The Theology Of...

By Benjamin Corneliusen and Ryker Lutjens

Two bible nerds explore the theology behind some of the secular-seeming things in daily life. Every episode, Ryker and Benjamin dive into the meaning behind the mundane - and seek to find the bigger, ... more

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The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.

The Theology Of... episodes:

October 28, 2020S1E10: Food, Part 2
In the second half of their conversation about food, Benjamin and Ryker explore this delicious theme through the New Testament, addressing topics such as fasting, Communion, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Show Notes (The Theology of Food, Part 2) S1:E10

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-2:06) Introduction
(2:06-4:05) Food and Community
(4:05-13:47) Biblical Survey: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus
(14:06-16:55) Our Constant Hunger for God
(16:55-20:05) Fasting
(20:05-21:40) The Last Supper
(22:00-28:20) Biblical Survey: The Church Age and the Age to Come
(28:39-31:16) Practical Application
(31:16-32:45) Resources and Recipes
(32:45-34:59) Outro

Key Takeaways:
The table forces us to come face to face with one another

Jesus’ use of food was theological, demonstrating His love for both the prestigious and the destitute

Our cyclical need for food shows us our lack of self-sufficiency and corresponding total dependence on God

The elements of Communion illustrate death and resurrection through the crushing and processing of grapes and grains

We might not entirely know what Heaven will look like, but we do know that it will involve food
Resources:
A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester
https://www.amazon.com/Meal-Jesus-Discovering-Community-Mission/dp/1433521369
Practicing the Present by John Koessler
https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Present-Neglected-Art-Living/dp/0802418686
“Food and Feasting” Article Series
https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/series/food-and-eating/

Music:
“Jazzy Jumper” - Luke Hall
“Spring Rain” - Luke Hall & Benjamin Corneliusen
“It Comes in Waves” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
35min
October 21, 2020S1E9: Food, Part 1
This episode, Benjamin and Ryker dig into the mouthwatering theology of food, tracing the theme through the Old Testament and discussing its beautiful design and purpose.

Show Notes (The Theology of Food, Part 1) S1:E9

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-3:23) Introduction
(3:23-5:45) Why Food?
(5:45-11:16) Biblical Survey: Creation & The Fall
(11:16-17:12) The Attributes of Food
(17:34-20:46) Food in the Post-Fall World
(20:46-30:06) Biblical Survey: Israel & More
(34:55-35:47) Food: A Glimpse of Redemption
(35:47-37:38) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Food is part flavorful, part functional

Through food, we can learn about God’s grace, provision, lavishness, care, and overall character

Food was designed to illustrate our dependence on God, but instead we have twisted it to illustrate our independence on God

Through cooking, we mimic God’s creativity

Food is designed to work in tandem with community
Resources:
A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester
https://www.amazon.com/Meal-Jesus-Discovering-Community-Mission/dp/1433521369
Practicing the Present by John Koessler
https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Present-Neglected-Art-Living/dp/0802418686
“Food and Feasting” Article Series
https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/series/food-and-eating/

Music:
“Untitled” - Luke Hall
“Beach Trance” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
38min
October 14, 2020S1E8: Home
This episode, Benjamin and Ryker talk about home: a warm, inviting place with great capacity for both beauty and brokenness.

Show Notes (The Theology of Home) S1:E8

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-1:40) Introduction
(1:40-10:00) What is Home?
(10:00-16:55) Our Experience with Home
(17:14-23:35) Home Tour
(23:35-36:30) Biblical Survey
(36:30-38:08) Now and Not Yet
(38:24-44:46) Practical Application
(44:46-46:37) Outro

Key Takeaways:
A house is a building, but a home is so much more

Home is an elusive ideal that can give us glimpses of our eternal home, yet is often marred by the Fall

We must temper our theology of home with the principles the Hearth and the Threshold

The theme of home in the Bible is interwoven with the theme of salvation since the Gospel is about God bringing us Prodigal rebels back home

