There are many things we may be better off without—slow Internet and pineapple on pizza, but what about the Christian faith? In an honest conversation Simon Smart confronts the failings of the church and offers another possibly better story. Our guest: Simon Smart is Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. Simon has a Masters in Christian Studies, is a prolific writer and contributed to For God's Sake: An Atheist, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim Debate Religion. Check out the documentary For the Love of God: how the church is better and worse than you ever imagined. This conversation was recorded live in the CBD of Melbourne in September 2018. Invest in bigger thinking for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger Questions asked in the conversation Your book, For God’s Sake - an atheist, Jew, a Christian and a Muslim walk into a bar.... Four different people debating religion - that sounds like an intriguing conversation. Was that a worthwhile experience? Smaller Questions How much you know about things we’d be better off with? Worse elements of the Christian faith Now Simon a similar result was found in a poll conducted on the Q&A TV program back in 2012 which asked the question “Does religious faith make the world a better place?” Seventy-six percent of the 20,000 respondents said “no”. So Simon, does it surprise you that such a high number of people think that the world would be better off without religion? Why do you think so many people think that Christianity is a negative force in the world? Now you addressed a number of these awful things in the recent Centre for Public Christianity documentary: For the Love of God: how the church is better and worse than you ever imagined. What were you hoping to achieve by addressing them - to say that the bad things done in the name of Christianity weren’t really that bad? Why did you include the bad parts of what the church has done? German Church Was there a particular story which captures the essence of the film? How did the German church respond to this at the time? Martin Luther King As you investigated the best and worst of Christianity - was there a really positive story, or something that really uplifted you? What role did the Bible play in motivating Martin Luther King? The Bible’s answer - equality of humans We’re asking Simon Smart today’s big question of whether we’d be better off without Christianity. In the New Testament book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes in Chapter 3 verse 28, There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. What is the significance of this? How does this verse help help us understand human equality? Can’t we get notions of equality without the Bible though? Didn’t the French Revolution proclaim, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, as beacons of non-religious Enlightenment thinking? Personal story After doing this film project with are you more encouraged or less to be a Christian and be an advocate for the church? You confronted the verse worst of 2000 years of the church - surely the world would be better without those things - like Crusades, the German church supporting Nazi Germany, clerical abuse of children? So what persuades you to stay a Christian even though you’ve confronted some of its very worst? Are you better off with Christianity? How so? What difference does it make to you? The Big Question So Simon, would we be better off without Christianity?

Christian history offers plenty of ammunition to its critics—the crusades, the inquisitions, the witch trials, the oppression of women and more. This episode addresses the many questions brought up by For the Love of God: How the church is better and worse than you ever imagined, a documentary by the Centre for Public Christianity, studying the worst of what Christians have done; while tracing the origins of Western values like human rights, charity, humility, and non-violence back to the influence of Jesus Christ. This is not the history we think we know. This episode of Bigger Questions was recorded as a bonus episode after a screening of the cinema version of the documentary. Hence many of the questions revolved around questions raised by the documentary. The guests: John Dickson has a degree in theology and a doctorate in ancient history, specialising in the birth of Christianity. He’s founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity, a Senior Research Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, an Anglican minister, and author of over a dozen books. Along with being the host of the popular Undeceptions podcast, he is also hosting this year's Undeceptions Conference. Simon Smart is the Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. He has a Masters in Christian Studies, is a prolific writer and contributed to the book For God's Sake: An Atheist, a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim Debate Religion. Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation Well, John and Simon thanks for taking some time to chat now about this documentary. Now we’ve just seen a full length cinema screening of For the Love of God: how the church is better and worse than you ever imagined, it’s been described as an unflinching documentary, and the film does raise lots of big questions. But before we get to discuss some of these - let’s talk a bit about the film itself. So Simon what inspired the making of the film? Were you looking for an excuse to travel to exotic locations around the world? Congratulations on the documentary. It’s been really well produced, with some world experts. Tell us a bit about the making of the film. Was there anywhere that was particularly difficult or challenging to film? Where was your favourite location for the filming? What was your favourite story for the filming? So why the name of the film: for the love of God? Why did you choose that? So why the tagline? ‘How the church is better and worse than you imagined’ Why did you include the bad parts of what the church has done? How did you choose what you chose to tell? There’s lots of potential stories of how the church is better or worse, why did you choose certain stories and not others? The tune of Christianity - love enemies A key theme of the film is what you describe as the tune of Jesus, which comes from the Gospel of Luke, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you Why do you suggest that this in particular is the tune of Jesus and not some of his other teachings? Have you just cherry picked something from what he said to make Jesus sound radical and appealing? But Jesus wasn’t the first to teach love enemies - didn’t other ancient teachers say similar things? For example a pagan Babylonian text predating Christ by more than 1000 years said, “Do not return evil to your adversary; Requite with kindness the one who does evil to you, Maintain justice for your enemy, Be friendly to your enemy.” So John, how was Jesus different? Jesus myth Rugby Union footballer Israel Folau recently tweeted: Jesus Christ is and will always be the most important thing to me above anything else in this world One person responded briefly by saying: Shame he’s fictitious Now this comment got 76 likes. So John it’s all well and good to say that Jesus has a beautiful tune, but it’s becoming quite common for people to say that Jesus was just a myth, a work of fiction. So with Jesus, are we just dealing with a fictitious character or is the composer of this beautiful tune real? Does it matter if he wasn’t real? The Big Question So John and Simon, wrapping up, final summary thoughts, how is the church better and worse than you ever imagined?

Why is fear so powerful? Shane Rogerson and Stephanie Gear explore explore the big questions dystopian novels (e.g. The Hunger Games, 1984, The Handmaid's Tale & Where's Wally) raise. An engaging conversation confronting our fears, but offering hope of overcoming them. We’re asking this question today to two people. Shane Rogerson is senior minister of St Matt’s Anglican church in Prahran. He's passionate about engaging with the bigger questions of life. Stephanie Gear runs a Melbourne based catering business, works part time with City Bible Forum and is a passionate reader. Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation Smaller Questions How much do you know about dystopian fiction? Dystopia: definition and popularity So dystopia, it’s very popular, but what exactly is it? What would make something dystopian? At the start of 2017, the book 1984 experienced a resurgence of sales with sales jumping 9,500% and the book jumping to number 1 on the Amazon best-seller list. The book was published 70 years ago - why do you think it’s made such a comeback? What attracts people to dystopia? Do you like dystopian fiction? Dystopia and fear English literature academic Rob McAlear claimed that, If the persuasive strategy that governs utopias is "hope," for dystopias it is "fear." Is this true? What fears do dystopian fictions particularly tap into? These are legitimate fears though aren’t they? Why is fear so powerful? The Handmaid’s Tale - religious suppression Religion can also be a force used to intimidate and control as is seen in the recent award winning dystopian TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale. Steph, you read the book as a high school text, and you’ve watched the TV series - what did you make of it? Did you enjoy it? It really is an adult only show though isn’t it? So in The Handmaid’s Tale - what are people afraid of? Is it patriarchy or religion, or a combination of both? At the core: freedom and control So at the core of dystopia is the fear of loss of control and freedom. So what does true freedom look like? Are there limits to freedom? The Bible’s reflection - coping with fear This week’s big question is about dystopia: what are you afraid of? In the New Testament book of 1 Peter, the author, Peter the Apostle, writes a letter to a group of Christians scattered across the Ancient world. He writes in Chapter 3 verses 13 and 14. 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. So Shane, it sounds like the recipients of this letter are suffering in some way. What was their situation? Peter goes on and exhorts his recipients amidst their difficulties by saying, ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. So why should they not fear? What reason does he offer to overcome fear? He says, Christ as Lord - isn’t it a scary prospect to revere someone as Lord? In 1984 ‘Big Brother’ was depicted as an infallible and all-powerful omnipotent leader. Some have drawn connections between Big Brother and God: a large, masculine deity who is always watching you and demands that you unconditionally love and obey him. So isn’t following ‘Jesus as Lord’ just patriarchal, controlling submission? The big question So Shane & Steph as we’ve thought about dystopia today: what are you afraid of?

