The Natural Philosopher

Episode 61: All things new - eschatology and climate change

In this episode I reflect on how we read and misread Revelation, on God making all things new, and climate change action.

Episode 60: It‘s a COP out. Responding as a Christian to COP26

Was COP26 a let down for you? Looking at the parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder both to continue to advocate for the Green Climate fund, but also an end to coal.

Episode 59: COP26 of serpents and trees

Fossil fuel industry at the heart of COP26 negotiations, while it is decided stopping deforestation is important. Sounds a lot like the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3: of serpents and trees.

Episode 58: The serpent the preacher and expert knowledge

Christianity is sometimes viewed as being inherently anti-knowledge, particularly anti-science. In this episode I hope to show that the serpent of Genesis 2-3 is no Prometheus, but that the original couple break their covenant relationship with God. Ecclesiastes is not anti empirical knowledge, but simply states that there are limits on what we can know.

Episode 57: No you are not entitled to your opinion

People often in argument take recourse to the view that they are entitled to their opinion, and can challenge experts on topics like vaccines and climate change. Christians can be the worst at this. But you are only entitled to what you can argue for, and need to respect expertise.

Episode 56: Climate Anxiety - Interview with Jessica Morthorpe

In a time of rapidly changing climate, people, especially younger people, are experiencing climate change related anxiety. The church has a role, particularly towards its own, to engage in pastoral care, and equip people to process this anxiety and express it positively in the form of activism. 

Episode 55: Creation Care in the Uniting Church with Jess Morthorpe

The Uniting Church in Australia has creation care as an important part of its theology and praxis. In this episode, Jessica Morthorpe and I explore how this looks in her experience.

Episode 54: Five Leaf Eco-Awards - Interview with Jess Morthorpe

This episode is the first installment of a three part interview with ecotheologian and climate activist Jessica Morthorpe, discussing her Five Leaf Eco-Awards for Australian churches.

Episode 53: COVID, earthquakes, and the end of the world?

Conspiracy theories over the origins of COVID, vaccines, and masks have much in common with Christian end times thinking over earthquakes and other natural disasters. In this episode I deconstruct these ideas.

Episode 52: Philip Goff‘s Panpsychism, Climate Change, and Theism

In this episode I read Philip Goff's book Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness and reflect on theistic belief, and climate change.