In Good Faith: Recent Episodes
Chong Shao, Daniel Shih
In Good Faith is a podcast where two friends talk about society and culture through a Christian lens and in good faith. We seek to approach everything with charity and curiosity, and aim to help our listeners do the same. Presented by Chong Shao and Daniel Shih.
On today’s show, Chong and Dan look back on an eventful year. Along major dimensions - in technology, in geopolitics, in our socio-emotional lives, it feels like things are accelerating and spinning out of control. This leads to a discussion about peace - what is it, and how can we achieve it? Why does it seem like peace is only ever temporary? Where does chaos and disorder come from, that disturb the peace? Dan concludes with reflections on where ultimate peace is found - yes, Jesus - but goes to great lengths to explain this in the least-trite way possible.
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesBig things have been happening (2:55)
- Social-technological - AI, medicine, Internet-mediated life...
- Geopolitical - Breakdown of Pax Americana
- Emotional-psychological - Awareness, acceptance and exploitation of disorders within the heart
- The external things affect us individually, and vice versa
The Nine Breakthroughs of the Year
How Anxiety Became Content
What do we mean by peace? (26:05)
- Absence of bad stuff; presence of good stuff
- Can we be at peace, even when things around us are bad?
- "Shalom" - the way things ought to be
What causes chaos and disorder? (37:50)
- Left-Right answer, circa early 2000s - individuals vs society
- Left-Right answer, circa 2020s - Common-Enemy politics
- The upshot - we are being affected both too little and too much by the outside world
Conclusion (53:20)
- Peace comes from an external intervention into the broken human world
- Peace requires a change in perspective - cosmic, eternal
- People are looking for peace; Christians can help them find it
On today’s show, Chong and Dan plant their flag on the next transformational change facing society: Artificial Intelligence (AI). After a decades-long pursuit, pioneering researchers and organisations have been releasing AI products into the world, with amazing and unsettling results. We provide a primer on AI, focusing on ChatGPT and its Large Language Model relatives. Then Chong provides Dan with three near-future, AI-driven scenarios, to spark a discussion of what could come next. AI seems set to disrupt society, but we are still unsure by how much, given that so much of society still operates in the physical world. To be continued…
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesSomething big is happening (1:41)
- Human technology as (i) fire, (ii) sharp sticks and (ii) our brains
- The biggest upgrade to our brains is happening right now
- Planting the flag on AI - not exploring all the issues, but rather what it is and what it could mean for us
Existential risk, AI, and the inevitable turn in human history
AI primer (11:43)
- Neural networks, Large Language Models (LLM) and generative AI
- Intro to ChatGPT - how it works, what can be done
How to Become an Expert on A.I.
How Does ChatGPT Really Work?
What all this could mean (31:44)
- Scenario 1 - Disruption of “knowledge work”
- Scenario 2 - Teaching and learning overhauled
- Scenario 3 - “Her” will be real life
- How much does all this matter? Torn between “not as much” and “a whole lot”
Tinkering With ChatGPT, Workers Wonder: Will This Take My Job?
Don’t Ban ChatGPT in Schools. Teach With It.
Replika users fell in love with their AI chatbot companions. Then they lost them
You Can Have the Blue Pill or the Red Pill, and We’re Out of Blue Pills
Conclusion (1:07:09)
- We should be careful when wielding words…
On today’s show, Chong and Dan share what’s been going on in our lives during a busy 2022. This gets us to unpack the concept of “busyness”, and how we in modern society constantly strain against our limits and wonder if we are doing “enough”. Drawing on insights from the book You’re Only Human, we consider how limits are not an inherently bad thing. We also explore the root of our busyness, namely pride in pursuing our own interests and seeking to be the master of our own lives. We conclude with a call to not be everything, everywhere, all at once.
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesYear in review (2:01)
- Dan’s “sophomore slump” in ministry
- Chong’s priority stack - core, primary, secondary
- Primary responsibilities (children, church, work) expanding and crowding out other things
Concept of busyness (16:31)
- Why do we feel like we are never doing enough?
- Introduction to Kelly Kapic’s book
- Ultimately a theological problem - misunderstanding who we are and what we were made for
You’re Only Human by Kelly Kapic
Finitude is not sin (25:17)
- God created us with limits (and it was good); he did not create us with sin
- Cautionary tale: Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Time management techniques cover up the core problem
IGF 11: The Crisis of Freedom
Pride as the root cause (45:05)
- We want to do more and be more, want mastery over all things… i.e., to be like God
- Humility as the antidote - to think less of ourselves and to think of ourselves less
- Giving thanks for our limitations
Conclusion (1:02:09)
- The insidious effect of busyness - robbing us of joy in the present
On today’s show, Chong and Dan examine the elephant in the current affairs room - the Russo-Ukrainian War. We start by introducing the frame of the End of History, the famous work of political philosophy which posited liberal democracy as the final form of human government after the Cold War. The 1990s and 2000s were great, but now History is back with a vengeance. Rather than discussing the intricacies of the war, we unpack why the war matters by reflecting on four ideas:
- There is such a thing as good and evil
- Decadence is bad… war is so much worse
- Be wary of righteous fervour
- Don’t take peace and civilisation for granted
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesThe End of History (3:32)
- Francis Fukuyama’s thesis - liberal democracy as the end state
- The 1990s and 2000s were very good!
- History returns… 2016, COVID-19, war on continental Europe
Wikipedia: The End of History and the Last Man
There is such a thing as good and evil (20:15)
- Genuine heroism - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian defenders, good samaritans helping Ukrainian refugees
- Evil is revealed - Russian President Vladimir Putin, foot soldiers and atrocities on the ground
- Reflections - we gravitate to moral complexity (e.g., in art and media), but war clarifies what is good and what is evil
How Zelensky Tamed Ukraine’s Fractious Politics and Stood Up to Putin
Decadence is bad… war is so much worse (34:03)
- Definition of decadence - economic stagnation, political stalemate, cultural exhaustion, demographic decline
- War is certainly not decadent, neither is Russia’s descent into a totalitarian state
- Be careful when you wish for suffering to strengthen resolve, or excitement to remove boredom…
The Age of Decadence
Be wary of righteous fervour (43:33)
- Economic sanctions, calls for military escalation, actual cancellation of Russian culture
- Being blind to reason, discriminating on the basis of group identity, demanding loyalty oaths - this is what “liberal” ideals are meant to mitigate
Don’t take peace and civilisation for granted (50:45)
- The mechanisms for peace are shockingly fragile… you will always need walls manned by guns
- Jonah Goldberg: “History… is always out there… staring at us with feral yellow eyes that are hard to see through the light pollution of modern civilisation…”
Chesterton’s Defense
Conclusion (1:00:36)
- After the Berlin Wall fell, we were supposed to progress to peace, love and freedom forever… how naive we were
- The Bible takes a longer view - the whole creation is in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:18-25) until Jesus returns and brings history to an end
On today’s show, Chong and Dan plants the flag on a topic that is looming large on the horizon: the metaverse. We begin by exploring how previous technologies have transformed society and worship, including automobiles (leading to megachurches) and smartphones (leading to Instavangelists). The metaverse looks like the next “big thing”. What is it, and why should people (including Christians) care about it? Drawing on a Gospel Coalition article, we critically examine the metaverse through three lenses: (i) identity, (ii) physicality and (iii) limits, and call for more wisdom in how people interact with the metaverse.
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesTechnology and worship (1:31)
- What do McDonalds, Walmart and megachurches have in common?
- What do Instagram, Uber and Airbnb have in common?
- Automobiles and smartphones have profoundly shaped society and worship
What is the metaverse (10:42)
- TL;DR - The metaverse is an extension of the internet where we interact inside digital worlds
- Recent developments - Facebook/Meta rebrand, Web3 technologies, VR and AR
Framework for the Metaverse
Meta-thinking about the problem (19:58)
- “Traditionalists” - cautious with new tech; characterised by the Jurassic Park quote: just because you could, doesn’t mean you should
- “Progressivists” - excited by new tech; it is good to push boundaries and do new things
- IGF approach - use new tech thoughtfully, give thanks for the good, think critically about the downsides
How to Prepare for the Metaverse
Consideration 1: Identity (26:56)
- “What happens when we identify more with a virtual version of ourselves than with our real selves?”
- As Christians, celebrate our received identity that is given by God
Consideration 2: Physicality (35:57)
- “It will be easy to begin to see the infinite possibilities of our virtual world and bodies as better and more real than the physical world”
- As Christians, resist constant digital connection; intentionally disconnect to be physically present with others
Consideration 3: Limits (43:32)
- “The metaverse will present us with the opportunity to experience glimpses of power only God has” - omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent
- As Christians, embrace God-given limits - including on who we are, where we live, and what we know
Conclusion (58:05)
- Robert Nozick’s Experience Machine and the Matrix - “plugging in” was seen as a bad thing; that is not the case today
- The metaverse is about the normalisation of “plugging in”
- We need to seek wisdom and ask the right questions
Wikipedia: Experience machine
On today’s show, Chong and Dan commemorate an important milestone - after 10 years, Dan has completed bible college! The main topic of our show is “belonging”. We reflect on what is special about this word - it is passive (we don’t “do” it), and it is always in relation to something or someone else. Belonging is also a core part of our identity. Therefore it is no surprise that in our individualistic culture, there is a “crisis” of both belonging and identity. What is the “solution”? Dan boldly claims that true belonging cannot be fulfilled by this world, but rather granted by God.
