The Two Cities

In this episode we’re talking about Dispensationalism with Dr. Daniel Hummel, who is the Director of the Lumen Center and Upper House in Madison, WI, a research fellow in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the host of the UpWords podcast, and the author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Eerdmans, 2023). Over the course of our conversation we talk about what Dispensationalism is, how the system of thought developed and became so widespread within Christianity since the 19th century, and also how it fell apart at the time that it was popularized in the 1970s and subsequent decades in the writings of people like Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, etc. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, and Dr. Sydney Tooth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jason Staples, who is Asst Teaching Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at North Carolina State University, and the author of The Idea of Israel (CUP) as well as the more recent book that we’re discussing in this episode, Paul and the Resurrection of Israel (also with CUP). Over the course of our conversation, we talk about the imprecision in how we often use the term “Israel” in biblical studies, highlighting how attending to its nuances brings greater clarity to key passages in Paul’s letters, like references to Israel in Romans 9–11 and Galatians 6. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Chris Porter, the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne, and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Nicholas Elder, who is Associate Professor of New Testament at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and the author of the book that we discuss in this episode, Gospel Media: Reading, Writing, and Circulating Jesus Traditions (published by Eerdmans). Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Elder talks about some major myths that are perpetuated in scholarship regarding reading, writing, circulating, and publishing texts in antiquity and how precision in this area helps us understand the Gospels better in a number of ways. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Professor Curtis Freeman, from Duke Divinity School, as he explores the value of speaking Christianly in the church's journey of life. Delve into Christian mysteries, evangelical Catholicism, approaches to baptism, theological influences, embracing the Christian calendar, and empowering faith expression through literature.

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Jonathan Downie (PhD, Heriot-Watt University), who is a Consultant Interpreter and Researcher in Multilingual Churches, and the author of Multilingual Church: Strategies for Making Disciples in All Languages (w/ William Carey Publishing). Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Downie articulates the importance of multilingualism as something that churches should incorporate and embrace rather than conveniently ignore. We talk best practices, how language is more than verbal communication, how multilingualism would impact different denominations differently, and how multilingualism relates to the church’s approach to topics like immigration and the global refugee crisis. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Rev. Daniel Parham, and Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Barnabas Aspray is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD and the author of a recent article in the academic journal, Modern Theology, called "Jesus Was A Refugee: Unpacking the Theological Implications."In this episode Dr. Aspray addresses the topic of the refugee crisis around the world by building upon the notion of the Holy Family as refugees in their flight to Egypt in Matthew's Gospel, and by putting a finer point on how all of humanity are, in a particular theological sense, refugees. As he carefully explains, his nuanced approach is not meant to diminish the experiences of refugees, but to highlight our shared humanity with them as a to buttress our international humanitarian efforts.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne, and Dr. Logan Williams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: violence against children, assault, domestic partner violence, adverse religious experiences, suicideRev. Dr. Scott Harrower is Lecturer in Christian Thought at Ridley College and an ordained minister in the Anglican Church.In this episode, Revd Dr. Harrower offers a theological response to trauma through the doctrine of the Trinity–reflected in large part in his book God of All Comfort. We talk about how his background as a nurse informs his work as a theologian and pastor, how a richer understanding of the Trinity can provide secure attachment, and how the Gospel of Matthew offers a horrors and comfort together.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Madison Pierce, and Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Porter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: adverse religious experiencesDr. Charles Kiser is a pastor and theologian with Storyline Christian Community in Dallas, TX, and Dr. Elanie Heath is the former Dean of Duke Divinity School and the author of The Mystic Way of Evangelism and Loving the Hell Out of Ourselves (and Others).In this episode, we talk about Dr. Kiser’s and Dr. Heath’s recent book Trauma-Informed Evangelism. In addition to defining terms like “trauma” and “trauma-informed,” they tell how the book came about and the source of many of its stories. They also share how their approach centers those with whom Christ is being shared–allowing them to take the place of “host,” especially as they find safety post-religious trauma. Along the way, they explore various intersections of trauma and theology, such as the way that God offers empathy to those in pain.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Madison Pierce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: murder, depressionDr. Matthew D. Kim is the Professor of Practical Theology; Holder of the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Seminary at Baylor University.In this episode, Dr. Kim introduces us to his book Preaching to People in Pain (Baker Academic, 2021) and his broader philosophies around trauma informed preaching. He explains some of the ways that preachers can attend to the pain of their congregations, attend to their own pain faithfully, and can ensure that those things do not override the primary message of the texts being preached. He also provides some very helpful examples of each.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng, and Dr. Madison Pierce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CW: adverse religious experiences, church-related trauma, narcissistic leadersDr. Scot McKnight is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and Laura Barringer is an author and a Kindergarten Teacher.In this episode, they summarize their two recent books (A Church Called Tov and Pivot). In the first part, in the light of abuse related to Willow Creek Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, they describe harmful dynamics and harmful responses when abuse is brought to light. And in the second part, our primary focus for the episode, they put forward a vision for transforming church cultures. They also give tips for identifying unhealthy cultures, addressing those unhealthy cultures, and understanding deconstruction in light of these things.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Madison Pierce.Series Disclaimer: This series explores the concept of “trauma,” its sources, and its expressions from a range of perspectives. Some of our guests are licensed mental health professionals; some are those with formative experiences of trauma; and others are those who explore trauma through various theoretical frameworks. We hope that this series provides useful information to all that enables them to begin to be trauma-informed and to love others and themselves better. Our series is by no means meant to replace the important work of one-on-one time with a trauma-informed professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.