Claire and Rachel are joined by Dr. Sarah C. Williams for an engaging conversation about marriage, sex and gender throughout Christian history. Beginning with reflection on the 1960s to today, Sarah shares some insights from her upcoming summer class on the relationship between Christianity and the ever-shifting cultural matrix of political, societal and phenomenological values that shape our understanding of marriage, celibacy, sex and gender identity. In particular, Sarah reflects on the commodification of sex and the pornography industry from systemic perspectives that move beyond pastoral conversations around personal addiction. She also shares a little about her recent work on Josephine Butler, When Courage Calls, which she will launch with us on July 2.

Sarah's Bio

Dr. Sarah C. Williams is a historian, writer, and storyteller, specializing in 19th- and 20th-century cultural and religious history. Sarah trained as a historian at the University of Oxford, where she subsequently taught for seven years. In 2005, Sarah moved with her family to Vancouver to teach the History of Christianity at Regent College. After teaching at Regent full-time for over a decade, Sarah returned to the UK with her husband, Paul, to live in the Cotswolds, where she continues to write and research. Sarah is a passionate and committed teacher who is much loved by her students. She has written and edited numerous academic articles and books. Her most recent book is When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women (Hodder & Stoughton, 2024). She’ll be joining us in July (7-11) to teach Marriage, Sex and Gender in Historical Perspective.

Previous Podcast Appearances

A New Language for the Sexual Crisis of Our Generation (July 2019)

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This week, Dr. Brad East joins us for a deep dive into the Doctrine of Scripture and its implications for how we read and interpret the Bible, engage with church tradition and confess weekly that “This is the Word of the Lord.” How did we get there? Brad talks about inspiration, canonisation, and the Scriptures in the life of the church. He also delves into different denominational approaches to Scripture, touching on infallibility, perspicuity and sufficiency, amongst other topics. Finally, Brad offers encouragement to those who seek to foster thoughtful reading practices in a post-literate generation. He’ll be joining us from Jun 9-12 to teach “The Doctrine of Scripture.” We’d love for you to join us!

Brad's Bio

Dr. Brad East is an associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University in 2017. Brad’s scholarly work focuses on theology and ecclesiology. He is the editor of The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture by Robert Jenson (Oxford University Press, 2019) and the author of several books, including: The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021). His research interests include the relationship between scripture and the church, as well as the role of theology in contemporary Christian practice. Dr. East will be joining us here at Regent this summer, teaching a class on the doctrine of scripture.

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Dr. Amy Peeler joined us to share about her upcoming class, "Gender and the New Testament" (June 30-July 4). Dr. Peeler is a New Testament scholar who brings years of thoughtful study and personal questions to the conversation around the value of femaleness in Scripture and theology. Starting with an exploration of the role of Mary in Christianity, Amy provides an insightful perspective on God’s inclusion of women, an aspect of our faith often forgotten or diminished in Protestant Christianity. We also discussed the maleness of Jesus and the Fatherhood of God and Paul’s perspective on women in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11. Amy’s winsome approach to these divisive and charged issues was truly encouraging and inspiring.

Bio

Dr. Amy L. Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois. She earned her MDiv and PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Peeler serves as an Associate Priest at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois. Her research interests include the Epistle to the Hebrews, ancient rhetoric, the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, Israel's sacrificial system, atonement, and familial language in the New Testament. She has written several books, including Women and the Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022).

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Claire and Rachel are joined by Dr. Madison N. Pierce, who shares her love of the book of Hebrews and reflects on Scripture’s use of Scripture. The conversation covers the wide-ranging presence of the Old Testament in the New, and the reasons for that, as well as exegetical and hermeneutical methods and the Hebrew and Greek contexts in which the Scriptures were written. If this conversation piques your interests and you want to delve deeper into scriptural allusions and quotations, Madison will be teaching “Scripture’s Use of Scripture” from June 2-6. 

Bio

Dr. Madison N. Pierce is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. She earned her Ph.D. from Durham University, where she focused on the Book of Hebrews, the use of Scripture within Scripture, and the Catholic Epistles. Dr. Pierce's notable publications include her monograph, Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which explores the recontextualization of spoken quotations of Scripture in Hebrews. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Pierce serves as the New Testament Editor for Reviews of Biblical and Early Christian Studies and co-hosts The Two Cities podcast. She is actively involved in her local church and enjoys engaging with the broader community through preaching and teaching.

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In today’s podcast, Claire and Rachel chat with Dr. Quentin Genuis, an Emergency Physician at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Quentin weaves together his experience in the emergency room with theological reflection, responding to tough and tender issues that face all of us, whether we like to admit it or not: human dignity, death and dying, and addiction. Quentin repeatedly invites us into the place of compassion, or co-suffering, with human persons. He will teach Healthcare and the Christian Life (June 9-13) in just a few weeks. There’s still time to join us!

Bio

Dr. Quentin Genuis is an Emergency Physician at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver and serves as the Physician Ethicist for Providence Health Care. He holds a Master of Letters in Theology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, focusing his research on bioethics. His academic interests include palliative care, end-of-life care, biomedical ethics, personal autonomy, addiction, and theology. Dr. Genuis has contributed to scholarly discussions on the autonomy debates, end-of-life care, compassion, human dignity, and theological anthropology. He is the author of a forthcoming book on Addiction and the Church. Quentin will be with us this summer, teaching "Healthcare and the Christian Life" from June 9-13.

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Today, we caught up with Dr. W. Ross Hastings, Professor of Theology at Regent. Ross tells us about his book on the Ascension (to be released in November 2025), which forms the basis of his forthcoming summer class, “The Ascension and the High Priesthood of Christ” (May 26-30). In this conversation, he reflects on the christological, ecclesiological, pneumatological and eschatological significance of the Ascension and the pastoral implications of the reality that we have a High Priest who intercedes for us, and leads us in worship. As Ross says, we hope listening to and reflecting on this episode and its implications for your life will add a spring to your step today.

Bio

Dr. W. Ross Hastings is the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology at Regent College. Born to Scottish missionary parents, he spent his early years in Scotland and Zimbabwe. He holds two PhDs: one in chemistry and another in theology. He also pastored churches in BC and Quebec before joining the Regent faculty in 2006. His research interests include Trinitarian theology, pastoral theology, the theology and spirituality of mission, ethics, and the interface between science and theology. Ross has written many books – too many to mention, and he will tell us a bit about his forthcoming publication on the Ascension. We will also be diving into his summer class: The Ascension and the High Priesthood of Christ (May 26-30).

Previous Podcast Appearances

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (February 2022)

Theological Ethics (April 2021)

Pain, Suffering and Depression in the Life of the Believer (April 2019)

Christian Ambassadors (with Andre Freitas) (March 2018)

Ambassadors: Christ in the Public Square (with Darrell Johnson) (March 2018)

Books Referenced

The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church (forthcoming, IVP Academic)

Total Atonement: Trinitarian Participation in the Reconciliation of Humanity and Creation (2019)

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Exploring Its Theological Significance and Ongoing Relevance (2022)

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Today we are joined by Dr. Denis Alexander, who will soon teach a class on Current Issues in Science and Theology (May 26-30). Denis is known for his research as a molecular biologist, so we start this conversation by discussing theistic evolution, genetics, DNA, and the difference between mind and brain. He also probes the implications of emerging issues and fields such as neuroscience, transhumanism, and AI. We are grateful to engage with someone who thoughtfully and insightfully participates in the scientific world, bringing Christian faith and reflection to bear on emerging knowledge and realities. If you are unsure whether his class is for you, Dr. Alexander assures us that this course suits those with no science background! 

