It's a Theological World After All

Joshua R. Farris
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

It’s a Theological World After All explores how theology shapes everything—from science and technology to culture, politics, and human identity. Join Dr. Joshua Farris and guests from around the world for deep conversations at the crossroads of faith, reason, and the big questions of our time.

  1. Oct 2

    EP26 | The Return of Magic and the Myth of the Secular World

    Why are astrology, witchcraft, and psychedelics making a massive comeback in the modern, scientifically advanced West? In this episode, Joshua Farris explains why the secularization story failed and why modern disenchantment only created a hungry market for re-enchantment. We explore why supposedly material creatures remain so stubbornly interested in an unseen world, and how this persistent hunger points directly to the reality of the human soul. We discuss how every attempt to construct spiritual meaning apart from God highlights our innate design. As part of the "Why Souls" series, we explore the fundamental differences between the New Age desire for mastery and the Christian call to receive a truly enchanted, God-given reality. SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. IN THIS EPISODE: The Failure of Secularism: Why scientific advancement didn't eliminate the human longing for transcendence and the supernatural. The New Spiritual Marketplace: How modern people construct individualized spiritual worlds through astrology, psychedelics, and manifestation. Magic vs. Christianity: Understanding how scientism and magic seek mastery and control, while Christianity focuses on receiving reality. Recovering an Enchanted Faith: Why Christians don't need to manufacture a new supernatural worldview, but simply recover the rich, sacramental, and meaningful creation they already believe in. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: Why is magic making a comeback? 1:57 The myth of secularization and the return of spirituality 5:52 Disenchantment and the new spiritual marketplace 10:35 How methodological science became a materialist ontology 15:42 Why the soul is central to experiencing reality 18:24 Astrology, psychedelics, and the hunger for transcendence 22:53 Christianity's enchanted world and the reception of reality 28:04 The ultimate question: What kind of beings are we? RESOURCES MENTIONED: Why Souls: A Mirror to the Universe by Joshua Farris Check out my book, Why Souls?, where I take a deeper look at the nature and significance of the human soul. 👉 Get your copy here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Why-Souls/Joshua-R-Farris/9781903816417 Take the Next Step in Your Education If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #WhySouls #TheologyMatters #ChristianWorldview #Transcendence #Apologetics #TheSoul

    EP26 | The Return of Magic and the Myth of the Secular World

  2. Sep 26

    EP25 | You Are Not Your Brain (The Hard Problem of Consciousness)

    Are you nothing more than the firing neurons inside your head? In an age where neuroscience has seemingly mapped every function of the human mind, many have concluded that the brain is the whole story of who we are. But is that actually true? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris unpacks the “hard problem of consciousness” and explains why a purely scientific, third-person perspective can never fully account for the reality of subjective, first-person experience. While the brain is unquestionably necessary for embodied human life, discovering the neural correlates of an experience is not the same thing as explaining the experiencer. IN THIS EPISODE: The Inside vs. The Outside: Why science can observe your brain, but it cannot observe you looking at the world. Correlation Does Not Equal Identity: Why demonstrating that consciousness depends on the brain doesn't prove that consciousness is the brain. The Hard Problem: Why does matter have an inside? Why isn't all of our neural processing happening in the dark? The Case for the Soul: Why the soul isn't just a "God of the gaps" argument, but the most robust metaphysical explanation for the human person. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction: Your Brain Isn't You 02:16 - Where is the "You" on a Brain Scan? 03:57 - The Story We've Been Told by Neuroscience 08:09 - Why Correlation Does Not Equal Identity 10:26 - The First-Person Perspective vs. Third-Person Science 14:49 - The "Hard Problem" of Consciousness 17:03 - Information vs. Knowledge: Who is the Knower? 18:31 - What Happens When the Brain Changes? 22:20 - The Soul as a Metaphysical Proposal 25:46 - Reclaiming Human Anthropology in the 21st Century RESOURCES MENTIONED: Why Souls: A Mirror to the Universe by Joshua Farris Grab your copy of Joshua Farris's latest book, Why Souls: A Mirror to the Universe, available now!Check out my book, Why Souls?, where I take a deeper look at the nature and significance of the human soul. 👉 Get your copy here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Why-Souls/Joshua-R-Farris/9781903816417 #TheologicalWorld #JoshuaFarris #Consciousness #PhilosophyOfMind #ChristianWorldview #Apologetics #Neuroscience #TheSoul

