Dick Simon is founder of the kNOw Them Initiative and joined us on episode 11 of the podcast. In February he joined us on a Sunday for one of our Red Chair Conversations. Just two red chairs, honest conversation with Sean Witty, and questions from the congregation.

Dick Simon also gave a TEDx Talk called "The most dangerous Four-letter word"

Learn more about Dick, his bike ride across the country, and see his photography on his website

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

"The task of theology is to save the planet." This is what theologian John Cobb said at the New Frontiers in Theology conference recently held in Claremont, CA, where Ben's school is located. Ben elaborates on what Cobb has in mind with this statement, then he and Sean go back and forth on the new and changing role of theology in 2017. It is an exciting time to think deeply about religion!

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

Between school and work, dealing with winter weather, and a myriad of other challenges and responsibilities thrown at us every day, there is plenty to be stressed about. On this week's episode Sean and Ben talk about some of their practices for relieving stress. C. S. Lewis fans must check it out.

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

This week's podcast topic is, well, the podcast. Sean and Ben discuss what makes them want to venture beyond their traditional pastoral and academic roles to do things like record this podcast and speak at conventions. Spoiler alert: It's all about you!

Sean Witty can be found on twitter @seanwitty

Ben Chicka can be found on twitter @benchicka

First Baptist Church in Newton can be found on twitter @FBCnewton

Follow them. Send them topics for the podcast. Send them questions to discuss on the podcast. Tell them what other podcasts you think are worth a listen.

Sean and Ben spent the weekend mere feet away from each other and never knew it. Get to know the two a little better as they talk about what they do for fun, and how that relates to purpose in life.

Sean was at the New England Auto Show

Ben was at Arisia: New England's Largest, Most Diverse Sci-Fi & Fantasy Convention

The panels Ben recorded at Arisia can be found on his other podcast project, TheoNerd

There was talk of The Purpose Drive Life by Rick Warren. For a theologically sound alternative that was not born out of the self-centered prosperity gospel, read Becoming a Thinking Christian by John Cobb

Sean and Ben are joined by a wonderful member of the First Baptist Church in Newton community, Dick Ransom. Dick discusses the class he is leading Sunday mornings on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim versions of shared Biblical stories, some recent travels abroad, and a little Duke basketball.

Shared Stories, Rival Tellings by Robert C. Gregg

For a preview of Dick's class, here is a PDF used in a sermon he delivered a few months ago

You can attend Dick's class Sundays at 9 AM, downstairs in our Everts room

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas! As the 12 days of Christmas continue, we want to give you a little Christmas gift. Lynn Bailey Witty joins Sean and Ben to talk about the creative process and record a couple songs live. Vesele Božić - Hristos se rodi!

You can find Lynn's music on her website

The historic location Lynn spoke about recording at is Carriage House Studios

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

Theologian and philosopher Thomas Jay Oord joins Sean and Ben during this final week of Advent to talk about God's uncontrolling love. God is not limited by external factors or by choice. It is God's essential nature as loving to not control us or the world. 

Thomas Jay Oord is a professor of theology and philosophy at Northwest Nazarene University

His latest book is The Uncontrolling Love of God: An Open and Relational Account of Providence. You can find a free version of it as an audiobook broken into chapters on Ben's personal podcast project Theonerd.

More of Tom's writing, as well as some amazing nature photography, can be found on his personal website.

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

Last Sunday was the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and the related theme was joy. Sean and Ben talk about joy, and contrast it with the mere presence of happiness. As Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983) said, "In the understanding of the Church, sorrow is not replaced by joy; it is transformed into joy."

In the great Ren & Stimpy musical catalog, "Happy Happy Joy Joy" is nowhere near as good a song as "It's Log"

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.

As Advent continues Sean and Ben talk about holding on to hope when things seem hopeless, and the work involved in realizing our ideals.

Also, the Dewey Decimal System is named after Melvil Dewey, not John Dewey.

Thank you to Rob Mathes for letting us use his song "Wake up Wide-Eyed" off the album Wheelbarrow for our intro and outro. Find more of his work and buy his music on his website.