Less aggro, more conversation.
Is it even possible to have a deep discussion without it descending into chaos? Michael Jensen and Megan Powell du Toit think yes, and want to show the rest of us how to do it.
There’s plenty of things they disagree on: free will, feminism, where you should send your kids to school and what type of church you should go to. But there are also plenty of other things that they have in common. They want to talk about all these things with conviction. But they also want the conversation to be constructive. Tune in to find out if that’s possible.
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The hosts and guest Christine Jolly delve into the concerning trend of Gen Z women disengaging from the church while men convert. They examine survey data, explore why women feel unheard or unsafe in church, and critique male-centric approaches to ministry and simplistic views on feminism. The discussion advocates for genuine discipleship, fostering a welcoming, shalom-filled community, and respecting diverse expressions of faith. The episode concludes with a review of the film Cabrini, highlighting a woman's extraordinary ambition and fight against institutional obstacles.
This week, Michael and Megan grapple with the problem of pain. It’s a complex issue for Christians - some seek out pain as a spiritual discipline, while for others, pain can drive them away from faith altogether. Professor Philip Siddall joins the show to help us further understand why pain occurs - and how to deal with it, both physically and spiritually. Finally, our hosts cast a critical eye over the second season of the hit TV series Severance. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts. (00:00...
This week, Michael and Megan tackle the difficult topic of church control. They discuss how much—if any—control churches should be allowed to have over members and how to safeguard against any misuse of power by leaders. Christian psychologist Kylie Walls then joins the show for a sobering discussion on spiritual abuse, before our hosts review the hit podcast Sons of Patriarchy, which deals with the hyper-conservative ministry of Douglas Wilson. If this episode has raised concerns for you, help ...
The recent feature film ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin' attracted controversy for its portrayal of Europe’s most celebrated martyr of the 20th century. There are so many questions surrounding the life of Bonhoeffer - chief among them, how involved was he in the botched 20 July plot to kill Hitler? Our hosts this week share their thoughts on the film and are also joined by Center for Pastor Theologians President Dr. Joel Lawrence to discuss Bonhoeffer's life and work. Finally, Michael and Meg...
John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way has become a Christian bestseller since its publication last year. It’s part of a new wave of books focusing on the ‘spiritual disciplines’. This week, our hosts delve into what these disciplines are and how we can approach them in a biblical manner. Author Alex Sosler then joins the show to discuss modern approaches to discipleship, before our hosts review the hit Netflix docudrama Apple Cider Vinegar.
With an Australian federal election called for May, our hosts think about how Christians should approach the ballot box and whether there is a "right" way for a believer to vote. We then hear multiple Australian Christian leaders answering the question, "What should Christians consider when casting their vote this year at the Australian federal election?" You can find the full text of all their answers on the WADR webpage - head to https://undeceptions.com/wadr/ the-election / Finally, Michael a...
Is a revival breaking out in the Western world? Or is the reappraisal of Christianity - leading intellectuals like Richard Dawkins and Jordan Peterson to proclaim themselves “cultural Christians” - just a passing fad? Evangelist Glen Scrivener joins the show to discuss, before our hosts turn their attention to the latest "Catholic political thriller", and one of the hit movies of the past year - Conclave . (00:00) - - Intro (01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (19:26) - - Be Our Guest (48:10) - - Thro...
Last year, Australia introduced a law banning certain social media platforms for children under the age of 16 - the first of its kind in the world. This week, our hosts move the conversation offline and into real life, pondering the effects of social media and how the Bible can guide us in how to use it. Professor Andrew Campbell, Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group at the University of Sydney, then joins the show to discuss the proposed ban and the potential benefits of social media. Fi...
Welcome back to another season of With All Due Respect, where your hosts, Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen, tackle tricky topics with respect and grace. To kick things off, celebrated author Marilynne Robinson joins the show to discuss her new book Reading Genesis, which looks at God's covenant with humanity - despite how dark things get. Our hosts then share their thoughts on the first book of the Bible and look at other recent attempts to understand it - notably Jordan Peterson's musing...
