Virtue in the Wasteland Podcast

On today's show we discuss one of the root causes of the Russian troll attacks, our willingness to give out all of our most private information, often times only to have a computer guess your age, compare you to a Disney princess, or explain why you and your coworker don't get along.

We do this by talking about, and taking the Proust Questionnaire- listen up!

Direct download: proust_questionnaire.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

It's a slightly different show today in that our guest is... well, Dan! He has recently published a full length historical monograph through 1517 Publishing and is promoting it around the web in various places.  And so Jeff decided to put on his interview hat and treat Dan like a guest. This lasted all of 15 minutes.  The guys end up discussing what Jeff is drinking, which historical duo we'd like to be, and of course, the Prophet of Lutheran Pietism, Johann Arndt. Dan's research on Arndt not only affected his own spiritual life and theological self understanding, but also offered him a way to look at problems within Lutheranism that persist to today.  Enjoy the show!

 

 

Direct download: Arndt_You_Glad_You_Listened.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:11pm PDT

Following in our now 5 year tradition, today's episode is a Graduation Special! We think about the world today, and what we woulds day to grads on their way into the real world!

Direct download: Graduation_Special-_EGBOK.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:59pm PDT

On today's show we take your calls! (You can call in on our voicemail line 844-393-0012) We take a range of questions from callers today, from the recent show we did on the poor, to some comparative religions and talk a little bit about surfing the Tao from some unlikely sources

 

 

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Direct download: Real_Callers_Real_Questions.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

On today's episode we book end last weeks episode on why people leave the church.  On this episode we hear from a caller, discuss why we haven't left the church ourselves and talk about why we stick around. 

Direct download: Hell_or_High_Water_Part_2-_Before_You_Leave.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

On today's episode we talk about an upcoming podcast on the 1517 network of podcasts.  We are talking about why people live the church- something about which there has been no end to the writing of books.  So we want to try and whittle down the question: why do people leave thus church? And we want to be sympathetic and open to correction.  George Barna and others have spent the past decade telling us about the Millennials and Gen-Z, so what do we do about it?

Direct download: hell_and_high_water_redux.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:35pm PDT

On today's show we start by discussing a tent city for the homeless in Dan's hometown.  We move on to discuss the centrality of the poor throughout the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.  What are the "options" in how we might think about the poor and poverty?  What does the Reformation tradition show us? Listen up, we get deep and challenge ourselves on this episode.

Direct download: The_Poor_You_Will_Always_Have_with_You.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

On today's show we examine the idea of a "narrative of decline" and how it might impact how we view the church.  This show is a thought experiment that began when Dan had an idea he wanted to work through.  This show is an exercise in thinking, looking at optimism and pessimism, and learning to understand how the gospel of hope fits in.

Direct download: Is_it_Getting_Worse.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

On today's episode we play actual calls from actual listeners who bring up topics from gun control, the popularity of Jordan Peterson and our religious convictions.  Check it out, and call us at 844-393-0012 to leave your question as a message


On today's episode we dig into the national conversation on gun control after the recent tragedy in Parkland, FLA.  But don't expect the kind of conversation you might be used to.  The guys talk about the history and the constitution but then press on to a deeper answer (if it exists).

Direct download: Stickin_to_Our_Guns.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT