It's a Theological World After All

EP24 | What Burning Man Reveals About the Human Soul

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:52:40 +0000

Is the modern world really secular, or just differently enchanted? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris explains why the cultural fascination with events like Burning Man reveals a deep, ongoing human hunger for transcendence, ritual, beauty, and meaning.

We discuss how every attempt to construct meaning apart from God actually highlights our innate design as image-bearers made for communion with Him. As part of the "Why Souls" series, we explore the ultimate question that sits underneath every cultural debate regarding AI, consciousness, and ethics: What is a human being? If we want to navigate the future, we must recover a richer, more compelling Christian vision of the human person.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

The Search for Transcendence: Why humans have not stopped longing for meaning, belonging, and experiences that lift us beyond the ordinary.

Differently Enchanted: How the modern world has not become disenchanted, but has simply redirected its spirituality.

Created for Communion: Why our restlessness points back to the reality that men and women are created in the image of God.

The Core Question: Why understanding what it means to be human must come before we can answer questions about artificial intelligence, identity, and politics.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro: Why this conversation was never merely about Burning Man

0:25 A differently enchanted world and the hunger for meaning

0:40 Created in the image of God and our search for home

0:55 The ultimate question: What is a human being?

1:10 Upcoming topics: AI, neuroscience, and the return of spirituality

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Why Souls series by Joshua Farris

Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#BurningMan #Transcendence #Theology #JoshuaFarris #ChristianWorldview #Anthropology #TheSoul

EP23 | Why Are Billionaires Obsessed With Consciousness?

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:08:29 +0000

If materialism has successfully explained the universe, why is everyone suddenly searching for the soul again? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris explores the unprecedented, renewed cultural obsession with consciousness. From Silicon Valley tech elites pouring billions into consciousness research to the cultural rise of the occult, psychedelic experimentation, and near-death experiences, society is desperately trying to rediscover the unseen realm.

We discuss why the materialistic, secular worldview has failed to answer our deepest questions and how the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence is forcing humanity to ask an ancient question: What actually makes us human? At the root of every major cultural debate today, from abortion and gender to transhumanism and AI, is a battle over anthropology. If we want to navigate the future and reclaim human dignity, we must reclaim the Christian doctrine of the human soul.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

The Failure of Materialism: Why the idea that humans are merely biological machines is crumbling, leaving a "thin world" devoid of mystery.

The AI Identity Crisis: How artificial intelligence is forcing society to reconsider what truly sets humans apart from machines.

Follow the Money: Why tech leaders, billionaires, and Silicon Valley are heavily funding fringe consciousness research.

The Return of the Occult: How the loss of transcendence has fueled an explosion of interest in astrology, near-death experiences, and neopaganism.

Anthropology is Everything: Why debates about AI, euthanasia, and gender are ultimately arguments about human nature.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro: Why are billionaires obsessed with consciousness?

4:21 The story we've been told by secular materialism

8:02 Follow the money: funding consciousness and AI

9:28 The rise of near-death experiences and psychedelic research

13:20 How AI is forcing us to ask: What makes us human?

21:33 The "hard problem" of consciousness in philosophy

25:09 Silicon Valley's fascination with the occult and neopaganism

32:15 The ancient questions of the soul and meaning

38:57 Christianity's greatest gift: the image of God

41:28 Why every cultural debate is an argument about anthropology

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Why Souls by Joshua Farris

Encountering Mystery by Dale Allison

Charles Taylor on "buffered selves"

Take the Next Step in Your Education

If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/

#Consciousness #ArtificialIntelligence #Theology #JoshuaFarris #ChristianWorldview #Anthropology #Transhumanism

EP22 | The Forgotten Person of the Trinity: Recovering God the Father | Ryan Rippee

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:18:03 +0000

While Christians spend a great deal of time talking about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of God the Father often remains in the background. What happens when the Father becomes little more than a name in our creeds? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with pastor and theologian Ryan Rippee to explore this deeply neglected doctrine.

We discuss why the Father has been overlooked in modern theology, how our culture's crisis of fatherhood connects to theological forgetfulness, and what it truly means to receive our identity from Him rather than inventing it ourselves. From the alluring but empty promises of transhumanism to the beauty of experiencing the church as a true family, this conversation reveals why recovering the doctrine of God the Father is vital for the church today. If you want a richer understanding of the Trinity, human identity, and the heart of God, this conversation is for you.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

The Neglected Doctrine: Why historical controversies focused on the Son and Spirit, leaving the Father assumed but largely unexamined.

More Than a Metaphor: Why reducing "Father" to just a human metaphor risks dangerous Trinitarian errors.

The Identity Crisis: How modern culture elevates self created identity to an idol, and how finding our identity as children of God solves this crisis.

Fatherhood and the Church: Healing the cultural crisis of fatherlessness by reflecting God's fatherhood within the community of the church.

Transhumanism and Technology: How the pursuit of autonomous, self created communities through technology is the ultimate rejection of transcendence.

Isaiah 9:6 Explained: Unpacking why the Messiah is called "Everlasting Father" and what it means for the Davidic covenant.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro: The forgotten doctrine of God the Father

2:11 Introducing Ryan Rippee and his upcoming work

4:12 Why is God the Father neglected in modern theology?

8:50 Why Jesus constantly directs our attention to the Father

14:39 Is "Father" just a metaphor?

