologian whose work focuses on the role of culture and story in our quest for meaning. His unique interdisciplinary approach integrates theology, philosophy, and science to help individuals and institutions navigate cultural shifts and address perennial religious longings.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 3, 2022 • 1h 11min
Jordan Peterson vs. John Walton on Genesis 1 | Creation, Evolution, & Genesis
Today's podcast is also available as a video at :
https://youtu.be/tiSGdDc3bQY
In this video, we'll compare video clips from past lectures by the famed psychologist and author, Jordan Peterson & Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern scholar, author, and professor John Walton on Genesis chapter one.
After my introduction, I will present the clips without commentary because I really want to invite you to share with me your observations in the comments. What do you see as the points of harmony and dissonance between Peterson & Walton on Genesis 1? What do you make of each of their hermeneutics? #jordanpeterson #jordanpetersonlecture #scienceandreligion #bible
Here's a relevant clip of my past conversation with Dr. John Walton: https://youtu.be/TW3tX4bPM2Q
To listen to my full interview with Walton on DEEP TALKS: Exploring Theology & Meaning-Making podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-kxb4x-f...
The clips I'm using in this video come from full lectures found here: https://youtu.be/hdrLQ7DpiWs
https://youtu.be/fR82a-iueWw
If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Dec 22, 2021 • 1h 7min
Discerning God‘s Intended Order for Reality | Paul on ”The Meaning Code” YouTube Channel
This week's episode comes from an extended segment of my conversation as a guest on The Meaning Code (a YouTube channel about philosophy, physics, art, economics, and theology hosted by Karen Wong).
How might we best understand the intended meaning of Genesis 1 and what theologians often refer to as the "Four Phase Story of the Bible" (Creation, Fall, Redemption, & Consummation/Resurrection)? How do we discern the intended order for the cosmos, and what is our part in it all?
You can check out that channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWSeqqpzpFE&ab_channel=TheMeaningCode
For video of this episode:
https://youtu.be/AW1md668hjw
For my new video exploring the theology in Spider-Man: No Way Home:
https://youtu.be/VTCmF1j_tz0
If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Dec 14, 2021 • 2h 23min
Paul VanderKlay & John Vervaeke - What Does ”God” Mean?
It's a honor to be joined by Paul VanderKlay and John Vervaeke for a discussion on what the word "God" means and why we all should want to move past common Christian vs atheist debates that seem to reduce what "God" means to a conception of a Doctor Manhattan-like supreme being in an arena of other beings.
Paul VanderKlay is a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America and the host of a popular YouTube/podcast that explores questions surrounding theology & the meaning-crisis.
Subscribe to his channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulVanderKlay/featured
Dr. John Vervaeke is a cognitive scientist and award-winning professor at the University of Toronto. His popular, 50 part lecture series entitled "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" is a must-watch/listen for anyone interested in philosophy, science, theology, & history.
Subscribe to his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke/featured
Subscribe to the newly revamped Deep Talks YouTube Channel!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yCyOMUeem-cYwliC-tLJg
If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Nov 30, 2021 • 1h 9min
Jordan Peterson‘s Psychedelic Claim about the Bible
I've been taking some time to do some theological responses on YouTube to the recent conversation between Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, Bishop Robert Barron, and Jonathan Pageau. This is part 3 in that series (the other's of which are available on YouTube).
There was a section of the conversation I could not neglect. Jordan Peterson thinks the New Testament book of Revelation is the result of a psychedelic experience. Is there evidence to support that claim? And what about his admiration for "The Immortality Key" book and the author's claims about Communion wine being a psychedelic mixture? Why aren't more Christian theologians grappling with psychedelics and their potentiality for producing transformative, mystical experiences?
You can subscribe to the Deep Talks YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yCyOMUeem-cYwliC-tLJg
If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Nov 23, 2021 • 1h 43min
Dr. Matthew J. Thomas- Have We Completely Misunderstood the Apostle Paul?
This week I wanted to throw it back to one of the very first interviews I had on this podcast. It's probably a conversation even many of you long-time listeners have never listened to.
The guest is New Testament scholar & theologian, Matthew J. Thomas who has a groundbreaking and controversial book on the Apostle Paul that seems to give a considerable amount of historical evidence that many Protestants & Evangelical Christians (especially those who are more direct theological descendants of Luther and Calvin) do not properly understand the writings of the Apostle Paul on faith & works, grace & the Law, etc...at least compared to the earliest Christians in recorded history.
At the time, his book was only available in academic circles at a very steep price, but last fall it was re-released with a new publisher and a much more affordable price tag.
Pick it up here:
https://www.amazon.com/Pauls-Works-Perspective-Second-Century-Reception/dp/0830855262
I hope you enjoy this conversation from back in April of 2019 with Dr. Matthew. J Thomas.
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TAGS: Matthew J. Thomas, Matthew J. Thomas Works of the Law, Matthew J. Thomas theologian, Matthew J. Thomas New Testament, new perspective on Paul, N.T. Wright, Biblical theology, Christian theology, etc
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Nov 9, 2021 • 49min
Hierarchies & Jesus: Behavioral Science & The Gospel of Matthew
Humans have an innate sense for detecting where they stand in the hierarchical structure of social groups. As social creatures, hierarchical structures are inevitable. From the family, to the military, school and even church- every where there are human communities, there are social status competitions and delineated pecking orders.
