Spiritually Incorrect

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Catholicism claims thousands of miracles. What happens when a scientist who is also a faithful Catholic looks at them with a critical eye?

In this episode, we talk with Paul Rimmer, a Cambridge astrophysicist, about how he weighs miracle claims as both a Catholic and a scientist. We also delve into the implications of quantum mechanics and a whole host of different ideas. Whether you're a believer who wants to know which stories can withstand scrutiny or a skeptic curious how someone holds both positions at once, this conversation takes the question seriously.

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Can miracles actually be investigated scientifically?

In this episode, we sit down with Caleb Jackson to examine two of the most fascinating alleged miracle phenomena in modern Christian history: the apparitions at Zeitoun in Egypt and the healings associated with Lourdes in France.

What do the historical records actually show? How strong is the medical evidence for the Lourdes healings? What can (and can't) be established scientifically about the extraordinary events reported at Zeitoun? And at what point does evidence for an unexplained event become evidence for a genuine miracle?

Is this proof of miracles? Listen and decide for yourself.

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In this episode, we sit down with Gary Chartier, a legal scholar, philosopher, and one of the leading voices in market anarchism. We talk about his book Christianity and the Nation-State: A Study in Political Theology. Chartier argues that the modern nation-state isn't just flawed but morally illegitimate, and that a serious Christian political theology points toward something else entirely: radical consociationalism, a form of government without states or territories.

We dig into what radical consociationalism actually looks like in practice, why he rejects both nationalism and a global government, and whether any of this is remotely feasible.

If you've ever wondered what happens when rigorous political philosophy meets serious Christian theology and where that collision leads if you follow it all the way, this is the conversation for you.

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Raelism is the religion that believes humanity was genetically engineered by aliens. When their priest Leon Ariel Mellul ended up in a room with us, we were not about to let "extraterrestrials did it" go unchallenged.

Topics on the table: Who really created humanity? Does cloning debunk religion? Is the Bible just an alien PR campaign? And can two belief systems this different actually have a civil conversation, or does this go off the rails by minute ten?

Buckle up. This one's a ride.

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As I write this, the fifth batch of declassified government documents on UFOs (or UAPs for the sophisticated) is still being culled over. Clearly, this is a topic that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

But just as this episode releases, a new book, called The Metaphysics of UFOs, attempts to uncover just what is going on in our skies. Its author, Jonathan Kendall, MD, began as an open-minded skeptic. Now, he believes he is beginning to unravel something far more astonishing.

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You've probably heard someone say, "You have to read the Bible in context." But what does that actually mean — and is historical context the only context that matters? We sat down with biblical scholar Max Botner to find out why treating the Bible purely as a historical document might be the most common mistake readers make, and what a richer approach to Scripture actually looks like.

This is part 2 of our conversation with Jordan Daniel Wood. See the last episode for part 1.

With the government releasing UFO files and Spielberg giving us more Hollywood blockbusters, aliens are back in the news. And believe it or not, Christian theology may already have the tools to handle the biggest question of the disclosure era. While many Christians ignore the topic or, perhaps, see it all as demonic, might the truth be more nuanced? This week we sit down with theologian Jordan Daniel Wood — known for his work on Maximus the Confessor and Christian metaphysics — to talk about what current UAP disclosure actually means for Christian theology, and what it doesn't and, most important, what the truth behind all this UFO talk might actually be.

Check out the new trailer for "Not of This World" featuring Jordan Daniel Wood!

For behind-the-scenes access, check out ourPatreon!

This is only part one of our conversation. For early access to part two,join our Patreon.

With the government releasing UFO files and Spielberg giving us more Hollywood blockbusters, aliens are back in the news. And believe it or not, Christian theology may already have the tools to handle the biggest question of the disclosure era. While many Christians ignore the topic or, perhaps, see it all as demonic, might the truth be more nuanced? This week we sit down with theologian Jordan Daniel Wood — known for his work on Maximus the Confessor and Christian metaphysics — to talk about what current UAP disclosure actually means for Christian theology, and what it doesn't and, most important, what the truth behind all this UFO talk might actually be.

For unaired episodes, extended interviews, and a load of additional perks,⁠join our Patreon!⁠

Across college campuses, social media platforms, and young adult communities, many are claiming that there are growing signs of renewed interest in faith among Gen Z. But is this a genuine spiritual revival, a reaction to cultural uncertainty, or something more complex?

In this episode, we explore the data behind the headlines, the experiences driving young people toward Christianity, and the questions many Gen Zers are asking about meaning, purpose, identity, and belonging. We'll examine what's fueling this trend and consider what it could mean for the future of faith in America.

Is Christianity making a comeback with the next generation—or are the details something far more nuanced and, perhaps, alarming?

It's the start of summer, and it's time to discuss the future of the podcast. What started as a simple update turned into a vibrant conversation between cohosts. If you're invested in the show, you'll want to tune into this for some updates.

What does it actually mean that God is "eternal"? The answer might completely upend everything you thought you knew.

In fact, at the Transfiguration of Jesus, something might have been revealed about God and time that completely breaks our brain. In this episode, we sit down with New Testament scholar Shane Wood to dig into what Scripture actually teaches about God's relationship to time, and the results are as surprising as they are unsettling.

Using Jonathan Lyonhart's Zeus Was an Atheist as our launching point, we unpack the question: What if the Biblical portrait of God is far more radical, more personal, and more strange than anything we imagined?

For more, be sure to pick up Jonathan's new book here!

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The question of drug legalization has never been more pertinent. In the USA, more and more states are legalizing the use of marijuana. Medical usages for psychedelics have also become a hot topic, thanks in no small part to some major podcast figures. But what should the Christian take on the decriminalization of drugs be? Should we maintain the status quo and resist the normalization of such substances? Or has the war on drugs actually created more harm than help?

Here to wade deep into these murky waters is Christina Dent, founder of End It For Good, an organization that seeks to help us rethink what our best approach to drugs might be.

