Theology on Mission

Fifty years ago gospel tracts, four spiritual laws, and street witnessing were pillars of evangelism for the evangelical church. Recently, the pendulum has swung the other way to the point where some Christians are reticent to evangelize, or, just don't know how! Drawing on Luke 10 Fitch and Moore discuss how evangelism takes the shape of proclamation rather than coercion. A few of the books they reference (but can't always remember!): Live to Tell by Brad Kallenberg Evangelism after Pluralism by Bryan Stone The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman

What should be done with the theology of theologians who have failed morally? John Howard Yoder, Dr. King, Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, etc. Dave and Mike outline the common responses and try to construct a way forward. By mainly focusing on the case of John Howard Yoder they propose a nuanced response that includes critical reading, intertextual evaluation, and dialogue between the church and the academy. A lot of sources were quoted in this podcast. You will need to Google search the keywords below. Ruth Krall, "The Elephants in God’s Living Room: The Mennonite Church and John Howard Yoder" Rachel Gooseen, “Defanging the Beast”: Mennonite Responses to John Howard Yoder’s Sexual Abuse Karen Guth, "Doing Justice to the Complex Legacy of John Howard Yoder" Stanely Hauerwas, "Minding the Web: Making Theological Connections" Steven Long, "Augustinian and Ecclesial Christian Ethics: On Loving Enemies"

Two months ago, pastor-writer Joshua Harris publicly announced he was no longer a Christian. Fitch and Moore do an "icy take" on his announcement, seeking to understand Harris' evangelical culture. Fitch and Moore attempt to grasp the purity culture that Harris helped shape and then explore how legalism, individualization, and cognization produce a church unable to doubt and ask meaningful questions. If you want a behind the scenes look at our recording go to our Facebook page and watch the video.

Who cares about the "end times"? Should we leave behind the "Left Behind" conversations? Does pre-trib, post-trib, etc, even matter? Fitch & Moore talk about "over-realized eschatology" and how it can inhibit the church. They propose that right eschatology enables us to work through suffering, work for peace, and find our place in God's work. A lot of book recommendations here: Stanley Hauerwas-Approaching the End Michael Gorman-Reading Revelation Responsively G.B. Caird- Commentary on Revelation The Millenial Maze-Stanley Grenz

We are back! Fitch and Moore talk about big problems (gun control, homelessness, policing) and if there are solutions. How do we address massive and systemic issues that outsize our communities? Can small churches actually cultivate solutions? Can big churches? Fitch riffs on the idea of God's right hand and God's left hand--the work of the Spirit and the work of preservatory grace. Here are a few of the books and authors we reference in the conversation: A Secular Age--Charles Taylor The Way of Ignorance: And Other Essays--Wendell Berry Discovering an Evangelical Heritage--Donald W. Dayton

Drawing from Matthew 10 and 18 Fitch and Moore talk about the differences between antagonisms and conflict. Does anger have a place in our redemption? How do we identify sin in the midst of our conflicts? And how do antagonisms fit in all this? Here are the books we are reading Sin: A History by Gary Anderson Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Warren Genealogy of Queer Theory by William B. Turner

If you haven't read these books yet, pick them up! Mike highlights our top 3 episodes from the past year and gives a list of corresponding reading. If you haven't already read these fine books add them to your list for summer 2019. Check out the show notes here: https://www.missioalliance.org/series/theology-on-mission/

We are sitting down with our good friend C. Christopher Smith to talk about talking! Chris' new book, "How the Body of Christ Talks," explores how the church can recover the practice of conversation. Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Body-Christ-Talks-Conversation/dp/1587434113

What is the culture of the multicultural church? How does it include and neglect the black experience in America? Fitch and Moore sit down with Rev. Dr. Joe Mitchell to discuss critiques of the multicultural church. Joe Mitchell is Senior Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist in Dekalb, IL. He received his Masters of Divinity from Northern Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.

Welp, the title of this podcast isn't passive aggressive! Fitch and Moore talk about how modern individualism has tainted our soteriology. The tropes of guilt, legalism, and populist fundamentalism have led to a thin soteriology. Does anyone have a post-evangelical soteriology? Fitch and Moore suggest how repentance, confession, and forgiveness happen by God's Spirit in the church.