Theology in the Raw

Austin Fischer is the Lead Pastor at Vista Community Church near Austin, TX and is the author of several books, including the recently released Us for Them: Seeking Higher Ground in the Cultural Holy Wars, which forms the basis for our discussion in this episode. We focus primarily on how to lead people in our ideologically polarized society, especially when it comes to political and social issues. Get a free one-year supply of vitamin D plus 5 travel packs! DRINKAG1.com/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Noah Filipiak is church planter and pastor of Mosaic Church in Grand Rapids, MI and is the author of Beyond the Battle and Needed Navigation. He hosts The Flip Side Podcast and blogs at noahfilipiak.com.  In this podcast conversation, we talk about pornography and discipleship, focusing specifically on the need for the church (parents, leaders, etc.) to disciple their people better in this conversation, why things are not getting any better in terms of the quantity of porn that people are consuming, the rise in porn use among girls and women, how porn rewires your brain and is incredibly addictive, and how parents and church leaders can go about addressing this issue well. Struggling to quit porn? You're not alone. Don't wait another day Use Promo code: RAW on Covenant Eyes today: covenanteyes.sjv.io/4Wxbn Needed Navigation: A Teen's Guide to His or Her Identity in Christ in a Sex and Porn-Filled World https://amzn.to/3WnoFCo  Beyond Ministries Join a group today! https://www.beyondthebattle.net/ Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Alisa Childers recently had Dr. Christopher Yuan on her YouTube channel to discuss various problems they see in what they call "Side B Christianity," and my name often came up in their critiques. They also offered several critiques of the Exiles in Babylon 2024 conference, which I hosted last month.  In this episode, I work through their conversation and respond to several things where I believe they have misrepresented what I actually believe. My goal in this episode is not to attack Alisa or Christopher, nor is it to stir up disunity; rather, I simply want to clarify what I believe about important matters related to sexuality and gender, especially in places where others are claiming I believe things that I actually don't.  Here's the original YouTube conversation between Alisa and Christopher: https://youtu.be/aRNC9b_SZto?si=-5-dCclHfD-ySeFR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Mia Hughes, a journalist for the think tank Environmental Progress, discusses the controversy surrounding pediatric medical transition and the collision of trans rights with the rights of women and the LGB community. She authored the recently released WPATH files, which expose the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) as an activist group with questionable medical practices. The conversation delves into the history of WPATH, its influence on healthcare for trans-identified people, and the lack of evidence supporting its treatment protocols. Mia highlights the ethical dilemmas and potential harm caused by the medicalization of gender identity and the irreversible interventions performed on minors. The conversation delves into the harmful effects of gender-affirming medical treatments, particularly on adolescents. Mia discusses the leaked internal discussions from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and highlights the lack of scientific evidence and the political activism within the organization. They emphasize the importance of informed consent and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from irreversible medical interventions. The conversation also touches on the potential for future lawsuits and the contrasting approaches to gender-affirming care in North America and Europe. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Elizabeth Woodson, a Bible teacher and theologian, discusses her passion for Bible study, discipleship, and theological education in the local church. She shares her personal journey of searching for the relevance of the gospel in her own life and how it led her to pursue theological education. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for discipleship and theological education within the church, so that believers can understand and apply the truths of Scripture in their everyday lives. She also discusses the challenges of busyness and the need for churches to provide meaningful and accessible opportunities for learning and growth. In a post-COVID world, churches have had to explore new opportunities for theological education and discipleship. People are hungry for connection, support, and answers to their questions. There is an opportunity to disciple adults in the basics of the faith and help them grow deeper in their faith. The early church valued theological education and had a rigorous catechism process for new converts. The church today can learn from the past and prioritize discipleship. Singleness in the church is often misunderstood and undervalued. The church needs to have a deeper theology of singleness and provide community and support for single individuals. The church should prioritize friendships and create a culture where singleness is seen as a beautiful season. The church needs to navigate the volatile political climate with grace, honoring people and holding true to the teachings of Jesus. Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the Founder of The Woodson Institute, an organization that equips believers to understand and grow in their Christian faith. With over a decade of experience in church ministry, Elizabeth is passionate about creating pathways for discipleship and theological education in the local church. Elizabeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education. She is also the author of Embrace Your Life: How To Find Joy When The Life You Have Is Not The Life You Hoped For and From Beginning To Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Michael F. Bird is a biblical scholar and theologian who serves as the Deputy Principle and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College (Melbourne, Aus), and is the author of over a dozen books, including his recently released Jesus and the Powers, which he co-authored with N.T. Wright.  In this podcast conversation, we talk all about politics and the gospel, agreeing on so many things and disagreeing about a few other things. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Ed Uszynski sits down with Preston in his basement the day after the "Exiles in Babylon" conference to debrief. This is a raw and authentic convo where we discuss and react to various sessions and speakers. We talk about the GenZ evening, the Israel-Palestine conversation, Deconstruction and Reconstruction, Women, Power & Abuse in the church, and many other topics and speakers at the conference. Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding. onehope.net/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Welcome to a sneak peek of the Bonus Q&A episode, part of the Theology in the Raw premium subscription. In the full episode, we discuss: 0:00 Introduction 0:38 Thoughts on Christians and masturbation--is it always sinful or is there room for conversation? 5:35 What do you when the the God in the Bible isn't acting the way Jesus would? 12:15. What are your top 5 all-time books, any subject? 19:35 Best pastoral advice for same-sex married couple that recently accepted Jesus? 28:35 Is praying before a meal just tradition or is there warrant for this? 32:10 Jesus' teaching about love is often conditional, but God's love is unconditional. Can you explain this? 35:34 How do you handle sporting events where members of the military are honored? Stand and clap? Don't stand? 37:48 Is post mortem salvation or Christian universalism orthodox doctrines? 41:37 How can we pray for your ministry? 43:54 Are the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, prodigal son about newly saved believers, believers who have wandered away, or both? 45:38 Update on Alisa Childers and her discussions with Rosaria Butterfield and Christopher Yuan? 49:23 Do you see a difference between academic complementarianism and how it's lived out in a lot of churches? 52:21 What's the best steel man arguments for tithing being applicable today? 55:07 RAPID FIRE Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. David Fitch (Ph.D Northwestern University) is the Betty R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary and has pastored for 30 years, and has been involved in 8 church plants over the course of his ministry. He is married to Rae Ann and they have one son named Max. He is an ordained pastor in the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He’s coached hockey for the YMCA USA Hockey program for seven years. David teaches, speaks, and writes within the fields of Neo-Anabaptist theology, missiology, culture studies, political theory, and ethics. He writes from time to time on his own page at Missio Alliance, on his own substack, for Christianity Today, Outreach Magazine, ChurchLeaders.com, EthicsDaily, and multiple other sites, magazines and journals. He leads discussion on his facebook page (fitchest) and on twitter at @fitchest. He is co-host of the Theology of Mission podcast. His most recent book is Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It's on the Wrong Side of Power, which forms the backdrop for our conversion. Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding. onehope.net/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Angela McArdle currently serves as Chair of the national Libertarian Party, serves as Co-Organizer for the Rage Against The War Machine, and is a two time candidate for California’s 34th Congressional District. Angela was a key organizer for the Los Angeles 2021 initiative to overturn the Los Angeles vaccine mandate. Angela believes strongly in the sanctity of personal choice and allowing people to govern their own lives. Angela’s professional background includes 14 years of litigation practice as a paralegal, and organizational leadership in nonprofit organizations. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Biola University and her paralegal certificate from UCLA. In this podcast conversation, we talk about Rage Against the War Machine, Libertarian politics, U.S. foreign affair policies, the deep state, the war in Gaza, and the Russian war on Ukraine. Donate today to join OneHope and local church leaders in our mission to bring God Word’s to 25,000 children who have never known a hope that surpasses all understanding. onehope.net/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Nijay Gupta (DPhil, University of Durham) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies. He's also the author of the recent book Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling, which forms the basis for our conversation. Exiles In Babylon Conference: https://theologyintheraw.com/exiles24/ Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