For those wanting behind-the-scenes interviews with Christina and others, join our Patreon!

What if reality isn’t made of isolated things—but of relationships all the way down?

In this episode, we sit down with John Milbank to explore the strange and surprisingly relevant world of Trinitarian ontology. Together, we dig into a bold idea: that being itself might be more like a living communion than a collection of separate objects.

Along the way, we tackle big questions: Why does the Trinity still matter? How does it reshape our understanding of politics and the world? And what would it mean to see reality as fundamentally relational rather than competitive?

Expect a mix of deep theology and a few moments where your brain might do a happy double-take. Whether you’re a seasoned thinker or just Trinity-curious, this conversation opens up a fresh way of seeing the world—and your place in it.

For more on the New Trinitarian Ontologies, check out another interview with Ryan Haecker on our Patreon!

Where did we get our idea of the devil? We often imagine pitchforks and horns, but is that how the church and Scripture imagine the supposed prince of darkness? Are there ideas about the great adversary to humanity that we've forgotten? And should we recapture them? What is true and what is false about this enigmatic figure?

On this episode, we "give the devil his due" and dive into the strange and often baffling history of the concept of Satan within the church. Guiding us like Virgil through the fiery gates is Prof. Gabrielle Thomas, who is, perhaps, the world's foremost expert on the early church and its views of Lucifer.

For early access and unaired parts of our interviews, check out our Patreon!

What happens to faith if we discover we’re not alone in the universe?

In this episode, we bring together Muslim and Christian perspectives to explore one of the biggest “what if” questions of our time: the existence of extraterrestrial life. Would aliens challenge belief in God—or deepen it? How do the Muslim and Christian approach the idea of life beyond Earth? And what would it mean for humanity’s place in creation?

Through an honest and respectful conversation, we dive into theology, philosophy, and science. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or deeply rooted in your faith, this episode invites you to think bigger about the universe—and your place in it.

For more, check out our Patreon here.

Last week, we released part 1 of our debate with David Artman of the Grace Saves All podcast about universalism, the view that all will eventually be saved. This week, we dive into Scripture to ask: What does the Bible say?

Is the traditional view of Hell a myth? And does Scripture actually reveal a much more optimistic view of the future? Pull out your Bibles and get ready for some fireworks as we debate this "fiery" topic together.

For access to our Patreon and a load of extra content,click here!

Is universalism a modern innovation, or a recovery of an ancient hope? Can hell survive serious theological scrutiny? And if Christ is truly victorious, what does that mean for the destiny of all?We're joined by David Artman, host of the Grace Saves All podcast, for another debate on whether Hell is a bastion of everlasting torment or, perhaps, something different. This is only part one of the debate. Click here for early access to part two.

At the heart of the Christian faith stands a miracle: the resurrection of Christ. Yet despite the centrality of this event to the faith, many Christians have been skeptical of other miraculous claims from across the centuries. Yet history doesn't give us license to ignore such claims. In fact, accounts of saints floating through the air in front of hundreds of onlookers or bilocating to places hundreds of miles away are not infrequent and challenge many of our assumptions about the world.

And it's not just the ignorant who believe this. Carlos Eire, a Yale historian, has recently published the book They Flew, detailing these stories, and he joins us today to recount the remarkable tales of flying nuns and teleporting monks.

The most successful movie in history is James Cameron's Avatar, and just a few weeks ago, the third movie in the franchise, released to box office success.

Yet unlike many major action films, Avatar is filled with religious and spiritual topics. While often dismissed as mere animism or pantheism, Jonathan and Seth discuss how the religious themes of the film are far more nuanced and interesting than they are often given credit for. Should Christians give the franchise a second look? If you're a fan of the film (or simply want to hear Seth trash them), you're sure to enjoy this analysis.

The newestKnives Out movie, Wake Up, Dead Man, has come out on Netflix. This murder mystery movie series has become one of the most acclaimed and debated of our generation, and the newest one is no exception. Yet this addition has a twist: it just might be a Christian movie. Here to review it and discuss its complex message are your beloved hosts, who put themselves through any series of movie-going experiences just for you, beloved listeners.

And because we know you just can't get enough of us, click here for our Patreon to gain access to another complete bonus episode on the movie.

Is belief in the supernatural and paranormal a byproduct of the past? If their popularity in the media is any indication, then the answer is no. And, in fact, studies show that belief in the supernatural is going up in the Western world. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Josephson-Storm, author of The Myth of Disenchantment, to challenge one of the most familiar stories about modernity—the idea that science, reason, and secularization stripped the world of magic, mystery, and belief.

Don't forget to join our Patreon here for access to the full interview with Jason Josephson-Storm!

No episode this week. Just vibes. We’re on a holiday break and will be back soon with actual content. Thanks for sticking with us.

And you know what would make a great holiday gift? A Patreon subscription to our premium content! Click here!

In this end-of-year special, we bring on Jahdiel Perez, a theologian at Villanova, to tell us how he prepped for his recent debate with an atheist philosopher on the hardest problem of all: the problem of evil. We discuss strategies, pros and cons of the argument, and so much more.

In this episode, we’re stirring the philosophical pot with a delightfully mischievous idea: the “Evil God Hypothesis.” What if—just go with us here—the universe were run not by a perfectly good deity, but by a cosmic supervillain who occasionally lets good things slip through the cracks? By flipping the script, we explore why people find belief in an all-good God reasonable, yet an all-evil god absurd—and whether that reaction actually holds up. We’ll dig into the origins of this argument and what this topsy-turvy thought experiment exposes about our assumptions regarding the divine. Join us as we have some fun turning theology upside down.

And for $5 a month, you can join our Patreon and get exclusive access to tons of additional content!

While we're more known for our lighthearted and irreverent style, occasionally, Spiritually Incorrecttackles some more difficult topics. This episode, we ask the question: Is the United States complicit in the genocide of Native Americans? It's certainly a heavy topic, and here to help us through the issue is Marc Carpenter, a historian whose new book, The War on Illahee, tackles this topic head on.

