GET UP & GO BREAKFAST - PROF DION FORSTER

What is Lent, and does it really just mean giving up chocolate? In this episode, Brad connects with Professor Dion Forster, theologian and university research chair in Amsterdam, to unpack the true meaning of Lent and its relevance for Christians today. Discover how Lent developed as a 40-day spiritual practice leading up to Easter, inspired by Jesus’ time in the wilderness and the journey to the...

Join Prof. Dion Forster from the Freie Universiteit in this insightful podcast episode. Dion shares his experience visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland and reflects on human brokenness, hope, and the power of Christ’s love. We explore the meaning of Lent, the importance of spiritual realignment, and how we can daily strive to overcome our earthly tendencies and live more like Jesus. Listen in and...

Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we connect with Professor Dion Forster, theologian and research chair at the Freie Universität in Amsterdam. From icy Dutch winters to empowering young believers, Dion shares practical wisdom from 1 Timothy 4:12, the importance of Grace-a-Thon Pledge Week, and how media and radio ministry can shape the next generation of Christian leaders. Discover how...

Join us on this inspiring podcast episode with Professor Dion Foster, theologian and University Research Chair at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, as we explore the intersection of faith, fasting, and food. From South African culinary treasures in the Netherlands to the spiritual discipline of fasting, Dion shares his personal journey of prayer, reflection, and Lent practices that deepen connecti...

Join us as we journey to Amsterdam with Professor Dion Forster, walking through the joys of Dutch mornings with tulips, cheese, and clogs, while reflecting on everyday courage and faith. In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, her quiet preparation for a historic act of nonviolent resistance, and what her courage teaches us about standing up or taking a seat against injustic...

Join us as we sit down with Professor Dion Foster explores theology for everyday Christians. Discover how faith, reason, and desire intersect in the Christian life, why thinking about God matters, and what we can learn from Thomas Aquinas, one of the church’s greatest thinkers. Dion encourages us all to engage our minds, hearts, and hands in our spiritual journey, building confidence in expressing...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Professor Dion Foster joins Brad to explore the remarkable life and legacy of Selina Hastings, the Countess of Huntingdon, one of the most influential Christian women of the 18th century. Broadcasting from Cambridge, UK, Dion shares insights from rare historical archives that reveal how Lady Huntingdon quietly shaped modern Christianity—funding churches,...

In this thought-provoking and deeply human conversation, Professor Dion Forster from the University of Amsterdam reflects on Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11) and what it reveals about faith, obedience, and everyday life. Recorded across continents—from South Africa to Amsterdam—this episode explores how Jesus chose an ordinary wedding feast, not a temple or sermon, to reve...

In this thought-provoking New Year conversation, theologian Professor Dion Forster joins Brad on air to unpack the true story of the Wise Men and the meaning of Epiphany. Moving beyond Christmas traditions, they explore what Scripture really says about the Magi, the journey to Bethlehem, and the powerful contrast between earthly power and the humble kingdom of God. Broadcast across continents—from...

This Advent reflection explores the profound Christian understanding of joy, which is far deeper than mere happiness. The discussion centers on the fourth week of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday, and highlights Mary's song in Luke 1:46-49 as a key text.

This Advent reflection focuses on the theme of hope, moving beyond naive optimism to a deep trust in God’s promises. The discussion centers on two key scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-2, where a shoot emerges from the "stump of Jesse," symbolizing God bringing new life from apparent ruin, and Luke 1:78-79, which describes Jesus as the "dawn from on high" breaking into darkness.

This Advent reflection, inspired by John 1:4-5, explores the profound truth that Christians are not called to generate light but to reflect the light of Christ in a dark world. Just as a single candle can illuminate an entire chapel, the light of Jesus within us cannot be overcome by darkness.

As American Thanksgiving and the start of Advent converge, this podcast episode offers a profound reflection on the power of gratitude. Prof Dion explores the biblical command in 1 Thessalonians to "give thanks in all circumstances," highlighting a crucial distinction: we are not called to give thanks for all situations, but in them, recognizing God's constant presence.

