evancynical's podcast

Drs. Michael Toy and Steve Simmons return to discuss what AI looks in our spirituality and theology. 

Author and speaker, Brian McLaren returns to discuss the future of the church in the light of recent cotroversies and the political climate. 

Dr. Toy, from Moravian University School of Theology, returns to discuss Digital Theology and Biblical interpretation. 

Not sure if you noticed, but the state of our world and Christianity seems to be a bit of a dumpster fire. So in this week's episode Drs Lindsey Scott and Michael Toy from Moravian University's School of Theology, stop by to discuss how a healthy theology can help. 

Author Tiffany Yecke Brooks joins us to discuss her book "To Rebehold the Stars: Reimagining Faith and Formation After Deconstruction".  "Brooks helps readers find their way forward after faith deconstruction. She likens the process to Dante's ascent from the underworld: when he emerges from the depths, he steps out into an expansive space where he can "rebehold the stars." Encountering God anew is at the heart of Brooks's approach to faith formation after deconstruction. She teaches readers how to enliven their religious vocabulary, cultivate fresh spiritual practices, recognize holiness in unexpected places, find new faith communities, and more."    

My new friend Maggie shares her first hand experience with ICE raids in Minneapolis and what it looks like to take christian neighborliness seriously. 

Dr. Hanna Reichel, Princeton Theological Seminary professor of Systematic Theology, stops by to discuss their timely new book For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional which offers "a timely resource for ordinary Christians seeking to live faithfully in extraordinary times of societal upheaval and political fragility." (Source:https://ptsem.edu/academics/faculty/hanna-reichel/) Bio: Dr. Reichel is Charles Hodge Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. Their areas of interest span Christian doctrine and political theology, with special interests in Christology, theological anthropology, eschatology, the doctrine of God, theological method and critical epistemologies. Reichel's second book, After Method: Queer Grace, Conceptual Design, and the Possibility of Theology has been widely celebrated for building bridges between Queer-liberationist and Reformed-Systematic sensibilities, as well as constructively introducing design theory into conversations about theological method.    https://www.amazon.com/Such-Time-This-Emergency-Devotional/dp/0802885926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T0I8OQ2E5IYA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m9kis26OpZwU8zKwTKM__rWNCEYH-Ilfbm-mXLpCtWJDVsaQrFCvXFDNIR2OvoTYu5by7IPXZfcEM9XPXDizJeTLjTXMFPrDDFZ-qUes-xaYLNy4G1fdjic4w9jaZB06sAwyNHBz5KizByXm7ZJRguAS-MbG116btuAlnEJvJYLYeahT8xatdY3vIRiIM9EQ.Z67k9JBh9gdlWvPWCMcoG47Gu80n3lkqtBKs-cLiEYg&dib_tag=se&keywords=hanna+reichel&qid=1772543133&sprefix=hanna+reichel%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1

Friend and professional photographer, Brittany Scheer returns to discuss the implications of photographing worship, and the complexities of church marketing.     

Danny and I discuss his time on Jubilee's show "Surrounded", where he, and others, debated conservative Christian author and influencer Allie Beth Stuckey, and his experience as the pastor of a fully inclusive church. 

In this episode, T.C. and I, who is a resident of St. Paul Minnesota, discuss, from a boots on the ground perspective, what has been going on Minneapolis with the emergence of ICE and what it means to engage in prophetic ministry.  

My new friend Brittany and I discuss her time in a cult, what drew her family to that community, how she got out, and where she is now in her faith. 

T.C. stops by to discuss his journey from the time he spent in a gang, what led him to be a pastor, and what community means to him. 

Steve returns to discuss why Christians should be concerned about climate change and what is ours to do. 

In this special episode, Dangerous Dogma podcast host, Brian Kaylor talks with William Stell, a religious studies professor and author of the forthcoming book, Born Again Queer: A History of Evangelical Gay Activism and the Making of Antigay Christianity. Kaylor is also joined by guest cohost Jared Burkholder, scholar in residence at Moravian Theological Seminary. This is in partnership with Moravian exploring historical and contemporary issues of concerns involving evangelicals. Burkholder will be giving the annual Walter Vivian Moses Lecture on Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. (ET) at the Bahnson Center on the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Campus of Moravian Theological Seminary. It will also be livestreamed for free. Sign up to watch here.  

Something a little different this week! In anticipation of Moravian Theological Seminary's(one of my favorite places…ever!)annual Moses Lecture, which this year is discussing "Moravians and the Evangelical Question", I'm sharing an important conversation about the state(pun intended?) of the separation of church and state.  Disclaimer: I did not participate in this conversation. Many of you may be glad to hear that! 😉

Many evangelical churches are known for their savvy marketing photographs of congregants worshipping and praying. Taylor stops by to discuss how this is not church. 

Byrnese stops by to discuss her time at an evangelical, young adult leadership program(think YWAM or Teen Mania), what led her to the Moravian Church, and why is the self-proclaimed Moravian Bread Lady!

Taylor and I discuss his time in youth ministry, his divorce, firing from a job in ministry, addiction, and ultimate healing through authentic relationships!

