The Controlling Church

It’s the final episode for season 10 of With All Due Respect!This year marks 1700 years since the creation of the Nicene Creed, one of Christianity's seminal documents (outside of the Bible).Our hosts discuss why this creed matters and debate whether more churches should use it in their services.Theologian Beth Felker Jones then joins the show to discuss the creed's historical and theological significance, before Michael and Megan share their thoughts on the 2017 documentary The Song Keepers.

This week, our hosts are joined by AFES worker Christine Jolly to discuss whether Gen Z women are going missing from the church, while their male counterparts convert in droves.Michael and Megan attempt to make sense of this concerning trend before turning their attention to the 2024 biographical thriller Cabrini, which tells the story of the first American saint, Francesca Cabrini.(00:00) - - Intro (01:36) - - Be Our Guest (41:39) - - For Arguements Sake (53:36) - - Through The Wardrobe

This week, Michael and Megan grapple with the problem of pain. It’s a complex issue for Christians - some seek out pain as a spiritual discipline, while for others, pain can drive them away from faith altogether. Professor Philip Siddall joins the show to help us further understand why pain occurs - and how to deal with it, both physically and spiritually. Finally, our hosts cast a critical eye over the second season of the hit TV series Severance. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts.(00:00) - - Intro (01:36) - - For Arguments Sake (18:04) - - Be Our Guest (47:34) - - Through The Wardrobe

This week, Michael and Megan tackle the difficult topic of church control. They discuss how much—if any—control churches should be allowed to have over members and how to safeguard against any misuse of power by leaders.Christian psychologist Kylie Walls then joins the show for a sobering discussion on spiritual abuse, before our hosts review the hit podcast Sons of Patriarchy, which deals with the hyper-conservative ministry of Douglas Wilson.If this episode has raised concerns for you, help is available. Call 1800 737 732, or head to the website 1800respect.org.au.(01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (18:42) - - Be Our Guest (50:52) - - Through The Wardrobe

The recent feature film ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin' attracted controversy for its portrayal of Europe’s most celebrated martyr of the 20th century.There are so many questions surrounding the life of Bonhoeffer - chief among them, how involved was he in the botched 20 July plot to kill Hitler?Our hosts this week share their thoughts on the film and are also joined by Center for Pastor Theologians President Dr. Joel Lawrence to discuss Bonhoeffer's life and work.Finally, Michael and Megan try to define a Christian hero and discuss whether the church should have any heroes aside from Jesus.(01:44) - - Through the Wardrobe (31:40) - - Be Our Guest (44:03) - - For Arguments Sake

John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way has become a Christian bestseller since its publication last year.It’s part of a new wave of books focusing on the ‘spiritual disciplines’.This week, our hosts delve into what these disciplines are and how we can approach them in a biblical manner.Author Alex Sosler then joins the show to discuss modern approaches to discipleship, before our hosts review the hit Netflix docudrama Apple Cider Vinegar.

With an Australian federal election called for May, our hosts think about how Christians should approach the ballot box and whether there is a "right" way for a believer to vote.We then hear multiple Australian Christian leaders answering the question, "What should Christians consider when casting their vote this year at the Australian federal election?"You can find the full text of all their answers on the WADR webpage - head to https://undeceptions.com/wadr/the-election/Finally, Michael and Megan take a look at the 2024 documentary God and Country, a film that zeros in on the emergence of Christian nationalism in America.

Is a revival breaking out in the Western world? Or is the reappraisal of Christianity - leading intellectuals like Richard Dawkins and Jordan Peterson to proclaim themselves “cultural Christians” - just a passing fad? Evangelist Glen Scrivener joins the show to discuss, before our hosts turn their attention to the latest "Catholic political thriller", and one of the hit movies of the past year - Conclave. (00:00) - - Intro (01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (19:26) - - Be Our Guest (48:10) - - Through the Wardrobe

Last year, Australia introduced a law banning certain social media platforms for children under the age of 16 - the first of its kind in the world.This week, our hosts move the conversation offline and into real life, pondering the effects of social media and how the Bible can guide us in how to use it.Professor Andrew Campbell, Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group at the University of Sydney, then joins the show to discuss the proposed ban and the potential benefits of social media.Finally, Michael and Megan discuss appropriations of the 19th-century novel Vanity Fair and wonder how it might have anticipated some of the complexities of social media - two centuries ahead of time!(00:00) - - Intro (01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (17:36) - - Be Our Guest (48:53) - - Through the Wardrobe

Welcome back to another season of With All Due Respect, where your hosts, Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen, tackle tricky topics with respect and grace.To kick things off, celebrated author Marilynne Robinson joins the show to discuss her new book Reading Genesis, which looks at God's covenant with humanity - despite how dark things get.Our hosts then share their thoughts on the first book of the Bible and look at other recent attempts to understand it - notably Jordan Peterson's musings in his latest work, We Who Wrestle With God.