Seminary Reacts

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Jamie Pitts, professor of Anabaptist Studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). Jamie responds to questions about how you can know that God is real and whether there is such a thing as an unforgivable sin.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:32 How can you know that God is real?14:15 Is there such a thing as an unforgivable sin?27:31 How important are cultural practices in your faith?

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Dr. Drew G. I. Hart, Associate Professor of Theology at Messiah University! Drew’s scholarship challenges the church to resist racial injustice and follow Jesus’s example to pursue peace and justice. Drew react to questions related to why are progressive churches usually so white and is this a problem and Do I have to sing in church?

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Malinda Berry, professor of peace theology at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). https://ambs.edu/ How will Malinda react to questions related to The Epstein files and the concepts of Justice and Hell! How do we see God at work in the ways of justice for victims of violence worldwide. #christian #seminary #professor #religion #reddit Chapters:00:00 Intro 01:30 The Epstein files make me want to believe in Hell https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1qymzau/the_epstein_files_make_me_want_to_believe_in_hell 08:51 What is the difference between justice and punishment? 19:00 What is Justice accomplishing? 29:00 Does hell really deliver justice? 38:00 How can we find hope in God's justice and pursue the ways of justice ourselves? 56:57 Outro: Psalm 40Host: Amy Marshall Guest: Malinda Berry https://ambs.edu/employees/malinda-elizabeth-berry Produced by: Institute of Mennonite Studies https://ambs.edu/institute-of-mennonite-studies Video Production: Abenezer Dejene Editorial Team: Jamie Pitts and Abenezer Dejene

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is David Cramer, adjunct professor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). How will David react to questions and stories about an AI-generated picture of Jesus, dinosaurs, and whether or not prayer works?Content00:00 Intro02:05 My roommate doesn't want to live with me again after I watched Jurassic Park movies while his GF was at our apartment 13:10 I'm Convinced Prayer Doesn't Work 25:40 You can still be a good person without religion 34:50 What’s your favorite type of sermon?38:50 I sent an AI-generated Jesus reel in the gc

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Sarah Nahar, AMBS alumnus and professor at the University of Michigan in the Program of the Environment. How will Sarah react to questions and stories about humanity’s relationship with creation, Christmas squabbles, and the new movie Wicked: For Good?Content00:00 Intro02:50 AITA for confronting a waiter for not doing more to make ME, a Christian, feel better about going out to eat on a major holiday? 16:50 Why aren't more Christians conservationists? 34:45 Being a human is weird 49:13 Is “wicked” actually demonic? Host: Amy MarshallGuest: Sarah Nahar @https://www.sarahnahar.com/ Produced by: Institute of Mennonite Studies @https://ambs.edu/institute-of-mennonite-studies/ Video Production: Abenezer DejeneEditorial Team: Jamie Pitts, Melisa Troyer, and Abenezer Dejene

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Jackie Wyse-Rhodes, professor of the Hebrew Bible at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). How will Jackie react to questions about the creation of the Bible as it exists today, second temple literature, and how to read the Old Testament?Content:00:00 Intro02:05 The original books that comprise the bible were written many centuries ago. How did the original copies survive so long? Wouldn’t the originals be destroyed by natural disaster or deteriorate over time?13:30 Reading though the Old Testament is proving very hard. Anyone else feel this way?29:10 How influential was 2nd Temple literature (actually)?46:10 Psalms... Does anyone understand Psalms?

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Leah Thomas, professor of Pastoral Care at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). How will Leah react to questions about family dynamics, balancing service and taking care of yourself, and religious trauma? Content 00:00 Intro01:50 Service vs Doormat 14:10 AITA (Am I in the wrong) for walking out in the middle of my sister's church service 31:18 What do you say when someone asks you if they're going to heaven in their final days, and you don't think they are47:30 Am I in the wrong for telling my daughter Jesus is her grandma's Imaginary friend

