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Paul Anleitner

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Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerSuperman Review & Discussion with Parker SettecaseParker Settecase and Paul Anleitner discuss the philosophical themes in James Gunn's new Superman movie starring David Corenswet. Subscribe to @ParkerNotes and @ParkersPensees Substack: https://parknotes.substack.com/ Subscribe to "Reading the Zeitgeist" with Paul Anleitner: https://substack.com/@paulanleitner?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/deeptalkstheologypodcast 2025-07-151h 18

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerJohn Vervaeke & Paul Vander KlayThis episode originally aired in December of 2021. In this episode, I'm joined by Paul VanderKlay and John Vervaeke for a discussion on what the word "God" means and why we all should want to move past common Christian vs. atheist debates that seem to reduce what "God" means to a conception of a Doctor Manhattan-like supreme being in an arena of other beings. Paul Vander Klay is a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America and the host of a popular YouTube/podcast that explores questions surrounding theology & the meaning-crisis. 2023-06-132h 22

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerThe Hive Switch & The Experience of God: The Science Behind our Transcendent ExperiencesThe moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt proposed in his book The Righteous Mind that humans are "90% chimpanzee and 10% bee." According to Haidt, humans have a "hive switch" that, given the right circumstances, can be switched on and move us from self-centered concerns to a euphoric sense of being connected to some larger whole. Exploring Haidt's work and the proposal of Emile Durkheim that there's an evolutionary mechanism that psychological moves us from "the realm of the profane" to the "realm of the sacred," we'll take a look at whether or not our experiences of God in Christian worship are n...2022-10-0537 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerLeaving Psychedelics to Follow Jesus | Paul Risse author of ”The Psychedelic Christian”Paul Risse is a former psychonaut turned follower of Jesus. He writes about his journey in a new book entitled The Psychedelic Christian. You can order his book here: https://tinyurl.com/3essfdcb You can listen to my first interview with Paul Risse where he shares a more extended version of his upbringing and personal story here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-58-reconstruction-stories-the-psychedelic/id1401730159?i=1000472744039 ___________ You can pre-order my new book (release September '22) Dis-Ordered: A Christian Journey Through the Problem of Evil and...2022-08-301h 32

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerCulture War Christianity- Live Lecture (Part 2)This is part 2 of the two part live lecture. Again, audio quality is very much "live" :) In this session, we'll explore some of the history behind Culture War Christianity and ask whether or not this response to the threat of cultural exile in America was ever theologically sound or effective. Special thanks to Everyday Church in Minneapolis for hosting these sessions. Part 1 is available here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-eabu5-11f9e87 If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it...2022-04-1936 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerCulture War Christianity- Live Lecture (Part 1)This week's episode is part 1 of a live lecture I recently gave at Everyday Church in Minneapolis, MN. The purpose of this 2 part lecture is to give an introduction to some of the core principles of my particular framework for doing cultural theology and then to begin to do a bit of narrative and value comparison between the Guiding Stories of American macro-culture and the Kingdom of God. This is necessary groundwork for part 2 of the lecture which will focus in on assessing common evangelical understandings of the Guiding Story which contributed to the brand of Culture War...2022-04-1245 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerHave Movies Replaced Church? | Searching for God and Meaning at the Movies | Feat. Movies While They SleepToday's Episode is also available as a video at: https://youtu.be/f1tFOfMh2NU My friends from the Movies While They Sleep podcast join me to discuss where we may be able to find God and deep meaning embedded within some of the best films of the past couple years. Have movies replaced church as the primary place people go to in order to find guiding stories? Some of the films discussed include: The Green Knight Dune The Batman Sound of Metal Nightmare Alley 2022-03-231h 25

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerRe-enchantment, Beauty, & the Death of the Secular Age | Paul Anleitner on THE VAST podcastToday's episode is also available as a video at: https://youtu.be/6UV3Ea2E9jg Today's episode is a recording of a conversation I had as a guest on The Vast podcast exploring some of the ideas I wrote about in last month's piece for Ekstasis Magazine entitled "The God We Thought Was Dead". I really enjoyed the conversation with these gentlemen and I hope you find it to be helpful. You can check out The Vast podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vast-podcast/id1558428782 Y...2022-03-1554 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerA Sermon on Ecclesiastes | Is Everything Meaningless?Today's episode is also available as a video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h_fL-zlqyfE In today's episode, I'm sharing a sermon on one of my favorite books of the Bible. How does the ancient book of Ecclesiastes provide timeless wisdom even as we wrestle with our modern meaning-crisis? Is everything meaningless? For one of the core sources I draw upon in this sermon, you can check out this scholarly paper on Ecclesiastes here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/harvard-theological-review/article/abs/meaning-of-life-in-ecclesiastes-coherence-purpose-and-significance-from-a-psychological-perspective/6F176FEDB39125D1B71AAB25E352E0...2022-02-1542 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerDwight Hopkins | Black Theologian Raised in Segregation | Liberation Theology & The Good NewsToday's episode is also available as a video at: https://youtu.be/knl_8xviEGU As Americans begin a month long celebration of Black history, I thought it would be valuable to explore the personal history and theology of one of America's premier Black theologians- Dr. Dwight Hopkins. This episode originally aired in June of 2020, but is worth revisiting. Dr. Dwight N. Hopkins was born and raised in the segregated south, but through the support system of his loving family and the African American church community, he grew to become a...2022-02-021h 20

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerStar Trek, Christ, and The True Transcultural StoryToday's podcast is also available in video format at: https://youtu.be/XsZRjC-EOLw Would a corporate ethics or emotional intelligence employee training course from a healthy American company work aboard a Klingon "Bird of Prey" ship in Star Trek? Probably not. (Don't worry, you don't have to be a Trekkie to understand the thought experiment in today's video!) That's because, whether we are aware of it or not, there is an assumed narrative structure in our culture that informs our ethical norms. But we bump up against a real problem in postmodernism with...2022-01-2133 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerAndy Squyres, John Mark McMillan, & Ted Kim | Searching for God in the Post-Secular AgeToday's podcast is also available as in video format: https://youtu.be/plgag7h2vPY In nearly 4 years of recording these sorts of long-form discussions, I can honestly say that this was one of the best conversations I've ever had. I struggled to even give it a title. I never want to hype something up, so please trust me when I say that you'll really want to watch or listen to this whole thing. The crescendo of where we get to by the end together is still stirring my heart now. Long t...2022-01-112h 25

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerJordan Peterson vs. John Walton on Genesis 1 | Creation, Evolution, & GenesisToday's podcast is also available as a video at : https://youtu.be/tiSGdDc3bQY In this video, we'll compare video clips from past lectures by the famed psychologist and author, Jordan Peterson & Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern scholar, author, and professor John Walton on Genesis chapter one. After my introduction, I will present the clips without commentary because I really want to invite you to share with me your observations in the comments. What do you see as the points of harmony and dissonance between Peterson & Walton on Genesis 1? What do you make of...2022-01-031h 10

