Disciples of Christ Pastor Beau Underwood and religion journalist Brian Kaylor have written a new book, "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism" that is out with Chalice Press. Be sure to use the code BAPODCAST on Chalice Press' website and get a percentage off the book.

The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Guite is a famed British poet, Anglican priest, and scholar of the English language. His work has garnered the attention of His Majesty King Charles III and Archbishops of Canterbury both former and present. An avid pipe smoker and Tolkien enthusiast, he stops by Beloved Journal to speak with the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee on all the above mentioned subjects, along with so much more.

Today we welcome the Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins to the podcast. Dr. Watkins is the Senior Pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sunshine Cathedral is an open and affirming community of faith that is predominately made up of LGBTQ+ folk in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Join us as we discuss his work and viewpoint from where he sits as pastor and public theologian of the church.

Join us as we welcome Brooke Stanford to the podcast. Brooke is a designer, fashion and style brand developer, and fashion buyer. We talk about what it takes to see beauty in things that others would appreciate, and how that plays into our everyday lives.

The Rev. Mark Wingfield is the Executive Director and Publisher of Baptist News Global. He previously served as Associate Pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas for 17 years. He recently wrote a book titled, "Honestly: Telling the Truth About the Bible and Ourselves" and joins the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee for a conversation on truth-telling, ecclesial journalism, and why funerals are better than weddings.

Artist and activist Hannah Rose Thomas kicks off Season 3 of Beloved Journal. Ms. Thomas is the author of the new book, Tears of Gold: Portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian Women that was released this week. She sits down with Dr. Rob Lee and guest host Mindy Grassel to talk about her work, activism, and art.

Today on the podcast we welcome the Rev. Dr. Amy Butler to Beloved Journal. Amy's recently released book, "Beautiful and Terrible Things" speaks to her journey through ministry and life. Dr. Butler is currently serving as the Designated Pastor of Community Church of Honolulu in Hawaii. She was the seventh Senior Minister of the Riverside Church, and the first woman to serve in that role. She also held pastorates at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington DC and St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. She is also the founder of Invested Faith.

Check out Amy's new book: Beautiful and Terrible Things.

Check out Invested Faith.

Today on the podcast we welcome the Rev. Dr. Greg DeLoach to the podcast. Dean DeLoach is currently serving as Dean of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. He is a native of Eatonton, Georgia, and has pastored congregations throughout the state for nearly three decades, including places like Mansfield, Chickamauga, Marietta, and Augusta.

Following 10 years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Augusta, he became executive director of Development Disabilities Ministries, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities and their families through operation of 19 homes across Georgia.

In February 2017, he joined the development staff at Mercer, having previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees. He was named Interim Dean in 2018, and appointed Dean in 2021.

Recently many have been captivated with his Tik Toks on the subject of death and dying for the course he’s teaching in the spring for Mercer University. You can audit this hybrid class whether you’re in Georgia or beyond so be sure to reach out to him if what we talk about today interests you.

Dr. Gary Scott Smith is Professor of History, Emeritus at Grove City College where he taught from 1978-2017. He chaired the History Department while at the college. He holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, along with a Master of Arts and PhD from Johns Hopkins University. He has written extensively on the faith of the United States Presidents and its considered an expert in the field. He’s also written books on Jackie Robinson’s, Winston Churchill’s, and Hillary Clinton’s faith. 

Dr. Smith currently serves on my dissertation committee at Pacific School of Religion, as my doctoral work is on the faith of the American presidency. I certainly felt like I was sitting at the feet of a master in this podcast so I hope you enjoy it. With that in mind, let’s listen in.

Today on the show we have Dr. Greg Garrett. Greg is the Carole Ann McDaniel Hanks Chair of Literature and Culture at Baylor University. His new book with Orbis Books is titled “The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us About Life, Love and Identity.” 

Greg holds degrees from The University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. He also serves as Canon Theologian at the American Cathedral In Paris. I loved Greg’s book and I hope you will check it out. Anyway, let’s listen in. 

PS--Be sure to check out Greg's recent novel, mentioned in the podcast "Bastille Day" that came out earlier this year.