You can find Dr. Carpenter's book here!

On our special Halloween episode, we're joined by our recurring guest Shane Wood to discuss the creepiest, strangest, and most haunting events that have ever happened to us. It's spook season, and this episode is guaranteed to give you the chills as we talk about and interpret those events in our lives that leave us without explanation.

Happy Halloween!

We talk a lot about Christian theology on this podcast, but have you ever heard the perspective of an atheist? How would an atheist perceive the various debates and topics within Christian theology? How powerful do they find the arguments for God's existence? What would be their views on the idea of salvation?

On this episode, we intend to find out. We're joined by Cambridge scholar Emily Qureshi-Hurst, whose new book, Decoding the Cosmos, explores topics in Christian theology and their intersection with physics.

To find her book, click here!

And to hear the full interview, join our Patreon!

Whelp, it's the end of season three at Spiritually Incorrect, and we're taking our regular break. We'll be back in two weeks, but in the meantime, enjoy this fun little reflection from us!

In a world where so many questions arise about right and wrong, one question that has persistently popped up is:

Is there even such a thing as an absolute right and wrong?

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into one of the most fundamental debates in philosophy and theology: Does objective morality require the existence of God? We explore whether moral truths exist independently of human opinion and, if so, whether those truths can stand without a divine foundation.

After weeks of hearing from all sides, it's finally time to debate it! This week, we release our (mock) debate with David Artman. Seth will be taking the position (just for the debate) of annihilationism, and Jonathan (again, for the debate) of the traditional eternal-conscious-torment position. David, unsurprisingly, will defend universalism.

And despite this (supposedly) being a mock debate, sparks fly! This is by far one of our most entertaining and heated episodes yet! Let us know which position you think won!

And for full access to all our previous episodes in this series, check out our Patreon!

We've done quite a few episodes on the nature of Hell, and today we're joined by David Artman, host of the Grace Saves All podcast and defender of the universalist position. In this first part of our interview, we ask him the toughest questions surrounding universalism.

But stay tuned for next week's episode, where we have a beatdown brawl debate with him over the different positions on Hell!

For early access to that episode, join our Patreon!

Last episode, we heard a spirited defense of universalism from the ever charitable Jordan Wood. This week, we hear the other side. Can Hell be defended? Is it impossible to believe in an all-loving God and eternal torment for the unredeemed?

Here to tackle this monumental task is Fr. James Dominic Rooney, whose book No Hope in Helloffers a philosophically robust and up-to-date defense of the traditional view of Hell.

Not too long ago, we did a series called "Rethinking Hell", and it turned out to be our most popular series ever.

But so much more needs to be said. So welcome to part 2 of that series!

Jordan Wood, whose controversial book on Maximus the Confessor has recently been making waves, has argued that everyone, even the most vile and wretched among us, will be saved. His position, called universalism, has gained steam in recent years, and it shows no shortage of slowing down.

But can it be biblically defended? Let's find out.

The so-called "Gnostic" Gospels have been the subject of innumerable books (including the famed The Da Vinci Code), documentaries, and scholarly fascination. These texts are often said to have been suppressed by the early church in order to sanitize the story of Christ, creating the "orthodox" version passed down to us.

How much truth is there to these claims? Do these gospels pose a threat to the traditional claims about Jesus and his teachings? Here to help us through this issue is the esteemed New Testament scholar Craig Evans, author of the book Fabricating Jesus (as well as a host of other titles).

For access to the full interview, join our Patreon!

Guess what, everyone? Jonathan's newest book, The Journey of God, is now available! Go check it out here!

But in the meantime, listen to us discuss its origins, its content, and even get a reading of the book itself.

It's been a few weeks since the world welcomed a new pope. And while there was plenty of coverage at the beginning, it's about time to ask: how is he doing? What have the first few weeks revealed about the future of the Catholic Church and how he will operate as pope?

Well, the last two people you want discussing this are your two Protestant hosts, so to help us out, we brought on Jimmy Akin from Jimmy Akin's Mysterious Worldand Catholics Answers to help us out.

Find more from Jimmy Akin here!

For the full interview (including Jimmy's take on contemporary Christian and Catholic-related films), go here!

Hot take! (not really)

There are plenty of faith-based films, and it seems that the avalanche of Christian movies has only been increasing in recent years. There is only one problem: nearly all of them are awful.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this is the film series God's Not Dead. While Christians flocked to see it and applauded it for its message, most others were appalled by its portrayal of non-Christians, its shallow storytelling, and its simplistic view of the world.

In this episode, we review the film and offer our take on not just this film but how Christian films can improve in the future.

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The problem of evil has been a major theological and philosophical conundrum for millennia. Writers even before the time of Jesus were wrestling with the idea of why God (or the gods) would allow such pain and suffering in the world. Where is God in the midst of all this evil?

Needless to say, Scripture is not silent on this issue. On this episode, we jump straight into this thorny issue with Dr. Matthew McBirth and look particularly at how St. Peter dealt with the issue in the Bible. In short, we have Peter, pain, and the problem that won't go away.

For more exclusive content from our podcast, go to ourPatreon page!

Is Christianity opposed to feminism? If you listen to many, the answer is a definitive yes. The church, they say, has suppressed women and women's rights for centuries, and it continues to be a force for misogyny in the world today. Women's rights and Christianity simply have not been allies.

Yet here to give us a fresh perspective on the true relationship of feminism and the faith is Dr. Sarah Williams.

To hear our post-discussion, be sure to join our Patreon!

Every Sunday, churches perform the same ritual. There's singing, some announcements, and a word from the preacher. And, undoubtedly, the same complaints reemerge. The sermon was too long, too boring, too unrelatable, etc.

With declining church attendance across the Western world, one has to wonder what the church can do. Are our sermons no longer touching the lives of the congregants? Is there something we can do to reshape how we see preaching and the spoken word? Here to guide us on his own journey into a new way of preaching is Dr. Mark Glanville: Old Testament scholar, preacher, podcaster, and jazz musician.

