Theology in the Raw

Dr. Yousef AlKhouri (Ph.D. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is Christian Arab Palestinian theologian and activist. He was born in Gaza to a Christian family that has a long heritage of serving in the priesthood of the Greek Orthodox Church. He is married to Merna and they live in Bethlehem, Palestine. Yousef has written several poems in Arabic. In 2007, he published his first poetry collection under the title “You are Not My Beloved.” In addition to teaching at BethBC and lecturing to international groups on various topics pertaining to Palestine and Palestinian Christians. Dr. AlKhouri is also a board member of Kairos Palestine, Christ at the Checkpoint, and the Academic Alliance for Interfaith Dialogue in Palestine. He enjoys reading, writing, and teaching. He loves music, nature, and traveling. https://bethbc.edu/Faculty/yousef-alkhouri/

The conversation covers various topics related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the role of Palestinians as cheap labor for the Israeli economy, the impact of Hamas on the economic situation in Gaza, the media's portrayal of the conflict, and the experience of Palestinians at checkpoints. The guest emphasizes the importance of nonviolent resistance and calls for the church to prioritize the message of Jesus over nationalism. He also encourages listeners to educate themselves about the history and theology of the conflict and to visit Palestine to see the reality on the ground.

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Austin Fischer is the Lead Pastor at Vista Community Church near Austin, TX and is the author of several books, including the recently released Us for Them: Seeking Higher Ground in the Cultural Holy Wars, which forms the basis for our discussion in this episode. We focus primarily on how to lead people in our ideologically polarized society, especially when it comes to political and social issues.

Get a free one-year supply of vitamin D plus 5 travel packs!

DRINKAG1.com/TITR

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Noah Filipiak is church planter and pastor of Mosaic Church in Grand Rapids, MI and is the author of Beyond the Battle and Needed Navigation. He hosts The Flip Side Podcast and blogs at noahfilipiak.com. 

In this podcast conversation, we talk about pornography and discipleship, focusing specifically on the need for the church (parents, leaders, etc.) to disciple their people better in this conversation, why things are not getting any better in terms of the quantity of porn that people are consuming, the rise in porn use among girls and women, how porn rewires your brain and is incredibly addictive, and how parents and church leaders can go about addressing this issue well.

Struggling to quit porn? You're not alone. Don't wait another day

Use Promo code: RAW on Covenant Eyes today: covenanteyes.sjv.io/4Wxbn

Needed Navigation: A Teen's Guide to His or Her Identity in Christ in a Sex and Porn-Filled World https://amzn.to/3WnoFCo 

Beyond Ministries

Join a group today!

https://www.beyondthebattle.net/

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alisa Childers recently had Dr. Christopher Yuan on her YouTube channel to discuss various problems they see in what they call "Side B Christianity," and my name often came up in their critiques. They also offered several critiques of the Exiles in Babylon 2024 conference, which I hosted last month. 

In this episode, I work through their conversation and respond to several things where I believe they have misrepresented what I actually believe. My goal in this episode is not to attack Alisa or Christopher, nor is it to stir up disunity; rather, I simply want to clarify what I believe about important matters related to sexuality and gender, especially in places where others are claiming I believe things that I actually don't. 

Here's the original YouTube conversation between Alisa and Christopher: https://youtu.be/aRNC9b_SZto?si=-5-dCclHfD-ySeFR

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mia Hughes, a journalist for the think tank Environmental Progress, discusses the controversy surrounding pediatric medical transition and the collision of trans rights with the rights of women and the LGB community. She authored the recently released WPATH files, which expose the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) as an activist group with questionable medical practices. The conversation delves into the history of WPATH, its influence on healthcare for trans-identified people, and the lack of evidence supporting its treatment protocols.

Mia highlights the ethical dilemmas and potential harm caused by the medicalization of gender identity and the irreversible interventions performed on minors. The conversation delves into the harmful effects of gender-affirming medical treatments, particularly on adolescents. Mia discusses the leaked internal discussions from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and highlights the lack of scientific evidence and the political activism within the organization. They emphasize the importance of informed consent and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from irreversible medical interventions. The conversation also touches on the potential for future lawsuits and the contrasting approaches to gender-affirming care in North America and Europe.

