Shows
The Reverend Hunter PodcastTodd Littleton: ”We did this thing”Tony's guest is Rev. Dr. Todd Littleton, a Baptist pastor in Oklahoma. Todd joined Tony on a canoe trip to the BWCA recently, and they talk about their shared experiences, paddling for the first time in 50 years, the importance of pilgrimage, lakes and trees and stillness and quiet, how hard it is to describe the BWCA, uncontrollability, finding subversive things, a long obedience in the same direction, and more.
Find Todd at https://www.toddlittleton.net/, and find Rosa's book on uncontrollability here: https://amzn.to/3X7RQbf
https...2023-09-1858 min
Faith, Philosophy & PoliticsSBC Past & Future: A Conversation with Marty Duren & Todd LittletonScott talks with Marty Duren and Todd Littleton about their experiences in the SBC, politics, the Culture War, and SBC history.Todd Littleton's podcast:http://www.toddlittleton.net/Marty Duren's podcast: https://uncommontarypodcast.com/tag/marty-duren/2021-05-2453 min
patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianGod Can’t? Those Nagging Questions
What happened to the podcast? It would be easier just answering with, “2020.”
To provide an illustration of the unusual difficulties, it took two days and three tries to finish the conversation I had with Thomas J. Oord where we talked about his latest book, God Can’t: Q & A. We had hit our stride in what is always a fun and ranging conversation about anything Tom has written. Then my fiber connection failed. We had been having intermittent trouble but thought it was the oft-needed router reboot. We rescheduled. Tom was very gracious.
On our attemp...2020-08-281h 36patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianRace and Faith: A Conversation
Jemar Tisby, in his book The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, offers a number of To-Dos in his chapter The Fierce Urgency of Now. One is simple: Do Something. After a bit of an absence, Patheological returns with that in mind.
What Tisby recommends is not different than the advice given by Dr. Barbara Holmes,
“You tell your people.”
What began as a conversation between two white pastors, in the aftermath of the George Floyd killing and the subsequent protests, ended up a dialogue on race a...2020-07-091h 26patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSolomon Says: A Conversation with Mark Horne
Plenty of space in print and on-air has been given over to discussions of masculinity. What if the better question for all human beings was, “How do we live wisely in the world?”
Seventeen years ago Mark Horne published, The Victory According to Mark: An Exposition of the Second Gospel. In his words, “I never thought I would write a book like this.” One might say this book is nothing like that one. What began as a spiritual practice of memorizing portions of Proverbs that began in 2011 gave rise to the reflections found in Solomon Says: Directives for Youn...2020-04-241h 09patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPandemics, History, Environment, Myths and More: A Conversation with Brad Raley
Every day we are being watched by the ghosts of history past. The hosts of Ryan and Philip’s Conversation Rules have a segment on their podcast; History Has Its Eyes On You. No matter the subject of each episode, they point up the value of knowing how it relates to the past.
Somewhere in the past few years, I met Brad Raley through mutual friends. Our interactions, though only 30 minutes away, came online. Then something written, maybe a comment posted on a social media item, prompted one or both of us to make contact by Facebook Me...2020-04-1049 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDealing with Loss, Grief, and Grace in a Pandemic: A Conversation Among Friends
If you are a pastor or on a church staff, there is no shortage of suggestions for what to do during the current novel coronavirus pandemic. Many pastors find themselves forced to think about live-streaming services, using Zoom or Google Meet to offer Bible Study, and Youth Pastors are digging deep into their creative barrels to find some fun ways to make connection online. There is little doubt some ministers feel like they are working longer and harder as the uses of new technology represent more than deciding to add exercise into a weekly, or daily, routine.
...2020-04-0336 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSelf Protection Is Not the Center of the Christian Faith: A Conversation with Jeffrey C. Pugh
Over time Dietrich Bonhoeffer has become something of a Rorschach Test for Christians. That is, everyone finds something in Bonhoeffer’s corpus to claim for their theological project. Jeffrey C. Pugh says not so fast. Instead of thinking that Bonhoeffer passed through phases, like early and late, one might better understand the German theologian as always answering the question, “What does Christ mean for this concrete time in history? Think not that this is a cover for relativism. Instead consider the question one that always kept Bonhoeffer focused on Jesus, the Christ.
Jeffrey C. Pugh returns to Path...2020-02-2859 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDistance and Proximity: Seeing the Context with Alan Cross
Maps. More maps. The summer term of my last year of my M.Div. in Seminary included the course, Biblical Backgrounds. Looking back it may have been better to take that course over a normal fall or spring semester. Compressing all the material covered into a few short weeks was grueling. Today much of the same material may be found in resources from Bible Dictionaries to commentaries.
Growing up my pastor led frequent trips to Isreal, often referred to as the Holy Land. Upon his return, he would provide slide shows for the congregation. Rather than a, “Lo...2020-02-2232 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWhat Happened to the Podcast?!
Don’t blame Scott Coley. Though Scott was my last podcast guest, he had nothing to do with the long hiatus. I hope to have Scott back. He is working on a new book and if nothing else, we will hop back on the Zoom and discuss his work..
So what happened?
Today’s podcast provides a look at podcasting. Specifically, the elements of podcasting solo. Don’t read this as an excuse. Instead, know that podcasting is a side gig. Not to be confused with a side hustle. Gig implies, in this case, a hobby...2020-02-1447 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianTrolling Christian Twitter for Nuggets of Gold
I am more near retirement than Scott. I have grandchildren older than his newborn. He has more hair. And, fortunately for me, he did not turn the old guy away when he reached out for a conversation on the Twitter platform.
Who In the World is Scott M. Coley
Not long after Scott and I were talking about a podcast episode and discussing his work, I received a call from my friend Ben Cole. He dispensed with the pleasantries. Ben got straight to the point. Though not unusual, what he had to say caught me...2019-09-261h 12patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianCan’t We All Just Get Along? The Church of Us vs. Them: A Conversation with David Fitch
How many times have you read a Facebook/Blog post that insists, “If your pastor didn’t say anything about [most recent social injustice], you need to find a new church?” Maybe you have used this lede in an attempt to raise attention to the latest illustration of failed immigration policy, how racism has gone underground or the ways our current economic structures insist on an indentured debtor class. All of these issues and more are important. But is it possible calling out the lack of attention given in some churches gives fuel to existing antagonisms that further divide?
