Host Dan and co-host Jon sit down with theologian Brandon Ambrosino to explore his book Is It God’s Will?—a frank conversation about where God is in tragedy, the role of randomness and divine presence, and how Jesus’ suffering shapes Christian responses to pain.
Our guest proposes a shift toward a relational understanding of God's power and presence, focusing on the meaning of "God is with us" (Emmanuel).
The episode also addresses practical faith questions: how Christians should accompany suffering people, reinterpretations of the cross and resurrection, and hopeful reflections on the Catholic Church’s teaching and pastoral outreach toward LGBT people.

Host Dan and co-host Jon sit down with theologian Brandon Ambrosino to explore his book Is It God’s Will?—a frank conversation about where God is in tragedy, the role of randomness and divine presence, and how Jesus’ suffering shapes Christian responses to pain. Our guest proposes a shift toward a relational understanding of God's power and presence, focusing on the meaning of "God is with us" (Emmanuel). The episode also addresses practical faith questions: how Christians should accompany suffering people, reinterpretations of the cross and resurrection, and hopeful reflections on the Catholic Church’s teaching and pastoral outreach toward LGBT people.

Beyond Certainty: Does "God with us" mean "God allows" bad things to happen? And Catechism on Same-Sex Couples

Join Dan and Jon as they explore Catholic moral theology as two guys who both love being Catholic but haven’t always felt 100% welcome. Theology for the Unwanted shares touching stories from countless who have felt this way about some aspect of their life. We dive into what moral theologians working on these complex issues have to say. You might be surprised at just how much Catholic cultures vary country by country. Yet we still find a way to stay unified and deeply devoted to Christian life. 

Particularly in the modern world, faith is often filtered through a cultural lens or religious discipline. But through hearing these stories, we create a sense of unity among Catholics, even those who have different opinions. If we think of theology as reality, pointing us toward God, then we come to understand it as a lived experience. This helps us all live out our faith in a more concrete sacramental way. 

All of us, including non-practicing and former Catholics, have something in common. The Father desires to see you in heaven, Jesus died on that Cross for you, and Mary our mother deeply cares for you as her own child. By putting on that lens we can finally start doing serious theology and making everyone feel wanted.  

A special thank you to each guest that has come on the show. They come from many backgrounds with diverse views. Their contributions are never considered an endorsement of Theology for the Unwanted. But Dan and Jon believe that each guest has an important and unique message that can help Catholics overall further discern how to recognize Christ in their lives.

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Join Dan and Jon as they explore Catholic moral theology as two guys who both love being Catholic but haven’t always felt 100% welcome. Theology for the Unwanted shares touching stories from countless who have felt this way about some aspect of their life. We dive into what moral theologians working on these complex issues have to say. You might be surprised at just how much Catholic cultures vary country by country. Yet we still find a way to stay unified and deeply devoted to Christian life. Particularly in the modern world, faith is often filtered through a cultural lens or religious discipline. But through hearing these stories, we create a sense of unity among Catholics, even those who have different opinions. If we think of theology as reality, pointing us toward God, then we come to understand it as a lived experience. This helps us all live out our faith in a more concrete sacramental way. All of us, including non-practicing and former Catholics, have something in common. The Father desires to see you in heaven, Jesus died on that Cross for you, and Mary our mother deeply cares for you as her own child. By putting on that lens we can finally start doing serious theology and making everyone feel wanted. A special thank you to each guest that has come on the show. They come from many backgrounds with diverse views. Their contributions are never considered an endorsement of Theology for the Unwanted. But Dan and Jon believe that each guest has an important and unique message that can help Catholics overall further discern how to recognize Christ in their lives.

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Beyond Certainty: Does "God with us" mean "God allows" bad things to happen? And Catechism on Same-Sex Couples

Beyond Certainty: Does "God with us" mean "God allows" bad things to happen? And Catechism on Same-Sex Couples

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