Shows
The ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 17 - Christian Faith and Political Leaders - with Greg SheridanContinuing our look at Greg Sheridan 'Christians - the Urgent Case for Jesus'. The chapter - Light and Shadow in the Heart of Leaders - looks at the influence of Christianity on politics. We look at the influence of Jacques Maritain – a Christian French philosopher – on the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations. The role of Christianity in democracy. Are there Christian political positions? How do we care for the poor? Kim Beazley, Tony Blair. The large number of Australian religious politicians. We discuss the faith of Scott Morrison – Prime Minister. John Anderson – National party leader...2022-05-1034 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 16 - The Great Wall of HeavenIn this podcast Greg Sheridan and I discuss the impact of Christianity upon China. As foreign editor of the Australian, who was at one time based in China, his insights are knowledgeable and helpful. We discuss Chinese culture, religion, politics etc - and the extraordinary growth of the Church in that amazing country - and its relationship with the Communist Party - including the Vatican deal with the CCP. 2022-04-2439 minThe ASK PodcastASK 15 - Christians Who Keep on GivingIn this episode with Greg Sheridan we look at chapter 8 of Greg's "Christians - the Urgent Case for Jesus in our World"; Christopher Hitchens and Mother Teresa, Christianity and the poor; the role of Women; Gemma Sisia and St Jude; Andrew Browning and Tanzania; Jenny George and Converge International; Frances Cantrell and the general role of Christian charities throughout the world.2022-04-0532 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 14 - Christ and Culture with Greg Sheridan - Let it BeThis week we discuss music, the Beatles, John Denver, Van Morrison; James Kelman; Martin Luther King; Leonard Cohen; Art Galleries; The Tate Modern; the Letters of Tolkien; Marilyn Robinson; Gilead, Lila and Home; Frank Shead; the desacralisation of popular culture; Heaven and Hell; CS Lewis; Inspector Morse; Religion and Politics; The Handmaids Tale; African Gospel Music; Riverdale;2022-02-2438 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 13 - Christ and Culture - including literature and the Lord of the Rings - with Greg SheridanGreg Sheridan and David discuss some aspects of Christ in popular culture - including portrayals of Catholics, Malik's 'a Hidden Life', Graham Green, Evelyn Waugh; Why is it easier to portray evil? A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood; and a lengthier discussion of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. Plus the worst movie Greg has ever seen! 2022-02-0133 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 12 - with Greg Sheridan on Christ in CultureThis week Greg and I discuss the role of Christ and Christianity in popular culture. We look at specific examples as well as the general idea. Gilead - 'the greatest Christian novel of the 20th Century); Graham Greene; Willa Cather 'Death Comes to the Archbishop'; Bach; Terence Malik; Ross Douhart; How Green was my Valley; Leonard Cohen; It's a Wonderful Life; Noah's Ark and Russel Crowe; Tolkien biopic; Jane the Virgin; The Chosen; It's a Beautiful day in the Neighbourhood; the dullness of progressive ideology in the arts; why culture needs Christianity. If you get half as much enjoyment a...2022-01-1731 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 11 - Disability, the Church and HistoryJack Hanrahan-Shirley is a young history student from Sydney. His story is fascinating and moving. We discuss the difficult circumstances of his birth, his Christianity, how the church treats disabled people, his love of history and Sydney Anglicanism.2022-01-0428 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 10 - Greg Sheridan on Paul - Christianity’s ’Lenin’This is a discussion that Greg Sheridan and I had outside Sydney cathedral - his voice is a wee bit quiet so you may need to turn it up - or just watch it on the YouTube channel...! 2021-12-2828 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast - 9 - Greg Sheridan on AngelsWe discuss with Greg Sheridan the wonderful topic of angels - we discuss the theology, practicality, Billy Graham, Tolkien, Viktor Frankl, child abuse and Greg's own personal angelic experience! 2021-12-1430 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 8 - Gerald Bray on the Future of the ChurchThis weeks ASK podcast is part two of our interview with Gerald Bray. In his 'History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland' there is a section entitled 'The Rivers of Babylon' which looks at the church since 1980 - and it's future. We discuss conversion therapy, SSM, transgenderism, the future threats to the church; false optimism; gospel solutions; the impact of covid; crusade evangelism; Thatcherism and the advance of secularism; Trump; the church and politics; the decline of Sunday as the Lord's Day; the lack of leadership in the church.... 2021-12-0728 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 7 - Theotokos - Mary - the Mother of God - with Greg SheridanThis week we discuss chapter 4 of Greg's book "Christians". For me this was a really thoughtful and stimulating discussion on the role of Mary - as the Theotokos (Mother of God). We navigate between two extremes - those who regard Mary as being the sinless virgin - and those who downplay her role in salvation. The Catholic journalist and the Protestant preacher discuss whether we should pray to Mary, her Magnificate, how did Luke get his information about her? What does she tell us about God's attitude to the poor? And more....2021-11-3034 minThe ASK PodcastThe Ask Podcast - 6 -Gerald Bray - A History of Christianity in Britain and IrelandThis is the first part of a two part interview I did with Gerald Bray about his new book - The History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland. It is superb and I found this conversation fascination. No one can understand modern Britain without grasping the history of Christianity - enjoy this taster! 2021-11-2228 minThe ASK PodcastASK 5 - John‘s Gospel, Kanishka and the Goodness of God - with Greg SheridanASK 5 - We continue discussing with Greg Sheridan his latest book - Christians - the urgent case for Jesus in our World. This week we look at chapter 3 - where we look at the Gospel of John, Kanishka Raffels - including how Christianity frees women, abortion, Pope Benedict, the new Atheists, the Goodness of God, the revelation of Christ, Evil and the journalistic genius of John. You can also watch it on my YouTube channel (see www.theweeflea.com) 2021-11-1534 minThe ASK PodcastThe ASK Podcast 4 - Being the Bad Bishop - with Rod ChiswellThe Australian newspaper had a real hatchet piece on Bishop Rod Chiswell of Armidale - or at least that is how I saw it - so I wrote this piece https://theweeflea.com/2021/10/16/the-final-stone-a-response-in-defence-of-bishop-rod-chiswell-ap/and then Rod and I had this discussion. This is the first time we have spoken. I hope you find it as enlightening and helpful as I did. I found him to be a lovely and gracious man - the polar opposite of the impression given from the newspaper article. As he observed what happened to him is a prime example of what Ste...2021-11-0432 minThe ASK PodcastASK 3 - Jesus is History, Living and True - with Greg SheridanWe continue our discussion on Greg's book "Christians: the Urgent Case for Jesus in Our World". We look at the influence of the Bible on the West - is the Bible historical? What about biblical 'scholarship' which denies what the Bible says? "Once you accept that the New Testament is the work of eyewitnesses, and reporters who spoke to eyewitnesses, then Jesus becomes the most richly documented figure of the ancient world." "But there is nothing in history to convince the believer, or indeed just the fair-minded inquirer, that the Gospels are not true" Enjoy, comment, question, read, listen, pray an...2021-10-2733 minThe ASK PodcastASK 2 - Greg Sheridan on The CrossIn our second episode, we discuss with Greg Sheridan his chapter on the death of Christ. Why begin the book with this? What does it mean? Was CS Lewis right about the atonement? Do you believe in the Virgin Birth? What about miracles? Historical evidence? Biblical scholarship? Why did Jesus die? Including Evelyn Waugh, GK Chesterton, Barth, Aquinas, Covid and the Cross; evangelical Catholicism, and more....2021-10-2032 minThe ASK PodcastIn Conversation with Greg Sheridan about his new book ”Christians”This is the first of a series with Greg Sheridan, one of Australia's most respected journalists - whose recent book "Christians - The Urgent Case for Jesus in our World" is fascinating. We hope you will enjoy a Scottish Presbyterian discussion with an Australian Catholic! In episode one we discuss why Greg 'came out' as a Christian, his background, and experience of atheism, journalism, politics and the Bible. 2021-10-1132 min