As the author of Not Forsaken: A Story of Life After Abuse and the recently released Defiant Joy: Find the Hope to Light Your Way, Even in Darkness, Jennifer Michelle Greenberg has risen to become one of the foremost voices against child abuse in the church. She writes for Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention. In this conversation, Jennifer tells her raw story of experiencing ongoing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from her father and how she took steps toward healing. We also talk about how churches can do a better job at preventing abuse and addressing it when it happens. Get your copy of Jennifer's book: https://www.amazon.com/Defiant-Joy-Find-Light-Darkness/dp/0593445422 Get your copy of Exiles today! https://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Church-Shadow-Empire/dp/0830785787/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=5GIFQGLGIL72&keywords=exiles+preston+sprinkle&qid=1705940897&sprefix=exiles%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1 Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Brent leads Cherish Uganda with his wife Leah. Cherish was formally an orphanage and now functions as a spiritual formation community center using medical, education and family strengthening to reach the community we serve. In this conversation, Brent tells the story of how Cherish changed from being an orphanage to a holistic education and care center, where HIV kids and their families were being reached with the gospel. We talk about the problems of white westerners ministering in Africa, pros and cons of short term mission trips, and why family based orphan care is much better than orphanages. Follow Cherish Uganda on Instagram @cherishuganda Consider supporting this valuable ministry at https://www.cherishuganda.org Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Caryn Reeder (Ph.D. Cambridge) is professor of New Testament at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California. Her research focuses on questions of gender, the household, women's lives, slavery, and violence in the biblical worlds. In this podcast, we discuss her book The Samaritan Woman's Story: Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo. Caryn offers a fresh and more historically accurate interpretation of John 4 and then we discuss the problem of abuse in the church. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Jason Woodruff is the founder of The Pour Over, a Christian news organization with over half a million subscribers. The Pour Over is both a podcast and Newsletter that focus on providing limited news content that is not partisan or aimed and telling you how you should feel about the events they're reporting on, but simply tells you what's going on while reminding us of our allegiance to Christ and his kingdom. In this conversation, we talk all about how mainstream news outlets can (and often do) have a devastating effect on our minds and hearts, and often produce anything but the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Get a FREE one year supply of vitamin D plus 5 travel packs! DrinkAG1.com/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Elizabeth Phillips (Ph.D. Cambridge) is Director of Education and Engagement at the Woolf Institute, an interfaith institute in Cambridge, England. She teaches political theology and conflict transformation. Her latest book is Apocalyptic Theopolitics: Essays and Sermons on Eschatology, Ethics, and Politics, and her earlier book, Political Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed, is an introduction to political theology and serves as the backdrop of our podcast conversation. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this bonus Q & A episode, I respond to loads of questions sent in from my Patrons, including: What are my thoughts on the rapture? Is it better for people to be an affirming church than in no church at all? Does my stance on non-violence prevent me from using force to rescue those in human trafficking? What are my thoughts on the "he gets us" ad from the Super Bowl? How can faith communities better support and honor single people? What is the orthodox way of thinking about women made in God's image when God is not female? If women preached the first Easter sermon, why can't they teach in church? What do I think about Greg Boyd's cruciform reading of the OT? And many other questions... If you want full access to this episode, please visit Patreon.com/theologyintheraw and join the Theology in the Raw community!