In our season finale, our hosts answer questions from the audience and give their hot takes on some thorny issues. (01:36) - - Q&A Part 1 (21:58) - - Q&A Part 2 (38:43) - - Through The Wardrobe
In the aftermath of the 2024 Lausanne Congress - at which Megan was a delegate - our hosts take stock of what went on, review the Seoul Statement (and other alliterative faith declarations of past conferences), and mull over the insights of other attendees. They also discuss a documentary on the first Lausanne Congress, held way back in 1974. (01:50) - - Through The Wardrobe (15:06) - - What's Going On? (31:02) - - Be Our Guest
Is there a masculinity crisis? Or have we fundamentally misunderstood what being a man in the 21st century means? Our hosts spend some time discussing their understanding of masculinity, how they’ve seen it shift around them, and what a Christian vision of masculinity really looks like. Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity Simon Smart joins the show to discuss this tricky topic. Finally, Michael and Megan turn their attention to the comedy-drama series Barry ....
Do we live in a culture that thrives on offence? Is it ever okay to intentionally offend? Michael and Megan are joined this week by Presbyterian Minister and writer Nathan Campbell to think through these questions. Our hosts also discuss the theology behind offence, and what offends them. Finally, the 2022 Psychological Thriller Tar - starring Cate Blanchett - comes under the WADR microscope. It's a film all about the destructive consequences of offending. But is it any good? (00:09) - - Be Our ...
This week, our hosts discuss the touchy topic of class. Does Christianity have an issue with class in Australia? What class do our hosts think they belong in? For 'Through the Wardrobe', Michael and Megan share their thoughts on the hit HBO drama The Gilded Age, a show dedicated to the world of the upstairs and downstairs world of 19th century America. (01:36) - - For Arguments Sake (18:41) - - The Secret Life of Us (33:09) - - Through the Wardrobe...
This week, our hosts are grappling with the topic of sin. They discuss what sin is, and then ponder the relationship of desire to sin. In particular, is all sinful desire ... sinful? Michael and Megan don't entirely see eye to eye on this one! Writer and podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield, well-known as the host of The Sacred podcast, then joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion, including on her new book Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. Finally, our hosts discuss the confront...
This week our hosts ponder the role of animals in creation. What is the standing of animals in comparison to humans in the created order? Is it ever ok to eat animals? Do they go to heaven? Ethicist and Professor of Animal Theology Clair Linzey then joins the show to ponder these questions further, before Michael and Megan turn their attention to the 2017 film The Zookeeper's Wife, which tells the true story of two brave zookeepers in Warsaw who resisted the invading Nazi forces. (01:44) - For A...
Humans are learning creatures. We spend our whole lives picking up new skills, improving them, and finding new areas of knowledge to explore. This week Michael and Megan think through the Biblical implications of this, and along the way are joined by Zeeshan LaalDin. Zeeshan is a Project Officer with Anglican Aid. He will be delivering a keynote address at the upcoming Common Knowledge Conference, which looks at the role of education in eradicating global poverty. Finally, our hosts watch the 20...
This week, our hosts hold up a mirror to themselves and discuss the role of the pastor. They ponder a range of questions, including the Biblical job description of a pastor and whether the modern church is equipping its pastors well enough for the job. Principal of Morling College Tim MacBride then joins the show to discuss the challenges facing the pastoral profession. Finally, Michael and Megan riff on the 2001 film Wit (starring Emma Thompson) , a cinematic adaptation of the play of the same ...
Neurodiversity is a topic that has seen an upswing of awareness in recent years. With more visibility than ever before, our hosts discuss whether neurodivergence is a good, or "fallen" condition. Writer and scholar Kate Morris then joins the show to discuss her own experiences raising a neurodivergent child, as well as her substack aimed at helping Christians love their neurodivergent friends and family. Finally, Michael and Megan cast an eye over the hit ABC show Austin, featuring Love on the S...
Theology. It's a term often associated with old professors and dusty books. But theology is actually crucial for the church. So, why don't more Christians take an interest in it? Why has it become so .... stale? These are the questions our hosts (and resident theologians) grapple with. Speaking of childlike - Michael and Megan are joined this week by author Kaitlyn Scheiss, host of the Curiously Kaitlyn podcast where she fields questions about theology from children! Finally, our hosts cast an e...
