Undeceptions with John Dickson - podcast cover

Undeceptions with John Dickson

Undeceptions Ltdundeceptions.com
Every week on Undeceptions we’ll explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’ and let the truth ‘out’.
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Episodes

111. Growing Older

Our world spends billions of dollars a year on anti-ageing, but nothing will change the simple fact that we are all growing older. Is it time we re-thought our approach to the relentless march of time, and the challenges that come with it?

Nov 05, 20231 hr 13 minSeason 10Ep. 6

110. Violent Faith

"I love Jesus but I hate the God of the Old Testament. He's just so violent." You might have heard this line before or thought it yourself. In this episode, we're tackling this issue head-on. We're taking a deep dive into the violence of the Bible - especially the Old Testament - and asking how is it that this God of judgement and war can be one and the same with the peace-loving Jesus Christ.

Oct 29, 20231 hr 16 minSeason 10Ep. 5

109. Many Gods - Live from Melbourne

In this live episode, recorded at the Melbourne leg of the Undeceptions Conference, we ask: What did the first Christians mean when they proclaimed Jesus as God? How did this teacher, healer, and religious revolutionary come to be seen as divine?

Oct 22, 202350 minSeason 10Ep. 4

108. The Multiverse

The multiverse has become a popular cinema trope, but more and more astrophysicists are taking it seriously. Could there really be parallel universes? If so, does this mean there might be parallel Gods? What does this all mean for Christianity - if it's even real at all?

Oct 15, 202353 minSeason 10Ep. 3

107. She Believes

Is the Bible bad news for women? Is Jesus misogynistic? Or - as some claim - were the teachings of Jesus in fact the basis of a revolutionary change in the way women were seen and treated across the ancient world, as Christianity spread? Live from the Sydney leg of the Undeceptions conference comes this special episode, with John Dickson, Rebecca McLaughlin, and an audience of 600 Undeceivers taking a look at Jesus, through the eyes of the women who walked alongside Him.

Oct 08, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 10Ep. 2

106. Deconstructing Faith

To kick off season 10 of Undeceptions , we're exploring the new "threat" to the Christian faith - deconstruction. Deconstruction has become something of a buzzword in recent years, with many well-known Christians deconstructing their beliefs, and sometimes abandoning Christianity altogether. So what's going on? Can the claims of the Bible be trusted if they seemingly fall apart when we ask questions? Head to undeceptions.com for information on how to become an Undeceiver, get expanded show notes...

Oct 01, 20231 hr 13 minSeason 10Ep. 1

Single: If Jesus really did rise from the dead, then it would confirm everything

If Jesus was just a teacher who lived and died in first-century Palestine, Christianity would be a waste of time. But what if the miraculous were somehow true? What if this man really did rise from the dead, after being publicly executed on a Roman cross outside the walls of Jerusalem? In the final episode of our 'singles' series, John Dickson brings you the words of his friend Ben Shaw, who invites sceptical listeners to think about the implications of Christianity's most startling claim of all...

Sep 28, 202318 min

Single: A compelling answer to the question "What's wrong with the world?"

Most of us can agree that the world is a pretty messed up place. But what’s the problem with humanity? What’s wrong with the world? What’s causing all this crime, suffering, destruction and chaos? John Dickson brings you the words of his dear friend Ben Shaw, who on this special episode challenges us to see that what’s required to make meaningful change is a totally new heart, or, as Jesus taught, to be born again: to become a new person.

Sep 24, 202320 min

Single: Christianity is about life to the full

Many believe Christianity is all about following rules and not having any fun. However, this is a huge misunderstanding; Christianity is actually about living life to the fullest. John Dickson brings you part two of his friend Ben Shaw's work about reconsidering the Christian faith, pointing out that for years, millions of people have misheard the beautiful lyrics of Christianity.

Sep 20, 202319 min

Single: It's worth thinking through what life's all about

Lots of people assume that Christianity is a nice story for kids or a niche hobby for weirdos. John Dickson brings you the words of his dear friend Ben Shaw, who invites sceptical readers to think again about the million-dollar question: what is the meaning of this thing we call life?

Sep 17, 202320 min

105. Decoding Dreams

Throughout history, humans have looked for hidden meanings behind dreams. But in this modern, scientific age, surely we don't believe dreams could hold spiritual significance anymore? God wouldn't speak to people through a medium as unreliable as dreams ... right? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including...

Jul 02, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 9Ep. 15

104. Question Answer IX

Is there a place for pessimism in the Christian life? Is Halloween evil? Does God have 'mothering' characteristics, too? Why won't there be marriage in heaven? Yes, it's this season's Q&A episode, and John is having a crack at a heap of listener questions. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including the...