In this second episode on Kephale, I begin by looking at how Paul uses Kephale in Ephesians 1:22 and then 4:15, before jumping into its use in 5:23. I think go into great detail about the genre of "household codes" in the ancient world and how Paul is participating in this kind of conversation. I finally look at Eph 5:21-33 in light of the household code genre and examine several features in this passage that will help us understand the meaning and function of "head" (Kephale) in 5:23. I end up following a similar reading that Michelle Lee-Barnewall offers in her outstanding article: "Turning Kephale on Its Head." This episode follows my SIXTH, SEVENTH, and EIGHTH blog post on the topic. Get 25% off Yearly Access to Dwell! dwellbible.com/TITR Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Sandra Glahn is a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and the author most recently of Nobody's Mother. She's also the general editor of the fascinating book: Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible (Kregel Academic), which forms the basis of our conversation. We talk about the Samaritan Woman, the wealthy women who funded Jesus' ministry (Lk 8:1-3), Tamar (Gen 38), and other misunderstood women in the Bible. We then talk about male/female relationships in the church and how we should best respond to the problem of abuse and misogyny in the church.  To enter to win a FREE COPY of Vindicating the Vixens: https://forms.gle/6sx3jq1onyuSZzxT8 Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

I've been researching the meaning of the Greek word kephale ("head") for the last several months and I've been blogging about my findings over at  theologyintheraw.com This podcast episode is the first (quite long) summary of how I understand the meaning of kephale in extra-biblical Greek literature; namely, the LXX, secular Greek literature, and the early church fathers. In the next episode, I'll work through the meaning of kephale in the book of Ephesians; specifically, its use in 1:22, 4:15, and especially 5:23. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this conversation, we talk all about Brandon's previous work in an Orphanage in Moshi, Tanzania, and how he came to realize that Orphanages are doing more harm than good when it comes to caring for orphans and their families. Brandon Stiver is an advocate, educator, and practitioner on behalf of orphans and vulnerable children with a special emphasis on seeing children grow up in families globally and for those families to be strengthened. He is the full-time director for CarePortal in Seattle, and a professor at Vanguard University and a podcaster at Think Global, Do Justice. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

On episode #688 of Theology in the Raw Preston answers questions submitted by Pateron supporters. Questions covered on the show included: 1) Do you watch Queer Eye on NetFlix? 2) How do you maintain a friendship when there are theological disagreements? 3) Do the stories of the prodigal son, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, and the prostitute affirm a belief in universalism? 4) What is a book that you would like to see written that you will not write yourself? 5) What are your thoughts on membership and leadership in the church? 6) Why is same-sex sexual behavior sinful? 7) After your mission trip to Nepal, what can American Christians learn from them to improve our relationship with Jesus Christ? Support Preston Support Theology in the Raw for as little as $5/month and gain access to Patreon-only podcasts at https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #687 Preston gives you a teaser of what is inside his Patreon membership. This teaser includes a clip where Preston shares his thoughts on women serving in positions of leadership in a local church context. To support Theology in the Raw for as little as $5/month and access this (and other) Patreon-only podcast(s), go to https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #686 of Theology in the Raw Preston talks with Evan Wickham. Evan is a singer-songwriter, pastor, and church planter. You can follow Evan on Twitter and his Facebook page. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #685 of Theology in the Raw Preston talks about his experience at the 2018 Revoice Conference and some of the controversy surrounding the event. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #684 Preston gives you a teaser of what is inside his Patreon membership. This teaser includes a clip where Preston talks about some of the controversy surrounding the Revoice conference. To support Theology in the Raw for as little as $5/month and access this (and other) Patreon-only podcast(s), go to https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #683 of Theology in the Raw Preston answers questions submitted by Pateron supports. Questions covered on the show included: 1) How effective are short-term mission trips? 2) Did God command violence in the Old Testament? 3) Do people who don’t hear the Gospel go to hell? 4) Should Pastors officiate a gay wedding?

On episode #682 Preston gives you a teaser of what is inside his Patreon membership. This teaser includes a clip from a question Preston received about an answer Jordan Peterson gave to a question about Jesus.

Questions covered on the show include: 1) Does Jesus prohibit masturbation? 2) Are there degrees of punishment in hell? 3) How to deal with doubt and a pornographic addition? 4) Why do Christians drink if John the Baptist wasn’t allowed to?

On episode #680 of Theology in the Raw Preston talks about some books he is currently reading. Below you will find a list of the books talked about on the podcast. Why Gender Matters (2nd Edition) by Leonard Sax Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality by Nancy Pearcey The Bible and the Transgender Experience: How Scripture Supports Gender Variance by Linda Herzer I Promised Not to Tell: Raising a Transgender Child by Cheryl B Evans Beyond a Binary God: A Theology for Trans* Allies by Tara Soughers Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality by Hanne Blank Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage, and Monogamy by Mark Regnerus Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker From Shame to Sin by Kyle Harper Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses by Mark Yarhouse UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical's Change of Heart by Mark Achtemeier Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith by Mihee Kim-Kort

On episode #679 Preston has a conversation with Brian Zahnd. Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian and his wife, Peri, founded the church in 1981. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. You can follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianZahnd Keep up to date with Brian on his website: https://brianzahnd.com/

On episode #678 of Theology in the Raw Preston answers questions submitted by listeners. Questions covered on the show included: 1) Can a married gay couple be included in your church? 2) Why Christians don't need to be pro-Israel. 3) Why William Lane Craig is terribly wrong in his view of hell. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Twitter | @PrestonSprinkle Instagram | @preston.sprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #677 Preston has a conversation with Jon Tyson. Jon is the Lead Pastor of Church of the City in New York. You can follow Jon on twitter @JonTyson and learn more about his church by visiting their website found here.

On episode 676 Preston has a conversation with Tim Mackie. Tim is a creative writer and director for The Bible Project and an adjunct professor of Old Testament at Western Seminary, both in Portland, Oregon. Learn more about Tim here.

On episode #675 of Theology in the Raw Preston answers questions submitted by listeners. Questions covered on the show included: 1) How does one who believes in non-violence deal with the very violent themes in the Psalms? 2) How do I talk to a youth group member who is gay-affirming? 3) What are your thoughts on Pope Francis’ response to a distraught boy? 4) What are the foundations of the faith and is Calvinism one of them?