    EP25 | You Are Not Your Brain (The Hard Problem of Consciousness)

  3. Aug 31

    EP24 | What Burning Man Reveals About the Human Soul

    Is the modern world really secular, or just differently enchanted? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris explains why the cultural fascination with events like Burning Man reveals a deep, ongoing human hunger for transcendence, ritual, beauty, and meaning. We discuss how every attempt to construct meaning apart from God actually highlights our innate design as image-bearers made for communion with Him. As part of the "Why Souls" series, we explore the ultimate question that sits underneath every cultural debate regarding AI, consciousness, and ethics: What is a human being? If we want to navigate the future, we must recover a richer, more compelling Christian vision of the human person. SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: The Search for Transcendence: Why humans have not stopped longing for meaning, belonging, and experiences that lift us beyond the ordinary. Differently Enchanted: How the modern world has not become disenchanted, but has simply redirected its spirituality. Created for Communion: Why our restlessness points back to the reality that men and women are created in the image of God. The Core Question: Why understanding what it means to be human must come before we can answer questions about artificial intelligence, identity, and politics. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: Why this conversation was never merely about Burning Man 0:25 A differently enchanted world and the hunger for meaning 0:40 Created in the image of God and our search for home 0:55 The ultimate question: What is a human being? 1:10 Upcoming topics: AI, neuroscience, and the return of spirituality RESOURCES MENTIONED: Why Souls series by Joshua Farris Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #BurningMan #Transcendence #Theology #JoshuaFarris #ChristianWorldview #Anthropology #TheSoul

    EP24 | What Burning Man Reveals About the Human Soul

  4. Aug 21

    EP23 | Why Are Billionaires Obsessed With Consciousness?

    If materialism has successfully explained the universe, why is everyone suddenly searching for the soul again? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, Joshua Farris explores the unprecedented, renewed cultural obsession with consciousness. From Silicon Valley tech elites pouring billions into consciousness research to the cultural rise of the occult, psychedelic experimentation, and near-death experiences, society is desperately trying to rediscover the unseen realm. We discuss why the materialistic, secular worldview has failed to answer our deepest questions and how the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence is forcing humanity to ask an ancient question: What actually makes us human? At the root of every major cultural debate today, from abortion and gender to transhumanism and AI, is a battle over anthropology. If we want to navigate the future and reclaim human dignity, we must reclaim the Christian doctrine of the human soul.  SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: The Failure of Materialism: Why the idea that humans are merely biological machines is crumbling, leaving a "thin world" devoid of mystery. The AI Identity Crisis: How artificial intelligence is forcing society to reconsider what truly sets humans apart from machines. Follow the Money: Why tech leaders, billionaires, and Silicon Valley are heavily funding fringe consciousness research. The Return of the Occult: How the loss of transcendence has fueled an explosion of interest in astrology, near-death experiences, and neopaganism. Anthropology is Everything: Why debates about AI, euthanasia, and gender are ultimately arguments about human nature. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: Why are billionaires obsessed with consciousness? 4:21 The story we've been told by secular materialism 8:02 Follow the money: funding consciousness and AI 9:28 The rise of near-death experiences and psychedelic research 13:20 How AI is forcing us to ask: What makes us human? 21:33 The "hard problem" of consciousness in philosophy 25:09 Silicon Valley's fascination with the occult and neopaganism 32:15 The ancient questions of the soul and meaning 38:57 Christianity's greatest gift: the image of God 41:28 Why every cultural debate is an argument about anthropology RESOURCES MENTIONED: Why Souls by Joshua Farris Encountering Mystery by Dale Allison Charles Taylor on "buffered selves" Take the Next Step in Your Education If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #Consciousness #ArtificialIntelligence #Theology #JoshuaFarris #ChristianWorldview #Anthropology #Transhumanism

    EP23 | Why Are Billionaires Obsessed With Consciousness?

