Deep Talks with Paul Anleitner

In this week's episode, we'll explore how theology, philosophy, and the quest for meaning has been the spark that ignited revolutions throughout history, especially since the advent of mass communication beginning in the 15th century.  Why do revolutionaries seek to change aesthetic symbols and "holy-days" on their path towards changing a culture's guiding story? Historically, how has something as small as work of theology or philosophy been the seed for eventual political revolutions, civil wars, and mass cultural changes? Why is training in theology, philosophy, and meaning-making absolutely necessary during these tumultuous times in America? Is Frozen 2 an example of how new guiding stories seep into the cultural consciousness? (but seriously...) How do followers of Jesus deal with new or different "guiding stories" without falling into either the ditch of cultural assimilation on one side or a failed "culture war" on the other side?   To watch the Bible Project video on "The Way of the Exile" that I referred to in this episode, go to this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzWpa0gcPyo&t=6s 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    

Dive into the enlightening clash between reason and faith during the Enlightenment. Discover how deism presents God as a non-intervening creator, and explore its impact on moral reasoning and modern thought. Uncover Kant's revolutionary ideas, emphasizing the limits of rationality in addressing the problem of evil. His unique approach blends transcendental idealism with biblical narratives, reshaping our understanding of morality and justice. Delve into the ongoing tensions between faith and reason, and ponder the implications for contemporary theology.

Dr. Dwight N. Hopkins was born and raised in the segregated south, but through the support system of his loving family and the African American church community, he grew to become a renowned theologian. Hopkins is the Alexander Campbell Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Graduating from Harvard, Hopkins went on to earn PhD's from Union Seminary and the University of Cape Town (South Africa). Those of you who listen to this program regularly know that I have credited Dr. Hopkins as being the one who's work first exposed me to the idea of culture as spirit, aesthetic, and labor.  In today's conversation, I talk with Dr. Hopkins about: -his personal journey of faith and calling into theology -how his experiences in African American church communities shaped his interest in cultural theology -culture as spirit, aesthetic, and labor; and if "spirits" aren't just psychologically symbolic -how he would theologically and personally evaluate the recent phenomenon of the tearing down statues and monuments throughout America (his answer surprised me!) -and more! 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 Problem of Evil series returns with part 10! In this episode, we'll review some of the reasons why theology shifted towards natural theology and rationalism during the Enlightenment and we'll see how a Christian rationalist like Gottfried Leibniz (a man who invented calculus, mechanical calculators, and artificial intelligence over 300 years ago) attempted to solve the problem of evil with his "best of all possible worlds" theodicy. You find all the previous episodes in this series at: https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com/p/the-problem-of-evil-1572355242/ 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 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

As the old guiding stories found in traditional religious structures seem to be breaking down, why are horror films and nihilistic comedies like Rick and Morty apparently growing in popularity? What sorts of theological and philosophical ideas are embedded in these expressions of popular culture? To help unpack these ideas, we're joined by author and pastor, JR. Forasteros. JR writes, podcasts, and speaks extensively about the intersection of theology & pop culture. He's got a Master's in Religious Studies, New Testament, and Early Christianity from the University of Missouri-Columbia. To find out more about JR.'s work, check out his website at : http://jrforasteros.com/ 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

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