Dia-Logos: Seeking Christ's Perspective on the News

Dia-Logos Podcast
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Drawing on over 50 years of global experience, we operate at the intersection of faith and world events. Rather than just observing important global shifts, we interpret them through a biblical lens, offering the Church distinct perspectives to foster understanding and meaningful engagement. We are not the ultimate authority, but Christ is, so we seek to align our perspectives on world events to His, as found in His Word.

  1. 4d ago

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 15 - November Elections: Why South African Democracy Still Matters

    When two Airlink jets executed a dangerously low pass over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, public perception took over before the facts even came out. What does an aviation controversy have to do with South African democracy? More than you might think. In this episode, we unpack why perception, not facts, is driving voter behavior ahead of the upcoming local elections. We examine how two completely different groups of South Africans arrive at the exact same conclusion: that their vote no longer matters. We break down: ✅ The Math of Local Wards: Why victory margins as small as 139 votes mean your ballot counts more locally than anywhere else. ✅Hung Councils & Coalitions: What happens when nearly half of SA's municipalities face no outright majority. ✅ The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: How the false perception that voting is pointless creates the exact lack of accountability people fear. ✅ Testing Your Beliefs: A challenge to examine whether your political stance is genuine conviction or just a borrowed opinion. Despite the frustration, South Africa's local elections remain among the most competitive in its democratic history. The outcome is genuinely up for grabs...if voters choose to own their place in it.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 15 - November Elections: Why South African Democracy Still Matters

  2. Sep 2

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 14 - Ep.14 On the Ground in the West Bank: Seeking Christ in the Conflict

    What does it take to remain a light in a region consumed by conflict? On this episode of the Dia-Logos Podcast, host Brad sits down with Alfred Ghawali and Rafi Filmon, volunteers with Jerusalem Evangelical Outreach. Following a recent trip to South Africa, Alfred and Rafi share how their experiences abroad reshaped their perspective on their calling back home. They dive into the day-to-day realities of living and serving in Israel and the West Bank amidst ongoing war and geopolitical uncertainty. Together, they discuss: ✅ The decision to stay and serve local youth despite the temptation to leave for safer shores. ✅ Processing the overwhelming toll of conflict and avoiding despair through faith. ✅ Seeking a "Kingdom perspective" and leadership focused on peace ahead of upcoming political shifts. ✅ How the Holy Spirit sustains the local church in the land where the gospel began. ✅ Practical and heart-led ways believers around the world can pray for the people and future of the region. Join us as we seek Christ’s perspective on the Middle East through the voices of those ministering directly on the ground.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 14 - Ep.14 On the Ground in the West Bank: Seeking Christ in the Conflict

  3. Aug 27

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 13 - On the Ground in Lebanon: Seeking Christ in the Conflict

    In this episode of Dia-Logos, host Brad connects with Jacobus Van Zyl, field reporter and local liaison in Qabb Ilyas (Kab Elias), located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Living right in the middle of ongoing geopolitical tension, Jacobus provides an unfiltered, first-hand account of what life in Eastern Lebanon looks like amidst fragile truces, military strikes, and a severe economic downturn. In this insightful and grounded conversation, Brad and Jacobus explore: ✅ The Truce Reality vs. Ground Truth: The current political stalemate between Hezbollah, Israel, and the Lebanese government, and what it feels like when artillery strikes disrupt the night. ✅ The refugee crisis & Aid Cuts: How international support cuts by agencies like the UNHCR are directly affecting vulnerable refugee families who now struggle for basic meals. ✅ The True Cost of Living: How government electricity blackouts (leaving towns with as little as two hours of power per day) drive up private generator reliance, causing basic grocery prices, like a single liter of milk, to skyrocket. ✅ Education & Brain Drain: The tragic impact on over 500,000 displaced children, 340+ damaged or destroyed schools, and why a whole generation of young graduates feels forced to leave the country. ✅ Seeking Christ’s Perspective: How Jesus’ approach to the poor, hungry, and disgraced offers a blueprint for restoring dignity to those caught in conflict. ✅ Finding Peace in Purpose: Why Jacobus believes the safest place to be is always in the center of God's calling, even when the ground is literally shaking. Key Scripture: Matthew 25:35-40 / Restoring dignity through presence and care.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 13 - On the Ground in Lebanon: Seeking Christ in the Conflict

  4. Aug 20

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 12 - Radical Obedience: Serving Inside Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp

    What does it actually take to sell everything you own and move into a refugee camp? A heart-moving story on the latest episode of Dia-Logos! We sat down with Nico & Vicky van Wyk, full-time missionaries with Ethnos Movement International (EMI) in Malawi. They share their incredible journey from a quick "yes" to God, to serving over 67,000 refugees inside the severely overcrowded Dzaleka Refugee Camp. From providing daily meals and education to nearly 100 children, to offering wound care and healing arts for women facing extreme trauma, Nico and Vicky are living out hands-on compassion every single day. In this episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, we dive into: 👉 How they knew it was time to step out in faith 👉 The raw realities, struggles, and beauty of life in Dzaleka 👉 How to protect your heart against burnout when serving in hard places It's an honest, humbling, and inspiring conversation you don't want to miss.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 12 - Radical Obedience: Serving Inside Malawi’s Dzaleka Refugee Camp

  5. Aug 12

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 11 - Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey and the Human Search for Home

    Can a three-hour Hollywood epic about Trojan wars, cyclopes, sirens, and capricious ancient gods actually point us back to the Gospel? In this episode of dia-LOGOS Podcast, host Brad Kirsten is joined by Church and Culture Consultant Richard Baird and Dr. Gary Cundill, visiting lecturer at Buckingham University School of Business and speaker on faith, business, and sustainability, to break down director Christopher Nolan’s massive non-linear film adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey. Beyond the stunning visuals, ancient instruments, and cinematic hype, the team dives deep into the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual themes woven throughout Nolan’s epic. From the heavy weight of guilt and lawlessness to C.S. Lewis’s concept of sacred longing (sehnsucht), discover how even a secular retelling of a 3,000-year-old story reveals humanity’s desperate need for a Saviour. Whether you're a film buff, a fan of Greek mythology, or simply curious about how to engage modern culture through a biblical lens, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at the epic story we are all participating in. Connect & Engage: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and share it with a friend!

