WesWorld - An Asbury Seminary Podcast

Are human beings fundamentally good—or completely sinful?In this episode of WesWorld, Dr. David Watson, Dr. Scott Kisker and Dr. Tesia Mallory tackle one of the most important questions in Christianity: 👉 What does it mean to be human?
This deep dive into theological anthropology explores:*The difference between being created good vs. being morally fallen*Sin, grace, and the image of God*What John Wesley really taught about human nature*Why this matters for issues like:-Human dignity-Assisted suicide-Gender identity-Transhumanism
The conversation also addresses a recent theological debate about whether humans are “fundamentally good” and clarifies the Wesleyan view of total depravity and prevenient grace.If you're wrestling with questions about identity, sin, salvation, or modern culture, this episode gives a thoughtful, biblically grounded framework.
KEY TOPICS COVERED0:00 Introduction & controversy overview2:00 What is theological anthropology?5:00 Are humans created good? (Genesis 1)10:00 Moral goodness vs ontological goodness12:00 John Wesley on sin and depravity20:00 The image of God—lost or marred?27:00 Human dignity and ethical implications30:00 Nietzsche and modern secular culture37:00 Identity, sexuality, and moral order41:00 Transhumanism and redefining humanity45:00 Hope, revival, and the Holy Spirit
MENTIONSResponsible Grace — Randy MaddoxThe Desecration of Man — Carl TrumanThree Worlds of Evangelicalism — Aaron Renn
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKSPodcasts: https://asbury.to/podcastsWebsite: https://asburyseminary.edu/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminaryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson tackle a deceptively simple question: Why are we Protestants? The conversation explores Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and Protestant traditions, engaging topics such as papal infallibility, the Magisterium, Marian doctrines, purgatory, the Eucharist, beauty and aesthetics, ecclesial authority, and the legacy of the Protestant Reformation.
Along the way, the hosts reflect on John Wesley’s theology, Methodist holiness, class and band meetings, accountability, sanctification, and the formation practices that once made Methodism a compelling spiritual movement. They contrast these practices with modern consumer Christianity and ask whether Methodism can recover the depth, discipline, and doctrinal clarity needed to speak persuasively to younger generations.
MENTIONS
The Early Methodist Class Meeting: Its Origins and Significance — David Lowes Watson
Why I Am Protestant — Beth Felker Jones
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS
Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts
Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary
 
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
 
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In this episode of WesWorld, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson examine the figure of Constantine, the legalization of Christianity, and the long‑term theological and political consequences of church‑empire entanglement.
The hosts explore the persecution of early Christians, the Council of Nicaea, the development of Trinitarian doctrine, and modern critiques of “Constantinianism.” Along the way, they address common misconceptions such as the claim that Constantine invented Christian orthodoxy and consider why doctrinal debates mattered deeply for salvation, worship, and the character of God.The conversation draws on early church history, Wesleyan theology, and political theology to probe how Christian faith relates to power, governance, and public witness past and present.
MENTIONSThe Road to Nicaea - Podcast (Ben Wyatt)https://roadtonicaea.com/
The Ancients (History Focus series)https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients
The Desire of the Nations — Oliver O’Donovanhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/books/desire-of-the-nations/8CC8CEB4F43E5A57C4A07C93C7142559
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS: Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcastsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminaryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
#WesWorldPodcast #Christian #Faith #AsburySeminary #Church #Theology

In this episode of WesWorld, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson take up a sobering but necessary conversation about leadership failure, spiritual gifting, and accountability in the Church. Prompted by recent high‑profile scandals, the hosts step beyond breaking news to examine the deeper, recurring dynamics that make such failures possible and, at times, predictable.
The discussion explores the assumption that platform, gifting, or spiritual power equals maturity, challenging the idea that visibility reflects faithfulness. Drawing on examples from across the charismatic, evangelical, and institutional church worlds, the hosts wrestle with questions of prophetic ministry, manipulation, discernment, and the difference between spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts.
Thoughtful, candid, and pastoral, this episode calls leaders and churches alike to recover practices that prioritize character over charisma and faithfulness over fame.
MENTIONSThe Roys Report (Julie Roys) - https://roysreport.com/Jack Deere: My Desire for Power Enabled Paul Cain’s Manipulation (Article) - https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/jack-deere-my-desire-for-power-enabled
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS
Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts
Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
#WesWorldPodcast #Christian #Faith #AsburySeminary #Church #ChristianFormation

