Maybe I'm Amazed

Dr. Howell speaks with Peter Eisenstadt, Affiliate Professor of History at Clemson University, Editor of the Howard Thurman Papers, and the author of Against the Hounds of Hell: A Life of Howard Thurman. Together they look at the work of Howard Thurman, a prolific author, esteemed preacher, and mentor to most of the key Civil Right leaders and their non-violent approach back in the 1950s – and also a deeply spiritual man and writer of beautiful devotional materials.

Dr. James Howell speaks with Dr. Willie Jennings, Yale theologian and author, on "Jesus and… Race," looking at race theologically, not politically, as well as how it impacts the church and our lives.

Dr. James Howell talks to Susan Coppedge, an attorney and former US Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Listen as she talks about her amazing work to bring justice and protect vulnerable people.

Dr. James Howell talks to Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of Jewish Studies and New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Jesus was Jewish. Did he invent a new religion, asking people not to be Jewish? Why did being Jewish and being Christian split and get complicated? AJ is always smart, witty, and inspiring.

Dr. Howell talks with Professor Ben Witherington, a child of our church and renowned New Testament scholar, on "Jesus and…the Gospels." Are they reliable? Are there others? Should we read them literally or figuratively? Why does the historical Jesus matter?

Host James Howell talks to Kaley Crawford, park ranger at the Reconstruction Era National Park in Beaufort, SC. Kaley tells the incredible story of Robert Smalls, who was born under bondage in Beaufort, but managed to free himself by commandeering a Confederate transport ship and sailing it to Union territory. He would become be a key figure in convincing Abraham Lincoln to enlist African-Americans in the military. Smalls would eventually go back to Beaufort, purchase his former slave owner's home, and make a successful bid for Congress.

James and Kaley also speak about the Emancipation Proclamation, its original reading in Beaufort, SC, and why experiencing history on the soil where happened will always beat what you learn in a textbook.

To celebrate and better observe the season of Advent, host James Howell reaches out to longtime friend and colleague Rev. Alisa Lasater Wailoo to discuss Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

James and Alisa talk about the history of Mary, but also why she matters today - and in what ways. They engage her depictions throughout testaments to identify what makes her such a unique and significant character in our modern landscape, particularly around the holiday season.

Barbara McKay is an author, TV personality, fashion and design maven, and former neighbor of host James Howell. McKay joins James on today's episode of Maybe I'm Amazed for a conversation that touches on some of Barbara's favorite topics including cooking, fashion and faith.

Barbara has interviewed plenty of famous people, James asks what commonality she sees between them. James and Barbara also discuss some of the recipes, specifically her brownies, she includes in her new southern cuisine cook book, Coming Home. Well known for her fashion blog, James asks Barbara why design and style matter more than ever. Finally, Barbara talks about how a personal tragedy with her brother led to her finding her faith in God.

Pastor, teacher and author Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee joins host Dr. James Howell on today's episode of Maybe I'm Amazed. Rev. Byassee has deep ties to North Carolina, having studied at Davidson College and Duke Divinity, and having spent several years as the senior pastor at Boone UMC.

James and Jason's conversation covers many theological and concepts. Jason speaks about how God appears to groups of three people as if they were one, and why it matters. James and Jason address some of the misconceptions surrounding the Holy Spirit. Finally, James asks Jason about discovering his purpose and mission in ministry.

Frederick Christian "Fritz" Bauerschmidt joins host James Howell on today's episode of Maybe I'm Amazed. Fritz is a professor of theology at Loyola University Maryland, permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and has published books on great theologians like Julian or Norwich and Thomas Aquinas, and is a popular teacher and speaker.

Fritz and James have a conversation about Fritz's latest book, The Love That is God, how profound and wonderful that love really is, proving Christianity is both welcoming and challenging. They talk deeply about God's love, and bond over their shared hometown of Columbia, SC.