It seems unfair to include Edison in the title of this episode, since our discussion of his biography is unrelated to the debate over homosexual unions and the nature of bigotry — but as usual, your hosts follow some rabbit trails. They begin with listener mail and a discussion of the definition of bigotry, which leads to a discussion of the foundation for pluralism in America. And then, briefly, Jeff and Bill talk about what Bill is reading now, and the life of America’s greatest inventor.
Bill Plays Free Association
Would you like your Radio Worldview hosts to respond to listener mail? So would Jeff! Unfortunately, co-host Bill is feeling especially random in this podcast, and so it begins with a discussion of the zombie movie “Warm Bodies” (no kidding!), and then transitions into a discussion of the new country song “She Loves Me Like Jesus.” Eventually Jeff is able to steer Bill back to the task at hand, and they respond to an excellent listener e-mail about suffering. Then Jeff is taken to task for his attitude toward Massachusetts and France. A rousing episode!
Return of the Bill
Bill is back! After a one-show hiatus, Worldview Academy’s Bill Jack returns with a vengeance, taking time immediately to chip in his two cents about the last podcast — including an odd rant about Thomas the Train. Although co-host Jeff Baldwin does not want to rehash the discussion of “selling out” from the previous show, Bill won’t let it go. Eventually, they move on to listener mail and a discussion of the role of question-asking in apologetics.
Should Calvin and Hobbes Sell Out?
The answer to our question seems obvious, doesn’t it? But our guest co-host, Micah Gibson, cheerfully argues that (in the right context) “selling out” can be not only a good business decision but also a good creative decision, at least as long as you want to maintain an audience for your art. Co-host Jeff Baldwin has always admired Bill Watterson for refusing to license Calvin plushies or anything else, but Micah says that may be a mistake. All this, and a rousing discussion about one of the worst books Jeff has ever read!
Stewardship: Water Rights, Part Two
If you listened to the last podcast, you know that host Bill Jack was starting to stir up trouble, suggesting that cities use water more efficiently than rural communities. And if you know co-host Jeff Baldwin, you know that any assertion of urban superiority rubs him the wrong way. In this episode, Jeff and Bill duke it out, trying to determine how Christians should view water, and especially sharing water in arid places like the American West.
Stewardship: Water Rights, Part One
Co-hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack are back with a more focused episode of Radio Worldview — discussing the biblical view of allocating the most important natural resource, water. Naturally, it takes them awhile to get there; first Jeff talks yet again about the Super Bowl and then Bill makes a prediction about the next “holy grail” for the American media. But once they get rolling, the conversation gains steam nicely — leading inexorably to a discussion of the tension between rural and urban areas.
Playing Catch-up
As longtime listeners know, sometimes Radio Worldview just needs a show to clear the decks. It would be inaccurate to suggest that this episode has a theme — unless you count random segments and trivia and movie commentary as a theme. Bill leads off with a “Roadkill Cafe” segment, and then Jeff chimes in with his opinions about the movie “Brick.” Later, both hosts discuss what they’re working on now. Add a dash of Super Bowl trivia and some discussion of President Lincoln, and you’ve got the hodgepodge we call “Playing Catch-up.”
Casting Pearls Before Massachusetts
There were so many fun title options for this episode, including “How Long Should We Tolerate Intolerance?” and “Letting France and Massachusetts Sleep in the Beds They Made.” The problem, of course, is that this show deals with far more than a title can express. Should we be surprised to find the champions of tolerance being intolerant? Who are the swine Jesus refers to in Matthew 7:6? Should a Christian ministry choose its battles, or should it go looking for a fight? And is Jeff right to give up on France? Tune in and hear Bill poke Jeff with sharp sticks until he snaps.
Technology and Paranoia
Do you live under a rock? Then you probably haven’t heard about the technological advances that co-hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin will be discussing today on Radio Worldview. Although Bill and Jeff live far from the cutting edge, they occasionally like to discuss technology, like the Up by Jawbone or the new Field Trip app. In this episode, Jeff supplies the “technology” part of our title, and Bill supplies the “paranoia” part. Think of it as a “Where the Tech Are We?” segment that rambles on and on.
Hitler’s Cross
What are we reading now? Radio Worldview co-host Bill Jack is fired up about a book entitled Hitler’s Cross by Erwin Lutzer. In this book, Lutzer reminds his readers that many Christians stood by and did nothing as Hitler rose to power and persecuted the Jews. Bill points out that it’s easy to assume, in hindsight, that you would have taken a stand against the Third Reich — but can you really be sure? This leads to a broader discussion of the false sacred/secular dichotomy.
Evangelism: Closing the Deal
The title of this podcast may not be the best, since “closing the deal” sounds like a term for salesmen. Sharing your faith isn’t like selling a set of encyclopedias, but Christians do need to ask their listeners to act on what they’ve heard. How can you do this in a gracious way? Co-host Jeff Baldwin talks about his most recent experience, and Bill Jack talks about the new evangelism tool he has developed.
Root Canals, The Hobbit, and Upcoming Films
Merry Christmas to all our listeners! This edition of Radio Worldview, recorded shortly before Christmas, features host Jeff Baldwin ranting about his two recent root canals, and then explaining to co-host Bill Jack why the new movie “The Hobbit” might actually be better than Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. Bill and Jeff then consider some of the trailers for unreleased movies like “Pacific Rim” and “Beautiful Creatures,” which don’t offer much hope for the movies in 2013.
Have Yourself a Spooky Little Christmas!
Radio Worldview has never claimed to be on the leading edge of news stories or any part of the calendar, so it should come as no surprise that this episode deals primarily with the Christian response to Halloween. Bill and Jeff have been working hard to catch up on listener mail, and one of the last questions deals with our most popular secular holiday. Conveniently, Jeff recently finished reading horror story master H.P. Lovecraft, so this becomes a podcast mostly concerned with ghosts, aliens and witches. Put on a yule log, cozy up under the mistletoe, and listen up!
Small Businesses and One Very Big Canyon
Everyone knows about Black Friday. But did you shop Small Business Saturday? And should you? Radio Worldview deals with this question, but not before Jeff Baldwin describes his recent backpacking trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and Bill Jack raves about another hidden gem in “Roadkill Cafe.” This podcast ends with Jeff’s favorite listener e-mail of all time — an e-mail that Bill promptly crumples up and discards. Just another day at the office for Radio Worldview!
Sleepers: The Great Books and a Movie
A tardy Bill Jack is better than no Bill Jack at all . . . Right? This podcast begins with your host, Jeff Baldwin, flying solo — always a dangerous proposition, especially when you consider the nerd factor. With no one to get in his way, Jeff cheerfully launches into a prolonged discussion of great books that are overlooked by most secular educators. Finally, Bill arrives on the scene and steers the discussion to “Roadkill Cafe” and a listener e-mail about an overlooked noir movie. Bill has done his homework and watched the movie, so we’re able to recommend it with some qualifications. Special bonus: Jeff makes a crackpot “Where the Tech are We?” prediction at the very end of this episode!
Noir and Cussin’
When you see the title of this podcast, you might think that it’s about the cursing that appears in some noir novels — but you’d be wrong. Actually, Jeff has been reading Raymond Chandler, which sparks a long, unscripted discussion of detective noir, including such questions as: Is Batman noir? What about Clint Eastwood as the Outlaw Josey Wales? After this long digression, Bill and Jeff deal with a listener’s question about cussing. In other words, business as usual at Radio Worldview: rabbit trails galore.
Islam, Mormonism and the Big Rock Candy Mountain
It’s been too long! Hosts Bill and Jeff podcast from the Worldview Academy Leadership Camp in New Mexico as they try to catch up with listener mail, what they’re reading now, and the ever-satisfying “Roadkill Cafe.” Was Mohammed visited by a demon? What about Joseph Smith? Why is Islam dying, according to the book Bill is reading now? And what obscure literary figure will Jeff rant about?
Is “Buy Local” a Good Idea?
There’s been a growing trend, especially among people concerned with global warming, to embrace the “Buy Local” movement. How should Christians feel about it? Does a concern for enhanced community also require a commitment to shop only at quirky, locally-owned stores? Is there something inherently evil about WalMart? And how is all of this related to the “patriotic” assumption that it is better to buy products made in the USA? The issue is complex, and your hosts Jeff and Bill do their level best to tackle it.
Women as Leaders
Should women lead? There are verses in the Bible that suggest that women should not instruct men in theological matters. Is this just cultural, or does it apply today? Does it have even broader application? What about a woman president? And how can young Christian women encourage young Christian men to take the reins and lead? These questions are raised by a faithful listener, and Bill and Jeff do their best to tackle them. But it’s not all serious! This episode’s edition of “Roadkill Cafe” features one of the most disgusting things Jeff ever had to see Bill eat.
A Roadkill Cafe Far, Far Away
Order is restored to the universe! After a summer apart, Radio Worldview co-hosts Jeff and Bill are reunited, and ready to brag about their recent trip to Alaska. Think some of the other places they’ve discussed in “Roadkill Cafe” are obscure? Wait until you hear about Snow City Cafe. And that’s just the beginning; a segment called “Where the Tech Are We?” follows, and seems to confuse your hosts even more than technology normally does.
Here Comes the Crazy Talk, Part Three
This is it! You’ve finally reached the limits of the crazy talk. This is the last episode of Radio Worldview that features Bill Jack unfettered by his co-host, Jeff Baldwin. In this show, Bill is joined by a Worldview Academy staff director, August Huckabee, and they discuss what motivates him to volunteer his time with our ministry, and what it looks like to live out the Christian faith on the college campus. Stay tuned at the end for everybody’s favorite segment, Roadkill Cafe.
Here Comes the Crazy Talk, Part Two
Brace yourself! Radio Worldview host Bill Jack is still “unfettered” by the presence of co-host Jeff Baldwin in the studio, so his brand of crazy talk rides again. Bill is joined by fellow Worldview faculty members Mike Schutt and Paul Jordan, and the teachers discuss whether or not it is appropriate for Christians to choose the lesser of two evils in a presidential election. Can a Christian vote for a Mormon candidate? Is the political process really the best way to effect change in a culture? Tune in and see whether or not the talk is crazy.
Here Comes the Crazy Talk, Part One
Have you missed Bill Jack? Has Radio Worldview seemed a little less crazy the last month or so? Good news! The “crazy talk” is back. In this episode, Bill Jack leads fellow Worldview Academy faculty member Mike Schutt in a long, winding discussion about vocation, remembering, and God using even tragic circumstances to accomplish His good ends. And it’s not all serious: at the end, Bill waxes eloquent about a new dive in the segment “Roadkill Cafe.”
Hamlet and Matter-Eater Lad
Sadly, Worldview Academy’s last summer Leadership Camp is wrapping up in Seattle — which means, among other things, that this will be the last 2012 episode of Radio Worldview where Jeff gets to interview fellow faculty members Mark Bertrand and Jay Winslow. But they go out with a bang! This discussion of Hamlet begins with a brief overview of the dumbest superhero ever invented, and then delves into both recent Hamlet movies (one starring Mel Gibson and one Kenneth Branagh). In the end, Mark provides what Jeff considers to be the key to understanding Hamlet — something he’d been seeking for a long time.
Mark Bertrand Discusses His Latest Novel
Can you believe it? Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand has been very busy — so much so that he recently published his third crime novel, Nothing to Hide. In this episode of Radio Worldview, host Jeff Baldwin chats with Mark about his novel, focusing especially on its literary antecedents, which remarkably include both Dante’s Divine Comedy and the Song of Roland. Before this happens, though, Jeff and Mark set a new world record for longest “Roadkill Cafe” segment, wherein they discuss the phenomenon of Tim Horton’s, Niagara Falls, and a small ice cream cone as big as your head.
The Art of the Short Story, Part Two
If you missed Part One of this podcast, take a moment now to listen to last week’s episode of Radio Worldview. If you already heard Part One, you know what to expect here: host Jeff Baldwin leads fellow faculty members Jay Winslow and Mark Bertrand through a discussion of the best short stories for teaching young writers the craft of writing a story. But before the discussion begins, Jeff tries to open up to Mark, who summarily shuts things down.
The Art of the Short Story, Part One
Perfect timing! Author and Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand just released his third crime novel, Nothing to Hide, yesterday — and today we have him on Radio Worldview, discussing the art of the short story. But that’s not all: Jay Winslow, a literature teacher and another Worldview faculty member, joins Jeff and Mark in the conversation. Get out your pencil (or your keypad) — you’re going to want to jot down lots of the titles mentioned in this episode.
“Surprisingly Stupid”: Foreign Films and Worldview
It’s not often that Radio Worldview hears from listeners describing the views of one of your hosts as “surpisingly stupid,” so when we do we know we need to talk about it. In this episode, hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack are so excited to talk about the e-mail heaping vitriol on Jeff that they hardly goof around at all — instead, they dive into a discussion of foreign films and Jeff’s sarcastic description of a fellow faculty member’s Night at the Movies. Can’t we apply the same standard to cinema as we do to literature? Why make fun of another faculty member’s efforts to improve the tastes of his audience? And what does Jeff have against movies with subtitles? Tune in for the answers!
Batman, The Avengers and Rap Music
Here’s a tip for all of our listeners who want to write in to the show: if you have a serious question, don’t include any comments about superhero movies or comic books — those distract Jeff from the issue at hand. In this episode of Radio Worldview, a listener makes the mistake of mentioning the Avengers movie, preventing Jeff and Bill from discussing whether or not rap music can actually be art until late in the show. But before any of that happens, we offer the most disgusting segment of Roadkill Cafe yet recorded.
Is the Medium the Message?
When co-host Bill Jack brings his new Kindle to podcast with Jeff Baldwin, just the kind of meltdown you would expect ensues. But instead of more of the same ranting and raving, Jeff’s initial statement about Bill’s Kindle triggers a long, fruitful discussion of Marshall McLuhan’s assertion that “The medium is the message.” Is there any truth to this cliche? Why should Christians understand its import? And most importantly, aren’t books the best medium?
Parks and Private Property
Does this podcast seem even wackier than usual to you? Blame it on Roswell, New Mexico — home of the UFO Museum and countless cartoon aliens. Jeff and his family recently returned from a brief vacation in Roswell, so perhaps alien abduction can account for just how scrambled Jeff and Bill’s brains seem to be. Briefly, this show has it all: Roadkill Cafe, a travelogue for Carlsbad Caverns, What We’re Reading Now, a short rant about tattoos and Facebook — and somewhere in the middle there’s a fairly serious discussion of the best privately-run park in the country, offered as an alternative to government-run parks. This one has everything! Except coherence.
The Hunger Games
You know how Jeff usually ignores the most popular book of the year and secretly hopes that it just fades away? Not this year! Because his oldest daughter was obsessed with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Jeff read the trilogy before the movie even came out. Bill, of course, saw the movie. Are the books art? Is the movie art? Does any of it articulate a biblical theme? Hopefully our Worldview Academy students can answer these questions for themselves — but in any case, Jeff and Bill dissect the stories here (without giving away the ending).
The Pseudo-Science Fair
Ever heard of a “Pseudo-Science Fair”? Are you familiar with the “Amazing Randi”? There’s a growing atheistic movement on college campuses called The Secular Student Alliance that tries to discredit Christianity by hosting “Pseudo-Science Fairs” to call into question young earth creationism. Bill Jack attended one of these fairs hoping to video an interview with one of the organizers — or possibly featured guest Amazing Randi — but he was shut down. This podcast focuses on his firsthand account of the fair, as well as a brief discussion about burning rock and roll albums. What more could you want?
A Day at the Movies
Don’t let the title fool you; this episode of Radio Worldview encompasses television shows as well. We begin with Bill Jack discussing two recent, highly-acclaimed movies: Hugo and The Grey. While The Grey is both “nihilistic and blasphemous,” according to Bill, it sketches an accurate picture of the consequences of turning your back on God. After more discussion of worldviews reflected in movies, Jeff tries to defend some recent television shows, including “Alcatraz” and “Life on Mars.” Bill is skeptical.
More of the Kitchen Sink
Radio Worldview hosts Bill and Jeff love tangents, as our regular listeners know, but sometimes they fall a little too in love with tangents; when that happens, you get episodes like this one. What do they discuss? What don’t they discuss? Bill explains why you can’t call “flip-flops” that name anymore, Jeff talks about what he’s reading now, Bill discusses using puppets to reenact courtroom scenes, Jeff outlines his great books reading program for students in the logic stage, both men compare the “strengths” of USA Today with The Wall Street Journal, and then they finally answer listener mail. This leads to a brief but heated discussion about whether you can trust what any candidate says during campaign season.
Voting on Principle: The Santorum Edition
After another rousing edition of “Roadkill Cafe,” Radio Worldview hosts Jeff and Bill read some listener mail and then dive back in to the presidential election. Can a case be made for voting for Mitt Romney? Ever? Does Rick Santorum have a chance, and does it matter? We know that the presidential election is ultimately in God’s hands, but it still matters how we behave as stewards of our votes. Time to duke it out again!
Should Christians Vote on Principle?
Although co-host Bill Jack is four days into a week-long juice fast, he pulls himself together long enough to discuss an important listener question: How should a Christian vote in the upcoming presidential election? Should we vote along party lines, seek out the most “electable” candidate, or vote our conscience? Long-time listeners know to expect lots of ranting and raving on Jeff’s part, but Bill holds his own as well. The discussion begins with a rarely-noticed qualifier: the relative lack of power wielded by the President of the United States. Although many conservatives make it sound as if America cannot survive another Obama term, they are seriously overestimating the President’s power — and underestimating God’s.
Are You a Fan of Tim Tebow?
Sometimes it seems that our listeners listen a little too well. After a previous episode of Radio Worldview asserted that Christians shouldn’t buy into modern celebrity culture, and then a different episode lauded Tim Tebow, an astute listener wrote in to ask us to make up our minds. If we like Tim Tebow, aren’t we buying into celebrity culture? Good question! And one that hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin are happy to discuss at length, right after a segment they like to call “What We’re Reading Now,” featuring a work of Polish science fiction more concerned with philosophy than science.
Dumbing Students Down
What’s the strangest thing Radio Worldview co-host Bill Jack has eaten? Well, it turns out that he’s not eating much of anything lately — when this episode was recorded, he was four days into a week-long juice fast. Host Jeff Baldwin is suitably appalled, but his spirits improve when Bill reads the listener mail. A pastor wants to talk education, and specifically some of the dangers inherent in public education. Is it fair to suggest that the public schools encourage conformity and suppress original thought? Jeff and Bill think so.
Franky Schaeffer
Few men have influenced worldview thinking more than Francis Schaeffer, so Worldview Academy obviously owes a debt to him — which makes it all the more painful to see how his son, Franky, has gone off the deep end. In this podcast, Jeff and Bill discuss Franky’s latest book, as well as the perils of fatherhood.
Tebowmania!
As long-time listeners know, co-hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin both live in Colorado, so they are naturally Broncos fans. They would always be thrilled to find a quarterback leading a mediocre team to a 7-2 record, but when that quarterback is an outspoken Christian who seems to understand his faith as a total worldview, they are ecstatic. But does God really care about who wins football games? The national media seems to think the answer is an obvious “no.” Jeff and Bill discuss this, and talk about living out your faith in the glare of the spotlight.
Davy Crockett and Jurisdiction
How do you get from Davy Crockett to jurisdiction to the advertising industry? Well, with Radio Worldview it all begins with one good listener question. After Bill and Jeff talk about what they’re reading now (hint: Jeff is learning to love noir), your hosts respond to a question about the role of government. Bill talks more about his experience interviewing protesters at Occupy Wall Street in Denver, and Jeff attacks consumerism. Just another day at the office for Worldview Academy!
No, Really: CEOs Tend to be Greedy
That didn’t take long! Radio Worldview’s recent podcast about greedy CEOs and the Occupy Wall Street movement generated immediate listener backlash, as a former staffer took exception to the generalization that CEOs of large American companies tend to be greedy. To no one’s surprise, host Jeff Baldwin is not willing to back down from his initial position. Things get especially interesting as co-host Bill Jack describes his recent interviews with Occupiers in Denver. This episode also features another installment of “Where the Tech Are We?” in which Bill and Jeff discuss the latest — and easiest — way for small businesses to process credit cards.
God the Father
In this episode of Radio Worldview, hosts Jeff and Bill respond to another wonderful listener question (please keep them coming!). How can Christians who have had immoral earthly fathers — or who never had a father at all — relate to God as our heavenly Father? Is it possible for Christians with supportive earthly fathers to help these other Christians understand the true role of the father? This very serious discussion is preceded by a very flip discussion in the segment “Where the Tech are We?” where Jeff talks about the iPhone’s new personal assistant and Bill reveals breaking news straight from YouTube.
Playing Catch-Up
As you can probably guess from the title of this episode, this is another show that includes everything except the kitchen sink. Jeff and Bill respond to a listener e-mail that manages to be vaguely insulting toward them both, followed by Jeff ranting about bad coffee, followed by an episode of Roadkill Cafe that might feature the weirdest thing Bill has ever eaten (and that is saying something). After that, your hosts fill you in on Worldview Academy news and discuss what they’re reading now, which includes a book with the provocative title Don’t Let the Kids Drink the Kool-aid.
The Greedy CEO
After last episode’s critique of the Occupy Wall Street movement, Radio Worldview returns to the topic to discuss the sins at the root of the trouble. Host Jeff Baldwin wants to emphasize the greed of most corporate CEOs, and remind them that by insisting on finding their self-worth in pay and perks they are alienating their employees; host Bill Jack wants to emphasize the envy of the average man and its propensity to undermine excellence. In addition, our latest segment of “Roadkill Cafe” features Jeff’s worst breakfast nightmare — which Bill happily eats.
Occupy Wall Street?
In a shocking turn of events, three of the four founders of Worldview Academy found themselves in the same room today, with time to record a podcast about a very current event: the “Occupy Wall Street” movement. Worldview Academy Executive Director Randy Sims joins hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin to discuss the biblical view of money, politics and envy. Should we be concerned about the gap between the haves and the have-nots in America? Is our economic system merely “crony capitalism”? What should the government do to help? These and other questions are discussed after a brief installment of Where the Tech Are We?
Great Murder Mysteries and Just War Theory
Shortly after Radio Worldview’s host Jeff Baldwin defends the honor of his favorite donut shop anywhere — Top Pot Donuts — he confesses that WVA faculty member Mark Bertrand’s newest novel Pattern of Wounds has encouraged him to read more classic mysteries. In the process, he’s discovered some doozies, including one dedicated to G.K. Chesterton. After pontificating to co-host Bill Jack about what he’s reading now, Jeff and Bill answer a listener’s question about Just War Theory. Bill also talks about eating beet sandwiches.
Bill Jack Rides Again
If you feel like you haven’t absorbed a sufficient allotment of “crazy talk” lately, take heart! In this episode of Radio Worldview, co-host Bill Jack returns and restores the balance of power. The show begins with Bill telling a terrific story about Worldview Academy students sharing their faith in San Diego, and then he and Jeff discuss the last Jehovah’s Witness who showed up at Jeff’s door. After a brief discussion of presidential candidates, Bill discusses what he’s reading now: Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides.
The Christian View of Education: A Sermon
In August, Radio Worldview host Jeff Baldwin was asked to deliver the sermon at Christian Family Fellowship in Canon City, Colorado. This sermon concludes the thoughts articulated in our three-part series, What Education is Not. Next week, Bill Jack returns to Radio Worldview, and life returns to “normal.”
Are You a Gadget? Part Two
As promised, Radio Worldview continues its discussion with Worldview Academy faculty member Brandon Booth about the manifesto You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier. In this episode, we further explore the meaning of the slogan “information wants to be free,” the atheistic “hope” that human consciousness can be stored on the internet after death, the Turing test and what makes a person a person, and the lack of original content on the internet. Eventually, Jeff finds a chance to talk about his one and only novel, Ian, written more than 20 years ago.
Are You a Gadget?
Although this may come as a shock, Radio Worldview hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack don’t know a whole lot about newer technology. Fortunately, one of our camp directors, Brandon Booth, does. In this episode, Jeff quizzes Brandon about a book they both recently read: You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier. Jeff was drawn to the title because he worries about Christians blindly embracing every advance in technology — is there real danger here? While Lanier is not a Christian (he goes out of his way to mock the idea of a Creator), he is acutely aware of some of the failings of the internet, and some of the pitfalls farther down the road.
Nerds Being Nerdy
Brace yourself. When Mark Bertrand appeared on Radio Worldview to discuss his newest crime novel, Pattern of Wounds, host Jeff Baldwin was able to interview him for this second episode — but the focus of this show is shockingly nerdy (or not so shockingly, if you know Mark and Jeff). They begin by discussing novelist Henry James — long a source of contention between the two — with Jeff trying to defend his dislike of James by relying on The Art of Rhetoric by Wayne Booth. Then they abruptly switch to a lenghty discussion of Marvel comic books, triggered in part by the new Captain America movie. You’ve been warned: this show will only appeal to lit nerds and comic nerds.
Mark Bertrand’s Newest Novel
As we celebrate the July release of Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand’s latest novel, Pattern of Wounds, Radio Worldview host Jeff Baldwin sits down with Mark to find out more. To get listeners up to speed, they begin with his first crime novel, Back on Murder, and then turn to the sequel. Throughout the discussion, they focus on the special problem faced by Christian writers: how can you write a book consistent with your worldview while avoiding preaching and pedantry? Eventually they get down to specifics: isn’t it even harder to write a Christian novel about a serial killer?
What Education is Not, Part Three
Finally! In this episode, Radio Worldview hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin reach the end of their series about what education is not. (Of course, Bill and Jeff still find time for an episode of “Roadkill Cafe,” but at least they stay on topic for most of the rest of the show.) Their discussion centers around the fourth thing education is not: a danger to the Christian’s faith. Although the modern church often adopts a stance of anti-intellectualism in a mistaken effort to protect Christians from scrutinizing what they believe, thoughtful Christians understand that, in a reality where Christ calls Himself “the Truth,” we have nothing to fear from closely examining our worldview. Thinking hard will not jeopardize your faith — it will galvanize it.
What Education is Not, Part Two
In this second installment of our three-part series, hosts Jeff and Bill talk about two more of the predominant myths about education: (1) Education is a means to an end; and (2) Education is an ivory tower pursuit. Properly understood, education for Christians is an end in itself — part of the lifelong process of sanctification. In addition, because ideas have consequences, a biblical view of education assumes that students are seeking to embrace scriptural ideas to manifest good consequences in history. Such an approach is eminently practical, much more so than flailing around ignorantly and hoping to stumble upon good results.
What Education is Not, Part One
If you’re looking for a podcast that is all about education, you’re looking in the wrong place. It takes the Radio Worldview team more than 15 minutes to dive into that topic in this episode, as they wind their way from horrible pop songs through Republican presidential hopefuls to refusing to reveal the gender of your child. But once under way, Jeff and Bill find time to talk about the first of four educational myths, namely: Education is salvific. While non-Christians believe that man is basically good and therefore we can educate people to always behave in the right way, Christians have to remind them that sin is real and no man can be redeemed by the classroom, no matter how good the teaching might be.
Attacking Capitalism via Trojan Horse
How should Christians feel about the United Nations? This question is more easily answered if you know that the U.N. just seriously considered extending civil rights to the entity they call “Mother Earth.” Such nonsense leads to a more complex discussion, however: is the modern green movement a trojan horse for people who hate capitalism? And why does capitalism fit with the biblical worldview anyway? Your hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin discuss these issues, as well as Bill’s new DVD, “Lost in America.”
Love Wins by Rob Bell, Part Two
Long-time listeners know that co-host Bill Jack has always wanted to call our podcast “That’s Crazy Talk.” Never has that title been more appropriate than right now, when Bill and Jeff finish discussing all the crazy talk in Love Wins by Rob Bell. How bad is it? Jeff is so angry that they actually dive right into the topic, with nary a mention of donuts or Colorado or what we’re reading now. Once Bill and Jeff are done with Bell, they take the time to answer a couple of quick questions from listeners. The discussion ranges from Bible apps for the iPod to Thomas Hobbes.
Love Wins by Rob Bell, Part One
We wanted to entitle this episode “Who Will Take Care of Your Pets After the Rapture?” since this show begins with hosts Bill and Jeff discussing an actual service offered by atheists who promise to care for Christians’ pets after the rapture, and then leads into a discussion of Pastor Rob Bell’s book Love Wins. Since Bell is basically a universalist who expects everybody to ultimately make it into heaven, maybe Christians can’t even count on atheists to take care of their pets. And if the sarcasm in this synopsis is lost on you, just tune in to this episode, sit back, relax, and listen to Bill and Jeff bemoan Bell’s shoddy pseudo-intellectualism.
E-books, Libraries and Small Towns, Part Two
Yes, your hosts from Radio Worldview are still ranting and raving about the Kindle. Is Jeff right to worry that e-books signal the demise of actual books and the loss of valuable but unpopular literature? Is Bill right to call Jeff an elitist? Is it true that libraries will still exist 75 years from now? Are small town libraries fundamentally different from big-city libraries? And why does all this matter for Christians? Jeff and Bill disagree, but this discussion should make you think.
The Most Overlooked Great Book and E-books
Not all great books lists are created equal. Just as education can’t happen in a value-neutral environment, great books lists are always created with reference to their creator’s worldview. While all great books lists include Homer, Plato, Dante, Chaucer and Shakespeare, they also include more idiosyncratic choices. Which brings us to Jeff Baldwin’s choice for the work of literature that had the biggest impact in history and is largely ignored today: Piers Plowman by William Langland. Christians need to know about this book! Jeff explains why in the first half of this episode, and then he and Bill Jack argue more about e-books and the Kindle.
Predictably Irrational
Do you make rational economic decisions? If you do, you’re in the tiny minority according to Predictably Irrational, a book that co-host Jeff Baldwin just finished reading. The truth is, most people are very easily manipulated, and most tend to follow the herd no matter how irrational the herd’s behavior. Do these fascinating revelations about human nature have special ramifications for Christians? Should the Body of Christ be content to occasionally behave irrationally? Co-host Bill Jack provides an excellent sounding board as Jeff processes this disturbing book.
Does “Lost” Create a New Worldview?
Yes, Jeff and Bill have already lambasted the last episode of the hit TV show Lost, but now Jeff’s two oldest children are watching the DVDs, and Jeff’s had an epiphany: Lost perfectly articulates the absurdity of existence if the Bible is not true. But even though its message is wishy-washy universalism, Lost‘s willingness to openly undercut the meaning attached to each and every human decision makes it something more than just a dressed-up version of the New Age movement. So what exactly is this terrible, apt picture of the meaninglessness of human “choice” apart from God?
What is Skill? What is Beauty?
It’s true when they sing that “One is the Loneliest Number.” Jeff starts this podcast alone, thanks to the flakiness of his co-host Bill. Fortunately, Bill stumbles through the door about seven minutes into this episode — in plenty of time to invigorate the show, but too late to choose the topic. This week, the topic is selected by a former Worldview Academy student who wants to know more about Jeff’s Christianity and the Arts lecture. Given that creating art requires a level of skill and requires reflecting God’s beauty, how do we define “skill” and “beauty”? Is it even possible for humans to judge in these areas, since God has not revealed His standard for skill or beauty? Or has he? A fruitful discussion ensues, in spite of Bill’s best efforts to sabotage the show.
The Randy Sims Tribute
Although Jeff hates the new segment, this episode opens with “What’s the Best Thing You Ever Ate?” After Bill and Jeff discuss fish tacos, they settle into discussing a listener’s question about Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. After Enger, they move on to a new book that they both read last month, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand is a capable author (she is best known for Seabiscuit), but what makes this book special is the subject, Louie Zamperini. Why, you might ask, is this show called a Randy Sims Tribute? Because Worldview Academy executive director Randy Sims read Unbroken first, and recommended it to Bill and Jeff. And now we highly recommend it to you!
The Sacred/Secular Dichotomy in the Pulpit
Is it wrong to preach about public policy from the pulpit? Should pastors abjure providing political guidance to their flock? Not if God is relevant to the realm of politics — which is precisely what your hosts Bill and Jeff argue for in this episode. In addition, Bill tries to get a new segment about candy bars off the ground, Jeff talks about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Bill recounts his adventures in “rational discussion” with pro-union protesters at the state capitol.
Bill and Jeff Finally Agree on Something
Yes, you read that right. Although your hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin love to argue about anything and everything, even Bill had to admit that Jeff was right about author Leif Enger. In this episode of “What We’re Reading Now,” Bill waxes eloquent about both of Enger’s novels, and Jeff tries not to say “I told you so.” Also, Jeff talks about a great book about the puritans by Leland Ryken and a crazy book about a tomcat by the author of the original Nutcracker. Before the show ends, your hosts gang up on the “younger generation” and their failure to appreciate the great outdoors.
“Only YOU Can Prevent Fires in the Fireplace!”
If you’ve listened to Radio Worldview for a few years, you know that Jeff and Bill can talk at length about almost anything — and you may have laughed about how many shows they podcast about applying the Christian worldview to the National Parks. Well, brace yourself: this is yet another show (triggered by some listener mail) about public vs. private land ownership. But that’s not all! This episode also features the popular segment “Roadkill Cafe,” as well as ranting and raving about the new liberal crusade to ban fires in (of all places!) your home fireplace. How puritanical can radical environmentalists get?
Should There Be Christian Celebrities?
It’s understandable that the world makes idols. If you don’t know the true God, then you are bound to bend your knee to something unworthy. But aren’t a lot of Christians also guilty of idolatry when they treat select Christian leaders as celebrities? Host Jeff Baldwin certainly thinks so, but co-host Bill Jack is not so sure. This bare-knuckle discussion grows naturally out of a conversation about a listener’s response to the Sarah Palin podcasts. This listener hasn’t made an idol of Palin, but it seems like some Christians have — at least if you believe Jeff.
Christians and the Environment
Yes, Bill and Jeff have already discussed What Would Wheat Want? at length — but one listener would like more clarity on the Bible and environmentalism. How should Christians respond to criticism of big business or big oil? How concerned should Christians be about pollution? Do the rights of animals ever preclude the rights of humans? These and other questions lead to a lively discussion, right after a segment we like to call “Where the Tech Are We?”
Waffle House, Noah’s Ark, Melville and Ecclesiastes
As the name of this episode implies, you’re listening to the kitchen sink. Radio Worldview hosts Bill and Jeff bounce from topic to topic, sometimes prompted by listener questions but often prompted only by their own impulses (and appetites). After an episode of “Roadkill Cafe,” Bill and Jeff respond to a follow-up question about their recent discussion of feminism, as well as a question about the plans by Answers in Genesis to build a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark. How does this lead to a discussion of Moby Dick? Well, it makes sense to Bill and Jeff.
Is Sarah Palin a Nincompoop? – Part Two
Are you angry yet? If not, the second half of this discussion should do the trick. Jeff still can’t shake the feeling that he has little confidence in Sarah Palin as a presidential candidate, and Bill is coming around to his side (Remember, you can always e-mail us questions or angry rants at radioworldview@worldview.org). In the meantime, sit back and listen to Worldview Academy’s only official podcast, Radio Worldview.
Is Sarah Palin a Nincompoop? – Part One
When your host Jeff Baldwin recently read a Wall Street Journal article in which former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan called Sarah Palin a “nincompoop,” it galvanized him to face that possibility. Could it be that the darling of Christian conservatives was a ninny? Could it be that Palin is more about celebrity than statecraft? Co-host Bill Jack gallantly seeks to defend Palin, but part one of this discussion leaves Jeff unsatisfied. As a bonus, Bill and Jeff talk about the latest technology they’ve discovered in their regular segment, “Where the Tech are We?”
Defining Western Civilization
You would think, with a topic as large as “Defining Western Civilization,” that hosts Bill and Jeff would immediately cut to the chase on this edition of Radio Worldview — but you would be wrong. First, Jeff makes the rookie mistake of asking Bill if he has anything he would like to get off his chest, which leads to a prolonged rant about the TSA and their new body scanners. Next, Jeff takes the time to rave about a novel that he considers to be the greatest American novel since To Kill a Mockingbird. And then — finally — they settle down to business. What is Western Civilization? Is it merely an empty concept? Are its ideals eroding? An intriguing discussion ensues.
“Worldview” is not a Subject
Lots of Christian educators are waking up to the concept of worldview and looking for ways to teach it to their students. Unfortunately, this has caused a common misconception to take root: Christians now assume that you can teach worldview like any other discipline — say, algebra or economics. But of course worldview is not merely “another subject” for the curriculum — it is the organizing principle behind all subjects. Until we understand this, we won’t really help students make the necessary paradigm shift. At least, that’s how your co-hosts Jeff and Bill see it, and so they do their level best to explain what they mean. Initially, though, Jeff raves about the book he thinks is the greatest American novel since To Kill a Mockingbird.
How to Have a Quiet Time
Not surprisingly, Jeff and Bill begin this podcast by talking about food — specifically, ice cream. From there, they read a very encouraging e-mail, describe a new church that actually uses a lottery system to determine who gets the money in the offering plate, and then settle in to discussing a listener’s good questions about devotional books. Not surprisingly, Jeff raves about Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray.
“Lost” is Lost
Spoiler alert! If you haven’t finished watching the television show “Lost” yet, welcome to planet Earth. Also, you won’t want to listen to this podcast until you see the last episode. After a lengthy discussion about donuts, hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin settle in to discuss the show that Jeff calls the best ever to air on network TV. In spite of such lavish praise, Jeff and Bill were thoroughly disgusted by the last episode, and are even more appalled when a listener writes in to suggest that it was somehow biblical. Talk about crazy talk!
The Luddite Hates the Kindle
In this episode of Radio Worldview, Jeff and Bill set out to talk about what they’re reading now. Unfortunately, Bill is reading his book on a Kindle, which causes Jeff to begin foaming at the mouth. Although Jeff claims not to be a Luddite, we now know that he hates cell phones, Facebook and Kindle. Does he have any reason for this other than a disproportional fear of change? Bill baits him and Jeff tries to explain why digitizing books is a bad idea. Eventually, Bill gets to talk about the book he’s reading now, which leads to another discussion of the myth of the noble savage.
Feminism and Femininity, Part Two
Your eyes do not deceive you. This is a brand new podcast posted only about ten days since the last Radio Worldview podcast. That’s right, it seems like the “crazy talk” team has finally figured out how to do this all by themselves. In this episode, hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin conclude their discussion of biblical roles for men and women, with Jeff dispensing the best advice he and Linda received prior to their marriage. They also talk about how students can prepare themselves for their roles as wives and husbands. And of course they discuss coffee–when don’t they?
Feminism and Femininity, Part One
Do Christians take the same view as the world regarding the roles of men and women? How can a young adult model a biblical view of femininity? Who holds the “tie-breaker” between a husband and a wife? A thoughtful listener poses some difficult questions, and hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack do their level best to respond biblically–but not before they discuss the upcoming Christmas Conference and talk through a new installment of “Roadkill Cafe.”
Avatar, the Noble Savage, and Romance Novels
Thanks to our listener mail, this edition of Radio Worldview proves to be quite far-ranging. Hosts Jeff and Bill begin by poking a little fun at Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand for publishing a romance novel called “Beguiled,” but then quickly settle down to discuss the worldview of the movie Avatar and the concept of the Noble Savage. Jeff tries to defend people who like to spend time alone in the outdoors, but Bill is adamant that those who try to go “back to nature” revert to savagery (as an example, he cites “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer). An uneasy truce is reached.
Give More — A Sermon
In the last episode of Radio Worldview, Jeff was fretting about delivering the sermon at his church. Were those fears well-founded? To find out, you’ll need to hear the sermon itself. This podcast features Jeff’s sermon entitled “Give More.” To razz Jeff about it, or to provide any feedback, just e-mail us at radioworldview@worldview.org. Next week, the show returns to its regular format.
“New” Projects
We know! Worldview Academy’s podcast “Radio Worldview” has been very inconsistent lately. And we know now, thanks to all your kind e-mails and encouragement, that many of you listen and want more shows. This show represent’s Jeff’s very first effort to upload and post a podcast all by himself, like a big boy. If it succeeds, then we promise that Radio Worldview will become incredibly consistent, starting in September. In this show, Bill and Jeff talk about what they’re working on, and Jeff worries about delivering the sermon at his home church. Keep your fingers crossed . . .
The Jehovah’s Witness at your Door
Hosts Jeff and Bill spend a little time talking about what they are reading now, but mercifully cut the discussion short to delve into the Jehovah’s Witness worldview. A listener admits that she panicked when she saw JWs on her street, and asks how to share the gospel with them. Bill and Jeff provide a little historical background and then get down to brass tacks.
What We’re Reading Now
In this podcast, host Bill Jack makes the fatal mistake of allowing co-host Jeff Baldwin to talk about the books he’s enjoying right now. Although Bill tries to derail the discussion in his own inimitable way, Jeff blathers on and on about Jon Krakauer and Wallace Stegner and C.S. Lewis.
An Educational Mailbag
Bill and Jeff finally return (again), facing lots of listener mail chastising them for taking so long to create another podcast. They also respond to a great question from an education major at Purdue who wants to know what to read. As our regular listeners know, Jeff is always happy to tell you what to read.
Salt and Government
After an embarrassingly long hiatus on account of the tech guy, Radio Worldview is back! In this episode, Bill talks about the history of salt and then he and Jeff answer a listener email on a Christian perspective for law and government.
Back By Popular Demand
You can’t keep a good podcast down–or even Radio Worldview. After your hosts Bill and Jeff were slacked off for the summer, they are back with a tidal wave of listener mail, starting with a question about homosexuality.
The Death of Newspapers
Has the internet killed newspapers? It certainly looks that way when you consider how many newspapers have stopped the presses. But must all newspapers die? And would it be a bad thing if they did? Why should Christians be concerned that liberal newspapers such as the New York Times are in financial trouble? Jeff and Bill don’t have all the answers, but they identify some of the key issues.
When the Killer Questions are Aimed at You
Nobody said using Bill’s Four Killer Questions would be easy. It’s one thing to ask others, “How do you know?” but quite another to have that question turned on you. In this show, Bill and Jeff respond to the question, “How do you know the Bible is the Word of God?” and remind listeners that many non-Christians are prepared to reject any evidence offered.
In Defense of the Faith
After hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin talk about where they ate for Jeff’s anniversary–you read that right–they discuss a letter from a thoughtful listener. This listener wants to apply his Christian faith to philosophy, but he has doubts that he can use philosophy to demonstrate the truth of the Christian worldview. Bill and Jeff take him back to general revelation and discuss the common ground that Christians share with non-Christians. Naturally, Bill also harps on the importance of asking questions.
Presuppositionalism vs. Evidentialism Part Two
If you haven’t yet listened to Part One, don’t start here! Hosts Jeff and Bill lay the foundation for this discussion in Part One, and then build on it in this show. Is evidentialism good philosophy? Is Worldview Academy fundamentally committed to just one approach to apologetics? And what about Cornelius Van Til? Jeff was less than impressed by his book The Defense of the Faith, and takes time to explain why.
Presuppositionalism vs. Evidentialism
It’s time for a weighty question about apologetics. What’s the best approach? Josh McDowell came to a saving knowledge of Christ by weighing all the evidence for the trustworthiness of scripture. Does this mean, then, that the best apologetic focuses on the evidence? Or is it better to focus on the faith assumptions undergirding a person’s worldview? Hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin take their time with this complicated topic.
Is Eugenics Dead?
In this edition of Radio Worldview, hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack respond to two e-mails from listeners. The first asks about a “Great Music” website; the second has questions about bioethics. This leads to a discussion of the voodoo science of eugenics, and the reminder that eugenics isn’t dead. Christians will face more and more questions about tinkering with genes in the womb–How will we respond to the doctor that wants to “help” us have a child with a higher IQ? For the most part, Jeff and Bill manage to stay on-topic.
The Green Bible
As our faithful listeners know, hosts Jeff and Bill are always wondering about the question, WWWW? What Would Wheat Want? The answer, they feel certain, is an eco-friendly Bible. But this isn’t a joke: publishers have actually produced a “Green Bible” with a forward by Desmond Tutu, as a “green letter” edition. Instead of placing the words of Christ in red, as many Bibles traditionally do, the Green Bible places all verses that deal with God’s creation in green. As you can imagine, this causes Bill to rant and rave about environmentalism, with Jeff trying to inject some nuances but largely getting carried away by Bill’s rhetoric.
Stop Stereotyping!
After a brief segment Bill and Jeff like to call, “Where the Tech Are We?”, your hosts launch into a prolonged diatribe about homeschooling. Why, Jeff wants to know, has the most important evangelical grassroots movement of the last few decades gone largely unnoticed by the Church? Why do so many families stereotype homeschoolers to avoid considering the homeschooling option for themselves? Why are so many Christians willing to ignore what is happening in the public schools? Can Christians make their faith relevant again to education, one family at a time?
Is Football a Sin?
Heaven knows that many Americans spend thousands of dollars to travel to the Super Bowl and watch a single football game. And how many hours are squandered each week reading box scores, watching ESPN, and playing fantasy sports? Can Christians justify any interest in sports? Or are we being bad stewards when we spend our money or time following a team that hits a ball with a stick? And are there any sports that are inherently evil? Don’t expect a Milwaukee Brewers fan to be objective!
LOL, BFF!
Does Facebook make you dumber? That’s not exactly the question hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin tackle, but it’s close. A student writes in to ask if modern Americans should be concerned about the way we communicate, especially with regard to e-mail and texting. Since both Jeff and Bill are curmudgeons, they’re happy to bash new technology. Jeff uses it as an excuse to talk more about Thoreau and then channels his inner Jay Winslow. And we find out that one of the hosts has a “fan club” on Facebook . . .
The Irrational Abortionist
Though it takes awhile to get the ball rolling, hosts Jeff and Bill finally dig in to the problem at hand: a full-page ad placed in The Denver Post by a local abortionist fighting a right-to-life amendment. The tone of the ad is typical: the abortionist assumes that all pro-life folks are backwards and incapable of grasping the most basic logic. Then he articulates his “logic”! As it turns out, this is a perfect illustration of the problems created by relativism. Jeff and Bill unpack the problems and discuss the right-to-life cause.
What Would Wheat Want?
In this podcast, hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin finally get around to asking the all-important question, WWWW? Or, what would wheat want? Bill triggers the discussion by reading a newspaper article about Swiss scientists being required by their government to consider the feelings of flora. Jeff goes ballistic, and this leads to a discussion of relativism and the loss of identity. F. Scott Fitzgerald provides a graphic picture in his classic description of his middle-age breakdown, The Crack-up.
Are You More Like Jefferson or Adams?
For a brief moment, Radio Worldview is caught up with listener mail! In celebration, hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack launch into a segment about the books they’re reading, and then discuss an essay that suggests that Obama is more like Thomas Jefferson and McCain is more like John Adams. The distinguishing characteristic? Their views on the nature of man. Needless to say, a rowdy discussion ensues.
Where Did God Come From?
Hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin are still plowing through the Mailbag, so after a brief discussion of upcoming speaking engagements (the section we like to call “Where’s Bill?”), they launch into a discussion about the problem of infinite regress and Aristotle’s idea of the First Cause. Where did God come from? As several thoughtful Christians have pointed out, the basis for any useful metaphysics is established in the first four words of the Bible: “In the beginning, God.” This discussion is followed by a letter asking about C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, which Jeff is happy to critique interminably.
Identifying The Central Theme
This week’s show is fairly specialized, but should prove useful for educators. Host Jeff Baldwin decides that he answered the last question from last week’s podcast too quickly, so he takes the time to expand on his answer here. How can we think biblically about books or movies? First, we need to identify the theme–the central message–of the work, and then we need to compare it to scripture. But how do we identify the theme? Jeff discusses at length the two techniques that he has found to be helpful. Co-host Bill Jack chimes in with observations, and this week’s edition of “Roadkill Cafe” focuses on coffee houses.
A New Record
In this edition of the Mailbag, hosts Bill and Jeff actually manage to respond to three different questions!! Apparently the backlog in listener mail provided a helpful goad. After a brief chapter of “Roadkill Cafe,” the discussion turns to recommended books, the lifespan of men before the time of Noah, and helping students appreciate great films. Jeff discusses methods for teaching students to identify the central theme in a book or movie, and Bill interrupts a lot.
The State of American Public Education
Worldview Academy faculty member Jay Winslow has taught in the public schools for 30 years, so he enjoys a rare vantage point for assessing the state of modern public education. After Jeff Baldwin and Mark Bertrand make sarcastic remarks about how efficiently the state manages education, Jay begins a discussion of the unintended consequences that followed from requiring schools to meet specific testing criteria. For most public schools, “teaching to the test” has become a way of life, forcing teachers to abandon a broader educational agenda. Jay wryly notes how the ability to think critically has been left in the dust.
The Shack, Pt. 2
Bill Jack and Dell Cook finish their discussion of The Shack, evaluating its views on economics and its literary value.
The Shack
Is “The Shack” the next “Pilgrim’s Progress?” Dell Cook and Bill Jack weigh in on this controversial book in the first of a two-part discussion.
The New Atheists
Lately, there has been a profusion of books asserting the validity of atheism and attacking Christianity. Books like “Letter to a Christian Nation,” “God is Not Great,” and “The God Delusion” have caused some culture-watchers to talk about the “New Atheists.” But what about this movement is new? And do Christians have anything to fear from this swaggering atheism? Worldview Academy faculty members Mark Bertrand and Jay Winslow discuss these questions with host Jeff Baldwin. As a bonus, Jay launches into a tirade about Dawkins’s response to C.S. Lewis’s “Liar, Lunatic or Lord” trilemma.
Mail From Oregon
As Worldview Academy continues to host Leadership Camps nationwide, Jeff Baldwin and his guests Jay Winslow and Mark Bertrand report in from the road–specifically, Oregon. After some whining from Jeff about his poison oak, they get down to discussing listener mail. The first two e-mails offer encouragement; then a listener asks for more recommendations re. books about worldview. The last e-mail presents a dilemma: Is it ever appropriate for Christians to lie, or to deceive others in any way?
The Most Incendiary Listener Mail Ever
Usually, when Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand appears on Radio Worldview, we get rave reviews. Recently, however, a listener wrote in to say that Mark’s latest appearance–the show entitled “Homeschooling in California”–was problematic. After the listener details his criticism of the show, host Jeff Baldwin provides a knee-jerk reaction. Then he and Bill try to get to the bottom of the matter. The show ends with Jeff still disgruntled, taking some small solace in one line from the e-mail: “death to cell phones.”
Bill Clarifies His Position
Host Bill Jack has never been bashful about articulating his suspicions of the Intelligent Design movement. Co-host Jeff Baldwin thought he had Bill on the ropes when Ben Stein’s Expelled was recently released, but Bill is sticking to his guns. Fortunately, a thoughtful listener asks just the right question, allowing Bill to (finally) clearly explain why he takes umbrage with Intelligent Design. Also, Jeff rants and raves about celebrity worship.
Reading Corner Runs Amok
It should come as a surprise to no one that Jeff started talking about books and couldn’t shut up. Hosts Bill and Jeff introduce a new “segment” about the books they’re currently reading, and the segment goes on and on and on until they decide it’s a whole show. Bill talks about his reading on the Emergent Church, and Jeff talks about his reading on everything from Richard III to the American West to Dorothy Sayers. In sum, it’s a nerd’s delight.
