The Overthinkers

Many Christians are worried about the phenomenon of "deconstruction". But what is "deconstruction" and is it something we should fear or embrace? Author and scholar Scot McKnight and musician and pastor Tommy Preson Phillips join to discuss their new book on deconstruction "The Invisible Jesus: A Book About Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ" References and Resources:   Deconstruction Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deconstruction   What Does Deconstruction Mean? https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-deconstruction-even-mean   How many people deconstruct? https://www.barna.com/trends/ex-christians-deconstructing/   Why We Should Not Redeem Deconstruction https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/redeem-reconstruction/   Five Reasons Young People are Deconstructing Their Faith: https://careynieuwhof.com/five-real-reasons-young-people-are-deconstructing-their-faith/   Deconstruction encounters from Pastors: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2022/07/deconstruction-faith-pastors-church-lifeway-survey/   Rise in family estrangement: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/   Rise of “everyone’s toxic”: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/toxic-person-tiktok-internet-slang-meaning/670599/   Millennials true religion: customizable beliefs, observation by Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generations: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/generations-by-jean-m-twenge-review-and-reflections/   Blesses   WIldcat The Great Dechurching Mrs. Davis   Curses   First Reformed Silence Bonhoeffer (film)   Contact and Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Scot McKnight: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/ Tommy Preson Phillips: http://presonphillips.com/

Do we have a moral obligation to vote for the lesser of two evils? Do we have a moral obligation not to? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the lead up to the American presidential  Election.   St. Francis advises voting for lesser of two evils, and why: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/pope-francis-kamala-harris-donald-trump-rcna171092   History of American “Lesser of Two Evils” debates: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/lesser-of-two-evils-history-voting/   Reasons to not vote lesser of two evils:   https://www.cato.org/commentary/why-voting-lesser-two-evils-waste-vote   https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2023/08/karty-the-lesser-of-two-evils-argument-needs-to-die   Americans disatisfied with choices: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-dismayed-by-biden-trump-2024-rematch-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2024-01-25/   Federalist 51 - Why lesser of two evils thinking is built into American government:   https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0199#:~:text=If%20men%20were%20angels%2C%20no,on%20government%20would%20be%20necessary.   Blesses:   The Righteous Mind Eye in the Sky Lincoln 13 Days   Curses: X/Twitter/Threads God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust Conclave   Contact and Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What are Americans most afraid of? And what does that say about us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. Top ten list for 2024: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx    Conversation around Americans fears: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html   Top ten list for 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/10/30/clowns-are-twice-as-scary-to-democrats-as-they-are-to-republicans/ Blesses The Village Nope Where's God When I'm Scared It: Part One Curses Beau is Afraid It: Part Two Contact and Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

There's a rise in interest and practice of witchcraft among young people. Is that worth being concerned about? We discuss with journalist Mary Jackson. Notes from the show:   Witchcraft definition:    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft   Witchcraft history:    https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft   Mary Jackson's article on rise of witchcraft and its harms:  https://wng.org/articles/out-of-darkness-1713232697   More modern witchcraft trends   https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a42798881/magic-touch-witchcraft/   https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/paganism-witchcraft-are-making-comeback-rcna54444   https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/september/wicca-berger-conversation.html#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20there,approximately%20800%2C000%20Americans%20are%20Wiccans   Blesses The Crucible The Village  Talk to Me The Screwtape Letters Curses The Witch The Front Room The Wicked Witch character Contact and Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Mary Jackson at World Magazine: https://wng.org/authors/mary-jackson Mary Jackson on X: https://x.com/mbjackson77      

Do demons exist? If so, what are they like? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome New Testament Scholar, author, and demon-expert Dr. Joy Vaughan to help them navigate the world of supernatural evil on this latest episode of spooky month. Further links:  Demon definition:   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demon   Demon history:   https://www.britannica.com/topic/angel-religion#ref410057   70% of Americans believe in The Devil: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4400922-americans-ghosts-aliens-devil-survey/   Modern day exorcism debate:    https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/04/health/exorcism-doctor/index.html   Mental health vs demonic possession in Middle Ages:   https://www.bu.edu/cas/demonic-obsession-a-different-look-at-mental-health-in-the-medieval-period/ Bless:   Movie - Interview with The Devil Movie - The Deliverance  Book - Glimpses of The Devil Books by Adam C. Blai   Curse   Movie - The Exorcist: Believer Movie - The Exorcism (Not curse - warning against) Spiritual Warfare Handbooks Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Dr. Joy Vaughan: https://www.asbury.edu/about/directory/joy-vaughan/

Everyone wants to overcome fear. But is fear ever something to embrace rather than reject? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss in their latest episode - the first of scary thinking month. Links to referenced resources: Fear Definition:   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fear   Fear is one of our most powerful emotions:   https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/face-fear   Rise in anxiety:    https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/annual-poll-adults-express-increasing-anxiousness#:~:text=Washington%2C%20D.C.,2023%20and%2032%25%20in%202022.   At least 60% have at least one unreasonable fear:   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/fear   How to manage fear:   https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-overcome-anxiety-and-fear   How to cope with fear:   https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-overcome-anxiety-and-fear   Overcome fear of failure:   https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-failure?utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=domcontent&utm_term=Non-Brand&tpcc=paidsearch.google.dsacontent&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9Km3BhDjARIsAGUb4nwDJRKY-UqTLI2l-f2j_V2lDqJbzLPSBCH9F-rauYz0tIz42SGFOPUaAuUTEALw_wcB   Overcome fear of change:    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-adaptive-mind/201809/how-overcome-the-fear-change   Fear and authoritarianism:   https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/02/authoritarian-leaders-people-safe-voters No fear in love:  https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20John%204%3A18 Fear - Costs and Benefits:   https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2022/10/fear-when-it-rational-and-when-it-unhealthy   https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-fear-is-a-good-thing_b_8258746   Blesses:   Video Game: Outlast Movie: A Quiet Place   Curses: The Terrifier  Texas Chainsaw Massacre 

Many people feel like they have to choose between science and faith. But do they really? What is the history of science and faith, and when did this supposed conflict start? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome author and scholar Dr. Spencer Klavan to discuss this topic and Klavan's new book on the subject "Light of the Mind, Light of the World. Further Resources: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2015/10/22/science-and-religion-2/#:~:text=Some%2073%25%20of%20adults%20who,religion%20are%20often%20in%20conflict. https://www.samharris.org/blog/science-must-destroy-religion https://scienceforthechurch.org/2020/11/10/a-conversation-with-john-lennox/ Blesses Summa Theologica God's Undertaker Netflix's The Three-Body Problem Curses The Theory of Everything Freud's Last Session MIxed Bless/Curse Dark Matter

Who is therapy for? Is it only people with diagnosed mental illness? Or can anyone benefit? We discuss with mental health advocate Alyssa Plock. Data and references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/02/04/47-of-americans-believe-seeking-therapy-is-a-sign-of-weakness/   https://www.scrippsnews.com/health/75-of-americans-feel-health-care-system-handles-mental-health-worse-than-physical-poll-finds   https://kindbridge.com/mental-health/why-do-people-avoid-therapy/   https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/08/psychotherapy-effective   Blesses: Allender Center Podcast The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast The Sixth Sense Ordinary People Curses: Shrinking Split Moon Knight Extremes

Why do most people work a 9-5? And should we get rid of it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the latest episode of The Overthinkers.   Further reading:   History and the origin of the 9-5. https://hbr.org/2021/07/breaking-free-from-a-9-to-5-culture   Arguments against 9-5: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/07/25/working-9-to-5-is-an-antiquated-relic-from-the-past-and-should-be-stopped-right-now/   Remote workers aren’t as productive: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-04/2024-year-employers-clamp-down-on-remote-work-not-so-fast#:~:text=It's%20true%20that%20widespread%20studies,be%20factors%20in%20the%20decline   Benefits of a 9-5: https://medium.com/@lester03g/5-reasons-why-its-good-to-work-9-5-d4c41df9a3ee#:~:text=Working%209%E2%80%935%20builds%20are,between%20work%20and%20personal%20life.  

Some think the world is getting too many people to sustain the planet. Others warn that we don't have enough kids to care for the old people. Who's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Economist Dr. Jared Pincin to discuss. Info highlighted in episode:   World hits 8 billion people:  https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/11/world-population-estimated-eight-billion.html#:~:text=Population%20Division%20estimates%20the%20world,billion%20on%20November%2015%2C%202022.   The overpopulation/underpopulation debate:   https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220905-is-the-world-overpopulated   https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23436211/overpopulation-population-8-billion-people

Getting offended is very common today--particularly online. But is being offended off-limits for Christians? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. Definition of “Offended”: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/offended   Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Offended:   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/blessed-are-the-unoffendable   https://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2016/december/im-offended-by-easily-offended-christians.html   https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/easily-offended-isnt-a-fruit-of-the-holy-spirit/

Christians and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution have often been at odds. But is that conflict justified? Dr. Dru Johnson, Biblical scholar and author of the book "What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture?", walks Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson through the places where Darwin's work matches with the Biblical narrative--and where it diverges. And it's not always where you might think! Bio of Charles Darwin: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Darwin/Evolution-by-natural-selection-the-London-years-1836-42 

