Crackers and Grape Juice: Recent Episodes
Crackers and Grape Juice
Crackers and Grape Juice began in the spring of 2016 with a conversation between Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy. In the years since, two shows have been added to the lineup, Strangely Warmed and (Her)MenYouTics, but the goal has remained the same: talking about faith without using stained-glass language.
On this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer and Jason sit down with Rabbi Joseph for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it means to be Jewish in a time of global conflict. As headlines from Gaza continue to grieve and divide, Rabbi Joseph offers a perspective shaped by history, faith, and heartbreak—speaking candidly about the loneliness many Jews feel, the complexity of the moment, and the challenge of holding grief for all who suffer.
This is not an easy conversation. But it’s a necessary one. Together, we ask: What does it mean to tell the truth without resorting to partisanship? What does it look like to love our neighbors when the world tempts us toward sides? And how can Christians and Jews move toward one another in a time when it feels easier to retreat?
If you're looking for a place to start—not to solve, but to understand—this conversation is a step in that direction.
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In this special episode honoring the life and witness of Walter Brueggemann, we revisit a conversation that captures his prophetic brilliance and pastoral heart. Jason, Teer, and Taylor sit down with the legendary Old Testament theologian (whose books can be found on just about every pastor’s shelf) to talk about what it means to be a community of resistance, the radical challenge of sabbath, and his favorite word for describing the biblical encounter between David and Bathsheba. Brueggemann’s voice was bold, unsettling, and always grounded in the hope of God’s coming kingdom. We’re grateful to share this conversation again, as a tribute to a theologian who taught us to speak truthfully and live faithfully.
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In this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, we’re joined by author and historian Amy Mantravadi to talk about her new novel, Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation. Amy shares the inspiration behind her richly detailed historical fiction, how the tumult and theology of the Reformation continue to echo in our modern world, and why fiction can be a powerful medium for engaging the past.
We also dive into her love for church history, and the unique path that led her from political science and international security to writing novels in Dayton, Ohio. Whether you're a Reformation nerd, a fiction fan, or just here for the witty banter, this one’s for you.
Check out Amy’s writing at amymantravadi.substack.com/ and learn more about Broken Bonds wherever books are sold.
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In this special episode of Crackers & Grape Juice, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli sit down with Bishop Will Willimon and Rev. Tony Robinson to celebrate the life, legacy, and theological firepower of The Rev. Fleming Rutledge. Together, they explore the depth and breadth of Rutledge’s influence on contemporary preaching and theological discourse.
From her theocentric preaching style to her razor-sharp use of language, Rutledge's sermons never flinch from the hard truths—sin, salvation, resurrection, and the cosmic battle between good and evil. The conversation traverses her Southern roots, her unapologetic embrace of proclamation over persuasion, and the way her preaching cuts through the noise of modern, therapeutic homiletics.
With a mix of personal stories, sharp wit, and deep reverence, Jason, Teer, Will, and Tony reflect on what makes Rutledge’s work so urgently necessary for the church today—and what it means to preach like it matters. Tune in for a spirited theological tribute to one of the great voices of our time.
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Caleb Campbell joins the pod to discuss his experiences engaging with Christian Nationalists and the impact of this movement on his congregation and the broader Church. In his book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, Caleb emphasizes the need for a compassionate approach to address the issue, highlighting the importance of connecting with individuals on a personal level and focusing on shared values. For Caleb, Christian Nationalism is not a problem for the church in the United States to solve, but rather is a mission field.
Links and Resources:
1. https://www.ivpress.com/disarming-leviathan
2. https://substack.com/@disarmingleviathan
3. https://www.disarmingleviathan.com/
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David Zahl joins the pod to talk about his new book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World.
In The Big Relief, DZ spotlights grace as the most important, urgent, and radical contribution Christianity has to offer the world. DZ helps readers understand the beauty and depth of grace, outlining how it provides relief from the guilt, status anxiety, and accelerating demand that characterize so much of modern life. Drawing on the witness of Scripture and a range of contemporary examples, he unpacks the theology of grace in fresh and exciting terms, exploring its many fruits — such as freedom, play, surrender, humility, rest, surprise, and joy — in the process.
DZ invites us to embrace Christianity as a refuge rather than as a project, a beacon of hope instead of a vehicle of shame, and a harbor of refreshment in a worn-out world. Ultimately, he welcomes everyone to receive the gift of relief we so desperately need.
Links:
1. Mockingbird Ministries
2. Baker Publishing
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In this conversation, David Moffitt discusses his insights on the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasizing the significance of resurrection, sacrifice, and atonement in understanding Jesus' role as high priest. He explores the implications of these themes for contemporary theology, particularly in relation to the Passover and the nature of intercession. Moffitt also reflects on the influence of early church fathers and the narrative of liberation in Hebrews, providing a comprehensive view of how these elements interconnect in the Christian faith.
Takeaways
* David Moffitt emphasizes the importance of understanding the resurrection in the context of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
* The traditional views of sacrifice in preaching may not align with the biblical text.
* Moffitt's research highlights the significance of the ascension in understanding Jesus' role as high priest.
* The concept of 'It Is Finished' requires deeper theological exploration beyond the crucifixion.
* Atonement is not solely about Jesus' death but involves his ongoing intercession for humanity.
* The Passover narrative is crucial for understanding liberation from sin and death.
* Moffitt argues that the scapegoat imagery in Leviticus informs our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice.
* The early church fathers provide valuable insights into the interpretation of sacrifice and atonement.
* Hebrews presents a narrative of liberation that parallels Israel's journey from Egypt.
* Moffitt's work encourages a reevaluation of assumptions in contemporary biblical studies.
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In this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer checks in with Jason and Todd to reflect on their recent pilgrimage to Turkey (Asia Minor) with Brian Zahnd. They discuss the reasons for the pilgrimage, the historical and theological significance of Asia Minor as the birthplace of Christianity, and how these experiences deepened their faith. The conversation explores the rich history of early Christian sites, the importance of understanding the origins of Christian creeds, and the differences between Eastern and Western Christian traditions. They also share personal insights and observations, such as the absence of crucifixion imagery in Orthodox churches and the challenging terrain early Christians had to navigate. The discussion underscores the value of pilgrimages in connecting modern believers with the broader, ancient Christian community and the complexities of balancing religious and secular life.
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After an extended hiatus, Crackers and Grape Juice is back.
In this episode, Jason and Teer speak with Jordan Daniel Wood about his journey into the Christian tradition, particularly through the works of Maximus. They explore the implications of the incarnation, the nature of creation, and the goodness of God in relation to evil. The discussion also touches on the importance of time, perfection, and the legacy of the Church Fathers, as well as the challenges of teaching theology in a modern context.
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Emily Hunter McGowin joins the pod to talk about her book, Christmas: The Season of Life and Light.
In this episode, Teer and Emily dive into the rich theological and biblical roots of the Christmas season, reflecting on the themes of God's initiative and intervention in human life. They explore the interplay of darkness and light, the call to repentance and preparation, and the enduring significance of Advent and the 12 days of Christmas. Be sure to listen through the end of the episode for a special ending where Teer switches out the 10 questions for a more festive ending.
Be sure to check out Emily's forthcoming book, Households of FaithPracticing Family in the Kingdom of God.
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We talked with Adam Morton recently about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the culture war over the new biopic film, and how to think critically and charitably about figures of history. A friend from Mockingbird Ministries, Adam is the Teaching Associate in Christian Theology, Faculty of Arts at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
Adam's thoughts on the Bonhoeffer film which prompted our conversation:
Too many people write, speak, opine about the guy (now me included). There are too many bad reasons to take him up (needing to find a 'good German' in the disaster of the Third Reich, wanting martyr fairy dust for one's arguments, finding his still developing theology easy to cherry-pick for a range of positions) that easily overwhelm the good ones. Yes, he's intellectually interesting. That's not why you know his name.
Consider what would have happened if he'd survived the war - he likely becomes a significant figure in postwar German theology, as subject to suspicion as the rest of them. Aside from those of you who are actually into 20th century German theology in a big way, you'd never have heard of him.
All that makes me think that the overwhelming bulk of the power of Bonhoeffer as a name is not in his theology or in what little resistance he mustered, but in our psychological and spiritual need to confirm that if we ourselves were ever put in an untenable situation like that, we could come out virtuous and heroic. I guess I find that sort of self-soothing dangerous rather than inspiring. Well, it is inspiring, in a way - but not in a way that I'm confident comes from God.
All that is to take nothing away from the man, and what his life and work were. (It's also no shot at the people who've done good work on him.) But if it were up to me we'd impose a 25 year moratorium on the Bonhoeffer Industry, including its academic side, and once that's run its course we could check and see where we're at with the guy and what role we actually need him to play in our theological universes.
Show Notes
Summary:
The conversation delves into the complexities of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology and legacy, particularly in light of recent cultural interpretations and the release of a new film about him. The speakers discuss Bonhoeffer's historical context, his theological development, and the implications of his martyrdom. They also explore how Bonhoeffer is often misinterpreted or oversimplified in modern discussions, especially in relation to contemporary culture wars. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of historical figures, particularly Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and how their legacies are interpreted and utilized within the church. They discuss the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of these figures, the challenges of navigating cultural differences, and the nuances of patriotism in a global context. The conversation emphasizes the need for thoughtful engagement with history and theology, encouraging listeners to approach these topics with care and depth.
Takeaways:* Bonhoeffer's legacy is often oversimplified in modern discourse. * Understanding Bonhoeffer requires a deep dive into German Lutheranism. * His martyrdom leaves us with an incomplete theological picture. * Cultural context is crucial for interpreting Bonhoeffer's actions. * Bonhoeffer's resistance was complex and morally ambiguous. * The use of Bonhoeffer in culture wars can distort his message. * His writings reflect a developing theology that was cut short. * Bonhoeffer's context was vastly different from American evangelicalism. * The film about Bonhoeffer raises questions about historical accuracy. * Engagement with Bonhoeffer's work should be nuanced and critical. No historical figure is pristine; they are complex and multifaceted. * Bonhoeffer's legacy belongs to the church, not just his family. * It's important to speak truthfully about historical figures without idealizing them. * Understanding Bonhoeffer requires knowledge of his time and context. * Cultural differences can shape our perceptions and experiences. * Clergy should avoid censorship and engage thoughtfully with culture. * Getting to know historical figures is a slow and nuanced process. * Patriotism can be complicated, especially in post-war contexts. * The church must be the ultimate arbiter of theological interpretations. * Engagement with history requires time and careful consideration.
Friend of the podcast, Jennifer Powell McNutt, joined us recently to talk about her new book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today
Jennifer Powell McNutt (PhD, The University of St. Andrews) is the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies and professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. She is an award-winning author, a fellow in the Royal Historical Society, and an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian tradition. McNutt serves as a parish associate at her church and regularly speaks at universities, seminaries, and churches across the country. She and her husband cofounded McNuttshell Ministries, which serves as a bridge between the academy and the church, and live with their three children in Winfield, Illinois.
About the book:
Mary Magdalene's life was transformed when she was healed by Christ and joined his ministry from Galilee to Jerusalem. The Gospels teach that she was also a witness at the cross and the first one sent by Christ to preach his resurrection. Yet her story is often confused, scandalized, and undervalued by the church.
In The Mary We Forgot, award-winning church historian and theologian Jennifer Powell McNutt unpacks Scripture and history to reveal the real Mary Magdalene: the first apostle of the good news and a model of discipleship for both men and women today.
McNutt also invites readers along on her journey through southern France, tracing the path remembered by some church traditions as where Mary Magdalene spread the gospel. Christians will learn from the disciple known as the "apostle to the apostles" how to embrace Jesus's calling to "go and tell" with faith and courage. They'll also be encouraged by the reminder that God calls ordinary, imperfect, and unexpected people to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The hope of remembering Mary Magdalene is ultimately to better know the one to whom she pointed, the risen Christ.Show Notes
Summary:
In this conversation, Jennifer Powell McNutt discusses her work on Mary Magdalene, exploring her significance in theology and church history. She highlights the misrepresentation of Mary throughout history, her role as an apostle, and the importance of recognizing women's contributions in the church. The discussion also delves into the nature of scripture, the complexities of biblical narratives, and the need for a more inclusive understanding of women's roles in ministry.Takeaways
* Mary Magdalene is a significant figure in all four gospels.
* The historical portrayal of Mary Magdalene has often conflated her with other women.
* Women reformers used Mary Magdalene to validate their ministry.
* The church has historically silenced women's voices.
* Mary Magdalene's role as an apostle is affirmed in both Eastern and Western traditions.
* The nature of scripture requires understanding its oral traditions and historical context.
* Mary Magdalene's story is often overshadowed by other biblical narratives.
* The Revised Common Lectionary often excludes important women from scripture.
* Encouraging young women to take on leadership roles is crucial for the church's future.
* Understanding the complexities of biblical characters can enrich our faith.
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Andrew Rillera joined the pod to discuss his new book, Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death
From the publisher (Wipf & Stock):
Lamb of the Free analyzes the different sacrificial imagery applied to Jesus in the NT in light of the facts that (a) there is no such thing as substitutionary death sacrifice in the Torah--neither death nor suffering nor punishment of the animal has any place in the sacrificial system--and (b) there are both atoning and non-atoning sacrifices. Surprisingly, the earliest and most common sacrifices associated with Jesus's death are the non-atoning ones. Nevertheless, when considering the whole NT, Jesus is said to accomplish all the benefits of the entire Levitical system, from both atoning and non-atoning sacrifices and purification. Moreover, all sacrificial interpretations of Jesus's death in the NT operate within the paradigm of participation, which is antithetical to notions of substitution. The sacrificial imagery in the NT is aimed at grounding the exhortation for the audience to be conformed to the cruciform image of Jesus by sharing in his death. The consistent message throughout the entire NT is not that Jesus died instead of us, rather, Jesus dies ahead of us so that we can unite with him and be conformed the image of his death.
Andrew Remington Rillera is assistant professor of biblical studies and theology at The King’s University in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada.
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Gretchen Purser, host of The Mess is Mine Podcast, joins Teer, Todd, and Jason to preview Election Day 2024. Gretchen helps us understand how we got to where we are and what we might expect on Election Day and the following days, weeks, and months.
Gretchen is a recovering evangelical, former political hack, and Republican refugee.
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Brad East joined the pod to discuss his new book, The Church: A Guide to the People of God.
From the publisher (Lexham Press):
The Bible tells the story of God and his people. But it is not merely history. It is our story. Abraham is our father. And Israel’s freedom from slavery is ours.
Brad East traces the story of God’s people, from father Abraham to the coming of Christ. He shows how we need the scope of the entire Bible to fully grasp the mystery of the church. The church is not a building but a body. It is not peripheral or optional in the life of faith. Rather, it is the very beating heart of God’s story, where our needs and hopes are found.
Brad East (PhD, Yale University) is an associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is the editor of Robert Jenson’s The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture (Oxford University Press, 2019) and the author of four books: The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021), The Church's Book: Theology of Scripture in Ecclesial Context (Eerdmans, 2022), The Church: A Guide to the People of God (Lexham, 2024), and Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry (Eerdmans, 2024).
His articles have been published in Modern Theology, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Scottish Journal of Theology, Journal of Theological Interpretation, Anglican Theological Review, Pro Ecclesia, and Political Theology; his essays have appeared in The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Comment, Commonweal, First Things, The Hedgehog Review, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The New Atlantis, Mere Orthodoxy, Plough, and The Point.
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Paul, a farmer and theologian, discusses his journey into farming and theology, his formation in the faith, and his theological influences. He emphasizes the importance of the object of faith and the danger of turning justification into the object of faith. He also addresses the issue of antinomianism in Lutheranism and the need to retain God's law. Paul and Jason discuss the misuse of the term 'genocide' in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They also touch on the challenges of engaging in the public square as a Christian. In this conversation, Paul Hinlicky discusses various topics including politics, preaching, the book of Joshua, the Gospel of Mark, and mental health. He expresses his concerns about the polarization in politics and the influence of corporate power on both major political parties. He also shares his experience of preaching and how it led to the creation of his book on preaching. Paul talks about his commentary on the book of Joshua and his love for the Gospel of Mark. He discusses the challenges of navigating disagreements and the importance of civil discourse. Lastly, he explores the topic of depression and the impact of lost connections on mental health.
In this conversation, Jason Micheli, Teer Hardy and Jack Levison discuss various topics, including their experiences in Greece, and the role of the Holy Spirit. They explore the physicality of the Holy Spirit and its connection to the resurrection of Jesus. They also touch on the dematerialization of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology and the need to reclaim its materiality. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit in the proclamation of the gospel and the sacraments.
In this conversation, Beverly Gaventa discusses her new commentary on Romans and the themes within the book. She talks about the last time she cried and the hymn that moved her to tears. She also shares her experience as a parishioner in her son's church and the challenges of preaching Paul's letter to the Romans. Gaventa highlights the importance of understanding the concrete audience of the letter and the role of women in interpreting and delivering it.
In this conversation, Mark Edwards discusses the concept of prison as a sacrament of freedom. He highlights the global problem of mass incarceration and the need for prison abolition. Edwards explores the theology of Karl Barth and his prison sermons, which offer a unique perspective on the nature of prison. He also delves into the definition of sacrament and expands it beyond traditional notions. Edwards examines the role of proclamation in the sacrament of prison and its connection to the biblical narrative and the civil rights movement. This conversation explores the themes of prison ministry, the transformative power of imprisonment, and the role of protest and reform in carceral conditions. The chapters cover topics such as the first Christian community in prison, the reconciliation and liberation found in Christ's imprisonment, the truth about ourselves revealed in prison, and the presence of Christ in prison. The conversation also delves into the humanitarian concerns of prisons, the church as an imprisoned body, and the theological understanding of imprisonment as a sacrament. The chapters conclude with a discussion on protest and imprisonment in the context of Bonhoeffer's theology and the sacrament of imprisonment as a means of freedom.
Will Willimon’s chicken sitter, Slice Penny is a rising third year student at Duke Divinity School and soon-to-be-husband. A recovering drug and alcohol addict, Slice served four years for drug trafficking at a maximum security prison in Florida. Looking back, he sees it’s all a part of God’s call upon his life.
Tony Jones joins the podcast to discuss his new book, The God of Wild Places, and his experiences in the outdoors. The book is a memoir that explores themes of vulnerability, redemption, and the search for identity. Tony discusses the process of writing and recording the audiobook and the challenges of sharing personal stories. The conversation also touches on the role of anger and the theology of the cross in Tony's journey.
Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of honesty and authenticity in storytelling. Tony reflects on the connection between nature and spirituality, the role of the church in his life, and the challenges he faced in his personal journey. The conversation also touches on themes of redemption, mentorship, and the importance of disciplined practice. Tony shares his writing process and future projects, including a study on the 'nones' and a potential trip to Jerusalem and Rome.
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Tony Jones joins the podcast to discuss his new book, The God of Wild Places, and his experiences in the outdoors. The book is a memoir that explores themes of vulnerability, redemption, and the search for identity. Tony discusses the process of writing and recording the audiobook and the challenges of sharing personal stories. The conversation also touches on the role of anger and the theology of the cross in Tony's journey.
Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of honesty and authenticity in storytelling. Tony reflects on the connection between nature and spirituality, the role of the church in his life, and the challenges he faced in his personal journey. The conversation also touches on themes of redemption, mentorship, and the importance of disciplined practice. Tony shares his writing process and future projects, including a study on the 'nones' and a potential trip to Jerusalem and Rome.
Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
Click on “Support the Show.”
Subscribe to CGJ+
For peanuts, you can help us out….we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
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Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood join the pod to discuss their new book, Baptizing America - How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism.
From the publisher:
In the face of a rising threat to both church and democracy, Baptizing America provides an urgent examination and an enlightening critique exposing the dangerous undercurrents of Christian Nationalism. How can Mainline Protestants spot such practices in their own activities? A crucial call to reckon with influences before it's too late.
Christian Nationalism presents an existential threat to both Christ’s church and American democracy. Now is the time — before it is too late — to reckon with all the places its pernicious influence arises. On full display in recent elections, Christian Nationalism also exists in sanctuaries where an American flag has been displayed for decades, when we pledge allegiance to one nation “Under God,” or when the U.S. is called a Christian nation. Baptizing America critiques the concept of civil religion, arguing that such expressions are far more dangerous than we realize. Mainline Protestant congregations will likely recognize themselves in the overlooked expressions of Christian Nationalism that pop up in the activities of both church and state.
Coauthor of Unsettling Lent: A Devotional, Word&Way Editor & President since 2016, Brian Kaylor is an award-winning writer and sought-after expert on issues of religion, politics, and communication. He also hosts the award-winning podcast “Baptist Without An Adjective.”
Beau T. Underwood has served as Senior Pastor of Allisonville Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Indiana since January of 2023. Besides pastoring congregations, he has led the advocacy efforts of faith-based organizations in Washington, DC, helped steer an award-winning journalistic ministry, staffed congressional campaigns, served as a community organizer, and worked as a hospital chaplain.
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Join the Homebrewed Christianity & Crackers and Grape Juice podcasts for a unique evening of candid theological discussions over a pint at Petty Thieves Brewing Co. ahead of the 2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. A dynamic trio of thought leaders will join us: Dr. Leah Robinson, Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, and Rev. Derrick Scott.
This event is for anyone interested in theology and who wants to engage in open conversations in a relaxed setting. We will delve deep into the pressing issues confronting the modern church in America. From societal challenges to internal transformations, these voices offer unique perspectives, sparking conversations on faith, culture, and the evolving role of the church in our communities. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and explore theological topics in a casual and welcoming environment.
The event will not be live-streamed, but rest assured that because this is a live podcast recording, the audio will be available shortly after the event.
So, if you are heading to Charlotte for The United Methodist Church’s 2024 General Conference, I hope you’ll stop by Petty Thieves Brewing Co.
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Teer caught up with the Godfather of the pod, Brian Zahnd to talk about his newest book The Wood Between the Worlds - A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Brian and Teer talk about why a theology of the cross is necessary to fully understand the Good News of the Gospel, along with what is lost when we become numb to the violence of Good Friday.
The cross is the heart of Scripture
Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story—the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only insulates us from the magnificence of what God has done. In our ongoing quest to make meaning of the cross, we need to recognize that this conversation will never conclude—that there is always something more to be said.
Brian Zahnd reminds us that the meaning of the cross is multifaceted and should touch every aspect of our lives. Just as gazing through the eyepiece of a kaleidoscope reveals a new geometric image with every turn, Zahnd helps us see that there are infinite ways to behold the cross of Christ as the beautiful form that saves the world. The Wood Between the Worlds is an invitation to encounter the cross of Christ anew.
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Here is a conversation Dr. Johanna Hartelius, and Jason shared with Dr. Chad Kim of St. Louis University on his wonderful book, The Way of Humility.
The kickstarter for Sarah's new book is live!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sarahhinlickywilson/seven-ways-of-looking-at-the-transfiguration
Sarah discusses the significance of the Transfiguration and its importance in the church calendar. She explores the distinction between the transfigured Jesus and the risen Jesus, highlighting the unique characteristics of each. Sarah also delves into the misunderstood offer to build booths and its connection to the Festival of Booths. She examines the representation of Moses and Elijah in the transfiguration and their role in the eschatological narrative. Sarah emphasizes the Jewish reticence to capture the glory of God and the modesty of biblical miracle stories. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of listening to Jesus. In this conversation, Sarah Henlicky Wilson discusses the transfiguration in the Gospel of John and its connections to Sukkot and other Jewish festivals. She highlights the allusions to Sukkot in John and the significance of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem for the final Passover. Sarah also explores the presence of Greeks in the Sukkot story and their connection to Jesus' hour of glorification. She emphasizes the similarities between the synoptic transfiguration and the transfiguration in John, suggesting that both narratives are mapping the same thing in their own distinctive ways. Sarah concludes by inviting listeners to support her Kickstarter campaign for her book on the transfiguration.
Our latest episode with our new friend Rabbi Joseph Edelheit, who's promised to return several more times so we can learn from and listen to one another. Rabbi Joseph joined Johanna and me to share his reflections as a Jew living in Diaspora on the 10/7 Hamas massacre. We discuss other matters but never wander far from today’s headlines. Here’s a bit about Joseph:50 Years in the Rabbinate: Rabbi Joseph A. Edelheit (C ’73) on the Unique Experiences of His Rabbinic Engagement:When I thought about becoming a rabbi as an undergraduate at CAL Berkely in 1966, I could never have imagined the extraordinary experiences I would have. For fifty years, people have asked me to engage them, teach them, and sometimes lead and interpret a meaningful ritual in their life.I have served three Reform congregations over thirty years in the Upper Midwest. where I learned what “windchill” meant. From the outset, the reality of interfaith couples and families became a central focus of my rabbinate. “Intro to Judaism” education and congregational programming have always been a significant concern.Eventually regional and national rabbinic work about gerim/gerut provided me with an opportunity to be a leading advocate for Patrilineal Descent. University teaching became important, especially Jewish-Christian dialogue, which led to an opportunity to do doctoral work at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago.HIV/AIDS emerged at a time when those who were among its first patients and deaths were alone and often rejected. I served this tragically unique community, which led to opportunities to lead in how Reform Judaism faced these challenges both in Chicago and nationally. Eventually my work was recognized, and I was asked to serve on President Bill Clinton’s Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, 1996–2000.I retired from my congregational rabbinate in 2001 because of challenges to my health, and I finished my doctoral work (DMin) at the University of Chicago in 2001.A state university that settled a class-action lawsuit over antisemitism asked for my help. As part of the settlement, I created a program of campus and community engagement about Jewish culture. Eventually, I became tenured faculty, and retired as Emeritus Professor of Religious and Jewish Studies.Though I tried to bracket my rabbinate at a state university, my pastoral role was called upon by students, faculty, and administration alike. My academic career required teaching about and interpreting Jews, Jewish life and texts, and Judaism to a campus and community of less than fifty Jews.I helped to bring a unique symphony and choral Holocaust memorial program, “To Be Certain of the Dawn,” to the state university and a nearby Catholic university. We later took more than 250 students and faculty to France and Germany and performed it at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp with survivors in the audience.During this period, there was an opportunity in India to continue my HIV/AIDS work with multi-faith organizations who worked among infected children whose parents had died of AIDS. I participated in creating an international NGO that funded and provided service for sixty AIDS orphans in rural India who were all living with HIV/AIDS. Engaging people who had never met a Jew, but invited me to share a meal while sitting on the floor of their hut, added to my life commitment of pluralism.My ongoing academic participation in the Society for Ricoeur Studies, is another unique experience of my rabbinate. I am the former student of Paul Ricoeur, who insists that philosophers and religious thinkers can and should engage in dialogue with a Jewish thinker.My participation in conferences, took me to Rio de Janeiro in 2011 when I was invited to speak to a Reform congregation, ARI. Now eleven years later, that unexpected Shabbat invitation, led to exceptional personal love and another chapter of my rabbinic life, serving the World Union of Progressive Judaism. I volunteer for Brazilian communities who have no rabbi, and whenever asked, I teach at ARI where it all started.During retirement I have written and edited two books with a third in preparation. The current crisis in antisemitism has added a new emphasis to my work in Jewish-Christian dialogue. I will co-teach a course at a Protestant seminary that deals with the challenges of preaching and teaching in response to antisemitism.In 2021, the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, honored me as their alum of the year, the first time a rabbi has ever been awarded this recognition.These fifty years were more meaningful because of the unconditional presence of my children. Still today, it is the love and respect of my family that I cherish the most.
In light of their recent panel discussion at Theology Beer Camp in Springfield, Mo, the Monday night crew discusses Sola Scriptura.
Liel Liebowitz is an Israeli journalist, author, media critic and video game scholar. Liel was born in Tel Aviv, immigrated to the United States in 1999, and earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2007. In 2014, he was Visiting Assistant Professor of Media, Culture and Communication at New York University. A veteran of the Israeli Defense Force, Liel is now Editor at Large for Tablet Magazine and a host of its weekly culture podcast Unorthodox and daily Talmud podcast Take One. Jason spoke with him recently about the horrific terrorist attack upon Israelis last Saturday and how Christians and Jews in particular can respond. In the conversation, he shares Tablet’s project to archive the testimonials of Jewish victims and survivors. You can find that record HERE.
Here is a recent conversation I had with Kate Boyd about her new book, An Untidy Faith. In the wake of scandal, culture wars, and abuse, many Christians are wondering whether the North American church is redeemable—and if not, whether they should even stay. While many are answering no to those questions, this book is for those who long to disentangle their faith from all the cultural baggage and recapture the joy of following Jesus.
Through personal anecdotes, encounters with the global church, deep dives into Scripture, and helpful historical context about Christianity, An Untidy Faith takes readers on two journeys. The first journey lays out the grand vision of Christianity and the legacy passed on to us by the early believers in hopes of renewing readers’ belief in the church writ large. The second journey helps believers understand why they feel distant from their church settings and provides a reorientation drawn from Scripture of God’s vision for community.
A gentle companion, Kate Boyd walks alongside those who have questions but can’t ask them for fear of being labeled by or cast out of their communities. An Untidy Faith is a guidebook for those who want to be equipped with practices to rebuild their faith and shape their communities to look more like Jesus.
New York Times bestseller Fr. James Martin joins the pod again to talk about his latest book Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle.
In this wise and compassionate book, Father James Martin, SJ explores the story of Jesus’s greatest miracle—the raising of Lazarus from the dead—and what Jesus means when he calls each of us to “come forth.” Meditatively and carefully, Martin leads us verse by verse, offering profound reflections on Jesus’s lessons on love, family, sadness, frustration, fear, anger, freedom, and joy. Come Forth combines:
* Compelling analysis of the biblical text
* Insights about the historical setting of the story
* Spiritual lessons for today’s readers
* Meditations on Lazarus in art and the larger culture
* Stories from Martin’s travels through the Holy Land
As he explores these strands in depth, Martin helps us let go of the limiting beliefs that prevent us from experiencing God’s presence in our lives. We need only to open ourselves to the transformative story of Lazarus and trust that God can use it to free us to experience, like Lazarus, new life.
Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestsellers Jesus: A Pilgrimage, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and My Life with the Saints, which Publishers Weekly named one of the best books of 2006. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, having appeared on all the major networks, and in such diverse outlets as The Colbert Report, NPR's Fresh Air, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Before entering the Jesuits in 1988 he graduated from the Wharton School of Business.
Be sure to give Fr. Martin a follow.
Dr. Tobias Cremer joins us on the pod this week to talk about his new book The Godless Crusade: Religion, Populism, and Right-Wing Idenity Politics in the West. Dr. Cremer is a Junior Research Fellow in Religion and the Frontier Challenges at Pembroke College Oxford. His research focuses on the relationship between religion, secularisation and the rise of right-wing identity politics throughout western societies. In his doctoral research (University of Cambridge, funded by the ESRC) Tobias explored how right-wing populist movements in Germany, France and the United States employ Christianity as a cultural identity marker, and how believers and church authorities are reacting to such references.
Today Jack is back! We have Jack Levison on to talk about his new book Seven Secrets of the Spirit-Filled Life: Daily Renewal, Purpose and Joy When You Partner with the Holy Spirit.
Better late than never! This week Teer talks with Godfather of the pod, Will Willimon, about Jason's new book, A Quid Without Any Quo: A Gospel Freedom According to Galatians
Go grab you a copy!
This week our guest is Karen Marsh! Karen's new book, Wake Up to Wonder came out July 11th. It's 22 invitations to amazement in the everyday.
This week we are sharing an epsidoe from ReThinking Faith, a podcast hosted by our friend Josh Patterson! Hope ya'll enjoy!
Our guest for #414 is Isaac Sharp, author of The Other Evangelicals: A Story of Liberal, Black, Progressive, Feminist, and Gay Christians―and the Movement That Pushed Them Out. Isaac B. Sharp is director of online and part-time programs and visiting assistant professor at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. He is the coeditor of Evangelical Ethics: A Reader in the Library of Theological Ethics series (Westminster John Knox, 2015) as well as Christian Ethics in Conversation (Wipf & Stock, 2020). About the book: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “evangelical”?
For many, the answer is “white,” “patriarchal,” “conservative,” or “fundamentalist”—but as Isaac B. Sharp reveals, the “big tent” of evangelicalism has historically been much bigger than we’ve been led to believe. In The Other Evangelicals, Sharp brings to light the stories of those twentieth-century evangelicals who didn’t fit the mold, including Black, feminist, progressive, and gay Christians.
Though the binary of fundamentalist evangelicals and modernist mainline Protestants is taken for granted today, Sharp demonstrates that fundamentalists and modernists battled over the title of “evangelical” in post–World War II America. In fact, many ideologies characteristic of evangelicalism today, such as “biblical womanhood” and political conservatism, arose only in reaction to the popularity of evangelical feminism and progressivism. Eventually, history was written by the “winners”—the Billy Grahams of American religion—while the “losers” were expelled from the movement via the establishment of institutions such as the National Association of Evangelicals. Carefully researched and deftly written, The Other Evangelicals offers a breath of fresh air for scholars seeking a more inclusive history of religion in America.
In honor of the Annual Conference begginning we are sharing a special interview where Jason and Teer interview Bishop Sue Haupert. Bishop Sue was assigned to the Virginia Conference at the 2022 SEJ Conference. A Florida native, Bishop Haupert-Johnson (or “Bishop Sue”) is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. in Business Administration), University of Florida College of Law (J.D.), and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.). She was a federal law clerk and a litigator with the Tampa law firm of Carlton, Fields before she answered her call to ministry. Enjoy this episode!
On the cusp of Pride month, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world's toughest anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", drawing Western condemnation and risking sanctions from aid donors. Same-sex relations were already illegal in Uganda, as in more than 30 African countries, but the new law goes further. It stipulates capital punishment for "serial offenders" against the law and transmission of a terminal illness like HIV/AIDS through gay sex. It also decrees a 20-year sentence for "promoting" homosexuality.
Given the news, our episode this week is a re-release of a conversation we had with Samson Turinawe.
Samson is the Executive Director of the Universal Love Alliance, a grassroots organization in Uganda which advocates for LGBTQ people.
A Ugandan humanitarian, educator and human rights defender. He believes that "every human being should be respected simply for being who they are, a part of Life's creation." Tolerance, inclusiveness, love, compassion, dialogue, and reconciliation are all central themes in his work. Through his teaching and activism, he emphasizes that “ignorance can be defeated through education, poverty through hard work and possession of capital, and internal schisms and separatism through unity. Samson is working for a new generation -- one that is open-minded, open-hearted, diversity-embracing, and committed to serving all of humanity.
You can find out more about his work here.
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Our guests this week are Joshua Chatraw and Mark Allen, coauthors of the new book, The Augustine Way: Retrieving a Vision for the Church’s Apologetic Witness. Chatraw and Allen are the authors as well of the award-winning Apologetics at the Cross (an Outreach magazine and Gospel Coalition Resource of the Year). In this new book, they recover Augustine's mature apologetic voice to address the challenges facing today's church. The Augustine Way offers a compelling argument for Christian witness that is rooted in tradition and engaged with contemporary culture. It focuses on Augustine's best-known works, Confessions and The City of God, to retrieve his scriptural and ecclesial approach for a holistic apologetic witness. Joshua is a professor at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama and Mark is professor biblical and theological studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Our guest this week is fellow Mockingbird writer Duo Dickinson.
Duo is an American architect who has built over 500 projects in 10 states over 30 years. His work has received more than 30 awards. His design work has appeared in over 70 publications including The New York Times, Architectural Record and House Beautiful. He has written six books, including Small Houses for the Next Century and Expressive Details for McGraw-Hill and The House You Build, published by Taunton Press and as a paperback entitled House On A Budget. His book, Staying Put, received positive reviews in The Washington Post and The New York Times, among other publications.
Dickinson is a contributing writer for Mockingbird, Common Edge, and Hearst Publications. He is a contributing writer on home design for Money Magazine.
He blogs at Saved By Design: https://savedbydesign.wordpress.com
The post he reads and discusses in the episode: https://savedbydesign.wordpress.com/2023/05/10/when-god-was-not-there/
His professional website: http://www.duodickinson.com
Our guest today is Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. Sarah is the Founder of Thornbush Press, launched in 2020, and author of a number of books under its imprint: I Am a Brave Bridge, Sermon on the Mount: A Poetic Paraphrase, Small Catechism: Memorizing Edition, Pearly Gates: Parables from the Final Threshold, To Baptize or Not to Baptize: A Practical Guide for Clergy, and A-Tumblin’ Down.Since August 2018 she has lived in Mitaka, Japan, on the campus of Japan Lutheran College and Theological Seminary, where her husband Andrew L. Wilson is Professor of Church History. She serves as one of the pastors at Tokyo Lutheran Church near the Shin-Ōkubo station in central Tokyo. She is also an Affiliated Faculty Member at the Johannelund School of Theology in Uppsala, Sweden.From July 2016 to July 2018 she lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, getting reacquainted with her home territory in between international sojourns. During that period she wrote a memoir about the year she spent in the newborn Republic of Slovakia when she was 17.From 2008 to 2016 she lived in Strasbourg, France, where she worked at the Institute for Ecumenical Research, a close affiliate of the Lutheran World Federation, specializing in Eastern Orthodoxy and Pentecostalism. She continuse to serve as a Visiting Professor of the Institute and, as such, the Consultant to the International Lutheran-Pentecostal Dialogue. With her colleague Theodor Dieter from the Institute, she teaches an annual course in Wittenberg, Germany, on Martin Luther’s theology.In 2010, Andrew and she followed the footsteps of Martin Luther’s pilgrimage from Germany to Rome five hundred (or maybe four hundred ninety-nine) years earlier.
She earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in 2008 and an M.Div. in 2003 at Princeton Theological Seminary. During that time, Andrew and Sarah got married and became parents to Zeke. She served as pastor at a Slovak-American church in Trenton, New Jersey, and became the editor of Lutheran Forum, an independent theological quarterly, which she continued to do until the end of 2018. All her articles from that period are available here.Before graduate school she spent one year working at First Things, where she first started publishing theological essays. Since her first in October 1998, she has published hundreds of articles in popular venues like Christianity Today, The Christian Century, and Books & Culture, as well as scholarly journals like Pro Ecclesia, Pneuma, Lutheran Quarterly, and Concordia Journal. She has edited four books and contributed to a few more.She did her growing up in New York and New Jersey and still thinks of herself as a New Yorker, even though she hasn’t lived there since the last millennium.
For our episdoe today, we have a panel discussion that Jason moderated at St. Louis University for Dr. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez’s new book, Theological Fragments: Confessing What We Know and Cannot Know about an Infinite God.
The interlocutors were:
* Nichole Flores, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia and author of The Aesthetics of Solidarity: Our Lady of Guadalupe and American Democracy.
* Scott Paeth, Professor of Religious Studies and Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies at DePaul University and coeditor of Shaping Public Theology: Selections from the Writings of Max L. Stackhouse
* Aristotle Papanikolaou, Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture at Fordham University and author of The Mystical as Political
Our guest today is Trevin Wax.
Trevin is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has contributed to The Washington Post, Religion News Service, World, and Christianity Today, which named him one of 33 millennials shaping the next generation of evangelicals. He has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University. He is a founding editor of The Gospel Project, and the author of multiple books, including The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Rethink Your Self, This Is Our Time, and Gospel Centered Teaching.
Every generation faces the temptation to wander from orthodoxy―to seek out the jolt that comes with false teaching, and to drift with cultural currents. And so every generation must be awakened again to the thrill of orthodoxy, and experience the astonishment that comes from stumbling afresh upon the electrifying paradoxes at the heart of the Christian faith.In The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Trevin Wax turns the tables on those who believe Christian teaching is narrow and outdated. Returning to the church's creeds, he explains what orthodoxy is and why we can have proper confidence in it, and lays out common ways we can stray from it. By showing how heresies are always actually narrower than orthodoxy―taking one aspect of the truth and wielding it as a weapon against others―Wax shows us that false teaching ultimately proves bland and boring, and that orthodoxy is where true adventure can be found.
This week we are talking with Zac Hics. He is the pastor of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Alambama, adjunct lecturer in musc and worship at Samford University, and author of The Worship Pastor: A Call to Ministry for Worship Leaders and Teams. Zac in on to talk about his book Worship by Faith Alone: Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer and the Reformation of Liturgy.
Cornelius Plantinga is an American theologian and most recently a seminary president. His new book Under the Wings of God shows us how to read scripture devotionally. About the book: Longing. Hope. Love. Fear.
These are just some of the experiences embodied in the infinitely rich Christian life. In Under the Wings of God, seasoned author Cornelius Plantinga explores these facets and more, reflecting on the joys and challenges of a life following God.
Rooted in Scripture, this book offers wisdom about topics including the problem of suffering, the nature of Christian virtue, love of God and our neighbor, longing for redemption and reconciliation, humility, and hospitality. Plantinga delves into hard questions with a calm and pastoral authority that offers the perfect antidote for the unrest in the world and the church right now. Each reflection is presented with a Bible text and a brief prayer, useful for personal devotions or small group discussions. Listeners will emerge with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Christian life, equipped with timeless insights into the ups and downs of a life lived in the presence of God.
Our friend, Dr. Ken Jones, the Gerharde Forde Professor of Theology at Grandview University, joins Jason, Johanna, and Teer to reflect on the crucifixion.
Our guest this week is my friend Sarah S. Scherschligt, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
She comes on the pod to talk about climate change, despair and hope, and her new book chronicling her work to pastor during the pandemic.
In March 2020, when COVID-19 changed our world, Washington D.C.-based pastor and writer Sarah Scherschligt posted a brief, thoughtful reflection on social media to comfort her reeling community. The next night, she did it again.
For thirteen months, during the exceptional stretch of days from March 2020 to April 2021, Scherschligt published her reflections daily, offering deep spiritual insights as a progressive Lutheran pastor and mother. For the members of her community and congregation who read them in real time, Scherschligt’s reflections were an anchor and balm—a nightly benediction, offering comfort, wisdom, and hope.
Her reflections are now compiled into a book, God Holds You: A Pandemic Chronicle. Part memoir, part social commentary, part Biblical interpretation, God Holds You addresses not only faith during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the social upheaval of the time, including the struggle for racial justice, the January 6th insurrection, and the deepening environmental crisis. With wit and wisdom, Scherschligt also recounts familiar aspects of daily life during that lock-down year, such as virtual kindergarten, countless Zoom meetings, and vigorous handwashing.
God Holds You: A Pandemic Chronicle adds depth and meaning to our collective remembering, encouraging readers to examine their own experience of the pandemic and to consider questions like: “Where did I find grace? How did my faith change? And how does the pandemic still affect me?” Pastors and preachers will appreciate Scherschligt’s creative application of Scripture. Church groups will use her insights as the basis for adult education sessions on how the pandemic affected communities of faith. And although she writes from a progressive Christian perspective, readers of all backgrounds and faiths will benefit from revisiting this remarkable time with Sarah Scherschligt as a guide.