2019-07-3145 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianLiving in Sin: A Conversation with Jason Micheli
“I forgive you.” We generally think those words follow, “I’m sorry.” The Good News of the Gospel is that God’s, “I forgive you,” comes first. That is how Jason Micheli describes Grace. God’s one-way love.
Many couples at one point or another have reached for a book on marriage to help negotiate those difficult periods. Reading with a highlighter in hand pages of these books are scourged for the Holy Grail of marital success. Lists are made. Habits are rehearsed. Often these to-do’s become a greater burden than imagined. Frustration becomes the norm.
What if the...2019-06-0351 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPlundering Egypt: A Conversation on the Passing of Rachel Held Evans
Just two days after Stan Grenz died, David Dockery began his concluding paragraph warning Baptists, specifically Southern Baptists, that Grenz might lead his readers into orthodox inconsistency.
Unfortunately, his pietism didn’t translate into evangelical coherene or orthodox consistency.
That was fourteen year ago.
Reading some of the responses to the death of Rachel Held Evans reminded me of that incident. In fact, to demonstrate how this works, the same thing happened after the death of Jerry Falwell. No matter your theological convictions you may be sure someone will take advantage of the ne...2019-05-1500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianChains of Grace: A Conversation with Rick Davis
We are all addicts. Amidst a culture bent on positivity, Karsten’s maxim could not be considered good news. He did not back down.
Let’s give Karsten his conclusion. When we do we admit that we are all at the same time captive. At some point, these circumstances, addicted and captive, will lead to incarceration. When a person has served his or her time in prison, what next?
Dr. Rick Davis is my guest on this episode of patheological. I met Rick in 1985. We have been friends ever since. He is also my mentor. Afte...2019-04-3000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianLife In Review or, A Pastor Moves Forward by Looking Back: A Conversation with Scott Scrivner
Five years ago the iconic Mummers Theater, also known as Stage Center, was demolished. Considered a modern architectural marvel, it served an interesting feature for the annual Oklahoma City Arts Festival for years. Then it flooded. Efforts to save the building failed. What eventually takes the now vacated space will be influenced by the experiences with the former structure.
A person’s faith journey is not much different.
Even for a pastor.
On this episode of patheological: the podcast for the Pastor-Theologian, Scott Scrivner and I talk about his recent book, Life in Re...2019-04-1058 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSeculosity: When Religion Leaves the Building, A Conversation with David Zahl
Are you spiritual but not religious? Maybe you are religious but not spiritual. What do those categories even mean? Are we always going to find ourselves in an Inigo Montoya moment, “You keep using that word . . . “
Religion observers and Christian leaders have for some time been offering explanations for a decline in church attendance in the West. Some contend we are experiencing an end of Christendom, a period where Christianity played a socio-cultural role in nearly every area of civic life. Others viewed the shift as a move away from religion altogether. New descriptions like the Nones and...2019-04-0100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWhy Makes Justice So Controversial?
Oklahoma incarcerates more people per capita than any other State in the Union – men and women. Legislators work to reform our justice system. The gears turn slowly. Part of the issue turns on how we talk about justice.
Last year, a group of Evangelicals, some from my tribe of Southern Baptists, developed what is referred to as the Statement on Social Justice. A list of affirmations and denials, accompanied by a list of Scriptures, has been signed by a nearly 11,000 people to date. The SJS, a shorthand for the document, took center stage in a segment at th...2019-03-2000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPreaching As Resistance
Many resist preaching, listening to preachers, that is. Preachers may be the worst. I have attended denominational meetings and watched folks get up and leave when the preaching begins. Imagine thinking mundane business to be more interesting than the preacher you may not have heard before.
Over the past thirty years, I have read less than a handful of preaching books. I have only listened to a few sermons over those same years outside of attending meetings where preaching placed prominently on the conference agenda. It has not been a practice to read many sermons either.
2019-03-131h 00patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWho Said God Can’t?
A local meteorologist described the recent F-4 tornado in Alabama. We know a thing or two about tornadoes in Oklahoma. The scene of the 24-mile swath cut by the massive tornado brought back memories of what we simply refer to in our area as, The May 3rd Tornado. It was hard to imagine the area described by a resident who lost her home as something like a forest. One of our local meteorologist looked it up and the affected area had never experienced a tornado before.
I am waiting on Pat Robertson, or even John Piper, to d...2019-03-0500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianOn the Other Side of the Ash HeapThere is not going to be a return to things as they were. Or are. Think of it as the notion that to step into a river at the same place, does not mean you are stepping into the same water. The water in which you stepped in downstream.
It is not hard to become captive, enslaved, to things as they were. Marriage counselors often hear, “We would like to get back to the way we were.” While the sentiment is appreciated, it is not possible. The way you were is what led to where you are. But...2019-01-2300 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianA Depression From Which You Cannot RunNo matter what you have been told, there are things you may not pray away. The Apostle Paul noted that he had prayed three times for a thorn in the flesh to be removed. It wasn’t. Three times may be a euphemism for over and over and over again.
“I’m a lifer,” Scott Curry. Pastor
New Year’s Day for many is a time to reset, restart. It provides the occasion to think about what could be better, different in the coming year. Disappointments and difficulties give way to possibilities, to potential. For many, thou...2019-01-0700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDisruptor(s) Needed: A Conversation with The Alan NobleBusiness disruptors. Sports disruptors. How about Church disruptors? The story is told of a pastor who, while preaching, noticed his son chewing gum. He is said to have stopped the sermon and instructed his son, “Paul, go spit out your gum!”
It Will Take More Than Gum
More than 50 years later, gum is the least likely disruption in a Sunday worship gathering. You have not lived until someone stands up and begins shouting at the preacher. It does not matter that the person was barely coherent. The experience is decentering.
Accelerated change in the c...2018-08-0900 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThey Like Big Buts . . . You May TooIf you did not read carefully, you may have mistaken a conjunction for a noun. Spelling is key. Taking note of words and how they are used both spares of embarrassment and enlightens.
When it comes to words and provocation, the Crackers over at Crackers & Grape Juice work hard. Consider the title of their new book.
I Like Big Buts
When the gang looked for ways to help support their stable of podcasts, the idea came to publish a book of their sermons on Paul’s Epistle, Letter, to the Christians in Rome. Las...2018-07-3000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianStained (Glass) Heroes or, Dr. Patterson Is Only a SymptomThe canopy caught the wind. We slowly drifted toward the steel cable barrier that kept us a safe distance from the dam. Our anchors could not hold the 21’ pontoon boat from which we hoped to reach our limit of rainbow trout for the day. We pulled in our fishing lines. After firing up the motor, we fought the wind to free ourselves from the barrier.
Sounds something like,
Evangelicals outside of Southern Baptist life were cognizant of the drift. They knew the drill—loose the denominational boat from the moorings of its founders, and, stripped of rud...2018-06-0400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMLK50: An SBC Rorschach Test – A Conversation with Alan CrossMartin Luther King Jr. is something of a Rorschach Test for Southern Baptists. Enter the recent MLK50 event co-sponsored by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC as evidence.
On the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the Ethics and Religious Liberty co-sponsored the MLK50 event. Here is a link to the Conference – Main Sessions and Break Out Sessions too.
If you are unfamiliar with the history of the Southern Baptist Convention, this is a big deal. Big. Deal.
What Does Immigration Have to Do with Race?2018-05-3000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianResident Exile: A Conversation with Bill BorrorRecently a young friend mused in a text message, “Where are our (SBC) theologians?” His angst was palpable even if the question appeared on my phone.
My friend Alan, who will be on my next podcast episode, expressed genuine concern. From his vantage point, working for the Evangelical Immigration Table, the responses to immigration issues from leaders within his, our, denomination have been more political than theological. They have been more Party, and Partisan, than theological. He implies the response might be different if the issues were arrived at through rigorous theological reflection.
Not Everyone Is a...2018-05-2200 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianCome Sunday: A Conversation with the Reverend Carlton PearsonNo matter what else goes on during a week in the life of a preacher, a pastor, Sunday always comes on time. For many, likely most, Sunday anxiety does not come with wondering who will fuel the jet, maintain the vacation house, or gas up the boat at the marina. Often any inner conflict is repressed. On occasion, it breaks out.
Faithful Are the Wounds of a Friend
Tell that to the Reverend Carlton Pearson. When caught between the twin emotions of grief and guilt, sometimes what one needs in a friend is forbearance.
2018-04-2300 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianOperating Out of a Different Narrative: God and Guns with Amy Butler and Teer HardyJust two weeks after the Parkland School Shooting my friend Mary Duren invited four people to contribute to a discussion on the right to bear arms. The traffic on his posts was poor. It seems the news cycle had passed.
If you don’t seize the moment within 24-hours, or maybe 48-hours, you miss the modern attention span.
Maybe Hauerwas and Willimon Are Right
No one would accuse me of being part of the Hauerwasian Mafia. The designation is often a caricature of those who have found Stanley Hauerwas their theological muse. Later thi...2018-04-1000 min
New Persuasive WordsBullgeschichte Session, with Todd LittletonOccasionally we invite someone on to talk with us about a host of things, or whatever comes to mind. We call it a "Bullgeschicte" Session. Our guest for this episode is Todd Littleton. He's a pastor, writer, consultant, professor, blogger and podcaster. We talk love, death, necrophobia and food. Special Guest: Todd Littleton.2018-03-2930 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMicheal Gerson on Evangelicals Provokes David French: A Conversation with Greg HortonRick Saccone sensed a closer than expected 18th Congressional District race in Pennsylvania’s Special Election. “They hate America. They hate God.”
Reactionary.
Rather than touting his vision, goals and plans the moment he realized he might lose where President Trump won by more than 20 percentage points, Rick Saccone responded with phrases intended to stir up voters. Given the current political climate it would be hard to question that he aimed to jolt conservatives, Christians, likely Evangelicals, to get out and vote for him since Democrats, Liberals, hate god.
Evangelicals (Always) In the Spotligh...2018-03-1400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWhat Are Pastors Searching For? A Conversation with Marty DurenMaybe pastors still haven’t found what they are looking for.
Even if LifeWay is no longer strictly a resource for Southern Baptist Churches, one wonders how it is, after the dust has settled for most in the SBC on the matter of inerrancy, what does it mean a that Biblical Hermeneutics tops the searched for data on its Pastors site in recent months?
Suit(able) Preaching?
An old friend is coming to preach at Snow Hill this Sunday. Allan called to see what the dress code was for our worship service. One ho...2018-03-0800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianCounterfeit Forgiveness? A Conversation with Scott CurryWho needs me? That may be a more helpful question today than, Who is my neighbor?
Familiarity may breed contempt. It also may create indifference.
Neighbor or Friend?
The Good Samaritan became the means for one of Jesus’ conversation partners to consider, “Who is my neighbor?” We hear Good Samaritan stories often. A person in distress is helped by a complete stranger. That Good Samaritan Laws exist point to the way this story has become part and parcel of the rules that govern our social contract.
Is it possible we have become...2018-02-2800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPastors Fail? A Conversation with Taylor MertinsJust four years ago it was reported, “that 1500 pastors leave the ministry for good each month due to burnout or contention in their churches.” What is a pastor to do just five years in when he or she realizes there already exists lessons from failure?
Not Much Has Changed?
Thirty years ago this coming December I recall a denominational leader relaying to a group of seminary graduates that any given week 12 ministers take up new positions and 12 ministers resign. It was surprising to hear there were twenty-four staff changes any given week just in Oklahoma.
2018-02-2100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianA Complicated Pregnancy: A Conversation with Kyle RobertsSome time ago a friend discovered I had been reading Jurgen Moltmann’s, The Crucified God. He suggested I leave Moltmann alone. If you know anything about me, that is like pouring gas on a fire.
It called to mind moments in college and seminary where friends, even professors, indicated there is a “Do Not Read” list. They forgot the way negative prohibitions give rise to desire. They likely had not read any Zizek.
Firestarter
Many of us like to think we are our own person, independent-minded. We are a tabula rasa. Our blank...2018-02-0600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMost Want Peace In Israel and Palestine: A Conversation with Jimmy DoyleMost lands us in trouble. The word most gets us in trouble, not most people. When we want to lay claim to the popular position or opinion we use most; even if we know it runs into the wall of fallacies.
Sweeping generalization or not, Jimmy Doyle’s conversation with Israelis and Palestinians led him to conclude most want peace.
Not Always Convinced
Like those of us who grew up in conservative Evangelical churches, Jimmy embraced the all or nothing commitment to Israel as a Christian. He grew up knowing the prevailing U.S...2018-01-1200 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianReading the Bible: A Conversation with Peter EnnsIf I had known Peter‘s birthday was Tuesday, I would have dropped this podcast then. After all, what better birthday gift for Pete than for our conversation to drop on the Interwebs!
You know he will agree.
The Bible Tells Me So
Jesus loves me.
In the 1860 novel, Say and Seal, the words of the song many of us grew up singing aimed to soothe a dying child. Not just a few adults today worry when they read certain parts of the Bible, and wonder how to make sense of it...2018-01-0400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMarking Time: A Conversation with Kenneth TannerWall calendars. Day planners. Bullet journals. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Holidays. School schedules. Fiscal years. Just some of the ways we mark time.
Bruce Hornsby lyrically wrote about marking time because “that’s just the way it is.”
If all we do is buy into the way things are, then shouldn’t we expect life to be viewed as it always is?
Making Advent Great Again Round 2
We are just days away from the last Sunday of Advent 2017. The day will serve double duty. It is also Christmas Eve. Two Christian celebrations when observin...2017-12-2000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianAnger Can’t Live Alone: A Conversation with Scott CurryLong before electronic billboards, the Internet, and mobile apps, the bumper sticker served as a means to communicate how a person saw the world. Eddie Chiles radio commentary sign-off triggered a spate of bumper stickers that exclaimed, I’m Mad Too, Eddie!
Who is Eddie and why is he mad?
I often wondered.
Whatever the subject of his commentary, the founder of Western Company of America and one-time owner of the Texas Rangers, closed with, “I’m Eddie Chiles, and I’m mad as hell!”
Anger is pervasive.
If you are no...2017-12-0800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMaking Advent Great Again #MAGA: A Conversation with Emily Hunter McGowinWho knew the sloganeering of a Presidential campaign would afford us a way to highlight the great mystery of the Incarnation? Consider it much like the Apostle Paul flipping, “Ceasar is lord,” to, “Jesus Is Lord.”
Here we are one year later and my friend Tripp, along with Mike Morrel and John Pavlovitz, decided to flip, Make America Great Again in order to help us Make Advent Great Again. The creative juices are rewarded with a ready-made hashtag – #MAGA. Can it get any better?
Positivity Shmositivity
No amount of spin will help us when we fa...2017-12-0100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSurviving the Bible: A Conversation with Christian PiattThe Youth Minister gave a new meaning to, “throw the book at him.” Originally the phrase meant to charge someone with as many crimes as are possible. Consider it throwing all the law at someone. Maybe, that is in fact what happened. Rather than take his questions seriously, the Youth Minister found it easier to apply as many legalisms as possible to Young Christian. So much for grace.
When Christian Piatt began interrogating his faith, what the late Robert Webber would describe as a period of questioning one’s faith, his Youth Minister threw his Bible at Young...2017-11-2700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThis Is Uz: A Conversation with Scott CurryThe idols we create become burdens too heavy to bear. Scott Curry references Walter Brueggemann on Isaiah 46 to point out the caricatures we create for God become the idols in our heads that let us down when suffering comes.
Not Speculative
Suffering comes. When we least expect it. At the most inopportune times. To us all.
Though he is working on his Ph.D. from the University of Durham, Scott comes to the subject of suffering out of his own personal experience. Like most pastors, he knew something did not seem right, did...2017-11-1700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThe Last American Virtue: A Conversation with Greg HortonThe last sacred thing is choice–individual choice. That line in a recent Facebook Post prodded this conversation.
Even more, the conclusion of the post:
. . . and we will have mass shooting after mass shooting, and churches, temples and mosques are not exempt because no one except the adherents considers them sacred anymore.
Only adherents consider them sacred anymore.
The assertion may come as a shock unless you track with the stacked sentences in the post:
There is no sacred space in America. The last sacred thing is cho...2017-11-1000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianBacksliding Into All Souls DayFew weeks hold as many consecutive references to events or celebrations in the Christian Calendar. Reformation Day. All Saints Day. All Souls Day. Do you find the reference to all worth considering?
The history of human beings is not always about all human beings. Consider Winston Churchill’s, “History is written by the victors.” Only after decades, or longer, and greater research do we learn there are other sides to the story told by the winners. Christopher Columbus.
Inconsistencies Are Revelatory
When critics take after the Church and Church history it seems that glaring...2017-11-0200 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianNot Just a Nerdy Endeavor: A Conversation with Eric Hall and Nathan GilmourOne could not tell by the onslaught of published books that the Preacher of Ecclesiastes dictum still holds true. There is nothing new under the sun.
So why rinse and repeat teaching Plato’s, Symposium?
Not me, of course.
That would be Gilmour.
Still Current, Not Nerdy
The first time Eric, Nathan and I invited Jason to a conversation on one of Plato’s works he responded that it was too nerdy. This time he was on vacation. There is a pattern here. In spite of missing the Tamed Cyni...2017-10-0600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWhen In Romans: A Conversation with Beverly Gaventa and Jason MicheliMany people only know John 3:16. Explaining the importance of John’s use of the word sign requires too much work. After all, if anything we know of recent events, signs and symbols point to different things for different people.
It should come as no surprise that many only know Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome for the verses associated with the Roman Road. Recent work by the likes of N.T. Wright prodded some back to Paul for more than the traditional outline applied to his letters – theology and practice.
Philosophers have been riding...2017-09-2600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPastors Search For . . . : A Conversation with Marty DurenOften a Pastor is concerned with answering human beings search for meaning. What happens when pastors go searching?
Would you be surprised that one of the most sought after bits of information for pastors concerns retreats and sabbaticals? Maybe you would expect pastors to search for articles on Jesus’ method of preaching or teaching. Both of these items were among the top ten searches on the Lifeway website that offers resources for pastors.
Drawing From Experience
Marty Duren curates the Lifeway resource for pastors website. We recently sat down for a conversation around Ma...2017-08-2300 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianImprisoned Souls, They Don’t Know It: Cross-podcast featuring Jeffrey C. PughSeparated from brothers and sisters. Not quite the way you would expect someone to describe looking in the face of hate-filled neo-Nazis. But, that is what a day of reflection does to you.
