Textual Community

In this episode, I talk with my friend Dr. Madison Grace about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the history of missions in the SBC, and the value of historical theology for the life of the churches. In our discussion, Madison describes some of his scholarship on Bonhoeffer's corpus of writings and identifies several ways this kind of work can serve students and pastors.   Madison is Associate Professor of Theology and Baptist History and Director of the Oxford Study Program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. He also serves at First Baptist Church, Mansfield, TX.    Read some of his recent work in this area: Make Disciples of All Nations: A History of Southern Baptist International Missions (Kregel, 2021) "Salvation in the Medieval Era," in Historical Theology for the Church (B&H, 2021).   "Early English Baptists' View of the Lord's Supper," SWJT 57.2 (Spring 2015): 159–79.  "True Discipleship: Radical Voices from the Swiss Brethren to Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Today," SWJT 53.2 (Spring 2011): 135–53. Thanks for listening! Clarifying Note: The views of special guests are their own & do not necessarily reflect my own or the organizations with which I am formally and informally affiliated.

Lingering on the Lectionary: Resurrection Hope for Wayward Hearts  Reflection on the readings for Feb 13 from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C, Sixth Sunday after Epiphany). Biblical Texts: Jer 17.5–10; Ps 1; Lk 6.17–26; 1 Cor 15.12–20.

Level up! In this episode, I talk with my friend Dr. Matt Millsap about engaging popular culture from a Christian perspective and also his scholarship on theological interaction with games studies and video games. In our discussion, Matt explains his overall approach to analyzing video games as meaningful cultural texts, and we also consider the ways that this type of medium and reflection might impact the life of the local churches.    Matt is Associate Professor of Christian Studies and director of library services at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO.    Read some of his recent work in this area: "Infinite Domain: No Man's Sky and the Cultural Mandate," MJT 17.2 (2018): 42–57.  "Pastor, Your Congregation Plays Video games (and that's ok)" For the Church (March 2019) Baptist Press Interview on Dissertation Focus Thanks for listening! Clarifying Note: The views of special guests are their own & do not necessarily reflect my own or the organizations with which I am formally and informally affiliated.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Adonis Vidu about his recent work on the divine missions and inseparable operations. We discuss the relationship between these two works, some of the central moves he makes in his treatment of these areas, and also the role of Trinitarian theology in the life of the believer and ministry among the churches.  Vidu is Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and teaches courses on theological method, Trinitarian theology, and contemporary systematic theology. His most recent book is on the Divine Missions:  The Divine Missions: An Introduction  His previous book is an extended treatment of Inseparable Operations:  The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology Thanks for listening!   Clarifying Note: The views of special guests are their own & do not necessarily reflect my own or the organizations with which I am formally and informally affiliated.

Lingering on the Lectionary: Providence, Praise, and a Love that Never Ends Reflection on the readings for Jan 30 from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany). Biblical Texts: Jer 1.4–10; Ps 71.1–6; 1 Cor 13.1–13. 

In this episode, I talk with my colleague and Luther whizzbang William (Billy) Marsh about historical theology and his scholarship on the Reformation era, including the significance of Martin Luther. In our discussion, Billy explains some strategic insights into Luther's hermeneutical development and messianic theology. He also shares about his own theological process and a few of the key distinctives of biblical commentaries during the Reformation.    Billy is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the MDiv program at Cedarville University. His first book is on Luther as a biblical theologian: Martin Luther on Reading the Bible as Christian Scripture: The Messiah in Luther's Biblical Hermeneutic and Theology His work on Matthew in the IVP Reformation Commentary Series, co-edited w/ Jason K. Lee, is available now:  Matthew (Reformation Commentary on Scripture: NT Vol 1) Thanks for listening! Clarifying Note: The views of special guests are their own & do not necessarily reflect my own or the organizations with which I am formally and informally affiliated.

Lingering on the Lectionary: The Joyful Feast of Messiah's Presence Reflection on the readings for Jan 16 from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C, Second Sunday after Epiphany). Biblical Texts: Isaiah 62.1–5; Ps 36.5–10; John 2.1–11. 

Lingering on the Lectionary: New Beginnings and the Beginning of All Things Reflection on the readings for Jan 2 from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C, Second Sunday after Christmas Day). Biblical Texts: John 1.1–18; Eph 1.3–14. 

In this episode, we reflect upon the opening chapters of Luke's Gospel narrative. In their own ways, both Matthew and Mark give a meaningful and extended introduction to the birth of Jesus and the beginning of his ministry. Luke chooses to begin by juxtaposing the story of Mary and the story of Elizabeth. Mary's song in particular is rife with theological and intertextual richness. In her reflection on God's sovereignty and their role in redemptive history, Mary echoes the Song of Hannah and the Song of Miriam. These profound and beautiful words provide the stunning backdrop for the story of Jesus's birth in Luke 2.  Biblical Texts: Luke 1; 1 Sam 2; Exod 15.

In this episode, we reflect upon the opening chapters of Mark's Gospel narrative. Because it does not include a birth/infancy narrative, the Gospel of Mark is sometimes neglected during advent season. One of the ways to see how Mark helps us reflect upon the incarnation is to connect Jesus's birth to his messianic ministry. Both the birth of Jesus and the later ministry of Jesus are informed by careful reflection on intertextual connections to the OT. Mark's opening also shows some illuminating biblical-theological connections between the beginning of Jesus's life on earth and the beginning of his ministry in Galilee.  Biblical Texts: Mark 1; Isaiah 40; Malachi 3.