The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

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 

Read the original letter: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/to-a-woman-who-lost-several-childrenIn this episode, Dr. Jacobs reads aloud a deeply personal letter written to "Etheline," a woman who had lost several children and sought theological perspective on suffering. The letter explores three key Eastern patristic doctrines: the distinction between God's antecedent and consequent will, the doctrine of synergy and divine energies, and Christ's descent into Hades. Dr. Jacobs applies these theological frameworks to questions of child loss, divine goodness, and God's presence in suffering. The letter demonstrates how Eastern Orthodox theology addresses the problem of evil through a lens of divine pursuit and redemptive purpose.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/NathanAJacobs

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of divine foreknowledge and evil. Unpack whether God's salvation plan necessitated sin and how ethical frameworks shape our understanding of morality. Discover insights on the complexities of human freedom versus divine necessity, especially regarding Judas's role. Delve into how Eastern interpretations view God's permissive will amidst suffering and natural disasters, while contemplating theodicy and the human experience of pain. This engaging discussion challenges traditional views and broadens the conversation on faith and ethics.

Get updates when class registration goes live: https://forms.gle/pKYCWnHA1gToDxZv9Why Would God Make the Damned? https://youtu.be/H2Ja5WeOo1AIn this episode, Dr. Jacobs examines the contrasting views on divine foreknowledge between Western and Eastern Christian traditions. He’ll explore the perspectives of Augustine, Aquinas, and John Duns Scotus from the Latin West juxtaposed against John of Damascus, Basil of Caesarea and Origen from the Christian East. Dr. Jacobs clears up misconceptions and shows that the Eastern Church Fathers were not open theists. The answers from the east may surprise you. 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 00:06:58 The various views of divine foreknowledge 0015:16 The Latin West on foreknowledge 00:41:39 The Christian East on foreknowledge 

Get updates when class registration goes live: https://forms.gle/pKYCWnHA1gToDxZv9In this sixth and final installment on the Problem of Evil, Dr. Jacobs explores the Eastern Fathers' understanding of The Fall, demonic influence, and animal suffering. The episode examines how the church fathers interpreted humanity's departure from divine communion and its consequences. The Eastern tradition frames suffering within creation's journey toward the 8th Day—a restoration and fulfillment beyond fallen existence. This final episode synthesizes the patristic view of evil's nature and God's redemptive plan for all creation.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/NathanAJacobs