RTN Theology

Our Holy Week episode features author and liberation theologian Kelley Nikondeha. Not only do we get into her new book, Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom (Eerdmans 2020), but also her previous book Adoption: The Sacrament of Belonging in a Fractured World. Kelley brings a ferocity and loving imagination to help us see and recover the stories of these "hidden figures" of liberation in the Exodus story. Her experience as both an adopted person and an adoptive mother, along with her marriage and work in Burundi, give her a keen vision for Christian scripture's call towards justice, and God's heart for those on the margins. Episode features Lenten and (new) Easter music by Austin church musician Mac Meador.

Community is on all of our minds during this time of social-distancing in order to help flatten the curve of the spread of coronavirus. Fittingly, Bob and Chris connect with the founders of Reality Ministries, a highly relational, Christ-centered community of persons with and without disabilities in Durham, NC. Jeff and Susan McSwain share the theological convictions which led to and have been gathered from the creation of a community of mutuality and presence. Episode features new communal worship music from the Meek Squad.

After an intense couple of weeks, Bob and Chris get back together to reflect on the beginning of the Lenten season, the Coronavirus outbreak, and the Democratic Primaries. RTN Theology #22 features archival audio of author and organizer Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove from November 3, 2019 when he spoke at Oak Church. Part of an ongoing series of profiles of saints (holy ones, past and present), Jonathan shared about his mentor and spiritual mother, Ann Atwater. A Durham legend, Ann's life and work known more widely from the book and movie about her life called Best of Enemies. Ann's words and actions are a provocative witness towards healing and collaboration bourn from the gospel in divisive and polarized times. Her story shows how transformation is possible on the way to working for wholeness and help for society's most vulnerable. Throughout the episode is featured music from Lincoln, NE soul singer Mona Reeves.

RTN Theology #21 features Esau McCaulley—priest, professor, writer, and theologian— talking about the Christian season of Lent. Our wide-ranging conversation includes how the darkest day of the church calendar is the exact day when he found a new and permanent church home. While Esau repeatedly attempts to convert and confirm Chris into the Anglican Church, they also talk about how the vast biblical narrative is communicated with but a few liturgical words and actions, what it is like to do liturgy with kids, why people from different Christian traditions change church environments, how emerging leaders of color are connecting with and transfiguring liturgical traditions, and even a little bit about N.T. Wright and Kanye West. Featuring Lenten music from Liturgical Folk throughout.

Far from the end of the world, apocalypse mostly means unveiling what's been under the surface the whole time. In this episode of RTN Theology, Chris and Bob converse with writer Amy Peterson on what happens when the things you grew up taking for granted are revealed as less than reliable, true, or solid. Amy's new book Where Goodness Still Grows: Reclaiming Virtue in an Age of Hypocrisy (W Publishing Group, 2020) artfully examines the virtues of her evangelical subcultural youth and crafts a way forward in a post-2016 world. While some deconstruct, "salt the fields," or add to the increasing number of "nones," Peterson chooses to instead reinvest in the soil of her youth. Starting with Lament and ending in Hope, she writes with a steadfast insistence that these reframed virtues might actually be compost for new creation.

James K.A. Smith, Christian philosopher and author of On the Road with St. Augustine, reflects on Augustine's life and why his road image still resonates. Short segments explore ambition, freedom, formative friendships, Monica’s influence, journey metaphors (Odyssean, Sisyphean, refugee), music and pilgrimage, and Augustine’s relevance to authenticity, addiction, and communal formation.

For many, the Christian liturgical calendar is often a bit mysterious or just plain strange. Bob and Chris dig into the start of the year, the four weeks leading up to Christmas known as Advent, with theologian and arts pastor David Taylor of Fuller Seminary. David wears many hats, and in our interview we discuss how he teaches his students about time, joy, and lament, and he also shares about a multiyear liturgical songwriting project he's leading. Finally, we preview his forthcoming book Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (March 2020), which features a forward by Eugene Peterson and afterward by Bono. Throughout the episode we'll also hear some brilliant new Advent and Christmas music from the likes of Sandra McCracken, Nathan Partain, the Gentle Wolves, and Liz Vice (ft. Hannah Glavor).

Bob and Chris sit down with baker and writer Kendall Vanderslice for a special Thanksgiving episode of RTN Theology centered on food, faith, and a movement of church communities built around the table. Vanderslice's 2019 book, We Will Feast (Eerdman's) is a veritable buffet in its own right: part journalism, part food studies, part memoir, and part sacramental theology. Lastly, we're treated to a perfect sweet treat: music from Nashville musician Sandra McCracken's Psalms, We Will Feast in the House of Zion. Happy feasting!

Bob and Chris talk with Megan and Isaac Wardell, who shepherd a Christian music collaborative out of Charlottesville, VA made up of dozens of musicians, theologians, pastors, and faith leaders from many places and traditions. In 2017 they released the project's debut album, Work Songs, about vocation. Last week came the follow-up Neighbor Songs. This diverse musical collection is the product of a beautiful and challenging gathering exploring themes of hospitality in and across difference, disability, gender, race, theology, and tradition. You'll be treated to these sacred sounds built in the Church from and for the life of the world.

Bob and Chris sit down with Richella Parham to talk about her debut book, Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison. Richella talks about the trap of comparing ourselves to others and the way that a distorted picture of ourselves and others creates a distorted picture of God, and vice versa. Richella's writing is as interesting, accessible, and deep as this interview. We touch on the work of Richella's mentor Dallas Willard, as well as some of Richella's favorite hymns.