For more from Dr. Glanville, go tohttps://www.markglanville.org/

The book of Revelation has sparked no shortage of debate and intrigue. Who is the Beast/antichrist? What is the Mark of the Beast? Is the book an outline of events that are soon to take place?

But is it possible that we have gotten the book wrong entirely? Is the book not a roadmap of the future but something far more relevant to the here and now?

Here to help us decode this mysterious piece of literature is Dr. Shane J. Wood, whose new book, Thinning the Veil, attempts to pierce the interpretive haze that has surrounded Revelation for millennia.

You can find out more about his book at https://www.shanejwood.com/.

1+1+1=...1?

According to Christian teaching, God is three persons... but there is only one God. How does that make any sense? It is easily one of the great mysteries of the faith, yet it is one Christians have still ceaselessly tried to solve. Is there a way to make sense of it? Or are we fated to never understand this central point of Christian teaching?

Here to give his radical take is our host Jonathan, whose book MonoThreeism attempts to, once and for all, end the conversation and say, yes, the Trinity is nonsense, but it is also... true? If you're as confused as I am, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The world of quantum physics is a strange one, but it is becoming increasingly popular with the recent Marvel movies. In this episode, we explore the possible implications of quantum physics on spirituality. Specifically, we decided to shake things up a bit and have Allan Furic, a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, speak to the strange alignment between the thought of quantum physicist David Bohm and certain aspects of Buddhism. It's as weird and wacky of an episode as you'll see from us!

In the first of its kind on our show, we have a (friendly) debate with Paul Williams, the host of Blogging Theology and prominent Muslim apologist. We argue whether the New Testament (particularly the earlier documents) can tell us whether or not Jesus saw Himself as divine.

Another US election, and everyone is back to arguing! But mixed in with these discussions are questions about Christianity and the role of the church in politics. Bishop Budde just made the news over her comments to President Trump. Vice President Vance has appealed to theordo amoris in his politics. It seems the question of church-state relations is more relevant than ever, but what is the right approach? How should Christians react to politics? Is it right to try and push Christian agendas? Or should we leave our faith out of the ballot box?

A lot has been going on in the news, but plenty of stories may have gone under your radar. On this second episode of In The News, we cover everything from the future of robotics, the TikTok ban, and whether or not alcohol is actually healthy for you (!).

All that and much more as we plow our way through the lesser-known headlines!

In this episode, we look at the fascinating friendship of two of history's greatest fiction authors. In our interview with Oxford scholar Michael Ward, we look at how Tolkien led Lewis to Christianity, the impact the two had on one another's thoughts and writings, and many more topics on the two most famous Inklings.

Happy 2025 (almost)! We're taking our normal holiday break, but this time, we're leaving you with a short filler episode that has some good banter and exciting updates on our next episode.

We're back with our third annual Halloween episode! This year we tackle the strange world of mediums, psychics, telepathy, and beyond as we interview R. Alan Streett, a professor of theology at Criswell College and author of the new book Exploring the Paranormal: Miracles, Magic, and the Mysterious. Streett has been a believer and practitioner of mediumship, an ardent skeptic, and everything in-between. Join us as he gives his life story and helps us come to a conclusion of what Christians should believe about these perplexing phenomena

The West is rapidly losing its religion, but strangely, that does not mean it is losing its belief in the supernatural. In fact, such beliefs are as common as ever. The "Spiritual but not Religious" subgroup has quickly become one of the biggest and fastest-growing groups in the US and other Western nations.

But who are they? What do they believe? And where did this trend come from? In this episode, we discuss (in obsessive detail) the origins and common threads surrounding the Spiritual but not Religious.

While in our last episode, we talked about who the spiritual but not religious are, this episode we tackle what we, as a church, ought to do about it. Is there anything we can learn from this movement? Or should we see it as something completely hostile to Christianity?

When you look into the night sky, it can sometimes be tough not to think that there is a designer to it all. And, as it turns out, it is not just Christians who have thought this. The design argument, an apologetic argument that seeks to show God's existence from evidence for design, has had a long history in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. What do these other faiths have to say? Are they much different from Christianity's claims? And are they convincing?

Here to help us through this issue are Erkki Rope Kojonen and Shoaib Malik who have just published a new, groundbreaking book on this very topic!

Election season is here! And it is just as heated as ever. The past two elections, evangelicals have overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump. However, we recently heard from Jim Wallis, Obama's spiritual advisor, why this is misguided. Is he correct?

Here to give the case forvoting for Donald Trump is R. R. Reno, editor of the journal First Things. According to him, Trump is a symptom of something much, much deeper and important that needs to be reclaimed in our country. Be sure to give both episodes a listen and let us know which side you think won!

The election is just around the corner, and many Christians are perplexed by their options. While most white Evangelicals prefer Trump, the question of his moral character consistently plagues him, and, indeed, many wonder how God's church can support a man who consistently attacks and demeans various people.

Are Christians wrong to side with Trump so heavily? Here to argue they are is Jim Wallis, a renowned theologian and former advisor to Barack Obama. PART 2will include the oppositecase: that Christians ought to support Trump. Be sure to check out this podcast in the coming days for that episode!

Read the title. That's all you get.

We've talked a lot about science on this podcast and even touched on the supposed warfare between science and religion. However, today we have the honor of bringing on an expert to help us parse through the supposed conflict. Derrick Peterson, author of the acclaimed Flat Earths and Fake Footnotes, is here to set us straight on where the conflict really lies and how we have massively misunderstood the history of both these fields.

Be sure to access the full episode (plus two free university courses) for only $5 a monthhere!

The problem of evil is the toughest question Christians can face, and the Holocaust is perhaps the most glaring and incomprehensible example of evil ever committed. How ought Christians handle the reality of such blatant wickedness? Does the reality of such a grotesque act say something about the God who presumably allowed it to happen? Should it challenge our conception of God and God's place in the world?

