Like Trees Walking

By David Berge & Michael J Nelson

Comedy Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's Like Trees Walking about?

David Berge and Michael J Nelson take on the big questions of philosophy, theology, and culture in the 21st century from a Christian perspective with a touch (well maybe more than a touch) of humor. We talk about serious topics without taking ourselves seriously.

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Like Trees Walking episodes:

07.31.2023
Episode 612 — TYTK
Tim Keller founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC in 1989. Over the course of his quarter century as its pastor the church and Keller - unapologetically classical in its theology - rose to a place of influence in the midst...
06.23.2023
Episode 611 — Rushmore
Augustine? Anselm? Aquinas? Aquaman? Who is the GOAT? Who is in the top five theologians of all-time according to this highly objective and scientific ranking process? Also, the real story behind the lost live podcast is finally told.
06.02.2023
Episode 610 — Hair I See
As the early church wrestled with questions regarding the relationship of God and Jesus and the subsequent implications for the relationship between God and humanity some answers were deemed heretical. We discuss the differences between heresy and orthodoxy. Plus, the...
05.21.2023
Episode 609 — Bad Polls
The polls are in and things are not looking up for Christianity in America. Why? Is this good? Bad? Where are we? Dave offers his theories and then Mike quizzes Dave on real or fanfic related to the Screwtape Letters.
04.21.2022
Episode 608 — Fine Tune(d/s)
Ok, stuff sure looks like it was designed, but is it really? Richard Dawkins or Sir William Paley? Goldilocks universe or a simulation? Who knows? We do! Plus we share some of our favorite "tunes" that are just so fine.
02.07.2022
Episode 607 — Duff-Man
The year was 2008 (or 2009?) Pastor Dave turned in a paper defending the compatibility of Christianity with the death penalty in certain limited circumstances contra his professor the esteemed Christian ethicist Nancy Duff. Dave explains why he was right...
01.12.2022
Episode 606 — Big Data vs. Big Daddy
Who knows Mike better: Amazon or his step-mother? The answer isn't so simple and how does the vast amount of information we produce compare to the kind of knowledge that God has of us? And finally, what can a chat...
12.23.2021
Episode 605 — Ummmmmm
Beloved astrophysicist and Twitter gadfly Neil Degrasse Tyson said that "the good thing about science is that it is true whether you believe it or not." This didn't sit well with America's sassiest meat product who clapped back "log off...
12.01.2021
Episode 604 — A Podcast About A Podcast (With Podcast Recommendations)
"Who Killed Mars Hill?" — is the provocative title of Christianity Today's hugely successful podcast entitled The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. Spoiler alert, we all did! Seriously, CT's audio autopsy of one Seattle megachurch brings together so much...
10.28.2021
Episode 603 — 'Cause You Got Personality
Are you a 3? No, no, you seem like more of a 5! If that statement makes any sense to you then you know something about the Enneagram of Personality. Pastor Dave and Mike talk about personality profiles and psychometrics,...
10.14.2021
Episode 602 — I Didn't Make the Rules, So Why Should I Have to Play By Them?
We didn't choose to be born, nor from the Christian perspective did we choose to be born in sin. Yet, we are told that we need a Savior to deliver us and to place our trust in him. How is...
09.10.2021
Episode 601 — Karen is Creepy
When does a joke about a certain "type" of person become a blanket cover for a certain kind of misogyny? Should that bother us? Should Dave eat whatever it is Mike is going to feed him? Find out on this...
08.12.2021
Episode 524 — Bo, Burn Him
Do you love clapter and 2010-era edgelord New Atheistic comedy? Then have we got the song for you! Also. hear which of Rolling Stone's Top 20 All-Time stand-up comics are beloved by our own former stand up comic.
08.01.2021
Episode 523 — See, Religion Thoughtfully (C.R.T.)
A certain strand of antiracism is like a religion. Religion is bad. Therefore this strain of antiracism is bad. Such a simple and silly syllogism cannot pass as thoughtful analysis in our contemporary situation. Also, the most recent Star Wars...
07.07.2021
Episode 522 — Bleeding Out
Pastor Dave serves in Minneapolis which has become ground zero for the social forces convulsing America from questions of systemic racism, policing, defunding, and now urban violence. Given the massive increase in shootings and murder in Minneapolis (and across the...
05.11.2021
Episode 521 — Follow the SCIENCE!
After more than a year of our lives being upended by a global pandemic we've gotten used to a certain type of figure saying that they're just going to follow the science. While this is better than sticking one's head...
04.27.2021
Episode 520 — What Would Jesus Loot?
Following George Floyd's murder millions of people took to the streets to protest this injustice. Additionally there were those who used this as a pretext for rioting, stealing, and violent mayhem. When this behavior was decried, some pointing to Jesus...
03.18.2021
Episode 519 — Cat Math
The guys discuss the limits of human knowledge and what exactly an "edgelord" is.
03.04.2021
Episode 518 — Godwin's Lawyers
Godwin's Law states: "as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1." Can we learn anything to expand our repertoire beyond these tired analogies. Read this article from Slate in 2011: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2011/10/hank-williams-jr-firing-who-was-the-rhetorical-worst-person-in-history-before-hitler.html
02.10.2021
Episode 517 — Getting Along
"We are more divided than ever" goes the cliche, which like most cliches has some truth to it. When our houses, friendships, families and bowling leagues are divided how can be build bridges and be in relationship? Also, we need...
01.26.2021
Episode 516 — The Youth of a Thousand Summers
2020-21 have stunk. Paul encourages Christians to think about good things. These are some of the things Mike and Dave are thinking about. Mike makes Dave eat seaweed paper.
01.05.2021
Episode 515 — Just Asking Questions
Lizard people, jet fuel melting steel beams, crisis actors, JFK blown away what else do we have to say? Quite a bit actually.
12.18.2020
Episode 514 — I'm Not A Regular Pastor, I'm A Cool Pastor
Pastor Dave read Ruth Graham's NYT piece following the end of Carl Lentz's tenure at Hillsong NYC and thought "there but for the grace of God go I." The guys talk about entitlement, alienation, and accountability in the church.
11.04.2020
Episode 513 — Antisocial
Michael J Nelson isn't on social media at all. Pastor Dave uses his like an addict. Which is healthier? You decide!
10.19.2020
Episode 512 — Whither the Horsemen?
The year was 2006, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins were topping the bestseller lists denouncing religion. Pastafarianism was the fastest growing religion on Facebook. Fast forward almost 15 years and New Atheism is old. Where did it go? Who won?...
08.12.2020
Episode 511 — Refund the Police
Before getting his PhD from Harvard, Peter Moskos served as a cop in the Eastern District of Baltimore. Moskos has written extensively on issues related to policing, crime, prisons, and reform. You can find his work at copinthehood.com and buy...
06.18.2020
Episode 510 — Arnade by Nature
Chris Arnade was a quant on Wall Street before growing disillusioned with his "front row" life and started visited neighborhoods where people told him not to go. What he found there changed his way of understanding the world, including the...
06.09.2020
Episode 509 — I Can('t) Breathe
We wanted to record an episode about this, but felt like this captured all that we could say at this particular moment that was worth saying.
05.27.2020
Episode 508 — What's It Like To Have...The Thing??
You can find Jason and his work at reclaimedleader.com
04.27.2020
Episode 507 — Sheltering in Literally One Place
When Amy went into pre-term labor with her first child her doctor prescribed bed rest for 6 weeks. For those long weeks Amy had to stay in bed more than 23 hours a day. How did she survive? What helped?...
04.10.2020
Episode 506 — Imagine That
With the world cowering before COVID-19 Gal Gadot thought, "what can I do to help?" The answer she came up with to have a bunch of celebrities sing John Lennon's Imagine. Imagine has an undeserved place in the musical cannon...
03.25.2020
Episode 505 — Canoeing The Mountains
Tod Bolsinger is an expert on leadership and adaptive change in the church. In 2015 he published a book called Canoeing The Mountains that used the Lewis and Clark expedition as a metaphor for the changing realities of church leadership...
03.17.2020
Episode 504 — Love in the Time of COVID-19
The guys have a wide ranging discussion about the spread of COVID-19, social distancing, how Asian countries have responded, the church's responsibility in the midst of crises, the problem of evil, human agency, and the culpability of the CCP. Read some...
02.27.2020
Episode 503 — Did You Ever Know That You're My Hero?
Who is your hero? Do you have one? What makes a hero? The boys stop and mull this over before sharing the name and story of one of their own heroes, neither of which wears or wore a cape.
02.12.2020
Episode 502 — Unforgivable
Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger murdered Botham Jean in his apartment in a terrible tragedy. At her sentencing Jean's brother offered forgiveness and the moment went viral which prompted a backlash against this act. Was it right for him...
01.21.2020
Episode 501 — Mind the Gaps
Is there literally no reason to believe in God? Is it all just a "God of the gaps" scenario and basically an appeal to ignorance and a constant losing rearguard action. You can imagine Mike and Dave don't think so....
01.09.2020
Episode 424 — Michael J Nelson Sees A Star War
Mike did not like the movie. Dave kinda did, but also can't keep the plot straight.
01.06.2020
Episode 424 —Michael J Nelson Sees A Star War (in Cosplay)!
Mike doesn't like Star Wars. Dave does. Did they like this movie? Ehhhhh.
12.17.2019
Episode 423 — Never Coming Back
You can donate money to the Ace in the City Center of Belonging here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/281293802790920/987495071649295/ or here: https://www.aceinthecity.org/center-of-belonging/#donate-cob The article on Millennials leaving the church can be found here: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/millennials-are-leaving-religion-and-not-coming-back/ Data on religious switching can be found here: https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/chapter-2-religious-switching-and-intermarriage/ On Young Adults leaving...
11.27.2019
Episode 422 — Would you Baptize Baby Yoda?
We're looking to raise $1000 toward Ace in the City's Center of Belonging which will collaboratively cultivate a physical space that addresses the foundational life supports and services crucial toward healthy living, including:Full-Choice Food Shelf, Food for Life Classes, Youth...
11.18.2019
Episode 420 — Good, Good Father
10.21.2019
Episode 419 — The Kids Are Alright?
Is it ethical to have children in the midst of the climate crisis? How can we bring kids into a world on fire? These are increasingly common questions and Dave and Mike reflect on a Christian attitude toward children. They...
09.25.2019
Episode 418 — LTW & 372 Pages Live! Mingling with Christians
For those following along at home here's the timing on the movie clips (free to stream on Netflix): Clip #1: IN 24:58//OUT 25:09 Clip #2: IN 25:59// OUT 26:45 Clip #3: IN 32:44//OUT 34:43 Clip #4 IN 38:05//OUT 39:21 Clip #5: IN 58:25//OUT 59:53 Clip #6...
08.28.2019
Episode 417 — Tonight on a Very Special LTW...
See 372 Pages & LTW live, September 18 at Sisyphus Brewing in Minneapolis. Click this link for tickets: https://dojour.us/e/12174-372-pages-well-never-get-back-like-trees-walking-live?fbclid=IwAR1RMy7qYDFqDHdZXbIwH8TyvZERwANuYrNs36kYuzpfOiAGYHwNlfq0jl0
08.14.2019
Episode 416 — Build that Wall...Around Heaven?
The Book of Revelation talks about the walls that will surround the New Jerusalem. Does that mean the US should build a gigantic wall at our southern border? This raises questions about how we bring Scripture to bear in shaping...
07.09.2019
Episode 415 — Do Aliens Need Jesus Too?
Mike has mused for a long time on what it would mean for the Christian faith if there were aliens. Dave hasn't and is more of a ghost guy than an alien guy. Dave shares his own encounter with a...
06.26.2019
Episode 414 — There's No Such Thing As Religion
Dave and Mike tackle the difficulty of defining religion and differentiating it from other things. Dave also shares a story of acting out a scene from Deuce Bigalow with one of the actors involved.
06.10.2019
Episode 413 — It's *NOT* a Wonderful Life
David Benatar agrees with George Bailey as he stood on the bridge saying "I wish I had never been born." Benatar does George one-better and wishes that no sentient life had ever existed because existence is beyond terrible. You can...
05.28.2019
Episode 412 — Follow the Money
Candidate X (*cough* Mayor Pete) is very articulate in talking about the importance of his religious faith for their political vision for the country. Should you believe that person? Look at their tax returns! (Unless they're the President and won't...
05.16.2019
Episode 411 — Incoherent?
You can read the NYT's article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/opinion/-philosophy-god-omniscience.html

What's Like Trees Walking about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Like Trees Walking episodes:

Episode 612 — TYTK

Episode 611 — Rushmore

Episode 610 — Hair I See

Episode 609 — Bad Polls

Episode 608 — Fine Tune(d/s)

Episode 607 — Duff-Man

Episode 606 — Big Data vs. Big Daddy

Episode 605 — Ummmmmm

Episode 604 — A Podcast About A Podcast (With Podcast Recommendations)

Episode 603 — 'Cause You Got Personality

Episode 602 — I Didn't Make the Rules, So Why Should I Have to Play By Them?

Episode 601 — Karen is Creepy

Episode 524 — Bo, Burn Him

Episode 523 — See, Religion Thoughtfully (C.R.T.)

Episode 522 — Bleeding Out

Episode 521 — Follow the SCIENCE!

Episode 520 — What Would Jesus Loot?

Episode 519 — Cat Math

Episode 518 — Godwin's Lawyers

Episode 517 — Getting Along

Episode 516 — The Youth of a Thousand Summers

Episode 515 — Just Asking Questions

Episode 514 — I'm Not A Regular Pastor, I'm A Cool Pastor

Episode 513 — Antisocial

Episode 512 — Whither the Horsemen?

Episode 511 — Refund the Police

Episode 510 — Arnade by Nature

Episode 509 — I Can('t) Breathe

Episode 508 — What's It Like To Have...The Thing??

Episode 507 — Sheltering in Literally One Place

Episode 506 — Imagine That

Episode 505 — Canoeing The Mountains

Episode 504 — Love in the Time of COVID-19

Episode 503 — Did You Ever Know That You're My Hero?

Episode 502 — Unforgivable

Episode 501 — Mind the Gaps

Episode 424 — Michael J Nelson Sees A Star War

Episode 424 —Michael J Nelson Sees A Star War (in Cosplay)!

Episode 423 — Never Coming Back

Episode 422 — Would you Baptize Baby Yoda?

Episode 420 — Good, Good Father

Episode 419 — The Kids Are Alright?

Episode 418 — LTW & 372 Pages Live! Mingling with Christians

Episode 417 — Tonight on a Very Special LTW...

Episode 416 — Build that Wall...Around Heaven?

Episode 415 — Do Aliens Need Jesus Too?

Episode 414 — There's No Such Thing As Religion

Episode 413 — It's *NOT* a Wonderful Life

Episode 412 — Follow the Money

Episode 411 — Incoherent?

Episode 413 — It's NOT a Wonderful Life