Superhero have become incredibly popular and earn big dollars. Twenty years ago, they accounted for just 1% of movie tickets sold—now, they make up over 30% of sales. They are more popular than ever, but haven't we had enough of them? Why are they so popular? In another entertaining and insightful conversation Sam Chan shows how superhero movies help us see something bigger. Our guest is Dr. Sam Chan. Sam is a preacher, author, cultural analyst and medical doctor. He works as national communicator with City Bible Forum. Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation Sam, we’re talking today about superheroes. Did you ever read superhero comics? Smaller Questions Today we’re asking Sam Chan about superheroes. So Sam, I thought we’d test you on how much you know about superheroes. Superheroes - origin and explanation So Sam, if you could have a special superpower - what would it be? Have you thought about becoming a superhero? BatChan? SpiderChan? Now, we ask the really big questions on this show. So, I want to get to one of the biggest: Where have all the superhero capes gone? Wonder Woman, used to have a cape - but it’s gone. Now most of the modern superheroes on our screens are cape-less, except Captain Underpants. Why is that? Why do you think the old superheroes wore capes? Do you have a favourite superhero? There are two ‘universes’ of superhero movies: DC and Marvel. What is the difference? So then - what makes a superhero? Superheroes - childish and formulaic But isn’t the whole superheroes thing a bit childish? Rhymer Rigby, journalist with the Telegraph in the UK in an article entitled: No self-respecting adult should buy comics or watch superhero movies, said Can we all please grow up? Can we acknowledge that Marvel and DC have scraped right though the bottom of the barrel? Can we call time on superhero films? Films which are too dark for kids the comics were originally written for, yet too dumb for any thinking adult. So are they childish - not something that mature people should watch? Superheroes - popular But there still seem to be lots of superheroes - and more coming. Superhero films have become incredibly popular and earning big dollars. Twenty years ago they accounted for just 1% of movie tickets sold - now they make up over 30% of sales. The most recent Marvel Avengers Infinity War movie set a new record as the fastest movie in history to reach $1 billion at the box office. Some say that the superhero genre is reaching “heights of popularity not seen since its origins on the comic book page.” Why is this so? Why do we love superhero films? Superheroes - battle of good vs evil Superhero films are escapist - but does our love of superheroes reveal something more? What does our love of superhero films reveal about us? "But aren't some superheroes vigilantes? For example, Batman who takes justice into his own hands - why do we still vouch for him when we're on screen?" Superheroes in the real world - Unbelievable? But what about in the real universe? Some dislike superhero movies because they just don’t make sense in the real world. In an article entitled, ‘10 reasons why I'm sick to death of superhero movies’, the author said that they don’t make sense, he said, One of the characters is a god. AN ACTUAL GOD. Fighting alongside an irradiated mutant and a bloke in a robot suit and someone who fires arrows. [...] Does this seem ridiculous to anyone else, Thor teaming up with some mortal humans? Is this ridiculous? Superhero movies depicting gods living and fighting amongst men? There seems to be a lot of overlap between mythology and superheroes - in Avengers. Thor, the God of Thunder, is literally lifted directly straight from Norse mythology! Other superheroes could be seen as different expressions Greek mythological heroes. So are modern superheroes just a continuation of the myths of humanity made up since the beginning? So what attracts us to these myths? But are they satisfying? Given the connection between gods and superheroes - does this mean that religion - like superheroes - is just fantasy and childish? What about Jesus? A believable superhero? Then what of Jesus Christ? The Bible claims he has some miraculous powers - of healing, telepathy etc, but he didn’t seem to have the ability to fly. Is that important? Jesus had things which you could potentially claim were superpowers - doesn’t that make Jesus unbelievable in the real world? The Bible’s reflection - a believable superhero? This week’s big question is about Superheroes: do we need another one? In the New Testament book of Philippians, we learn something of the origin, power and mission of Jesus, where the author, the Apostle Paul says, In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in very nature God, Now Sam, here Jesus sounds pretty powerful - being ‘in very nature God’. Could he be some kind of superhero? Like Thor perhaps? What is different between Thor and Jesus? What is Jesus’ special superpower? Yet the passage continues - though Jesus was in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! What is happening here? This doesn’t quite sound like the standard superhero movie script? The Bible’s reflection - the exaltation of the hero The passage concludes in a dramatic way in verses 9-11, where Paul writes 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This passage speaks of every knee bowing before Jesus. In the 2012 Avengers movie, the evil super-villain Loki demands that people bow down before him. He says, ‘is this not the truth; - that humanity ‘craves subjugation’ and this diminishes our freedom. Is bowing before Jesus subjugation, or is it different? Is this conclusion predictable or more satisfying than a CGI spectacle? The Big Question So Sam, Superheroes: do we need another one?

