The Spiritual Disciplines

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 (44:16) - - 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 (19:39) - - Be Our Guest (48:23) - - 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 (49:06) - - 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.

In our season finale, our hosts answer questions from the audience and give their hot takes on some thorny issues.(01:36) - - Q&A Part 1 (22:11) - - Q&A Part 2 (38:56) - - Through The Wardrobe

In the aftermath of the 2024 Lausanne Congress - at which Megan was a delegate - our hosts take stock of what went on, review the Seoul Statement (and other alliterative faith declarations of past conferences), and mull over the insights of other attendees.They also discuss a documentary on the first Lausanne Congress, held way back in 1974.(01:50) - - Through The Wardrobe (15:19) - - What's Going On? (31:15) - - Be Our Guest

Is there a masculinity crisis? Or have we fundamentally misunderstood what being a man in the 21st century means?Our hosts spend some time discussing their understanding of masculinity, how they’ve seen it shift around them, and what a Christian vision of masculinity really looks like.Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity Simon Smart joins the show to discuss this tricky topic.  Finally, Michael and Megan turn their attention to the comedy-drama series Barry. 

Do we live in a culture that thrives on offence? Is it ever okay to intentionally offend? Michael and Megan are joined this week by Presbyterian Minister and writer Nathan Campbell to think through these questions. Our hosts also discuss the theology behind offence, and what offends them.Finally, the 2022 Psychological Thriller Tar - starring Cate Blanchett - comes under the WADR microscope. It's a film all about the destructive consequences of offending. But is it any good?(00:09) - - Be Our Guest (35:28) - - For Arguments Sake (53:18) - - Through The Wardrobe