19:23 Human identity and receiving life from the Father

25:12 The modern idol of self created identity

31:24 Fatherless culture and theological forgetfulness

42:48 The church as a family with refrigerator rights

49:29 Consumerism in the church vs. genuine community

55:33 Transhumanism, technology, and artificial communities

1:13:37 How rejecting the Father distorts freedom and authority

1:20:25 The loss of transcendence and cultural orphanhood

1:26:42 Why is Jesus called "Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6?

1:31:30 One vital thing to remember about God the Father

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Upcoming books on God the Father by Ryan Rippee (Baker Books and T&T Clark)

Two Ways to Live presentation by Matthias Media

God, Human, Animal, Machine by Meghan O'Gieblyn

#GodTheFather #Trinity #Theology #ChristianIdentity #Transhumanism #Apologetics #ChurchCommunity

EP20 | Are Deathbed Visions Real? Exploring NDEs and the Afterlife | Stephen Miller

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:00:02 +0000

One of the great assumptions of the modern age is that we are simply our brains, and that consciousness ceases at death. But what if the experiences of the dying tell a profoundly different story? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with Professor Stephen Miller to explore the fascinating, heavily researched world of near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions.

We dive into what the medical and historical data actually reveals about out-of-body phenomena, terminal lucidity, and visions of the afterlife. Are these just the hallucinations of a dying brain, or is God providing a glimpse beyond the veil? From the profound impact these experiences have on the grieving to the deep theological implications for the soul and apologetics, this conversation challenges us to rethink our assumptions about death and consciousness. If you want to understand how scientific research on the end of life points to a spiritual reality, this conversation is for you.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Defining the Phenomena: The difference between near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and terminal lucidity.

The Medical Evidence: Examining research from cardiologists, nurses, and peer-reviewed journals corroborating out-of-body experiences.

Visions vs. Hallucinations: Why the consistent, lucid nature of deathbed visions defies the "dying brain" hypothesis.

The Problem of Distressing NDEs: Acknowledging the reality of hellish or demonic encounters and the need for biblical discernment.

A Call to the Church: Why Christians and theologians must stop ignoring this robust data and learn to minister to those having these experiences.

Apologetics of the Soul: How NDEs and deathbed visions offer powerful evidence for God's existence and the reality of the afterlife.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Are we more than our brains?

2:19 - Introducing Stephen Miller and his research on deathbed experiences

4:16 - What exactly is a near-death experience (NDE) vs. a deathbed vision?

12:09 - Terminal lucidity and shared death experiences

18:50 - Evidence for the afterlife over the dying brain hypothesis

26:52 - Survey data: How common are visionary experiences?

30:36 - The history of NDE research (Raymond Moody, Dr. Sabom, and more)

39:33 - Why the church often ignores or dismisses these spiritual encounters

47:07 - Discernment, psychedelic drugs, and the danger of seeking out visions

51:52 - The reality of distressing or hellish near-death experiences

58:11 - Biblical examples of visionary experiences and the afterlife

1:01:10 - Do NDEs prove the reality of the resurrection and the soul?

1:08:54 - How theologians and philosophers should approach this research

1:21:40 - Conclusion: A call for humility and awe regarding human consciousness

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Life After Life by Raymond Moody

Faith That's Not Blind by Stephen Miller

Demonic Foes by Richard Gallagher

Encountering Mystery by Dale Allison

Works by Dr. Michael Sabom, Pim van Lommel, and Michael Egnor

The movie After Death

#NearDeathExperiences #Theology #Apologetics #Afterlife #Philosophy #Consciousness #Christianity

EP19 | Why Chat GPT is Bullshit (partly) | AI and Human Deception

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:18:47 +0000

Are systems like ChatGPT really destroying the truth, or are they just reflecting our own deeply flawed human nature? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with Professor Jimmy Alfonso Licon to explore his provocative paper, ChatGPT is bullshit partly because people are bullshitters. We dive into Harry Frankfurt’s famous concept of "bullshit" and ask a difficult question: is the problem with AI's lack of truth-telling a technological flaw, or does it stem from the fact that it’s trained on human language? From the utility of self-deception in our relationships to the philosophical pursuit of plausibility over truth, we unpack what AI reveals about the fragility of the human ego.

If you want to understand how artificial intelligence mirrors our deepest social and spiritual struggles, this conversation is for you.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

The Definition of Bullshit: Unpacking Harry Frankfurt's philosophy and how it applies to predictive AI language models. Architecture vs. Data: Is ChatGPT a "bullshitter" because of its predictive design, or because it's trained on the internet? The Evolution of Deception: How social media has created an evolutionary competition for attention, accelerating our culture's "bullshit." Self-Deception and Society: Why a little bit of "bullshit" might actually be necessary for human cooperation and healthy relationships. Plausibility as a Proxy: Do philosophers really seek the truth, or just the most plausible arguments? Theological Reflections: Connecting the human tendency to deceive with classical concepts of pride, humility, and our search for ultimate meaning.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Is AI producing truth or just "bullshit"?

2:24 - Introducing Jimmy Alfonso Licon and the philosophy of cooperation

4:13 - The core claim: ChatGPT as a bullshit generator

9:43 - Defining Frankfurt's concept of "bullshit"

13:44 - Architecture vs. Training Data: Why does AI bullshit?

22:19 - Are humans actually incentivized to tell the truth?

26:52 - Self-deception and the utility of bullshit in relationships

31:40 - Can bullshit serve a social purpose?