In this lively and theologically charged episode, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson tackle the reappearance of ancient heresies in modern form, focusing especially on a renewed interest in Marcionism. Using the recent promotion of the so-called “True Testament” as a case study, the hosts examine why ideas the Church rejected nearly two thousand years ago continue to surface with fresh marketing and digital reach.
Along the way, the hosts show why doctrines are not arbitrary rules but life-giving truths with real implications for how Christians understand Scripture, salvation, the incarnation, judgment, love, and human freedom.
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS• Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts • Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
#AsburySeminary #WesWorld #theology

WesWorld hosts take up one of the most difficult and unavoidable questions facing the church: How should Christians think about religion and politics? They explore political theology, moral agency, the role of the state, and the church’s responsibility to speak prophetically without collapsing into partisanship.The episode examines why Wesleyans have often lacked a coherent political theology, how doctrines like prevenient grace and sanctification shape Christian views of freedom and coercion, and why the absence of theological grounding often leads churches to default to cultural or partisan assumptions. 
MENTIONS• The Desire of the Nations — Oliver O’Donovan• The Coddling of the American Mind — Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff• The City of God — Augustine of Hippo• John Wesley Institute - https://nextmethodism.org/
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS• Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts • Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary 
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
#AsburySeminary #WesWorld #Politics #Religion #WesleyanTheology

In this lively episode, Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson dive into what Christian music teaches the Church, sometimes intentionally, sometimes accidentally. From Charles Wesley’s hymnody to Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever,” from Advent carols to Rich Mullins and the rise of contemporary Christian music, the hosts examine how lyrics shape belief, and why some current worship trends raise important theological questions. 
With humor, they critique shallow lyrics, discuss the disappearance of hymns, and debate whether secular songs ever belong in worship. The conversation also touches on the Emergent Church movement, postmodern theology, and why music—old or new—must ultimately serve the apostolic faith. 
ASBURY SEMINARY LINKSPodcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminaryTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.
#AsburySeminary #WesWorld #ChristianMusic #WesleyanTheology 

In this lively and deeply theological episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson discuss with humor, banter, and a few good-natured jabs, the trio digs into pragmatism, why decisions within the Global Methodist Church and the broader Wesleyan family must be rooted in rich theological reasoning rather than convenience, trend, or institutional fatigue. The conversation ranges across infant baptism vs. infant dedication, sacramental authority, elders vs. deacons, whether Wesleyans should fence the table, and the dangers of letting “what works” override historic Christian convictions. Mentions • The Faith Once Delivered - A Wesleyan Witness to Christian Orthodoxy - Edited by Ryan N. Danker • Firebrand Magazine - https://firebrandmag.com/ Asbury Theological Seminary Links:
Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented here is for general information purposes only. #WesWorld #WesleyanTheology #MethodistTheology #Pragmatism #Baptism

In this episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson dive into a lively conversation about whether we’re witnessing a resurgence of Christian faith in the Western world. Is it a revival or something else? Together, they explore cultural shifts, the influence of public intellectuals, the rise of neo-paganism, and generational dynamics shaping faith today. HostsMaggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson MentionsDominion by Tom Holland (Book) 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson (Book) Life in the Negative World by Aaron Renn (Book) The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism by Aaron Renn (Article) The Conversion of Public Intellectuals by Luke Bretherton (Article) Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.

In this episode of WesWorld, hosts Maggie Elmer, Dr. Scott Kiker, and Dr. David Watson tackle one of the most pressing and complex issues in today’s cultural and theological landscape: the resurgence of antisemitism. Together, they explore its historical roots, its troubling rise on both the ideological left and right, and why Christians must respond thoughtfully and faithfully. Drawing on Wesleyan theology, the hosts reflect on human dignity, agency, and the call for Christians to engage the marketplace of ideas with courage and clarity.Hosts Maggie Ulmer, Dr. Scott Kisker, and Dr. David Watson Resources & Mentions Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center - https://www.yadvashem.org Asbury Theological Seminary – http://asbury.to Asbury Theological Seminary Podcasts – http://asbury.to/podcasts Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views and opinions of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material and information presented here are for general information purposes only.