  5. Jul 31

    EP22 | The Forgotten Person of the Trinity: Recovering God the Father | Ryan Rippee

    While Christians spend a great deal of time talking about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of God the Father often remains in the background. What happens when the Father becomes little more than a name in our creeds? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with pastor and theologian Ryan Rippee to explore this deeply neglected doctrine. We discuss why the Father has been overlooked in modern theology, how our culture's crisis of fatherhood connects to theological forgetfulness, and what it truly means to receive our identity from Him rather than inventing it ourselves. From the alluring but empty promises of transhumanism to the beauty of experiencing the church as a true family, this conversation reveals why recovering the doctrine of God the Father is vital for the church today. If you want a richer understanding of the Trinity, human identity, and the heart of God, this conversation is for you. SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: The Neglected Doctrine: Why historical controversies focused on the Son and Spirit, leaving the Father assumed but largely unexamined. More Than a Metaphor: Why reducing "Father" to just a human metaphor risks dangerous Trinitarian errors. The Identity Crisis: How modern culture elevates self created identity to an idol, and how finding our identity as children of God solves this crisis. Fatherhood and the Church: Healing the cultural crisis of fatherlessness by reflecting God's fatherhood within the community of the church. Transhumanism and Technology: How the pursuit of autonomous, self created communities through technology is the ultimate rejection of transcendence. Isaiah 9:6 Explained: Unpacking why the Messiah is called "Everlasting Father" and what it means for the Davidic covenant. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro: The forgotten doctrine of God the Father 2:11 Introducing Ryan Rippee and his upcoming work 4:12 Why is God the Father neglected in modern theology? 8:50 Why Jesus constantly directs our attention to the Father 14:39 Is "Father" just a metaphor? 19:23 Human identity and receiving life from the Father 25:12 The modern idol of self created identity 31:24 Fatherless culture and theological forgetfulness 42:48 The church as a family with refrigerator rights 49:29 Consumerism in the church vs. genuine community 55:33 Transhumanism, technology, and artificial communities 1:13:37 How rejecting the Father distorts freedom and authority 1:20:25 The loss of transcendence and cultural orphanhood 1:26:42 Why is Jesus called "Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6? 1:31:30 One vital thing to remember about God the Father RESOURCES MENTIONED: Upcoming books on God the Father by Ryan Rippee (Baker Books and T&T Clark) Two Ways to Live presentation by Matthias Media God, Human, Animal, Machine by Meghan O'Gieblyn Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #GodTheFather #Trinity #Theology #ChristianIdentity #Transhumanism #Apologetics #ChurchCommunity

    EP22 | The Forgotten Person of the Trinity: Recovering God the Father | Ryan Rippee

  6. Jul 20

    EP20 | Are Deathbed Visions Real? Exploring NDEs and the Afterlife | Stephen Miller