40:53 - Plausibility as a proxy for truth in philosophy

55:53 - The internet as an accelerator for bullshit ("Bullshit Playoffs")

1:15:27 - Theological reflections: Pride, humility, and the human ego

1:31:02 - Finding ultimate meaning and grounding ourselves in reality

1:35:36 - Conclusion: AI as a mirror of human nature

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

ChatGPT is bullshit partly because people are bullshitters by Jimmy Alfonso Licon

ChatGPT is bullshit by Michael Townsen Hicks, James Humphreys, and Joe Slater

On Bullshit by Harry Frankfurt Better Not to Know: Why Knowing Less Is Sometimes Best by Jimmy Alfonso Licon

The works of Dan Sperber and Hugo Mercier on epistemic vigilance

Technopoly by Neil Postman

#AI #Philosophy #ChatGPT #Theology #HumanNature #TechEthics

EP18 | The Rise of Neo-Paganism, Sacred Spaces, and the Unseen Realm

Mon, 25 May 2026 14:55:57 +0000

Are we witnessing the rise of a neo-pagan culture? In this episode, Dr. Joshua R. Farris sits down with Carl and Anthony to explore how pantheism and ancient pagan worldviews are actively reshaping modern society and politics. From the intensely polarized rhetoric of Christian Nationalism to Dr. Michael Heiser's "Deuteronomy 32 worldview," we unpack the unseen spiritual realities driving today's cultural shifts. We also dive deep into the theology of "sacred space," highlighted by Carl's chilling firsthand account of witnessing a dark Luciferian ritual.

If you want to understand how to maintain a robust, biblical response to a world increasingly hungry for the supernatural, this conversation is for you.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

- The Return of Paganism: How modern culture has moved past secularism and is embracing pantheistic and neo-pagan spiritualities.

- Politics as Spiritual Warfare: Why political rhetoric is shifting toward cosmic battles and what that reveals about our metaphysical decline.

- The Deuteronomy 32 Worldview: Understanding the biblical framework that the nations are ruled by lesser, created gods (elohim).

- Paul at the Areopagus: Unpacking the intense spiritual and political reality of Acts 17, where Paul stood before a pagan court.

- A Luciferian Ritual: Carl recounts a disturbing double ritual involving a Luciferian and a "Christian" mystic, and the spiritual lessons learned.

- The Theology of Sacred Space: Should Christians treat physical locations as spiritually neutral, or can spaces hold demonic presence and require consecration?.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Culture's openness to Paganism

2:43 - Are Christians equipped to respond today?

4:01 - The rise of explicit religious rhetoric in politics

10:31 - How entertainment and the attention economy led to moral decline

14:57 - Is the political right reacting to a pagan left?

22:04 - Michael Heiser and the Deuteronomy 32 Worldview

30:56 - Acts 17: Paul before the Pagan Court of the Areopagus

37:53 - Desacralization vs. the Sacramental view of nature

47:02 - Carl’s experience witnessing a Luciferian ritual

52:52 - Defining "Sacred Space" and spiritual intentionality

1:02:20 - Conclusion: The importance of a robust biblical response

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Witchcraft Goes Mainstream by Brooks Alexander

Pagan America by John Daniel Davidson

God's Rivals by Gerald McDermott

The Unseen Realm (Deuteronomy 32 Worldview) by Michael Heiser

Clinton Arnold's work on spiritual powers and Ephesians

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Theology #NeoPaganism #SpiritualWarfare #Apologetics #ChristianPhilosophy #SacredSpace

EP17 | How the Trinity Shapes Human Reason and Science With Fr. Andrew Hollingsworth

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:19:26 +0000

Can the doctrine of the Trinity explain the very structure of human consciousness and the natural world? In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Andrew Hollingsworth to explore why the Trinity isn't just an abstract theological puzzle—it’s the "grammar" of reality itself. From the "triadic" philosophy of Charles Sanders Peirce to a scathing critique of AI and materialism, we dive deep into how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shape how we know truth, experience science, and inhabit the world.

If you’ve ever wondered how ancient theology survives in the age of machines, this conversation is for you.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

The Philosophy of Signs: How Charles Sanders Peirce’s "Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness" mirrors the Triune God.

The Failure of AI: Why machines can process data but lack the "phenomenology" of a living soul.

A Defense of the Soul: Why physicalism (the idea that we are just brains) is inconsistent with the Christian faith.

Liturgy as Knowledge: How the Anglican Book of Common Prayer "teaches" us the Trinity through participation.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Dragon Ball Z & Icons

1:45 - Does the Trinity shape how we think about Truth?

3:40 - Charles Sanders Peirce & The "Phaneron"

6:00 - The Triadic Sign: Object, Representamen, Interpretant

11:45 - Substance Dualism vs. Materialism

16:30 - Can a machine actually "know" anything?

25:30 - Biosemiotics: The Trinity in Biology

36:00 - How Liturgy does the "Heavy Lifting" of Theology

41:00 - Why Anglicanism? (Suprema Scriptura)

44:30 - Conclusion: Doctrine is a Grammar to be Inhabited

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

God and the World of Signs by Andrew Robinson

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame

Spirit Word Community by Amos Yong

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Theology #Philosophy #Trinity #AI #Christianity #Apologetics #Anglicanism #Dualism #Peirce #StAugustine

EP16 | The Rise of Tech-Paganism: How AI and Ancient Rituals are Merging

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:59:44 +0000

As materialism fails to explain human consciousness, a new and ancient "Liturgy of Self-Making" is rising. In this deep-dive, Anthony Costello, Carl Teichrib and myself, Joshua Farris, explore how AI, Neo-Paganism, and the sexual revolution are converging to redefine what it means to be human.

