Today's episode is also available as a video at: https://youtu.be/6UV3Ea2E9jg   Today's episode is a recording of a conversation I had as a guest on The Vast podcast exploring some of the ideas I wrote about in last month's piece for Ekstasis Magazine entitled "The God We Thought Was Dead". I really enjoyed the conversation with these gentlemen and I hope you find it to be helpful. You can check out The Vast podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vast-podcast/id1558428782 You can read my article for Ekstasis magazine at: https://www.ekstasismagazine.com/blog/2022/2/16/the-god-we-thought-was-dead   If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. 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

Today's episode is also available as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h_fL-zlqyfE In today's episode, I'm sharing a sermon on one of my favorite books of the Bible. How does the ancient book of Ecclesiastes provide timeless wisdom even as we wrestle with our modern meaning-crisis? Is everything meaningless? For one of the core sources I draw upon in this sermon, you can check out this scholarly paper on Ecclesiastes here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/harvard-theological-review/article/abs/meaning-of-life-in-ecclesiastes-coherence-purpose-and-significance-from-a-psychological-perspective/6F176FEDB39125D1B71AAB25E352E0E5 f you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. 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  

Today's episode is also available as a video at: https://youtu.be/knl_8xviEGU As Americans begin a month long celebration of Black history, I thought it would be valuable to explore the personal history and theology of one of America's premier Black theologians- Dr. Dwight Hopkins. This episode originally aired in June of 2020, but is worth revisiting. 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! If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. 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

Today's podcast is also available in video format at: https://youtu.be/XsZRjC-EOLw Would a corporate ethics or emotional intelligence employee training course from a healthy American company work aboard a Klingon "Bird of Prey" ship in Star Trek? Probably not. (Don't worry, you don't have to be a Trekkie to understand the thought experiment in today's video!) That's because, whether we are aware of it or not, there is an assumed narrative structure in our culture that informs our ethical norms. But we bump up against a real problem in postmodernism with the claim that any transcultural, overarching guiding story is an attempt to colonize other cultures and that ethics can only be relativistic cultural guidelines . If this is true, would we every be able to say that particular ethical norms in the fictional Klingon or the ancient Spartan culture are wrong? In my last conversation with John Vervaeke and Paul VanderKlay, John brought up a sincere concern about Christianity as a force of cultural assimilation. To use Star Trek lingo, does Christianity function like the Borg? Or do we need to distinguish between Christendom and The Way of Jesus? #culturaltheology #theologyofculture #startrek #scienceandfaith If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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

Today's podcast is also available as in video format: https://youtu.be/plgag7h2vPY In nearly 4 years of recording these sorts of long-form discussions, I can honestly say that this was one of the best conversations I've ever had. I struggled to even give it a title.  I never want to hype something up, so please trust me when I say that you'll really want to watch or listen to this whole thing. The crescendo of where we get to by the end together is still stirring my heart now. Long time listeners to Deep Talks know each of these gentlemen, but if you're new to the channel/podcast they are: Andy Squyres is a singer-songwriter, author & pastor from Charlotte, North Carolina best known for his song Cherry Blossoms. Andy recently released a masterful record entitled Poet Priest as well as a new book filled with collection of essays, poetry, and images entitled "Poet Priest, Vol. 1" John Mark McMillan is a Platinum-selling songwriter & artist best known for his songs How He Loves, Future/Past, & King of My Heart. Ted Kim is senior pastor of Evanston Vineyard. He did his undergrad degree at the University of Chicago and has Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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

