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.