‘Tis the podcast before Christmas, so we’re diving into the fairy lights and tinsel to uncover some of the myths of Christmas - things you might have thought were true but aren’t. And we’ll look at a few of the common challenges to the history of Christmas that aren’t as strong as our sceptical friends reckon. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's Masterlectures. Get 50% off your first three month subscription with the code 'Undeceptions50'. Visit the undeceptions.com...
Dec 18, 2022•50 min•Season 8Ep. 6
You might think the Chronicles of Narnia are just for kids. But scholars have discovered some amazing historical, literary, and theological keys in the stories that Lewis never talked about openly, and that bind the 7 stories together in a way only Lewis could have imagined. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's Masterlectures. Check out Delores Morris' course Believing Philosophy. Get 50% off your first three month subscription with the code 'Undeceptions50'. Visit t...
Dec 11, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 8Ep. 5
The Byzantine capital, Constantinople, was famously fortified with an impenetrable three-wall network, which preserved it from foreign conquest for centuries. But the Byzantine Empire doesn’t have to be impenetrable to us, today. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Five Views on Christ in the Old Testament, edited by Brian J. Tabb and Andrew M. King. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show...
Dec 04, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 8Ep. 4
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Bully Pulpit by Michael J. Kruger. How we think about time, the value we give to the three parts of time (past, present, and future) really matters. And our special guest reckons it’s part of what makes for the good life. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undece...
Nov 27, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 8Ep. 3
We’re talking all things animals in this episode, starting with why God would create a world that seems to embed animal suffering into the fabric of things. And we’ll get to some practical questions too: do animals go to heaven? Is it OK to keep pets? And, should we all, actually, be vegetarian?
Nov 20, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 8Ep. 2
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's Master Lecture series by Russ Ramsey, Rembrandt is in the Wind. Click here to get 50% off your first 3 months subscription with the code UNDECEPTIONS50. Since their publication between 1950 and 1956, the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis have sold more than 100-million copies in 47 languages. And despite their dated references and sometimes controversial worldviews, they continue to sell over a million copies a year. They’ve also...
Nov 13, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 8Ep. 1
From John Dickson: While we’re working hard on our next Season of Undeceptions, I’ve asked the Rev Dr George Athas to have a chat to you about how we can be sure our old stuff - artefacts we’ve found from thousands of years ago - is actually old. George is Director of Research, Old Testament and Hebrew at Moore Theological College in Sydney. We spoke to him at length for our super popular episode called ‘Between Testaments’, so go check that out if you haven’t heard it already. It’s one of my fa...
Nov 06, 2022•15 min
One of the surprises when we turn the pages of the New Testament is how little the word “Christian” actually comes up. Given this is the book for Christians you’d expect it to be littered with the words “Christian” and “Christianity.” But the word “Christian” only comes three times, whereas the language of being “in Christ” comes up over 200 times. It’s pretty much everywhere.
Oct 30, 2022•10 min
The basic aim of ‘critical theory’ is to make visible the hidden structures of a culture, so as to critique society and then, in the best forms of critical theory, bring about improvements. Our guest today reckons the Bible has its own way of exposing the flaws of our culture– and , of course, pointing to the Good. The Bible, in other words, has a critical theory of its own. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament , edi...
Sep 04, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 10
It's our seasonal Q&A episode and there are actually quite a few curly questions about the future of the universe, heaven, as well as plenty of other questions about a bewildering range of topics, some of which push John to the edge of what he knows–perhaps beyond! This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1 - The Doctrine of the Word of God: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros , by Marty Folsom. Visi...
Aug 28, 2022•49 min•Season 7Ep. 9
It may just be that science is an imaginative, creative, and emotive enterprise, just as it is obviously a rational, mathematical, evidence-based discipline. Which, to John Dickson's mind - and that of our expert guest - makes perfect sense. After all, the Creator is an artist and logician in one! This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin. Visit ...
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 7Ep. 8
We take a closer look at 15 words that are often misunderstood, or sometimes forgotten. And my guest today reckons these words communicate the heart and soul of the New Testament, of the Christian faith, of God himself. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic’s new book Bright Hope for Tomorrow by Chris Davis. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with...
Aug 14, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 7Ep. 7
This episode, we’re laying out the best arguments for and against legalising euthanasia and asking: What view of the human person should a good society embody in its laws? This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book Seasons of Sorrow by Tim Challies. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Unde...
