PODCAST · religion
Thrive: Perspectives
by Thrive Today
This is Thrive: Perspectives. An ever-growing discussion about the issues that shape our lives with your guide Dr Matthew Jacoby. www.thrivetoday.tv
Episodes
-
More Connected Than We Think
What if the self is not as separate as it seems? What if another person’s suffering reaches further into our own lives than we realise? Could Scripture’s images of one body, one vine, and life “in Christ” point to a deeper human connection? If we are bound together, where does personal...
-
Conformed by Culture
Does culture shape far more than our opinions—what if it quietly trains our hearts, instincts and moral emotions, teaching us what should feel loving, offensive, admirable or shameful before we have even stopped to think? What happens when a society continues to use Christian words such as love,...
-
Join the Resistance.
What do we do when the world feels like it is coming apart — and yet we are still called to live, work, build, love and hope within it? Is our civilisation simply progressing, or is it a tottering tower built on foundations we no longer trust? And if Christians are meant to be “foreigners and...
-
It's Worse Than You Think.
What if the story we tell ourselves about progress and civilisation is only half the story? What if our greatest advances in medicine, technology, law, education, and comfort are not just signs of human triumph, but also clues that something has gone wrong? We are beginning to hear, even from...
-
Doomsday Gloom & The Hope of Christ
We’re exploring the striking rise of doomsday books, movies and academic commentary—dealing with collapse, catastrophe, survival and the end of the world as we know it. Why are these stories everywhere right now? Why do audiences keep returning to visions of ruined cities, failed systems, rogue...
-
Worship Wars
What makes worship “good”? Is it the sound, the songs, the lighting, the silence, the feeling in the room, or the theology underneath it all? Why does one person walk out of a service saying, “That was powerful,” while another quietly wonders whether it felt more like a concert than a…
more -
Degrees in Hell?
One of the most sobering questions Christians sometimes ask is whether Hell is the same experience for everyone, or whether there are degrees of judgment within it. The question is not merely speculative. It touches the character of God, the seriousness of sin, the responsibility that comes with...
-
Heaven Isn't Flat?
Most of us grow up with a simple heaven framework: you either get in or you don’t. End of story. Cross the finish line, pass through the pearly gates, and from there it’s one big undifferentiated eternity—same heaven, same experience, same everything for everyone who accepted the grace offered...
-
Who Defines Justice? Pt. 2
What if justice isn’t just a political buzzword or a hashtag people weaponise when it suits them? What if it reaches deeper—into the way we see human dignity, power, poverty, guilt, and responsibility? In this episode, we take on the raw, uncomfortable question of what justice actually demands…
more -
Who Defines Justice? Pt. 1
Everybody’s talking about “justice” right now—social justice, racial justice, climate justice. Your feed is full of call‑outs, hashtags, and hot takes. Modern Social Justice Theory tells you the world is a battlefield of oppressed vs. oppressors, where morality is measured by where you sit on the...
-
Mission: People not Projects.
Western thinking inherits a “modern worldview” that separates what is spiritual from what is material—producing false dichotomies such as evangelism vs social action, “saving souls” vs “meeting needs,” and church ministry vs development work. In this episode we discuss how God’s reign encompasses...
-
Catholic. Protestant. Orthodox.
In this episode we discuss the 3 primary Christian traditions: Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox—three accents, one confession: Jesus Christ is Lord—crucified, risen, reigning. Absolutely, the differences matter—authority, sacraments, salvation—real history, real bruises. But the centre…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Leviticus. Superfluous?
Those dense chapters of Leviticus and Deuteronomy . . . are they ancient history, or do they still have a claim on us? Which commands were for Israel then, and which, if any, are for God’s people now? What happens when holiness has rules, worship has regulations, and everyday life is wrapped in...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Costly Faith in a Cheap World
We live in a world that’s increasingly cost‑averse. We want convenience, comfort, and the lowest possible price. And that mindset doesn’t stay in the shopping trolley; it shapes the way we think about relationships, commitments… and even faith. But Jesus never offered a discounted version of...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Conviction or Comfort?
