The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

Original article with citations: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/on-apokatastasis-and-universal-salvationBack to the theological letter series to explore a key distinction that's often missed: universal salvation isn't the same as apokatastasis. Dr. Jacobs dives into what early Christian thinkers really meant by these terms, untangling common misconceptions and showing why it matters for modern discussions of salvation. From the nature of human corruption to the difference between Hades and Hell, this episode will show new ways of thinking about universal salvation through the lens of Eastern Orthodox tradition.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

This week Dr. Jacobs gives a rundown of mystery in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. You’ll get definitions, how he thinks the misunderstanding devolved, and the Chuch Fathers’ on natural theology. You’ll also get a little side tangent about the future of Orthodoxy in America. All the links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcastX: 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 00:07:31 What is mystery?00:14:13 How did the understanding of “mystery” shift? 00:20:57 “The nous is more than mind” is true, but…00:29:46 St. Paul and Philosophy00:36:08 Orthodoxy in America, the best and worst cases00:52:51 Are the Church Fathers anti natural theology? 

Join us for Part Two of our Hollywood Taxidermy series, where Dr. Jacobs explores intellectual property and creative adaptation. Through the lens of natural law and rights theory, he'll examine what it means to faithfully adapt stories from page to screen while honoring creators' original visions. All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Hollywood taxidermy & examples  00:12:13 An overview of rights 00:26:43 An overview of natural law  00:46:19 Invention versus discovery 01:11:24 Ownership and destruction 01:35:06 A guide for stewardship in adaptation  02:01:46 A few examples of Hollywood’s many violations  02:10:48 Han shot first  02:19:46 The permissibility of knockoffs 

Part 1: https://youtu.be/J7uP9uFNThY Part 2: https://youtu.be/9B1G44hywd0 Dr. Jacobs’ Class Survey Link: Survey Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing In this third episode on the problem of divine hiddenness series, Dr. Jacobs takes a closer look at the premise. Is God truly hidden? Through anthropological and theological lenses, he investigates how our status as creatures might affect our ability to perceive God, and whether divine hiddenness serves a purpose in redemption. He’ll also explore whether you are ultimately morally culpable for non-resistant unbelief.  All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Intro  00:02:51 The timing of belief in God  00:13:32 The requisite conditions for unveiling God  00:18:44 Anthropology  00:26:31 The nature of creatureliness  00:38:59 Objective and subjective hiddenness  00:54:16 Why is God not more evident?  01:10:25 Hiddenness & redemption 01:16:23 Are you ultimately morally culpable for non-resistant unbelief? 

Part 1: https://youtu.be/J7uP9uFNThY Dr. Jacobs’ Class Survey Link: Survey Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing Episode on Free Will: https://youtu.be/3KEhWydyFfA In this second episode of the divine hiddenness series, Dr. Jacobs delves deeper into another element of the problem — whether non-resistant unbelief is possible. He examines whether people can genuinely be open to belief in God yet remain unconvinced. The discussion explores psychological barriers to faith, the role of evidence in religious belief, and how different philosophical and theological traditions have dealt with seekers who think they cannot believe. You’ll get a deeper glimpse into proofs for God, and free will.  All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs (00:00:00) Intro  (00:01:38) What is the problem of divine hiddenness?  (00:07:00) Knowledge as a requirement for responsibility (00:11:10) The defense of God  (00:15:01) A recap of realism & is Christianity committed to realism? (00:32:28) The assumptions in Schellenberg’s case  (00:44:54) Is rational analysis the way to God?  (00:53:54) How ought God unveil himself and how has he revealed himself?  (00:59:12) Non-resistant unbelief  (01:16:49) Is God actually hidden?  (01:24:54) The genealogy of religion & the numinous  (01:34:25) Perception is mystical 

Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing Episode on the Nones: https://youtu.be/pBH9TTduBAE Episode on Free Will: https://youtu.be/3KEhWydyFfA Episode Man’s Place in the Cosmos: https://youtu.be/uohc2aWOJbw Hell, Hades, & Christ’s Descent Part 1: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/hell-hades-and-christs-descent-part?r=r1mfj On Universal Salvation: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/on-apokatastasis-and-universal-salvation?r=r1mfj In today’s episode, Dr. Jacobs explores the philosophical problem of divine hiddenness — the question of why God, if real, isn't more obviously apparent to all people. He examines whether rational unbelief in God is possible and discusses how divine hiddenness might actually serve a spiritual purpose, while engaging with topics like free will, proofs for God's existence, and universal salvation. All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Intro  00:01:42 The religiously unaffiliated 00:13:12 What is the problem of divine hiddenness?  00:16:50 Is there a thing as rational unbelief?  00:20:31 If proofs worked, everyone would believe in God  00:37:04 The value of divine hiddenness 00:58:35 Spiritual maturity  01:08:53 A deficiency in the free will defense  01:20:48 The proofs for the existence of God  01:42:20 Not everybody is created equal  01:52:32 Universal salvation  01:58:09 Divine hiddenness is unnatural 

Explore Hollywood's struggle with authentic storytelling, especially in faith-based films. The discussion centers on the Netflix take on Mary, evaluating its narrative pitfalls and lack of coherence. Insights into the industry’s tendency to taxidermy beloved stories emerge, along with critiques of modern adaptations like 'Rings of Power.' Authenticity in character arcs is highlighted, showcasing the importance of genuine representation versus agenda-driven narratives. The contrasting styles of Tolkien and Lewis offer further commentary on the challenges of real storytelling.

Today we repost another episode from the Hank Unplugged podcast. They’ll tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of Orthodox practice: the use of icons in worship. Together they examine the historical and biblical foundations for iconography, drawing on the teachings of John of Damascus and exploring how those who oppose icons might be missing key aspects of Christ's incarnation. The conversation moves from the practical role icons played in spreading the faith in pre-literate societies to their continued relevance and profound impact in today's world.  Original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=updb-fkGCwE All the links:  X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs (00:00) Intro (05:30) John of Damascas and his defense of icons  (08:55) Do those who are against icons, iconoclasts, have an inadequate view of the incarnation?  (16:40) Explaining the veneration of icons  (29:30) The historical role of icons in a world of illiteracy and oral traditions that didn’t have the biblical texts that we often take for granted today  (34:15) The appeal and potential profundity of icons in our world today as evangelical examples  (41:20) Does the Bible Answer Man’s son believe he has left the Christian faith?

Watch Dr. Nathan Jacobs and Bible Answer Man host Hank Hanegraaff explore Eastern Orthodox perspectives on faith, works, and Mary's role in Christianity. Together they unpack common misconceptions about Orthodox beliefs, diving deep into why Mary's significance extends far beyond being Jesus's mother, and how Eastern Christians view the relationship between faith and salvation. Originally aired on the Hank Unplugged Podcast on March 3, 2020.  Original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IkWN4WgIKc All the links:  X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs (03:37) Why do some Evangelicals believe that Hank Hanegraaff left the Christian faith when he became Eastern Orthodox?  (07:37) Discussing the differing framework of faith and works in the East and the West  (20:47) We are not saved by good works, but for good works (23:42) Discussing the Dormition of the Mother of God, Mary  (26:37) The perpetual virginity of Mary  (34:47) The role of Mary in the Incarnation and the profound theological implications  (38:17) A preview of the next conversation in this podcast series with Nathan Jacobs on Sola Scriptura

Delve into the fascinating traditions surrounding the Virgin Mary and the Nativity story. Discover lesser-known details about Mary’s origins and her perpetual virginity. Explore the roles of the Magi and King Herod's dark intentions during Christ's early days. Uncover the intriguing connection between the devil and Christmas, presenting the devil as an original Grinch. Lastly, examine the concept of evil in Christian thought and the cosmic battle between good and evil in light of Christ's birth.