Deep Talks with Paul Anleitner

Jen Meyerson is the Director of Relief for Preemptive Love, an NGO that focuses on disaster relief in some of the most war torn places on the planet. Jen has worked extensively in places like Iraq & Syria, bringing medical relief, education, and support to those most tragically effected by the devastations of war. Jen has also worked for the United Nations serving those experiencing the horrors of war, genocide, and famine. In today's episode, I ask Jen to help us understand the conflicts in Iran, Iraq, and Syria, and share the personal stories of the real people caught up in the geopolitical conflict.  In the midst of so much tragedy and suffering, is there any evidence of hope? What can we possibly to do stop the cycle of violence and to bring relief to those who need it most? This is an important conversation you don't want to miss. You can find out more about Jen's work for Preemptive Love at: https://preemptivelove.org/   TODAY'S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:   Deep Talks Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community to help support this podcast and receive bonus content, Q & A opportunities, and more! To Subscribe & Review 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

Luther and Calvin both made a strong case for evil as the "alien acts of God." Calvin made an especially strong argument that the implications from the theology and metaphysics of people like Augustine and Aquinas should lead to a belief in God's predestination of all things. His argument was so strong that it forced people to reassess the "classical" doctrines of God and the metaphysical beliefs about the nature of reality in order to try and find a way to maintain a belief in libertarian free will and human responsibility for their choices. One of the first challenges to this classical position emerged as a slight variation away from the classical view by a 16th century Jesuit name Luis De Molina. Molina's new ideas would become known as Molinism.  In today's episode, we'll explore the basic concepts of Molinism and see how Molinist's attempt to give answers to the problem of evil. Maybe even a couple of well-known movies can help us understand this complex school of thought... TODAY's EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Shema Apparel https://shemaapparel.com/ Deep Talks Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community to help support this podcast and receive bonus content, Q & A opportunities, and more! 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

The era known as the Protestant Reformation is among the most important eras in recorded history. Most Christians who aren't Catholic or Eastern Orthodox can trace their theological influence directly back to Martin Luther and John Calvin. Luther and Calvin are not only a couple of the most important theologians who have ever lived, but they are among the most controversial... even within Protestant circles! Luther and Calvin both believed they were reclaiming historic Augustinian Christianity from the corrupt Roman Catholic church, arguing for God's predetermining of all things even evil, suffering, and the damnation of the wicked. But were they right?  Don't make up your mind until you've heard their explanations.   TODAY's EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Shema Apparel: https://shemaapparel.com/ Deep Talks Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community to help support this podcast and receive bonus content, Q & A opportunities, and more! 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

Journey through the chilling yet fascinating High Middle Ages, where plagues and crusades shaped moral beliefs. Discover how Thomas Aquinas tackled the existence of God amidst rampant evil, presenting his famous "Five Ways" to prove divine presence. Examine the dark intersections of superstition, theology, and societal power that fueled persecution and violence, and reflect on Aquinas' unique philosophical stance in a landscape marked by suffering. Join the discussion on the importance of good theology to navigate moral complexities.

Delve into the profound thoughts of Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine as they tackle the nature of evil and free will. Discover their contrasting views on whether evil is eternal or will ultimately be reconciled. Explore the origins of sin and whether we are born with sinful souls. The debate between Augustine and Pelagius opens up discussions on moral agency and salvation. Unravel the complex interplay of free will and determinism, and how these ancient ideas still resonate in today's spiritual inquiries.

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/

Dive into the early church's battle with Gnosticism and Marcionism, where alternative views on evil and suffering challenged orthodox beliefs. Discover insights from key figures like Clement and Ignatius as they grappled with the nature of suffering and free will. Explore how Marcionism shaped theological discourse, leading to debates over the unity of Scripture. This journey into early Christian theodicy reveals a hopeful perspective on redemption and moral agency amidst the complexities of evil.

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