On episode #674 Preston gives you a teaser of what is inside the Diamond level Patreon supporters podcast. In this clip he talks about what books he is reading right now.

To support Theology in the Raw for as little as $5/month and access this (and other) Patreon-only podcast(s), go to https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode #672 of Theology in the Raw Preston answers questions submitted by listeners. Questions covered on the show included: 1) Does the scientific theory of relativity refute Calvinism? 2) What principles is Paul teaching the church in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16? 3) Is a house church better for fostering biblical literacy? 4) Questions about annihilation and ETC. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

On episode 671 Preston has a conversation with Jonathan Merrit. Jonathan has published more than 3000 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. Learn more about Jonathan here, and follow Jonathan on Twitter.

This is a sermon that I preached at Park Hill Church in San Diego, CA. The text of the message was Matthew 5:38-48. The title: Love Your Enemies.

In this Patreon-only episode, I discuss some pros and cons about Jordan Peterson and some completely unrelated thoughts on parenting. To support Theology in the Raw and access this full-length episode--and many others like it--please visit: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Find out more about Rethinking Hell on their website, conference site, and Facebook page. Also follow Rethinking Hell on Twitter. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Should Christians have anal sex? Does 1 Timothy 2 forbid women from teaching men? What are my most controversial theological views that I’m afraid to share? And much, much more on this month's patreon-only podcast. To support Theology in the Raw for as little as $5/month and access this (and other) Patreon-only podcast(s), go to https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Learn more about David here, find David's new book available for preorder, and follow him on Twitter. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Follow Lisa on Twitter, learn more about Messenger International, and check out Lisa's new book "Adamant". Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

What do I think about evangelicals converting to Catholicism? My thoughts on Pope Francis's new view of hell. And, what makes the Bible uniquely inspired? Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Find Banning on Twitter and his books here. Find out more about Jesus Culture. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

How intimate can a non-married couple be? Nonviolence and Israel's conquest, is that a thing? Where do Old Testament believers and unbelievers go after they die?

What is Christ's role in the Eucharist? Do Christians who fall away lose their salvation? Do intersex persons challenge the male and female binary?

Should we follow Christ or the Bible? Should Christians be in politics? My thoughts on the Parkland shooting. And, what do I think of Pete Enns's recent interview with Jen Hatmaker?  Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Should church leadership be theologically diverse? Would you baptize the children of a gay couple? And, why did Jesus seem to talk about eternal conscious torment if annihilation is correct? Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Today on the Podcast Preston is talking with A. J. Swoboda, Preston's favorite Christian authors.  Today AJ and Preston are talking about his new book "Subversive Sabbath". Why should we rest? Why was "honoring the Sabbath" part of the 10 Commandments? How do we take a rest in today's non-stop world?  Check out AJ's book at and learn more about AJ at ajswoboda.com. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Today on Theology in the Raw Preston is talking with Joshua Stump and Jay Newman for a joint Catacomb and TITR Podcast. Today they are talking all about church. Why do we go to church? What should church look like? What is Preston doing now that tries to "do" church a little differently?

The Rethinking Hell Conference is taking place March 9–10, at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. Preston will be there with Chris doing a podcast live! You can find out more at rethinkinghellconference.com. Today on the podcast Preston is talking with Chris Date again from the Rethinking Hell podcast.  Preston and Chris are taking this episode to address arguments against the Conditionalist's view of hell raised by Stand to Reason's Greg Koukl and Tim Barnett. The arguments Preston and Chris are addressing are from Part 1 and Part 2 of "Hell Interrupted".  Chris is the a host and contributor of the Rethinking Hell Podcast and Blog. Chris seeks to take the Bible seriously and promote rigorous study of the scriptures.  You can find the Chris's podcast at rethinkinghell.com. The song at the end is Lazarus by Canopy Climbers.  Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Does being a Christian Universalist disqualify you from pastoral leadership? We want diversity in the Church - how about diversity in ability? Does welcoming people with disabilities make the church too messy?  The Bible definitely talks about church discipline. However, how do we properly administer church discipline? How do we do Benevolence well? Should we continue to give that homeless person continuous handouts because he asks for it?

The Rethinking Hell Conference is taking place March 9–10, at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas. Preston will be there with Chris doing a podcast live! You can find out more at rethinkinghellconference.com. Today on the Podcast Preston is talking with Chris Date from the Rethinking Hell Podcast.  Chris is diving into the topic of Annihilation or Conditional Immortality. Why call it Conditional Immortality rather than Annihilation? What biblical support is there for Conditionalism? When did Chris stop looking at the Bible and determine to base his theology of Hell on emotions? (tongue in cheek)  Chris is the a host and contributor of the Rethinking Hell Podcast and Blog. Chris seeks to take the Bible seriously and promote rigorous study of the scriptures.  You can find the Chris's podcast at rethinkinghell.com. You can find Chris's debate with Al Mohler here.  The song at the end is Breakfast by Newsboys.  Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Today on the podcast Preston is talking with Bruxy Cavey. Bruxy and Preston are talking about church membership, nonviolence and views of hell. Do we need to have church membership? Who can be a "member" of the church? Should a Christian hold to nonviolence? Should a Christian serve in the military? What does Bruxy think about the Eternal Conscious Torment view of hell? Is Bruxy one of the Annihilationist too?  Bruxy Cavey is the senior pastor at The Meeting House. The Meeting House is a multisite Anabaptist congregation in Ontario, Canada where thousands of people connect to God and each other through Sunday services, online interaction, and a widespread house church network. Bruxy is also author of the bestselling book, The End of Religion and his new book, (re)union, is an overview of “The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, and Sinners. You can learn more about Bruxy at bruxy.com. You can also learn about The Meeting House at themeetinghouse.com. The song at the end is from the Gladiator soundtrack called "Now We Are Free". Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

What is church? What should church be? What should church look like? What should church pursue?  In this series, Preston is looking at 8 different values that the church should work to keep forefront as they continue and grow.  Value 8 -  Being Theologically Orthodox and Theologically Generous

In this episode Jay Kim and Isaac Serrano are discussing the various views on hell and Preston's personal journey from one particular view on hell to the uniquely different view he holds today. For many people, the topic of hell poses one of the greatest challenges to embracing the idea that God is good and loving and just. We hope this conversation opens up the dialogue and helps to broaden your horizons as you think about the topic of hell.

Today's questions are:  Is Preston a libertarian?  How did the early church act toward the LGBTQ Community?  As Christians should we support modern day Israel?  What is the next issue that Christians should be thinking about pertaining to gender and sexuality? What are genders? What is Polyamory? How do Christians develop thoughtful and thorough answers to these questions?

Happy New Year! Preston is starting off this year in Melbourne, Australia.  At the admonishment of Preston, get to know Michael F. Bird - ridley.edu.au/about-ridley/ridley-people/faculty/mike-bird Preston's Patreon-Voted questions today are:  How can the Church support celibate Christians, gay or straight?  Should women be in ministry? What does Paul say about it and is it a disputable manner?  Why should we trust the Bible as an authoritative source of truth?  Gluttony is a sin right? Why then do we submit ourselves to a pastor who clearly seems to have a problem with food? Check out Sunder by isaacxhopes - youtube.com/watch?v=ptool1gI8Tw Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

What is church? What should church be? What should church look like? What should church pursue?  In this series, Preston is looking at 8 different values that the church should work to keep forefront as they continue and grow.  Value 6 - Integration and Diversity Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle

Go to the Bad Christian Conference! It's Januray 27th-28th for $100 in Nashville. Check it out at BadChristianCon.com.  Preston is once again answering your "Patreon Approved" questions. Join the Patreon team at patreon.com/theologyintheraw. If Annihilation is true, than why does Hell exist?  Is sexual attraction fixed or fluid? Is it different for men and women?  Does the Bible trump the creeds?  What is the Book of Enoch? Why isn't in the Canon?  Should women be in church leadership? Does the Bible support the Complementarian or Egalitarian view?  Check out Derek Minor - Walls ft. Urban Rescue Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Preston is working to start a new church in Boise. This has him studying what church should be about.  What is church? What should church be? What should church look like? What should church pursue?  In this series, Preston is looking at 8 different values that the church should work to keep forefront as they continue and grow.  Value 5 - Participatory vs. Performance Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Preston is working to start a new church in Boise. This has him studying what church should be about.  What is church? What should church be? What should church look like? What should church pursue?  In this series, Preston is looking at 8 different values that the church should work to keep forefront as they continue and grow.  Value 4 and 6 - Reproducing vs. Church Growth and Being Relationally Driven

Today Preston is back in the basement with BJ Thompson.  BJ Thompson works as a counselor and a life coach with Build a Better Us. Check them out at buildabetterus.com.  Preston and BJ are talking about the #MeToo, abuse, social media in today's world and about how we can have 'good' relationships.  Connect with BJ @BJ116 Check out Tedashi's Way Up ft. KB Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Today Preston is talking to Lisa Fields.  Lisa is the founder of the Jude 3 Project (jude3project.com). The primary mission of the Jude 3 Project is to help the Christian community know what they believe and why they believe it. Distinctive in its strong emphasis in equipping those of African descent in the United States and abroad.  Learn more about Lisa and the Jude 3 Project at jude3project.com. Support Preston Support Preston by going to patreon.com Connect with Preston Follow him on Twitter @PrestonSprinkle Check out his website prestonsprinkle.com If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

In this podcast conversation, we take a deep dive into the Greco-Roman world and look at things like Rome's transition from a republic to an empire, the marriage laws of Caesar Augustus, the rise of Christianity and some of the struggles they had with the broader Roman environment, classism in the ancient world and how Christianity when against it, the background of 1 Cor 11 and what Paul was dealing with in his teaching on the Eucharist, the turbulent 3rd century AD, the conversation of Constantine, the sack of Rome in 410, Christians and military service, and many other things. Dr. Nadya Williams has a PhD in Classics from Princeton University and is the author of Cultural Christians in the Early Church (Zondervan Academic, 2023) and the forthcoming Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity (IVP Academic, 2024). She is Book Review Editor for Current, where she also edits The Arena blog. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

This unique episode covers the release of Preston's book 'Exiles, The Church and the Shadow of Empire', the journey of Theology in the Raw podcast, the planning and execution of the Exiles in Babylon conference, and the concept of living as exiles in the modern world. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing a Christian political identity and living out the principles of God in a world that may be hostile or indifferent to the faith. It explores the themes of faithfulness, living as exiles, and the intersection of politics and Christian identity. The episode also gives advice for living as exiles in a foreign land and the importance of emptying ourselves of political affiliations. Donate to Jason & Jenna Weigner https://southamericamission.org/donate/missionaries/jason-jenna-weigner/ Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

