Hill Country Institute Live: Exploring Christ and Culture

Send us Fan Mail

Walter was a Distinguished Professor at Baylor University after a long career at Texas A&M. Dan has many years experience as geophysicist and frequently faced the question, "You're a Christian? But I thought you were a scientist," and of course at times the order was reversed. In this lively and informative interview, we discuss a Christian view of faith and science issues.

This Is Part 1 of a four-part Interview

Send us Fan Mail

We're delighted to have Pastor Parker with us once again. His father was a classmate and friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., then a pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, when the Montgomery Boycott occurred and then in Birmingham, Alabama, when Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote Letter from a Birmingham Jail. We’ll be discussing Pastor Parker’s memories of those times and the Christian faith which was the basis for the actions and courage of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement including Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Ralph Abernathy, and others. Pastor Parker earned his doctorate in Urban Ministry at Gordon Cornwall Seminary. His studies focused on a complex systems approach to community ministry developed in partnership with MIT. We will be discussing our call in Genesis to create culture, and the impact on racial relations of fallen people creating and sustaining fallen systems. We’ll consider the question: What is the role of the church in showing the love of Jesus Christ to overcome barriers which divide?

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Bradley is a statesman who draws people together for meaningful and courteous discussions on topics on which orthodox Christians may disagree. In this Interview, he and Larry discuss several Issues related to the Intersection of Faith & Science.

This Is Part 3 of a three-part Interview.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Bradley is a statesman who draws people together for meaningful and courteous discussions on topics on which orthodox Christians may disagree. In this Interview, he and Larry discuss several Issues related to the Intersection of Faith & Science.

This Is part 2 of a three-part Interview.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Bradley is a statesman who draws people together for meaningful and courteous discussions on topics on which orthodox Christians may disagree. In this Interview, he and Larry discuss several Issues related to the Intersection of Faith & Science.

Send us Fan Mail

For many years, Jim has been a leader in encouraging Christians to care for God’s creation. He is an author and speaker who has testified before Congress and has appeared on Fox News, NPR, and other news programs. In this interview with Jim, we discuss the beauty and wonder of God's creation and dive into other topics including: the theological basis for creation care; the health impacts of pollution on cancer, respiratory disease, autism and other diseases; preserving our capacity to supply food; and protecting the quality and safety of our water and air. We'll consider how we can personally have an impact on environmental stewardship.

Send us Fan Mail

Larry and George discuss current thought and approaches to race relations. We'll discuss Dr. Yancey's recent posts on his blog at Patheos (patheos.com), "I'm Tired", and "Not White Fragility, Mutual Responsibility".  We'll discuss his approach to racial conciliation and mutual responsibility, which is a call for active listening and dialog to form workable, lasting solutions.

George Yancey Is a professor in the Sociology Department and the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University.

Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Jennifer is on the Pastoral Team of Agape Christian Ministries. She is also a Spiritual Counselor, actress, and playwright. In this interview, Larry and Jennifer discuss the generational trauma Black Americans experience from the many ways they have been harmed by their historic treatment in the United States. They want to encourage the church to come alongside Black Americans and listen, to believe the stories of their experiences, to pray, and to act on what you hear. Why use the word "conciliation" instead of "reconciliation"? Because to be re-conciled, we must have been conciled, and the relationship with Black America has never been conciled. In the words of Pastor Jennifer,  “Until we as a nation, made up of individuals, examine our own hearts and exorcise our own disregard for the value of Black people, emphasis must be put on "Black Lives Matter" elevating the call, because in making this statement we truly heal, redeem, sanctify the value of all lives.”

Send us Fan Mail

As part of our series on Racial Relations, Larry Interviewed Ashton and Jennifer Cumberbatch, long-time leaders in racial reconciliation in the Austin area. They talk about what It will take for the healing of the Soul of Black America. How have the inequalities in education, health services, treatment by police, and more set the stage for the protests and the call for change after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, George Floyd, and David Dorn? How can the church partner with our Black Brothers and Sisters in working for justice and fairness for all?

Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Joseph C Parker, Jr, Esq., D. Min., discusses the deep, long term wounds of our black brothers and sisters, the need for conciliation, the history and impact of racism In Austin, and how the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, George Floyd, and others have opened the scabs over old wounds. Pastor Parker is long-time pastor of David Chapel in Austin, TX. In the Interview, he and Larry discuss the silence of the white church and call for brothers and sisters in Christ to stand together for fairness to all.