Shows
On BecomingDeconstructing JesusIn today’s episode, we’re be looking at Jesus. As with all historical figures, establishing exactly what happened is sometimes very difficult. In this episode, we’ll talk about the gospels and why they are problematic, both because they are propaganda and because they were written so long after Jesus lived. We’ll also talk about the distinction between what has often been called ‘the historical Jesus’ and ‘the Christ of faith’.
2024-08-3132 minOn BecomingTrying to Make Sense of 'God'Have you ever noticed that the God of the Bible, who is supposed to be the ultimate 'Good', is often petty, mean, and vengeful? In this episode, we'll consider, first, the argument that Feuerbach presents for how the concept of 'God' came into existence. Then we'll consider where the Hebrew concept of 'God' comes from (hint: it's not from God). Finally, we'll turn to some examples of God being jealous, petty, misogynistic, and constantly trying to glorify himself.
2024-08-2437 minOn BecomingIs There a Correlation Between Religion and Happiness?Does being religious make you any happier? In this episode, we consider whether 'religion' might make for a happier you. The problem, as soon becomes apparent, is that there are many senses and ways of being 'religious', some of which are likely better than others at making us happier.
2024-08-1231 minOn BecomingWhat Does It Mean to Be SavedThe idea that Christianity is about salvation seems as fundamental as any idea or concept in Christian theology. In this episode, I first ask the question 'where does this idea come from?' More specifically, how did followers of Jesus come to interpret his death as somehow providing salvation? I don't think there's a clear answer to this question, though Nietzsche provides an interesting analysis of Paul. In the remaining portion of the episode, we consider the main theories that have been advanced to explain how Jesus' death brings about salvation.
2024-08-0335 minOn BecomingThe Need for the Ascetic PriestHow have priests or pastors served to make the slave revolt something permanent? It's that they heal the wound and inflict it at the same time. In this episode, we consider how the priest emerges in society to become the figure that channels the ressentiment of the slave and creates a new kind of being.
2024-07-2831 minOn BecomingA Nietzschean Analysis of TrumpianityBoth Christian and secular commentators have remarked on and questioned the close relationship between Trump and Evangelicals. Supposedly, there are such great differences between them that it's hard to see how they connect. But Trump and Evangelicals share a deep sense of ressentiment toward the world around them. In this episode, I argue that faith in Trump has replaced faith in Jesus. I use the term 'Trumpianity' to indicate something like a new religion (rather than simply a different version of Christianity). My reading of Trumpianity is primarily shaped by Nietzsche's account of the development of slave morality. But...2024-07-2033 minOn BecomingThe Creation of the Concept 'Sinner'All of our ideas and concepts come from somewhere. So where did the notion of 'sinner' come from? In this episode, we explore the distinction Nietzsche makes between master and slave morality. We'll begin by explicating the idea of master morality and then see how that morality compares to the morality of the slave or those on the bottom of the hierarchy. Nietzsche credits the slaves with a revolt that turns the values of the masters on their heads and replaces them with a very different conception of morality. It's that revolt that constitutes a change in values that...2024-07-1736 minOn BecomingIs the Christian Concept of Sin a Form of Child Abuse?This episode is the first in a new series titled 'Deconstructing Christianity', in which we will be examining fundamental Christian doctrines. We begin with the notion of sin, since that basic concept provides much of the scaffolding for Christianity as we know it. After explicating the Evangelical notion of sin, we then consider the extent it can be seen as abusive.
2024-07-0649 minOn BecomingRethinking the Ten CommandmentsYou may have heard that the governor of Louisiana has decreed that the Ten Commandments must be posted in all public classrooms. In this episode, we'll consider what the effect of such a move might be. But we'll also take a look at the actual commandments themselves, which turn out to be somewhat less 'moral' than one might expect.