My book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire releases tomorrow! (3/5). In this podcast conversation, my good friend Ed Uszynski interviews me about my book. As always, we get pretty raw and real--and drive off the road quite a bit. When it comes to the Bible, I feel pretty confident about what I believe about politics. And Exiles is primarily a book about the Bible. But when I wonder into modern political questions and points of application, well, that's where it gets...interesting. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Originally from Australia, Dr. Darren Whitehead has lived in the United States for over 25 years.  He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Church of the City with several locations across Nashville. He earned his Doctorate from Capital Seminary and Graduate School. Darren lives with his wife, Brandy, and their three daughters in Franklin, TN. Darren recently released his book The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox your Mind and Reclaim what Matters Most, which you can read about on: thedigitalfast.com Darren is currently taking the mega church he pastors through their second 40 day digital fast!  Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Welcome to a sneak peek of the Bonus Q&A episode, part of the Theology in the Raw premium subscription.  In this Patreon-only episode, you'll get a sneak peak into my responses to some criticisms I've received over the last few months, such as: why am I having an open and affirming speaker at the Exiles conference? Do I really believe that gay people don't need to repent? Am I a heretic for believing that same-sex attraction itself is not a morally culpable sin? Do the terms gay and trans always have to convey a thick ontological view of human nature? Is it a sin to say "gay Christian?" Do my political views make me an isolationist? Do I "put right and coddle left?" Do I believe that Christians should never be involved with politics? I address these and other questions. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this conversation, Preston and Josh talk about his latest book (release date: March 5) The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems our Partisan Divide, which is an incredible book about political discipleship and how followers of Jesus can faithfully engage the political world around us. Joshua Ryan Butler is a pastor and the author of The Party Crasher, Beautiful Union, The Skeletons in God’s Closet, and The Pursuing God. Josh loves shifting paradigms, to help people who wrestle with tough topics of the Christian faith by confronting popular caricatures and replacing them with the beauty and power of the real thing. He and his wife, Holly, along with their three children, live in Portland, Oregon. They enjoy spending time with friends over great meals and exploring the scenic beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Amy Ford is the Founder and President of Embrace Grace, a nonprofit that equips churches to love and encourage women with unexpected pregnancies by providing spiritual, emotional, and practical support. Over 1,100 groups are active in churches around the world who utilize the Embrace Grace curriculum and host support groups to help those impacted by unplanned pregnancies in their community. She has authored several books including, Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement and frequently speaks nationally on how the church can change the world with love. Amy has been married over 25 years with 4 kids plus a daughter in law and lives in the Dallas area. In this conversation, Amy talks about some of the social factors that surrounding unplanned pregnancies and what kinds of care and love the church can offer to single moms as an alternative to abortion. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this podcast conversation, we begin by wrestling with some innocent questions around AI but end up exploring some darker parts of this topic, including the reality of sex robots and cloning dead loved ones to ease our pain--and how this might destroy humanity. Christopher is a Tech Analyst and Industry Advisor and Chief Learning Officer at ChenMed. He's also the host of the podcast: Future-Focused. Christopher is a devoted husband and father of 7 under 12, and is a bit of an expert when it comes to questions related to AI and transhumanism. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Gregory Coles is the author of Single, Gay, Christian, No Longer Strangers, and the recently released dystopian-ish novel, The Limits of My World. He holds a PhD in English from Penn State and lives in Boise, Idaho, where he works as a writer and speaker. Greg is a Senior Research Fellow at The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender.  In this podcast conversation, we talk about his book The Limits of My World, which includes themes around the philosophy of language, anthropology, gender, and the nature of reality. This leads to a broader conversation around fiction vs. nonfiction literature (including the Bible), the role of genre for determining meaning, and the possibility that fiction helps us see the truth more than non-fiction.  Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Austin Knuppe has a Ph.D. in political science from The Ohio State University and currently serves asan assistant professor of political science at Utah State University. Prior to Utah State, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College. His research interests include civilian survival during wartime, Middle East politics, and the role of religion in international politics. His first book, Surviving the Islamic State: Contention, Cooperation, and Neutrality in Wartime Iraq explores how ordinary Iraqis survived Islamic State control of their communities between 2014 and 2018.  In this conversation, we begin talking about understanding terrorism and politics in the Middle-East, the rise of ISIS in particular, U.S. intervention in Middle-Eastern affairs, and then we spend the bulk of our time understanding the history and current events surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, including the current war between Israel and Hamas.  Here are some links to sources mentioned during our conversation: South Africa’s 84 page report indicting Israel of genocide: https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2024/01/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdfn Quotes from Israeli leaders that reflect genocidal rhetoric: https://normanfinkelstein.substack.com/p/fighting-amalek-in-gaza-what-israelis Evidence of Israel indiscriminate bombing of (and targeting) civilians and civilian structures: https://www.972mag.com/mass-assassination-factory-israel-calculated-bombing-gaza/ And https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6058/Euro-Med-Monitor-sends-UN-rapporteurs,- ICC-Prosecutor-primary-report-documenting-dozens-of-field-execution-cases-in-Gaza Evidence that the IDF killed (and was directed to kill) at least some Israelis: https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/israeli-hq-ordered-troops-shoot-israeli- captives-7-october And https://electronicintifada.net/content/evidence-israel-killed-its-own- citizens-7-october/41156 Evidence that the Netanyahu and his administration supported or helped create, on some level, Hamas:  https://theintercept.com/2018/02/19/hamas-israel-palestine-conflict/ And https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/02/24/Israel-gave-major-to-aid-to- Hamas/6023982990800/ And https://original.antiwar.com/scott/2023/10/27/netanyahus- support-for-hamas-backfired-2/ Some books mentioned at the end of the podcast: Khalidi, The 100 Years War on Palestine  https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War- Palestine-Colonialism/dp/1250787653 Pappe, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine https://www.amazon.com/Ethnic-Cleansing-Palestine- Ilan-Pappe/dp/1851685553 Morris, Righteous Victims  https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Victims-Zionist-Arab-Conflict- 1881-2001/dp/0679744754/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2LLCMUSIM520Y&keywords=benny+morris&qid=17067 40859&s=books&sprefix=benny+morri%2Cstripbooks%2C182&sr=1-2 See also the 6-part (30 hour) series “Fear and Loathing” and “War all the time” at the martyrmade podcast with Darryl Cooper.