    One of the great assumptions of the modern age is that we are simply our brains, and that consciousness ceases at death. But what if the experiences of the dying tell a profoundly different story? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with Professor Stephen Miller to explore the fascinating, heavily researched world of near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions. We dive into what the medical and historical data actually reveals about out-of-body phenomena, terminal lucidity, and visions of the afterlife. Are these just the hallucinations of a dying brain, or is God providing a glimpse beyond the veil? From the profound impact these experiences have on the grieving to the deep theological implications for the soul and apologetics, this conversation challenges us to rethink our assumptions about death and consciousness. If you want to understand how scientific research on the end of life points to a spiritual reality, this conversation is for you. SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: Defining the Phenomena: The difference between near-death experiences, deathbed visions, and terminal lucidity. The Medical Evidence: Examining research from cardiologists, nurses, and peer-reviewed journals corroborating out-of-body experiences. Visions vs. Hallucinations: Why the consistent, lucid nature of deathbed visions defies the "dying brain" hypothesis. The Problem of Distressing NDEs: Acknowledging the reality of hellish or demonic encounters and the need for biblical discernment. A Call to the Church: Why Christians and theologians must stop ignoring this robust data and learn to minister to those having these experiences. Apologetics of the Soul: How NDEs and deathbed visions offer powerful evidence for God's existence and the reality of the afterlife. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: Are we more than our brains? 2:19 - Introducing Stephen Miller and his research on deathbed experiences 4:16 - What exactly is a near-death experience (NDE) vs. a deathbed vision? 12:09 - Terminal lucidity and shared death experiences 18:50 - Evidence for the afterlife over the dying brain hypothesis 26:52 - Survey data: How common are visionary experiences? 30:36 - The history of NDE research (Raymond Moody, Dr. Sabom, and more) 39:33 - Why the church often ignores or dismisses these spiritual encounters 47:07 - Discernment, psychedelic drugs, and the danger of seeking out visions 51:52 - The reality of distressing or hellish near-death experiences 58:11 - Biblical examples of visionary experiences and the afterlife 1:01:10 - Do NDEs prove the reality of the resurrection and the soul? 1:08:54 - How theologians and philosophers should approach this research 1:21:40 - Conclusion: A call for humility and awe regarding human consciousness RESOURCES MENTIONED: Life After Life by Raymond Moody Faith That's Not Blind by Stephen Miller Demonic Foes by Richard Gallagher Encountering Mystery by Dale Allison Works by Dr. Michael Sabom, Pim van Lommel, and Michael Egnor The movie After Death Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #NearDeathExperiences #Theology #Apologetics #Afterlife #Philosophy #Consciousness #Christianity

    EP20 | Are Deathbed Visions Real? Exploring NDEs and the Afterlife | Stephen Miller

  7. Jun 20

    EP19 | Why Chat GPT is B******t (partly) | AI and Human Deception

    Are systems like ChatGPT really destroying the truth, or are they just reflecting our own deeply flawed human nature? In this episode of It's a Theological World After All, host Joshua Farris sits down with Professor Jimmy Alfonso Licon to explore his provocative paper, ChatGPT is b******t partly because people are bullshitters. We dive into Harry Frankfurt’s famous concept of "b******t" and ask a difficult question: is the problem with AI's lack of truth-telling a technological flaw, or does it stem from the fact that it’s trained on human language? From the utility of self-deception in our relationships to the philosophical pursuit of plausibility over truth, we unpack what AI reveals about the fragility of the human ego. If you want to understand how artificial intelligence mirrors our deepest social and spiritual struggles, this conversation is for you.  SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: The Definition of B******t: Unpacking Harry Frankfurt's philosophy and how it applies to predictive AI language models. Architecture vs. Data: Is ChatGPT a "bullshitter" because of its predictive design, or because it's trained on the internet? The Evolution of Deception: How social media has created an evolutionary competition for attention, accelerating our culture's "b******t." Self-Deception and Society: Why a little bit of "b******t" might actually be necessary for human cooperation and healthy relationships. Plausibility as a Proxy: Do philosophers really seek the truth, or just the most plausible arguments? Theological Reflections: Connecting the human tendency to deceive with classical concepts of pride, humility, and our search for ultimate meaning. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: Is AI producing truth or just "b******t"? 2:24 - Introducing Jimmy Alfonso Licon and the philosophy of cooperation 4:13 - The core claim: ChatGPT as a b******t generator 9:43 - Defining Frankfurt's concept of "b******t" 13:44 - Architecture vs. Training Data: Why does AI b******t? 22:19 - Are humans actually incentivized to tell the truth? 26:52 - Self-deception and the utility of b******t in relationships 31:40 - Can b******t serve a social purpose? 40:53 - Plausibility as a proxy for truth in philosophy 55:53 - The internet as an accelerator for b******t ("B******t Playoffs") 1:15:27 - Theological reflections: Pride, humility, and the human ego 1:31:02 - Finding ultimate meaning and grounding ourselves in reality 1:35:36 - Conclusion: AI as a mirror of human nature RESOURCES MENTIONED: ChatGPT is b******t partly because people are bullshitters by Jimmy Alfonso Licon ChatGPT is b******t by Michael Townsen Hicks, James Humphreys, and Joe Slater On B******t by Harry Frankfurt Better Not to Know: Why Knowing Less Is Sometimes Best by Jimmy Alfonso Licon The works of Dan Sperber and Hugo Mercier on epistemic vigilance Technopoly by Neil Postman Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #AI #Philosophy #ChatGPT #Theology #HumanNature #TechEthics

