PODCAST

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

Nathan Jacobs

A philosophy podcast exploring the issues of today.

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

01:21:10

The Modern Religious Debate Lost Its Audience

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/02/12

In this episode, Dr. Nathan Jacobs explores the rise of the religiously unaffiliated, a group that has grown dramatically over the past two decades. Drawing from his research, interviews, and the documentary, Becoming Truly Human, he examines the beliefs, intuitions, and spiritual instincts that shape this rapidly expanding demographic.Far from simple atheism, the world of the “nones” is complex, morally serious, and often deeply spiritual. This lecture begins a three-part series unpacking who they

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01:53:57

Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God?

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/02/05

What do we mean when we say "God"? This week’s episode is part 2 of tracing the concept from ancient pagan philosophy through Plato and Aristotle to uncover how modern assumptions about God emerged—and why many of them are far from obvious. This sets the stage for exploring deeper East–West differences in how God, goodness, and divine knowledge are understood. Part 1 is recapped in the first 10 minutes. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/soThpk45aI0Listen to part 1: Defining

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01:03:33

Defining "God" | The Evolution of a Word

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/01/29

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com In this week's episode, Dr. Jacobs looks at how the term "God" has evolved throughout Western intellectual history, from ancient Platonism through medieval scholasticism to contemporary religious pluralism. He walks through the development of divine simplicity and perfect being theology in Latin Christianity, showing how Augustine's engagement with Neoplatonism and the scholastic tradition that followed

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01:52:25

Did Greek Philosophy Corrupt Christianity? On Greek,...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/01/22

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Today, Dr. Jacobs tackles the common objection: Was ancient Christianity infiltrated by Greek philosophy, such that it required a reformation or restoration? The answer is a resounding no. Follow Dr. Jacobs as he tracks the history through Old and New Testaments, German Idealism, and of course, a little realism and nominalism dusted on top for good measure. All the links: Substack:

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02:07:59

That Trinity Analogy is Heresy | Nicene...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/01/15

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Dr. Jacobs delivers a lecture on Nicene Trinitarianism, examining the metaphysical foundations established by the Cappadocian Fathers at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople. He explains the Greek terms ousia and hypostasis, addresses common analogies and heresies, and clarifies the eternal generation of the Son and procession of the Spirit. Jacobs contrasts the Eastern approach with Western developments in Augustine

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01:56:47

Has Science Disproved Free Will? | A Conversation...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Enroll in Dr. Joiner’s class: https://myprofer.com/coursesContribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Dr. James Joiner joins us again to take a hard look at the scientific studies claiming to disprove free will and asks whether they actually hold up under scrutiny. He and Dr. Jacobs will walk through the various science experiments and their interpretations, pointing out the methodological problems and conceptual missteps that weaken determinist arguments. All the

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01:33:46

Free Will & Moral Responsibility | A Conversation...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2026/01/01

Enroll in Dr. Joiner’s class: https://myprofer.com/coursesContribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Dr. James Joiner discusses libertarian free will, contrasting it with compatibilist and determinist positions through the lens of patristic theology and developmental psychology. The conversation examines Gregory of Nyssa's theological anthropology, the concept of synergistic cooperation in theosis, and cross-cultural evidence for the universality of free choice

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01:58:02

How the Devil Tried to Steal Christmas | The True...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/12/18

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutYou're to be familiar with the popularized details of the Mary and Nativity stories—the manger, the shepherds, the star. But this week, Dr. Jacobs takes you beyond the familiar Sunday school narrative to explore the robust early Christian tradition

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01:31:02

The Cosmic Longing of Christmas | All Creation Groans

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/12/11

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis episode explores the Eastern patristic understanding of Christmas through the doctrines of divine energies, synergy, and man as microcosm. Drawing on Aristotle, Philo of Alexandria, and Church Fathers like Athanasius, the discussion examines why all

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00:01:07

The Christian East & West Divide

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/12/08

Support the making of this series.

