Podcast
Rational Christianity
Hosted by Paul Shepherd · EN
Some people think that faith means believing a bunch of things that we know are impossible. In this podcast, we use science, common sense, the Bible, and an understanding of human nature to make Christianity make sense.Christianity can be rational! And a rational Christianity is better able to fight racism, sexism, and other social diseases.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What's the point of Christmas Eve?
Jan 31, 202500:04:52Tap to summarizeChristmas Eve is a fun event. Christmas Eve services are the biggest gatherings of the year in many churches. And yet, what is the point of Christmas Eve? Because I believe that Christmas Eve is really not important. So, what is important? Let’s talk about that.
Transcribe →Jesus - born in the rubble
Jan 31, 202500:05:33Tap to summarizeChristmas is a time to imagine what sort of world we want to live in. The birthplace of Jesus is now rubble. Western powers are throwing International Law into the same rubble. What sort of world do we want to live in? Let’s talk about that.
Transcribe →A Palestinian Canadian Voice
Mar 21, 202400:25:03Tap to summarizeWith the crisis in Gaza right now we are hearing many different voices. One voice I wanted to hear was from Palestinian Canadians. In this episode I share an interview I made with Ehab Mustapha, a Palestinian Canadian from Mississauga, Ontario.
Transcribe →Multi-faith talk for Ceasefire @ Palestine House, Mississauga
Feb 27, 202400:13:09Tap to summarizeIt is 140 days since Oct 7, 2023, the day of the atrocious attack by Hamas on Israel. Since that day, Israel has killed more than 30,000 civilians. And over 1 million Palestinians are facing the very real possibility of death by starvation. Whatever side you are on, many people these days are calling for an immediate, permanent, ceasefire. I was invited to speak at a multi-faith ceasefire event recently. And I want to share my talk with you.
Transcribe →Palestine / Israel
Feb 2, 202400:16:48Tap to summarizeMany people are rightly concerned because of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023. But that attack did not come out of nowhere. It came out of the 75 year occupation of Palestine. And in fact, the story goes back even further. Let’s talk about that today.
Transcribe →What is "Progressive Theology"?
Dec 22, 202300:10:28Tap to summarizeThe only constant in life is change. That is even true when it comes to the theology of the church. There is a movement called "Progressive Theology" which is all about change. Today we will discuss what that is and I will show that it is actually a very old idea.
Transcribe →Is homelessness a problem? Or a symptom?
Dec 21, 202300:10:04Tap to summarizeHomelessness has always been an issue. But in recent years - at least in Canada, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen dramatically. In this episode we explore whether homelessness is a problem, or if it is better understood as a symptom.
Transcribe →What more do you need?
Aug 27, 202300:10:31Tap to summarizeI'm sure that most people have heard the story about Jesus feeding 5000 people with a bit of bread and a few fish. What that story is really about - in modern terms - is the contrast between a mindset of abundance and a mindset of scarcity. Let's talk about that today.
Transcribe →Islamophobia - interview with Imam Tarek
Aug 27, 202300:25:55Tap to summarizeOne of the features of western society is Islamophobia - which is an irrational fear of Muslims, or a fear of Islam. Join me today for an interview with Imam Tarek, who was the Imam at the Brantford Mosque when I moved to Brantford. We will both offer our own perspective on Islamophobia and how to combat it.
Transcribe →How to have a great 2023
Jan 21, 202300:10:12Tap to summarizeWe all deserve to have a great 2023. But how do we make that happen? Do we just recycle our list of resolutions from last year? Or do we take stock of what is holding us back and let those things to?Join with me as we discuss how to have a great 2023.
Transcribe →