Deep Talks with Paul Anleitner

What is behind the Trump vs Biden, lefts vs right cultural divide in America? Why do some people become convinced by COVID conspiracies? Why do some march in Black Lives Matter protests while others fly Blue Lives Matter flags in their yards? Have you ever visited a foreign country and been completely shocked at how different the cultural values and behaviors were?  In this two-part miniseries, we'll explore how culture acts as software for our minds, shaping our perceptions of reality, and programming our values and behaviors. We’ll compare cultural values on the macro-national level, as well as look at how local cultures and sub-cultures like church communities develop unique values and attempt to interface with the larger cultural values of their nation. Are there American cultural values that are at odds with the values of Jesus’ “Kingdom of God” culture?  How would we begin to even see that if our culture shapes our perceptions of reality? To attempt to answer these questions, we'll be using the groundbreaking research of the 20th-century Dutch social psychologist, Geert Hofstede. Hofstede's initial research into the four dimensions of culture will be an absolutely transformative tool for helping you understand the world, your own upbringing, church community or religious experiences, and the divisive cultural moment we are living in here in America in 2020. THIS IS PART ONE OF A TWO-PART MINISERIES. PART TWO WILL BE RELEASED ON 12/9/20 ALONG WITH A PDF RESOURCE FOR PATREON SUPPORTERS. f you find this podcast to be of some help in your life and you want to see it continue on 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. 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  

In our dis-enchanted secular age, many of us struggle to believe in "spiritual" entities and powers. In fact, only 4 out of 10 Americans believe that "spiritual beings" exist, yet many people believe in "hyper-objects" like systemic racism, the stock market, climate change, or the "deep state." Are there any points of commonality between this relatively new philosophical concept called "hyper-objects" and the ancient, biblical notion of cosmic spiritual powers? In today's episode, we'll explore the concept of hyper-objects, cosmic spiritual powers in the writings of the Apostle Paul, and how C.S. Lewis' "Space Trilogy" might help us remain open to there being more going on in reality than we usually like to admit in our Western, post-Enlightenment culture.  The discussion between Paul Vander Klay & John Vervaeke mentioned in today's episode is available to watch here: https://youtu.be/GCeHJtdQ0fg?t=5784 To access the article on the Apocalyptic Paul mentioned in today's episode, become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community here: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   If you find this podcast to be of some help in your life and you want to see it continue on 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. 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  

Paul Vander Klay is back on the program today to discuss a variety of topics and issues including: - The Post-COVID Church -Unplugging from the Culture War Matrix by following Jesus -The Rise and Fall of the Jordan Peterson zeitgeist and whether Peterson's theology was more Augustinian or Gnostic. -Why his church is in decline while his online influence keeps growing. - Why everyone believes in God - When dinosaurs causes a faith crisis - suffering with Christ and the problem of evil -the tension we experience on the narrow way -and so much more! Paul Vander Klay is a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church and a YouTuber/Podcaster who explores the intersection of theology with our cultural quests for meaning. Here's was our first discussion back in episode 18: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-cne6s-ae7587 And here was our second discussion back in episode 36: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-c6irj-bea95a Check out Paul Vander Klay's YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsDIP_K6J6VSTqlq-9IPlg If you find this podcast to be of some help in your life and you want to see it continue on 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. 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

Explore the complex interplay of science, morality, and theology as Karl Barth navigates the challenges posed by the 20th century's moral crises. Discover how Barth illustrated God's hiddenness in suffering and his unique stance on evil, suggesting that not all pain equates to malevolence. Delve into his personal experiences of grief, particularly the tragic loss of his son, and how it shaped his understanding of hope amid sorrow. Engage with concepts like revelation and divine grace as Barth offers an enlightening approach to the problem of evil.

This discussion explores the 19th-century clash of science and faith, focusing on the implications of Darwin's theories on the concept of evil. It raises questions about whether natural disasters can be attributed to human actions or if they existed long before humanity. The podcast delves into Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' as a symbol of the quest for meaning amid scientific exploration. Listeners encounter the troubling nature of real parasites and the roots of young-earth creationism, all while pondering a new perspective on a God who might be more mysterious than moral.

I'm an 80's/90's kid who grew up in the evangelical heyday of Christian subculture. "Christian" music, movies, tv, bookstores, and even our own brand of science was all part of a larger culture war movement. A lot of people my age eventually abandoned right-wing, republican Evangelicalism but simply traded it for left-wing, progressive post-evangelicalism (if they didn't reject Christianity altogether) not realizing they were still combatants in a culture war even though they switched teams. How does the culture war lure people into a false sense of community?   Why is cultural influence so much easier to attain if we just play the culture war game? How might serious reflections on historic Christology and philosophical theology on the nature of the Truth help us transcend the culture war? What possible dangers should we brace for if we attempt to leave the constant cycle of culture war?  Deep Talks is trying to reach a goal of 300 patrons on Patreon to sustain weekly, ad-free episodes. Supporters on Patreon get access to bonus Q&A Episodes, articles, and other resources. Please consider supporting free theological and philosophical education for as little as $2 a month by going to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Interested in how we see theological and philosophical ideas embedded in comic book mythology? Check out Paul's latest video on YouTube exploring the deep ideas embedded in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice: https://youtu.be/_eZkgte8Tx4    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

How should Christians in America navigate the "culture war"? Are we forced to choose between either being angry cultural combatants or being passively assimilated into ideologies & guiding stories foreign to the way of Jesus? How do narratives, especially the hero myths that fill our comic book pages and movie theater screen, invite people to explore theology, ethics, and philosophy? Where might Christ be at work in those stories to reveal what is true, good, and beautiful? And why might you be watching entire series of The Office for the 100th time? Our guest to helps us explore these questions is Dr. Russell Moore. Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Dr. Moore is the author of several books, including Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel and The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home. A native Mississippian, he and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons. Make sure to check out his forthcoming book Courage to Stand here: https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/products/the-courage-to-stand-2/ To find out more about Dr. Moore's work at the ERLC, visit their website at : https://erlc.com Deep Talks is trying to reach a goal of 300 patrons on Patreon to sustain weekly, ad-free episodes. Supporters on Patreon get access to bonus Q&A Episodes, articles, and other resources. Please consider supporting free theological and philosophical education for as little as $2 a month by going to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Interested in how we see theological and philosophical ideas embedded in comic book mythology? Check out Paul's latest video on YouTube exploring the deep ideas embedded in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice: https://youtu.be/_eZkgte8Tx4    To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner   You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner  

Is the role of a pastor becoming obsolete? One thousand years ago, the role of a pastor (or priest) had a radically different value in society than the role they occupy today in Western culture. Understanding how we shifted from a worldview filled with magic and enchantment where pastors were seen as powerful wizards of white magic to modern CEO's of private spiritual corporations won't merely be helpful for pastors to understand but will be transformative to anyone who's spent any amount of time in church. Our guest to help us explore these important questions and ideas is Dr. Andrew Root. Dr. Root is a theology professor at Luther Seminary. He earned his PhD from Princeton as well as a Master’s in Theology and a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He's also the author of several books including The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God, which we spend our time discussing together today. Get a copy of Andy's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Pastor-Secular-Age-Ministry-People/dp/0801098475/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PV70T0M3AVPJ&dchild=1&keywords=the+pastor+in+a+secular+age+by+andrew+root&qid=1600184508&sprefix=the+pastor+in%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1 This summer, Deep Talks is trying to reach a goal of 300 patrons on Patreon to sustain weekly, ad-free episodes. Supporters on Patreon get access to bonus Q&A Episodes, articles, and other resources. Please consider supporting free theological and philosophical education for as little as $2 a month by going to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner   You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner  

In my formative years when I first started getting into theology and philosophy, I used to really enjoy watching debates between Christian and atheist apologists on the question "Does God exist?" But the deeper I went on my journey the more I realized that this question, and many of my conceptions of God, were fundamentally flawed. I had misunderstood what the word "God" meant. When we properly understand what that word means, it becomes clear that everyone (yes, even Richard Dawkins!) believes in God. It also becomes clear, that not every Christian believes in the same God. In this episode, I'll share a bit of my own journey and lay out the case for why the question, "Does God exist?" is dead. This summer, Deep Talks is trying to reach a goal of 300 patrons on Patreon to sustain weekly, ad-free episodes. Supporters on Patreon get access to bonus Q&A Episodes, articles, and other resources. Please consider supporting free theological and philosophical education for as little as $2 a month by going to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner   You can also give a one-time donation for this episode directly at: https://cash.app/$PaulAnleitner

The discussion dives into Friedrich Schleiermacher's arguments on the problem of evil and his attempts to make Christianity relevant during the Enlightenment. It examines the tension between faith and reason, contrasting Schleiermacher's focus on human experience with traditional theologies. The perspectives on whether beliefs about the Devil influence our understanding of evil are also explored. Listeners are invited to reflect on how these ideas shape contemporary faith in a world influenced by rising secularism.