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerDiscerning God‘s Intended Order for Reality | Paul on ”The Meaning Code” YouTube ChannelThis week's episode comes from an extended segment of my conversation as a guest on The Meaning Code (a YouTube channel about philosophy, physics, art, economics, and theology hosted by Karen Wong). How might we best understand the intended meaning of Genesis 1 and what theologians often refer to as the "Four Phase Story of the Bible" (Creation, Fall, Redemption, & Consummation/Resurrection)? How do we discern the intended order for the cosmos, and what is our part in it all? You can check out that channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWSeqqpzpFE&ab...2021-12-221h 06

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerPaul VanderKlay & John Vervaeke - What Does ”God” Mean?It's a honor to be joined by Paul VanderKlay and John Vervaeke for a discussion on what the word "God" means and why we all should want to move past common Christian vs atheist debates that seem to reduce what "God" means to a conception of a Doctor Manhattan-like supreme being in an arena of other beings. Paul VanderKlay is a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America and the host of a popular YouTube/podcast that explores questions surrounding theology & the meaning-crisis. Subscribe to his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/c/Paul...2021-12-142h 22

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerJordan Peterson‘s Psychedelic Claim about the BibleI've been taking some time to do some theological responses on YouTube to the recent conversation between Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, Bishop Robert Barron, and Jonathan Pageau. This is part 3 in that series (the other's of which are available on YouTube). There was a section of the conversation I could not neglect. Jordan Peterson thinks the New Testament book of Revelation is the result of a psychedelic experience. Is there evidence to support that claim? And what about his admiration for "The Immortality Key" book and the author's claims about Communion wine being a psychedelic mixture? Why aren't...2021-11-301h 09

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerDr. Matthew J. Thomas- Have We Completely Misunderstood the Apostle Paul?This week I wanted to throw it back to one of the very first interviews I had on this podcast. It's probably a conversation even many of you long-time listeners have never listened to. The guest is New Testament scholar & theologian, Matthew J. Thomas who has a groundbreaking and controversial book on the Apostle Paul that seems to give a considerable amount of historical evidence that many Protestants & Evangelical Christians (especially those who are more direct theological descendants of Luther and Calvin) do not properly understand the writings of the Apostle Paul on faith & works, grace & the Law...2021-11-231h 43

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerHierarchies & Jesus: Behavioral Science & The Gospel of MatthewHumans have an innate sense for detecting where they stand in the hierarchical structure of social groups. As social creatures, hierarchical structures are inevitable. From the family, to the military, school and even church- every where there are human communities, there are social status competitions and delineated pecking orders. In Matthew's Gospel in particular, Jesus is presented as an authoritative figure, perhaps even one with the authority to knock out the "alpha" at the top of the hierarchy of the 1st Century Mediterranean & Near Eastern world, but as Matthew's portrait of Jesus unfolds it becomes clear that J...2021-11-0949 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerDr. Jeannine K. Brown- A Better Way to Read the BibleThis episode originally aired September 16, 2019 If one treats the Bible as inspired and authoritative in their life, are there better or worse ways of reading the Bible that could produce good or bad results in one's life? Dr. Jeannine K. Brown is a New Testament Scholar, NIV Biblical translator, author and professor. She has taught at Bethel Seminary for over 20 years. To check out some of Dr. Jeannine K. Brown's books/commentaries: Scripture as Communication Matthew (Two Horizons Commentary) Becoming Whole and Holy 2021-11-021h 25

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerIs Hell Biblical?It's Halloween this upcoming weekend, and I remember when I was a teenager going to a "Hell House". It was pretty horrifying. But where do common Christian notions of hell come from? Are they even biblical? ___________ TAGS: hell, eternal conscious torment, universalism, Origen, Rob Bell, Gregory of Nyssa, Edward Fudge, annihilationism, conditional immortality, judgment day, soteriology, biblical theology, John Walton, biblical anthropology, eschatology ______________ If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Members of t...2021-10-261h 02

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerDr. Jeremy Perigo- The Deep Connection Between Our Guiding Stories, the Arts, Music, & The Liturgies of Church & CultureMy guest today is Dr. Jeremy Perigo from Dordt University. He is the Director of Campus Ministries & Worship Arts and an associate professor at Dordt. He is also a visiting lecturer at London School of Theology where he previously spent six years as head of theology, music, and worship programs. Jeremy did his undergrad at Purdue University, then went on to do a Masters in Practical Theology at Regent University and a Doctorate at Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. My relationship with Jeremy goes back nearly 15 years as we both worked in deeply Char...2021-10-121h 31

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerChrist & Culture Pt. 3- Battle of the GodsWhat if our entire lives were affected by the outcome of a battle of the gods? Invisible "spirits" have always been on top of a hierarchy of culture dictating our entire way of life. From ancient Babylon to modern-day America, we'll explore the fascinating connection between the domain of "spirit" and how this spiritual realm is made manifest in our art, movies, music, economics & politics. Plus: -The connection between national flags and ancient idols -Why early Christians didn't understand violent passages in the Old Testament the same way we usually do today ...2021-10-051h 33

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerChrist & Culture Pt. 2- Synthesis, Paradox, or Metamorphosis?This is PART TWO in a series entitled "Christ & Culture". If you haven't already, you may want to listen to Part 1 first. In today's episode, we'll explore three options for how Christians may relate to culture. These three mediating options are alternatives to the extreme "Christ against Culture" & "Christ of Culture" theologies (which were covered in part 1). _____________________________ TAGS: H.R. Niebuhr, H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture, Christ and Culture Niebuhr, theology and culture, cultural theology, theology podcast, Christian theology podcast, ___________________________________ If you find this p...2021-09-281h 04

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerChrist & Culture Pt. 1- From Jesus Freaks to Christian NazisKnowing that many of you became listeners over the past year or so, and knowing the intense difficulties many Christians in America are experiencing trying to navigate faith and culture war issues, I wanted to re-air an old series that has been absolutely foundational to just about everything else that gets covered in this podcast. So over the next several weeks, I will be re-airing the "Christ & Culture" series from the summer of 2019. Whether you've been a listener since day one or whether you're brand new to listening to Deep Talks, I strongly encourage you to listen...2021-09-211h 04

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerFrom the Vault: Christ & The Culture WarIn lieu of deepening tensions among Christians caught up in the Culture War, I thought it would be appropriate this week to re-air episode 73 (from October 2020). This episode is entitled "Christ & the Culture War (don't leave republican jesus for democrat jesus). ----- I'm an 80's/90's kid who grew up in the evangelical heyday of Christian subculture. "Christian" music, movies, tv, bookstores, and even our own brand of science was all part of a larger culture war movement. A lot of people my age eventually abandoned right-wing, Republican Evangelicalism but simply traded it for left-wing, progressive...2021-09-131h 01

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 105: Jesus and John Vervaeke (Part 3- N.T. Wright ”epistemology of love, De-Centering, & Agape)In part 3 of "Jesus and John Vervaeke", we'll be exploring the points of intersection between N.T. Wright's "epistemology of love" and Vervaeke's work on de-centering and agape love. How might love be foundational to knowing anything at all rightly? John Vervaeke and I have had two wonderful discussions in the past. You can check them out here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-cuaty-f7d11a and here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-q3ccv-107e94b A good intro to Wright's epistemology of...2021-09-0654 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 104: Jesus and John Vervaeke (Part 2- The Mystical & Metanoia)In part two of this series exploring the intersection of theology & cognitive science via the work of John Vervaeke, we'll examine the potential points of intersection between Vervaeke's work and the work of Christian theologians & philosophers such as David Bentley Hart, Pseudo-Dionysius, Søren Kierkegaard, & Miroslav Volf. We'll consider the nature of consciousness, how even mystical experiences may stop short of true metanoia/repentance, and what to look for as marks of genuine spiritual awakening using insights from theology and cognitive science. John Vervaeke and I have had two wonderful discussions in the past. You can c...2021-08-171h 11

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 103: Jesus and John Vervaeke- Theology, Cognitive Science, Psychedelics & Genuine Awakening ( Part 1- Disrupting the Frame)What are the points of resonance & dissonance between Christian theology & the latest in cognitive science surrounding personal meaning & spiritual transformation? In this series, we'll examine the work of one of the world's most important voices in the field cognitive science and in it's intersection with philosophy & religion- Dr. John Vervaeke at the University of Toronto. In this series, I'm going to take you through some of the highlights of Vervaeke's popular "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" lecture series and examine where there may be harmony with historic Christian theology, as well as highlight places where I may h...2021-08-091h 06

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 102: Gods, Wizards, Witches & The End of Secularity III- Red Pill Suspicion of Immanence, Wanda the Witch, Loki Enchants the VoidAs the secular age approaches its inevitable demise, many who are dissatisfied with the claim that only what is immanent is real have begun to question whether immanence is real at all & considered pursuing transcendence through various forms of Neo-Gnosticism. We see this “red pill suspicion of immanence” in popular modern cultural stories such as The Matrix, WandaVision, and Loki. In today’s episode, we’ll explore some of the symbols of those popular stories in the cultural zeitgeist and consider some of the practical manifestations of Neo-Gnosticism such as hyper-Charismatic theology, QAnon conspiracy culture, & the psychedel...2021-07-2055 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 101: John Vervaeke Returns! (Psycho-technologies, Consciousness, Evaluating Religious Experience)I’m honored to once again be joined by Dr. John Vervaeke. Vervaeke’s first appearance on this podcast was back in Episode 83, and it was one of my all time favorites. If you want to know more about his backstory and work, then I’d encourage you to listen to that episode. John Vervaeke is a renowned scientist and award winning professor at the University of Toronto. He’s produced groundbreaking research in the area of cognitive science & the experience of meaning. He has also become a cult internet sensation with his “Awakening From the Meaning Crisis” Yo...2021-07-051h 59

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 100: Invisible Stories Manifest in Visible Institutions (Behind the Image Leadership Podcast interview)Recently I was interviewed on the Behind the Image Leadership Podcast to discuss the role of our guiding stories and values in shaping the behaviors of individuals, non-profits, and businesses. I thought it was a fascinating conversation exploring points of application for cultural theology that I don't always explore on my podcast. Make sure to check out and subscribe to the Behind the Image Leadership Podcast, hosted by my friend Rick Guttersohn. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-image-leadership-podcast/id1464426816 If you find this podcast to be helpful and...2021-06-281h 15

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 99: Paul Vander Klay - Did Blockbuster Video Kill Church?Paul Vander Klay returns once again for a discussion on the evidence for the looming end of the secular age in America. We talk: the link Comic book movies & ancient mythology, Fight Club & Mammon, The Good Place theology, Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan & psychedelics , Jonathan Pageau vs John Vervaeke, hyper-woke culture and the French Revolution, & did Blockbuster Video cause church decline? Paul Vander Klay’s YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/PaulVanderKlay If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you con...2021-06-211h 47

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 98: Gods, Wizards, Witches, & the End of Secularity - HERE COMES THE NEW GODS (Part 2)The Death of Superman. Kingdom Come. Fight Club. These are just a few of the cultural artifacts emerging from our collective cultural consciousness that give evidence to an imminent shift away from secularity in the West. Our modern myths are showing signs of a shifting cultural moment. We were told that if we killed God we'd have a religionless world, but what we got instead were new gods. Now, we're not so sure that we like these new gods better. Who or what are the new gods? Let's look at a couple of significant cultural s...2021-05-251h 15

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 97: Fr. Kenneth Tanner- Discovering a Better Christian StoryKenneth Tanner is the pastor of Holy Redeemer Church, a Charismatic Episcopal church in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He is also a writer who weaves theological insights from the ancient witness of the global, historic Church into contemporary issues. He’s written for Patheos, Christianity Today, Mockingbird, and the Huffington Post. You can read some of his articles over at his blog: https://kennethtanner.medium.com/ If you find this podcast to be helpful and you want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? Help us...2021-05-171h 23

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 96: Gods, Wizards, Witches, & the End of Secularity (part 1)As someone who loves cultural theology, I’m completely fascinated by ancient and modern myths and how those mythological stories serve as guiding stories for entire civilizations. Whether it is the ancient tales of Zeus and the Greek Olympian gods or the myths of virtuous super-human heroes and lazer sword wielding wizards that fill our comic book pages & big box office movie screens, I’m fascinated by what these stories reveal about our views on God, reality, what is good and evil, and what the telos of life is all about. The secular narrative has claimed that human prog...2021-05-1153 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 95: Ted Kim, John Mark McMillan, & Andy Squyres- RE-ENCHANTMENTMy dear friends Ted Kim, John Mark McMIllan, and Andy Squyres are all back on the podcast this week to discuss a range of topics all centered around re-enchanting our secular (or post-secular?) cultural frame. Ted Kim is senior pastor of Evanston Vineyard. He did his undergrad degree at the University of Chicago and has Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. His first time on the podcast was in Episode 86. You can listen here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tazax-fb65ff John Mark McMillan is a Platinum-selling...2021-05-031h 54

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 94: In Christ Alone? Salvation in a Pluralistic World (Part 3/Conclusion)This is the finale to our 3 part series on salvation in a pluralistic world. In part two, I made the case that Christocentric inclusivism makes the best sense of the Biblical narrative. In today's episode, I will show you that this was the belief of some of the earliest and most important church fathers and make the case that it was during the era of Constantine that the "no salvation outside of the church" doctrine perverted what the Scriptures and earlier Christians believed. The Roman Catholic church has since changed its ecclesiocentric exclusivist stance (since Vatican...2021-04-261h 21

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 93: In Christ Alone? Salvation in a Pluralistic World- For the Bible Tells Me So (Part 2)In part two of our series, we will go through the Biblical narrative and explore some of the "pagan saints" of the Bible to see that the Biblical story has always affirmed a variety of epistemological paths to salvation in Christ alone. Plus, have we completely misunderstood the Apostle Paul's argument in the book of Romans to make the Good News of Jesus Christ feel more restrictive than Paul intended? Listen and let me know what you think in our Patreon Discussion Forum for this episode (see the link below) If y...2021-04-191h 10

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 92: In Christ Alone? Salvation in a Pluralistic World (Part 1)Ever since I was a kid, there was a nagging question in my mind about what happened to the indigenous people who lived and died on this continent long before missionaries ever brought the message of Jesus to them. Or what about the Daoists who lived in China in the 1st century? Did they have access to salvation? What about a Muslim child in Syria who died in the rubble of another bombing? Is there a biblically supported and historically Christian option between believing that either all religions are equally salvific or believing that many, i...2021-04-1248 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 91: Jon Guerra- When Beauty Disarms Our CynicismJon Guerra is a singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas. His album Keeper of Days is a brilliant work of "devotional music" that's among one of my favorite records in recent years. He also composes music for the soundtracks of Terrance Malick films. In today's episode, I talk with Jon about his spiritual journey and what drew him to music, what once caused him to become cynical about God and music, and what brought him back to his calling. What is it about an experience of beauty that disarms our cynicism and invites us into a journey o...2021-04-051h 22

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 90: Dan Kent & Paul debate Open Theism, Satan & Spiritual Warfare, & The Problem of EvilDan Kent is an author and pastor at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also co-hosts with Greg Boyd a podcast called "Apologies & Explanations with Greg Boyd." Dan joined me way back in episode 21 to share his personal story and insights from his book "Confident Humility". So if you want to know more about Dan's back story, then go back and listen to that episode. Dan also has his Master's in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary and is a major proponent of Open Theism and his friend Greg Boyd's "warfare view." We've talked on several o...2021-03-291h 45

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 89- Dr. John Walton- Answers in Genesis? Creation, Evolution, & The Lost Biblical WorldFor those who see the Bible as inspired and authoritative, are we stuck having to choose between believing the Bible or our science textbooks? Here to talk about three difficult sections of Genesis that frequently emerge in science and faith discussions is Dr. John Walton. John Walton is an Old Testament scholar who specializes in Ancient Near Eastern culture. He’s a professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, and has authored numerous commentaries and books. Most notably (for the purposes of today’s episode): NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible https://www.amaz...2021-03-151h 31

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 88: The Problem of Evil Finale- The Most Beautiful of All Possible SongsThis is the finale of The Problem of Evil series. Last week (Ep 87/ Part 17), I began sharing with you my conclusions and so I think it is important to listen to that one before you listen to today's episode. I imagine that some of you will still have questions, observations, and probably plenty of disagreements with where I have landed, but know that I welcome them all. The best way to share them is via our Patreon Discussion forum for this episode or by messaging me on Patreon. The next best option would be to reach...2021-03-081h 31

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 87: The Problem of Evil (Part 17)- In Conclusion | The Bible, Right-Ordered, Non-Ordered, & Dis-Ordered SufferingWell, this year-plus-long series is almost at an end. I have tried to be an impartial tour guide over the past 16 episodes (17 if you included the convo with Greg Boyd & Thomas Jay Oord), but now I get to share with you my own conclusions. I can honestly say that my own theodicy has changed as a result of going through this series together. This conclusion will be in 2 parts. Today, I talk about what to do with the book of Job and the obvious differences in the Old Testament and New Testament. Plus, I will share some nuanced...2021-02-2858 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 86: Ted Kim- Finding the True Story in a Post-Secular, Cross-Cultural WorldTed Kim is senior pastor of Evanston Vineyard. He did his undergrad degree at the University of Chicago and has Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Ted joins me today to discuss the role of “story” in our quest for meaning in an increasingly “post-secular” America. How should followers of Jesus who believe in a true-overarching story for humanity interact with the stories we are constantly consuming via streaming services, movies, books and podcasts? How do we sift through our cultural stories to find points of harmony and dissonance with the grand...2021-02-221h 29

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 85: American Civil Religion- How Did We Get Here? w/ Adam Russell & The Ferment PodcastThe week after the storming of the U.S. Capitol, I talked with my friend Adam Russell on The Ferment podcast about the historical, theological, & psychological reasons for the development of "Culture War Christianity" and American Civil Religion. How did we get here as Christians in America? What can we do differently in our church communities? This conversation was released last week on The Ferment podcast and I'm re-airing here this week as I recover from COVID 19. Adam has been on Deep Talks several times before. Most recently in Episode 61, where you can hear m...2021-02-011h 14

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 84: The Problem of Evil- Greg Boyd & Thomas Jay Oord Conversation. Open Theism Vs. Essential Kenosis/God Can'tIn part 17 of The Problem of Evil series, I talk with theologians Greg Boyd and Thomas Jay Oord about their unique responses to the problems of evil and suffering. Why did each of them find traditional responses to the problem of evil in various forms of classical theism unsatisfying? What is similar and different about their respective positions? Does either Boyd's Open Theism or Oord's Essential Kenosis/God Can't theodicy provide more satisfying answers than what people like Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Leibniz, Barth provided in the past? How do they both respond to some...2021-01-261h 54

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 83: John Vervaeke - Awakening from the Meaning CrisisDr. John Vervaeke is a renowned cognitive scientist at the University of Toronto. He's published groundbreaking research on the cognitive science of "meaning." His popular "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" lecture series is a massive 50 part video & podcast series with well over 1 million total views on YouTube. In this series, Vervaeke weaves together insights from cognitive science, biology, philosophy, theology, and history to try and help people understand how we've arrived at our current cultural meaning crisis in the West and what he thinks can be done about it. It really is impossible to give a succinct...2021-01-182h 22

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 82: The Problem of Evil (Part 16)- Open TheismWe're nearing the end of our problem of evil series. In today's episode, we'll explore the controversial theology and philosophy known as Open Theism, which was popularized in the 1990's by a group of predominantly evangelical theologians. These open theists challenged both classical and process views on God and attempted to find a way to make metaphysical sense of what they believed was essential to the biblical narrative. Believing that the entire biblical narrative collapses if we cannot find a way to account for human moral responsibility and that God cannot be good if He acts as the "ar...2021-01-111h 02

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 81: The Problem of Evil (Part 15)- Process Theism | Creative Solution or A New Gnosticism?As we discussed in Part 14 of this series, the 20th century brought unimaginable human moral evils, and yet much beneficial human progress. Our basic understanding of how the universe functions also shifted. Our Newtonian perspective gave way to Einstein and then to quantum physics. Perhaps, the metaphysics of classical theism need to be reexamined too if we're to properly address the problem of evil? Enter the philosopher and mathematician Alfred North Whitehead and his new school of philosophy and theology known as process theism (aka process thought, process philosophy, etc). In today's episode, we'll e...2021-01-0458 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 80: Special Q&A Episode- Paul's Journey, Defining Meaning-Making, Mind Software, Hyper-Objects & MoreToday's episode is a unique episode because I'm on the other end of the interview for a change! Steven White is a pastor in Iowa, a long time listener of this podcast, and a member of our Deep Talks Patreon Community. He recently reached out to me to see if we could record an interview together as part of his Master's thesis he is completing focusing on cultural theology & church leadership. I was glad to be of help in that way, so we jumped on for a Zoom call last week. I thought he asked s...2020-12-211h 33

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 79: Mind Software-How Culture Programs Your Values (Part 2)This is part 2 of our miniseries. Make sure to listen to part 1 (Episode 78) before you listen to this one. In this episode we'll explore the differences between masculine & feminine cultures, and the differences between cultures that avoid uncertainty and those that embrace it. Plus, we'll try to answer some of the initial questions I posed at the start of part 1 and consider how Christians can begin to comparatively discern the values of Jesus' Kingdom of God and the values within their own cultural frame. For Patreon supporters, there is a PDF download...2020-12-091h 18

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 78: Mind Software- How Culture Programs Your Values (Part 1)What is behind the Trump vs Biden, lefts vs right cultural divide in America? Why do some people become convinced by COVID conspiracies? Why do some march in Black Lives Matter protests while others fly Blue Lives Matter flags in their yards? Have you ever visited a foreign country and been completely shocked at how different the cultural values and behaviors were? In this two-part miniseries, we'll explore how culture acts as software for our minds, shaping our perceptions of reality, and programming our values and behaviors. We’ll compare cultural values on the macro-national level, as...2020-12-071h 17

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 77: Cosmic Spiritual Powers, Hyper-Objects, and C.S. Lewis Space TrilogyIn our dis-enchanted secular age, many of us struggle to believe in "spiritual" entities and powers. In fact, only 4 out of 10 Americans believe that "spiritual beings" exist, yet many people believe in "hyper-objects" like systemic racism, the stock market, climate change, or the "deep state." Are there any points of commonality between this relatively new philosophical concept called "hyper-objects" and the ancient, biblical notion of cosmic spiritual powers? In today's episode, we'll explore the concept of hyper-objects, cosmic spiritual powers in the writings of the Apostle Paul, and how C.S. Lewis' "Space Trilogy" might help us...2020-11-1649 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 76: Paul Vander Klay- Culture War. The Jordan Peterson Moment. Faith-Killing Dinosaurs. Vervaeke, Kierkegaard, Darwin, BarthPaul Vander Klay is back on the program today to discuss a variety of topics and issues including: - The Post-COVID Church -Unplugging from the Culture War Matrix by following Jesus -The Rise and Fall of the Jordan Peterson zeitgeist and whether Peterson's theology was more Augustinian or Gnostic. -Why his church is in decline while his online influence keeps growing. - Why everyone believes in God - When dinosaurs causes a faith crisis - suffering with Christ and the problem of evil -the tension we experience on the narrow...2020-11-041h 51

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 75: The Problem of Evil (Part 14)- Karl Barth | The Chaos, The Shadow, & the Hidden GodAs we discussed in part 13, the scientific discoveries of the 19th century posed monumental theodicy challenges...especially to those trying to find God in reason and in nature. The 20th century only brought greater theodicy challenges when the two worst wars in human history unleashed unimaginable moral evils. Perhaps the problem of evil had killed God. In the midst of this, a Swiss theologian named Karl Barth claimed that God's revelation wasn't to be found in nature or reason because it was "hidden" in the suffering Christ. Barth had unique ideas about evil and...2020-10-2746 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 74: The Problem of Evil (Part 13)- Frankenstein, Dinosaurs, & Darwin in the 19th CenturyThe 19th century marked a time of significant discovery in geology and biology, but with these scientific discoveries came a picture of a much older, more violent, and less human-centric world than people previously imagined. In many ways, it was this era that marked the beginning of the "science vs. faith" debates in Western civilization that continue on to this day. Can we really blame Adam and Eve's fall for the existence of disease, famine, and natural disasters when it becomes clear that these things were around for millions of years before humans? Was there an atheistic...2020-10-1452 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 73: Christ & The Culture War (don't just leave republican jesus for democrat jesus)I'm an 80's/90's kid who grew up in the evangelical heyday of Christian subculture. "Christian" music, movies, tv, bookstores, and even our own brand of science was all part of a larger culture war movement. A lot of people my age eventually abandoned right-wing, republican Evangelicalism but simply traded it for left-wing, progressive post-evangelicalism (if they didn't reject Christianity altogether) not realizing they were still combatants in a culture war even though they switched teams. How does the culture war lure people into a false sense of community? Why is cultural i...2020-10-051h 01

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 72: Dr. Russell Moore - Truth Beyond Culture War & Reading Hero Myths in ExileHow should Christians in America navigate the "culture war"? Are we forced to choose between either being angry cultural combatants or being passively assimilated into ideologies & guiding stories foreign to the way of Jesus? How do narratives, especially the hero myths that fill our comic book pages and movie theater screen, invite people to explore theology, ethics, and philosophy? Where might Christ be at work in those stories to reveal what is true, good, and beautiful? And why might you be watching entire series of The Office for the 100th time? Our guest to h...2020-09-281h 08

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 71: Dr. Andrew Root - Secular Pastors? Why Ministry in the Meaning Crisis Is So DifficultIs the role of a pastor becoming obsolete? One thousand years ago, the role of a pastor (or priest) had a radically different value in society than the role they occupy today in Western culture. Understanding how we shifted from a worldview filled with magic and enchantment where pastors were seen as powerful wizards of white magic to modern CEO's of private spiritual corporations won't merely be helpful for pastors to understand but will be transformative to anyone who's spent any amount of time in church. Our guest to help us explore these important questions...2020-09-151h 23

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 70: Everyone (Yes, even Richard Dawkins) Believes in God. "Does God Exist?" is Dead.In my formative years when I first started getting into theology and philosophy, I used to really enjoy watching debates between Christian and atheist apologists on the question "Does God exist?" But the deeper I went on my journey the more I realized that this question, and many of my conceptions of God, were fundamentally flawed. I had misunderstood what the word "God" meant. When we properly understand what that word means, it becomes clear that everyone (yes, even Richard Dawkins!) believes in God. It also becomes clear, that not every Christian believes in the same...2020-08-3145 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 69: The Problem of Evil (Part 12)- Friedrich Schleiermacher & Evil as an Obstacle to "God-Consciousness"Like Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Schleiermacher believed that our reasoning ability has its limits. With growing anti-religious attitudes spreading throughout Europe in the 18th century, Schleiermacher set out to make Christianity relevant to the "cultured despisers" of religion as the Enlightenment shifted into the 19th century. But did Schleiermacher adapt and redefine Christianity too much? Was he right to believe that we should do away with ideas about the Devil? After all, does believing that Satan exists or not even really change the problem of evil at all? Listen to his arguments and let me know what you...2020-08-241h 09

