In a world of 24/7 news, endless information, multiple channels, fake news, sponsored news, competing voices, and little space for reflection, how should we think about the news media? How can we be informed but not overwhelmed? How do we discern what is true, what is right, and what is helpful? To what extent does the news shape us — and how we can make sure we're shaped by the right thing?

Join the entirely newsworthy and totally media-unsavvy Andy Bannister, Aaron Edwards, and Michael Ots as they explore all these questions and more, with the usual mix of wit and wisdom.

The book that Andy mentions in the show a few times is Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business". First published in 1985 and reprinted many times since, it's an incredibly sobering (and prophetic) look at what the media is doing to our minds and souls. You can find it at any good bookseller.

*** Pod of the Gaps is a listener-supported podcast. Please help us keep going and growing by giving a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/wkop — thank you! ***

Find links to Apple iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast providers on our home page at http://bit.ly/podofthegaps

Episode 7 - Have I Got Bad News for You: Is the Media Stealing Our Minds and Souls?

Issues of race seem to be everywhere. On campuses, on social media, in supermarket queues, major issues in society and politics are now viewed through the lens of race. Accusations of systemic racism are levelled at groups in various ways, leaving many increasingly worried about what they're allowed to say, do, or even think. The result of all this is that it makes it even more difficult for different groups to actually hear one another.

How should Christians respond to all this? How can we balance compassion and honesty, truth and justice? And what insights does the Gospel have to offer reconciliation in the face of seemingly insurmountable racial tensions and divisions?

These are not easy questions, but as ever, Aaron, Michael and Andy attempt to tackle them with their usual blend of wit and wisdom. Whether you agree with our conclusions or not, we hope the conversation proves thought-provoking, insightful, and Jesus-centred.

Episode 18 - Does Race Colour Everything?

Has our culture become too risk-averse? So much of our decision-making today (whether about public health, education, parenting, and virtually everything else) now seems to be filtered through the lens of "safety".

What's behind this trend in culture to try to eliminate any chance of risk, no matter how small? And in what ways has risk-averseness infiltrated the Church too? Isn't the Christian faith, at root, an inherently risky enterprise? After all, Jesus asks us to carry our cross, and nowhere suggests we ought to fill out a series of forms before we do so.

Andy, Michael, and Aaron take the risk of diving into this crucial topic to explore it in the usual Pod of the Gaps style. Join them for a fast-paced mix of insight, discussion, wit, wisdom, and banter.

*** Please help us keep Pod of the Gaps going and growing by supporting the show. Visit www.patreon.com/wkop to find out how you can do that, and get some great bonus content as a thank you. ***

This was the book Andy mentioned about parenting:

Lenore Skenazy, "Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts With Worry")( San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2010)

Episode 26 - Have We Become Too Risk-Averse?

Why has the Church failed to find a place for men? What can we do to bring them back? This episode further unpacks the issue of men, masculinity, and mission, discussing Jordan Peterson's controversial "Message to the Christian Churches". We talk about what it means, what it doesn't mean, and what we should do about it. This also feeds into another theme from a previous episode, on the need for men to take a courageous stand on issues like abortion, particularly in the UK where there is set to be a backlash against the overturning of Roe vs Wade. 

RESOURCES: 
- Douglas Wilson, Future Men: Raising Boys to Fight Giants (Canon Press, 2016)
- Dave Murrow, Why Men Hate Going to Church (Thomas Nelson, 2011)
- https://thatgoodfight.com/masculinity-the-church-and-jordan-peterson/
- Save the Storks :https://savethestorks.com

Episode 41 - Jordan Peterson, Masculinity, and Abortion

Immigration has been a political hot potato for at least half a century. As is often the case, the loudest and most extreme voices at either end tend to shape the perception of the key issues in the debate. This leaves a vast majority of people in the middle who don't quite know what to think, nor who to believe on either side of them. It has become a difficult issue to even talk about publically unless you agree with whatever the popular media Zeitgeist view happens to be. 