Don’t misunderstand, my friend Jeffrey C. Pugh still burned with righteous indignation as he replayed the images of Friday and Saturday past in Charlottesville. Committed to non-violence, Pugh admitted to thinking he wished he had a club and for one moment could use it. But, he didn’t.
But, he didn’t.
Sunday afternoon I was invited to join a conv...2017-08-1500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianListen to Momma When She Speaks: An Interview with Stephanie Buckhanon CrowderThe first time I heard the name Mephibosheth I laughed, a belly laugh.
Maybe it was in the first or second grade. I got a case of the giggles so bad I disrupted the class. Despite my attempts to control myself, I don’t think I did until my teacher said she would talk to my mother.
Every time I read a story that references Mephibosheth I remember that moment.
Sitting here writing up this post to introduce my conversation with Stephanie Buckanon Crowder brought this back to mind. We did not talk abo...2017-08-0400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianNo Better Time for Public Theology: An Interview with Kyle A. RobertsMany would have us believe talk about God is in decline. Hardly. The election of President Trump and his highly visible group of Faith-Based Advisors spurred Pastor Robert Jeffress to consider President Trump the most Faith Friendly President Ever.
Jeffress’ giddiness over the Trump aside, others have wondered to what sort of biblical king Trump compares. Richard Mouw dips into Public Theology in Comparing Trump to two biblical kings. Written for a general audience for those interested in religious perspectives, Mouw says he is willing to give his fellow evangelicals a hand at evaluating the new President,
...2017-07-3100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 10: Season FinaleA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2402 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 9: Building an AudienceA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2402 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 8: Audio Software for PodcastersA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2402 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 7: Best Mics for PodcastingA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2402 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 3: How To Scale Your Start-UpA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2202 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 2: Essentials Tools For PodcastersA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2202 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEpisode 1: How We Started PodcastingA wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while...2017-07-2202 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianReading Dead People, Leading Life Giving Community: An Interview with Wade BurlesonFormer President of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and Trustee with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Wade Burleson is not currently involved in denominational politics. Church, community and family take up his time.
If my memory serves me correctly I served on the Nominating Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma when Wade was President. Those elected to serve the BGCO as President generally serve two terms unless there are unusual circumstances.
We caught up with each other last week at the memorial service for our friend Art Rogers...2017-07-1400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWWF, Congressional Baseball, and Violence In Us All: An Interview with Eric E. HallThe Facebook post read, “(sic)Que the across-the-aisle finger pointing! If your reaction to this shooting is “see, violent libtards!” rather than concern for the congressman and the state of our nation at large, then you are part of the problem. Thoughts be with our representative and please use this as a call to action for coming together.“
Eric sent me this from his FB Feed with the editorial comment spurred by our conversation just ten minutes after we finished recording,
Both sides are violent. One seems to take a sadistic pleasure in pretending to be viole...2017-06-1500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianShe Does Not Just Wear the Clerical Collar: An Interview with Lori WalkeLori walked briskly through the Rotunda. Determined to raise awareness among Oklahoma congressional representatives of the harmful effects of predatory lending, she stood out among the crowd. It was the collar. Or was it?
What Do You Do?
Pastors often refrain from self-identification as clergy. The confession tends to shut down conversation. Pastor John J came up with a creative description to counter the regular occurrence.
If you are a pastor and have every had that experience, then you may find Pastor John’s response to your liking.
However, th...2017-06-0900 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianChristians Don’t Have an Answer to Suffering But . . . : An Interview with Jason MicheliChristians don’t have an answer to the question of suffering. Christians have a community of care.
Our oldest grandson was born 8 weeks early. Doctors could not tell us what caused him to stop growing in the womb. Fortunately the discovery was made during a routine appointment. Quick action and four weeks of great care in the NICU combined to give us the joy of watching that 2lb. 8oz. little boy become as long as a love seat at almost seven.
Questions and Tsunamis
My friend Jason Micheli told me I should check out...2017-05-0200 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDo the Next Right Thing: King’s Legacy as Metaphor with Adam ClarkGuilt paralyzes. We suffer beneath the weight of what we have done. The mental and emotional real estate guilt takes up in our lives often leaves us handicapping our next decision.
Earlier this year I attended a small conference at The Hatchery. The theme of the conference was, Third Rail Theology. Organizers hoped to provide an energizing link between ideas and practice. My friend Adam Clark, oXavier University, a Jesuit school in Cincinnati, OH, offered a talk where he used the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr as a metaphor for racism in America.
There i...2017-04-0500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWhat Does Socrates Have to do with Preaching? or, Too Nerdy for Jason MicheliWhat will that fifty dollar shirt do that the ten dollar shirt won’t? The ten dollar shirt covers you in all the right places. When we make a case for a fifty dollar shirt over against a ten dollar shirt, it is important to discern if someone, a salesman for example, is suggesting the fifty dollar shirt will actually do more than a ten dollar shirt. Or, are we being lied to and what is suggested is not even related to what as shirt does. Or, is there really something a fifty dollar shirt will do that a ten...2017-04-0100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianReceiving Dante: An Interview with Nathan P. Gilmour of The Christian Humanist PodcastWhen asked what book or books have left an impression on me I often refer to a book given as a gift. Jimmy gave me a copy of The Divine Conspiracy in the late 1990’s. To this day the idea of intentional formation looms large in by my own life and ministry. Much of that depended on how I received the text, the book.
Receiving the Text
When Pastors and people, scholars and us regular types, talk about reading the Bible we may need to consider the way we receive the Text. Tom Long, in hi...2017-03-1400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThe Impossibility of Ethics? – A Conversation Over BreakfastSolomon the Wise King faced the impossibility of ethics. The story is well known. His response to the dilemma came in rooting out the true mother. When the baby’s mother declared, “Give her the living baby but please don’t have him killed,” Solomon knew the true mother would love the child more than another’s mother.