Music by: Julian Wan
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesDan finished bible college! (1:54)
- Reflections and quick-fire questions
- Huge personal lesson: everyone is walking their own path, you cannot plan for life
Meditations on belonging (7:11)
- You can’t “do” belonging
- You belong only in relation to other things - family, place, nation, etc.
- To belong is a fundamental aspect of human identity
- To belong is to have an obligation to others
The modern crisis of belonging (26:00)
- (Young) people who are lost - we all feel it
- Self-sabotage - showing up is hard, so we don’t do it, therefore sacrificing our long-term identity
- External obstacles in modern life
What is the solution? (45:46)
- We can’t get belonging just by trying harder
- Dan gets preachy - only Christianity offers true belonging through a God who sent his son into the world to find us
Conclusion (56:06)
- Parable of the Prodigal Son - belonging that is lost and found again, by grace
- Merry Christmas - please tell a friend about our show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts :)
On today’s show, Chong and Dan begin with some special news (which explains why we're a bit late with this one). We then reflect a little bit more on the topic of slack, which really resonated with our listeners. From there, we delve into the practical matter of "knowing yourself" - how do you know how you are going? Dan and Chong discuss four sources of information:
- What your body tells you
- What your mind tells you
- What your conscience tells you
- What others tell you
NOTE: We are conducting a short survey to better understand and serve our listeners. Please access the survey here: http://tinyurl.com/IGFsurvey2021 Thanks very much for your help!
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesWe’re back! (3:19)
- Follow-up: thank you to our listeners for the Slack episode reception
- Chong’s reflections on slack in the era of three kids
Knowing yourself (11:22)
- General vibe in listener feedback and culture that we’re not going so well
- How do you know how you are going?
There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing
What your body tells you (17:05)
- We are embodied beings - signals include tiredness, pain and hunger
- Look after your own body, and show grace to the physical state of others
What your mind tells you (28:10)
- What does your mind dwell on
- Worry and anxiety - looking to the past (“if only”) and the future (“what if”)
- The inner voice / core beliefs
What your conscience tells you (44:08)
- Your moral sense of right or wrong
- Like pain - don’t ignore your conscience, it might be telling you something important!
What others tell you (55:16)
- Valuable because we can have our own blinders
- Requires giving people permission and willingness to be vulnerable
Conclusion (1:03:32)
- Stop hiding, stop running, stop covering up - be real with how you are going
- It’s OK to not be OK
- Honour your body
- Don’t neglect your relationships (A faithful friend, who can find?)
- Go deeper - what are your core beliefs?
On today’s show, Chong and Dan follow up on the topic of building by addressing one of the barriers to it - lack of capacity. We begin by surveying the cultural and economic landscape, where “efficiency” reigns. Dan gets real by sharing about how the pursuit of efficiency is impacting his personal life. We then dive into the antidote to efficiency: slack. What does it mean to have slack and what does the Bible have to say about it? Dan and Chong then ride their respective hobby horses - ministry and finances - in applying slack to our own lives.
NOTE: We are conducting a short survey to better understand and serve our listeners. Please access the survey here: http://tinyurl.com/IGFsurvey2021 Thanks very much for your help!
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesEfficiency, efficiency everywhere (5:11)
- Productivity in the Industrial Age and the Internet Age
- The dark side of pursuing efficiency and cutting costs - “costs” can be a good thing
- Dan’s personal lament
What is slack (18:44)
- Slack consists of excess resources that are not spent in the present, for future benefit
- Importance of slack - allows us to adapt and grow; enables us to handle the inevitable ups and downs of life; helps us to prioritise what is important and effective
Efficiency is the Enemy
Slack in the Bible (28:47)
- Rhythm of build and rest in the Creation account - efficiency as “build” gone awry - Genesis 2:1-3
- Gleaning - don’t gather up every single crop, but leave some for others - Leviticus 19:9-10
- Jesus took his time - to rest and pray (Luke 5:15-16), and to help the least of these (Mark 5:21-43)
- Fulfilling the greatest commandments requires slack - Matthew 22:36-39
Applying slack to our lives (41:46)
- Church and ministry - people are the most inefficient part of ministry, but they are the very substance of ministry
- Finances - major financial commitments can wipe away slack and cripple your spiritual life; be careful!
Conclusion (57:00)
- A good litmus test for whether you have slack in your life - do you have time for your family; do you have the capacity to love those from whom you stand to gain nothing
On today’s show, Chong and Dan begin by reflecting on the one year anniversary of In Good Faith. We share things we’ve learned, our favourite episodes, and give a heartfelt thanks to our excellent listeners. From there we launch into the topic of building things (not to build up our resume, but to build for others and our society). What are the barriers to building, what does the Bible have to say about building, and what are own experiences with building? We conclude with an exhortation to our listeners - what are you building, or helping other people to build?
NOTE: We are conducting a short survey to better understand and serve our listeners. Please access the survey here: http://tinyurl.com/IGFsurvey2021 Thanks very much for your help!
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notesReflecting on one year of IGF (1:55)
- What have we learned
- Our favourite episodes - it has to be the Trump ones
A call to build (10:01)
- Marc Andreessen’s “It’s Time to Build”
- Poetry and narrative on the importance of building
- What building looks like - vocation, recreation, procreation
Greek proverb - “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit”
The challenge today (19:51)
- Barriers to building: consumption culture, busyness, therapeutic mindset, lack of respect for the past, precautionary principle, decadence
Building in the Bible (31:44)
- We build because it was God’s first and most enduring command to humankind - Genesis 1:28
- We build because God created the world for us to build - Genesis 1:31
- We build to mitigate the effects of the Fall
- We build to serve others
- We build to pass on the faith down through the generations - Deuteronomy 6:4-9
How we have benefited from building (42:11)
- Family and faith
- Civilisation and culture
- Work and business
How we are building (52:57)
- Procreation - raising up our children
- Recreation - IGF podcast
- Vocation - church and ministry
Conclusion (1:02:10)
- Chong’s exhortation - let’s get going, let’s be patient and persevere
- Dan’s summary - history began in a garden but ends in a city
On today’s show, Chong and Dan continue discussing the book “The Wisdom Pyramid” by Christian author Brett McCracken. We begin by distinguishing information (which we covered in the previous episode) from wisdom, and note how the latter is about the practical - doing, applying, discerning and living well. We then examine each layer of Brett’s pyramid, starting from the foundational aspect (the Bible) and working our way up. Along the way we share our personal experiences and failings, and present some challenges and exhortations for our listeners.
Note: we experienced some technical difficulties that reduced the quality of our recording, apologies in advance!
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
What is wisdom? (5:02)
- There is a practical aspect to wisdom - it’s not just about knowing, it’s knowing and doing
- “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad” - Brian O’Driscoll
The Wisdom Pyramid (13:34)
- Summary - the Bible, church, nature & beauty, books, the Internet, social media
- Connection to time - from timeless to ephemeral
The Bible (16:32)
- A foundational worldview is essential for wisdom
- Challenge for listeners of all backgrounds - ask yourself, “Why do I do what I do?”
The church (community) (28:58)
- Being in a community can be painful, but the pain is the point - “Iron sharpens iron”, Proverbs 27:17
- We are embodied and embedded, committing to a community brings wisdom
Nature and beauty (41:07)
- Nature and beauty as windows to the divine and transcendent
- They take us out of the immediate and out of ourselves
The rest (54:02)
- Books can provide a timeless perspective
- Internal and social media - one is useful, almost indispensable (but use with caution); the other is pure dessert
Conclusion (1:03:13)
- Dan’s recommendation - read one quality fictional book this year
- Chong’s recommendation - read the gospels of Jesus (start with the Gospel of John)
On today’s show, Chong and Dan begin a two-parter on the book “The Wisdom Pyramid” by Christian author Brett McCracken. In the first episode, we set the scene by discussing a particularly modern sickness: information obesity. As with the abundance of food, so today there is an abundance of information. We explore why this is a problem, and share three information habits from our personal lives that make us “sick”. In the next episode, we will unpack the sources of truth that lead to a life of wisdom.
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
A public health epidemic of the soul (2:09)
- Obesity - a modern epidemic caused by too much food
- “Infobesity” - an even more modern epidemic caused by too much information
Why is this a problem? (16:00)
- Anxiety and stress; disorientation and fragmentation; impotence; decision and commitment paralysis; confirmation bias
IGF 6: Rage in the Machine
Three habits that make us sick (40:54)
- Eating too much; eating too fast; eating only what tastes good to me
Conclusion (58:13)
- How you consume information is a moral matter
- Do a stocktake; get to know your habits; consider taking an information retreat!
On today’s show, Chong and Dan temporarily get into sports (American football). We use this as a launching point to talk about organisational culture. What is it, how is it created and sustained, and how can we affect it? Culture is a powerful and invisible force driving the behaviour of every collective human endeavour. We look at examples from the real world, including Dan’s personal and professional observations of how a culture of outward righteousness and inward spiritual emptiness can be perpetuated within the church 🔥🔥
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
A story about sports (2:14)
Super Bowl LI: A loss that made grown men cry
What is (organisational) culture? (9:22)
- Culture is to a group what personality is to an individual
- Guides behaviour; based on shared norms; below the surface; powerful impact
The Curse of Culture
How is culture created and sustained? (18:36)
- Repeated success in implementing group beliefs and values
- Examples: Australian Parliament and Apple Inc.
Inside the Toxic Sexist Culture of Australia’s Political Bubble
Bad church culture: the “dutiful Christian” (32:20)
- “As long as I show up to church and serve every now and then, then I’m OK with God”
- However, this does not help people know and enjoy God; it does the opposite
How do we affect culture? (43:48)
- Strategy; stories and symbols; habits; operating model; rewards and consequences; leadership
Conclusion (1:04:22)
- Culture is all around us; we can’t avoid it, but we can be aware of it and try to understand it
On today’s show, Chong and Dan start by explaining our absence (there’s a good reason!) and sharing our resolutions for 2021. We then get into the realm of philosophy by exploring how one can resolve moral dilemmas. After a quick visit to the Enlightenment, we explore two well-known approaches to moral thinking, utilitarianism and deontological ethics. Finally, we apply them to a case study involving COVID-19 vaccines. How do they help us to think through the issues, what are their weaknesses, and what does Christianity have to say about moral dilemmas?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
2021 resolutions (02:10)
The Wisdom Pyramid
Flossing
Morality and the Da Vinci Problem (5:55)
- Da Vinci the Renaissance man… and grave robber
- Concept of moral distance
Moral dilemmas (10:09)
- A situation when two or more moral principles are (seemingly) at odds
- Examples: “Does my butt look big in this?”, the Trolley problem, Twitter and Facebook banning Trump
Trolley problem - Wikipedia
Dan presents: The Enlightenment (19:59)
- Enlightenment TL;DR - reason and science
- Observing and classifying the natural world, bringing this to the moral world
Utilitarianism (aka consequentialism) (28:33)
- Whatever action that will maximise human happiness is the ethical one
- Examples and problems - The Organ Donor
Consequentialism
Deontological ethics (40:06)
- Whatever you do, only live by the rules which can be expanded to become universal laws
- Examples and problems - The Nazi at the Door
Deontological Ethics
Case study: COVID-19 vaccines (46:15)
- Leading vaccines were made with the assistance of cell lines original obtained from aborted human foetuses
- What moral principles should guide our attitude and actions?
The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt1 - When Good And Evil Intertwine
The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt 2 - Guiding Attitudes And Defining The Problem
The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt 3 - Guiding Attitudes And Defining The Problem
The Christian perspective (57:52)
- Our world is broken, which gives rise to both moral dilemmas and imperfect solutions (Ecclesiastes 8:14, Job 14:1-2)
- Christians nevertheless have a positive duty to act out of costly, self-giving love (Colossians 3:17)
- Everything is under God’s control and the brokenness in the world will one day be redeemed and restored (Revelation 21:1-14)
Conclusion (1:02:49)
- The Christian worldview is sober-minded about the challenge of moral dilemmas
- Nevertheless, we must wrestle with moral dilemmas and live as best we can under God’s rule
On today’s show, Chong and Dan give thanks for a challenging but fulfilling year. We then get into a juicy topic to finish the year: the relationship between religion and politics. Why is it “complicated”? And what are the dangers when Christians idolise politics? Using the Jericho March held in Washington DC on 12 December 2020 as a case study, we explore four kinds of faulty faith:
- Our personal experience and feeling are paramount (An individualistic faith)
- God’s purposes are for us (An optimistic faith)
- We are pure, they are evil (A Manichean faith)
- We can and must create a better world (A utopian faith)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Giving thanks for this year (02:17)
What is the relationship between religion and politics? (8:48)
- Spectrum between no distinction and hard distinction
- But practically - it’s complicated!
Background to the case study (16:57)
What I Saw at the Jericho March
What happened at the Jericho March (20:45)
- “The Jericho March was a worrying example of how Christianity can be twisted and drafted into the service of a political ideology” (Source: National Review)
Christianity as Ideology: The Cautionary Tale of the Jericho March
Problem 1: An individualistic faith (28:25)
- Jericho Marchers were told to trust their own hearts, that what they want is what God wants
- Lessons for us - Practice discernment; the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)
Problem 2: An optimistic faith (39:10)
- “Many of those people declared Trump to be ‘God’s anointed’… they believe that Trump had a special purpose and a special calling” (Source: The Dispatch)
- Lessons for us - God’s purposes are not necessarily man’s purposes; Christians are called to hope in what’s to come, not to be optimistic about the present
The Dangerous Idolatry of Christian Trumpism
Problem 3: A Manichean faith (46:41)
- Jericho Marchers were told that they are “children of light”, standing against the agents of darkness
- Lessons for us - The line between good and evil doesn’t run between Trump and Never-Trump, but through every human heart; the Bible teaches that we are no better than our enemies (Romans 3:22-23) and we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45)
Problem 4: A utopian faith (55:14)
- “[A speaker] likened the crowd to soldiers preparing for war to restore Eden. ‘We are here to save Earth and its inhabitants,’ he said.” (Source: The American Conservative)
- Lessons for us - Every political movement that has sought to “improve” society by seizing power and dictating thought/behaviour has led to disaster; at his trial, Jesus said that “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)
Conclusion (1:04:38)
- God takes the long view; as Christians, live (and sacrifice) for His kingdom, not for any kingdom on earth
On today's show, Chong and Dan continue their discussion on Donald Trump. In the previous episode, we tried in good faith to understand Trump and what he represents to his supporters. In this episode, we lay our cards on the table and explain why we think Trump is bad, and why we think it is a good thing that Trump lost his bid for re-election.
