The introduction to this episode was recorded at 11:17am, On September 15, 2025 Pacific Time. The conversation with politics columnist, commentator, and author David Moscrop ⁠in this episode was recorded at 11:00am Pacific time on August 29, 2025 Pacific Time.

I am sharing these dates and times with you so you get a sense of the timeline for, or the lead up to, David and I’s initial conversation, and what has happened between that dialogue and now.

I am, of course, referring to the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, and the apprehension of the murder suspect a few days ago.

If I am being totally honest with you, I was not and am not sure if it is right to mention this here.

On the one hand, I do not want to add to the noise or capitalize upon this tragedy, or any tragedy, in order to get attention.

On the other hand, to not mention anything seems to run against the grain of the Personalist Manifesto(s) project as a whole, and the topics discussed in this particular conversation—which, as it happens, I had planned to post when I am posting it before any of what I am referring to took place.

Strange, if not unnerving, how time, intention, and circumstance interact, isn’t it?

And how will they interact in the day to come?

I don’t know. I really, truly, don’t know.

But as a proponent of non-violent resistance to evil in any form it assumes, I want to clearly and public denounce violence here, within this context, and any other past, present, or future instance of violence that does and does not receive media attention.

So, my hope is that this conversation, and others like it on Personalist Manifesto(s), bear witness to these convictions. In so doing, I hope to offer both a critical and constructive account of how you, I, and anyone else listening or watching, can put our feet on the grass, and love our neighbour in local, immediate, and tangible ways.

Take care of yourself, okay?

And take care of your neighbour, whomever they are.

Peace be with you.

All of you.

Bio

David Moscrop is a politics columnist, commentator, and author of Too Dumb for Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions And How We Can Make Better Ones. His work has appeared in outlets including Globe and Mail, the Washington Post, the Walrus, Time Magazine, and the Guardian. He holds a PhD in political science from the University of British Columbia.

Links

David's Book: Too Dumb for Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions and How We Can Make Better Ones: https://gooselane.com/products/too-dumb-for-democracy

Substack: www.davidmoscrop.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/davidmoscrop.com

Twitter: @David_Moscrop

Additional Links

Jacques Ellul, Autopsy of Revolution: https://wipfandstock.com/9781606089774/autopsy-of-revolution/

Samuel Caramela, "Billionaires Are Building Luxury Bunkers to Escape Doomsday": https://www.vice.com/en/article/billionaires-are-building-luxury-bunkers-to-escape-doomsday/

Abby Livingston, "Ted Cruz says leaving Texas during winter disaster was "obviously a mistake" as he returns from Cancún": https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/18/ted-cruz-cancun-power-outage/

Interstellar clip on pioneers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Wltu5hfPU

Austin Powers clip on slow, avoidable death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_PrZ-J7D3k

In this conversation, I speak with my friend, and sports super fan, Andrew Blaine.

Sports talk has come up here and there on this show—usually when I am lamenting the ongoing losses and heartbreaks that come with being a Vancouver Canucks fan—but this is the first episode where sport is spoken about at length.

What you may come to see as the conversation progresses, however, is that sports for Andrew are about more than sports. Sports are about community, relationship, and… a God who meets us, and changes us, in and through communities and relationships—within churches, yes, but also beyond churches too.

And so with that, here’s my conversation with Andrew.

Bio

Andrew Blaine is a sports super fan who loves Jesus and has a passion for community.

Links

Instagram: @_andrewblaine0441

Trinity Western Spartans: https://gospartans.ca/

In this episode, I speak to someone by the name of Jonathan Lyonhart.

Jonathan is a theologian, philosopher, author, and ordained minister. He emailed me a while back, letting me know he’s listened to this show, and he thought I might be interested in reading his new book The Journey of God: Christianity in Six Movements.

I responded to Jonathan’s email, saying something like, “Of course. Send me your book. Let’s do this.”

And we are here, Jonathan and I talking about stories, theology, philosophy, and a lot of other things—including inside baseball talk about living in Vancouver (the Canadian one, not the American one).

Side note: if you have a book you think I should read, email me (michaelmorelli@nbseminary.ca). Chances are I’ll want to read it.

Bio

Jonathan Lyonhart (PhD, Cambridge) is a British-Canadian theologian, philosopher, author, and ordained minister. He is an Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Jamestown, a Fellow at the Cambridge Center for the Study of Platonism at Cambridge University, and a co-host of the Spiritually Incorrect Podcast. Additionally, he co-founded The NumiNous Institute for Faith and Neurodiversity with his wife, who is a doctoral candidate in History at Oxford University.

