Undeceptions with John Dickson

Nadia Williams, historian and classicist with a PhD from Princeton and author of Christians Reading Classics. She explains what counts as the Classics and why they still matter. They discuss Homeric longing for fame, Greek drama’s civic role, Pindaric athletic glory, differences between Herodotus and Thucydides, Roman virtue in Livy and Tacitus, rhetoric’s power, and how early Christians engaged pagan texts.

A film release announcement for US and UK theatrical screenings. Details on two-night US showings and a UK run with ticketing info. A recount of Australia’s strong launch that expanded its run. Highlights the discovery of an 1800-year-old Christian hymn with words and music.

Chris Palmer, philosopher and author and dean at Barnett College, explores a parable of a town living after the cultural death of God. He describes Novemberton’s search for meaning, contrasts passive and active nihilism, and examines infobesity, Dostoevsky’s and Camus’s responses to suffering. He ends with the church’s quiet presence, a personal chapel moment, and a humbled form of hope.

Cy Gart, biochemist and author exploring design in life. Ard Louis, Oxford theoretical physicist working on patterns, DNA self-assembly and algorithmic constraints. They discuss whether mutations are truly random. They explore convergent evolution, structural and algorithmic biases, targeted mutation examples, and how stochastic processes produce repeatable forms.

Dr. Kirsten McHarris, Oxford-trained scholar of Lactantius and early Christian moral theology, and Elizabeth de Giza, UC Santa Barbara professor of Roman history and author on Lactantius and Constantine. They trace how Lactantius shaped Constantine’s approach to religious tolerance. They discuss persuasion over force, Neoplatonic opposition, justice and charity, and the roots of freedom of conscience.

Grace Harmon, medievalist who hosts Medievalish and writes on old books, explores medieval virtues and vices for modern life. She traces virtues from Aristotle through medieval thinkers. She explains pride, humility, the seven vices, and how habits shape character. She offers practical steps and argues medieval moral language still speaks to today.

Jennifer McNutt, church historian at Wheaton College specializing in Reformation history. She explores how reformers worked within tradition, the true meaning of sola scriptura, competing traditions shaping Christianity, and the long political and cultural legacies of the Reformation. Short, sharp conversations about division, vernacular worship, and lasting institutional change.

On November 2, 2024, Chris Tomlin performed the world premiere of The First Hymn at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Ben Fielding joined him onstage that night to help gift this 1800-year-old song back to the world. In this special, shorter episode, you get a front row seat to a fireside chat with Chris as he introduces the new First Hymn to the world, for the first time. 

Join Dr. Sam Chan, a medical doctor with a PhD in rhetoric and theology, as he dives into the complexities of Christmas. He discusses how holiday pressures amplify anxiety, contrasting the pursuit of happiness with the deeper peace of 'shalom.' Sam shares poignant insights, likening Jesus to an essential 'umpire' for relational harmony. He explores the meaning behind Jesus’ name, connects biblical prophecies to modern life, and emphasizes our innate need for love and security. In a festive twist, he also questions the depth of a secular Christmas.

Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and a noted theologian, dives into the significance of the Nicene Creed. He explores the pivotal debate on Jesus' dual nature and the Council of Nicaea's key figures, including Constantine and Athanasius. The discussion reveals how the Creed aims to clarify and exclude erroneous beliefs about divinity, emphasizing the term 'homoousios.' Williams also highlights the relevance of the Creed in today’s diverse Christian landscape and reframes belief as a relational trust rather than blind certainty.