The Dialog

"This is the fourth episode where you've tried to justify your wealth. You reek of greed, the love of money and evil. I'm out."

We got that comment after I said, talking about money a few episodes back, that I don't believe a person who doesn't tithe should consider themselves a Christian. The comment doesn't bother me. But notice what it argues about. Not whether tithing is biblical. Whether I'm greedy.

So do you actually want the truth, or do you just want to feel right? My co-host Nick Surface and I talk about why the most defensive people are usually the most insecure, why we attack the person instead of the argument, and why truth gets complex the moment you take it seriously.

Why are people so defensive about their beliefs?
The most defensive people are usually the most insecure. When you put your identity into your beliefs, a question about the belief feels like an attack on you.

What do you do when your beliefs don't line up with the Bible?
My theology professor said you have a decision to make: throw out your beliefs or throw out the Bible. For me, I'm going to throw out my beliefs.

Why do we attack the person instead of the argument?
Ad hominem attacks are normal now. We guess at motives and never get to whether the position is true.

Why do we want everything to be simple?
Certainty makes us feel good, and a lot of times certainty is just another word for simplicity. If you want to live according to truth, you can't eliminate complexity. You have to learn how to embrace it.

Scriptures
Matthew 6:21 · John 8:32 · John 18:38 · Romans 7:15-20 · Acts 17:27 · Job 1:12

People and ideas
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion · Bart Ehrman · Pontius Pilate's "What is truth?" · Josh's dad: frustration is a God-given emotion

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
0:53 The tithing line that started this
2:57 "You reek of greed"
5:41 Who decides who's a Christian?
7:05 Why this podcast exists
8:24 The most defensive are the most insecure
9:15 What does "God has a great plan" mean?
10:40 Where the argument against God breaks down
12:52 Throw out your beliefs or the Bible?
15:48 Your frustration is a clue to your purpose
18:13 Attack the argument, not the person
22:29 Civics vs. politics
25:15 Simple answers to complex issues
27:49 "What is truth?"
28:21 Three questions, in this order
30:23 Why we crave certainty
32:05 Tribalism
34:24 Everyone is a mix
36:14 You can't eliminate complexity
38:55 Certainty is another word for simplicity
39:16 A Buddhist monk and an imam
42:12 God reaches each person differently

Previous: 1.28 / How to stop people pleasing: choose who you'll disappoint
Next: 1.30 / How do you live with uncertainty?

New episodes most weeks.

Follow Nick on IG / https://www.instagram.com/nicksurface1/
Follow me on IG / https://www.instagram.com/joshuakcraft/
Go to my website / https://jkc.is

What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.