Bio

Dr. Denis Alexander is a prominent molecular biologist and Christian thinker known for his extensive work in the dialogue between science and religion. In 2006, Dr. Alexander co-founded The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion with Professor Bob White to conduct research and promote dialogue between the scientific and religious communities. He was the journal Science & Christian Belief editor from 1992 to 2013. He has been an active member of organizations such as Christians in Science and the International Society for Science and Religion. Throughout his career, Dr. Alexander has been a vocal proponent of the compatibility between scientific inquiry and religious faith, contributing significantly to discussions on how these fields intersect and inform each other. He’ll join us from May 26-30 to teach on Current Issues in Science and Theology. He will also give an Evening Public Lecture in the Regent College Chapel on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Previous Podcast Appearances

Evolution, Neanderthals and Original Sin (March 2021)

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We are joined again by Professor John Swinton, ahead of his summer class “Theology, Mental Health and the Problem of Suffering” (May 12-16). We discuss his recent research on systemic factors that contribute to mental health challenges, methods in practical theology and the issue of casual theodicy in Christian communities. We discuss the mystery of God’s hiddenness, sitting with the unresolved in church communities, and the importance of boundaries in friendship and caring for people with mental health challenges and disabilities. John also briefly mentions his album Beautiful Songs About Difficult Things, where he integrates his many years of theological reflection into artistic meditations for the church. We're hoping he'll sing a few songs for us in May!

Bio 

Professor John Swinton is a Scottish theologian, ordained minister in the Church of Scotland, and a former mental health nurse. He holds the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, where he specializes in practical theology and pastoral care. He has made significant contributions to disability theology and the theology of mental health. Throughout his career, John has emphasized the importance of understanding personhood and spirituality in the context of mental health and disability, advocating for more inclusive and compassionate approaches within religious communities and healthcare settings.

Previous Podcast Appearances

A Thick Understanding of Mental Health (December 2022)

I Have Never Met a Mentally Healthy Person (June 2019) 

Books Referenced

Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges (2020)

Dementia: Living in the Memories of God (2012)

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Bruce and Carolyn join Claire and Rachel to share about their new book At the Feet of Jesus: Encountering Christ in the Gospels, which will be released by IVP on April 25. They share about writing the book through many years of leading prayer retreats with students and church groups, the practice of Ignatian meditation and the joy of keeping our eyes on Jesus, as we follow the example of Mary of Bethany. Towards the end of the conversation, they also tell us about their upcoming En Route summer course in Italy, Martyrs, Monks and Mystics (May 18-31). 

Bios

Dr. D. Bruce Hindmarsh is the James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology and Professor of the History of Christianity here at Regent. He earned his PhD in theology from Oxford University. His scholarly work focuses on the history of early British evangelicalism. Bruce is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a past president of the American Society of Church History. He is also an active lay member of an Anglican Church in Vancouver. 

Carolyn Hindmarsh holds a DMin from Fuller Seminary. She teaches New Testament Greek and spiritual theology at Regent College and is a trained spiritual director. Together, Bruce and Carolyn have often taught at Regent College and led church retreats.

Previous Podcast Appearances
Carolyn Hindmarsh and Shirley Sullivan on Biblical Languages (Oct 2016)

Bruce Hindmarsh on Early Evangelical Spirituality  (Feb 2018)

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This week, we welcomed Dr Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn back to the podcast to share about her forthcoming book Reading the New Testament Around the World. Mariam is a beloved New Testament professor at Regent and in this conversation, she shares her enthusiasm for the New Testament, as well as the inspiration and process behind collaborating with global scholars to conduct situated exegesis. We talk about fresh insights from Scripture and student responses to advanced copies of the book. The volume incorporates essays on each book of the New Testament, with writers from across the world engaging with theological, social and political issues pertinent to their contexts. The book will be released on April 29, 2025 from Baker Academic. She will be teaching New Testament Foundations this summer (May 26–June 6) and launching her book in the Regent Chapel on May 21 at 7:30pm.

Bio

Dr. Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Regent College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Denver Seminary, and a PhD in New Testament from the University of St. Andrews. Mariam’s scholarly work focuses on the Epistle of James, the Gospel of Matthew, and the broader context of Jewish literature from the intertestamental period. She has co-authored a commentary on James for the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series and has contributed numerous articles and book chapters to the field. 

Previous Podcast Appearances

Questions About the New Testament: Part 2 (December 2019)

Rediscovering Biblical Faith (April 2019)

The Epistle of James (March 2017)

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