Is the world becoming more technological, or more theological? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of SXSW and Paganicon to witness the birth of a new cultural era. We move beyond surface-level politics to examine the "Sexual Monism" and "Radical Individualism" driving today’s headlines.

From the failure of physicalism in AI labs to the "bestial ethics" of modern fantasy literature, our speakers provide a chilling diagnosis of a society that has detached sex from creation and the self from the Logos.

What you will learn in this episode:

The Failure of Materialism: Why top scientists are abandoning physicalism for mysticism.

The AI Mirror: How technology is becoming a tool for modern divination and "Digital Animism."

The Pagan Ethic: Why a worldview without a transcendent standard inevitably leads to a "Might Makes Right" power dynamic.

The Narcissism of Modern Sex: How the detachment of gender and sexuality from the body is impacting the future of civilization.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: It’s a Theological World After All

12:15 – SXSW Report: Why AI Experts are Desperate for Humanity

24:30 – Paganicon 2026: Using AI for Tarot and Rituals

36:45 – The Aesthetic Ethic: Beauty vs. Ugliness in Neo-Paganism

48:20 – Sexual Monism: The Goal of "Gender Alchemy"

01:05:10 – The Power Trap: Why Paganism Can't Condemn "The Hawk vs. The Squirrel"

01:18:30 – Stoicism & The Logos: Is There a Rational Alternative?

01:32:45 – The Marketing of the Occult: Fantasy Fiction and Young Women

01:45:10 – Conclusion: The Deconstruction of the Sexual Narrative

Connect with the Kirkwood Center:

Website: https://www.kirkwoodcenter.org/

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Theology #ArtificialIntelligence #NeoPaganism #Worldview #ChristianApologetics #CultureWar #Ethics #Philosophy

EP15 | Is AI Devaluing the Soul? A New Defense for Being Human

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:40:23 +0000

Is technology changing what it means to be human? Today I sit down with Matthew Burford (Founder of Tactical Faith) to discuss why modern apologetics is shifting from "winning arguments" to "reclaiming wonder."

As we move deeper into the age of AI and digital distraction, Burford argues that we are facing a crisis of disembodiment. Drawing on neuroscientist Ian McGilchrist’s work on the left and right brain, we explore how the "Left-Brain" obsession with data and control is hollowing out our spiritual lives—and why the physical, "Right-Brain" practices of the Church and the Eucharist are the only cure for modern anxiety.

Inside the Episode:

The Evolution of Apologetics: Why the "syllogisms" of the 90s aren't reaching Gen Z.

The AI Threat: How Large Language Models (LLMs) force us to redefine human uniqueness.

The Master and His Emissary: Applying Ian McGilchrist’s brain hemisphere theory to theology.

The School of Attention: How the Eucharist retrains our minds to see reality truthfully.

Re-enchanting the World: Moving from abstract ideas to concrete, lived practices.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction: Meeting Matthew Burford

2:15 – What is Tactical Faith? Bridge between Ivory Tower & Church

6:42 – The Shift: From Evidence-Based to Story-Driven Apologetics

11:30 – Why "winning the argument" isn't enough anymore

15:45 – The "Fragmented Self": Addressing Gen Z & Alpha

20:10 – Living in a Post-Christian "Disillusionment"

28:45 – Cultural Liturgies: What the Mall taught us about worship

35:10 – AI & The Crisis of Embodiment: What makes us unique?

41:30 – The Danger of Normalizing Artificial Relationships

45:20 – The Eucharist as a "Shared Attention Habit"

51:40 – Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain: Ian McGilchrist’s Impact

57:15 – Reclaiming the Mystery: How the Church can serve the world now

Resources Mentioned:

Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/

Ian McGilchrist - The Master and His Emissary

What do you think is the biggest threat AI poses to our humanity? Let us know in the comments below!

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Apologetics #FaithAndTech #IanMcGilchrist #Christianity #AI #Philosophy #Theology #TacticalFaith

EP14 | The Death of Materialism: Why Panpsychism is the New Worldview

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:58:50 +0000

Is the universe a mindless machine, or is it alive? In this episode, we explore the dramatic collapse of materialism and the rise of Panpsychism—the radical idea that consciousness is a fundamental feature of all matter.

From the "Hard Problem of Consciousness" to the return of ancient animism in the modern lab, we sit down with Anthony Costello and Carl Teichrib to deconstruct how modern philosophy is "re-enchanting" the world. Are we unified souls created by a transcendent God, or are we merely temporary "eddies" in a cosmic river of mind?

In this episode, we discuss:

Galileo’s Error: How science accidentally "shaved off" the soul.

The New Paganism: Why elite academics are suddenly sounding like ancient animists.

The "Combination Problem": The logical flaw that panpsychists can't explain.

Psychedelics & Magic: Are altered states revealing reality or just altering perception?

The Theology of Gender: Why the shift toward "Internal Experience" is feminizing the church.

