New Persuasive Words

"The revival in religion will be a rhetorical problem - new persuasive words for defaced or degraded ones." - Thornton Wilder

About the show

New Persuasive Words is a sharp and insightful podcast that dissects the intersections of culture, politics, and theology with intellectual rigor and a conversational ease. Hosted by Scott Jones and Bill Borror, the show offers a thoughtful examination of contemporary issues, blending humor, historical perspective, and philosophical depth. With a keen eye for nuance and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, New Persuasive Words invites listeners into a space where ideas are tested, assumptions are questioned, and meaningful dialogue thrives.

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Episodes

  • Episode 178: The Euthyphro Problem?

    November 5th, 2017  |  37 mins 3 secs

    In this episode of the podcast we discuss a Platonic dialogue entitled "Euthyphro." It poses timeless questions about the relationship between justice, piety and the nature of truth.

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    Episode 177: Glorious Things Of...?...A Reformation Reflection

    November 1st, 2017  |  56 mins 6 secs

    In this episode we have a conversation with Geoff Holsclaw and David Fitch about the legacy of the Reformation and what it means today.

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    Episode 176: Gods, Gopniks and Godlessness

    October 29th, 2017  |  27 mins 21 secs

    We were recently inspired by something David Bentley Hart wrote about atheism in First Things in 2014. For this we thank Facebook.

  • Episode 175: Is Liberalism Conservative?

    October 21st, 2017  |  34 mins 7 secs

    In this episode we talk about a recent Wall Street Journal piece by "Yoram Hazony" entitled "Is 'Classical Liberalism' Conservative?"

  • Episode 174: What Is Sacred?

    October 20th, 2017  |  36 mins 3 secs

    This week there was a controversy involving President Trump and a phone call he made to the family of a fallen Special Forces soldier who was one of four that died this month in Niger. Trump's Chief of Staff weighed in during a press conference, at one point asking if anything is sacred anymore. We ponder that question.

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    Episode 173: The Eight Hour Sermon?

    October 17th, 2017  |  33 mins 4 secs

    In this episode we discuss a recent book entitled "8 Hours or Less: Writing faithful sermons faster", by Ryan Huguley. We also consider the nature of preaching and the life and calling of preachers.

  • Episode 172: Theology In Outline, Part 6: Where Does One Begin?

    October 14th, 2017  |  30 mins 3 secs

    We continue our revisiting of the Reformation, commemorating its 500th anniversary, through a comparison of brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish. In this episode we discuss whether theology should begin with the universal and move to the particular or do it the other way around.

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    Episode 171: Guns

    October 6th, 2017  |  33 mins 43 secs

    In this episode we talk about guns. It wasn't our first choice for today, but reality impinges like that. We also attempt to do justice to the memory of Tom Petty (probably impossible, but it hasn't stopped us yet). May he rest in peace, alongside the countless victims of senseless violence.

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    Episode 170: The Lost Art Of Disagreement

    September 30th, 2017  |  34 mins

    In this episode, recorded on International Podcast Day, we talk about the virtues of real disagreement, built not on misunderstanding but serious attentiveness and comprehension.

  • Episode 169: Theology In Outline, Part 5: The Problem of Evil

    September 27th, 2017  |  28 mins 12 secs

    We continue our revisiting of the Reformation, commemorating its 500th anniversary, through a comparison of brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish. In this episode we're looking at the problem of evil.

  • Episode 168: Praying Angry?

    September 23rd, 2017  |  41 mins 3 secs

    In this Friday Night Lights/Bullgeschichte episode we welcome a new guest to the bunker. Brian Toews joins us to talk about imprecatory Psalms, the verses in the Bible that wish bad things on people that have wronged the ones praying. What do we do with these Psalms today?

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    Episode 167: Theology In Outline, Part 4: The Nature of Sin

    September 19th, 2017  |  32 mins 33 secs

    We continue our revisiting of the Reformation, commemorating its 500th anniversary, through a comparison of brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish.

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    Episode 166: The Challenge of Living in the Present

    September 17th, 2017  |  29 mins 3 secs

    We're taking a break from our "Theology In Outline" series to talk about midlife crises and the challenge of the living in the present. Our conversation was inspired by a NY Times piece and a forthcoming book, both by the philosopher Kieran Setiya.

  • Episode 165: Theology In Outline, Part 3

    September 10th, 2017  |  36 mins 23 secs

    We continue our revisiting of the Reformation, commemorating its 500th anniversary, through a comparison of brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish. In light of Jenson's recent passing, we focus on his retelling of the story of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Trinity in "Can These Bones Live?"

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    Episode 164: Theology In Outline, Part 2

    August 30th, 2017  |  36 mins 58 secs

    We continue our revisiting of the Reformation through brief works of Robert Jenson and Brian Gerrish. We consider why Jenson moves quickly to the story of Israel after his introduction, whereas Gerrish focuses on the experience of the world as creation.

  • Episode 163: Theology In Outline, Part 1

    August 29th, 2017  |  35 mins 48 secs

    This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. To commemorate it we are considering what it would mean to be continually reforming our understanding of the Gospel and the theological enterprise. We'll be doing this through engaging two brief theological works, one by Robert Jenson and the other by Brian Gerrish.