Ep 2.7: Can You Be a Christian Without Believing in Miracles?

Ep 2.7: Can You Be a Christian Without Believing in Miracles?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354641/fan_mail/new] Do Christians have to believe that the miracle stories in the Bible literally happened in order to be faithful followers of Jesus?  In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Randolph explores one of the most challenging questions at the intersection of science and faith. Drawing on biblical scholarship, theology, and his own spiritual journey, Richard argues that Christians can remain deeply committed Christians, while understanding the miracle stories as profound expressions of spiritual truth rather than literal suspensions of the laws of nature.  Along the way, he examines miracle traditions from several of the world's religions, considers the historical work of Elaine Pagels, reflects on the theology of physicist-priest John Polkinghorne, and explains why he believes the Resurrection belongs in a fundamentally different category than the other miracle stories found in Scripture.  Whether you agree or disagree with Richard's conclusions, this episode invites listeners to think more deeply about what miracle stories were intended to communicate—and why they continue to matter today.    In this episode you'll discover:  * That miracle stories appear in virtually every major religious tradition.  * Why Richard no longer interprets biblical miracles literally.  * Why he believes science and authentic Christian faith need not be in conflict.  * How trust in God shapes his understanding of Divine Action.  * Elaine Pagels' historical insights into miracle stories in the ancient world.  * Why the Resurrection is fundamentally different from other biblical miracle stories.  * Insights into miracle stories from John Polkinghorne and John Dominic Crossan   * How miracle stories may become even more spiritually powerful when we read metaphorically, rather than literally.  * A moving reflection from physicist and theologian Robert (Bob) Russell on praying for a healing miracle during his battle with prostate cancer.  * The Buddhist insight that the greatest miracle is the transformation of human consciousness—and how Christianity expresses a similar vision of transformed life.    Books and Authors Mentioned  * Elaine Pagels, Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus (2025)  * John Polkinghorne, "The Credibility of the Miraculous" (Zygon)  * John Dominic Crossan (quoted in Miracles and Wonder)    Additional Reflections from Richard Randolph on the Resurrection  * Podcast Episode 2.3: “Science and Resurrection”  * Substack Reflection on “Science and Resurrection,” available at https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]     Connect with Science and Spirituality   Website: https://www.scienceandspirituality.org [https://www.scienceandspirituality.org/]    Support the Podcast: https://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [https://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]    Email Richard: richard@scienceandspirituality.org [richard@scienceandspirituality.org]  To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]   To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]

Ep 2.6: What Is Embodied Spirituality? A Conversation with Shelly Petz

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354641/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Science and Spirituality for the Curious, I explore an important question: What happens when we integrate our spiritual lives with our physical lives, rather than treating them as separate dimensions of human existence? My guest is Rev. Dr. Shelly Petz, author of Meet You at Nine [https://www.amazon.com/Meet-You-Nine-Shelly-Petz/dp/B0GW8TXPG9/], which is available for purchase at Amazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/Meet-You-Nine-Shelly-Petz/dp/B0GW8TXPG9/]. Shelly’s new book chronicles her journey into embodied spirituality. Through years of prayer, ministry, and personal reflection, Shelly has discovered a specific prayer practice that engages not only the mind and spirit, but also the body. Our conversation begins with Shelly's own spiritual journey. Although she originally expected to pursue a career in medicine like her father and grandfather, a profound experience while hiking led her in a different direction. Ultimately this new direction led into ordained ministry. Along the way, Shelly developed a deeper understanding of prayer—not as a way of informing God about our needs, but as an invitation to align ourselves with God's presence and purposes. A turning point in Shelly's spiritual life came when she sensed an invitation from God to meet each day at 9:00 a.m. What began as a daily commitment to prayer, gradually evolved into a practice she calls circle prayer. Inspired in part by Mark Batterson's book The Circle Maker [https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Maker-Praying-Circles-Greatest/dp/0310346916/] and the ancient story of Honi the Circle Maker, Shelly began walking and driving in intentional circles while praying for her family, congregation, community, and others. As Shelly explains in our conversation, this practice transformed the way she sees the world. Circle prayer helped her slow down, become more attentive to the people and places around her, and recognize opportunities for human connection that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. One of the most intriguing aspects of our discussion is Shelly's conviction that God is always ready to meet us. The barriers that prevent us from experiencing God's presence are not God's barriers, but our own. Through her practice of circle prayer, Shelly has learned to become more attentive to that ever-present invitation from God. During our conversation, Shelly also shared practical examples of how circle prayer can deepen one's spiritual life, and she demonstrated the practice of circle prayer for listeners of this episode. Whether you are curious about prayer, interested in spiritual practices, or simply looking for new ways to integrate the physical and spiritual dimensions of life, I think you'll find this conversation both thought-provoking and inspiring. To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]   To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]