How can Christians think and speak about immigration both wisely and lovingly? Are we too easily swayed by voices who say that being loving means accepting everyone regardless of the greater societal consequences? Are there ways of welcoming our neighbours from other cultures without enabling greater unforeseen problems for our society and theirs longer term? Andy and Aaron delve into the mire of yet another controversial issue to see if they can bring some clarity to the fog.

Enjoying Pod of the Gaps? Please keep sharing the podcast with friends or leave us a review at wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also help us keep going and growing by supporting us at www.patreon.com/wkop. Even a gift of £1 a month is a tremendous help!

Episode 54 - What's Gone Wrong With Immigration?

One of the most defining things about Christians is that we sing songs together. The kind of songs we sing, and the way we sing them, has an incredible impact on a Christian's life, faith, and theology. Contemporary band-led worship services often result in a set of expectations for what can or can't be sung, similarly to the older tradition of a particular order of hymn-singing. There is, however, a far broader range of worship expression to be found throughout Scripture and church history, with not only a deeper theological focus, but numerous challenging themes we often ignore, such as divine triumph, judgement, lament, and exuberance. What can individuals, families, and congregations do to aid our times of worship together? Should we be singing different kinds of songs? Are there patterns we ought to avoid ... or rediscover? What about the relationship between the spiritual and the aesthetic, and the Word and the Spirit? And what about when we just don't feel like singing at all?

Episode 65 - What's Gone Wrong With Worship?

The Israel / Gaza conflict generates all sorts of political and religious opinions in recent times, with many Christian leaders (including the Archbishop of Canterbury) seeming to follow the popular left-wing consensus of calling for an immediate ceasefire. Whilst this might seem the obvious course of action, is it really the best option? Whilst all wars bring tragedy, are all wars avoidable? When does peacekeeping maintain conflict in other ways? And how does this "ceasefire" approach to conflict mirror the recent events of the Anglican Synod as it pushes through its controversial plans to bless same-sex relationships? What are the consequences of churches “surrendering” churches to the cultural Zeitgeist? And how might Christians prepare themselves for when they find they can bear the compromises in their denomination no longer?

**** Pod of the Gaps is a listener supported podcast! If you enjoy the show, please help cover our costs — neither Andy nor Aaron is paid to do the show, it's a labour of love. Your support helps cover our hosting costs, books, and the occasional coffee! If you enjoy our mix of wit and wisdom, please help us keep the show going and support us for a small amount at https://www.patreon.com/wkop ****

NOTES

* Allison, C. FitzSimons, "The Cruelty of Heresy: An Affirmation of Christian Orthodoxy" (London: SPCK, 1994)

* https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/britain-should-back-a-ceasefire/

* https://thatgoodfight.substack.com/p/but-we-both-believe-the-bible

Episode 69 - Ceasefires, Surrenders, and Synods

In this wide-ranging special episode of Pod of the Gaps we cover a number of vital issues in/around the challenges of leadership, mission, apologetics, and ministry. In particular, Andy Bannister and Joe Boot both reflect on their similar experiences of working as directors for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. These reflections include the problematic patterns they noticed in the organization long before the worst came became visible; the dilemmas of working for “family-run” organizations where asking questions is discouraged; the ways making/keeping money can corrupt vision and principles longer term. They reflect not only on what went wrong, but also on what lessons can be learned for the future in all sorts of ways. We also talk about Joe Boot’s insightful book, "Ruler of Kings", which seeks to reclaim a robust vision of the kingdom in all spheres of life, society, education, and politics. We discuss the different approaches that may be taken in advancing the vital course of mission in these troubled times for the Church in the West.

