Homebrewed Christianity

What does it sound like when two friends discuss their struggle with the concept of God? If those friends also have a shared interest in science, philosophy, and religion it could sound like this. My super-nerd friend, Sarah Lane Ritchie, is back on the podcast for a strikingly honest conversation about God and what is required for a “minimally viable” concept. It centers on three particular affirmations: God is personal God is transcendent God provides for postmortem existence Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie received her B.A. in Philosophy & Religion from Spring Arbor University, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an M.Sc. in Science & Religion from the University of Edinburgh. She obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh in Science & Religion with a thesis on divine action and the human mind, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of St. Andrews. She has published a book with Cambridge University Press and numerous articles in academic journals, and continues research in the field of science and religion. Sarah’s Previous Podcast Visits Staff Lounge Shenanigans Can Scientists study gods, souls, and rituals? an Integrated Physicality and the Sacred Trilogies, Atonement Power Rankings, & Sex Work at Happy Hour Everyone You Ever Loved Will Die, so Merry Christmas! Kombucha, Meditation, Tarot, and Stink Bombs Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday we launched Jesus De/Constructed, an open online class with Diana Butler Bass.  This is session one, so receive it as an invitation to join the group. We are thrilled over 3000 people have already signed up   Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would happen if Marty McFly went back in time and gave a young Karl Barth a copy of Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age?  It would be pretty close to Andrew Root’s new book Churches and the Crisis of Decline. The book came out today, so Andy and I talked about it on a live stream. Enjoy the convo, get the book, and look forward to the coming Karl Barth musical on Disney+ Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations.  Some of his most recent books are The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018).  Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies. Previous Visits with Andy Root Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows Ministry in a Secular Age Christopraxis with Andy Root Faith Formation in a Secular Age the Promise of Despair Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is another zesty session of “Big God Questions” with Tom Oord. In this edition, we discuss his new book Pluriform Love, an Open and Relational account of divine revelation, and more. At the end of the episode, Tom offers to send 10 people a copy of his new book if they submit a question for a future ‘Big God Questions’ session. So send us a question HERE. We are both evangelists for Open and Relational Theology and now that it has a center you should check it out. You can also check out the doctoral program in Open and Relational Theology here. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord is an award-winning author, and he has written or edited more than twenty books. A twelve-time Faculty Award-winning professor, Oord teaches at institutions around the globe. A gifted speaker, Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, and the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation. Some Previous Tripp & Tom Pods Big God Twitter Takes Trump is (NOT) a Process Theologian & Other Questions Thomas Jay Oord wants you to know “God Can’t†Open and Relational Theology Throwdown Open and Relational Q&A with Thomas Jay Oord Why Go Wesleyan? Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to take one’s faith seriously during an ecological collapse? How can ministers lead faith communities when so many justice issues are polarizing? These important questions and more shape this conversation with two returning guests to the podcast – Leah Schade & Wilson Dickinson. Both are faculty at Lexington Theological Seminary where there is a deep investment in these tasks and the cultivation of a more vibrant online education. Dr. Leah Schade is Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at Lexington Theological Seminary, A graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, her research and experience cover the fields of homiletics and ecological theology. As an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Schade has served in suburban, urban, and rural settings and has worked with parishioners from a variety of cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds. Formerly the pastor of United in Christ Lutheran Church in Lewisburg, PA, Schade s ministry is marked by her experience in and passion for ecological and social justice advocacy and activism. Dr. Schade’s Books Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology, and the Pulpit Dr. Wilson Dickinson is a writer, pastor, and organizer who lives in his hometown of Georgetown, Kentucky. He teaches theology and directs the Doctor of Ministry and Continuing Education Programs at Lexington Theological Seminary. He is the director of the Green Good News, an organization that works with churches and schools to integrate sustainability, justice, and discipleship. Check out Wilson’s books The Green Good News and Exercises in New Creation. PREVIOUS PODCAST VISITS Leah Schade: Preaching in a time of Crisis from Corona to Climate Wilson Dickinson: Faith After a Neo-liberal Compliant Church Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here.  Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan G. Duns, SJ, a Jesuit priest and theology professor, delves into the relevance of spiritual exercises in today's secular environment. He discusses the return to narratives like Narnia and their transformative power. The conversation touches on how Hollywood's zombie fascination reflects deeper moral questions. Duns humorously compares spiritual formation to karaoke, highlighting the beauty of individual expression within community. They also explore the dangers of idolatry and the importance of genuine relationships with the divine in everyday life.

Grace Ji-Sun Kim, a renowned theologian and Professor at Earlham School of Religion, discusses her transformative book, 'Invisible: Theology and the Experience of Asian American Women.' She explores the themes of invisibility, identity, and the impact of racism, challenging the 'model minority' myth. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling for social justice, as well as the spiritual dimensions of community through Asian cultural concepts. With humor and insight, Kim also touches on the dynamics of writing, parenthood, and the collaborative spirit within the creative process.

John Cobb, a celebrated theologian and pioneer in ecology and economics, reflects on his journey as he turns 97. He discusses evolving theology, emphasizing personal experience and humility in understanding faith. Cobb advocates for demythologizing beliefs to address ecological and economic crises while fostering community over materialism. He highlights the church's role in promoting sustainability and collective action, drawing on historical figures like Gandhi. The metaphor of the 'great cloud of witnesses' underscores the importance of community support in pursuing a meaningful life.

Join Womanist theologian Delores Williams, author Diana Butler Bass, and Dr. Adam Clark, an Associate Professor of Theology, as they dive into the hot topic of cancel culture and accountability in America. They dissect statements from Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Rogan, exploring race, representation, and the complexities of cultural figures like those in the NFL. They also discuss the trend of deconstructing faith amid doubts while emphasizing the transformative power of love and compassion in Jesus' teachings.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Andrew Schwartz, a scholar and social entrepreneur focused on process theology, dives into the zestiness of process thought. He shares his favorite texts for teaching and why process panentheism outshines traditional views. Schwartz highlights the shift towards process theology and its growing appeal, especially regarding environmental issues. He also tackles the complexities of creation dynamics and divine agency, making a compelling case for a relational understanding of God in today's world.