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elizabeth Woodson, a Bible teacher and theologian, discusses her passion for Bible study, discipleship, and theological education in the local church. She shares her personal journey of searching for the relevance of the gospel in her own life and how it led her to pursue theological education. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for discipleship and theological education within the church, so that believers can understand and apply the truths of Scripture in their everyday lives.

She also discusses the challenges of busyness and the need for churches to provide meaningful and accessible opportunities for learning and growth. In a post-COVID world, churches have had to explore new opportunities for theological education and discipleship. People are hungry for connection, support, and answers to their questions. There is an opportunity to disciple adults in the basics of the faith and help them grow deeper in their faith. The early church valued theological education and had a rigorous catechism process for new converts. The church today can learn from the past and prioritize discipleship.

Singleness in the church is often misunderstood and undervalued. The church needs to have a deeper theology of singleness and provide community and support for single individuals. The church should prioritize friendships and create a culture where singleness is seen as a beautiful season. The church needs to navigate the volatile political climate with grace, honoring people and holding true to the teachings of Jesus.

Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the Founder of The Woodson Institute, an organization that equips believers to understand and grow in their Christian faith. With over a decade of experience in church ministry, Elizabeth is passionate about creating pathways for discipleship and theological education in the local church. Elizabeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education. She is also the author of Embrace Your Life: How To Find Joy When The Life You Have Is Not The Life You Hoped For and From Beginning To Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture.

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Michael F. Bird is a biblical scholar and theologian who serves as the Deputy Principle and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College (Melbourne, Aus), and is the author of over a dozen books, including his recently released Jesus and the Powers, which he co-authored with N.T. Wright. 

In this podcast conversation, we talk all about politics and the gospel, agreeing on so many things and disagreeing about a few other things.

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Uszynski sits down with Preston in his basement the day after the "Exiles in Babylon" conference to debrief. This is a raw and authentic convo where we discuss and react to various sessions and speakers. We talk about the GenZ evening, the Israel-Palestine conversation, Deconstruction and Reconstruction, Women, Power & Abuse in the church, and many other topics and speakers at the conference.

Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding.

onehope.net/TITR

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to a sneak peek of the Bonus Q&A episode, part of the Theology in the Raw premium subscription.

In the full episode, we discuss:

0:00 Introduction

0:38 Thoughts on Christians and masturbation--is it always sinful or is there room for conversation?

5:35 What do you when the the God in the Bible isn't acting the way Jesus would?

12:15. What are your top 5 all-time books, any subject?

19:35 Best pastoral advice for same-sex married couple that recently accepted Jesus?

28:35 Is praying before a meal just tradition or is there warrant for this?

32:10 Jesus' teaching about love is often conditional, but God's love is unconditional. Can you explain this?

35:34 How do you handle sporting events where members of the military are honored? Stand and clap? Don't stand?

37:48 Is post mortem salvation or Christian universalism orthodox doctrines?

41:37 How can we pray for your ministry?

43:54 Are the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, prodigal son about newly saved believers, believers who have wandered away, or both?

45:38 Update on Alisa Childers and her discussions with Rosaria Butterfield and Christopher Yuan?

49:23 Do you see a difference between academic complementarianism and how it's lived out in a lot of churches?

52:21 What's the best steel man arguments for tithing being applicable today?

55:07 RAPID FIRE

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. David Fitch (Ph.D Northwestern University) is the Betty R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary and has pastored for 30 years, and has been involved in 8 church plants over the course of his ministry. He is married to Rae Ann and they have one son named Max. He is an ordained pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

He’s coached hockey for the YMCA USA Hockey program for seven years. David teaches, speaks, and writes within the fields of Neo-Anabaptist theology, missiology, culture studies, political theory, and ethics. He writes from time to time on his own page at Missio Alliance, on his own substack, for Christianity Today, Outreach Magazine, ChurchLeaders.com, EthicsDaily, and multiple other sites, magazines and journals.

He leads discussion on his facebook page (fitchest) and on twitter at @fitchest. He is co-host of the Theology of Mission podcast.

His most recent book is Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It's on the Wrong Side of Power, which forms the backdrop for our conversion.

Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding.

onehope.net/TITR

Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.