NOTES:
- Joe’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruler-Kings-Toward-Christian-Government/dp/1916121136
- Aaron’s review of Joe’s book: https://americanreformer.org/2023/09/the-return-of-the-kingdom/
- Ezra Centre: www.ezrainstitute.com
- Solas Centre: https://www.solas-cpc.org/about/

Episode 70 - Ravi Zacharias, Leadership, and Kingdom Mission (featuring Joe Boot)

Week after week, year after year, churches spend inordinate amounts of time producing, presenting, and discussing sermons. Yet sermons are far less influential upon the average Christian’s life, faith, and beliefs than ever before. Why? The loss of pulpit authority? The loss of creativity in communication? The encroaching pressure of secular beliefs? The rise of podcasts and other digital media?

Many wonder whether “the sermon” is past its sell-by date. But what if the lacklustre impact of preaching has as much to do with cultural assimilation and theological erosion as unimaginative communication? Aaron and Andy dig into all these questions and more!

Episode 74 - What's Gone Wrong with Preaching?

We've come to expect the politically correct and increasingly “woke” posture of many of the Church of England’s official statements and policies in recent years. Recent announcements on issues such as race, Islam, sexuality, and even evangelism, showcase a desire to “play nice” with the secular and multicultural political establishment rather than offering a genuinely prophetic voice. 

But is the CofE’s descent into ever more progressive viewpoints is inevitable? What about those who seek to reform Anglicanism from within, restoring its evangelical roots? Is there a case for disestablishing the Church of England altogether? What would we lose (or gain) if we did?

Andy (a reluctant Anglican) and Aaron (a Methodist exile) dive into this entirely non-controversial topic with the usual mix of wit, wisdom, and insight.

RESOURCES ETC MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

* CofE Press Release: https://bit.ly/48XQiEF

* CofE "Healing, Repair and Justice" report (see clause 32): https://bit.ly/49Pnj7u

* Justin Welby's Ramadan video: https://bit.ly/3PjxqJt

* ChatGPT's attempt at impersonating the Archbishop of Canterbury: https://bit.ly/4c9ZkBt

* Michael Hampson, "Last Rites: The End of the Church of England " (Granta, 2006)

* Ben Merkle, "The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great" (Thomas Nelson. 2009)

Episode 76 - Is It Time to End the Church of England?

More and more Christians in western society today see the ever-increasing need to reach Muslims with the Gospel. The problem is: how? In this special episode, Aaron is joined by Bob of Speaker’s Corner to talk through challenges, strategies, and related issues that come with taking seriously the Muslim mission field before us. 

Bob is known especially for his confrontational mode of engagement in such mission, which some Christians disagree with. Is this because we’re overly influenced by “middle class churchianity”? In what ways can a more direct approach be more fruitful in reaching Muslims today? 

How does our wider progressive political culture affect our ability to challenge the beliefs of Muslims publically? What are the risks involved, and how can we navigate them with both wisdom and courage?

All this and more, on this jam-packed episode of Pod of the Gaps.

Useful Links:

- https://www.youtube.com/@SocoFilms

- 'Dawa Clowns Interrupting Conversation' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Eodk1A7x14&t=973s

- https://twitter.com/btbsoco

- Andy Bannister, "Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?" (London: IVP, 2021)

Episode 77 - Confronting Muslims in the West (featuring Bob of Speaker’s Corner)

Many Christians are naïve about the ways Islam has gained much ground within western society in recent years, influencing numerous spheres of culture, politics, and law. The vision of Islamic beliefs ruling all spheres of society (‘Islamism’) may not be adopted by all western Muslims, but it is a belief entirely consistent with Islamic tradition. 

Where Muslims are often very bullish about defending their values and public symbols, Christians often happily give away such cultural ground, fearing the accusation of ‘Islamophobia’. What are the implications of allowing elements of Shariah Law to be imposed within western societies today? What can Christians draw upon to think through and respond to these challenges with love, confidence, and clarity?

In this special episode in our mini-series on Islam, Andy and Aaron are joined by Tim Dieppe (Christian Concern), a regular media commentator on Christianity and Islam in British public life, to talk through these important issues.