In Matthew's Gospel in particular, Jesus is presented as an authoritative figure, perhaps even one with the authority to knock out the "alpha" at the top of the hierarchy of the 1st Century Mediterranean & Near Eastern world, but as Matthew's portrait of Jesus unfolds it becomes clear that Jesus' Lordship completely subverts our expectations of normal hierarchical ordering.
Does Jesus completely eliminate hierarchy or does he re-order its functioning?
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TAGS: theology and science, theology and cognitive science, theology and behavioral science, evolution and theology, biblical theology, theology podcast
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Nov 2, 2021 • 1h 25min
Dr. Jeannine K. Brown- A Better Way to Read the Bible
This episode originally aired September 16, 2019
If one treats the Bible as inspired and authoritative in their life, are there better or worse ways of reading the Bible that could produce good or bad results in one's life?
Dr. Jeannine K. Brown is a New Testament Scholar, NIV Biblical translator, author and professor. She has taught at Bethel Seminary for over 20 years.
To check out some of Dr. Jeannine K. Brown's books/commentaries:
Scripture as Communication
Matthew (Two Horizons Commentary)
Becoming Whole and Holy
Dr. Brown's Blog:
https://jeanninekbrown.wordpress.com/
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TAGS: Jeannine K. Brown New Testament, Jeannine K. Brown theologian, Jeannine K. Brown Bethel seminary, hermeneutics, Bible, theology podcast, Christian theology podcast, Scripture As Communication Jeannine Brown, New Testament scholar
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Oct 25, 2021 • 1h 3min
Is Hell Biblical?
It's Halloween this upcoming weekend, and I remember when I was a teenager going to a "Hell House". It was pretty horrifying. But where do common Christian notions of hell come from? Are they even biblical?
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TAGS: hell, eternal conscious torment, universalism, Origen, Rob Bell, Gregory of Nyssa, Edward Fudge, annihilationism, conditional immortality, judgment day, soteriology, biblical theology, John Walton, biblical anthropology, eschatology
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Oct 12, 2021 • 1h 32min
Dr. Jeremy Perigo- The Deep Connection Between Our Guiding Stories, the Arts, Music, & The Liturgies of Church & Culture
My guest today is Dr. Jeremy Perigo from Dordt University. He is the Director of Campus Ministries & Worship Arts and an associate professor at Dordt. He is also a visiting lecturer at London School of Theology where he previously spent six years as head of theology, music, and worship programs. Jeremy did his undergrad at Purdue University, then went on to do a Masters in Practical Theology at Regent University and a Doctorate at Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
My relationship with Jeremy goes back nearly 15 years as we both worked in deeply Charismatic contexts on things like 24-7 worship and prayer. Like me, Jeremy found that the experiential and mystical dimensions of Charismatic & Pentecostal spirituality fueled a deep desire to know God and understand his world via the life of the mind in more academic theology.
In today's conversation, we discuss the link between our "guiding stories," the arts, music, film, & the liturgical practice of both the Church and the broader cultures we inhabit. How does the story we believe to be true about God & reality shape our practices of worship, but also how can our practices of worship shape the story we believe to be true about God & reality?
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TAGS: Jeremy Perigo, Lesslie Newbigin, Christ and Culture, theology of worship, liturgy, Cultural Liturgies, James K.A. Smith, Charismatic Theology, Dordt University, Dutch Reformed theology, 24-7 worship and prayer, Robert E. Webber, Richard Foster, Streams of Living Water, theology podcast, Christian philosophy podcast
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Oct 5, 2021 • 1h 34min
Christ & Culture Pt. 3- Battle of the Gods
What if our entire lives were affected by the outcome of a battle of the gods? Invisible "spirits" have always been on top of a hierarchy of culture dictating our entire way of life. From ancient Babylon to modern-day America, we'll explore the fascinating connection between the domain of "spirit" and how this spiritual realm is made manifest in our art, movies, music, economics & politics.
Plus:
-The connection between national flags and ancient idols
-Why early Christians didn't understand violent passages in the Old Testament the same way we usually do today
-Why American Jazz & Blues might actually be a perfect model for doing cultural theology
-The importance of getting exposed to other cultures & denominations in order to make sure you're aren't secretly worshipping other gods
For our supporters on Patreon, make sure to go download the free graphic that will help you unpack the ideas in this episode even better!
Download that here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/28442712
This episode was originally aired in July of 2019
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TAGS: H.R. Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture, Christ and Culture Niebuhr, theology and culture, cultural theology, theology podcast, Christian theology podcast, Dwight Hopkins theology, Jordan Peterson, James K.A. Smith, Charles Taylor
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If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon?
Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, forum discussions and more. STARTING THIS MONTH, WE'LL HAVE AN PATREON COMMUNITY GROUP ZOOM HANG-OUT to build relationships with others across the world and to do theology and meaning-making together.
Help us reach our first goal of 300 patrons in order to sustain weekly, ad-free theological and philosophical education to anyone with an internet connection!
https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast
To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159
Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner