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  • Episode 86 - Justin Welby and the Decline of Church Leadership

    Episode 86 - Justin Welby and the Decline of Church Leadership
    2024/11/15
    The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, made headline news across the UK and the wider world. This itself points to the ongoing public significance of the CofE and the knock-on effects for the wider church. Why did Welby choose to resign after pressure of public disrepute from external liberal media and government, rather than after the pressure from faithful Christians over his handling of LGBT+ issues or his support for other-religious festivals? What does this tell us about the priorities not only of his own leadership, but of the institution more broadly? How did Welby's evangelical convictions erode during his time in office? Was the authority of Scripture subtly replaced by a vague sense of "theological reflection"? What lessons can be learned for leaders and institutions going forward regarding "reputation"? Andy and Aaron cover all this and more in the latest episode of Pod of the Gaps. ** SUPPORT POD OF THE GAPS HERE: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast ** RESOURCES: - Welby Resignation statement https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/statement-archbishop-canterbury-0 - Lambeth Statement on LLF https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/lambeth-palace-statement-living-love-and-faith - 'How church attendance crumbled under Justin Welby' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/12/church-attendance-falls-justin-welby-archbishop-canterbury/ - 'Diwali, the Gospel, and AoC Welby' https://virtueonline.org/diwali-gospel-and-archbishop-justin-welby
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    58 分
  • Episode 85 - Why Euthanasia Is Not Compassionate

    Episode 85 - Why Euthanasia Is Not Compassionate
    2024/10/24
    Euthanasia (or "good death") often returns to the front line of political, ethical, and religious debate, most recently with the "Assisted Dying" bill brought before the British parliament. The language used to describe euthanasia (as with abortion) is often very reasonable-sounding and compassionate. But does it conceal? How does such language subtly change our response to what is really going on What is the danger of instituting laws which change the way we view the value of human life within society? How should Christians respond to the complexities of this topic sensitively and wisely? Join Aaron and Andy once more as they dive into another vitally important topic for our times. ** SUPPORT POD OF THE GAPS HERE: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast ** SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE MENTIONED ... Douglas Murray, 'The West’s uncivilised euthanasia policy', The Spectator, https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-wests-uncivilised-euthanasia-policy/ Kevil Yuill, 'The inhumanity of ‘assisted dying', Spiked, https://www.spiked-online.com/2024/04/03/the-inhumanity-of-assisted-dying/ Christian Medical Fellowship: https://bit.ly/3A3by0J John Patrick: https://johnpatrick.ca
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    52 分
  • Episode 84 - When Church Structures Rot

    Episode 84 - When Church Structures Rot
    2024/10/07
    Why do many historic church institutions often end up undermining the very reason they are meant to exist? There have been many movements and institutions in the history of the Church. Some last longer than others. But over time, they always become more complex, more unwieldy, more difficult to “manage”. Why do the inheritors of incredible legacies of vibrant Christian faith often act so differently from those who left the legacy itself? What is behind the desire of a leader or group to protect an institution’s traditions, processes, and reputation at the expense of their Biblical and missional principles? What makes Christian institutions especially prone to “ossification”? How can churches and movements ensure they don’t allow their pre-existing expectations and challenges to deceive them in how they discern the shape of their future without cutting themselves off from their past? Join Andy and Aaron as they discuss all this and more on the latest episode of Pod of the Gaps. RESOURCES MENTIONED ... V. Raymond Edman, 'They Found the Secret' (Zondervan, 1984) PLEASE HELP POD OF THE GAPS Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop
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    57 分
  • Episode 83 - How Christian is Cultural Christianity?

    Episode 83 - How Christian is Cultural Christianity?
    2024/09/25
    Despite the obvious anti-Christian trajectory of Western society, a growing number of influencers are beginning to see the moral and cultural benefits of Christianity. It could even be said that Christianity is becoming "cool" again! But is there a danger that people misunderstand Christianity by merely seeing its general moral value? Are such people merely becoming inoculated to true Christianity, ignoring the parts they don't like? How did Christian nations like Britain come about? What might it take to bring them about again? How can churches respond well to this strange cultural moment? Join Aaron and Andy for another long-awaited episode of Pod of the Gaps! RESOURCES MENTIONED: - Justin Brierley, "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God" - Kisin, Konstantin, "An Immigrant’s Love Letter to the West" - "The Unravelling of the West, with Melanie Phillips", The Brendan O'Neill Show, https://bit.ly/3TELcZa - "In Defence of Christian Britain". https://thatgoodfight.substack.com/p/in-defence-of-christian-britain - "Christian Britain has always been imaginary". https://theconversation.com/christian-britain-has-always-been-imaginary-its-time-to-teach-children-that-28696 - "Christian preacher assaulted by Islamic mob chanting ‘Allahu Akbar...". https://christianconcern.com/ccpressreleases/christian-preacher-assaulted-by-islamic-mob-chanting-allahu-akbar-wins-10000-pay-out-after-false-arrest-at-speakers-corner/
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    56 分
  • Episode 82 - What Are We Reading?

