Shows
Philosophy and FaithPlato's Creation Myth and Christian ThoughtIn this episode, the Daniel and Nathan delve into Plato's creation myth and the concept of dualism, discussing how it has influenced both ancient and modern philosophical and theological thought. They explore the role of the Demiurge in shaping the physical world, contrasting it with Christian theology's understanding of creation. The conversation also touches on the effects of dualism in Neoplatonism and its impact on Christian practices, such as asceticism and views on the physical body. Finally, they talk about how Plato and Neo-Platonism have shaped Christian views of heaven and the afterlife.00:00 Introduction to the Creation...2024-12-0315 min
Philosophy and FaithPlato, Dualism and ChristianityWe may be surprised to learn that our concepts of spirituality and the spirit realm (and even Heaven) are formed as much by Plato as by the Bible. In this episode, Nathan and Daniel dive into one of Plato's most significant philosophical ideas, and the idea that has deeply influenced Christian thought: dualism. The discussion centers around understanding what dualism is, how it contrasts with monism, and also how it is similar to yet also very different from the dualism taught in the scriptures.00:00 Introduction: No Script, Just Plato00:37 Plato's Biggest Idea: Dualism2024-11-2730 min
Philosophy and FaithPlato: Life and Influence (the History of Philosophy, part 12)Plato's Influence on Western Thought and Christian TheologyIn this episode, Nathan and Daniel dive into the life and legacy of Plato, one of history’s most influential philosophers. They discuss why Plato's ideas have had a profound impact on Western thought and Christian theology, outline the structure of upcoming episodes, and explain concepts like Platonism, Middle Platonism, and Neoplatonism. Additionally, they touch on the intertwining of Greek philosophy with early Christian thought and the role of Plato's Academy in shaping intellectual history. The episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Plato’s philosophies and thei...2024-11-0624 min
Philosophy and FaithUnderstanding Socrates (The History of Philosophy, part 11)Socrates, Plato, and the Legacy of Greek PhilosophyIn this episode, the Daniel and Nathan return after a brief hiatus to explore the life and philosophy of Socrates and his profound impact on his pupil Plato. They discuss the Socratic method of questioning, its influence on Western thought, and how it shaped Plato's works and ideas, particularly in his early dialogues. The dialogue also delves into the historical context of Socrates' life, his opposition to the Sophists, concepts like absolute truth, justice, and the philosopher king. Additionally, the episode examines Socrates' influence on early Christian theology through...2024-10-2233 min
Philosophy and FaithThe Sophists: Foundations of Skepticism and Relativism (The History of Philosophy, part 10)Understanding Sophism: Background, Impact, and CritiquesIn this episode, the discussion focuses on the Sophists, their role in ancient philosophy, and their impact on subsequent thought. We delve into their characteristics, methodologies, and goals, exploring how they served as both a culmination and a reaction to earlier philosophical ideas. Daniel summarizes their teaching under the three headings of: skepticism, relativism, and pragmatism. The conversation ultimately highlights the critical role the Sophists played in setting the stage for the great philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Through an analysis of Sophist principles and the response by Socrates and Plato, the...2024-09-1937 min
Philosophy and FaithThe First Materialists (The History of Philosophy, part 9)Exploring the Roots of Materialism: The AtomistsIn this episode, Daniel and Nathan delve into the philosophy of materialism by exploring the early atomists, Leucippus and Democritus. They discuss the historical context of these philosophers, their main ideas about atoms and the void, and how these concepts form the basis of materialism. The conversation also touches on the implications of materialistic determinism, the challenges it poses for ethics and rationality, and its lasting impact on modern thought. The episode sets the stage for future discussions about Socrates and his opponents, the sophists.00:00 Introduction 2024-09-0322 min
Philosophy and FaithMind over Matter (The History of Philosophy, part 8)In this episode, Daniel and Nathan dive into the lives and philosophies of Empedocles and Anaxagoras, who serve as stepping stones to understanding Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. They explore Empedocles' idea that all things are composed of four elements and two forces, love and strife. Meanwhile, Anaxagoras introduces the concept of 'mind' as a guiding force over matter, sparking deeper philosophical questions.The discussion ends by discussing why Socrates and Aristotle were excited but then disappointed in the answers Empedocles and Anaxagoras gave.00:00 Introduction and Overview00:46 Empedocles: The Four Elements2024-08-1526 min
Philosophy and FaithHeraclitus, Legos and the Logos (The History of Philosophy part 6)In this episode, Nathan and Daniel delve into the life and philosophy of Heraclitus, one of the most influential philosophers of the pre-Socratic era. Known as 'Heraclitus the Obscure' or 'The Riddler', Heraclitus is famous for his notion of the continuous change in the universe, encapsulated in phrases like 'everything is in flux' and 'you cannot step into the same river twice'. His use of the concepts of fire and logos to explain change and order in the universe set the foundations for later philosophical thought, influencing figures like Plato, Aristotle, and even Christian theology. The discussion also touches...2024-07-1848 min
Philosophy and FaithDealing with DoubtHow do we deal with our intellectual doubts? In this episode, Daniel gives four practical ways to deal with doubts, based upon his 30 years as a pastor, and on his own life.2024-01-1532 min
Explain the BibleOur Father in HeavenWe are going through a six episode series on the Lord's prayer, starting with "Our Father in heaven".This episode discusses the meaning and wonder of God's fatherhood of us, as well as the meaning of "heaven"2023-12-1310 min
Pretty Good SermonsGood News about GluttonyThis sermon is titled good news about gluttony. It's part of the series, the seven deadly sins, and the focus of this sermon is not just to tell you that gluttony is bad and that you should avoid it. But to explain why food is God's good gift. And how to receive that gift. In such a way that it draws us closer to the giver. I hope you find it helpful. 2023-12-0626 min
Philosophy and FaithThe Four Great WorldviewsThe history of the world is dominated by four great worldviews -- four families of ideas about the universe and reality. They are theism, atheism, pantheism, and polytheism. In this episode these four worldviews are explained with the help of two illustrations. This will form the foundation for future episodes, where we will examine how each of this worldviews gives different answers to the questions of ethics, human uniqueness and value, how we can know things, what is beauty, and more.2023-12-0434 min
Philosophy and FaithDefining Philosophy and FaithOur first episodes explores the questions:What is philosophy?How do Philosophy and faith fit together?Do non-religious philosophy still utilize faith?How can you decide between competing worldviews.2023-11-2719 minPretty Good SermonsEnvy: the First of the Deadly SinsWe all do it, and very few of us admit to it: Envy.But why is this a sin? Why, in fact, has the church labelled it as one of the seven deadly sins?Why can something as common as envy be....deadly?Today's episode will examine that through the lens of scripture.2023-11-0130 minPretty Good SermonsPsalm 23A sermon preached by Pastor Daniel in 20062023-08-2221 minPretty Good SermonsPsalm 23: Learning to Trust the ShepherdThis is a sermon preached by Pastor Daniel on June 18, 20062023-08-2221 min
Pop StarsCarly Rae Jepsen's EmotionOn this episode, Daniel Schroeder and Mathew Rodriguez look at the star chart of one of their favorite gay albums, Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion.2023-06-2955 min
Explain the BibleThree Mysterious Strangers
Genesis chapter 18 tells of a mysterious encounter between Abraham and God, and teaches us about what kind or relationship God desires to have with us.
2022-02-0408 min
Explain the BibleEpisode 16: Have I got a Covenant for You!
In Genesis 17 God deepens his promise and makes it more specific. But there is a catch.
2022-02-0407 min
Pretty Good SermonsNo Need for Signposts
Pastor Nate helps us look at 1 Corinthians 13
2022-02-0212 min
Pretty Good SermonsLearning to Trust the Shepherd
Pastor Daniel looks in-depth at Psalm 23
2022-02-0231 min
Pretty Good Sermons7 Reasons NOT to Fear
2022-02-0218 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Implanted Word
James 1 talks about receiving the implanted word which can save our souls. But how do we "receive" something that is already implanted within us? And what does it mean for Christians to "save our souls"?
2022-02-0221 min
Pretty Good SermonsChristians: How to Save Your Soul
James 1:21 tells Christians we can save our soul by receiving the word implanted within us. What does that mean?
2022-02-0231 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus, Our Immanuel
What does it mean that "God is with us"?