2024-06-2538 minOn BecomingIn Praise of PrideIt's Pride Month! We begin the month with a reflection on pride as a vice and a virtue. My own experience of teaching Evangelical students is that they often don't know what to do with compliments since they are trying to avoid being 'prideful'. But there is nothing in the Bible that indicates that having a healthy self-respect is bad. Indeed, things that both Paul and Jesus say suggest the opposite. In this episode, we consider what something like 'proper pride' might be. I also spend some time considering the recent speech given by Harrison Butler, since he specifically m...2024-06-0629 minOn BecomingA Few Things You Might Want to Know about MeIn this episode, I discuss some aspects of my thinking. Although I've never been a rebel, I have always asked questions, including questions that have gotten me into trouble. While I believe that most human knowing isn't certain or indubitable, that doesn't mean that there can be no sense of 'knowledge'. Finally, I discuss how improvisation is the key to my thinking.
2024-05-1232 minOn BecomingThe Future of Religion (Part Two)2024-04-1932 minOn BecomingThe Future of Religion (Part One)We're back, and more critically-minded than ever! After a brief hiatus due to a recent move, Dr. Benson returns to offer thoughts on where religion -- and religions -- may be headed.
2024-04-1632 minOn BecomingPENSÉE: What Is Woke?'Wokeness' has become a flashpoint in contemporary culture wars, and a major presence in media coverage of social policy, but do we really know what it means to 'be woke'? In this episode, Dr. Benson breaks down the history, context, and current state of the debates around 'wokeness.'
2024-03-1016 minOn BecomingPENSÉE: Christian Nationalism in the PressIn this short episode, Dr. Benson discusses Ross Douthat's recent New York Times article "Four Ways of Looking at Christian Nationalism," and gives his own take on the current situation.
2024-03-0416 minOn BecomingAlabama, Fetal Personhood, and Christian NationalismIn this episode, Dr. Benson discusses the recent Alabama ruling that mixed theology with the law, disrupted fertility care across the state, declared frozen embryoes children, and brought out an issue that has become increasingly popular with Christian conservatives in the United States: fetal personhood. Can frozen embryoes really be considered children? How does theology play into this question? What are the possible political, cultural, and philosophical issues of this ruling? Tune in to find out!
2024-02-2733 minOn BecomingPENSÉE:Bill Ackman, Free Speech, and Alumni InfluenceIn this episode, Dr. Benson discusses the role that Bill Ackman, a billionaire businessman and activist investor, has played in shaping debates about higher education.
2024-02-2113 minOn BecomingAcademic BullyingIn this episode, Dr. Benson discusses bullying and incivility in the Academic world, and how it harms professors, students, and even administrators. For more of this content, please subscribe to our Patreon (found in our twitter pinned tweet, or at patreon.com/onbecomingpodcast) for special bonus segments that will be posted after each episode, as well as a number of other benefits.
2024-02-1734 minOn BecomingPENSÉE: Academic BurnoutA short reflection on burnout, and the various factors that can cause it in the world of academia.
2024-02-1312 minOn BecomingAcademic FreedomWhat is academic freedom? Why does it matter? Recent debates about politics and speech on college campuses have brought this issue into the mainstream. In this episode of On Becoming, Dr. Benson draws on his decades of experience as a professor and researcher to shed new light on the importance of academic freedom for the academy, as well as its development.
2024-02-1234 minOn BecomingThe State of Academia2024-02-0731 minOn BecomingThe Attack on Scholarship2024-02-0731 minOn BecomingIs College Worth It?: The Value of Higher Education (Part Two)In this episode, Dr. Benson goes into more details about the variety of options provided to students at different types of schools, and how these impact their experiences. Utilizing his years of experience as a professor, Dr. Benson discusses the elements of a college education that are perhaps less tangible and less directly-connected to financial outcomes.
2024-01-2428 minOn BecomingIs College Worth It?: The Value of Higher EducationIs college worth it? With tuition prices at stratospheric highs, and the burden of student loans constantly in the news, Dr Benson discusses the perceptions of college's value, as well as the financial considerations one must make. This is part one of a two-part series. In the next episode, Dr Benson will consider the value of higher education that goes beyond the finances.
2024-01-1832 minOn BecomingPENSÉES: What is the Future of Higher EducationThis episode is part of a new series from On Becoming. These shorter episodes — which we will call ‘Pensées, after the work of Blaise Pascal — will serve as ‘reflections’ on the general themes that will be addressed at greater length in our standard, full-length episodes each week. In this pensée, Dr. Benson discusses the idea of what the future of higher education may be, and outlines a few of the issues in colleges and universities that will come up in our full episode this week.