Even as we take a more critical view, we try to do this as fairly as possible - first, by laying out the facts of what happened during Trump’s presidency and his observable behaviours; and second, by giving our interpretation and opinion of the facts.
(This is Part II of a longer discussion. See Episode 13 for Part I. Recorded on 14/15 November 2020.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Preface and caveat (02:59)
- We recognise the diversity of opinion on Trump
- Let's dispense with "what-aboutism" and have an honest reckoning
Corruption (06:36)
- Trump the grifter - before and during office
- Trump the norm-destroyer
- Takeaway: Trump's self-dealing is deeply corrosive to the ideals of public service and proper governance
A quick review of 40 years of investigations into Donald Trump and his businesses
The definitive list of the 20 presidential norms Trump broke
Competence (28:46)
- Trump lacks the temperament and ability to do the job
- Preference for image over reality shattered by COVID-19 pandemic
- Takeaway: Trump is not capable of managing, nor hiring the right people to manage, the massive and important machinery of the US Government
Breaking with tradition, Trump skips president’s written intelligence report and relies on oral briefings
The Trump Era Sucks and Needs to Be Over
Character (53:12)
- Trump not only fails to embody positive traits, but actively embodies the negative traits
- Trump has made his country more angry, anxious and divided, and has brought out the worst in everyone
- Takeaway: Trump's character is completely defective, and it has a toxic effect on the entire society (and tarnishes the reputation of Christians who champion him)
1 Corinthians 13
What happens when Trump gets out of our brains?
Conclusion (1:18:20)
- What is more important for Christians - our witness or our freedom?
On today's show, Chong and Dan are unleashed. Using the 2020 US election as a launching point, we finally get to the topic that has dominated political discussion and general consciousness over the past four years - Donald Trump.
We start by recapping what happened in the election and how to interpret the results. We then address the question that has been on everyone’s minds: “What’s the deal with Donald Trump?” Despite his apparent flaws, Trump is on track to win 10 million more votes in 2020 compared to 2016.
We think there is a simple, comforting lie and a complex, uncomfortable truth. With great trepidation and in good faith, we delve into the latter in order to better understand Trump and his supporters.
(This is Part I of a longer discussion. See Episode 14 for Part II. Recorded on 14/15 November 2020.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
The 2020 US election (09:22)
- What happened - the stakes, the process, the results
- Interpreting what happened
- A word on questioning the results and "voter fraud"
Exit Polls Point to the Power of White Patriarchy
How independents, Latino voters and Catholics shifted from 2016 and swung states for Biden and Trump
Trump’s Economy Really Was Better Than Obama’s
“Disruptor” of conventional politics (48:59)
- Trump as the ultimate outsider
- Even in power, he tried to maintain this status
“Fighter” for back-row America (52:41)
- People who are struggling and against the elites
- Psychological and stylistic attraction
Dignity by Chris Arnade
“Champion” of America-first interests (1:01:26)
- International arena - trade, diplomacy, war
- Mix of rhetoric and practice
“Republican” standard-bearer (1:04:02)
- Republicans vote for the Republican ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- Explains the consistency of his support
“Enemy of the Left” (1:07:20)
- A bulwark against progressivism - for Christians and non-Christians alike
- A word on minority groups and why the Left shouldn't take their support for granted
LatinX-plaining the election
Immigrants and the American Dream
“Ally” of the religious right (1:25:49)
- Trump has delivered, transactionally speaking
- Folk Christianity and Trump worship
Christian Conservatives Respond to Trump’s Loss and Look Ahead
On today's show, Chong and Dan return to the topic of freedom. We start by responding to a thoughtful emailer who questioned the way we traced the popular definition of freedom to the Existentialist movement. We then delve deeper into the idea that freedom is not about lack of constraints, but rather the presence of good constraints that help us to pursue good objectives. We finish by talking about the Christian perspective on freedom - what does it say that we are free from and free for, and why do we think it is compelling?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Responding to a thoughtful emailer (02:35)
- Did we 'straw-man' Existentialism?
- Ideas matter, and they evolve over time
A different idea of freedom (10:41)
- Examples of gaining freedom in pursuing good objectives via good constraints
- Professional sport, raising a child, being a moral person, relationships
The Christian perspective - 'free from' (32:54)
- We are free from the bondage of sin
- "Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship."
