Deep Talks with Paul Anleitner

Along with our regular full-length episodes and series, I will also be producing this year some shorter episodes that we'll affectionately call Shower Thoughts. These shorter episodes will be an opportunity to have some fun wrestling with some of the more speculative ideas and hypotheses in the world of theology and meaning-making. Today's episode is all about Christianity & evolution. Living things are fundamentally driven to survive and procreate. They adapt features that best help to ensure they do just that. The ones that don't die out.  Traditionally, Darwinian theory suggests that evolution has no goal, but for some reason, as Jeff Goldbloom's character in Jurassic Park exclaims, "Life finds a way." But why? Does evolution have a point? And can the answer be found in the Christian story of Good News?

Does God sanction "holy war?" What disagreements have Christians had about war and violence over the past 2,000 years? Are common American attitudes towards war compatible with following Jesus?     In this episode we'll tackle these questions (and much more!) and explain the 3 most common perspectives Christians have had on the subject of war & violence.   

In part 4 of our series surrounding issues relating to Christian theology and science, we'll explore why there is no such thing as "theology-less" science. Despite the claims of many naturalists to the "objectivity" of science, we'll discuss why there is no "neutral" position when it comes the subject of God and science. We'll also explore the theological influences on Charles Darwin and try to understand why Darwinian language isn't theologically neutral. Finally, we'll consider why humility, honest inquiry, and open dialogue among differing perspectives should be welcomed by people who are seriously committed to the meaning-making process.

In part 3 of our series exploring issues relating to science and the Christian faith, we analyze Genesis 2-3 and explore common misunderstandings of this creation story and tackle some questions that have perplexed many Christians such as: Is the one called "Adam" in this story the first and only human being on the planet?  Was everything on earth perfect, free of evil, with no animals even eating other animals until Adam & Eve messed it up? How would the ancient Israelites, to whom this story is written, have understood Adam and Eve, the garden, cosmic trees and talking snakes?

In the second part of our series exploring issues relating to theology and science, we dive deep into chapter one of the book of Genesis. Some have searched Genesis 1 to find answers to questions about the age of the earth or have looked to this story for scientific descriptions of the origins of creation, while others feeling faced with what they presume to be an either/or choice between science and Genesis 1 have simply discarded the Biblical text as irrelevant. But what if we're asking all the wrong questions of the story? What if God's inspired intentions for the story reveals something far more profound?

Evangelical Christians in the U.S. have had a contentious relationship with science in recent history. But is the "war between faith and science" really necessary? Is there really even a war? In this series, we'll explore questions like: -Can I reconcile modern geology and biology with the book of Genesis? -What does it mean to read the Bible "literally" and have I really been reading the Bible the right way? -Is there a global bias among scientists against Christianity? -Is there such a thing as "theology-less" science? -Do I really have to choose between Darwin or Jesus? In this first episode, Paul will share a bit of his own journey growing up as a Young Earth creationist and explore why learning how to take Biblical inspiration seriously might radically change the way you answer these questions.

What's theologically missing from Jordan Peterson's message? Perhaps a voice from the past can help. In this final episode of a 3 part series exploring the theology of Jordan Peterson, we'll explore some of the similarities and differences between Jordan Peterson and the 19th Century Christian existentialist philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard.

In this second episode of our three-part series on the theology of Jordan Peterson, we'll explore what I perceive to be some of the theological weaknesses of Peterson's message.

The provocative author and lecturer, Dr. Jordan Peterson, has become quite the cultural phenomenon in the United States with millions of youtube hits over thousands of different channels, selling out sizeable venues, and appearing on many news programs and podcasts. In this episode, we'll explore the theology presented by Jordan Peterson and analyze where there is alignment within the broad spectrum of Christian theology, as well as provide nuanced critiques of possible weaknesses. First in a two-part series.