Talking Theology

What does it mean to hope for the kingdom of God? Is hope for the present, or for the future, or can it be both? What in the Bible helps us to have hope for the future without losing concern for the present? And in our challenging world, how does hope help us both lament and praise? Dr Samuel Tranter is is a visiting fellow at Cranmer Hall, John’s College and will be taking up the role of Director of Postgraduate Studies at Cranmer Hall from August. For more about Sam, click here. 

Is ambition something Christians can have? What was Jesus ambitious for? What's the relationship between ambition and humility? Does our excellence always mean being better than others? How does prayer shape our ambition?The Right Reverend Dr Emma Ineson is the Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle, and was previously principal of Trinity College, Bristol.You can follow Emma on Twitter here.This episode was recorded 03/03/2020. 

What questions does living through a pandemic invite us to ask as people of faith? What difference does it make that all are made in the image of God? How does faith expand the landscape in which we can live? Why is it more important to be forgiven than to succeed? What new things of faith are stirring in the Body of Christ at this time?The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Williams of Oystermouth, or Rowan Williams as he is better known, is Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and was previously Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002-2012. For more about Rowan, see here.

What’s going on in the depiction of science in the present corona virus pandemic, and how does theology play into this? How does our language, political, scientific and theological, shape how we understand the world? Are there examples of science and faith coming together to provide hope for our creation? What does listening to the science and walking by faith look like in this season? David Wilkinson holds PhDs in astrophysics and theology, and is principal of St John's College, Durham. For more about David, see here. 

How did death become so important in the Christian tradition? How did the death of Jesus speak to the early Christians, and how does it speak to us today? How do the ways we think about death help us engage with life? How does our care for creation challenge our approach to death? Professor Douglas Davies is an anthropologist and a theologian, a fellow of both the Academy of Social Sciences and the British Academy, and a Professor in Theology at Durham University. For more about Douglas, see here. This episode was recorded 19/02/2020. 

What does the Bible story say about racial diversity as a God-given gift? Does who we worship with say something about the Gospel we believe? How does a clear sense of identity in Christ help us encounter people different to ourselves? How can those with power use it faithfully?Dr. Guli Francis-Dehqani is the Bishop of Loughborough, in the Diocese of Leicester.You can follow Bishop Guli on Twitter here.Recorded 04/02/2020.

Why is liturgy good for us? How can we make sure that our worship practices point to Jesus, not to the person in the pulpit or at the table?How does pouring ourselves out give us a framework for the life of faith? What does it mean to start and end the day open to God? The Rev'd Dr Glenn Packiam is associate senior pastor at New Life church in Colorado Springs, USA. For more on Glenn, see here. 

What does the Bible have to say to those who work outside the church? What is a theological perspective on resilience in leadership? How is the church's commitment to education part of building the kingdom of God? Is Theology just about answers to be found, or also questions to be asked?Andy Wolfe is is the Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Church of England. For more about Andy, see here and follow him on Twitter here. Called, Connected, Committed can be found here.

Is there more to charismatic worship than lively singing and hands in the air? What do Rowan Williams, John Calvin, and Karl Barth have to do with contemporary worship? How does the idea of being united with Christ help us understand what worship is all about? What's the Spirit doing in the singing, in the preaching, and at the table? Nick Drake is associate pastor at Gas Street Church, Birmingham, and has long been involved in leading worship and writing songs. For more about Nick, see here. 

What are we to make of a God who calls? Is vocation something for Vicars, or all who follow Jesus? How can a vocation change over time? How can we be part of recognising vocation in ourselves and others? Can children be part of the journey too?Charlie Allen is Canon Chancellor  at Durham Cathedral, and was previously Salisbury's Diocesan Director of Ordinands.