If our mission is to bring the Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven, home is a great place to start
Resources:
“A Theology of the Home” by John Tweeddale
https://www.ligonier.org/blog/theology-home/
“Paul’s Theology Visualized as a House Being Built” by Justin Taylor
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/pauls-theology-visualized-as-a-house-being-built/
“Hearth and Threshold: Thoughts on a Theology of Home” by Jessica Brown
https://www.arthouseamerica.com/blog/hearth-and-threshold-thoughts-on-a-theology-of-home.html
“Redeeming Home: A Christian Theology of Place in a Placeless World” by RuthAnne Irvin
https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/journals/augustine-collegiate-review/acr-11-summer/redeeming-home-christian-theology-place-placeless-world/

Music:
“Balloons” - Luke Hall
“It Comes in Waves” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
47min
October 07, 2020S1E7: Travel
This week on The Theology Of, Benjamin and Ryker discuss the many facets of travel, including the overwhelming use of travel in Scripture, the positive and negative aspects of wanderlust, and some personal travel stories.
Show Notes (The Theology of Travel) S1:E7

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-2:08) Introduction
(2:08-3:18) What is Travel?
(3:18-6:30) Why do we Travel?
(6:30-15:52) The Scriptural Instances of Travel
(16:11-20:30) How does the Bible call us to Travel?
(20:30-25:45) Spiritual Journeys
(25:45-27:53) Is Travel an End or a Means?
(28:09-33:20) Wanderlust: The Good
(33:20-36:35) Wanderlust: The Not-So Good
(36:35-41:44) Practical Applications
(42:05-45:23) Our Own Experiences
(45:24-47:37) Resources
(47:38-49:36) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Travel is the formative journey from one context to another

The theme of travel is everywhere in the Bible

Every journey we take is a reflection of our overarching spiritual journeys

Exploration honors God because it links His creativity with our capacity to enjoy it

Reflection and storytelling are necessary products of God-honoring travel
Resources:
Faith on the Road: A Short Theology of Travel and Justice by Joerg Rieger
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Road-Theology-Travel-Justice/dp/0830840966
The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected by Nik Ripken
https://www.amazon.com/Insanity-God-Story-Faith-Resurrected/dp/1433673088
“How to Read the Bible: Setting” - BibleProject
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FuT8WtoAK0
The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
https://www.amazon.com/John-Bunyan-Pilgrims-Progress/dp/1541072642

Music:
“Flute and Piano” - Luke Hall
“Show Me You Love Me” - Ty Combs
“Jazzy Jumper” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall
Follow Ty on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rNEL0VRxuHIXgPCdtUWn3?si=_SDz8IY4Qd6aF-FfpezDkg

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
50min
September 30, 2020S1E6: Games
This episode, the guys look at the meaning behind our secularized view of games and sports - and how we can bring back God’s original intent of delighting in His creation and glorifying the Creator.

Show Notes (The Theology of Games) S1:E6

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-3:12) Introduction
(3:12-5:08) The History of Games and the Church
(5:08-7:10) Defining Games
(7:20-17:38) Tenet #1: Playful
(17:38-23:53) Tenet #2: Competitive
(23:53-26:30) Tenet #3: Rule-Governed
(26:44-34:11) The Corruption of Games
(34:11-35:58) The Redemption of Games
(36:13-42:02) Our Personal Experiences with Games
(42:02-43:31) Resources
(43:31-45:13) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Games can be defined as being: 1) Playful, 2) Competitive, and 3) Rule-Governed

God is the God of both the purposeful and purposeless, and our results-driven culture is at risk of overshadowing the latter with the former

Healthy competition is constructive (bringing out the best in one another) rather than destructive

Rules don’t ruin fun, rules protect fun

Pride and idolatry can distort our view of games, but Christ can redeem our view of games back to its Edenic design
Resources:
Sport and Character: Reclaiming the Principles of Sportsmanship by Craig Clifford and Randolph M. Feezell
https://www.amazon.com/Sport-Character-Reclaiming-Principles-Sportsmanship/dp/0736081925
More than a Game: A Theology of Sport - Jeremy R. Treat, The Gospel Coalition/Themelios article
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/more-than-a-game-theology-of-sport/
Dodgeball Theology: A Youth Worker's Guide to Exploring Play and Imagination by Blair Spindle
https://www.amazon.com/Dodgeball-Theology-Workers-Exploring-Imagination/dp/0834151146

Music:
“If Only” - Luke Hall
“Begin Again” - Luke Hall
“The Warming” - Luke Hall
Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
46min
September 23, 2020S1E5: Community, Part 2
This week, Benjamin and Ryker finish their conversation about godly community, taking a closer look at its four main inhibitors before discussing eight key ingredients to healthy, biblical relationships.