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 68: How Theology Starts Revolutions & Why We Need to Train for What's to ComeIn this week's episode, we'll explore how theology, philosophy, and the quest for meaning has been the spark that ignited revolutions throughout history, especially since the advent of mass communication beginning in the 15th century. Why do revolutionaries seek to change aesthetic symbols and "holy-days" on their path towards changing a culture's guiding story? Historically, how has something as small as work of theology or philosophy been the seed for eventual political revolutions, civil wars, and mass cultural changes? Why is training in theology, philosophy, and meaning-making absolutely necessary during these tumultuous times i...2020-08-111h 04

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 67: The Problem of Evil (Part 11)- The Limits of Reason | Deism & Immanuel KantOur journey through history searching for insights and answers to the problem of evil has brought us to the height of the Enlightenment era where the limits of reason, especially as it relates to the problem of evil and Christian theology, were stretched and challenged. What happens if you were to only use reason and "natural" theology to determine what God is like and how reality is structured? This is was Deism attempted to do. Is there a danger to this hyper-rationalism that would eventually lead to the idea of God becoming obsolete, especially in the face...2020-07-2757 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 66: Dr. Dwight Hopkins- Cultural Theology & the Good NewsDr. Dwight N. Hopkins was born and raised in the segregated south, but through the support system of his loving family and the African American church community, he grew to become a renowned theologian. Hopkins is the Alexander Campbell Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Graduating from Harvard, Hopkins went on to earn PhD's from Union Seminary and the University of Cape Town (South Africa). Those of you who listen to this program regularly know that I have credited Dr. Hopkins as being the one who's work first exposed me to the idea...2020-07-131h 20

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 65: The Problem of Evil (Part 10)- Is This the Best Possible World? Leibniz's TheodicyThe Problem of Evil series returns with part 10! In this episode, we'll review some of the reasons why theology shifted towards natural theology and rationalism during the Enlightenment and we'll see how a Christian rationalist like Gottfried Leibniz (a man who invented calculus, mechanical calculators, and artificial intelligence over 300 years ago) attempted to solve the problem of evil with his "best of all possible worlds" theodicy. You find all the previous episodes in this series at: https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com/p/the-problem-of-evil-1572355242/ This summer, Deep Talks is trying to reach a goal of 300 patrons...2020-07-0640 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 64: Why Horror Films & Nihilistic Comedies like "Rick and Morty" Are on the Rise- with JR. ForasterosAs the old guiding stories found in traditional religious structures seem to be breaking down, why are horror films and nihilistic comedies like Rick and Morty apparently growing in popularity? What sorts of theological and philosophical ideas are embedded in these expressions of popular culture? To help unpack these ideas, we're joined by author and pastor, JR. Forasteros. JR writes, podcasts, and speaks extensively about the intersection of theology & pop culture. He's got a Master's in Religious Studies, New Testament, and Early Christianity from the University of Missouri-Columbia. To find out more about JR.'s work, check ou...2020-06-291h 10

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 63: When Statues Fall- The Battle of the Gods, RevisitedNearly one year ago, we released a podcast in our Christ and Culture series called "Battle of the Gods." When it was released last year, some people struggled to see how modern people really did have these same liturgical practices of worship as people in ancient civilizations. I wanted to revisit that episode in light of the recent wave of statues and historical monuments being toppled and destroyed throughout the U.S. I believe these events and revived debates about appropriate postures of adoration & devotion to things like the American flag make it even more clear that w...2020-06-221h 37

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 62- The Q Conspiracy: QAnon, Trump, & the American Church with Bonnie KristianThis week's guest is Bonnie Kristian. Bonnie is a contributing editor at The Week and has also been featured in Christianity Today, USA Today, Time and many other publications. She also holds a Master's in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary. Bonnie has been studying the QAnon movement and the growing conspiracy theory culture which centers around Donald Trump as a messianic figure. This movement has been both influencing American Christianity and developing as its own religious cult. Check out some of the articles referred to in today's discussion here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the...2020-06-081h 09

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 61: Adam Russell- Transcendent Experiences, Psychedelics, & SexToday's guest is Adam Russell. Adam is the Lead Pastor at Vineyard Campbellsville in Kentucky, National Director of Vineyard Worship, and host of The Ferment Podcast. In our conversation, we discuss transformative spiritual experiences and what we do as pastors when people ask us if psychedelic experimentation should be added to the list of normal Christian practices that open us up to God. Plus the deep theological connection between sex and Christian spirituality, 90's revival stories, and whether Joe Rogan has more influence on young men than most pastors. Make sure to check out T...2020-05-191h 42

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 60: The Role of Symbols as Idols or IconsThe Bible has strict prohibitions on creating & practicing idolatry but yet also sometimes seems to bless the creation of sacred, symbolic art like the ornate features found in Moses' tabernacle and Solomon's temple, so what distinguishes the use of art and symbol as being idolatrous from something blessed as a sacred? What deeper, existential implications may we need to consider about the role of symbols and how we are to interact with them? How are we not all that different today from ancient people who would worship statues? For previous episodes exploring the intersection of theology & the...2020-05-1148 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 59: Andy Squyres- Apocalyptic Art & The Unveiling of the Invisible GodAndy Squyres is a singer-songwriter & pastor from Charlotte, North Carolina. He's got a new record coming out. You can hear the first two singles wherever you stream music or over at andysquyres.com To listen to Andy's first appearance on the podcast where he shared about his backstory and journey of faith you can go here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-gvt9h-a550aa If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast ...2020-05-041h 36

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 58: Reconstruction Stories- The Psychedelic Christian? Paul RisseIn this week's Reconstruction Story, we'll hear from someone who grew up in fundamentalism, left to pursue New Age spiritualities and psychedelic exploration, and eventually became a holistic follower of the Way of Jesus. And yes, we have some extended conversation about psychedelic drugs because I know so many listeners who have questions on the subject. My guest today is Paul Risse. Paul is a husband, father, and a bit of modern Renaissance man. He's a business owner. He builds tiny homes. He's a carpenter, a trainer, a firefighter, and writes about his adventures in the world...2020-04-272h 03

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 57: Reconstruction Stories- Rick Guttersohn, LLMSWThere's been a significant movement of "exvangelicals" over this past decade. In their process of deconstruction, they come to a point where they no longer see the Christian story they've heard as viable. Deconstruction can often turn to devastation, but is reconstruction possible? In today's episode, we'll meet Rick Guttersohn, a leadership consultant & licensed master social worker who grew up with me in our small, Charismatic church & school community. Rick went through a significant process of deconstruction that led him to become suicidal, but thankfully that wasn't the end of his journey. You can find...2020-04-201h 41

