It's been a while since there has been a new Bigger Questions episode, but our sister podcast "Deeper Questions" started in March this year, with hosts Aaron Johnstone and Amy Isham. The most recent episode is with Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. Aar
It's been a while since there has been a new Bigger Questions episode, but our sister podcast "Deeper Questions" started in March this year, with hosts Aaron Johnstone and Amy Isham.
The most recent episode is with Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.
Aaron and Grace meander through a range of topics, and experiences close to Grace’s heart and all part of her incredible journey - a mixture of darkness and light, pain and healing, courage and candour. I find her voice refreshing and something that can help us find ourselves through adversity and trials. I hope you will too.
You can listen on Spreaker or wherever you get podcasts.
https://hubs.la/Q0293-GM0
*Warning: This episode contains references to the sexual abuse and assault of minors, trauma, and other graphic content that some listeners may find distressing. Resources are available in the show notes if you’d like to talk to someone.
Is evidence enough?
Evidence is important in making decisions on life's biggest questions - but what if someone presents counter evidence? How can we work out the truth? We meet someone who regularly engages people of different opinions to help us determine if 'evidence' really is enough.
Our guest: Justin Brierley is the host of the award winning Premier Christian radio show Unbelievable?
I am what I do?
Work is an important part of our lives, yet it can become all consuming - so much so that we can become what we do. We reflect on this and offer a pathway to liberation from the burden of being captive to what we do.
Our guest: Andrew Laird works for City Bible Forum in Melbourne and oversees the Life@Work Conference - an initiative aimed at connecting Christian faith with our daily work. He is a popular, author, speaker and writer.
Is Christmas unbelievable?
The Christmas story contains many fantastic elements: angels appearing, virgin births and God becoming man. Is all of this just a bit too unbelievable? We examine the Christmas story and see how the unbelievable, might be really unbelievable good news.
Our guest: Dr. Rebecca McLaughlin. Rebecca holds a Ph.D. from Cambridge and has extensive experience developing content at the highest level. She is an award-winning author and has just released a new book, Is Christmas unbelievable?
Why do we create fantasy worlds?
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful movies and books ever. It's been 20 years since the Lord of The Rings movies were released - so what makes them so appealing? Why do we love the fantasy genre? A real Tolkien fan unpacks their significance.
Our guest: Luke Isham. Luke works as the pastor of St Kilda and Balaclava Presbyterian Church in Melbourne’s inner south east. Luke is a huge fan of the writings of JRR Tolkien - the author of the Hobbit and the classic The Lord of The Rings trilogy.
Is God just for kids?
Some say that God is like an imaginary friend in which we grow out of. Is believing in God just a bit childish? We speak to someone who writes songs which engages kids and adults alike about God, and the deeper truths of the world. An engaging and entertaining conversation.
Our guest: Colin Buchanan. Colin is an ARIA, APRA and 9 times Golden Guitar winning singer/songwriter whose diverse career includes being an ABC TV Play School presenter, sought-after hit song collaborator and Australia's #1 Christian kids artist. He’s written numerous musical albums and is a popular performer around Australia.
What makes a great leader?
Many aspire to leadership, but what does it take to be a great leader? We hear from three top political and business leaders who share their insights and reflections on great leadership and possibly the greatest leader of them all.
Our guests:
John Anderson - former deputy Prime Minister of Australia
George Savvides - former CEO of Medibank
Dr. Jenny George - CEO of Converge International and former Dean of Melbourne Business School
Is Jesus boring?
Considering religious questions and learning about religious figures can seem boring and irrelevant to our everyday lives. To many the Christian life can feel safe,traditional and boring. Yet we encounter someone who found something different and transformative in an ancient religious figure. An uplifting and positive conversation.
Our guest: Andrew Palau. Andrew is the son of the late international evangelist Luis Palau and works with the Luis Palau Association where he coordinates worldwide outreach events. He is a popular author and speaker.
Are we addicted to achievement?
Are you an achievement addict? Our society seems obsessed with success and defining our worth by our school marks and getting a good job. We go from tiger parenting to examine our hearts and then discover something bigger which helps our achievement obsession.
Our guest: Dr. Justine Toh. Justine is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity, where she regularly speaks and writes about the Christian faith in the Australian media. Justine has a PhD in Cultural Studies from Macquarie University and admits to being a recovering achievement addict.
Justine is the author of a new book: Achievement Addiction, which can be purchased here: https://www.koorong.com/product/achievement-addiction-re-considering-series-justine-toh_9780647531327#product-tabs
Does faith in God make sense?
Many claim that faith in God is irrelevant, irrational and even immoral. But what if the Christian faith makes sense of all that matters? We confront this big question with someone who found faith not only to make sense, but to make the most sense of the things we love.
Our guest: Simon Edwards. Simon is originally from Australia and worked as a lawyer before moving to the UK to study at the The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and later Oxford University. He’s a popular speaker and is the author of the book, The Sanity of belief: why faith makes sense
How can we think better?
Do we think enough? What is the purpose of thinking? For some, thinking is overrated, but we all stand to gain a lot if we can think better. In this 'thought provoking' conversation we learn why thinking is important and how we can do it better.
Our guest: Dr. Mark Stephens. Mark is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. Prior to this Mark was lecturer at Excelsia College, teaching performing artists how to use their creativity to help audiences think deeply. And he’s just released a book ‘The end of thinking?’
How can we talk about death?
Death is the destiny of everyone, yet it can be an awkward and unpleasant topic to discuss. Two doctors with extensive experience of speaking with the dying confront this challenging and very personal big question with sensitivity and wisdom.
Our first guest is Dr. Aaron Wong. Aaron works as a Palliative Medicine Physician and Medical Oncologist. Aaron is passionate about holistic compassionate care for people with incurable illness and has a keen interest in improving the quality of palliative care. He leads a clinical trial team, and is doing a PhD in pain management in palliative care.
Our second guest is Dr. Michael Cai. Michael works as a nephrologist - a kidney specialist - at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he is lead for Peritoneal Dialysis at The Home Dialysis Unit. He also completed a PhD on bone dysfunction in renal disease.
Why should we believe the Bible if we can't agree on what it means?
The Bible is a large and complex book, but is it clear at all or can you just make it say whatever you want it to say? We confront this big question by exploring how different people used the Bible to either justify or abolish slavery.
Our guest: Andy Judd. Andy works at Ridley College in Melbourne. He’s worked as a church pastor, played in a band and has recently completed a PhD on Biblical interpretation
Why bother with the Bible?
The Bible is the most printed book in history, but it's not read much today. How could an old religious book be relevant in the modern world? We meet someone whose life changed dramatically through an encounter with the Bible.
Our guest: Richard Borgonon: Richard has been in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market for over 45 years and he’s held various international industry leadership positions, including being Chairman of a Lloyd’s broking firm. Today Richard runs his own broking and consulting company and is an enthusiastic entrant in classic car rallies. However, Richard now spends the majority of his time sharing the Bible with senior city executives, having co-written The Word 1-2-1, a set of user-friendly notes which help people engage with the person of Jesus
For more information on the Word 1-2-1 visit: https://www.theword121.com/
For information of the Word 1-2-1 in Australia visit: https://citybibleforum.org/city/activity/word-121
Why bother with Jesus?
John Lennon once claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus because they meant more to kids than Jesus did. So how can a two thousand year old religious figure be relevant in the modern world? We explore the significance and impact of one of history's most influential people.
Our guests:
Dr. Murray Capill. Murray works with the Reformed Theological College in the heart of Melbourne. He has previously worked as a pastor and is an author and a popular speaker.
Mike Raiter. Mike is Director of the Centre for Biblical Preaching based in Melbourne. He is also an in-demand speaker across Australia and around the world.
Why bother with God?
Many Australians are unsure about God - they don't believe he is real or can make a difference in our lives. So can God make any sense in the modern world? A great conversation exploring the reality and impact of God today.
Our guest: Julie-anne Laird. Julie-anne worked for many years on university campuses helping students to consider Jesus. She now works as a young adults pastor at All Saints Anglican church in Greensborough, with City to City, a church planting and leadership development organisation, and a Canon for church planting with the Anglican diocese of Melbourne.
Bigger Questions Episode 209
How historically accurate are the Gospels? - Part 2
Did the stories written about Jesus really happen or are they just made up? We confront this big question with one of the world's leading experts in the field. A riveting conversation even for those who find history boring.
Our guest: Professor Craig Evans. Craig is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins at Houston Theological Seminary in the United States. He is a New Testament scholar, a prolific author, and popular speaker. He is well-known for his contribution to work on the Gospels, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeology of the New Testament.
This is part 2 of a two part conversation.
Bigger Questions Episode 208b
How historically accurate are the Gospels? - Part 1
Did the stories written about Jesus really happen or are they just made up? We confront this big question with one of the world's leading experts in the field. A riveting conversation even for those who find history boring.
Our guest: Professor Craig Evans. Craig is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins at Houston Theological Seminary in the United States. He is a New Testament scholar, a prolific author, and popular speaker. He is well-known for his contribution to work on the Gospels, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeology of the New Testament.
This is part 1 of a two part conversation.
Bigger Questions Episode 208a
How can we thrive in anxious times?
Our age has been dubbed the Age of Anxiety. This thoughtful conversation offers some practical tips and profound wisdom to help us thrive in challenging times. An important conversation with RUOK? day just around the corner.
Our guest: Nicky Chiswell. Nicky works as a psychologist where she has a special interest in supporting people facing mental health and relationship issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship problems. She has also written numerous songs and musical albums and she has been playing, writing, and performing for many years.
This conversation was recorded in partnership with St Augustine's Anglican Church in Moreland.
Why are we creative?
Creativity has been described as something which makes us human. Why is this? We explore our desire to create and see how it points to something bigger. A fresh, insightful and amusing exploration.
Our guest: Sharon Cheung. Sharon is studying theology at Ridley College in Melbourne. She has passion for all things creative being a storyteller, a self-taught brush script letterer, illustrator and photographer. She’s also a popular speaker and cultural analyst.
