In this week's episode, Christian and Amy are exploring some questions about church and get a little help from some friends. What does the church mean in the 21st century? What of our identity, systems, or traditions should be preserved or continued? What needs to die? How do you think the … Read more about What Does “Church” Mean Today?
Pastoral Burnout, Healing Spiritual Wounds and How To Hack an Election
Anyone who knows a few pastors probably knows someone who has struggled with burnout. Ministry always has been an atypical job with lots of unique demands and stressors, but as reported in a Barna Research Group study discussed in a new article called "Why Pastors Leave the Ministry," it's a growing … Read more about Pastoral Burnout, Healing Spiritual Wounds and How To Hack an Election
Born Of A Virgin? It happened a lot back then
I posted this 2 years ago today and thought it might be fun to revisit. As Christians we confess that Jesus was born to a virgin. Some people doubt the accuracy of that - but they may not realize that it was not that uncommon back then. Here are just 10 people born of a virgin in the ancient … Read more about Born Of A Virgin? It happened a lot back then
F is for Fideism or Why What We Believe Really Matters
Fideism is one of the most alluring, and thus, potentially dangerous developments on the theological landscape in our lifetime. Fideism: The view that matters of religious and theological truth must be accepted by faith apart from the exercise of reason. In its extreme, fideism suggests that the … Read more about F is for Fideism or Why What We Believe Really Matters
10 Not-So-Shocking Things You Learn in Religion 101
Tons of people that are 'religious' would be shocked if they just took a religion 101 class. The divide between the academic study of religion is so huge that the experience of many students in their first religion class is disorientating. I don't think this is because religion professors hate … Read more about 10 Not-So-Shocking Things You Learn in Religion 101
Hold God Loosely – Like A Lover
Fun title ... but I’m serious. Yesterday, when I suggested dropping the ‘the’ as a litmus test, I mentioned that we need to revisit the way that we hold our faith. Convictions about God and our religious experiences can be very powerful. As both a minister and an academic theologian I have given … Read more about Hold God Loosely – Like A Lover
The Historical St. Nick, the White Santa, Marxist Pope, & More: Christmas Special w/ Adam English
Santa & Jesus aren't white, Christmas isn't about Capitalism, the Pope isn't a Marxist leftist, the Christian Calendar is a hardcore form of resistance, and you find out that Roger Olson's own student turned Tripp into a Process theologian. That is just a bit of what is in store for you in this … Read more about The Historical St. Nick, the White Santa, Marxist Pope, & More: Christmas Special w/ Adam English
TNT: Letters Edition
A cast of two halves! In the first half Bo and Tripp respond to 3 letters from listeners. Then we get a call with Micky Jones about choosing a seminary (43rd minute) - and when we come back for the 4th and final letter things get a little rowdy. It turns out the resurrection is a topic that … Read more about TNT: Letters Edition
Books You Will Need In The New Year
As long as you are Christmas shopping, you might as well pick up some resources that will be helpful in 2014! In early 2014 we have an Eco-Theology series called "HomeBrewed Grown Christianity" all about-earth care and lovin' God. It will be a 5 part series with a TNT follow-up will be the final … Read more about Books You Will Need In The New Year
Oh Lord! You can’t say ‘Oh’ instead of ‘Lord’? (nature of language)
On the TV show ‘The Voice’ last night, the final 8 contestants did a rendition of the popular hymn “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?” The controversy came, not because they were singing a religious song but because the producers of the show changed a word - an important word. They swapped out … Read more about Oh Lord! You can’t say ‘Oh’ instead of ‘Lord’? (nature of language)
Reclamation, Religion and Consumerism’s Bricolage: in conversation with Philip Clayton
A couple of weeks ago I had a very interesting conversation with Philip Clayton. Several of us went out for lunch after the High Gravity session on Religion & Science. We were at a restaurant where the walls were decorated with a busy collection of reclaimed signs, old pictures and repurposed … Read more about Reclamation, Religion and Consumerism’s Bricolage: in conversation with Philip Clayton
TNT bonus track: Young People & the Church
In this bonus track Bo chats with Micky Jones about the now infamous Rachel Held Evans post on CNN Religion about young people leaving the church. Then Bo and Tripp chat about what the topic means as youth pastors at Mainline churches. These two conversation were originally recorded earlier … Read more about TNT bonus track: Young People & the Church