WesWorld - An Asbury Seminary Podcast

Are We Worse Than the Devil | WesWorld Podcast Ep. 11

Are human beings fundamentally good—or completely sinful? In this episode of WesWorld, Dr. David Watson, Dr. Scott Kisker and Dr. Tesia Mallory tackle one of the most important questions in Christianity: 👉 What does it mean to be human? This deep dive into theological anthropology explores: *The difference between being created good vs. being morally fallen *Sin, grace, and the image of God *What John Wesley really taught about human nature *Why this matters for issues like: -Human dignity -Assisted suicide -Gender identity -Transhumanism The conversation also addresses a recent theological debate about whether humans are “fundamentally good” and clarifies the Wesleyan view of total depravity and prevenient grace. If you're wrestling with questions about identity, sin, salvation, or modern culture, this episode gives a thoughtful, biblically grounded framework. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction & controversy overview 2:00 What is theological anthropology? 5:00 Are humans created good? (Genesis 1) 10:00 Moral goodness vs ontological goodness 12:00 John Wesley on sin and depravity 20:00 The image of God—lost or marred? 27:00 Human dignity and ethical implications 30:00 Nietzsche and modern secular culture 37:00 Identity, sexuality, and moral order 41:00 Transhumanism and redefining humanity 45:00 Hope, revival, and the Holy Spirit MENTIONS Responsible Grace — Randy Maddox The Desecration of Man — Carl Truman Three Worlds of Evangelicalism — Aaron Renn ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Protestant History with Scott Kisker | WesWorld Podcast Ep.10

Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson tackle a deceptively simple question: Why are we Protestants? The conversation explores Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and Protestant traditions, engaging topics such as papal infallibility, the Magisterium, Marian doctrines, purgatory, the Eucharist, beauty and aesthetics, ecclesial authority, and the legacy of the Protestant Reformation. Along the way, the hosts reflect on John Wesley’s theology, Methodist holiness, class and band meetings, accountability, sanctification, and the formation practices that once made Methodism a compelling spiritual movement. They contrast these practices with modern consumer Christianity and ask whether Methodism can recover the depth, discipline, and doctrinal clarity needed to speak persuasively to younger generations. MENTIONS * The Early Methodist Class Meeting: Its Origins and Significance — David Lowes Watson * Why I Am Protestant — Beth Felker Jones ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS * Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts * Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.   #WesWorldPodcast #AsburySeminary #WesleyanTheology #Christian

Was Constantine Really That Bad? | WesWorld Podcast Ep.9

In this episode of WesWorld, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson examine the figure of Constantine, the legalization of Christianity, and the long‑term theological and political consequences of church‑empire entanglement. The hosts explore the persecution of early Christians, the Council of Nicaea, the development of Trinitarian doctrine, and modern critiques of “Constantinianism.” Along the way, they address common misconceptions such as the claim that Constantine invented Christian orthodoxy and consider why doctrinal debates mattered deeply for salvation, worship, and the character of God. The conversation draws on early church history, Wesleyan theology, and political theology to probe how Christian faith relates to power, governance, and public witness past and present. MENTIONS The Road to Nicaea - Podcast (Ben Wyatt) https://roadtonicaea.com/ The Ancients (History Focus series) https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients The Desire of the Nations — Oliver O’Donovan https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/desire-of-the-nations/8CC8CEB4F43E5A57C4A07C93C7142559 ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS:  Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #WesWorldPodcast #Christian #Faith #AsburySeminary #Church #Theology

Higher Levels, New Devils | WesWorld Podcast Ep.8

In this episode of WesWorld, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson take up a sobering but necessary conversation about leadership failure, spiritual gifting, and accountability in the Church. Prompted by recent high‑profile scandals, the hosts step beyond breaking news to examine the deeper, recurring dynamics that make such failures possible and, at times, predictable. The discussion explores the assumption that platform, gifting, or spiritual power equals maturity, challenging the idea that visibility reflects faithfulness. Drawing on examples from across the charismatic, evangelical, and institutional church worlds, the hosts wrestle with questions of prophetic ministry, manipulation, discernment, and the difference between spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts. Thoughtful, candid, and pastoral, this episode calls leaders and churches alike to recover practices that prioritize character over charisma and faithfulness over fame. MENTIONS The Roys Report (Julie Roys) - https://roysreport.com/ [https://roysreport.com/] Jack Deere: My Desire for Power Enabled Paul Cain’s Manipulation (Article) - https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/jack-deere-my-desire-for-power-enabled [https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/jack-deere-my-desire-for-power-enabled] ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS * Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts [https://asbury.to/podcasts] * Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ [https://asburyseminary.edu/] Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #WesWorldPodcast #Christian #Faith #AsburySeminary #Church #ChristianFormation

Old Heresies Never Die | WesWorld Podcast Ep.7

In this lively and theologically charged episode, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson tackle the reappearance of ancient heresies in modern form, focusing especially on a renewed interest in Marcionism. Using the recent promotion of the so-called “True Testament” as a case study, the hosts examine why ideas the Church rejected nearly two thousand years ago continue to surface with fresh marketing and digital reach. Along the way, the hosts show why doctrines are not arbitrary rules but life-giving truths with real implications for how Christians understand Scripture, salvation, the incarnation, judgment, love, and human freedom. ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS • Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts  • Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary  • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only. #AsburySeminary #WesWorld #theology