Jun 25, 202351 minSeason 9Ep. 14

103. Blind Faith

If we can make sense of our faith, is it really faith at all, or just a projection of what we want? Soren Kierkegaard, one of the most celebrated philosophers of the 19th century, asked the same question. With the help of two experts, we'll untangle his "answers" and discover how to take a leap of faith. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit und...

Jun 18, 20231 hr 14 minSeason 9Ep. 13

102. Ancient Letters

The Bible uses a very "human" way to communicate God's word: letter writing. But how do we know these letters - mostly written by the Apostle Paul - really are God's word? How could it be that the divine would speak through simple mail - and how can we trust it? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including t...

Jun 11, 20231 hr 12 minSeason 9Ep. 12

101. Keller's Legacy

In memory of Timothy James Keller (1950-2023). This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit 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: Le...

Jun 04, 20231 hr 17 minSeason 9Ep. 11

100. Saving Nature

Is nature inherently valuable if there is no God? According to one scientist, without faith, that's an almost impossible question to answer. But if there is a design to it all? That changes everything - including how we should treat the natural world. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full sho...

May 28, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 9Ep. 10

99. Overcoming Apathy

Apathy has seeped into every part of society. We've become a "Seinfeldian culture"; alive to the trivial, and numb to the meaningful. How can we find ways to care more, and how might Christianity's history of grappling with apathy help us, whatever we believe? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including the...

May 21, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 9Ep. 9

98. Dorothy L. Sayers

Dorothy L. Sayers was much more than a celebrated detective novelist - she was a Christian playwright and author who brought the message of the Gospels to millions of people in everyday, easy-to-understand language. A true Undeceiver, it's high time we knew more about her. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, ...

May 14, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 9Ep. 8

97. The Apocalypse

There aren’t many parts of the Bible that excite the imagination more than its thrilling climax in the book of Revelation. Amidst the imagery, fantasy and controversy, how do we sort truth from fiction? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Face...

May 07, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 9Ep. 7

96. Medical Miracles

Is there room for the supernatural and the advancing world of medicine? According to some scientists - absolutely! This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit 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@undecepti...

Apr 30, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 9Ep. 6

95. With Beth

An hour with acclaimed speaker and church leader Beth Moore. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions 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 ...

Apr 23, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 9Ep. 5

94. Venerable Bede

Introducing The Venerable Bede: Father of English history and the most brilliant polymath you've never heard of. This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions 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@undec...

Apr 16, 20231 hr 19 minSeason 9Ep. 4

93. The Crucifixion

Why did Jesus have to die? Why did it have to be such a violent death? And what on earth does the death of Jesus on a cross such a long time ago have to do with us today? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions Visit the undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram...

Apr 06, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 9Ep. 3

92. The Reformation II

Is there still something to celebrate about the Reformation, or is it, as many claim, the root of Christian division and conflict? This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptions 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 / fee...

Apr 02, 20231 hr 18 minSeason 9Ep. 2

91. The Reformation I

The Reformation: one of the greatest ruptures in European history, a rupture that permanently split the church, triggered wars, created new city-states, and even led, in the opinion of many experts, to the Enlightenment, Science, and the secularization of the West. It's such a big deal we’re going to take two whole episodes to examine it—and still only scratch the surface. How did one man go from a pious local friar in an obscure backwater town to the leader of a global movement that ripped Chri...

Mar 26, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 9Ep. 1

Ahistoric Age

"We know less than ever about history and are losing the ability to grapple with the ethical complexities of the past - the entwining of good and evil - in the same historical figure, or empire."

Mar 20, 20239 min

90. Jesus Quests

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 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, Prelud...

Jan 15, 20231 hr 9 minSeason 8Ep. 10

89. Question Answer VIII

This episode of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic's Masterlectures. Get 50% off your first three month subscription with the code 'Undeceptions50'. QUESTIONS Why did Jesus come during the Ancient period? I get why Jesus came (to fulfill God’s promises and save the world etc.) but why the specific time period and place? Why didn’t Jesus come in say, the medieval era? Or the 1900s? Why was it ancient Rome? In ‘The Flood’ episode, you talk of the story of the flood as a piece of ‘high...

Jan 08, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 8Ep. 9

88. Beautiful Science

The more we learn about the world, the more we see how it operates under elegant laws. There is an order to the universe that betrays the randomness you so often hear about. 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 for more content, including the full show notes for this episode. Follow the show on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram Email the show with...

Jan 01, 20231 hr 21 minSeason 8Ep. 8

87. Old Christ

There’s no such thing as a “New Testament Christian”. While the popular scepticism about parts of the Old Testament is understandable, we're convinced by the arguments of our guest today: Christ isn’t just the hero of the New Testament … He is everywhere in the Old Testament. 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 for more content, including the fu...

Dec 25, 20221 hr 1 minSeason 8Ep. 7
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