Ep 2.5: Review of ‘The Story of Everything’ Film

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354641/fan_mail/new] This episode features a panel discussion and review of the controversial new film, The Story of Everything.  Philosopher of science Stephen Meyer is the screenwriter, and he draws heavily from his book, Return of the God Hypothesis.  The film was directed by Eric Esau.  It has had a limited release in U.S. theaters through Fathom Entertainment.     Panelists explored these questions:  1. Were there moments in the film that created a sense of wonder and awe for you?  2. Does the film raise new questions for you?  3. What were the film’s strengths and weaknesses?  4. Would you recommend this film to your friends and acquaintances?    Important Links:  * Science and Spirituality website:  www.scienceandspirituality.org [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/]  * Richard Randolph’s Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]  * The Story of Everything trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwL3ZKlwEoc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwL3ZKlwEoc]   * Stephen Meyer, Return of the God Hypothesis, HarperOne, 2021  To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]   To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]

Ep 2.4: What Indigenous Traditions Can Teach Other Spiritualities

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354641/fan_mail/new] Richard Randolph has a fascinating discussion with John Grim, a historian of religions focusing on Indigenous Traditions. During their conversation, John shares his experiences learning from indigenous peoples, including being adopted by Crow people from Montana and invited to participate in their Sun Dance ceremonials. He reflects on what people from other faiths and spiritualities can learn from Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. Links: * To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support] * Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com] * John Grim is Co-Director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, for more information go to https://fore.yale.edu/ [https://fore.yale.edu/]; the Yale Forum current “Living Earth Community” can be found here, https://livingearthcommunity.com/ [https://livingearthcommunity.com/] Suggestions for Further Reading John Grim, The Shaman: Patterns of Religious Healing Among the Ojibway Indians, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988. John Grim, editor, Indigenous Traditions and Ecology: The Interbeing of Cosmology and Community, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Divinity School Center for the Study of World Religions, 2001. Robin Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed, 2013. N Scott Momaday, House Made of Dawn Louise Erdrich, Love Medicine Leslie Harmon Silko, Ceremony James Welch, Winter in the Blood Janet Campbell Hale, The Jailing of Cecilia Capture Susan Power, The Grass Dancer Eddie Chocolate, Cheyenne Madonna Gerald Vizenor, Bearheart Rebecca Roanhorse, Black Sun Joy Harjo (poet), An American Sunrise Linda Hogan (poet and novelist), A History of Kindness Simon Ortiz (poet), From Sand Creek John G. Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]   To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]

Ep 2.3: Can Science Explain the Resurrection? A Conversation with Robert Russell

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2354641/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Richard examines one of the most profound questions in the Christian faith:  Can science explain—or prove—the Resurrection?  Drawing on conversation with physicist-theologian Robert Russell, this episode explores whether scientific cosmology can inform—and deepen—our understanding of resurrection.   Contents 1. This episode begins by noting that there has always been doubt about the Resurrection, going all the way back to Jesus’ disciples.  The disciple Thomas earned the nickname, “doubting Thomas,” because he initially doubted the Resurrection of Christ, while the Gospel of Matthew records that some disciples worshipped the risen Messiah, while “others doubted,”  Later, in 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul asserts that the Resurrection is central to the Christian faith. 2. Robert Russell believes that the Resurrection must be viewed within the context of God’s work as Creator.  He suggests that God’s work as Creator takes on three different forms.  The third form of God’s creative active occurs at the End-Times, when God renews and heals existing creation, rather than replacing it.  This is the “New Creation” described in the Book of Revelation 21, “Behold, I am making all things new.”   3. Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter morning is a promissory note, confirming the resurrection as part of God’s plan for the New Creation at the End-Times. 4. The New Creation is both continuous and dis-continuous with reality as we currently experience it.  On the one hand, the New Creation will be dis-continuous with present reality.  For example, the Resurrection currently appears to be in direct conflict with the laws of nature.  However, scientific cosmology allows for the possibility that the laws of nature as we know them are not set in stone.  One possibility in scientific cosmology is that there is not one, single universe.  Rather, there are multiple universes, creating a “multiverse.”  These different universes could have radically different laws of nature.  This suggests that the laws of nature could be transformed in the New Creation, so that Resurrection would no longer violate them.  Instead, resurrection would be a consistent with those different laws of nature. 5. On the other hand, in some ways, the New Creation would be continuous with reality as we know it.  An example of continuity would be that our personal identity continues in the New Creation.   6. Since Robert Russell situates the New Creation within the overarching creative framework of God, it has been part of God’s creative plan all along.  That is to say, the New Creation is not an afterthought—nor a corrective for some mistake.  It has been part of God’s intention from the beginning. 7. To conclude, while science cannot “explain” the Resurrection, science does not rule out the possibility of resurrection, either.  What science can do is suggest potential frameworks that may make resurrection more intelligible to persons of faith.  To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support [http://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support]   To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com [https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/]