Here is the latest session of our online study of Chris Green’s new book, Being Transfigured, in which we talked about doubt.
Here are some of the quotes from the chapter that we cited and discussed:
• Grace cannot save us without first losing us, which means grace always makes things awkward.
• Not all questions are faithless. And sometimes, in fact, the only faithful response to truth is confusion.
• If we’re honest, we’ll have to admit that much of what passes for doubt is nothing but honest hesitation, the inevitable upshot of generations of poor or bad teaching, teaching which trades in simplicities and cheap certainties, often eschewing pain at all costs, leaving us to feel that our salvation depends not on the mystery of faith, sustained by God’s devotion to us, but on our own grasp of our own beliefs or on the intensity of our desire for religious experiences.
• We have to be saved from “simple faith.” But not so that we might have “great faith.” That, too, always proves false. We need, instead, “the faith of God,” which is what is left of our faith after it has been purged by the Spirit.
What happens at the end of our lives and of the course of history? Will God bring about a just and peaceful world? What lies beyond this realm, and what can we know of the beings who dwell there? In Death, the End of History, and Beyond, our guest Greg Carey offers resources for understanding multiple, even conflicting, ways that the Bible imagines these ultimate realities. Carey opens the Scriptures with a breadth of insight that acknowledges its diversity of viewpoints about what lies beyond the veil, centering hope in God’s action to bring good out of evil in our lived realities, in our personal journeys through death, and in visions of resurrection and justice restored. An appendix on preaching also invites clergy to help their communities imagine when and how eschatology can inform our lives today.
Greg Carey is Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Greg’s research interests include the book of Revelation and ancient apocalyptic literature, the Gospel of Luke, and public biblical interpretation. He is the author or coeditor of several books, including Using Our Outside Voice: Public Biblical Interpretation, Stories Jesus Told: How to Read a Parable, and Apocalyptic Literature in the New Testament. Greg is frequently invited to speak on ancient apocalyptic literature, sexual ethics, and the use of the Bible in moral reflection.
Our guest this week is Dr. Desmond Alexander, author of the new book, Face to Face with God: A Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator.
“Desi” is senior lecturer in Biblical Studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The author of many books and articles, Desi is a former chair of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, and his research interests lie primarily in two areas: the Pentateuch and Biblical Theology.
Timely for the last weeks of Lent, Desi joined us to talk about how the New Testament, specifically the Book of Hebrews, understands Christ as our Great High Priest.
Our guest today is Marty Folsom. Marty lives in the state of Washington. He completed his PhD at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He has taught in New Zealand and in several Seattle area schools for 20 years. He has maintained a counseling practice for over a decade. He is an academic who believes that learning needs to be made accessible and practical. His new book is “Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1---The Doctrine of the Word of God: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros.”
Here is session two with Chris Green from our Monday night online sessions on Chris's new book, Being Transfigured.
Our guest today is Liel Leibovitz, a writer for Tablet magazine and host of the popular podcast, Unorthodox. Liel is an Israeli journalist, author, media critic and video game scholar. Leibovitz was born in Tel Aviv, immigrated to the United States in 1999, and earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2007. In 2014, he was Visiting Assistant Professor of Media, Culture and Communication at New York University. You can read his recent editorial in Tablet here: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/you-people-warning-secular-jews
Check out session 1 of our online Lenten class with Chris EW Green on his new book, Being Transfigured.
Next up on the podcast is Dr. Jonathan Foster to discuss his book, Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe.
Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe is something of a map for those at new trailheads, interested in insightful paths, but also for those already deep in the forest of theopoetics, life, love, the church, and theology.
Jonathan Foster is a father, husband, former church planter, theologian, nonprofit co-founder, musician, doctor (DThM), and author who has experienced success and loss. His new book is entitled, “A Theology of Consent.”
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Our guest today is Katherine Stewart.
Katherine is an American journalist and author who often writes about issues related to the separation of church and state, the rise of religious nationalism, and global movements against liberal democracy. Her books include The Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children (2012) and The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (2020).
Her latest piece is for the New Republic and is entitled "The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right." You can find it here.
Isaiah 58.1-9a, Psalm 112.1-9, 1 Corinthians 2.1-12, Matthew 5.13-20; What is RP the G? Is there a connection between happiness and fear? Does Jesus want us to be more salty in church?These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Hunter Bryn. Hunter is the Digital Media Specialist for the Virginia Conference of the UMC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Jason Michelli: Chris Green is back on the podcast to (once again) talk about Robert Jenson and Stanley Hauerwas but— really— he’s here to talk about a new book he has for your journey this year through the season of light, Lent. That's right. Chris wants to help you understand Lent as an enlightening time. His great book is entitled, Being Transfigured. Chris is…Professor of Public Theology—Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL) Teaching Pastor—Sanctuary Church (Tulsa, OK) Director—St Anthony Institute of Theology & Philosophy.
Tommie Marshell: “I sometimes catch the atheist flu”
Micah 6.1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1.18-31, Matthew 5.1-12; Who does the Lord require from us? How is God's weakness stronger than human strength? What's the purpose of preaching? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with the youth from Raleigh Court UMC in Roanoke, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Jonathan Tran joins the podcast to talk about his latest book, Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism.
About the book:
ny serious consideration of Asian American life forces us to reframe the way we talk about racism and antiracism. There are two contemporary approaches to antiracist theory and practice. The first emphasizes racial identity to the exclusion of political economy, making racialized life in America illegible. This approach's prevalence, in the academy and beyond, now rises to the level of established doctrine. The second approach views racial identity as the function of a particular political economy--what is called “racial capitalism>--and therefore analytically subordinates racial identity to political economy.
Jonathan Tran develops arguments in favor of this second approach. He does so by means of an extended analysis of two case studies: a Chinese migrant settlement in the Mississippi Delta (1868-1969) and the Redeemer Community Church in the Bayview/Hunters Point section of San Francisco (1969-present). While his analysis is focused on particular groups and persons, he uses it to examine more broadly racial capitalism's processes and commitments at the sites of their structural and systemic unfolding. In pursuing a research agenda that pushes beyond the narrow confines of racial identity, Tran reaches back to trusted modes of analysis that have been obscured by the prevailing antiracist orthodoxy and proposes reframing antiracism in terms of a theologically salient account of political economy.
Jonathan Tran is Professor of Theology and Ethics at Baylor University where he holds the George W. Baines Chair of Religion.
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Isaiah 9.1-4, Psalm 27.1, 4-9, 1 Corinthians 1.10-18, Matthew 4.12-23; Should we repeat reading multiple Sundays in a row? Why is the church still so divided? What does it look like to fish for people? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors serving Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Three friends, students, and colleagues of Jim Nestingen, who recently died, join us for today's episode. Jim was a well-known Reformation scholar at Luther Seminary with the heart of a preacher and pastor. Our (return) guests are Rolf Jacobson, of Luther Seminary, Ken Jones, of Grand View Univerity, and Mockingbird friend, Adam Morton of the University of Nottingham. They share memories of Jim, why folks should look this fellow up today, the value of cross-denominational friendships, and the relationship of the academy to the Church.
The intro story from Jim Nestingen is from 1517's Thinking Fellows Podcast. Check it out: https://www.1517.org/podcast-overview/absolution
Isaiah 49.1-7, Psalm 40.1-11, 1 Corinthians 1.1-9, John 1.29-42; What are morning for? Are preachers called to be prophetic from the pulpit? How many sins does the Lamb of God take away? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors serving Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest today is Jennifer Garcia Bashaw, Professor of New Testament at Campbell University. Her new book is Scapegoats: The Gospel through the Eyes of Victims.
About the book:
Scapegoats are innocent victims who have experienced blame and violence at the hands of society. René Girard proposes that the Gospels present Jesus as a scapegoat whose innocent death exposes how humans have always created scapegoats. This revelation should have cured societal scapegoating, yet those who claim to live by the Gospels have missed that message. They continue to scapegoat and remain blind to the suffering of scapegoats in modern life.Christians today tend to read the New Testament as victors, not as victims. The teachings and actions of Jesus thus lose much of their subversive significance. The Gospels become one harmonized story about individual salvation rather than distinct representations of Jesus's revolutionary work on behalf of victims. Scapegoats revisits the Gospel narratives with the understanding that they tell scapegoats' stories, and that through those stories the kingdom of God is revealed. Bashaw goes beyond Girard's arguments to show that Jesus's whole public ministry (not only his death) combats the marginalization of victims. These scapegoat stories work together to illuminate an essential truth of the Gospels--that Jesus modeled a reality in which victims become survivors and the marginalized become central to the kingdom.
Isaiah 42.1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10.34-43, Matthew 3.13-17; How often should we leave worship saying, "Glory!"? What does the voice of the Lord sound like? Why do we celebrate Baptism of the Lord Sunday? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is the leader pastor of First UMC in Salem, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest today is Chris E.W. Green, author of The End is Music: A Companion to Robert W. Jenson’s Theology. Christ is Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL), Teaching Pastor at Sanctuary Church (Tulsa, OK) and Director of the St Anthony Institute of Theology & Philosophy.
Robert Jenson has been praised by Stanley Hauerwas, David Bentley Hart, Wolfhart Pannenberg, and others as one of the most creative and important contemporary theologians. But his work is daunting for many, both because of its conceptual demands and because of Jenson's unusual prose style. This book is an attempt to give Jenson the kind of hearing that puts his creativity and significance on display, and allows newcomers to and old friends of his theology the opportunity to hear it afresh.
Isaiah 63.7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2.10-18, Matthew 2.13-23; How important is it to be present in worship? What does it look like to praise the Lord? How can we experience sanctification?These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is the leader pastor of First UMC in Salem, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Our guest to close out the season of Advent is friend of the podcast, Matthew Milliner, Professor of Art History at Wheaton College. His new book is Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon. Mother of the Lamb tells the remarkable story of a Byzantine image that emerged from the losing side of the Crusades. Called the Virgin of the Passion in the East and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the West, the icon has expanded beyond its Byzantine origins to become one of the most pervasive images of our time. It boasts multiple major shrines on nearly every continent and is reflected in every epoch of art history since its origin, even making an appearance at the Olympics in 2012. Matthew Milliner first chronicles the story of the icon's creation and emergence in the immediate aftermath of the Third Crusade, whereupon the icon became a surprising emblem of defeat, its own fame expanding in inverse proportion to Christendom's political contraction. Originally born as a Christian response to the Christian violence of the Crusades, it marked the moment when Mary's ministry of suffering love truly began. Having traced the icon's origin and ubiquity, Milliner teases out the painting's theological depth, and continues the story of the icon's evolution and significance from its origins to the present day. As the story of the icon moves well beyond Byzantine art history, both temporally and thematically, it engages religion, politics, contemporary art, and feminist concerns at once. Always, though, the icon exemplifies dignity in suffering, a lesson that--through this image--Byzantium bequeathed to the wider world. Encapsulating eleven centuries of development of the mourning Mary in Byzantium, the Virgin of the Passion emerges as a commendable icon of humility, a perennial watchword signaling the perils of imagined political glory. The Virgin of the Passion, emblemizing political humility, the powerful agency of women, and the value of inter-Christian and extra-Christian concord, is an exemplary Marian image for the fledgling twenty-first century.
Isaiah 9.2-7, Psalm 86, Titus 2.11-14, Luke 2.1-20; What's a Christmas unicorn? Should we sing new songs at Christmas? Is there divine judgment in the manger? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy. Jason serves at Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA and Teer serves at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.Hosted by Taylor Mertins.-Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.comClick on “Support the Show.”Become a patronSubscribe to CGJ+For peanuts, you can help us out….we appreciate it more than you can imagine.Follow us on the three-majors of social media:https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuicehttps://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuicehttp://www.twitter.com/crackersnjuice
Isaiah 7.10-16, Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19, Romans 1.1-7, Matthew 1.18-25; How can we keep the cross in Christmas? What does salvation look like? What happens when we preach from the epistles? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.Hosted by Taylor Mertins.-Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.comClick on “Support the Show.”Become a patronSubscribe to CGJ+For peanuts, you can help us out….we appreciate it more than you can imagine.Follow us on the three-majors of social media:https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuicehttps://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuicehttp://www.twitter.com/crackersnjuice
Today we are sharing a special episode of our first class of our new series, The Anticipated Christ - A Journey Through Advent and Christmas with Brian Zahnd and friends. You can always join in on our classes, it's never too late!
Isaiah 35.1-10, Psalm 146.5-10, James 5.7-10, Matthew 11.2-11; How important are the themes for Advent? What does the glory of the Lord look like? Why should God get all the good verbs? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.Hosted by Taylor Mertins.-Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.comClick on “Support the Show.”Become a patronSubscribe to CGJ+For peanuts, you can help us out….we appreciate it more than you can imagine.Follow us on the three-majors of social media:https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuicehttps://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuicehttp://www.twitter.com/crackersnjuice
On today's episode we have Bishop Ken Carter on to talk about his new book God Will Make a Way, Spiritual Life and Leadership in a Contested Season. Ken is on his 10th year as bishop in the great state of Florida. Make sure to check out his new book! Also joining in on the conversation is Will Willimon!
Isaiah 11.1-10, Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19, Romans 15.4-13, Matthew 3.1-12; Who is the central character of Advent? Is a stump a terrifying or hopeful image? Why is music so magical? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Thanksgiving is about gratitude, the product of grace, so this week's episode is our last installment of the podcasts Monday night online study of Paul Zahl's book, Grace in Practice, which PZ himself joined! We hope you enjoy it!
Isaiah 2.1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13.11-14, Matthew 24.36-44; What music should we listen to in preparation for the first Sunday of Advent? What does God's house look like? Can we know true peace? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Chris Davis is the pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia and the author of the new book Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today. Hope is fuel. For Jesus' disciples, the hope of seeing their risen Lord again, face to face, powered their endurance through persecution, their patience in discipling new believers, and their courage to renounce injustice and sinful passions.
But have we set aside that fuel because the topic of Jesus' return is mired in confusion and controversy? Many Christians have lost or overlooked the importance of the Lord's appearing, resulting in a sluggish, ineffective faith.
What if there is a way to recapture spiritual momentum? What if we could tap into the apostles' longing to simply be in the presence of the resurrected Christ without getting entangled in date-setting or disagreements about the Millennium? And what if this fresh hope could drive our daily responses to temptation, affliction, discouragement, and life in a broken world?
In Bright Hope for Tomorrow, pastor Chris Davis points the way forward. Exploring the return of Jesus on the terms of the New Testament letters, this book looks at portraits of Jesus' appearing, rhythms necessary to maintain expectancy (including gathering, fasting, and resting), and the practical transformation such anticipation effects. Bright Hope for Tomorrow is not the next new thing. Rather, it is a recovery of what has been lost by end-times studies that have veered into peripheral concerns. Join this return to the gospel center: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Jeremiah 23.1-6, Colossians 1.11-20, Luke 23.33-43; Are pastors God's new shepherds? Should we celebrate communion every Sunday? Why do we observe a "Christ The King Sunday" once a year? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is the lead pastor of First UMC in Salem, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Days after the Red Wave— I mean, Ketchup Fizzle— Christian Ethicist Robin Lovin is on the podcast to talk about what we are to do when no one is listening. More on Lovin’s new book: A trusted senior statesman in Christian ethics and ministry addresses the crisis of political polarization threatening the existence of the church. Polarization and political gridlock have been the norm in the United States for decades. As that reality seeps into every aspect of our society, churches find themselves not only affected, but often at the very center of the conflict. Rather than remaining places of inclusive community and generous dialogue, our sanctuaries have too often become ground zero of the culture wars. What can pastors do to restore the church’s witness to the unity of all things in God—especially when it feels like members of the congregation would rather position the church’s identity firmly on one side of the political spectrum or the other? And how can church leaders maintain peace while speaking the truth on important social issues—without either alienating parishioners who disagree or resorting to inane bothsiderism? Widely respected pastor and ethicist Robin Lovin offers sage counsel in this helpful book, arguing that to resist the trend of polarization in our church we must rediscover how the gospel teaches us to understand ourselves, our neighbors, and the purpose of politics. In part one, Lovin provides an overview of the situation in which we find ourselves, showing how polarization developed over recent decades and how, in both our society and our churches, we have adapted to division as the norm. In part two, he considers how Christians can shape a different response by learning to listen—to the word of God, to the world, and to those who are not usually heard. With questions for discussion and reflection aligned with the content of each chapter, What Do We Do When Nobody Is Listening? provides an accessible road map for navigating out of the morass of polarization into a brighter future of church unity, during election seasons and beyond.
Isaiah 65.17-25, Isaiah 12, 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, Luke 21.5-19; How has preaching changed because of the pandemic? Is Paul always right? What are we to make of the apocalyptic imagery in the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim. Mikang is the pastor of Epworth UMC on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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It's All Saints Sunday this weekend so the podcast posse from Hermeneutics got together to talk about death, time, heaven, and how Christianity needs to reclaim its weirdness.
Daniel 7.1-3, 15-18, Psalm 149, Ephesians 1.11-23, Luke 6.20-31; Is it better to read alone or in a group? What makes a saint, a saint? Should sermon have introductions? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim. Mikang is the pastor of Epworth UMC on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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This week we have the honor of getting to talk mid-term politics with our friend Gretchen Purser. We talk about the importance of democracy to Christians and where she is seeing hope in our nations political future.
Habakkuk 1.1-4, 2.1-4, Psalm 119.137-144, 2 Thessalonians 1.1-4, 11-12, Luke 19.1-10; Does God have a timing problem? Should we always answer questions with questions? Is God's justice unjust? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Our friend Matt Milliner returns to the podcast to talk about his latest article at the Bulwark, Putin’s Outright Satanism. You can find the piece here: https://www.thebulwark.com/on-putins-outright-satanism/
Dr. Milliner holds an M.A. & Ph.D. in art history from Princeton University, and an M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a six-time appointee to the Curatorial Advisory Board of the United States Senate, and has written for publications ranging from The New York Times to First Things. He was awarded a Commonwealth fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia, and is author most recently of The Everlasting People: G.K. Chesterton and the First Nations and Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon.
Jason was recently a guest for the Weekend Edition of 1517's Christian History Almanac podcast, hosted by Dr. Dan Van Voorhis. Though no one elected him, Jason speaks here for all Methodists everywhere.
Joel 2.23-32, Psalm 65, 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18, Luke 18.9-14; What is the Gospel according to Paul McCartney? Should we read scripture backwards? What is the most important parable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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For this week's episode, we've got the second session from Jason's recent series of talks on Grace and Proclamation for the Anglican Church of Canada's Bishop's Clergy Conference.
Jeremiah 31.27-34, Psalm 119.97-104, 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5, Luke 18.1-8; Why does God make new covenants? Do self-help books actually help? What does the work of an evangelist look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Does Jesus need more celebrities tweeting and influencing on his behalf?
Katelyn Beaty joins the pod to discuss her new book, ‘Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church’ (http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/celebrities-for-jesus/406890).
Katelyn Beaty is the author of A Woman's Place: A Christian Vision for Your Calling in the Office, the Home, and the World (Howard Books / Simon & Schuster), and A Woman’s Place: A Bible Study Exploring Every Woman’s Call to Work (Abingdon Press), the companion group study guide. For nearly a decade she helped to lead Christianity Today, where she served as the magazine's first female and youngest managing editor. An Ohio native, she has written for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Vox, Religion & Politics, and The New York Times, and has been interviewed about faith, politics, and culture by NPR, CNN, ABC News, Religion News Service, and the Associated Press.
Katelyn currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she enjoys exploring the city's parks and museums, live music, and karaoke. She currently works as an acquisitions editor for Brazos Press. Learn more at KatelynBeaty.com.
Don’t forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7, Psalm 66.1-12, 2 Timothy 2.8-15, Luke 17.11-19; Is it possible to work in the church with friends? How important is church architecture? Should we spend more time wrangling words? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Sara Keeling and Teer Hardy. Sara and Teer both serve Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Chris Nye is a doctoral student at Duke University's Divinity School and the author of several books, including most recently, A Captive Mind, which explores Christianity's relationship to ideologies. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and various other publications. He lives with his family in Portland, Oregon. To connect further, visit chrisnye.co
Chris Nye is a doctoral student at Duke University's Divinity School and the author of several books, including most recently, A Captive Mind, which explores Christianity's relationship to ideologies. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and various other publications. He lives with his family in Portland, Oregon. To connect further, visit chrisnye.co
In this episode of our crossover podcast with Tripp Fuller and Homebrewed Christianity, Tolkien Heads, we talk all things Middle Earth with my very own Gandalf, Brian Zahnd.
In this episode of our crossover podcast with Tripp Fuller and Homebrewed Christianity, Tolkien Heads, we talk all things Middle Earth with my very own Gandalf, Brian Zahnd.
Lamentations 1.1-6, Psalm 137, 2 Timothy 1.1-14, Luke 17.5-10; How bold should preacher be in the pulpit? Is there enough space in the church for lament? Why do the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Sara Keeling and Teer Hardy. Sara and Teer both serve Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Despite widespread skepticism on the matter, a significant number of people today have stories of religious experience - moments of inexplicable terror or rapturous joy, visions, near death experiences of the afterlife, encounters with angels, heavenly voices, and premonitions. How should rationally people respond? Our guest today is Dr. Dale Allison, Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. His new book, Encountering Mystery, is both a departure from his scholarly work and deeply connected to it.
What would your reaction be if someone told you that, one night while sitting alone, she saw through the window a brilliant light descend from the sky until it was so large that it filled the room - and that it radiated a feeling of "pure love"? And what would you say if a friend confided that one night he woke up and could not move, felt he was being suffocated and sensed and evil spirit in the room?
By default in the secular age we are skeptical about anything mysterious or supernatural. More likely than not, most people would respond to the stories above with embarrassment and concern about the person's grasp of reality, or they would attempt to explain them away through rational or scientific means. But the truth is that religious experiences like these are not as uncommon as they seem - although talking about such experiences often is. This is the case even in a faith tradition such as Christianity, despite the Bible's numerous accounts of miraculous and mysterious happenings.
In Encountering Mystery, noted biblical scholar Dale Allison makes the argument that stories of religious experience are meaningful and not to be marginalizes - and that we have a moral prerogative to lovingly engage with such stories regardless of whether we have had similar experiences. Through a close look at phenomena such as moments of inexplicable terror or rapturous joy, visions, near-death experiences of the afterlife, encounters with angels, heavenly voices, and premonitions, Allison shows how ordinary practices of faith need not be at odds with individual religious experiences. Above all, he enjoins us to be honest about the persistence of religious experience in a secular age and to make space for those who encounter mystery in their lives.
Despite widespread skepticism on the matter, a significant number of people today have stories of religious experience - moments of inexplicable terror or rapturous joy, visions, near death experiences of the afterlife, encounters with angels, heavenly voices, and premonitions. How should rationally people respond? Our guest today is Dr. Dale Allison, Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. His new book, Encountering Mystery, is both a departure from his scholarly work and deeply connected to it.
What would your reaction be if someone told you that, one night while sitting alone, she saw through the window a brilliant light descend from the sky until it was so large that it filled the room - and that it radiated a feeling of "pure love"? And what would you say if a friend confided that one night he woke up and could not move, felt he was being suffocated and sensed and evil spirit in the room?
By default in the secular age we are skeptical about anything mysterious or supernatural. More likely than not, most people would respond to the stories above with embarrassment and concern about the person's grasp of reality, or they would attempt to explain them away through rational or scientific means. But the truth is that religious experiences like these are not as uncommon as they seem - although talking about such experiences often is. This is the case even in a faith tradition such as Christianity, despite the Bible's numerous accounts of miraculous and mysterious happenings.
In Encountering Mystery, noted biblical scholar Dale Allison makes the argument that stories of religious experience are meaningful and not to be marginalizes - and that we have a moral prerogative to lovingly engage with such stories regardless of whether we have had similar experiences. Through a close look at phenomena such as moments of inexplicable terror or rapturous joy, visions, near-death experiences of the afterlife, encounters with angels, heavenly voices, and premonitions, Allison shows how ordinary practices of faith need not be at odds with individual religious experiences. Above all, he enjoins us to be honest about the persistence of religious experience in a secular age and to make space for those who encounter mystery in their lives.
The third in a three part online study of the new book Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next
The third in a three part online study of the new book Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next
Jeremiah 32.1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91.1-6, 14-16, 1 Timothy 6.6-19, Luke 16.19-31; How volatile is the divine real estate market? What makes a perfect playlist perfect? Should the church have stewardship campaigns? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest this week with Jason and Johanna is Bekah McNeel. Bekah is a journalist who covers education, immigration, and religion. A graduate of the London School of Economics, her new book, Bringing Up Kid When Church Lets You Down is a guide for parents questioning their faith. By touching taboo topics Bekah brings up ways to give your kids agency in discovering their own faith.
Our guest this week with Jason and Johanna is Bekah McNeel. Bekah is a journalist who covers education, immigration, and religion. A graduate of the London School of Economics, her new book, Bringing Up Kid When Church Lets You Down is a guide for parents questioning their faith. By touching taboo topics Bekah brings up ways to give your kids agency in discovering their own faith.
The second in a three part online study of the new book Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next
The second in a three part online study of the new book Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next
Our guest today is our good friend, David Zahl, who has written a great new book, Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others ( and Yourself).
It'll help you find mercy.
Dave is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries ( www.mbird.com ) and a campus minister at UVA through Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA.
More about the book:
Many of us spend our days feeling like we're the only one with problems, while everyone else has their act together. But the sooner we realize that everyone struggles like we do, the sooner we can show grace to ourselves and others.
In Low Anthropology, popular author and theologian David Zahl explores how our ideas about human nature influence our expectations in friendship, work, marriage, and politics. We all go through life with an "anthropology" -- an idea about what humans are like, our potentials and our limitations. A high anthropology -- thinking optimistically about human nature -- can breed perfectionism, anxiety, burnout, lonlinesss, and resentment. Meanwhile, Zahl invites readers into a biblically rooted and surprisingly life - giving low anthropology, which fosters hope, deep connection with others, lasting love, vulnerability, compassion, and happiness.
Zahl offers a liberating view of human nature, sin, and grace, showing why the good news of Christianity is both urgent and appealing. By embracing a more accurate view of human beings, readers will discover a true and lasting hope.
Our guest today is our good friend, David Zahl, who has written a great new book, Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others ( and Yourself).
It'll help you find mercy.
Dave is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries ( www.mbird.com ) and a campus minister at UVA through Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA.
More about the book:
Many of us spend our days feeling like we're the only one with problems, while everyone else has their act together. But the sooner we realize that everyone struggles like we do, the sooner we can show grace to ourselves and others.
In Low Anthropology, popular author and theologian David Zahl explores how our ideas about human nature influence our expectations in friendship, work, marriage, and politics. We all go through life with an "anthropology" -- an idea about what humans are like, our potentials and our limitations. A high anthropology -- thinking optimistically about human nature -- can breed perfectionism, anxiety, burnout, lonlinesss, and resentment. Meanwhile, Zahl invites readers into a biblically rooted and surprisingly life - giving low anthropology, which fosters hope, deep connection with others, lasting love, vulnerability, compassion, and happiness.
Zahl offers a liberating view of human nature, sin, and grace, showing why the good news of Christianity is both urgent and appealing. By embracing a more accurate view of human beings, readers will discover a true and lasting hope.
Here’s audio from our first of three live-stream sessions with our friend and mentor, Bishop Will Willimon, on his new book, Don’t Look Back.
To join the next sessions, register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vU7WWmhCT4GcS1o6PgOFBw
Here’s audio from our first of three live-stream sessions with our friend and mentor, Bishop Will Willimon, on his new book, Don’t Look Back.
To join the next sessions, register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vU7WWmhCT4GcS1o6PgOFBw
Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14, 1 Timothy 1.12-17, Luke 15.1-10; How often should we reflect on our faults? What does it look like to pray for others? Why is grace such a scandal? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest John Carl Hastings.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest today is my new friend, Jono Linebaugh who came on to talk about his new book, The Word of the Cross.
This collection of Jonathan Linebaugh's most important work on Paul explores the merciful surprise at the heart of Paul's gospel: a grace that, while strange and weak in worldly terms, is nothing less than the power of God, full of comfort and promise. Through twelve messages - two of them new - Linebaugh contextualizes and interprets key Pauline passages, does comparative readings of Paul in conversation with early Jewish tests, and enters into dialogue with Reformation theologians such as Martin Luther and Thomas Cranmer. Thorough and multifaceted, Linebaugh's work is at once exegetical, historical, and theological in scope. Accordingly, The Word of the Cross is a rigorous scholarly enterprise that takes seriously Paul's claim that the good news of Jesus Christ, despite appearing scandalous and foolish, in fact contradicts and overcomes the conditions of the possible through the power of God.
Jonathan A. Linebaugh is associate professor of New Testament theology at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Jesus College Cambridge. He is the author of God, Grace and Righteousness in Wisdom of Solomon and Paul's Letter to the Romans; editor of God's Two Words: Law and Gospel in the Lutheran and Reformed Traditions.
Our guest today is my new friend, Jono Linebaugh who came on to talk about his new book, The Word of the Cross.
This collection of Jonathan Linebaugh's most important work on Paul explores the merciful surprise at the heart of Paul's gospel: a grace that, while strange and weak in worldly terms, is nothing less than the power of God, full of comfort and promise. Through twelve messages - two of them new - Linebaugh contextualizes and interprets key Pauline passages, does comparative readings of Paul in conversation with early Jewish tests, and enters into dialogue with Reformation theologians such as Martin Luther and Thomas Cranmer. Thorough and multifaceted, Linebaugh's work is at once exegetical, historical, and theological in scope. Accordingly, The Word of the Cross is a rigorous scholarly enterprise that takes seriously Paul's claim that the good news of Jesus Christ, despite appearing scandalous and foolish, in fact contradicts and overcomes the conditions of the possible through the power of God.
Jonathan A. Linebaugh is associate professor of New Testament theology at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Jesus College Cambridge. He is the author of God, Grace and Righteousness in Wisdom of Solomon and Paul's Letter to the Romans; editor of God's Two Words: Law and Gospel in the Lutheran and Reformed Traditions.
Jeremiah 18.1-11, Psalm 139.1-6, 13-18, Philemon 1.1-21, Luke 14.25-33; What can art teach us about God? What happens when we pray? Are all people created with sacred worth? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest today is Drew Ensz. Drew is a United Methodist Elder currently doing ministry at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. In that capacity Drew presided at a same-sex wedding and has since been, in limbo, under complaint and facing charges for over 1,100 days. Drew joined the podcast to talk about his discernment process and his experience of that complaint process in the larger institutional church.
Jeremiah 2.4-13, Psalm 81.1, 10-16, Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16, Luke 14.1, 7-14; How is the kingdom of God like a high school cafeteria? What can art teach us about theology? How important are Jesus' parables? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Rev. Tom Emanuel (he/him/his) was born and raised on sacred Lakota land in the Paha Sapa (Black Hills) of South Dakota, which is where his father first read The Hobbit aloud to him when he was too young to remember it. Tom was trained as a social scientist at the University of South Dakota and as a theologian at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and, beginning in Fall 2022, a doctoral student at the University of Glasgow where his research will focus on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, fandom, and post-Christian spiritual community. When he's not reading Tolkien aloud to his two small children, Tom can usually be found hiking, singing, or working away at a fantasy novel of his own.
Jeremiah 1.4-10, Psalm 71.1-6, Hebrews 12.18-29, Luke 13.10-17; Will there be dinosaurs in the New Creation? What can Moana teach us about vocation? What makes worship acceptable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Allison LeBrun. Allison serves Vermilion Grace UMC on the shores of Lake Eerie in Ohio.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Isaiah 5.1-7, Psalm 80.1-2, 8-19, Hebrews 11.29-12.2, Luke 12.49-56; How important are twitter handles? Should weddings happen in vineyards? What does real restoration look like according to the strange new world of the Bible? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Allison LeBrun. Allison serves Vermilion Grace UMC on the shores of Lake Eerie in Ohio.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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For today’s episode, we’ve got the first installment of a short-term, crossover project with Tripp Fuller called Tolkien Heads. In anticipation of the new Rings of Power series by Amazon, we’ll be talking all things Middle Earth with a bevy of world class Tolkien scholars.
If you’re interested in joining us, go to www.tolkienheadspod.com and sign up.
Isaiah 1.1, 10-20, Psalm 50.1-8, 22-23, Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16, Luke 12.32-40; What makes the Gospel unexpected? Why is God so loquacious? How prepared should we be for worship? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Peter Kwon. Peter is one of the pastors at Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Jennifer Rosner joins the podcast to share her latest book, "Finding A Messiah."
Jesus was Jewish, and his Jewish identity informed every aspect of his work, words, and witness. He came as the Messiah of Israel, God's covenant people, and he spoke the language of God's faithfulness to this people. So why does it seem that Judaism has little to do with our Christian discipleship today?
Jennifer Rosner, a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations, takes us on a personal and corporate journey into the Jewish roots of Christian faith and practice. Understanding Judaism—and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions—is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner's own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God's covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice. When we begin to understand Christianity's indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways.
Jesus' Judaism provides the foundation for the church that is built upon his name. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.
Don’t forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Jennifer Rosner joins the podcast to share her latest book, "Finding A Messiah."
Jesus was Jewish, and his Jewish identity informed every aspect of his work, words, and witness. He came as the Messiah of Israel, God's covenant people, and he spoke the language of God's faithfulness to this people. So why does it seem that Judaism has little to do with our Christian discipleship today?
Jennifer Rosner, a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations, takes us on a personal and corporate journey into the Jewish roots of Christian faith and practice. Understanding Judaism—and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions—is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner's own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God's covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice. When we begin to understand Christianity's indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways.
Jesus' Judaism provides the foundation for the church that is built upon his name. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.
Don’t forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron
Subscribe to CGJ+
For peanuts, you can help us out….we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Follow us on the three majors of social media:
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Hosea 11.1-11, Psalm 107.1-9, 43, Colossians 3.1-11, Luke 12.13-21; What does it look like to be a fool for Christ? How important in the grammar of faith? How do we know if we are part of the redeemed? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Peter Kwon. Peter is one of the pastors at Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Author and editor Chris Hayes joins the podcast to talk about his latest book, " God and Guns: The Bible Against American Gun Culture."
Using the Bible as the foundational source and guide, while also bringing contemporary sociological data to the conversation, seven biblical scholars and theologians construct a powerful dialogue about gun violence in America, concluding that guns are incompatible with the God of Christian Scripture. God and Guns is the first book to argue against gun culture from a biblical studies perspective. Bringing the Bible into conversation with contemporary sociological data, the volume breaks new exegetical and critical ground and lays the foundations for further theological work. The scholars assembled in this volume construct a powerful argument against gun violence, concluding that a self-identity based on guns is incompatible with Christian identity. Drawing on their expertise in the Bible’s ancient origins and modern usage, they present striking new insights involving psychology, ethics, race, gender, and culture. This collection, carefully edited for clarity and readability, will change conversations—and our culture.
Contributors include T. M. Lemos, David Lincicum, Shelly Matthews, Yolanda Norton, and Brent A. Strawn.
Don’t forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Hosea 1.2-10, Psalm 85, Colossians 2.6-19, Luke 11.1-13; What does it look like to pastor a football team? What is the one thing needful? Is the prosperity gospel Good News? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey. Wil is the pastor of First UMC in Murphy, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Amos 8.1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1.15-28, Luke 10.38-42; What does a basket of fruit have to do with the Gospel? Is baldness a punishment from God? What does it mean to pray with our feet? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey. Wil is the pastor of First UMC in Murphy, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Amos 7.7-17, Psalm 82, Colossians 1.1-14, Luke 10.25-37; What is a low anthropology? How important are holy friendships? What can the West Wing teach us about the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matt Benton. Matt is the pastor of Bethel UMC in Woodbridge, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Brian and Beau are, respectively, the President & Editor-in-Chief and the VP for External Affairs & Editor of Word and Way Magazine. They’re back on the podcast to talk about SCOTUS overturning Roe vs. Wade, the rise of Christian Nationalism in Republican politics, and how Christians should (or should not) celebrate Independence Day.
Don’t forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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2 Kings 5.1-14, Psalm 30, Galatians 6.1-16, Luke 10.1-11, 16-20; How important are the unnamed characters in the Bible? Is there such a thing as an inadequate prayer? What can weddings teach us about the kingdom of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matt Benton. Matt is the pastor of Bethel UMC in Woodbridge, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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2 Kings 2.1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77.1-2, 11-20, Galatians 5.1, 13-25, Luke 9.51-62; Does Elijah actually pass the mantle to Elisha? What does freedom look like for a Christian? How serious is the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Rochester, Michigan.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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1 Kings 19.1-15a, Psalm 42 & Psalm 43, Galatians 3.23-29, Luke 8.26-39; How important is place in scripture? Is there such a thing as a perfect prayer? Why does the demoniac live among the dead? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
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Our guest is professor, ghost writer, and author, Tiffany Brooks, who’s written a new book on reconstructing a disillusioned faith.
We have a right to encounter God where we are. We have a sacred responsibility to experience God authentically."
What happens when the God we’ve been taught to believe in seems powerless to help us in the struggles of life? What do we do when the God we personally encounter no longer resembles the God we’ve been shown in narrow interpretations of the Bible?
Many of those raised in the world of fundamentalist Christianity have been manipulated into accepting a false reality that runs counter to lived experience. The result is confusion, isolation, fear, shame, and trauma, often carried throughout one’s entire life. This book is for the victims of this spiritual abuse—anyone looking to reclaim their faith from legalism, nationalism, sexism, anxiety, intolerance, and other mechanisms of control utilized by God’s self-appointed gatekeepers. It’s for anyone who has learned that the real God is infinitely complex, that authentic faith is perfectly compatible with doubt, and that our suffering is not something we’ve earned.
Gaslighted by God is not a book of easy answers—it’s a companion for those mourning the loss of a belief system who need their pain recognized and legitimized. Tiffany Yecke Brooks shows—through stories from her own life, conversations with Christians from a variety of backgrounds, historical anecdotes, and messy episodes from Scripture—that there can be faith after disillusionment. But it will be a different faith—bruised, battered, nuanced, and real, rather than one wrapped in tissue-thin platitudes and three-point sermons. It will be a faith empowered to see beyond who God “should” be to who God is.
The one and only Kara Slade will be joining Crackers&Grape Juice for a live pubcast next Wednesday (6/15/22) at 6:30pm in Hampton, VA at the St. George Brewing Company to help kick off Annual Conference. Her book "The Fullness Of Time" is a remarkable witness to the work of Karl Barth for the church today and we can't wait to hear what Kara has to share with us. All are welcome!
Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, Romans 5.1-5, John 16.12-15; Why is wisdom personified in scripture? Why does the church observe Trinity Sunday? Should we read the Bible backwards? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
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Mark Edwards joins the podcast to talk about his new book "Christ Is Time: The Gospel according to Karl Barth (and the Red Hot Chili Peppers)."
Christ Is Time: The Gospel according to Karl Barth (and the Red Hot Chili Peppers) welcomes you to the jungle of Barth's head-banging opus, the Church Dogmatics, with the beats, rhythms, and lyrics of Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Metallica, and more. Based on lectures at Princeton Seminary, Edwards distills Barth's treatment of key questions in philosophical and systematic theology, offering a playlist of greatest hits on trinity, Christology, prayer, and others. With the care of a scholar and the energy of a stack of Peaveys, Christ Is Time testifies that the eternal God "gives it away" as time through Jesus Christ. Let's face it: Karl's style is a bit Beastie. And since Depeche Mode can say it best, this just might be a match made in Nirvana. Go gaga.
Mark James Edwards is an adjunct professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and The College of New Jersey; a Lecturer in the Department of Religion at Princeton University; and Director of Youth Ministry at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.24-34, 35b, Romans 8.14-17, John 14.8-17, (25-27); Should pastors appear drunk in worship? Why do we repeat ourselves every Sunday? What does it mean for the Spirit to be our Advocate? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sarah Locke. Sarah is the pastor of Hickory UMC in Chesapeake, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Acts 16.16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17.20-26; Should we wear hardhats to worship? What does idolatry look like today? Can we have actual unity in the church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sarah Locke. Sarah is the pastor of Hickory UMC in Chesapeake, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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The author of Monsters, Daniel van Voorhis is the host of the Christian History Almanac and a former co-host of the Virtue in the Wasteland podcast and an author and speaker at the 1517 legacy Project. After receiving his PhD in Modern history from the University of St. Andrews, Dr. van Voorhis spent 11 years teaching history and political science at Concordia University, Irvine and was most recently the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. van Voorhis has published articles and chapters in books on subjects ranging from the Reformation to Modern American history. He speaks nationally in academic and general conference settings on topics from history, addiction, religion and politics. He has been married to Beth Anne since 2001 and has 2 sons, Coert (2009) and Raymond (2012). He grew up in Irvine and moved back to Orange County in 2006. He is fanatical in his love of the Los Angeles Rams. He realizes that his emotional state in the fall rises and falls with the fortunes of the prodigal team come home. His depressive bouts over the past few years are certainly correlated with the team being statistically, the worst in the NFL. He also has a cat that he named Waffles, immediately regretted, and has referred to as Kitty for almost 12 years. His literary influences include Nathaniel Zuckerman, Jack Torrance and Voltaire. His musical influences include Cap'n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters and the Zack Attack.
Acts 16.9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21.10, 22-22.5, John 14.23-29; Is there such a thing as a solitary Christian? Can there be joy in judgment? What does church architecture tell us about God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors of Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest this week is Dr. Jeannine Brown who’s got a new commentary out on Paul’s most popular epistle, Philippians!
Dr. Brown joins us to talk about Paul, Jesus, and a narrative understanding of the New Testament. Check it out, I think it was a fun conversation.
The letter to the Philippians illuminates a warm relationship between the apostle Paul and the Philippian believers. Despite difficult situations being experienced on both sides, Paul finds ample reason to celebrate what God in Christ has done and is doing in the believers' lives. Jeannine K. Brown's commentary on Philippians explores the themes of this epistle and how its message is still relevant to Christians in the twenty-first century. Brown shows how motifs of joy, contentment, and unity abound as Paul reminds the Philippians of the supreme value of knowing Jesus the Messiah, and she highlights their significance for shaping the contemporary church toward living more deeply in its identity in Christ. This Tyndale New Testament commentary examines the text section-by-section―exploring the context in which it was written, providing thoughtful commentary on the letter to the Philippians, and then unpacking its theology. It will leave you with a thorough understanding of the content and structure of Paul's writing, as well as its meaning and continued relevance. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are ideal resources for students and teachers of theology, as well as for preachers and individual Christians looking to delve deeper into the riches of Scripture. Insightful and comprehensive, Jeannine K. Brown's commentary on Philippians is a brilliant introduction that will give you a renewed appreciation for this rich Pauline epistle and a greater knowledge of why it is important to the Christian faith.