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01:10:28

Entertaining Angels | Tales of Christian Hospitality

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/12/04

Contribute to the East West Lecture Series fundraiser: theeastwestseries.com Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkouthttps://www.keipirestaurant.org/first-things-foundationDr. Jacobs delivers a talk on hospitality in the ancient world, exploring three stories: Abraham entertaining angels, John Cassian learning from Egyptian monks, and Abba Agathon's encounter with a divine

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01:42:23

The Realism of Symbology | A Conversation with...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/11/25

Back the East West Lecture Series: theeastwestseries.com Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutDr. Jacobs is joined by guest Jonathan Pageau for an in-depth discussion on the nature of symbolic thinking and philosophical realism. They explore how symbols function in reality, the relationship between ancient worldviews and modern nominalism, and the distinction between

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01:24:53

The Lived Philosophy of Early Christianity | The Last...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/11/20

Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis is part three of our three-part series on the seven ecumenical councils, focusing on the philosophical commitments embedded in the final five councils from Ephesus to Nicaea II. We examine the Nestorian controversy and Cyril of Alexandria's defense of moderate realism, the doctrine of complex natures, and the distinction between

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02:08:00

The True Christian Philosophy | The Metaphysics of...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/11/13

Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis is part two of a three-part series examining the philosophical commitments embedded in the seven ecumenical councils of early Christianity. In this episode, Dr. Jacobs explores the metaphysical foundations of Nicene and Constantinopolitan theology, including hyalomorphism, moderate realism, the doctrine of the hypostasis, and the

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01:36:02

The Question Behind the Seven Ecumenical Councils |...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/10/30

Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis week we’re taking a look at the seven ecumenical councils of the early Christian church, from Nicaea (325 AD) to Nicaea II (787 AD). Dr. Jacobs traces how each council addressed Christological controversies while establishing foundational theological and philosophical positions. Topics include Trinitarian theology, the nature of

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01:09:06

A Postscript on Slavery & Genocide | From Mosaic Law...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/10/23

Join Jacobs Premium: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membershipThe book club (use code LEWIS): https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkoutThis episode concludes a four-part series examining slavery, polygamy, and genocide in biblical texts. The discussion addresses remaining questions about the moral gap between Mosaic law and early Christian teaching, arguing that Scripture reflects a progressive moral pedagogy rather than an immediate ideal. The framework employs natural

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01:57:43

The Problem of Hell

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/10/16

Join Jacobs PremiumJoin the book club (use code LEWIS)This week Dr. Jacobs tackles the Eastern Orthodox perspectives on hell, divine providence, and human nature at Northern Arizona University. This conversation explores how Eastern patristic theology differs from Western Christianity on topics including original sin, the fall of man, Christ's descent into Hades, and the possibility of universal salvation. Jacobs traces his journey from philosophical opposition to Christianity through his

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01:42:04

When God Commands Death | Can Genocide Be Justified?

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/10/09

Join Dr. Jacobs’ membership for all kinds of perks and access: thenathanjacobspodcast.com/membership (use code LEWIS for a discount on the Fellows tier!) Today Dr. Jacobs takes a look at the challenge of genocide in the Old Testament, particularly the commanded extermination of the Amalekites and Canaanites. We’ll critique divine command theory from a realist metaphysical framework and explores how Eastern patristic theology understood divine providence, justice, and redemption in relation to these

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01:34:55

The Polygamy Question | Immoralities in the Bible

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/10/02

This episode examines the moral case against polygamy from a natural law and Eastern Orthodox perspective, then addresses why polygamous practices appear in the Old Testament. Dr. Jacobs distinguishes between biological and psychological dimensions of sexual ethics, critiques Thomistic approaches for neglecting reason's role in human sexuality, and argues that ancient Near Eastern circumstances created conditions where polygamy functioned as a lesser evil tolerated but never endorsed by God. The

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01:19:13

Is Slavery Morally Wrong? Immoralities in the Bible?...

The Nathan Jacobs Podcast ·

2025/09/25

Enroll for Jacobs Premium Fellows (book club) <<use code LEWIS at checkout for the founder’s discount!>>: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/aLohje7p/checkout Enroll for Jacobs Premium Scholars: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/CC4Z229F/checkoutEnroll for Jacobs Premium Supporters: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/offers/HPjzX2Lk/checkoutThis episode examines the biblical problem of slavery through a natural law framework, distinguishing between immoral

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The Nathan Jacobs Podcast

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