LOVE POD OF THE GAPS? PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ...

Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop

RESOURCES:

- Tim Dieppe, “What’s Wrong With Islamic Finance?” (2018) https://christianconcern.com/resource/whats-wrong-islamic-finance/

- Christian Concern resources on Islam. https://christianconcern.com/ccissues/islam/

- Andy Bannister, “Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?” (2021)

- Rodney Stark, “God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades” (2010)

- Raymond Ibrahim, “Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam” (2022)

Episode 78 - Islamism and Islamophobia: A Christian Response (feat. Tim Dieppe of Christian Concern)

Over the last decade and a half, the pervasive use of smartphones has become the norm across the western world. Yet we’re still unaware of the precise long-term consequences. For those brought up without smartphones (or without the internet!) we may not even be in a position to know the full extent of the most negative effects upon child development and socialisation. 

As politicians consider banning smartphones from schools, is there also some drastic reflection the Church needs to do too? How can Christians encourage parents to make wise choices to help their children thrive against the technological tide? If, as some authors suggest, smartphones have made children more anxious and lonely, how might Christians show them a better way?

RESOURCES:

- Jonathan Haidt, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness" (Penguin, 2024)

- Rod Liddle, ‘Kids and Smartphones: An Inconvenient Truth’, The Spectator (24th Feb 2024)

- Tony Reinke, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You (Crossway, 2017)

- Anthony Esolen, 10 Ways To Destroy the Imagination of Your Child (ISI Books, 2013)

Episode 79 - Are Smartphones Ruining Our Children?

Punishment is an easily avoidable topic for modern Christians. We tend to leave it for the “experts” beyond the Church. But what if the increasing injustice in criminal prosecution and punishment in wider society infiltrates our thinking as Christians? Does our squeamishness over things like the death penalty mean we become squeamish about the Bible too? What does it mean, for example, that the God of grace is also a God of justice who punishes evildoing? If we see the death penalty as always “barbaric”, what does that do to our understanding of Christ’s penal substitution at the Cross? What Biblical wisdom is there for those seeking greater justice in society when penalties have been too harshly (or too leniently) applied?

In this packed episode of Pod of the Gaps, Andy and Aaron dive into this complex topic with their usual mix of wit and wisdom, banter and the Bible.

LOVE POD OF THE GAPS? PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ...

Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop

Episode 80 - Is Punishment Just?

Given the fractious political climate of the last decade, and the lack of consistently good candidates and policies on offer, it's understandable that many Christians might be unsure of who to vote for, or even whether to vote at all! But even if there may be no perfect party on offer, Christians have a duty to be salt and light in whatever way they can. What principles ought to guide the way we think, pray, and act out our political responsibilities in a democratic society?

How can our vote help the common good within our culture over the long haul? What are the key issues and policies to think about relative to the public expression of Christian values? Why are British people often reticent to talk about who they vote for? Why do some Christians become more active in proclaiming their chosen political party than proclaiming Christ? And most importantly, who are Aaron and Andy voting for, and why...? All will be revealed in this special episode of Pod of the Gaps...

RESOURCES:

- https://christianconcern.com/resource/vote-pray-and-think-christianly-about-the-election/

- Pod of the Gaps Episode 59: 'Should the Church Get Out of Politics?' https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rtyjLb9UOYtBA237OvjD1

LOVE POD OF THE GAPS? PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US ...

Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop

Episode 81 - How Should Christians Vote?

They say "you are what you read!" We read all sorts of things in life but rarely do we think all that much about reading as we struggle to keep up with the many words and authors that cross our path.

In this special episode, Andy and Aaron met up in Oxford to talk about the books they've been reading of late, and how these books relate to life, the universe, and everything. They discuss numerous things, from reading Tolkien's letters whilst walking through Magdalen College, to books by atheist comedians, to Wind in the Willows!

