In this episode of Professors in Rooms Getting Coffee, Justin and Stephen wrap up the conversation about Stephen's disseration. The conversation includes consideration of the complex distinctions between the perspectives of Iraq and the US leading up to the Gulf War, as well as cultural issues in the conduct of the 2003 war in Iraq.

The discussion includes recognition of both material and cultural issues. Stephen and Justin explore the apparent lack of intercultural competence in US foreign policy during this period, highlighting missed opportunities for recognizing the broader geopolitical instability. The episode touches upon the broader historical backdrop, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and how these influenced global strategies.

They also speculate on counterfactual scenarios, such as how post-9/11 US foreign policy might have played out differently with increased intercultural competence. Stephen reflects on the intricate balance of reconstructing historical events, deploying critical realism to explore hypothetical alternatives while acknowledging inherent complexities.

The conversation further emphasizes the necessity of intercultural competence training for government and foreign policy sectors, advocating for an understanding of different cultural frameworks without compromising one's values. Stephen and Justin also discuss the personal and professional growth experienced through their PhD processes, highlighting the importance of research skills and critical thinking.

In a lighter vein, the hosts share holiday traditions and personal anecdotes, from family Advent activities to the challenges of persistent winter darkness in Berlin. Stephen recounts an extraordinary connection between his father and an Iraqi pastor, bridging their past wartime roles through shared faith.

As this episode marks a pause in the podcast, the hosts express gratitude for their audience's support over four years, indicating a thoughtful reflection on their journey and the meaningful conversations shared.

00:00 Jenny's choir sang Handel's Messiah beautifully.

05:47 Seasonal illness disrupted schedules and plans.

14:40 Fascinated by archaeology; struggles finishing books.

18:55 Explored culture's impact on US foreign policies.

22:27 Cultural perceptions of time affect understanding.

28:37 Misunderstandings before the invasion of Kuwait.

32:44 US underestimated Iraq's honor-related power dynamics.

39:35 Culture's impact on perception of history is potentially significant.

47:56 Russia and the tendency toward pendulum swings misinterpreted by the US.

57:26 Reconsider cultural research methods; traditional insufficient.

01:02:44 Satisfied yet uncertain about project outcome completion.

01:09:44 Imposter syndrome, discipline, feedback, humility, growth.

01:11:17 Learning process shapes you as writer, thinker.

Thank you to our Patreon supporters! Thank you Austin, for your significant work on the edit of this episode!

In today's episode, we dive into Stephen's research on global Christian reasoning. We consider the four cultural frameworks Stephen evaluated in this context, and examine their impact on interpretations of several Bible passages. But before we get into all the intriguing details of Stephen's dissertation, we catch up with our hosts, Stephen and Justin, as they discuss the challenges of living in a new country, dealing with bureaucratic paperwork, daily life, and the refreshing discovery of meaning in liturgy.

As we delve into Stephen's research, we explore the existence of an epistemic community within global Christian reasoning and the importance of cultural self-awareness in theological reflections. We also touch on the complex issue of how culture and pre-understandings shape our interpretations of biblical texts, and the dangers of assuming a "plain meaning" without critical self-reflection.

Join us as we uncover the fascinating relationship between culture and global Christian reasoning - a theme with potentially massive implications for missiology and theology. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us for another engaging episode of "Professors, in Rooms, Getting Coffee"!

Find Bonus Content, including a free beta transcript, on Patreon at https://patreon.com/envisionberlin

1. Challenges and Reflections

- Dealing with stress and overwhelm in work and personal life

- Recognizing the impact of changing weather and daylight savings time on moods

1. Liturgy and Church Traditions:

- Appreciation for liturgy, prayers, confession, Eucharist, and scriptures

- Comparing different church traditions and experiences

- Reflecting on the evolution of church practices over time

1. Global Christian Reasoning:

- Focus on understanding expressions of Christianity in the past century

- Accessible literature in English

- Focus on expressions of Christianity that emerged in the last 100 years

- Literature primarily in English, allowing for accessibility

- Understanding Christianity at multiple levels: epistemologically, cosmologically, theologically, and practically

1. Cultural Frameworks in Global Christian Reasoning:

- Examining cultural differences and their impact on shared text

- Identifying four cultural frameworks: shame/honor, past/future, consent/authority, good/evil

- Recognizing the importance of land, time, and suffering in the literature

- Translation and cultural perspective affect interpretation and meaning

- Potential for further research on shame, honor, guilt, innocence, and time orientation in biblical passages

01:42 End of first full program year at Envision Berlin achieved. Exciting accomplishments an...

Welcome back to another episode of "Professors, in Rooms, Getting Coffee"! In this episode Stephen and Justin talk about how Stephen sought to challenge established answers within political science by approaching questions about culture from a different angle while maintaining the rigors of academic methodology. The episode explores cultural differences in the perception and interaction with time and the influence of these differences on various aspects of life. They also touch on the interpretation of sacred texts and the significance of methodology in research.

In their introductory reflections, Justin and Stephen explore the nuances of understanding spiritual attributes and whether they emerge naturally or require conscious effort. They also delve into the power of habits and routines in shaping our behavior, and the importance of prayer and scripture in encountering God. They also discuss the joy of creative expression and the beauty of creating for the sake of creation itself.

Get ready for an intellectually stimulating conversation on these intriguing topics and more. So grab your favorite drink, settle into your favorite chair, and join Elise, Stephen, and Justin for another enlightening episode of "Professors, in Rooms, Getting Coffee"!

Free Transcripts: We're posting free beta transcripts for all our episodes on our new Patreon page. Dive deeper into our conversations, revisit your favorite moments, and never miss a word of wisdom. Join us at our new home and continue supporting our mission at the intersection of art, faith, and culture. https://patreon.com/envisionberlin

Exciting news for our listeners: More Bonuses: Explore old favorites and fresh exclusives from all Envision Berlin podcasts.

1. The Importance of Habits and Affective Experiences in Shaping Behavior

• Discussing a book that emphasizes the spiritual power of habit.
• Challenging the hesitation in Protestant circles to talk about routines or habits.
• Highlighting the benefits of developing positive habits and the transformative impact they can have.
• Examining the practice of morning and evening prayer as a way to break down resistance and create a space to encounter God together.

2. Morning and evening prayer as a way to encounter God together

• Breaking down resistance and creating space for encountering God
• Making prayer and scripture important through the habit of morning and evening prayer
• Struggles in communicating the importance of these practices without generating guilt
• Benefits of regular prayer, especially during times of stress

3. Understanding the concept of abiding in the spirit and letting spiritual attributes emerge naturally

• The importance of comprehending "abiding in the spirit" and the emergence of spiritual attributes.
• Using examples like the fruit of the spirit from Galatians 5 as guidelines for personal improvement. <...