Jesus never hid the fine print. He warned that following him would be costly—that the road is narrow, the crowd is small, and comfort is never guaranteed. Yet today, the pressure many Christians feel isn’t open persecution, but the quiet expectation to blend in, stay agreeable, and keep…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Where Trust Began
In this episode of Thrive Perspectives, we explore a story hidden in plain sight—the way the Christian church has shaped modern Western culture itself. Long before trust was placed in governments, markets, or systems, it was formed through the life of the church. A gospel vision of shared...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Help My Unbelief
What if believing isn’t about knowing more—but being formed differently? Why can we know the Bible well and yet remain unchanged? What if the real battleground of faith isn’t the mind, but the heart—our loves, habits, wounds, and hopes? In this episode, we sit with the unsettling questions behind...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Gentle Boldness
When you hear the phrase ‘sharing your faith’, what comes to mind? For a lot of us, it’s pressure, awkwardness, or feeling like we’re not good enough. But what if sharing your faith isn’t about pressure at all? What if it’s about honesty, love, and being yourself? When we hear someone challenge…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Purpose with a Plan
If God’s in control, what does that mean for our prayers, our pain, and our choices? Does believing in a sovereign God lead to freedom or fatalism? What is the purpose of our prayers and how do our choices really matter? Whether you’re wrestling with suffering, stress and anxiety or searching for...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Choice or Chosen?
When Christians say “God is in control,” what do we actually mean—and what do we not mean? Does sovereignty imply meticulous control, or can sovereignty include divine restraint? How do we reconcile God’s sovereign initiative in salvation with the call for people to respond freely?
-
Thrive Perspectives: Is Good Enough?
John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". So, what happens to those who’ve never heard the name of Jesus? Is the door to salvation locked, or does divine mercy reach further than we think?…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: What Does it Mean to Believe?
What does it really mean to “believe”? When we say we believe in God is it a mere intellectual agreement or a cultural label? Is believing a deep, life-changing trust—or just a vague opinion? Is “believing” in Jesus simply about agreeing with certain facts, or is it something far more demanding…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: What Makes Us Click?
What makes us click? Why do we find ourselves drawn to posts that make our blood boil? Is it outrage—or is it something deeper, something in us that craves the rush of being provoked? When you scroll past that headline designed to enrage, do you pause… or do you dive in? And when you dive in…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: How God Speaks.
What do people mean when they say, “I felt God say…”? Is it an audible voice, a whisper in the heart, or simply a strong impression? How do we know if what we sense is truly from God—or just our own thoughts, emotions, or desires? And why do some people speak with such confidence about hearing…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: What do you really want?
What do you really want? Not what you’re supposed to want. Not what you’ve been taught to want. But what do you truly long for? What are you willing to release to pursue it? What if the thing you want isn’t the thing you need? Can you ever know yourself without surrendering your desires? Can our...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Our False Heavens
We live in a world aching with sorrow—fractured by injustice, loneliness, and grief too deep for words. And yet, we’ve built altars to happiness. Not the kind rooted in joy or meaning, but the kind that promises escape. We build our own ‘worldly heavens’ hoping to outrun the ache. It blinds us to...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The Misery of Chasing Happiness
In a culture obsessed with comfort, dopamine hits, and curated joy, we’ve been sold the idea that happiness is something we can chase, hack, or buy. In fact you might say that we live in a happiness cult, we worship happiness, and it’s become our ‘idol’. But what if that chase is precisely what’s...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Engagement vs Entanglement
How far do we go in investing in systems that are, in some ways, opposed to God’s kingdom? When does engagement become entanglement? Are we salvaging a sinking ship—or are we being drawn into a false hope in human progress? Are we engaging to serve, love, and witness—or to gain power, security…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: The Resistance Within
In this episode of Thrive Perspectives, we’re peeling back the layers of a truth that’s both unsettling and liberating: our natural resistance to God. Whether you're a lifelong believer or just beginning to explore faith, this conversation invites honesty, because the tension isn’t just “out...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Experiencing God - 1
Why do we resist the very presence we crave? What does it mean to be drawn toward God while holding back from the mountain’s edge? And how can spiritual knowing emerge not from mastery, but from surrender?
-
Thrive Perspectives: Postmodernism
Postmodernism questions many of the assumptions that undergird Western Christianity, but it also invites a return to deeper, more relational expressions of faith. Postmodernism’s critique of sterile rationalism may actually clear space for a more embodied, awe-filled spirituality. Join us as we...
-
Thrive Perspectives: A Foot in Both Camps?
Today we’re diving into the controversial and provocative ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche who boldly declared "God is dead," challenging the very foundation of Christian belief. In the late 19th century, as the world embraced the rational and reasoned approach to all things, Nietzsche called for a...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Our Closed Circuit Thinking
In today's episode from our series on Big Ideas that Changed the World, we're diving deeper into the fascinating world of modern thought. We break down the complex ideas about knowledge from the 18th and 19th centuries that still shape how we understand truth today. So, join us as we explore the...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The New Universe
There was a time when mystery wasn’t a problem to be solved but a truth to be honored. When our place in the universe wasn’t something to escape or redefine, but to accept as sacred, given, and good. So what drove the change from wonder to skepticism, from reverence to rationalism, from listening...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The Reformation
Have you ever wondered how a single act of defiance could reshape the course of history? In 1517, Martin Luther, a German monk, nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. What was he challenging, and why did it ignite such a widespread theological debate? The Reformation…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: The Christian Revolution
In today's episode, we explore The Christian Revolution, a profound shift that redefined the ancient world's understanding of equality, individualism, and human dignity. We’ll discuss the ancient world, where natural inequality and rigid caste systems were the norm. We'll uncover how…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Gender - Unity in Diversity?
