Pod of the Gaps

Pod of the Gaps
Pod of the Gaps

An occasional podcast featuring Aaron Edwards and Andy Bannister. Each episode sees the two friends take a contemporary issue in culture and explore it from a Christian perspective. Featuring banter, philosophy, culture, theology, bad jokes, apologetics, and more — the podcast aims to help Christians think wisely about the challenges of living in the 21st century. ========================================= Theological and Political Disclaimer The content of this podcast does not represent the views of any institutions, colleges, networks, churches, or secret government organisations with which we are affiliated or employed."

  1. Episode 89 - Entrepreneurs, Pioneers, and the Church

    29 JAN

    Episode 89 - Entrepreneurs, Pioneers, and the Church

    The history of humanity is replete with examples of trailblazers able to think outside the box, disrupt existing conventions, pioneer new ways of thinking, and advance into new territory. We might think of great geniuses of the past like Thomas Edison, or perhaps the more recent technological pioneers like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. Such people have often had the ability to lead and advance with extraordinary creativity, conviction, and courage, and have achieved significant things. Why are there now so few of these kinds of leaders in the Church? Does the pioneer's aggressive and disruptive approach to convention inevitably jar with Christian virtues like humility, love, and sacrifice? Or is it rather that we have excluded entrepreneurial courage, creativity, and confrontation from Christian values? Does our fear of the abuse of power end up stifling the necessary freedom of pioneer leadership? Are we often in danger of overplaying Christ's servant-hearted qualities at the expense of his aggressive and confrontational decision-making? How might church leaders encourage more business entrepreneurs in the Church to succeed and advance the kingdom in a wholly Christlike manner? ** ENJOY POD OF THE GAPS? Why not make a 2025 resolution and support the podcast; just a small donation helps us keep making these episodes: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast ** Resources: - Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk (2024). https://www.waterstones.com/book/elon-musk/walter-isaacson/9781398536418 - Deborah Cadbury, Chocolate Wars (2011). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chocolate-Wars-150-Year-Rivalry-Greatest/dp/1610390512 - Aaron Edwards, "Apostolic Leadership and the Spectre of Spiritual Abuse Suspicions of Pioneer Authority as Hindrances to Pioneer Mission" Eucharisma 1 (Spring 2024). https://eucharisma.co.uk/apostolic-leadership-and-the-spectre-of-spiritual-abuse/#32990516-3f6b-4dbe-950b-82dfd2074bfc-link

    54 min
  2. Episode 86 - Justin Welby and the Decline of Church Leadership

    15/11/2024

    Episode 86 - Justin Welby and the Decline of Church Leadership

    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 - 'Simpering Onto the Sexular Carpet with the Archbishop of Canterbury', Stephen McAlpine, https://stephenmcalpine.com/simpering-onto-the-sexular-carpet-with-the-archbishop-of-canterbury/ - '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

    58 min
  3. Episode 83 - How Christian is Cultural Christianity?

    25/09/2024

    Episode 83 - How Christian is Cultural Christianity?

    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/

    56 min
4.7
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

An occasional podcast featuring Aaron Edwards and Andy Bannister. Each episode sees the two friends take a contemporary issue in culture and explore it from a Christian perspective. Featuring banter, philosophy, culture, theology, bad jokes, apologetics, and more — the podcast aims to help Christians think wisely about the challenges of living in the 21st century. ========================================= Theological and Political Disclaimer The content of this podcast does not represent the views of any institutions, colleges, networks, churches, or secret government organisations with which we are affiliated or employed."

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