245. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – The New Axial Age & The Future of Faith

245. Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – The New Axial Age & The Future of Faith

Author: Jerry L. Martin August 21, 2025 Duration: 44:44

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In this episode, Jerry and Abigail return for their fourth conversation in the series Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue, exploring the most profound theme of God: An Autobiography as Told to a Philosopher: the New Axial Age.

The term “Axial Age,” introduced by philosopher Karl Jaspers, describes the pivotal era when some of the world’s greatest spiritual figures appeared within a few centuries of one another: Socrates, the Hebrew prophets, the Buddha, Confucius, and the sages of the Upanishads. 

Humanity shifted on its spiritual axis, developing new ways of thinking, deeper moral insights, and new pathways to the divine. Now, Jerry shares that God revealed to him we stand on the threshold of another great transformation, a new spiritual era filled with both peril and promise.

Together, Jerry and Abigail ask what this might mean for religions and traditions born in the first Axial Age. Are they fading, losing their power to hold communities together, as God suggests, while a new spirituality rises in diverse, often fragmented ways? 

Abigail speaks of her profound yet complex relationship with Judaism, her spiritual experiences in India, her affection for Gandhi, and her surprising love of country gospel. Jerry recalls his own journey from Southern Baptist and Pentecostal childhood through philosophy into a direct encounter with God.

Their conversation moves between history, theology, and personal testimony, showing how ancient wisdom and modern lives intertwine. They consider the Jewish vocation of chronology and covenant, the Hindu pursuit of Atman and Brahman, and the universal human calling to partner with God in history. 

Through all of this, one theme emerges as both anchor and challenge: to be truthful—to reality, to God, and to oneself.

Are we living through a moment of spiritual collapse or the birth of something radically new? 

Other Series:

The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:

The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.

From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.

Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.

Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.

What’s Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.

What’s On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.

What’s On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. 

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Imagine a philosopher, a dedicated scholar who spent his life in the realm of ideas without a trace of faith, suddenly finding himself in a dialogue he never sought. GOD: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher-The Podcast is the unfolding account of Dr. Jerry L. Martin, a lifelong agnostic and former head of the National Endowment for the Humanities, who one day offered a prayer and received a clear, verbal response. This isn't a theoretical exercise or a sermon; it's a personal chronicle of what happened next, as a trained thinker with deep skepticism began asking the big questions about existence, purpose, and human nature, and recorded the answers he received. Each episode moves this extraordinary narrative forward, blending the disciplines of philosophy, spirituality, and raw personal experience. You'll hear Dr. Martin's thoughtful reflections on these conversations, which span topics from the nature of the divine to the practical challenges of living an ethical life, all grounded in his academic background. This podcast invites you into a story that challenges preconceptions, not to persuade but to present a profound and documented experience. It's for anyone curious about the intersection of intellect and the ineffable, where a philosopher's quest for truth took an utterly unexpected turn. The journey detailed here resonates across categories of religion, culture, and society, offering a unique perspective that is both deeply human and mysteriously transcendent.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 278

GOD: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher - The Podcast
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