Ellen Radcliff, a therapist and the author of the forthcoming book: Love Covers Over: A Guide for Christian Parents Raising Kids in an LGBTQ+ World. Ellen channels her love for God, her clinical expertise, and her experience as a former lesbian to walk alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate the nuances of sex, sexuality, and gender in our modern world, while remaining rooted in their faith. In this conversation, we talk about her journey in faith and sexuality, the fluidity of female sexuality, and about healthy ways to parent LGBTQ kids. Learn more about Ellen's ministries: Strength in Weakness Ministries, Home from Home Podcast, and Heart Set Above. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Joshua S. Porter is pastor of teaching and creative vision at Van City Church in Vancouver, Washington. He is also a former member of the experimental art-punk band, Showbread, and the author of the novel Punk Rock Vs. the Lizard People. His most recent book is With All Its Teeth: Sex, Violence, Profanity, and the Death of Christian Art, which examines a biblical theology of art. Find out more and connect with Joshua at joshuasporter.com. In this podcast conversation, we talk a lot about how Christians should think through offensive themes in movies and music. We discuss the genre of horror and why it's intrinsically spiritual. We talk about Christian themes in secular movies and music, the meaning of "Christian" music and film, whether sex and nudity in films should also be rejected, the theme of nudity in historic Christian art, and some problems with contemporary "Christian" worship music. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

JR Woodward, PhD (University of Manchester, UK) is a catalyst, author, and teacher. He is the national director of the V3 church planting movement. See jrwoodward.com. He's also the author of The Scandal of Leadership, which forms the backdrop of our conversation.  We discuss the need for polycentric leadership, the problems with hierarchical leadership, the temptation for church leaders to build their own kingdoms, why it seems like so many leaders are failing (or are they?), and how to make sure our churches are more focused on the kingdom of God than sustaining and building their own brand. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Welcome to a sneak peek of the Bonus Q&A episode, part of the Theology in the Raw premium subscription.  In the full episode, we discuss: 0:00  Introduction 2:02    My wife has recently become affirming and I am not. I'm concerned about how she reads the Bible and what to do? 11:30  How important is it that you and your wife Chris are in step in your theology? 16:08  How would you counsel a youth pastor to incorporate LGBT kids into a youth group setting? 22:13  Would you ever do a podcast again like you did with Jared? 25:08. Christians don't have to follow OT Law.  Why are the Ten Commandments different? 32:25. All scripture is inspired by God.  How do we know the NT writers considered their writings to be scripture?  39:52.  Hebrews 4:15--does this mean Jesus experienced every kind of specific temptation or is it referring to general human temptation? 41:10. Why does John include Jesus' ""I AM"" statements and the synoptics do not? 43:42. Any updates on taking the EXILES conference to different cities? 43:59. What are some disarming ""in-love"" questions that can get friends who disagree with pronoun hospitality to stop and think and not just give knee-jerk reactions? 53:44. How do we reconcile the story of Jonah with the historical evidence that the Assyrians ever repented of their atrocities? 59:01. What does Jesus mean when he says, ""The eye is the lamp of the body.""  If the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness? 1:02:57.  Rapid Fire!" Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. A.J. Swoboda (Ph.D., Birmingham) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns (Zondervan), After Doubt (Brazos), and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath (Brazos). He lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon. In this podcast conversation, we talk about the content of his forthcoming book The Gift of Thorns. We discuss the nature of desire, how our desires play into discipleship, how saying "no" to our wants actually increases our joy, the therapeutic benefit of communal confession of sin, the pleasure of self-denial, why we need more slow thinking/writing on tough topics, and how we can become incapacitated over all the books and articles and "things" we feel like we need to know. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Daniel Lee Hill (Ph.D. Wheaton) is an assistant professor of Christian Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. He, his wife, and his young son live in Waco, TX with a jar of sourdough starter and a persistent jug of kombucha scoby. In this conversation, Daniel and I wrestle with a Hauerwasian approach to political theology, and while we find ourselves in much agreement, we try to play Devil's advocate with ourselves and wrestle with some of the challenges to this position. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Kevin Grasso (Ph.D. Hebrew University) lives in the Atlanta area and is the founder of Biblingo: an innovative and effective way to actually learn biblical Greek and Hebrew. Dr. Grasso is a biblical scholar, author, linguist, and a husband and father of 4. In the academic space, he applies theoretical linguistics to exegetical problems, such as the pistis Christou phrase and the interpretation of the Shema, and he tries to figure out what Paul said, especially about the messiah, law, faith, and justification. For Biblingo, he primarily writes content (he is currently working on Greek and Hebrew textbooks to be paired with the app) in addition to doing all the things that entrepreneurs do to run a business. The first half of our podcast conversation focuses on learning biblical languages and the second half focuses on the meaning of kephale ("head") in Eph 5:23, where Paul says that husbands are "head" of their wives. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Evan Wickham is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker, and lead pastor of Park Hill Church in San Diego, CA, which he co-founded in 2017 with Sandy, his wife of 23 years (and their five kids).  In addition to helping people encounter Jesus through teaching and meaningful, rooted worship experiences, he has released four albums of worship songs, several of which are sung across the world. He holds an MDiv from Western Seminary and helped launch Searock Sessions, a cohort and growing community for hundreds of leaders seeking renewal in the Western church. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

