Dragon Slaying Ep#56 | Faith, Reform & Why God Still Matters

In this rich and wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Thomas E. Bittker and author Mike Dallen dive deep into questions of faith, Jewish history, and the evolving role of God in modern religious life. The dialogue begins with lighthearted Shabbat greetings and quickly moves into weighty topics—from the heat waves in Michigan to the far-reaching historical consequences of Jacob Frank’s 18th-century antinomian movement, which sought to overturn traditional Jewish law.Mike Dallen, author of The Rainbow Covenant, draws on history, Torah study, and personal experience to explore the roots and philosophies of Reform Judaism, its divergence from Orthodoxy, and how these differences shaped Jewish life in Europe and America. They discuss the rejection of Zionism in early Reform circles, the complex relationship between politics and spirituality, and the transformative impact of figures like Jacob H. Schiff on progressive causes.The conversation also examines profound theological questions:Has God become an optional—or even absent—part of modern religious practice?Can morality survive without belief in divine authority?What happens when religion becomes purely cultural or symbolic?With wit and insight, the two explore how the concept of God as a personal God of consequence—one whose laws carry meaning and moral weight—can guide humanity toward justice, kindness, and gratitude. They touch on the Noachide Laws, the role of gratitude in spiritual life, and the dangers of treating God as an abstract idea rather than a living reality.Blending personal stories, historical analysis, and philosophical debate, this episode challenges listeners to think critically about faith, morality, and the enduring question of how to live well in a complex, changing world.Featuring:Dr. Thomas E. Bittker — Physician, interviewer, and hostMike Dallen — Author of The Rainbow Covenant and Jewish scholar#Judaism #JewishHistory #FaithAndReason #OrthodoxJudaism #ReformJudaism #Zionism #NoachideLaws #GodOfAbraham #JewishPhilosophy #ReligionAndSociety #SpiritualDialogue #MikeDallen #ThomasBittker #JewishIdentity #HistoryAndFaith