This is Water by David Foster Wallace (Full Transcript and Audio)
The Christian perspective - 'free for' (53:47)
- We are free to have a relationship with God
- Christian freedom is expressed in love of God and love of others
Conclusion (1:01:16)
- A Holy Sonnet by John Donne
Batter my heart, three-person'd God
On today’s show, Chong and Dan address the idea of freedom, its promises and perils. We start with a popular definition of freedom ("I can do whatever I want, and not be subject to anything else") and trace its roots to the Existentialist philosophy of the 20th century. We then discuss examples of how this idea is expressed in (Western) society and culture, before tackling the problems with it. Rather than focusing on freedom, should we instead be thinking more carefully about the constraints and aspirations we wish to live by?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Freedom - definition and roots (06:13)
- Pop culture definition
- Existentialist philosophy - "existence precedes essence"
- Freedom to (do whatever I want); freedom from (any constraints)
Existentialism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Examples in society and culture (18:13)
- Disney - Frozen and Zootopia
- Advertising
- Rick and Morty (Season 1, Episode 8)
- Natasha Bedingfield - "Unwritten"
Youtube - Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten (Official Video)
The problems with existential freedom (33:26)
- No such thing as freedom from everything and freedom to do anything
- Pursuit of freedom can be at odds with good/evil and human nature
- The paradox of freedom - more freedom is not an unambiguous good
Conclusion (54:13)
- A cautionary tale of desiring freedom from Dante's Inferno
Wikipedia - Dante's Satan
On today’s show, Chong and Dan continue their interview with John McClean. We discuss what it means for Christians to "transform" our culture and use Chong's work as a case study. Finally, using the Benedict Option book as a launching point, we discuss what it looks like for Christians to live and worship in a secularising world.
John is Vice Principal of Christ College (in Sydney, NSW) and teaches in the areas of Christian Thought focusing on Systematic Theology and Ethics. He is the convenor of the Gospel, Society and Culture (GS&C) Committee of the Presbyterian Church of NSW and he writes a regular ethics column in the Pulse, the PCNSW magazine. For more information on the GS&C, visit: http://gsandc.org.au
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Theology of culture (7:10)
- Abraham Kuyper's view - Christians are to bring every sphere of society under the sovereignty of God
- Competing notions - "transform" and "redeem" vs bless and witness
Applying a Christian lens to work (22:03)
- How Chong thinks of his job (Privacy Consultant) as a Christian
- Implications of Christian worldview and practice on our work
Christian living and worship (44:13)
- The Benedict Option book and its prescriptions - personal conversion, spiritual discipline, regular habits and intentional communities
- Importance of embodied and embedded Christian living
On today’s show, Chong and Dan is joined by John McClean to discuss the “culture war” and what Christians should think and do about it. We discuss how the culture war relates to the church’s mission to be a witness and to bless the nations.
John is Vice Principal of Christ College (in Sydney, NSW) and teaches in the areas of Christian Thought focusing on Systematic Theology and Ethics. He is the convenor of the Gospel, Society and Culture (GS&C) Committee of the Presbyterian Church of NSW and he writes a regular ethics column in the Pulse, the PCNSW magazine. For more information on the GS&C, visit: http://gsandc.org.au
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
What is the “culture war”? (8:17)
- A fight to define the mainstream culture
- Hot button issues
What is the state of the culture war now, for Christians? (18:49)
How does fighting the culture war relate to the mission of the church? (22:30)
- Living faithfully, being a witness and blessing our culture VS fighting to regain our “Christian foundations”
- The problem with cultural Christianity and Christian institutions that become embedded within the state
Where do Christians go from here, in the context of “losing” legal ground? (36:48)
- Example of abortion
- Not disengagement; but careful, strategic engagement
How can Christians navigate the magnetic pull of partisan politics? (44:59)
- Feeling politically homeless VS continuing to serve within political parties - but always guided by grace and love
- Importance of relationships
Chong and Dan’s reflections on the interview (55:17)
- What did we like, what can we apply, and some exhortations for our listeners
On today’s show, Chong and Dan wrap up an informal three-part cycle of shows by examining how we think, specifically via the topic of logical fallacies. We discuss two common logical fallacies that appear in everyday conversations, news, commentary, books and podcasts (other people's podcasts, of course). The straw man is when you misrepresent your opponent's argument and the motte-and-bailey is when you misrepresent your own argument - but why would you do that?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Prelude - Introduction to logical fallacies (07:10)
- What is a logical fallacy?
- Why should we care about it?
Wikipedia - Fallacy
Straw man argument (20:59)
- Definition
- Examples in the news, church and personal life
I'm Not Hateful, You Are
Motte-and-bailey argument (43:26)
- History and definition
- Examples in the news and personal life
Feminists Who Now Claim They Never Meant 'Believe All Women' Are Gaslighting Us
The 'Motte & Bailey': Political Jousting's Deceptive New Medieval Weapon
Conclusion
- Quick takeaways
- Dan's summary
On today’s show, Chong and Dan examine two approaches to making the world a better place, one that starts on the outside and one that starts within. We advocate for the latter and present a framework for thinking about individual wellbeing that we will revisit in future episodes. In the second part of the episode, we explore one aspect of wellbeing - practicing virtue - through examples from our own lives.
