The classic theological puzzle known as the “problem of evil” arises when we assert the existence of an all-powerful God who is also perfectly loving, …
532–533: What Is the “Good News” Jesus Taught?
As they begin to experience shifts of faith, many Latter-day Saints and others within the Christian tradition come to think of Jesus Christ differently than …
531: Talking New Testament Translation and Its Ramifications with Thomas Wayment
531: Talking New Testament Translation and Its Ramifications with Thomas Wayment [ 1:27:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAs Latter-day Saints begin to dig into the New Testament as part of this year’s scripture study, a terrific new resource, a translation from the …
529: A Mystical Approach to the Christmas Story
This episode suggests layers of depth to the Christian Nativity story and the insights it has for our own individual spiritual paths. It features meditation …
527–528: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts
527: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts, Part 1 [ 1:20:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 528: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts, Part 2 [ 1:15:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis is an encore presentation of a December 2011 two-part Mormon Matters podcast episode examining the Christmas story as it traditionally gets told—looking closely at …
526: Reigniting My Christmas Fire
In this episode, Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon shares his experiences with the Christmas Nativity stories presented in the New Testament, moving from literal belief, …
505: The Heart and Depth of Father Tom Roberts: How the Things He Sees, Studies, and Shares Might Prove a Great Boon for Many Latter-day Saints
505: The Heart and Depth of Father Tom Roberts: How the Things He Sees, Studies, and Shares Might Prove a Great Boon for Many Latter-day Saints [ 1:25:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadNo one who has appeared on Mormon Matters has a more interesting, diverse, and ecumenical religious journey than Father Tom Roberts—one that also includes Mormonism from …
501: Centering in God: Experiences and Insights from the Living School for Action and Contemplation
501: Centering in God: Experiences and Insights from the Living School for Action and Contemplation [ 1:36:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode features reflections on a wonderful experience the two panelists and I shared this past week in Albuquerque, NM. All three of us—Jana Spangler, …
500: Making It Safe Again for Open Proselytizing: Charles Randall Paul and His Very Practical Conflict Engagement Theories
500: Making It Safe Again for Open Proselytizing: Charles Randall Paul and HisVery Practical Conflict Engagement Theories [ 1:39:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis episode celebrates a new book by Charles Randall Paul, Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America (Greg Kofford Books), but even …
499: Faith Journeying with Matt Jones — Rambunctious Youth to LDS Bishop and Wise Soul
499: Faith Journeying with Matt Jones — Rambunctious Youth to LDS Bishop and Wise Soul [ 1:48:49 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadJust two weeks ago, Matt Jones was released as an LDS bishop. How he came to be someone who might be called to that position …
492–493: Women’s Ordination and Congregational Leadership: Exploring New Research
492: Women's Ordination and Congregational Leadership: Exploring New Research, Part 1
[ 55:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 493: Women's Ordination and Congregational Leadership: Exploring New Research, Part 2 [ 49:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadOn July 2nd, a terrific new book was released by Oxford University Press: She Preached the Word: Women’s Ordination in Modern America. Co-authored by Benjamin R. …
488–490: Resurrecting Atonement
The concept of “atonement” is powerful: being “at one” with God, others, and ourselves. But the panelists on this episode, Mark Crego and George Andrew …
483: The Prayer Wheel: “An Early Christian Handheld Device”
483: The Prayer Wheel: "An Early Christian Handheld Device" [ 1:26:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAt Mormon Matters we will occasionally focus on the importance of sticking with (though often with changed forms) spiritual practices even while in the midst …
471–472: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases
471: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases, Part 1 [ 1:10:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 472: Reflections on the Recently Revealed MTC Sexual Abuse Cases, Part 2 [ 1:26:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadWithin the past ten days, Mormonism has been rocked by a recoding and transcript released through MormonLeaks that depicts the confessions of a former president …
470: Mormon Matters Events and Holy Week Resources
This very short episode features several announcements about an upcoming Mormon Matters one-day workshop that Dan Wotherspoon and Jana Spangler will be leading, as well …
467–468: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul
467: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul, Part 1 [ 1:24:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 468: The Work of Peace in Mormonism and the Religious World: An Interview with Charles Randall Paul, Part 2 [ 1:00:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMany long-time Mormon Matters listeners will recognize the name Charles Randall Paul, (or, as host Dan Wotherspoon calls him 90 percent of the time, “Randy” Paul). He …
465 –466: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures
465: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures, Part 1 [ 59:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 466: Deeper Readings of Misunderstood and Under-Appreciated Scriptures, Part 2 [ 50:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadVery few of us give deep consideration to the nature of scripture and how it should be read and understood. We grow up (or come …
462–463: Lessons From the Historical Jesus
James and Judith McConkie have taken a deep dive into something relatively few Mormon scholars and teachers have researched: the historical Jesus. Latter-day Saints have …
448: Shadow Practice
This episode is a supplement to the previous two-parter on “sustaining” within Mormonism—which concentrated especially on times when we find ourselves in some sort of …
373–377: (Encore) An Easter Primer
Encore presentation of a great discussion of all things Easter. First released 12 March 2013. Enjoy the old bumpers and their music! With a forty-day …
366: Sin
Because it’s so central to Christianity, and because of the concerns so many have about “salvation,” the concept of “sin” deserves fresh consideration. What does …
362: Taking Jesus Seriously
Meet in this podcast two wonderful, active Latter-day Saints who are “alive in Christ,” Jesus focused, and modeling in their wards and circles a robust faith in …
356–357: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts
356: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts--Part 1 [ 1:20:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download 357: (Encore) A Christmas Primer: Exploring the Nativity in Scripture, Legend, History, and Hearts--Part 2 [ 1:15:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThis is an encore presentation of a December 2011 podcast episode examining the Christmas story as it traditionally gets told—looking closely at what the scriptures …
217–221: (Encore) An Easter Primer
Encore presentation of a great discussion of all things Easter first released 12 March 2013. With a forty-day Lenten season that flows to a conclusion …
178–179: Tolerance
Tolerance is a tricky virtue. In a list of ways one might interact with others, it’s certainly better than active persecution but falls far short …
159–163: An Easter Primer
One of Mormon Matters podcast’s most popular episodes explored Christmas through a close examination of scriptural narratives and traditions related to the Nativity as they …
157–158: C.S. Lewis and Mormonism
C.S. Lewis is a towering twentieth-century figure, known especially as an author of fiction and meditations on Christianity and the work of God in human …
149–150: Near-Death Experiences
Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) fascinate. Most share similar features that suggest the existence of a spirit or consciousness separate from the body that can continue to …
127: Grace
Grace is one of the central concepts in all of Christianity, yet also one of its most contested. What is it? How does it work? …
123–124: Emergence Christianity and Mormonism
It goes without saying that religion is intricately entwined with culture. And since this is so, when we find that the various ways of thinking …
54: The Atonement in Mormon Thought and Experience
The central claim of Christianity is that all human beings are “fallen,” held captive by sin, or are in some other way in a dire circumstance …
37: Why Are Mormons Seen as “Dangerous” by Some Evangelical Christians?
Why Are Mormons Seen as "Dangerous" by Some Evangelical Christians? [ 1:19:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadA recent article at the Patheos website by evangelical Christian writer and publisher Warren Cole Smith made a big splash both on that website and …