A Christian Reads the Tao te Ching
Join me in an unusual but deeply fulfilling journey as I work my way through the Tao te Ching, that ancient Chinese book of wisdom and spirituality that didn't draw me away from a Christ-centered faith, but actually helped me hold onto it.
Episodes
84 episodes
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Since the show is "finished" (for now), the Patreon site is no longer active. However, there are still hosting costs, and I still have expenses! If you would like to show gratitude with a small donation in a very easy way, you can do so at ...
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2:19
In conclusion... (chapter 81)
After two and a half years, we've reached the very last episode of the Tao te Ching! I'm not sure what's next for me, but at least for now, I'll stop regular posting here as I focus on some other pressing things in life and brainstorm possible ...
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Episode 66
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46:02
Minimalism and the Taoist utopia (chapter 80)
Chapter 80 presents Lao Tzu's vision of the ideal society, the "Taoist utopia". Although it is not a "realistic" picture at first glance, writing it off would be a big mistake. The chapter not only praises minimalism and simple living, but also...
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Episode 65
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37:52
Peace is worth the risk (chapter 79)
We're skipping chapter 78 since we looked at it all the way back in episode 6! Chapter 79 is focused on the complex repercussions of human conflict. This is a shorter episode, and I'll split it into just two pieces:1. "Just let it go" - ...
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Episode 64
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25:55
The "Robin Hood" Tao
Chapter 77 describes the Tao as being like the drawing of a bow, where the top is brought down and the bottom is brought up. It is a cultural critique about how the way of man tends to upset the natural balance of things. The episode will have ...
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Episode 63
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41:30
The meek shall inherit the Earth
Chapter 76 takes us back to the familiar territory of "weakness" that is actually strength. Living things are soft, supple, flexible, and "weak". Dead things are hard, brittle, rigid, and "strong". I'll start this episode by sharing about one o...
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Episode 62
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42:23
Greed - the "uniquely human problem"
In this episode, we look at chapter 75, which critiques the greedy leadership of Lao Tzu's China or any government in general. I'll start with reading from Jesus's parable of the foolish rich man as well as his famous words on "where your treas...
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Episode 61
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29:55
Interview with author Doruk Cansev
Doruk Cansev is a life coach and author of the book Balanced: Unleashing the Power of your Personality, which I used as the inspiration for the structure of episode 59. I also covered my notes on his book much more in-depth on the most recent...
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54:19
Judgment and the death penalty (chapter 74)
In this episode, we look at chapter 74, which is a bit different in tone and content than other chapters around it. The central focus is the fear of death, and the central metaphor is the "Master Executioner" - whose job we should not try to ta...
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Episode 60
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36:22
The seven spectra of a balanced life
Here's an outline to help follow this complex episode!Today we'll look at chapter 73, which seems a bit disconnected and confusing at first (which is why it took me two extra weeks to prepare). We'll touch on a few side topics, then we'l...
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Episode 59
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43:02
"Fear not" - the danger of fear as a motivator
Chapter 72 doesn't really offer an obvious interpretation at the first reading. The variations between translations and the disjunctions between the sections makes it a bit complex. Fortunately, there is a common theme that the most traditional...
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Episode 58
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40:26
Know that you don't know! / Ecclesiastes as Taoist confession (chapter 71)
Chapter 71 is cryptic, obscure, and one of my absolute favorites. This chapter continues the theme on knowledge from the previous chapter, but focuses especially on ignorance - the fact that we are all ignorant in so many ways, and that not kno...
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Episode 57
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37:58
Too smart to understand (chapter 70)
In this episode, we look at chapter 70, which is one of the most depressing and least didactic/informative chapters in the Tao te Ching (which is why it took me an extra week to prepare this). Here we have Lao Tzu break into a quasi-lament on h...
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Episode 56
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40:11
Lao Tzu's war advice - and honoring the image of God in others (chapter 69)
In this episode, we look at chapter 69, which is incredibly tough to deal with since it is primarily focused on giving advice to military generals. As a Jesus-follower committed to nonviolence, I didn't know what to do with it at first, but wit...
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Episode 55
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35:08
Compassion conquers all (chapter 67)
In this episode, we look at the famous chapter 67, where Lao Tzu presents the "Three Jewels" - the entire Taoist ethics summed up in three words: compassion, moderation, and humility. I'll start by sharing about how Christ's compassion demonstr...
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Episode 54
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32:54
Leading from behind (chapters 66 and 68)
In this episode, we look at chapters 66 and 68, which continue the train of thought of non-contention and wu wei that we started last week, but this time in relation to leadership. I'll start with talking about the characteristics of servant le...
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Episode 53
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37:54
I was sick! Back to normal next week
Sorry for no episode this week. I was down for the count with the flu last week. (Not COVID!) Head on over and subscribe at the Patreon page to get early access to the next episode. :)
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2:00
The path of least resistance - the "great secret" to an effective life
In this episode, we look at chapter 63, which is all about tasks and problems. I'll start by talking about how learning how to break big tasks into small pieces has radically transformed my life, then we'll break down the chapter into two main ...
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Episode 52
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41:30
The good, the bad, and the sinful (chapter 62)
In this episode, we look at chapter 62, which is one of the only chapters where Lao Tzu compares good and bad people and the ONLY chapter where he uses a word often translated as "sin". I'll start by talking about how radically countercultural ...
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Episode 51
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34:29
Exclusive: What is the ultimate question? The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Buddha, and the Cross
As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. Here are the original show notes:A wild journey prompted by a ridiculous p...
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38:33
Exclusive: Compare and contrast - the empty bowl/childlike faith in the TTC and the Gospels
As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. This was the very first ever exclusive, and I hope you enjoy! Here are the origina...
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33:08
Exclusive: The (misguided) pursuit of happiness
As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. This was the very first ever exclusive, and I hope you enjoy! Here are the origina...
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33:59
Summer update
I'm flying home to the US for the next eight weeks! I most likely won't be able to continue putting out regular episodes, but I will share some of the past exclusive episodes I've done for Patreon subscribers. If you aren't a subscriber and you...
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5:07
"Educated" or life-long learner? (chapter 65)
In this episode, we look at chapter 65, which is yet another "political" chapter. I'll start with sharing a little of my journey from deciding to go to seminary to wrestling with the idea of what it means to "do theology". Then we'll look at th...
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Episode 50
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37:10