In part four of The Problem of Evil, we continue on in church history into the 3rd Century where we'll explore how controversial theologians Tertullian and Origen attempted to address the problem of evil. Plus we'll take a look at one of the most important Greek philosophers of that era- Plotinus. How does Tertullian attempt to reconcile the seemingly different explanations in the Old Testament and New Testament for the causes of evil and suffering? What made Origen's theodicy so controversial? How might it be similar and different to his philosophical contemporary, Plotinus?  What if evil doesn't actually exist? Special thanks to Deep Talks Patreon Community member, Paul R.! Thanks for charitable support of this podcast! There will be a special bonus episode later this week for all Patreon members, so become a member here: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner   TO LISTEN TO THE PREVIOUS EPISODE'S IN THIS SERIES, FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com/p/the-problem-of-evil-1572355242/

In part 3 of "The Problem of Evil", we'll explore the first two centuries of church history where Gnosticism and Marcionism provided a challenging alternative to genuine Christianity. One of the significant appeals of these movements was how they answered the problem of evil and explained the causations for suffering. In the face of these challenges and the threat of martyrdom, early church leaders like Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus provided crucial responses to these challenges and key insights into how early Christians understood the root causes of evil and unjust suffering. To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

This is part 2 of an extended series exploring the problem of evil.  In today's episode, we'll explore perspectives contained in the Old Testament and New Testament for why there is evil and suffering the world and how to respond. We'll examine several possibilities for why there seems to be a stark contrast between the Old Testament & New Testament on who causes these things. We'll also explore books written between the Old & New Testament found in the Dead Sea Scrolls which were important in Jewish thought in the 1st Century and may give us clues as to how the worldview of New Testament authors seems so different in many regards compared to the Old Testament authors. These wild intertestamental stories tell of fallen angels, Nephilim giants, Satan, final judgement, and the deception of humanity. To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner A couple of important references in this series: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Understandings-Evil-Historical-Trajectory/dp/1451484550/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=charlene+p.e.+burns&qid=1570420228&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Job-ebook/dp/B017J89YZW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+read+job&qid=1570420568&sr=8-1   Come to "Tackling our Deepest Questions" at Hope Community in Corcoran, MN on October 27th at 6pm. More info here: https://www.myhopecommunity.com/events?sapurl=Lys5NjQ4L2xiL2V2LytrY202cTNoP2JyYW5kaW5nPXRydWUmZW1iZWQ9dHJ1ZQ==

This is Part 1 of an extended series exploring the problem of evil. Few things call into question our beliefs about God & challenge our sense meaning & purpose like experiences of evil, suffering, and injustice. In this episode we'll introduce the historic challenges to Christian understandings of God that the problem of evil presents. and then we'll dive into a detailed examination of the book of Job in the Old Testament. What insights does Job give us as we wrestle with the problem of evil? What are some of the common misconceptions and wrong answers people mistakenly pull out of this story? What is and isn't going on in this book? To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner Major references/works cited in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Understandings-Evil-Historical-Trajectory/dp/1451484550/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=charlene+p.e.+burns&qid=1570420228&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Job-ebook/dp/B017J89YZW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+read+job&qid=1570420568&sr=8-1

To Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   John Mark McMillan is a Platinum-selling songwriter & artist best known for his songs How He Loves, Future/Past, & King of My Heart. In today's conversation, I talk with John Mark about our shared experiences in the Charismatic tradition, his journey of holding on to the best theology of his past while searching for a more complete picture of God, and making music that helps people experience the transcendence & the immanence of God. You can find out more about John Mark McMillan, his discography, tour information and more at : https://www.johnmarkmcmillan.com/ To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul is in one of the premier cultural centers of the ancient world- Athens. While preaching in Athens, he's called to share his message on the God of War's Mount.   This is one of the best examples of cultural theology that we have in the Bible, so after spending quite a bit of time in our Christ and Culture series this year I thought I'd shared a sermon I gave on this famous scene in Acts.   Also out this week is our new Patreon Q & A episode where I try to answer some tough questions from Deep Talks Patreon members about the wrath of God, transhumanism concerns, and more. As a supporter of Deep Talks on Patreon, you can listen here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/september-q-of-30181850   To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Listen/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159     Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

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 (Paul's alma matter!) for over 20 years.   In today's episode, we discuss: -How to figure out what the Scriptures mean when we read them -Are there good and bad ways to read the Bible? -What are some commonly misunderstood passages of Scripture? -Does Matthew's Gospel teach that the Father actually abandoned Jesus on the cross? -Does the Bible prohibit women, like Dr. Brown, from teaching the Bible?   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/   THIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP TALKS PATREON COMMUNITY! To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Listen/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159     Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner  

Today's episode comes from a conversation I had with Paul Vander Klay for his YouTube Channel and Podcast. I first had Vander Klay on my podcast back in Episode 18, and he wanted to bring me on his program to discuss possible insights from my background and experiences into the "meaning-crisis." It's a subject we are both passionate about helping others navigate thru.  Vander Klay somehow pulled out of me some stories about my experiences deep in the Charismatic & Pentecostal tradition that I've never publicly talked about before. I talk with him about growing up in Benny Hinn meetings, revivals breaking out in my small Christian school, journeys in the 24-7 prayer movement, & strange Charismatic phenomenon I've seen like gold dust and people behaving as if they were "drunk in the Spirit."  Being a Dutch Reformed pastor, he was fascinated by all this :)  Plus: what does it mean to experience or commune with God? Can we say certain things are not valid ways of experience God? What's the difference between the Eucharist and eating bread and wine at Olive Garden? How has the Jordan Peterson phenomenon opened people up to these sorts of questions again? (this is an area of expertise for Paul Vanderklay)   There is also a video of this conversation available at: https://youtu.be/2CIeSrEW0Tc Find out more about Paul Vanderklay at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGsDIP_K6J6VSTqlq-9IPlg THIS PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DEEP TALKS PATREON COMMUNITY! To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Listen/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159     Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner      

Is there a problem with our theology if it doesn't make us more Christ-like? That question lead my guest, Bruxy Cavey, on personal and theological journey into the Anabaptist tradition. Bruxy is the senior pastor at The Meeting House in Ontario, Canada which is one of Canada's largest churches. An Anabaptist mega-church? Yes, that is a unique as it sounds. Bruxy is also the author of the best-selling books Reunion: The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, & Sinners and The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus. In today's episode, I talk with Bruxy about: -his unique journey of faith -what makes the Anabaptist tradition unique & controversial - the history of the "Radical Reformation" and why Anabaptists were killed for their beliefs by other Christians -Tough questions about the Anabaptist commitment to non-violence & other challenges And more! Find out more about Bruxy at: http://www.bruxy.com/ For more info on the Jesus Collective or The Meeting House go to: https://jesuscollective.com/ https://www.themeetinghouse.com/ To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Listen/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

MAKE SURE TO GO TO THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE CHART THAT I REFER TO THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hang-on-to-this-29402721   In this episode, we'll discuss some reasons why many people go through an intense period of reevaluating & questioning their Christian faith. It's been popular recently to call this experience "deconstruction," but what causes deconstruction? Is it a normal part of intellectual & personal development? Are there ways of doing it that are more healthy than others?   To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go to: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Listen/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts go to: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159   Connect on with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner