Roughing the Pastor

Episode 34: The Theology of Armistice Day

Wherein Them Pastors welcome the modern day peace-maker, Rev. Matt Fricker to wrestle with the notion of armistice and what it means to make lasting peace.  Along the way they get into a heated debate about whether a hot dog is a sandwich (in which J reveals himself to be a sociopath), have the quickest run-through of the “guest questions” ever, and insult our guest within five seconds of the actual show starting.  This episode also digs deep into what it means to be a soldier, including the emotional and psychological cost, and whether a world without war is a possible thing.  It also digs into being people of reconciliation, and how that is different than forgiveness.

This episode does touch on the topic of suicidal ideation (without any graphic detail) particularly in the context of a soldier experiencing PTSD.  It is handled with care in the episode and will not catch you off guard, but know that this episode deals with some heavier things.

Episode 33: The Theology of Getting Older

Wherein Them Pastors wrestle with their own mortality as, Lordy, Lordy, Tyler turns 40.  This leads to conversations about which age you would return to, runaway dogs, and the 1990 Jim Belushi movie Mr. Destiny.  They also tackle showing your work in math, hoarding memories & experiences, the development of list of things you will never do, and the importance of using the “earned” respect of being old to empower others who are younger than you.

“Snapchat was the first technology that made me feel old because I realized I just don’t care.”

Episode 32: The Theology of Reformation Day

Wherein Them Pastors come at you just in time for the celebration this Thursday of everyone’s favorite holiday - Reformation Day!  Along the way, they will journey through ghost stories and spooky houses, a life threatening thunderstorm, death threats against radical monks.  They also how easy it is to be against people whom you have never met, the allure of believing that your personal experience is the normal one (on which everyone else’s experience should be judged against), and the difference between protesting and reforming (and how there is a time for both).

“The moral is don’t come to a lock-in with J unless you’re prepared to be terrified.”

Episode 31: The Theology of Scary Movies (and Halloween Revisited)

Wherein Them Pastors look at some of the reasons why we like scary movies (well, why Tyler likes scary movies), and what that can tell us about God.  Along the way, Bartleby shows up early to enforce a revisit and unpacking of last episode’s Halloween episode.  There’s also lots of talk about the best - and worst - Halloween candy, Jeff Goldblum impersonations, stories of how The Ring scared them beyond belief, and why The Santa Clause is a body horror movie.

“He had a heart attack while he was on a roller coaster and texting!”

Episode 30: The Theology of Halloween

Wherein Them Pastors tackle the most unlikely of Christian holidays - Halloween.  Along the way, they discuss past Halloween costumes, whether zombies are scarier when they are fast or when they are slow, sum up the book of Revelation, and they tackle the question of who is the king of all monsters.

“I love Old Man Freyer!”

Episode 29: The Theology of Fear

Wherein Them Pastors are back to discuss what Fear says about us and about God.  They get into some of their fears of horses and geese, and how scary a garage can be at night.  Along the way there’s some talk of songs we are scared to admit we like, how fear is a sign of something else, and how Tyler will likely die one day from falling off of a roller coaster.

“Horses are so entitled!”

This week's regular episode is going to be delayed by a few days, so in the meantime, here is a special MINISODE, featuring Tyler and a very special guest talking about the creativity that comes from Minecraft and how that can help us see the world a little differently!

This week's full episode will be here soon!

Episode 28: The Theology of The Best of the 2010s

Wherein Them Pastors are joined again by friend of the show Jimmy Bruce Dykstra and go an epic journey through the cinematic landscape of the last decade to pick out the ten best (or rather, two variations on the ten best).  Along the way, they discover the MacGyver like ingenuity of bringing a straw to your popcorn party, Jimmy’s hatred of all things child-like, J’s relative blindspot for movies without people wearing capes, and Tyler’s secret plan of as many movies with Star Wars actors in them as possible.  Our journey takes us close to past the 150 minute mark, so it’s advised that you listen to this episode in multiple sittings, but hope you enjoy it nonetheless. 

“When you came down to your number ones, both of you felt seen by the movies.”

Episode 27: The Theology of Being Late

Wherein Them Pastors go on the road for a recording at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to discuss a very persistent issue: being late.  Along the way, we hear tales of Tyler’s favorite Batmobile toy (which was lost too soon), J’s uncanny ability to be Clark Kent, the middle school axiom that has guided J’s life of punctuality, and the struggle with trying to squeeze too much into too little time.

“The new school year is an opportunity for reinvention.”

Episode 26: The Theology of Mixtapes

Wherein Them Pastors finally talk about the lost art of making mixtapes.  They break down the science, particularly how a band like 311 can really foul up a tape and how the act of creating something for someone else is an important act of community even if you do it alone.  Along the way, they’ll be some talk about life without cell phones, the toxic way to do youth ministry, and shots are fired over the bough of our rival podcast.

PLUS stick around for the Mystery Sound Challenge!

“If you’ve put way too much time into it, that’s exactly enough time.”