Show Notes (The Theology of Community, Part 2) S1:E5

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-2:47) Introduction
(2:47-16:10) Inhibitors of Healthy Community
(3:12-7:47) National
(7:47-10:14) Generational
(10:14-12:39) Spiritual
(12:39-16:10) Temporal
(16:25-47:25) Recipe for Healthy Community
(17:13-20:03) Ingredient #1: Shared Experience
(20:03-24:40) Ingredient #2: Vulnerability
(24:40-28:15) Ingredient #3: Intentionality
(28:15-32:58) Ingredient #4: Honesty
(33:10-37:10) Ingredient #5: Humility
(37:10-40:49) Ingredient #6: Soft Borders
(40:49-43:55) Ingredient #7: God-Centered
(43:55-47:25) Ingredient #8: God-Given
(47:37-54:34) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Our world is full of things that promise “connection and friendship”, but those things rarely ever connect us the way God is calling us to

National, generational, spiritual, and temporal hurdles can get in the way of us building genuine, Christ-like community

Shared experience, soft borders, and intentionality are facets of community that open doors to starting genuine relationships

Vulnerability, honesty, and humility are facets of community that really dig deep, uniting communities in trust and love

The core of our daily relationships is their centeredness around Christ and the understanding of His love working in and through us
Resources:
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community - Robert Putnam
http://bowlingalone.com
A Theology of Community - Tim Dickau
https://www.gcbchurch.ca/blog/a-theology-of-community
Life Together - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Together-Exploration-Christian-Community/dp/0060608528
“Bread and Wine” - Josh Garrels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3czjl58TBM

Music:
“If Only” - Luke Hall
“Dystopia” - Luke Hall
“Mysterious” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
55min
September 16, 2020S1E4: Community, Part 1
In the first half of this two-part conversation about the theology of community, Benjamin and Ryker define their terms and dig into biblical references about community to create a brief scriptural overview of the topic.

Show Notes (The Theology of Community, Part 1) S1:E4

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-1:33) Introduction
(1:33-6:02) What is Community?
(6:02-29:11) A Biblical Survey of Community
(6:23-13:42) The Trinity
(14:02-16:46) Creation
(16:46-18:20) The Fall
(18:20-20:27) The Nation of Israel
(20:46-23:00) The Disciples
(23:00-28:38) The Church
(28:38-29:11) The Reunion
(29:27-34:15) Summary/Outro

Key Takeaways:
Community wasn’t created by God, community is part of God’s very nature

Through the Trinity, we have a perfect view of genuine Christ-like community

Part of being created in the Imago Dei is interacting and walking alongside one another

The Church is not just united with one another, but is also united with Christ Himself

Scripture is saturated with perfect examples of genuine community
Music:
“Balloons” - Luke Hall
“The Warming” - Luke Hall
“Flute & Piano” - Luke Hall
Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
35min
September 09, 2020S1E3: Seasons
This episode, Ryker and Benjamin explore the four major types of seasons and how their liturgical cadence redirects our gaze towards the immutable I AM.

Show Notes (The Theology of Seasons) S1:E3
Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-1:26) Introduction
(1:27-4:21) What’s Your Favorite Season?
(4:21-14:54) Seasons in Nature
(15:08-21:17) Seasons in Scripture
(21:30-26:56) Seasons in the Church (Liturgy)
(26:57-34:07) Seasons in our own Lives and Practical Application
(34:25-38:48) Further Thoughts
(38:48-41:44) Resources
(41:45-44:16) Outro

Key Takeaways:
The natural seasons are laced with design patterns (like the cycle of death and resurrection) that remind us of God’s nature

The cyclical fluctuation of seasons juxtapose the unchanging nature of God

The liturgical calendar uses seasons to focus the Church on different theological truths

To make the most of each season of life, we must let go of the reigns and trust that God is in control
Resources:
Every Moment Holy - Doug McKelvey
https://www.everymomentholy.com
Seasons - Hillsong Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFEwV77n1Ng
My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers
https://utmost.org/
Christian, Which Spiritual Season Are You In? - His Heart’s Desire Ministries
https://hisheartsdesireministries.com/christian-which-spiritual-season-are-you-in/

Music:
“Bend” - Luke Hall
“If Only” - Luke Hall
“It Comes in Waves ” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
45min
September 02, 2020S1E2: Technology
This week, Ryker and Benjamin unpack both the opportunities and dangers of our current Digital Age. They also explore how we, as Christ followers, can glorify the Creator with our use of technology and our digital relationships with others.