2024-01-1609 minOn BecomingReligion as a Way of Life (Part 3)After a brief holiday break we are back with part three of the 'Religion as a Way of Life' series!
2024-01-0630 minOn BecomingReligion as a Way of Life (Part One)2023-12-0331 minOn BecomingWhere Does Religion Come From? (Part Two)In this episode, Dr. Benson continues his discussion of Ross Douthat's New York Times op-ed 'Where Does Religion Come From?'
2023-11-2530 minOn BecomingWhere Does Religion Come From? (Part One)In this episode, Dr. Benson discusses Ross Douthat's recent New York Times op-ed 'Where Does Religion Come From?,' offers his take on where Douthat goes wrong, and gives his own take on the question.
2023-11-2532 minOn BecomingWhat Is Conversion (Sunday School with Dr.Benson)This short episode on conversion is an example of the bonus content that is made available to those who support the podcast on Patreon. If you are interested in more, please subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/onbecomingpodcast !
2023-11-2110 minOn BecomingThe Death of God (Part Two)In this episode, Dr. Benson continues to explore the context and implications of one of the best-known statements in the history of philosophy: "God is dead."
2023-10-3132 minOn BecomingThe Death of GodIn this episode, Dr. Benson discusses his experience at last week's conference, Theology Beer Camp, and further examines Nietzsche's critique of Christianity.
2023-10-2933 minOn BecomingThe Prayers and Tears of Friedrich Nietzsche (PartThree)In the final episode of our Nietzsche series, Dr. Benson discusses his final thoughts on Nietzsche's life and work, and adds a bit of detail about how his own philosophical itinerary brought him to Nietzsche's thought.
2023-10-1234 minOn BecomingThe Prayers and Tears of Friedrich Nietzsche (Part Two)In this episode, Dr. Benson continues the series on Nietzsche, and goes in-depth on Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra."
2023-10-1032 minOn BecomingThe Prayers and Tears of Friedrich Nietzsche (Part One)In this episode, Dr. Benson begins a discussion of theological elements in Nietzsche's life and work.
2023-10-0527 minOn BecomingGadamer Course PreviewIf you've already signed up for the Gadamer course, you might be interested in hearing what we'll be discussing. For those of you who have been meaning to sign up (but just haven't gotten around to it yet), you might find it interesting too. If you're interested in signing up, don't forget that the deadline is October 1st.
To sign up, you can contact us at onbecomingpodcast@gmail.com or send us a DM on twitter/X (@OnBecomingPod).
2023-09-2706 minOn BecomingKierkegaard on the ParadoxIn this episode, I share a recent presentation on Kierkegaard. I was part of a workshop on contradictions in theology and my assignment was to present on Kierkegaard and the paradox. The context for the workshop was the problem of contradiction in two major doctrines in Christianity: the trinity (3 in 1) and the incarnation (fully human, fully divine). While Kierkegaard is aware of (and wants to avoid) the logical contradiction, he is more concerned about the existential dimension of the paradox.
2023-09-2733 minOn BecomingIs Loneliness A Silent Pandemic?: Part TwoIn this episode, Dr. Benson further elaborates on loneliness, and addresses strategies that we can use to regain a sense of community.
2023-09-1933 minOn BecomingIs Loneliness A Silent Pandemic?: Part OneIn this episode, Dr. Benson talks about loneliness. After the Covid-19 pandemic, loneliness is certainly a topic that many feel well-acquainted with, yet putting a finger on exactly how it affects us and how we can deal with it is a challenge.
2023-09-1931 minOn BecomingEverything You Wanted to Know about Deconstruction (But Were Afraid to Ask) Part TwoIn this concluding episode, we consider how Derrida's thought was received. Unfortunately, many people came to think that Derrida was a relativist or skeptic or some other bad thing. Yet Derrida strongly rejected any such reading of his work. And then he went on to say that justice cannot be deconstructed since justice is an absolute ideal. We finish the episode by considering some 'aporias' of justice (as well as explain what an 'aporia' is).
