Soul Stirrings

Soul Stirrings

By Paul Patton, Ph.D. & Christianity & Communication Studies Network (CCSN)Religion & Spirituality
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Soul Stirrings episodes

  • Ep. 4: God Talk- Confronting God Talk
    In this fourth installment focused on God Talk: The Manipulative Use of Spiritual Language, Paul and Brandon begin to discuss some possible remedies. Specifically, they note the importance of confronting with questions. By doing so, a means of accountability is engaged that will challenge individuals to be more self reflexive about the experience of “hearing the Lord."
    13 min
  • Ep. 3: God Talk- Power Trends
    In this third session focused on God Talk:The Manipulative Use of Spiritual Language, Brandon and Paul share about another price tag, or negative effects. Specifically, they discuss the abuse of power that often results from God Talk and wisdom and patience are needed to discern such scenarios.
    14 min
  • Ep. 2: God Talk- The Price Tag of God Talk
    In this podcast, the second of a new series discussing God Talk and the manipulative uses of spiritual language, Paul and Brandon discuss some of the effects, or “price tags," of this discourse. For example, how does God Talk affect critical analysis and discussion within personal relationships and Christian communities? They suggest that, whether intentional or unintentional, God Talk short circuits critical thinking and, by doing so, can harm relationships and communities.
    14 min
  • God Talk: The Manipulative Uses of Spiritual Language; Ep. 1 What is God Talk?
    In this new series of Soul Stirrings, Paul is joined by a co-host, Brandon Knight of William Carey University, to discuss God Talk and the manipulative uses of spiritual language. Many Americans can easily recount some of the historic atrocities committed by Christians in the “name of God." But God Talk is also used in less atrocious, yet still manipulative, ways in everyday communication with family and friends, clients and co-workers. After some basic definitions are offered, several examples of God Talk will be analyzed in hopes of discovering solutions that seek to honor the name of God as well as the agency of our neighbors.
    10 min
  • Ep. 35: Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control, Part 3
    In this final podcast on the “Fruit of the Spirit,” Paul contends that self-control, the ninth “fruit of the Spirit,” is a primary instrument of hope. He offers that hope is the purpose behind persistence toward a “promised land.” Self-control helps to keep us on track in our journey, despite the distractions, discouragement and dismissals that inevitably cross our path.
    6 min
  • Ep. 34: Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control, Part 2
    In this 5-minute podcast, Paul takes a second look at the ninth and final “Fruit of the Spirit,” self-control, suggesting the biblical emphasis is on controlling the narcissistic impulses toward selfish ambition. He also takes a peek at Saint James’ emphasis that self-control is predominantly about controlling the words that come out of our mouths when angry or frustrated.
    5 min
  • Ep. 33: Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control, Part 1
    In this podcast, Paul unfolds his metaphor, “push button magic” to attempt to explain the intensifying mass mediated settings that bring the virtue of self-control—the ninth “Fruit of the Spirit”-- to the center of our life’s stage as well as the culminating responsibility in our life’s garden.
    7 min
  • Ep. 31: Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness, Pt. 2
    In this podcast, the second of three brief peeks at the nature of the 8th “Fruit of the Spirit,” gentleness, Paul discusses perhaps the most well-known reference to “gentleness” in the Bible, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). What is the nature of this “gentle answer?” Paul suggests that it’s more than just a soft tone of voice.
    6 min
  • Ep. 30: Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness, Pt. 1
    In this podcast, Paul reminds listeners that the eighth “fruit of the Spirit,” gentleness, listed in Galatians 5:22-23 is a way of seeing each person as made in the image of God, of seeing each person in need of God’s mercy and grace. Gentleness is a means whereby each soul’s deepest yearning can be seen and heard.
    5 min

About Soul Stirrings

From the publisher's feed

“Soul Stirrings” is Dr. Paul Patton’s 5-7 minute attempt to provide clarifying, maybe even inspiring, nuggets of insight about faith, communication, and culture along the journey of our existence. Paul is Professor Emeritus of Communication and Media at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, a former pastor, theater practitioner, author, and playwright. This podcast, certainly assuming Judeo-Christian presuppositions, draws steadily from the biblical witness. The concept of “soul stirring” is readily tied to Jewish rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s insight that moments of inspiration come and go, yet “having been inspired never passes” (Heschel, Man Is Not Alone, Harper and Row, 1966, p. 78). In other words, if one can retrieve the inspiring insight from literature, from performance art, or even the memorable quip of a friend as circumstances invite clarity and depth, one has an oasis of the mind whenever it is needed. A “soul stirring” is a truth, an insight, an observation that stirs the soul to reconsider its assumptions and reflect on its current course.