The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

Dr. Jacobs explores how ancient pagan philosophers understood human nature and the good life, examining key thinkers from Plato and Aristotle to the Stoics and Epicureans. The discussion covers metaphysical dualism, the nature of the soul, and competing views on happiness and virtue. This is a series on anthropology, part 1 of 4. 00:00:00 Intro 00:07:04 Metaphysical dualism00:09:25 Empedocles 00:10:33 Plato 00:14:29 Pantheism 00:15:03 Heraclitus 00:18:52 Evil is a privation or distortion 00:22:13 The human experience of polarity 00:27:24 Four levels of discourse 00:33:46 Manichaeism & Gnosticism (extreme metaphysical dualism)00:37:15 Plato & Socrates’ nature of the soul 00:54:35 The body and the afterlife 01:00:27 Epicureanism 01:08:31 Happiness and pleasure 01:14:43 The ethics of the stoics 01:37:29 The ethics of Plato and Aristotle 

Sign up for Dr. Jacobs’ course Intro to Philosophy: https://myprofer.com/   📚 Click “Join as a student”   📚 Fill out registration    📚 Verify your email    📚 Navigate to “Course Registration” in the side menu   📚 Find 180 Introduction to Philosophy    📚 Auditors can register immediately    📚 For college credit, fill out the long form and wait for approval before registration   📖 $175 audit     🎓$400 college creditDr. Jacobs examines how different traditions understand the Eucharist, transubstantiation. consubstantiation, and real presence. He explores the Orthodox concept of the divine energies through communion and discusses how Eucharistic participation connects to broader questions of transformation and cultural renewal, and how to harness the transformative power of the Eucharist. All the links: X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs00:00:00 Intro 00:02:58 What is transubstantiation? 00:11:57 What is consubstantiation? 00:18:29 The problem with transubstantiation 00:23:40 The problem with consubstantiation 00:32:02 Memorialist, reformed, and real presence views00:35:30 Imbibing the energies of God 00:44:49 The doctrine of resurrection 00:52:21 Transelementalism 00:58:39 God communicates holiness 01:02:13 Problems with evidentialist apologetics01:13:52 Transformation of culture01:22:33 Why don’t we see more transformations? 

Sign up for Dr. Jacobs’ course Intro to Philosophy: https://myprofer.com/   📚 Click “Join as a student”   📚 Fill out registration    📚 Verify your email    📚 Navigate to “Course Registration” in the side menu   📚 Find 180 Introduction to Philosophy    📚 Auditors can register immediately    📚 For college credit, fill out the long form and wait for approval before registration   📖 $175 audit     🎓$400 college creditDr. Jacobs explores the foundations of Eucharistic doctrine, examining the most prominent sacramental views, and the relationship between Christ's divine and human natures. The discussion covers divine attributes, divine simplicity as understood by the Eastern Fathers, and the Incarnation. This episode establishes the groundwork for understanding Eastern versus Western approaches to sacramentalism.All the links: X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs00:00:00 Intro 00:07:58 Various views of the Eucharist 00:13:20 Christ’s divinity, humanity, and the Eucharist00:23:44 What are divine attributes? 00:46:49 The Eastern Fathers on divine simplicity01:00:47 The Incarnation 01:07:36 Alchemy, transubstantiation, consubstantiation, and real presence

Dr. Adam Dell, a clinical psychologist and author, dives into the fascinating intersection of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the teachings of the Eastern Church Fathers. He shares insights on psychological flexibility and how ancient wisdom can enhance modern therapy. The conversation highlights the importance of confession, personal identity, and the role of mindfulness in overcoming self-sabotaging narratives. Dell also critiques the limitations of secular therapeutic practices, advocating for a deeper spiritual connection for true healing.

Fr. Stephen De Young, a priest and consultant for the Amazon show House of David, dives deep into the lesser-known narratives of King David. He unpacks the moral complexities behind the destruction of the Amalekites and discusses the role of giants in biblical stories. The conversation questions traditional Sunday school lessons and explores David’s cunning strategies against Goliath. With rich insights from Orthodox perspectives, this dialogue reshapes our understanding of biblical tales and their cultural implications.

Sign up for Dr. Jacobs’ college course: https://myprofer.com/   📚 Click “Join as a student”   📚 Fill out registration    📚 Verify your email    📚 Navigate to “Course Registration” in the side menu   📚 Find 180 Introduction to Philosophy    📚 Auditors can register immediately    📚 For college credit, fill out the long form and wait for approval before registration   📖 $300 audit     🎓$500 college credit Substack article: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/does-jesus-claim-to-be-god?r=r1mfjBegotten Not Made Part 1: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/creed-0?r=r1mfj

Dive into the intriguing debate on whether AI can truly be conscious or is merely mimicking human thought. Explore how Christianity intertwines with philosophical realism, balancing faith and rationality. Discover the role of humanity as a microcosm in divine interaction, and how historical theological disputes shape our understanding of God and existence today. The podcast also reflects on the implications of AI on art and society, urging listeners to critically engage with the digital age's challenges.

Sign up for Dr. Jacobs’ college course: https://myprofer.com/   📚 Click “Join as a student”   📚 Fill out registration    📚 Verify your email    📚 Navigate to “Course Registration” in the side menu   📚 Find 180 Introduction to Philosophy    📚 Auditors can register immediately    📚 For college credit, fill out the long form and wait for approval before registration   📖 $300 audit     🎓$500 college credit Part 1 on Penal Substitution: https://youtu.be/WHx21LQncFIDr. Jacobs continues his examination of Eastern and Western atonement theology by analyzing key theological concepts through both traditions' interpretive lenses. The episode explores how East and West understand sin, wrath, and Christ's role as mediator, and finally, addressing the philosophical problems Dr. Jacobs identifies with penal substitution theory. 00:00:00 Intro 00:13:54 Delineating the Latin West / Christian East00:20:07 Roadmap for the episode 00:26:31 Interpretive lenses when reading scripture or the church fathers 00:32:30 “Sin” East and West 00:36:44 “Wrath” East and West00:44:53 “Mediator” East and West 00:59:32 Anachronism in reading biblical text (Leviticus 16) 01:05:23 Other language in scripture 01:11:05 The debtor metaphors relating to Christ01:14:48 What are we made to become? 01:35:40 Penal substitution is philosophically problematic — Justice & Mercy 01:47:57 Problem 2 — “I love Jesus, but God the Father is terrifying”01:52:38 Christ & the torments of Hell01:56:38 How could anyone else be condemned? 02:03:13 Does retributive justice set the world right?  

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of the culture war and its philosophical underpinnings. Discuss the tension between realism and nominalism in shaping today's ethical debates. Reflect on the deep human longings for goodness amid evil, and find solace in spiritual experiences that speak to our quest for fulfillment. The conversation critiques modern individualism and advocates for a richer understanding of faith and reality, highlighting the importance of genuine belief and reconnecting with the divine amidst chaotic times.

Cliffe & Stuart Knechtle Episode: https://youtu.be/ZSf7o3Jel_gDr. Jacobs compares how Eastern and Western Christianity understand Christ's death on the cross, examining the theological differences that emerged over centuries. The discussion traces the Western development from Augustine through the Protestant Reformers and their focus on penal substitution, while exploring Eastern perspectives from church fathers like Gregory of Nyssa. Dr. Jacobs analyzes these competing views of atonement and their implications for how Christians understand salvation and God's justice.All the links: X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs00:00:00 Intro 00:01:43 The average understanding of the crucifixion 00:06:03 The Western evolution (Latin West and Protestant Reformation) 00:31:01 The Christian East and the Church Fathers