All I do is sit at home and watch Netflix. Kyrie Irving (Basketball player) We love our TV shows. Watching TV is Australia's most popular after dinner activity. Author Aaron Allston once commented on the difference between tragedy and comedy: "Tragedy is something awful happening to somebody else, while comedy is something awful happening to somebody else." Is this true? What makes something funny? Sam Chan explores comedy, cracks a joke or two and helps us see something bigger from the shows that make us laugh Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation Sam, we’re talking today about comedy - do you like comedy? What have you been watching lately? Smaller Questions We’ll test you on how much you know about popular comedy TV shows. Comedy - what makes something funny? So Sam, does it surprise you that Australia’s Funniest Home Videos was one of Australia’s longest running TV comedy shows? Why do you think it was so popular? One of the reasons for the demise of Australia’s Funniest Home Videos is the rise of the Internet and YouTube and popular “fail” websites like EpicFail and FailArmy. FailArmy YouTube videos have combined views of over 4.6 billion. So why do we like laughing at the misfortunes of others? Is this what makes something funny? Do your kids find you funny? What about the bumbling hero? The shows that you like - Mr Bean, Jane the Virgin, Crazy ex-girlfriend - they often seem to have bumbling heros. Why do we find them endearing? What do we learn from them? Tragedy vs comedy There does seem to be a fine line between tragedy and comedy though. Some people can’t watch shows like Mr Bean because it’s too painful. He’s just too bumbling. Do you agree? Author Aaron Allston said about the difference between tragedy and comedy: Tragedy is something awful happening to somebody else, while comedy is something awful happening to somebody else. Is this true? Could you say that Australia’s Funniest Home Videos should be Australia’s most tragic home videos? Comedian and director Mel Brooks said: If I got a paper cut, that’s a tragedy. If you fell down an open manhole and died, that's comedy. At the heart of both comedy and tragedy is often recognising something wrong about the world. Do you think we should laugh at things that are wrong? But can we go too far though? Perhaps that’s where dark comedy pushes the boundaries (a comic style that makes light of subject matter that is normally considered serious or painful to discuss). Are there things which are too tragic or painful to ever make comedic? Laugh in the face of Meaninglessness It’s important to laugh at lots of things - the things that are wrong in the world - but what about meaningless - if the world is without ultimate purpose or meaning. Comedian and director Mel Brooks "I have no firm philosophical base. I believe in God with all my heart three days a week. Humor is just another defense against the universe. I don't know any more than anyone else.“ Can we laugh in the face of meaninglessness? Do you empathise with Mel Brooks? If the universe is meaningless, does that make laughter better or worse? The Bible’s reflection - comedy and meaning Now Sam, the Old Testament wisdom book of Ecclesiastes, in the Bible, talks a lot about the meaninglessness of life, or the frustrations of life. In Ecclesiastes 1 the book starts: 2 ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ 3 What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun? Is life really meaningless? Ecclesiastes goes on in Chapter 3, verse 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: What does this mean? The author then goes on to give a beautiful poem about time and in verse 4 says, a time to weep and a time to laugh a time to mourn and a time to dance When is the appropriate time for either? How do we discern the time? The Bible’s reflection - Jesus and comedy What about Jesus? Do you think Jesus ever told jokes? Is Jesus a joker? Reflections on Meaning So was Jesus’ life a tragedy or comedy? Do you think your life has been a tragedy or a comedy? The Big Question So Sam, should I laugh or should I cry?

Anybody that doesn't like Netflix, that's like saying you hate Santa Claus. Julian Robertson (Financier) We love our TV shows. Watching TV is Australia's most popular after dinner activity. Why is Married at First Sight so popular? If reality TV was actually real - would be as interesting? What does reality TV tell us about ourselves? Cultural analyst Dr. Sam Chan shares about how these shows are a window to an even bigger and better story. Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation Today we’re talking about trashy TV - so do you watch much TV? What about the ‘trashy TV’, you know the ‘so bad it’s good’ kind of show? It’s rumoured that you were a fan of Baywatch as a younger person - does that qualify as trashy? Smaller Questions How much do you know about Married at First Sight? Why the appeal with reality TV? So Sam, Married at First Sight is a show that users think is awful - it doesn’t even pass on IMDb. In fact one user wrote that the show was: A complete and utter waste of time. Watching this will make you want to die. anyone who watches this is either a.) crazy or b.) stupid. Beyond stupid. But the show was a rating juggernaut and finale - a ratings bonanza - why? Why are shows like Married at First Sight and The Bachelor so popular? One TV critic who wrote at the start of the 2017 Married at First Sight series said that this was the “type of TV that only exists for people who haven’t discovered that there’s actually thousands of hours of compelling, quality TV to be watched on very cheap streaming services.” Is that a bit condescending? Perhaps an insult to the millions who do tune in? Now these shows contain all the elements of great drama don’t they? TV critic Ben Neutze commented and said, “But the reason it endures is that it’s found a sweet spot for this kind of trash TV, that manages to be controversial and uncomfortable without being completely morally objectionable.” Is that true? We feel a bit uncomfortable watching it? Is it the villains? “TV critic Kerri Sackville wrote that, “Married At First Sight is awful. People there are unlikely to find love. But we love it, because we’re addicted to the villains.” Is that true? But how real is reality TV? American actor Hill Harter said, ‘I believe that reality TV should be called 'not reality' TV; it's fiction’. Do you agree? Our need for a story So what does this need for drama, need for villains, need for a story, tell us? Where do we find stories that we can connect to and be a part of? What about you? What is a story that you’ve found compelling? Why might the Bible offer a story that can help us with our quest for an overarching story? Why do you find the story of the Bible compelling? The Bible’s reflection - another wedding Married at First Sight is a TV show that starts with weddings and the Bible tells many stories about weddings. In fact Jesus tells a parable, or short story, about a wedding in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew - which one of the four biographies of Jesus’ life we have. So Sam, why did Jesus speak in Parables? Aren’t these kinds of stories a bit simple for a great teacher and guru? This parable we’re looking at today, might have made good reality TV. It starts in Matthew 25 by describing the kingdom of heaven like, ‘ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. So Sam, do you think this could make a good reality TV show? The virgins all fell asleep and then drama is created in verse 6 when ‘At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Now the appearing of this Bridegroom is perhaps a little different to when the Bachelor is unveiled? Then when the bridegroom appears, “The virgins all woke up and trimmed their lamps but the foolish ones don’t have enough oil and try to get extra from the wise, but there won’t be enough - so they send the foolish off to buy some extra.” There is real tension here - and it feels a bit like the Amazing Race? Teams have to travel to the nearest oil shops, trim their lamps and return - will the foolish women get back in time? But the ending does shock a bit doesn’t it? 10 ‘But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. It's dramatic, what do you make of it? But isn’t is a bit harsh? The door was shut? What does Jesus mean by it? What do you make of the conclusion of the parable where the five foolish contestants try to enter, they say, “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!” 12 ‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” 13 ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Is this a bit like being eliminated from the show - you miss out on the rose - you are the weakest link - you leave the Island, you are eliminated from the race? The last line there says, keep watching - or you might miss out. It's important to stay tuned. But what should you keep watch about exactly? So Sam, it’s a dramatic story, perhaps making for a great reality TV show, but what strikes you about it? So what is the bigger story this teaches us? How has this bigger story impacted you? The Big Question So Sam, trashy TV: why can’t we turn away?

We live in a busy world and a busy society. Yet people still pretend to be busy - why is this? In this episode, host Robert Martin speaks with Peter Adam (Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's Anglican Church) about busyness. They diagnose why we're busy and how to work out if my busyness is because we have a lot to do or we're trying to be significant. They reflect on the Proverbs in the Bible and unearth a solution to busyness - trusting God. But how can I trust someone who is invisible? Peter shares a fascinating story of an unbeliever who tried trusting God for a week - listen to hear what happened. A potential paradox is created when we consider another Proverb which advocates taking responsibility. How can one simultaneously trust God and take responsibility? How is this paradox resolved? Peter provides a way forward in an enjoyable and thought-provoking Logos Live. This episode od Bigger Questions was recorded under the show's previous title 'Logos Live', and part of the Words to Live by series of March 2016. Photo by ThisIsEngineering from Pexels

How do we make wise decisions? The late Apple founder Steve Jobs once said that "you've got to find what you love" and that "the only way to do great work is to love what you do". Is this realistic? Should we do what we love and follow our dreams? How do we make wise decisions? Our guest Allan Bulman (Director of the Takeovers Panel) is someone accustomed to expediting decisions for a living. Allan has observed the consequences of his own personal decisions and the decisions of others. Drawing practical wisdom from a potentially surprising source, this episode offers practical and helpful advice on living and thriving today. This Bigger Questions episode is a re-release of Episode 46 (recorded under the show's former title, hence the absence of episode number). Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger questions asked in the conversation You make decisions on the Takeovers Panel - what sort of decisions do you have to make? Are the decisions always popular? What sort of factors do you need to take into account when making decisions? Have you made any bad decisions? Or can’t you say? Smaller Questions Today we’re talking with Allan Bulman about making wise decisions and trying to help people avoid train wrecks of their lives. So Allan in today’s quiz I thought I’d test you on how well you know, ‘train wrecks’. Decisions have consequences R.C. Richards, the author of the book on train accidents, describes “thoughtlessness” as the biggest cause of train wrecks. How do you think this applies to our lives? The title of the movie Trainwreck implies that Amy Schumer's life is a disaster. Yet she would possibly deny that when she says, "I am just a modern chick who does what she wants," What would you say to Amy? Would some of her decisions lead to train wrecks? Could her life be a train wreck and she not realise it? Allan's story We’re interested to hear about why you believe the Scriptures are worth following. Allan, what convinced you to become a Christian believer? Proverbs - decisions have consequences The book of Proverbs is a part of the Bible which offers short pithy insights into the nature of life in the world. It offers practical, memorable wisdom for living life. What do you make of Proverbs? Do the sayings there surprise you? Proverbs offers common sense observations about the decisions we make in life, e.g. Proverbs 24:30-34 makes the connection between the decision to be lazy and subsequent unproductiveness, I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. Do you think Proverbs is affirming the idea that certain decisions have consequences? And we can discern these consequences at times? Hence a lazy person won’t get rich or wealthy? In your observations on life what do you make of the claim Proverbs makes that certain decisions have consequences? Proverbs - Do what you love It’s common in our world today to make decisions in order to be ‘true to yourself’. The late Apple founder Steve Jobs once said in a speech that "you've got to find what you love" and that "the only way to do great work is to love what you do". Is this realistic? Proverbs 28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty What does this say to Steve Jobs’ philosophy of ‘do what you love’? Adultery The movie Trainwreck starts with Amy’s father divorcing her mother due to an affair. The father tells his two young daughters, one of whom is Amy, to recite like a mantra, “Monogamy isn’t realistic”. These decisions are contrary to the message of Proverbs which encourages a man to ‘drink water from his own cistern’ and ‘not to share sexual love with anyone other than a husband or wife’. From what you have observed, will the rejection of monogamy lead to a train wreck of a life? Proverbs 6:27 implies that there are negative consequences of adulterous decisions, Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? What do you make of this? Role of fear of the Lord in wisdom The Bible doesn’t just give common sense, although the words of wisdom can sometimes seem like that. The Bible speaks about a connection between the wisdom of living in the world and the ‘fear of the Lord’. For example, Proverbs 15:33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honour. Why do you think that is? What is the significance of humility? Does that help when making mistakes? Mistakes - have you made mistakes? How do you deal with that? The Big Question So Allan, how do I avoid turning my life into a train wreck?

"When it comes to facts and explanations of facts, science is the only game in town" Is this true? In this episode, host Robert Martin speaks with Rev. Dr. Chris Mulherin (Executive officer of ISCAST) about science, Christianity and how we work out what is true in the world. Are there limits to science and the scientific method? How do we gain reliable information about the world? Should we live by evidence? We also reflect on a Bible passage and think about one of Jesus' disciple's 'demand' for evidence. Professor Richard Dawkins was invited to the recording, but he was unable to attend because of health reasons. Hear what Chris would say to Professor Dawkins if they ever had a private word, as we ask him some bigger questions. Our guest: Rev. Dr. Chris Mulherin is executive officer of ISCAST - an organisation for Christians in Science and also has a PhD exploring the relationship between science and religion. Help us keep asking Bigger Questions. Support the show for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger Questions asked in the conversation What made you interested in the relationship between science and Christianity? Interested enough to do a PhD and devote years of your life to it? Now one of the key promoters of science in the world is atheist Richard Dawkins who claims that science and religion are locked in a mortal conflict. It’s been 10 years since the publication of his best selling book The God Delusion, which has sold over 3 million copies. What did you make of the book? Smaller Questions I’m going to test you on how well you know, ‘the God Delusion’. The issue - poverty of scientism So is science the only game in town when it comes to facts and explanations of facts? What is science? What other games in town are there when it comes to facts and explanations of facts? Are they legitimate? Given that knowledge is fallible, does this mean we can’t know anything? In A Devil’s Chaplain Richard Dawkins explains to his daughter how we gain true knowledge of the world and he describes the scientific method. He says, Scientists - the specialists in discovering what is true about the world and the universe - work like detectives. They make a guess, called a hypothesis, about what might be true. They then say to themselves: If that were really true, we ought to see so-and-so. This is called a prediction. Dawkins then outlines how we go on to test predictions and the result of this is ‘evidence’ and evidence is a good reason for believing something. Isn’t the scientific method is a good and reliable way of knowing about the world? How can we then gain reliable information about the world? What constitutes good evidence? Can we live by evidence? Do you think that people really live by ‘science alone’? Chris' story We’re interested to hear about why you believe the Scriptures are worth following. Chris, what convinced you to become a Christian believer? The Bible acknowledges evidence - John 20 The part of the Bible we’re looking at today is found in The Gospel According to John, one of the four biographies of Jesus that we have. The section we look at today we encounter one of Jesus’ disciples Thomas who was skeptical of the claims of his friends that Jesus had been raised from the dead and they had ‘seen the Lord’. His skepticism is understandable isn’t it? Thomas demands evidence that Jesus was raised when he says, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ Could you say that Thomas’ demand for this type of evidence scientific? Is this a reasonable level of evidence to demand? Then a week later Thomas was with the disciples and Jesus appears and says in verse 27 to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Is this good evidence to believe? It convinces Thomas so that he says, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Do you think this evidence will convince every skeptic? Now we can’t physically put our hands in Jesus’ side, what do you make of the next statement Jesus makes in verse 29, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’? The Big Question Chris, we did invite Richard Dawkins to join us here today, but he’s unable to make it because of health reasons. What word do you have for Professor Dawkins. Can we live by science alone?

How can a person of integrity defend big wealthy companies? We ask some big questions of a lawyer about the role of law, justice, equity and judgement in a complex world. Our guest: George Mallos is a partner in a law firm with over 40 years of experience in a wide range of matters. For almost 30 years he’s acted predominantly for large multinational insurers in general insurance. This show was recorded as a part of a series called Songs of the Heart. To explore more, download a free reading guide. Invest in bigger thinking for as little as US$1 per podcast on Patreon. Bigger Questions asked in the conversation Now George, you have practised law for over 40 years. Does this mean you’ve been the butt of many lawyer jokes? You don’t have a favourite lawyer joke? Why do people like to poke fun at lawyers? Now just to clarify today you’re not going to give legal advice today are you? Smaller Questions Well, to kick off Bigger Questions we like to ask a couple of smaller questions. And today we’re asking George Mallos about defending big insurance companies, so George, I thought I’d test you on “how much you know about insurance”. Defending insurance companies So the premise of The Rainmaker is the story of a wealthy insurance company denying the legitimate claims from low income people. - Deny all claims - is this even possible in the real world? But aren’t there problems for access to justice for people because it’s so expensive? Bigger questions about justice Why is justice such an important thing? George’s story - Why the Christian faith? The Christian faith wasn’t always an important thing for you, did you grow up in a religious environment? The death of John F Kennedy Jr was an important moment for you - what happened? How did you make sense of it? Bible’s answer - God is a God of justice The passage also speaks about God being a God of justice. For example verse 8 says He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Is God being a judge a good thing or a bad thing? There is a theme in the Bible that the God of the Bible is an advocate for the weak, vulnerable and powerless - the widow and the orphan and Psalm 9:9 says, The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble So George, you’d agree that defending the needy and oppressed does seem to be a key theme in the Bible? Yet you defend the powerful, wealthy and strong - so isn’t there a disconnect here? Bible’s answer - times of worry The passage talks about the Lord being a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble, The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. We do appear to be living in times of trouble at the moment, how is the Lord a stronghold and refuge for you? Does that make a difference to you during this Coronavirus at the moment? What will the impact of Coronavirus - COVID-19 - mean for you? Do you think you will you get extra insurance work? The Big Question So George, why defend big insurance companies?