2023-09-0931 minOn BecomingEverything You Wanted to Know about Deconstruction (But Were Afraid to Ask) Part OneIt's not everyday that a technical term used by a philosopher becomes a common word that most everyone knows. But, as is often the case when things get disconnected from their original context, the meaning can change or even become something quite different than the philosopher intended. Such is the case with 'deconstruction'. In this episode, you'll finally discover where this word comes from and what Derrida means by it.
2023-09-0730 minOn BecomingIs Communication Really Possible? Part TwoIn this episode, we conclude our exploration into Husserl’s idea of how communication is possible by considering the distinction between text and context, or meaning and significance. Husserl insists that all meaning is set within a horizon. However, if the text’s or person’s horizon is different from ours, then that significantly affects the possibility of communication.
2023-09-0131 minOn BecomingIs Communication Really Possible? Part OneIn this episode, I consider what makes communication possible by way of turning back to Edmund Husserl, the famed founder of phenomenology. Then we turn to questions posed by Derrida regarding whether Husserl is right about how communication works and the extent to which direct and complete communication is possible.
2023-08-2931 minOn BecomingInterview with Liz Edman--Part TwoIn this second half of our interview with Liz Edman, we turn explicitly to her book. To get a bit more context for this second half of the interview, you may want to listen to that part first. As you'll hear, Liz speaks very powerfully about what the church can learn from queer people. Liz contends that the Bible is deeply queer, though you'll discover that this turns out to be one of its best attributes.
2023-08-2442 minOn BecomingFirst Anniversary EpisodeIt's with great delight that I present our first anniversary episode! We've already had many interesting and, I hope, helpful episodes on big philosophical and theological questions. In this episode, I consider the various themes we've discussed and how they relate to the continuing development of the podcast. But I also have a surprise announcement: I'm planning to offer a short course on Gadamer in October. You'll find the details of that in this episode.
2023-08-1827 minOn BecomingInterview with Liz Edman--Part OneThis episode begins a two-part series with The Revd Liz Edman, author of Queer Virtue. Liz (she/her) is an Episcopal priest and political strategist who has been igniting people's understanding of Christianity and queer life for more than 25 years. She has served as an inner city hospital chaplain to people with HIV/AIDS from 1989 to 1995, helping craft political and communications strategies for marriage equality efforts, and persevering for almost two decades to become an openly queer priest in the Episcopal Church. Born and raised in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Liz has lived most of her adult life in...2023-08-1635 minOn BecomingThe Philosopher Who Changed My Life Forever--Part TwoIn this episode, I continue our discussion of the thought of Hans-Georg Gadamer. We explore how coming to think like Gadamer makes one open to new ideas. He speaks of being 'radically undogmatic' and, as I point out in this episode, that was the way he did philosophy. I also talk about how the students whom I've taught Gadamer found that they changed significantly--for the better.
2023-08-1331 minOn BecomingThe Philosopher Who Changed My Life ForeverWhen I first read Gadamer, it was as if my eyes were opened. Reading his work broadened my mind and helped me understand everything from theology and philosophy to what I do as a jazz musician. In this episode, I discuss some of the aspects that were so welcome to hear and put so many things into perspective.
2023-08-0929 minOn BecomingResisting Forgiveness Oppression--Part TwoIn this episode, I conclude our discussion of forgiveness and, specifically, the idea of forgiveness oppression. Victims of abuse and violence are often pressured to forgive their perpetrators, despite a lack of remorse or a change of behaviour. I show how Jesus' teachings have been significantly distorted to create the norm of unconditional forgiveness. Finally, I consider the value and place of resentment.
2023-08-0429 minOn BecomingResisting Forgiveness Oppression--Part OneVictims of abuse and violence are often pressured to forgive their perpetrators. The idea of unconditional forgiveness—forgiveness granted regardless of apology, remorse, or change of behaviour—has become a norm for many in the west and those who refuse to forgive are often seen as resentful and bitter. Yet those imploring forgiveness are often the powerful and those asked to forgive are often minorities who have comparatively little power. Since forgiveness in western culture derives from Jesus’s teachings, I return to those teachings.
