The Wednesday Conversation

Episode 511: Angels, Demons, and AI

Artificial Intelligence is generating a lot of interest these days. President Trump even issued an executive order to "sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance." So how should Christians think about AI? Can a machine even be "intelligent?" How does Christian theology help us go beyond the hype to engage the substance of the debate? In this episode, we draw on the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas to discuss the nature the mind, the intelligence of angels and demons, and how the Christian tradition helps us evaluate and assess technological progress.Article: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2025/01/96910/

Episode 510: The Anti-Social Century

In a recent article for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson writes about the surge in Americans eating alone, shopping alone, and generally doing life alone. In this episode, we discuss his analysis of the problem, talk about the wisdom the church can offer, and explore how the Christian tradition promotes both community and solitude.Article (requires subscription): https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/

Episode 509: Revival in Silicon Valley?

There's a bit of a "vibe shift" underway in American culture, and Silicon Valley is one place where it's evident. Recently, a listener passed along an article about the renewed interest in Christianity among tech and venture-capital elites. In this episode, we explore how the spiritual hunger in Silicon Valley relates to a larger cultural trend, and the opportunities it provides for Christians to show the beauty and goodness of the Christian story.Article (requires subscription): https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-antichrist-and-the-new-apostles

Episode 508: From the Archives | The Law and the Gospel

God reveals his grace to us through both law and gospel. In this episode from 2016, we talk about how the law and the gospel fit together.

Episode 507: The Book of Daniel

Daniel in the lion's den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. The handwriting on the wall. These beloved stories are found in the book of Daniel. But Daniel also contains some strange prophecies, some troubling dreams, and some confusing apocalyptic imagery. In this episode, we discuss how this fascinating book of the Bible captures the sweep of the whole biblical story. We explore the date of Daniel, its textual tradition, its place in Jewish apocalyptic literature, and what it tells us about faithful living in exile.

Episode 506: What is Post-Liberalism?

In recent decades, liberalism—the political philosophy that undergirds Western democracy—has come under increasing scrutiny. Though it purports to emphasize freedom, independence, and self-determination, it has created a crisis of meaning and an erosion of norms. In this episode, we analyze a new "post-liberal manifesto" that points out the problems with liberalism, imagines what might take its place, and explores how Christians can offer a new vision of the common good.

Episode 505: The Age of Hitler

World War II has become the dominant story of the 20th century. Just think about all the films it's inspired: Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, Inglorious Basterds, Oppenheimer, and hundreds more. But a recent article from Dr. Alec Ryrie poses the question: what happens to Western culture when we pivot from a positive moral exemplar (Jesus) to a negative one (Hitler)? In this episode, we engage Ryrie's article, unpacking the moral shift in our culture and exploring its implications.

Episode 504: 2024 in Review

As a new year approaches, we look back on the year that's ending. We discuss some of the newsworthy & notable events of 2024, some of the things that brought us a deeper sense of worship, and some things we’re excited about as we anticipate 2025. Have a great holiday season, and we'll see you next year!

Episode 503: A Conversation with James Martin

In this episode, Bob interviews James Martin, Lead Pastor of Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church in Suffolk, England. They discuss James’ story, the joys and struggles of pastoring in rural England, and his hope for gospel renewal in the UK and Europe.

Episode 502: Anthropomorphic Language in Genesis

“And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart” (Genesis 6:5-6). When we see this kind of language in the Bible, how should we interpret it? In this episode, we discuss the function of anthropomorphic language in Scripture. We consider how it helps us to understand God, but also how it can lead to error if we minimize the Creator-creature distinction.