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 11 - Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey and the Human Search for Home

  6. Aug 6

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 10 - Grace and The Power of Stopping

    What happens when our busy schedules collide with someone else’s crisis? In this moving episode Brad sits down with analytical strategist and investigative journalist Mike Burnard to unpack a profound story. It begins with a chance encounter on a Monday morning walk: a young mother named Grace digging through rubbish bags, desperate to feed her six-year-old daughter. As Brad and Mike dive into Grace's story, they reveal a stark and uncomfortable contrast. George, South Africa, boasts one of the highest church densities in the world—yet over 73% of its population lives below the poverty line. How does a town spiritually "obese" allow its neighbors to sleep on wet mattresses under scrap material in icy weather? Drawing powerful parallels to Jesus stopping for the blind beggar Bartimaeus (Mark 10) and the sobering call of Matthew 25, this episode challenges us to move beyond passive Christianity.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 10 - Grace and The Power of Stopping

  7. Jul 30

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 9 - Beyond the Ancient Stones: Young Voices from the Holy Land

    When you hear places like Bethlehem and Jerusalem, you might think of ancient history or modern conflict, but did you know there is a vibrant, living church on the ground today? In this deeply moving episode of the Dia-Logos podcast, host Brad connects with two young men serving on the frontlines of ministry in the West Bank and Jerusalem: Alfred Ghawali (a 27-year-old Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem) and Rafi Filmon (a 24-year-old theology student from Jerusalem). Both work with Jerusalem Evangelical Outreach (JEO), bringing relief, food, youth ministry, and spiritual hope to communities experiencing intense pressure and uncertainty. Alfred and Rafi open up about what daily life is actually like under the shadow of conflict, economic stress, and occupation. They share why so many young people dream of leaving, how they fight to keep youth anchored in their identity in Christ, and what it looks like to live out a "shepherd's heart" by listening to families who feel forgotten. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Reality of the Living Church: Why Christianity in the Holy Land isn't just about historical monuments, but active, faithfully living believers ("living stones"). The Struggle of the Next Generation: How young Palestinian Christians navigate identity, stress, and the temptation to flee the region. Living Out Theology: How Rafi and Alfred combine practical relief work—delivering food, medication, and youth outreach—with deep spiritual care. Stories of Unexpected Light: How God is reviving once-abandoned local churches in the heart of Jerusalem. An Upcoming Visit: What Alfred and Rafi are looking forward to as they prepare to visit South Africa to share their stories with the broader body of Christ. If you’ve ever wondered how to pray for the Holy Land beyond the headlines, or want to be inspired by young leaders courageously living out the gospel in tough places, this episode is a must-listen.

    Dia-Logos Podcast - Ep 9 - Beyond the Ancient Stones: Young Voices from the Holy Land

  8. Jul 23

    Dia-Logos Podcast - EP 8 - Flipping the Script: Brad on Life, Faith, and Navigating the News

    What happens when the host steps into the spotlight? In this special episode of the Dia-Logos Podcast, we flip the script on regular host Brad Kirsten! Stefan takes the interviewer's chair to dive deep into Brad’s personal journey of faith, his 26-year career in radio broadcasting, and his heart for communications at Dia-Logos. Brad opens up about a pivotal moment 20 years ago when—lonely, desperate, and living in a remote village in Taiwan—a simple prayer on New Year's Day sparked a miraculous chain of events. From chasing down Afrikaans-speaking strangers on a train platform to finding both his faith and his wife, Laura, Brad’s testimony is a powerful reminder that God takes us to the ends of the earth to reveal His purpose. Plus, drawing on more than two decades in radio, Brad shares practical wisdom on how Christians can navigate today's overwhelming news cycle. He breaks down how to spot AI-generated "fake news," why our core values act as an internal compass, and how choosing faith over fear allows us to hold onto God's peace in uncertain times. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Taiwan Turning Point: How a moment of total isolation turned into a radical encounter with God's grace. The Power of Christian Community: How persistent, non-judgmental friendship paved the way to Christ. Discerning Truth in the Digital Age: Practical advice for evaluating media, managing cynicism, and avoiding the spread of fear or fake news. Anchored Hope: Why the shifting kingdoms of this world can never steal the eternal peace found in God’s Word. “Faith speaks to God's promises; fear speaks to worst-case scenarios. We can’t let what’s happening in the world steal our peace.” - Brad Kirsten Subscribe & Share Enjoying the Dia-Logos Podcast? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave us a rating, and share this episode with a friend who needs a message of hope today! #DiaLogosPodcast #FaithOverFear #ChristianTestimony #RadioHost #MediaDiscernment #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #KingdomWork #GodsGrace #PeaceInChrist #FaithAndCulture

    Dia-Logos Podcast - EP 8 - Flipping the Script: Brad on Life, Faith, and Navigating the News
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Drawing on over 50 years of global experience, we operate at the intersection of faith and world events. Rather than just observing important global shifts, we interpret them through a biblical lens, offering the Church distinct perspectives to foster understanding and meaningful engagement. We are not the ultimate authority, but Christ is, so we seek to align our perspectives on world events to His, as found in His Word.

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