Rethinking Faith

This week, Dr. Drew Hart joins us once again to discuss his latest book 'Who Will Be A Witness'.

Who Will Be a Witness offers a vision for communities of faith to organize for deliverance and justice in their neighborhoods, states, and nation as an essential part of living out the call of Jesus.

Drew provides incisive insights into Scripture and history, along with illuminating personal stories, to help us identify how the witness of the church has become mangled by Christendom, white supremacy, and religious nationalism. Hart provides a wide range of options for congregations seeking to give witness to Jesus' ethic of love for and solidarity with the vulnerable.

At a time when many feel disillusioned and distressed, Hart calls the church to action, offering a way forward that is deeply rooted in the life and witness of Jesus. Dr. Hart's testimony is powerful, personal, and profound, serving as a compass that points the church to the future and offers us a path toward meaningful social change and a more faithful witness to the way of Jesus.

RESOURCES:

Who Will Be A Witness (Book)

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This week, Bonnie Lewis joins us once again to take a deep dive into her Idiomatic translation of the Bible, 'Timshel'. Bonnie was on the show over a year ago when this project was still underway. Now, you can get a soft or hardback copy to hold in your hands and enjoy.

This was a fun and informative conversation. If you find yourself having a hard time reading the Bible because it has been weaponized against you in the past, give Timeshel a try. Enjoy.

RESOURCES:

TimshelTranslation.com

The Timshel Cast

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This week Rob Bell joins the conversation to help us awaken to the reality that everything is spiritual... Josh tried to write an outline for the interview but quickly realized how silly of a thing that was to do. Outline an interview with Rob Bell? Yeah right! Enjoy. 

RESOURCES: 

Everything is Spiritual (Book) 

RobBell.com

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"I'm just speaking the truth in love..." How many times have you head that common refrain? For years, Christians have argued, debated, and fought one another while "speaking the truth in love," yet we are no closer to the grace-filled life Jesus modeled.

This week, Biblical scholar and popular podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, Jared Byas joins us and casts a new vision for the Christian life that's built not on certainty, but on the risk of love.  

Jared contends that a biblically-based Christian life is not grounded in having all the answers but in a living relationship. This ultimately shifts our focus from collecting the "right" answers to loving others deeply and authentically. Jared calls us back to the heart of the Bible: that truth is only true when it's lived out in love. 

He makes a compelling case for how what we believe is less important than how we believe it and that, more than anything else, telling the truth in love is about following Jesus. Enjoy!

RESOURCES: 

Love Matters More (Book)

JaredByas.com

The Bible For Normal People Podcast

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This week, our good friend Dr. Thomas Jay Oord returns to the show once again. Previously he has been on to 'The Uncontrolling Love of God' and 'God Can't'. Tom is an open and relational theologian, and his work has helped so many.

As he returns this week, he fields some questions about his 'God Can't' thesis. If you have not listened to the previous two episodes with Tom, we would highly recommend that you do that.

If God can't control, why pray?

Enjoy!

RESOURCES: 

Questions and Answers for God Can't

ThomasJayOord.com

Center for Open & Relational Theology

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This week, Dr. Dennis R. Edwards joins the conversation making the powerful claim that the power of the Gospel is often most visible among those who are on the margins. God has empowered marginalized Christians to transform the church.

The power of the gospel is often most visible among those who have been the least respected, including racial or ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, women, and people who have been displaced from their homeland. Yet in many faith communities, these are the same people whose leadership gifts are least likely to be recognized.

Edwards brings forth a strong affirmation of the power already present among marginalized Christians and a call to recognize and embrace this power for the sake of helping the church become more like Christ. Marginalized Christians are already changing the face of the church. Will we embrace their power to change the church's heart?

RESOURCES:

Might From the Margins: The Gospel's Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice 

1 Peter (The Story of God Bible Commentary) 

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Is caring for the environment just a liberal, political concern? Dr. Sandra Richter says that environmental care is actually a Biblical mandate. 

Dr. Richter is an expert in ancient Israelite society and economy as well as biblical theology. She walks us through various passages, showing how significant environmental theology is to the Bible's witness. She then helps us to apply that message to today's environmental concerns.

Well informed on present-day environmental challenges, Richter shares case studies that connect the biblical mandates to current issues. Though modern political alliances may tempt readers to sever Christian faith from environmental stewardship, Richter helps us to rethink our environmental concerns and be driven by God's values instead. 

RESOURCES: 

Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why it Matters (Book) 

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (Book)

Dr. Sandra Richter Westmont College

Seedbed Epic of Eden Series

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The United States has more people locked up in Jails, Prisons, and Detention centers than any other country in the history of the world. This week we are joined by Dominique DuBois Gilliard to help us rethink incarceration. 

Mass incarceration has become a lucrative industry, and the criminal justice system is plagued with bias and unjust practices. And the church has unwittingly contributed to the problem.

Dominique helps us explore the history and foundation of mass incarceration, examining Christianity’s role in its evolution and expansion. The church has the power to help transform our criminal justice system and Dominique helped us to discover how we can participate in the restorative justice needed to bring authentic rehabilitation, lasting transformation, and healthy reintegration to this broken system. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice That Restores (Book)

DominiqueGilliard.com 

Rethinking Incarceration Video Curriculum 

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This week Dan Koch returns to the show to discuss the overlap of Psychology and Theology. Dan is the host of the 'You Have Permission' podcast, and is currently working towards his doctorate of clinical psychology. 

In some streams of the Christian faith, psychology is frowned upon, but Dan contends that psychology can be a great tool in the world of theology. This was a fun and helpful conversation, enjoy!

Resources:

You Have Permission Podcast

The Righteous Mind (Book)

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This week, Kevin Makins joins the conversation to ask the question... why would anyone go to church? When Kevin was 23 and didn't know any better, he founded Eucharist Church with some of his friends. 

There are plenty of reasons to criticize, judge, and even walk away from the church. Many of us have been hurt and rejected. We may see church as insular and irrelevant. Despite this, Kevin Makins believes that the church still matters--perhaps more than ever.

If you've been burned or burned out by the church, if you've been silenced or misunderstood, if you've left or never even joined in the first place, this conversation is your invitation to consider what you miss out on when you give up on church--and what the church misses out on when it gives up on you. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Why Would Anyone Go To Church (Book)

KevinMakins.com 

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