The Faith and Science Podcast

These are the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b, or Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8, with Romans 12:9-21, and Matthew 16:21-28.  What happens when the unexpected turns out to be exactly what we needed? This episode explores how faith, science, mistakes, and surprising discoveries can challenge our assumptions and open us to possibilities we never anticipated. From responding to others with unexpected kindness to recognizing the value hidden in accidents and setbacks, we’re reminded to stay curious and trust that we may not always see the bigger picture. The episode invites us to consider where we’ve been surprised by something meaningful—and where we might need to make room for surprise in our own lives. Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:Where has been a place that God has surprised you? #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  9-3-23 - You are Called!8-30-20 - We are Dependent like Hippos and GiraffesI look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sp1KnC1bE8https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history-you-asked/what-safety-glasshttps://www.britannica.com/video/invention-safety-glass-Edouard-Benedictus/-205649

These are the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133, or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67, with Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, and Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28.  What do a dismissed body part and an overlooked Bible story have in common? This week dives into the lectionary readings for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost—stories of quiet defiance, unexpected blessing, and Peter's bold declaration about who Jesus is—paired with a fascinating look at the appendix, an organ written off as useless for over a century and only recently discovered to play a vital role in immunity and gut health. Together they raise a compelling question: what small, easy-to-overlook things might actually be essential to your community and your faith? Tune in for a fresh take on why the little things deserve a second look.  Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:What is something so small and easy to overlook, but vital to a community? #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  8-27-23 - Knowing who You Are!8-23-2020 - We are Rocks!I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendix_(anatomy)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12128343/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWpM-rPVuNghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wsTUe4LCDshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TNYSlqyFMIhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170109162333.htmhttps://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/appendix-isnt-useless-all-its-safe-house-bacteriahttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/02/1228474984/appendix-function-appendicitis-gut-health

Dear Listeners,
 
We have made it 450 straight weeks of talking about Faith and Science!  I first want to thank everyone who has tagged along on this crazy journey.  I hope you enjoy this episode as we thank you and talk about what some of the future holds for the podcast.  Hope you enjoy it as we continue talking about Faith and Science each week.
 
Thank you so much,
Tyler Bublitz

These are the readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 45:1-15 and Psalm 133, or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 and Psalm 67, with Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, and Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28.    Roman concrete has outlasted modern concrete by over a thousand years — and the secret lies in its "imperfections." This week, we explore how the self-healing chemistry of ancient Roman structures mirrors a persistent Canaanite woman's faith, Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers, and a message that God's gifts are never revoked. Discover why a faith that's a little messy, cracked, and slow to cure might actually be the strongest kind. Plus: episode 450 milestone reflections on what keeps a long journey of faith going.  Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:In your life, where is the quicklime that's still waiting to be made into concrete? #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  8-20-23 - Seeing Beyond the Situation8-16-20 - Looking for the Overlooked!I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zQEQvABHMghttps://www.weforum.org/videos/scientists-have-discovered-how-the-romans-made-self-healing-concrete/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Wc7Q2UJ3WtEhttps://www.youtube.com/shorts/3GOyPEEo8_Ehttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add1602https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821858/https://news.mit.edu/2023/roman-concrete-durability-lime-casts-0106https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ancient-roman-concrete-has-self-healing-capabilities/https://ceramics.org/ceramic-tech-today/relict-no-more-purposeful-inclusion-of-lime-clasts-gives-roman-concretes-self-healing-properties/

These are the readings for the Eleven Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b, or 1 Kings 19:9-18 and Psalm 85:8-13, with Romans 10:5-15, and Matthew 14:22-33.  When the world's data gets complicated, does that mean we stop trusting? This week we sit with Joseph's brothers, Elijah's sheer silence, and Peter sinking beneath the waves — and ask what it means to keep our eyes fixed on Christ even when the ground (or the science) feels uncertain. A closer look at a real, ongoing climate debate becomes an unexpected lens for faith, fear, and what it costs to do the right thing without knowing the full outcome. Come wrestle with the tension between trust and uncertainty — and what it looks like to keep moving forward anyway.  Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:This wasn't stated question this week but here are a few:1.  How do we continue to move forward instead of having fear?2. Is there a Faith and Science Episode that stands out to you?  #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  8-13-23 - The ”Tension” we all NEED to Walk!8-9-2020 - The Need for Doubt in Science and Faith!I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.caltech.edu/about/news/low-level-cloud-loss-amplifies-global-warminghttps://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/17/8/715https://phys.org/news/2026-01-cleaner-ship-fuel-clouds-climate.htmlhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01911-9https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386871648_Warming_effects_of_reduced_sulfur_emissions_from_shippinghttps://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01442-3https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024EF005011https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024GL109077https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/23/8259/2023/https://thefaithandsciencepodcast.podbean.com/e/6-24-18-no-need-to-fear/

These are the readings for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 17:1-7, 15, or Isaiah 55:1-5 and Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21, with Romans 9:1-5, and Matthew 14:13-21.  For centuries, sailors died from a disease with a known cure — because people kept forgetting, doubting, or dismissing the evidence right in front of them. This week, that strange, maddening history of scurvy becomes a mirror for a much older story: a crowd fed by a miracle their own followers doubted was possible, even after watching miracle after miracle unfold that same day. What does it take to actually see the blessings already surrounding us, instead of waiting to be amazed all over again? A look at how faith and science both stall out when we stop building on what we already know — and what it means to finally open our eyes.   Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:Where are you seeing God's blessings in the everyday? #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  8-6-23 - Abundance in Plants and Lobsters, Why not Us?8-2-20 - Jesus Invites Us into a New Lifestyle!I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py__GJjQzCA

These are the readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 29:15-28 and Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128, 1 Kings 3:5-12 and Psalm 119:129-136, with Romans 8:26-39 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.  Long-term commitment shapes both faith and science — and this week's episode digs into why that matters. Drawing connections between decades-spanning experiments like the Beal seed viability study and the Rothamsted agricultural trials — both of which uncovered discoveries far beyond their original scope — the episode makes the case that patience and sustained commitment, not quick fixes, lead to deeper understanding. That applies as much to our relationship with God as it does to how we care for creation.   Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:How are you going to think about the long term and commit to the long term? #FaithandSciPodIf you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  7-30-23 - Life-Saving Blood can be a PAIN!7-26-20 - Finding the ”Pearls” in our Life!I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.era.rothamsted.ac.uk/Parkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Grass_Experimenthttps://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/id/eprint/24714/https://www.ecologicalcontinuitytrust.org/parkgrasshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5952867/https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/11/msu-plant-biologists-shed-light-on-144-year-old-seedy-mysteryhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37812737/https://assets.atlasobscura.com/places/dr-beals-seed-viability-experimenthttps://datanuggets.org/2021/07/buried-seeds-buried-treasure/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_N1YZVeDwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65WJM9NtaMA

These are the readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 28:10-19a and Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24, or Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8 and Psalm 86:11-17, with Romans 8:12-25, and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.  This week we explored the parable of the wheat and the weeds, connecting it to underground mycelium networks and the invisible light spectrum to show how much of reality operates beyond what we can immediately see or perceive. The conversation challenges the temptation to react to short-term setbacks, arguing that God often works on a scale and timeline far larger than our current view allows. Along the way, it draws on themes of divine presence, patience, and hope from across this week's readings.  Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:Where do we need to have long-term vision instead of short-term?#FaithandSciPod
If you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  7-23-23 -Communication Growth to get Closer to God?7-19-20 - Called into Love, Not to Be a JudgeI look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-does-sunscreen-work.h00-159698334.htmlhttps://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2014/acs-presspac-october-29-2014/why-plants-dont-get-sunburn.htmlhttps://www.epa.gov/radtown/ultraviolet-uv-radiation-and-sun-exposurehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy-eqWM38ghttps://www.nationalforests.org/article/underground-mycorrhizal-network/https://www.isdin.com/us/blog/skincare/ultraviolet-radiation-and-your-skin/https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety

These are the readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 25:19-34 and Psalm 119:105-112, or Isaiah 55:10-13 and Psalm 65:(1-8), 9-13, with Romans 8:1-1, and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.  This week's episode wrestles with our tendency toward short-term thinking, from Esau trading his birthright for a quick meal to the "rocky ground" in the Parable of the Sower that springs up fast but never takes root. That same short-sightedness shows up in how slowly we adopt renewable energy, even as climate data keeps sounding the alarm. Real spiritual and environmental growth asks us to look beyond immediate comfort and self-interest toward a longer-term, collective good.  Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:Where do you see yourself naturally being selfish instead of being a blessing? #FaithandSciPod
If you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  7-16-23 - Plants Share! Does our Faith?7-12-20 - Are we being ”Good Soil”?I look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables-and-low-emissions-fuelshttps://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2026/key-findingshttps://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/seasonal-to-decadal/seasonal-forecast/forecasts/co2-forecasthttps://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/annual-carbon-dioxide-peak-passes-another-milestonehttps://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2025-in-review-global-temperatureshttps://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/global-climate-202513

These are the readings for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost; Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13, or Zechariah 9:9-12 and Psalm 145:8-14, with Romans 7:15-25a, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.  This week the texts take us through the full range of human emotion — from Isaac's joy and grief, to Paul's inner battle, to Jesus' invitation to lay down our burdens and rest. What does science have to say about all of this? We explore the fascinating and controversial story of Koko the gorilla and the groundbreaking research of Frans de Waal, whose work with primates suggests that empathy and emotional life are woven into creation far more deeply than we ever imagined. If emotions are by design, what does that mean for how we show up — for God, for each other, and for the church? . Let me know what you think of it.
Remember to answer this week's question:How are we going to unite people instead of divide people, and how are we going to handle that emotionally well? #FaithandSciPod
If you're wanting to hear other podcasts on these texts check out:  7-9-23 - Falling Short Can ”Tilt” Things7-5-20 - The Balance of Action and Patience in FaithI look forward to all of your feedback,Tyler Bublitz
Music used in the podcast:March On by Silent PartnerPorches and Universes by Puddle of Infinity
Social Media:X: @FaithandSciPodFacebook Group: Faith and Science Podcast GroupFacebook Company Page: The Faith and Science PodcastLinkedIn: Faith and Science PodcastEmail: thefaithandsciencepodcast@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaithandSciPod
References:The Green Blades Preaching Roundtable (Weekly) or Green Blades Rising Publications (Monthly) reach out to ecofaith@nemnsynod.org and say which you would like to sign up for! - https://nemnsynod.org/ecofaith-network/    https://www.ecofaithnetwork.org/Beyond the Argument: Where Science and Scripture Meet -  By Esong Ngidie Teddyhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378216688900185https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frans_de_Waalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaCnbPROnjEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPsSKKL8N0shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4XNyP9RYdwhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/248451339_Pragmatic_analysis_of_gorilla_utterancesEarly_communicative_development_in_the_gorilla_Kokohttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00437956.1990.11435816https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajp.1350240304https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajp.22930https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00302695https://science.umd.edu/faculty/wilkinson/BIOL608W/deWaalAnnRevPsych2008.pdfhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0055206