Show Notes
This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.
Sam Chan Reverend Dr Sam Chan is a cultural analyst, public speaker and medical doctor, born in Hong Kong, who studied medicine in Sydney and completed a PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. He is a fellow at The Keller Center, a public speaker for City Bible Forum and Third Space, and the head trainer and mentor at the EvQ School of Evangelism. He is also an award-winning author of books on evangelism and cultural engagement. He carries the unique talent of playing the recorder with his nose, complementing his engaging personality. Key Points: Cultural apologetics is expanding beyond traditional apologetic approaches to include engagement with society's broad cultural landscapes, focusing on what is considered true, good, and beautiful. Sam Chan highlights that "evangelism today is not just about what is true, but about what is good and beautiful," underlining the relevance of cultural apologetics in the modern world. Through a lens forged by thinkers like Kevin Van Hooser, cultural exegesis involves a dialogue with cultural texts to understand societal worldviews. The overlap between cultural engagement and apologetics offers fresh avenues for articulating Christian truths within the cultural fabric, reaching out to believers and non-believers alike. Jane Austen's enduring works provide a historical perspective, underscoring the synthesis between faith and cultural storytelling, which remains relevant in navigating contemporary cultural dialogues. Notable Quotes: "Evangelism today is not just about what is true, but about what is good and beautiful." - Sam Chan "Cultural apologetics strives to fulfill cultural storylines, making the gospel relatable in a rapidly changing world." - Sam Chan "Every culture has a worldview and cultural texts that express this worldview, which we then interpret, and that these texts further shape" - Sam Chan outline of how culture and worldview interact. "No one's ever truly a blank slate." - Sam Chan outlining the historical rootedness of cultural engagement. "We need to talk in a way that isn't cobblers—we need to do that act of translation in a way that resonates." - Michael Jensen Resources Book Discussed in Episode: "The Gospel After Christendom" by various authors including Sam Chan. Paul Gould's Book: "Cultural Apologetics" (2019)
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More from With All Due Respect
Episode Summary: In this special bonus episode of "With All Due Respect," Megan Powell Du Toit and Michael Jensen dive into a discussion about Christopher Nolan's 2026 film, "The Odyssey." This adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic is dissected through the lenses of both the original text's themes and contemporary interpretations, offering listeners a rich tapestry of theological and cultural insights. Key Takeaways: Modern Adaptations of Classic Epics: Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" provokes dialogue not only about its faithfulness to Homer's epic but also its reinterpretation in a contemporary context. Themes of Guilt and Atonement: The film explores psychological and spiritual depth, highlighting Odysseus's journey through guilt and atonement as a reflection of modern sensibilities influenced by Christian thought. Hospitality's Role in Society: The concept of hospitality is critically examined, both as a part of Homer's world and in its implications for today's global and often divided landscapes. Cultural Relevance and Critique: The discourse reflects on how adaptations resonate with current socio-political climates, posing questions about home, belonging, and societal norms. Lewis and Tolkien's Influence: There is a discussion on how ancient longings reflected in texts like "The Odyssey" find answers in the Christian gospel, drawing parallels with the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Notable Quotes: "When you're using source material like this… I'm really, I really enjoy a reworking." – Megan Powell Du Toit "The goodies turn out to be the baddies… evil lurking in your own heart." – Michael Jensen "Guilt and atonement… how Christian are those themes." – Michael Jensen "Home is a place that is safe for you and yours, but also must have that permeable border." – Megan Powell Du Toit "There is no real atonement possible, even in Nolan's epic." – Megan Powell Du Toit
Our highest listened to episode (published 12th October 2023, titled Only Human). It's been almost 3 years since the film dropped and these two things stand out for us: Creator/creature theme: In 2026, AI personhood and consciousness is a live legal and theological debate, giving this creator-creature discussion fresh relevance. Euthanasia theme: Voluntary assisted dying is actively expanding across Australia in 2026, making this Ecclesiastes-death exchange a current pastoral conversation.
This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.
This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.
This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.