Myers Park Baptist Church: Theology Upstream Podcasts

In this episode we encounter stories that are difficult to read.  From the Genesis call to protect the murderer, to the Judges account of the concubine who clings to the threshold as she takes her last breath, and finally to the heart-breaking (and yet inspiring) tale of Amalia and Gil… these two chapters were so difficult to read (and discuss) that they reminded us of our journey through Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy.  As disturbing as these stories are, we felt responsible to hold them up and to sit in the discomfort for a while, knowing that we live in homes and worship in a sanctuary with many “thresholds”.  These chapters force us to reckon with questions like: Who is on the other side of our thresholds?  Whose bodies do we blindly and ignorantly step over each day as we go about our lives with blinders on?  And, How might we begin to open those physical and metaphorical doors to welcome and love those who we find on the outside?Listen in… it’s rough, I’m warning you.  We’d love to know what you think!

In this episode we encounter stories that are difficult to read.  From the Genesis call to protect the murderer, to the Judges account of the concubine who clings to the threshold as she takes her last breath, and finally to the heart-breaking (and yet inspiring) tale of Amalia and Gil… these two chapters were so difficult to read (and discuss) that they reminded us of our journey through Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy.  As disturbing as these stories are, we felt responsible to hold them up and to sit in the discomfort for a while, knowing that we live in homes and worship in a sanctuary with many “thresholds”.  These chapters force us to reckon with questions like: Who is on the other side of our thresholds?  Whose bodies do we blindly and ignorantly step over each day as we go about our lives with blinders on?  And, How might we begin to open those physical and metaphorical doors to welcome and love those who we find on the outside?Listen in… it’s rough, I’m warning you.  We’d love to know what you think!

DC Talk kicks off our second conversation about Our God is Undocumented​, with their brilliant song “Colored People”.  After spending some time reflecting on our memories of youth group and DC Talk, Ben and I delve into the first two chapters: (1) Cultural Diversity and Deep Social Ecology and (2) Journey to the Margins: Delle McCormick. In this episode we talk about two well-known biblical stories: the Tower of Babel and Pentecost.  And then, we’ll hold up the themes from those texts along with the story of Delle McCormick’s life.  Finally, we wrap up the conversation by turning our attention toward you (and/or us).  Who are we (individually or collectively)?  Who is God calling us to be?  Where is God calling us to be?  And how are we (individually or collectively) pushed and pulled by the centrifugal and centripetal forces of empire and Spirit?Listen in and add your thoughts in the comments section!

DC Talk kicks off our second conversation about Our God is Undocumented​, with their brilliant song “Colored People”.  After spending some time reflecting on our memories of youth group and DC Talk, Ben and I delve into the first two chapters: (1) Cultural Diversity and Deep Social Ecology and (2) Journey to the Margins: Delle McCormick. In this episode we talk about two well-known biblical stories: the Tower of Babel and Pentecost.  And then, we’ll hold up the themes from those texts along with the story of Delle McCormick’s life.  Finally, we wrap up the conversation by turning our attention toward you (and/or us).  Who are we (individually or collectively)?  Who is God calling us to be?  Where is God calling us to be?  And how are we (individually or collectively) pushed and pulled by the centrifugal and centripetal forces of empire and Spirit?Listen in and add your thoughts in the comments section!

On the day of Tom Petty’s death, Ben and I recorded this podcast episode, which begins with his song, “Refugee.”  We didn’t know that he’d had a heart attack; but his was the first “immigrant” song that came to mind.  You’ll hear us mention that in our opening comments on the episode. RIP Tom, thanks for helping us kick this off with your amazing music.In this introductory podcast about the book, Our God is Undocumented,​ we discuss the authors and the major questions that the book calls us to reflect upon.  How does the Bible speak to issues of immigration and boundless welcome?  How is God Undocumented?  What does it mean to be a church without borders?(Please forgive the shameless plug for Miguel De La Torre… we were experiencing technical difficulties earlier this month which prohibited us from posting when we’d planned to post.)

On the day of Tom Petty’s death, Ben and I recorded this podcast episode, which begins with his song, “Refugee.”  We didn’t know that he’d had a heart attack; but his was the first “immigrant” song that came to mind.  You’ll hear us mention that in our opening comments on the episode. RIP Tom, thanks for helping us kick this off with your amazing music.In this introductory podcast about the book, Our God is Undocumented,​ we discuss the authors and the major questions that the book calls us to reflect upon.  How does the Bible speak to issues of immigration and boundless welcome?  How is God Undocumented?  What does it mean to be a church without borders?(Please forgive the shameless plug for Miguel De La Torre… we were experiencing technical difficulties earlier this month which prohibited us from posting when we’d planned to post.)

This week our study of Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians comes to an end.  It’s a little sad, I know, but there’s so much content in these final chapters, we will have plenty to think about in the days and weeks ahead.  Some highlights from this podcast episode include: a brief discussion of the Israel-Palestine situation, Doctrine of Discovery, a critical examination of the notion of promised land, and an eclipse joke… I couldn’t help myself. The most important piece of the episode is that we ask you to share with us how this book is changing you.  What has it meant for you?  How has it disturbed or disrupted you?  We want to know.  Until next time…

This week our study of Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians comes to an end.  It’s a little sad, I know, but there’s so much content in these final chapters, we will have plenty to think about in the days and weeks ahead.  Some highlights from this podcast episode include: a brief discussion of the Israel-Palestine situation, Doctrine of Discovery, a critical examination of the notion of promised land, and an eclipse joke… I couldn’t help myself. The most important piece of the episode is that we ask you to share with us how this book is changing you.  What has it meant for you?  How has it disturbed or disrupted you?  We want to know.  Until next time…

This week we get into the liberation movements in North America.  In just one short chapter, Miguel introduces us to liberation movements related to feminist, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American spiritualities and theologies.  It’s a quick overview with a lot of content, and critique!  So if you’re new to liberation thought, take your time with this chapter.   We had a ton of fun recording this episode so we hope y’all enjoy it!Spoiler alert: The best part is when Ben explains “mansplaining.” Public Service Announcement:  Ben has some well-deserved vacation coming up, Chrissy is prepping to preach later this month… we’re going to take a brief hiatus from the weekly episodes but we look forward to returning in a week or so.  We’ll wrap up our conversation about Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians when things return to normal (whatever that means).  In the meantime, carry on the conversation in the comments section.  I (Chrissy) will try to keep up and chime in every now and then.  But don’t wait for one of us to reply, engage one another in some healthy theological debate!!!

This week we get into the liberation movements in North America.  In just one short chapter, Miguel introduces us to liberation movements related to feminist, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American spiritualities and theologies.  It’s a quick overview with a lot of content, and critique!  So if you’re new to liberation thought, take your time with this chapter.   We had a ton of fun recording this episode so we hope y’all enjoy it!Spoiler alert: The best part is when Ben explains “mansplaining.” Public Service Announcement:  Ben has some well-deserved vacation coming up, Chrissy is prepping to preach later this month… we’re going to take a brief hiatus from the weekly episodes but we look forward to returning in a week or so.  We’ll wrap up our conversation about Liberation Theology for Armchair Theologians when things return to normal (whatever that means).  In the meantime, carry on the conversation in the comments section.  I (Chrissy) will try to keep up and chime in every now and then.  But don’t wait for one of us to reply, engage one another in some healthy theological debate!!!