Show notes
Can We Speak About Jesus's Transforming Power Without Reducing It To a Consumer Product? You can believe Christianity is true and still wonder what difference it makes. Theologian and former atheist Alister McGrath joins Curtis Chang to discuss Rethinking Christianity and why conversations about faith need to address meaning, purpose, and hope alongside rational belief. They explore the danger of reducing Christianity to self-help, the limits of intellectual answers to suffering, and how Jesus' suffering speaks to people in their darkest moments. Curtis also shares his experience of anxiety and depression as they consider how truth, lived experience, and Christian friendship can sustain faith. 02:34 - Why Won't Christianity Stay Buried? 04:43 - Dr. McGrath's Journey from Atheism to Christianity 07:11 - From Debating Atheism to Addressing Meaning 15:30 - Consumerism, Relevance, and Losing Christianity's Story 19:19 - How Can We Find Purpose and Flourish in Faith? 23:46 - The Limits of Apologetic Answers to Suffering 30:43 - Explaining the Trinity 33:09 - Preaching to the Choir and Finding Companions Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 256 Sign up for The After Party course Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. McGrath's Rethinking Christianity: A Thoughtful Guide to a Life-Changing Faith C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain Henri Blocker's Evil and the Cross More about C.S. Lewis's conversion More about Dorothy L. Sayers More about Alvin Plantinga Dr. McGrath Debates Richard Dawkins Dr. McGrath Debates Christopher Hitchens Dr. McGrath Debates Daniel Dennett Scriptures: John 4:1–42 (ESV) John 10:10 (ESV) Psalm 23 (ESV) Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV) More From Dr. McGrath: Professor Alister McGrath at the University of Oxford Alister McGrath's website Alister McGrath's books Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.