Jeannine K. Brown is professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her books include Scripture as Communication, The Gospels as Stories, and biblical commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew. She is also a coeditor of the second edition of The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.
Acts 11.1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21.1-6, John 13.31-35; Should we still follow certain dietary restrictions as Christians? How expansive is the Kingdom of God? What does it mean to worship the God who makes ALL things new? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors of Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our guest is Jim Belcher, author of the new book Cold Civil War: Overcoming Polarization, Discovering Unity, and Healing the Nation.
America's political landscape is experiencing dangerous polarization and fragmentation, with the extremes pulling the country apart.
Political philosopher Jim Belcher shows that this is not merely a binary opposition between conservativism on the right and liberalism on the left, but also between conflicting visions of order and freedom on both sides. Through his unique quadrant framework, Belcher traces the people and movements in each position, examines their underlying narratives, and articulates their respective contributions and dangers. This quadrant framework not only reveals how polarization divides us but also shows us how to move beyond the right-left stalemate.
At the core of the competing visions are the seeds of a new vital center, a robust and surprising model that has the ability to transcend political tribalism and bring America back together again before it is too late.
Acts 9.36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7.9-17, John 10.22-30; What happens in the shadows of the chapel? Can we have a hopeful ecclesiology? What is the great ordeal in Revelation? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Bryant Manning. Bryant is the director of the Wesley Foundation at FSU.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Acts 9.1-6, Psalm 30, Revelation 5.11-14, John 21.1-19; How do seminary friendships begin? How important is the call of Saul? What makes good worship good? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Bryant Manning. Bryant is the director of the Wesley Foundation at FSU.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Back on the podcast, Dr. Fred Schmidt is here to talk about doubt, proclamation, and the calling of pastors. Fred is a professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and is the vice-rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Nashville, Virginia.
Here’s the bit he wrote that we discuss:
There you go. A perfect distillation of Boomer-esque spirituality. And a perfect summary of what is wrong with far too much of the modern American church.
“I don’t want answers. All that matters are the questions.” (Thank you, C. S. Lewis and the The Great Divorce) A faith with no discovery to share. A spiritual director with no direction. A church without a creed. A proclamation with no reliable hope to offer. Clergy every bit as lost as anyone else.
Do people need clergy who are willing to stand with them in the middle of the struggle and confusion? Yes.
Do people need spiritual directors who are prepared to ask questions that prompt people to listen, even as they struggle to understand why they have made the choices that they make? Yes.
Do people need spiritual directors who can with them without playing spiritual wack-a-mole, when they struggle, stumble, and fall? Yes.
Do people need pastors and priests who are willing to limp alongside them, lifted up by the One who emptied himself and became one of us? Yes.
But do people need clergy who are just as lost as they are? Only if all that clergy have to offer is their own certainties or pride in their own uncertainties.
But that is not the calling of pastors, priests, and ministers. Like the Samaritan woman, we declare, “He told me everything I have done.” Like Peter, we confess, ““Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
We don't offer them our doubts. We don't offer them our certainties. We offer them Jesus.
Acts 5.27-32, Psalm 118.14-29, Revelation 1.4-9, John 20.19-31; Do the psalms ever change? What does good trouble look like? Is Revelation timeless? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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For Good Friday, we have for you Jason Micheli’s homilies on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. In them, Jason interprets each of the last words of Christ in light of a key character in the Book of Genesis.
Isaiah 65.17-25, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15.19-26, John 20.1-18; What songs should we listen to on Easter? Is there such a thing as a super psalm? How long should Easter sermons be? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Our mentor and muse, Will Willimon, is back on the podcast. His new book is Listeners Dare.
Discipleship and witness are not self-sustainable. Preaching equips God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11).
The gospel is news that passes from the lips of one who has heard to the ears of one who has not yet heard, then (God willing) it burrows in the soul, energizing the hands in daring response to a word received. Preaching is instigated by an astounding claim: Good news; God has spoken to us. The Christian life is what you get when ordinary folk respond: I have heard.
The book (a companion to Preachers Dare) is for anyone who listens to sermons―which includes preachers, since there’s no way to preach without gaining skills as a listener. Listening is a human skill, but as God’s word is proclaimed, the hearer experiences a vocal mix of preacher, listener, and God.
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29, Luke 19.28-40; Should churches observe a Palm Sunday or a Passion Sunday? Why are the difficult hymns the best hymns? What is the not normed norm? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is the lead pastor of First UMC in Salem, Virginia.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Isaiah 43.16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3.4b-14, John 12.1-8; Is it possible to keep Easter in Lent? Is worship nothing more than beholding beauty? What's the Gospel according to John Daker? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is the lead pastor of First UMC in Salem, Virginia.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Aaron Simmons holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Vanderbilt University and is currently a Professor of philosophy at Furman University in Greenville, SC (USA). He is the President of the Søren Kierkegaard Society (USA) and has published widely in philosophy of religion, phenomenology, and existentialism. Among his authored and edited books are God and the Other: Ethics and Politics After the Theological Turn; The New Phenomenology: A Philosophical Introduction; Kierkegaard’s God and the Good Life; and Kierkegaard and Levinas: Ethics, Politics, and Religion. He and his wife, Vanessa, have been married 20 years and have an 11 year old son, Atticus. Although Aaron loves doing philosophy, he would almost always rather be fishing. Check out Aaron’s youtube channel: “Philosophy for Where We Find Ourselves,” and his TedX talk (also on youtube): “The Failure of Success.”
Joshua 5.9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5.16-21, Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32; How can we pray by listening? What does it means to be an ambassador for Christ? Is grace actually amazing? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wayne Dickert. Wayner is the pastor of the River of Life and Bryson City UMC in Bryson City, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Back on the podcast for #348 with Jason and Johanna is Fritz Bauerschmidt to talk about preaching, beauty, and making the word visible in the world. His new book is How Beautiful the World Could Be.
Frederick (Fritz) Bauerschmidt is professor of theology at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland and a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, assigned to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. His new book is How Beautiful the World Could Be. His other books include The Love That Is God: An Invitation to Christian Faith..
Isaiah 55.1-9, Psalm 63.1-8, 1 Corinthians 10.1-13, Luke 13.1-9; Why are there so many references to water in scripture? Is there such a thing as a good church meeting? What does the ministry of restoration look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wayne Dickert. Wayner is the pastor of the River of Life and Bryson City UMC in Bryson City, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3.17-4.1, Luke 13.31-35; Why should Christians read fiction? Are covenants made to be broken? What does it look like to wait on the Lord? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chandler Ragland. Chandler serves Black Mountain UMC in Black Mountain, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Deuteronomy 26.1-11, Psalm 91.1-2, 9-16, Romans 10.8b-13, Luke 4.1-13; What does it mean to "observe" Lent? Can we really picture salvation? Is it possible to define preaching? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chandler Ragland. Chandler serves Black Mountain UMC in Black Mountain, NC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
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Don't forget to head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
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Our guest today is Dr. David F. Ford to talk about his wonderful new book, John: A Theological Commentary.
David is an Anglican public theologian. He was the Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, beginning in 1991. He is now an Emeritus Regius Professor of Divinity. His research interests include political theology, ecumenical theology, Christian theologians and theologies, theology and poetry, the shaping of universities and of the field of theology and religious studies within universities, hermeneutics, and interfaith theology and relations. He is the founding director of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme and a co-founder of the Society for Scriptural Reasoning.
Happy 5th Anniversary to Strangely Warmed! In order to celebrate the occasion we are bringing you the first episode we ever recorded: Ash Wednesday with Fleming Rutledge. Fleming talks about the beach ball of prophetic preaching and what it means to speak the Word into the World. If nothing else, stick around for the remarkable prayer from Fleming at the end.
Exodus 34.29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 2.12-4.2, Luke 9.28-43a; Is it possible to receive a theological sunburn? How necessary is community? How can we reclaim the sacredness of the faith? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Andrew Whaley. Andrew is the senior minister of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest today is Amy Julia Becker, author of the new book, To Be Made Well.
From hurting bodies and souls to hurting relationships and communities, it’s clear that things are not as they should be. The gospels brim with stories of Jesus healing people, but what does that mean for us today? In To Be Made Well, author Amy Julia Becker weaves together her own story with reflections on biblical accounts of Jesus’ healing work, providing fresh insight into both the nature of healing and the pathway to healing, then and now. This book is a powerful invitation to personal, spiritual, and social healing as we reconnect to our bodies and souls, to God, and to our communities.
For anyone struggling with pain or loss, for anyone concerned about the things that divide us, this book goes beyond wellness and beyond miraculous physical transformations to explore how we can—personally and collectively—be made well.
Genesis 45.3-11, 15, Psalm 37.1-11, 39-40, 1 Corinthians 15.35-38, 42-50, Luke 6.27-38; Are Presbyterians really the frozen chosen? How can we delight in delight? Are Christians winners or losers? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Andrew Whaley. Andrew is the senior minister of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Corey Nathan was raised in an observant Jewish household attending an Orthodox synagogue. His family is mostly from Brooklyn, NY; but Corey grew up on the Jersey side - Bruce Springsteen country! In his late 20s, much to the family's chagrin, Corey became a Born-again Christian. Not long after this epiphany, the new believer began to find many of the default social and political positions of contemporary American Evangelicalism to be at odds with the very Scriptures that are supposed to be Christians’ authority for how to engage in the world.
Vocationally, Corey started out as a stockbroker (Series 7, Series 63) during the day while he was studying at a theatre conservatory at night. Since then, he’s been an entrepreneur with one foot in business and one foot in creative pursuits having built and managed such endeavors as:
● a specialty headhunting firm
● a theatre and film ministry
● a residential and commercial service company
● a 501c3 to help folks during the pandemic
● and most recently a new media/content company.
Avocationally, Corey continues to be a student of theology, politics and culture and enjoys sharing invigorating conversations with world-renowned experts of these subjects on the podcast he produces and hosts, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other. He can also be caught having these same kinds of discussions with friends and family over a good whiskey or glass of wine with the music of Monk, Coltrane or Louis Armstrong setting the mood.
Corey has been married to Lisa for 24 years and has 3 kids, Savannah (20), Jackie-boy (18) and Emerson (16) along with the family pooches, Bailey and Charles Mingus the 3rd. As for rumors of his exploits in the world of Texas Holdem Poker, we can neither confirm nor deny those reports.
Here are links to TP&R:
Main site - politicsandreligion.us
On Apple Podcast - bit.ly/TPandRPod
And on the socials, we're at
TP&R - @TPandRPod
Personal - @coreysnathan
Jeremiah 17.5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15.12-20, Luke 6.17-26; What does rooted trust look like? What's the difference between happiness and contentedness? How can we cultivate scripturally shaped imaginations? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Andrew Ware. Andrew is the pastor of Beech Groove UMC in Suffolk, VA and he is the host of the Active Faith Podcast.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
A book that marries the theologian of THE 20th century (Karl Barth) with THE philosopher at the turn into the 21st, Charles Taylor, and all for the practical application of pastors and congregations? What’s not to love?
On the podcast once again is friend and fellow Princeton alum, Andy Root, of Luther Seminary in the Twin Cities.
About his latest:
Congregations often seek to combat the crisis of decline by using innovation to produce new resources. But leading practical theologian Andrew Root shows that the church's crisis is not in the loss of resources; it's in the loss of life--and that life can only return when we remain open to God's encountering presence.
This new book, related to Root's critically acclaimed Ministry in a Secular Age project, addresses the practical form the church must take in a secular age. Root uses two stories to frame the book: one about a church whose building becomes a pub and the other about Karl Barth. Root argues that Barth should be understood as a pastor with a deep practical theology that can help church leaders today.
This book pushes the church to be a waiting community that recognizes that the only way for it to find life is to stop seeing the church as the star of its own story. Instead of resisting decline, congregations must remain open to divine action. Root offers a rich vision for the church's future that moves away from an obsession with relevance and resources and toward the living God.
Isaiah 6.1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11, Luke 5.1-11; Should we be (more) afraid of God? How clear should the church be? What does it look like to repeat the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Andrew Ware. Andrew is the pastor of Beech Groove UMC in Suffolk, VA and he is the host of the Active Faith Podcast.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
“Barth’s attacks on the liberal theologians and what he regarded as their high humanism has led many to label him as anti-humanistic. Barth, however, never abandoned his presumption that to be a Christian is to be a creature on the way to being a human being. To be sure that way is one determined by Christ. “God is God and we are not” remains central to Barth but for Barth the God that is the other is the One that makes us capable of being human.”
Our friend, mentor, and muse, Stanley Hauerwas, returns to the podcast to discuss his latest book, Fully Alive, which is a collection of essays on the apocalyptic humanism of Karl Barth. Along the way, we talk about English mysteries, nihilism, and parting forever with friends like John Howard Yoder and Jean Vanier whose work had been so central to his own.
Jeremiah 1.4-10, Psalm 71.1-6, 1 Corinthians 13.1-13, Luke 4.21-30; Why are prophets called to construct and deconstruct? What does a faithful funeral sound like? Is Jesus a good preacher? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest for #341 is our friend Christy Thomas. Christy is a retired UMC Elder and journalist from Texas. She writes at the website The Thoughtful Pastor on Patheos. You may remember Christy from our coverage of the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in 2019. The pandemic has interrupted the UMC’s divorce proceedings, but that does not mean the schism has been event-less. Christy joined us to talk about her recent piece: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtfulpastor/2022/01/09/the-umc-must-die-to-have-hope-of-life/
Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a, Luke 4.14-21; Should we let kids read the Bible? How is the law of the Lord perfect? What does reconciliation look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
On the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Teer, David, and Jason reflect on the ignominious event from the perspective of the Feast of the Epiphany.
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to https://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
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Isaiah 62.1-5, Psalm 36.5-10, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, John 2.1-11; Why do we refer to Isaiah as the 5th Gospel? Is judgment a good thing? What should we make of all the language referring to spiritual gifts in the New Testament? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest for #339 is Brad Jenson. A former pastor, Brad has a PhD in Theology from Luther Seminary. A former student of Gerhard Forde, Brad has edited a new edition and written a study guide for Forde’s classic book, Where God Meets Man. In this episode, we talk with Brad about his article on Fuerbach, Barth, and Forde, his time in the parish, Luther’s down-to-earth Gospel, and his work now thinking about longevity and retirement.
Isaiah 43.1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8.14-17, Luke 3.15-17, 21-22; Is there such a thing as a perfect worship service? What does the voice of the Lord sound like? How open is the Kingdom? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors of Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Jeremiah 31.7-14, Psalm 147.12-20, Ephesians 1.3-14, John 1.1-18; Can we connect with those who experienced the exile in scripture? Why do we keep returning to the same texts? What is the mystery of salvation? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer is one of the pastors of Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
The whole gang (well, mostly) poured some libations and got together to talk about Christmas, the incarnation, doubt and the miracle of faith.
Back on the podcast is our friend, mentor, and muse, Fleming Rutledge. It’s our Christmas gift to you. Thanks to all our listeners!
1 Samuel 2.18-20, 26, Psalm 148, Colossians 3.12-17, Luke 2.41-52; Should clergy wear robes or not? How important is the Daily Office? Are Mary and Joseph bad parents? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Sarah Killam and Ben Crosby.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest for #336 is Dr. Thomas Millay, author of the new book Kierkegaard and the New Nationalism. Thomas is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and Baylor University and he currently serves a parish in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Nationalism is a globally resurgent phenomenon. From Britain to India to the United States of America, we find nations vociferously reasserting their own sovereignty, ethnic composition, and intrinsic superiority. Thomas J. Millay demonstrates how Kierkegaard’s ascetic voice speaks directly to our present crisis.Kierkegaard and the New Nationalism: A Contemporary Reinterpretation of the Attack upon Christendom analyzes the late writings of Kierkegaard in light of this new relevance, for Kierkegaard’s attack upon Christendom is also an attack upon nationalism. For Kierkegaard, taking on nationalism is not simply a matter of undermining false identity constructions. Attacking nationalism is a matter of renunciation: it requires ascetic discipline, such that the selfish motives at the core of one’s identity construction are uprooted and replaced by a self-giving love marked by the willingness to suffer.
Micah 5.2-5a, Psalm 80.1-7, Hebrews 10.5-10, Luke 1.39-55; How important are time signatures? What is it that saves us? Can we talk about sacrifices during Advent? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Pastor Brian Zahnd joins the podcast to talk about his newest book, "When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes."
About the book --
Is it possible to hold on to faith in an age of unbelief?
Intellectual certainty has long been a cornerstone of the Christian faith. But in an age of secularism, skepticism, and cynicism, our worldviews have been shaken. Various solutions exist―some double down on certainty, while others deconstruct their faith until there is nothing left at all. But Brian Zahnd offers a third way: what is needed is not a demolition but instead a renovation of faith.
Written with personal and pastoral experience, Zahnd extends an invitation to move beyond the crisis of faith toward the journey of reconstruction. As the world rapidly changes in ways that feel incompatible with Christianity, When Everything's on Fire provides much-needed hope. A stronger, more confident faith is possible when it is grounded in the beauty and truth of Christ. Zahnd permits us to risk the journey of deconstruction so that God can forge something more beautiful in its place.
https://brianzahnd.com/
https://twitter.com/BrianZahnd
https://www.amazon.com/When-Everythings-Fire-Faith-Forged/dp/1514003333/
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Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
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Zephaniah 3.14-20, Isaiah 12.2-6, Philippians 4.4-7, Luke 3.7-18; Why is it so important to sing our faith? How deep is the well of salvation? How can we preach grace to those experiencing a Blue Christmas? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Back on the podcast is our friend, Father Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the rector of Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan and a writer for Christianity Today, Mockingbird, Clarion, and The Huffington Post. Oxford High School, the site of the latest school shooting in the US, is in Holy Redeemer's parish, and Kenneth joined us on the podcast to talk about his experience of providing pastoral care to the students, families, and teachers in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
Malachi 3.1-4, Luke 1.68-79, Philippians 1.3-11, Luke 3.1-6; What does prodigal love look like? Why are there so many images of divine reversal in scripture? How can the Daily Office (re)shape our lives? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Jeremiah 33.14-16, Psalm 25.1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13, Luke 21.25-36; What music should we listen to on the first Sunday of Advent? Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? How can we keep the end in Advent? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
While human existence in time is determined by the time of Jesus Christ, by the logic of the incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension, the predominant accounts of time in the modern West have proceeded from a very different basis. The implications of these approaches are not just a matter of epistemology, or of abstract doctrinal and philosophical claims. Instead, they have had, and continue to have, concrete ramifications for human life together. They have overwhelmingly been death-dealing rather than life-giving, marked by a series of temporal moral errors that this book hopes to address. As a counterexample, this book reads Søren Kierkegaard alongside Karl Barth to highlight the ways that both figures rejected a Hegelian approach to time that was, and is, not coincidentally intertwined with a racialized account of history and the co-opting of Christianity by the modern Western state.
Our guest for #333 is Dr. Kara Slade.
Kara serves as associate rector at Trinity Church, associate chaplain of the Episcopal Church at Princeton, and Canon Theologian of the Diocese of New Jersey. A native of Pensacola, Florida and lifelong Southerner, she received her PhD in Christian theology and ethics at Duke University in 2018, with research interests that include Karl Barth, Søren Kierkegaard, and the ethics of science, technology, and medicine. She serves on the Committee for the Priesthood of the Diocese of New Jersey and the General Board of Examining Chaplains, and is also the past chair of the Society of Scholar-Priests.
2 Samuel 23.1-7, Psalm 132.1-18, Revelation 1.4b-8, John 18.33-37; How important are movie soundtracks? How does Christ undo sin? What does Jesus' kingdom look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh serves at Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Ben Maddison is a priest at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in New Jersey, and Keith Voets is the rector at The Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr, Queens, N.Y. They joined Jason and the Minion in a conversation about re-centering the Church on the Gospel.
Here's the post that got the conversation started:
There's some on-going ✨ Discourse ™️✨ in The Episcopal Church about ways to reverse decline. Some ideas are good, some not so good, some the same old nonsense that always comes up in the course of these conversations.
So here's my one-step plan to revitalize decline:
Proclaim the Good News of the Gospel: the transformative reality that Jesus Christ—in his life, death, and resurrection—fundamentally changes absolutely every aspect of who we are, how we live, how we love, and how we act in the world—a stark transformation that can only be described as a "death" of the old and resurrection of the new. Forgiveness, mercy, grace, love, and justice flow (by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit) from the incomprehensible reality that "we love because he first loved us."
Nothing comes before this. Everything flows from it. This is the center and ground of who we are.
If everything we have and are—our structures, bureaucracy, liturgy, teaching, preaching, stewardship, pastoral care, fights for justice—has this at the center, "who can stand against us?"
1 Samuel 1.4-20 1 Samuel 2.1-10, Hebrews 10.11-25, Mark 13.1-8; How important are the names in scripture? How can we sing our faith? What does a blessed assurance look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh serves at Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
What does the cross of Christ have to do with the thunderbird? How might the life and work of Christian writer G. K. Chesterton shed light on our understanding of North American Indigenous art and history? This unexpected connection forms the basis of these discerning reflections by art historian Matthew Milliner. In this fifth volume in the Hansen Lectureship Series, Milliner appeals to Chesterton's life and work―including The Everlasting Man, his neglected poetry, his love for his native England, and his own visits to America―in order to understand and appreciate both Indigenous art and the complex, often tragic history of First Nations peoples, especially in the American Midwest. The Hansen Lectureship series offers accessible and insightful reflections by Wheaton College faculty on the transformative work of the Wade Center authors.
Friend of the podcast, Dr. Matt Milliner, is back on the program to talk about his new work, The Everlasting People: G. K. Chesterton and the First Nations. Matt is a Professor of Art History at Wheaton College.
Gretchen Purser is the host of the podcast, The Mess is Mine.
Gretchen is a recovering evangelical, former political hack and a Republican refugee. She built a 20 year career working for national Republican campaigns, candidates, and committees and their adorable baby brother, the religious right. She’s seen a lot of sh@t. She joins us to talk faith and politics on Election Day 2021.
https://themessismine.com/
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Ruth 3.1-5; 4.13-17, Psalm 127, Hebrews 9.24-28, Mark 12.38-44; What can coaching teach us about faith? Should all preachers wear robes in worship? How can we cultivate cultures of call? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joanna Paysour. Joanna serves Trinity UMC and Greene Memorial UMC in Roanoke, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
On growing up in the American South of the 1960s--an all-American white boy--son of a long line of Methodist preachers, in the midst of the civil rights revolution, and discovering the culpability of silence within the church. By the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and columnist for The Birmingham News.
"My dad was a Methodist preacher and his dad was a Methodist preacher," writes John Archibald. "It goes all the way back on both sides of my family. When I am at my best, I think it comes from that sermon place."
Everything Archibald knows and believes about life is "refracted through the stained glass of the Southern church. It had everything to do with people. And fairness. And compassion."
In Shaking the Gates of Hell, Archibald asks: Can a good person remain silent in the face of discrimination and horror, and still be a good person?
Archibald had seen his father, the Rev. Robert L. Archibald, Jr., the son and grandson of Methodist preachers, as a moral authority, a moderate and a moderating force during the racial turbulence of the '60s, a loving and dependable parent, a forgiving and attentive minister, a man many Alabamians came to see as a saint. But was that enough? Even though Archibald grew up in Alabama in the heart of the civil rights movement, he could recall few words about racial rights or wrongs from his father's pulpit at a time the South seethed, and this began to haunt him.
In this moving and powerful book, Archibald writes of his complex search, and of the conspiracy of silence his father faced in the South, in the Methodist Church and in the greater Christian church. Those who spoke too loudly were punished, or banished, or worse. Archibald's father was warned to guard his words on issues of race to protect his family, and he did. He spoke to his flock in the safety of parable, and trusted in the goodness of others, even when they earned none of it, rising through the ranks of the Methodist Church, and teaching his family lessons in kindness and humanity, and devotion to nature and the Earth.
Archibald writes of this difficult, at times uncomfortable, reckoning with his past in this unadorned, affecting book of growth and evolution.
Ruth 1.1-18, Psalm 146, Hebrews 9.11-14, Mark 12.28-34; What can scripture tell us about the tenacity of human relationships? Why are there so many "bloody" hymns? How often should we talk about the atonement? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joanna Paysour. Joanna serves Trinity UMC and Greene Memorial UMC in Roanoke, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
In a post-Christian culture, parish clergy can find themselves at a loss, ill-equipped to deal with a reality for which seminary did not prepare them. As a result, the Church and its clergy can seem to flounder from one “program” to the next or get enamored with secular self-help strategies. To learn to lead well in this new context, the Church needs to help clergy refocus on what both works and is true to their tradition and theology. Enter Scott Benhase, whose Done and Left Undone proposes an ascetical theology of leadership based in St. Benedict’s Promise of Stability, Obedience, and Conversion of Life. The Promise helps clergy move forward from their inward identity to their outward askesis (discipline), their inner life experience of resting in the mercy of God’s grace in harmony with their outward role in the church. Benhase believes parish clergy can lead faithfully and well without following a program or leadership style that does not fit them. Leading from ascetical grace does not require parish clergy to be something they are not. It invites them, rather, to a way of being and an askesis that will help them be both faithful and effective in parish leadership.
Scott Anson Benhase was the tenth Episcopal bishop of Georgia. He now serves as the vicar of St. Cyprian's in Durham, North Carolina.
Job 42.1-6, 10-17, Psalm 34.1-8, Hebrews 7.23-28, Mark 10.46-52; How important are podcast statistics? What does it look like to be in constant communion? How can be achieve faithful architecture? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Michel and Teer Hardy. Jason serves Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA and Teer serve Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
The host of Homebrewed Christianity, Tripp Fuller, shares his answers to a few of the questions Teer is considering for ordination in the United Methodist Church.
Tripp is a proud nerd, but not just a Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica type of nerd, he is a theology nerd who is committed to bringing theology to the people. With a PhD in Philosophy, Religion, & Theology, Tripp is a special kind of theology nerd.
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Job 38.1-7, Psalm 104.1-9, 24, 35c, Hebrews 5.1-10, Mark 10.35-45; How important is the agency in scripture? What does majestic clothing look like? How is the cross a parody? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Michel and Teer Hardy. Jason serves Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA and Teer serve Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Talk the talk and walk the walk.
The challenge of the Christian life is learning to talk Christian. Somebody has got to tell us, give us the words that open the door to the faith called Christian. Each of us is due the delight of discovery that in submitting to God’s talk to us.
God Turned Toward Us: The ABCs of Christian Faith is organized by the words the church teaches us to use to talk about ordinary life apprehended by a God who is Jesus Christ–short, meditative reflections upon key concepts that guide Christians, new or longstanding.
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Job 23.1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22.1-15, Hebrews 4.12-16, Mark 10.17-31; Is it okay to go through a prayer drought? Where does faith begin? How can we be bold in our discipleship? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Seungsoo Jun. Seungsoo is the Associate Director of Serving Ministries for the Virginia Conference of the UMC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Tony Robinson and Will Willimon reunite for round 2 of Q&A with the Crackers and Grape Juice Nation. The Hauerwas Mafia submitted questions Tony and Will to consider.
To get the episode started Will responds to critique he and Stanley Hauerwas received for an article published in Christian Century (https://www.christiancentury.org/article/interview/dangers-providing-pastoral-care).
Tony follows up his persspective on pastoral care in the middle of a pandemic.
Then the two friends field questions from the Hauerwas Mafia.
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Job 1.1, 2.1-10, Psalm 26, Hebrews 1.1-4, 2.5-12, Mark 10.2-16; Can we really be honest in church? What does divine equity look like? Why is it so difficult to talk about divorce in church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Seungsoo Jun. Seungsoo is the Associate Director of Serving Ministries for the Virginia Conference of the UMC.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Professor of History at Grand View University, Thomas Lecaque, is back on the podcast to talk about his latest piece at The Bulwark: https://www.thebulwark.com/the-conspiracy-theorists-are-coming-for-your-schools/
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Esther 7.1-6, 9-10; 9.20-22, Psalm 124, James 5.13-20, Mark 9.38-50; How important is biblical context? What does healing look like in the church today? How can we avoid theological stumbling blocks? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Jason and Andrea’s new book, Following, offers theological perspectives on the challenges of discipleship in a digital age, showing how new technologies and the rise of social media affect the way we interact with each other, ourselves, and the world. Written by a Gen X digital immigrant and a Millennial digital native, the book explores a faithful response to today’s technology as we celebrate our embodied roles as followers of Christ in a disembodied time.
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Proverbs 31.10-31, Psalm 1, James 3.13-4.3, 7-8a, Mark 9.30-37; What can we make of the pronouns in Proverbs? Are we drowning in dopamine? Is peace really possible? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Reflecting on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with the godfathers of the podcast, Dr. Stanley Hauerwas and Reverend Dr. Will Willimon.
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Proverbs 1.20-33, Psalm 19, James 3.1-12, Mark 8.27-38; How can faith be frightening? How can we avoid preaching cliches? How important is the present of presence? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chelsea Morse. Chelsea serves Micah Ecumenical Ministries where she is the Community Ministries Chaplain in Fredericksburg, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Dr. Rolando J. Díaz is a clinical psychologist in independent practice in Arlington, Virginia. He joins the podcast to talk about his work vetting and counseling clergy as well developing the Roman Catholic Church's child protection policies in the wake of the Spotlight investigation's findings of rampant abuse.
He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1991. He received his master's (1994) and doctoral degrees (1997) in clinical psychology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
During his professional training, he had placements at the Alexandria (Virginia) Mental Health Center and at Affiliated Community Counselors in Rockville, Maryland. His predoctoral internship was at the Woodburn Center for Community Mental Health, Fairfax County's (Virginia) main mental health center.
Proverbs 22.1-2, 8-9, 22-23 , Psalm 125, James 2.1-10, 14-17, Mark 7.24-37; Is it possible to make a radio joke on a podcast? What scriptures make for good meme material? What does a collective homily sound like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chelsea Morse. Chelsea serves Micah Ecumenical Ministries where she is the Community Ministries Chaplain in Fredericksburg, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
You likely have heard that The Former Guy increased his share of the Hispanic vote in the 2020 Presidential election, but have you heard that this was also true for Asian Americans too? Ditto immigrants from the Middle East. Why did immigrants and people of color vote for a candidate who routinely disparaged immigrants and people of color? And what does it have to do with the fact that a large proportion of all of these groups are Christian?
Ruben Rosario and Jonathan Tan join the podcast to talk about their recent article in Political Theology, “Making Sense of Minority Christian Voting Trends: Complicating the Liberal/Conservative Binary.”
You can find the article here: https://politicaltheology.com/symposium/making-sense-of-minority-christian-voting-trends-complicating-the-liberal-conservative-binary/
Rubén Rosario Rodríguez is Professor of Systematic Theology in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. His teaching and research interests range from comparative religious ethics, to theological anthropology, to liberation/political theologies; his most recent publications include Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence (Cambridge University Press, 2017) and Dogmatics After Babel (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018), and he is editor of the T&T Clark Handbook of Political Theology (Bloomsbury/T&T Clark, 2019).
Jonathan Y. Tan is The Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Tan is the author of Introducing Asian American Studies (Orbis Books, 2008) and Christian Mission among the Peoples of Asia (Orbis Books, 2014). His numerous essays and book chapters encompass topics and issues in Asian and Asian American Catholicism, Asian and Asian American Christianity, World Christianity, Interreligious Studies, Liturgical Studies, Migration Studies, Mission Studies, and Chinese religions.
Song of Solomon 2.8-13, Psalm 45.1-2, 6-9, James 1.17-27, Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23; Why should Christians watch Ted Lasso? How important is the BCP? What does church graffiti look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh is the pastor of Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
1 Kings 8.22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84, Ephesians 6.10-20, John 6.56-69; How important are spices? What should we make of the powers and the principalities? Is Jesus a dude? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh is the pastor of Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
This episode has something for everyone. Ryan Burge, the Rainman of religious statistics joins the podcast to talk about the nones, COVID-19 vaccines and masks, and a whole list of things you probably wouldn't want to discuss in mixed company.
Ryan Burge is the author of The Nones: Who They Are, Where They Came From, and Where They're Going. He's an American Baptist pastor, a Professor of Political Science at Eastern Illinois University, and rules Twitter with his graphs.
When Christianity Today selected Jack Levison’s 'A Boundless God: The Spirit According to the Old Testament,' as one of two books focusing on the Bible to read in 2021, they asked, “Who knew that a word study could read like an adventure story?” If you yearn to have your own Bible study feel like an adventure, join Jack, W. J. A. Power Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew at Southern Methodist University, for an exciting hour of discovery.
Register today -https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/lunchtime/ - to learn how to do your own exhilarating word searches based on the original Hebrew and Greek of The Bible. Attendance at this lunchtime webinar is FREE, but Zoom registration is required.
Past episodes of Crackers & Grape Juice with
Jack and Priscilla Levison
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/episode-255-jack-levison-mouth-to-mouth-re-creation/
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/episode-293-priscilla-pope-levison-models-of-evangelism/
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/episode-296-jack-levison-to-the-bowels/
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
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1 Kings 2.10-12, 3.3-14, Psalm 111, Ephesians 5.15-20, John 6.51-58; How wicked is wisdom? How can we praise the Lord? What's wrong with Dead Poets Society? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
“I bring you news of a living reality that changes everything. Jesus has come; Jesus will come. Whatever your own personal darkness, it has been and will be overcome.”
Means of Grace is a weekly devotional culled from the sermons of beloved pastor and theologian Fleming Rutledge, organized according to the framework of the liturgical calendar. Each entry, compiled and edited by Rutledge’s friend Laura Bardolph Hubers, begins with a biblical passage and ends with a short prayer.
Those familiar with Rutledge’s work will recognize both her genuine empathy for human experience and her deep reverence for God. Anyone longing for the wise pastoral guidance of an adept veteran preacher—one who views Scripture not as bland life lessons or timeless teaching but as “the living God present and acting in the story of redemption”—will find here a meaningful companion through the seasons of their spiritual journey that they can return to year after year.
2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130, Ephesians 4.25-5.2, John 6.35, 41-51; Is the lectionary infallible? What does Robin Hood have to do with the Old Testament? How patient is God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Father Stephen is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America, Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is also the author of Everywhere Present and the Glory to God podcast series.
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
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2 Samuel 11.26-12.13a, Psalm 51.1-12, Ephesians 4.1-16, John 6.24-35; How important is it to know the whole story? What does the joy of salvation look like? Why is there so much denominational disunity? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest April Little. April is the co-host of the Reclaiming The Garden podcast.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest for #316 is Brian Kaylor.
Brian Kaylor, Word&Way Editor & President since 2016, is an award-winning writer and sought-after expert on issues of religion, politics, and communication. He also hosts the award-winning podcast “Baptist Without An Adjective.”
In addition to articles and editorials for Word&Way, his writings have been published by CNN, Houston Chronicle, Kansas City Star, Louisville Courier-Journal, Religion News Service, Roll Call, Sojourners, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Washington Post, and many other outlets.
Brian has a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Communication from the University of Missouri, and a B.A. in Communication and Christian Ministry from Southwest Baptist University. He is the author of four books on religion and politics: Vote Your Principles: Party Must Not Trump Principles; Sacramental Politics: Religious Worship as Political Action; Presidential Campaign Rhetoric in an Age of Confessional Politics; and For God’s Sake, Shut Up!
He previously served as Associate Director of Churchnet (also known as the Baptist General Convention of Missouri), Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at James Madison University in Virginia, Contributing Editor for Ethics Daily, and Pastor of Union Mound Baptist Church in Elkland, Missouri. He currently serves as chair of both the Communication Advisory Committee and the Resolutions Committee for the Baptist World Alliance.
Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianKaylor.
2 Samuel 11.1-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 3.14-21, John 6.1-21; What does it mean to be an exvangelical? Is there a proper order to theology? How important are community meals? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest April Little. April is the co-host of the Reclaiming The Garden podcast.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
2 Samuel 7.1-14a, Psalm 89.20-37, Ephesians 2.11-22, Mark 6.30-34, 53-56; Can we actually rest in scripture? What does it look like to confront our desire for control? How is the Gospel an adventure? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Haley Husband.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Daniel Williams joined the pod to talk with Teer and Jason about his new book, 'Politics of the Cross.'
Where do Christians fit in a two-party political system?
The partisan divide that is rending the nation is now tearing apart American churches. On one side are Christian Right activists and other conservatives who believe that a vote for a Democratic presidential candidate is a vote for abortion, sexual immorality, gender confusion, and the loss of religious liberty for Christians. On the other side are politically progressive Christians who are considering leaving the institutional church because of white evangelicalism’s alliance with a Republican Party that they believe is racist, hateful toward immigrants, scornful of the poor, and directly opposed to the principles that Jesus taught. Even while sharing the same pew, these two sides often see the views of the other as hopelessly wrongheaded—even evil. Is there a way to transcend this deep-seated division?
'The Politics of the Cross' draws on history, policy analysis, and biblically grounded theology to show how Christians can protect the unborn, advocate for traditional marriage, promote racial justice, care for the poor, and, above all, honor the gospel by adopting a cross-centered ethic instead of the idolatrous politics of power, fear, or partisanship. As Daniel K. Williams illustrates, both the Republican and Democratic parties are rooted in Christian principles, but both have distorted those principles and mixed them with assumptions that are antithetical to biblical truth. Williams explains how Christians can renounce partisanship and pursue policies that show love for our neighbors to achieve a biblical vision of justice.
Nuanced, detailed, and even-handed, 'The Politics of the Cross' tackles the thorny issues that divide Christians politically and offers a path forward with innovative, biblically minded political approaches that might surprise Christians on both the left and the right.
2 Samuel 6.1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24, Ephesians 1.3-14, Mark 6.14-29; Why does David dance before the Ark? Is it possible to really embrace the unknown? Why is the language of adoption so prevalent in scripture? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Haley Husband.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
We invited two friends of the podcast, who are longtime friends of one another, to talk about ministry, the state of preaching in the Church, and how they often feel like exiles in Mainline Christianity. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Tony and Will.
Be sure to check out Tony's website: https://www.anthonybrobinson.com
Also, here's the link to the documentary about Will: https://www.aptonline.org/catalog/WILL-TO-PREACH-A
2 Samuel 5.1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12.2-10, Mark 6.1-13; What Does Bo Burnham have to do with the Gospel? Should we have a new lectionary? How important are our liturgical habits? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Alan Combs. Alan is the lead pastor of First UMC in Salem, Va.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
"God's holiness to mend our brokenness. God's faithfulness to resolve our doubt. It was the exact reversal of Mormonism's worthiness-brings-blessings schema, and my heart sang out. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had come home."
Katie Langston is the Director of Digital Strategy for Luther Seminary. Raised in a fundamentalist Mormon home, she became a Christian and was baptized not long ago. She's written a memoir of her journey from Mormonism to grace, Sealed. Check it out.
2 Samuel 1.1, 17-27, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 8.7-15, Mark 5.21-43; Why do we enjoy dunking on people so much? How pivotal are our prayers? What should we do with the diversity of riches within the church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Alan Combs. Alan is the lead pastor of First UMC in Salem, Va.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
In a post-Christian, post-modern, post-truth society where Jesus' followers aren't often well regarded, modern evangelism approaches are eroding and increasingly ineffective. Christians often talk more than we listen, confront when we should converse, and demand that people believe before they belong. We need a compelling way to share our faith that combines the timeless practices of Jesus with timely perspectives about our post-everything era.
Author and Executive Director of Alpha US Craig Springer believes that reaching non-Christians is possible, but only if we are willing to shift our perspectives, abandon ineffective methodologies, and consider the unique cultural moment in which we are living. In How to Revive Evangelism, he shares the often-overlooked evangelistic approaches of Jesus himself and demonstrates how returning to these fundamentals is key to reviving evangelism in the 21st century. Incorporating groundbreaking and often startling data, Springer offers Christians seven shifts in how to share their faith with friends and family members, neighbors, and coworkers which create greater potential for life change.
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron. Subscribe to CGJ+
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1 Samuel 17.32-49, Psalm 9.9-20, 2 Corinthians 6.1-13, Mark 4.35-41; How many stories can you fit in one story? What does true trust look like? What was at stake for Paul and the spreading of the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
The ubiquity of scripture’s contrast between commands and promises, how those who want a Christianity without the Cross are stuck with inconvenient scriptures, and a picture of grace as Jesus serving the best wine for a drunk world too far gone to notice or appreciate it. The gang at Hermeneutics continues our new series through the Gospel of John by taking a look at Jesus’s first “sign,” turning water into wine.
John 2:1-12
1 Samuel 15.34-16.13, Psalm 20, 2 Corinthians 5.6-17, Mark 4.26-34; Should we have enthusiasm for the future? Why is God obsessed with impossible possibilities? Are Christians too confident? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
For this week's episode, we're giving you a sneak peek at a podcast we release only for our paid subscribers to our biweekly newsletter, Crackers and Grape+. We call it the Secret Podcast and we hope you enjoy the conversations between Jason and his Padwan, David King, a rising second year at Princeton Theological Seminary.
1 Samuel 8.4-20, Psalm 138, 2 Corinthians 4.13-5.1, Mark 3.20-35; Is God political? What's the connection between humility and humiliation? What does it look like to extend grace? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is the lead pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Our guest for episode #310 is filmmaker Chris White about his new film, Electric Jesus.
CHRIS WHITE has written and directed three micro-budget features: showbiz comedy CINEMA PURGATORIO (2014, co-writer, director, actor), and broken family dramas GET BETTER (2012, co-writer, co-director, actor) and TAKEN IN (2011, writer, director). He co-wrote the screenplay for SIX LA LOVE STORIES (2016), and has written and directed for the multi-award-winning, web series phenomenon, Star Trek Continues. White has write-directed many acclaimed short films-collecting his most recent for a 5-film, "southern gothic comedy" anthology called UNBECOMING (2016, writer, director).
About his fantastic new movie, Electric Jesus, Chris writes:
"I was raised by devout Southern Baptist parents and fully immersed in (and committed to) Evangelical Christian youth culture—which included Sunday School, Bible studies, summer camps, retreats, choir tours, ski trips—all of it set to an ‘80s Christian rock soundtrack.
This immersive religious culture is difficult to explain to many of my friends today—but it’s even more difficult to explain why I loved it. The fact that something so alien to most of the world is so vivid in my memory...and kind of embarrassing to talk about now... It makes me feel odd.
Just listen to a Christian hair metal anthem of the era—let’s say Stryper’s “To Hell With the Devil”—and you’ll start to understand. Honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I revisit that time in my mind, but either way, there’s no looking away.
Turns out, my Christian friends and I were a lot more like all of you than I’d thought. Who can’t relate to being young and wistful, devoted to a big unifying idea…and in love? Who doesn’t remember the moment or the moments when you saw your youth, your naiveté...your hope slip away?
We’ve all been young. We’ve all had plans and dreams and loves that didn’t work out the way we’d hoped. And from time to time, we think about it. We remember.
ELECTRIC JESUS was born out of years of looking back, reconstructing, re-discovering moments and memories I’d long since left behind that suddenly fascinated me. I missed being a Christian youth group kid. I missed the certainty, the comfort…I missed Jesus.
But then, as I wrote and eventually as we shot the film, a bigger revelation came to me. I’d been operating under the illusion that my churchy teen years were all about me—that I’d been the sole protagonist in an origin story about me…that coming of age was something that happened to me, while everyone else was just kinda along for the ride...my co-stars.
So that’s what ELECTRIC JESUS came to be about to me: believing in something so much it all gets too big to fail, all the while completely missing the existentially huge story that’s happening right under your nose. And only being able to realize that several decades later when it’s too late to do it over."
The gang continues their journey through John's Gospel by looking at part 2 of the first chapter of John.
John 1:29-39
Isaiah 6.1-8, Psalm 29, Romans 8.12-27, John 3.1-17; How important are book titles? What does coal have to do with a calling? Should we try to explain the unexplainable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is the lead pastor of Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Six months into a deep personal crisis occasioned by the unexpected end of his marriage, Jamie Howison traveled halfway across the continent to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to engage in a unique and intense five-week contemplative retreat served in the context of the chapel community of the University of King’s College. Immersed in the liturgies of the Canadian Book of Common Prayer, mentored in the writing of an Orthodox icon of Christ Pantocrator, challenged to confront the hard truths behind his brokenness, and laid bare by the hours of silence and solitude, Howison discovered something of the power of the ancient spiritual traditions in the restoration of a twenty-first-century soul. A Kind of Solitude tells that story.
Jamie Howison, an Anglican priest in Canada and pastor Benedict’s Table Church, is back on the podcast to talk about his new book. Friend and supporter of the show, Joshua Retterer joined me for the conversation.
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron. Subscribe to CGJ+
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Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.24-34, 35b, Romans 8.22-27, John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15; What's the value in returning to older movies? Why does the Spirit empower the speaking of other languages? What does holy hope look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
This is Jason speaking... As a Christian, I've never understood the hang-up and/or obsession some Christians have regarding gay Christians. Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's because my first teacher- after my having just become a Christian- was Dr. Gene Rogers, who introduced me to Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas and who happened to be gay. As a pastor, I'm both exhausted by the sexuality debate and heartsick over its many victims-- often anonymous, suffering in the pews.
For all these reasons, it's a privilege to have Sally Gary as our guest for episode #308 to discuss her work with CenterPeace and her new book, Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church.
Here's the blurb from Amazon:
What is it like to discover that something you’ve believed all your life might be wrong?
Sally Gary knew since her early adulthood that she was attracted to women. But as a devoted Christian, she felt there was no way to fully embrace this aspect of her identity while remaining faithful. Now, as she prepares to marry the love of her life, she’s ready to speak out about why—and how—her perspective changed.
In this deeply personal memoir, Sally traces the experiences, conversations, and scriptural reading that culminated in her seeing her sexuality as something that made sense within the context of her faith—not outside of it or in opposition to it. Along the way, she addresses specific aspects of her journey that will resonate with many other gay Christians: the loneliness and isolation of her previously celibate life, the futile attempts she made to resist or even “change” her sexual orientation, and the fear of intimacy that followed a lifetime of believing same-sex relationships were sinful.
Sally’s story—one of heritage, learning, courage, and love—is written especially for the generations of LGBTQ Christians after her who are questioning whether they can stay part of the church they call home. It’s a resounding reminder that, just like Sally’s own heart, things can change, and sometimes, when we earnestly search for the truth, we find it in the most unexpected places.
Acts 1.15-17, 21-26, Psalm 1, 1 John 5.9-13, John 17.6-19; How can we read scripture through the lens of Emmaus? Why is the Spirit so confounding? What does it mean to be truly happy? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
“We’ve got a list of questions, issues, stuff we’re dealing with. We want your input, your thoughts on this stuff.” Such were the origins of this little book. Two young clergy, early in their first call, imagined that I might have some useful wisdom to pass on based on my own years in ministry. Something like this was once standard preparation. Young people learned a profession like law, ministry, or medicine by apprenticing themselves to one seasoned in the practice. Not only has that way of learning largely vanished but we now live in times of increasing segregation and suspicion between different generations. Still, these two millennials bucked the trends. They thought they might have something to learn from an old boomer. The result is this collection of letters: personal, wry, direct, and honest. Full of both hope and realism about the church and ministry. This collection will be a welcome companion for young, and for many not so young, clergy trying to get a handle on ministry in the midst of a time that is full of change and challenge.
Anthony B. Robinson has a ministry and writings that have spoken wisely and helpfully to thousands of clergy and hundreds of congregations. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, who has served four congregations, consulted with scores of congregations and their leaders, and taught in several different seminaries. He is the author of a dozen books including the best-seller Transforming Congregational Culture and the award-winning What's Theology Got To Do with It?
Acts 10.44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5.1-6, John 15.9-17; Do disco and disc golf go together? How serendipitous is the Spirit? What does obedience lead to? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Our guest for this episode is Gerald Bray, whose new book is Anglicanism: A Reformed Catholic Tradition.
Gerald Bray (DLitt, University of Paris-Sorbonne) is Research Professor at Beeson Divinity School and Director of Research for the Latimer Trust. He is a prolific writer and has authored or edited numerous books, including The Doctrine of God and Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present.
What is Anglicanism?
There are many associations that come to mind. Whether it is the buildings, the unique history, the prayers, or church government, often we emphasize one aspect against others. Is the Anglican church a Protestant church with distinctive characteristics, or a Catholic Church no longer in communion with Rome?
In Anglicanism: A Reformed Catholic Tradition, Gerald Bray argues that some theological trajectories are more faithful than others to the nature and history of the Church of England. Readers looking to understand the diversity, nature, and future of Anglicanism will be helped by Bray's historical examination.
Acts 8.26-40, Psalm 22.25-31, 1 John 4.7-21, John 15.1-8; What should we make of all the baptismal debates among the churches? What is Christotelism? How can we bear fruit in the kingdom? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is the pastor of Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle, OK.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Kurt Willems joins the pod to share his new book Echoing Hope: How the Humanity of Jesus Redeems Our Pain.
None of us live free of difficulties or hardships. But how can we learn to live richly in the midst of them? And ever grow spiritually because of them? The answer is found in the hopeful humanity of Jesus.
Echoing Hope reveals how understanding the humanity of Jesus can radically transform our identity and empower us to step into our pain-filled world in a new way. Combining rich theological insight with personal stories and practices for response, learn how we can overcome despair and encounter the beautiful potential of our lives.
Friend and mentor Pastor Brian Zahnd said, “Without resorting to worn-out clichés, Kurt Willems walks the reader through the problem of pain with the mind of a theologian and the heart of a pastor. This book will help many people.”
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
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Hermeneutics is back!
In this newest season of Hermeneutics, we're tackling the Gospel of John, bit by bit. To kick things off we're starting at the very beginning with the Prologue.
The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[b]
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,[c] and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,[e] who is close to the Father’s heart,[f] who has made him known.
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
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Acts 4.5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3.16-24, John 10.11-18; How can sabbath be an act of resistance? What's the deal with universalism? Is Jesus really a good shepherd? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Preorder our new book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0918K9B7H/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_26Y7D8T04KFAR0T63YY9
For eight years, Ellie Holcomb recorded and toured full-time with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, before stepping off the road when her first child was born. Her solo debut, As Sure As The Sun (2014), landed her a Top 10 hit at Christian radio with “The Broken Beautiful” and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Her critically-acclaimed sophomore LP, Red Sea Road, followed in 2017. In subsequent years, Holcomb has released two children’s books—each with a companion EP of original music written specifically for kids, the second of which earned her a Dove Award for “Children’s Album of the Year” in 2020. She’s consistently writing, touring and performing while raising three kids with Drew in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. (They’ve been dancing in the kitchen to the new songs on C A N Y O N, and she can’t wait to share them with the world.)
Ellie has performed with Third Day, MercyMe, Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, and more. She joins the podcast today to talk about faith, writing, and her new solo album, Canyons, due out 6/25.
Acts 3.12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3.1-7, Luke 24.36b-48; What's the point of CPE? Can we use the NT to preach the OT? How has the pandemic changed our prayers? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins.
Preorder our new book here: https://smile.amazon.com/Never-Said-Things-Jesus-Stop-ebook/dp/B0918K9B7H/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1618058241&refinements=p_27%3ATaylor+Mertins&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Taylor+Mertins
Richard Stearns is a leader who has been tested as a CEO in both secular companies and also as the head of one of the world’s largest Christian ministries. After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history. During his tenure there he implemented corporate best practices, lowering overheads while tripling revenues. His leadership in calling the American church to respond to some of the greatest crises of our time, notably the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and the global refugee crisis, challenged Christians to embrace a bold vision for compassion, mercy, and justice. In Lead Like It Matters to God, Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve―that God is more concerned about a leader's character than a leader's success. With wisdom, wit, and biblical teaching, Stearns shares captivating stories of his life journey and unpacks seventeen crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations. When leaders embody values such as integrity, courage, excellence, forgiveness, humility, surrender, balance, generosity, perseverance, love, and encouragement, they not only improve their witness for Christ, they also shape institutions, influence culture, improve team performance, and create healthy workplaces where people can flourish. Through this book, Stearns will inspire a new generation of Christian leaders to boldly take their values into their workplaces to tangibly demonstrate the character of Christ, the love of Christ, and the truth of Christ as they live out their faith in full view of others.
Acts 4.32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1.1-2.2, John 20.19-31; How important are the hymns we sing? How can we keep the first things first? What are we to do with doubting Thomas? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
Tim Gombis joins the pod to talk about his newest book, 'Power in Weakness: Paul’s Transformed Vision for Ministry.' Tim and Teer explore a model for church leadership as old as Paul's letter to the Romans.
From the publisher:
After Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he turned from coercion and violence to a ministry centered on the hope of Christ’s resurrection. In earthly terms, Paul had traded power for weakness. But—as he explained in his subsequent letters—this “weakness” was actually the key to flourishing community that is able to experience God’s transformation, restoration, and healing. What would it mean for pastors today to take seriously Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” and lead their congregations in this way?
Instead of drawing leadership principles and practices from the worlds of business, education, and politics—which tend to orient churches around institutional power and image maintenance—Timothy Gombis follows Paul in resisting the influence of the “present evil age” by making cruciformity the operating principle of the church. Gombis guides the reader through practices and patterns that can lead a congregation past a focus on individual salvation, toward becoming instead a site of resurrection power on earth.
https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/7125/power-in-weakness.aspx
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron.
For peanuts you can help us out....we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Follow us on the three-majors of social media:
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Isaiah 25.6-9, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11, John 20.1-18; How radical is belief? What does it mean to trust the liturgy? What should we hear on Easter Sunday? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Hosted by Taylor Mertins
“My vocation was supposed to be joy, and I was speaking at funerals.”
Shortly after being hired by Yale University to study joy, Angela Gorrell got word that a close family member had died by suicide. Less than a month later, she lost her father to a fatal opioid addiction and her nephew, only twenty-two years old, to sudden cardiac arrest. The theoretical joy she was researching at Yale suddenly felt shallow and distant—completely unattainable in the fog of grief she now found herself in.
But joy was closer at hand than it seemed. As she began volunteering at a women’s maximum-security prison, she met people who suffered extensively yet still showed a tremendous capacity for joy. Talking with these women, many of whom had struggled with addiction and suicidal thoughts themselves, she realized: “Joy doesn’t obliterate grief. . . . Instead, joy has a mysterious capacity to be felt alongside sorrow and even—sometimes most especially—in the midst of suffering.”
This is the story of Angela’s discovery of an authentic, grounded Christian joy. But even more, it is an invitation for others to seize upon this more resilient joy as a counteragent to the twenty-first-century epidemics of despair, addiction, and suicide—a call to action for communities that yearn to find joy and are willing to “walk together through the shadows” to find it.
Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell joined Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminaryin fall 2019 as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Prior to joining the faculty at Baylor University, she was an Associate Research Scholar at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, working on the Theology of Joy and the Good Life Project, and a lecturer in Divinity and Humanities at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. She is an ordained pastor with 14 years of ministry experience. Dr. Gorrell is passionate about finding issues that matter to people and shining the light of the Gospel on them. She is the author of always on: practicing faith in a new media landscape and a new book, The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found, which shares findings of the joy project while addressing America’s opioid and suicide crises. Dr. Gorrell’s expertise is in the areas of theology and contemporary culture, education and formation, meaning-making, joy, new media, and youth and emerging adults. Dr. Gorrell regularly consults, speaks, and leads workshops and retreats on her research and areas of expertise.
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29, Mark 11.1-11; Should we wear costumes to church? Is there such a thing as too many Hosannas? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Dane Womack. Dane serves as the pastor at First UMC in Paragould, Arkansas
Brian Zahnd is the founding pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He's also the author of many wonderful books, including, Water into Wine, Beauty Will Save the World, and most recently, Unvarnished Jesus. Brian was our first guest five years ago so we invited him to join us for our 300th episode. He talks about his incredibly successful Prayer School, his upcoming corollary, How I Read the Bible, and how the Church muddles through the post-Trump years.
Jeremiah 31.31-34, Psalm 51.1-12, Hebrews 5.5-10, John 12.20-33; Why does God make so many covenants? Is the church currently in exile? Is it okay to talk about judgment in worship? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Dane Womack. Dane serves as the pastor at First UMC in Paragould, Arkansas.
Dr, De La Torre joins the podcast to talk about his latest book, 'Decolonizing Christianity: Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers.'
In the interview, Dr. Del La Torre talks about his life in America as an immigrant, makes clear that it is not his job to fix that which White Christians have done, and even disagrees with Stanley Hauerwas.
For more information on Dr. De La Torre, visit his website at: www.drmigueldelatorre.com
or check out his blog at http://ourlucha.wordpress.com/
_______________________________
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron.
For peanuts you can help us out....we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
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Numbers 21.4-9, Psalm 107.1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2.1-10, John 3.14-21; Is God subversive? How can we live in grace? Why are there so many snakes int he Bible? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Heather and Daniel Wray. Heather serves as the Director of Connect Ministries at Leesburg UMC in Leesburg, VA and Daniel serves as the pastor at Round Hill UMC in Round Hill, VA.
On why a baptism "In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer" is not a valid baptism (and you should be re-baptized), the resurrection of the flesh and what it means for burial practices, and the Gospel that gives you Christ and everything that belongs to him...
This special episode is a session from the Crackers & Grape Juice House of Theological Studies featuring Dr. Phillip Cary. in this special episode, we share our second session from our Luther and the Gospel class, led by Dr. Cary.
Veteran teacher Phillip Cary, an internationally acclaimed expert on Augustine and Luther, will show how Luther’s theology arose from the Christian tradition, particularly from the spirituality of Augustine. Luther departed from the Augustinian tradition and inaugurated distinctively Protestant theology when he identified the gospel that gives us Christ as its key concept. More than any other theologian, Luther succeeds in carrying out the Protestant intention of putting faith in the gospel of Christ alone. Cary will explores the consequences of Luther’s teachings as they unfolded in the history of Protestantism.
Phillip Cary has long been a favorite teacher for The Great Courses, and he is a frequent teacher for congregations and laypeople. This will be a wonderful way to go through Lent in 2021.
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/luther-and-the-gospel/
___________________
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Head over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com.
Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron.
For peanuts you can help us out....we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Follow us on the three-majors of social media:
https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuice
https://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuice
Exodus 20.1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1.18-25, John 2.13-22; What are the pros and cons of being a clergy couple? Does God get jealous? Why are we so afraid of the S word? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Heather and Daniel Wray. Heather serves as the Director of Connect Ministries at Leesburg UMC in Leesburg, VA and Daniel serves as the pastor at Round Hill UMC in Round Hill, VA.
Friend of the podcast and all around Gandalf to the gang, the irascible Will Willimon returns to talk about meeting the Risen Jesus, fighting in church, Karl Barth, preaching, and the new edition of his first book, The Gospel for the Person Who has Everything.
Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22.23-31, Romans 4.13-25, Mark 8.31-38; Why is God so obsessed with covenants? What can Taize teach us about worship? Should we be hoping against hope? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Carsten Bryant. Carsten serves as the Director of the Youth Collective of the Orange Cooperative Parish in Hillsboro, NC.
Our friend, Jack Levison, is back on the podcast to talk about his recent book, An Unconventional God, which examines the role of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels.
Jack Levison holds the W. J. A. Power Chair of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Raised in a tract house in Levittown, New York, Jack left to attend Wheaton College, followed by an MA at Cambridge University. When he returned from England to pursue doctoral studies at Duke University, Jack fell in love with a divinity student, Priscilla Pope, whose office is now just down the hall from him at SMU. With essays in the Huffington Post, parade.com, relevant.com, and beliefnet.com, Jack's writing and speaking appeal to a wide swath of readers. In the course of his career, he has received the Fitzpatrick Prize for theology at Cambridge University, as well as grants from the National Humanities Center, the Lilly Fellows Program, the Louisville Institute, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, the International Catacomb Society, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Jack lives in Lower Greenville, a thriving urban hub of Dallas, with Priscilla--not too far from his adult children, Chloe and Jeremy. Find out more about Jack at jacklevison.com.
Genesis 9.8-17, Psalm 25.1-10, 1 Peter 3.18-22, Mark 1.9-15; What's so good about Karl Barth? Did Noah see a double rainbow? How immediate is the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Carsten Bryant. Carsten serves as the Director of the Youth Collective of the Orange Cooperative Parish in Hillsboro, NC.
"When I started out in seminary, I thought I was going into a helping profession, a community-organizer, a therapist, an advice-giver. And then Gerhard Forde upended all that, showing me how a pastor is one is compelled to preach the forgiveness of sins."
Check out his new book! Seriously, go get it.
Ken Sundet Jones, Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, loves teaching undergrads. He was born in Heidelberg, which must be why he likes Luther so much. He was shaped by the Sturgis motorcycle rally in his hometown and by summers at his grandparents’ cattle ranch. His doctoral dissertation covered 16th-century German evangelical funeral preaching. And he knows how to do knitting and Scandinavian flat-plane woodcarving.
2 Kings 2.1-12, Psalm 50.1-6, 2 Corinthians 4.3-6, Mark 9.2-9; What can Marvel teach us about scripture? What does it look like to revitalize churches? Why are Moses and Elijah the figures who flank Jesus during the Transfiguration? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Stanley. Jason serves as the co-ordinator for Church Revitalization for the Elizabeth River District of the Virginia Conference of the UMC.
“In order to understand why these groups support Trump, it’s important to better understand their vision of the world. Evangelical beliefs are often misrepresented in popular media and in political discussions. These misunderstandings make it difficult to assess and respond to the political situation.”
André Gagné is Full Professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He was Directeur d'études invité at l'École pratique des hautes études in Paris in 2017.
His research focuses on the (Neo)Charismatic Right, Pentecostalism, evangelicalism, fundamentalism, religious violence and the interpretation and reception of the Bible. In his scholarship, Dr. Gagné seeks to explain how biblical texts and theological ideas are sometimes used by ultra conservative groups to incite social, political and religious tensions.
Dr. Gagné is also a Full Member of the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (Concordia), a Research Associate with the Centre de recherche Société, Droit et Religion (Université de Sherbrooke), and a Co-Researcher with the Centre d'expertise de formation sur les intégrismes religieux, les idéologies politiques et la radicalisation (CEFIR).
Isaiah 40.21-31, Psalm 147.1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9.16-23, Mark 1.29-39; Can we define the divine? What's the problem with preaching "lettuce" sermons? How wide is the Kingdom? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan serves at First UMC in Salem, VA.
Many sincere Christians dismiss evangelism due to enduring evangelistic caricatures. This book helps readers move beyond those caricatures to consider thoughtfully and practically how they can engage in evangelism, whether it's through one-on-one conversations, social media, social justice, or the liturgy of worship services.
At once biblical, theological, historical, and practical, this book by a seasoned scholar offers an engaging, well-researched, and well-organized presentation and analysis of eight models of evangelism. Covering a breadth of approaches--from personal evangelism to media evangelism and everything in between--Priscilla Pope-Levison encourages readers to take a deeper look at evangelism and discover a model that captures their attention. Each chapter introduces and assesses a model biblically, theologically, historically, and practically, allowing for easy comparison across the board. The book also includes end-of-chapter study questions to further help readers interact with each model.
Priscilla Pope-Levison (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is associate dean for external programs and professor of ministerial studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. She is the author of several books, including the award-winning Building the Old Time Religion: Women Evangelists in the Progressive Era, and has received multiple Lilly and Louisville grants to pursue academic scholarship. Pope-Levison has taught evangelism courses for over 20 years and has over 30 years of ministry experience as an ordained minister in the local church, a college chaplain, a frequent speaker at churches and retreats, and a seminary administrator.
Deuteronomy 18.15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8.1-13, Mark 1.21-28; What can South Park teach us about the Gospel? What is prophetic preaching? What's the deal with questions about Jesus' authority? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan serves at First UMC in Salem, VA.
"Q: Given demographic shifts, immigration trends, white evangelicals' end-times rhetoric, and Republicans' siege, grievance mentality, was something like Donald Trump inevitable?
A: Yes.
Q: Is it in the past or is it still the future?
A: I don't know."
Our guest for episode #292 is former Republican campaign operative and fundraiser, Gretchen Purser.
Raised a conservative Baptist in Oklahoma, Gretchen retired in 2009 from a 20 year career in politics, raising over a billion dollars for the Republican Party, candidates, and causes. She worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Christian Coalition during the 1996 Presidential Campaign, the President’s Dinner, George W Bush’s Inaugural. As an RNC consultant and finance director, Gretchen oversaw the McCain Victory finance team as well as the Bush finance team in the 2008 campaign.
Donald Trump’s Republican Party is NOT her party nor is it the Pro Life, Character Counts, Christian Values party for which she worked for two decades, and she’s back on the podcast to share her reactions to Election Day, the Insurrection, the Post-Trump (?) Republican Party, and what it means for Christians in America.
Jonah 3.1-5, Psalm 62.5-12, 1 Corinthians 7.29-31, Mark 1.14-20; Should fish receive eulogies? Is there a difference between trusting and believing? Could Jesus get ordained in a church today? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim. Mikang serves at Epworth UMC on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
A generation of young Christians are weary of the political legacy they've inherited and hungry for a better approach. They're tired of seeing their faith tied to political battles they didn't start, and they're frustrated by the failures of leaders they thought they could trust. Kaitlyn Schiess grew up in this landscape, and understands it from the inside. Spiritual formation, and particularly a focus on formative practices, are experiencing a renaissance in Christian thinking―but these ideas are not often applied to the political sphere. In The Liturgy of Politics:Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor , Schiess shows that the church's politics are shaped by its habits and practices even when it's unaware of them. Schiess insists that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us, and then to recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel.
1 Samuel 3.1-20, Psalm 139, 1-6, 13-18, 1 Corinthians 6.12-20, John 1.43-51; How important are biblical names? Why is grace so confounding? Is the Word of the Lord rare these days? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim. Mikang serves Epworth UMC on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
"We forget...Before Hitler became our absolute fetish of evil, he was in fact just another politician. Before Hitler was Hitler, he was simply Adolf, the bumbling idiot that the German politicians and aristocracy believed they could manage and control if they allowed him to become Chancellor. Likewise, people generations from now will look back upon us and wonder what moral judgments they would've made had they been in our shoes these past four plus years."
For our episode this week- a week that saw seditious rioters, seduced by propaganda and a lie,, storm the Capitol building in Washington DC, we're making available the first session of our online class with Dr. Jeffrey Pugh, Bonhoeffer for Troubled Times.
An ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, Jeffrey was the Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University. Among other books, he's the author of Religionless Christianity: Dietrich Bonhoeffer for Troubled Times.
Genesis 1.1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19.1-7, Mark 1.4-11; What happens in the beginning of the beginning? Does God create through destruction? What's the difference between John and Jesus' baptisms? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew serves at Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
The gang wrap up this series on Stan the Man by discussing Stanley's Advent sermon, "Facing God, Facing Nothingness," in his book, Without Apology.
Jeremiah 31.7-14, Psalm 147.12-20, Ephesians 1.3-14, John 1.1-18; What do unicorns have to do with Christmas? How should we feel in worship? Why should we read the Bible from the margins? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington VA.
Isaiah 61.10-62.3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4.4-7, Luke 2.22-40; How long should we celebrate Christmas? What does it look like to praise the Lord? How outrageous is grace? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Back on the podcast is my friend and former teacher, Dr. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez, to talk about abortion, diversity, and disability in relation to the Atlantic's December cover story on the Last Children of Downs Syndrome.
The Rev. Dr. Rubén Rosario Rodríguez is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology in the Department of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. His first book, Racism and God-Talk: A Latino/a Perspective (2008), won the 2011 Alpha Sigma Nu Book Award for Theology. He has contributed to two recent collections, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Latino/a Theology (2015) and Immigrant Neighbors among Us: Immigration across Theological Traditions (2015), and is editor of the forthcoming T&T Clark Companion to Political Theology (2018). His most recent monographs include Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence: A Comparative Theology with Judaism and Islam (Cambridge University Press, July 2017), and the forthcoming Dogmatics After babel: Beyond the Theologies of Word and Culture (Westminster John Knox Press, March 2018).
This is a special episode from the "Secret Podcast" we release every other Tuesday as part of our newsletter, Crackers and Grape+ We're making this "Secret Podcast" available so you know what you're missing by not subscribing, but also because it's awesome.
Jacob Smith is a contributor to Mockingbird Ministries and is the rector of Calvary-St. George's Episcopal Church in New York City.
2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, Luke 1.46b-55, Romans 16.25-27, Luke 1.26-38; Why is the music of Advent so good? What do the ethics of the Kingdom look like? How can we unpack obedience? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben DeHart. Ben is the Associate Rector at Calvary-St. George's Church in NYC.
Our guest is Mandy Smith. Originally from Australia, Mandy Smith is a pastor and author of The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry (IVP). Her next book, Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith Beyond the Baggage of Western Culture (Brazos), is available for pre-order and will release in 2021. Mandy and her husband, a New Testament professor, live with their family in a little house where the teapot is always warm.
Mandy is the lead pastor at University Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Here's her links:
Personal website: thewayistheway.org
Missio Alliance:
http://www.missioalliance.org/author/mandysmith/
Christianity Today:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/contributors/mandy-smith.html
Books:
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=4123
https://www.amazon.com/Unfettered-Imagining-Childlike-Baggage-Western/dp/1587435055/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=unfettered+smith&qid=1603995828&sr=8-1
From his forthcoming book, Becoming Human, Johanna and Jason discuss Stan's essay (on Karl Barth) "The Christian Message, the Work of Theology, and the New Humanism."
Jason thinks this is a very good episode.
Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24, John 1.6-8, 19-28; Why does Advent sound like bad news? How important is homiletical grammar? How do we bear witness? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben DeHart. Ben is the Associate Rector at Calvary-St. George's Church in NYC.
Christian preachers dare to talk about God.
- Karl Barth
Our friend, mentor, and muse, Will Willimon, is back on the podcast to talk with Dr. Johanna (she's got a crush on him), Teer, and Jason about his new book, Preachers Dare: Speaking for God.
Mining Karl Barth's maxim from the Gottingen Dogmatics that "Preachers dare," Willimon offers a wily dissent from homiletics understood as a human endeavor. Plus, the book is dedicated to the team at C&GJ!
Plus, the attempt at an intro from Dr. J is worth the episode.
Isaiah 40.1-11, Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13, 2 Peter 3.8-15a, Mark 1.1-8; Why do we always begin again? What does peace actually look like? How can we embody Advent? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lauren Lobenhofer. Lauren is the senior pastor at Cave Spring UMC in Roanoke, VA.
For the latest in our series of conversations about the work of Stanley Hauerwas, Johanna, Jason, and Teer talk about prayer and Stanley's book "Prayers Plainly Spoken."
Isaiah 64.1-9, Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 1.3-9, Mark 13.24-37; What's the deal with Advent? Why are repetitive prayers so important? Who is the audience of our worship? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lauren Lobenhofer. Lauren is the senior pastor of Cave Spring UMC in Roanoke, VA.
Delvyn Case III is a composer, conductor, scholar, performer, concert producer, and Professor of Music at Wheaton College of Massachusetts.
As a professional musician he works as a composer, conductor, and pianist, equally at home in the worlds of classical and popular music. As a church musician he's worked in virtually every context and every genre. He's conducted major works like Handel’s Messiah, led an 80-voice gospel choir, played organ at Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and UCC churches, and played keyboard on praise teams at many Evangelical churches.
As a composer, he's written a symphony, an oratorio, an opera about anti-Semitism, and chamber and vocal pieces which have been performed by Grammy-winning artists Richard Stoltzman and the Chestnut Brass Company, among many others. Much of my concert music explores themes from the Christian tradition. He's also written pieces for educational outreach concerts, which have been heard by over 10,000 children across the world. But his most popular piece is his holiday overture Rocket Sleigh, which been performed by over 80 orchestras in the US, UK, and Europe.
In 2019 Delvyn founded Deus Ex Musica, a unique ecumenical organization that promotes the use of sacred music for learning and spiritual growth. Among their projects is the Deus Ex Musica Podcast in which interview Christian musicians working in various genres about how their faith impacts their work.
You can find his blog for Patheos: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/alleluiamusicandthechristianlife/
His website:
http://delvyn-case.squarespace.com
Deus Ex Musica:
https://www.deus-ex-musica.com
Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1.15-23, Matthew 25.31-46; How long has the church celebrated Christ The King Sunday? Where can we find hope at the end of the year? What does it mean to confess Jesus as Lord? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lindsey Baynham. Lindsey serves as the Director of the Center for Clergy Excellence in the Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC.
"In their language of warfare spiritual and secular, Trump’s evangelical allies have been playing with a fire that may continue to burn long after they give up this contest...History is a wasteland of religious justifications for political activism, identity, and violence. On the other hand, Christianity, and American Christianity especially, has arguably possessed more than its fair share of these unions of political thought and religious belief."
Our friend Thomas Lecaque is back on the podcast to talk about his latest article at The Bulwark (you really should subscribe to it) entitled, "Spiritual Warriors on Behalf of Donald Trump:
Putting the recent rhetoric of some of the president’s evangelical supporters in historical context."
Thomas Lecaque is a professor of history at Grand View University. If you've not yet moved to Parler, you can follow him on Twitter: @tlecaque
Judges 4.1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11, Matthew 25.14-30; Should we be judging the judges? Why does God come like a thief in the night (and not like a Grandma in the morning)? What does justice in the Kingdom of God look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lindsey Baynham. Lindsey serves as the Director of the Center for Clergy Excellence in the Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC.
Our guest for episode #284 is Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal, Professor of Homiletics at Duke. I had looked forward to talking with her. I left our conversation feeling grateful and delighted. I hope you enjoy it.
A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Dr. Neal shares connections and affinities with a number of friends from the podcast, including Beverly Gaventa, James Kay, and Karl Barth.
Her new book is The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation. It breaks open one of the most important, unexamined affirmations of preaching: the presence of the living Christ in the sermon.
Jerusha Matsen Neal argues that Mary’s conceiving, bearing, and naming of Jesus in Luke’s nativity account is a potent description of this mystery. Mary’s example calls preachers to leave behind the false shadows haunting Christian pulpits and be “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God.
Neal asks gospel proclaimers to own both the limits and the promise of their humanness as God’s Spirit-filled servants rather than disappear behind a “pulpit prince” ideal. It is a preacher’s fully embodied witness, lived out through Spirit-filled acts of hospitality, dependence, and discernment, that bears the marks of a fully embodied Christ. This affirmation honors the particularity of preachers in a globally diverse context—challenging a status quo that has historically privileged masculinity and whiteness. It also offers hope to ordinary souls who find themselves daunted by the impossibility of the preaching task. Nothing, in the angel’s words, is impossible with God.
Our dear friend of the podcast and overall muse, Fleming Rutledge called in to offer a prayer for Election Day. As are all her prayers, this one is special.
Fleming is the author of many books including "The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ." You can find her at www.generousorthodoxy.org.
Joshua 24.1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78.1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18, Matthew 25.1-13; How do we know who we are? Are Christians strangers in a strange land? What do foolish bridesmaids have to do with the Kingdom of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is the lead pastor at Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
Jason, Teer, and Taylor had a conversation with Gretchen Purser about the changes to the Republican Party throughout her career.
“’Trump says all the things we’ve always wanted to say.’ Really? Then what does it say about us as Americans if Trump’s outer monologue is our inner monologue?”
Our guest for episode #282 is former Republican campaign operative and fundraiser, Gretchen Purser.
Raised a conservative Baptist in Oklahoma, Gretchen retired in 2009 from a 20 year career in politics, raising over a billion dollars for the Republican Party, candidates, and causes. She worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Christian Coalition during the 1996 Presidential Campaign, the President's Dinner, George W Bush's Inaugural. As an RNC consultant and finance director, Gretchen oversaw the McCain Victory finance team as well as the Bush finance team in the 2008 campaign.
Donald Trump's Republican Party is NOT her party nor is it the Pro Life, Character Counts, Christian Values party for which she worked for two decades, and she's on the podcast to share her concern and righteous indignation.
Joshua 3.7-17, Psalm 107.1-7, 1 Thessalonians 2.9-13, Matthew 23.1-12; How connected is the Bible? When should we celebrate All Saints? What's the difference between God's Word and our words about God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is the lead pastor at Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
"Rather than resorting to Luther's Law-Gospel binary to excuse the Presidents mendacity and self-justify support for him, Protestants should turn to Luther's theology of cross which tells us that we should call a thing what it is...and the thing is only God knows the details and depths of Donald Trump's spiritual life, but Jesus says what comes out of our mouths is the fruit of what's in our hearts, and what Trump routinely says publicly disavows every core teaching Jesus set forth in the Sermon on the Mount."
Our guest is Heidi Neumark, an author and Lutheran pastor in the South Bronx. Her new book is Sanctuary: Being Christian in the Wake of Trump.
Throughout her nearly forty years in ministry, Heidi Neumark has strived to make communities of faith into sanctuaries amid the turmoils of life. Now, with the social and political upheaval of the years since Donald Trump was elected president, Neumark believes the true Christian calling is to live out a counterpoint to today’s prevailing spirits of exclusion and hatred. Using her own bilingual, multicultural congregation as a model, she moves through the seasons of the church calendar to reflect on what it looks like to live out essential Christian convictions in community with others.
Sanctuary is an amplifier for the many voices crying out against policies and rhetoric that are cruel, dehumanizing, and dangerous. Neumark begins each chapter with a quote from Donald Trump that she defies and dismantles with the power of her own stories—anecdotes about offering shelter for queer youth in her city, supporting immigrants and asylum-seekers being harassed by ICE, and embracing her church’s diversity with a Guadalupe celebration, to name a few. Timely, but also timeless, this book speaks to the deep wounds of this era, inflicted before and during the Trump presidency, which will remain long past its end.
Deuteronomy 34.1-12, Psalm 90.1-6, 13-17, 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8, Matthew 22.34-46; What does Hamilton have to do with the Gospel? Why doesn't Moses get to stand in the Promised Land? Should we make more room for lament? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Brian Johnson. Brian serves at Haymarket Church in Haymarket, VA.
"You are mortal. You are not indispensable to the world. Your life will come to an end. We're not heroes of the world and we can't do much. To what and to whom do we give ourselves in this short life? Lacking a journalistic account of the future leaves us with many unanswered questions: What will 'do' in heaven? What exactly will it feel like and look like? My most basic answer to questions like these is "I don't know." Our hope rests not in a speculative vision of the future but in God and his promise."
With COVID having claimed over 200K lives and All Saints approaching, our guest is J. Todd Billings, Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Living with incurable cancer, Billings reflects upon the end in his new book, The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing Mortality Frees Us to Truly Live.
Exodus 33.12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10, Matthew 22.15-22; Is Jesus like a puppy dog? How can we define justice? What does discipleship actually look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Brian Johnson. Brian serves at Haymarket Church in Haymarket, VA.
“Both sides are thinking that some how or another getting this or that party elected is good for Christians. I think my point of view is neither side is good for Christians. Because effectively they have become idolatrous powers that christians are looking to for salvation”
What is Post-Liberalism?
What does "apocalyptic" mean?
How is justice central to Paul's understanding of the Gospel?
Our guest today is Dr. Douglas Harink, a theologian whose work has been important to me for a while now and who intersects with many of our favorite folks like Stanley Hauerwas, Karl Barth, and Fleming Rutledge.
Douglas Harink (PhD, University of St. Michael's College) is professor of theology at The King's University in Edmonton, Alberta. He is the author of Paul Among the Postliberals and 1 & 2 Peter in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. He is also the editor of Paul, Philosophy, and the Theopolitical Vision: Critical Engagements with Agamben, Badiou, Žižek, and Others.
Johanna, Jason, and Teer discuss Stanley's essay, 'Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Remembering: A Response to Christopher Beem.' This essay was first featured in The Journal of Religious Ethics, Vol. 23, No. 1 (Spring, 1995).
The abstract:
"The question of the relation of my work to that of Martin Luther King Jr. cannot be resolved with the theoretical tools Christopher Beem brings to the task. Stanley Fish has written that "those who detach King's words from the history that produced them erase the fact of that history from the slate, and they do so, paradoxically, in order to prevent that history from being truly and deeply altered." The vice of liberalism is not selfishness so much as a forgetfulness that spreads like a blight from the habit of abstraction. Martin Luther King Jr. remembered his people, his savior, and his church, and he called the rest of us to share those memories. Therein lay his strength."
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Exodus 32.1-14, Psalm 106.1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4.1-9, Matthew 22.1-14; What's so good about fall? Is God really immutable? What should we wear to weddings? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA.
Friend of the podcast and commentator at The Dispatch, David French, has a new book out that couldn't be more timely and bracing. It's called Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. As a preview, here's a conversation Teer and Jason had with David when Divided We Fall was being written.
Exodus 20.1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3.4b-14, Matthew 21.33-46; Is there such a thing as too much coffee? Are clergy allowed to sin? Why does Paul have so much swagger? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
Our guest today is David Gushee, whose new book is "After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity."
Dr. David P. Gushee (BA, College of William & Mary; Master of Divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, Union Theological Seminary in New York) is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University, where he has served for eleven years.
Widely regarded as one of the world's leading Christian ethicists, he is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of 25 books and approximately 150 book chapters, journal articles, and reviews. His most notable books include Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust, Kingdom Ethics, The Sacredness of Human Life, Still Christian, Moral Leadership for a Divided Age, and the new After Evangelicalism.
Dr. Gushee was elected by his peers to serve as President of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics, a very rare combination for any religion scholar.
A devoted teacher, Professor Gushee offers courses to seminary students at Mercer's McAfee School of Theology, and to college students in Macon. Over a busy 27-year career, he has written opinion pieces or given interviews to almost all major national and religion media outlets in the United States and many around the world. He has also been heavily involved in numerous activist efforts for peace, justice, human dignity, and the integrity of God's creation, most notably in addressing torture, climate change, and the continued harm being inflicted on LGBTQ persons by Christian churches and families.
Along with his friend Jeremy Hall, David runs a popular podcast called "Kingdom Ethics."
Dr. Gushee and his beloved wife Jeanie live in Atlanta, where they are happily surrounded by four generations of family members, including his father, sister, three children, and two grandchildren.
Exodus 17.1-7, Psalm 78.1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2.1-13, Matthew 21.23-32; Can anything good come out of Twitter? How important are our names? Can joy ever be complete? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh serves Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
"Saints and sinners, all jumbled up together." That's the genius of Johnny Cash, and that's what the gospel is ultimately all about.
Johnny Cash sang about and for people on the margins. He famously played concerts in prisons, where he sang both murder ballads and gospel tunes in the same set. It's this juxtaposition between light and dark, writes Richard Beck, that makes Cash one of the most authentic theologians in memory.
In Trains, Jesus, and Murder, Beck explores the theology of Johnny Cash by investigating a dozen of Cash's songs. In reflecting on Cash's lyrics, and the passion with which he sang them, we gain a deeper understanding of the enduring faith of the Man in Black.
Jason and Johanna talk with out latest guest, Richard Beck, who is an award-winning author, speaker, blogger and Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University. Every Monday Richard leads a bible study for fifty inmates at the maximum security French-Robertson unit. And Monday-Friday on his popular blog Experimental Theology Richard will spend enormous amounts of time writing about the theology of Johnny Cash, the demonology of Scooby-Doo or his latest bible class on monsters.
Exodus 16.2-15, Psalm 105.1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1.21-30, Matthew 20.1-16; What does ministry look like in a pandemic? Are our memories broken? Can we grumble with grace? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen. Josh serves Trinity UMC in Orange, VA.
"In many cases, particularly in the case Wesley, teaching on sanctification leads to versions of piety that border on individual narcissism...renditions of sanctification as a process or journey of the believer moving towards ever ascending degrees of holiness, of the Christian life as defined by growth or transformation, cannot be supported by the biblical texts, all of which testify that God's work in Jesus is finished and perfect, that on account of it we are already justified AND sanctified, and that God is the one who sanctifies- God can sanctify even inanimate objects. Because of God's completed work, we are already IN Christ and on that basis, not on the basis of our growth or transformation, we are saints."
On the podcast this week, is Dr. Don Payne, Professor of Theology at Denver Theological Seminary, on his new book, Already Sanctified: A Theology of the Christian Life in Light of God's Completed Work.
Exodus 14.19-31, Psalm 114, Romans 14.1-12, Matthew 18.21-35; Why is water such an important aspect of scripture? How can Christians respond to theodicy? Is Jesus a bad king? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
More than half of American adults, including 30% of evangelicals, say Jesus isn’t God but most agree He was a great teacher, according to results from the 2020 State of Theology survey. So, back on the podcast is our friend, Ken Jones, to talk about the importance of catechesis in the Church! Along the way, Ken talks about how to equip Christians for civic engagement without the Church becoming partisan and why otherwise conservative African American Christians still vote overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates ("Because I'm free").
Ken Jones is the Pastor of Glendale Baptist Church in Miami Florida. He's the current host of the Saints and Sinners podcast and a former cohost of the famed White Horse Inn radio broadcast.
Exodus 12.1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13.8-14, Matthew 18.15-20; How have we done this 200 times? What can Rugrats teach us about the Bible? Why should Christians tell the truth? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
""God is love," Who's he kidding?"
Fritz Bauerschmidt is a Catholic deacon and a professor of Theology at Loyola University in Baltimore. His newest book, in the tradition of Lewis and Chesterton, is a treasure.
“God is love is the radical claim of Christianity,” writes Frederick Bauerschmidt at the beginning of this little meditation on the essentials of Christian faith. Throughout The Love That Is God, Bauerschmidt goes to work breathing life back into that claim, drawing from Scripture, great Christian and non-Christian writers of the past, and his own lived experience to show just how countercultural and subversive Christianity is actually meant to be.
(Fritz) Bauerschmidt is Professor of Theology at Loyola University Maryland and a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, assigned to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. He holds a BA from the University of the South (1984), an MAR from Yale Divinity School (1989) and a PhD from Duke University (1996). He has worked in a seafood processing plant in Alaska, hitchhiked from British Columbia to east Tennessee, and once slept under a bridge in Germany. In more recent years he has led a quite life.
Exodus 3.1-15, Psalm 105.1-6, 23-26, 45b, Romans 12.9-21, Matthew 16.21-28; Should we take our shoes off for church? How important is the name of God? What do weddings have to do with discipleship? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason serves as the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
In between weeks when the DNC and the RNC will showcase two divergent portraits of Christianity in America, our guest is filmmaker Martin Doblmeier. The founder and CEO of Journey Films, Martin's latest documentary is Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story.
We talk to Martin about Day, the blues, Cornell West, and what its like making a film with President Jed Bartlett.
How to describe Dorothy Day? Grandmother, anarchist, prophet, journalist, pacifist, saint? The FBI once considered her a threat to national security. Now the Catholic Church is considering her for sainthood.
REVOLUTION OF THE HEART: The Dorothy Day Story profiles one of the most extraordinary and courageous women in American history. She was co-founder (along with Peter Maurin) of the Catholic Worker Movement that began as a newspaper to expose rampant injustices during the Great Depression. It soon expanded to become a network of houses of hospitality to welcome the poor and destitute.
Over the years, Dorothy Day developed her understanding of how to follow the Biblical challenge to be “peacemakers” by resisting all forms of military intervention. She protested America’s involvement in World War II and was severely criticized. Day was arrested multiple times for protesting America’s nuclear buildup and she led nationwide resistance against the war in Vietnam.
Now nearly a century after they began, the number of Catholic Worker houses continues to grow and the newspaper is still speaking truth to power.
REVOLUTION OF THE HEART includes rare archival photographs and film footage plus interviews with actor/activist Martin Sheen, public theologian Cornel West, popular author Joan Chittister, Jim Wallis of Sojourners and many others.
Exodus 1.8-2.10, Psalm 124, Romans 12.1-8, Matthew 16.13-20; Who personifies the powers & principalities? Should preachers preach for the eye or the ear? What difference does Christ make? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli. Jason is the lead pastor of Annandale UMC in Annandale, VA.
Jamie Howison struck up an unlikely friendship with the irascible Robert Farrar Capon just before Capon's death, and he's on the podcast to talk about it, ministry, Cornel West, and John Coltrane.
https://mbird.com/2018/04/the-man-who-ate-with-capon/
Jamie Howison is a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada and the founding pastoral leader of saint benedict's table in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His most recent book is I Will Not Be Shaken: a songwriter’s journey through the Psalms (Signpost, 2015), co-authored with Steve Bell. His book God’s Mind in that Music: Theological Explorations through the Music of John Coltrane (Cascade, 2012) had its genesis in an essay written for the Collegeville Institute summer 2008 writing workshop, Writing and the Pastoral Life, with much of the book’s first draft written during a short-term residency at the Collegeville Institute in 2011. Jamie also participated in summer writing workshops in 2012 and 2015, and completed short-term residencies in 2009 and 2014.
Genesis 45.1-15, Psalm 133, Romans 11.1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15.10-28; What's so good about Augustine's Confessions? Should we try to embody the text? Is the Gospel really irrevocable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matt Benton. Matt serves at Bethel UMC in Woodbridge, VA.
“It is true that theological doctrines and religious practices do shape and form religious experience, but it is no less true that experience tends to resist such shaping and forming. Attention to the complex interaction of these two insights is a key dimension of the account of “grace as experience” that follows below.”
Our guest this week is a Simeon Zahl, University Lecturer in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge. Simeon’s new book, which ranges from Martin Luther to Karl Barth, Sarah Coakley to queer affect theory, is The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience.
https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Spirit-Christian-Experience/dp/0198827784
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Click over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com. Click on “Support the Show.”
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Genesis 37.1-4, 12-28, Psalm 105.1-6, 16-22, 45b, Romans 10.5-15, Matthew 14.22-33; Why should more Christians read from Karl Barth? What's the problem with dreaming dreams? Are there different righteousnesses? These question and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matt Benton. Matt serves at Bethel United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, VA.
For our latest episode, we're bringing you a conversation Jason had with the inestimable Fleming Rutledge, at the beginning of the COVID quarantine, about God's way of rejecting and electing throughout scripture.
Genesis 32.22-31, Psalm 17.1-7, 15, Romans 9.1-5, Matthew 14.13-21; With whom do you most identify in scripture? Should our prayers be more pentecostal? Why was Paul so grumpy? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Rochester, Michigan.
Our guest today is Dr. Ryan Newson, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Campbell University, about his new book, "Cut in Stone": Confederate Monuments and Theological Disruption."
Confederate monuments figure prominently as epicenters of social conflict. These stone and metal constructs resonate with the tensions of modern America, giving concrete definition to the ideologies that divide us. Confederate monuments alone did not generate these feelings of aggravation, but they are far from innocent. Rather than serving as neutral objects of public remembrance, Confederate monuments articulate a narration of the past that forms the basis for a normative vision of the future. The story, told through the character of a religious mythos, carries implicit sacred convictions; thus, these spires and statues are inherently theological.
In Cut in Stone, Ryan Andrew Newson contends that we cannot fully understand or disrupt these statues without attending to the convictions that give them their power. With a careful overview of the historical contexts in which most Confederate monuments were constructed, Newson demonstrates that these "memorials" were part of a revisionary project intended to resist the social changes brought on by Reconstruction while maintaining a romanticized Southern identity. Confederate monuments thus reinforce a theology concerning the nature of sacrifice and the ultimacy of whiteness. Moreover, this underlying theology serves to conceal inherited collective wounds in the present.
If Confederate monuments are theologically weighted in their allure, then it stands to reason that they must also be contested at this level―precisely as sacred symbols. Newson responds to these inherently theological objects with suggestions for action that are sensitive to the varying contexts within which monuments reside, showing that while all Confederate monuments must come under scrutiny, some monuments should remain standing, but in redefined contexts. Cut in Stone represents the first detailed theological investigation of Confederate monuments, a resource for the larger collective task of determining how to memorialize problematic pasts and how to shape public space amidst contested memory.
"Moralistic liberalism and individual pietism are mirror evils that have made the church understood as the distinctive Body of Christ virtually invisible in America." In this episode, the podcast posse discusses an essay Stanley wrote with Ralph Wood, "How the Church became Invisible: A Christian Reading of American Literature," along with Flannery O' Connor's short story "The Displaced Person."
Genesis 29.15-28, Psalm 105.1-11, 45b, Romans 8.26-39, Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52; Should we be checking our weddings beds? What happens if you have a bad family tree? What does baking bread have to do with the Kingdom of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner. Ken is the pastor of Holy Redeemer in Rochester, Michigan.
Genesis 28.10-19a, Psalm 139.1-12, 23-24, Romans 8.12-25, Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43; Does God really know everything about us? Is there such a thing as an unholy place? What happens if you spend too much time doom-scrolling? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors as Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
The one, the only David Bentley Hart joins Jason and Dr. Johanna Hartelius to talk about his latest book, Theological Territories: A David Bentley Hart Digest. In particular, we talk about an essay included in the Digest that's timely for our current cultural moment of historical re-examination, "The Story of the Nameless: The Use and Abuse of History for Theology."
"Sing lustily and with good courage." John Wesley wrote those words in the Hymnbook for Methodist in 1761. We at Crackers and Grape Juice take those words seriously! Therefore we decided to bring you some of our current "Quarantunes" - songs that have inspired, enlightened, and even enraged us as of recent. Here's the playlist:
- Thoughts And Prayers - Drive-By Truckers (Jason Micheli)
- Sea of Love - Langhorne Slim & Jill Andrews (Teer Hardy)
- What If I Never Get Over You - Lady A (Johanna Hartelius)
- Cowboy Take Me Away - The Chicks (Tommie Marshell)
- Moon River - Jacob Collier (David King)
- Beautiful Strangers - Kevin Morby (Taylor Mertins)
Genesis 25.19-34, Psalm 119.105-112, Romans 8.1-11, Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23; What's the best biblical story for VBS? Should we look to the Bible to help with our family problems? What does Romans tell us about the Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy. Teer serves as one of the pastors at Mt. Olivet UMC in Arlington, VA.
"The Lost Cause had taught me that faith, particularly faith in Jesus and going to church, was an indispensable part of what it meant to be a good person. But now that very same faith which The Lost Cause had commended was forcing a decision which would impact my past, present, and future. If I kept my faith in The Lost Cause, I would be unable to preach the gospel to the woman sitting next to me. If I wanted to share the gospel with anyone who wasn’t white, I would have to abandon the secular faith of my ancestors. The two were irreconcilable."
Rev. Bryan Jarrell joins Jason and Teer to discuss the Lost Cause, statues in Richmond, and the moment his evangelical world was flipped upside down when he met the real-life consequences of the Stars and Bars.
https://mbird.com/2020/06/under-robert-e-lees-shadow-growing-up-in-the-lost-cause/
Before you listen, do us a solid and help out the podcast.
Click over to http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com. Click on “Support the Show.”
Become a patron.
For peanuts you can help us out....we appreciate it more than you can imagine.
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Genesis 24.34-38, 42-29, 58-67, Psalm 45.10-17, Romans 7.15-25a, Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30; Are Christians supposed to do nothing? How important is allegory in preaching? What does it look like to have fun with Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew serves as the lead pastor of Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Rev. William H. Lamar IV joins Crackers & Grape Juice to talk about his latest piece featured in Faith & Leadership: 'It's not just the coronavirus -- bad theology is killing us."
The Rev. William H. Lamar IV is pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. He previously served Turner Memorial AME Church in Maryland and three churches in Florida: Monticello, Orlando and Jacksonville. He is a former managing director at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. Lamar is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Duke Divinity School. He is the co-host of "Can These Bones," the Faith & Leadership podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @WilliamHLamarIV
https://faithandleadership.com/william-h-lamar-iv-its-not-just-coronavirus-bad-theology-killing-us
Genesis 22.1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6.12-23, Matthew 10.40-42; What does it look like to preach canonically? Is there such a thing as a foolish prayer? What should we put out on church signs? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matthew Husband. Matthew is an occupational therapist in Westerville, Ohio.
Jason and Teer are joined by author Tara Isabella Burton to discuss her latest opinion piece in the New York Times and new book, 'Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World.'
From the publisher: "In Strange Rites, religious scholar and commentator Tara Isabella Burton visits with the techno-utopians of Silicon Valley; Satanists and polyamorous communities, witches from Bushwick, wellness junkies and social justice activists and devotees of Jordan Peterson, proving Americans are not abandoning religion but remixing it. In search of the deep and the real, they are finding meaning, purpose, ritual, and communities in ever-newer, ever-stranger ways."
http://www.taraisabellaburton.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Rites-Religions-Godless-World/dp/1541762533
Johanna, Jason, and Teer discuss 'Jesus the Story of the Kingdom,' one of the concluding chapters from 'The Peaceable Kingdom' (1983).
Christian ethics is about being schooled in the narrative of Jesus and discipleship. It is not about what you would do in a hypothetical situation, it is about forming people who will act in a particular way when those situations come up.
http://www.crackersandgrapejuice.com/yna https://www.amazon.com/Peaceable-Kingdom-Primer-Christian-Ethics/dp/0268015546/ https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuice/ https://twitter.com/crackersnjuice https://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuice/ http://teerhardy.com/ https://jasonmicheli.org/
Genesis 21.8-21, Psalm 86.1-10, 16-17, Romans 6.1b-11, Matthew 10.24-39; How practical are the psalms? Why should we stop sinning? What does the Lord truly value? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Matthew Husband. Matthew is an occupational therapist in Westerville, Ohio.
Drew Hart joins Jason and Teer to discuss his forthcoming book, 'Who Will Be A Witness ' (September 2020), the ghosts of America's racist past, and what the Gospel says to us in a moment of pandemic, protest, and movement.
Drew G. I. Hart is a public theologian and professor of theology at Messiah College. He has ten years of pastoral ministry experience and is the recipient of multiple awards for peacemaking. Hart attained his MDiv with an urban concentration from Missio Seminary and his PhD in theology and ethics from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He is a sought-after speaker at conferences, campuses, and churches across the United States and Canada. His first book, Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, utilizes personal and everyday stories, theological ethics, and anti-racism frameworks to transform the church's understanding and witness.
https://drewgihart.com/
https://twitter.com/DruHart
Pre-order 'Who Will Be A Witness' - https://www.amazon.com/Who-Will-Be-Witness-Deliverance/dp/1513806580
Genesis 18.1-15, Psalm 116.1-2, 12-19, Romans 5.1-8, Matthew 9.35-10.8; What does it look like to be a sheep without a Shepherd? Why is God so obsessed with impossible possibilities? Is there a Pauline Gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
We could all use the comfort of Fred Rogers right about now. Joining this episode of the podcast is author Shea Tuttle, the author of "Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers." Mister Rogers touched the lives of many, and that is an understating of his impact. A Presbyterian minister, Fred Roger ensured that the Grace of God was shared with everyone he met, whether in person or in The Neighborhood. Yet, while extending Grace Mister Rogers also expected us to grow. Growth is what we need now, to grow out of the hate, bigotry, racism, and nationalism that plagues us today.
Shea Tuttle is the author of "Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers" and co-editor of "Can I Get a Witness? Thirteen Peacemakers, Community Builders, and Agitators for Faith and Justice." Her essays have appeared at Greater Good Magazine, The Toast, The Other Journal, Role Reboot, and Jenny. She holds an M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.
Shea lives in Virginia with her family.
https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/7655/exactly-as-you-are.aspx
https://www.sheatuttle.com/
Genesis 1.1-2.4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13.11-13, Matthew 28.16-20; What can Carl Sagan teach us about the nature of the Trinity? Do evangelicals have a low anthropology? How can we keep muddling in the middle? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joshua Retterer. Josh is a regular contributor to Mockingbird.
What does a theologian say to young preachers in the early 1930s, at the dawn of the Third Reich?
Karl Barth's lectures on preaching amidst the growing cloud of Nazism in 1932-1933 resulted in the little book, Homiletics. In it, Barth takes his students back to the fundamental questions about what preaching is and what it is for, returning again and again to the affirmation of the Godness of God, the only ground of resistance to ideological captivity.
In this latest episode, Jason and Dr. Johanna talk with Bishop Will Willimon, author of Conversations with Barth on Preaching, about Barth's emergency homiletic for pandemic times.
Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.24-35b, 1 Corinthians 12.3b-13, John 20.19-23; How can we practice Pentecost? Is there a wrong way to do vacation? What does U2 have to do with the Good News? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Tripp Fuller. Tripp is the host of Home-brewed Christianity, and Religion/Science Research Fellow at the University of Edinburg, Scotland.
"One major reason Christianity in America has been made into a bad public joke is our failure to rightly understand what Christianity is.”
Our guest this week is Lee Camp, Professor at Lipscomb University in Nashville and host of the popular Tokens Show in Nashville. Check out his website: https://www.leeccamp.com
His latest book is Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians.
Fifteen propositions for changing Christianity in America
Christian identity is in moral and political crisis. Lee Camp writes “that one major reason Christianity in America has been made into a bad public joke is our failure to rightly understand what Christianity is.” Scandalous Witness provides a way forward. Although refusing to reduce Christianity to any partisan agenda, he reminds us that the gospel is inherently political and that we are called to be political witnesses.
Camp’s provocative diagnosis is that “American hope” is a bastardized form of Christian hope. The United States is not the hope of the world nor is it a Christian nation. Rather, “American Christian values” corrupts Christianity, and partisanship mocks the true scandal of the gospel. Camp reminds us that all empires fall.
By conceiving Christianity as a politic instead of a religion, we may begin to take seriously the true scandal of the gospel. We may envision new possibilities by which our gospel practices make a new world possible. Offering a robust vision of a Christian politic that exposes modern parodies of faith, Camp mixes wit, charm, and logic, challenging Christians to rethink who they are and how they participate in the modern world. In it, Camp unpacks 15 propositions:
Proposition 1: History Is Not One Damn Thing after Another
Proposition 2: The End of History Has Already Begun
Proposition 3: American Hope Is A Bastard
Proposition 4: Christianity Is Neither A Prostitute Nor A Chaplain
Proposition 5: The United States Is Not the Hope of the World
Proposition 6: The United States Was Not, Is Not, and Will Not Be a Christian Nation
Proposition 7: How Christian Values, and the Bible, Corrupt Christianity
Proposition 8: Every Empire Falls
Proposition 9: Christian Partisanship is Like a Fist-Fight on the Titanic
Proposition 10: Hostile Forces Have a Role in the Unfolding of History
Proposition 11. Christianity Is Not a Religion; Christianity Is a Politic
Proposition 12: Liberal Political Puissance Is Not the Goal
Proposition 13: Exemplary Political Witness Is the Goal
Proposition 14: Christianity Is Not Counter-Cultural
Propositions 15: Christian Engagement Must Always Be Ad Hoc
Are you tired of watching your beloved cat prance around the house?
Have you found the end of the internet?
Are you tired of NETFLIX asking if you’re still watching whatever show you’re binging for the up-tinth time?
Join Crackers & Grape Juice on Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 PM (eastern) for a live pubcast – think of it as a pub theology in the cloud - as the Jack Nicholson of Christianity joins us to help keep you grounded while you’re grounded.
David Fitch is a professor of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary Chicago, IL. He writes on the issues the local church must face in Mission including cultural engagement, leadership, and theology. His theology combines Neo-Anabaptist streams of thought, his commitments to evangelicalism, and his love for political theory. He has lectured and presented on these topics at many seminaries, graduate schools, denominational gatherings, and conferences.
The event is free but we do ask that you register ahead of time. For more information head over to crackersandgrapejuice.com/pubcast.
Register now and we’ll save you a seat on Thursday night.
Acts 1.6-14, Psalm 68.1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4.12-14, 6.6-11, John 17.1-11; What is Process Theology? Why are the disciples so dumb? Is it possible to suffer faithfully? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Tripp Fuller. Tripp is the host of Home-brewed Christianity, and Religion/Science Research Fellow at the University of Edinburg, Scotland.
Church Historian, Malcom Foley, joins us on the podcast to talk about the murder Ahmad Arbery within the context of the history of lynching in the American Church.
Malcolm is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Baylor’s Department of Religion, studying the history of Christianity. His dissertation investigates African-American Christian responses to lynching from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Malcolm earned a BA in religious studies with a second major in finance and a minor in classics from Washington University in St. Louis. He subsequently completed a Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School, focusing on the theology of the early and medieval church. During his time there, he served Trinity Baptist Church in New Haven as a pastoral intern. He is currently the Director of Discipleship at Mosaic Waco in Waco, TX.
You can find his article here: https://mereorthodoxy.com/ahmaud-arbery/?fbclid=IwAR14W_k9WUxQQfIS6IwiUJ-3YpO1it_WqGTG7bOPTYYzqlcGwiacQc41wmQ
Acts 17.22-31, Psalm 66.8-20, 1 Peter 3.13-22, John 14.15-21; How important is it to know your audience? Can you experience church on TikTok? What does faithful evangelism look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Blakely. Josh works at Longwood University and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Duke Divinity in order to pursue ordination as a Deacon in the UMC.
Our guest this week is Katherine Stewart, a journalist at the New York Times. Katherine's investigative work has focused on the Religious Right and Christian Nationalism. She talks with us about the influence they have had on the Trump White House, their hostility to science, and how it has impacted the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, she is the author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism
You can read her article here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/the-power-of-christian-nationalists-in-trump’s-america/12194914
Acts 7.55-60, Psalm 31.1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2.2-10, John 14.1-14; Can we find joy when everything else feels joyless? Should we get stoned with Stephen? How exclusive is Christianity? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Blakely. Josh works at Longwood University and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Duke Divinity in order to pursue ordination as a Deacon in the UMC.
Johanna and the boys sat down to talk about 'Practicing Patience: How Christians Should Be Sick,' co-authored by Stanley Hauerwas and Charles Pinches. The essay was originally published in Christian Bioethics (1996, Vol. 2, No.2,).
During COVID-19 all of us have had to practice patience and while maybe not being a patient. Throughout the conversation, the crew explores, as the authors put it, "our ability to take the time to enjoy God's world, when we are well as when we are sick, depends on our recognition that it is indeed God's world."
Acts 2.42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2.19-25, John 10.1-10; What's so good about Christian friendship? Are we really supposed to share things in the Kingdom? Is it possible to die well? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Sarah Locke. Sarah in an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves Hickory UMC in Chesapeake, VA.
For this special episode, we talked with my friends Brian Stolarz and Dewayne Brown about their new documentary film on Netflix, The Innocence Files. The movie tells the story of Dewayne's wrongful conviction for a cop-killing in Houston, his ten plus years on death row, and Brian's legal struggle to free him. I'm fortunate to have these two as friends, and I hope you will check out their film.
If you would like to help Dewayne while he awaits compensation from the State of Texas, HERE is the Go Fund Me to do so.
Acts 2.14a, 36-41, Psalm 116.1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1.17-23, Luke 24.13-25; How important are Jesus' titles? Can we really love the Lord? How would Peter handle Social Distancing? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Sarah Locke. Sarah in an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves Hickory UMC in Chesapeake, VA.
Our guest this week is Professor Jack Levison, author of numerous books including the recent works The Holy Spirit Before Christianity and Boundless God.
Jack was a fun, funny, engaging, and insightful guest-- plus, he did his homework enough to know that our producer, Tommie, isn't a dude.
Featured in the Huffington Post and on parade.com, relevant.com, and beliefnet.com, Jack Levison’s writings appeal to a wide popular audience. Eugene Peterson, author of The Message, considers him “the most competent scholar and clearest writer on the Holy Spirit that I have known.” Jack is also an internationally acclaimed scholar. With a BA from Wheaton College, an MA from Cambridge University, where he was a Scholar of Christ’s College and winner of the Fitzpatrick Prize for Theology, and a PhD from Duke University, Jack now holds the W. J. A. Power Chair of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. The author of more than a dozen books, both popular and scholarly, he has received grants from the National Humanities Center, the Lilly Fellows Program, the Louisville Institute, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, the International Catacomb Society, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Jack lives in Dallas, with an office down the hall from his wife, Priscilla Pope-Levison, who is an associate dean at Perkins School of Theology.
Acts 2.14a, 22-32, Psalm 16, 1 Peter 1.3-9, John 20.19-31; What is the point of preaching? Do we really worship other gods? Why don't we hear more about the harrowing of Hell? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joanna Marcy Paysour. Joanna is an ordained elder in the UMC and is currently serving at Cave Spring UMC in Roanoke, VA.
The gang discusses Stanley’s essay on mental illness and his memoir, Hannah’s Child:
“I refuse to attribute meaning to the despair that mental illness is, to believe that such despair can have meaning because, if all meaning is of God, the meaning would be of God. But if there were in fact a purpose or reason for such despair it would not be despair but something else. Mental illness is the lack of meaning just as evil is the lack or privation of the good.”
Here’s the essay:
Jeremiah 31.1-6, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3.1-4, John 20.1-18; Should we add a few more weeks to Lent? What does Easter look like in Coronatide? Why does Mary cry at the tomb? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joanna Marcy Paysour. Joanna is an ordained elder in the UMC and is currently serving at Cave Spring UMC in Roanoke, VA.
Expertise in the age of COVID-19 has been shaped by any fool's ability to start a blog, podcast, or stand behind a podium. In this episode, Jason and Teer sat down with Mrs. Dr. Johanna Hartelius, host of You're Not Accepted, to discuss the Op-Ed she wrote for the Houston Chronicle. Check out the op-ed here: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Trump-Fauci-tensions-on-coronavirus-show-need-15171822.php
"Americans are at a crossroads. With the novel coronavirus prompting a nationwide lockdown and hospitals warning of an impending shortage of life-saving ventilators, we, the public must decide: What type of “expert” are we willing to listen to?"
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29, Matthew 21.1-11; Are we good enough to get through the gate of the Lord? What does the Princess Bride have to do with the Gospel? What does "Hosanna" really mean? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is a Baptist pastor serving in Tuttle, Oklahoma.
Now that I have no other office but Zoom, I’m inclined to curse the internet and whatever dolt of a father and whore of a mother that begat him. Except, thanks to the webs, a writer I admired has become a friend I hold dear.
Thomas Lynch is back on the podcast to talk to us about his latest collection, The Depositions, and about burying the dead in light of COVID-19.
Essayist, poet, and funeral director Thomas Lynch was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948. His critically acclaimed volumes of poetry include The Sin-Eater: A Breviary (2011), Walking Papers (2010), Still Life in Milford (1998), Grimalkin and Other Poems (1994), and Skating with Heather Grace (1986). Lynch is also the author of essay collections such as The Depositions: New and Selected Essays on Being and Ceasing to Be (2019), The Good Funeral: Death, Grief, and the Community of Care (2013), and The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade (1997). He has received numerous awards and grants from the National Book Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Michigan Council for the Arts, and the Irish Arts Council. A frequent guest lecturer at universities across North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, Lynch is an adjunct professor in creative writing at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
By using his own daily routine as poetic fodder, Lynch has transformed the mundane task of preparing the dead into a life-affirming event. His lyrical, elegiac poems describe the dead citizens of Milford, Michigan, his own family relationships, and scenes and myths from his Irish Catholic upbringing. Sometimes described as a cross between Garrison Keillor and W.B. Yeats, Lynch’s work dissects the vicissitudes of the human experience with grace and wit. His first collection of poems, Skating with Heather Grace, is set in Michigan, Ireland, and Italy. Library Journal reviewer Rosaly DeMaios Roffman found that the poems “unpretentiously rehearse the dreams of the dying as they celebrate the everchanging relationships of the living.” Lynch, according to Roffman, crafts poems that weave symbolism and mythology into the human experience. His subsequent volumes of poetry likewise contain elements of his professional and personal life, mixed with ruminations about Irish culture and history.
Lynch is a well-known contributor to publications like the New York Times, The Times, Newsweek, and Harper’s. His essays offer a fascinating peak into a profession few of us have ever imagined. The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade (1997) reflects the author’s “eloquent, meditative observations on the place of death in small-town life,” according to a critic in Kirkus Reviews.Lynch’s poetic vision is indelibly colored by his undertaking business, and what he sees often contrasts with what lies on the surface. Dispelling the myths about people in his trade, Lynch wrote, “I am no more attracted to the dead than the dentist is to your bad gums, the doctor to your rotten innards, or the accountant to your sloppy expense records.” His profession has provided him not only with a living, but with a unique vantage point from which to observe the entire cycle of life. The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Tradewon the Heartland Prize for Non-Fiction and the American Book Award, and it was a finalist for the National Book Award.
Lynch’s prose book Bodies in Motion and at Rest: On Metaphor and Mortality(2000) explores his Roman Catholic childhood and family, being a father, and the relationship between “mortuary and literary arts.” In 2005 Lynch published Booking Passage: We Irish and Americans, a memoir-travelogue and cultural exploration of the ties that bind two countries with inextricably linked histories. His foray into short fiction, Apparition and Late Fictions (2010), addresses themes found in his poetry and essays, offering sensitive portraits of ordinary people coping with grief.
Lynch divides his time between his home in Milford, Michigan and his ancestral home in Moveen, County Clare, Ireland.
Ezekiel 37.1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8.6-11, John 11.1-45; What's so great about being a Baptist? Can the Lord really speak things into existence? Are we rejected or elected? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton. Todd is a Baptist pastor serving in Tuttle, Oklahoma.
John M. Barry is a prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author whose books have won multiple awards. The National Academies of Sciences named his 2004 book The Great Influenza: The story of the deadliest pandemic in history, a study of the 1918 pandemic, the year’s outstanding book on science or medicine. His earlier book Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America, won the Francis Parkman Prize of the Society of American Historians for the year’s best book of American history and in 2005 the New York Public Library named it one of the 50 best books in the preceding 50 years, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. His books have also been embraced by experts in applicable fields: in 2006 he became the only non-scientist ever to give the National Academies Abel Wolman Distinguished Lecture, a lecture which honors contributions to water-related science, and he was the only non-scientist on a federal government Infectious Disease Board of Experts. He has served on numerous boards, including ones at M.I.T's Center for Engineering Systems Fundamentals, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Society of American Historians. His latest book is Roger Williams and The Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and winner of the New England Society Book Award.
His books have involved him in two areas of public policy. In 2004, he began working with the National Academies and several federal government entities on influenza preparedness and response, and he was a member of the original team which developed plans for mitigating a pandemic by using "non-pharmaceutical interventions"-- i.e., public health measures to take before a vaccine becomes available. Both the Bush and Obama administrations have sought his advice on influenza preparedness and response, and he continues his activity in this area.
He has been equally active in water issues. After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana congressional delegation asked him to chair a bipartisan working group on flood protection, and he served on the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, overseeing levee districts in metropolitan New Orleans, from its founding in 2007 until October 2013, as well as on the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, which is responsible for the statewide hurricane protection. Barry has worked with state, federal, United Nations, and World Health Organization officials on influenza, water-related disasters, and risk communication.
His writing has received not only formal awards but less formal recognition as well. In 2004 GQ named Rising Tide one of nine pieces of writing essential to understanding America; that list also included Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” His first book, The Ambition and the Power: A true story of Washington, was cited by The New York Times as one of the eleven best books ever written about Washington and the Congress. His second book The Transformed Cell: Unlocking the Mysteries of Cancer, coauthored with Dr. Steven Rosenberg, was published in twelve languages. And a story about football he wrote was selected for inclusion in an anthology of the best football writing of all time published in 2006 by Sports Illustrated.
A keynote speaker at such varied events as a White House Conference on the Mississippi Delta and an International Congress on Respiratory Viruses, he has also given talks in such venues as the National War College, the Council on Foreign Relations, and Harvard Business School. He is co-originator of what is now called the Bywater Institute, a Tulane University center dedicated to comprehensive river research.
His articles have appeared in such scientific journals as Nature and Journal of Infectious Disease as well as in lay publications ranging from Sports Illustrated to Politico, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fortune, Time, Newsweek, and Esquire. A frequent guest on every broadcast network in the US, he has appeared on such shows as NBC's Meet the Press, ABC's World News, and NPR's All Things Considered, and on such foreign media as the BBC and Al Jazeera. He has also served as a consultant for Sony Pictures and contributed to award-winning television documentaries.
Before becoming a writer, Barry coached football at the high school, small college, and major college levels. Currently Distinguished Scholar at Tulane's Bywater Institute and adjunct faculty at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, he lives in New Orleans.
1 Samuel 16.1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5.8-14, John 9.1-41; Is David Bentley Hart right about universalism? What's the story behind the story of scripture? how many theologies are there inside of Methodism? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is an ordained elder in the UMC and is currently serving First UMC in Salem, VA.
To help your church plan and prepare for the impact of COVID-19, we talked with Kent Annan of Wheaton College’s Humanitarian Disaster Institute about their new manual, Preparing Your Church for Coronavirus (COVID-19): A Step-by-Step, Research-Informed and Faith-Based Planning Manual. This manual offers faith communities a 6-step guide for preparing, planning, and facing a public health threat like coronavirus.
With biblical wisdom, research insights, and quick, actionable steps, this manual equips all traditions and denominations with practical ways to address the coronavirus threats and potential emergency.
You can get it here: https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/humanitarian-disaster-institute/covid-19/
“ Jesus is the heart from which the truth must be spoken. Thus the truth that must be spoken is known only through witness. Because he is the truth we can speak the truth. That speaking the truth takes the form of witness means we are confronted with this truth in a manner that does not allow us to distance ourselves from him. Any attempt to sunder truth from this the true witness, to make truth an idea about the relation between God and man, cannot be the truth. If the truth is thought to be but a symbol, no matter how exalted, it is but a falsehood. The true witness is this man of Gethsemane and Golgotha.
Because the truth is this person, the one who endured Gethsemane and Golgotha, it is a truth that cannot resort to coercion to secure its status. The truth that is Christ, the truth that can only be known by witness, is a truth that must make its way in the world by refusing to use the desperate means of the world to force others to acknowledge what is claimed to be true. There can be nothing desperate about the witness that is Christ because what God has done through the Son cannot be undone. That is why the truth that is Christ is so compelling. It is compelling because those possessed by this truth are filled with joy.”
Here’s the link to the original address: https://ssw.edu/sermon/dr-stanley-hauerwas-sermon-for-2012-commencement-2/
Exodus 17.1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5.1-11, John 4.5-42; Can anything good come from Christian Twitter? Does every church have a "back in Egypt" committee? What are the best parts of the communion liturgy? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs. Alan is a United Methodist Elder serving First UMC in Salem, VA.
“People who know what kind of new world they want to create through revolution are trouble enough; those who only know what they want to destroy are a curse. If you want to save America’s soul, consider becoming a minister. If you want to force people to confess their sins and convert, don a white robe and head to the River Jordan. If you are determined to bring the Last Judgment down on the United States of America, become a god. But if you want to win the country back from the right, and bring about lasting change for the people you care about, it’s time to descend from the pulpit. We’re all Americans and we owe that to each other. That’s what liberalism means. For the first time in living memory, we liberals have no ideological adversary worthy of the name. So it is crucial that we look beyond Trump.”
In this episode, taped back in summer of 2018, I talk with Dr. Mark Lilla about his book The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics.
Mark Lilla is Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and a prizewinning essayist for the New York Review of Books and other publications worldwide. His books include The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics; The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction; The Stillborn God: Religion, Politics, and the Modern West; and The Reckless Mind: Intellectuals in Politics. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. VISIT MARKLILLA.COM.
Genesis 12.1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4.1-5, 13-17, John 3.1-17; Are we allowed to say the H-word in church? What's so good about mountains and ministry? Do we really have to be born again? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is a UMC elder serving Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
Have you ever struggled with "giving God control, finding God’s will, hearing God speak, or letting God work”? Do those phrases sound familiar and even spiritual, but when you try to apply them, they actually cause more anxiety, not less? Phillip Cary is back on the pod to discuss these sorts of phrases’ and how they are actually based in good intentions, but bad theology. When we understand how the gospel differs from what one author calls “the new evangelical theology”, we come to realize that many techniques we try to apply to our Christian life are often oppressive, unbiblical, and manipulative.
Phillip Cary (PhD, Yale University) is scholar-in-residence at the Templeton Honors College and professor of philosophy at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He serves as editor-in-chief of Pro Ecclesia and is the author of Good News for Anxious Christians, Jonah in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series, and three critically acclaimed books on the life and thought of Augustine.
In this special episode, we go back to the beginning of Strangely Warmed for our very first episode with the one and only Fleming Rutledge to talk about Ash Wednesday. In it she talks about what she deems the "current preaching crisis" and she prays at the end which is worth the whole episode.
Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5.12-19, Matthew 4.1-11; Is it better to give something up or add something new during Lent? Can one man really ruin everything? What does Jesus' resistance have to do with our resistance? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sara Keeling. Sara is a United Methodist pastor serving Good Shepherd UMC in Dale City, VA.
Jason and Dr. Johanna Hartelius, co-host at C&GJ, have recently co-authored a scholarly journal on Karl Barth, Fleming Rutledge, and the rhetoric of apocalyptic preaching.
So what better time to revisit an old podcast from the very beginning of Crackers and Grape Juice? Here’s one from the vault with the Episcopal priest and author of Help My Unbelief and the Crucifixion. Fleming talks about the economy of exchange in Christ’s cross, judgment, justice, forgiveness, and the rectifying power of God’s Gospel.
Joel 2.1-2, 12-17, Psalm 51.1-17, 2 Corinthians 5.20b-6.10, Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21; Why do we have Ash Wednesday? What does Frodo have to do with Lent? Should the church offer Ashes-To-Go? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy.
Exodus 24.12-18, Psalm 2, 2 Peter 1.16-21, Matthew 17.1-9; Why do we celebrate The Transfiguration? Should preachers spend time warning the rulers of the earth? How powerful is a pinhole? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is a United Methodist pastor serving Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
Fresh off Donald Trump blaspheming at the National Prayer Breakfast and dismissing Christ’s Sermon on the Mount to nary a complaint from the evangelical pastors in attendance, we’ve got Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove on the podcast to talk about his latest book, A Revolution of Values: Reclaiming Public Faith for the Common Good.
The religious Right taught America to misread the Bible. Christians have misused Scripture to consolidate power, stoke fears, and defend against enemies. But people who have been hurt by the attacks of Christian nationalism can help us rediscover God's vision for faith in public life. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove explores how religious culture wars have misrepresented Christianity at the expense of the poor, and how listening to marginalized communities can help us hear God's call to love and justice in the world. He highlights people on the frontlines of issues ranging from immigration policy and voting rights to women's rights and environmental stewardship. Through these narratives, we encounter a recovery of values that upholds the dignity of all people. Rediscover hope for faithful public witness that serves the common good. Join the revolution.
“God is using this time to remind the Church that Christianity is unintelligible without enemies. Indeed, the whole point of Christianity is to produce the right kind of enemies. We have been beguiled by our established status to forget that to be a Christian is to be made part of an army against armies. It has been suggested that satisfaction theories of the Atonement and the correlative understanding of the Christian life as a life of interiority became the rule during the long process we call the Constantinian settlement. When Caesar becomes a member of the Church the enemy becomes internalized. The problem is no longer that the Church is seen as a threat to the political order, but that now my desires are disordered. The name for such an internalization in modernity is pietism and the theological expression of that practice is called Protestant liberalism. “
In the latest installment of You Are Not Accepted, Johanna gets hot and bothered over Stanley’s address, “Preaching as Though We Had Enemies.” Originally delivered to the homiletics guild, this address is found in his collection, Sanctify Them in the Truth: Holiness Exemplified, and also at First Things: https://www.firstthings.com/article/1995/05/preaching-as-though-we-had-enemies
Deuteronomy 30.15-20, Psalm 119.1-8, 1 Corinthians 3.1-9, Matthew 5.21-37; What's so good about having a low anthropology? How can we walk in the Law? How is Jesus the new Moses? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby. Drew is a United Methodist pastor serving Grace UMC in Manassas, VA.
What if we reconsidered Calvin and Calvin’s prioritizing of God’s power and sovereignty from the perspective of what Calvin was, a refugee, and from the hermeneutic of what his context makes his work, liberation theology?
Our episode today is with a classmate of Jason’s from Princeton, Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt.
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt is the Franklin S. Dyrness Associate Professor in Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College, a Fellow in the Royal Historical Society, and a Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn. Dr. McNutt received her Ph.D. in History from the University of St. Andrews (Reformation Studies Institute, 2008), M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary (2003), and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Westmont College (2000).
She is the recipient of several academic awards including the Overseas Research Student Award (Universities, U.K.) for her doctoral research and the Sidney E. Mead Prize (American Society of Church History) for her first published article. Her first monograph, Calvin Meets Voltaire: The Clergy of Geneva in the Age of Enlightenment, 1685-1798 (Ashgate, 2014), was awarded the Frank S. and Elizabeth D. Brewer Prize by the American Society of Church History. In 2013-2014, Dr. McNutt was awarded Wheaton’s Leland Ryken Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities (2013) for exemplifying excellence in the classroom, a deep commitment to inspiring students to realize the ideals of careful scholarship in their own work, and the integration of the Christian faith and learning in the Humanities. In 2017, Westmont College honored Dr. McNutt with an 80th Anniversary Alumni Award for her work as a professor at Wheaton in cultivating “thoughtful scholars, grateful servants and faithful leaders for global engagement with the academy, church and the world.” In 2017, she was one of the Reformation experts interviewed for "A Call to Freedom" documentary that was produced to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In 2018, that documentary was awarded three regional Emmys including Outstanding Historical Documentary.
Dr. McNutt’s research specializes in the history of the church and Christian Theology from the Reformation through the Enlightenment with particular expertise in John Calvin and his clerical legacy, the Reformed tradition, the relationship between Christianity and science, and the history of the Bible and its interpretation. Current contracted projects include co-editing The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and the Reformation (OUP) with Prof. Herman Selderhuis and editing the 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude volume for the Reformation Commentary on Scripture series (InterVarsity Press Academic). She recently published the co-edited volume, The People’s Book: The Reformation and the Bible (IVP, 2017), for the Wheaton Theology Conference series. She is currently researching and writing two monographs: the history of the French Bible from the early-modern period through the Enlightenment and a social history of John Calvin’s thought. Her research has received international grants including the Andrew Mellon Research Fellowship (2015-2016) at the Huntington Library and the Huntington Trinity Hall Exchange Fellowship at the University of Cambridge (2015-2016). Her publications include academic journal articles and book chapters as well as popular ecclesiastical pieces for Christianity Today and Christian History Magazine. In 2017, Dr. McNutt was awarded first place in Christianity Today’s essay contest for her article on how clergy during the Enlightenment contributed to the advancement of modern science.
Dr. McNutt is also an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is co-president of McNuttshell Ministries, Inc. with her husband, Rev. Dr. David McNutt. She enjoys preaching at churches and on college campuses, writing for popular outlets, and conducting podcast and video interviews.
Isaiah 58.1-12, Psalm 112.1-10, 1 Corinthians 2.1-16, Matthew 5.13-20; What happens if you use the S-word in church? How can we create scripturally shaped imaginations? Why are we so afraid of mystery? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Thomas Irby. Thomas is a pastor in the United Methodist Church and he is currently serving in Tacoma, Washington.
Our guest today is Douglas Campbell, Professor of New Testament at Duke. His new book, Pauline Dogmatics, unpacks the eschatological heart of Paul’s gospel in his world and its implications for today
Drawing upon thirty years of intense study and reflection on Paul, Douglas Campbell offers a distinctive overview of the apostle’s thinking that builds on Albert Schweitzer’s classic emphasis on the importance for Paul of the resurrection. But Campbell—learning here from Karl Barth—traces through the implications of Christ for Paul’s thinking about every other theological topic, from revelation and the resurrection through the nature of the church and mission. As he does so, the conversation broadens to include Stanley Hauerwas in relation to Christian formation, and thinkers like Willie Jennings to engage post-colonial concerns.