Son of the Mailbag of Doom
You guessed it: another mailbag. With Bill overseas, the questions have been piling up around Radio Worldview studios (okay, around Jeff’s house). In this show, hosts Bill and Jeff answer a question about responding to people who won’t even acknowledge that Hitler was evil, and a question about the evidence for a young earth. As an added bonus, a listener tells about a great restaurant for our “Roadkill Cafe” segment–in a town neither Jeff nor Bill have ever visited.
The Mailbag of Doom
Brace yourself: Radio Worldview has a FOURTH international listener! As hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack dive into a substantial mailbag, they begin with a question from a listener in Great Britain. The ensuing discussion focuses on ways in which to engage apathetic people in dialog about “spiritual” topics. Bill expounds on his four killer questions, and Jeff reminds Christians just how fruitful discussions about ethics can be.
Expelled
Believe it or not, the United States let Bill back into the country after his trip to Qatar, so he and Jeff are reunited hosting Radio Worldview. After a brief segment they like to call “Where the Tech are We?” they launch quickly into a discussion of Ben Stein’s documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.” If you haven’t yet seen this movie, see it now! Both Bill and Jeff went into the movie with low expectations, and both were delighted to see such a clear plea for academic freedom, as well as a useful discussion about worldviews.
Where In The World Is Qatar?
Where in the world is Bill? Bill Jack interviews Worldview Academy President and Founder Todd Kent about life in Qatar.
Homeschooling in California
This topic has been hot ever since an appellate court in California ruled in late February that homeschoolers must be taught by a state-credentialed teacher, leaving around 160,000 homeschooled students apparently truant. Host Jeff Baldwin is naturally indignant, and he and co-host Mark Bertand discuss the ins and outs of the case. You’ll be especially interested to hear the results of a recent study conducted by Dr. Brian Ray about the level of achievement by homeschoolers on standardized tests. And, oh yes, Mark espouses the virtues of Skype.
The Cat’s Away
And the mice will play. Co-host Bill Jack is not only out of town but out of the country, teaching Christians in Qatar. In desperation, host Jeff Baldwin breaks down and uses Skype software to conduct a long-distance interview with WVA faculty member Mark Bertrand. Although Mark has already spoken about his latest book, Rethinking Worldview, on the show, Jeff wanted to conduct a “hard-hitting” interview and take him to task on inaccuracies in the text. Jeff and Mark also spend some time discussing Mark’s latest project, a crime novel featuring a plucky youth pastor sidekick.
How to Save the Earth via Abortion
That’s right, there are now women who claim that having an abortion is not only a valid decision but actually the “unselfish” option that helps them reduce their carbon footprint. Jeff Baldwin begins the show by reading excerpts from a Daily Mail article about a woman who believes having children is selfish, and then Bill Jack discusses how strangely puritanical the left has become. Midstream, Jeff changes emphasis and demands to know whom Bill is voting for in the presidential election. Bill never says, but Jeff does. A discussion of the Christian’s role in a democracy ensues.
Mailbag: Responding to Homosexuals
The show gets off on a light note, as Bill and Jeff present another edition of “Where the Tech Are We?” and deal with a funny e-mail. But the third letter raises a serious question: How can the Christian on the college campus defend Christian ethics when homosexuality is normalized? Is there any way to suggest that homosexuality is wrong without appearing intolerant? Incredibly, Bill ends by offering a political solution–something so tactful and strategic that Jeff is shocked.
Are National Parks Biblical? (Part Three)
It seems this topic is worthy of about forty segments, but hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin arbitrarily decide to stop at three. The discussion stays lively here, as they provide a quick summation of what had been said in the last two shows and then try to spell out the hazards associated with free market solutions. Bill and Jeff grade the current National Park system, with Jeff giving it an “A” and Bill giving it a “C-” largely because of a perceived worldview shift. Jeff doesn’t dispute the worldview shift, but is actually happier with NPS policy as they make access more difficult to certain wilderness areas. How can this be? Isn’t the essence of the National Park Service access for all interested citizens?
Are National Parks Biblical? (Part Two)
Is it possible to privatize the national park system and not court disaster? Nobody wants the kitsch of Branson, Missouri on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, or Disneyland mascots running around Carlsbad–or do they? And if enough people want it, would it justify exploiting natural treasures? Can we trust men to be good stewards of the most beautiful landscapes in a free market system? Can we trust the government to manage them better? Is that even the government’s job? The questions just keep piling up, until Bill and Jeff admit that there will have to be a Part Three to this discussion.
Are National Parks Biblical? (Part One)
In this episode, Jeff asks a question that has been nagging him for a long time: If the government’s only real jurisdiction is over promoting justice (as articulated in Romans 13:1-4), is there any justification for government-owned and operated national parks? Jeff is frankly disgusted at the thought of multi-billionaires buying up all the beautiful land and fencing out the common man, but he can’t find biblical justification for the national park system. In the first of two shows, Jeff and Bill spend a lot of time explaining jurisdiction and then explaining the difficulties inherent in this question.
U.S. Policy Toward Native Americans (Part Two)
Are you thinking about this? Hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack are still wrestling with ways to make things right. If indeed current U.S. policy toward Native Americans is unjust–and who can argue that it is not?–then what can we do to create a more just outcome? The problem remains thorny, but Jeff thinks he’s had a minor breakthrough involving land trades. Bill plays devil’s advocate, and they do a lot of thinking out loud.
U.S. Policy Toward Native Americans
Talk about not having all the answers! Co-host Jeff Baldwin barely manages to articulate the question–Is current U.S. policy toward Native Americans just?–but at least he knows it needs to be asked. Bill Jack and Jeff briefly review the history of the response of American colonists to Native Americans, and then ask what can be done right now to make up for horrible decisions in the past. No hard and fast conclusions are made, but both Bill and Jeff feel that the answer must have something to do with private property.
The Golden Compass
What’s all the fuss about? Both Jeff and Bill watched the new movie The Golden Compass to see if Christians really should be up in arms about it. What was most surprising was just how hackneyed the message was–it was right out of The Humanist Manifesto. Still, the makers of The Golden Compass did Christians a bit of a favor: this movie is the perfect “discernment test” for Christian students. If you can’t see through this movie, please don’t claim that you’re equipped to defend your faith on a secular college campus. If you can correctly identify the theme, you’re at least discerning at the level Jeff hopes his kids will when they’re fifteen.
Streamliners vs. Complicators
One of the regular occurrences on Radio Worldview involves co-host Jeff Baldwin giving away incredibly original ideas for free (or should we substitute “crackpot” for “original”?). In any case, Jeff launches into a long discussion of his theory that all of humanity falls into one of two categories: streamliners or complicators. After a long diagnosis of co-host Bill Jack as a complicator, Jeff and Bill discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each personality type, followed by (believe it or not) a connection to last show’s discussion of the myth of the noble savage. Are Jeff’s theories starting to make sense, or have you just been listening to too much crazy talk?
The Noble Savage
Co-host Bill Jack has been asked to write an essay about the myth of the noble savage, and he wants to talk it over with Jeff Baldwin. As they review the history of the myth–starting with Rousseau–and then discuss modern movies that embody the myth, they remind listeners of just how pervasive this lie about human nature is. Jeff promises to finish the discussion in the following podcast, once he has expounded on one of his crackpot theories.
Creationism Both Laughable and Dangerous
Yes, the segments are still here. In fact, Jeff and Bill introduce a new segment called “The Roadkill Cafe,” where they discuss the best restaurants they’ve encountered at certain camp locations. But this time the segments don’t take over the show! After a few “20 second” segments–ha, ha–Bill and Jeff turn their attention to a new resolution making the rounds in the European Union. Incredibly, this resolution takes censorship to a new level, silencing any serious criticism of the theory of evolution in the classroom. Predictably, Bill and Jeff rant and rave.
Here a Segment, There a Segment
If it’s November, it must mean that hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin are reunited–and they are. Unfortunately, they get a little giddy about the reunion and wind up introducing new segments to the podcast–one segment about Bill’s upcoming speaking engagements, and one segment about new projects. By the time all the segments are done, there’s no time for the main topic of the show! Still, this is a useful–and loopy–update of the goings-on at Worldview Academy.
Crazy Talk Rides Again
Finally, Bill Jack returns to Radio Worldview–but with only faculty member Mike Schutt to hold him accountable, will he eschew the crazy talk? Though it seems unlikely, Bill and Mike get right down to business, responing to a listerner’s questions about the Sabbath. Does it still apply to Christians? Does it matter whether you keep it on Saturday or Sunday? How can we avoid legalism?
Hostile Takeover
Be very afraid. Not only does Bill Jack not appear on this podcast, but even the voice of sanity, Jeff Baldwin, is absent. Worldview Academy faculty members Mike Schutt and Dell Cook execute a hostile takeover, leading a “live” discussion at the 2007 Oregon Leaderhsip Camp. Fortunately, the discussion goes quite well, as Worldview Academy alumni respond to an atheist’s response to evangelism.
Keeping the Calendar
In response to a reader’s question, Jeff asks guests Mark Bertrand and Brandon Booth if there is any value in keeping the church calendar. Is it legalistic to worry about Lent and Epiphany? Can there be any practical value in engaging in this sort of spiritual discipline? What does it look like for Christians to reconnect with Church history in this way? And is there a special candy for St. Patrick’s Day?
Making the Most of Camp
As they near the tail-end of the Worldview Academy Leadership Camp season, faculty members Brandon Booth and Mark Bertrand talk with host Jeff Baldwin about some of the exciting things that happened at camp in 2007, and about ways in which parents can maximize the return on their investment in camp. Staff Director Tim Hird inadvertantly bursts onto the show and is upbraided, and rumors that Jay Winslow may finally write a book are spread.
Kill Your Cell Phone
Okay, so most Worldview Academy faculty members have cell phones–but if most faculty members jumped off a cliff, would you? Jeff is not about to cave in to peer pressure, and he’s more than ready to produce an angry screed about cell phones. Faculty members Brandon Booth and Mark Bertrand try to be reasonable, but Jeff just can’t imagine Blaise Pascal signing up, even for an iPhone.