Aug 07, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Season 7Ep. 6
The death of religion was the conventional wisdom in the social sciences during most of the twentieth century. Turns out, they were wrong. Religion is not dead. It’s still here. Actually, it’s growing. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book The Lost Letters to the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with...
Jul 31, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 5
The period 500 to 1500 - the Middle Ages - was anything but dark. In fact, it was one of the most lively periods in world history. This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book The Beauty Chasers by Timothy Willard. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of U...
Jul 24, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Buddhism probably takes the prize today for World’s Most Lovable Religion. But is this widespread appreciation of Buddhism matched by widespread understanding? This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's new book 15 New Testament Words of Life by Nijay Gupta. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Unde...
Jul 17, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 7Ep. 3
This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe by Gina Zurlo. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suite...
Jul 10, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 2
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan Academic's book Bully Pulpit by Michael J. Kruger. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John Dickson Produced ...
Jul 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 1
The song 'Christmas Time' was written by John's mate Ben Shaw, with some help from John himself. We recorded Ben’s beautiful guitar parts just 4 weeks before he died of cancer. Ben was on this podcast a couple of times in his last months, so we hope regular listeners think of him as their friend, too. He died a year ago today, June 17. And we’re releasing the song in his memory – it was one of his last big wishes that we take this song, which he and John had performed many times over the years b...
Jun 16, 2022•17 min
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book The Beauty Chasers by Timothy Willard. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John Dickson Produced b...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 10
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Religious Freedom in a Secular Age by Michael F. Bird. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John Di...
May 15, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 9
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan's new book Typology-Understanding the Bible's Promise-Shaped Patterns: How Old Testament Expectations are Fulfilled in Christ by James M. Hamilton Jr. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: J...
May 08, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 8
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Malestrom: How Jesus Dismantles Patriarchy and Redefines Manhood by Carolyn Custis James Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Und...
May 01, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 7
This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book The Sexual Reformation by Aimee Byrd. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John Dickson Produced by ...
Apr 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 6
We're launching our longboats on to the seas of myth and popular culture… and discovering over two in-depth episodes what we can actually say with some confidence about the Vikings - their origins, exploits, culture, religion and - perhaps the best-kept Viking secret - their eventual decision (and it was their decision!) to become Christians. This episode is sponsored by Zondervan's new book Four Views of Heaven edited by Michael Wittmer . Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including t...
Apr 17, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Season 6Ep. 5
What happens beyond death is one of those areas—like the idea of a Rapture prior to a Second Coming—where myths have crept into popular Christian thought which have little connection either with the Bible or with what the church has taught throughout the centuries. The modern myth is: When Christians die, their bodies decay once and for all, while their spirits (whatever they are) go eternally into God’s presence in heaven. The Bible’s claim is: When Christians die, they rest safe in God’s prese...
Apr 10, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 4
The Joshua Tree National Park in California is a good starting place for Laurel Moffatt's reflection on our struggles to see the light. The park is full of interesting characters as well as a compelling number of stars - most of which are invisible to the outside world. Because of the amount of artificial light we use each night, more than a third of people can no longer see the Milky Way. But the brightness of the light in deep darkness can show us how faint, how small, how very weak and narrow...
Apr 07, 2022•16 min
Tim Keller is the founding pastor of New York’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the author of several New York times best-selling books. It's also fair probably fair to say that he is something of a Christian prophet for our secularizing 21st century. This is a chat with one of our world’s most trusted ‘undeceivers’. Whether you believe or doubt, we're sure what you’re about to hear will bring fresh clarity about the Christian faith in doubting times. This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s n...
Apr 03, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 3
This season, we’re launching Undeceptions Plus which offers exclusive bonus content to members - who we’re calling our ‘Undeceivers’. For a small monthly fee - just AU$5 a month - you can unlock uncut interviews, extra question and answer sessions, and peeks behind our creative process as we put the shows together. Don’t worry – all our regular episodes will remain free and available for everyone. But in becoming an Undeceiver, you’re really helping us to keep the show sustainable and thriving. ...
Mar 31, 2022•1 min
This episode was sponsored by Zondervan’s new book Religious Freedom in a Secular Age by Michael F. Bird. Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with your comments / feedback: admin@undeceptions.com Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out. Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John Di...
Mar 27, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 6Ep. 2