But the result of this extensive conversation is a work that, in addition to providing a description of Paul’s theology, also equips readers with what amounts to a Pauline manual for church planting. Good Pauline theology is good practical theology, ecclesiology, and missiology, which is to say, Paul’s theology belongs to the church and, properly understood, causes the church to flourish. In these conversations, Campbell pushes through interdisciplinary boundaries to explicate different aspects of the Pauline community with notions like network theory and restorative justice.
The book concludes by moving to applications of Paul in the modern period to painful questions concerning gender, sexual activity, and Jewish inclusion, offering Pauline navigations that are orthodox, inclusive, and highly constructive.
Beginning with the God revealed in Jesus, and in a sense with ourselves, Campbell progresses through Pauline ethics and eschatology, concluding that the challenge for the church is not only to learn about Paul but to follow Jesus as he did.
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Dr. Johanna, Jason, and Teer talk about Stanley Hauerwas’ essay whence the pod series name came, “You Are Not Accepted.” The piece is Stanley’s rejection of Paul Tillich’s famous sermon “You Are Accepted” and featured in his book, Unleashing the Scriptures. This provocative critique of the uses and abuses of Scripture in the American church shows how liberal (historical-critical) and fundamentalist (literal) approaches to biblical scholarship have corrupted our use of the Bible. Hauerwas argues that the Bible can only be understood in the midst of a disciplined community of people, where the story is actually lived out by dedicated practitioners.
Micah 6.1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1.18-31, Matthew 5.1-12; What's the most cliche Christian tattoo? Are we allowed to loan money with interest? How important is the cross? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Thomas Irby. Thomas is a United Methodist pastor currently serving in Tacoma, Washington.
“Go ahead. Get your church all cleaned up. Have everyone swear to your cherished ideology. What are you going to do about Jesus? Our Lord refuses to keep reaching out and bringing in the ‘wrong’ people making my church more complicated than I would like it to be. Just wait until the progressive UMC pastor discovers that she’s got folks in her congregation who are just as sexist, racist, and homophobic as the people who walked out? Cure them of their homophobia; next Sunday Jesus will demand that you work on their greed.
If I know anything about Jesus, he’ll show up at the inaugural Sunday of the doctrinally-sound, Bible-believing. WCA-approved congregation with the nicest same-sex couple and their two children. Then what? “
Friend of the podcast and mentor in mayhem, Bishop Will Willimon joins Jason and Teer to talk about the most recent divorce proposal in the UMC, the Protocol for Reconciliation through Grace— a proposal that manages both to sound like a creepy measure in a dystopian science fiction novel (“protocol”) and like a sad euphemism for a break-up.
To read more about the protocol: https://www.umnews.org/en/news/diverse-leaders-group-offers-separation-plan
Willimon’s piece, “Separation Sadness,” will be available soon at Ministry Matters.
Isaiah 9.1-4, Psalm 27.1, 4-9, 1 Corinthians 1.10-18, Matthew 4.12-23; How does God increase our joy? Who should we be eating dinner with? How close is the kingdom of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jim Moore.
Back on the podcast at last, the peerless Fleming Rutledge joins Jason to talk about the 20th Anniversary Edition of her book, Help My Unbelief. In addition to her book, Fleming reflects on the conservative/progressive divide in the Church, the LGBTQ debate in the UMC, the Christianity Today editorial advocating for the removal of President Trump, praying for social justice issues and preaching that incorporates current events. Oh, she also prays at the end. Fleming’s our favorite and she should be yours too.
For Episode #2 of You Are Not Accepted, Stan the Man joins Johanna, Jason, and Teer to discuss the theology of preaching— and why dumbing things down for people just makes for dumb people— from his book Without Apology.
On each episode of 'You're Not Accepted,' we will discuss a different essay from the one and only Stanley Hauerwas. That’s right, the Hauerwas Mafia is going full Hauerwas! Stan the man will join us periodically and we will do our best to contain Jason the fanboy.
So, that is what you need to know about today’s episode. Enjoy.
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/show/youre-not-accepted/
https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuice
https://twitter.com/crackersnjuice
https://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuice/
Isaiah 49.1-7, Psalm 40.1-11, 1 Corinthians 1.1-9, John 1.29-42; Is counting people a Godly duty? What does eucharistic time look like? What is the only requirement of faith? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jim Moore.
You're Not Accepted.
That is a hard truth to swallow.
Today’s episode is a preview for you, a tasting if you will, of our latest project; 'You’re Not Accepted.' The podcast formerly known as Hermeneutics has received a makeover since we finished our examination of the theological alphabet. For our first episode of 'You're Not Accepted,' we talked with Stanley about his essay in Minding the Web entitled “Preaching in the Ruins.”
On each episode of 'You're Not Accepted,' we will discuss a different essay from the one and only Stanley Hauerwas. That’s right, the Hauerwas Mafia is going full Hauerwas! Stan the man will join us periodically and we will do our best to contain Jason the fanboy.
So, that is what you need to know about today’s episode. Enjoy.
https://crackersandgrapejuice.com/show/youre-not-accepted/
https://www.facebook.com/crackersnjuice
https://twitter.com/crackersnjuice
https://www.instagram.com/crackersandgrapejuice/
Isaiah 42.1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10.34-43, Matthew 3.13-17; Who gets to define justice? Does Joel Osteen read the Bible? Should we stop baptizing people? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Phil Woodson.
What happens when a presidential candidate is refused communion at church? Jason and Taylor got together with Ryan Couch to talk about that very thing with regard to a recent event with Joe Biden. In a world where sacramental practices are practiced without much thought, the church is left to discern what it means to have an open table and what happens if you try to put up fences around God's grace. You can read Ryan's original article about the event here: https://ryancouch.wordpress.com/2019/11/19/joe-biden-the-town-drunk-and-the-sacraments/
Dr. Johanna Hartelius, host of Hemeneutics, is hosting a new podcast series for Crackers and Grape Juice called “You Are Not Accepted: Engaging Hauerwas on Holiness.” Every other Wednesday Johanna, Jason Micheli, and Teer Hardy will discuss a writing by the theologian Stanley Hauerwas and oftentimes with Stanley Hauerwas. For our first episode, we talked with Stanley about his essay in Minding the Web entitled “Preaching in the Ruins.”
Get ready for the Hauerwas Mafia to do what it does best. We're going full Hauerwas on you.
On each episode of You're Not Accepted we will discuss a different essay from the one and only Stanley Hauerwas. Stan the man will join us periodically and we will do our best to contain Jason the fanboy.
Go ahead and order yourself a copy of Resident Aliens and prepare to be Hauerwas'd.
Jeremiah 31.7-14, Psalm 147.12-20, Ephesians 1.3-14, John 1.1-18; What are 2nd Amendment sanctuaries? What do the Rolling Stones know about the Gospel? What can be found in the back of the hymnal? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Phil Woodson.
Mark Galli recently set off a Twitter war and a media feeding frenzy for his editorial in Christianity Today, of which Galli is editor-in-chief, arguing for the removal of President Donald Trump. While Trump labled CT a “far-left” magazine, it is in fact the National Review of conservative Protestants. Galli is also the author of a number of books. His most recent, Karl Barth for Evangelicals, is the topic of our conversation.
Fr. Robert Hart is the Rector of Saint Benedict's Anglican Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, NC, a contributing editor of Touchstone, A Journal of Mere Christianity, and frequent contributor to The Continuum blog. He’s an incredible music fan, and Robert graciously agreed to share an original Christmas composition as a part of the podcast.
The brother of Addison Hart and David Bentley Hart, Robert Hart is a good follow on social media. In this conversation, Robert talks with us about the Christian vocation to be with the poor, how the pro-choice language of “personhood” is the language of slavery, and the priesthood.
Isaiah 63.7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2.10-18, Matthew 2.13-23; What does life look like after Christmas? Is creation still happening? What is the benefit of knowing the end of the story? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
I’m thrilled to have made friends with Dr. Amy Laura Hall. Not only is she back on the podcast to talk about Stanley Hauerwas’ influence on her work and theology, she’ll be our special guest in June at our annual live podcast at Annual Conference in Roanoke, Va.
Amy Laura Hall was named a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology for 2004-2005 and has received funding from the Lilly Foundation, the Josiah Trent Memorial Foundation, the American Theological Library Association, the Child in Religion and Ethics Project, the Pew Foundation and the Project on Lived Theology.
At Duke University, Professor Hall has served on the steering committee of the Genome Ethics, Law, and Policy Center and as a faculty member for the FOCUS program of the Institute on Genome Sciences and Policy. She has served on the Duke Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board and as an ethics consultant to the V.A. Center in Durham. She served as a faculty adviser with the Duke Center for Civic Engagement (under Leela Prasad), on the Academic Council, and as a faculty advisor for the NCCU-Duke Program in African, African American & Diaspora Studies. She currently teaches with and serves on the faculty advisory board for Graduate Liberal Studies and serves as a core faculty member of the Focus Program in Global Health.
Professor Hall was the 2017 Scholar in Residence at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington D.C., served on the Bioethics Task Force of the United Methodist Church, and has spoken to academic and ecclesial groups across the U.S. and Europe. An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Hall is a member of the Rio Texas Annual Conference. She has served both urban and suburban parishes. Her service with the community includes an initiative called Labor Sabbath, an effort with the AFL-CIO of North Carolina to encourage congregations of faith to talk about the usefulness of labor unions, and, from August 2013 to June 2017, a monthly column for the Durham Herald-Sun. Professor Hall organized a conference against torture in 2011, entitled “Toward a Moral Consensus Against Torture,” and a “Conference Against the Use of Drones in Warfare” October 20-21, 2017. In collaboration with the North Carolina Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church, she organized a workshop with legal scholar Richard Rothstein held October, 2018.
Amy Laura Hall is the author of four books: Kierkegaard and the Treachery of Love, Conceiving Parenthood: The Protestant Spirit of Biotechnological Reproduction, Writing Home with Love: Politics for Neighbors and Naysayers, and Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich. She has written numerous scholarly articles in theological and biomedical ethics. Recent articles include "The Single Individual in Ordinary Time: Theological Engagements in Sociobiology," which was a keynote lecture given with Kara Slade at the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics in 2012, and "Torture and American Television," which appeared in the April 2013 issue of Muslim World, a volume that Hall guest-edited with Daniel Arnold. Her essay “Love in Everything: A Brief Primer to Julian of Norwich" appeared in volume 32 of The Princeton Seminary Bulletin. Word and World published her essay on heroism in the Winter 2016 edition, and her essay "His Eye Is on the Sparrow: Collectivism and Human Significance" appeared in a volume entitled Why People Matter with Baker Publishing. Her forthcoming essays include a new piece on Kierkegaard and love for The T&T Clark Companion to the Theology of Kierkegaard, to be published by Bloomsbury T&T Clark.
Laughing at the Devil was the focus of her 2018 Simpson Lecture at Simpson College in Iowa and has been chosen for the 2019 Virginia Festival of the Book. She continues work on a longer research project on masculinity and gender anxiety in mainstream, white evangelicalism.
The podcast has a new book! Crazy Talk: Stories Jesus Told is available in both paperback and ebook format.
https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Talk-Stories-Jesus-Told/dp/167083171X
In Crazy Talk: Stories Jesus Told, you’ll find pastors doing what pastors do, which is trying to get congregations to laugh. Only professors are thirstier for giggly affirmation from students than clergy from churchgoers. No, but seriously, folks. The excellent sermons collected here walk the reader through the unrelenting message of the gospel parables: that Jesus Christ the Risen Lord is here and in charge. We, humans, are here, too, but we mess everything up. Not to mention, we cannot understand Jesus to save our lives.
Praise for Crazy Talk: Stories Jesus Told
“Jesus got killed for the outrageous, irresponsible, and offensive stories he told. Read Crazy Talk from the posse at the Crackers and Grape Juice podcast and you will be reminded of what it’s like to want to kill somebody because of his preaching.” - Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, United Methodist Bishop, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity
"Like the parables of Jesus, the sermons collected here are earthy, humorous, and connect with our most hidden, secret self. Like the preaching of the prophets, they manage to afflict the comfortable, comfort the afflicted, and never sound preachy. Not since Balaam's ass has the Word of the Lord been delivered in such an entertaining package!"—The Rev. Dr. Rubén Rosario Rodríguez, Professor of Systematic Theology, Saint Louis University
“The Church has done more damage to the power of the parables than any other category of scripture. We have moralized them and purposed them for our own agendas. We have foisted them onto children and told them to "be good." We have called ourselves Good Samaritans and Eldest Brothers like a Biblically uneducated clown parade. They were never intended for any of that nonsense. The Parables are intended to be void of morality and only consumed with the agenda of Jesus, who came only to save us. Buy this book. Jason, Teer, and the other yahoos at Crackers and Grape Juice will remind you just how bizarre, compelling, and truly unfair the parables really are. Thank God.”— Rev. Sarah Condon, Churchy: The Real Life Adventures of a Wife, Mom, and Priest
https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Talk-Stories-Jesus-Told/dp/167083171X
Isaiah 9.2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2.11-14, Luke 2.1-20; Should the church be political on Christmas Eve? How important is the passing of the peace? How small is our all? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
Isaiah 7.10-16, Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19, Romans 1.1-7, Matthew 1.18-25; Should we give something up for Advent? Why are we forever testing the Lord? What is the one thing needful? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Tim Tate.
Thomas Lecaque teaches Religious History at Grand View University in Iowa. He recently authored an article in the Washington Post that caught our attention, entitled “The Apocalyptic Myth that Explains Evangelical Support for Trump.”
You can find the article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/26/apocalyptic-myth-that-helps-explain-evangelical-support-trump/
Isaiah 35.1-10, Psalm 146.5-10, James 5.7-10, Matthew 11.2-11; What are the connections between Advent and Lent? Why is God so obsessed with reversing everything? Should we light our Christmas trees on fire? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Tim Tate.
Dr. Sutton recently wrote an article in the Washington Post that got our attention for this episode:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/21/explaining-unbreakable-bond-between-donald-trump-white-evangelicals/
Matthew is the Edward R. Meyer distinguished professor of history at Washington State University. The author of award-winning books, including American Apocalypse, and the recent book, Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War, he lives in Pullman, Washington.
Isaiah 11.1-10, Psalm 72.1-7, 18-19, Romans 15.4-13, Matthew 3.1-12; Is there a Weird Methodist Twitter? Does God really rectify ALL things in Jesus Christ? What happens when you depoliticize justice? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben Crosby.
In many ways, Advent is a season that pivots not only between two aeons, the old and the new, but between testatments, old and new, and faiths, that of Christianity and Judaism. After all, Advent is largely the time when Christians anticipate the second coming by rehearsing the anticipating of the first coming found in Israel’s prophets.
The son of Holocaust survivors, Scott A. Shay has had a successful business career spanning Wall Street, private equity, venture capital, and banking. He co-founded Signature Bank of New York and has served as its Chairman since its formation. He has been a provocative commentator on many financial issues, including among others, how the banking system should best function to help society, the implications of a cashless world, and tax reform. Scott called for the re-imposition of Glass-Steagall and breaking up the big banks at a TEDx talk at the NY Stock Exchange in 2012. Throughout his life, he has been a student of religion and how religion ought to apply to the world outside of the synagogue, church, or mosque. In addition to authoring articles relating to the Jewish community, Scott authored the best-selling Getting Our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry (Second Edition, D evora 2008).
Isaiah 2.1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13.11-14, Matthew 24.36-44; Should the paraments be blue or purple during Advent? What do firearms have to do with faith? What happens when we put on Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben Crosby.
Our guest this week is United Methodist pastor Parker Haynes who joins us to talk about his essay “Remember Our Story: Is the Future of Methodism, Anglican?” in which he argues that United Methodism has run aground not because of disputes over sexuality but because, in many core ways, the story of Methodism has come to an end. Our reason for being, that is, is no longer a reason to be a distinct set apart from the Church whence we came.
Jeremiah 23.1-6, Colossians 1.11-20, Luke 23.33-43; Should Christians celebrate communion every Sunday? Who gets to define justice? Should we pledge allegiance to King Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs.
In the past half-century, few theologians have shaped the landscape of American belief and practice as much as Stanley Hauerwas. His work in social ethics, political theology, and ecclesiology has had a tremendous influence on the church and society. But have we understood Hauerwas's theology, his influences, and his place among the theologians correctly? Hauerwas is often associated―and rightly so―with the postliberal theological movement and its emphasis on a narrative interpretation of Scripture. Yet he also claims to stand within the theological tradition of Karl Barth, who strongly affirmed the priority of Jesus Christ in all matters and famously rejected Protestant liberalism. These are two rivers that seem to flow in different directions. In this volume within IVP Academic's New Explorations in Theology (NET) series, theologian David Hunsicker offers a reevaluation of Hauerwas's theology, arguing that he is both a postliberal and a Barthian theologian. In so doing, Hunsicker helps us to understand better both the formation and the ongoing significance of one of America's great theologians.
Isaiah 65.17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13, Luke 21.5-19; Are preacher allowed to preach against the text? How endless is God's patience? What happens when you throw the skunk on the table? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs.
Is faith in Jesus enough for salvation? Perhaps, says Matthew Bates, but we're missing pieces of the gospel. The biblical gospel can never change. Yet our understanding of the gospel must change. The church needs an allegiance shift.
Popular pastoral resources on the gospel are causing widespread confusion. Bates shows that the biblical gospel is different, fuller, and more beautiful than we have been led to believe. He explains that saving faith doesn't come through trust in Jesus's death on the cross alone but through allegiance to Christ the king. There is only one true gospel and one required response: allegiance.
Bates ignited conversation with his successful and influential book Salvation by Allegiance Alone. Here he goes deeper while making his acclaimed teaching on salvation more accessible and experiential for believers who want to better understand and share the gospel. Gospel Allegianceincludes a guide for further conversation, making it ideal for church groups, pastors, leaders, and students.
Matthew W. Bates (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is associate professor of theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. He is the author of Salvation by Allegiance Alone, named the Jesus Creed 2017 Book of the Year and one of the Best Books of 2017 by Englewood Review of Books. He has also written The Birth of the Trinity and The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation. Bates is cofounder and cohost of the popular OnScript podcast.
Haggai 1.15b-2.9, Psalm 145.1-5, 17-21, 2 Thessalonians 2.1-5, 13-17, Luke 20.27-38; Can you have Thanksgiving without a turkey? Why should we look at the cross? Do the creeds explain Christianity? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli.
Fresh on the heels of evangelical preacher John MacArthur saying that evangelical preacher (a woman) should “Go home,” we have our friend Rev. Sarah Condon back on the podcast to reflect on what it’s like to be a clergywoman, her recent essay at Mockingbird Ministries, and how inclusion of women in pastoral ministry requires inclusion of LGBTQ Christians.
Habakkuk 1.1-4, 2.1-4, Psalm 119.137-144, 2 Thessalonians 1.1-4, 11-12, Luke 19.1-10; Does God have a hearing problem? Can you watch a comedy with the subtitles on? Is God's justice unjust? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli.
Dr. Johanna Hartelius, Professor of Rhetoric at the University of Texas: Austin, is working with Jason on an article on apocalyptic preaching and, for it, has recently read Will Willimon’s book Conversations with Barth on Preaching. She demanded, as she does, to talk about it with Jason for the podcast.
We've made it to the end of the alphabet and instead of doing two 'Z' words, we've opted to give you 2x the conversation about 'Zealot.' Zealot is a word that has gone out of common usage but like all things ancient, this word has much to offer the us today. Buckle up because we are closing out this season of (Her)MenYouTics with a bit of zealously.
Joel 2.23-32, Psalm 65, 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18, Luke 18.9-14; Why don't we read from the prophet Joel more often? Is there anything the Spirit can't do? Is grace unacceptable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
David Bentley Hart is back on the podcast to talk about his recent review in the NY Times of the new Tarantino film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” as well as the irrefutability of his new book That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation, guns, and baseball.
Jeremiah 31.27-34, Psalm 119.97-104, 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5, Luke 18.1-8; Are we suffering for the sins of our parents? How is the Law within us? Why is there a clergy appreciation month? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
Our guest for episode #229 is my friend David Meyers— along with his fantastic wife, Nicole.
David is a fireman in Albequerque, New Mexico. But that’s just his day job. David is a singer/songwriter. He’s been a worship leader and rock band frontman for groups like Old Man Shattered, and he’s the curator of a project you should check out called A More Beautiful Gospel, dedicated to the goodness of the God who looks like Jesus. David has a new album project called Of Light and Shadow that I urge you to check out and support to make happen. Check it out here.
Jeremiah 29.1, 4-7, Psalm 66.1-12, 2 Timothy 2.8-15, Luke 17.11-19; What does it mean to have a Christian imagination? What's the most joyful hymn? Should we go to the cross in every sermon? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
What if the generations of Talmudic interpretation demonstrate an inherently gracious nature to the Jewish Law? What if Protestant Christians are wrong and the Law is not a burdensome command meant to induce repentance but a gracious entry into thinking about everything in the world?
Chaim Saiman, Professor of Law at Villanova University, is back on the podcast to talk about his most recent book, Halakah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law.
Lamentations 1.1-6, Psalm 137, 2 Timothy 1.1-14, Luke 17.5-10; What is the best season in the year? Is the Church in a new form of Babylonian Captivity? How do we increase our faith? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
Donald Trump, a thrice-married, no-need-of-forgiveness, blustery billionaire who rarely goes to church, won more Evangelical Christian votes than any candidate in history on his way to winning the 2016 US presidential election. Veteran journalist Angela Denker set out to uncover why, traveling the United States for a year, meeting the people who support Trump, and listening to their rationale.
In Red State Christians, readers will get an honest look at the Christians who gave the presidency to the unlikeliest candidate of all time. From booming, wealthy Orange County megachurches to libertarian farmers in Missouri to a church in Florida where the pastors carry guns to an Evangelical Arab American church in Houston to conservative Catholics on the East Coast--the picture she paints of them is enlightening, at times disturbing, but always empathetic. A must-read for those hoping to truly understand how Donald Trump became president.
We’re working our way through the alphabet one stained-glass word at a time and we’re nearly done. Here’s the latest episode, the second part of our conversation about God’s name.
Jeremiah 32.1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91.1-6, 14-16, 1 Timothy 6.6-19, Luke 16.19-31; What happens when you make a mistake in ministry? Are there any bad hymns? How ridiculous is God's love? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Bryson Smith.
Our guest today is Samson Turinawe. Samson is the Executive Director of the Universal Love Alliance, a grassroots organization in Uganda which advocates for LGBTQ people.
A Ugandan humanitarian, educator and human rights defender. He believes that “every human being should be respected simply for being who they are, a part of Life’s creation.” Tolerance, inclusiveness, love, compassion, dialogue and reconciliation are all central themes in his work. Through his teaching and activism, he emphasizes that “ignorance can be defeated through education, poverty through hard work and possession of capital, and internal schisms and separatism through unity. Samson is working for a new generation — one that is open-minded, open-hearted, diversity-embracing, and committed to serving all of humanity.
You can find out more about his work here.
Jeremiah 8.18-9.1, Psalm 79.1-9, 1 Timothy 2.1-7, Luke 16.1-13; Is there really a balm in Gilead? How are we supposed to dance between time? Can we find the real Paul? These question and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Bryson Smith.
We recorcded this so long ago I forgot how funny DBH is in it. Don’t worry, he also talks about his new book That All Shall be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation. Be on the lookout for two more episodes with DBH coming up in the weeks ahead.
Jeremiah 4.11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14, 1 Timothy 1.12-17, Luke 15.1-10; Why do we always pretend everything is fine? Should we change the communion liturgy? How sneaky is works righteousness? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest John Carl Hastings.
Beverly Gaventa is back on the podcast to talk about Paul’s Letter to the Romans and the 100th Anniversary of Karl Barth’s commentary on it. Formerly of Princeton, Dr. Gaventa is a professor of New Testament at Baylor Univesity and is the author of When in Romans, which is now available in paperback. Check out her lecture on Barth and Romans from Princeton’s Barth Conference: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p4-r_vUsvEc
Jeremiah 18.1-11, Psalm 139.1-6, 13-18, Philemon 1.1-21, Luke 14.25-33; What's the difference between preaching and story telling? How known are we by God? Is the church supposed to be a new family? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest John Carl Hastings.
Today we chat with Alan Cross, a Southern Baptist pastor in CA who is actively working to bring the Gospel to the narrative Christian's use about immigration and race.
Jeremiah 2.4-13, Psalm 81.1, 10-16, Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16, Luke 14.1, 7-14; Is is possible to remember the future? What other choices do we have on Sunday mornings? What can we actually say about angels? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chris Corbin.
If you think religion is equal to the tooth fairy and Bigfoot, and have been turned off by church, dive into I'm Not Hitler. We all have a death sentence in this life, but do we need to make a decision to play in the next one? I’m Not Hitler explores the mystery and apathy of how a person gets to heaven. In a salty discourse, author Mike Lyon discusses whether a person can be good enough to step through the pearly gates. With plenty of personal anecdotes, the book challenges the broad assumptions that religious, spiritual and non-religious people often conclude.
Fans of the sass of Anne Lamott, David Sedaris and Brené Brown, may find the discourse entertaining. If you're a Christian and unsure how to discuss God with your friends, the book will be helpful.
Can a person simply pick a religion and do their best? What about a spiritual buffet where the universe serves all you can eat? Who exactly are the bad people who will not enter the big party in the sky?
Find out from someone who believes in God, and listens to Iggy Pop and Johnny Cash while mixing David Mamet with Tim Keller.
Jeremiah 1.4-10, Psalm 71.1-6, Hebrews 12.18-29, Luke 13.10-17; What is Weird Anglican Twitter? Is there a difference between prophetic and political preaching? Why do we need multiple translations of the Bible? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chris Corbin.
Danté Stewart joins the podcast to talk about faith, race, and Fleming.
Dante Stewart is a student at Reformed Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Clemson University, where he was a student-athlete and received a BA in sociology. His writings have been featured in publications such as Christianity Today, The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, The Gospel Coalition, and Fathom Mag, and Faithfully Magazine. He and his wife, Jasamine, live in Augusta, Georgia, where he is a local barista.
Isaiah 5.1-7, Psalm 80.1-2, 8-19, Hebrews 11.29-12.2, Luke 12.49-56; Who preaches to the preachers? How does God prepare God's people? What does it take to make the faith hall of fame? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner.
Friend of the podcast, mentor, and muse, Will Willimon joined Teer and Jason to talk about his brand new (wondeful) memoir, Accidental Preacher.
Isaiah 1.1, 10-20, Psalm 50.1-8, 22-23, Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16, Luke 12.32-40; Is it possible to preach a sermon only using wrestling references? What does a sacrifice of thanksgiving look like? Should Christians be working for a better country? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
The Hauerwas Mafia pays homage to our namesake by going back to the vault to share our original interview with the one and only Stanley Hauerwas. Jason is determined to get his theological idol off his familiar tropes and talking points and does so while also at the same time being humbled. To learn more about the podcast and to get your very own Hauerwas Mafia t-shirt, visit www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
We’ve been working our way through the alphabet one stained-glass word at a time and now we’re in the crappy letters. What in the world starts with X? In this episode, we talk about the word “xeno” the Greek New Testament word for Stranger. As in, “I was a xeno and you welcomed me...” Don’t end up a goat...listen.
Hosea 11.1-11, Psalm 107.1-9, 43, Colossians 3.1-11, Luke 12.13-21; What makes a hipster pastor a hipster pastor? Is social media ruining EVERYTHING? Does redemption require vulnerability? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
Jason and Teer caught up with Dr. Phillip Cary to talk about Dr. Cary's new latest book, 'The Meaning of Protestant Theology.' Dr. Cary unpacks Luther's gifts to the Protestant Church 500+ years removed from the Reformation and explains why Wesleyan theologians and pastors should not distance themselves too much from Calvin.
https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Protestant-Theology-Luther-Augustine/dp/0801039452
Hosea 1.2-10, Psalm 85, Colossians 2.6-19, Luke 11.1-13; Are we allowed to say "whoredom" in church? What is the one thing needful? Has Jesus really erased the record against us? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey.
Our guest this week is Dr. Jeffrey Pugh, Professor of Religion at Elon University. Jeffrey is the author of books such as The Devil’s Ink, The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the End Times, and Religionless Christianity: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Troubled Times. It’s his expertise on Bonhoeffer we turn to in this episode, asking him to reflect on the border crisis, how Christians are to discern when they’re in a “biblical moment” that calls for witness and resistance, the need for another Barmen-type confession.
Amos 8.1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1.15-28, Luke 10.38-42; Are sermon titles important/necessary? What are the riches of glory? How are we supposed to pray? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey.
Friend of the podcast, Thomas Lynch, rejoins us to talk about his new book, Whither and When: On Lives and Living. Thomas is an undertaker and poet whose work has garnered numerous awards, including the National Book Award for his collection of essays The Undertaking: Notes on the Dismal Trade.
Amos 7.7-17, Psalm 82, Colossians 1.1-14, Luke 10.25-37; What in the world is a plumb line? Who gets to define what justice is? Have we been preaching/hearing the parables incorrectly? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest David King.
For this episode, we talked with Joel Goza who is a Duke Divinity School alumni and now works as a church planter and for a non-profit in the 9th Ward. His new book is an important one, especially on Independence Day weekend. It’s titled America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics.
2 Kings 5.1-14, Psalm 30, Galatians 6.1-16, Luke 10.1-11, 16-20; Should we be praying for healing? What are the Psalms for? How is Paul like James Joyce? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest David King.
For the fourth year in a row, the podcast posse hosted a live pubcast to kick-off annual conference, this time at Ballast Point Brewery in Roanoke where we had over 200 folks attend. Our guests were Jeff and Steve Mullinix, who shared with us their story of growing up in the closet, attending Bob Jones University, and eventually finding one another and marrying. Jeff is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and Steve is a teacher. As Steve told us in an earlier podcast, “I am incompatible with Christian teaching because of my relationship with another man; his name is Adam.”
If you’d like to get your own “Incompatible” glass that we passed out to partcipants that night, go to our website www.crackersandgrapejuice.com to order your own.
2 Kings 2.1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77.1-2, 11-20, Galatians 5.1, 13-25, Luke 9.51-62; Do Sunday school classes read the Bible? Can we walk forward without looking backward? Does God have a sense of humor? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
Friend of the podcast, the wild and crazy Dr. David Fitch is back to talk about his latest book, “Us vs. Them: “Freedom from a Faith that Feeds on Making Enemies.” Fitch talks with us about how ideological functions to shape our reading of scripture, how we can read scripture locally as community, and how we discern where God is leading us in a way that avoids cultural antagonisms.
The breath of God, the voice from heaven, wind and fire...baby-momma Dr. Johanna is back and so is (Her)MenYoutics to talk about our latest stained glass word in the alphabet: “Voice.”
1 Kings 19.1-15a, Psalm 42-43, Galatians 3.23-29, Luke 8.26-39; Did Elijah do everything right? Are we allowed to be angry in our prayers? Is the Good News too good? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Retterer.
Jason and Taylor sat down with Joshua Retterer to talk about the late Robert Farrar Capon and his work. Their conversation touches on a number of subjects including eschatological nerve, an affair with a happy ending, laughing in church, and being overwhelmed with morality.
Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31, Romans 5.1-5, John 16.12-15; Why is it tough to talk about the Trinity? Should we boast in our suffering? Do we know what we don't know? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Retterer.
Fresh on the heels of his Twitter face-off with Jerry Falwell Jr, Jason talked with Winfeld Bevins about his his new book Ever Ancient, Ever New. Actually, no, Jason talked to him months ago, before General Conference even and we’re posting it now to take advantage of the social media scrum. Bevins is an Anglican and a professor of church-planting at Asbury Seminary in the Bluegrass State.
Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.24-34, 35b, Romans 8.14-17, John 14.8-17 (25-27); Can you be a Christian if you haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia? Should we be using the Nicene Creed on Pentecost? What do we really inherit with Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy.
She’s back!
Friend of the podcast, Christy Thomas joins us to reflect on where the United Methodist Church is at in its present moment somewhere on the timeline between divorce and reconciliation. Christy is a retired United Methodist pastor from Texas, journalist, and blogger at The Thoughtful Pastor.
Acts 16.16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17.20-26; Is Paul really annoying? Does our grammar matter? Is free grace really free? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy.
Thomas McKenzie is a church-planting Anglican priest at Church of the Redeemer in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s also the author of the Anglican Way and a recent Lenten devotional on the Desert Fathers. He also knows, as few seem to know, that Battlestar Galactica is a far superior show to Game of Thrones.
Jason, Teer, and Taylor are hosting a live podcast at Ballast Point Brewery in Daleville, VA on Wednesday June 19th from 6:30-8pm.
No, we’re not talking about Westeros and Winterfell. On the heels of Holy Week, Johanna brings her questions, which are your questions, about how Grace invites us to think of the antagonists in scripture (and in our own lives).
Acts 16.9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21.10, 22-22.5, John 14.23-29; Is there such thing as a good ministry mistake? Are we stuck between two trees? What does real peace look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Beth Demme.
In this episode, Jason talks with Amy Laura Hall of Duke University about her upcoming work on muscular Christianity, her most recent book “Laughing at the Devil,” Julian of Norwich, and their mutual affection for Stan the Man.
Acts 11.1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21.1-6, John 13.31-35; Can anything good come from Twitter? How big is God's grace? What does it look like to love like the Lord? These questions and more on the episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Beth Demme.
This week is a real treat! We are sharing Jason's unedited live talk from the Mockingbird Annual Conference in New York! A huge thank you to Mockingbird for having Jason speak and for recording it as well!
Acts 9.36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7.9-17, John 10.22-30; What is the best biblical name? How can we speak about the great ordeal? What can Queer Eye teach us about the gospel? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
“Orthodoxy is historically defined according to the creeds, and there is nothing at all in the creeds about human sexuality.”
Steve Harper, author of the new book, Holy Love, published today, is our guest for Episode #206. Steve is a former Professor of Historical Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, which is— mind you— the UMC’s most conservative school. Steve was also a leader in traditionalist movements like Good News and the Confessing Church Movement. In 2015, though, Steve’s understanding of sexuality in light of scripture changed.
His new book is a concise primer for all folks but especially those like his former self. He’s a warm and wise man with whom I felt honored to speak.
Here’s the blurb I had the opportunity to provide for the publisher:
In all our church fighting about what is and is not incompatible with Christian teaching, Christians seem to have forgotten the core of Christian teaching; that is, we’re all incompatible with Christian teaching. Not one of us is found compatible— we are made compatible by God’s grace. In Holy Love, Steve Harper reminds Christians that married love is holy precisely because it’s an arena where life with another exposes the stranger you call you to the unmerited forgiveness of the other who knows your worst self. The experience of such grace makes us holy— different— in a culture premised on merit alone. Marriage, as the wedding rite makes clear, is about sanctification; therefore, to deny committed couples, gay or straignt, marriage deprives them not of a privilege but of a medicine. Holy Love provides pastors and parishioners the biblical and theological resources to have a holy conversation about how that medicine may be administered to same-sex couples too and how their marriages might also serve as parables for how God loves us all.
You can order his book from Cokesbury.
In a world (and even a Church) that appears anything but what does the Bible mean when it promises that, by the baptism of Christ’s death and resurrection, we are one in Christ?
Acts 9.1-6, Psalm 30, Revelation 5.11-14, John 21.1-19; Are we all supposed to have Damascus road experiences? What's a Heaven & Hell party? Is OK Computer really a Passion play? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
In a culture of performancism, virtue-signaling, and enoughness-chasing, Nick Lannon's new book tells us the good news that Life is Impossible (and that's the good news). Nick is an Anglican priest in Louisville, a movie buff and sports buff, and a contributing writer to Mockingbird Ministries and Liberate.
Acts 5.27-32, Psalm 118.14-29, Revelation 1.4-8, John 20.19-31; What does life look like on the other side of Easter? Is it possibly to be subversively obedient? Did Jesus have death breath? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
Martin Luther said that God loves to hide himself behind his opposites. Though we prove time and again to think we need to strive and succeed so that we might be found acceptable by God or, in succeeding, find God in God's glory, the God who condescends to us in the suffering Christ never stops so condescending, meeting us not in our triumphs but in our struggles, suffering, and failures. Friend of the podcast Chad Bird, is back to talk about his new book Upside Down Spirituality: The Nine Essential Failures of a Faithful Life.
Isaiah 65.17-25, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15.19-26, John 20.1-18; How can you add to proclamation by subtraction? Are there hymns we shouldn't sing on Easter? What does joy look like through the lens of the resurrection? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warm with guest Joanna Marcy Paysour.
Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29, Luke 19.28-40; How crazy is our faith? What's so joyful about joyful obedience? Should we give palm branches to children? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joanna Marcy Paysour.
Calvin said the human heart is an idol factory. Augustine said our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. DZ of Mockingbird Ministries and the author of the new book, Seculosity, says we’re more religious than ever before we’re church “in church” in different ways (love, politics, parenting, technology, fitness) searching for “enoughness” from gods that, without the promise of grace, cannot bestow it. Check out his work at www.mbird.com and grab a copy of his book over at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
Isaiah 43.16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3.4b-14, John 12.1-8; Is it possible to be bored to death? Can you whittle the Bible down to one sentence? What is the myth of progress? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Grace Han.
Jerry Herships joins the podcast to talk about his newest book, 'Rogue Saints: Spirituality for Good-Hearted Heathens.' In this episode, we talk about what exactly Jerry means by "shitty church," if you are looking for a church how you can avoid one, and if you are a pastor how you can avoid pastoring one.
More on the book: The world is full of good-hearted heathens, those who love people and those who want to do good in the world. They're not against God--they just have little use for church. Church is boring and hypocritical. Plus, who wants to sit through a sermon every week? But while organized religion doesn't appeal to them, these heathens long for a connection to something bigger than themselves: meaning, community, mission.
Jerry Herships is the founding pastor of After Hours Denver, a faith community of rebels and misfits that meets in dives and pubs to talk God and the Holy over drinks while making PB&Js to pass out to the hungry and homeless of downtown Denver. A former bartender turned comedian, Herships was drawn into ministry after realizing that the connections and conversations he had with his customers were deeper and more real than anything he'd ever experienced in church. He is the author of Last Call: From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus.
https://afterhoursdenver.org/
https://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Saints-Spirituality-Good-Hearted-Heathens/dp/0664264425
https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664264425/rogue-saints.aspx
Joshua 5.9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5.16-21, Luke 15.1-3, 11b-32; What does the burden of pastoral responsibility look like? Who gives us permission to move on? What's the most counter-cultural aspect of Christianity? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Grace Han.
200 Episodes!!! Say what?!? Listen as the guys take a trip down memory lane to talk about their favorite episodes, their white whale guests and what's to come for the podcast Crackers and Grape Juice!
Isaiah 55.1-9, Psalm 63.1-8, 1 Corinthians 10.1-13, Luke 13.1-9; What does it mean to be truly satisfied? Should we be thinking about God in bed? How far did Christ really go to save us from ourselves? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
Jason crushes on his hero Barbara Brown Taylor while talking with her about her new book, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. The author of previous books like the Preaching Life and Leaving Church, Baylor University recognized Taylor as one of the most influential preachers in the English language.
Genesis 15.1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3.17-4.1, Luke 13.31-35; Are we allowed to be afraid in the land of the living? What is the value of returning to the same message over and over again? Where does our citizenship belong? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
Now that the sting of the UMC Special General Conference is lessening, what is next? How can those who are dissatisfied with the work done by the delegates in St Louis organize and be better prepared for GC2020?
Rev. Mandy Sloan McDow is the Senior Minister at First United Methodist Church in LA and is the co-author of the forthcoming book, 'Out of the Depths: Your Companion After Divorce.' Follower her on Twitter - https://twitter.com/RevMama
This weeks word is Transfiguration and as always Johanna is asking the hard questions. Let's just hope her comparing Jesus to Freddie Mercury doesn't get her struck by lightening.
Deuteronomy 26.1-11, Psalm 91.1-2, 9-16, Romans 10.8b-13, Luke 4.1-13; What does it mean to observe a liturgical season? Did anything good come from the 1950s? How is Lent like a car crash? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Sarah Condon.
The podcast team caught up with Emma Green to talk about the implications of what occurred at the Special General Conference in St. Louis. Emma argues the storyline coming out of #GC2019 is a common storyline being experience throughout the United States: a breakdown or inability to live in community with people who we disagree with. This struggle to maintain community is causing fracture throughout institutions that once held up our communities.
Emma Green is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers politics, policy, and religion.
https://www.theatlantic.com/author/emma-green/
https://twitter.com/emmaogreen
By a slim margin the 'traditional plan' was selected to be the way forward for the United Methodist Church. Disciplinary action against LGBTQIA clergy will be swifter and without the benefit of due process. In all reality, the plan selected by the Special General Conference does not meet the UMC's constitutional requirements.
Just an hour after the Special General Conference was adjourned, Crackers & Grape Juice sat down with our favorite thoughtful pastor, Christy Thomas, the debrief and talk about what is next as the UMC becomes more divided, and LGBTQIA persons are delivered a legislative knife in the back.
The team caught up with Diana Butler Bass on the eve of the conclusion of the UMC's Special General Conference. She offers thoughts about the historical and theological significance of a denomination's discernment over human sexuality.
In an effort to provide honest conversations from the 2019 Special General Conference, the Crackers & Grape Juice team invited supporters of all of the plans being considered by the United Methodist Church’s governing body to explain why the plan they support is the correct plan.
Former alumni of Bob Jones University and current members of the West-Ohio Conference, Rev. Jeff Mullinix and Steve Shamblin-Mullinix share their thoughts on the Special UMC General Conference, recalling their calling into ministry and forced removal because of their sexual identity.
In an effort to provide honest conversations from the 2019 Special General Conference, the Crackers & Grape Juice team invited supporters of all of the plans being considered by the United Methodist Church’s governing body to explain why the plan they support is the correct plan.
Rev. Christy Thomas, author of the Thoughtful Pastor blog, offers her reflections after Day 2 of the Special 2019 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Christy has been a vocal advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the UMC.
The team sat down to talk about day two from the Special General Conference in St. Louis...
In an effort to provide honest conversations from the 2019 Special General Conference, the Crackers & Grape Juice team invited supporters of all of the plans being considered by the United Methodist Church’s governing body to explain why the plan they support is the correct plan.
Mark Tooley explains why the Traditional Plan from the Commission on the Way Forward is the best plan to help the United Methodist Church move forward in this ongoing conversation about human sexuality.
