A biblically-informed thinkspace for exploring and articulating all the ways we make or break sense of human experience. Join thinker and author Michael Minkoff as he investigates and interrogates meaning-making and thought categories in an effort to articulate a more cohesive understanding of human information within the superstructure of God’s truth.
Ep. 16: Body and Soul, Flesh and Spirit
Michael investigates our misconceptions concerning the body and soul, exploring the Platonic and NeoPlatonic influences on Christian thought, which has produced dualistic and body-dismissing conceptions of human nature and the source of sin.
Being Something Extra 2: 20/20 Hindblindness
Michael examines the challenge of reconstructing history from fragments concerning people and events that were certainly obscure in their time, leading to a phenomenon he terms 20/20 Hindblindness.
Three Powers, Pt. 15: Three Powers, Trauma, and “Redeeming Heartache”
Michael explores the relationship between trauma and calling by analyzing “Redeeming Heartache” by Dr. Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel. They classify trauma into orphan, stranger, and widow categories, linking them to the roles of prophet, priest, and king. Michael critiques their insights, highlighting gaps in their analysis while integrating his own perspective on the three powers.
Three Powers, Pt. 14: More on Internal and External Standards
Michael explores internal and external standards for values of good, right, and true, emphasizing the balance between individual and collective values.
Three Powers, Pt. 13: More on the Affections
Michael delves into the dynamics of the affections and their ordering. He lays out foundational concepts for affective change, suggesting initial steps for processing emotions.
Three Powers, Pt. 12: Three Powers and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Michael discusses the connection between the Holy Spirit’s gifts and the human spirit’s powers, noting how Jesus’ roles as prophet, priest, and king are reflected in church members and offices. He highlights the potential for discord due to diversity in gifts but emphasizes God’s purpose of unity and growth within the church.
Being Something Extra 1: Tragic Story, Comic Ending
In this bonus episode of Being Something Extra, Michael discusses the conventions of comedy and tragedy. He analyzes how the films Uncut Gems and The Room subvert traditional expectations, transforming tragic scenarios toward conventionally comedic outcomes.
Three Powers, Pt. 11: Self-Awareness and the Overlap of the Powers
Michael addresses self-awareness and its challenges due to overlapping powers. He categorizes these overlaps: desire connects will and affections, plan connects will and intellect, and dream connects intellect and affections. Standards for these overlaps are habit for desire, conviction for plan, and taste for dream. Resolving conflicts in the three powers generally happens in the overlaps or agreements of the powers
Three Powers, Pt. 10: Superiority and Submission
Michael explores the complex dynamics of superiority and submission, emphasizing the important distinctions between domain, power, and authority. He highlights how internal submission fosters personal wholeness, while external submission can lead to peace and productivity within communities.
Three Powers, Pt. 9: Three Powers, Faith, and Salvation
Michael examines the connection between the three powers of the human spirit and Christian faith. He critiques historical definitions of faith for neglecting to ascribe any affectional dimension to faith and concludes with insights on church selection and evangelism.