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.
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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.