https://kirkdurston.podbean.com Discussions of topics at the intersection of God, Philosophy, Science, and Culture. Host, Kirk Durston, is a scientist, philosopher, and clergyman. Co-host, Heather Bowman, is a mother of three young adults and also has an intense interest in these questions. To find out more about Kirk, check out his website for his blog and articles https://www.kirkdurston.com Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:14:51 -0400 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Religion & Spirituality 1440 episodic Discussions of topics at the intersection of God, Philosophy, Science, and Culture. Host, Kirk Durston, is a scientist, philosopher, and clergyman. Co-host, Heather Bowman, is a mother of three young adults and also has an intense interest in these questions. Check out Kirk’s Website for his blog and articles https://www.kirkdurston.com kirkdurston kirkdurston No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/18212267/quest_site_4_ncwnki.png https://kirkdurston.podbean.com 144 144 What Does it Mean to "Put Your Faith in Jesus Christ?" and Why You Might Not Actually be a Christian https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-mean-to-put-your-faith-in-jesus-christ-and-why-you-might-not-actually-be-a-christian/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-mean-to-put-your-faith-in-jesus-christ-and-why-you-might-not-actually-be-a-christian/#comments Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:14:51 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/9b275805-5c98-3b55-8c5a-6c5a7e1d2369 In studying the testimony of those who have 'deconverted' from Christianity, I've been struck by the importance of something Jesus said--to have eternal life, he said the first step is to "deny" yourself in exchange for a new, supernatural life--a new "you". Yet today there is a trend to not talk about this, or to even affirm the opposite in order to make it as easy as possible for the person to put their "faith" in Christ when, in fact, they have not even taken that first step of faith--laying aside everything they are and cherish, in exchange for what Christ offers. Thus, many people think they are Christians only to be shocked on the day they stand before God and hear him say, "I never knew you."

]]> In studying the testimony of those who have 'deconverted' from Christianity, I've been struck by the importance of something Jesus said--to have eternal life, he said the first step is to "deny" yourself in exchange for a new, supernatural life--a new "you". Yet today there is a trend to not talk about this, or to even affirm the opposite in order to make it as easy as possible for the person to put their "faith" in Christ when, in fact, they have not even taken that first step of faith--laying aside everything they are and cherish, in exchange for what Christ offers. Thus, many people think they are Christians only to be shocked on the day they stand before God and hear him say, "I never knew you."

]]> Why many people who believe they are Christians, even those in positions of Christian influence and leadership, might not ’actually’ be Christians, having failed to take the very first step Christ required to put their faith in him. kirkdurston false No 3170 19 full Why Intelligent Design is Firmly Entrenched in Science, and its Implications for the Information Encoded in the Genomes of Life https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-intelligent-design-is-firmly-entrenched-in-science-and-its-impliications-for-the-information-encoded-in-the-genomes-of-life/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-intelligent-design-is-firmly-entrenched-in-science-and-its-impliications-for-the-information-encoded-in-the-genomes-of-life/#comments Mon, 22 Jul 2024 16:40:46 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/7c2d9084-d0a2-3fd3-b386-149a45d677cd Intelligent design is entrenched in science to the point where we can no longer deny or ignore it. When we apply a scientific method to the information encoded in the genomes of life, it tests positive for an intelligent origin. The fingerprints of intelligence are all over the genomes of life.

]]> Intelligent design is entrenched in science to the point where we can no longer deny or ignore it. When we apply a scientific method to the information encoded in the genomes of life, it tests positive for an intelligent origin. The fingerprints of intelligence are all over the genomes of life.

]]> Intelligent design is entrenched in science to the point where we can no longer deny or ignore it. When we apply a scientific method to the information encoded in the genomes of life, it tests positive for an intelligent origin. The fingerprints of intelligence are all over the genomes of life. kirkdurston false No 4400 18 full A Philosopher's Thoughts on Hell https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/a-philosophers-thoughts-on-hell/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/a-philosophers-thoughts-on-hell/#comments Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:35:45 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/d5da2a98-821c-3527-8913-0285ad3bd80a It might be surprising what emerges as we take a philosophical perspective in answering three questions: Is hell necessary? Does it have to be forever? And could it be a five-star resort?

]]> It might be surprising what emerges as we take a philosophical perspective in answering three questions: Is hell necessary? Does it have to be forever? And could it be a five-star resort?

]]> It might be surprising what emerges as we take a philosophical perspective in answering three questions: Is hell necessary? Does it have to be forever? And could it be a five-star resort? kirkdurston false No 4475 17 full Why Modern Science Fails as a Final Bastion of Truth https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-modern-science-fails-as-a-final-bastion-of-truth/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-modern-science-fails-as-a-final-bastion-of-truth/#comments Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:30:39 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/eb105ad3-811e-3ea0-87fc-d0b8eb144478 Many people believe that modern science is the ultimate bastion of truth. The reality, however, has become quite different.

]]> Many people believe that modern science is the ultimate bastion of truth. The reality, however, has become quite different.

]]> Many people believe that modern science is the ultimate bastion of truth. The reality, however, has become quite different. kirkdurston false No 2364 16 full Divine Hiddenness and the Call of God https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/divine-hiddenness-and-the-call-of-god/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/divine-hiddenness-and-the-call-of-god/#comments Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:47:30 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/d76dcdb5-ce96-3c8b-962d-7a49369674e9 Some have argued that the fact that since many people have sincerely searched for God and not found him, he probably does not exist. This is the problem of "divine hiddenness,' but what if God is, in fact, calling each person in ways they have not anticipated and, therefore, missing?

]]> Some have argued that the fact that since many people have sincerely searched for God and not found him, he probably does not exist. This is the problem of "divine hiddenness,' but what if God is, in fact, calling each person in ways they have not anticipated and, therefore, missing?

]]> Some have argued that the fact that since many people have sincerely searched for God and not found him, he probably does not exist. This is the problem of ”divine hiddenness,’ but what if God is, in fact, calling each person in ways they have not anticipated and, therefore, missing? kirkdurston false No 1671 15 full Science's Fantasy of the Gaps https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/sciences-fantasy-of-the-gaps/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/sciences-fantasy-of-the-gaps/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:25:36 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/048aa8b1-f575-395a-bcb8-b75e721ee7da As science advances, some gaps in our understanding not only are getting much wider, but the evidence is pointing quite strongly in the direction of an intelligent mind behind the universe and behind life. Rather than acknowledge this, those scientists who are committed to scientism appeal to something other scientists describe as a non-testable "fantasy".

]]> As science advances, some gaps in our understanding not only are getting much wider, but the evidence is pointing quite strongly in the direction of an intelligent mind behind the universe and behind life. Rather than acknowledge this, those scientists who are committed to scientism appeal to something other scientists describe as a non-testable "fantasy".

]]> As science advances, some gaps in our understanding not only are getting much wider, but the evidence is pointing quite strongly in the direction of an intelligent mind behind the universe and behind life. Rather than acknowledge this, those scientists who are committed to scientism appeal to something other scientists describe as a non-testable ”fantasy”. kirkdurston false No 1559 14 full Mistakes People Make Regarding God of the Gaps Arguments https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/mistakes-people-make-regarding-god-of-the-gaps-arguments/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/mistakes-people-make-regarding-god-of-the-gaps-arguments/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2024 13:14:55 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/8bdf9d02-b5df-37e5-9268-db6f85c72a28 People often mistakenly label any argument for the existence of God as a 'God of the Gaps' argument. In this podcast, we discuss these mistakes and how to avoid them.

]]> People often mistakenly label any argument for the existence of God as a 'God of the Gaps' argument. In this podcast, we discuss these mistakes and how to avoid them.

]]> People often mistakenly label any argument for the existence of God as a ’God of the Gaps’ argument. In this podcast, we discuss these mistakes and how to avoid them. kirkdurston false No 1459 13 full Heather's Story https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/heathers-story/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/heathers-story/#comments Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:45:12 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/0c0c69c4-08dc-3d13-a93e-42abf26908e2 In this episode, Heather recounts how she has worked through the emotional trauma of the sudden death of her husband, with the hope that others may find at least one thing helpful when they face the sudden loss of a loved one.

]]> In this episode, Heather recounts how she has worked through the emotional trauma of the sudden death of her husband, with the hope that others may find at least one thing helpful when they face the sudden loss of a loved one.

]]> In this episode, Heather recounts how she has worked through the emotional trauma of the sudden death of her husband, with the hope that others may find at least one thing helpful when they face the sudden loss of a loved one. kirkdurston false No 2712 12 full More Hints from God as to why He allows suffering and evil https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/more-hints-from-god-as-to-why-he-allows-suffering-and-evil/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/more-hints-from-god-as-to-why-he-allows-suffering-and-evil/#comments Mon, 27 May 2024 12:34:13 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/c3942bb5-cbe6-38c0-9585-67afdeb5c27a Continuing from Part 1 in the previous episode, we look at more hints, reasons, and clues from God as to why suffering and evil are permitted to occur in this world.

]]> Continuing from Part 1 in the previous episode, we look at more hints, reasons, and clues from God as to why suffering and evil are permitted to occur in this world.

]]> Continuing from Part 1 in the previous episode, we look at more hints, reasons, and clues from God as to why suffering and evil are permitted to occur in this world. kirkdurston false No 1873 11 full Hints from God about suffering: Part 1 https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/hints-from-god-about-suffering-part-1/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/hints-from-god-about-suffering-part-1/#comments Tue, 21 May 2024 07:38:12 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/ed32f90c-0be2-3ea0-9d9d-9d1a7094b87c Although the justification for permitting an event may span millions of future consequences, God does give different reasons or factors involved in some specific examples of suffering. In this episode, we look at some of them, especially the death of children.

]]> Although the justification for permitting an event may span millions of future consequences, God does give different reasons or factors involved in some specific examples of suffering. In this episode, we look at some of them, especially the death of children.

]]> Although the justification for permitting an event may span millions of future consequences, God does give different reasons or factors involved in some specific examples of suffering. In this episode, we look at some of them, especially the death of children. kirkdurston false No 2395 10 full What does it mean to be human? https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-does-it-mean-to-be-human/#comments Mon, 13 May 2024 20:44:09 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/07517dda-e8b7-30d6-bd3d-f2c40e497c30 An understanding of what it means to be human is essential to understanding why God permits suffering in this world.

]]> An understanding of what it means to be human is essential to understanding why God permits suffering in this world.

]]> An understanding of what it means to be human is essential to understanding why God permits suffering in this world. kirkdurston false No 2573 9 full The Slaughter of the Canaanites https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/the-slaughter-of-the-canaanites/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/the-slaughter-of-the-canaanites/#comments Tue, 07 May 2024 12:14:11 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/56ba38b9-50d5-3131-9dba-280a78f5062e Arguments from evil against the existence of God hang on the premise that God cannot permit gratuitous evil. But if we grant that premise, then when a society becomes a gratuitous evil, God must terminate it. But then there are the objections ...

]]> Arguments from evil against the existence of God hang on the premise that God cannot permit gratuitous evil. But if we grant that premise, then when a society becomes a gratuitous evil, God must terminate it. But then there are the objections ...

]]> Arguments from evil against the existence of God hang on the premise that God cannot permit gratuitous evil. But if we grant that premise, then when a society becomes a gratuitous evil, God must terminate it. But then there are the objections ... kirkdurston false No 2347 8 full Why We Don't Know What God Should Allow https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-we-dont-know-what-god-should-allow/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/why-we-dont-know-what-god-should-allow/#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2024 23:31:05 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/6ce7ccb6-7f9c-3bfb-bf13-dce05e28e34a Every event produces an exponentially increasing number of consequences to the end of history, affecting an exponentially increasing number of causal chains, making calculations of the net moral value of any event impossible.

]]> Every event produces an exponentially increasing number of consequences to the end of history, affecting an exponentially increasing number of causal chains, making calculations of the net moral value of any event impossible.