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 56: How to do Theology While Binging Pop CultureMaybe as you are stuck at home during this quarantine, you find yourself binging a lot more Netflix than you normally would. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are actually binging theology. In today's episode we'll explore why "cultural texts" like movies, tv, and even memes are all works of theology, and I'll give you some tips using Kevin Vanhoozer's Everyday Theology as a guide for how you can discern theological messages. If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Commu...2020-04-021h 02

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEmbrace the Threshing Floor (A brief encouragement during this Coronavirus pandemic)Today I recorded a short video to hopefully offer some "difficult encouragement" in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. This is the audio version of that encouragement, but if you want to watch the video too you can do so at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKsLbsqtj1I&feature=youtu.be If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts: https://po...2020-03-1913 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 55: The Plague & The Crucified GodAs a global pandemic rapidly affects the way we do normal life, I have been thinking quite a bit about the 20th-century philosophical masterpiece by existentialist philosopher and author, Albert Camus. Long after our own plague subsides, there will be lingering questions for millions about God, meaning, & how one ought to live in this world that Camus' novel can help us explore. We'll discuss some of the basics of existentialist philosophy, and I'll take you through a short synopsis of the book even if you haven't read it. There is a haunting aspect to some o...2020-03-171h 16

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 54: An Easy Bible Mistake That Keeps Us From Seeing JesusChristians make unique claims not only about Jesus being the Son of God, the Savior of the World, fully God and fully human, etc but they also hold to the unique belief that Jesus is the supreme example for how we are to live in the world. If this is true, why are there such diverse opinions among Christians about how we are to live in the world? In America alone, you bump into MAGA/Trump-loving Christians and Woke Progressive Christians with preferred pronouns. How can this be? At least one factor that contributes to this, is...2020-03-031h 21

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 53: Ecclesiastes-Making Meaning Out of the MeaninglessIn today's episode, we'll do a deep dive exploration into one of the more troubling books of the Bible - Ecclesiastes. Is everything meaningless? We'll explore both Biblical scholarship and insights from psychology to help us unpack how this book can help us in our own crisis of meaning. Thanks to Deep Talks Patreon Member, Nathan for this week's excellent question. If you want to support this podcast and become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community, go to this link: https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast ...2020-02-201h 35

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 52: Is 1 Corinthians 3 talking about purgatory? Did Paul believe in purgatory? (Patreon Q&A)One of our Deep Talks Patreon members, Sam, asked a great question about 1 Corinthians 3 and whether the Apostle Paul believed in purgatory. Is Paul teaching "salvation by works" here? To Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 TODAY'S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Deep Talks Patreon Community https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a member of the Deep Talks Patreon Community to help support this podcast and receive bonus content, Q & A opportunities, and more! Connect wi...2020-02-1055 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 51: Justin Brierley- From Richard Dawkins to Jordan Peterson. The Shifting Conversation about God and ReligionMy guest in today's episode is Justin Brierley. Justin is the longtime host of Unbelievable?, an award-winning show in the U.K. where skeptics, atheists, historians, scientists, theologians, and philosophers exchange meaningful conversations about God, Christianity, philosophy, and the big questions of life. Along with Unbelievable?, Justin also hosts Ask N.T. Wright Anything. In our conversation together, I talk with Justin about how he began this program and what he's learned in nearly 15 years of hosting the show. Justin discusses a shift he has seen in the last decade with a movem...2020-02-031h 16

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 50: The Problem of Evil (Part 9)- Objections to Molinism, Christians Creating Suffering, & the Rise of Natural TheologyIn our last episode in this series, we explored how Molinism attempts to solve the problem of evil; but in today's episode, we will explore some of the objections to Molina's creative theodicy. How might Hitler and the Joker get us to reconsider whether this theodicy does what it sets out to do? Plus, how did the evil and suffering perpetrated by "Christians" in the 16th-18th century lead to the beginnings of secularism? What is natural theology? How did the scientific revolution lead to its popularization? How did natural theologians like Gottfried Leibniz attempt...2020-01-261h 05

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 49: Jen Meyerson- The Middle East, War, & HopeJen Meyerson is the Director of Relief for Preemptive Love, an NGO that focuses on disaster relief in some of the most war torn places on the planet. Jen has worked extensively in places like Iraq & Syria, bringing medical relief, education, and support to those most tragically effected by the devastations of war. Jen has also worked for the United Nations serving those experiencing the horrors of war, genocide, and famine. In today's episode, I ask Jen to help us understand the conflicts in Iran, Iraq, and Syria, and share the personal stories of the re...2020-01-131h 26

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 48: The Problem of Evil (Part 8)- A Strange, Wonderful Molinist Life? Molinism ExplainedLuther and Calvin both made a strong case for evil as the "alien acts of God." Calvin made an especially strong argument that the implications from the theology and metaphysics of people like Augustine and Aquinas should lead to a belief in God's predestination of all things. His argument was so strong that it forced people to reassess the "classical" doctrines of God and the metaphysical beliefs about the nature of reality in order to try and find a way to maintain a belief in libertarian free will and human responsibility for their choices. One of the first...2020-01-0643 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 47: The Problem of Evil (Part 7)- Martin Luther, John Calvin, & Evil as the Alien Acts of GodThe era known as the Protestant Reformation is among the most important eras in recorded history. Most Christians who aren't Catholic or Eastern Orthodox can trace their theological influence directly back to Martin Luther and John Calvin. Luther and Calvin are not only a couple of the most important theologians who have ever lived, but they are among the most controversial... even within Protestant circles! Luther and Calvin both believed they were reclaiming historic Augustinian Christianity from the corrupt Roman Catholic church, arguing for God's predetermining of all things even evil, suffering, and the damnation of the...2019-12-121h 08

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 46: The Problem of Evil (Part 6)- Aquinas, Evil, & The Existence of GodIn part 6 of The Problem of Evil we head into Europe's Middle Ages, a time of horrific moral and natural evils. From plagues to crusades, many superstitious explanations abounded for why these evils occurred. Simultaneously, this was an era filled with significant advancements in the arts and education. Arguably the greatest medieval philosopher and theologian, Thomas Aquinas believed that the existence of God was not threatened by the philosophical and theological challenges that evil and suffering presents. In this episode, we'll explore his famous "Five Ways" or the five logical arguments he thought proved the ex...2019-12-021h 00

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 45: The Problem of Evil (Part 5)- Will Evil Ever End? Do We Get Sinful Souls from Sex? Do We Have Free Will? (Gregory of Nyssa & Augustine)In part 5 of The Problem of Evil, we explore the theology of Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine in the 4th-5th Century. These two men would become pillars of the Christian traditions of the East and West. It's really important to have listened to Part 4 where we discussed Plotinus and Origen in order to make sense of the theology of both of these men. We'll see in today's episode how Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine answered questions related to the problem of evil such as: - How do we define "evil"? -Will evil ever e...2019-11-181h 10

