New Persuasive Words
Scott Jones & Bill Borror
New Persuasive Words is a sharp and insightful podcast that dissects the intersections of culture, politics, and theology with intellectual rigor and a conversational ease. Hosted by Scott Jones and Bill Borror, the show offers a thoughtful examination of contemporary issues, blending humor, historical perspective, and philosophical depth. With a keen eye for nuance and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, New Persuasive Words invites listeners into a space where ideas are tested, assumptions are questioned, and meaningful dialogue thrives.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 22, 2018 • 33min
Episode 194: What's in a Name?
In this episode we consider the late medieval philosophical movement called Nominalism. Many think it's the movement that gave birth to the modern world.
Jan 13, 2018 • 35min
Episode 193: Is It Getting Better?
In our second episode of 2018 we ask if the world is getting better. We reflect on Time Magazine's interview with Bill Gates and Rowan Williams' review of John Millbank's newest book, The Politics of Virtue, co-authored with Adrian Pabst.
You can find the Bill Gates interview here: http://time.com/5086907/bill-gates-nancy-gibbs-interview/.
The Rowan Williams review is here: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2016/10/liberalism-and-capitalism-have-hollowed-out-society-so-where-do-we-turn-now.
Dec 28, 2017 • 38min
Episode 192: A New Tone for a New Year?
In this episode we consider what it would look like to have a more civilized public discourse in 2018.
Dec 22, 2017 • 29min
Episode 191: The Mystery Of Christmas
In this episode we talk about the mystery at the heart of Christmas: the Incarnation.
Dec 21, 2017 • 31min
Episode 190: Does The Virgin Birth Make Sense, part 2
In the last episode we wanted to talk about whether or not the Virgin Birth still makes sense for modern Christians. We initially wanted to tackle three issues: (1) the biblical witness, (2) the theological truth and (3) the existential significance. We only got to part 1 in the last episode. We hit part 2 and 3 in this one. Merry Christmas.
Dec 20, 2017 • 45min
Episode 189: Does The Virgin Birth Make Sense, part 1
In this episode we think about whether or not the Virgin Birth still makes sense for modern Christians. We initially wanted to tackle three issues: (1) the biblical witness, (2) the theological truth and (3) the existential significance. We only got to part 1 in this episode. Our endeavor is parts 2 and 3 before Christmas Eve.
Dec 16, 2017 • 32min
Episode 188: Reflecting on The Legacy of R.C. Sproul
We are joined on a "Friday Night Lights" episode by Greg Strawbridge. The Rev. Dr. Greg Strawbridge is the pastor of All Saints Church in Lancaster, Pa. He's authored and edited several books and is the founder of Wordmp3.com.Special Guest: Gregg Strawbridge.
Dec 14, 2017 • 50min
Episode 187: What Does Roy Moore's Defeat Mean For America and Its Christians?
In this episode, recorded the day after the special Senate election in Alabama to fill Jeff Sessions' seat, we talk about the signficance of Roy Moore's defeat for American public life.
Dec 9, 2017 • 32min
Episode 186: From Ideology To Tribalism?
In this episode we consider whether tribalism is a more decisive force in our culture than ideology.
We mention a new book written by Alan Jacobs called _How To Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds. _ You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Survival-Guide-World/dp/0451499603.
Dec 8, 2017 • 34min
Episode 185: Theology In Outline, Part 6: Advent and Eschatology
We continue our revisiting of the Reformation, commemorating its 500th anniversary, through a comparison of brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish. In this episode, recorded during the beginning of Advent, we talk about the end of all things and Christian hope.
Links to Gerrish and Jenson can be found below:
https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Faith-Dogmatics-B-Gerrish/dp/0664256988
https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Outline-These-Bones-Live/dp/0190214597/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1512730297&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+jenson+theology+in+outline
