Podcast

African American Readings of Paul – Dr. Lisa M. Bowens

We’re honored to learn from Dr. Lisa M. Bowens about her new book “African American Readings of Paul: Reception, Resistance & Transformation” published by Eerdmans Publishing.

Dr. Bowens provides a historical, theological and biblical analysis of early interpretations of Paul by African Americans from the early 1700s to the mid-twentieth century, especially the passages from Paul directing slaves to obey their masters.

These scriptures were tragically used by American churches and pastors to justify slavery and oppress our Black communities. Churches even developed theological positions that doubted the humanity of Black people or even the idea that African Americans had souls.

Dr. Bowens reveals ways the African American community during this period understood Paul’s writings and used his words to fight oppression, racism and argue for their freedom.

Her detailed research includes an analysis of countless autobiographies of ex-slaves, slave petitions, sermons, biographies and powerful conversion stories. Her fantastic book also includes radical stories of how Jupiter Hammon, Lemuel Haynes, David Walker, Jarena Lee, John Jea, James Pennington, Julia Foote and Harriet Jacobs resisted the oppressive readings of Paul and found power and liberation.

Dr. Lisa M. Bowens is associate professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of “An Apostle in Battle: Paul and Spiritual Warfare” in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Her research interests include Paul and apocalyptic literature, Pauline anthropology, Pauline epistemology, aspects of discipleship in the gospels, African American Pauline Hermeneutics, and New Testament exegesis and interpretation.

You can subscribe or download this show on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

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A Biblical & Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination – Dr. William Witt

We’re honored to learn from Dr. William G. Witt about his book “Icons of Christ: A Biblical and Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination” from Baylor Press, where he provides an analysis of the various arguments used by Protestants and Catholics against woman’s ordination as well as the biblical and theological cases for women’s ordination to the offices of both word and sacrament.

In this podcast, Dr. Witt discusses how those on both sides of the debate embrace new theological positions in response to cultural changes and outlines positive ecumenical arguments for the ordination of women and the importance of women in leadership roles in churches.

His arguments in support of women’s ordination stem from a biblical, historical, systematic and liturgical theology. He also reminds us that all Christians bear the image of God and are called to serve as icons of Christ in service of the gospel.

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Beyond Old & New Perspectives on Paul: How the Early Church Understood Paul’s Views on Works of the Law – Dr. Matthew J. Thomas

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Matthew J. Thomas about his book “Paul’s ‘Works of the Law’ in the Perspective of Second Century Reception” published by IVP Academic Press.

Dr. Thomas spent nearly nine years studying early church writings and scholarship focused on Paul’s writings on the works of the law, which led to his doctoral thesis on this topic at Oxford University.

Thomas’ fascinating and helpful scholarship builds on research by Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at Oxford University, and received praise from Alister E. McGrath, John M.G. Barclay, N.T. Wright and dozens of other Biblical scholars.

This podcast with Dr. Thomas includes a discussion on his personal spiritual journey, what led him to pursue ministry and academic research, ways he’s navigated difficult Biblical texts, why reading early church writings are crucial for understanding the context of New Testament writings, why Calvin disagreed with Augustine and Jerome, ways to understand the old and new perspectives on Paul (as well as the earliest church perspectives), why Origen is sometimes misunderstood, and a discussion on the conflict between Pelagius and Augustine regarding the use of the law in salvation.

You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

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Dangerous Religious Ideas: The Deep Roots of a Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity and Islam – Dr. Rachel S. Mikva

The Bible can provide us with encouragement and wisdom, but also pain and sadness.

There are exhortations to love our neighbors and examples on ways to care for the hurting, but also Biblical passages of violence and oppression.

Our understanding of these Biblical texts will vary depending on how we’ve heard them interpreted by the faith traditions we’ve been exposed to.

Sadly, the Bible has been used to defend slavery, oppress women, marginalize our LGBTQ+ community, and even justify violence. It’s no wonder why so many of us might want to avoid reading our Bible altogether.

In “Dangerous Religious Ideas: The Deep Roots of Self-Critical Faith in Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva reveals how different faith traditions have discussed and debated their sacred texts — and how their interpretations on these texts continue to evolve. She also addresses some of the dangerous ideas that our sacred texts have expressed.

She shares why it’s important for us to be self-critical readers of our sacred literature, which means asking the hard questions and dialoguing with others about ways to understand these texts, especially conversations with those outside our own religious traditions.

In this podcast, Rabbi Rachel Mikva discusses ways to approach these dangerous sacred texts. You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

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How Jews & Christians Read the Bible Differently – Dr. Amy-Jill Levine & Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler

We’re honored to learn from Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler in this week’s podcast about their latest book “The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently.”

They share how Biblical texts can be interpreted in different ways depending on the historical, literary or theological perspective used. And how those interpretations have varied throughout the ages — even within the same religious tradition.