    Episode 82 - What Are We Reading?
    2024/07/23
    They say "you are what you read!" We read all sorts of things in life but rarely do we think all that much about reading as we struggle to keep up with the many words and authors that cross our path. In this special episode, Andy and Aaron met up in Oxford to talk about the books they've been reading of late, and how these books relate to life, the universe, and everything. They discuss numerous things, from reading Tolkien's letters whilst walking through Magdalen College, to books by atheist comedians, to Wind in the Willows! Somehow they still manage to talk about numerous themes relating to church, politics, secularism, beauty, culture, apologetics, and the kingdom of God. They even manage to get interrupted mid-episode by the cast of an outdoor Shakespeare play ... enjoy!
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    1 時間 6 分
  • Episode 81 - How Should Christians Vote?

    Episode 81 - How Should Christians Vote?
    2024/06/22
    Given the fractious political climate of the last decade, and the lack of consistently good candidates and policies on offer, it's understandable that many Christians might be unsure of who to vote for, or even whether to vote at all! But even if there may be no perfect party on offer, Christians have a duty to be salt and light in whatever way they can. What principles ought to guide the way we think, pray, and act out our political responsibilities in a democratic society? How can our vote help the common good within our culture over the long haul? What are the key issues and policies to think about relative to the public expression of Christian values? Why are British people often reticent to talk about who they vote for? Why do some Christians become more active in proclaiming their chosen political party than proclaiming Christ? And most importantly, who are Aaron and Andy voting for, and why...? All will be revealed in this special episode of Pod of the Gaps... RESOURCES: - https://christianconcern.com/resource/vote-pray-and-think-christianly-about-the-election/ - Pod of the Gaps Episode 59: 'Should the Church Get Out of Politics?' https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rtyjLb9UOYtBA237OvjD1 LOVE POD OF THE GAPS? PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ... Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop
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    55 分
  • Episode 80 - Is Punishment Just?

    Episode 80 - Is Punishment Just?
    2024/05/24
    Punishment is an easily avoidable topic for modern Christians. We tend to leave it for the “experts” beyond the Church. But what if the increasing injustice in criminal prosecution and punishment in wider society infiltrates our thinking as Christians? Does our squeamishness over things like the death penalty mean we become squeamish about the Bible too? What does it mean, for example, that the God of grace is also a God of justice who punishes evildoing? If we see the death penalty as always “barbaric”, what does that do to our understanding of Christ’s penal substitution at the Cross? What Biblical wisdom is there for those seeking greater justice in society when penalties have been too harshly (or too leniently) applied? In this packed episode of Pod of the Gaps, Andy and Aaron dive into this complex topic with their usual mix of wit and wisdom, banter and the Bible. LOVE POD OF THE GAPS? PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ... Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop
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    56 分
  • Episode 79 - Are Smartphones Ruining Our Children?

    Episode 79 - Are Smartphones Ruining Our Children?
    2024/05/04
    Over the last decade and a half, the pervasive use of smartphones has become the norm across the western world. Yet we’re still unaware of the precise long-term consequences. For those brought up without smartphones (or without the internet!) we may not even be in a position to know the full extent of the most negative effects upon child development and socialisation. As politicians consider banning smartphones from schools, is there also some drastic reflection the Church needs to do too? How can Christians encourage parents to make wise choices to help their children thrive against the technological tide? If, as some authors suggest, smartphones have made children more anxious and lonely, how might Christians show them a better way? RESOURCES: - Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" (Penguin, 2024) - Rod Liddle, ‘Kids and Smartphones: An Inconvenient Truth’, The Spectator (24th Feb 2024) - Tony Reinke, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You (Crossway, 2017) - Anthony Esolen, 10 Ways To Destroy the Imagination of Your Child (ISI Books, 2013)
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    39 分