Being Human

Foundation stories

S2E02: Foundation stories

What are the stories that we build our lives on? Are they strong enough for us to build our purpose, identity and behaviour upon?  Join us for a new episode of Being Human as our hosts Jo and Peter examine the different stories that are trying to frame the deepest parts of who we are.

Some of the narratives promoted by public figures in our culture—from David Attenborough, to Marie Kondo, to Jordan Peterson—may offer some helpful advice or call us to do good and noble things. But underneath all of their “what?” and “how?” answers to our questions about being human, they leave us hanging and fail to provide a satisfying answer to the deepest “why?” questions.

The opening to the God story was written to challenge other ancient foundation stories, and ultimately teaches us that humans are made in the image of God. We are earthlings made from the earth, and because we are part of God’s good creation, we matter. As God’s image bearers, we join him in caring for our fellow humans and the rest of God’s creation.

Join us as we consider how Jesus brings order to the chaos and is the author of the only sufficient  foundation story for us to build our lives upon.

 

Prologue (00:00)

00:19  We’re back for episode 2! Recap of last week: Whose lives matter?

02:43  Introduction to foundational stories

04:28  The bigger Being Human project: rival stories about what it means to be human

 

Introduction (05:12)

05:12  Stories shape help who we are and how we view the world around us

06:51  Foundational stories: the stories upon which we build our lives

 

Act I (09:29)

09:38  Sir David Attenborough’s foundation story

14:55  Marie Condo, Jordan Peterson, and our responses to chaos

17:33  The cracks in our foundation stories are showing

 

Act II (18:47)

18:56 Our witness statement: the Biblical vision for a renewed humanity

23:19  Human beings in the image of God, earthlings from the earth

25:02  The foundational story that tells us why human beings exist

 

Act III (27:32)

27:42  Jesus brings order to our chaos and gives us purpose

29:25  Sometimes the God Story has been misused

31:05  The quest for control in a chaotic world and Sabbath rest

Whose lives matter?

S2E01: Whose lives matter? Through the global pandemic, black lives matter and political crises, why does it feel like the protection and affirmation of human rights is a zero-sum game? Diving in at the deep end, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas are back for a new season of the Being Human podcast.

In this episode we compare two very different stories that offer an answer to the question, whose lives matter? The world tells a story of ​“utilitarianism,” which claims that useful lives matter. Jo and Peter help us to start considering the serious flaws in this story and questioning its basic assumptions. 

In the God story, we see a very different answer to the question, whose lives matter? Human lives matter because they are all created in the image of God. Even more importantly, God gave human life unspeakable dignity when he himself took on humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Join us as we consider the discipleship opportunities for this intersection God’s story and the world’s story. 

 

PROLOGUE (00:00)
00:18 Welcome back! What have we been up to over break?
03:24 We’re back for season 2 and launching the Being Human website
04:53 Introductions: Who are your hosts? Peter Lynas and Jo Frost

INTRODUCTION (05:33)
05:33 Episode Intro: Whose lives matter?
10:44 What are the stories we tell ourselves?

ACT I (12:44)
12:56 What are the world’s stories about whose lives matter?
16:27 The story of utilitarianism
19:23 What are the main flaws of this idea?

ACTII (26:24)
26:37 What does the God Story tell us about which lives matter?
29:03 The image of God in Jesus Christ and his new humanity
32:06 Wrapping it up: How is Jesus encountering our cultural moment?
34:52 What are some discipleship opportunities for us?

In Lockdown - Dignity

Being Human in lockdown; special edition. Peter and Jo are back! With a series of specials looking at the effects of the coronavirus crisis on the fundamental questions we ask about who we are and how we are to live. In this episode we look at dignity and the value of life.

I'm only human after all

Episode 8: I'm only human after all. Jo and Peter, separated thanks to the coronavirus, chat through the series so far. Reflecting on some of the bigger stories we've looked at, from Love Island to China, from Augustine to Donald Trump we are asking what does being a person of freedom look like when we live through times of extreme restriction. As well as looking back, we also look forward to conversations we have planned for Being Human; image, identity, relationship and purpose are all in our future. And what a future it is!

Free speech

Episode 7: Free speech. Through issues surrounding no platforming, cancel culture, Donald Trump and hospitality, Peter and Jo discuss many of the stories that have been hitting our news feeds recently. Exploring the idea of freedom of speech, and the role of control, we chat about how we can extend hospitality to those we disagree with.

Freedom, justice and jubilee

Episode 6: Freedom, justice and jubilee. Jo and Peter discuss stories and ideas around the massive ideas of forgiveness, reconciliation, power and retribution. With a minor diversion to tech and social media and some misquoting of the Bible, we look at the intractable relationship between freedom and justice, issues of the misuse of power in places like Myanmar and how poverty feeds injustice. We look at the impact of focusing on Jesus at the centre of our story, and how understanding jubilee can be about the proclamation of justice to others.

Freedom, liberalism and democracy

Episode 5: Freedom, liberalism and democracy. Jo and Peter geek-out exploring the critical role of the public square. From Reith lectures, through pelagianism, with a brief stopover with Harry and Meghan, to Tim Farron and the current state of political parties. Throughout it all we're asking "Is liberal democracy under threat and should we care?"

Freedom of religion, China and AI

Episode 4. Freedom of religion, China and AI. How does technology and the control of data affect our freedom? Peter and Jo discuss China’s global influence, advances in AI and the implications for freedom of belief and religious and minorities persecution.

Freedom and the attention economy

Episode 3. Peter and Jo discuss Facebook, Tinder, and data mining. They explore how we as followers of Jesus can seek the presence of God in a culture where image shapes identity and technology is a significant driving force shaping the story in our society today.

Love Island, dating apps and desire

Episode 2. How does Love Island or dating apps form, reform and deform our desires? What impact does that have on our understanding of, and access to, freedom? We are storied creatures, stories shape who we are. The story of the world appears to be one of individual freedom - I get to be who I want to be and date or sleep with whom ever I like - that is being free. But freedom isn’t about choice, it isn’t even about control. The biblical story shows us that ultimately freedom is rooted in a life lived in relationship with God.