The hottest Theology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Ways You May Already Be a Futurist

Think Future • 39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. To think like a futurist, consider contingency-planning and strategizing for potential futures.
  2. Act like a futurist by planning to outlast different futures and playing defense.
  3. Create breakthrough innovations, advocate for change, and enable a future to think and act like a futurist.

New Wineskins for the American Church

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 22 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The American church is losing focus on what really matters. Instead of focusing on the core beliefs, too much energy is wasted on small, divisive issues.
  2. There's a shift towards disciple-making in smaller, deeper ways. This approach values relationships and humility over size and loudness.
  3. Identifying with Global Christianity offers hope. This strategy values quiet and humble influence rather than trying to control culture with big, loud efforts.

On Pharaoh's Hardened Heart

Gideon's Substack • 40 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Pharaoh's character shows how someone can become too proud to admit they are wrong. Even when faced with power beyond his own, he refuses to truly accept it.
  2. God hardens Pharaoh's heart to illustrate the importance of justice and punishment for past wrongdoings. This story highlights that sometimes, consequences need to be faced fully.
  3. In the end, even a hard-hearted person can show vulnerability. Pharaoh's last request to Moses for a blessing shows a moment of human connection, despite his earlier choices.

Stop Converting, Start Recruiting

DruGroup • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Everyone who follows Jesus is part of a holy priesthood, not just some special group. This means all believers share the same role and responsibility.
  2. Instead of just trying to convert people to attend church, we should be recruiting them to join a community of believers. It's about helping them understand their place in the spiritual family.
  3. The church is not just an organization but the people and their relationship with Christ. If you are in Christ, you are part of the church, and you can't really separate them.
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Restoring the Divine Order

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. We all have a lot of power to create change, but we need to understand our true nature as light. This understanding is key to making a real difference in the world.
  2. The dogmas and strict beliefs pushed by some can distract us from our connection to a higher power. It's important to be aware of how these ideas can keep us stuck and focused on the wrong things.
  3. Real healing and growth come from letting go of past traumas and raising our energy. This process allows us to see ourselves and others as pure light, capable of spreading love and understanding.

How to Radicalize a Church (in One Easy Step)

Think Future • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. To radicalize a person or church, consistently promote fear with phrases like "The wolf is at the door."
  2. There are strategies to turn a religious tradition toxic, detailed in the free e-book "Combat Theology: How to Weaponize and De-Weaponize a Religion."
  3. Even though de-weaponizing a religion is difficult, historical examples show even faith-based terrorists can change, like two of Jesus' twelve disciples.

Box #7

What Is Called Thinking? • 18 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. Expertise is not just about having more knowledge; it's about knowing how to organize that knowledge effectively, a skill known as chunking.
  2. As software development becomes easier for AI, university professors need to prove why their teaching is still valuable or risk being replaced by technology.
  3. Finding deeper meaning in life is important; comfort and ease can lead to a lack of purpose, so striving for something greater is crucial.

Habemus Papam!

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 10 implied HN points • 15 May 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The recent election of Pope Leo XIV surprised many, showing a blend of progressive and conservative views. He focuses on climate change and immigration but holds traditional views on gender issues.
  2. The Catholic Church represents universal values, but it faces internal disagreements on social issues like LGBT rights and economic policies. Its position appears to be shifting towards more left-leaning economics to regain lost followers.
  3. Right-wing politics seem to increasingly distrust social institutions, while left-leaning politics embrace universal moral values. This shift has the potential to further align organized religion with left-wing ideals in the future.

Books Worth Mentioning

DruGroup • 79 implied HN points • 03 Jan 22
📚 Literature Theology
  1. Reading expands your knowledge and can take you to new places, even if you're not traveling.
  2. A good book list can include gems from different categories like theology, fiction, leadership, and discipleship.
  3. Books can have a big impact on your thoughts and beliefs, making it worthwhile to explore different authors and subjects.

What Jesus Left Behind

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 26 May 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Jesus left behind a massive inheritance, not of money, but of authority to the church and its leaders. This means we have a big responsibility and power to guide our communities.
  2. The church is meant to be a supportive community, not a strict hierarchy or a disconnected group. It's important to nurture relationships and work together to follow Jesus' teachings.
  3. We should always be open to reforming and improving the church. Engaging different voices and perspectives helps us make better decisions and stay true to the mission of Jesus.

Revisited: The Unbearable Weakness of Reality

Theofuturism • 7 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Life is fragile and can change in an instant. We should appreciate the moments we have because everything can feel unstable and temporary.
  2. What seems real often has cracks beneath the surface. Many things we trust are just appearances, and we might need to question what we consider genuine.
  3. We all have faith in something, but that faith can guide us through uncertainty. Instead of fearing what we don’t know, we should embrace the journey of discovering new truths.

“Can AI have a soul?” — A conversation with a Christian monk

psychotechnology • 6 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. The conversation explored if AI can have a soul, suggesting that in Christianity, a soul is linked to divine breath and life beyond just the body.
  2. The monk felt that while AI is strong, it lacks creativity and emotional depth, relating it to human limitations but emphasizing that AI is fundamentally different.
  3. Reflecting on Christianity, the text raises questions about its beliefs and practices, pondering if it can be reinterpreted or 'refactored' like Buddhism has been by modern thinkers.

Not So Idolatrous

Polymathic Being • 39 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The story of the Golden Calf from the Bible is not as simple as it seems and has layers of cultural and historical context.
  2. The Bible was compiled from different sources, including the Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist, Priestly, and other writings.
  3. The use of the Golden Calf as an idol by the Israelites had a symbolic connection to their beliefs and was not entirely illogical.

Box #6

What Is Called Thinking? • 10 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Theology
  1. Tyler Cowen and Ross Douthat discuss religion, highlighting the difference between viewing it as psychological vs. recognizing genuine experiences of the divine. They agree that our deeper longing for meaning persists even in a scientific world.
  2. Katherine Boyle mentions that aesthetics in business are important today, as people value intangibles like talent and style over just physical assets. She points out that companies like Apple thrive on a strong aesthetic, unlike others that focus on frugality.
  3. John Ashbery's poetry suggests that creativity comes from making mistakes, not avoiding them. This idea shows that wandering or 'erring' can lead to valuable creative outcomes.

A Zealous Wholeness or a Broken Peace?

Gideon's Substack • 4 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The story of Pinchas shows that acts of extreme zeal can have serious consequences. While he is rewarded for stopping a plague, it raises questions about the morality of his violent actions.
  2. The broken letter 'vav' in the word for peace symbolizes that true peace may be complicated by past violence. It suggests that something that seems whole might still have underlying issues.
  3. The text encourages us to reflect on our own intentions. While Pinchas acted with zeal, we need to consider if we would act with the same purity of motive or if our actions could lead to unintended harm.

Theology, Duolingo, Vibe Coding, Friendship

What Is Called Thinking? • 5 implied HN points • 27 May 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The relationship between theology and evolutionary neuroscience can offer new ways to understand ancient texts, like Genesis. This connection can help bridge science and spirituality.
  2. Discussing the Theology of Finance shows how religious views can influence economic practices and beliefs. It's important to see how faith and finance interact in our lives.
  3. A new tool called RavGPT helps people study religious texts more effectively. It's a great resource for finding and analyzing important sources in theology.

The Trad Marxism of George Grant, Part 2

From the New World • 10 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. George Grant blended traditionalism with Marxism, believing that while capitalism had improved life in some ways, it left a void in meaning and connection for many people.
  2. He thought that Marx's ideas offered a moral vision that could help explain social and economic issues, but felt that Marxism failed to embrace the spiritual aspect of life.
  3. Grant warned that society was becoming increasingly homogenized, with cultures and individual identities being overshadowed by impersonal economic systems.

Thinking Diagonally about the Church

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The church is not just another part of the community; it works across many areas like a network and connects people from all backgrounds.
  2. Thinking of the church in terms of identities is limiting. The church should bring together all kinds of people and intersect various identities to be truly effective.
  3. Leaders need to adopt 'diagonal thinking' to see the church as a whole. This means stepping away from viewing it strictly as a business or identity group and understanding its broader role in the community.

Double Predestination, Part I: Predestination Unto Life

Taboo Topic • 21 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Double predestination refers to the theological concept that God predetermines who will be saved and who will be condemned.
  2. Man's perspective and God's perspective on free will may differ, with God's plan ultimately prevailing.
  3. God's nature involves choosing specific individuals for His purposes, showing favor through grace, and equipping believers with unique roles.

On the Omnipotence Paradox: The Laws of Thought are Beyond God's Power

Ethics Under Construction • 5 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. God's power is limited by the laws of logic and reason, meaning He can’t do the impossible, like creating contradictions.
  2. If God cannot change necessary truths, then He also cannot change contingent truths; this suggests that God's power is not absolute.
  3. The idea of an all-powerful God becomes meaningless if we accept that God must operate within logical boundaries, similar to everyone else.

A More Lenient Theory of Casual Reference

Hunter’s Substack • 1 HN point • 13 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. The theory of causal reference, as proposed by Putnam, faces challenges as it may not adequately explain how individuals can refer to things with which they have no direct causal connection.
  2. Concepts can be developed from prior causal experiences to enable meaningful reference to phenomena regardless of direct causal history, challenging the strict causal necessity theory of reference.
  3. The mind's ability to create new concepts from prior experiences provides a plausible explanation for how individuals can refer to abstract or novel ideas, even if they lack direct causal connections.

Speaking of You

DruGroup • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The author appreciates their readers and encourages them to share articles. This sharing helps grow the readership and reach others who may find the content valuable.
  2. The decision was made to keep the subscription free rather than introducing a paid option. The author values continued engagement without charging their audience.
  3. The author is open to addressing reader questions and interests in future writings. They invite feedback on what topics readers want to explore next.

I Want a Mission, Not a Job

Theology • 3 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Having a mission is more fulfilling than just having a job. People thrive when they feel their work has purpose beyond just earning a paycheck.
  2. Engaging with clients and listening to their stories can lead to better product development and marketing strategies. It's about understanding real needs, not just making sales.
  3. Being critical and honest in your field can drive change and innovation. Writing and speaking authentically helps challenge the status quo and inspire others.

Bodies Bodies [1]

The Author Is Dumb • 4 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Theology
  1. Exegesis is about understanding the Bible as a text. It means looking at the historical context and what the text really says, not just what you believe it should say.
  2. It's okay to study theology without being a believer. People take these classes for different reasons, and belief isn’t needed to engage with the material critically.
  3. The course involves challenging readings that are intended to push students. Engaging with these challenges is a key part of learning and growing in understanding.

Welcome to Theology

Theology • 7 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Theology by Theo Priestley focuses on the intersection of business, technology, and society.
  2. The publication is reader-supported and offers subscriptions for new posts.
  3. Theo Priestley shares insights on emerging trends with strong opinions.

Do We ‘Resemble’ God?

Outspoken with Dr Naomi Wolf • 1 implied HN point • 29 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The original Hebrew Bible and the Geneva Bible present God as human-like and relatable.
  2. Subsequent translations and interpretations may have distorted God's character to be more distant and punitive.
  3. Questioning the impact of theological interpretations on people's understanding of their closeness to God.

An Esoteric Interpretation of the "Sons of God"

Bright Morning Stars • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Maimonides talks about how words in the Bible can have different meanings, helping us avoid confusing interpretations of God as having a physical form.
  2. The story of Adam and Eve proposes questions about how they relate to humanity that existed before them, suggesting the Garden of Eden was part of a larger, pre-existing world.
  3. The idea of the 'sons of God' and their union with humans may highlight moral complexities, making us reconsider how descendants of Adam relate to both divine and general humanity.

Pneumatic Materials: Episode 0

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Pneumatic Materials explores spirituality through art, culture, and philosophy
  2. The project aims to offer an alternative to reactionary dogmatism by addressing the yearning for God in modern society
  3. Episode 0 discusses themes like net-based religious larping, esoteric Instagram, and Christian Atheism

The "pre-Easter" Jesus

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Marcus Borg examines the 'pre-Easter' Jesus, focusing on his historical teachings and what they mean for understanding the Christ of faith.
  2. Borg uses the Jesus Seminar's methodology to interpret the Gospels and argues that Jesus emphasized a theocentric and non-eschatological message.
  3. Borg outlines Jesus as a spirit person, teacher of wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder, emphasizing compassion over holiness and immanence over transcendence.

Jordan Peterson's New Atheism

The Apéritif • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Jordan Peterson is starting a new form of religion called 'The Wrestlers', which focuses on belief and spirituality. It's different from traditional Christianity.
  2. Peterson's views on God and the resurrection are unique; he thinks they don't have to align with classic Christian beliefs. This means he might not fully believe in things like heaven and hell.
  3. His approach seems more like a new kind of atheism, since he questions core Christian ideas but still aims to create a meaningful belief system.

Right Theology, and Radical Love

The Dissenting Opinion • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Radical love involves loving even our enemies and going beyond loving only those who love us.
  2. Difficulty doesn't always equate to love; true love is demonstrated through patience, kindness, and not rejoicing in wrongdoing.
  3. Understanding and following the teachings of the Bible is essential in practicing radical love, as it defines what is truth and wrongdoing.

I used to believe in objective morality

Cosmic Column • 0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Theology
  1. Used to believe in objective morality, but now views morality as subjective and personal.
  2. Realizes that morality is a human construct like Money or Gender, but can still be useful.
  3. Acknowledges the complexity of navigating morality in a nuanced world, appreciating the beauty in its diversity.

Bodies Bodies [5]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. When facing uncertainty, it's normal to feel scared and confused. It's important to remember that we've been through tough times before, and there's comfort in trusting God.
  2. Faith means believing in God even when we don't have all the answers. It's about feeling assured that, despite the unknowns, God's love is still with us.
  3. Hope is key during chaotic times. Instead of worrying, we should support each other and respond with love, trusting that God has good plans for us.

Unforgivingness

Crackers & Grape Juice + • 0 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Forgiveness is a gift for the foolish and undeserving, not a reward for the perfect.
  2. Offering forgiveness gives power, but receiving it can feel imbalanced.
  3. Forgiveness, though challenging, is essential to Christian teaching and reflects God's mercy.

Things I like to think about Yahweh

Bright Morning Stars • 0 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. Yahweh has a sense of humor and likes to playfully joke with us. It's nice to think that they appreciate our laughter and see the funny side of life.
  2. There's a belief that Yahweh wants to save everyone, suggesting a kind and inclusive nature. It feels hopeful to think that everyone can find redemption.
  3. Life can be viewed like a game, where we shouldn't take everything too seriously. It reminds us to enjoy the journey and not burden ourselves with too much weight.

Imagining Jonathan Smith: The Ontological Implications of 'Imagining Religion'

Hunter’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology
  1. The compatibility of religion and science has been a long-standing debate, with notable public intellectuals arguing that they are actually mutually compatible despite differing perceptions.
  2. Jonathan Z. Smith's approach to the study of religion emphasizes a secular viewpoint, challenging scholars to be self-conscious about religious biases in academic study.
  3. Smith's perspective on religion raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the challenges of categorizing and studying religion due to the subjective and non-isolatable aspects of religious beliefs and practices.