    EP19 | Why Chat GPT is B******t (partly) | AI and Human Deception

  8. May 25

    EP18 | The Rise of Neo-Paganism, Sacred Spaces, and the Unseen Realm

    Are we witnessing the rise of a neo-pagan culture? In this episode, Dr. Joshua R. Farris sits down with Carl and Anthony to explore how pantheism and ancient pagan worldviews are actively reshaping modern society and politics. From the intensely polarized rhetoric of Christian Nationalism to Dr. Michael Heiser's "Deuteronomy 32 worldview," we unpack the unseen spiritual realities driving today's cultural shifts. We also dive deep into the theology of "sacred space," highlighted by Carl's chilling firsthand account of witnessing a dark Luciferian ritual. If you want to understand how to maintain a robust, biblical response to a world increasingly hungry for the supernatural, this conversation is for you. SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into theology, philosophy, and the soul. 📘 Check out my book here: https://shorturl.at/u3MGp IN THIS EPISODE: - The Return of Paganism: How modern culture has moved past secularism and is embracing pantheistic and neo-pagan spiritualities. - Politics as Spiritual Warfare: Why political rhetoric is shifting toward cosmic battles and what that reveals about our metaphysical decline. - The Deuteronomy 32 Worldview: Understanding the biblical framework that the nations are ruled by lesser, created gods (elohim). - Paul at the Areopagus: Unpacking the intense spiritual and political reality of Acts 17, where Paul stood before a pagan court. - A Luciferian Ritual: Carl recounts a disturbing double ritual involving a Luciferian and a "Christian" mystic, and the spiritual lessons learned. - The Theology of Sacred Space: Should Christians treat physical locations as spiritually neutral, or can spaces hold demonic presence and require consecration?. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: Culture's openness to Paganism 2:43 - Are Christians equipped to respond today? 4:01 - The rise of explicit religious rhetoric in politics 10:31 - How entertainment and the attention economy led to moral decline 14:57 - Is the political right reacting to a pagan left? 22:04 - Michael Heiser and the Deuteronomy 32 Worldview 30:56 - Acts 17: Paul before the Pagan Court of the Areopagus 37:53 - Desacralization vs. the Sacramental view of nature 47:02 - Carl’s experience witnessing a Luciferian ritual 52:52 - Defining "Sacred Space" and spiritual intentionality 1:02:20 - Conclusion: The importance of a robust biblical response RESOURCES MENTIONED: Witchcraft Goes Mainstream by Brooks Alexander Pagan America by John Daniel Davidson God's Rivals by Gerald McDermott The Unseen Realm (Deuteronomy 32 Worldview) by Michael Heiser Clinton Arnold's work on spiritual powers and Ephesians Take the Next Step in Your Education If this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/ #Theology #NeoPaganism #SpiritualWarfare #Apologetics #ChristianPhilosophy #SacredSpace

    EP18 | The Rise of Neo-Paganism, Sacred Spaces, and the Unseen Realm
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It’s a Theological World After All explores how theology shapes everything—from science and technology to culture, politics, and human identity. Join Dr. Joshua Farris and guests from around the world for deep conversations at the crossroads of faith, reason, and the big questions of our time.

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