Faith and Reason Exchange

David and Adam discuss the current state of higher education, examining various challenges including demographic declines, financial pressures, declining public confidence, and the impact of AI on academic integrity. They discussed how many private institutions are heavily tuition-dependent and struggling with closures, while also addressing concerns about grade inflation and the growing skepticism about higher education's return on investment. The conversation explored the broader philosophical questions about the purpose of education, with both participants expressing concern about the loss of classical liberal arts education and its implications for democracy, while also considering how Christian higher education institutions might rise to meet these challenges in an increasingly secular world.

David and Adam discuss the Declaration of Independence through the lens of a Word on Fire article (https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/faith-reason-and-the-declaration-of-independence/), exploring whether America's founding was Christian or Enlightenment-based. They conclude that while the Founding Fathers were split between Christians and deists, the nation's moral fabric was fundamentally infused with a Christian ethos, enabling language about Creator-endowed rights.

David and Adam discussed the film "Surprised by Oxford" (2023), which tells the story of Caro Drake, a skeptical PhD student who confronts questions of faith and reason at Oxford University through relationships and intellectual engagement. The conversation expanded into broader themes about the decline of humanities education, the fragmentation of modern universities, and the tension between liberal arts and vocational training in American higher education.

David and Adam explore how to characterize contemporary Western culture—whether as secular, pagan, postmodern, or simply confused—and conclude that multiple descriptors apply simultaneously. They identified presentism (severing ties with the past) and progressivism as defining features, with AI emerging as a critical new factor requiring ethical engagement from Christians who cannot retreat but must remain mission-focused in the world.

This is a rerelease of an episode from 2023. 

This episode was originally released in May 2024.   

Here are Bishop Barron's comments: https://youtube.com/shorts/SZE3hiPlrHA?si=EctgyxbrW4BeoaiL

Here is the lecture: https://youtu.be/DsaKzIrQ5OY?si=buvulpk3lT2rhdhL, and here is the book: https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-America-Decline-Christianity-Dark/dp/1684514444.   

David and Adam discuss the ramifications of collectivism. 

David and Adam discuss Advent in general and some of the readings from the lectionary on the first Sunday of the season. 

David and Adam discuss the essential ingredients for having civil conversations at Thanksgiving or any other time. 

David and Adam delve into the concepts of personhood and ontology. 

David and Adam discuss current trends in popular religion and the state of American universities. 

David and Adam talk about the rise and influence of premillennial dispensationalism and Christian Zionism. 

David and Adam discuss the nature and character of forgiveness. 

Was Martin Luther a protestant? David and Adam offer their take. Listen in and enjoy the show. 

David and Adam examine the theological perspectives and historical context of key Reformation figures, including Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, as they discuss their approaches to reason and revelation.

David and Adam discuss how Christian thinkers viewed the relationship between faith and reason before the Protestant Reformation. The conversation goes all the way back to St. Augustine in the 5th century, Anselm in the 11th and 12th, Thomas Aquinas in the 13th, and William of Ockham in the 14th. Even the 12th-century Muslim philosopher Averroes is discussed. 

David and Adam discuss the following article from Word on Fire: https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/after-charlie-kirk-restoring-a-culture-of-truth/  

David and Adam wrestle with the problem of evil. The discussion begins with the philosophical issues—how an all-powerful, all-loving God can coexist with evil's existence—but shifts to the evidential and emotional issues. 

David and Adam discuss the presumption that while the resurrection may be a fact, it doesn't tell us anything about the nature of Jesus.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen  

David and Adam discuss religious apathy and the excuses people give for avoiding church.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen  

David and Adam begin a conversation on what to think and do about the religiously unaffiliated--those who claim to be spiritual but not religious and/or check the "none" box on religious surveys.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen  

David and Adam address the claim that Richard Dawkins and other skeptics have made, asserting that Jesus may not have existed and, even if he did, the historical evidence is unreliable.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen  

David and Adam tackle the claim that Christianity was developed from mythology.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam address the common assumption that Christian faith conflicts with science.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

In this episode of Faith and Reason Exchange, David and Adam are joined by Dr. Mickey Mattox of Hillsdale College to discuss individualism and community.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam reflect on the pervasiveness of doubt in the modern age among believers and non-believers alike.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

This episode dives into Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's approach to theology in a secular and, at the same time, spiritual age.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam go through the introduction of Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences and discuss the intellectual roots of modern Western culture.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam explore medieval apologetics--esp. the work of Anselm and Thomas Aquinas.    Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam dig deeper into the work of Justin Martyr.   Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam begin their series on the history of Christian apologetics by discussing the Epistle to Diognetus and the work of Justin Martyr.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam discuss a recent CBS show from its State of Spirituality series, which examines how atheists and agnostics are creating communities with their own set of rituals that often mimic Christian ones. You can find the show here.    Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam discuss metaphysics and the myth of neutrality.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

David and Adam pick up where they left off last week, discussing the Christian life in a secular age.     Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen