The hottest Theology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

'The dubia' and dental discernment

The Pillar • 884 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. October offers a rich collection of saints and Catholic history for celebration.
  2. God calls us to a demanding path of holiness, starting with prayer and attending Mass.
  3. The recent discussions in the Church highlight the importance of adhering to Church doctrine for pastoral discernment.

This Broken World Is Holy

Reactionary Feminist • 56 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Belief in inevitable, secular progress has eroded as repeated crises show that things don’t automatically get better.
  2. The Christian story offers a different hope: it says the world is broken but despair is wrong because ultimate redemption isn’t promised to this life alone.
  3. Christmas reminds us that the broken world is made holy by the incarnation, so we should hold onto hope and care for this world even amid scarcity and decline.

‘Isä Raimo’ - The bishop casting deep in frozen Finland

The Pillar • 314 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Helsinki experienced extremely cold temperatures but saw a slight increase in the weather.
  2. The Diocese of Helsinki welcomed a new bishop after a period of vacancy, covering all of Finland.
  3. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola is actively involved in various projects to strengthen the Catholic Church in Finland, such as establishing a theological school, Catholic school, and enhancing digital evangelization.

The Vagabond King

The Abbey of Misrule • 657 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Christianity and modern civilization often clash. Many argue they can't be reconciled because current society prioritizes wealth, power, and politics over Christ's teachings.
  2. Living a Christ-like life means focusing on love, humility, and caring for the poor, rather than seeking worldly power or material success.
  3. True change comes from within communities through genuine faith and action, not through top-down coercive efforts to build a 'Christian civilization'.
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Agnostics Of Every Faith But One

Gideon's Substack • 23 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. A person can sincerely commit to their own religion without having to declare every other religion false, and it's reasonable to remain agnostic about what other faiths truly mean.
  2. Saying all religions point to the same ultimate truth may be well intentioned but can be presumptuous, so it's more respectful to admit the limits of your knowledge about other traditions.
  3. A posture of humble agnosticism toward other faiths is both virtuous and practical: it avoids unjust condemnation or endorsement while still allowing cautious judgment when specific issues require it.

"You Sit on a Throne of Lies"

Investing 101 • 41 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Stories have real power to shape who we are, so choose and tell them carefully because they teach values and give life meaning.
  2. Myths like Santa can help teach goodness, but when kids find out they were deceived it can create cynicism, so clearly separate playful allegory from factual truth to keep trust.
  3. Don’t give up on finding truth — investigate beliefs and hold nuanced convictions rather than assuming everything is false or picking comforting lies, because real faith or truth gives lasting meaning.

Gnosticism: Inversions

Secretum Secretorum • 606 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. Gnosticism focuses on seeking knowledge and self-discovery, rather than blind faith. It believes understanding who we are and where we come from is the key to spiritual liberation.
  2. Gnostics had a very different view of traditional figures, often seeing them in an oppositional light. They believed that the mainstream teachings were a form of deception and celebrated figures like the serpent or Judas as misunderstood heroes, emphasizing personal experience over established doctrine.
  3. Many Gnostic teachings involved breaking away from societal norms and moral restrictions. This led to controversial practices and beliefs about liberation being found through transgressions against established moral codes, although the full reality of these practices is still debated among scholars.

What's Your Theology of AI?

What Is Called Thinking? • 40 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Many people are optimistic about AI, but academics and religious communities tend to be more cautious or skeptical.
  2. Framing AI theologically can help faith communities address its moral, spiritual, and educational implications.
  3. Jewish educators are being invited to consider and develop a distinct theology of AI to guide teaching and community conversation.

Optimistic Reports on God and the Soul

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The discussion on consciousness has shifted towards panpsychism as a middle ground between materialism and dualism.
  2. There is a resurgence in interest in dualism and theism as explanatory options for minds and the cosmos.
  3. Recent works defend substance dualism and point to the ongoing decline of interest in physicalism, emphasizing the importance of souls and God in understanding consciousness and the universe.