We all want community today. But is community possible in a modern society that puts up so many barriers to it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by thinker and filmmaker Houston Coley to discuss.   Lack of friends today: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/well/live/adult-friendships-number.html https://nypost.com/2021/07/27/americans-have-fewer-friends-than-ever-before-study/   Health risks of loneliness:  https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concern#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,smoking%2015%20cigarettes%20a%20day.   Rising rates of depression correlating to loss of community: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-changing-culture/201510/are-mental-health-issues-the-rise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpP7ESJ3hEQ   Joseph Holmes' review of "The Anxious Generation": https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/  

Is AI Dangerous? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes look at the evidence and discuss.  AI Definition: https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence   Why AI is Dangerous: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-why-ai-may-be-extremely-dangerous-whether-its-conscious-or-not/   Why Experts Disagree: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/3/13/24093357/ai-risk-extinction-forecasters-tetlock

Is watching the news necessary to stay informed, or bad for your mental health? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.    Growing number of people avoiding the news: https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/08/01/news-avoid-depressing/   Media confidence reaches new low: https://news.gallup.com/poll/512861/media-confidence-matches-2016-record-low.aspx   News mental health harms: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/strain-media-overload   Where and how often people get their news: https://www.statista.com/statistics/717651/most-popular-news-platforms/#:~:text=A%20survey%20on%20news%20consumption,content%20in%20the%20last%20year.   Frequency of news consuption: https://www.statista.com/statistics/946580/network-news-usage-frequency/#:~:text=The%20findings%20of%20a%20study,news%20on%20a%20daily%20basis.   Why You Should Quit the News: https://markmanson.net/why-you-should-quit-the-news   Benefits and harms of watching news: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-global-lens/202302/is-the-news-harming-or-helping-your-psychological-health

For an idea so often discussed and debated, tolerance is a relatively recent virtue. Why did it become so popular? And is it overrated? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.    Merriam Webster definition of Tolerance: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance   History of the virtue of tolerance: https://iep.utm.edu/tolerati/#H2   Popper’s Paradox of Tolerance: https://www.freiheit.org/mexico/limits-tolerance-poppers-paradox#:~:text=In%20practical%20terms%2C%20Popper%20tells,should%20be%20admitted%20without%20limits.   Criticism of Popper’s Paradox: https://markmanson.net/the-paradox-of-tolerance   Tolerance is Not a Virtue: https://www.equip.org/articles/is-tolerance-a-virtue/

"Nepo Babies" is a term that's grown in popularity in the 2020s. But what is it really about? And is it a problem? Nathan and Joseph discuss what Nepo Babies are, what they mean in the context of the modern world, and what we should do about it. What is a Nepo Baby?: https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html   Nepo Baby Denials of Nepo-Babyness:  https://balleralert.com/profiles/blogs/saweetie-shuts-down-nepo-baby-narrative -i-worked-hard-for-everything/   Nepo Baby discourse is sexist: https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html

So many people do everything right and still feel like a failure in life. Why does that happen? And how do you fix it? We discuss.   1 in 4 men feel like failures: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/one-in-four-men-feel-like-failures-survey-finds/news-story/548fc822a127c3c71570351fb59661d2   What is adulting? https://time.com/4361866/adulting-definition-meaning/   What is a quarter-life crisis: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tessbrigham/2022/06/07/signs-youre-having-a-quarter-life-crisis-and-what-to-do-about-it/   Rising depression rates: https://news.gallup.com/poll/505745/depression-rates-reach-new-highs.aspx  

What does it mean to "make a house a home" and why is focusing on the home making a comeback? Mrs. Sally Clarkson brings    Romanticize Your Life Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/should-you-romanticize-your-life-with-keelia-clarkson/id1510271421?i=1000640843163   Homesteading Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/should-we-move-to-a-cabin-in-the-woods/id1510271421?i=1000629895281   Industrial Revolution’s effect on the home: https://amazon.com/Toxic-War-Masculinity-Christianity-Reconciles/dp/0801075734 Rise in popularity of "work from home": https://www.usnews.com/news/economy/articles/2024-01-25/remote-work-has-radically-changed-the-economy-and-its-here-to-stay#:~:text=Today%2C%20remote%20work%20has%20declined,degree%20is%20close%20to%20half.   Health benefits of a healthy home: https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-clean-home/

What is the difference between equity and equality? And which is more important? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.   Equity vs Equality definitions:    Merriam Webster:  https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/equality-vs-equity-difference   George Washington University: https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/resources/equity-vs-equality/