Dummy for Theology

About Dummy for Theology

This show seeks to explore spirituality from the lens of a Christian Taoist, Joshua Noel. We hope to explore Christian, Hebrew, and Taoist Scriptures to find peace for ourselves, love for our neighbors, and a message of Salvation for our time. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ, but what does the way of Jesus look like in our times? Just as Lao Tzu describes "the way" as one where we find our truest selves, have harmony with creation, and seek to put others before ourselves - so too is the way we follow Christ. Some episodes may be devotionals, some will be theological explorations, and other episodes may just be ponderings of our time - but it will all be in an effort to benefit all and be in conflict with none, through Christ.

Publisher

Joshua Noel

Category

religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 May 2023

Latest episode

3 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Valjean's Beginnings: How One Bishop's Mercy Changed a Thief's Life

   Joshua Noel contends that Bishop Myriel’s singular act of mercy—bestowing the silver and the candlesticks and fabricating a lie to spare Jean Valjean incarceration—serves as the pivotal mechanism through which Victor Hugo demonstrates that compassion effects profound transformation more potently than grandiose political revolt. Joshua Noel approaching the tale as a Daoist Christian, elucidates how Hugo stages the bishop’s wu-wei-like restraint to reorient moral perception and to catalyze Valjean’s radical reinvention. Joshua interrogates the protean nature of names and identity—prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, Monsieur Madeleine—and parallels these permutations with the renamings in the Book of Daniel, thereby exposing how nomenclature, memory, and social context delimit and enable the self. Noel balances erudition with a playful cadence—occasionally yielding to a pun or a sly allusion to Kingdom Hearts’ letter-play—while insisting that quotidian acts of mercy propagate love in ways that revolution cannot fully accomplish. He notes how names change under power. Joshua points out that Daniel keeps his Hebrew name while others receive Aramaic names tied to foreign gods. Joshua Noel places Jean Valjean’s many names next to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and asks why names matter for identity. He asks listeners to think of how social systems shape who people may become and how small acts can break those chains. Joshua brings play into heavy thought, mentioning Kingdom Hearts and the way names and hearts shape persons. He uses that game as a simple mirror for deep questions. Joshua closes by inviting reflection rather than answers. He leaves the listener with an open, clean question about what defines a life: label, deed, or mercy. Takeaways: Joshua Noel explains how Bishop Muriel's quiet mercy transforms Jean Valjean and changes many lives. Noel contrasts small acts of kindness with large revolutions and finds mercy more lasting and powerful. Joshua ties identity and names together using Jean Valjean and the Book of Daniel as clear examples. Joshua asks listeners to consider how names, past actions, and sacrifice shape who they become over time. Joshua Noel reflects on privilege, culture, and the limits of judgment, urging listeners to let mercy guide public action rather than mere critique or anger. . Check out merch for this podcast and discover other podcasts on the Anazao Podcast Network on our website: https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/ (https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/)

2. 

   3 Apr 2026

   DFHH: The Tao and the Christ/The Christ and the Tao - Kung Fu Pizza Party

   Welcome to my dojo, this is Drunken Fist Happy Hour, a special edition of Kung Fu Pizza Party where I put aside the 30 minutes or less stipulation, and instead I grab a drink and a friend and we let the conversation meander like Drunken Fist Kung Fu. With me today is Joshua Noel of Be Living Water to discuss Christian Taoism or Taoist Christianity. We are all on a spiritual journey, and in Josh's case, he has found a path to living his truest self found in Jesus and pursing the Tao. Be Living Water: https://be-living-water.captivate.fm/ Instagram: @kungfupizzaparty Letterboxd: KungFuPizzaPrty YouTube: youtube.com/StudioTwoOneNine

3. 

   28 Mar 2026

   Eating with Purpose: How Daniel 1 Informs Our Spiritual and Cultural Practices

   The discourse presented in this episode elucidates the profound implications of dietary choices, particularly as illustrated in Daniel 1, through a Taoist Christian lens. The salient point underscores the notion that our eating habits not only reflect our personal values but also bear significant weight in our spiritual and cultural contexts. Joshua Noel delves into the narrative of four Hebrew youths who opted for a vegetarian diet during their exile, prompting introspection on the motivations behind their choices and the broader themes of solidarity and identity. The discussion further probes the intersection of faith and culture, urging listeners to consider how their food practices may resonate with or challenge the prevailing societal norms. Ultimately, this episode serves as a call to mindfulness in our consumption, advocating for a harmonious relationship with both the divine and the diverse communities we inhabit. The discourse initiates with a profound reflection on the words of Jesus and Lao Tzu, setting the thematic stage of the podcast, which endeavors to harmonize Christian and Taoist ideologies. Joshua Noel, the host, identifies himself as a Taoist Christian, committed to seeking wisdom from both faith traditions. The episode delves into the Book of Daniel, particularly Chapter 1, which serves as a narrative introduction to the themes of exile and divine favor. Noel discusses the peculiar choice of four Hebrew boys to abstain from the royal diet, examining the implications of their vegetarianism within the broader context of their captivity in Babylon. He articulates various scholarly perspectives on the authorship and interpretation of Daniel, presenting a view that sees the text as a compilation of folk tales rather than a straightforward autobiography. The episode underscores the complexity of the narratives and the significance of understanding their chiastic structure, which, according to Noel, reveals the core message of the book. He emphasizes that the stories, while fantastical, are rich with moral and spiritual lessons relevant to contemporary society, especially regarding issues of identity, belonging, and resistance against injustice. Noel advocates for a nuanced understanding of dietary choices as acts of solidarity with marginalized communities, drawing parallels between the ancient text and modern ethical dilemmas. Takeaways: In Daniel 1, the significance of dietary choices is highlighted, reflecting deeper spiritual implications. The story of Daniel emphasizes the importance of standing in solidarity with marginalized communities. Joshua Noel discusses how modern eating habits shape and reflect our cultural and spiritual identities. The exploration of Daniel's vegetarianism reveals a profound connection between food and personal integrity. Lao Tzu's philosophy and Christian teachings intersect in the way we approach our eating practices. The episode urges listeners to consider the impact of their food choices on those less fortunate around them. . Check out merch for this podcast and discover other podcasts on the Anazao Podcast Network on our website: https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/ (https://anazao-podcasts-shop.fourthwall.com/)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

4.0 / 5

2 ratings

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