The podcast discussion includes a discussion on the historical model of Biblical interpretation, the doctrine of original sin, the challenges of applying Biblical ethics like Sabbath day observances, and the ways that ancient Israel and Biblical writers expressed monotheism and polytheism in our Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

This podcast includes discussions on:

• Jewish & Christian Views on Doctrine of Original Sin
• Creation of Humans: “Let us Make Man in Our Image”
• Monotheism & Polytheism in Ancient Israel
• Jewish Understandings of the New Testament
• Sabbath Day Observances
• Polytheism & Supernatural Beings in the New Testament

EP09: How Jews & Christians Read the Same Stories Differently

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and Dr. Marc Brettler talk with us about the importance of empathy and growing in awareness for the different biases and filters we all use when reading the Bible (even when we try to be objective). They also share with us about the importance of learning how different religious traditions interpret their Bibles — and why we all need to become more familiar with each other’s perspectives. Dr. Levine also talks with us about how the Bible isn’t just a dialogue to engage in — but a trialogue.

Listen to part one:

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Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World – N.T. Wright

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from N.T. Wright about his latest book “Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World,” which provides us insights into seven ways to read the Gospel of John through the lenses of justice, beauty, love, freedom, truth, power and spirituality.

In the book, Dr. Wright shares ways how each of these themes have become fractured in society (and in ourselves) and ways for us to find healing and redemption amid our brokenness.

We had a chance to talk with Dr. Wright about his motivations for writing this book — as well as a focused discussion around broken spirituality, contemplative prayer practices, the benefits of having a spiritual director, and steps for reading the Bible critically and devotionally.

You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

Overview of the podcasts:

Part 1: Self-Knowledge, Gnosticism & Broken Spirituality (EP07)

In this episode, N.T. Wright discusses his motivations for writing “Broken Signposts” and shares insights into ways spirituality has become fractured in society, along with a rise in gnosticism and narcissism. He also discusses ways to practice healthy forms of spirituality — and the importance of regular prayer. At the end of the episode, Wright provides insights into ways to understand our Bible and the need for prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Listen or download episode:

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The God of the Old Testament: Encountering the Divine in Christian Scripture – Dr. Walter Moberly

We’re honored to learn from Dr. Walter Moberly about ways to understand the Old Testament — and to learn about his upcoming book: The God of the Old Testament: Encountering the Divine in Christian Scripture, wherein he writes about eight key Old Testament passages that give us insights into the nature of God in Christian Scriptures.

Dr. Moberly is a brilliant theologian and very humble professor of theology and Biblical Interpretation at Durham University — and it was a thrill to be able to chat with him about his thoughts on the Old Testament and ways to read the Bible critically and devotionally.

One memorable quote from today’s episode is when Dr. Moberly recounted how Keith Sutton encouraged him to explore the Bible:

“The Bible is not a fortress to be defended, but a mansion to explore, to live in and invite others into.”

It’s a powerful way to think about the adventure of reading the Bible. And, Dr. Moberly certainly invites us all in to seek the richness, beauty and mystery of Scripture in this conversation.

You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

Here are overviews of the episodes:

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New Perspectives on Paul & Letter to Galatians – Dr. Jeremy Wade Barrier

Jeremy-FacultyHonored to talk with Dr. Jeremy Wade Barrier about his twelve-year journey researching ancient manuscripts and writing his latest book “Witch Hunt in Galatia,” a book providing fascinating insights into ways to understand Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

You can subscribe or download this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also watch or subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

Here’s a brief overview of the episode:

Part 1: New Perspectives on Paul

In part one, Dr. Barrier talks with us about his research studying “The Acts of Paul and Thecla,” which was an ancient text passed around in the early churches providing insight into Paul’s travels with Thecla — a woman who preached the gospel and later martyred. It’s a fascinating story that shows the faith and preaching power of a woman in the early church, which many don’t know about. He also shares some of the insights into what motivated Paul to write his letter to the churches in Galatia — and why the letter is much more than just a letter to correct them on their use of the law.

Listen to part one:

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A History of the Bible: The Book & Its Faiths – Dr. John Barton

johnbarton-nocredit-20190409162603128_webHonored to talk with Dr. John Barton about his latest book “A History of the Bible: The Story of the World’s Most Influential Book” this week. In this interview series, we learn from Dr. Barton about how the Bible was written, understood and passed along by different religious traditions.

You can subscribe or download these episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe to the video series on YouTube.

Here’s a brief overview of each episode:

Part 1: Introduction to Biblical History

In part one, we talk with Dr. Barton about his purpose for researching and writing his latest book– and also discuss: why the Apocrypha is important, why there are disputes over the canon of scripture, how to deal with discrepancies in the Bible, some of the problems of Biblical authorship, differences between central doctrines of the Bible and essential doctrines in churches, and where to get started reading the Bible.

Listen to part one: 

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