The two sides of the ethical dilemma show up in our current conversation regarding the issues of safety, terror, and refugees. On the one hand no one wants to ignore those fleeing war torn countries looking for sanctuary. On the other...2017-02-1700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThe Circles of Faithful Presence: An(other) Interview with David E. FitchPractical Theology is theology from below. That is, practical theology is rooted in reflections about God’s activity in the world in real time. Eugene Peterson reminds, “Matter is real. Flesh is good. Without firm rooting in creation, religion is always drifting off into some kind of pious sentimentalism or sophisticated intellectualism.” (The Contemplative Pastor, p.68)
My all-time favorite chapter on pastoral work, The Subversive Pastor in The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction, long serves as a recognition that the care of the soul considers life in a different register. The work of the past...2017-02-0800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSpecial Episode: James Younger and The Story of GodMany of us read about how others view the world, reality and God. Few of us are able to talk and interact with those whose view of things religious is different than our own. If you had the opportunity to learn from those who are, say, Hindu, would you?
Last April National Georgiaphic launched, The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.
Recently I was invited to sit in on an interview episode for the Crackers and Grape Juice podcast. Jason and Teer interviewed James Younger, the Executive Producer of National Geographic‘s, The Story of Go...2017-01-3100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMr. Miyagi, Joan of Arc and God: An Interview with Eric E. HallBruce discovered being god demanded more than he expected. Consider the scene where he must answer prayers. The counter spun with the number of incoming requests. Interested in something else, Bruce Almighty decided to answer every request with, “Yes.” Some concepts of god/God betray God revealed in Jesus. That may include yours and mine.
Eric E. Hall‘s recently published book titled, God: Everything You Even Needed to Know About the Almighty, brought to mind the Jim Carey movie, Bruce Almighty. Chiefly the movie exposes how our concepts of god/God influence our actions and re...2017-01-0500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor Theologian(His) Cancer Is Funny: An Interview with Jason MicheliDanish comedian Victor Borge is credited with observing, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Jason Micheli must surely be Borge’s prodigy. Though Micheli lives in Alexandria, VA, his humor in writing and in conversations over Skype have brought him very near me here in Fly Over Country.
It All Started with a Punch in the Gut
Father Richard Rohr once described Number 1’s on the Enneagram, sometimes referred to as Reformers or Idealists, as being the sort of person that takes life’s adversities as a full body blow. While I don’t score as a...2016-11-1600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianShame – The Big Gulp of Shut Up Juice: An Interview with Steve AustinTheories of the atonement, what the cross of Jesus means for us, tend to focus on sin. What about our shame? I suspect more people wrestle with shame while believing they have been forgiven their sins.
It All Starts Somewhere
Stories matter. Sometimes our stories get buried beneath another person’s fear. When we are young and need an advocate but find the logical representative has not been given the tools to face the unthinkable, shame becomes the tool in the hands of fear.
Today Steve Austin joins me on the podcast. He is...2016-11-091h 01patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDisabilities and The Church of the First: An Interview with Nathaniel WelchThe first shall be first. It is hard to escape the prevalent drive for number one. And, it is difficult to miss it in the church.
Not A Hand Up
Social services receive their fair share of criticism. Claims of creating dependency and the promotion of a Welfare State are not infrequent. The better pattern for some is the offer of a hand up not a hand out.
My guest today on the podcast, Nathaniel Welch, challenges the Church, local churches, that in his estimation have become the Church of the First. Ministries...2016-10-1800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThe Rapture Betrays the Incarnation: An Interview with Jeffrey C. Pugh“There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief. “There’s too much confusion I can’t get no relief . . ..” Learning to read the Bible as a child and a young adolescent meant always looking up and hoping to get out of here. This world that is.
Betrayal
Mention the word in Christian conversation and one might think of Peter denying Jesus. The outright denial of knowing Jesus ranks among the obvious betrayals. Are there more subtle and more substantive ways we betray Jesus?
Today on the podcast I interview J...2016-10-1100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianListening to the Nones and Dones: A Interview (Reprise) with Rob DavisDiscerning statistics does not equal listening to human beings.
One year? One year! Facebook reminded me that it has been one year since I posted my conversation with Rob Davis. It was before the current iteration of the podcast. The content is still relevant and even more so now that I have targeted the Pastor-Theologian for the podcast. Take some time and listen in. Rob never gets old, or so it seems to me.
Several months ago the phone in the office rang. A group with which I am familiar hired a service to...2016-09-3000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianBlue Occupations, Black Bodies and Homelessness: An Interview with Jonathan Russell Pastor lives matter. But, that is not the same as #blacklivesmatter. My friend Greg Horton confirmed that to equate pastor lives, an occupation, with black lives, an incidence of birth, is considered the Fallacy of False Equivalency. Or, you may consider it a False Analogy.
Occupations and Bodies
Most of us grow up hearing reference to the Fallacy of False Equivalency when someone says, “You are comparing apples to oranges.” Maybe you have been frustrated attempting to make a point and restarted to asserting, “But we are not talking about the same thing!”
My...2016-09-2800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPledging Allegiance to People: An (Almost) Interview with George E Young SrWords take time to live into their full meaning. It may not always be the case. But, when it comes to the self-evident truth that all men are created equal it is hard to deny.
Impressions Outpace Technology
Everything set up well. Digital recorder – check. Microphone – check. Appointment time – check. Make phone call – check. Press record – check. Record conversation . . . no.
Twice I have had a great conversations with Oklahoma State Representative George E. Young Sr. Two times the recording failed. At first I thought it was operator error. After the second occurrence...2016-09-1500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianHe Didn’t Know My Name: An Interview with Teer HardyMaybe it was the spelling. One would expect that after a year the supervisor would know his name. Time to reconsider what lay ahead.
Teer Hardy joins me for a conversation that ranges widely but never wanders far from the subject of relationships.
A Back Story
Everyone lives within a context. Our self-awareness of our given place and time often determines our mental emotional health. Ignore privilege, for instance, and a lack of empathy for those less fortunate becomes apparent.
Faith stories and the life of faith are helped along by a...2016-09-0700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianWalk 150 Miles In My Shoes: An Interview with Blake OakleyBlake Oakley arrived in Los Angeles today. He is on the other side of the Country from where he usually walks, often barefoot.
Many who know Blake would not be surprised that he enjoys walking barefoot. They have seen him do so before. But, when he left Eden, North Carolina for Tijuana, he did not know that walking barefoot would be so different.
