Gravity Commons Podcast

The fact that "good evangelical Christians are Republican" seems obvious means the propaganda is working.Professor and author Scott Coley helps us understand how evangelicalism became fused with right-wing politics and now presses evangelical theology into the service of authoritarian politics, which he outlines in his new book Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right.Scott M. Coley is a lecturer in philosophy at Mount St. Mary's University. His research interests include philosophy of religion, moral epistemology, and political philosophy.Connect with Gravity Commons:Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode.Join the Gravity Community to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting.Are you interested in advertising on the Gravity Podcast? Contact us at podcast@gravitycommons.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rabbi Shai Held discusses how Judaism is about love, challenging the misconception of it being solely about law. They explore love in Judaism, forgiveness in Christianity/Judaism, love as an existential posture, and the biblical story of Hagar. Additionally, they touch on interfaith dialogue and Jewish-Christian relations.

In her book Forgiveness After Trauma: A Path to Find Healing and Empowerment, Christian minister and scholar Susannah Griffith explores what the Bible says--and doesn't say--about the biblical call to forgive. She helps readers understand a "trauma-informed forgiveness" that is healing and restorative, framing forgiveness within broader concerns around lament, anger, accountability, release and rebirth, and reconciliation.Susannah Griffith (PhD, Vanderbilt University) is an independent scholar whose work focuses on the intersection of biblical studies and trauma. She is also a licensed minister of the Mennonite Church USA, a role she embodies to advocate and care for the marginalized outside the walls of the church. Her first book, Leaving Silence, was a Christianity Today Book Award finalist for Christian discipleship. Griffith resides in Northern Indiana with her husband and three young daughters.Connect with Gravity:Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode.Join the Gravity Community to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting.Are you interested in advertising on the Gravity Podcast? Contact us at podcast@gravitycommons.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elesha Coffman, a history professor at Baylor University, discusses pivotal events in American church history. Topics include the influence of historical events on faith, the intersection of religion and science, and the impact of politics on Christianity. The conversation explores the evolution of interpretations of faith, societal influences, and the formation of the religious right within conservative Christianity.

Ryan Post, pastor and author, discusses the transformative power of the Beatitudes, exploring topics such as embodying Jesus' principles, mourning authentically, encountering God through suffering, and building genuine community through vulnerability and shared suffering.

Biblical scholar Michael Rhodes discusses justice-oriented discipleship in an unjust world, emphasizing the importance of economic responsibilities intertwined with faith. He explores power, love, and justice in discipleship, reflecting on the necessity of intentional striving towards righteousness. The conversation delves into biblical teachings on holiness, mercy, and justice, advocating for a deep engagement with these virtues for a fulfilling and transformative life.

Ryan Stollar, a child-liberation theologian, advocates for children's rights and abuse survivors. The podcast explores Child Liberation Theology, empowering children, challenging traditional beliefs on child rearing, and redefining parent-child dynamics. They discuss biblical interpretations, the Abraham and Isaac story, and the importance of involving children in something greater. The conversation highlights the need to empower children and address abuse risks in parenting.

Pastor Trey Ferguson discusses re-imagining faith, reading the Bible, traditions, accountability, value, and the gospel. He encourages constructing theologies for current contexts. Explore topics like shame, accountability, scriptures, societal narratives, and differing views on human nature in the gospel message.

Biblical scholar Pete Enns discusses how the Bible works and navigating unexpected faith twists. Topics include Resident Alien TV show, digital minimalism, and the challenges of theological pushback. The podcast also explores personal growth through deconstruction, spiritual questions, and humorous banter about jokes with a Chihuahua.

As a Black autistic pastor and disability scholar, Lamar Hardwick lives at the intersection of disability, race, and religion. He wrote How Ableism Fuels Racism: Dismantling the Hierarchy of Bodies in the Church to help Christian communities engage in critical conversations about race by addressing issues of ableism.Lamar Hardwick is the lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in ATL, GA, and the author of Disability in the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion. He is a grad of Yale Divinity School Clergy Scholar Program and a 2017 grad of Georgia Forward's Young Gamechangers program. He's written for the Huffington Post and BioLogos, regularly writing and speaking on disability inclusion in the church.Connect with Gravity:Leave us a message or ask a question about this or any other episode and we'll answer it on a future episode.Join the Gravity Community to interact with other listeners, and get our list of curated links each week to all things edifying and interesting.Are you interested in advertising on the Gravity Podcast? Contact us at podcast@gravitycommons.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy