The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

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.

Dr. Jacobs is feeling some Christmas nostalgia today and wondered, "What is this feeling, so sudden and new?" To get to the bottom of this, of course, he's going to explore the topic of human nature and divine essence and energies. Diving back into the history of ideas and coming out the other side with the answer: all creation groans. 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 (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:00) Christmas, longing, and nostalgia (00:10:39) What is the nature of man? (00:13:28) Aristotle, essance, and energies (00:18:06) Philo of Alexandria, essance, and energies (00:20:22) The communicable nature of God (00:26:06) Saint Paul and energia (00:30:04) Plato, Deuteronomy, images, and archetypes (00:37:57) The nature of creation (00:52:04) Man is a microcosm of all that God has made (01:09:03) How God’s energies interact in the world (01:21:31) The deeper feeling

Dr. Jacobs takes a look at the history of ideas through the lens of free will, from Socrates to the stoics to Augustine. He responds to Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Liu's scientific perspective on human choice. Find out in this episode if Dr. Jacobs believes in libertarian freedom. Also he gives a preview of his upcoming series on the problem of evil. Predestination Part 1: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-predestination?r=r1mfj Predestination Part 2: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-predestination-d60?r=r1mfj Predestination Part 3: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-predestination-cb9?r=r1mfj 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 (00:00:00) Intro  (00:03:25) What is determinism?  (00:12:18) What is incompatibalism?  (00:14:31) Libertarian freedom  (00:19:07) Compatibalism  (00:29:49) Fate vs determinism  (00:32:09) Libertarianism in the ancient Pagan philosophers (Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, and the epicureans) (00:35:08) Stoicism, libertarian freedom, and fatalism  (00:41:52) The church fathers and free choice (00:48:02) God is good (problem of evil teaser)  (01:06:38) Challenges of free will for the church fathers (foreknowledge and predestination)  (01:18:33) Dr. Jacobs’ opinion (01:29:06) Do Calvinists deny free will?  (01:33:43) The divide of philosophy and theology  (01:37:25) The philosophical case for free will  (01:58:23) Why people doubt free will  (01:59:57) The scientific case against free will (responding to Neil deGrasse Tyson, Charles Liu, & Chuck Nice on StarTalk)  (02:10:41) Leibniz, the Principle of Sufficient Reason, and equipoise (02:42:44) Things above and below reason 

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of free will, where various perspectives like hard determinism and libertarianism are dissected. The discussion highlights the rejection of compatibilism by Eastern Church Fathers, emphasizing moral culpability and the need for contrary choice. You'll hear about how determinism interacts with human choice and the implications for virtue and self-determination. The idea that passions can influence but not fully dictate our choices adds depth to this fascinating philosophical debate.

Dive into a fascinating spiritual journey from LSD-infused creativity to a heartfelt conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy. The host reflects on the disillusionment with Western Christianity and shares transformative insights encountered through the Eastern Church Fathers. Experience the clash of hedonism and deep philosophical questioning as he grapples with faith, doubt, and the nature of consciousness. This exploration of art, faith, and community offers profound reflections on personal belief and the search for divine connection.