The Probability of God

Fake Noûs • 200 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The existence of God is debated, especially around traditional views of a perfect being like an all-knowing, all-powerful entity. Many people question if such a being can even exist at all.
  2. There are arguments that challenge the idea of an all-powerful God, like how can someone be truly powerful if they can’t do everything or know everything. This raises doubts about the traditional definition of God.
  3. Determining how likely it is that God exists is tricky. People often struggle to assign initial probabilities to such beliefs before looking at evidence.

Answers to Job

Bentham's Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. God's response to Job highlights the limitations of human knowledge and the complexity of theodicy.
  2. The argument discusses the idea that the sufferings and evils in the world might be outweighed by unknown afterlife goods.
  3. The dialogue challenges the notion that each evil in the world can be interpreted as evidence of an indifferent universe, emphasizing the presence of identity-affecting actions.

God's an Infinity, Not a Trinity

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The Love Argument for the Trinity suggests that God's triune nature can be logically supported by the concept of perfect love, which would require more than one divine person.
  2. The Love Argument overlooks the idea of love for large groups, like football teams or countries, which could indicate the need for an infinite number of divine persons in God's being.
  3. Considering the Love Argument, it may make more sense to view God as an Infinity of divine persons rather than strictly a Trinity, as the concept of love can extend beyond three persons.

Negative Space, Positive Possibilities

Gideon's Substack • 28 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The State of Israel should be seen as opening possibilities rather than as a guaranteed sign of messianic redemption; it might be the start of something holy, but that is a hope not a certainty.
  2. Collective religious life and shared liturgy matter even when individual belief is partial, because prayer can bind a community and express hopeful uncertainty instead of dogmatic surety.
  3. Many political futures for the land are possible and none automatically has God’s blessing; practical, ethical human decisions and institutions must make the case for legitimacy and justice.

Christianity and Liberalism

Restoring Truth • 117 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Theological liberalism distorts the true message of Christianity by replacing biblical truth with inclusivity and social justice.
  2. J. Gresham Machen's book, 'Christianity and Liberalism,' from 100 years ago still resonates today in its timeless critique of theological decay.
  3. It's crucial for believers to hold fast to sound theology and not be swayed by trendy or compromised interpretations of the Christian faith.

Woe Should We Do?

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1063 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. The author wants feedback on what motivates readers to engage with the blog.
  2. Various deep topics have been explored in the blog, including book reviews, epistemology, economics, and more.
  3. The blog has provided valuable content, but the author seeks input on potential new topics to cover.

1700 Years of Lent: One Protestant’s Perspective on the Value of Lenten Observance

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Lent emerged in church history after the Council of Nicaea as a 40-day preparation for Easter, but Reformers had varying views on its value and practice.
  2. Even though Lent is not in Scripture, it can still be spiritually enriching if approached in line with biblical principles.
  3. Observing Lent can be formative in one's walk with Christ by taking on devotional practices and focusing on aspects like scriptural reading, thematically relevant passages, and journaling.

Inside Out

Reactionary Feminist • 19 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
📚 Literature Theology
  1. Working on a book takes longer stretches of focused time. It's hard to get things flowing if the work is done in short bursts.
  2. The author plans to take breaks from regular updates to dedicate uninterrupted time to writing. This will help produce higher quality content.
  3. The reading list includes works that connect critical theory and theology. These topics are being explored together to deepen the understanding of identity and modern challenges.

The Theology of the Hypsistarian Church

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 746 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The Hypsistarian Church focused on monotheistic beliefs in a deity known as God Most High.
  2. Plutarch's writings provide insights into the theological beliefs and practices of the Hypsistarians, drawing connections to ancient monotheistic traditions.
  3. Ancient prayers and inscriptions reveal the reverence and worship of God Most High as the eternal, just, and wise creator of the cosmos.

The Fieriest Problem for Eternal Hell

Going Awol • 139 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Some people believe in the concept of eternal hell, where individuals are retributively punished for their earthly wrongdoings and can never leave.
  2. The 'Strong View of Hell' argues that sins against a being of infinite dignity, like God, deserve infinite punishment, leading to the belief that even small sins warrant infinite consequences.
  3. Critics of the Strong View of Hell point out logical inconsistencies, such as the problem of infinitely punishing individuals for finite wrongs and the moral implications of such eternal retribution.

Theism and Privacy

Going Awol • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Some people are anti-theists who actively hope there is no God due to concerns about privacy being compromised if God knows everything about everyone.
  2. The belief that God's existence could lead to privacy violations is argued against by the idea that God, if morally good, would not misuse private information and could use it to benefit individuals.
  3. The discussion around privacy and theism raises questions about whether privacy violations are inherently bad and if a desire for total privacy, even from God, is rational.

Is God Off-duty?

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 171 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. God's presence can feel distant, especially in tough times. Many people struggle to understand why bad things happen when God is supposed to be watching over us.
  2. Faith can be challenging when people see injustice in the world. It leads to doubts about whether God is really in control or even paying attention.
  3. It's okay to question and express doubts about God. Many believers go through phases of uncertainty, which is a normal part of their spiritual journey.

Reincarnation Sounds Awesome

Polymathic Being • 61 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Reincarnation offers a chance to learn and grow through different lives. It can help us see challenges as opportunities for personal development.
  2. The idea of reincarnation reshapes how we view our existence, suggesting that life isn't just about a single chance but a continuous journey of improvement.
  3. Many religions aim to inspire people to become better individuals, and reincarnation aligns with this goal by giving us multiple opportunities to learn from our experiences.

The Second Coming as Inner Event

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Western civilization feels stalled and regressive because postmodern relativism has been weaponized by authoritarian figures and AI, creating a deep crisis of truth and legitimacy.
  2. The 'Second Coming' or messianic idea is best understood as an inner, spiritual event—an awakening of the higher self or Christ-being within each person—rather than a literal external apocalypse or political spectacle.
  3. Meaningful renewal depends on reviving public political life and deep intellectual cultivation. It also requires steady inner ethical work—learning to think clearly, resist outrage and othering, and let the inner messianic impulse guide action instead of relying on strongmen or technological fixes.

A Brief Interlude on the Biblical Tamar

Gideon's Substack • 11 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Tamar uses a bed-trick disguise to secure her rights and lineage, producing Judah’s signet ring, staff, and cord as proof and ensuring her place in the family line that leads to King David.
  2. Turning folktale plots into psychologically realistic drama changes the tone and can make audiences uncomfortable, as a confident trickster differs from a believable, anguished character who is forced into that role.
  3. The deeper ambition in stories like Tamar’s and Helen’s is not just marriage or offspring but the desire to claim agency and become the protagonist of one’s own story, a motive emphasized by later retellings.

The One Unforgivable Sin

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 13 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. In Christianity, all sins can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is an unforgivable sin leading to eternal damnation.
  2. Understanding the relative importance of different goals is vital for making informed decisions and avoiding failure.
  3. Love the whole world recklessly, treat everything as holy until proven otherwise, and be open to learning from diverse experiences.

Pious Cunning Edition

As Ever • 7 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The psalm pairs loud anxiety and impatience with deep, steady trust, showing how one can plead boldly with God while still hoping for help.
  2. Midcentury psalmody work aimed to mirror Hebrew accentual rhythm in modern languages, creating singable English translations that fit liturgical use.
  3. Darkness, hiddenness, and suffering are cast as occasions for faith and clearer seeing, with art and scripture helping turn anxiety into insight and praise.

Defending the Trinity

What Is Called Thinking? • 56 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Memory, imagination, and identity shape how we experience time. They show us that our past influences our present actions and future hopes.
  2. Understanding ourselves and the world is a journey through our relationships and experiences. We are like bridges between our inherited meanings and our future choices.
  3. Philosophers like Augustine and Heidegger teach us that our identity is not fixed. It evolves as we navigate time and interpret our lives, making each moment meaningful.

The Meaning of Christmas (w/ Rev. Munther Isaac) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 122 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The story of Christmas is deeply rooted in struggle and oppression. For those in Palestine, the themes of refugees and tyranny resonate strongly with the Christmas narrative.
  2. Everyone should be seen as a neighbor, and we must show compassion to all, not just those who are like us. The message of the Good Samaritan challenges us to break down the barriers we create.
  3. Christianity calls for solidarity with the oppressed. Faith should inspire action to support human rights and justice rather than maintaining silence or neutrality in the face of conflict.

One Paragraph Book Reviews, Part 2

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
📚 Literature Theology
  1. Truckers face increased surveillance with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that track and log their activities, affecting their freedom and safety
  2. God and the Atom by Ronald Knox provides unique theological insights on the atomic bomb post-Nagasaki and Hiroshima
  3. Rossian Ethics explores non-consequentialist moral theory, focusing on _prima facie_ duties and ethical dilemmas

Heresies; Stray Dog; Rachel Getting Married

Unpopular Front • 32 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Theology
  1. Christian nationalism is a modern belief that mixes being Christian with being American. This view often changes traditional Christian teachings to fit a national identity.
  2. Many people believe that the Bible's meaning should come from how it's understood in the church community. However, some groups focus on a literal interpretation that ignores deeper discussions.
  3. The idea of Christian nationalism can lead to extreme views and push back against human diversity. It pressures people to conform to a single identity instead of appreciating individual differences.

What Would Jesus Really Do?

Nonsense on Stilts • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Many religious philosophers don't agree on moral issues like the trolley problem. It shows that moral clarity may not be as strong in religion as some claim.
  2. Interestingly, atheistic philosophers seem to have a clearer stance on the trolley problem compared to theistic ones.
  3. Overall, this raises questions about whether religion truly resolves moral dilemmas or if it creates more confusion.

Conclave and the Antichrist

Kvetch • 84 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. One possible twist in the story is seeing the humble Cardinal become the ruthless manipulator behind the scenes, raising questions about the hidden ambitions of those in power.
  2. The election of Cardinal Benitez can be viewed as a moment of peace, but it symbolizes a deeper danger, suggesting that even peace can be used to mask destructive intentions.
  3. The film highlights a divided Church, where leaders are more focused on personal ambitions rather than uniting against external threats, showcasing how a lack of common ground can lead to vulnerability.

Indicted, or Dead?

Hunter’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The Holocaust presents a profound theological challenge to both Judaism and Christianity, questioning their beliefs about God's role and man's freedom.
  2. The Jewish response to the Holocaust varies, with some theologians justifying it as punishment while others see it as sacrificial or divine intervention for modernity.
  3. Christian theology confronts the Holocaust by altering traditional views of the benevolence of God, leading to the development of death-of-God theology.

Babalon and Revelation

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 30 Nov 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Modern platforms and pop culture often siphon and commodify sexual and creative energy. They can act like parasitic technologies that distract people and may operate like occult mass rituals.
  2. Some esoteric traditions describe human evolution as an "etherization of the blood" that splits history into two streams: a rising, spiritualized current tied to an exalted feminine and a falling, instinctual current linked to the Whore of Babylon. Contemporary pop imagery like robots, cyborgs, and apocalyptic spectacle can be read as ritual enactments of that split.
  3. Other esoteric voices reclaim the Whore of Babylon (Babalon) as a symbol of wild feminine liberation and erotic sacredness rather than pure evil. This perspective sees her as embodying suppressed feminine mystery and natural power.

The Third Temple, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Apocalypse Archetype

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. A fusion of religious zealotry and political power is treating leaders as apocalyptic figures, and that mix is being used to erode the rule of law and democratic protections.
  2. Efforts to rebuild the Third Temple—breeding a red heifer and recreating the Ark—aim to literalize prophecy, but reviving blood sacrifice is seen as archaic and spiritually dangerous, potentially inviting lower, harmful forces and normalizing violence.
  3. The rise of networked tech consciousness has pushed people back into mythic, tribal mindsets that make apocalyptic politics more persuasive, and moving forward will require inner spiritual growth along with collective, material efforts to salvage humane parts of civilization.

Beyond the Grade: Uvalde, Satan and the Problem of Evil

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The problem of evil questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God allows unnecessary suffering and evil in the world.
  2. The existence of Satan presents a challenge to the perception of God's omnipotence and goodness.
  3. Philosophical discussions around the problem of evil suggest various explanations, such as the free-will defense, to reconcile God's qualities with the presence of evil.