What does it sound like when two friends discuss their struggle with the concept of God? If those friends also have a shared interest in science, philosophy, and religion it could sound like this.
My super-nerd friend, Sarah Lane Ritchie, is back on the podcast for a strikingly honest conversation about God and what is required for a “minimally viable” concept. It centers on three particular affirmations:

* God is personal
* God is transcendent
* God provides for postmortem existence

Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie received her B.A. in Philosophy & Religion from Spring Arbor University, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an M.Sc. in Science & Religion from the University of Edinburgh. She obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh in Science & Religion with a thesis on divine action and the human mind, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of St. Andrews. She has published a book with Cambridge University Press and numerous articles in academic journals, and continues research in the field of science and religion.
Sarah’s Previous Podcast Visits

Staff Lounge Shenanigans
* 
Can Scientists study gods, souls, and rituals?

* 
an Integrated Physicality and the Sacred

* 
Trilogies, Atonement Power Rankings, & Sex Work at Happy Hour

* 
Everyone You Ever Loved Will Die, so Merry Christmas!

* 
Kombucha, Meditation, Tarot, and Stink Bombs


Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.
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Sarah Lane Ritchie: a Minimally Viable God Concept

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Each episode features an extended interview with a different scholar from a variety of perspectives. Enjoy.

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The most influential academic text arguing against the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ divine image bearers into the life of the Church is Richard Hays’ “The Moral Vision of the New Testament.” He has changed his mind and has a new book developing a theological framework for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Christian communities.
In this live stream, Daniel Kirk joined me to explore his former professor’s evolution on the issue, why it’s about time for Richard (and lots of other faith leaders) to say so publicly, and how to think ethically with scripture. Those familiar with Daniel’s previous visits to the podcast will know that he has argued publicly for full inclusion based on the logic of scripture for years, even to the point of being denied tenure in evangelical spaces that demand silence. When this new book was announced, I wanted to have him back on to unpack things and hopefully lure more straight allies to find their voice.

Daniel Kirk (Ph.D., Duke University) is an award-winning New Testament scholar whose work takes place at the intersection of history, biblical interpretation, and real life. He is currently broadening his intellectual and vocational horizons by studying to be a Physician Assistant. Look for upcoming work to have a robust dose of science and politics mixed into the biblical conversations.
Here are some resource links from Daniel:

* Enfleshed (resources for creating queer-affirming spaces, especially in church gatherings)
* Peculiar Faith by Jay Emmerson Johnson
* The Widening of God’s Mercy by Christopher B. Hays and Richard B. Hays
* The Gospel of Inclusion: A Christian Case for LGBT+ Inclusion in the Church by Brandan J. Robertson
* God and the Gay Christian: the Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines

Previous Episodes w. Dr. Kirk

* on ROMANS + Biblical Authority, Jesus’ Adoption, and Post-Penal Atonement
* How Paul Preaches Christmas
* A Man Attested by God
* The Secret Chart to the END OF TIME (kind of)
* TNT Easter-Cast
* Kirk talks Paul w/ Tripp & Pete Rollins 

Lexington Theological Seminary is the sponsor for this Episode.
Lexington Theological Seminary is a pioneer in online theological education. Both the Doctoral and Masters programs are designed with the flexibility and contextual focus needed for the working student. You can learn more by heading here.
Here are a few episodes with a couple of their Profs

* Leah Schade & Wilson Dickinson: Faith During an Ecological Collapse
* Leah Schade: Preaching in a time of Crisis from Corona to Climate<br ...

Daniel Kirk: Making the Vision of the New Testament Moral

Barry Taylor and Tripp Fuller discuss the changing religious and spiritual space and how it shows up in culture. They reflect on the shift in the Western conversation in the last 25 years. Barry raises a growing awareness in how the concept of religion people thought they were updating, reorienting, and morphing, wasn’t ultimately finding traction in the historic religious institutions.

Barry Taylor‘s work is focused on the intersections between religion, theology and culture, with a particular emphasis on the impact and interplay of contemporary digital life on religion and belief (particularly Western Christianity). He is particularly interested in religion where it is least obvious and in cultural clinamens- the behavior and phenomena that escape our categorizing and thus provide opportunity for re-framing how we think and approach life. Barry works with GCAS as the Chair of the Theology department. Check out his books: Sex, God, and Rock ‘n’ Roll: Catastrophes, Epiphanies, and Sacred Anarchies & Entertainment Theology: New-Edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy
Previous Episodes w/ Barry

* Plundering Religion
* What Would Paul Do?
* Theology of Rock
* MORE… Theology of Rock
* F-it Theology
* The Birth of God
* Profano Theology Live

Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!

 



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Barry Taylor: Theology Beyond Religion

In this episode, Bo reflects on his own deconstruction story, the pace of spiritual change in America, and drops a sweet audiological image. Tripp pitches his deconstruction typology and gets Bo to power rank 3 different theologians’ definition of theology.

Check out Bo’s webpage and his podcast with Randy Woodley, Peacing it All Together.
Bo’s new podcast exploring the legacy of his Father Dr. Martin Sanders can be found here.
JOIN our next class, GOD AFTER DECONSTRUCTION with Thomas Jay Oord
Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.
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What’s Your Theological Sample Rate?

Kristian Smith is joining Tripp to unpack the intersection of cigars, spirituality, and community. Kristian is a pastor, stylist, theologian, spiritual director, host of the Holy Smokes podcast, and minister of an online faith community. https://www.holysmokesmovement.com & https://www.kristianasmith.com

Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!

 



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Kristian Smith: Deconstruction in the Black Church

We have all been talking about AI of late and I have been on a bit of a reading deep dive about it. I am thrilled to have my friend Kester Brewin back on the podcast to talk about Artificial Intelligence & the future of religion. His new book, God-like: A 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters is out and 100% zesty. It is way too good for y’all not to check it out. It is not only a powerful telling of humanity’s ongoing relationship with technology and a reflection on the current questions surrounding AI, but it is also the most compelling radical theological text I have read. It demonstrates the symbolic starvation of a marketized public square, the wisdom of what has been harbored in religious reflection, and the need for the return of theology beyond religion. It is also practical theology at its best. It ends with a compelling call to community without an addiction to nostalgia or an allergy to the sacred. I would say more, but you can listen to our conversation.

In the year 1600 a monk is burned at the stake for claiming to have built a device that will allow him to know all things.
350 years later, having witnessed ‘Trinity’ – the first test of the atomic bomb – America’s leading scientist outlines a memory machine that will help end war on earth.
25 years in the making, an ex-soldier finally unveils this ‘machine for augmenting human intellect’, dazzling as he stands ‘Zeus-like, dealing lightning with both hands.’
AI is both stunningly new and rooted in ancient desires. As we finally welcome this ‘god-like’ technology amongst us, what can learn from the myths and monsters of the past about how to survive alongside our greatest ever invention?
 
Previous Episodes with Kester

* 
Adult VBS with Walter Brueggemann, Kester Brewin, and Kristen Howerton

* 
Let Sleeping Gods Die w/ Kester Brewin

* 
Plundering Religion with Kester Brewin, Peter Rollins, & Barry Taylor #Mutiny



Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!

 



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Sarah Lane Ritchie: a Minimally Viable God Concept

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