The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

Dive into the complexities of the Problem of Evil as Dr. Jacobs explores key philosophical and theological insights. Discover the distinctions between existential and logical problems of suffering. Uncover ancient definitions of evil, from illusion to dualism and the Christian view of privation. Examine free will as a defense against evil and the implications of possible worlds. Wrestle with challenging questions about sinless worlds and divine permission for higher goods. A thought-provoking journey through moral and metaphysical dilemmas!

Hank Hanegraaff, host of Hank Unplugged and an expert in Christian apologetics, dives into the wisdom of early church fathers. He examines how their insights prevent innovation in faith while maintaining authenticity. The conversation touches on the nuances of Ephesians and the significance of faith and works, alongside the evolution of Trinitarian understanding. They discuss biblical literacy and the complexities of language that often obscure theological truths, urging a return to traditional beliefs for spiritual growth.

This week’s episode, Jacobs delves into Jesus’ uncomfortable teachings  about wealth and salvation with guest Charles Lelon, an Orthodox Christian and private equity investor. The two tackle the question of whether the rich can be saved or must sell all they have to become poor to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.All the links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs

Dive into the intriguing world of apokatastasis and universal salvation! Discover the nuanced differences between these concepts and why they matter today. The discussion explores early Christian interpretations and reveals how salvation is perceived as a journey rather than a destination. With insights from Eastern Orthodox tradition, the podcast highlights the historical concerns of Church Fathers regarding heresies and the possibility of repentance after death. It's a thought-provoking exploration of hope and redemption!

This week Dr. Jacobs gives a rundown of mystery in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. You’ll get definitions, how he thinks the misunderstanding devolved, and the Chuch Fathers’ on natural theology. You’ll also get a little side tangent about the future of Orthodoxy in America. All the links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastSubstack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs00:00:00 Intro 00:07:31 What is mystery?00:14:13 How did the understanding of “mystery” shift? 00:20:57 “The nous is more than mind” is true, but…00:29:46 St. Paul and Philosophy00:36:08 Orthodoxy in America, the best and worst cases00:52:51 Are the Church Fathers anti natural theology? 

Join us for Part Two of our Hollywood Taxidermy series, where Dr. Jacobs explores intellectual property and creative adaptation. Through the lens of natural law and rights theory, he'll examine what it means to faithfully adapt stories from page to screen while honoring creators' original visions. All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Hollywood taxidermy & examples  00:12:13 An overview of rights 00:26:43 An overview of natural law  00:46:19 Invention versus discovery 01:11:24 Ownership and destruction 01:35:06 A guide for stewardship in adaptation  02:01:46 A few examples of Hollywood’s many violations  02:10:48 Han shot first  02:19:46 The permissibility of knockoffs 

Part 1: https://youtu.be/J7uP9uFNThY Part 2: https://youtu.be/9B1G44hywd0 Dr. Jacobs’ Class Survey Link: Survey Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing In this third episode on the problem of divine hiddenness series, Dr. Jacobs takes a closer look at the premise. Is God truly hidden? Through anthropological and theological lenses, he investigates how our status as creatures might affect our ability to perceive God, and whether divine hiddenness serves a purpose in redemption. He’ll also explore whether you are ultimately morally culpable for non-resistant unbelief.  All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Intro  00:02:51 The timing of belief in God  00:13:32 The requisite conditions for unveiling God  00:18:44 Anthropology  00:26:31 The nature of creatureliness  00:38:59 Objective and subjective hiddenness  00:54:16 Why is God not more evident?  01:10:25 Hiddenness & redemption 01:16:23 Are you ultimately morally culpable for non-resistant unbelief? 

Part 1: https://youtu.be/J7uP9uFNThY Dr. Jacobs’ Class Survey Link: Survey Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing Episode on Free Will: https://youtu.be/3KEhWydyFfA In this second episode of the divine hiddenness series, Dr. Jacobs delves deeper into another element of the problem — whether non-resistant unbelief is possible. He examines whether people can genuinely be open to belief in God yet remain unconvinced. The discussion explores psychological barriers to faith, the role of evidence in religious belief, and how different philosophical and theological traditions have dealt with seekers who think they cannot believe. You’ll get a deeper glimpse into proofs for God, and free will.  All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs (00:00:00) Intro  (00:01:38) What is the problem of divine hiddenness?  (00:07:00) Knowledge as a requirement for responsibility (00:11:10) The defense of God  (00:15:01) A recap of realism & is Christianity committed to realism? (00:32:28) The assumptions in Schellenberg’s case  (00:44:54) Is rational analysis the way to God?  (00:53:54) How ought God unveil himself and how has he revealed himself?  (00:59:12) Non-resistant unbelief  (01:16:49) Is God actually hidden?  (01:24:54) The genealogy of religion & the numinous  (01:34:25) Perception is mystical 

Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCCSj9URmUSo5YE8JyxCTDo0ESjUKZ7eZMD_SFwmbG10aAsw/viewform?usp=sharing Episode on the Nones: https://youtu.be/pBH9TTduBAE Episode on Free Will: https://youtu.be/3KEhWydyFfA Episode Man’s Place in the Cosmos: https://youtu.be/uohc2aWOJbw Hell, Hades, & Christ’s Descent Part 1: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/hell-hades-and-christs-descent-part?r=r1mfj On Universal Salvation: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/p/on-apokatastasis-and-universal-salvation?r=r1mfj In today’s episode, Dr. Jacobs explores the philosophical problem of divine hiddenness — the question of why God, if real, isn't more obviously apparent to all people. He examines whether rational unbelief in God is possible and discusses how divine hiddenness might actually serve a spiritual purpose, while engaging with topics like free will, proofs for God's existence, and universal salvation. All the links:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNathanJacobsPodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Website: https://www.nathanajacobs.com/ Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs 00:00:00 Intro  00:01:42 The religiously unaffiliated 00:13:12 What is the problem of divine hiddenness?  00:16:50 Is there a thing as rational unbelief?  00:20:31 If proofs worked, everyone would believe in God  00:37:04 The value of divine hiddenness 00:58:35 Spiritual maturity  01:08:53 A deficiency in the free will defense  01:20:48 The proofs for the existence of God  01:42:20 Not everybody is created equal  01:52:32 Universal salvation  01:58:09 Divine hiddenness is unnatural 

Explore Hollywood's struggle with authentic storytelling, especially in faith-based films. The discussion centers on the Netflix take on Mary, evaluating its narrative pitfalls and lack of coherence. Insights into the industry’s tendency to taxidermy beloved stories emerge, along with critiques of modern adaptations like 'Rings of Power.' Authenticity in character arcs is highlighted, showcasing the importance of genuine representation versus agenda-driven narratives. The contrasting styles of Tolkien and Lewis offer further commentary on the challenges of real storytelling.