The Well Said Podcast

A weekly conversation about following Jesus amidst the tensions & challenges of our post-christian culture.

Thinking as Christians about Elon Musk's AI Robot Utopia

Keywordswork, meaning, human flourishing, cultural mandate, Abraham Kuyper, AI, leisure, theology, Christian perspective, purposeSummaryIn this episode of the Well Said Podcast, Andrey Bulanov discusses the intersection of work, meaning, and human flourishing from a Christian perspective. He reflects on a conversation between Elon Musk and Joe Rogan about the future of work in the age of AI and robotics, emphasizing that work is not just about economic survival but is essential to our human nature. Bulanov introduces the cultural mandate and the teachings of Abraham Kuyper, advocating for a deeper understanding of our purpose and the significance of our actions in the world. He challenges listeners to consider their vision for work and the implications of leisure on human flourishing.TakeawaysWork is an essential part of our human nature.The cultural mandate calls us to reflect God's nature through our work.Infinite leisure can lead to societal decline.A deeper definition of humanity is needed for a flourishing society.Abraham Kuyper emphasized God's sovereignty over all areas of life.Christians are called to engage culture and transform it according to biblical truth.Everything we do has significance in God's creation.Following Jesus restores us to being fully human.Leisure should not be the ultimate goal of life.We are agents of grace and renewal in the world.Sound bites"Work is not merely for economic goods.""Why do you do what you do?""Everything we do matters."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Themes00:06 Exploring AI and Robotics in Culture00:26 Christian Implications of AI and Work01:42 The Nature of Work and Human Flourishing04:30 Cultural Mandate and Abraham Kuyper's Influence07:09 The Dangers of Leisure and Comfort10:31 The Role of Men in Society13:13 Biblical Vision for Work and Life16:05 AI, Universal Income, and Human Purpose

11-13
20:13

Does God hear my prayers?

Keywordstheology, prayer, faith, God, assurance, scripture, surrender, transformation, Christian life, Well Said PodcastSummaryIn this episode of the Well Said Podcast, Andrey Bulanov explores the themes of prayer, faith, and the struggles that come with them, particularly through the lens of Shusaku Endo's novel, The Silence. He discusses the challenges of feeling unheard by God, the importance of building a confident prayer life, and how scripture can guide our prayers. The conversation emphasizes the need for surrendering to God's will and the transformative process of prayer, encouraging listeners to persist in their pursuit of God amidst confusion and doubt.TakeawaysPrayer is one of the most challenging parts of the Christian life.Many struggle with the feeling that God does not hear their prayers.Confidence in prayer arises from assurance in our relationship with Jesus.Scripture should inform our prayers and align them with God's will.Surrendering to God's will is essential for powerful prayer.The process of prayer can lead to personal transformation.God often works through our struggles and challenges.Persistent prayer is encouraged, even in confusion.Understanding God's heart opens us to His guidance.A sincere desire for God's will is crucial in prayer.TitlesExploring The Silence: A Journey Through FaithThe Struggles of Prayer: Finding Assurance in GodSound bites"This journey changes you.""Keep pursuing me.""Do you belong to Jesus?"Chapters00:00 Introduction to The Silence00:50 The Struggle of Faith and Prayer03:17 Understanding Prayer and Assurance04:24 Building a Confident Prayer Life09:08 The Role of Scripture in Prayer12:42 Surrendering to God's Will16:27 The Process of Prayer and Transformation19:57 Encouragement and Conclusion

11-08
17:29

A Short Summary of the Christian Story

Keywords:Christianity, gospel, purpose, sin, redemption, Jesus, love, morality, destiny, human existenceSummary:In this conversation, Andrey Bulanov explores the fundamental questions of existence that every worldview must address: origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. He argues that the Christian gospel provides the most compelling answers to these questions, emphasizing the unique purpose of human life, the nature of sin, and God's response to human brokenness through Jesus Christ. The discussion culminates in the hope and restoration offered through faith in Jesus, who addresses the problems of sin and death, inviting individuals to experience new life and purpose.Takeaways:Every worldview must answer four fundamental questions.The quality of answers shapes the validity of belief systems.Human life is created for a unique purpose and love.The world is broken due to human rebellion against God.Sin is fundamentally a rejection of our Creator.God's response to sin is a promise of redemption.Jesus fulfills God's promises and offers restoration.Humanity faces the problems of sin and death.Jesus' resurrection is central to Christian hope.Faith in Jesus invites individuals to new life and purpose.Sound bites:"We are created for a unique purpose.""Sin is our rejection of our Creator.""We have two problems: sin and death."Chapters:00:00 The Four Fundamental Questions of Existence01:52 The Gospel's Answer to Origin and Meaning04:40 Understanding Morality Through the Lens of Sin07:32 God's Response to Human Rebellion10:18 The Role of Jesus in Redemption13:07 Hope and Destiny in Christianity15:33 logo intro:outtro.mp4

11-04
15:39

Understanding Spiritual Warfare: A Shift in Perspective

Summary:In this episode of the WellSaid podcast, Andrey Bulanov discusses his evolving understanding of spiritual warfare within Christian theology. He reflects on the influence of John MacArthur's teachings, the biblical foundations of spiritual warfare, and the importance of recognizing the reality of spiritual battles in contemporary life. Andrey emphasizes the power of Jesus' name and the necessity for Christians to engage actively in spiritual warfare, while also cautioning against extreme interpretations prevalent in some modern movements.Takeaways:Spiritual warfare is a significant aspect of Christian life.John MacArthur's teachings minimized the role of spiritual warfare.Many Christians live as if there is no spiritual evil.The New Testament frequently addresses spiritual warfare.Experiences of spiritual attacks can shift one's perspective.Pastors often lack training in spiritual warfare.The power of Jesus' name is crucial in spiritual battles.Confession and prayer are vital in combating spiritual evil.Christians are empowered to resist spiritual darkness.Awareness of spiritual warfare is essential for effective ministry.Keywords:spiritual warfare, Christian culture, theology, demonic realm, John MacArthur, evangelicalism, biblical teachings, spiritual battles, power of Jesus, faithChapters00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Warfare01:33 Shifting Perspectives on Spiritual Warfare05:49 Biblical Foundations of Spiritual Warfare11:09 Experiences and Realizations in Spiritual Warfare15:27 The Power of Jesus' Name and Spiritual Authority

10-17
20:07

Are we living in revival?

In this episode of the Well Said Podcast, Andrey Bulanov explores the concept of revival, drawing on the insights of Jonathan Edwards. He discusses the characteristics of true revival, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges posed by modern revivalism. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning with truth and the transformative power of the gospel in today's culture. Bulanov encourages listeners to reflect on their role in God's story and to boldly share their faith.Keywords:revival, Holy Spirit, Jonathan Edwards, spiritual awakening, church history, moral transformation, modern Christianity, cultural renewal, gospel proclamation, Christian witnessTakeaways:Revival is characterized by a powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit.The age of the Holy Spirit is marked by transformation and renewal.True revival leads to moral and emotional change in individuals and communities.Revival is not orchestrated by human effort but is a divine initiative.Modern revivalism can sometimes lead to emotionalism and manipulation.The gospel is being proclaimed more clearly than ever in today's culture.Christians should be optimistic about the movement of the Spirit in the world.Disunity among Christians can hinder the work of the Spirit.True revival is anchored in the truth of Scripture.Every believer has a role to play in the story of God.Chapters:00:00 - Exploring the Concept of Revival07:03 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Revival12:45 - The Dangers of Revivalism18:27- Living as a Character in God's Story

10-14
24:38

Welcome to a new season of The Well Said Podcast!

Keywords:Well Said Podcast, Andrey Bulanov, transformative truth, gospel, knowing God, speaking truth, Christian faith, identity, hope, graceSummary:In this episode of the Well Said podcast, Andrey Bulanov introduces the purpose and vision behind the podcast, emphasizing the importance of seeking transformative truths found in the Bible. He discusses the cultural hunger for real answers and the significance of knowing God personally. Andrey encourages listeners to boldly speak the truth and share the love and grace of God in their lives, highlighting the power of their voices in a world that often doubts and dismisses their worth.Takeaways:The Well Said podcast aims to explore transformative truths of the Bible.Cultural hunger for real answers is prevalent today.The gospel provides powerful truths about knowing God.Human beings are created to know God intimately.Doubt and complacency can hinder our ability to speak truth.Every individual carries the eternal truth of God.Speaking truth boldly is essential in our daily interactions.The podcast will feature both short and long-form content.Engagement with the audience is encouraged for deeper conversations.God's grace empowers us to share His love with others.

10-08
10:10

Examining Your Teachers

Dallas Willard once said that one of the most difficult tasks you can ever undertake is the work of examining your teachers and examining the impact they had on you and your view of God. This task difficult because it makes us acknowledge that our teachers are not perfect. It is an important task because it forces us to separate and clarify our allegiance to Jesus apart from our allegiance to human voices.

02-07
27:16

Loving People in Their Pain

One of the most difficult things we run in to when people around is are hurting is that we don't know how to respond. Maybe its our insecurity. Maybe its our individualism. But as God's people, one of the essential qualities of the community of God's people is that we learn to love people in their pain.

10-29
30:38

Cultivating Generosity

How do we become people who are truly generous? One principle that has been at work in our lives is the observation that we will never be truly generous unless we perceive ourselves to be truly wealthy. If we see ourselves as those who are always lacking and in need, we will have a very difficult time being liberal in our giving. The message of the gospel is not merely that we are saved out of hell, or that our sins are forgiven. It goes much further than that. It tells us that, in Jesus, we are loved, bought, accepted and redeemed. We are welcomed into the family of God and we are given the infinite riches of heaven itself. This mindset causes a revolution in how we see ourselves in the world.

12-14
34:28

Uprooting Bitterness From Your Heart

Uprooting Bitterness From Your Heart by The Well Said Podcast

10-01
47:36

Our Summer Recommends

Our Summer Recommends by The Well Said Podcast

07-27
36:15

A Story of Deconstruction With Denis Vishnevskiy

Deconstruction has definitely been a buzzword this past year. With the scandals in and around christian circles, comes another wave of disillusionment and doubt. How do we process this as christians? Too often, when we as christians come across a friend or loved one who is going through a challenging season in their faith, whether its doubt or questioning, we get very defensive and insecure ourselves. And that makes sense. We get defensive when our deepest beliefs are challenged. One of the most important ways we can begin to work through this challenging question is to hear a story about how it actually happens in the life of a fellow christian. What we learn along the way is that honest questioning is one of the most important ways that God teaches us both of our own limitations, as wells as his faithfulness.

07-14
59:28

Embracing the Discomfort of True Belonging

Embracing the Discomfort of True Belonging by The Well Said Podcast

07-06
31:51

Money and Work in a World of "Quick Success"

Every generation has its temptations and challenges. One of the great blessings of our time is affluence. We have so much stuff. Many of us were raised not knowing any true needs. And in the midst of that, we are formed by technology to think that the greatest things in our life can come to us through the swipe of a screen or a click of a button. So its no surprise that our generation has a real issue when it comes to diligence, responsibility and work ethic. So how do we think biblically about the concepts of work and money? How do we build our lives around a healthy set of values and convictions about where we put our energy and resources? This week on the podcast we take on the question of our work and money in a "quick success culture". Enjoy the episode and let us know what you think! Full episode link in bio!

06-21
38:29

Good Love Takes Deep Work

Good Love Takes Deep Work by The Well Said Podcast

05-31
42:55

Learning to express our joy in Jesus

Learning to express our joy in Jesus by The Well Said Podcast

04-28
40:25

Processing the Fall of Christian Leaders

Processing the Fall of Christian Leaders by The Well Said Podcast

03-02
33:02

God's Love & Your Restless Heart

God's Love & Your Restless Heart by The Well Said Podcast

02-04
45:25

Changes Takes Practice

Changes Takes Practice by The Well Said Podcast

01-07
35:42

Loving People Through Difficult Seasons

Loving People Through Difficult Seasons by The Well Said Podcast

12-11
40:28

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