Author of books "A New Kind of Christian" and "Faith After Doubt", stops by, along with friend of the pod Mike Petrow, to chat about Brian's book "Do I Stay Christian?".   https://www.amazon.com/Do-Stay-Christian-Disappointed-Disillusioned/dp/1250262798/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A676B9AKNZG6&keywords=do+i+stay+christian+by+brian+mclaren&qid=1652990282&sprefix=Do+I+s%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1

Frequent collaborator and returning guest, Dr. Steve Simmons and I discuss the "bare minimum" beliefs to be a considered Christian. We also discuss the problems with "right belief". 

Tucker stops by to discuss his experiences in youth and worship ministry, and how after the 2016 election he felt he was unable to be his authentic self and how it ultimately led to him leaving ministry. 

Mikayla and I discuss the etimology of our surnames, her desire to pastor while being in a denomination that does not ordain women to be pastors, and her eventual transition in to the Moravian denomination!

Cristabelle discuss how a traumatic brain injury shaped and continues to shape her spirituality and theology. 

My old friend stops by to discuss her unique journey in finding Christ through a campus ministry which may have been a cult. 

Geoffrey and I discuss his roles in higher education and hospital administration in order to bring solutions and global change. Geoffrey also gets candid in sharing his coming out journey and how his faith continues to inform his story.

If Christianity is essentially a branch of Judaism, which does not have a notion of Heaven, Hell, or Salvation, how did we to a place whether you're in or you're out? That's what frequent guest Dr. Steve Simmons and I discuss in today's episode!

Ryan, Mike, and I discuss what community looks like whether you're in the church or have left it. 

For the first time in almost 4 years Ryan Keller, Mike Petrow, and I are back together! Listen in for a great conversation about what community looks like when you're in and have left the church. 

Regan and I discuss how Yogaic spirituality informs her Christianity!

Old friend and fellow nerd, Marc and I discuss everything from Broadway week to his conversion back to Catholicism from Evangelicalism. 

Even though I absolutely love every episode, I thought I would share one of my favorite conversations!

A special, mystery guest, but IYKYK! 

Lucas Wilson and I discuss his new book "Shame-Sex Attraction" which chronicles various painful stories of conversion therapy. Below is more info about the book.    "We are survivors. We were subjected to dehumanizing practices by people who sought our erasure. We believe telling our stories is both powerful and political. This edited collection brings together the experiences of those who have been subjected to queer conversion therapy - it is an effort to expose conversion practices for what they are - pseudoscientific, bogus, ineffective, and wildly traumatic - and to recognise and listen to survivors. With contributions from Gregory Elsasser-Chavez, Chaim J. Levin, Lexie Bean, Syre Klenke, and many more from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - this is an attempt to ensure that what happened within these pages cannot - and will not - happen to future generations"   Find the book here

Author Liz Charlotte Grant stops by to discuss her new book "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible" amongst other evangelically stuff. Purchase the book below or from your favorite local book store!   Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible

My good friend Nate Smith, who you met on Episode 24, returns with a life update. He and I once again toy around with idea of starting a point/counterpoint about the merits and qualities of the Fast and the Furious franchise!

In this episode Heather, Mark, and I discuss how golden retrievers are like Ted Lasso and more importantly their new book Lunchroom Theology.  "In a world fraught with polarization and division—where we form separate tables based on political beliefs, skin color, economic status, theological ideas, and personal preferences—can we find a way to live differently, more aligned with the ways of Jesus? In Lunchroom Theology, Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson confront our societal and theological rifts, and by weaving together scriptural and sociological insights, they expose the many ways our contemporary divisions are mirrored by the church today. Drawing extensively from the life of Jesus and the practices of his early followers, they propose a better way to live in the lunchroom. They beckon us to embody Jesus' John 17 prayer for oneness and to think faithfully and creatively about how to push tables together in our fractured world."   Click Here to Purchase Lunchroom Theology

My good friend Jessica Morris shares some life updates specifically her perspective on church. 

Sue returns to discuss one of the issues that leads to deconstruction and how we can practically interpret the doctrine of Hell. 

In this week's episode, my guest Flux and I discuss how his mental health has impacted his perception of reality and where spirituality, neuroscience, and philosophy have helped him develop a model and framework for his life. 

In light of the Robert Morris scandal, Dr. Riddick Weber is back, to discuss how denominational churches differ from non-denominational in their approach to accountability for their pastors. 

Dr. Riddick Weber, Moravian professor extraordinaire, stops by to discuss an observation he's made about deconstruction journeys, and how they are less about theology and more about soteriology(doctrine of salvation). 

James and I discuss banana slugs, his time in the Orthodox Church, and his coming out after being in a straight marriage.

Dr. Heather and I discuss the recent developments in the Robert Morris abuse scandal.     Below is a link to a very helpful interview, which we referenced, with Bob Hamp.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWawzm11P74

Start this one off with a bang...actually a whisper. Jim and I make it through a recording snafu and finally discuss his history growing in mainline christianity, to his time in youth group with yours truly, and ultimately to a place of atheism. 

My good friend Rick Dobrowlski and I discuss the pros and cons of the megachurch movement. 

My good friends, Dr. Heather Evans and Catherine Wallace discuss where the church has gone wrong in addressing mental health and how it can do it better. 

The man that started it all, Johnny Walsh returns to chat where he is on his spiritual journey since we recorded the very first episode of Evancynical.