Links

Website

Spiritually Incorrect Podcast

The Journey of God (authored Book)

Space God (authored book)

Monothreeism (authored book)

Madison Lyonhart

NumiNous Institute for Faith and Neurodiversity

Additional Links

Life is Beautiful

In this episode, we’re finishing the four-part seminar series on disability and the church I’ve been sharing with you over the course of the last few weeks. So, be sure to check out the other three sessions before you jump into this one if you haven’t already. Or, start here and work your way backwards if you want. It’s up to you, really. You’re your own person. I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, right?

Session One - Disability Language and Rhetoric with Krista Ewert: https://youtu.be/5fUtwkY2nvU

Session Two - What is a Human? with Michael Morelli: https://youtu.be/Rr67U8XpbeY

Session Three - Mutualistic Ministry with Greg Harris: https://youtu.be/OQM6W9wmCPU

In this seminar, we’re hearing from my friend Kathy Dubbledam—the director of YoungLife Capernaum in Canada.

Now, you may have heard of YoungLife (who hasn’t?). But have you heard of YoungLife Capernaum? It’s all about relationships; relationships that start with meeting teens with disabilities where they’re at, caring for them and sharing the Christian faith in simple and understandable terms… all with no strings attached. [They] want to make sure that every teen involved in Young Life Capernaum knows they are invited, celebrated, and needed.

And since Kathy is the director of this YoungLife ministry, she has so much wisdom to share about what it looks like to create communities where everyone truly belongs, and truly shares the gifts they have received from God.

Bio

Kathy Dubbeldam is the Capernaum Ministry Director for Young Life of Canada and has been serving with Young Life for 25 years. Young Life is a global faith-based youth mentorship program, and Kathy leads the Capernaum branch, ensuring that friends with disabilities are welcomed and included. She introduced Capernaum to Canada in 2014, starting in Edmonton, and has since helped expand it to 12 cities across three provinces. Over the past eight years, she has established Capernaum-specific clubs, trained staff in inclusive practices, and advised church pastors on creating welcoming spaces for individuals with disabilities. She is also developing accessible devotionals to support faith growth for all abilities.

These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, Fellowship Pacific, YoungLife Capernaum, and this show.

Links

YoungLife Capernaum: https://capernaum.younglife.ca/

Instagram: @younglifecapernaumcanada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ylcapernaumeverywhere

The Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre/org

Northwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.ca

Fellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

In this episode, we’re continuing on in the disability and the church seminar series—the third of four sessions. If you haven’t caught the first two sessions, be sure to check them out before you get into this one.In this seminar, my friend Greg Harris presents on disability and discipleship.

Session One - Disability Language and Rhetoric with Krista Ewert: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-seminar-part-one-before/id1779392257?i=1000720849933

Session Two - What is a Human? with Michael Morelli: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-part-two-what-is-a/id1779392257?i=1000721876026

Not only is Greg a pastor, he’s also working on a doctorate that focuses on this topic.He’s exploring the question: what if the church was a place where everybody was truly considered capable of being a disciple and discipling other people? What would that community look like? What would it to do to make it that kind of community?

As Greg poses these questions, he provides a number of opportunities for us to reflect one where we—where you are at—and ask: how is my church, my community doing in this area? Could we be doing better? And if so, what does better look like in this context?

These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, and Fellowship Pacific.

Bio

Greg Harris has served in pastoral ministry since 2010, and has been on the pastoral team at SouthRidge Fellowship since Fall 2022. He believes the church should be a place of mutuality, and he desires to see each disciple of Jesus—regardless of their dis/abilities—mature in Christlikeness.

Greg received a Dip. in Biblical Studies and a B.A. in Worship Arts from Columbia Bible College; an MDiv from Northwest Baptist Seminary, and is a Doctoral candidate in Practical Theology at McMaster Divinity College (with a research focus on the intersection of dis/ability and discipleship in the local church).