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
On today's show Chong and Dan dig into the perils and problems of the internet by seeking to answer the question: "Why is everyone angry all the time?" (Or so it seems). We discuss the profound changes that communication technologies have wrought on societies and unpack how the internet is changing society today in four ways:
- The internet connects everyone and everything
- The internet doesn’t forget
- The internet depends on, and demands, our attention
- The internet changes how we communicate
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
References
The Internet and the Third Estate
10 Theses About Cancel Culture
The end of forgetting
The medium is the message
Twitter is lossy compression
On today's show Chong and Dan continue the discussion about society reckoning with its complicated past, this time through the lens of biblical history. How does the Christian faith reconcile the moral failings of its protagonists with its vision of a just and perfect future? We suggest this is done through the concept of ‘grace’. What is it, how does it link to forgiveness, and how can we apply it to our present circumstances?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
References
I'm a black Southerner. I had to go abroad to see a statue celebrating black liberation.
A Twitter thread written by @ConceptualJames on cancel culture and messing up
In Albanian Feuds, Isolation Engulfs Families
"Loving Your Enemies," Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church by Martin Luther King Jr
On today's show Chong and Dan take stock of the current socio-political climate in the United States (and by extension, the rest of the West). In particular, we discuss the waves of cancellations and erasures that are occurring in newsrooms, campuses and media organisations, among other places. Why is this happening? And what are the problems that we see with this dynamic? We don’t have a satisfying answer for the way forward, but we agree that it must start with mercy and grace.
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
References
James Bennet Resigns as New York Times Opinion Editor
Fawlty Towers: John Cleese attacks ‘cowardly’ BBC over episode’s removal
Netflix has quietly removed four of Chris Lilley’s shows, but it didn’t go unnoticed
UCLA professor: No racism in refusing to cancel final
List of monuments and memorials removed during the George Floyd protests
Margaret River’s Colonial beers ripped from shelves over name controversy
On today's show Chong and Dan begin with thoughts on George Floyd's killing and its aftermath. We share our reflections on the importance of respecting this moment and how (not) to use social media. In the main part of the episode, we look at a framework for explaining society's posture towards Christianity: Positive World, Neutral World and Negative World. What do each of these mean, where are we today and how should Christians live in response?
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Opening statement on George Floyd (1:23)
What is the world’s posture towards Christianity? (9:33)
The Masculinist #13: The Lost World of American EvangelicalismThe Positive World (11:03)
- Christendom and dominant cultural force
- "Religious right” and “moral majority”
The Neutral World (13:19)
- Pluralistic society
- Example of Timothy Keller’s ministry
The Negative World (19:03)
- Christianity as a social negative
- Examples - demographics, changing laws, adverse actions
What world are we living in? (29:56)
- Things seem OK day-to-day?
- The importance of elite institutions in setting the culture
- The trend (towards Negative World) is clear - some implications
What does the Bible say? (43:03)
- The Bible speaks to every world, but in particular the Negative World (when believers suffered persecution!)
- The Bible tells us to do good for the society (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
- Jesus taught that if you are faithful to him, the world will “hate” you (John 15:18-19)
How should Christians respond? (51:30)
- Fighting for power vs being a prophetic voice
- Russell Moore: we are a minority with a message and a mission
On today's show Chong and Dan use the COVID-19 situation as a springboard to talk about a very important concept in philosophy and psychology: motivated reasoning. What is it, when does it become a problem, what does the Bible say about it, and how can we combat it in our own lives? (Note: this episode was recorded before the protests that have occurred in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing in the United States. We refer to earlier protests against the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders.)
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
Definition of motivated reasoning (1:34)
Examples from our personal lives (7:41)
Example from the church (13:24)
Why is motivated reasoning bad? (20:40)
- Living by lies or not living in truth
- Justifies sinful behaviour
What does the Bible say? (30:26)
- Our thinking became futile and our hearts became darkened (Romans 1:21)
- The heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9)
- To suit our own desires and satisfy our itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3)
How can we combat motivated reasoning? (34:30)
- Awareness, humility, advice, empathy, pursuing truth (even when it’s uncomfortable)
On today's show Chong and Dan introduce the podcast and its premise. What are we trying to achieve? What does it mean to apply a 'Christian lens'? Why do we think it is important to have dialogue that is 'in good faith'? In the second part of the episode, we get vulnerable with some personal sharing on how our experiences and upbringing have shaped the thinking that we are bringing to the podcast.
Connect with us
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ingoodfaithfm/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ingoodfaithfm
- Email - ingoodfaithmail@gmail.com
Show notes
What IGF is about (1:24)
Who we are (18:14)
- Growing up in diverse worlds
- High school and university
- Both liberal and conservative sensibilities
- "Adulting” - marriage and children
Dan’s wrap-up (48:01)