Somehow they still manage to talk about numerous themes relating to church, politics, secularism, beauty, culture, apologetics, and the kingdom of God. They even manage to get interrupted mid-episode by the cast of an outdoor Shakespeare play ... enjoy!

Episode 82 - What Are We Reading?

Despite the obvious anti-Christian trajectory of Western society, a growing number of influencers are beginning to see the moral and cultural benefits of Christianity. It could even be said that Christianity is becoming "cool" again! 

But is there a danger that people misunderstand Christianity by merely seeing its general moral value? Are such people merely becoming inoculated to true Christianity, ignoring the parts they don't like? How did Christian nations like Britain come about? What might it take to bring them about again? How can churches respond well to this strange cultural moment?

Join Aaron and Andy for another long-awaited episode of Pod of the Gaps!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- Justin Brierley, "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God"

- Kisin, Konstantin, "An Immigrant’s Love Letter to the West"

- "The Unravelling of the West, with Melanie Phillips", The Brendan O'Neill Show, https://bit.ly/3TELcZa

- "In Defence of Christian Britain". https://thatgoodfight.substack.com/p/in-defence-of-christian-britain

- "Christian Britain has always been imaginary". https://theconversation.com/christian-britain-has-always-been-imaginary-its-time-to-teach-children-that-28696

- "Christian preacher assaulted by Islamic mob chanting ‘Allahu Akbar...". https://christianconcern.com/ccpressreleases/christian-preacher-assaulted-by-islamic-mob-chanting-allahu-akbar-wins-10000-pay-out-after-false-arrest-at-speakers-corner/

Episode 83 - How Christian is Cultural Christianity?

Why do many historic church institutions often end up undermining the very reason they are meant to exist? There have been many movements and institutions in the history of the Church. Some last longer than others. But over time, they always become more complex, more unwieldy, more difficult to “manage”. Why do the inheritors of incredible legacies of vibrant Christian faith often act so differently from those who left the legacy itself? What is behind the desire of a leader or group to protect an institution’s traditions, processes, and reputation at the expense of their Biblical and missional principles? 

What makes Christian institutions especially prone to “ossification”? How can churches and movements ensure they don’t allow their pre-existing expectations and challenges to deceive them in how they discern the shape of their future without cutting themselves off from their past?

Join Andy and Aaron as they discuss all this and more on the latest episode of Pod of the Gaps.

RESOURCES MENTIONED ...

 V. Raymond Edman, 'They Found the Secret' (Zondervan, 1984)

PLEASE HELP POD OF THE GAPS

Pod of the Gaps needs your help to keep going! If you enjoy our adventures in culture and theology, please consider a small monthly tip to keep us recording: www.patreon.com/wkop

Episode 84 - When Church Structures Rot

Euthanasia (or "good death") often returns to the front line of political, ethical, and religious debate, most recently with the "Assisted Dying" bill brought before the British parliament. The language used to describe euthanasia (as with abortion) is often very reasonable-sounding and compassionate. But does it conceal? How does such language subtly change our response to what is really going on

What is the danger of instituting laws which change the way we view the value of human life within society? How should Christians respond to the complexities of this topic sensitively and wisely? Join Aaron and Andy once more as they dive into another vitally important topic for our times.

** SUPPORT POD OF THE GAPS HERE: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast **

SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE MENTIONED ...

Douglas Murray, 'The West’s uncivilised euthanasia policy', The Spectator, https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-wests-uncivilised-euthanasia-policy/

Kevil Yuill, 'The inhumanity of ‘assisted dying', Spiked, https://www.spiked-online.com/2024/04/03/the-inhumanity-of-assisted-dying/

Christian Medical Fellowship: https://bit.ly/3A3by0J

John Patrick: https://johnpatrick.ca

Episode 85 - Why Euthanasia Is Not Compassionate

The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, made headline news across the UK and the wider world. This itself points to the ongoing public significance of the CofE and the knock-on effects for the wider church.

Why did Welby choose to resign after pressure of public disrepute from external liberal media and government, rather than after the pressure from faithful Christians over his handling of LGBT+ issues or his support for other-religious festivals? What does this tell us about the priorities not only of his own leadership, but of the institution more broadly?

How did Welby's evangelical convictions erode during his time in office? Was the authority of Scripture subtly replaced by a vague sense of "theological reflection"? What lessons can be learned for leaders and institutions going forward regarding "reputation"?

Andy and Aaron cover all this and more in the latest episode of Pod of the Gaps.

** SUPPORT POD OF THE GAPS HERE: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast **

RESOURCES:

- Welby Resignation statement https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/statement-archbishop-canterbury-0

- Lambeth Statement on LLF https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/lambeth-palace-statement-living-love-and-faith

- 'Simpering Onto the Sexular Carpet with the Archbishop of Canterbury', Stephen McAlpine, https://stephenmcalpine.com/simpering-onto-the-sexular-carpet-with-the-archbishop-of-canterbury/

- 'How church attendance crumbled under Justin Welby' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/12/church-attendance-falls-justin-welby-archbishop-canterbury/

- 'Diwali, the Gospel, and AoC Welby' https://virtueonline.org/diwali-gospel-and-archbishop-justin-welby

Episode 86 - Justin Welby and the Decline of Church Leadership

Christmas comes but once a year, but over the years we each tend to build up a collection of favourite and not-so-favourite parts of it. In this special festive episode, Aaron and Andy each reveal their best and worst from the ghosts of Christmas past, from six categories including everything from movies to traditions to carols to evangelism, and more!

They also talk through once again why Christmas truly matters, and why and how evangelicals really should make the most of this unique time of year to be joyful, generous, and bold in proclaiming Christ and living out the message of Christmas in our lives, trappings and all.

** ENJOY POD OF THE GAPS? Why not make a 2025 resolution and support the podcast; just a small donation helps us keep making these episodes: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast **

** THINGS WE MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE **

"Have You Ever Wondered?" >> https://www.solas-cpc.org/hyew-book/

Episode 87 - The Twelve Things of Christmas

Pod of the Gaps returns for another year, kicking off with our annual New Year live-reveal of Aaron and Andy's six key challenges for the Church in the year ahead (three each!) as we seek to meet this cultural moment wisely and faithfully in light of the Word of God. As always, if you care about the direction of the Church in the challenging times ahead, you'll want to listen to this one!

Episode 88 - Six Challenges for the Church in 2025

The history of humanity is replete with examples of trailblazers able to think outside the box, disrupt existing conventions, pioneer new ways of thinking, and advance into new territory. We might think of great geniuses of the past like Thomas Edison, or perhaps the more recent technological pioneers like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. Such people have often had the ability to lead and advance with extraordinary creativity, conviction, and courage, and have achieved significant things.

Why are there now so few of these kinds of leaders in the Church? Does the pioneer's aggressive and disruptive approach to convention inevitably jar with Christian virtues like humility, love, and sacrifice? Or is it rather that we have excluded entrepreneurial courage, creativity, and confrontation from Christian values? Does our fear of the abuse of power  end up stifling the necessary freedom of pioneer leadership? 

Are we often in danger of overplaying Christ's servant-hearted qualities at the expense of his aggressive and confrontational decision-making? How might church leaders encourage more business entrepreneurs in the Church to succeed and advance the kingdom in a wholly Christlike manner?