Links

My Disabled Son is the Image of God: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/03/1p36-down-syndrome-theology-disability-child-image-of-god/

Instagram: @gregharris7

SouthRidge Church: https://southridgefellowship.ca/accessibility-and-inclusion/

Additional Links

The Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.org

Northwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.ca

Fellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

This is the second of a four-part seminar series on disability and the church. It explores what it means to be human, specifically from the perspective of the Bible, theology, and what most people call disability.These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest Seminary and College, and Fellowship Pacific, and this show.If you haven't listened to the first seminar exploring the history of disability language and rhetoric, check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-seminar-part-one-before/id1779392257?i=1000720849933

Bio

Michael is Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics and Program Manager, Life-Long Learning at Northwest College & Seminary. He holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: A Nascent Theological Tradition (Lexington Books) and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and World: A New Essay By Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick). He publishes and presents on a variety of topics within the fields of theology, morality, culture, politics, technology, and disability. He has also worked in local church ministry and continues to serve the church in a lay capacity.

Links

Substack: https://personalistmanifestos.substack.com/

Instagram: mchlmorelli

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mchlmorelli.bsky.social

The Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.org

Northwest College and Seminary: www.nbseminary.ca

Fellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

Additional Resources

Vincent Lloyd, Black Natural Law: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/black-natural-law-9780199362189

Brian Brock and John Swinton (eds.), Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802866028/disability-in-the-christian-tradition/

This is the first of a four-part seminar on disability and the church. These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, Fellowship Pacific, and this show—all groups I am a part of in one way or another.I am sharing these seminars with you because I do not want the discussions of disability we have on Personalist Manifesto(s) to just be theoretical. I want to them to lead to real, practical action.In the first seminar, my friend and colleague Krista Ewert presents on disability language and rhetoric, because, as you will see, this is a critical place to start when thinking about disability.BioKrista is storyteller and leader: a multi-hyphenate who thrives on creating and curating all things deeply connecting. Krista grew up attending South Delta Baptist Church and has worked in various churches in different ministry capacities. She was the Communications lead for the National Ministry Team at the Church of England, where she had the opportunity to work with the National Advisor for Disability and the Diocesan Disability Advisors. She has also worked as a Marketing leader at Alpha Canada and World Vision. She has a degree in theology from Prairie Bible College and a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities focusing on Disability Language and Rhetoric. Krista is married to Ben, who is the Director of Choral Activities at TWU and Director of Music at St. John’s Vancouver Church where she attends with her three children, Jakob (17), Ella (15), who was born with Down syndrome, and Audrey (10).LinksKrista's Substack: https://kristaewert.substack.com/The Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.orgNorthwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.caFellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

Initially, my childhood friend Jeff Wheeldon thought he was going to be a pastor. Then, he thought he was going to be a theology professor. But then, he ended up in politics. Some of you may be excited to hear I’m interviewing a Christian who happens to be in politics. Some of you might get a little skittish. If you’re in the latter category, stick with us. I think you’ll find that Jeff is breaking the mold in terms of what it means to be a Christian in politics. We talk about theology, politics, political theology, and… swans. Note: Because Personalist Manifesto(s) strives to be non-partisan, it is important to mention that this conversation is not a political ad or endorsement. It’s simply one friend speaking to another about the above topics.

Bio

Jeff Wheeldon loves his family, playing tabletop games with his friends and kids, and managing complex systems to make a better world. He paints miniatures, is working on his first novel, and serves as a municipal councillor in Brighton, Ontario. He's a big fan of Jesus, and is learning to love himself and everyone else too.

Links

Jeff's blog: https://jeffwheeldon.ca/blog/

Jeff's publications: https://sociologyandchristianity.org/index.php/jsc/article/view/281

Additional Resources

Astra Taylor, Massey Lectures / The Age of Insecurity: https://www.cbc.ca/radiointeractives/ideas/2023-cbc-massey-lectures-astra-taylor

Marva Dawn, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802847706/powers-weakness-and-the-tabernacling-of-god/

Walter Wink, The Powers Trilogy: https://www.goodreads.com/series/55665-powers

Greg Boyd, Satan and the Problem of Evil: https://reknew.org/book/satan-the-problem-of-evil-constructing-a-trinitarian-warfare-theodicy/

Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/thinking-in-systems/

Michael Banner, Ethics of Everyday Life: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ethics-of-everyday-life-9780198722069?cc=ca&lang=en&

Club of Rome, Limits to Growth: https://www.clubofrome.org/publication/the-limits-to-growth/

Jacques Ellul, Theology and Technique: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725259775/theology-and-technique/

Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/73535/the-righteous-mind-by-jonathan-haidt/

E.F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful: https://www.amazon.ca/Small-Beautiful-Economics-People-Mattered/dp/0099225611