Show Notes (The Theology of Technology) S1:E2
Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-3:04) Introduction
(3:04-4:28) Digital Technology vs. General Technology
(4:28-6:36) Why Technology?
(6:36-9:40) Technology is Inherently Neutral
(9:55-17:00) Information Overload and the Age of Distraction
(17:00-20:48) Unlimited Potential
(20:49-27:47) Making Real Things… Virtual?
(28:05-35:54) Practical Application
(35:55-40:04) Resources
(40:04-42:23) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Technology is such an integral part of our lives, as we live in a digitally-driven age. If God is sovereign over everything in our lives, we need to find where it fits in our philosophy as Christ followers

Technology is inherently amoral, meaning that its morals come from the actions of the user. Thus, it has great potential - for both bad and good

Because of technology, we are constantly being bombarded with information. As wise stewards, we must be mindful of these messages entering our minds

Technology is simultaneously a mission field and a war zone
Resources:
We Need a Theology of Technology - Will Sorrell, The Gospel Coalition article
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/need-theology-technology/
The Theology of Technology - NeedHim Global
https://needhim.org/the-theology-of-technology/
YouVersion Bible App (Prayer Feature)
https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/
Logos Bible Software
https://www.logos.com/
Unreached of the Day
https://joshuaproject.net/pray/unreachedoftheday/app
STEP Bible
https://www.stepbible.org

Music:
“Mysterious” - Luke Hall
“One Up” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
43min
August 26, 2020S1E1: Storytelling
This week, the guys explore the art of storytelling and the narrative arc of the Ultimate Story: The Bible.

Show Notes (The Theology of Storytelling) S1:E1
Welcome to our first episode! These show notes will be added every week to provide you with timestamps and a table of contents for the audio, our key takeaways, and resources for you to dig deeper into these topics for yourself.

Table of Contents & Timestamps:
(0:00-3:13) Introduction
(3:13-9:23) Why are Stories so Compelling?
(9:23-16:11) Scripture: The Ultimate Story
(16:11-21:20) The Overarching Narrative of Scripture
(21:41-25:09) Micro and Macro Stories in Scripture
(25:09-30:14) How to be a Storyteller
(30:37-39:14) Practical Application
(39:31-45:34) Recommendations and Resources
(45:34-47:11) Outro

Key Takeaways:
Stories are ingrained in our being, shaping the way we see ourselves, our surroundings, and the people around us

The Bible is not just a story, but the Story that all other stories point back to

The storyline of Scripture matches Freytag’s Pyramid perfectly

Just as each individual scene adds depth to the surrounding scenes in individual Bible stories, so also each individual story adds depth to the overarching biblical narrative

Stories can be diminished by bad content and/or bad quality

As the audience or the author, it is important that we use stories as unique opportunities to fix our eyes upon Jesus
Resources:
The Bible Project: How to Read the Bible Series - Tim Mackie & Jon Collins
https://bibleproject.com/
ESV Literary Study Bible
https://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-literary-study-bible-hcj/
Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling: Creating Fictional Stories that Illuminate the Message of Jesus - Jon Huckins
http://jonhuckins.net/book/
Streetlights Bible
https://www.streetlightsbible.com/
The Bible Project: Read Scripture Book, Videos, Podcasts, literally everything - Tim Mackie & Jon Collins
https://bibleproject.com/

Music
“It Comes in Waves” - Luke Hall
“Balloons” - Luke Hall
“Funky” - Luke Hall

Follow Luke on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nvVzvhz2ATr1TlLS3kEM0?si=TO4CR2lyRbmE-wpdVatwUg
Follow Luke on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/c_luke_hall

Reach out to us with any suggestions, thoughts, or love!
[email protected]

Copyright Benjamin Corneliusen & Ryker Lutjens 2020. All rights reserved.
...more
48min

FAQs about The Theology Of...:

How many episodes does The Theology Of... have?

The podcast currently has 31 episodes available.