New Creation Conversations

Welcome to episode twenty-two of New Creation Conversations. In this conversation I’m joined by Dr. Doug Hardy. Doug is Professor of Spiritual Formation at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Doug is an alum of Eastern Nazarene College and Masters’ degrees from Northeastern University and Fuller Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Boston University.

In addition to teaching, writing, and speaking on several areas connected to Christian spiritual formation, Doug is a key thought leader with the Wabash Center on the topic of formation and “embodiment,” and he serves as the Vice President (and will soon serve as the President) of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality

Doug has been at Nazarene Seminary for a number of years now and has not only played a key role in the formation of those preparing for ministry, but he has also been a key leader in the Doctor of Ministry program. Our conversation goes a few minutes longer than past podcasts, in part because I so thoroughly enjoy talking to Doug about formation, emotional wholeness, and practices such as worship, prayer, and Scripture reading. There is much to glean from my time with Doug, so thanks for sitting in this week’s new Creation Conversation with Dr. Doug Hardy.

Welcome to episode twenty-one of New Creation Conversations. In this conversation I’m joined by Dr. Amos Yong. Amos is Professor of Theology and Mission as well as the Dean of the School of Theology and Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Amos received his undergraduate degree from Bethany College, has Masters degrees from Western Evangelical Seminary and Portland State University, and a PhD from Boston University.

Amos is a prolific writer. He has written or edited more than 50 books and 225 scholarly articles. His work in particular on the Holy Spirit has been foundational for contemporary Pentecostal theology, but he has also written extensively on inter-religious dialogue, political theology, and a theology of disability.

I got to know Amos 25 years ago when I was at SNU and was invited to come and respond – from my Holiness perspective – on papers being presented at the Society for Pentecostal Studies. If you search his name on Amazon, you will find dozens of his books there. All of his books on the Holy Spirit are incredible. His Theology and Down Syndrome was very formative in my own ministry. The Amos Young Reader surveys his work. And he has a new commentary on Revelation in the Belief series that will be released this fall. I’m really grateful for Amos’ hospitality and friendship, and am especially glad that two theological cousins like the Pentecostal and Holiness traditions can (and are) finding places of common mission and connection in these days. I’m really honored to bring you this New Creation Conversation with Dr. Amos Yong.

Dr. Steve Hoskins is Associate Professor of New Testament Greek and Church History at Trevecca Nazarene University – where he has now taught for over 25 years. He is an alum of Trevecca, and has graduate degrees from Nazarene Theological Seminary, St. Louis University, Middle Tennessee State University, and the Graduate Theological Foundation. 

 Steve has contributed to a number of books, journals, seminars, and magazines across the years. He has a number of books on the way to release including A Year with Rabbi Jesus and The Cause: The Twenty Most Important Events in Nazarene History. He is also the leader of an exciting project called “The Nazarene Denominational Registry of Historical Significance.”

 As you will hear, Steve is an expert on Christian history – in particular the development of Christian traditions in the Southeastern part of the U.S. Steve breaks every stereotype of the boring and nerdy historian. He is at heart a storyteller and has many great stories of the past to share, not just so we can know where we come from but also so we can have greater wisdom for where we are going in the future.

In this conversation I’m joined by Dr. Jeren Rowell. Jeren is President of Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is an alum of Northwest Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Trinity Evangelical Seminary, and Olivet Nazarene University. Jeren served churches in Nampa, Idaho, Chicago, and Shawnee, Kansas before being elected District Superintendent of the Kansas City District. 

 Jeren has written a number of books and articles – and served for several years as the editor of The Preacher’s Magazine. Our conversation focuses on three of his books in particular: John: In Him Was Life (a new contribution to the Shaped By Scripture Series); Thinking, Listening, Being: A Wesleyan Pastoral Theology; and Preaching Holiness: Pastoral Considerations. We also spend a fair amount of time reflecting on the importance of education and preparation for ministry in the face of the challenges of the changing context of seminary education.

I am really thankful for Jeren and his leadership at NTS. I treasure the opportunities I’ve had a cross the years to share a meal or a cup of coffee and talk about theology and the church with Jeren. I think you will catch some of the depth of thought and heart at work in Jeren in our conversation together.

Welcome to episode 18 of New Creation Conversations. In this conversation I’m joined by Dr. Tim Gaines. Tim is Associate Professor of religion in the Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Trevecca Nazarene University. He is an alum of Point Loma Nazarene University, and holds graduate degrees from Point Loma, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Tim is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has served churches in Kansas City, Chicago, and California. As a research fellow at the Stead Center for Ethics and Values, he conducted research in the areas of energy, economics, and bioethics. 

He’s written, co-written, and edited a number of articles, chapters, and books. Our conversation focuses on four books in particular: Kings and Presidents: Politics and the Kingdom of God; A Seat at the Table: A Generation Re-Imagining its Place in the Church; Following Jesus: Prophet, Priest, King; and the soon to be released addition to the Wesleyan Theology Series – Christian Ethics.

Tim and I are kindred spirits in our interests in theology and ethics. But I also deeply appreciate the way Tim envisions his theological and ethical work being done in the service of the church. I’m really thankful for Tim and his ministry and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation together.

Dr. Janette Ok is Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the faculty at Fuller, Janette served for five years at Azusa Pacific Seminary – where I was blessed to serve with her for a short time. Janette received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and has both an MDiv and a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary.

 Janette as written extensively on the interpretation of Scripture at the intersection of race, identity and culture. She has a new book being released this summer entitled: Constructing Ethic Identity in 1 Peter: Who You are No Longer (with Bloomsbury T&T Clark) and is currently co-editing The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Commentary on the New Testament (with IVP Academic).  In addition to her scholarly work, Janette is deeply involved pastorally in her local church – Ekko.

Dr. Mike Kipp has served as the Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Northwest Nazarene University for the last 17 years. His most recent book is Making Room: The Purpose and Practice of Youth Ministry.

Mike and Scott talk about the history of youth ministry and the major transition taking place as churches move from a multi-generational to an intergenerational model. This transition is a difficult one, but Mike offers very practical advice and wisdom on how churches can develop an intergenerational imagination and a new set of practices.

Brad is the Evelyn and Frank Freed Professor of the Integration of Psychology and Theology, and the Chair of Integration, in the Clinical Psychology Department at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has written extensively on the integration and intersection of theology and psychology, in our conversation we focus primarily on two books he co-authored with Dr. Warren Brown entitled: The Physical Nature of the Christian Life: Neuroscience, Psychology, and the Church, and the recently published follow-up book entitled Enhancing Christian Life: How Extended Cognition Augments Religious Community.

Dr. Winn Collier is the Associate Professor of Theology at Western Theological Seminary (in Holland, Michigan). He is also the director of the Eugene Peterson Center of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination, and the author of the recently released authorized biography of Eugene entitled, A Burning in My Bones.

Scott and Winn talk about Eugene's life, his ministry, his writings, and his unique vision of pastoral life.

Dr. Dan Boone is president of Trevecca Nazarene University and the author of several books including, A Very Good God in a Badly Broken World, Answers for Chicken Little: A No-Nonsense Look at the Book of Revelation, and A Charitable Discourse: Talking About the Things that Divide Us.

Pastor Scott and Dan discuss the challenges of the last two years, how to read the book of Revelation, and some the amazing missional things happening through Christian higher education. In particular, they talk about Dan's two recent contributions to the Shaped by Scripture series (from The Foundry Publishing) on the books of Revelation and Acts.