We discuss these questions and much more on this episode!

And for much more from us, check out our Patreon page here!

We've all been told that certain beliefs are "essential" for being a Christian, whereas others are not quite as important. Yet while we can usually agree on this, there seems to be no consensus on what these "essential beliefs" truly are. In fact, disagreements on these topics are the cause of many (if not most) church splits.

Is there any way to know which beliefs are truly essential? What must we believe to be Christians, and what should be the standard for fellowship? Here to help us sort through this thorny topic is Andy Nichols, an expert on the early church and church unity.

C. S. Lewis is one of the most respected and famous Christians of the past century. He is one of the few authors with near universal love and praise from Evangelical circles, in particular. However, many of Lewis's beliefs would be considered odd (or perhaps even heretical) by many within the church today.

What are these beliefs? And what are we to make of the fact that they come from one of the heroes of the faith? Here to guide us through this sticky issue is Dr. Jahdiel Perez, who has recently secured a doctorate from Oxford on Lewis's thoughts and beliefs.

Once an unknown range in the middle of Utah, the place known as Skinwalker Ranch has been catapulted into fame over the past two decades. The subject of a decade-long research project partly funded by the US government, the ranch is now home to a scientific investigation that has become one of the most popular documentary series on television ("The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch").

Why spend so much attention on such a relatively innocuous place? In short, the ranch is sometimes credited with being the most active paranormal spot in the country (and perhaps in the world). The hundreds of testimonies, some from scientists, government officials, and military officers, attest that there's something deeply unusual about this place. It's time we take our chance to figure it out.

Yes, we finally went there. In the most incorrect of Spiritually Incorrect episodes, we bring on a chaplain from the Global Order of Satan, a branch of Satanism, to talk about what Satanists actually believe and practice and what bits of it are just Hollywood fiction and relics of the Satanic panic from the 1980s.

This is definitely an episode you don't want to miss!

Exclusive Offer:

For our $5 and up Patreon subscribers, you now have access to a free university course taught by Jonathan called "The History of Christian Thought"! And if you're not a subscriber, join in the fun at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=82501095.

As violence erupts around the world, many are feeling more unsettled now than ever. And one conflict at the forefront of many's attention is the war in Gaza. For some, it's just one more example of religions causing divisions and violence that would otherwise not exist. It joins a long list that includes the medieval Crusades, Witch Hunts, and the Wars on Terror.

But how true is this? Are religions inherently violent, and would the world be more peaceful without them? To quote John Lennon's famous song, if there were no religions, would we all just live for today? Helping us dissect this myth is Dr. William Cavanaugh, one of the world's leading theologians and experts on the history of religion and warfare.

Special Giveaway:For all $5 a month Patreon subscribers, you now have free access to Jonathan's book Monothreeism: An Absurdly Arrogant Attempt to Answer All the Problems of the Last 2000 Years in One Night at a Pub!

Euthanasia, the act of ending someone's life in hopes of sparing them further pain and misery, has become an increasingly common practice in Western nations. Already, nations like The Netherlands, Canada, and Australia have programs for carrying it out.

But despite its name meaning "good death," is euthanasia morally acceptable? Or have we gone one step too far when we intentionally kill people, even those who are suffering pain and disease? Here to help us wrestle with the issue is Prof. Margaret Somerville, whose decades of work at McGill and Notre Dame Australia have been at the forefront of the debate.

With November rapidly approaching, it's everyone's (least) favorite time of year... political season. Most of us are already tired of the constant ads, the infighting, and the nonstop social media disputes.

And even among Christians, we can never seem to agree. But what did Jesus teach us about politics? Did He have certain positions that we have ignored? Would he have voted Republican or Democrat? To help us answer these questions, we have Dr. Mark Moore, an expert on the topic and a New Testament scholar.

And DON'T FORGET!Our Patreonsubscribers get access to the full interview plus tons of free content (including a free university course on Eastern religions). Check it out for only $5 a month at spirituallyincorrectpodcast.com!

We're constantly bombarded with bad news about the environment. Another species has been declared extinct... Another natural disaster blamed on changing temperatures...

How much of it is true? And should we, the church, care? If the world is ultimately going to end, why care too much about it? Or is this mentality wrong?

On today's episode, we tackle the ever-controversial topic of environmentalism with Prof. Bethany Sollereder!

While most Christians obviously assume Jesus knew who He was, it may surprise them to learn that many (if not most) New Testament scholars debate about this. And even assuming Jesus did know this, when did He learn it? Did He come out of the womb with this knowledge or learn it along the way? How?

Here to help us through these difficult questions is Dr. Austin Stevenson, who has recently written on the topic.

Outside of Jesus, Siddhartha Gautama, better known as "The Buddha," is perhaps the most revered spiritual figure in history. Indeed, even many Christians have come to admire and revere the teachings attributed to this mysterious figure. But what did he actually teach? And what are we to make of the enormous religion that remains his greatest legacy?

On today's episode, we invite Dr. Tyler McNabb to help us wrestle through the teachings of Buddhism and the enigmatic sage who supposedly taught the way to Enlightenment.

When talking about God, angels, etc., you may sometimes hear it described as a "spiritual/higher dimension". In fact, authors such as Billy Graham and C. S. Lewis used just such language. It's an interesting description, but what does it mean? Are there other dimensions? Are they like the three dimensions of space we have only... more? Where did this talk come from?

Joining us today is Dr. Christopher White, an expert on the origin of and conversation around higher dimensions and their relationship to Christian faith.

War. Disease. Famine. No, I'm not talking about the evening news (though I easily could be). These are the supposed signs of the end of the world. Yet many Christians believe that before it gets toobad, the church will be raptured and taken away from the world.

The idea of the Rapture and the Apocalypse has gained pop cultural attention through the Left Behindseries and an uncountable number of books claiming to interpret the prophecies of Revelation. Yet according to many biblical scholars, we may have gotten it wrong. In fact, the majority now believe the Bible teaches something completely different. Here with us today is Dr. Shane Wood, a scholar on the book of Revelation, to help clear up this most unusual book and discover just how the world will really end.

Does God really get angry? Upset? Horrified? If so, is God's emotional life less than perfect? How, then, can we call God perfect? If God doesn't feel these emotions, why does Scripture portray Him this way?

Can we truly figure out what sort of emotions God feels? According to our guest, Dr. Ryan Mullins, we can. Join us in this episode for our deep dive into the emotional life of God!

You have questions; we have answers. We can't promise they're good ones, but on this episode, we take your questions and give our best (off-the-cuff) responses!

We've spent plenty of time discussing the evidence for the Christian faith on Spiritually Incorrect. Still, we would be lying if we said Christians were the only ones attempting to use reason and evidence to support their faith.

Islam, the world's second-largest religion, has marshalled its own intellectuals to the task of defending the core tenets of the religion. What are their arguments? With Islam becoming an ever-increasing presence in the West, understanding this faith tradition and its claims is becoming increasingly important, and here to help us through this topic is Dr. Shoaib Malik, one of the world's foremost scholars on Islam and science.

Near-death experiences (or NDEs) have become something of a sensation as of late. While virtually no one knew about them just a few decades ago, now we know a huge number of people who have come close to death have experienced them. Even mainstream science is now being forced to take them seriously. But should Christians take them seriously?

And while a good percentage of them are generally positive, there are quite a few that... aren't. Are people really experiencing Hell and living to tell the tale? On today's podcast, we bring on Jimmy Akin, host of the famed Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World, to help us wrestle through this perplexing topic.

To see more from Jimmy Akin, visit https://jimmyakin.com/

Does God exist? And can we prove it? Apologetics is the field of study that attempts to prove the central claims of the Christian faith, and for centuries, it has offered arguments for God's existence.

How successful have they been? In this episode, we rank the most famous arguments for (and one against) God's existence.

And for our Patreon subscribers, you get over twice the content! Check out an entirely separate episode debating these separate arguments!

One of the more common Christian slogans you might see plastered upon shirts, bracelets, or other paraphernalia is "Make Heaven Crowded." A nice thought, to say the least!

But if that should be our ambition, shouldn't it be God's, as well? If God wants all people to be saved, why aren't they? Why isn't heaven not just crowded... but overcrowded?

For a select but growing number of theologians, the answer is that, yes, it will be! Universalism is a position that has seen a recent resurgence, even among Evangelicals, and holds that everyone will (eventually) come to know Christ and be redeemed, though some might have to go through Hell (literally) to get there.

And here to defend the position is Dr. Robin Parry, one of the world's foremost experts and defenders of the position. His book, The Evangelical Universalist, was the title that helped to revitalize the position, though it was one he had to publish anonymously at first due to the provocative nature of the subject! Hear about this and much more on the final episode of our Rethinking Hell series!

A brief update from us for Years' End!

Hell is the absence of God's presence... right? Many are taught that. It seems to make sense, to some degree. If we reject God, He rejects us.

But is that what the Bible actually teaches? Here with us today to offer a startling and Biblically-founded model of Hell is Dr. Zachary Manis. He suggests that Hell isn't caused by God's absence but by God's presence!If that sounds astonishing, confusing, or interesting in the slightest, this is the episode for you.

Hell is likely the least favorite topic of most Christians. It's often times considered one of the hardest doctrines to swallow. The idea of an eternity of misery separated from God seems horrendous, so it's no wonder we often like to avoid it.

But there is a certain segment of Christians who believe we have gotten Hell wrong. In fact, they think the Bible portrays a very different image of Hell. Hell, they argue, isn't a place of unending suffering but simply nonexistence. In other words, the fate of the unredeemed is less like Dante's Inferno and more like just ceasing to exist altogether. Here to defend this view from a Biblical standpoint is Chris Date, one of the foremost defenders of the view often called Annihilationism.

Purity culture. It's one of the most divisive topics you can bring up. For many Christians, it is a bastion of hope against the sex-crazed state of our pop culture and college campuses. For others, it has been repressive and harmful to youth, and the horror stories are everywhere to be found. Some now even claim it isn't even a truly Christian sexual ethic.

So which is it? Is purity culture a good thing with some fixable quirks? Or is it something that is so fundamentally flawed that it ought to be abandoned altogether? In the first of its kind, Seth and Jonathan each defend both sides of the issue. If you're wanting an answer one way or the other, you'll be disappointed, but if you're looking for a nuanced and deep take in an entertaining form, this is the episode for you.

Happy Halloween! It's the best time of year for Spiritually Incorrect since we love to cover topics ranging from the bizarre to the paranormal.

And this year, we have a special treat for you:

Joining us is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Deborah Blum to discuss the topic of ghosts and the supposed scientific evidence the top scientists in the world gathered at the dawn of the 20th century. While nearly forgotten today, there was a time when the study of ghosts was a serious academic discipline, and the results they came up with were... astonishing.

If you don't want your beliefs to be challenged, please consider skipping this episode. For the rest of you, buckle up.

Purity culture once dominated the American church scene, and the book at its center was I Kissed Dating Goodbyeby Joshua Harris. Now, over 25 years later, Joshua and Shannon, his wife, have divorced. Joshua has renounced Christianity, and, most recently, Shannon has released a new, different perspective, in a book called The Woman They Wanted, giving us a behind-the-scenes view of what really went on in their church and their marriage.

Now, in an exclusive interview, we talk to Shannon to hear all the hard truths of what really happened and what we can learn from the whole affair.

This is an episode you cannot miss!!!

Without a doubt, the subject of ghosts is an insanely popular one. Shows, movies, and ghost tours are a billion-dollar industry. But it's all fun and games. None of this has any basis in reality, right?

According to a new study, there may be something to it. Believe it or not, over 4 in 10 Evangelicals believe they have been contacted by a dead relative over the past year. And that number is belowthe overall percentage of the population.

What are we to make of this? Is contacting the dead real? Is it something we ought to pursue? Just in time for Halloween, we tackle the question of ghosts and how communication with the other side touches on our faith.

We all love a good story. We watch movies, listen to friends talk about their last vacation, or listen to podcasts (this one included) just to hear an entertaining and provocative tale. But one story trumps them all: the story of how we have arrived at our modern world.

With technology evolving every year, drugs lessening the effects of illness, and possibilities undreamt of just a few decades ago, it's easy to imagine that the story of how we got here is one of triumph. We've conquered the stone age, overcome every obstacle, and now the march of progress of inevitable.

Yet with lessening resources, dying environments, and threats of war and crises flavoring every news broadcast, it's time to ask, is the story we tell ourselves real? Or have we been lying to ourselves the whole time? Are we really progressing?

Here to help us through this tricky issue is Dr. Ryan McDermott, who runs the Genealogies of Modernity project. If you've ever felt not at home in the modern world, this is the episode for you.

In the first of its kind, Jonathan and Seth investigate some of the top news stories that have likely gone under your radar. With their normal irreverent attitude, they dissect some of the most important events through a theological and philosophical lens. One part humor, another part cutting critique of the modern world, it's an episode you won't want to miss.

This episode includes:

-Congressional hearings on UFO retrieval programs

-Invasion of the self-driving car

-Confessions of an ex-churchgoer

-The rise of homeschooling

-Much, much more!

While psychedelics seemed to have had their heyday in the 1970s, when hippies and the counterculture were all the rage, they now appear to be having a remarkable comeback. However, unlike the 70s, this revolution is being felt not just by the common person but also within the hallowed halls of academia. Psychedelic research is bigger than ever, and it's revealing some remarkable things. Could it be that these experiences, which often lead people to believe in the religious and supernatural, actually have some truth to them?

Here to help us through this thorny issue is Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie, an expert on both theology and the research into these drugs.

We've all heard it before: God in the Old Testament just seems to be a different character than the one portrayed by Jesus. In the New Testament, God is loving, patient, and forgiving. In the Old, He sometimes appears vindictive, violent, and remarkably harsh. He commands the destruction of nations, kills countless people, and even floods the earth.

How do we reconcile the two images of God? Here to help us out with this age-old question is Dr. Matthew Lynch, who has recently published a work on the topic entitled Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God.

And, as usual, our Patreon subscribersget bonus contentleft out of today's interview!

Join our⁠Patreon⁠for the Extended Interview

We do a lot of serious topics on Spiritually Incorrect, but sometimes, we like to have a little fun. And on this episode, we going to have a lot of it. But for some people, the topic of Bigfoot isn't justfun. In fact, there are many active scientists who believe the evidence warrants belief in Bigfoot.

And we got to talk to one. On this week's episode, we are lucky to have Dr. Jeff Meldrum, a primate anthropologist and the world's foremost expert on Bigfoot. He's appeared in dozens of documentaries and been a part of many famous discoveries concerning our legendary hairy friend.

Does Bigfoot exist? If he does, does that have any impact on our faith or our view of the world? We answer these questions and so much more on this episode!

Perhaps the most heated, contentious, and difficult topic in Western World today is the topic of abortion. For those in favor of it, it is a part of basic reproductive rights and necessary for ensuring full equality of women. For those against, it is the slaughter of unborn life on the altar of convenience.

Which position is right? Stereotypically, the church has sided with the pro-life camp, and many today continue in that tradition.

Dr. Calum Miller is one such person. In this second part of our two-part episode, we ask Dr. Miller to defend the stance that human life does, indeed, begin in the womb.

Perhaps the most heated, contentious, and difficult topic in Western World today is the topic of abortion. For those in favor of it, it is a part of basic reproductive rights and necessary for ensuring full equality of women. For those against, it is the slaughter of unborn life on the altar of convenience.

Which position is right? While the church has stereotypically sided with the pro-life position, there are many Christians who disagree with that stance.

In the first part of this two-part episode,we ask Rev. Jasmine Mimitzraiem to help us work through her case for why Christians ought to stand on the side of abortion's legality.

Many may be forgiven for thinking the primary target of evolutionary biologists has been the young earth creationist movement. With thinkers like Ken Ham stealing much of the spotlight in the media, it's easy to forget that another movement, one perhaps just as significant, has arisen in the past few decades to challenge the evolutionary hegemony.

The Intelligent Design movement continues to make a major impact on popular culture, perhaps most exemplified in the 2005 Dover trial that saw it brought to national attention. And in the past two decades, it has only grown and now boasts figures such as Gunter Bechly, Michael Behe, and Michael Denton. Yet perhaps most famous of them all has been Stephen Meyer, whose multiple works on Intelligent Design have generated millions of sales and endless conversations. With the release of his newest work, The Return of the God Hypothesis, he's here to discuss the basics, the best arguments, and the future of the movement he's helped to lead.

When most people hear the term "science and religion", they usually expect to hear something like "conflict" or "clash" soon afterward. The two domains, we are told, are in a constant state of warfare, and science has been on a triumphant march while religion slowly recedes into obscurity. In fact, this is often one of the first lines of attack against professing Christians.

Is this the case? Or has this supposed battle been highly overblown? In this episode, Jonathan asks Seth to step up and tackle the question himself. A Ph.D. candidate on the topic of science and religion, Seth also has graduate degrees from Oxford and Regent College in the subject. This episode tackles everything from the history of the conflict, why we still think this way today, and whether there is good scientific evidence for God.

For our Patreon subscribers, be sure to also check out an exclusive conversation on AI and theology.

In the West, romance is king. It's a billion-dollar film and book industry. Dating apps are everywhere, and it seems virtually every new song is about relationships. And they all seem to tell the same tale: you meet, you date, you fall in love, you know the rest...