2023-08-0233 minOn BecomingThe Rich Aroma of Forgiveness without the Danger--On Faux Forgiving, Part TwoThis episode completes the discussion begun in the previous episode, which focused primarily on the idea of faux forgiveness that I term 'moving on'. In this episode, we consider other varieties of faux forgiveness--evolving memory, changing the calculation, excusing by understanding, and balancing the books. While we'll see that they aren't actually forgiveness, they do give us many clues as to what real forgiveness is.
2023-07-2830 minOn BecomingThe Rich Aroma of Forgiveness without the Danger--On Faux Forgiving, Part OneIn this week's episodes, I take a similar approach to forgiveness as I did to the subject of apology last week--examining various things that people often assume count as 'forgiveness' that are, at best, faux forgiveness. For this episode, I consider 'moving on' (the thing most commonly but inaccurately defined as 'forgiveness') and then begin a discussion of the next aspect, 'evolving memory' that will continue in the next episode.
2023-07-2631 minOn BecomingHow to Avoid Apologising--Part TwoIn this episode, we continue on the theme of apology. We talk about gender differences in apologising, the difficulty (at least in serious cases) of figuring out exactly what one has done wrong, the problems with the word 'apology' and the phrase 'I'm sorry', and the hope that an apology can restore a relationship.
2023-07-2136 minOn BecomingHow to Avoid Apologising--Part OneHaving discussed the issue of religious trauma this past week, turning to the subjects of apology and forgiveness seemed a natural transition. In this episode, I introduce the concept of apology and why it is problematic. In short, I think that many things put forth as 'apologies' fail to qualify as actual apologies, and often make things worse.
2023-07-1931 minOn BecomingRecovering from Religious TraumaThis episode continues the discussion of religious trauma. My focus here is on how one recovers from such trauma. One of the difficulties in recovery is that strong religious beliefs learned as a child cannot simply be left behind. Or, as Nietzsche would remind us, they might be left behind intellectually while still remaining in the emotional core of our being.
2023-07-1529 minOn BecomingReligious Trauma SyndromeIn this episode, I turn to the phenomenon of religious trauma in order to see how such trauma can affect us. Trauma is felt at the deepest core of our being, which means that simply leaving it behind will be very difficult or perhaps even impossible. Religious trauma has received very little attention by psychologists and therapists, though I've discovered some resources that can help.
2023-07-1232 minOn BecomingMy Experience in Evangelical Higher EducationIn this episode, we move from focusing on Christian nationalism to the state of higher education in the Evangelical world. I consider the aspect of academic freedom and the kinds of restrictions placed on faculty at conservative Christian institutions. Since those restrictions can be found (among other places) in the institutional statement of faith, that raises the question of who gets to interpret such documents.
2023-07-0834 minOn BecomingChristian Nationalism 3: Heads in the SandIn our final episode in the series on Christian nationalism, we turn to the town of Moscow, Idaho and the vision of Christian nationalists to take over the world for what they consider to be 'Christianity' or what I would term 'anti-Christian' nationalism.
2023-07-0530 minOn BecomingChristian Nationalism 2: Christian ReconstructionismWe continue the discussion of Christian nationalism by going back to its roots in Christian Reconstructionism, a very peculiar reading of the Bible that leads its followers to think that Jesus' call to evangelism is really a call to take over civil governments across the world in the name of Jesus. As we'll see, the goal of Reconstructionism is to tear down the existing order with the goal of rebuilding it to be explicitly and exclusively Christian.
2023-06-3032 minOn BecomingWhat Is Christian Nationalism?This week's episode is the first of a short series on the phenomenon known as Christian nationalism. You have probably heard that term. Alternatively, you may have read or heard Evangelical Christians talking in way that presumes that the US is a Christian nation and it needs to become even 'more' Christian. Much of this episode interacts with an interview in Rolling Stone magazine with Dr. Bradley Onishi, who thinks that civil war is just around the corner.
