Nearly one year ago, we released a podcast in our Christ and Culture series called "Battle of the Gods." When it was released last year, some people struggled to see how modern people really did have these same liturgical practices of worship as people in ancient civilizations. I wanted to revisit that episode in light of the recent wave of statues and historical monuments being toppled and destroyed throughout the U.S.  I believe these events and revived debates about appropriate postures of adoration & devotion to things like the American flag make it even more clear that we are engaged in a battle of the gods. This summer we're pushing for a goal of 300 patrons on Patreon to keep this podcast going. If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

This week's guest is Bonnie Kristian. Bonnie is a contributing editor at The Week and has also been featured in Christianity Today, USA Today, Time and many other publications. She also holds a Master's in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary.  Bonnie has been studying the QAnon movement and the growing conspiracy theory culture which centers around Donald Trump as a messianic figure. This movement has been both influencing American Christianity and developing as its own religious cult. Check out some of the articles referred to in today's discussion here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-faqs-what-christians-should-know-about-qanon/  https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/06/qanon-nothing-can-stop-what-is-coming/610567/  https://theconversation.com/the-church-of-qanon-will-conspiracy-theories-form-the-basis-of-a-new-religious-movement-137859  To Find out more about Bonnie Kristian go to: https://www.bonniekristian.com/   If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

Today's guest is Adam Russell. Adam is the Lead Pastor at Vineyard Campbellsville in Kentucky, National Director of Vineyard Worship, and host of The Ferment Podcast. In our conversation, we discuss transformative spiritual experiences and what we do as pastors when people ask us if psychedelic experimentation should be added to the list of normal Christian practices that open us up to God. Plus the deep theological connection between sex and Christian spirituality, 90's revival stories, and whether Joe Rogan has more influence on young men than most pastors.  Make sure to check out The Ferment Podcast at: https://www.thefermentpodcast.com/podcast-episodes If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

The Bible has strict prohibitions on creating & practicing idolatry but yet also sometimes seems to bless the creation of sacred, symbolic art like the ornate features found in Moses' tabernacle and Solomon's temple, so what distinguishes the use of art and symbol as being idolatrous from something blessed as a sacred? What deeper, existential implications may we need to consider about the role of symbols and how we are to interact with them? How are we not all that different today from ancient people who would worship statues? For previous episodes exploring the intersection of theology & the arts/culture, including last week's discussion with singer-songwriter Andy Squyres check out: https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com/p/theology-and-culture/   If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

Andy Squyres is a singer-songwriter & pastor from Charlotte, North Carolina.   He's got a new record coming out. You can hear the first two singles wherever you stream music or over at andysquyres.com To listen to Andy's first appearance on the podcast where he shared about his backstory and journey of faith you can go here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gvt9h-a550aa   If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

In this week's Reconstruction Story, we'll hear from someone who grew up in fundamentalism, left to pursue New Age spiritualities and psychedelic exploration, and eventually became a holistic follower of the Way of Jesus. And yes, we have some extended conversation about psychedelic drugs because I know so many listeners who have questions on the subject. My guest today is Paul Risse. Paul is a husband, father, and a bit of modern Renaissance man. He's a business owner. He builds tiny homes. He's a carpenter, a trainer, a firefighter, and writes about his adventures in the world and what he's learned from them. You can follow him on Instagram at instagram.com/paulrisse I got connected to Paul Risse when he became a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community. If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

There's been a significant movement of "exvangelicals" over this past decade. In their process of deconstruction, they come to a point where they no longer see the Christian story they've heard as viable. Deconstruction can often turn to devastation, but is reconstruction possible? In today's episode, we'll meet Rick Guttersohn, a leadership consultant & licensed master social worker who grew up with me in our small, Charismatic church & school community. Rick went through a significant process of deconstruction that led him to become suicidal, but thankfully that wasn't the end of his journey. You can find out more about Rick's work by visiting: www.rickguttersohn.com If you're a parent with young children, make sure to check the awesome videos Rick put's out for helping kids and parents talk about difficult emotions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnUwCIozuZ4 If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

Maybe as you are stuck at home during this quarantine, you find yourself binging a lot more Netflix than you normally would.  Whether you are aware of it or not, you are actually binging theology.   In today's episode we'll explore why "cultural texts" like movies, tv,  and even memes are all works of theology, and I'll give you some tips using Kevin Vanhoozer's Everyday Theology as a guide for how you can discern theological messages. If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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 You can also give a donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

Today I recorded a short video to hopefully offer some "difficult encouragement" in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. This is the audio version of that encouragement, but if you want to watch the video too you can do so at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKsLbsqtj1I&feature=youtu.be   If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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

As a global pandemic rapidly affects the way we do normal life, I have been thinking quite a bit about the 20th-century philosophical masterpiece by existentialist philosopher and author, Albert Camus. Long after our own plague subsides, there will be lingering questions for millions about God, meaning, & how one ought to live in this world that Camus' novel can help us explore.  We'll discuss some of the basics of existentialist philosophy, and I'll take you through a short synopsis of the book even if you haven't read it. There is a haunting aspect to some of the parallels in this fictional story with our own real experiences in the world right now. These parallels only serve to help us give language to the deep, existential questions that emerge in unprecedented times like these. We'll explore the symbolism behind how the books central characters respond to the plague, their quarantine, and the ethical choices in front of them. If God is dead, then can there even be heroes and villains, sinners and saints in a story? Can we create our own values and meaning without God? Is Christ secretly embedded in this "godless" story from Camus? Is Christ present in our own calamities in people and places we've overlooked?   If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: 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