But that's not the whole story. For many people even today, they didn't date their spouses. Many barely knew the person they would pledge their lives to. As antiquated as it sounds, there are millions who still practice arranged marriages in the 21st century. Perhaps this isn't too surprising, given the popularity of shows about matchmakers on today's streaming services. Yet why are we fascinated by these shows? And why are so many still willing to leave one of the biggest decisions of their lives to someone else?

Is there something we can learn from arranged marriages, something we have lost in our romance-obsessed culture? Here today to help us analyze Western culture's addiction is someone who is in an arranged marriage and can speak to its benefits and setbacks. Sherene Joseph, an accomplished writer in her own right and someone who has lived in both an Eastern and Western culture, seems like the perfect person to help us navigate the difficult road of love and marriage as we delve into one of the most difficult topics we have ever covered.

Origins Series, pt. 3: An Old Earth and the Historical Adam

There are so many questions Christians have about what to do with modern-day science and the Genesis text. Indeed, it sometimes seems like it might be the biggest barrier to having real conversations about faith. Does science undermine faith? Does one have to put their brain aside in order to believe the first pages of Scripture? Many have certainly claimed that, and others have tried to fight back against the scientific consensus.

Is there another option? In this week's episode, we're joined by Dr. Andrew Loke whose work has quickly placed him as one of the foremost defenders of Christianity today. In his most recent book, he defends not only a literal interpretation of Genesis that is compatible with an old earth but also a perspective that reconciles a historical view of Adam and Eve with genetic evidence. In his brilliant and succinct fashion, Dr. Loke gives us a summary of his radical and provocative new proposal that shows science and scripture are two complementary paths to the same truth.

Origins Series, pt. 2: Theistic Evolution

Evolution and Christianity have never been the best bedfellows. Just hearing the two terms together often evokes images of conflict and fierce rivalry. Both, it seems, cannot occupy the same territory. But does that need to be the case? While many have claimed the two can coexist, our guest today has an even more bold proposal:

Evolution may be Christianity's best friend. Dr. Zachary Ardern is here to show us just how he is able to pair both his faith and the science in a way that is not only compatible but complementary, and, as a trained Cambridge biologist, there are few more qualified to actually know the state of science today. According to Dr. Ardern, there is emerging evidence to show that the process of evolution itself has been finely crafted for the emergence of organisms like us. If this is true, then evolution may prove to be just as good of evidence for God as creationists and intelligent design advocates claim for their case.

Be sure not to miss today's mindblowing episode as we delve into the question of Darwinism and design!

Also be sure to check out our Patreon.We've just uploaded an unaired episode on abortion and the Supreme Court for your eyes only!

Origins Series, pt. 1: Young Earth Creationism

How old is the earth? Did God use evolution? How should we interpret the first few chapters of Genesis?

These are the questions that never seem to die... except, we are told, if you're a scientist. In fact, the story we often hear is that no self-respecting scientist would ever affirm young earth creationism. As it turns out, that's not the case, and our guest today, Dr. Marcus Ross, is living proof of that. A credentialed paleontologist, he is among a number of scientists who take the claims of a young earth seriously.

In the first part of our Origin Series, we ask Dr. Ross to explain just how he is able to hold together the claims of Genesis 1-2 and his scientific mind. We tackle everything from Noah's flood, radioactive dating, dinosaur blood cells, the growth of the young earth movement, and the current drama over Ken Ham's treatment of other young earth creationists. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks as we dive into other perspectives, including old earth views, theistic evolution, and intelligent design.

And for our PATREONsubscribers, be sure to check out Jonathan and I's exclusive extended discussion!

Thanks to titanic franchises like Harry Potter and Dungeons and Dragons, the topic of witchcraft has never been more popular. These worlds offer a much-needed, magical escape from the mundane boredoms of the real world. But for many, the idea of witches is more than just a silly fantasy. In fact, the Wiccan religion has seen astronomical growth in the past few years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Millions now claim the faith as their own, and millions more likely will in the coming decades. Yet many, especially within the church, have no idea what Wiccans believe or what they practice. As medieval as it may sound, witches are the future, and this is a fact no one can ignore.

Do witches actually possess real powers? Can they command spirits? How ought we engage with the ever-rising tide of interest in magical abilities?

To help us understand this phenomenon and her own journey both into and out of Wicca, S.A. Tower joins us in what will likely remain one of our most haunting, jaw-dropping, and fascinating interviews ever.

Why are young people leaving the church in droves? That is the question that has been on the minds of Evangelicals for decades now, and over the past few years, the numbers have only seemed to skyrocket. Whether for political, ethical, or personal reasons, more and more millennials and gen-z are joining what has been collectively called the ex-vangelical movement. Who are they, and why has the movement gained such momentum?

Here to help us think through the topic is Jon Mathieu, an editor for the Christian Century and founding pastor of the post-evangelical Harbor Online Community. As a former evangelical minister himself, Jon talks to us about his own experiences and what he has seen from those in his community. Whatever your feelings on the topic, this conversation is vital for understanding what has become one of the most important events in the history of the American church. 

One of the few philosophical topics that has become mainstream is the idea that everything you know - your family, your friends, and even your whole life - is just the product of one giant simulation. We're all stuck inside a computer program with no way of figuring out that our world isn't really real (at least not real in the way we think it is!). As wacky as this idea sounds, it actually has been defended by many major thinkers, and people no less famous than Elon Musk, Neil Degrasse Tyson, and Joe Rogan have taken it seriously. It's an idea that just won't die, and, in fact, seems to be gaining in popularity.

Buckle up and get prepared to enter the Matrix, because on today's episode, we invite the philosopher extraordinaire Parker Settecase (host of Parker's Pensées) to explain the simulation hypothesis and what it might mean for the church. Should we fear it or utilize it? Does it rule out God? Is there even any evidence for it? Thank the programmers, Parker dives into the weeds on all these questions and more, helping us to grapple with what might be the popular philosophical topic in America today.

Listeners be warned: This episode is the most technical to date. Get your simulated brains ready for a hard but fascinating topic!