Solidarity
What would take a 30-year old pastor from Eden to Tijuana? Somewhere deep within Blake he wanted to know what it was like to walk in the shoes of...2016-08-3057 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianPeggy Noonan References the “Many” Family or, Words Matter: A Crossover Podcast with T4EWhen we say we forgive, do we mean we are forgiving a person or forgiving something a person did? Jaques Derrida used this question to describe what he meant when he talked about forgiving the unforgettable. He was speaking in post-Apartheid South Africa.
The Many Family
Thirty years ago my mentor introduced me to the Many Family. Unbeknownst to me the Many Family represented one of, if not the, largest families in the Church. They are often referenced, “Many people want . . ..” “Many people are saying . . ..” Many people [you fill in the blank from your own experien...2016-08-2600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianThe Greatest Spiritual Discipline: An Interview with Philip Nation“A cloistered journey impoverishes your own soul,” asserts Philip Nation. Christian spiritual formation may best be practiced in community.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s little book, Life Together, became an immediate favorite. One of the compelling thoughts centered on his own experience entering a community with his own ideas as to how it should go. He quickly learned that his expectations were an imposition upon the already existing community. He described the need to shatter the wish dream. If not, rather than find the community a place to grow and flourish, the wish dream would endanger the community.
2016-08-1000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianToxic Christianity, Self-Consciousness and Messy Mercy : An Interview with Morgan GuytonSummer cedar pollen may be toxic to your sinuses, at least here in Oklahoma. The condition is complicated by the south wind on which the pollen rides from Texas. Let’s leave the Texas jokes aside.
Once the pollen takes up space in the sinus cavity it may be a while before you feel normal again. It may not be until the first freeze. Everyone offers his or her own antidote to the malady and its consequent symptoms. None of us really want to rid the world of all those trees. Not really . . .
Christianity Variously De...2016-07-2100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianHow We Talk About Authority and Submission Matter #AltonSterling: An Interview with Geoff HolsclawWhat keeps you up at night? #AltonSterling’s death kept Geoff Holsclaw up Tuesday night. It made him mad. I imagine he is still mad this morning when he learned of #PhilandoCastle.
Yesterday while drinking coffee I read a piece by Geoff Holsclaw, Subordination and #Altonsterling. After a brief explanation of his intended writing he began,
I’m mad. I’m really mad. I tried to go to bed but I just couldn’t.
I’m mad at my people, the evangelicals. I’m mad at conservative evangelicals who think they are just talking abou...2016-07-0700 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianStill Making Sense of Church: An Interview with Spencer BurkeThere once were churches. Then Denominational Churches. Mainline Churches. Traditional Churches. Evangelical Churches. House Churches. After that Seeker-Sensitive Churches. Traditional Churches. Mainline Churches. Seeker-Friendly Churches. Purpose-Driven Churches. Emerging Churches. Missional Churches. Gospel-Centered Churches.
If Christians can’t make sense of these large groups and their subsets, what hope have we those for whom we are to be the Light of the World will make sense of church? They may think it all non-sense.
Key Ingredients: Humility and Hospitality
Many, like me, grew up in the church world of the either/or. Either you wer...2016-06-2900 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianBeauty May Liberate Us From the Cul-De-Sac: An Interview with Bill Walker IIIOur current election cycle leaves me prepared to invoke Inigo Montoya. “Political. Pastor, you keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.”
Mixing Politics and Religion?
Many of us have heard it is not a good idea to mix politics and religion. The prompting stems from thinking about politics in terms of platforms. Today these platforms most often represent ideologues and ideologies. We divide into two primary political parties that debate the role of government in the lives of citizens.
The word politics offers much more potent...2016-06-1500 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDon’t Scratch the Devil: An Interview with Richard BeckI am no Rachel Held Evans. My blog/website does not garner near her number of visits. There is no book to my credit. Interviewers do not line up. But, I am like Rachel Held Evans.
Like Rachel, I couldn’t put Richard Beck’s new book down. When my copy arrived I told Patty that I would be finished over the weekend. I have no idea how long it took Evans, but Reviving Old Scratch: Demons and the Devil for the Doubters and the Disenchanted gave little time for anything else.
Nowhere or Every...2016-06-0800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianBlack Olive or Green Olive, What Color Was Jesus?: An Interview with Adam ClarkToday marks the 95th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Riot. A recent article at Smithsonian.com highlighted the recovery of an eyewitness account of the events. Clearly the event was not a riot.
Maybe worse than assigning the event the wrong category is the lack of reference to the event in Oklahoma history text books.
Racism Is More Than a Feeling
Recently Senator James Lankford gave a speech and referenced the Tulsa race riot. When asked about his encounters with racism in Oklahoma he noted,
I don’t encounter a lot, bu...2016-05-3100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianMan-Crushing Tuesday or, When Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy Flip the Script on MeOne of these days I will interview my daughters for the pathological podcast. What would garner more listens than to hear two PK’s talk about life in the fishbowl?
The risk in such a venture would be overexposure. Think about it. Some of my friends would learn more about me than with what I would be comfortable. What if it went viral? Perish the thought!
Before We Go That Far
Here is a test run of what that might look like were I to interview Kimberly and Tommie. Jason Micheli and Teer Ha...2016-05-2500 min
Crackers and Grape JuiceEpisode 8 - Jason Man-Crushing With Todd LittletonEver feel like the third-wheel on a date? Well that's how Teer must have felt during the recording of this C&GJ episode! Two out of the three members of the C&GJ team interviewed pastor, blogger, and podcaster Todd Littleton. The topics ranged from how good-looking Todd is to the prophetic role pastors play. Jason even had the tables turned on him and became the interviewee as Todd & Teer investigated how friendly pastors can be with their parishioners.2016-05-2451 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianJesus Spit In Your Soup: An Interview with Tripp FullerI like my soup hot, real hot. Patty likes her just a tad beyond warm. Neither of us would like it if you spit in our soup.
What would happen if you found out Jesus spit in your soup? That is the question!
Challenging Your Form of Life
Here in Oklahoma some of us are wrestling with the intersection of theology and pastoral ministry. The catalyst at present is the budget crisis that is prompting school districts across the State to cut teaching positions, school days, and more. The issue is the way...2016-05-1800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDiagnosing the Current Normal of the Church: An Interview with Tom IngramIs it true the frog does not discern the temperature in the kettle until it is too late? Years ago the answer was, Yes. Today, the answer is No.
