Homebrewed Christianity

Dr. Wilson Dickinson is a writer, pastor, and organizer who lives in his hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky. He teaches theology and directs the Doctor of Ministry and Continuing Education Programs at Lexington Theological Seminary. He is the director of the Green Good News, an organization that works with churches and schools to integrate sustainability, justice, and discipleship.

• At Lexington Theological Seminary the Dmin is focused on cultural hermeneutics and community organizing.
• What is the purpose of Dmin and who is it for?
• Why Gary Dorrien tells the coolest story of liberal Mainline Protestantism (read here)
• Is the initial deal for Mainline Protestantism in America worth it?
• the problem of the 'identified patient' and neo-liberal compliant justice issues
• church at the crossroads of Earth and Empire
• Zacchaues and the middle-management of Empire
• God isn't cool with economies of extraction and exploitation
• Kierkegaard & his critique of social Christianity
• how power hides in pain sight
• creating Pharisees an exit strategy from the imperial banquet
• the power of giving permission for others to lead
• parenting in the face climate change

Check out Wilson's books The Green Good News and Exercises in New Creation.

See what their unique accredited online seminary program can do for you. Whether you want to broaden your knowledge in one area, brush up on your preaching skills, or earn a degree, now in our 150th year, Lexington Theological Seminary offers the serious academic study you’ve come to expect, packaged in the newest model of theological education. Find out how you can be part of the growing, supportive community of LTS students, where you live, on your schedule.

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Michael Northcott is Professor of Religion and Ecology, Indonesian Consortium of Religious Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia and Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh. While he was in town between semesters in Indonesia we got to connect in his home office for energizing and nerdy conversation that covers quite a bit of ground including...

• how a factory job ruined systematic theology
• class consciousness and Christian socialism
• Schleiermacher, Barth, Tillich, and the socialist decision
• the Protestant problem with preaching scripture
• the birth of Radical Orthodoxy
• the religious predicament of modernity
• the task of being a member of a living tradition
• "Do Angels exist?"
• "the original sin is plant selection... the only life that is good on the planet is life we control, for we are the only beings with mentality and deserve the honor."
• "the biggest problem in systematic theology is its obsession with first cause and the inability to acknowledge multiple agencies"
• the connection between reductive accounts of agency and the political craziness in the US and UK
• why the bread at the Eucharist matters
• contemporary alienation from nature and community
• encountering nature anew and Jane Goodall
• the role of faith in ecological activism
• Michael mentions Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire

If you are on twitter then you should follow Dr. Northcott.

Want to read Northcott's work? Check it out.

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I am beyond excited about the upcoming class with our guest in this episode - John Cobb. This is the very first interview I ever recorded with Cobb and in it we discuss a process account of the incarnation, Kin-dom of God, and other Christological goodies.

You will likely notice how my accent has changed in the last 12 years of podcasting and moves from North Carolina to Los Angeles and then to Edinburgh.

Don't forget to check out Cobb's recent visit to answer the question "Why Whitehead?"

John Cobb taught theology at the Claremont School of Theology from 1958 to 1990. In 2014 he became the first theologian elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his interdisciplinary work in ecology, economics, and biology. He has published over 30 books including the first full length text in eco-philosophy.

In 1973, with David Griffin, he established the Center for Process Studies. In retirement he lives at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Throughout his career he has contributed to Whitehead scholarship and promoted process-relational programs and organizations. Most recently, he helped found the Claremont Institute for Process Studies, and has been heavily involved in supporting work toward the goal of China becoming an ecological civilization.

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Behind many Science and Religion conversations are a number of shaping, but often ignored questions. In this episode Jonathan and Sarah join me for a seriously nerdy and revealing dialogue about the nature and limits of science, the character of religious phenomena, the role of philosophy, naturalism(s), theology's place at the table, and much more. On top of all being friends, we each occupy a different network of answers to the questions we tackle. If you enjoy this half as much as I did you will have a wonderful time.

Dr. Jonathan Jong is a Research Fellow at Coventry University, and Deputy Director of the Brain, Belief and Behaviour group there. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford. Most of his current research is on the psychology of religion and the philosophical issues associated with the scientific study of religion. The Doctor is also a Reverend and Associate Priest at the parish church of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford and the Web Editor for the St Mary Magdalen School of Theology

Check out Jong's last visit to the podcast: Religion, Culture, and Your Impending Death

Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie is Lecturer in Theology and Science at the University of Edinburgh. She has a PhD in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh, where her doctoral work focused on the question of divine action in the human mind. A Michigander by birth, Sarah also holds a BA in Philosophy and Religion from Spring Arbor University, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MSc in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh. Her published work focuses on questions arising from the intersection of theology, philosophy, and the various brain-related sciences. Sarah’s research interests include divine action, philosophy of mind, naturalism, cognitive science of religion, and the psychology of belief formation.

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Dr. John B. Cobb Jr. is the greatest living interpreter of Alfred North Whitehead and he is here to tell you Why Whitehead!

In this special episode you will heard a powerful invitation from JC himself to join our upcoming online extravaganza - Probing PROCESS & REALITY. This 6 week online pop-up learning community is going to be zesty. You can find out more about it and register HERE or listen to the new podcast.

Cobb taught theology at the Claremont School of Theology from 1958 to 1990. In 2014 he became the first theologian elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his interdisciplinary work in ecology, economics, and biology. He has published over 30 books including the first full length text in eco-philosophy.

In 1973, with David Griffin, he established the Center for Process Studies. In retirement he lives at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. Throughout his career he has contributed to Whitehead scholarship and promoted process-relational programs and organizations. Most recently, he helped found the Claremont Institute for Process Studies, and has been heavily involved in supporting work toward the goal of China becoming an ecological civilization.

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I am thrilled to introduce many of you to a wonderful scholar and new friend. Pete and I met this past summer in SoCal at the TheoPsych seminar put on by my friends in the STAR office at Fuller Seminary. (STAR=Science, Theology and Religion). Whenever someone comes on the podcast from a more conservative part of the church I am always honored, because I get lots of rejection emails - even from people who listen! Any way, most of our conversation is about his work as a psychological scientist where he is respected apart from a particular religious identity. I hope you enjoy the conversation and if you run into Pete tell him thank you for joining.

Peter C. Hill, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University. Before coming to Rosemead in 2002, he served for 17 years as Professor of Psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. In 2006 he was honored with a faculty appointment at the University of Cambridge as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Center for Advanced Religious and Theological Studies of the Faculty of Divinity. Hill is an active researcher in social psychology and the psychology of religion where he has authored approximately 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.

In the conversation we discuss:

• Why the harder the science the greater % of scientists who believe in God?
• What are the psychological sciences? How is it an empirical science?
• The origin story of psychology and the current move towards positive psychology
• How do you define religion? The search for the sacred?
• Virtue and character formation
• What do psychologist think of theologians?
• Are humans naturally religious?
• How humans 'think' and make judgements
• What's going on when we argue and act a fool about religion and politics?
• Where polarization comes from
• the nature of religious trauma and paths to healing
• religious identity in adolescence
• advice on passing on the beautiful elements of your faith

Renowned for its natural beauty spanning 21,000 acres, Ghost Ranch is located in the high desert of northern New Mexico, 70 miles north of Santa Fe. Owned by the Presbyterian Church, the ranch is welcoming to everyone.

Breathtaking views of red and yellow cliffs, Abiquiu Lake and Pedernal Mesa have inspired countless musicians, theologians, and generations of artists, most famously Georgia O'Keeffe.

Day visitors and overnight guests are welcome. Rooms are rustic yet comfortable and many are historic buildings from the ranch’s earliest days as a dude ranch. Several tiers of lodging, including campsites, offer something for every budget and adventure type.

Several hiking trails, year-round O’Keeffe Landscape Tours and Trail Rides, two museums, seasonal swimming pool, dining hall and trading post make this a perfect retreat destination.

Over 200 workshop packages in the arts, spirituality, religion, wellness, archaeology, outdoor and family activities are offered annually.

Of special interest is Wild Christ, Wild Earth, Wild Self: A Nature Based Introduction to Seminary of the Wild, which is actually a two year training program for pastors, for spiritual leaders who are already embedded in communities. These are the sorts of folks that are standing on the edge of change and want to respond faithfully by reimagining what it means to be church, by reimaging church in the wild, a way of engaging in ecological and social justice issues in a deep and transformative way. Offered in June and October of 2020.

Visit GhostRanch.org for a catalog of these and other workshops.

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Douglas John Hall is Canada’s greatest living theologian & emeritus professor of theology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He is a theologian of the cross, a contextual theologian, and a wonderfully articulate one as well.  In this conversation we discuss his latest two books What Christianity is Not & Waiting for the Gospel, his love of music, personal interactions with Moltmann, Billy Graham, Tillich & company, and a number of intense theological topics.  It was a complete joy to chat with him.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did… and of course share the brew!

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Ian McFarland has recently returned to Candler School of Theology after a few years at Cambridge. Since Candler sponsored the podcast this week I figured it was a good time to bring Ian's first visit to the podcast out of the barrel for your listening pleasure.

Dr. McFarland is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Theology and author of a number of books. In this interview we discuss From Nothing: A Theology of Creation and recently he just released The Word Made Flesh: A Theology of the Incarnation.

Candler offers 16 graduate degrees, including a Master of Divinity with a focus on Justice, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Transformation, plus a new program in Chaplaincy Ministries. 100% of Mdiv students get a 50% scholarship and all certified candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church get their full tuition covered. So go check it out.

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Oliver Crisp is back on the podcast and bringing more of his Analytic Reformed excitement to you. I know some of you dear listeners love Calvin and analytic theology, so while I may be less interested in general with those theological trajectories I always enjoy getting to talk with Oliver. That is why, after some serious prayer and reflection, I have decided to institute a new HBC rule. IF you are gonna go Calvinist, #KeepItCrispy. That is about as robust an affirmation I can give to Oliver.

We recorded this conversation while we were in SoCal at the TheoPsych seminar put on by my friends in the STAR office at Fuller Seminary. (STAR=Science, Theology and Religion). Over the course of the week we had a bunch of conversations in which we got to know each other more, share stories about our life, faith, family, moving to Scotland and such. I may not have decided to embrace my Calvinist past, but I definitely decided having a friend like Oliver is a treat. Since his return to Scotland you can find him at the University of St. Andrews where he is the Professor of Analytic Theology.

Check out his previous visit to the podcast where we discuss his Christology. In this conversation we begin looking at the role of science in constructive anthropology and then discuss his newest book Analyzing Doctrine: Toward a Systematic Theology.

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The holidays are here and you know what that means?

Awkward conversations about religion and politics with family, friends, and coworkers.

Today on the podcast I am bringing you some wisdom... rules even... from two friends who work at the intersection of religion and the psychological sciences. Sarah Lane Ritchie and Kutter Callaway were part of the live podcast last week in San Diego and after hearing these 'rules' for the holidays, I knew I needed to share them ASAP.

The live event included a bunch of other segments that engaged an upcoming film J.E.S.U.A.  The rest of the podcast will come out near the release of the film. I moved the rules from the end of the conversation to the beginning, so after that segment you will go back in time to the beginning of my chat with Sarah and Kutter.

Here are the 7 rules.

1. You are NOT your ideas
2. Prioritize Sleep
3. Make Yourself Start (or keep) Meditating (here's the Examen app I mentioned)
4. Be a Documentarian - talk by listening
5. Acknowledge Their Trauma... including being in a family with you and your deconstructive path
6. Remember Everyone You See and Love Will Die
7. Criticism is a Form of Pursuit

This episode was sponsored by the upcoming documentary film J.E.S.U.S.A. 

J.E.S.U.S.A. is an in-depth exploration of the relationship between Christianity and American nationalism and the violence that can often emerge from it. Far from a new phenomenon, this documentary traces the co-opting of Christianity by the state all the way back to when the Christian faith became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Through interviews with a diverse group of scholars, pastors, historians, and activists, this film shows how specific readings of the Bible have led many Christians to confuse their devotion to Jesus with their dedication to the state. The film helps viewers rediscover and restore long-held Christian beliefs regarding nonviolence, inspiring Christians to become purveyors of peace rather than enablers of conflict and violence.

The documentary will be released for general viewing on February 25, 2020, and will be available on many streaming platforms for rental or purchase.

If you wish to help organize a showing for your church or organization, please contact the production team here.

The film includes some amazing people like David Bentley Hart, Suzanne Ross, Brian Zahnd, Osheta Moore, Diana Butler Bass, Greg Boyd, and many more.

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