Mark Tooley is an American Methodist layman and writer. He is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, who became president of the Washington-D.C. based Institute on Religion and Democracy, in 2009, a conservative religious think tank noted for its opposition to religious and social liberalism.
If an effort to provide honest conversations from the 2019 Special General Conference, the Crackers & Grape Juice team invited supporters of all of the plans being considered by the United Methodist Church’s governing body to explain why the plan they support is the correct plan.
Anna Golladay was removed from her appointment because she officiated a same-sex wedding. She has traveled to St Louis for the called General Conference as a lay observer, present to ensure the LGBTQ voices in her Bible-belt community are not ignored as the United Methodist Church meets to find a way forward.
The team talks about the early legislative session from Day 2 of General Conference 2019 as we prepare for the first debates about the proposed plans from The Way Forward.
The team had a chance to sit down with Bishop Will Willimon to talk about the Special General Conference, hopes, challenges, and the call to keep muddling.
Why do I get the feeling like we're on the Titanic and we're all acting like Billy Zane? The team from C&GJ is in St. Louis for the United Methodist Church's Special General Conference on human sexuality and this is the first of many uploads about our experience.
Professor John Goldingay has Old Testament at Fuller Seminary and now at Oxford. His most recent work is his translation of the Old Testament.
Genesis 45.3-11, 15, Psalm 37.1-11, 39-40, 1 Corinthians 15.35-38, 42-50, Luke 6.27-38; Why does God work through fallen people? Should we expect to suffer for our faith? How painful is it to love your enemies? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joshua Retterer.
Andy Doyle is the Episcopal bishop of Texas and the author of numerous books including his most recent work, The Jesus Heist.
The team is back together this week and taking on one of the most thought about things in theology: Theodicy.
Jeremiah 17.5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15.12-20, Luke 6.17-26; What does it mean to be an internet friend? Can we really delight in the Law? Is it immoral to be wealthy? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Joshua Retterer.
Jason wrote a book. It's out in paperback. Do him a solid and buy a copy for 10 of your favorite people. He'll be eternally grateful.
This is not a book for people who have cancer. This is a book for people who are mortal.
--Brian Zahnd, Pastor of Word of Life Church
https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Funny-Keeping-Faith-Stage-Serious/dp/1506456987
Isaiah 6.1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11, Luke 5.1-11; What happens when you go fishing with Jesus? Should preachers intentionally confuse people? What's a spiritual hangover? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen.
This week the award-winning director and founder of Journey Films, Martin Doblimeier is back to talk about his newest film, Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story. Listen as he talks about how the life of theologian, philosopher and civil rights activist, Howard Thurman is relevant and important for today's culture.
This week Jason and Johanna talk about the importance and significance of Signs. Listen in as we work our way through the alphabet one stained glass word at a time.
Jeremiah 1.4-10, Psalm 71.1-6, 1 Corinthians 13.1-13, Luke 4.21-30; Is it better to build or destroy in ministry? What texts are the best wedding texts? Does Jesus wear the jersey for the other team? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen.
This one is a great episode even if it’s a little Methodist-centric. In advance of the Special Sex Conference in St. Louis, Teer and Jason talk with journalist, blogger (The Thoughtful Christian), and former UMC pastor Christy Thomas. Christy breaks down the various proposals before the UMC regarding sexuality, why the Traditionalist Plan is the Mean Girl Plan, and why there’s no future for Teer in the UMC.
After a long Christmas hiatus (ie, Johanna is lazy), the gang is back, working our way through the alphabet one stained glass word at a time. Up next: ‘Sermon.’
Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a, Luke 4.14-21; Does history keep repeating itself? Are people allowed to clap in worship? What's the most important question to ask in church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton.
Ever get confused about the Old Testament? Listen to professor, banjo player, and author of the new book Old Testament: Israel's In Your Face God talk about his new guide through the Old Testament.
Isaiah 62.1-5, Psalm 36.5-10, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, John 2.1-11; Is there a dark side to being the light to the nations? Is the American church in exile? What's the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Todd Littleton.
Isaiah 43.1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8.14-17, Luke 2.15-17, 21-22; Should we light stuff on fire in church? What does it mean to be redeemed? What does the voice of the Lord sound like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Drew Colby.
Jonathan is a director for InterVarsity Chrisian Fellowship in NYC. He was named one of Christianity Today’s 33 Under 33 and has published 3 books of poetry.
Isaiah 60.1-6, Psalm 72, Ephesians 3.1-12, Matthew 2.1-12; Why is Epiphany one of the most important Sundays of the year? Why does God's judgment make us so uncomfortable? Why did the magi bring such terrible gifts to Mary and Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
1 Samuel 2.18-20, 22-26, Psalm 148, Colossians 3.12-17, Luke 2.41-52; What does faithful living look like in the shadow of Christmas? Is there a difference between praise and gratitude? Are we allowed to wear hats to the dinner table? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
As Advent turns Christmas, Fleming and Jason talk about Christmas coming in a burst, the light shining most bright in the world’s darkness, and the need for white Christians to listen to the experience of black Christians. The audio is a little wonky in the beginning on her end...bear with it. It’s worth it. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! In this episode we bring you some of our favorite Christmas songs and thoughts about what they mean to us.
Songs:
The Oh Hello's - Cold Is The Night
Tom Waits - Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis
The Washington Chorus - The Dream Isaiah Saw
Nat King Cole - O Holy Night
Sufjan Stevens - Christmas Unicorn
To close out the Advent season, Teer and Jason talk with Dr. Matt Milliner, professor of Art History at Wheaton College, about the Mother of God, finding the subversive IN the tradition, and how God debilitates himself to show us how he loves us. No matter what. Merry Christmas from the gang at Crackers and Grape Juice.
What the heck does Repentance even mean? This week Johanna, Jason and Teer tackle what biblical Repentance looks like without using stained glass language.
Isaiah 9.2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2.11-14, Luke 2.1-20; What are the best and worst parts of leading worship on Christmas Eve? Do we see the eschaton in the manger? Can you tell the Christmas story without interpretation? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli.
Micah 5.2-5a, Psalm 80.1-7, Hebrews 10.5-10, Luke 1.39-55; Why was Bethlehem such a little town? What does Christ's peace look like? Is is a good thing to look like an idiot from the pulpit? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Scott Jones from the Synaxis podcast.
Jason and Teer dive into Dr. Jeff Mallinson's book Sexy: The Quest for Erotic Virtue in Perplexing Times. Listen as they talk about the effects of purity culture and how Jeff counters that in his new book.
John 11 says Jesus is the "resurrection and the life." But what does resurrection mean? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is considered to be the lynchpin of Christianity but scarcely anyone is talking about it apart from Easter or perhaps into Eastertide.
In this episode Johanna tackles resurrection with Teer and Jason, as always, by her side. But lets be honest, she really doesn't need them.
Zephaniah 3.14-20, Isaiah 12.2-6, Philippians 4.4-7, Luke 3.7-18; What happens when the two greatest lectionary podcast hosts get together to record an episode? Is it possible to rejoice while suffering? Are we living in the golden age of television? Should we be praying to baby Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Scott Jones (from the Synaxis Podcast).
Part 2 of Jason's conversation with fan favorite, Reverend Fleming Rutledge, to talk about her latest book, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ. To dig more into her book and themes, go to www.adventbeginsinthedark.com to subscribe to C&GJ’s daily Advent devotional.
Johanna, Jason, and Teer continue their way through the alphabet, one stained glass word at a time.
Friend of the podcast, fellow Princeton alum, and host of the New Persuasive Words podcast, Scott Jones joined Jason for a quick run down unpacking the stained glass language readers have encountered during our daily devotional series “Advent Begins in the Dark,” which you can subscribed to at www.adventbeginsinthedark.com.
Jason sat down with fan favorite, Reverend Fleming Rutledge, to talk about her latest book, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ. To dig more into her book and themes, go to www.adventbeginsinthedark.com to subscribe to C&GJ’s daily Advent devotional.
Jeremiah 33.14-16, Psalm 25.1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3.9-13, Luke 21.25-36; What does executing justice look like? What happened to having some humility in church? Is advent inherently apocalyptic? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Michelle Matthews.
Christian Piatt returns to the podcast to talk about the latest installation in his Surviving the Bible series.
Christian is:
A Contributor to the Huffington Post;
A Blogger for Patheos;
A Contributor to Red Letter Christians;
A Contributor to The Ooze, and;
A Contributor to Burnside Writers Collective, among others.
Connect with Christian on Twitter or Facebook for the latest news and updates, or contact Christian for more information about his services.
From the publisher -
A lot of us have tried to read the Bible. And we've failed. Christian Piatt has too. But now, using the annual lectionary as his guide, he has put together a devotional that allows us to read through major parts of the Old and New Testaments and finally understand them in plain English. Every week has several Scripture readings, explanations of confusing terms, a story, a deeper dive into interesting themes, and a closing prayer.
You can use it as a weekly study or browse a thematic list for something you're curious about. It's an ideal resource to use with a friend or small group, but it's set up to be accessed by anyone who has enough curiosity, openness, and desire to grow.
Start anywhere. Set it down and come back to it. There's no "wrong way" to use Surviving the Bible. Engage ancient texts in new ways that make sense, here and now, maybe for the first time. Any way you use it, it's sure to challenge and inspire.
http://www.fortresspress.com/product/surviving-bible-devotional-church-year-2019#
2 Samuel 23.1-7, Psalm 132.1-18, Revelation 1.4b-8, John 18.33-37; What's so important about Christ the King Sunday? Is there such a thing as generational evangelism? Should we put American flags in the sanctuary? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jonathan Page.
Scot McKnight joins the show to talk about his latest book, 'It Takes a Church to Baptize'
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1587434164
From the back jacket - The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized?
Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. The book includes a foreword by Todd Hunter and an afterword by Gerald McDermott.
1 Samuel 1.4-20, Psalm 16, Hebrews 10.11-25, Mark 13.1-8; Is Christianity responsible for reframing culture? What does it mean for the church to provide refuge? Can MTV Diary teach us something about Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jonathan Page.
Addison Hart joins the podcast to talk about his latest book, 'The Letter of James: A Pastoral Commentary'.
https://www.amazon.com/Letter-James-Pastoral-Commentary/dp/1532650140
From the back cover: The Letter of James is perhaps needed more than ever today. In this commentary, Hart argues that the epistle is indeed the work of James of Jerusalem, “the brother of the Lord,” that it was an encyclical letter, and that its chief concern was to combat a distorted version of Paul’s gospel. It is a work with a singular purpose: to bring the churches back to the most basic teachings of Jesus. In its defense of orthopraxy as the primary Christian standard, its denunciation of those with wealth who exploit or neglect the poor, its hard words for those who have taken on the mantel of “teacher” without first learning to restrain their tongues, and above all its exhortation to relearn the truth that “faith without works [of love] is dead,” James could be talking to churches in our own time. This commentary presents James afresh, as a living guide with a perennial message for those who seek to follow Jesus. It is pastoral in intent, written for those who teach and preach, those who desire a more authentic discipleship, and those who practice lectio divina—the meditative reading of Scripture.
_____________________
Addison Hodges Hart is a retired priest (of both the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches, M.Div.), former college chaplain for Northern Illinois University, teacher, spiritual director, and former ecumenical/interfaith director (for the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois). He is the author of six previous books, published by Eerdmans, the most recent being The Ox-Herder and the Good Shepherd: Finding Christ on the Buddha's Path (2013), Strangers and Pilgrims Once More: Being Disciples of Jesus in a Post-Christendom World (2014), and The Woman, the Hour, and the Garden: A Study of Imagery in the Gospel of John (2016). He currently lives with his wife in Norway, along with two Newfoundland dogs, a herd of cats, and some goats.
What the hell sort of stained-glass words start with Q? How about quietism? What's that? You might be asking that question, still, after the latest episode.
Ruth 3.1-4, 4.13-17, Psalm 127, Hebrews 9.24-28, Mark 12.38-44; Is it possible to hear someone blushing on a podcast? What is podophobia? Should we listen to people who wear robes on Sunday? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
The intersection of faith and doubt is viewed either as a badge of honor for some Christians but for others, doubt has no place. In his new book, 'Faith in the Shadows:
Finding Christ in the Midst of Doubt,' pastor and author Austin Fischer explores this intersection, drawing on his own experience as a doubting pastor.
https://www.ivpress.com/faith-in-the-shadows
Austin Fischer is the Teaching Pastor at Vista Community Church. His first book – 'Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed' - was published by Wipf & Stock in January 2014. He writes and speaks and you can follow him on Twitter @austintfischer.
www.http://austinfischer.com/
Isaiah 25.6-9, Psalm 24, Revelation 21.1-6a, John 11.32-44; What is All Saints? How long should communion tables be? Is time malleable? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kameron Wilds.
Job 42.1-6, 10-17, Psalm 34.1-8, 19-22, Hebrews 7.23-28, Mark 10.46-52; What does it take to preach better sermons? Can anything good come from dissonance? Which comes first - believing or seeing? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kameron Wilds.
Two longtime Mockingbird writers, Charlotte Getz and Stephanie Phillips, have written a book that features a patchwork of personal essays, pocket liturgies, and pseudo-fictional plays, and not a dull moment between them. Stephanie Phillips and Charlotte Getz never expected to raise their families anywhere but home, in the American South. But then…life happened. Quirky, hilarious, and (mostly) true, UNMAPPED is the tale of two long-distance friends who found home—together and apart—in unexpected exile. This spiritual memoir duet is unlike anything you’ve ever read.
With Teer in jail without bail for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, Johanna and Jason discuss an extra P-word: Prayer.
Job 38.1-7, 34-41, Psalm 104.1-9, 24, 35c, Hebrews 5.1-10, Mark 10.35-45; Should we always read before we see? What biblical texts should we read to those who are suffering? Why don't we hear about Jesus' priestly role? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lindsey Baynham.
Luke Norsworthy is known for a few things: amazing hair, a CrossFit body most dads dream of, and a keen awareness that what we say about God has implications that go beyond the cliché. In his new book, 'God Over Good,' Luke explores what it means to save your faith by letting go of the expectations we place on God.
An excerpt from the book: "God doesn't always seem to be what we would call good. A good father wouldn't make it so difficult to get to know him, would he? And if God is all-powerful, wouldn't God ensure that we never suffer? Either our understanding of God is incorrect, or our definition of good is inadequate.
In a world that is messy and a church that is imperfect, it's easy to let our faith be lost. But that doesn't mean we have to lose God. It means we must consider that perhaps our idealized expectations are wrong.
With transparency about his own struggles with cynicism and doubt, pastor Luke Norsworthy will help you trade your confinement of God to an anemic definition of good for confidence in the God who is present in everything."
uke Norsworthy (MDiv, Abilene Christian University) is the senior pastor of the 1,500-member Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin, Texas. A frequent speaker at universities, retreats, and conferences, he is the host of the popular Newsworthy with Norsworthy podcast on which he has rubbed shoulders with some of the brightest and most prominent voices in theology, including N. T. Wright, Barbara Brown Taylor, Mirsolav Volf, Walter Brueggemann, John Ortberg, and more. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and three daughters.
http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/god-over-good/390350
It is often said that one of the GREATEST ideas to come out of the Reformation was the priesthood of all believers. But what does that actually mean? Come to think of it what does priest and priesthood actually mean?
Job 23.1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22.1-15, Hebrews 4.12-16, Mark 10.17-31; What's so good about hippos and Harry Potter? Should we be vulnerable in church? Is there room to be bold by the altar? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Lindsey Baynham.
Natasha S. Robinson joins the podcast to talk about her new book, 'A Sojourner's Truth.' Natasha is a Naval Academy graduate, served in the United States Marine Corps, was the Senior Diversity Admissions Counselor in the Office of Admissions at the Naval Academy, and is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Charlotte.
The journey of one of us is the journey of all of us. In these pages we are drawn into the journey of a young African American girl from South Carolina to the United States Naval Academy and then into a calling as a speaker, mentor, writer, and teacher. Intertwined with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson's story is the story of Moses, a young leader who was born into a marginalized people group, resisted injustices of Pharaoh, denied the power of Egypt, and trusted God even when he did not fully understand or know where he was going. Along the way we courageously explore the spiritual and physical tensions of truth-telling, character and leadership development, and bridge building across racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender lines. You are invited to bring along your story as well - to discover your own identity, explore your truth-revealing moments, to live unafraid, and to gain a deeper sense of purpose.
http://www.natashasrobinson.com/books/
The Holy Spirit descends and then the Church has a birthday, right? Pentecost is more than a celebratory reduction to avoid the theological implications of what the early Christians experienced. In this episode of (Her)MenYouTics while Johanna proves she's read chapter 2 of Acts and Teer that he knows what Penta means, Jason goes on a rant about birthdays and the Holy Spirit.
Job 1.1, 2.1-10, Psalm 26, Hebrews 1.1-4, 2.5-12, Mark 10.2-16; What does it mean to read canonically? Is Moses in the New Testament? How can we talk about divorce in the church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Peter Kwon.
Everyone has a backstory, and for preachers, that backstory sets the stage for preaching.
Lisa Cressman is the author of 'Backstory Preaching: Integrating Life, Spirituality, and Craft' (The Liturgical Press: Collegeville, 2018), and Craft an Effective Sermon by Friday, (www.backstorypreaching.com), a guest preacher, preaching instructor, and speaker. Lisa is a Certified Daring Way® Facilitator, holds a BS in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA., and a D.Min. in Practical Theology from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.
Esther 7.1-6, 9-10; 9.20-22, Psalm 124, James 5.13-20, Mark 9.38-50; What's it like to work with the Tamed Cynic? Is God in the book of Esther? Does Jesus employ the use of hyperbole? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Peter Kwon.
In this episode Jason talks with Parker Palmer about his new book On The Brink Of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old. In addition to the book they talk about a number of other subjects including community organizing during social unrest, incarnation politics, and treating depression with medication.
Proverbs 31.10-31, Psalm 1, James 3.13-4.3, 7-8a, Mark 9.30-37; What should we do with wicked advice? Who is truly prosperous in God's kingdom? How can we develop better habits of faithfulness? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Layman.
I met Dr. Rolf Jacobson at the Festival of Homiletics where, eavesdropping on me preaching, he said I sounded more Protestant than any of his students at Luther Seminary. You can check out his sermon here.
Dr. Jacobson is the author of Crazy Talk and hosts his own lectionary-based podcast as well. In this episode, he and I talk about the distinction between the Law and the Gospel as a particular emphasis of the Protestant Reformation as well as the role of the Psalms in shaping prayer and giving voice to our emotions before God. In particular, we talk about suffering, his own journey with cancer that’s left him withouth his legs, and the church as a community of care.
Proverbs 1.20-33, Psalm 19, James 3.1-12, Mark 8.27-38; What's it like to have church off the map? Is there a good side of fear? How should preachers pray before they preach? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Layman.
Dr. Johanna Hartelius, host of the (Her)MenYouTics podcast, offers her 3 do's and don'ts of preaching.
Johanna has a Ph.D. in communication/rhetoric from the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in digital rhetoric, public discourse analysis/criticism, political communication, professional communication skills.
Proverbs 22.1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125, James 2.1-17, Mark 7.24-37; Who likes big buts? Do churches sow injustice? What makes Jesus sigh? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli.
“Protest that precedes prayer is theologically disordered.
“It’s pastorally cruel to exhort unbelievers who do not have the gift of the Holy Spirit to live up to the standards of our baptismal covenant.”
”There’s no urgency in either Testament for God’s People to get involved in the politics of the Principalities and Powers.”
John Nugent is professor of Old Testament at Great Lake Christian College and the author of Endangered Gospel: How Fixing the World is Killing the Church.
Songs of Songs 2.8-13, Psalm 45.1-2, 6-9, James 1.17-27, Mark 7.1-8, 14-15, 21-23; Who is the most handsome of men? Does Jesus have a crush on the church? What's the best biblical advice? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Micheli.
A conversation between Teer & Taylor about Taylor's sermon, "The Elephant in the Room" which can be found in the #1 New Release, 'I Like Big Buts.'
https://www.amazon.com/Like-Big-Buts-Reflections-Letter/dp/1983368830/
1 Kings 8.22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84, Ephesians 6.10-20, John 6.56-69; How important are movie quotes? Where does God dwell? Is it possible to pray for the wrong people? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ryan LaRock.
During our recent live podcast event in Hampton, Virginia we were able to open the space up for questions to our guests Dr. Johanna Hartelius and Dr. Kendall Soulen. In their responses they address kinship language, the fullness of God, proper names, true freedom, and what it means to be the church.
1 Kings 2.10-12, 3.3-14, Psalm 111, Ephesians 5.15-20, John 6.51-58; Should Christians spend more time outside of the church? What happens when we tinker with our prayers? Can we find mercy in music? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ryan LaRock.
The team hosted a live podcast in Hampton, Virginia and invited Dr. Kendall Soulen and Dr. Johanna Hartelius to join us for a conversation about what we talk about when we talk about God. During the first part of the evening we covered a range of topics including the Doxology, the 10 Questions from Inside The Actor's Studio, theological grammar, the power of words, gendered pronouns, the challenge of active listening, and co-opted speech. Our next next episode will include the Q&A portion of the live event.
2 Samuel 18.5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130, Ephesians 4.25-5.2, John 6.35, 41-51; What is the lived reality of the biblical narrative? Is anger a good thing? Should we be more careful with how we use rainbows and fires in church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chenda Innis Lee.
Mark Galli is the editor in chief at Christianity Today and he recently published a book entitled Karl Barth: An Introductory Biography for Evangelicals. Jason was able to sit down with Mark to talk about the book and in particular the effects of Barth's Romans, the errancy of scripture, moving from the pulpit to the classroom, and weakness in American preaching.
2 Samuel 11.26-12.13a, Psalm 51.1-12, Ephesians 4.1-16, John 6.24-35; What happens when you put God in God's place? Who is the most underrated prophet in the bible? Should we share our passwords with our spouses? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Chenda Innis Lee.
In this episode Taylor talks with 2/3 of the writers of The Prayer Wheel (Patton Dodd and Jana Riess). In 2015 a group of rare manuscripts went on display in New York and inside the front cover was a very well worn prayer wheel. Their book unpacks the discovery of the medieval prayer wheel and how it can speak prayerful disciplines into our lives today.
2 Samuel 11.1-15, Psalm 14, Ephesians 3.12-21, John 6.1-21; What happens if someone curses in the pulpit? Is it better to happy or content? Are we all working toward perfection? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Daniel Burch.
What happens when an entire denomination struggles with language regarding human sexuality and three pastors try to ask questions?
Taylor talks with Teer about a sermon Teer contributed to the newly released book from Crackers and Grape Juice. 'I Like Big Buts' is a collection of reflections and sermon from the C&GJ team on Paul's letter to Rome.
In this episode Taylor and Teer discussion Teer's sermon "Words Are Always Necessary"
From the back cover:
It is in Romans that Paul reveals that he is convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor demons nor the present or future—really not anything or any power in all of creation—can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus ([8:38]). And even pithier—I love this one especially—Paul assures us in Romans that if God is for us, who could be against us? ([8:31]).
It is in Romans that Paul reveals that he is convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor demons nor the present or future—really not anything or any power in all of creation—can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus ([8:38]). And even pithier—I love this one especially—Paul assures us in Romans that if God is for us, who could be against us? ([8:31]).
In this collection of sermons, you’ll find three United Methodist pastors doing what pastors do, sharing the good news. And trying to help us members of the laity get a healthy dose of some blessed catechism.
The book is available in paperback or as an ebook. By purchasing the book you help us keep the conversation about faith without stained-glass language flowing.
What does it mean to make an offering? We talk about offerings each week during worship as metal plates passed through our sanctuaries. Did you know offerings go back to the Hebrew Bible and were a part of how the day-to-day religious life of Israel was organized? What do can we make of Christ's offering for us? And how then are we making an offering to God? This and more on this episode about 'offering.'
2 Samuel 6.1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24, Ephesians 1.3-14, Mark 6.14-29; Should we try worshiping with more than one congregation? What makes a church multiracial? What is heaven really like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner.
In this episode Jason Micheli talks with Ken Jones, the pastor of Glendale Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, Florida and the co-host of the radio show "The White Horse Inn." They cover a number of subjects including the Scofield Bible, grace over race, serving a church in Compton, the folly of institutional diversity, peculiar speech, and unhealthy alliances.
"Omni" is a prefix we attached to God without thinking: omnipresent, Omni-powerful. But what does "omni" really mean? And, if God is all things is Dr. Johanna correct in her 3rd grade question, "is God in my poop?"
Music used in the middle of the episode - "God is Not a White Man" by Gungor
2 Samuel 5.1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12.2-10, Mark 6.1-13; Is vulnerable leadership good leadership? Should we be afraid in church? What does Mr. Rogers have to teach us about the importance of silence? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner.
Taylor and Teer got together to record an episode shortly before our last live event. Their conversation covers a range of topics including steep learning curves, the challenges of regular preaching, pastoral transitions, the intersection of politics and theology, faithful hospitality, proper boundaries, ecclesial whiplash, sleeping in church, and what it's like to work with the Tamed Cynic (Jason Micheli).
In this epsidoe we talk about the Law, Romans 13, proof-texting, Jeff Sessions, and MSNBC. Is the take away its okay to suck or is it as Dr. Johanna insists that we should have some shame?
2 Samuel 1.1, 17-27, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 8.7-15, Mark 5.21-43; What happens when you take politics out of the church? Are we allowed to be angry during worship? What's the greatest gift we can give to someone in need? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Byassee.
For Episode #157, we talked with Erin McKenney who is the Executive Director of Just Neighbors, a legal aid and advocacy organization for immigrants in the DC-Northern Virginia Region. We talked to Erin amidst the furor over the administration's policy of separating children from their parents at the border. Erin helps us think about the issue of immigration from a broader systemic perspective as well as biblically in a way that, I think, moves beyond headline hyperbole and avoids perpetuating the cultural antagonisms of Red vs. Blue.
1 Samuel 17.32-49, Psalm 9.9-20, 2 Corinthians 6.1-13, Mark 4.35-41; What's it like being a Canadian Christian? Should we embrace the weirdness of the bible? How is Paul like a golden retriever? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Jason Byassee.
If its true that clergy suffer from certain health issues at a rate higher than the general population, the why are pastors in such poor health? And what can be done to help them step into the abundant life God desires for them?
We tackle these questions and more with the co-authors of Faithful and Fractured: Responding to the Clergy Health Crisis, Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, and Jason Byassee.
From the book -
"Although anecdotal observations about poor clergy health abound, concrete data from multiple sources supporting this claim hasn't been made accessible--until now. Duke's Clergy Health Initiative (CHI), a major, decade-long research project, provides a true picture of the clergy health crisis over time and demonstrates that improving the health of pastors is possible. Bringing together the best in social science and medical research, this book quantifies the poor health of clergy with theological engagement. Although the study focused on United Methodist ministers, the authors interpret CHI's groundbreaking data for a broad ecumenical readership. In addition to physical health, the book examines mental health and spiritual well-being, and suggests that increasing positive mental health may prevent future physical and mental health problems for clergy. Concrete suggestions tailored to clergy are woven throughout the book."
https://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Fractured-Responding-Clergy-Health/dp/0801098831/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528912386&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=faithfully+fractured
1 Samuel 15.34-16.13, Psalm 20, 2 Corinthians 5.6-10, 14-17, Mark 4.26-34; What is like going from the pew to the pulpit? What's a good question for starting a conversation? Do we need new parables? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Adam Baker.
Jason has a conversation with Robert Hudson about his book The Monk's Record Player. They discuss the connections between Bob Dylan's music and Thomas Merton's spirituality in addition to debating whether or not engaging with the wider world is a greater challenge today than ever because we're never really alone.
1 Samuel 8.4-20, Psalm 138, 2 Corinthians 4.13-5.1, Mark 3.20-35; Will listening to Against Me! make you a better Christian? How can we embody our prayers? Should we embrace the mystery of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Adam Baker.
What if we told you 1/123 people were displaced refugees?
What if we told you that means there are 65 million people displaced today?
Would that have an impact and change the way you think of refugees?
Teer had a chance to interview the co-chairs of the One Journey Festival Wendy Chan and Vanda Berninger. They talk refugees, messy book shelves, and why you need to attend the One Journey Festival on June 2 at the National Cathedral.
1 Samuel 3.1-10, Psalm 139.1-6, 13-18, 2 Corinthians 4.5-12, Mark 2.23-3.6; What happens when you name a child after a biblical character? Do we worship a God of divine repetition? What are the connections between dissonance and harmony? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim.
Teer and Jason talk with Episcopal priest, school chaplain, and Mockingbird writer Connor Gwin about deconstruction, doubt vs. faith vs. authenticity, Stan the Man, formation, and life after near death.
2/3 of the (Her)MenYouTics team are pastors serving in the United Methodist Church. In this episode, Johanna takes us through the theological origins of Methodism, and Jason and Teer explain why they fell called to be a part of the Methodist tradition.
Isaiah 6.1-8, Psalm 29, Romans 8.12-17, John 3.1-17; Is it necessary for Christians to feel like strangers in a strange land? How can visitation feel like proclamation? How can we receive the keys to heaven? Is there splendor in silence? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Mikang Kim.
The team got together, in person, to record an episode about music and how it moves us. We talk about a bunch of bands including John Prine, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, the North Mississippi Allstars, and more.
On June 14th, 2018 the team behind Crackers & Grape Juice will be hosting a live event in Hampton, VA. We will be at Bull Island Brewing Company from 6pm - 9pm with special guests to talk about faith and theology without using stained glass language. The event is free (!) and you can learn more at www.crackersandgrapejuice.com
Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.24-35b, Romans 8.22-27, John 15.26-17, 16.4b-15; What happens when you live off the map? How can we be faithfully diverse? Is Pentecost the birthday of the church? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alex Joyner.
Jason was fortunate to have a conversation with Andy Crouch about his book The Tech-Wise Family. Their conversation covers scope of Crouch's book and it includes thoughts on intentional parenting, technology as the framework of the world, pharmaceuticals as idolatry, password sharing, and much more.
Missio Dei - We're on a mission from God.
In this episode, we break down the differences between missio dei and missio ecclesia.
Acts 1.15-17, 21-26, Psalm 1, 1 John 5.9-13, John 17.6-19; Is the church supposed to be democratic? Are there connections between finances and church leadership? How do we know what we need? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Benson McGlone.
Veteran Republican strategist Brad Todd joined Teer and Jason to talk about a book he co-wrote with syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Salena Zito. 'The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics,'is an in-depth examination of the 2016 presidential election. Brad and Selena examine the why and how of the outcome of the election and then look to how 2016 will influence elections to come.
Playing a big role in all of this was Trump's conservative-evangelical base. What does this mean for Christian influencers and candidates in elections to come? That and more on this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice.
From the publisher - The Great Revolt delves deep into the minds and hearts of the voters the make up this coalition. What emerges is a group of citizens who cannot be described by terms like "angry," "male," "rural," or the often-used "racist." They span job descriptions, income brackets, education levels, and party allegiances. What unites them is their desire to be part of a movement larger than themselves that puts pragmatism before ideology, localism before globalism, and demands the respect it deserves from Washington.
Does liturgy really mean work of the people? Does liturgy have anything to do with guilt or shame? We tackle this and more as we talk about LITURGY on (Her)MenYouTics
Acts 10.44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5.1-6, John 15.9-17; What's more important in the church - quantity or quality? How do we tell stories well? What is the most difficult commandment? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Benson McGlone.
In a culture where guns are such a fraught and divisive issue, Tony brings his life experience, passion, and theological lens to the subject. Check out his hunting blog - http://reverendhunter.com/.
What was supposed to be a conversation about Luke, turned into a conversation about laughter. We cover divine humor, a few potty jokes, and even talk about not-so-funny Christian comedians.
Acts 8.26-40, Psalm 22.26-40, 1 John 4.7-21, John 15.1-8; What should you do when there's an interruption in worship? What's the best model for evangelism? Is there a difference between the personal Jesus and the cosmic Jesus? Can the church grow by subtraction? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs.
Rev. Sarah Condon joins the podcast to talk about progressive Christianity, hitting television preachers with cafeteria trays, and explains how she's experienced God's grace while serving as a hospital chaplain.
Sarah is a frequent contributor to Mockingbird, a ministry that seeks to connect the Christian faith with realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways. She is also the author of 'Churchy.'
Acts 4.5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3.16-24, John 10.11-18; Can anything good come out of Twitter? What are we supposed to do with stained glass language? Is it possible to have love without sacrifice? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Alan Combs.
What happens when you read the Easter story in the present tense? What can we learn about Paul's personality in the original Greek? Who put together the worst translation of the New Testament? These questions and more on this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice with David Bentley Hart.
In this episode, we consider what the event and content of preaching means. Are we talking about a narrative of events, exegesis of scripture, or the God? All of it? Also, what about the listener, do they play a role? This and more on (Her)MenYouTics.
Acts 3.12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3.1-7, Luke 24.36b-48; Should we read/preach beyond, or before, the lectionary texts? How was Jesus both elected and rejected? Is the gospel immoral? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
Sharing from his own journey, David Finnegan-Hosey puts into words how faith communities can be present alongside those suffering from mental illness and crises in 'Christ on the Psych Ward.' David Finnegan-Hosey currently serves as a chaplain-in-residence at Georgetown University, having previously worked with campus ministries at American University and the University of Hawaii. He holds an M.Div from Wesley Theological Seminary. In 2011, David was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. He now speaks and writes about the intersections among mental illness, mental health, and faith. You can read more of his writing on his blog, Foolish Hosey. David lives in Washington, DC with his wife Leigh and their dog Penny Lane.
https://www.christonthepsychward.com/
Acts 4.32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1.1-2.2, John 20.19-31; What's the difference between unity and uniformity? Do we rely too heavily on statistics? What does resurrection breath smell like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Tim Ward and Sarah Locke.
Gun violence has increased exponentially in the United States. Can the church play a role in making not only our communities safer but also in thinking theologically about violence, guns, and our calling to live as disciples of Jesus Christ?
Pastor Amy Butler is the seventh Senior Minister and the first woman to serve at the helm of the Riverside Church in New York City. She holds degrees from Baylor University, the International Baptist Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary.
Follow Pastor Amy on her blog www.talkwiththepreacher.org or on social media @PastorAmyTRC.
Isaiah 25.1-9, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15.1-11, Mark 16.1-8; Is resurrection synonymous with celebrating the spring? What should be preached on Easter Sunday? How does God show up? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli.
In this episode, Jason talks with Chad Bird about his two new books Night Driving and You're God is Too Glorious. An Old Testament PhD and one-time Lutheran Pastor, Chad Bird is a Texas oil-truck driver and prodigal son who knows first hand that the Father's love comes by way of the cross.
Isaiah 50.4-9a, Psalm 31.9-16, Philippians 2.5-11, Mark 14.1-15.47; Is it better to read the text alone, or interpret it? Are we free to fail? Why was Jesus crucified? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli.
Dr. Mark Mattes teaches at Grand View University in Iowa. His latest book is Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty. In this episode, we talk about the kenotic love of Christ poured out upon the Cross as the definition of Beauty and the beautiful for the Christian life. Referring to his recent essay in the book The Necessary Distinction, we also discuss how Wesleyans like us Crackers can reconcile 'perfection' with Martin's 'simul.'
Jeremiah 31.31-34, Psalm 51.1-12, Hebrews 5.5-10, John 12.20-33; Why does God make new covenants? Is email inherently sinful? Should we love or hate our lives? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben Maddison.
Joined by Rev. Drew Colby, Teer and Jason interview Dr. Andy Root of Luther Seminary and author of "Faith Formation in a Secular Age: Responding to the Church's Obsession with Youthfulness."
Numbers 21.4-9, Psalm 107.1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2.1-10, John 3.14-21; What's it like serving a church in a post-Christian context? Does allegory fix everything? Can we skip over Good Friday? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Ben Maddison.
"If progressives want to advance their agenda, they need to relearn how to win elections."
In this episode, taped back in the late summer, I talk with Dr. Mark Lilla about his book The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics.
Mark Lilla is Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and a prizewinning essayist for the New York Review of Books and other publications worldwide. His books include The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics; The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction; The Stillborn God: Religion, Politics, and the Modern West; and The Reckless Mind: Intellectuals in Politics. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. VISIT MARKLILLA.COM.
In this episode we consider how God poured himself into human form in the incarnation, and/or how Jesus emptied himself of divinity (like omniscience and omnipotence). But mostly we talk about what human qualities Jesus experienced, the good and the bad. And Jason swears that, if Scarlet Johanssen gave him directions, he would follow them.
Exodus 20.1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1.18-25, John 2.13-22; Which of the commandments is the most misunderstood? Are we more tribal now than ever? Is the law perfect? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Dr. Emily McGowin.
One of the members for the retranslation of the Psalms in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, J Chester Johnson shares his experience of not only interpreting the Psalms but also how this poetic form of scripture still speaks for the church today.
The episode where Johanna is nice to Teer, Jason tells us how to pray, and we talk about John while glossing over John 3:16.
Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22.23-31, Romans 4.13-25, Mark 8.31-38; Why does the covenant sound so boring? Does God suffer with us? Why are we so obsessed with safety? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Dr. Emily McGowin.
Jason and Taylor have a conversation with Chaim Saiman about his viral article for The Atlantic titled Why The Last Jedi Is More Spiritual Than Religious. Chaim is a Law Professor at Villanova University and is interested in the intersection between law and faith. The conversation covers a range of topics including Jesus and the Law, growing up in the bible belt, the First Commandment, Jesus as the proto-Christian, the religiosity of Star Wars, and how our faiths and cultures are tied together.
Johanna, Jason, and Taylor talk about scripture and the season of Lent on this bonus crossover episode.
Genesis 9.8-17, Psalm 25.1-10, 1 Peter 3.18-22, Mark 1.9-15; Does God need to be reminded of the covenant? What is God's truth? Has Lent become Christianity's January? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Micheli and Johanna Hartelius
Does the UMC need a Donald Trump to emerge, willing to disrupt the status quo? Can the UMC move beyond the debate of human sexuality, which is really a debate over power and money, and live into is mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?
Do people change? Or does God declare us to be that which we are manifestly not? Imputation vs. impartation? How do we find a gracious God?
We talk about justification in our latest episode of (Her)MenYoutics, the doctrine at the heart of the Christian faith.
2 Kings 2.1-12, Psalm 50.1-6, 2 Corinthians 4.3-6, Mark 9.2-9; How can we give voice to the voiceless? What's so good about fire? Why does Jesus keep secrets? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Tommie Marshell of the Backsliding Podcast.
Rev. Rob Lee announces his recently signed book deal exclusively with Crackers & Grape Juice. Rob opens up about the new role he finds himself in as a public theologian as well as what he has learned about race in America traveling and preaching at churches he once never dreamed of preaching in.
Isaiah 40.21-31, Psalm 147.1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9.16-23, Mark 1.29-39; Should we use metaphors for God? Have Christians become functionally atheist? Is it okay to vote in church? How do we hunt for Jesus? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Josh Munnikhuysen.
Growing up as a PK and being the spouse of someone who has worked in the local church, Tommie Marshall knows what its like not only for those in ministry but also knows the toll the calling to ministry takes on a family. In her new podcast, Backsliding, she explores the questions she, and others, have felt unable to ask of their pastors or of their neighbor in the pew.
Subscribe to Backsliding and show some love:
http://backsliding.libsyn.com/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/backsliding-a-preachers-daughters-podcast/id1330509557
https://overcast.fm/itunes1330509557/backsliding-a-preachers-daughters-podcast
What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Are we imitations of the Godhead? Of Christ?
Deuteronomy 18.15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8.1-13, Mark 1.21-28; Should we tremble in the pulpit? How are we supposed to pray? What's the difference between knowledge and love? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey.
Diana Butler Bass opens up about s-holes like Nazareth and gratitude while co-preaching with Teer and Jason.
Is scripture infallible? What about Jesus? What does our fallibility compared to Christ mean for things like grace and Christian perfection?
Jonah 3.1-5, 10, Psalm 62.5-12, 1 Corinthians 7.29-31, Mark 1.14-20; What happens when you're given a bad nickname? How do we cultivate scripturally shaped imaginations? What word appears in the Bible more than any other word? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Wil Posey.
Jason, Teer, and Taylor sat down to reflect on the interviews from 2017. The conversation covers a range of topics including bad episode titles, District Superintendents, Bishops, blowing up the UMC, final interviews, controversial topics, Jason's nerves, and the Beyoncé of Anglicanism.
1 Samuel 3.1-10, Psalm 139.1-6, 13-18, 1 Corinthians 6.12-20, John 1.43-51; Why doesn't Samuel listen? How many time do we need to hear something before it sticks? How can we preach on difficult passages? Can anything good come out of this podcast? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
If Belinda Carlisle is right, and Heaven is place on earth, where is Hell? What is Hell?
Genesis 1.1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19.1-7, Mark 1.4-11; How is creation like a conversation? Is there anything good about darkness? Why should we reclaim the Spirit? Was John the first hipster? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Teer Hardy.
In this episode Jason Micheli has a conversation with Josh Larsen about his book Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings. Josh is also the host of the radio show and podcast Filmspotting and is an editor and film reviewer at Think Christian, an online faith and culture magazine. Their conversation also covers reflections on the death of Sam Shepard, the use of creativity, Christian approaches to film, praying with images, and why Wes Anderson is the best.
Is Belinda Carlisle correct? Is Heaven a place on earth? Well according to St. Paul, Belinda might not be wrong.
Isaiah 61.10-62.3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4.4-7, Luke 2.22-40; What gifts should we give Jesus? What does The Bachelor have to do with the Incarnation? How important are sermon titles? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy.
The Crackers & Grape Juice team hosted a live podcast event where we invited Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass to offer thoughts about the 1st and 2nd Advents. In this episode Tripp and Diana respond to questions from the live audience including: Why is the 2nd Advent necessary? Why is Advent important for white people in a world full of racial inequality? What's right with the church? Also, the episode ends with a Christmas sing-a-long led by Tripp...
The Crackers & Grape Juice team hosted a live podcast event where we invited Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass to offer thoughts about the 1st and 2nd Advents. In this episode Diana reflects on the announcement of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the importance of the 2nd Advent, Divine vs. Human Agency, and how to teach our kids about the already but not yet of God's Advent.
The Crackers & Grape Juice team hosted a live podcast event where we invited Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass to offer thoughts about the 1st and 2nd Advents. In this episode Tripp reflects on what it means to Make Advent Great Again, the inherent politics of Advent, the virgin birth, and how to teach children about the importance of this liturgical season.
Tim Keller caused a stir this week on Twitter when he wrote, "Jesus didn't come primarily to solve the economic, political, and social problems of the world. He came to forgive our sins."
