The Veritas Forum

Philosopher John Lennox and physicist Daniel Lowenstein dive into the concept of a multiverse and whether we are living in the best possible world. They explore questions on existence, tragedy, pain, and the role of God, examining the paradox of a perfect world, the necessity of imperfection, evil and suffering, hope amidst adversity, and the concept of punishment in Christianity.

Meaning can be straightforward — a red octagon means “Stop!”, a hand wave with a smile means “Hello,” or adding two and two equals four. But meaning is often more complicated — a friend saying they’ll eat “whatever” for dinner or a significant other texting, “We need to talk.” In this episode, our speakers invite you into the messiness of meaning — and discuss how best we can search for it. You’ll hear a conversation between mathematician Satyan Devadoss (U San Diego) and biologist Stuart Firestein (Columbia). Satyan and Stuart bring their scientific backgrounds and religious perspectives as they explore the role of reason in the search for meaning, what can and can’t be taken at face value, and what strategies can help us find truth — from the scientific method to literary analysis to religious tradition. This Forum was held at Columbia University in 2014. Thanks to the forums planning team at Columbia for making this event possible. Watch the full Forum event here. Sign up for our newsletter here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives

Curt Thompson, a psychiatrist, and Jill Stratton, the "Dean of Joy" at Vanderbilt, discuss the role of community in shaping our identity, living with vulnerability, and the power of being seen. They also explore the connection between desire, trauma, and collaboration for creating beauty and goodness. The significance of spirituality in healing and the benefits of gratitude and supportive communities are highlighted.

While the beginning of the year often inspires a hopefulness and expectancy for life, New Years isn’t all excitement and courage. For you personally, this year may be a continuation of past sickness, relational strife, or financial uncertainty. For listeners in the United States, 2024 is an election year — which may mean fractured friendships, families, and even communities of faith ... none of which made your resolution list. Given all this, what is there to hope for in 2024? As we enter into the new year, the speakers in today’s episode meet you in this uncertainty through an invitation to consider who you are — from your genetic makeup, to your relationships, to your beliefs about life’s biggest questions. In their discussion, today’s speakers explore the limits of our wills, the role of reason, and where true hope can be found. You’ll hear from genomics researcher Praveen Sethupathy (Cornell), BioScience professor Yousif Shamoo (Rice), and moderators Rabbi Oren Hayon and Dr. Elaine Ecklund (Rice). This forum was hosted at Rice University in 2016, and a link to the full discussion is shared in the episode description. Thank you to our Forums planning team at Rice for making this event possible. Watch the full Forum event here. Sign up for our newsletter here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives

Host Carley and special guest Seth discuss top stats from the podcast in 2023, recent format and release schedule changes, and count down top three episodes. Excerpts from Praveen Sethupathy, Ken Miller, and John Lennox are featured, exploring topics like human distinctiveness, faith, and the role of God in natural disasters.

Best-selling author of A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle, explores the role of fantasy in our lives and its connection to the Christian story. She discusses the power of fantasy in revealing truth, the importance of faith, and finding pleasure in God. Reflecting on personal experiences, she invites listeners to embrace the world of fantasy.

Psychology professor Matthew Vess and Apologetics professor Sean McDowell discuss the role of belief and faith in achieving goals, the claims of Christianity, the nature of faith in relation to evidence, the development of culture as a solution to the question of death, and the role of Islam and Christianity in coping with death.

In the US, more and more adults believe in “nothing in particular.” Recent surveys from Pew Research and the Associated Press suggest that around 30% of American adults are religiously unaffiliated, up 10% from a decade ago. Surveys like these are helpful for religious belief in the abstract. But, when it comes to the questions and doubts you hold about your faith — or lack thereof — you need a different tool: story. You'll hear two such stories today — and be invited to consider your own story, too. Hear Sam Mitchell (Mount Holyoke), an atheist philosopher, in dialogue with Christian philosopher, Meghan Sullivan (Notre Dame). They share how they developed their worldviews and discuss the challenges of belief in the particular. This Forum conversation was held in 2016 at Mount Holyoke College and is moderated by economics professor Jim Hartley. Thank you to the Forum planning team who made this event possible! Watch the full forum here. Sign up for our newsletter here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives

In this podcast, Harvard professors Tyler VanderWeele and Steven Pinker discuss their beliefs on progress, human potential, and the role of faith in human flourishing. They explore the trends of humanity towards dystopia or utopia and the importance of hope. The speakers also discuss the contrasting views on human nature and the importance of reason, understanding, and restoration. They delve into the concept of progress and human flourishing, cautioning against the idea of achieving utopia or perfection. Additionally, they explore the interpretation of the word 'gospel' in the Christian faith and the potential dangers of excessive reliance on reason and science. Finally, they highlight the common ground between humanism and Christianity, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, rights, and teachings of love and unity.

N.T. Wright, best-selling author and New Testament Scholar, discusses the enduring influence of ancient gods on our desires for money, sex, and war. He explores the historical and cultural context of belief in a new order, the rise of secularism, and the role of Jesus in a divided world. The podcast explores wisdom, science, fear of the Lord, and the significance of Jesus' resurrection in transforming worldviews.