This week, Megan and Michael look at the epidemic of gendered violence sweeping through both the church and society at large. Our hosts look at what the Bible has to say on the issue and are then joined by expert consultant Carolyn Cousins for a discussion about what the church can do to help stamp it out. They then turn their attention to the program Asking For It , a look at the impacts of gendered violence, hosted by journalist and author Jess Hill who wrote the seminal See What You Made Me D...
With All Due Respect returns for its ninth season with an episode especially brought to you by Living Hope Funerals . Grief is a universal experience. We all face it at some point in our lives. So, what's a Christian framework for walking through grief? How can we grieve well? Dr Kit Barker joins our hosts to tackle these questions. Our hosts then turn their attention to the Apple TV comedy-drama Shrinking - a program that explores the variety of experiences people have when it comes to grief....
Welcome to another season of With All Due Respect! Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen embark on another series of podcasts tackling some potentially divisive elements of culture with nuance, grace, and - of course- respect! This week, our hosts look at the phenomena of fandom and ask - is it possible for fandom to go far? Can a Christian engage in fandom in good faith? Both our hosts share what they're fans of (this episode is a judgment-free zone!) before casting their eye over Tabitha Car...
Welcome to the final episode of Season 8 of With All Due Respect! This week, Minister Jeri Jones Sparks and former Sydney Archbishop (and Michael's Dad!) Peter Jensen joins the show for a panel discussion on different church generations. The team look at the highs and lows of recent Australian church history, as well as what different generations of Christians today can learn from one other. Our hosts then discuss the TV series Pachinko , a critically acclaimed show that follows the stories of f...
This week, Michael and Megan are joined by Stephen Judd, the former CEO of HammondCare, to discuss how - if at all - an organisation can be "Christian". Our hosts then discuss whether the broader church is an organisation, and if ministers can gain anything from the world of corporate wisdom. Finally, they turn their attention to the hit drama Propser, a new show that follows a family as they build a super-powerful, super-wealthy megachurch.
This week, Megan and Michael hash out one of the most controversial issues currently ruling the discourse; the conflict in the Israel and Gaza region. Our hosts think through how the Bible can guide Christians’ response to the conflict. A Palestinian Christian and peacemaker joins the show to discuss the challenges facing faith groups in the conflict zone. Finally, our hosts discuss the film Women in Sink, which documents conversations with women of different faiths in the region ....
Mark Twain once famously said, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics". Our hosts this week are chatting about this third lie - statistics. With the age of social media now dictating how people access statistical data, are we literate enough to understand what we are reading when it comes to statistics? How does this affect trust in official information more broadly? And in a fallen world, where sin distorts everything, how much can we truly trust human knowledge? Statis...
Michael and Megan are kicking off 2024 by checking in on the state of Evangelicalism. Karen Swallow Prior returns to the show to discuss her new book The Evangelical Imagination, which provocatively claims to take stock of a "culture in crisis". Our hosts then hash out the question: does Evangelicalism need another Reformation? Finally, the pair discuss the 17th-century classic The Pilgrim's Progress and take stock of its influence and legacy.
It's the 2023 Christmas episode of With All Due Respect, and we're talking all things Mary this year! New Testament scholar The Rev. Dr Sarah Harris joins the show to discuss the mother of Jesus, and makes some big calls about her place in theological history. Michael and Megan then discuss the place of Mary in Protestant tradition. Should the evangelical Christian church reclaim Mary? Is she in need of a "rediscovery?" Finally, our hosts turn their attention to the hit TV show The Chosen and di...
It's the 100th episode of With All Due Respect! To mark their century our guests chat with Mike Bird, Academic Dean of Melbourne's Ridley College, discussing the question "Is the Bible clear in what it tells us?" They also discuss the differences in church tradition when it comes to interpreting scripture. Later, our hosts discuss Sarah Polley's confronting film Women Talking, which explores the consequences of misunderstanding - and abusing - The Bible.
