 
I have been friends with Tony Jones for a long time. For over 12 years, he has been working on his memoir, and it was worth the wait. The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors is now out in the world and we got to sit down in his living to record this conversation about it. Longtime listeners will be familiar with Tony since he has been on the podcast over 30 times in the last 16 years, but this visit is different. You will hear a vulnerable conversation between two friends, including challenging stories, laughter, and reflection on faith in life’s darkest moments.
If you aren’t following our new podcast, Emerged: an Oral History of the Emerging Church Movement, you won’t want to miss the latest episode. In it, we are joined by Nadia Boltz-Weber, Brian McLaren, and Doug Pagitt as we dig into all the backlash the emerging church movement generated. We laughed quite a bit while creating it 

Tony Jones: the Dazzing Darkness & Wild Places

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I recently returned to my old hometown, Winston-Salem, NC, for a live podcast at Lot63 in Old Salem. There, I was joined by two of my old Profs at Wake Forest University Divinity School, Dr. Bill Leonard and Dr. Craig Atwood,  the brand new Dean of the Divinity School, Dr. Corey Walker, and music from a fellow alum Kyle Caudle.
In this half of the live show, I talk with my former Church History Professor, Bill Leonard, and the new Dean of Wake Forest University Divinity School, Corey Walker. It was one epic live show and a powerful and provocative conversation!
Corey D. B. Walker is Dean of the School of Divinity at Wake Forest University. As a scholar, he’s committed to a broad vision of human flourishing. His research, teaching, and public scholarship span the areas of African American philosophy, critical theory, ethics, and religion and American public life. An accomplished scholar and academic leader, Dean Walker has held faculty and academic leadership appointments at Brown University, University of Virginia, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University and visiting professorships at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Union Presbyterian Seminary, and the University of Richmond. Dean Walker is the 2023-2024 Phi Beta Kappa Frank M. Updike Scholar. He is author and editor of several books and has published over sixty articles, essays, and book chapters in a wide variety of scholarly journals and publications. A much sought after speaker, Dean Walker engages congregations and communities across the nation and has appeared on a variety of media programs in the United States and abroad.
Bill Leonard is the Founding Dean and Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Wake Divinity. Leonard’s research focuses on Church History with particular attention to American religion, Baptist studies, and Appalachian religion. He is the author or editor of some 25 books including Christianity in Appalachia (1999); Baptist Ways: A History (2003); The Challenge of Being Baptist (2010); Can I Get a Witness?: Essays, Sermons and Reflections (2013); and  A Sense of the Heart: Christian Religious Experience in the U.S., (2014). In March 2015 he delivered the William James Lecture on Religious Experience at Harvard Divinity School and in February 2017 he gave the William Self Lectures on Preaching at McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University. His newest book, The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to Church History: Flaming Heretics and Heavy Drinkers, was  published by Fortress Press in July 2017. Leonard is on the board of the Journal of Disability and Religion, The Baptist Quarterly (England), the Day1 Preaching Network, the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, and the Governing Board of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Leonard writes a twice-monthly column for Baptist News Global,

Corey Walker & Bill Leonard: Losing Sleep Before God

I recently returned to my old hometown, Winston-Salem, NC, for a live podcast at Lot63 in Old Salem. There, I was joined by two of my old Profs at Wake Forest University Divinity School, Dr. Bill Leonard and Dr. Craig Atwood,  the brand new Dean of the Divinity School, Dr. Corey Walker, and music from a fellow alum Kyle Caudle.
In this half of the live show, I talk with my former historical theology Professor, Craig Atwood. Not only did I take historical theology with him, but he facilitated one of the most fun and intense independent studies on the thought of Friedrich Schleiermacher. Dr. Craig Atwood is the premier Moravian historical theologian. He is best known for his books Community of the Cross: Moravian Piety in Colonial Bethlehem, which won two major awards, and Theology of the Czech Brethren from Hus to Comenius. He is also the author of over 50 academic articles, chapters in books, encyclopedia articles, book reviews, and church publications.
If you live in Winston-Salem, you can join us LIVE at Lot 63 for a zesty podcast recording. Info here.
If you’re considering a future in theological education, Wake Forest University’s Divinity School is a top choice. My family and I are proud alumni, and we all cherish the education and experiences we gained there. With the dynamic leadership of Corey Walker as the new Dean, the future of the school is bright!





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

 



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Craig Atwood: Getting Ziggy with Zinzendorf

A few weeks ago, I partnered with the Center for Open and Relational Theology & St. Andrew UMC to put on the first preaching conference for Open and Relational Preachers! It was TONS of fun and I got to meet some amazing clergy.
In the first segment, I am joined by Dr. Casey Sigmon & Dr. Nichole Torbitzky to give a process theological reflection of the liturgical shape of worship. Then Jeff Wells, Tom Oord, and Vikki Randall join Nicole and I to discuss their new book Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God.
For decades, millions of Christians have been leaving church behind. Among those who have stayed, not only individuals, but entire congregations are rejecting traditions that fail to address the challenges of our contemporary world. They yearn, instead, for a profound relationship with the ever-present God who is loving, inclusive, persuasive, and uncontrolling.
This rich and diverse collection of sermons, essays, and worship elements explores how to preach, teach, and practice Open, Relational, and Process theological perspectives in local faith communities. It is a powerful resource for pastors, ministers of worship arts, lay church leaders, professors of preaching, worship, and practical theology, and anyone seeking a deep understanding of God that aligns with the Bible, science, and inclusive love and justice for all life on Earth.
 
Join us at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19, 2024!

 



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Persuade: a Process Vision of Preaching & Liturgy

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!

 



Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community.

Tony Jones: the Dazzing Darkness & Wild Places

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