2022-02-0241 min
Explain the BibleFine, I'll do it Myself
In Genesis 16, we see Sarai and Abram hatch a brilliant plan to help God out.
2022-02-0107 min
Explain the BibleAll Grace
In Genesis 15 we find a mysterious ceremony, and are reminded what it means to live by faith.
2022-01-2705 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus, our great High Priest
Did you know you need a priest for the biggest problem of your life?
2021-12-0838 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus, the Final Prophet of God
Jesus is the one who not only teaches God's words, but also shows God's face
2021-12-0836 min
Pretty Good SermonsWhen God says, "We Need to Talk"
An exposition of Psalm 50
2021-12-0831 min
Pretty Good SermonsLiving Fruitfully Before God
Pastor Nate Beasley explains how God wants us to live as a response to His grace
2021-12-0836 min
Pretty Good SermonsDoing Something Beautiful for God
How can we do something that God finds beautiful? Listen and find out.
2021-12-0834 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Christian's Greatest Need
What is your greatest need as a Christian? It may not be what you think...
2021-12-0839 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Mystery of God's Plan
Pastor Nate preaches on Ephesians 3:1-13.
2021-10-1639 min
Pretty Good SermonsPax Romani or Pax Christi
If Jesus came to bring peace, then why isn't it here?
Or is it?
2021-10-1638 min
Pretty Good SermonsYour Great Transformation
Ephesians 2:1-10
2021-10-0136 min
Pretty Good SermonsYour Place in God's Plan
Ephesians 1:11-23
2021-10-0136 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Great Plan and Purpose of God
The purpose of anything that is created depends upon the purpose of the creator. That applies to us as well. Unless we know the purpose of God in creating us, and the plan of God for transforming us, we will never understand our true purpose in life.
2021-09-1637 min
Pretty Good SermonsTimeless Wisdom about Time
Main idea: without a PURPOSE and a PLAN for our time we will waste our lives.
2021-09-1633 min
Pretty Good SermonsTimeless Wisdom about Entertainment
Entertainment. Studies show that the average American spends over 80 hours a week consuming media. Do we have any idea how that affects us? Do we have any idea what we can do about it?
2021-08-1335 min
Pretty Good SermonsTimeless Wisdom about Idolatry
Idolatry is not just an ancient sin; it is a modern problem. Which is why John ends his first letter with a parting warning: "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols".
Let's explore what this means.
2021-08-0833 min
Pretty Good SermonsTimeless Wisdom about Work (by Paul Mitchell)
What does God's timeless wisdom tells us about our work life?
2021-08-0525 min
Pretty Good SermonsTimeless Wisdom about Music (by Nate Beasley)
What does God's timeless wisdom tell us about music?
2021-08-0543 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Reassurance of the Gospel
One of our biggest needs is reassurance. in 1 John 5:13-20, God gives us just this.
2021-08-0537 min
Pretty Good SermonsA New Birth into a New Kind of Life
Eternal Life does not mean what we think it means.
2021-07-0837 min
Pretty Good SermonsThere is No Fear in Love
What does 1 John 4:18 mean when it says that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear"?
Pastor Dan explores this question.
2021-07-0229 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Love that Changes Us (Nate Beasley)
Pastor Nate preaches on 1st John 4:7-21 and explains the great changes that God's love brings
2021-07-0229 min
Pretty Good SermonsGod is Love
What does it mean to say that God is Love? By looking at 1st John 4: 16 we see the answer.
2021-06-1533 min
Pretty Good SermonsTesting the Spirits and Testing Ourselves
How can we determine true and false spirits? And how can we make sure we really are God's child?
In a world full of fakes, God's Word shows us how to test the things that matter.
2021-06-1539 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Way of Love (Nate Beasley)
A sermon based on 1st John 3:11-18
2021-06-1540 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Road to Righteousness, 1st John 3:3-10
Why should we seek to be righteous? The world certainly doesn't value it. And Jesus will forgive anyway, right?
In this sermon based on 1st John 3:3-10, we explore what it means to walk the road of righteousness, and why it is worth the walk.
2021-05-2536 min
Pretty Good SermonsYour Greatest Need: 1st John 3:1-3
Think of the greatest need you have. What do you think God would say your greatest need is. And would He be willing to do anything about it?