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 44: The Problem of Evil (Part 4)- Third Century Theodicies (Tertullian, Plotinus, Origen)In part four of The Problem of Evil, we continue on in church history into the 3rd Century where we'll explore how controversial theologians Tertullian and Origen attempted to address the problem of evil. Plus we'll take a look at one of the most important Greek philosophers of that era- Plotinus. How does Tertullian attempt to reconcile the seemingly different explanations in the Old Testament and New Testament for the causes of evil and suffering? What made Origen's theodicy so controversial? How might it be similar and different to his philosophical contemporary, Plotinus? What i...2019-11-041h 09

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 43: The Problem of Evil (Part 3)- The Gnostic Matrix & the Early Church FathersIn part 3 of "The Problem of Evil", we'll explore the first two centuries of church history where Gnosticism and Marcionism provided a challenging alternative to genuine Christianity. One of the significant appeals of these movements was how they answered the problem of evil and explained the causations for suffering. In the face of these challenges and the threat of martyrdom, early church leaders like Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus provided crucial responses to these challenges and key insights into how early Christians understood the root causes of evil and unjust suffering. To Subscribe...2019-10-2859 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 42: The Problem of Evil (Part 2)- Fallen Angel Backstories, Nephilim Legends, & Cosmic Conflict in the Bible & Dead Sea Scrolls.This is part 2 of an extended series exploring the problem of evil. In today's episode, we'll explore perspectives contained in the Old Testament and New Testament for why there is evil and suffering the world and how to respond. We'll examine several possibilities for why there seems to be a stark contrast between the Old Testament & New Testament on who causes these things. We'll also explore books written between the Old & New Testament found in the Dead Sea Scrolls which were important in Jewish thought in the 1st Century and may give us clues as t...2019-10-1455 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 41: The Problem of Evil (Part 1)- Intro & JobThis is Part 1 of an extended series exploring the problem of evil. Few things call into question our beliefs about God & challenge our sense meaning & purpose like experiences of evil, suffering, and injustice. In this episode we'll introduce the historic challenges to Christian understandings of God that the problem of evil presents. and then we'll dive into a detailed examination of the book of Job in the Old Testament. What insights does Job give us as we wrestle with the problem of evil? What are some of the common misconceptions and wrong answers people...2019-10-071h 11

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 40: John Mark McMillan - Finding God in the Transcendent & the ImmanentTo Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-talks-exploring-theology-and-meaning-making/id1401730159 John Mark McMillan is a Platinum-selling songwriter & artist best known for his songs How He Loves, Future/Past, & King of My Heart. In today's conversation, I talk with John Mark about our shared experiences in the Charismatic tradition, his journey of holding on to the best theology of his past while searching for a more complete picture of God, and making music that helps people experience the transcendence & the immanence of God. You can find out more about John Mark...2019-09-301h 15

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 39: The Sermon on the God of War's MountIn Acts 17, the Apostle Paul is in one of the premier cultural centers of the ancient world- Athens. While preaching in Athens, he's called to share his message on the God of War's Mount. This is one of the best examples of cultural theology that we have in the Bible, so after spending quite a bit of time in our Christ and Culture series this year I thought I'd shared a sermon I gave on this famous scene in Acts. Also out this week is our new Patreon Q & A episode wh...2019-09-2336 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 38: Dr. Jeannine K. Brown- A Better Way to Read the BibleIf one treats the Bible as inspired and authoritative in their life, are there better or worse ways of reading the Bible that could produce good or bad results in one's life? Dr. Jeannine K. Brown is a New Testament Scholar, NIV Biblical translator, author and professor. She has taught at Bethel Seminary (Paul's alma matter!) for over 20 years. In today's episode, we discuss: -How to figure out what the Scriptures mean when we read them -Are there good and bad ways to read the Bible? -What a...2019-09-161h 25

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 36: Paul Vander Klay Returns! Stories from Charismatic culture, Communion, Jordan PetersonToday's episode comes from a conversation I had with Paul Vander Klay for his YouTube Channel and Podcast. I first had Vander Klay on my podcast back in Episode 18, and he wanted to bring me on his program to discuss possible insights from my background and experiences into the "meaning-crisis." It's a subject we are both passionate about helping others navigate thru. Vander Klay somehow pulled out of me some stories about my experiences deep in the Charismatic & Pentecostal tradition that I've never publicly talked about before. I talk with him about growing up in Benny Hinn m...2019-09-092h 08

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 35- Bruxy Cavey- Questions about AnabaptismIs there a problem with our theology if it doesn't make us more Christ-like? That question lead my guest, Bruxy Cavey, on personal and theological journey into the Anabaptist tradition. Bruxy is the senior pastor at The Meeting House in Ontario, Canada which is one of Canada's largest churches. An Anabaptist mega-church? Yes, that is a unique as it sounds. Bruxy is also the author of the best-selling books Reunion: The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, & Sinners and The End of Religion: Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus. In today's epi...2019-09-021h 28

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 34- Faith Deconstruction & Why It May Be Scientifically NormalMAKE SURE TO GO TO THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE CHART THAT I REFER TO THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hang-on-to-this-29402721 In this episode, we'll discuss some reasons why many people go through an intense period of reevaluating & questioning their Christian faith. It's been popular recently to call this experience "deconstruction," but what causes deconstruction? Is it a normal part of intellectual & personal development? Are there ways of doing it that are more healthy than others? To become a Deep Talks Patreon member and support this podcast go...2019-08-2659 min

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 33: Live from Ottertail, MN- Art, Work, and the God(s) We WorshipToday's episode was recorded live at The Creamery in Ottertail, Minnesota as part of an annual festival called "The Gathering" hosted by Firestarters Ministries. In this live event, I shared for a bit on the connection between "Spirit, Aesthetic, and Labor" (covered in more detail in Episode 29) or the connection between our art, our work & relationships, and the God or gods we worship. Then we had a live panel discussion with some leaders in the Charismatic tradition who specialize in areas like music, record production, & various trades like carpentry. This panel included: ...2019-08-192h 04

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 32: Dr. Jim Stump, VP of BioLogos- Evolutionary Creationism?Do you have questions about the theological compatibility of the Christian message with evolutionary science? Dr. Jim Stump is the Vice President of BioLogos, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping "the church and the world to see the harmony between science and biblical faith as we present an evolutionary understanding of God’s creation." In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jim Stump about the common theological questions people have about "evolutionary creationism." Some of these questions include: - What is evolutionary creationism, and why do the people at Bio...2019-08-121h 53

Deep Talks with Paul AnleitnerEp 31: Micah Redding- SciFi Theology? Transhumanism & ChristianityArtificial intelligence, gene editing, robot companionship & many more technological changes in our near future present challenges to Christian theology and what it means to be a human. My guest, Micah Redding is attempting to bring Christian theology into conversations that have seemed to many to be largely anti-religious. Micah is the Executive Director of the Christian Transhumanist Association. What is "transhumanism"? Micah explains & lays out a theological case for Christians to be leading the way in the transhumanist movement. Plus many other provoking philosophical and theological challenges such as: - Ca...2019-08-051h 35