Despite the corrective science, the metaphor continues provide a way of explaining the dangers of gradual changes. For instance, if the container allows the frog to escape the water, it will. If not, it is not the acclimation of the frog to its surroundings but instead the reality there is no way out.
Is There a Way Out?
Many contend there is no way o...2016-05-0900 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianIngredients for the Pastor-Theologian: An Interview with Tony JonesBreadth increases depth. It may not be possible to master every subject of human knowledge. But, learning what it means to be conversant in a wide array of fields deepens theological reflection for the pastor.
Thinking About God Together
A few years ago Christian Century ran an article (2/19/14), Theologians in place by Lawrence Wood, describing the designation, theological in residence. After John Franke left Biblical Seminary he became a theological in residence. Up to that point I never heard of the title.
Wood quotes Barbara Brown Taylor, “The body makes theologians of...2016-05-0300 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianFear Your Own Hard Heart: An Interview with Alan CrossHebrew Wisdom, Proverbs, describes the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge and fools despise wisdom. (Pr. 1:7) Learning the Way of Jesus may harbor the need for a greater fear – our own hard hearts.
Imagine trying to put into practice Jesus’ words to the disciples in Mark 9, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mk. 9:35) Every impulse and influence wars against the idea that greatness is found in service.
Hard Hearts
Fleming Rutledge tells how hard it is to when systems...2016-04-2600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianLove Can’t: An Interview with Thomas J OordWith Love, all things are possible. Many will recognize the substitution of Love for God. The disciples assumed that the powerful rich could do anything. When they learned there was something they could not do, they wondered if there was hope for anyone else.
Certainly by Love it is not meant some impersonal force. What if the shift helps us better understand the prior nature of God such that when we talk about the power of God we are talking bout the power of love? That is, it seems as if talk of an all-powerful God is...2016-04-1800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianEclectic as Post-Ecumenical or, Thinking With Your Mouth Open“Don’t chew with your mouth open.” Who doesn’t remember the early admonition to better etiquette? I do.
Over time we all learn to stymie the more rudimentary habits most human beings exhibit. Are there times where you wished no one was looking and you could eat as you wished?
Thinking With Your Mouth Open
Theological education, formally experienced, often comes with learning to keep your mouth shut. Learn what is accepted for your given Tradition or place on the theological spectrum.
Recently Jason Micheli, Teer Hardy, and Morgan Guyton launched...2016-04-1300 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianFleming Rutledge Had Me Chippy, I Blame Jason MicheliWho listens to women? Smart people.
Maybe you grew up with the debates about the weaker sex. Could be you spent time deciding what it would mean had Eve not presented Adam with the fruit of the tree. And, if you grew up in the context of Southern Christianity, then these matters were settled early and often.
Can She Teach the Bible (!/?)
More than 30 years ago many of us young, male ministry students at Oklahoma Baptist University looked forward to taking a class, or more, from Dr. Rowena Strickland. Rather than eschewed, it wa...2016-03-3000 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianStop with the Antagonizing – An Interview with David FitchWhat if the culture wars merely masked our inherent tendency toward antagonizing others, specifically those with whom we disagree? How might this reveal that we are merely advocating for ourselves rather than showing up faithful to the Way of Christ in the world?
Last November I read a post by David Fitch, The Pastor-Theologian: A Different Light. Afterwards I knew how I wanted to narrow my podcast to a particular theme. Now you know from where, in part, came the idea of /patheological/: A Podcast for the Pastor-Theologian.
Today on the podcast David riffs on...2016-03-2200 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianDid the South Change the Good News? A Reprise for Super TuesdayOne of the most confounding statistics this nominating season, Evangelicals stumping, endorsing, and voting for Donald Trump. The reality continues to spawn debates over who qualifies as a true Evangelical.
Today is SEC Primary Day. According to most polls, Trump leads. Only Texas appears to be in question as Cruz holds a lead in his home state. It is not a stretch to say that if Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination, Evangelical, as a word, may fall into disrepute from within.
My friend Alan Cross wrote, When Heaven and Earth Collide. We d...2016-03-0100 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianSponsoring Conversations and Shout OutsI have never owned a pair of Beats. When I was gifted my iPod years ago I used the provided earbuds. That was until just two years ago.
Patty gave me a set of LSTN headphones for Father’s Day. You can see how beautiful they are by checking out their sponsor ad in the right sidebar. Yes, /patheological/ has its first sponsor. Wait, first two sponsors.
LSTNsound
Not only do these wood headphones leave me uninterested in Beats, but they are made by a for-purpose company.
LSTN is a...2016-02-2400 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianCan Religion Bear the Weight? or, Choosing to Withhold Final JudgementOne day we will decide. Until then we withhold final judgement. Even those who already voted in a primary caucus or election. Maybe there is merit in a system that illustrates why we do not make final judgments when candidates sprint out of the gate. Already several stumbled and … Continue reading
The post Can Religion Bear the Weight? or, Choosing to Withhold Final Judgement appeared first on patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor-Theologian.
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The Value of Religion, Choosing Ignorance, and Identifying Arguments: An Interview wit...2016-02-1600 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianI Want to Talk With, Not To/At, People Outside the ChurchConversation is an art. Many experience serial monologues masquerading as conversation. One of the distinctions may be discovered in the preposition. Rarely does a person walk away satisfied they have been heard if the conversation is described as having talked to or at.
The monological malady appears even … Continue reading
The post I Want to Talk With, Not To/At, People Outside the Church appeared first on patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor-Theologian.
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An Uneasy Agent of the...2016-02-0800 minpatheological: The Podcast for the Pastor TheologianHonesty and a Posture of Hatred Toward Suffering with Jason MicheliJack Nicholson defiantly responds to Tom Cruise, “You can’t handle the truth.” Honesty is often both difficult to hear and receive. Pastors are not somehow immune to answering the question that sounds like, “Do I look fat in this dress?”
Honesty and Humanity
From the time I heard Jason … Continue reading
The post Honesty and a Posture of Hatred Toward Suffering with Jason Micheli appeared first on patheological: The Podcast for the Pastor-Theologian.
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