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Jamie Pitts, professor of Anabaptist Studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). How will Jamie react to questions about holy water, the ethical dilemma of the trolley problem, and whether or not the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” is helpful for Christian living? Content 00:00 Intro01:00 Why Do Pastor’s Kids Rebel 06:25 Why does "What would Jesus do?" (WWJD) so often fail as a strategy for living? 12:48 How, exactly, does holy water work? 30:13 Was what I said not right in this situation? 39:33 What's the Christian solution to the Trolley Problem? 51:25 Everyone thinks I caught our office lunch thief. I didn’t. I started packing them a meal on purpose (Not OOP)

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Malinda Berry, professor of peace theology at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). How will Malinda react to questions about who Mennonites are, quotes about pacifism as naïve, and stories about churches feeding the hungry?Chapters00:00 Intro04:00 I have a question about what the religion (Mennonite) even is. 34:32 What are the differences between the Amish and Mennonites?46:15 As a Mennonite convert, I need some elders to help me. "As history teaches us, the only people who actually deserve peace are those who are willing to wage war to defend it. That's why pacifism is so naïve and dangerous."01:01:42 For people in areas losing SNAP benefits, what are you/your church doing to help?Host: Amy Marshall Guest: Malinda Berry Produced by: Institute of Mennonite StudiesVideo Production: Abenezer DejeneEditorial Team: Jamie Pitts, Melisa Troyer, and Abenezer Dejene

Seminary Reacts asks professors and scholars to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. This episode’s guest is Alicia Maldonado-Zahra, visiting scholar at Goshen College. What will her response be to questions and stories about roommate drama, conflict with worship styles, and statements about Christianity’s stances on oppression?Chapters: 00:00 Intro03:10 If Jesus had a YouTube channel? @/if_jesus_had_a_youtube_channel   12:00 There’s this woman at my church who I find incredibly annoying during worship. How can I change my ways? @ /theres_this_woman_at_my_church_who_i_find   26:50 Christianity is a tool meant to be used by oppressors. It is not favorable to those who oppressed. @/christianity_is_a_tool_meant_to_be_used_by   43:24 How to handle roommates in a Christ-like way @/how_to_handle_roommates_in_a_christlike_way   Links Subscribe: @/@seminaryreacts   Host: Amy MarshallGuest: Alicia Maldonado-Zahra @https://www.goshen.edu/academics/facu... Produced by: Institute of Mennonite Studies @https://ambs.edu/institute-of-mennoni... Video Production: Abenezer DejeneEditorial Team: Jamie Pitts, Melisa Troyer, and Abenezer DejeneSocial Links:TikTok: @/seminaryreacts   Instagram: @/seminaryreacts  Facebook: @/mennostudies   

Seminary Reacts asks professors to respond to questions and stories posted on Reddit about Christianity, religion, and what it means to be Mennonite. Our first guest is Allan Rudy-Froese, professor of preaching and voice. What will he say about these stories about communion wafers, coworkers being judgmental about religious preferences, and how to stop cursing?Chapters 00:00 Intro01:11 How many compliments or criticisms do you typically get after preaching a sermon? @How many compliments or criticisms do you typically get after preaching a sermon? : r/askapastor 07:11 How do I stop Cussing? @How many compliments or criticisms do you typically get after preaching a sermon? : r/askapastor   18:50 AITA for not inviting a religious girl with me for lunch, because she always makes it difficult on the employees? @r/AmItheAsshole on Reddit: AITA for not inviting a religious girl with me for lunch, BECAUSE she always makes it difficult on the employees? 29:10 I finally tasted communion wafers today! @I finally tasted communion wafers today! : r/PointlessStories 36:44 TIFU by mixing up my coffee mug and my paint cup @TIFU by mixing up my coffee mug and my paint cup 41:16 Prayer that went wrong (not a religious story) @prayer that went wrong (not a religious story) : r/PointlessStories 46:19 Why isn't God answering my prayers? @Question : r/askapastor 54:39 Do pastors ever get tired of shaking hands? @do pastors ever get tired of shaking hands? : r/askapastor Host: Amy MarshallGuest: Allan Rudy-Froese, PhD Produced by: Institute of Mennonite StudiesVideo Production: Abenezer DejeneEditorial Team: Jamie Pitts and Abenezer Dejene