In todays discussion we’re tackling a topic that has sparked centuries of discussion, interpretation, and debate—gender roles as presented in the Bible. From the creation story in Genesis to the writings of Paul in the New Testament, the Bible offers a rich tapestry of perspectives on men, women,...
-
Thrive Perspectives: Gender - Design or Construct?
In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that has shaped societies, relationships, and personal identities for centuries—gender roles. But we're not just looking at culture or tradition; we're exploring these roles through a Christian worldview. In this, the first of a two part series, we…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Resurrection?
In this episode of Thrive Perspectives we embark on an extraordinary journey to explore one of the most pivotal events in history—the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Was it merely a story passed down through generations, or is there solid evidence to support the claim that Christ rose from the…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Beyond the Letter
Throughout history, laws have shaped societies—not just in governance but in thought, ethics, and identity. One of the most influential legal codes in human history, the Mosaic Law, has often been viewed as a rigid list of rules governing every aspect of life. But is that the whole story? Could…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Biblical Ethics
If the Bible is a guide designed to help us navigate life within a values system crafted by a God who created us, loves us and only wants the best for us, then how do we seek wisdom rather than rigidly follow directives, understanding that God's principles are meant to lead us into truth and…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: By The Book
So often, we open the pages of Scripture expecting a rulebook, a step-by-step manual for life. But what if that's not what it was ever meant to be? What if approaching the Bible as a list of do's and don’ts, not only misses its heart, but also disconnects us from the virtues and values it’s…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: The Church in History
The influence of the Christian story on Western culture is profound and pervasive, even among those who reject its religious aspects. This is because the Christian story has shaped the moral and ethical framework of Western society for centuries. Concepts such as human dignity, justice…
more -
Thrive Perspectives: Biblical History
God does not change, but his purposes unfold – this is what creates linear history. The Bible does not tell its story the way we tell history. It is theological. When we say that the Bible is 'theological,' we mean that it tells its story in a way that emphasises the significance of events from a...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The Bible as a Story
As Christians, we’ve been given the greatest story ever told and been invited to be a part of it. But is that how we view, read and apply our reading of the Bible? What difference then does it make to understand the Christian faith as a story? Reading the Bible as a grand narrative or ‘story’...
-
Thrive Perspectives: What's Your Story?
Every worldview, whether religious, philosophical, or secular, is essentially a narrative or ‘story’ that people accept on faith. These stories provide a framework for understanding the world, guiding our reasoning and interpretation of life events. For example, a Christian worldview is based on...
-
Thrive Perspectives: What is faith?
Faith is a profound trust and confidence in God and His promises. It is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, as described in Hebrews 11:1. Faith involves believing in and trusting God's character, His word, and His plan for humanity, even when circumstances are...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The End Times
Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. We are surrounded by events and developments that could be interpreted as signs of the end. Across the world we see famines, earthquakes, disasters, troubles, persecutions, wars...
-
Thrive Perspectives: The Cost of Discipleship
In this episode, we explore what it truly means to be a disciple in today's world. From the sacrifices and trials to the immense rewards and spiritual growth, we discuss the real-life implications of living out our faith. This episode challenges us to reflect on the true cost of following Jesus....
-
Thrive Perspectives: Christian Spirituality
Christian spirituality is deeply relational: Cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who invites us into a transformative journey of faith. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture, allowing us to grow closer to God and understand His will…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
This is Thrive: Perspectives. An ever-growing discussion about the issues that shape our lives with your guide Dr Matthew Jacoby. www.thrivetoday.tv
HOSTED BY
Thrive Today
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Thrive: Perspectives have?
Thrive: Perspectives currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Thrive: Perspectives about?
This is Thrive: Perspectives. An ever-growing discussion about the issues that shape our lives with your guide Dr Matthew Jacoby. www.thrivetoday.tv
How often does Thrive: Perspectives release new episodes?
Thrive: Perspectives has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Thrive: Perspectives?
You can listen to Thrive: Perspectives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Thrive: Perspectives?
Thrive: Perspectives is created and hosted by Thrive Today.
URL copied to clipboard!