2023-06-2731 minOn BecomingWhat Ron DeSantis Doesn’t Want Students to KnowIn this episode, we consider what's going on the state of Florida regarding education. Under a new law there, discussion of anything to do with sexuality is considered 'inappropriate' for all students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Similarly, discussions of injustice that have to do with race, colour, sex, or national origin are equally off limits. In order to see why this law is so problematic, I introduce the idea of 'intersectionality', the idea that we are all composed of multiple features, all of which serve to provide our identity. My conclusion is that DeSantis is only concerned with...2023-06-1742 minOn BecomingPride 2023: Queer Hermeneutics--On Being the StrangerIn this episode, we consider the various meanings of the term 'queer'. As I say at the beginning of the episode, my goal is make it clear that all of us have had experiences of what it's like to be 'queer'. At the core of the discussion is a basic distinction: the centre versus the margins. We consider how those in the centre have a certain privilege, as well as the point that what counts as either centre or marginal can change over time.
2023-06-0946 minOn BecomingThinking about Homeschooling with Kant and FoucaultThis week we consider a recent, lengthy article on homeschooling. It's a troubling article, for it focuses on a married couple who were both homeschooled but decide not to homeschool their own children. Simply because of the subject, the article raises the question of what it means to be 'indoctrinated'. My comments on this topic are set in the context of what Kant and Foucault have to say about what it means to be 'enlightened'.
2023-06-0248 minOn BecomingWhy I Am (Still) a ChristianHaving gone through the series in which we considered whether Evangelicalism qualifies as a 'cult' and then having interviews with Tim Whitaker and J. Aaron Simmons, I offer some insights into the ways in which Christian theists and people who choose the label 'atheist' argue against one another. In effect, much of what counts as 'argument' is really a kind of bullying--a practice found on both sides. I suggest that such bullying should always be resisted. But I also point out that there is more than one way to define what a 'Christian' is.
2023-05-2646 minOn BecomingInterview with J. Aaron SimmonsThis week's episode is an interview with J. Aaron Simmons. We talk about how the Evangelical world has changed over the past few decades. Both of us see these changes as moving from being somewhat welcoming to the Other to a place where the Other is not only not welcomed but is vilified. Yet Aaron talks about how he has managed to still find a place in that world, even while making his lack of agreement clear.
2023-05-1959 minOn BecomingInterview with Tim Whitaker, host of The New Evangelicals podcastIn this episode, I speak with Tim Whitaker. Both of us grew up in the Evangelical world. Those of you who've listened to this podcast know that I was more or less removed from it. We discuss the various ways in which Evangelicals have failed to read the Bible seriously and ignored some of the core teachings of Jesus.
2023-05-121h 04On BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Dispensing of Existence--Part ThreeThis is the final episode in the series considering Evangelicalism from the point of view of a cult. It also concludes my own story--at least up until now--begun in Part One of The Dispensing of Existence.
2023-05-0741 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Dispensing of Existence--Part TwoIn this episode, I continue my story of growing up Evangelical. I talk about my short-term missionary experience in Belgium, some aspects of my undergraduate education, and what it was like returning to Belgium as a graduate student and then studying with Gadamer on my Fulbright to Germany. Then I continue with how things went with returning to my undergraduate institution to teach and end with the first part of my story of getting tenure.
2023-04-3040 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Dispensing of ExistenceWith this episode, we come to the last of the eight aspects of cults or totalitarian movements. The dispensing of existence concerns who has the right to exist, at least according to such movements or cults. Under this rubric, I'm looking back on my life in this and the next two episodes. This episode focuses on my childhood and teen years.
2023-04-2240 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? Doctrine over PersonIn this episode, I examine the teachings of Bill Gothard, who was influenced by Rousas John Rushdoony. You've probably never heard of either, but both have been influential on the development of Evangelical thought in the past few decades. Gothard is perhaps best remembered as the forerunner to the 'purity movement', though you'll discover that he and his organisation have been deeply discredited by scandals. I conclude by considering how James Dobson ended up in many ways continuing the movement started by Gothard.
2023-04-1442 minOn BecomingA Very Different Easter MeditationIn this episode, I explore themes related to Easter: the resurrection, life after death, and what the Bible actually says about hell (hint: almost nothing).
2023-04-1338 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? Loading the LanguageIn this episode, we consider the way in which language is used in the Evangelical world. Much of that language is couched in the form of cliché, which is designed to be 'self-evident' and thus not open to further questioning. Further, the way in which words are used represents a significant departure from their usual meanings, which makes it difficult to examine many Evangelical statements.
2023-03-2341 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Sacred ScienceIn this episode, we consider the way in which Evangelicals hold on to their beliefs. In effect, there is very little room for questioning. Those who find themselves with doubts are often accused of lacking faith. But the ability to question and examine beliefs is crucial to being a thinking person.
2023-03-1743 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Cult of ConfessionConfession of sin is an integral part of the Evangelical experience. It's there from the moment you 'pray the prayer'. But, in this episode, I consider how confession works in the Evangelical world and how confessions often end up being celebrated.
2023-03-1046 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? The Demand for PurityWe continue our examination of Evangelicalism through the ‘cult’ lens with this episode on the expectation of purity. You’ll most likely discover some things about Evangelicalism that will surprise you—such as how dispensationalism results in a strikingly different reading of the Sermon on the Mount (probably the best known of Jesus’ teachings).
2023-03-0246 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? Mystical ManipulationIn this episode, we consider the extent to which Evangelicalism is manipulative. Do Evangelical leaders (pastors, evangelists) realise that they are manipulating people? Or does this happen in a way that is less obvious to everyone involved? Or does it even happen at all? As always, my goal is to put in front you what I'm able to see and let you decide for yourself.
2023-02-2447 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? Milieu ControlIn this episode, we consider the first of eight characteristics of 'cults'. Milieu control is a way in which groups provide limits to what members can say, read, view, or even think. Such control happens all the time, in groups of all sorts. But the question is: at what point (if at all) does such control become 'cultish' in nature?
2023-02-1750 minOn BecomingIs Evangelicalism a Cult? Preliminary ConsiderationsWith this episode, we begin a series examining Evangelicalism using the rubric of 'cult'. This first episode is designed as an introduction to the notion 'cult'. We consider various things and ways in which they could be said to be 'cultish'.
2023-02-1045 minOn BecomingGrowing Up Evangelical: ReflectionsIn this episode, I look back to my years growing up. I hope you'll find my reflections interesting on their own. However, many aspects of this episode will be expanded in episodes to come, so it will give you an idea of where we'll be going.
2023-01-2840 minOn BecomingJesus the DeconstructorIn this episode, I consider how Jesus deconstructs the religious teachings of his day. We begin with a short excursion on the brain, particularly on how the right hemisphere is where we experience things in context. Then we turn to Jesus' deconstruction. With that example, we then consider deconstruction and its role.
2023-01-1945 minOn BecomingInterview with John D CaputoOn this episode, we have the treat of hearing from Professor John D. Caputo. As you'll hear in the interview, I've asked him to tell us about his own intellectual and religious development.
2023-01-0539 minOn BecomingThe Advent of ChristmasHave you ever wondered where all the customs that surround Christmas came from? You likely have heard that Christmas picks up on certain 'pagan' customs. But the story is much more interesting than that. In this episode, we consider how many centuries it took for the celebration of Jesus' birth to take the form it now has. It's a fascinating story.
2022-12-2554 minOn BecomingDo You Need God to Have Morality?It's an old question, but there are some fascinating new answers. In this episode, we explore how we make moral judgments. We consider the evidence for the idea that morality is something we know intuitively. Our moral judgments are strongly affected by our community and tradition. Precisely because morality is based in our emotions (our 'sentiments' as some philosophers called it), having a rational discussion about morality is difficult--both because we make judgments without knowing why and because such judgments are so deeply connected to our emotions.
2022-12-1647 minOn BecomingFoucault, Power, and ReligionThe French philosopher Michel Foucault spent much of his career analysing how power works in society. In this episode, I unpack his ideas about how 'discourses' (really, anything in which humans interact) work by considering various examples, including a current Supreme Court case.
2022-12-0747 minOn BecomingDemonising the EnemyPerhaps the most effective strategy for silencing someone you don't like is to accuse him or her of being 'demonic' or in league with the devil. It doesn't matter, in such a case, whether the devil is real or not. Calling someone 'satanic' makes meaningful conversation impossible.
2022-12-0248 min
On BecomingDemonising the EnemyOne of the most effective strategies for silencing someone is to 'demonise' them. In this podcast, I examine various strategies for blocking actual conversation by way of demonisation.
2022-12-0148 minOn BecomingYou May Be More Christian Than You ThinkIn this episode, I discuss the book Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World. It is a long and well informed history of Christianity. But the focus of the author, Tom Holland, is particularly on how deeply western society has been influenced by Christianity, so much so that our current cultural differences are not disagreements between Christianity and the secular but differences between competing ideals for how one lives out Christian values.
2022-11-1148 minOn BecomingMelancholic Joy: An Interview with Brian TreanorHow does one find meaning and purpose in life? Is there something like 'the meaning of life'?
Prof. Treanor has written a rich and thoroughly engaging book, one that engages with questions about nihilism and relativism but points us toward hope and love.
In this episode, Dr Treanor elaborates on his idea of joy tinged with melancholy.
2022-11-021h 00On BecomingThe Tech Cults of Silicon ValleyYou've probably never thought that the workplace could be a cult. After all, we usually assume that cults are strange religious things. But, in this episode, I consider the case laid out by Carolyn Chen that many of the tech firms in Silicon Valley perfectly fit the definition of a cult. Her book is titled Work Pray Code: How Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley. She doesn't argue that work is 'like' religion; instead, she claims that, for many people in Silicon Valley, work has effectively become their religion, a religion so encompassing and demanding that it can be de...2022-10-2247 minOn BecomingUnderstanding Football as ReligionDoes it sound crazy to you that football (in both the American sense and the way the rest of the world uses the term) can be considered a religion? In this episode, we consider how football functions as a religion for many people. Along the way, I have important things to say about the human brain and how we come to our values--the things that really matter to us. I'll also be showing both how and why the 'New Atheist' conception of religion is fundamentally incorrect. The entire discussion is designed to help you come to a better understanding...2022-10-1341 minOn BecomingWalker, Warnock, and JesusAlthough many of my listeners live in someplace other than the United States, I've chosen to add an 'extra' podcast to discuss the race in the state of Georgia between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock. What might seem to be simply a contest between two people running for the US senate turns out to be a study in how Evangelicals portray themselves as the 'true' Christians. But I argue that Warnock, the candidate that Evangelicals don't like, is a much better candidate for the title 'true follower of Jesus'.
2022-10-1121 minOn BecomingHow Religion Played a Key Role in Human EvolutionMost people assume that religion and evolution are seriously at odds with one another. However, in this podcast you'll come to see how religion played a highly significant role in our evolution as human beings. Indeed, religion seems to be one of the major factors in the development of human language and it's hard to imagine that human beings could have developed so significantly apart from religion.
2022-10-0652 minOn BecomingWhat Is Religion?Everyone knows what religion is. Or do we? In this episode, we'll take a look at how our conception of religion developed over many centuries. We'll discover that the term 'religion' is based on the Latin term 'religio', a term that offers important clues for how we might re-think the very notion of religion.
2022-09-2844 minOn BecomingThe Decline of ChristianityIs Chrisitianity finished in the US? The most recent Pew Report on religion in the United States shows that Christianity is in a steep decline. In this podcast, I examine the stats and consider what this means for the future of Christianity.
2022-09-2445 min
On BecomingThe Decline of ChristianityIn this podcast, I comment on the results published by the Pew Research Center on the future of Christianity in the United States.
2022-09-2142 minOn BecomingWhat Is Christianity About?In this episode, we consider how practice and doctrine relate in Christianity. I argue that practice is foremost.
2022-09-1342 minOn BecomingYou Are Not Far From the KingdomHow does one become a follower of Jesus? In this episode, we examine the surprising and complex things that Jesus says about following him.
2022-09-0451 minOn BecomingEvangelical Disarray: Responding to the Interview with Russell Moore on the Ezra Klein ShowIn this episode, I use the interview with Russell Moore as a springboard for my own thoughts regarding Evangelicalism.
2022-09-0138 minOn BecomingIntroductionAn introduction to the podcast
2022-08-1814 min
Indiana Wesleyan University ChapelDr. Bruce Ellis-BensonDr. Bruce Ellis-Benson speaks in our community in Chapel on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018.2018-10-1024 min