Philosophy of mind has become a hot topic in recent decades for one major reason: The mystery of consciousness seems to present insuperable challenges to a materialistic conception of reality. In this episode, we delve into this subject and consider its bearing on the question of what it means to be human. 

A steady diet of news often leads to a sense of pessimism and helplessness. Most of what happens around the world is completely outside of our control and reading about current events only amplifies this feeling. Is it okay to ignore some news items? Is it okay to say, “This has no practical relevance for my life”? Join us as we talk about ignoring the news in a culture that fetishizes being informed.

We’ve witnessed a dramatic spike in antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’s recent attack on Israel. Though certainly not a new development, the animus toward Jewish people, particularly on Northeastern university campuses, is growing more dramatic. In this episode, we discuss this growing antisemitism and consider some of its broader implications. 

Why do so many outside the church see Christianity as little more than a political party? And why is there such a temptation to conflate our spiritual convictions with our citizenship? It’s a perennial problem that intensifies during times of cultural crisis. Join as we explore the co-opting of Christianity.  

William Friedkin’s landmark horror film, The Exorcist, turns 50 this year. It happens to be Cameron’s favorite movie, so Nathan decided to grill him on the subject.

The practice of evangelism has come under scrutiny in recent years. Many young people now question the ethics of missionary work as well. On a more practical note, many of us also shudder at the thought of getting into an awkward conversation about faith with the people around us. And what about discipleship? Is it possible to separate evangelism from discipleship as we often seem to do? Join us as we dive into a reconsideration of evangelism in today’s world.

The addition of a postgraduate course on magic at Exeter University in England is raising eyebrows. To our minds, however, this fits well with the surging interest in exotic forms of spirituality. But could this also be an opportunity for earnest conversations on the nature of reality? We think so. Join us as we chat about the burgeoning interest in all things magic. 

The conflict between Israel and Palestine brings us face to face with the notion of collective guilt. How do we wrap our minds around individuals being held responsible for the actions of a larger group, or, in many cases, actions and events that preceded their own lifetimes? How do we hold people responsible for somebody else’s behavior? In this episode, we train a theological lens on these vexing questions.

What do a megachurch pastor and the Pope have in common? No, that’s not the start of a joke. Both of these figures offer a dramatic picture of the continued difficulty to be in, but not of, the modern world. Join us as we explore how issues of sexuality and human identity are continuing to eradicate the comfortable middle for the church.

On the morning of Saturday, October 7th, Hamas carried out a series of coordinated attacks against Israel, killing 700 and wounding over 2000. Over 150 people, including women, young children, and the elderly, have been taken hostage. In this episode, we talk about these terrible events and consider the nature of warfare in today’s world.