For nearly two decades, John Mark pastored at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. After leading Bridgetown through five years of spiritual formation initiatives and seeing the impact, he wanted to help other churches discover a similar path of apprenticing under Jesus. In 2021, with the blessing of the church, John Mark stepped away from his role as pastor to launch Practicing the Way, a nonprofit designed to create simple, beautiful formation resources for church communities around the world.  Today, John Mark is developing new practices, courses, and podcasts for Practicing the Way and serving as a teacher in residence at Vintage Church LA with his wife Tammy and their three kids: Jude, Moses, and Sunday.  This podcast conversation is all about John Mark’s vision for practicing the way.  Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Julia Sadusky is a licensed clinical psychologist in Colorado. She is also an author, consultant, speaker, and adjunct professor. Dr. Sadusky has done extensive research and clinical work in sexual development and specializes in trauma-informed care. She earned a bachelor's degree from Ave Maria University and a master's degree and doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University. She has authored several books around human sexuality, with her most recent book titled, Start Talking to Your Kids about Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics (Ave Maria Press, 2023).  Julia's latest book forms the foundation for our scintillating conversation. When should we talk to our kids about sex? What does "age appropriate" ways of talking look like? The importance of naming body parts. How to protect against sexual abuse.  Learn more about Julia: https://www.juliasadusky.com/about The Bible Recap: https://thebiblerecap.myshopify.com/products/the-bible-recap?utm_source=TITR-PODCAST&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=q1TBR_TITR&utm_id=TITR-Q124 Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Chris Butler is a pastor and "serial organizer" hailing from the Southside of Chicago where he lives with his wife, Aziza, and 6 children. Pastor Chris leads Chicago Embassy Church Network, a mission-based network church in America's third largest city and is an experienced organization builder. Butler is also co-author of Compassion and Conviction, and co-host of the awesome "Church Politics" podcast with Justin Giboney. The Bible Recap: https://thebiblerecap.myshopify.com/products/the-bible-recap?utm_source=TITR-PODCAST&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=q1TBR_TITR&utm_id=TITR-Q124 Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Munther Isaac is a Palestinian Christian pastor and theologian. He pastors the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the Lutheran Church in Beit Sahour and serves as the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, and is the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint conferences. Munther is the author of “The Other Side of the Wall”, “From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth”, “An Introduction to Palestinian Theology” (in Arabic), a commentary on the book of Daniel (in Arabic), and more recently has published a book on women ordination in the church, also in Arabic. Munther originally studied civil engineering in Birzeit University in Palestine. He then obtained a Master in Biblical Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary and then a PhD from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.  Sign the petition to advocate for a ceasefire:  https://www.change.org/p/an-open-letter-from-palestinian-christians-to-western-church-leaders-and-theologians?recruiter=1319605589&recruited_by_id=a6f6fd10-6e69-11ee-abdf-5b152ac3937c&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=copylink  Contribute financially to relief for Palestinians in Gaza:  https://shepherd-society.org  For ongoing, honest, and well-researched updates on the situation in Israel-Palestine, follow the Scott Horton Show and the podcast “Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp.” The Bible Recap: https://thebiblerecap.myshopify.com/products/the-bible-recap?utm_source=TITR-PODCAST&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=q1TBR_TITR&utm_id=TITR-Q124  Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Okay folks, it's 2024! Congratulations--you're still alive and it's 2024. I truly hope that Theology in the Raw has played some positive influence in your life this past year.  In this first episode of 2024, I take a stroll down memory lane, reflecting on theology in the raw 2023. I review some stats, discuss some reviews, highlight TITR's mission statement, and discuss the top 10 episodes of the year. I then cast a vision for what's in store for 2024. The Bible Recap: https://thebiblerecap.myshopify.com/products/the-bible-recap?utm_source=TITR-PODCAST&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=q1TBR_TITR&utm_id=TITR-Q124

Merry Christmas from Theology in the Raw! We’re going to take a week off of podcasting and will pick it up again on January 1st. Thank you all for your love, support, encouragement, and criticism! We’ll see you in a week! Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Lee has been teaching full time at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, since 1999. He has an M.A. and M.Div. from Abilene Christian University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Moral Theology / Christian Ethics from Notre Dame University. Lee is the author of several books, including an outstanding book on politics called Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians. And this forms the basis for our conversation which focuses on what a truly Christian political identity looks like. Learn more about Lee from his website: https://www.leeccamp.com/about-1 Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Colton Beach is a Christ-follower who's also a gay New Yorker who grew up secretly struggling with same sex attraction’ in the Independent Fundamental Baptist church. He grew up ignoring his sexual identity for the sake of his Christian identity which allowed sexual sin to fester in darkness until it could no longer be ignored. He is passionate about calling the church to be honest about the reality and extent of our brokenness to invite those around us to do the same. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this conversation, we talk about a libertarian view of economics (etc. Austrian Economics), war, foreign policy, immigration, along with gay marriage and abortion.  Doug Stuart is CEO of the Libertarian Christian Institute and host of the Libertarian Christian Podcast. He holds an MDiv from Missio Seminary and currently lives with his wife and three children in Lancaster, PA. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

In this podcast conversation, Lucy walks us through her reading of 1 Cor. 11:2-16, where she argues that Paul is quoting and interacting with various ideas that the Corinthians themselves believe. Dr. Peppiatt has been Principal at Westminster Theological Centre (WTC) since 2013. She teaches courses in Christian doctrine and in spiritual formation. Lucy holds bachelor’s degrees in both English and Theology, and completed an MA in Systematic Theology at King’s College, London, and a PhD through the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Her research interests are Christ and the Spirit, Charismatic theology, theological anthropology, discipleship, 1 Corinthians, and women in the Bible. Lucy is part of Crossnet Anglican Church in Bristol, which is led by her husband, Nick Crawley. Together, they have four sons and four daughters-in-law.  Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

Dr. Beth Felker Jones holds the PhD from Duke University and teaches theology at Northern Seminary in Chicagoland, where she lives with her family. She is the author of many books and writes regularly at Church Blogmatics at bethfelkerjones.substack.com. In this podcast conversation, we talk about a theology of the body, our future resurrected state, how resurrection should shape our ethics today, and different ways in which our culture (and the church) assumes a strong dualisitc view of the body/soul. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw

After a decade of indulging his darkest vices as a nightclub promoter, Scott declared spiritual, moral, and emotional bankruptcy. He spent two years on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, saw the effects of dirty water firsthand, and came back to New York City on a mission. Upon returning to NYC in 2006, having seen the effects of dirty water firsthand, Scott turned his full attention to the global water crisis and the (then) 1.1 billion people living without access to clean water. He established a small core team in a tiny Manhattan apartment and created charity: water. Sixteen years later, with the help of more than 1 million supporters worldwide, charity: water has raised over $740 million and funded over 137,000 water projects in 29 countries. When completed, those projects will provide over 17.4 million people with clean, safe drinking water. Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw