Matthew joins me again to discuss artificial intelligence, ancient constructs of aid, panpsychism, science and the humanities, and formation of religious texts.
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Tag: thinkingreligion
Thinking Religion 170: Why Science Class Never Felt Right 🪐
Here’s episode 2 (of 8) of Rooted in Mystery: A Season of Thinking Religion Rewilded…
A physics teacher’s confession and the call of a wilder truth.
For nearly two decades, I taught high school science — physics, environmental science, and life science — and believed I was helping students understand how the world works. But something never quite fit. In this episode, I open up about the quiet tension I carried in those classrooms: the gap between what I taught and what I knew in my bones — that the world is more than parts and particles. This story is about the limits of reductionism, the pull of mystery, and the day I stopped mistaking control for understanding. We’ll explore Alfred North Whitehead’s “Nature Alive,” embodied learning, and the freedom from letting the cosmos be alive again. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with modern science’s flat explanations or if you’ve longed for something wilder and more sacred, this episode is for you.
I’ve been asked if I would share this on Facebook or Instagram, but I don’t use either. However, if you’d like to share there, feel free.
Thinking Religion 169: The Theology of Trees
Here’s the new episode of the next season of my Thinking Religion podcast. This season is titled Rooted in Mystery: The Rewilding of Thinking Religion.
It’s a short episode, and this season will have a few longer episodes as I unpack some of the ideas I’ve been working on in the braids that combine theology, ecology, intentionality, faith, family, and life.
But let’s start with this one and this question… What would change if you believed the world was watching you with love?
Thinking Religion 168: Tribalism and Identity with Matthew Klippenstein
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Episode Summary
In this episode of “Thinking Religion,” Sam is joined by Matthew Klippenstein to discuss a wide range of topics, including cultural differences, the development of early Christianities, political dynamics in the USA and Canada, and the philosophical and historical context of monotheism.
Topics Discussed
- Cultural Differences and Regional Dialects:
- Sam and Matthew explore regional cultural differences within the United States, particularly focusing on dialects and food traditions.
- The significance of regional barbecue styles in South Carolina.
- Comparison to regional differences in Japan, such as variations in soy sauce.
- Early Christianities and Monotheism:
- Discussion on the origins and development of monotheism in ancient Israel and the influence of early Desert Fathers and Mothers.
- The role of Josiah’s reforms and the discovery of Deuteronomy in shaping Jewish religious practices.
- Influence of Platonic philosophy on early Christian thought and the transition from henotheism to monotheism.
- Political Dynamics in the USA and Canada:
- Current political climate in the USA, including the pressures within the Democratic Party for President Biden to step down (Politico).
- The complexities of the two-party system in the US and the potential for future changes.
- Comparison with Canadian politics and the challenges of maintaining political coalitions over long periods.
- Philosophical and Sociological Reflections:
- The concept of tribalism in modern politics and social media’s impact on political identities.
- Dunbar’s number and its implications for social networks and community sizes.
- Reflections on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.
Relevant Links
- Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
- The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
- History of Monotheism in Ancient Israel
- Platonic Philosophy and Early Christianity
- Political News on Biden’s Campaign (POLITICO)
- Dunbar’s Number Explained
Contact Information
Listener Q&A
- Have questions or comments about this episode? Leave them in the comments section or reach out to Sam and Matthew directly through their social media profiles.
Thinking Religion 115 and Hermeneutics
Thomas is in Philadelphia this week but we still managed to sneak in a podcast episode. We start by going over the very important but often-overlooked general idea of hermeneutics and why we should take them seriously in the Age Of Trump (AOT from here on out). Then we hop into the Bible Bracket Challenge. Sorry, Ruth.
Dr. Thomas Whitley and the Rev. Sam Harrelson discuss the concept of hermeneutics and continue their ongoing quest to decide the best book in the Bible from the Thinking Religion Bible Bracket Challenge.
via Thinking Religion Episode 115: Your Hair Is Like a Flock of Goats