Dr. A.J. Swoboda (Ph.D., Birmingham) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns (Zondervan), After Doubt (Brazos), and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath (Brazos). He lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon. 

In this podcast conversation, we talk about the content of his forthcoming book The Gift of Thorns. We discuss the nature of desire, how our desires play into discipleship, how saying "no" to our wants actually increases our joy, the therapeutic benefit of communal confession of sin, the pleasure of self-denial, why we need more slow thinking/writing on tough topics, and how we can become incapacitated over all the books and articles and "things" we feel like we need to know.

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S2 Ep1148: Jesus, the Flesh, and the War of Wants: Dr. A.J. Swoboda

Helping believers think Christianly about theological and cultural issues by engaging in curious conversations with a diverse range of thoughtful people.

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Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Elizabeth Woodson, a Bible teacher and theologian, discusses her passion for Bible study, discipleship, and theological education in the local church. She shares her personal journey of searching for the relevance of the gospel in her own life and how it led her to pursue theological education. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for discipleship and theological education within the church, so that believers can understand and apply the truths of Scripture in their everyday lives.
She also discusses the challenges of busyness and the need for churches to provide meaningful and accessible opportunities for learning and growth. In a post-COVID world, churches have had to explore new opportunities for theological education and discipleship. People are hungry for connection, support, and answers to their questions. There is an opportunity to disciple adults in the basics of the faith and help them grow deeper in their faith. The early church valued theological education and had a rigorous catechism process for new converts. The church today can learn from the past and prioritize discipleship.
Singleness in the church is often misunderstood and undervalued. The church needs to have a deeper theology of singleness and provide community and support for single individuals. The church should prioritize friendships and create a culture where singleness is seen as a beautiful season. The church needs to navigate the volatile political climate with grace, honoring people and holding true to the teachings of Jesus.
Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the Founder of The Woodson Institute, an organization that equips believers to understand and grow in their Christian faith. With over a decade of experience in church ministry, Elizabeth is passionate about creating pathways for discipleship and theological education in the local church. Elizabeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education. She is also the author of Embrace Your Life: How To Find Joy When The Life You Have Is Not The Life You Hoped For and From Beginning To Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture. 
Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

What Does Theological Discipleship in the Church Look Like? Elizabeth Woodsen

Dr. Michael F. Bird is a biblical scholar and theologian who serves as the Deputy Principle and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College (Melbourne, Aus), and is the author of over a dozen books, including his recently released Jesus and the Powers, which he co-authored with N.T. Wright. 

In this podcast conversation, we talk all about politics and the gospel, agreeing on so many things and disagreeing about a few other things. 

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What Does Faithful Political Engagement Look Like? Dr. Michael F. Bird

Ed Uszynski sits down with Preston in his basement the day after the "Exiles in Babylon" conference to debrief. This is a raw and authentic convo where we discuss and react to various sessions and speakers. We talk about the GenZ evening, the Israel-Palestine conversation, Deconstruction and Reconstruction, Women, Power & Abuse in the church, and many other topics and speakers at the conference.
Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding.
onehope.net/TITR
Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

A Raw Debrief of the Exiles in Babylon Conference 2024: Ed Uszynski and Preston Sprinkle

Welcome to a sneak peek of the Bonus Q&A episode, part of the Theology in the Raw premium subscription.

In the full episode, we discuss:
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Thoughts on Christians and masturbation--is it always sinful or is there room for conversation?
5:35 What do you when the the God in the Bible isn't acting the way Jesus would?
12:15. What are your top 5 all-time books, any subject?
19:35 Best pastoral advice for same-sex married couple that recently accepted Jesus?
28:35 Is praying before a meal just tradition or is there warrant for this?
32:10 Jesus' teaching about love is often conditional, but God's love is unconditional. Can you explain this?
35:34 How do you handle sporting events where members of the military are honored? Stand and clap? Don't stand?
37:48 Is post mortem salvation or Christian universalism orthodox doctrines?
41:37 How can we pray for your ministry?
43:54 Are the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, prodigal son about newly saved believers, believers who have wandered away, or both?
45:38 Update on Alisa Childers and her discussions with Rosaria Butterfield and Christopher Yuan?
49:23 Do you see a difference between academic complementarianism and how it's lived out in a lot of churches?
52:21 What's the best steel man arguments for tithing being applicable today?
55:07 RAPID FIRE

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Bonus Q&A: Lust, Same-Sex weddings, Academic Complementarianism, Patriotism, and more

Dr. David Fitch (Ph.D Northwestern University) is the Betty R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary and has pastored for 30 years, and has been involved in 8 church plants over the course of his ministry. He is married to Rae Ann and they have one son named Max. He is an ordained pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
He’s coached hockey for the YMCA USA Hockey program for seven years. David teaches, speaks, and writes within the fields of Neo-Anabaptist theology, missiology, culture studies, political theory, and ethics. He writes from time to time on his own page at Missio Alliance, on his own substack, for Christianity Today, Outreach Magazine, ChurchLeaders.com, EthicsDaily, and multiple other sites, magazines and journals.
He leads discussion on his facebook page (fitchest) and on twitter at @fitchest. He is co-host of the Theology of Mission podcast.
His most recent book is Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It's on the Wrong Side of Power, which forms the backdrop for our conversion.
Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding.
onehope.net/TITR
Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

S2 Ep1148: Jesus, the Flesh, and the War of Wants: Dr. A.J. Swoboda

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