Did Jesus come to save us from our sin? Was the purpose of the incarnation to correct the economic, political, and social problems of the world?
2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, Romans 16.25-27, Luke 1.26-38, Luke 1.46b-55; Should we sing Christmas hymns during Advent? How do we respond to God's revelation? What does it mean to magnify the mystery? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Anita Ford.
With the soon to be election day dilemma for conservative evangelicals across Alabama, David French questions where the faith of evangelicals has gone.
In this episode, Teer and Jason interview French discussing trends in media and entertainment in the era of Trump, the evangelical dilemma, and the negative polarization of America.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/453637/roy-moores-evangelical-supporters-lack-faith
Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24, John 1.6-8, 19-28; What's so good about purple paraments? Should we memorize texts from scripture? Can everything be compared to The Wizard of Oz? Should we seek out ugly Christmas trees? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warm with guest Anita Ford.
Reading the Bible does not have to suck. That might sound like news to many. The Bible is a book that begs to be read critically and read often but if you've been told you're not allowed to read it or that your reading is 'wrong,' you might have put it down.
Christian Piatt's new book 'Surviving the Bible: A Devotional for the Church Year 2018,' is a weekly devotional grounded in the Lectionary and he joins us to talk about reading the Bible in plain English and how we need to recapture the practice of hermeneutics.
In this episode Dr. Johanna, Teer, and Jason discuss one of the earliest heresies in Christianity. What you may not know is that this heresy is still alive and strong today.
Isaiah 40.1-11, Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13, 2 Peter 3.8-15a, Mark 1.1-8; What does manscaping have to do with Jesus? Was Isaiah a Socialist? Is Climate Change real? What's the difference between resuscitation and resurrection? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Micheli and Scot Jones.
Church revival is not an easy task. While it took Jesus 3 days to overcome death, revival within the church takes more time. Donna Claycomb Sokol, pastor of Mount Vernon Place UMC in Washington, D.C., is leading her congregation in a revival.
Donna co-wrote A New Day In The City, about this transformation alongside L. Roger Owens.
In the interview Teer talked with Donna about Mount Vernon Place's public repentance for its role in white supremacy, as well as prophetic preaching. On its 100th anniversary, October 2017, the historic congregation, located along busy Massachusetts Ave., repented for its history of being a "representative church".
This particular portion of the interview is important because the banner signed by members of the congregation was displayed outside, along the busy streets of Washington, D.C. This was not only a public display of repentance but it was also a prophetic statement in the midst of white supremacists becoming more emboldened and less afraid of sharing their hatred publically.
Fast forward to November 27, when this banner outside the church were vandalized.
If the events of Charlottesville, VA were not reminder enough that white supremacy, and the accompanying hatred is alive and strong in America, let the vandalism at Mount Vernon Place remind us all. We hope you enjoy this episode of C&GJ.
Fides Qua Creditur OR Fides Qude Creidtur?
Faith by which we believe or faith which we believe?
Dr. Johanna tells you what 'faith' means and why you need to know it to speak Christian better.
Isaiah 64.1-9, Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 1.3-9, Mark 13.24-37; Who wears clip-on bowties? What does it mean to live between two trees? Can replace "faith" with "Jesus"? What do kitten videos have to do with the Kingdom of God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guests Jason Micheli and Scott Jones
In this interview Jason talks with Emma Green of The Atlantic. Green is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers politics, policy, and religion. She's also responsible for the viral video based on what one of her articles, "Do Democrats Have a Religion Problem?" She and Jason discuss that question, the Trump administration, race in Southern Baptist Church, and the role of religion in the public square.
https://www.theatlantic.com/author/emma-green/
Seeking the face of God? Let God's face shine upon you?
What does that even mean?
Dr. Johanna tells you what 'face' means and why you need to know it to speak Christian better.
Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24, Psalm 95.1-7a, Ephesians 1.15-23, Matthew 25.31-46; What does a hipster church look like? What should we do when Caesar yells louder than the Shepherd? What does the hypostatic union have to do with Christ the King? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Matt Hambrick.
Todd Littleton joined to team for this interview with Adam Clark and Christian Piatt at the Theology Beer Camp in January. While the interview was over 9 months ago, who would've thought that the conversation would STILL resonate today as we deal with issues of race and social justice.
Judges 4.1-7, Zephaniah 1.7, 12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11, Matthew 25.14-30; What's so good about vinyl records? (everything) Why do place-names matter? Should we use militaristic language in church? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Matt Hambrick.
Dr. Johanna tells us why Eunuchs are important and why you need to know about them to be a better Christian.
Joshua 24.1-3a, 14-25, Amos 5.18-24, 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18, Matthew 25.1-13; Why do we spend so much time trying to be perfect? If God is "for us" how can we be "for God"? What if God is tired of all our words? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Sarah Locke
Jason had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with Mike McCurry, the White House Press Secretary during the Clinton administration. Their conversation covers a range of topics including CJ Cregg on the West Wing, the cynicism that comes with working for the government, fighting Newt Gingrich, the absence of faith in politics, and thoughts on A Way Forward for the United Methodist Church.
500th Anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses, Jason, Teer, and Johanna talk with the Beyonce of Anglicanism, Fleming Rutledge, about ongoing relevance of Protestantism’s primary message of grace and God’s agency.
Joshua 3.7-17, Micah 3.5-12, 1 Thessalonians 2.9-13, Matthew 23.1-12; What does the Old Testament say about baptism? What happens when we get hangry? Why should we spend more time thanking people? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Rev. Sarah Locke.
Teer and Taylor traveled to the Conference Office in Glen Allen, VA to interview Bishop Lewis. Their conversation covers a range of topics including the vision of the Annual Conference, how to respond to racism, and Bishop Lewis even shares her thoughts about Jason's book Cancer Is Funny.
"Go and make disciples of all nations," is a phrase every Christian should be familiar with. Before we can go and make we need to first know what we are making.
What is a disciple?
Deuteronomy 34.1-12, Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18, 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8, Matthew 22.34-46; What is the role of a theologian-pastor? Who is our Moses? How can we be holy? Why do we want to please mortals more than God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner.
Back in the day, Ruben taught Jason Barth for the first time. Now, they're both black sheep, closet Reformation guys in Catholic and Wesleyan folds respectively. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez teaches theology at St. Louis University and is the author of the powerful new book Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence. Jason and Ruben talk about racism, liberation theology, the limits of post-liberalism, and martyrdom as a necessary possibility to any definition of Christian 'witness.'
Doxology reveals the fallacy of letting kids choose whether or not they want to be a part of the church.
Do you need a reference to the Holy Trinity for a doxology to truly be a doxology? Does each person of the Holy Trinity need to be referenced? Is hymn #95 correct? Is hymn #94? Are you a 'bad 95'er?'
Are acts of public prayer a form of 'doxa' or are they an attempt to hold onto Christendom?
Exodus 33.12-23, Isaiah 45.1-7, 1 Thessalonians 1.1-10, Matthew 22.15-22; How does God respond to our prayers? Why should we sing the good old hymns? Are we worshipping our country more than the living God? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with guest Kenneth Tanner.
Back in the day, Ruben taught Jason Barth for the first time. Now, they're both black sheep, closet Reformation guys in Catholic and Wesleyan folds respectively. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez teaches theology at St. Louis University and is the author of the powerful new book Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence. Jason and Ruben talk about racism, liberation theology, the limits of post-liberalism, and martyrdom as a necessary possibility to any definition of Christian 'witness.'
Catechism is a word used in churches annually with little thought to the meaning or practice. What does catechism really mean and in understanding the word can we do it better?
Exodus 32.1-14, Isaiah 25.1-9, Philippians 4.1-9, Matthew 22.1-14; What is a "grass church"? How are we supposed to read the bible? Does Jesus care what we wear to church? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with Teer Hardy.
In this episode Jason, Teer, and Taylor talk about preaching every week. However, the conversation also covers a range of other topics including negative podcast reviews on iTunes, puberty, talking about sex in church, and more. As always, you can find out more about the podcast and connect with the team at www.crackersandgrapejudice.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Johanna, Jason, and Teer discuss why 'Cruce Salus' is important and why you should know this so you can speak Christian better.
Exodus 20.1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Isaiah 5.1-7, Philippians 3.4b-14, Matthew 21.33-46; Why was the West Wing such a good show? Have the Ten Commandments become our Golden Calf? Can one be a Christian without suffering? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with Teer Hardy.
Fresh off the Camino, Brian Zahnd believes that while we are yet sinners, God loves us. In this new book, "Sinners In The Hands Of A Loving God" seeks to explain if God is primarily wrathful towards us or if God's nature towards us is loving.
What does it mean to be blessed or be a blessing? Does it involving praying for a new Benz or are blessings something else?
Exodus 17.1-7, Ezekiel 18.1-4, Philippians 2.1-13, Matthew 21.23-32; Why do we complain so much? What's the difference between equality and equity? Is God fair? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with special guest Lindsey Baynham.
Beverly Gaventa joined the podcast to discuss her book, "When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul." With a Ph.d. from Duke, Beverly is a Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Baylor University.
Exodus 16.2-15, Jonah 3.10-4.11, Philippians 1.21-30, Matthew 20.1-16; What does it mean to be called by God? Why are we humans so arrogant? What does living in a manner worthy of the gospel look like? These questions and more on this episode of Strangely Warmed with special guest Lindsey Baynham.
Morgan chatted with Dr. Ellen Blue about her book, 'In Case Of Katrina', which describes lessons learned by New Orleans churches trying to rebuild after the hurricane.
"And so in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves..." In the Eucharist we remember so that the past might be made present that we might be consumed by what we consume in order that we become what we eat. In other words, this word: anamnesis.
Exodus 14.19-31, Genesis 50.15-21, Romans 14.1-12, Matthew 18.21-35; Why do we skip over difficult passages? Can you have peace without violence? Why are the Coen Brothers SO good at making movies? How many times should we forgive? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
Jason talks with the philosophical theologian David Bentley Hart about a series of questions submitted by his fans. Part 2 includes the questions: "What do you think about Stanley Hauerwas and pacifism?" "What do you make of apocalyptic readings of Paul?" "What is hell?" "What do you think about designated hitters in baseball?" and more.
Is saying nothing the best way to say something about God? Is it clearer and more precise to say who and what God is not than who God is? Dr. Johanna Hartelius tells us why 'apophatic' is a theological term we need to know so that we can all speak Christian better.
Exodus 12.1-14, Ezekiel 33.7-11, Romans 13.8-14, Matthew 18.15-20; What is the Passover? Why is Ezekiel so weird? Is Christianity immoral? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
Jason talks with the philosophical theologian David Bentley Hart about a series of questions submitted by his fans. Part 1 includes the questions: "When are you going to pay me back?" (from his brother Addison Hart), "What would you talk about with Christopher Hitchens?", "What advice would you offer those about to begin college?" and more.
With their press credentials in hand, Teer, Jason, and Camden interviewed clergy attending the Ministers March For Justice on August 28, 2017. They interviewed Rabbis, ministers, and clergy across the Christian spectrum. At the end of the episode you will hear from Martin Luther King III and his son.
Why were they marching? What were these clergy hoping to take back to their congregations?
Exodus 3.1-15, Jeremiah 15.15-21, Romans 12.9-21, Matthew 16.21-28; How can you tell when God is speaking? How can we comfort those who are mourning? How do you know when the devil is at work? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with special guest Rev. Drew Colby.
In this episode Jason, Teer, and Taylor talk with the Old Testament theologian Walter Brueggemann whose books can be found on just about every pastors' shelves. Dr. Brueggemann shares what it means to be a community of resistance, the challenge of sabbath, and his favorite word to use when describing the biblical encounter between David and Bathsheba.
Exodus 1.8-2.10, Isaiah 51.1-6, Romans 12.1-8, Matthew 16.13-20; How important are our names? What should we remember about the past? What makes a holy kiss holy? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with special guest Rev. Drew Colby.
Jason, Teer, Taylor, and Morgan host Pub Theology at the Virginia Annual Conference 2017 with special guest Jeffrey Pugh (Part 2)
Jason, Teer, Taylor, and Morgan host Pub Theology at the Virginia Annual Conference 2017 with special guest Jeffrey Pugh (Part 1)
Cross-Podcast Conversation with Jeffrey Pugh et al about the Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally and Counter-Protest.
Millennials are a segment of our population that appears to be the unicorn most churches cannot seem to catch. From hiring staff who look the part to inserting young clergy into communities, hoping to attract young people, most churches do not know what do with or how to minister to millennials. While some argue it is time to abandon millennials, Pastor Rob Lee argues otherwise. Rob believes millennials are willing to invest their lives in the institution because they believe in the church’s resurrecting power, but the question is, do our communities believe in the people they say they are trying to serve?
Genesis 37.1-4, 12-28, 1 Kings 19.9-18, Romans 10.5-15, Matthew 14.22-33; What happens if you skip over vital sections of scripture? How does God speak through silence? Who will be saved? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed with special guest Molly Williamson.
Lisa Sharon Harper thinks it can. In this episode, she talks with Morgan about how radical and beautiful 19th century evangelicalism was in its contributions to the abolitionist and suffragist movement. And she shares why she thinks that Genesis 1 is the key to understanding the Christian gospel.
Genesis 32.22-31, Isaiah 55.1-5, Romans 9.1-5, Matthew 14.13-21; What happens when you encounter the living God? Should children be included in worship? How many goldfish are too many goldfish? These and other questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
As a Republican political media consultant Brad Todd is the guest you'd expect on C&GJ. Brad knows the Bible, knows what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and has some church insights we all need to hear.
Genesis 29.15-28, 1 Kings 3.5-12, Romans 8.26-39, Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52; How long would you work to find the perfect spouse? What should we really pray for? What can separate us from God? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
Norman Wirzba, in addition to being an author and professor at Duke Divinity, he is also an eco-theologian.
Raised on a farm in Southern Alberta, Norman went on to study history at the University of Lethbridge, theology at Yale University Divinity School, and philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Since then he has taught at Saint Thomas More College/University of Saskatchewan, Georgetown College (KY), and Duke University Divinity School. He’s the father of four children and is married to Gretchen Ziegenhals. He likes to bake, cook and make things with wood. He also enjoys playing the guitar. He used to be a good athlete! He enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. He tries to grow some food.
“According to Scripture, the world we live in is God’s creation. It is the visual, fragrant, audible, touchable, and tastable manifestation of God’s love, the place where God’s desire that others be and be well finds earthly expression.”
Genesis 28.10-19a, Isaiah 44.6-8, Romans 8.12-25, Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43; Should the altar call come before or after the sermon? Is it better to be like the stars in the sky or the dust of the earth? These and more questions on this episode of Strangely Warmed.
"Most of us who go by the name of “Christians” ought to give up the pretense of wanting to be Christian—at least, if by that word one means not simply someone who is baptized or who adheres to a particular set of religious observances and beliefs, but more or less what Nietzsche meant when he said that there has been only one Christian in human history and that he had died on the cross. In that sense, I think it reasonable to ask not whether we are Christians (by that standard, all fall short), but whether in our wildest imaginings we could ever desire to be the kind of persons that the New Testament describes as fitting the pattern of life in Christ. And I think the fairly obvious answer is that we could not...
Most of us would find Christians truly cast in the New Testament mold fairly obnoxious: civically reprobate, ideologically unsound, economically destructive, politically irresponsible, socially discreditable, and really just a bit indecent."
Genesis 25.19-34, Isaiah 55.10-13, Romans 8.1-11, Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23; What if we're stuck with the soil we've got? What if our entire lives are about wrestling with God? These questions and more in this episode of Strangely Warmed.
Dr. Doug Powe recently stepped into a new role as the director of the Lewis Center at Wesley Theological Seminary. In this episode, Teer & Morgan catch up with Dr. Powe to talk about urban theology and ways churches can rally together in times where most UM churches are trying to brace for what is to come.
Get ready for all the freedom, liberty, and patriotic stuff you can handle!
In this episode the Hauerwasian Mafia sent Jason and Teer to talk with Tripp Fuller of HBC about the predicament of faith, freedom, and the conflicting calls to allegiance that color the American landscape.
Genesis 24, Zechariah 9.9-12, Romans 7.15-25a, Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30 Taylor recorded the episode by himself as he and Teer moved to new appointments last week and the team couldn't get it all together. Have mercy.
Jason's man-crush and former teacher, David Bentley Hart, returns to the podcast to dish on Donald Trump, conservatives who complain about Pope Francis, and Christian charity in the public square.
The only consistent thing on this podcast has been the soulful voice of Clay Mottley. Clay is a worship leader, singer/songwriter, and an all-around good guy.
Check out his music on iTunes or http://www.claymottley.com/
Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
In his memoir, "Limping But Blessed: Wrestling with God after the Death of a Child ", Jason Jones discusses his struggles with faith after the loss of his son Jacob in June of 2011. In our conversation with Jason he opened up about his darkest days, bargaining with God, and how he is moving forward since.
The second Sunday after Pentecost, Year A.
Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
Scott Jones of the New Persuasive Words & Give and Take podcasts joined Jason for a full-fledged bromance session. Scott is also a pastor at Ascension Church in Philly, a fellow Princeton Alum, and a regular contributor to Mockingbird.
Author Matthew Bates joined Jason to talk about his book "Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King". This is a timely interview as we approach Memorial Day Weekend.
Ascension Sunday falls on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. Taylor & Jason discuss how the Ascension and Memorial Day can't be juxtaposed to one another. This week's lections include: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, Ephesians 1:15-23, and Luke 24:44-53
Author and senior editor of The American Conservative, Rod Dreher, joined Teer & Jason do discuss his new book, "The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation".
Pastor and author Brian Zahnd has joined the team for Eastertide. This week's lections include: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, and John 14:15-21.
Author and professor David Fitch joined Jason & Morgan to talk about "The Fitch Option"or the "Saint Patrick Option", which is outlined in his new book, "Faithful Presence: Seven Discipline That Shape the Church For Mission". The opposite of the Benedict Option, David offers us disciplines that will shape the church for its mission.
Pastor and author Brian Zahnd has joined the team for Eastertide. This week's lections include: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5 & 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, and John 14:1-14.
Podcast regular Kenneth Tanner, along with Chris Green had the pleasure of interviewing Robert Jenson. Jenson was described as the greatest living theologian by Stanley Hauerwas, and as "one of the most original and knowledgeable theologians of our time" by Wolfhart Pannenberg.
Pastor and author Brian Zahnd has joined the team for Eastertide. This week's lections include: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10
Christy Thomas is a retired UMC elder, author, and journalist. On her blog, 'The Thoughtful Pastor', she argues it is time to blow up the UMC based on structural issues that have become all too obvious during the UMC's inability to find common ground in regards to human sexuality.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtfulpastor/
Pastor and author Brian Zahnd has joined the team for Eastertide. This week's lections include: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35
Jason caught up with the founder and president of Journey Films to talk about their latest project, "An American Conscience: The Niebuhr Story"
From Journey Films: "An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story examines the career and global impact of renowned American-born theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who became a voice of conscience to a country reaching the pinnacle of its economic and political power. As the Great Depression gripped America, he rocked the liberal Christian community with 'Moral Man and Immoral Society,' which challenged the idea of inherent progress and justice in history. During and after the war, Niebuhr helped establish the infrastructure that gave Christian churches and thinkers a voice in postwar politics, and proved instrumental in the effort to form the World Council of Churches."
Pastor and author Brian Zahnd has joined the team for Eastertide. This week's lections include: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31.
Drew Colby is a UMC elder, pastor, and one of the podcast's biggest fans. He joined Teer & Jason to talk about racism from his white-liberal perspective.
Kenneth Tanner and Morgan Guyton checked in with podcast favorite Scot McKnight. Topics covered include a little ribbing on Jason, politics, and Scot's latest books, "Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture after Genetic Science" and "The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us".
In addition to b-boxing and singing "The King of Glory Comes" and discussing the all-important theological question "Will my dog lick his nuts in the eschaton?" the guys talk Palm/Passion Sunday lections with theology professor Eric Hall of Carroll College and the author of the Home-brewed Christianity Guide to God.
When the other guys on the podcast posse found out Jason's guest, Melissa Febos, had written a memoir about her time as a dominatrix in NYC, they all got gun shy.
Their loss. I'm grateful to consider Melissa an (e) friend now.
Not gonna lie- and you can give us your feedback- but I think this conversation with Melissa is the best we've had yet on the podcast, ranging from writing, bodies as objects and bodies as sacraments, Woody Allen, grace, shame, mercy, and the eucharist as an erotic act.
Melissa Febos is the author of the acclaimed Whip Smart and the new memoir Abandon Me.
Her work has been widely anthologized and appears in publications including Tin House, Granta, The Kenyon Review, Prairie Schooner, Glamour, Guernica, Post Road, Salon, The New York Times, Hunger Mountain, Portland Review, Dissent, The Chronicle of Higher Education Review, Bitch Magazine, Poets & Writers, The Rumpus, Drunken Boat, and Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York.
She has been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air, CNN, Anderson Cooper Live, and elsewhere. Her essays have twice received special mention from the Best American Essays anthology and have won prizes from Prairie Schooner, Story Quarterly, and The Center for Women Writers. She is the recipient of fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Vermont Studio Center, The Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and The MacDowell Colony.
The recipient of an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College, she is currently Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Monmouth University.
The guys talk Lent 5 lections with theology professor Eric Hall of Carroll College and the author of the Home-brewed Christianity Guide to God.
Alternate Title: "Beard Envy"
Jason enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation with Addison Hodges Hart, the elder brother of David Bentley Hart- who was his student- and the author of the great books Strangers and Pilgrims and Taking Jesus at his Word. Not only does Addison sound just like DBH, he speaks at length of the contemplative life, how to rethink the faith in a post-Christian culture, and the ins and outs of how he leads bible study for the curious and unchurched.
Takeaway from this episode: Addison thinks Christians need to learn how to become winsome to the world again.
Why would we not go to Duke just to talk with Stanley Hauerwas? Even though Stanley doesn't know what a podcast is, he welcomed us to his 3rd floor office for a candid sitdown.
Not only did Dr. Hauerwas give us books from his vast collection, he even offered us some his classic Hauerwas humor.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41
Daniel Kirk is a Ph.d., author, and host of the LectioCast podcast. His book, "A Man Attested by God: The Human Jesus of the Synoptic Gospels", argues that we should read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as stories about Jesus as an idealized human figure.
Why would we not go to Duke just to talk with Stanley Hauerwas? Even though Stanley doesn't know what a podcast is, he welcomed us to his 3rd floor office for a candid sitdown.
Not only did Dr. Hauerwas give us books from his vast collection, he even offered us some his classic Hauerwas humor.
Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42
Morgan interviews Ched Myers to discuss what solidarity and resistance look like in the age of Trump and social media.
Ched is an activist theologian, biblical scholar, popular educator, author, organizer and advocate who has for 35 years been challenging and supporting Christians to engage in peace and justice work and radical discipleship.
Why would we not go to Duke just to talk with Stanley Hauerwas? Even though Stanley doesn't know what a podcast is, he welcomed us to his 3rd floor office for a candid sitdown.
Not only did Dr. Hauerwas give us books from his vast collection, he even offered us some his classic Hauerewas humor.
John 3:1-17 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.h 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.i 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
As the appointment season continues, here is part 2 of the conversation we had with the best bishop anyone could ask for! Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Richmond episcopal area, became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2016.
A graduate of Mercer University (B.S., Biology, 1985), the University of West Georgia (M.S., Biology, 1988) and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div., 1999), Bishop Lewis worked as a research biologist and chemist prior to surrendering to God’s call upon her life.
Why would we not go to Duke just to talk with Stanley Hauerwas? Even though Stanley doesn't know what a podcast is, he welcomed us to his 3rd floor office for a candid sitdown.
Not only did Dr. Hauerwas give us books from his vast collection, he even offered us some his classic Hauerewas humor.
Lent, Year A, kicks off with Matthew 4.1-11 and Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7. We opened with Matthew 4 and then we talked about the fall accounted in Genesis.
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,a knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Matthew 4.1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
At a time when our communities are more connected than ever, why is it that faith communities feel disconnected from one another and their larger community? Rabbi Hayim Herring, co-author of "Leading Congregations and Non-Profits in a Connected World", tells us why this is happening and offers ways faith communities can reconnect.
Rabbi Hayim Herring, Ph.D. is CEO of HayimHerring.com, whose mission is “preparing today’s leaders for tomorrow’s organizations.” He is an organizational futurist, presenter and author. Herring collaborated with Dr. Terri Elton, associate professor of leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, on his recently released book, Leading Congregations and Nonprofit Organizations in a Connected World: Platforms, People and Purpose (Rowman and Littlefield, November 2016). Together, they provide story, theory and practice on how clergy and volunteer leaders of both established and startup congregations and nonprofits in the Jewish and Protestant communities are leading their communities through disruptive times.
What better way to suck up at the beginning of the appointment season than with a conversation we had with the best bishop anyone could ask for! Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Richmond episcopal area, became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2016.
A graduate of Mercer University (B.S., Biology, 1985), the University of West Georgia (M.S., Biology, 1988) and Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div., 1999), Bishop Lewis worked as a research biologist and chemist prior to surrendering to God’s call upon her life.
Fleming Rutledge leads us into Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday with Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.
Taylor talks with his youngest sister, Laura Paige Mertins, about her works as a ceramicist, what it means to be a faithful millennial, and how art can help the church.
You can find LP's work here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/LPMpottery and connect with her on Instagram at @lpmpottery
Pastor Alice Connor and her book 'Fierce: Women of the Bible and Their Stories of Violence, Mercy, Bravery, Wisdom, Sex, and Salvation'.
Author & professor John Nugent speaks to Donald Trump's Executive Order regarding immigrants and refugees from the perspective of his terrific new book Endangered Gospel: How Fixing the World is Killing the Church.
Our guest, Mona, discusses the consequences President Trump's Muslim travel ban has had and will have on her and our fellow Muslim American brothers and sisters. With all the talk of travel and immigration bans there have been real consequences. American citizens who are Muslim have been forced to have tough conversations with their neighbors and children. Xenophobia is creating fear throughout our nation rather than embracing the diversity we have in our country.
Jeffrey Pugh, Professor of Religion at Elon University, is a vulgar, profane, urgent son of a bitch. In other words, he’s quickly becoming a friend of the podcast. In addition to his recent book, the Home-Brewed Christianity Guide to the End Times, Jeffery is the author of Religionless Christianity: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Troubled Times. For these troubled times when our culture is torn into polarities and our politics are in chaos, Bonhoeffer is a helpful guide for Christians to discern how to survey the landscape of their nation, determine what is nonnegotiable, and stand up as a confessing community.
James Younger, executive producer of National Geographic’s The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, joins the show to discuss faith, religion, and all things Story of God.
You can watch The Story of God with Morgan Freeman on Monday evenings at 9 PM EST on the National Geographic Channel.
At the Theology Beer Camp hosted by Tripp Fuller and Homebrewed Christianity Teer and Jason caught up with pastor, professor, and former AC/DC sound roadie Barry Taylor. Barry is currently an Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and a co-host on 'The Story of God-Cast' which is the official after show of the hit NatGeo series 'The Story of God'.
Morgan and Teer had a chance to catch up with Pastor Amy Butler the week prior to President Trump's inauguration. Amy explains why she is seeking to use the pulpit as a place for a faithful response to what so far has been a tremulous first few days of the Trump presidency.
Taylor and Teer caught up with Duke Divinity professor and retired UMC Bishop Will Willimon to talk about racism, the Donald, and how we can look forward as America's dirty little secret surfaces again. "Who Lynched Willie Earle?: Preaching to Confront Racism" is available February 2017.
Taylor and Jason sat down for a conversation with Rev. Alex Joyner, author and a District Superintendent in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Joyner was ordained a deacon in 1989 and elder in 1993. He has served appointments in Dallas, Texas; York, England; Unionville and Charlottesville. Joyner served as campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Virginia. He was appointed to Franktown UMC in 2005.
Prior to entering the ordained ministry, Joyner was a radio news director and on-air personality in the Charlottesville area.
Joyner holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and an additional Masters in Religious Studies while at UVA.
He’s the author of several publications including Where Do I Go Now, God?, a vocational discernment curriculum and DVD for young adults published by Abingdon Press. He is a regular contributor to the FaithLink adult curriculum from the United Methodist Publishing House, and teaches in the Course of Study program at Perkins.
A recent study released by the Review of Religious Research titled "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy", argues that across Canada theologically conservative churches are growing while their liberal counterparts are experiencing decline. This study was brought to our attention by way of a Washington Post article.
In the latest episode of Crackers & Grape Juice we tackle this topic from the context of local UMC congregations and campus ministry. At one point we are even able to correlate the decline of liberal churches with the decline of Duke basketball.
Original sin, as descried by Danielle Shroyer is the 'red sock' in our theological laundry. In her new book, 'Original Blessing, Putting Sin in Its Place', Shroyer explores how we are not born separated from God as God has chosen fidelity over separation. We are not separate from God, and if we are, it's on our end.
Actually, that's not a good title. Thomas Jay Oord didn't say that about Jesus' breastmilk; however, it does come up when Taylor and Jason talk with him about his new book The Uncontrolling Love of God.
Morgan & Teer were able to catch up with Melissa Greene at the OPEN Faith conference. Melissa is the co-pastor of GracePointe Church in Franklin, TN, a former member of the Grammy-nominate group Avalon, and Hope Curator at Timothy's Gift.
Taylor and Jason speak with William Cavanaugh, author of The Myth of Religious Violence, Torture and the Eucharist, and Being Consumed.
Jason talks with Fleming Rutledge about the message of Advent and preaching the word of Truth in a post-truth culture.
He's got the best head of hair in Progressive Christianity and we've got him to talk about his new book, 'Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality'. Endorsed by Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and Glennon Doyle Melton, Colby Martin works his way through the 'clobber' passages often used to denounce and dehumanize our LGBT brothers and sisters. He talks with the voice of a theologian while using a pastoral tone.
Teer & Morgan caught up with Brian McLaren to discuss Brian's latest book, "The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian."
Is it time for a migration within Christianity? Author and pastor Brian McLaren believes so. He calls for three migrations: spiritual, theological, and missional.
You probably know him from the Colbert Catechism and his many appearances on the Colbert Report.
Here in Episode 62, Teer and I talk with Father James Martin is a Jesuit who serves as the Editor of America Magazine, My Life with the Saints, and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything.
Not only did James give me an idea for my All Saints sermon and not only is he a friend of UVA’s own Father Fogarty (my old undergrad advisor), he shares a bit with us about his own prayer life.
AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez and Alicia Crosby share stories from the Standing Rock gathering as Christian women of color decolonizing their faith.
Why does the church spend so much time talking about Advent? Isn't Christmas about fighting the culture wars and getting upset about the cups at Starbucks? There could be more to Advent than what you're being told on Sunday mornings.
Morgan and Mike talk about growing up as weird nerdy kids. Mike shares about his loss of faith and powerful encounter with Jesus on the beach that brought him back to Christianity. Then Mike talks about the brain science of fundamentalism and other nerdy topics.
For Episode 58, Teer and Morgan caught up with Mike Morrell to talk about his new book with Richard Rohr, The Divine Dance.
Teer linked up with an all-star lineup for a conversation about Jason's new book, "Cancer is Funny." JC Herz, Tony Jones, Todd Littleton, Jeff Pugh, and Kendall Soulen chimed in on why cancer is funny and why this book is needed in our theological discussions.
All of the guests know Jason from different arenas of Jason's life and because of that you will hear differing perspectives on Jason's newest book.
Max Kuecker and Jane Liu worked for years with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, an evangelical college ministry that recently decided to purge its LGBT-affirming leadership. Max and Jane have launched Incarnation Ministries, an LGBT-affirming evangelical college ministry.
In the wake of the 2016 election, Morgan talks with Suhuey and Jen, United Methodist Hispanic Youth, about how racism recently intruded upon a gathering of youth in North Carolina.
In one of our best conversations yet, Jason and Taylor talk with Becca Stevens. Becca is an Episcopal priest at Vanderbilt Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee, author of Snake Oil and many other books, and, most importantly, she is the founder of Thistle Farms, the largest social enterprise in the U.S. run by survivors of sex trafficking. She's also up for CNN's Hero award. Voting is open until 12/6 and you can vote as many as 10x/day - please support this impressive endeavor. I don't throw around the term 'blessed' very often but that's how I felt for having gotten the change to talk with Becca.
In this episode, Jason and Taylor talk with Kenneth Tanner and Fleming Rutledge about a variety of subjects including preaching preparation, Black Lives Matter, difficult sermons, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Somehow Teer & Jason got David Fitch fired up about Faithful Presence. In Faithful Presence, noted pastor and scholar David Fitch offers a new vision for the witness of the church in the world. He argues that we have lost the intent and practice of the sacramental ways of the historic church, and he recovers seven disciplines that have been with us since the birth of the church.
Jason, Teer, and Fleming react to Tuesday's election. Fleming reflects on Daniel's prayer and helps us understand how we are agents of God.
We've made it! On episode 50 the guys look back on their favorite and funniest moments. We also consider who their favorite guests were and who we wish we could interview.
Todd Littleton & Tripp Fuller check in to congratulate the team as well as bust our balls a bit.
Future episodes include David Fitch, Avalon's Melissa Green, Colby Martin, and Jason will be releasing a book.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this project. It was unimaginable last year that this podcast would turn into the resource it has become for us and our listeners.
Jason sits down with Luke Norsworthy, host of the popular Newsworthy with Norsworthy podcast. Not only is his podcast miles ahead of Crackers and Grape Juice, compared to Luke Jason looks like genetic garbage. Luke also keeps it weird as the pastor of Westover Hills Church in Austin, Texas. You can check out his podcast here: https://lukenorsworthy.com
Who is Kenneth Tanner?
Ken is best known for his Facebook memes. No, they are not memes about cats playing a piano but instead are of the theological flavor. Ken has found a way to utilize what is normally a means of poking fun or ridiculing someone, to now be a way of sharing theological ideas in a way that is more accessible than most blogs.
Are you planning an election day prayer service at your church? Are you planning to serve communion in your community on election day to "unify" the community or to pray for our nation?
If you answered yes to either of these questions our latest guest, Fred Schmidt, has a few words for you.
In this episode, Teer and Jason talk with Joseph Mangina. A professor of theology at Wycliffe College in Toronto, he is the author of Karl Barth: Theologian of Christian Witness as well as a recent theological commentary on the Book of Revelation. He also serves as the editor of the journal Pro Ecclesia.
The author of 'From Nothing: A Theology of Creation, Professor Ian McFarland frames for us what Christians mean when they talk about creation. He even took a last minute jab at the end of the conversation at the UMC seminary system.
Friday's Fleming Rutledge is back! This time on Tuesday. Whether it is through Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Paul, or even Christ himself God is speaking and working through their stories.
Teer & Jason caught up with Fred Schmidt. Fred is a professor in the field of spiritual formation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. In part 1 of their conversation, we focus in on Fred's expertise in the field of spiritual formation and prayer. Part 2 is when you might hear Morgan's head explode so you won't want to miss that.
Teer and Jason talk about porn addiction, shame, sex abuse, and suicide with Steve Austin, author of From Pastor to a Psych Ward.
For this episode, Jason talks with Eric Hall, author of the forthcoming The Home-brewed Christianity Guide to God.
Eric is a Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. In his book, he narrates a bit of his own journey from Pentecostalism to Catholicism and the beauty of ancient Christianity that become available to him once he gave up on sola scriptura.
You can order Eric's book at www.homebrewedchristianity.com or on Amazon.
Jason, Morgan, and Teer catch up on all things millennial and the church. You know, millennials, the unicorn the most mainline churches cannot seem to catch.
Jason sits down with David Bentley Hart, his former teacher, his idol, and his man-crush all in one. David Hart may well prove to have been the most significant theologian of the 21st century. He is the author of The Doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami?, The Beauty of the Infinite, Atheist Delusions, and the Experience of God. And, as you'll hear, he's just translated the New Testament for Yale University Press.
With his famous dog Roland at his feet, DBH discusses the Church's loss of classical theism, the (evil) God most Christians worship, the logical incoherence of Process Theology, Hell, Christian Freedom, Reformed (mis)translations of Scripture, and his own personal suffering.
Is Satan a real person? How do we know the difference between acting satanic and acting Christlike when Jesus can be such a problematic fave sometimes? And how does Beyonce factor into the answers to all these questions?
Eric Clapton may be called to change the world, but Jesus doesn't call Christians to do so. According to John Nugent, Christians are not to make the world a better place. Rather, we're called to be the better place God through Christ has made possible.
In this interview, Jason talks with John about John's new book Endangered Gospel: How Fixing the World is Killing the Church.
Try this quote on for size: "The most dangerous religion is not Islam nor is it Atheism but it is a form of Christianity that uses Jesus' name to keep people happy but doesn't call them into a community that displays God's Kingdom.
Jason and Teer talk about the theologically significance of studying the humanities with Dr. Nathan Gilmour, host of the Christian Humanist Podcast.
Jason, Morgan & Teer have an early morning conversation about the exclusivity of Jesus. So is Jesus really the only way?
Teer and Jason talk with Jeff Pugh about his new book: The Home-brewed Christianity Guide to the End Times.
Morgan’s fifth Wild Goose interview was with Emily Joy, an incredible poet who lives in Nashville. Emily grew up homeschooled in a fundamentalist family. She went to Moody Bible Institute where she was one of a handful of women to major in theology (in this decade). They discussed online feminism, intersectionality, and the importance of listening to your heart. Then Emily closed with her viral poem “How To Love the Sinner and Hate the Sin: Five Easy Steps.”
Morgan’s fourth Wild Goose interview was with Bec Cranford, the volunteer director at the Gateway Center for homeless people in Atlanta. Bec is a heavily tattooed progressive Pentecostal wonder-woman. On the interview, she shared powerful stories of a tough life journey that has left her full of empathy. Everything was going well until she started speaking in tongues.
Morgan’s third Wild Goose interview was with Brandan Robertson, the author of 'Nomad: A Spirituality for Traveling Light.' His original book contract was rescinded when he came out as queer, so he had to republish with a UK publisher. Brandan was a fundamentalist street preacher in the Baltimore Inner Harbor at the age of 13. He went to Moody Bible Institute where he was almost expelled for doing a radio interview with Brian McLaren. It was refreshing to hear how little bitterness Brandan has for his past and how he seeks to integrate all the phases of his spiritual journey as he wanders and wonders into the future.
Morgan’s second Wild Goose interview was with Sarah Heath, the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, California. Sarah’s pure, Christlike heart is contagious. She talked a lot about the beautiful, eclectic mix of people in her church and how sad she would be if the United Methodists decided to split.
Morgan’s first Wild Goose interview was with Alicia Crosby, the co-founder and co-director of the Center for Inclusivity in Chicago. In our interview, she talked a lot about expanding the concept of church. She makes the point that while Jesus spent some time in the temple, most of where he did church was in people’s houses and on the streets. Alicia and Morgan also discussed what holiness looks like for an inclusive Christian and how the church should be responding to police violence against black people.
Jason is determined to get his theological idol, Stanley Hauerwas, off his familiar tropes and talking points.
Here's part 1 of our conversation at the Annual Conference of the Virginia Annual Conference of the UMC.
Jason talks again with one of his favorite guests David Fitch of Northern Seminary and the Theology on Mission Podcast.
Here's an old interview with David Fitch from Teer and Jason's maiden podcasting effort several years ago. See how far we've come! We've got a brand new interview with David in the queue waiting for editing so be on the lookout.
If we are urged to have faith in Christ, who is doing the urging? Sorry ahead of time about Jason's office phone ringing. Johanna and Fleming call out bad preachers/sermon series too.
Jason and Teer are joined by Johanna Hartelius as they check in with Fleming Rutledge. This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation. If you notice some sighs or scoffs, that's just Teer & Johanna noticing how much Jason is kissing up to Fleming.
This is part 1 of our conversation with N.T. Wright. We cover the New Perspective, Substitutionary Atonement, the historic accuracy of the Bible vs. the overarching story of the Biblical story, and America's divide along justification by faith & Kingdom building through a social agenda. Bishop Wright pushes back against Apocalyptic theology and America's obsession with proving the historical accuracy of Scripture. He believes we have been conned by the skeptics.
Last week the Gospel Coalition posted a video describing the ‘mysterious’ ways God ordains tragedy to bring about ‘good'. This created a stir in Jason, and then in a weirder turn of events made Morgan semi-sympathetic to what position the GC presented. Listen in as Jason and Morgan hash it all out with Teer being the lone voice of reason.
In part 2 of our conversation with Pastor Fleming Ruthledge we begin with God's wrath (we eased into this one didn't we?!?!) and wrap up with apocalyptic theology.
Can you believe we made it to episode 10? We can't either!
In part 1 of a 2 part conversation with author & pastor Fleming Rutledge, the conversation began with some of the problems around the term "inclusion" and finished with the do's and don'ts of bad preaching.
Ever feel like the third-wheel on a date? Well that's how Teer must have felt during the recording of this C&GJ episode!
Two out of the three members of the C&GJ team interviewed pastor, blogger, and podcaster Todd Littleton. The topics ranged from how good-looking Todd is to the prophetic role pastors play. Jason even had the tables turned on him and became the interviewee as Todd & Teer investigated how friendly pastors can be with their parishioners.
An early consultant in this podcast, Tony Jones is a theologian and church self-described church proctologist. Teer & Tony had a chance to catch up and discuss the United Methodist quadrennial gathering, Progressive Christianity, and even (just because it's Tony Jones) a little atonement theology.
This is raw, unfiltered Crackers & Grape Juice.
Morgan had a chance to catch up with Episcopal candidate Rev. Tom Berlin while at the 2016 General Conference. Morgan and Tom had a chance to chat about the issue of human sexuality which is currently being debated in Portland. In addition, Tom filled us in some of the committee work being done which is not getting as much social media attention.
It's hard to have conversations in the local church about the easy stuff: choosing which hymns to sing, what color to paint the hallway, and what kind of coffee to serve. Is it any surprise then that the UMC still cannot have a conversation about human sexuality that doesn't become reduced to name calling? Are we surprised that we spit out talking points quickly and fail to realize that we are talking about actual people with real lives?
Morgan is on a book tour!
In their first attempt to record a live podcast the guys stumble, recover, lose cell phone coverage, and recover again as they talk about Morgan's new book.
Just imagine for a moment that Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Ben Carson actually walked into a bar. Then on top of that awkward moment, a retired UMC Bishop calls them out. Well, here we go.
Episode 2 is part 1 of a conversation with pastor & author Brian Zahnd. In this episode, Teer & Jason talk with Brian about his latest book, "Water Into Wine". Part 2 of the conversation will be released in the next week or 2.