First Pres Podcast

May 15, 2016

Acts 2:1-21

Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett

May 8, 2016

Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier

Psalm 93; Acts 1:1-11

In the final two sessions of Roadside Religion, we look at the phenomenon of Bible Theme Parks — that is, amusement parks, museums, and other Christian destination sites that are designed to illustrate biblical themes and ideas. What makes these places so attractive? What theologies do they aim to convey? And how might Christians today recover the idea of “pilgrimage” even if these Bible Theme Parks are not their cup of tea.

In the final two sessions of Roadside Religion, we look at the phenomenon of Bible Theme Parks — that is, amusement parks, museums, and other Christian destination sites that are designed to illustrate biblical themes and ideas. What makes these places so attractive? What theologies do they aim to convey? And how might Christians today recover the idea of “pilgrimage” even if these Bible Theme Parks are not their cup of tea.

Sessions 5 and 6 explore the curious forms of church that can be found in contemporary American Christianity, including the increasingly popular Drive-Thru and Drive-In churches. How does the appearance of a church reflect underlying theologies about what it means to be the body of Christ? How does the rise of new technologies and media influence our understandings of liturgy, mission, and church leadership? And is there a place for more traditional, “big steeple” churches in the brave new world of contemporary ecclesiology?

Sessions 5 and 6 explore the curious forms of church that can be found in contemporary American Christianity, including the increasingly popular Drive-Thru and Drive-In churches. How does the appearance of a church reflect underlying theologies about what it means to be the body of Christ? How does the rise of new technologies and media influence our understandings of liturgy, mission, and church leadership? And is there a place for more traditional, “big steeple” churches in the brave new world of contemporary ecclesiology?

May 1, 2016

Rev. Rebekah LeMon

Psalm 67; Acts 16:9-15

April 25, 2016

Olivia Hehir & Reeder Meade

This week, we’ll look at the Biblezine -- the text of the Bible (or parts of it) packaged in a format that looks a lot like People Magazine or US Weekly. What happens to the message of the Bible when it takes on this medium? What motivations – both theological and commercial – lie behind the Biblezine and the big business of Bible publishing? How do these types of “Bibles” influence popular understandings of Scripture and its interpretation?

This week, we’ll look at the Biblezine -- the text of the Bible (or parts of it) packaged in a format that looks a lot like People Magazine or US Weekly. What happens to the message of the Bible when it takes on this medium? What motivations – both theological and commercial – lie behind the Biblezine and the big business of Bible publishing? How do these types of “Bibles” influence popular understandings of Scripture and its interpretation?