Today's podcast is also available as a video at : https://youtu.be/tiSGdDc3bQY In this video, we'll compare video clips from past lectures by the famed psychologist and author, Jordan Peterson & Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern scholar, author, and professor John Walton on Genesis chapter one. After my introduction, I will present the clips without commentary because I really want to invite you to share with me your observations in the comments. What do you see as the points of harmony and dissonance between Peterson & Walton on Genesis 1? What do you make of each of their hermeneutics? #jordanpeterson #jordanpetersonlecture #scienceandreligion #bible Here's a relevant clip of my past conversation with Dr. John Walton: https://youtu.be/TW3tX4bPM2Q To listen to my full interview with Walton on DEEP TALKS: Exploring Theology & Meaning-Making podcast: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-kxb4x-f... The clips I'm using in this video come from full lectures found here: https://youtu.be/hdrLQ7DpiWs https://youtu.be/fR82a-iueWw If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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

This week's episode comes from an extended segment of my conversation as a guest on The Meaning Code (a YouTube channel about philosophy, physics, art, economics, and theology hosted by Karen Wong). How might we best understand the intended meaning of Genesis 1 and what theologians often refer to as the "Four Phase Story of the Bible" (Creation, Fall, Redemption, & Consummation/Resurrection)? How do we discern the intended order for the cosmos, and what is our part in it all? You can check out that channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWSeqqpzpFE&ab_channel=TheMeaningCode For video of this episode: https://youtu.be/AW1md668hjw For my new video exploring the theology in Spider-Man: No Way Home: https://youtu.be/VTCmF1j_tz0 If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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

It's a honor to be joined by  Paul VanderKlay  and  John Vervaeke  for a discussion on what the word "God" means and why we all should want to move past common Christian vs atheist debates that seem to reduce what "God" means to a conception of a Doctor Manhattan-like supreme being in an arena of other beings. Paul VanderKlay is a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America and the host of a popular YouTube/podcast that explores questions surrounding theology & the meaning-crisis. Subscribe to his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulVanderKlay/featured Dr. John Vervaeke is a cognitive scientist and award-winning professor at the University of Toronto. His popular, 50 part lecture series entitled "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" is a must-watch/listen for anyone interested in philosophy, science, theology, & history. Subscribe to his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/johnvervaeke/featured Subscribe to the newly revamped Deep Talks YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yCyOMUeem-cYwliC-tLJg If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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

I've been taking some time to do some theological responses on YouTube to the recent conversation between Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, Bishop Robert Barron, and Jonathan Pageau. This is part 3 in that series (the other's of which are available on YouTube). There was a section of the conversation I could not neglect. Jordan Peterson thinks the New Testament book of Revelation is the result of a psychedelic experience. Is there evidence to support that claim? And what about his admiration for "The Immortality Key" book and the author's claims about Communion wine being a psychedelic mixture? Why aren't more Christian theologians grappling with psychedelics and their potentiality for producing transformative, mystical experiences? You can subscribe to the Deep Talks YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2yCyOMUeem-cYwliC-tLJg If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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  

This week I wanted to throw it back to one of the very first interviews I had on this podcast. It's probably a conversation even many of you long-time listeners have never listened to. The guest is New Testament scholar & theologian, Matthew J. Thomas who has a groundbreaking and controversial book on the Apostle Paul that seems to give a considerable amount of historical evidence that many Protestants & Evangelical Christians (especially those who are more direct theological descendants of Luther and Calvin) do not properly understand the writings of the Apostle Paul on faith & works, grace & the Law, etc...at least compared to the earliest Christians in recorded history. At the time, his book was only available in academic circles at a very steep price, but last fall it was re-released with a new publisher and a much more affordable price tag. Pick it up here: https://www.amazon.com/Pauls-Works-Perspective-Second-Century-Reception/dp/0830855262 I hope you enjoy this conversation from back in April of 2019 with Dr. Matthew. J Thomas. _____________ TAGS: Matthew J. Thomas, Matthew J. Thomas Works of the Law, Matthew J. Thomas theologian, Matthew J. Thomas New Testament, new perspective on Paul, N.T. Wright, Biblical theology, Christian theology, etc _________________ If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of the Deep Talks Patreon Community receive bonus Q & A Episodes, articles, charts, discussion forums and more. We even have a MONTHLY Group Hangout on Zoom so you can build relationships with others across the world and practice theology and meaning-making together. 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