Author Archives
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The War in Ukraine and the Churches
In this episode I talk with Cyril Hovorun, an Orthodox priest from Ukraine, about how the war in his country is affecting the Ukrainian people. Fr. Hovorun also discusses the character and history of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, its relationship to… Read More ›
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Nazis, Communists, and Complicity in Evil
What drives people to cooperate with evil? I explore this question with Alex Faludy, a journalist based in Budapest, and Robert Ericksen, Kurt Mayer Chair of Holocaust Studies Emeritus at Pacific Lutheran University. We consider the cases of Nazi and… Read More ›
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Crazy Like Us: Are Americans Exporting Their Dysfunctions to the Rest of the World?
In this episode of BaerTalk I talk with Ethan Watters about his book Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche. Ethan Watters is an excellent journalist who writes on psychology and culture. He’s respectful of the field of… Read More ›
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Can Christians in Good Conscience Get the COVID Vaccine?
In this episode of BaerTalk I explore questions about the morality of COVID vaccines. Some Christians have expressed worry that the vaccines have been developed in a way that makes them complicit in the evil of abortion. The Bishop Athanasius… Read More ›
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Introducing “BaerTalk” – My New Podcast
There’s always a sliver lining! After a year of boredom locked down due to COVID I’ve been inspired to start a podcast, which, having considered the matter carefully, I’m naming after myself. BaerTalk is the name, and my ingenious plan… Read More ›
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Reflections on Suffering
I form light and create darkness; I make weal and create woe; I am the LORD, who does all these things. — Isaiah 45:7 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to… Read More ›
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To Walk on Water: A Meditation on Faith and Doubt
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. – Isaiah… Read More ›
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Salt of the Earth: A Meditation on the Church and the World
Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow? – Job 6:6 You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its… Read More ›
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Meditation on Christian freedom
The LORD sets the prisoners free. — Psalm 146:7 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13 A Christian is… Read More ›
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Is Rod Dreher’s Live Not By Lies a Good Book?
H. David Baer (professor of theology), Alexander Faludy (journalist, church historian), and Joseph Novak (Hungarian Baptist pastor) discuss Ron Dreher’s new book, Live Not By Lies, and consider the questions: How well has Dreher described the experience of East European Christians? Is Dreher right to draw parallels between 20th century communism and American today?
H. David Baer 