Gnosticism in the Church
After a prolonged complaint about the absence of used bookstores in Northern Pennsylvania, your host Jeff Baldwin and guest Mark Bertrand get down to business: a discussion of the effects of Gnosticism on the Body of Christ. As Mark points out, Gnosticism plays a prominent role in Plato’s philosophy, which in turn influenced the Church. Was Augustine tainted by Gnosticism? What about Gregory the Great, or Thomas a Kempis? Is Gnosticism still influential today? Tune in now to find out!
Rethinking Worldviews
Your library is incomplete! As host Jeff Baldwin attests, everyone needs to rush out and purchase Worldview Academy faculty member Mark Bertrand’s latest book Rethinking Worldviews. In this show, Jeff interviews Mark about his new book, which explores the relationship between worldviews, wisdom and our witness. Mark explains why you should read Rethinking Worldviews, and how to pre-order it before it is released in October.
Discovering God’s Will
Brace yourself! This show begins with the shocking revelation that “Radio Worldview” actually has a fourth international listener. After some kind words from her, hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin respond to a listener question about finding God’s will for your life. Is there more than one valid path? How do you reconcile God’s sovereignty with free will? Is it easier to know if God wants you to do something you want to do, or something you don’t want to do? And can’t Jeff just get along with Calvinists?
Cultural Practices and Values
In this podcast, hosts Jeff and Bill respond to a listener who thinks they are too quick to dismiss non-Western cultures. Can’t a culture’s values be valuable, she asks, even when their practices are less than desirable? In other words, can’t we condemn the human sacrifice of the Aztecs without being dismissive of the whole culture? Bill bases his answer on the Mafia, and Jeff pontificates on St. Patrick. Guess who the spiritual one is!
Two Very Different Movies
Living in a small town, host Jeff Baldwin is always slow to see the latest movies–so in this show, co-host Bill Jack brings him up to speed on two movies he really liked: Blood Diamond and Amazing Grace. Both movies have redemptive themes, but only one offers true redemption (easy to guess which one, right?). As a bonus, this gives Jeff and Bill the opportunity to expound on the life of William Wilberforce.
Mormons at Your Door
Incredibly, hosts Jeff and Bill get right down to business here and stay focused in their discussion of Mormonism. Jeff recently had two separate discussions with Mormon missionaries, and he wanted a chance to talk about what he learned. Don’t listen to this if you want long expositions about the minutia of the Mormon worldview! Instead, Jeff and Bill focus on the key distinctives of the Christian worldview, with an emphasis on how to present these distinctives to Mormons.
Does God Love Everyone?
Talk about a pointed question. Co-hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack duck the harder questions about predestination and free will while still trying to respond to the heart of this question from a listener. As they continue to work through the mailbag, they face questions about Abraham Lincoln and his role in the Civil War, and why Jeff thinks “The Winslow Boy” is one of the greatest movies ever made.
Snipe, Skype, Olga and Listener Mail
Co-hosts Jeff and Bill are openly out of control throughout this podcast, as the discussion ranges from Bill’s college crush in his Russian language class to the existence of snipe. Happily, they are brought back to earth by excellent questions from our listeners, including a pointed question about “equal opportunity” and a question about self-learning for adults. Not surprisingly, the answer to the latter includes Jeff pitching TheGreatBooks.com.
Robber Barons and Competition
Bill and Jeff’s discussion of meritocracy leads to questions about the unfettered free market. Don’t we have an excellent picture in history of the dangers that occur when greedy men compete without government regulations? Who exactly were these “robber barons” like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller? And who on earth is Lord Shaftesbury? Listeners will be delighted to hear that, as always, this podcast is Skype-free.
Meritocracy, Part Two
Reluctantly, “Radio Worldview” hosts Bill and Jeff wrap up their discussion of meritocracy, but not before they discuss American Idol, Paris Hilton, the Super Bowl, Thomas Paine, Jake Plummer, Paul Johnson, and Alexis de Tocqueville. How does it all fit together? What exactly does it mean to be an American? And is Bill really so old that his grandfather helped colonize Jamestown?
Meritocracy, Part One
Nobody except co-host Bill Jack is old enough to remember the Horatio Alger stories, but every American has the ideal of meritocracy in mind. When we say that “any child can grow up to be President” we mean that we believe we live in a country that rewards hard work and integrity. Was that always the case? Does the ideal remain? And why are Bill and Jeff picking on Hillary Clinton?
College Choices, the Meaning of Bill, and More
Yes, this is a one-part show! Jeff and Bill are so efficient (lately) that it takes them only one show to catch up on the mailbag, answering questions about college choices and bad writing, and listening to comments from ANOTHER international listener, this time from Mexico City. This show also includes an extended discussion of Skype, and the shocking revelation about the true meaning of Bill’s name.
The Current
This special edition of Radio Worldview is the audio from Bill Jack’s recent appearance on The Canadian Broadcasting Company’s “The Current.”
How William Jennings Bryan Blew It
Yes, William Jennings Bryan has a great college named after him, and he served as a spokesman for the Christian worldview at the beginning of the twentieth century– nonetheless host Jeff Baldwin has little patience for him, largely because Bryan set out to defend God as the Creator without properly understanding why it matters how old the universe is. In Part Two of this two-part series, Jeff and co-host Bill Jack finally spell out exactly why the age of the earth matters. As expected, Hugh Ross figures prominently in the discussion.
Why Does the Age of the Earth Matter?
In Part One of this two-part series, hosts Jeff and Bill face the final frontier. While many evangelicals have recognized the bankruptcy of evolutionary theories, many still cling to the assumption that the earth is billions of years old. As long as Christians who believe in an old earth still believe in special creation and the Garden of Eden, and treat scripture as trustworthy, why should it matter how old they think the earth is? Bill and Jeff stay remarkably restrained in Part One, and then pick up momentum in the second half.
Highlight Reel?
If you’re more serious-minded, this “Highlight Reel” should probably be entitled “Lowlights.” But this year-end podcast, compiled by one of our most faithful listeners, manages to revisit most of the crazy talk that shows up on Radio Worldview. If you like to wring your hands over global warming, don’t listen. If you like hearing Jay Winslow imitate the ghost in Hamlet, tune in! And thanks, Kyle!
Video Evangelism
First, the good news: Bill and Jeff didn’t actually run out of gas, and they did make it to the Christianity and Culture Conference in Gillette on time. And the conference itself was terrific–full of friendly brothers and sisters in Christ who were ready to think hard about worldviews, apologetics and leadership. On the way home, in the fourth and final installment of their Wyoming road trip, Jeff interviews Bill about video evangelism. How does it work? Can anyone do it? What are the benefits? As Bill eloquently explains, video evangelism fosters several unique opportunities for Christians.
The Little Black Box
Yes, Bill and Jeff are still podcasting from the road–still on the way to Gillette, Wyoming. Listeners may recall that in Part One, Jeff expressed his hope that the podcast would NOT serve as a little black box like those used to reconstruct what happened prior to an airplane crash–but, as the end of this episode makes clear, something certainly goes wrong. Before that happens, Jeff and Bill have a fruitful discussion about the role of the artist, and whether or not it is appropriate for the artist to “sell out.” Is it ever appropriate to make something that is popular and accessible? That turns out to be a difficult question.
Wyoming Road Trip, Part Two
Crikey! Jeff and Bill are still on the road to Gillette, and still answering listener mail. This episode’s questions deal with Gilead and the purpose of the novel, utilitarianism, and the government’s role in education. One of the questions comes from all the way down under, demonstrating that Radio Worldview now boasts an international audience.
Wyoming Road Trip, Part One
Worldview Academy wouldn’t be Worldview Academy if there wasn’t lots of travel involved. In this episode, hosts Jeff and Bill drive to Gillette, Wyoming to teach at a Christianity and Culture Conference. On the way, they try to catch up with all the listener mail–a remarkable amount accumulated over the summer–so that topics range from the theme of the movie “The Village” to imparting a passion for a subject to your students. Also, Bill and Jeff discuss their favorite gift from a podcast listener.
Our Vision for Worldview Academy
Finally! More than a year into the show, hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack (yes, they’ve been reunited) interview the Executive Director of Worldview Academy, Randy Sims. Amidst some good-natured squabbling, the three founders of WVA briefly describe the ministry’s history, vision, and their hope for the future (remembering that God is in control). Could there be even more camps in even more exotic places in the future? What’s a Worldview House? Tune in to find out.
Movies
Bill Jack and Co. (Dell Cook, Chad Warren, and Mike Schutt) gather to discuss movies. Chad explains how to dissect a film or a story to find its worldview, and Dell discusses whether or not we project our worldview onto the movies that we watch. Films discussed on the show include First Knight, The Island, The Incredibles, Superman, and Signs.
Dell Cook and the Trinity
Bill Jack continues his podcasting odyssey with special guest Dell Cook. After a slight pause to remind Jeff that he isn’t winning fantasy baseball, Bill and Dell discuss the Trinity and why it is so much more than just a mysterious Christian doctrine.
The First Amendment
After his disappearance from Radio Worldview, Bill Jack has resurfaced and is exploiting his First Amendment rights. Along with fellow Worldview Academy faculty member Mike Schutt, he fearlessly delves into the controversy that has grown from modern interpretations of the First Amendment. Does this amendment to the Constitution impose restrictions on the citizens of the United States, or is it a mandate to the Federal Government? How should a Christian react when governing authorities seek to limit First Amendment rights? Bill and Mike explore these issues and discuss the responsibility that Christians have not only to fight for religious liberties, but also to take full advantage of them.
Mail Call
Thanks to our faithful listeners, we’re never short on listener mail. Today’s question comes from two former Worldview Academy students who have started a “film group” to encourage their friends to apply their Christian worldview to movies. They list some of the movies they’ve viewed, and then ask for suggestions, which are supplied by a roundtable of Worldview Academy faculty members: host Jeff Baldwin, Jay Winslow, Brandon Booth, Phil Fernandes and Mark Bertrand.
The Da Vinci Code
The End is near. Your traditional hosts, Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin, have ceded Radio Worldview to an upstart, Mark Bertrand. Mark capably interviews our guest Dr. Phil Fernandes, president of the Institute of Biblical Defense and adjunct faculty member for Worldview Academy. Phil helps listeners sort through all the historical innacuracies presented as fact in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. And yes, Phil really talks like that.
Revenge of the Mailbag
Still sifting through the excellent questions and ideas that keep pouring in, Jay Winslow and Mark Bertrand help Jeff Baldwin tackle two more e-mails. One listener wants to know how Christians can tolerate being involved in the political process, since it invites such cynicism. Another listener makes an excellent point about the movie The Truman Show, followed by Jay calling out Bill Jack for his “crazy talk” about said movie.