2021-05-1839 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of the Anti-Christ (1st John 2: 18-27)
In this sermon, Pastor Nate Beasley explains the spirit of the anti-christ in 1st John 2: 18-27.
2021-05-1235 min
Pretty Good SermonsDo Not Love the World (1st John 2: 15-17)
What does it mean when John tells us to not love the world? Doesn't God love the world? And why should we not give our love to the world, anyway?
2021-05-1238 min
Pretty Good Sermons1st John chapter 1
In this introduction to the book of First John, Pastor Daniel explains why John wrote this book, the false teaching he was combatting, and the true teaching of the apostles that chapter 1 introduces.
2021-04-2939 min
Pretty Good SermonsTrue Enlightenment, 1st John 2:1-11
We all want to be enlightened? But how does that actually happen? Pastor Dan guides us through 1st John 2:1-11 to show the answer
2021-04-2938 min
Pretty Good SermonsIf the Dead are not Raised
What difference does the resurrection make in the here-and-now? Pastor Daniel explores this, based in 1 Corinthians 15
2021-04-2930 min
Pretty Good SermonsWhen Dreams Die, An Easter Sermon
A sermon for Easter 2021
2021-04-2916 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Triumphal Entry, by Nate Beasley
Pastor Nate explains what kind of King Jesus really is
2021-04-2935 min
Pretty Good SermonsRuth 4
Ruth chapter 4 gives us great wisdom on how to make our life count for eternity.
2021-04-2936 min
Pretty Good SermonsRuth 3
What does it take to be used by God? It may not be what we think!. Ruth chapter 3 will helps us explore this.
2021-04-2929 min
Pretty Good SermonsRuth 2
This chapter tells us the amazing ways God works, and the unlikely people He works through
2021-04-2940 min
Pretty Good SermonsRuth 1
A sermon on the first chapter of Ruth
2021-04-2839 min
Pretty Good SermonsWhen Dreams Die, An Easter Sermon
What happens when dreams die? Is there any hope of resurrection? Through the examples of Ruth, and of the disciples, and his own life, Pastor Daniel shows that yes, when God is in the picture, dreams are resurrected into something better.A sermon preached on Easter on 2021.
2021-04-2816 min
Pretty Good SermonsGoing Deeper: The Word as Warfare
Pastor Nate and Pastor Dan discuss the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, and what this means to us.
2021-01-2844 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Word as Warfare, Matthew 4:1-11
How are we supposed to use the Word in battling the lies and temptations of the evil one? Jesus shows us the way.
2021-01-2635 min
Pretty Good SermonsGoing Deeper on Receiving the Word
2021-01-1528 min
Pretty Good SermonsHow to Thrive by Receiving the Word
How can the Word change us? Not simply by reading it.
2021-01-1524 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Name of Jesus
An exploration of the name Jesus
2020-12-2222 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus, the Word
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us -- John 1:14
2020-12-2132 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Messiah
A study of the title Messiah (or, the Christ) and what this means to us.
2020-12-1136 min
Pretty Good SermonsImmanuel
Why is Jesus called Immanuel, and what does this mean to us?
2020-12-0332 min
Pretty Good SermonsYour Kingdom Come
2020-10-0327 min
Pretty Good SermonsForgive us Our Debts
2020-10-0329 min
Pretty Good SermonsDeliver us from Evil
Here's a question? Why would we need to ask God to NOT lead us into temptation, and to deliver us from evil? We can usually lead ourselves quite well into temptation, can't we? What's going on?This sermon addresses that question and wraps up the sermons...
2020-10-0327 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus, the Scriptures and Us
An exposition of Matthew 17-20
2020-07-1617 min
Pretty Good SermonsBlessed are the Pure in Heart
An exposition of Matthew 5:8
2020-07-1615 min
Pretty Good SermonsWho Switched the price tags? The Beatitudes, part 1
An exposition of Matthew 5: 1-4
2020-07-1630 min
Pretty Good SermonsThe Old Testament Law and the New Testament Christian
A theological exposition of Matthew 5
2020-07-1627 min
Pretty Good SermonsJesus' words to the anxious
An exposition of Matthew 6:25-34
2020-07-1617 min