Deep Talks: Exploring Theology and Meaning Making

In today's episode, Sam Tideman and I discuss all things science and faith in one of the most profound discussions I've had on the subject of evolution, science, and Christianity in the six-year history of this podcast.   Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel.   ——————  Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Steph Curry experiences it when he’s “in the zone” and hitting 35-foot three pointers with ease. John Coltrane experienced it when he was recording his saxaphone performance on A Love Supreme. Psychologists have come to call this experience “the flow state.” But how might the flow state be related to  what a monk experiences when he is deep in contemplative prayer or what a revival preacher feels in a tent meeting? In this series, we’ll explore the science of the flow state through the groundbreaking work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s in his 'Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience' and offer theological reflections on possible points of intersection with historic Christian spirituality.   ——————  Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

In this week's episode, we'll engage with the work of philosopher Byung-Chul Han to discuss how the constant consumption of information can contribute to a sense of meaninglessness and what role narrative and a reorientation of our relationship to God and the world plays in re-enchanting the world.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Joe Rogan, once a vocal evangelist of New Atheist talking points on religion, recently expressed how he yearns for the "just and righteous" Kingdom of God and believes the world "needs Jesus...for real." That's quite a change for Rogan, but his journey is emblematic of a broader shift in attitudes towards religion. In this episode, I'll explain why this cultural shift is happening, and we'll engage with the work of Charles Taylor, Jonathan Haidt, Paul Tillich, and others to help us better understand what religion actually is.

Kaz Hayashi is a biblical scholar, archeologist, and theologian from Japan. He is currently an associate professor of Old Testament at Bethel Seminary and has written on the theology and anime.   Check out his work in: Anime Philosophy and Religion  https://a.co/d/auLDmUN   And watch his lecture on "Yahweh the Tyrant!?: The Depiction and Role of Yahweh in BLEACH and other Japanese Anime and Manga" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeUQy...     In this episode of Deep Talks, Paul and Dr. Kaz Hayashi discuss the intersection of theology and anime.  They explore the surge of popularity and acceptance of anime in American culture, as well as the potential impact of American Empire and Christianity on Japanese culture. Dr. Hayashi emphasizes the importance of engaging with anime from a theological perspective and recommends several anime series for beginners. He also discusses the potential long-term impact of anime consumption in American culture and highlights the need to be aware of potential dangers and warnings when consuming anime. The conversation explores the influence of anime on popular culture, the psychological and social effects of anime, the visionary escape it provides, and the presence of religious and theological themes in anime.

Justin Wells teaches documentary filmmaking at Biola Unversity and is the author of How to Film Truth. He has several graduate degrees, including a Master's in Philosophy from California State University- Long Beach, a Master of Theology and Art from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master's in Art and Documentary Film from the Art Center College of Design. In today's episode, we discuss his work on the patterns and shapes of stories in film, television, and literature and how those guiding stories shape us. Is there a Christ-shaped story above all of our most compelling stories? https://justinwellsfilms.com/

Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel. In this episode, we continue our discussion from Part 1 on what happens when AI is put in positions where its "decisions" have life-and-death implications (like in an emergency room or battlefield). What ethical framework will guide it? Is it possible to teach artificial intelligence to be Christian? To access the full unedited video podcast of this conversation, become a supporter this podcast on Patreon. www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server.

Sam Tideman is a Harvard-trained biostatistical data scientist and the host of the Transfigured podcast/YouTube channel. In this episode, we discuss what happens when AI is put in positions where its "decisions" have life-and-death implications (like in an emergency room or battlefield). What ethical framework will guide it? Is it possible to teach artificial intelligence to be Christian? To access the full unedited conversation and not wait for part 2 next week, become a supporter of this podcast on Patreon. www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server.  

Brendan Graham Dempsey is a writer who's work focuses on the meaning crisis and the reconstruction of spirituality after postmodernism. He holds a BA in religious studies from the University of Vermont and a master's in religion and art from Yale University. He is the author of the 7-volume Metamodern Spirituality Series and, most recently, Metamodernism: Or, The Cultural Logic of Cultural Logics. In this episode, we discuss metamodernism. What is it? How did it emerge? What will religion look like in the metamodern era? https://www.youtube.com/@BrendanGrahamDempsey Exclusive access to the full, unedited 2-hour conversation is available to patrons: https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-access-94836558?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Rafe Kelley, founder of Evolve Move Play, discusses the transformative benefits of physical fitness and embodied spiritual disciplines. He shares about his unique upbringing in the counterculture and how it has shaped his current interest in ancient Christian ideas and the intersection of myth and science. Rafe's work explores the value of physical discipline in character transformation. He's been featured on  Paul VanderKlay, John Vervaeke,  Jordan B. Peterson,  Jonathan Pageau,  and many other podcasts. Find out more about Rafe Kelley at: https://www.evolvemoveplay.com/rafe-kelley/ Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast Timestamps: 00:00  - Intro 02:27 - Rafe's unique upbringing 17:01 - Wrestling with our pictures of Christ 21:40 - Modern Gnosticism & the Proper Valuing of our Bodies 33:52 - Physical Participation in Pentecostal & Charismatic Christianity 39:20 - Navigating Sexual Ethics in Counterculture & Religious Communities 44:37 - Original Sin, Religious Myth, and our Evolutionary "Hardware" 54:26 - Finding a Shared Pursuit in a Religiously Pluralistic Society 59:44 - Christianity, Group Selection, and Empire 01:12:31 - Pagan Resurgence plays on the Sex & Violence Hardware 01:21:58 - Rafe Kelley reflects on  @JordanBPeterson  ARC project  01:29:30 - Sin is Pursuing a Mistaken Good 01:35:29 - Becoming Christ-like without Orthodox Beliefs? 01:46:50 - Young Men Yearn for Courageous Practices