In a heartfelt interview on Radio Kpoop’s Breakfast Show, Professor Dion Forster, theologian and research chair at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, shares powerful insights on the meaning of Remembrance Day and the moral responsibility of memory. Speaking with host Brad Kirsten, Forster reminds listeners that war should never be romanticised, urging Christians to “wage peace” instead of glorifying co...

Feeling overwhelmed by constant change? This discussion, informed by neuroscience and theology, explains why our brains struggle with unpredictability and offers four practical, faith-based strategies to find stability. The key is recognizing that while our circumstances shift, God's character is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).

This reflection explores the life and legacy of Eugene Peterson, the pastor and scholar behind "The Message" Bible translation. Rather than seeking fame, Peterson modeled a "long obedience in the same direction" by faithfully serving a single congregation for 29 years. The discussion draws three key lessons for the Christian journey: that discipleship is a pilgrimage (a marathon, not a sprint), th...

This reflection explores the timeless spiritual quest of seeking God, inspired by Jeremiah 29:12-14. The discussion clarifies that God is not lost or hiding but is always present and waiting to be found. The key is our active, whole-hearted pursuit—comparing the urgency of searching for lost keys to the deep, vital necessity of seeking a relationship with the divine. Drawing on the wisdom of St. T...

This reflection draws inspiration from the lives of Mother Teresa and Oskar Schindler to explore a powerful message from the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." The discussion unpacks the meaning of this deep, urgent longing for a world set right by God's standards, contrasting it with our modern comforts.

In this Radio Cape Pulpit morning segment, Prof. Dion Forster reflects on Luke 16:10 and the inspiring life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He shares how true greatness in God’s kingdom comes through small, faithful acts of love rather than grand gestures. From answering emails with kindness to caring for family and neighbors, Foster reminds listeners that God often uses ordinary people and everyday de...

In this segment, Prof Dion addresses the recent failed prediction of the Rapture on September 23/24 by South African pastors. He provides a theological and historical perspective to clarify confusion, explaining that the modern concept of a pre-tribulation rapture—where believers are suddenly taken to heaven—is a relatively recent development, originating in the 19th century through dispensational...

In this segment, Professor Dion Forster shifts the conversation about environmental care from a political issue to a matter of faith and stewardship. He draws inspiration from the life and visions of Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Christian mystic who saw all of creation—from insects to flowers—as "sparks from the radiation of God's brilliance." Dion argues that seeing the natural world merel...

Professor Forster emphasizes that these stories are the "gospel within the gospel," highlighting that God's talent for finding us is far greater than our talent for being lost. He explains that the parables were originally told to the Pharisees—those who thought they were "found"—to challenge their exclusivity and remind them that God's greatest joy is seeking out the lost, the doubtful, the griev...

Professor Dion Forster, speaking from Šibenik, Croatia, delves into the critical importance of intentional Christian community. The conversation addresses the common struggle of isolation and the missed opportunities for deep, supportive relationships. Prof. Forster centers the discussion on James 5:13-18, highlighting how scripture instructs believers to be in community for all of life's seasons—...

In this podcast segment, Dion Forster reports from Stockholm, where he attended the centenary conference of the landmark 1925 ecumenical meeting. The core of the discussion focuses on the urgent need for Christian unity in a fractured world. He explains the original conference's motto, "doctrine divides, but service unites," arguing that prioritizing shared service and love over doctrinal debates...

In this profound podcast episode, theologian Prof. Dion Forster (Free University Amsterdam) explores the danger of spiritual sleepwalking through the lens of Jesus’ Transfiguration (Luke 9:29-36). Key insights: The Disciples’ "Wake-Up Call": Peter, James, and John physically awoke to see Christ’s divine glory—a metaphor for how believers today often miss God’s presence in daily life. Glory Was Alw...