]]> Every event produces an exponentially increasing number of consequences to the end of history, affecting an exponentially increasing number of causal chains, making calculations of the net moral value of any event impossible. kirkdurston false No 2160 7 full Are the Concepts of Evil and Injustice Rooted in Anything? https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/are-the-concepts-of-evil-and-injustice-rooted-in-anything/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/are-the-concepts-of-evil-and-injustice-rooted-in-anything/#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:09:32 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/f8ac8793-bac6-3460-99e0-2f9ba3270ba2 Just as it is absurd to complain about a high crime rate if, in fact, there are no laws to break, so it is nonsense to complain about evil and injustice unless there is some ultimate standard of truth and beauty that is being violated.

]]> Just as it is absurd to complain about a high crime rate if, in fact, there are no laws to break, so it is nonsense to complain about evil and injustice unless there is some ultimate standard of truth and beauty that is being violated.

]]> Just as it is absurd to complain about a high crime rate if, in fact, there are no laws to break, so it is nonsense to complain about evil and injustice unless there is some ultimate standard of truth and beauty that is being violated. kirkdurston false No 2148 6 full Did the Universe Originate from a Mind? https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/did-the-universe-originate-from-a-mind/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/did-the-universe-originate-from-a-mind/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:41:19 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/87a58084-945c-3821-97e6-c0a1fafdcb01 Maybe the reason the universe is incredibly fine-tuned to support life, is that it was actually designed to do so--which has implications for a mind behind the universe.

]]> Maybe the reason the universe is incredibly fine-tuned to support life, is that it was actually designed to do so--which has implications for a mind behind the universe.

]]> Maybe the reason the universe is incredibly fine-tuned to support life, is that it was actually designed to do so--which has implications for a mind behind the universe. kirkdurston false No 1766 5 full What Caused God? https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-caused-god/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/what-caused-god/#comments Sat, 06 Apr 2024 20:47:43 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/5740a640-b5cc-3b35-a294-223db7107364 Science cannot answer this question but cold, hard logic can.

]]> Science cannot answer this question but cold, hard logic can.

]]> When we apply logic to the question of what caused God, we actually find the answer. kirkdurston false No 1684 4 full The Origin of the Universe, Logic, and the Existence of the Supernatural https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/the-origin-of-the-universe-logic-and-the-existence-of-a-supernatural-foundation/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/the-origin-of-the-universe-logic-and-the-existence-of-a-supernatural-foundation/#comments Sat, 06 Apr 2024 20:45:13 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/78c9cae8-742f-3a15-98f6-3a60851a5066 Why cold, hard logic requires that the cause of nature, cannot be natural.

]]> Why cold, hard logic requires that the cause of nature, cannot be natural.

]]> Why cold, hard logic requires that the cause of nature, cannot be natural. kirkdurston false No 2452 3 full Unspoken Factors in Abandoning Belief in God https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/unspoken-factors-in-abandoning-belief-in-god/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/unspoken-factors-in-abandoning-belief-in-god/#comments Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:39:17 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/9847529d-b942-3ac8-82ae-aaa789014ed1 In listening to many testimonials from young Christian leaders who abandoned their belief in God, they appeared to be utterly unaware of three factors that may have had a very significant influence in their loss of faith.

]]> In listening to many testimonials from young Christian leaders who abandoned their belief in God, they appeared to be utterly unaware of three factors that may have had a very significant influence in their loss of faith.

]]> kirkdurston false No 2601 2 full Episode 1: Reasons People Abandon Belief in God https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/reasons-people-abandon-belief-in-god/ https://kirkdurston.podbean.com/e/reasons-people-abandon-belief-in-god/#comments Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:34:21 -0400 kirkdurston.podbean.com/a4761fc7-78cb-3cc3-9386-a4de41f17693 In listening to numerous testimonials from ex-Christians, I observed there were six major categories of reasons they gave. In this episode, we work through those reasons.

]]> In listening to numerous testimonials from ex-Christians, I observed there were six major categories of reasons they gave. In this episode, we work through those reasons.

]]> kirkdurston false No 2191 1 full