The Old Mailbag
And we do mean “old.” For some reason, Jeff thought that he could postpone responding to listener mail until he was once again podcasting with his co-host, Bill Jack. A month’s reflection revealed the absurdity of this idea, and so Mark Bertrand and Jay Winslow join him to belatedly answer some excellent listener questions. The bulk of the discussion centers around some good questions about anti-intellectualism, although Jeff finds time to pan a very old, generally beloved movie.
Divine Command Theory
It’s an old question: is something good because God wills it, or does God will it because it is good? Some people think the Christian answer is untenable, while guests Brandon Booth and Mark Bertrand see the Christian answer as the only reasonable response. Nonetheless, it is a response steeped in paradox; don’t be surprised when the conversation strays toward Kierkegaard.
Bible Translations
Okay, so some members of the Worldview Academy faculty team are quirky. Brandon Booth actually likes reading Aristotle, and Randy Sims enjoys Mystery Science Theater 3000. Mark Bertrand is certainly quirky in his own way, and in this show he explains why he obsessively compares Bible editions. Host Jeff Baldwin wants to know: why so many translations? And is one translation the best translation?
What’s Wrong with Entertainment? (part two)
In the second half of this discussion, Jeff continues to badger guests Jay and Mark about perceived elitism. Who decides what is truly great literature? Why does it always seem that literary snobs get to make those choices? And what about Philippians 4:8?
What’s Wrong with Entertainment? (part one)
One of the most-asked questions by Worldview Academy students involves entertainment. Is it wrong to merely be entertained? Must we always consume “high art”? Why can’t a Christian just enjoy a Peretti novel? These questions spark a lively discussion between Jeff Baldwin and his guests, Worldview Academy faculty members Jay Winslow and Mark Bertrand.
Movie Recommendations, Part Two
In this on-going feature, Jeff and Bill discuss some of the best films of all time–the sort of movies that are worthy of our contemplation and meditation (Philippians 4:8). They both love The Truman Show, but they disagree about the central theme. Loudly.
Teaching Younger Students about Worldviews
As Bill likes to say, Worldview Academy alumni need to put what they’ve learned into practice, making disciples (2 Timothy 2:2). But can you teach your five year-old brother about worldviews? How about your ten year-old niece? When can someone wrestle with big questions like the nature of man and the nature of God, and understand the implications? Hosts Jeff and Bill discuss some unique tools for training younger students in worldview and apologetics.
Our Favorite Movies, Part One
More than anything, this show was occasioned by Jeff re-watching the Robert Redford film Quiz Show. This is a great movie that most Christians have overlooked, which caused Jeff and Bill to want to tell listeners about other great movies that are worthy of their contemplation and meditation. Remember, Philippians 4:8 makes it clear that staying away from the bad movies is not enough–we should be actively seeking out the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. With this in mind, Jeff and Bill recommend a few movies–and promise to recommend many more in shows to come.
Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter
A former Worldview student asks hosts Jeff and Bill about stories with magic in them. If Christians reject Harry Potter because the story involves magic and the occult, shouldn’t they shun Lord of the Rings and Narnia as well? Is it ever appropriate for Christians to read fantasy? Jeff is adamant that it is (as were Chesterton, Tolkien and Lewis), while Bill digs in his heels.
Immigration Part Two
Hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack finish their discussion of legal immigration, reminding listeners that the prevailing view of immigrants as drains upon our natural resources is grounded in the thinking of Jeremy Bentham and Thomas Malthus, not in scripture. Christians should understand that wealth is ultimately a creation of the human mind, and that people committed to using their economic freedom responsibly are always a blessing.
Immigration Part One
Do Christians believe everything Republicans believe? Of course not. Christians aren’t called to be conservative or liberal–they are called to follow Jesus Christ. In this show, hosts Bill Jack and Jeff Baldwin consider the conventional view of legal immigration, and remind listeners that the biblical view of wealth and immigration is a far cry from the prevailing opinion.
The New Age Worldview
Is there an effective way to discuss worldviews and share your faith with someone trapped in the New Age movement? Host Jeff Baldwin answers this listener question, focusing especially on the New Age tendency to embrace irrationalism. Even though New Age people don’t mind holding irrational beliefs, as Jeff explains, we can still have a fruitful discussion with them. Includes a brief discussion of New Age leaders like M. Scott Peck, Shirley MacLaine and Marianne Williamson.
Listener Mail
Thought host Jeff Baldwin was finally done bragging about small towns? That was the idea–but the first piece of listener mail renews the debate. Then co-host Bill Jack and Jeff discuss a very thoughtful question from a former student beginning his film-making career.
Small Town vs. Big City, Part Three
Unable to provoke host Bill Jack into any verbal fireworks, co-host Jeff Baldwin pushes the envelope, arguing that there is a political divide between small towns and cities, and that the divide is rooted in moral decisions. Instead of demurring, Bill buys into the argument and seems ready to relocate to a small town.
Small Town vs. Big City, Part Two
Host Jeff Baldwin is arguing for a life-decision that most people seem to ignore: choosing to raise your family in a small town rather than a city (assuming that God isn’t specifically calling you to the city). Could it be that living in a small town encourages Christians to live with more integrity? Co-host Bill Jack begins by trying to play devil’s advocate, but eventually walks toward the light.
Small Town versus Big City, Part One
Yes, this matters. Many Christians, presumably because they understand that they are aliens and strangers on earth, act as though it doesn’t matter where you live at all. But God made men to be fully integrated human beings, and where you live is related to who you are. All things being equal, Jeff Baldwin argues, it is preferable to live in a small town. Bill Jack plays devil’s advocate.
What’s Wrong with Intelligent Design?
Host Jeff Baldwin wonders why host Bill Jack gets huffy about the Intelligent Design movement. Is it because ID doesn’t articulate the characteristics of the Designer? Is it because lots of Christians are pouring money into ID, and that money could be put to better use by Worldview Academy? Is it because ID masquerades as a secular theory? Finally, Jeff and Bill get to talk about Bill’s new DVD featuring his recent debate with Dr. Tooley.
The Moral Majority
In a past podcast, hosts Bill and Jeff discussed whether or not Christians should boycott Starbucks. After the podcast, Bill and Jeff continued their discussion and found more bones of contention–leading to this knock-down, drag-out brawl. Jeff doesn’t want Christians to throw their weight around and act like we live in a pure democracy; Bill asserts that Christians have the responsibility to protect their rights because it promotes justice for others.
Anti-Intellectualism, Gnosticism and the Church
Hosts Jeff and Bill sift through more listener mail, trying to catch up so they can talk about Bill’s new DVD. The discussion centers around one listener’s question: Is there hope for the future? This leads Jeff and Bill to bemoan the ways in which Christians have withdrawn from culture historically, and to a discussion of the need to see your faith as a total worldview. Then Bill quickly weighs in on “Narnia” and “King Kong.”
Listener Questions
Bill and Jeff play catch-up, responding to two excellent questions from WVA alumni. The first question deals with the canon of scripture; the second challenges listeners: Should Christians boycott Starbucks? Bill and Jeff disagree vehemently.
Classical Education, Part Three
Finally, Jeff finishes talking about classical education. He explains the purpose behind Worldview Academy’s premiere educational website, TheGreatBooks.com, and encourages Christians to take education seriously.
Classical Education, Part Two
Jeff announces the trivia contest winner, and then he and Bill read some fan mail. Bill asks Jeff more about classical education, with Jeff revisiting his teaching days at Providence Classical School. How can that excellent education be extended to people who don’t live near Providence? This podcast also features the debut of a new “song,” That’s Crazy Talk.
The Kitchen Sink
Co-host Bill Jack takes the week off–something about needing to finish his basement before his relatives get there for Christmas–so Jeff goes it alone. The hodge-podge of topics include a CD recommendation, a trivia contest, a quick review of the new Narnia movie, and a preview of an upcoming discussion about the merits of living in a small town.
Classical Education, Part One
What is classical education? Why might this model be the best fit with the Christian worldview? Jeff Baldwin begins to make the case for classical education, while Bill Jack tries to incite him to rant and rave. Look for the second half of this discussion later this month.
Are Christians Rebels?
Hosts Jeff Baldwin and Bill Jack read listener mail that includes some shocking revelations (Bill admits that there might actually be FIVE killer questions). Then they try to answer a listener’s question about obedience and true authority–which leads to some open bickering.
How Can You Know for Certain?
Was Rene Descartes right to conclude that he could know for certain, I think, therefore I am? Is it reasonable to assume that reason is trustworthy? Jeff Baldwin delves deep with Brandon Booth, a Worldview faculty member and philosophy major graduated from Hillsdale College. Brandon offers some helpful resources for understanding philosophy–especially epistemology.
Starbucks and Porsches
Bill and Jeff broadcast from the most recent Christianity and Culture Conference in Pittsburgh. The show begins with a discussion about what to write on Starbucks cups, but turns into a prolonged discussion of the sovereignty of God and the reality of grace. And it also explains how Bill came to wreck his son’s Porsche.
A Christian Teacher in the Public Schools
This week, Bill Jack takes a hiatus from the show, while Jeff Baldwin interviews Worldview faculty member Jay Winslow. Jay talks about how he teaches students to think in the public schools, and about the relationship between worldviews and literature. Book and movie recommendations fly fast and furiously.
Debate: Bill Jack vs. Dr. Michael Tooley
In this episode, WVA founder Bill Jack recounts his recent debate with University of Colorado philosophy professor Dr. Michael Tooley. The topic, “The evolutionary model has been a greater boon to society than the creation model,” was generally avoided by Dr. Tooley, but he makes some telling admissions.
Not Christian Enough!
Jeff Baldwin tries to get Worldview Academy faculty member (and director of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies) Mike Schutt to admit that America’s founding was not as Christian as some would like to suggest. Includes discussion of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Paine, and John Adams.
Believing is Seeing: Discussing Evolution
Jeff Baldwin goads Bill Jack into saying what he really thinks (Bill is always so bashful) about making Genesis fit with evidence that the earth is old, as well as the wisdom of expending a lot of energy arguing for Intelligent Design.
The Education Debate
Worldview Academy research director Jeff Baldwin interviews former WVA student and staffer Jeremy Mollenkopf. Jeremy, now married and teaching math in the public schools, discusses whether or not he would send his own son to the public school, as well as issues involving homeschooling and classical education.