Video of this episode available at: https://youtu.be/ub_buhL5LU8?si=j0LfzM0eMpBd-ky7   Dru Johnson, PhD is a biblical scholar at Hope College. He is also the co-host of the On-Script Podcast and director of The Center for Hebraic Study. His new book What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture: Comparing the Conceptual Worlds of the Bible and Evolution proposes that the ancient Hebrew worldview of the Bible uniquely explores common concerns shared by Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory. Together, we discuss the challenges and hopes of seeking to understand and integrate evolutionary science and Christian theology. You can order Dru's new book here: https://shorturl.at/ektFN ___   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

For the video of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R0dKco1cDw4?si=Um0PpY96DJ0mOWIJ   I made this video to help those who, like me, come from church or Christian school contexts where Young Earth Creationism has been treated as the only way to think about science and the Bible. In this video, I'll explain 3 basic theological reasons why Christians who want to take the Bible seriously don't have to believe in Young Earth Creationism.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server:   www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Today's episode was recorded during a livestream with the Irish, Gen Z theology YouTuber extraordinaire- THEOHOPRACY. Theohopracy invited me on to discuss metamodernism, the Patrick Bateman meme / "sigma male" internet culture, and why there's a growing internet culture of young men attracted to "masculine" paganism. For Theohopracy's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW1cJ0NQOUA3G3ARqBw4JFw   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Video of this episode is available at: https://youtu.be/_zbklHa9kPc?si=33cv1KE01BwLOABU The celebration of Halloween in America seems to be at an all-time high. Is this just because corporations are learning how to capitalize on the costumes, decorations, and candy of the season, or is something deeper at work?   In this episode, we'll explore the religious and philosophical symbolism of the Universal Classic Monsters- Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and the Mummy and why these old films can give us insights into what the increasing celebration of Halloween means in our culture.   Become a patron on Patreon and get bonus Q&A Episodes, resources, opportunities for live discussions on Zoom, and access to our community Discord server: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Today's episode is also available in video format at: https://youtu.be/5PTczGpDIPo?si=jcEK_6BEATlnE9Vp In my podcast series on #metamodernism we've been exploring the new cultural and philosophical shift that's happening in the West and how it is changing the way we tell stories and communicate. But what will metamodernism do to Christianity? How might this shift affect Christianity in the West? Should Christians be optimistic or worried?   Support my work on Patreon and get access to bonus episodes, live Zoom discussions, and more: www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Subscribe to my relaunched YouTube Channel and watch today's episode: https://youtu.be/sdWKwWLjTXI?si=RkyrfLHkk_gCad62   The band Creed is making a comeback, and it's all thanks to metamodernism. Even the Texas Rangers are using Creed to turn their baseball season around. Let me explain what's going on.   Support my work on Patreon and get access to bonus episodes, live Zoom discussions, and more: patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast

Can Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey" happen within metamodern storytelling?    In today's episode, I help you understand how the structure of great myths like Homer's Illiad and The Odyssey, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars can still exist within the emerging metamodern storytelling aesthetic. We'll explore how the critically acclaimed animated "Spider-verse" movies (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse & Across the Spider-Verse) give us a brilliant example of a metamodern hero's journey. If you find this podcast helpful and want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? You're not only supporting this podcast, but you are also supporting my free Substack page and YouTube channel. We need 200 patrons to ensure that my work can continue in 2023. https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

There's a cultural shift in how we are telling stories, and it's a relatively new phenomenon. It's something different from postmodernism but still incorporates elements from modernism and postmodernism.  Philosophers are just barely beginning to grasp what is happening; some call it metamodernism. In today's episode, we'll explore the shift from modernism to postmodernism and into metamodernism through the genre of the American sitcom so that you can notice the distinct flavors of each that take place across genres of storytelling and the arts.  From The Cosby Show and Home Improvement to Seinfeld and into Joe Pera Talks With You,  how is metamodern comedy shifting towards offering people a sense of sacredness and transcendence in their seemingly meaningless mundane lives? If you find this podcast helpful and want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? You're not only supporting this podcast, but you are also supporting my free Substack page and YouTube channel. We need 200 patrons to ensure that my work can continue in 2023. https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

There's a cultural shift in how we are telling stories, and it's a relatively new phenomenon. You can see it in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barbie, Wes Anderson movies, and Shrek. Yes, I said Shrek.  It's something different from postmodernism but still uses postmodernism.  Philosophers are just barely beginning to grasp what is happening; some call it metamodernism. In this series, I'm going to explain what metamodernism is all about and help you identify it in popular culture. If you find this podcast helpful and want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? You're not only supporting this podcast, but you are also supporting my free Substack page and YouTube channel. We need 200 patrons to ensure that my work can continue in 2023. https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner

Does Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer tell a different story about the human condition and nihilism than the story he's told in films like The Dark Knight and Interstellar? Yes. In this episode, we'll explore how Nolan's films grapple with ideas from Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, Augustine, and even New Age humanists and discuss why Oppenheimer is his most Augustinian film. https://linktr.ee/paulanleitner ______   If you find this podcast helpful and want to see it continue ad-free, would you consider becoming a supporter on Patreon? You're not only supporting this podcast, but you are also supporting my free Substack page and YouTube channel. We need 200 patrons to ensure that my work can continue in 2023. https://www.patreon.com/deeptalkstheologypodcast   Connect with Paul Anleitner on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/PaulAnleitner