** ENJOY POD OF THE GAPS? Why not make a 2025 resolution and support the podcast; just a small donation helps us keep making these episodes: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast **

Resources:

- Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk (2024). https://www.waterstones.com/book/elon-musk/walter-isaacson/9781398536418

- Deborah Cadbury, Chocolate Wars (2011). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chocolate-Wars-150-Year-Rivalry-Greatest/dp/1610390512

- Aaron Edwards, "Apostolic Leadership and the Spectre of Spiritual Abuse
Suspicions of Pioneer Authority as Hindrances to Pioneer Mission" Eucharisma 1 (Spring 2024). https://eucharisma.co.uk/apostolic-leadership-and-the-spectre-of-spiritual-abuse/#32990516-3f6b-4dbe-950b-82dfd2074bfc-link

Episode 89 - Entrepreneurs, Pioneers, and the Church

The advances in AI have skyrocketed, with more and more people beginning to make use of it in everyday life. In time, AI will have a monumental effect on society at virtually every level. As such, questions about the ethics and theology of artificial intelligence. are no longer speculative, but are right here on our doorstep.

How should Christians respond? What positives are there in AI? Where can it help relieve unnecessary burdens? Where are the increasing dangers too? As AI gets smarter, do we get dumber? 

How do think theologically about AI? How does sin factor into AI?  If we create AI in the image of sinful humans, are we unleashing something capable of ever greater destruction? Could AI become "self-aware" at some point? If so, how would we categorise it? Is AI capable of "good" or "bad" moral actions?

Questions truly do abound! We address many of them, and more, in this jam-packed episode of Pod of the Gaps!

**** RESOURCES MENTIONED ****

AI Tools:

* ChatGPT (from OpenAI): https://claude.ai

* Claude (from Anthropic): https://claude.ai

* Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai

* Matthew Berman, 'OpenAI's New o1 Is LYING ON PURPOSE?! (Thinking For Itself)', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlZfndaO01c

* George M. Coghill, ‘Artificial Intelligence (and Christianity): Who? What? Where? When? Why? sand How?' Studies in Christian Ethic’. Studies in Christian Ethics 36.3 (2023) 604-619 (online at https://doi.org/10.1177/09539468231169462)

* Ethan Mollick, "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI" (London: WH Allen, 2024)

* Alan M. Turing, ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence’. Mind LIX.236 (1950) 433-460

* C. R.  Wiley, 'Discerning the Spirits, Part 1: When it comes to AI, nobody's home--except you" https://crwiley.substack.com/p/discerning-the-spirits-part-1

Episode 90 - The AI Revolution: Utopia or Dystopia?

As the UK government continues to float the "Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill" through parliament, it could have a significant impact on the freedom of Christians to homeschool their children in future. While some aspects of the bill will seem like common sense, others raise red flags over government intrusiveness into families, signalling the thin end of the wedge towards effective state control over home education.

In this episode Andy and Aaron discuss numerous questions surrounding this. What right does the government have to speak into the education of your children? What is statism, and why is it especially dangerous in a secular climate? Why is bureaucracy a particular danger in education legislation? What strategies can Christians employ to challenge state incursions with both winsomeness and integrity?

** ENJOY POD OF THE GAPS? Why support the podcast; just a small donation helps us keep making these episodes: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast **

RESOURCES:

- https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3909

- https://www.homeschoolnetwork.org.uk

- Christian Home Education Support Service (CHESS) ... https://chessuk.org

- https://education.christianconcern.com/home-education/

- Anthony Forsyth, Caesar and the Church (2022). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caesar-Church-Biblical-Study-Government/dp/1934952729

- Aaron Edwards, "The Violence of Bureaucracy and the Gospel of Peace" https://brill.com/view/journals/ijpt/12/2/article-p195_4.xml

Episode 91 - Can the government tell you how to educate your children?

Today’s culture celebrates tolerance of other faiths, but for Christians, engaging neighbours of different religions while opposing what they believe can be tough. How do we do this robustly, truthfully, and lovingly? Aaron and Andy dive into this complex issue, share personal stories—including Aaron’s recent visit to Iraq—and discuss how Christians can build meaningful bridges to those of other beliefs as a pathway to Christ. Much depends, of course, on why such bridges are built—and how much we expect them to carry.

Enjoy Pod of the Gaps? Help us keep the show going ... https://patreon.com/wkop

The book Aaron mentioned:

Austen Henry  Layard, "Nineveh and its remains" - online at https://archive.org/details/ninevehanditsre03layagoog

Episode 92 - How Should Christians Engage With Other Religions?

What’s so special about the Sabbath? Many modern Christians don’t quite know what to do with it, and often end up practising elements of it inconsistently—or avoiding it altogether. But whatever we do (or don’t do) will have wider consequences somewhere down the line.

Should Christians keep a day dedicated to rest “unto the Lord”? What does that look like? Where does modern Sabbath-keeping (or Sabbath avoidance) go wrong? What are the wider societal implications of Sabbath-keeping within a nation? And how can families and churches navigate the challenge of hectic, chaotic work schedules—and show the world a different way, rooted in peace and faith in the Lord?

Andy and Aaron dig into these questions, reflect on some of their recent travels (some more “Sabbath-like” than others!), and explore what a thoughtful approach to Sabbath might look like today.

And get your Pod of the Gaps mug here — https://www.etsy.com/shop/CaitsCraftyCornerUK — courtesy of Andy's 12 year-old-daughter, Caitriona! Every mug bought helps keep Pod of the Gaps going :-)

Episode 93 - Does the Sabbath Still Matter?

When it comes to evangelism, a surprising number of Christians find themselves fearful, lethargic, confused, and out of their depth. We can find it hard to make clear connections to the Gospel, or to see the light of Christian truth in relation to the everyday interests of strangers and neighbours alike. 

Is this due primarily to a lack of conversational wisdom or a lack of spiritual boldness? Andy and Aaron both spoke on the different sides of this "coin" at the 2025 Cedarwood Festival. They reflect here that what may appear to be opposing perspectives can actually be complementary, challenging us to overcome cowardice whilst making the best use of our witness, ever mindful of what God can do even in the midst of our most feeble efforts.

Get your Pod of the Gaps mug designed by Andy's daughter here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CaitsCraftyCornerUK

Support Pod of the Gaps here: https://soundcloud.com/wkop-podcast

Episode 94 - Evangelism: Building Bridges or Breaking Barriers?

In this first pilot episode, Aaron, Andy, and Michael explore one of the big questions raised by the COVID lockdown — what *is* church? Is it the kind of thing that can happen online, or is there an essential "in person" element? And what have been the challenges (and opportunities) for the Church in the pandemic?

This is a listener-supported podcast. If you enjoy the show and would like us to keep making these episodes, please consider supporting us @ www.patreon.com/wkop

Find links to Apple iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast providers on our home page at http://bit.ly/podofthegaps

Episode 1 — Is Online Church Really Church?

In this second episode, Aaron, Andy, and Michael explore another massive  question raised by the COVID lockdown — how do the Church and State relate? Can the State tell the Church what to do? Is Romans 13 the sum total of what the Bible has to say about how Christians should relate to their government? How do we know when the State has crossed a line and the Church should say "this far and no further?"

This is a listener-supported podcast. If you enjoy the show and would like us to keep making these episodes, please consider supporting us @ www.patreon.com/wkop

Find links to Apple iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast providers on our home page at http://bit.ly/podofthegaps

Episode 2 - Can the Church Resist the State?

An occasional podcast featuring Aaron Edwards and Andy Bannister. Each episode sees the two friends take a contemporary issue in culture and explore it from a Christian perspective.

Featuring banter, philosophy, culture, theology, bad jokes, apologetics, and more — the podcast aims to help Christians think wisely about the challenges of living in the 21st century.

=========================================

Theological and Political Disclaimer 

The content of this podcast does not represent the views of any institutions, colleges, networks, churches, or secret government organisations with which we are affiliated or employed."

Pod of the Gaps

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks