19 - The Desert Fathers with Stephen Davis
Eternal Search
This episode focuses on the Desert Fathers, early Christian hermits and ascetics whose practices formed the prototype for modern Christian moasticism. My guest is Stephen Davis, Professor of Religious Studies and Professor of History at Yale University. He has spent much of his career working in Egypt and studying the modern Egyptian monastic communities that trace their lineage back to the desert fathers. We start by talking about what the early Christian world was like before moving into the world of the Desert Fathers themselves.
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18 - Nietzsche & Zarathustra with David Storey
Eternal Search
This interview focuses on Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher active during the late 1800s. While famously atheistic, Nietzsche still saw value in a spiritual life… just not a very traditional one. My guest today is David Storey, Professor of philosophy at Boston College. We discuss Nietzsche’s most fundamental ideas before honing in on his spiritual ones.
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17 - Christian Science with Scott Shivers
Eternal Search
This interview focuses on Christian Science, a denomination of Christianity founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1800’s New England. Herself a devout Christian, she formulated Christian Science as a way to make sense of a miraculous healing she experienced after an accident left her with severe injuries. My guest today is Scott Shivers, a Christian Science practitioner who works on the church’s Committees on Publications. We discuss Mary Baker Eddy’s life, key ideas of Christian Science Theology, and how Christian Science is different from other denominations of Christianity.
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16 - Confucius & The Ru with Yair Lior
Eternal Search
This episode features a discussion on Confucius and his ideas. Confucius lived during a chaotic time period of Chinese history, and his ideas concentrated on how to restore order to society. Although he only achieved modest success during his lifetime, his ideas have been a key part of Chinese civilization for thousands of years. Yair Lior returns for this episode. He is a professor at Boston University's department of religion, and an expert in comparative theology. Unfortunately, I had some audio issues recording this episode. Its still listenable, but sounds more like a recorded...
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15 - The Baháʼí Faith with Andrés Shahidinejad
Eternal Search
This episode features the Baháʼí faith, a tradition started in 1800s Persia that emphasizes the essential unity of humanity. My guest is Andrés Shahidinejad, a member of Boston's Baháʼí community. We discuss the history of the tradition, as well as its core ideas and spiritual practices.
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14 - The Vedic Dream with Swami Tyagananda
Eternal Search
Swami Tyagananda is chair of the Vedanta Society in Boston and serves as Hindu chaplain at Harvard and MIT. We briefly discuss the history of the Vedanta Society before moving into Vedic philosophy.
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13 - Kabbalah 101 with Yair Lior
Eternal Search
Yair is senior lecturer at Boston University's department of religion. He studies comparative theology, particularly Kabbalah and Confucianism. We discuss the development of Kabbalah, and a basic overview of its key ideas.
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12 - Luther's Bible with Rev. James Hopkins
Eternal Search
Rev. Hopkins is senior pastor of First Lutheran Church in Boston. He has an mdiv from Concordia theological seminary in Ft. Wayne Indiana. Topics include Rev. Hopkin's own spiritual background and a basic overview of Lutheran history, theology and worship.
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11 - Raël and the Elohim with Rob
Eternal Search
Rob is a guide within the Raëlean Movement. Topics include the extraterrestrial origins of humanity, and a new form of spirituality independent of god.
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10 - Sikh Saint Soldiers with Angad Pal Singh
Eternal Search
Angad is a member of the local Sikh community in Everett Massachusettes and a trustee of United Sikhs, a non profit focused on humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Topics include basic overviews of Sikh history, scripture and philosophy.
info_outlineJo and Glen are facilitators at Wake Up Boston, a Buddhist sangha in the Plum Village tradition. Topics include Tich Naht Hahn (the founder of Plum Village) and the importance of mindfulness in his tradition.