amateur theology: Recent Episodes
Ryan Galpin
// ramblings on the journey
amateur theology is a podcast for those on a theological journey and looking for someone to walk with. Ryan, the host, is a self-professed amateur theologian and is currently studying with WTC. In these episodes, he will be opening the book on what it's like to study theology, lifting the lid on some theological thoughts and insights as well as helping to navigate and make sense of him own personal theological journey.
Episode two is the second part of Ryan's conversation with Calvin Smith about studying theology. In the second part of their conversation, they talk about the concept of faith, the work of James Cone and how studying theology helps when being confronted with significant world events; specifically the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calvin's Blog: mandemtheology.wordpress.com
Numb Feeling Music: https://soundcloud.com/user-336725571
JT Music: https://soundcloud.com/joe-jt-thomas
WTC: https://wtctheology.org.uk/
In the first episode of season two, Ryan brings along the first guest to the podcast; Calvin Smith. Calvin is a fellow theology student at Westminster Theological Centre. In part 1 of their conversation about studying theology, Calvin shares how he first gravitated towards the idea of studying theology and how it has been impactful for him.
Calvin's Blog: mandemtheology.wordpress.com
Numb Feeling Music: https://soundcloud.com/user-336725571
JT Music: https://soundcloud.com/joe-jt-thomas
WTC: https://wtctheology.org.uk/
As season two of amateur theology is about to begin, Ryan shares some of the changes to the podcast and what to expect from future episodes which will include: interviews, (potentially) devotionals and new music. Along with the usual occasionally coherent ramblings from Ryan.
In this episode, Ryan looks into the Dunning-Kruger effect and how it could give proof to the importance of doubt and questions in faith journeys.
Site: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/dunning-kruger-effect
Podcast Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ri3TEtclRqlFK34Ts151Q?si=ZtLG39b3TCm_z1Urw8IBHw
COVID-19 has had a big impact on churches and church practice. Congregations haven't been able to gather and participate in communal worship practices, particularly singing. In this episode, Ryan looks into an idea from William Mathews (co-host of The Liturgists Podcast) that worship can be seen as propaganda and how this view can welcome healthy questions and give understanding as to why so many miss communal worship.
The Bible can be a pretty divisive book and can be used to push so many agendas. Ryan outlines a couple of questions he uses when engaging with the Bible that can help safeguard us from being misled:
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Jesus is the Word, not The Bible.
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Different genres invite different reading
Ryan gets a bit personal as he shares his experience of the prophetic and how his perception has changed through the years.
Book: Truth Speaks to Power - Walter Brueggemann
In this episode, Ryan talks about the idea of bias and how our biases get in the way of growth and discovery, in theology in particular.
Video: https://youtu.be/wEwGBIr_RIw
In the first episode of amateur theology, Ryan gives an introduction and overview of the podcast, himself and why he has started this podcast.