The Moral Motivation: Why some philosophers prefer a "Conscious Universe" over a Personal God.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro: The Death of Materialism

12:45 - Thomas Nagel & The Hard Problem of Consciousness

28:30 - What is Panpsychism? (Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down)

45:15 - The "Epstein Connection" and Controlling Consciousness

58:00 - Is the Universe Divine? Panentheism vs. Pantheism

01:15:30 - Modern Animism: Why your computer might have "feelings"

01:30:45 - The "Feminization" of Spirituality & The Deification of Nature

01:45:20 - Why Panpsychism is "Ad Hoc" (The Theistic Critique)

02:00:10 - Final Verdict: Soul vs. Cosmic Eddy

Key Resources Mentioned

Galileo's Error by Philip Goff

Mind and Cosmos by Thomas Nagel

Knowledge and the Case for Dualism by Richard Fumerton

The Argument from Consciousness by J.P. Moreland

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Panpsychism #PhilosophyOfMind #Theology #Apologetics #Consciousness #HardProblem #NewPaganism #ChristianPhilosophy #Metaphysics

EP 13 | From the Bible to Gaia: The Secret Pagan Roots of Modern Green Policy

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:18:01 +0000

Is environmentalism the new global religion? In this deep-dive discussion, we explore the shocking shift from traditional Christian stewardship to a "Dark Green" neo-paganism that is quietly reshaping our churches, our laws, and our view of what it means to be human.

From the "Pachamama" rituals in the Vatican to the deification of "Mother Earth" in global policy like Agenda 21, we dismantle the Lynn White thesis and reveal why the "Population Crater" is the crisis no one is talking about. If you’ve noticed your church or culture shifting toward nature worship over the Creator, this episode explains exactly why—and how to respond.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 – The Population Bomb vs. The Population Crater

12:45 – 3 Christian Doctrines Under Attack by "Deep Ecology"

28:30 – The Infiltration: How Earth Worship Entered the Liturgy

45:10 – Agenda 21 & The Rio Summit: Environmentalism as Policy

1:02:15 – Pachamama & The Vatican: A Crisis of Identity

1:18:40 – Transhumanism vs. Post-Humanism: The Future of Man

1:35:10 – The Return of the Goddess: Feminism & Neo-Paganism

1:50:20 – Why Pastors Are Silent (And Why That’s Dangerous)

2:01:00 – Challenging the Assumptions: A Gospel Response

SUMMARY:

In this episode, we connect the dots between historical theology, modern environmental science, and globalist policy. We discuss how the "Gaia Hypothesis" has moved from a scientific metaphor to a spiritual reality for millions, and why the rejection of the Imago Dei (Image of God) leads directly to anti-natalism and the devaluation of human life.

We also take a hard look at the "German Catholic" model where altars are replaced with soil, and explore why a return to a "Supernatural Worldview" is the only way to safeguard the Truth in a re-paganized West.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Population Bomb by Paul Ehrlich

The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser

Hitler’s Monsters by Eric Kurlander

The 1992 Rio Earth Summit (Agenda 21)

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Environmentalism #Paganism #Christianity #Theology #Agenda21 #GaiaHypothesis #ChurchHistory #Worldview #Apologetics #SpiritualWarfare #Posthumanism

EP 12 | The New Paganism: A Deep Dive into the West’s Emerging Spiritual Identity

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:22:07 +0000

Is the West Returning to Paganism?

In this deep-dive episode, I sit with Carl Teichrib and Anthony Costello to peel back the layers of the modern Neo-Pagan revival. Far from being just "Halloween costumes" or "Burning Man nostalgia," we argue that we are witnessing a massive ontological shift in the Western soul—moving from the Christian Creator-creature distinction to a "One-ist" metaphysical monism.

From the history of Gardnerian Wicca and the rise of the Gaia Hypothesis to the political activism of Black Lives Matter and the LA School District, this conversation explores how the "Goddess" is replacing the "Father" in our cultural and spiritual structures.

In This Episode, We Explore:

The Metaphysics of Monism: Why "Matter is Mother" is the foundation of every pagan worldview.

The "White Magic" Trap: Why therapeutic, "benevolent" magic can be more deceptive than dark magic.

Environmentalism as Religion: How the 1970 Earth Day charge forced the Church to defend its Theology of Creation.

Ritual vs. Prayer: The chilling difference between "bending the universe to your will" and "Thy will be done."

Paganism Goes Mainstream: How publishing houses and pop culture targeted a new generation of practitioners.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: The Rise of the "Meta-Divine"

12:45 – Gerald Gardner and the Invention of Modern Wicca

25:30 – Is Modern Paganism just "Cosplay" or a Real Faith?

38:15 – The Political Turn: Activism, BLM, and Education

52:10 – Magic Defined: Crowley’s Will vs. Christian Petition

01:15:00 – The Environmental Challenge: Defending a Theology of Creation

01:35:40 – Why the "Goddess" is the Future of Secularism

Resources Mentioned:

Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich – Eric Kurlander - https://a.co/d/0fDU7xvg

Drawing Down the Moon – Margot Adler - https://a.co/d/06zyKQnJ

Nazi Oaks – Mark Musser - https://a.co/d/0hd7xE1g

Join the Conversation

Do you think the rise of nature-based spirituality is a reaction to a "sterile" modern world, or is it a return to ancient spiritual dangers? Let us know in the comments below! Don't forget to: Subscribe for more deep-dives into theology and culture. Hit the Bell to never miss an episode. Like this video to help the algorithm reach more people!

Take the Next Step in Your Education

#Christianity #Paganism #Theology #Wicca #Metaphysics #Worldview #CultureWar #SpiritualWarfare #Apologetics

EP 11 | The Death of Secularism and the Rise of Modern Paganism

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:30:50 +0000

We will be watching a new multi-part podcast series that examines a major cultural and spiritual shift in the West. Rather than moving toward disbelief, contemporary culture is experiencing a renewed interest in spirituality—particularly forms resembling paganism, New Age beliefs, occult practices, altered states of consciousness, and alternative cosmologies. This shift challenges the long-standing assumption that Christianity’s primary intellectual opponent is atheistic materialism or secular skepticism.

Drawing on insights from theology, philosophy, historical analysis, and on-the-ground research, it is argued that the West is entering a “re-enchanted” spiritual landscape—a crowded marketplace of beliefs rather than a secular void.

This podcast aims to help the church recognize and seriously engage this new environment by rethinking apologetics and theological priorities. Instead of responding mainly to unbelief, Christian engagement must now address alternative spiritual worldviews that are actively shaping culture, politics, psychology, technology, and discussions of consciousness and artificial intelligence.

Overall, the aim is to diagnose the current moment with clarity and realism, encouraging thoughtful, informed, and constructive engagement rather than fear or reactionary responses, and equipping Christians to understand and respond to the spiritual questions now emerging in contemporary culture.

#SpiritualShift #CulturalRenewal #PaganCulture #CulturalShift

EP10 | Am I My Body? A Robust Response to Gregg Allison

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:21:52 +0000

Today, we're joined by Lauren Ponder, a professional Death Doula, to pull back the curtain on the "Death Positive" movement, Swedish Death Cleaning, and how to reclaim your dignity at the end of life.

In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, we explore why our culture is so "death-avoidant" and how we can transform the end-of-life process from a moment of fear into a spiritual and transcendent experience. Whether you're curious about "Death Cafes" or want to know how to start your own "Death Cleaning" legacy project, this conversation is for anyone who wants to live—and die—with intention.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: The role of a Death Doula

05:30 - The Big Secret: Is death a revelation?

12:15 - Reclaiming the “Art of Dying Well”

18:40 - The Death Positive Movement explained

25:10 - Why we equate "spending money" with "loving the dead"

32:00 - Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning) & Legacy Projects

40:15 - What is a Death Cafe? (And why you should join one)

48:50 - Personal reflections: Dying with Dignity

Connect with Lauren Ponder: https://withlove.events

Books Mentioned:

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Bodies in Motion and at Rest by Thomas Lynch

What does "dying with dignity" mean to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

#DeathPositive #DeathDoula #SwedishDeath Cleaning #EndofLife #LegacyPlanning #TheologyPodcast

EP09 | Why the "Death Positive" Movement is Growing and What is a Death Doula?

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 18:12:03 +0000

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction: The role of a Death Doula

05:30 - The Big Secret: Is death a revelation?

12:15 - Reclaiming the “Art of Dying Well”

18:40 - The Death Positive Movement explained

25:10 - Why we equate "spending money" with "loving the dead"

32:00 - Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning) & Legacy Projects

40:15 - What is a Death Cafe? (And why you should join one)

48:50 - Personal reflections: Dying with Dignity

Connect with Lauren Ponder: https://withlove.events

Books Mentioned:

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson

Bodies in Motion and at Rest by Thomas Lynch

What does "dying with dignity" mean to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

#DeathPositive #DeathDoula #SwedishDeath Cleaning #EndofLife #LegacyPlanning #TheologyPodcast

EP 08 | How Philosophy Revealed God with Dr. Stephen Priest

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 22:05:51 +0000

Is God just an abstract idea, or is He the literal "Now" that holds your reality together?

In this deep-dive finale, philosopher Dr. Stephen Priest explains how "fundamental ontology," the study of pure being, leads logically from atheism to the Trinitarian God. We move beyond abstract theory into the "Eternal Now," exploring why the present moment is the closest we get to the Divine.

Plus, Dr. Priest shares a powerful, practical Christian breathing meditation to replace anxiety with divine presence ("God in, Devil out"). If you are interested in the intersection of consciousness, existentialism, and deep theology, this episode is the masterclass you’ve been waiting for.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Why "Being" and "Presence" point directly to the Trinity.

How Heidegger’s Being and Time misunderstands the "Now."

Why God is not an optional "add-on" to the universe, but its foundation.

Practical Application: A breathing technique for Christian mindfulness.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Does the argument for God entail the Trinity?

01:17 – Heidegger, Time, and the "Eternal Now"

02:40 – Why the Trinity is the "Fundamental Ontology"

04:20 – Stephen’s Journey: From Atheism to Pure Being

06:40 – The Philosophical Debate: Is "Existence" a real property?

09:05 – Does a physical object (like a desk) have "Presence"?

11:30 – How to live in the "Now" (Practical Theology)

13:00 – Eastern Meditation vs. Christian Contemplation

17:00 – The "God In, Devil Out" Breathing Technique

21:10 – Why Atheism is a "Lack of Understanding" of Being

23:55 – The Immanence of God: Closer than you think

25:00 – Conclusion: Why Metaphysics is plausible again

RESOURCES & LINKS

Listen to Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfXgo8h5QaE

Dr. Stephen Priest’s Work: https://stephenpriest99.wixsite.com/website

Please consider supporting Soul Science Ministries: https://donorbox.org/soul-science-ministries

#Philosophy #Theology #Consciousness #Christianity #StephenPriest #Existentialism #Trinity #Apologetics #Meditation #Metaphysics

EP 07 | Grief is NOT a Problem to Solve: Mourning, Memory, and the Soul w/ Philosopher Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:10:07 +0000

In modern culture, we treat loss like a problem to be solved, something we're told to hurry through so we can "move on." But what if this mindset, which I trace back to the Enlightenment's focus on individual happiness, is actually making our society impoverished?

I sat down with the brilliant philosopher Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode (University of Oxford) to challenge the prevailing Freudian and secular views on grief. Mikolaj argues that mourning is a virtue we need to recover, and a portal not just into memory, but into transcendence.

This is a must-watch conversation for anyone seeking deeper meaning, struggling with loss, or questioning the self-help culture's quick-fix approach to suffering.

What We Covered:

0:01:14 Is Mourning a Problem to Solve or a Virtue?

0:05:34 The Relevance of Philosophy (And Why I'm Interested in It!)

0:21:39 Why Freud Got Grief Fundamentally Wrong

0:38:10 The Enlightenment Shift: Why Individual Happiness Is an Insufficient Goal

0:42:25 The Danger of "Toxic Relationship" Talk: How Utilitarianism Ruins Love

0:55:48 Mourning as a Moral Practice: Rituals that Keep the Dead Present

01:01:15 Kierkegaard's Test of Love: Expressing True Love After Loss

01:23:25 The Two Extremes of Death: The Macabre vs. The Overly Joyful

01:26:45 Why God Wants Our Outrage: The Appropriate Response to Loss

01:34:20 Grief, Transcendence, and Spiritual Perception

Mikolaj's Insight That Hit Me Hardest:

"Your mourning is not about you, it's about the person you've lost."

Connect with Us:

Mikolaj Slawkowski-Rode: https://www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-mikolaj-slawkowski-rode/

Check out his excellent edited book: The Meaning of Mourning: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Mourning-Perspectives-Death-Grief/dp/1666908924

Subscribe & Follow:

Don't forget to subscribe to It's a Theological World, After All! We're here to dive deep into culture, God, and the soul, and I appreciate you joining the conversation.

#grief #mourning #philosophy #death #loss #theology #meaningoflife #griefsupport #Blackfriars #MacauleySchakowsky

EP 06 | The Psychopath God? Rethinking Perfection, Time, and Emotion in Modern Theology w/ Dr. R.T. Mullins

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 23:41:29 +0000

I sat down with theologian Dr. R.T. Mullins (The Reluctant Theologian, author of Eternal in Love: A Little Book About a Big God) for a radical discussion that challenged centuries of tradition. We broke down why the idea of a timeless, unmoving God is not only logically incoherent but also deeply damaging to our spiritual health and personal relationships.

If you suspect your theology is causing anxiety, I think it's time for an upgrade. Dr. Mullins argues for a temporal, fully emotional, and personal God who is actively responsive to your life and genuinely cares about your flourishing, a God we can actually have a friendship with.

What We Discussed:

Why the traditional view of a Timeless God is logically and scripturally flawed.

How God's perfection requires Him to be changing and responsive.

The connection between Divine Impassibility and the emotional profile of a psychopath—a bold claim we had to explore.

How your current Theology of Time might be fueling your anxiety and exhaustion.

The true meaning of God's Patience in an age of speed.

Why the trend toward AI Girlfriends and Religious Bots reveals a deep, unmet human need for a personal God.

Timestamps:

| Time | Topic |

| 00:00 | Intro: The Problem of Acceleration and Time

| 03:20 | Dr. Mullen's New Book: Eternal in Love

|08:17| Temporal God vs. Timeless God Defined

|11:07| The Link Between Divine Temporality and Patience

|17:50| The Myth of Immutability: Does Perfection Require God to be Unchanging?

|23:30| The Incoherence of the "Analogous Time" Argument

|26:43| The Problem with Divine Accommodation (Why Impassibility is Deceptive)

|36:57| Divine Emotion: Why Sarcasm Can "Wake Up" Exhausted Minds

|40:42| Defining Emotion: Why Love, Anger, and Compassion are Moral Virtues in God

|45:18| The "Psychopath God" Critique of Classical Theism

|55:00| The Problem of Evil: Does God Care About You?

|01:02:28| AI, Depersonalization, and the Need for a Personal Creator

|01:11:14| Knowing About God vs. Being Known By God

|01:18:27| I Think Te Teed to Empathize with God Too!

|01:21:08 | Practical Takeaways: How a Temporal God Changes Your Prayer Life

|01:22:42| It's Okay to Go Slow: Finding Rest in an Eternal God

Follow Dr. R.T. Mullen's / The Reluctant Theologian:

Book: Eternal in Love: A Little Book About a Big God (https://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Love-Little-Studies-Doctrine/dp/1666730971)

Podcast: "The Reluctant Theologian" (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reluctant-theologian-podcast/id1455521623)

Website/Social: (https://www.rtmullins.com/)

Join the Conversation!

What is your immediate reaction to the idea of an emotional, temporal God? Drop a comment below and let me know!

Subscribe for more challenging theology: https://www.youtube.com/@soulsciencemin

Share this with a friend who, like me, needs to slow down!

#Theology #GodandTime #DivineEmotion #Christianity #PhilosophyofReligion #AgeofAcceleration #Anxiety #SpiritualLife #TheReluctantTheologian #EternalinLove

EP 05 | Is Consciousness Proof of God? A Philosophical Exploration Beyond Materialism

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:59:39 +0000

What if the deepest questions about consciousness aren’t scientific puzzles… but theological ones?

In this conversation, we journey through the great frontier where philosophy, consciousness studies, and theology meet. From the mystery of the “I”, to the nature of time and the eternal present, to the limits of materialism and modern philosophy’s struggle to explain subjective experience. This episode explores whether the very structure of consciousness points beyond the physical world to Being itself.

Drawing on thinkers like Husserl, Sartre, Heidegger, and Parmenides, and contrasting them with Christian existential voices, we examine why the modern attempt to avoid metaphysics and theology ultimately collapses. We press into the surprising claim that:

Philosophical questions have theological answers.

You’ll hear insights on:

• Consciousness as presence, not a product of the brain

• Why solipsism appears in mystical experience (and why it’s false)

• The “unchanging now” and the timelessness of God

• Why modern philosophy can describe consciousness but not explain it

• The failure of pure phenomenology without metaphysics

• How quantum discussions intersect with metaphysics and the soul

This isn’t merely theory, it’s a framework for understanding why your experience of awareness, agency, and personhood defies reduction to neurons and physics.

And it’s an invitation to consider that the mind’s deepest intuitions… may be echoes of its Source.

EP 04 | Demons, Culture, and Scholarship: Reclaiming Christian Influence Today

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 04:07:24 +0000

Public Theology in a Noisy Age: Fighting Ideas with Truth & Grace

What it means to be a Christian in today’s chaotic culture and how we can be better representatives of Christ?

Don’t let shallow content, demonic influence, social media noise, and declining Christian scholarship numb you into spiritual apathy.

Key Topics We Cover:

How demonic influence shows up in culture, politics, and religion

Why we desperately need public theologians who can speak truth with clarity

The rise of influencers, gurus, and culture warriors—how Christians should respond

The danger of low-content “brain rot” media and its impact on the next generation

The crisis in Christian education and the decline of evangelical institutions

The role of podcasts in shaping thoughtful believers today

How churches can raise thinkers, not just attendees

What the next generation of Christian scholars, apologists, and pastors must do

The one piece of advice for future leaders: Do not revise the Bible

This episode is packed with insight on theology, culture, education, and spiritual warfare—not with sensationalism, but with conviction and grace.

If you care about:

Engaging culture without compromise

Training the next generation of Christian thinkers

Countering shallow media with substance

Reclaiming influence in the public square

…this conversation is essential.

Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway or question from this episode!

Subscribe for more thoughtful conversations on theology, philosophy, apologetics, and culture.

EP 03 | Philosophy Can’t Escape God: Stephen Priest Explains Why

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:16:09 +0000

What if the biggest questions of life, who am I? Why am I here? What is consciousness? Why is it always now? Can’t be solved by science or philosophy alone? What if they require theological answers?

In this conversation with Stephen Priest (Oxford and Cambridge philosopher), we explore why every deep philosophical question—from personal identity to the mystery of time, from being itself to the foundations of consciousness—ultimately points beyond materialism toward God, the soul, and freedom of the will.

Across this episode, you’ll discover:

Why science depends on philosophy, and philosophy on theology

How the soul makes sense of personal identity and consciousness

Why time is always “now”, and what that reveals about God’s presence

How being itself points to pure being: God

The limits of materialism and why consciousness can’t be explained away

How the Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) illuminates being, presence, and consciousness

Why modern philosophy after Kant has often failed to face the deepest questions

How AI and modern technology may force us back to life’s ultimate realities

Philosophy raises the most profound questions, but only theology offers answers deep enough to meet them.

EP02 | The Power of Imagination in Faith: Theology Beyond Naturalism

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 20:47:34 +0000

Can imagination lead us closer to God? Can beauty, art, and even pain reveal something deeper than naturalism allows?

In this conversation with Charles Taliaferro, we explore the role of forgiveness, theological imagination, beauty, suffering, and art in pointing us toward transcendence. From the challenges of teaching about evil and forgiveness, to the limits of naturalism, to the ways literature, film, and music stir the soul, this episode shows why theology is not a dusty textbook but a living encounter with truth.

💡 Topics we cover:

Why forgiveness is both beautiful and painful

How imagination shapes faith and Scripture reading

The tension between naturalism and theism in philosophy

Iris Murdoch, consciousness, and the transcendent

The power of beauty and art (Rembrandt, Casablanca, The Beatles, Four Quartets)

Why the Gospel should always surprise us

If you’re interested in how philosophy, theology, and imagination come together to answer life’s hardest questions, this episode is for you.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this conversation sparks new thoughts for you.

Let us know in the comments: Which role do you think imagination plays in faith?

EP01 | The Decline of Theology in the Church and Culture with Roger Olson

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:45:04 +0000

Is theology disappearing from the church and public life? In this conversation with Roger Olson, we explore the decline of theology in evangelical culture, the rise of anti-intellectualism, and how “feelings over doctrine” has reshaped faith communities. From the 1966 Time cover declaring “God is Dead,” to seminaries closing their doors, to personal stories of rejection for being “too theological,” Olson traces how we entered a post-theological era—and why he still can’t stop doing theology.