Front Row

Hosts Debo Dykes and Ann Phelps speak with composer and worship leader Mark Miller about how spiritual music brings people together, empowers communities, and inspires all of us to lives of justice and mercy.

Hear the inspiration for and performances of Mark's worship music compositions like "Draw the Circle Wide," "We Resist," and more. Mark also delves into the history of spirituals and their role during slavery and through the Civil Rights movement.

Mark serves is Assistant Professor of Church Music at Drew Theological School and is a Lecturer in the Practice of Sacred Music at Yale University. He also is the Minister of Music of Christ Church in Summit, New Jersey. Since 1999 Mark has led music for United Methodists and others around the country, including directing music for the 2008 General Conference. His choral anthems are best sellers for Abingdon Press andChoristers Guild and his hymns are published in "Worship & Song", "Sing! Prayer and Praise", "Zion Still Sings", "Amazing Abundance", "The Faith We Sing", and others. Mark received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Yale University and his Master of Music in Organ Performance from Juilliard.

Learn more about Mark Miller: http://markamillermusic.com/

Theme by Theodicy: http://theodicyjazz.com/

Hosts Ann Phelps and Debo Dykes have a deep discussion with renowned historical Jesus scholar John Dominic Crossan about the history of the concept of Resurrection. While Dr. Crossan raises provocative questions about our common understanding, there can be deeper meanings that are even more profoundly relevant today.

Dr. Crossan illuminates how the Resurrection story was originally told in early Christianity's context within the Roman Empire. Rather than getting lost in the literalism or metaphor of the Resurrection, today's Christians can understand themselves as the resurrected body of Christ. We are charged with feeding, healing, and taking care of one another. While Empires can kill a human body creating revolutionary change, Resurrection's promise is that spirit of justice will always rise again.

This podcast includes clips of John Dominic Crossan's "The Challenge of Jesus," perfect for church small groups, universities, or individual study. Learn more here: https://faithandreason.org/index.php/store/product/the-challenge-of-jesus

Music by Theodicy: http://theodicyjazz.com/

In honor of International Women's Month, we welcome:

Ann Phelps, Interim Director of Religious Life at Millsaps College

Together, the panel shares their perspective on women making their voices heard across different sectors of society including the Church, newsmedia, and the corporate workplace.

Included clips:

• Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, from "American Women and Women of the World," available soon on Amazon Video Direct.

• Music by Theodicy Jazz Collective. Learn more at theodicyjazz.com.

In our second podcast episode, Faith and Reason's Debo Dykes has a spirited conversation with Dr. Keri Day about Black women's modern and historical efforts for human rights and equality.

Dr. Day is an Associate Professor of Theological and Social Ethics & Director of the Black Church Studies Program at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University. She is a published author of several books, including "Unfinished Business: Black Women, The Black Church, and the Struggle to Thrive in America."

Intersectionality, Black Lives Matter, racial injustice, reproductive justice, and how the lives of Black women profoundly affect justice for everyone—come to light in an impactful conversation serving as a perfect bridge between Black History Month and Women's History Month.

##In This Episode:

Sister Song: Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

Houston - Confronting Poverty through the Heart of Faith

In this transformative 3-day seminar, faith leaders, activists, and scholars from across the nation, including Dr. Keri Day, converged to promote and discuss economic justice in Houston, TX.

##From Faith And Reason:

Ft. Joan Chittister and Richard Rohr

The spiritual life is not lead in isolation. We are all connected to one another in the human experience: deeply connected to all life and people. When we realize this, we can no longer turn our backs on the suffering or injustices suffered by our brothers and sisters.

See our full selection of resources: https://faithandreason.org/index.php/store

Faith And Reason affirms the preservation of justice, autonomy, and opportunity for women in the United States and across the world. A woman's lifelong well-being is directly intertwined with the preservation of her reproductive choice. Today, it seems like issues of women's health and autonomy are more precarious than they have ever been.

January 22, 2017 is the 44th anniversary for Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protected a woman's right to privacy in her reproductive choices. The Roe v. Wade case was argued by a young attorney named Sarah Weddington. Sarah went on to serve in the Texas House of Representatives, the first female General Counsel to the US Dept. of Agriculture, and as an Assistant to President Jimmy Carter.

Sarah Weddington shares the inside story of her experiences arguing the case and what's changed for women's rights since the 1973 decision. She is joined by a panel of women sharing their own unique perspectives: Melissa Weininger, Claire Villareal, Amy Harris, and Muffie Moroney.

Listen now to hear from this lifelong advocate for women's rights!