Theocology

Prepare yourself for a raw, unfiltered, in the moment takes of Genesis with Thrive FGCU's Men's bible study! During this season Theocology will join alongside Aiden, Dale, David, Kyle, Jackson, and Jaden as we explore and discuss the rich theology of the book of Genesis. Unfortunately these episodes are recorded with simple equipment in the living room of a college dorm, although the quality is much lower than a typical episode of Theocology, we actually think that's part of what makes these sessions special. High volume listening is recommended! We pray that these recording can be a blessing to you as you join us in real time discussions and unrehearsed first takes of these incredible scriptures.

Welcome Students and Parents to a new season of Theocology! This is the first episode of a series of episodes aimed at providing information about the different Campus Ministries around FGCU! This episode features Pastor and Professor John Roth, and his life with Christ. 

Join us in this exciting episode where we sit down with our new podcast host Kellen Hicks! During this discussion we'll touch on his journey with faith, his pastoral internship with Thrive Community Church, and his vision for the future of theocology! 

In this continuation of our conversation AJ, John, and David discuss a myriad of topics from church models, high school experiences, and where we see God leading Thrive during this Season. 

In part one of session session Aj, John, and David discussion internships, summer orientation outreaches, and exciting events coming up for the Fall! 

College is often the first time many of us are truly on our own—and that includes our faith. In this episode, we explore what it means to move from a secondhand belief system to a personal, authentic relationship with God. We’ll talk about letting go of borrowed convictions, wrestling with doubts, and building a faith that can stand the test of independence, peer pressure, and life’s big questions. Whether you’re struggling, seeking, or just starting fresh—this conversation is for you.

Episode Description:College parties are everywhere — but what does it look like to enjoy social life while honoring God? In this episode, we dive into the tension between fun and faith, exploring how Christians can navigate the party scene with wisdom and conviction. We’ll talk about the Bible’s view of celebration, setting boundaries, handling peer pressure, and finding joy without regret. Whether you’re curious about what’s okay, feeling the pull of the crowd, or just want to party with purpose, this conversation is for you!

Join David, Aiden, and Erin as they discuss the importance of being in Christian community

Join David and Michael as they dive into Yehezkel Kaufmann’s groundbreaking theory on the God of the Bible—what sets Him apart from all other deities throughout history? Discover how Kaufmann’s insights shed light on the distinctiveness of biblical monotheism and its profound impact on faith and culture. Don’t miss this fascinating discussion on theology, history, and the uniqueness of the one true God! Join David and Micheal as they explore Yehezkel Kaufmann's theory of the God of the Bible and what separates this God from all others throughout time and history! 

Join David, Jaden, Erin, and Aiden as we dive into the reality of disappointments and setbacks in life. How do we navigate struggles when things don’t go as planned? And how can we learn to trust God through it all? Tune in as we share personal insights, biblical wisdom, and practical encouragement for staying grounded in faith during life’s challenge

 Join David, Aiden, and Erin as we discuss the challenges of finding our identity in Christ, in a world full of other things to place our identity in! 

Between classes, work, social lives, and the endless to-do lists, making time for God ca feel impossible. in this episode of Theology we dive into the challenges of maintaining a strong spiritual life as a busy college student! how can we create space for prayers, scripture , and worship without feeling overwhelmed?

Join David and Aiden as we discuss how poorly human beings can be at predicting the future, and how trusting in the Lord's wisdom and faithfulness is the only sure path to peace and hope in Life! 

Join us this week as pastor John talks with Thrives new campus pastor, David Grigg about college ministries, faith, and growing up in the church!

JR, Grace and Pastor John discuss "messy spirituality" because that's the only kind there is. This is both challenging and comforting for us all. God doesn't abandon us because we are messy, but is fully committed to us in Christ. 

JR Cintron and Pastor John discuss the story of Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke as a story of God's delight in befriending us and how we don't change people through contempt but showing our delight to be with them first.  

JR and Pastor John discuss Jesus actions of washing the feet of his disciples and displaying leadership through service and a profound act of love.  The four different Greek words for love come up along with how leadership often is seen differently in this world. 

JR, Grace, Aiden, Jaden and Pastor John discuss the emotion of calmness, being self-regulated, seeing a bigger picture, rather than freaking out over anxious situations just prior to the presidential election, a time of deep anxieties in our culture.  They discuss how Jesus showed calmness in the storm and even calmed the storm, and how we can trust him because he's in the boat with us.  The story they reference is found in Mark's Gospel, chapter 4.

Grace, Aiden, PJ, Jaden and JR discuss loneliness and how common it is in our society, but also how Jesus understands it because he experienced it himself. 

JR, Aiden, Jaden and Pastor John discuss the recent two hurricanes Florida experienced and what we've learned through them. 

Vickie, AJ, Aiden and PJ discuss compassion and how emotions play a significant role in connecting us to one another and how Jesus was emotional. In this episode they discuss Jesus' compassion as that emotion is highlighted 15 times in his parables and in encounters with people. 

JR, Grace, Jaden and PJ discuss Ecclesiastes' message of life "under the sun," that is, a secular viewpoint of just now. Secularism has been called "now-ism" with no sense of anything outside of what one has right at the present moment.  This produces much of the pressure and tension of modern life while those who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ know that He is their future and it is the real real they live into. 

AJ, Aiden and PJ discuss AJ's experience over the summer in Mt. Rainier National Park and how AJ shared the Gospel and those who were most receptive were not those whom AJ expected. 

Jaden, JR, Grace, Aiden and PJ discuss their summer experiences and how God works through the tough times in our lives to draw us into deeper character and trust.  

Erick and Pastor John discuss how misguided the obsession with trying to figure out the date for the 2nd coming of Christ is, how anti-creation some rapture talk is, and the great hope we have of a new heaven and earth that Jesus will usher in.  Jesus is our future.  

Katrina, Erik and Pastor John discuss different Bible passages that get misused or misapplied and how to learn to place passages into context and do a better job of interpreting them.

Katrina and Pastor John talk about the common misconception that students lose their faith and morals in college, but often the opposite happens.  In fact, the data shows those with higher levels of education have a higher tendency to be religious and have faith.  Katrina shares how she has grown in her faith at FGCU and she gives advice on how other students can as well. 

Katrina and PJ discuss one of the most often misquoted Bible passages, Matthew 7:1, where Jesus says "Judge not, lest you be judged." Many take it as a call to never make a judgment.  From its context, though, we see it's more about hypocrisy and making good judgments after first doing some deep self-reflection. 

AJ, Jaden, Aiden, Erin, Richard and Pastor John discuss how they have grown over the past academic year, inside and outside of the classroom and also discuss summer plans.  

Dominic joins AJ, PJ, Aiden and Jaden to discuss what it means to "love not the world" and how one can so easily get caught up with the trends and ways of the world.  They look at some quotes from Eugene Peterson's book The Jesus Way as well as discuss the normalizing of so many vices in society. 

In this episode Richard Butt joins AJ, PJ, Jaden, Aiden and Erin in discussing what Jesus teaches us (warns us) about money and possessions. Listen in on this discussion of greed and generosity. 

AJ, PJ, Jaden and Erin discuss how "doing your own thing" can often be living a lie that will bring disintegration rather than growth and other ways we believe and live out lies in our lives.

In this episode PJ discusses how lies are often what we end up living without realizing it,  harming ourselves and others.  AJ, Jaden, Grant and Aiden share some of the lies they have believed in their past and how they have come to the reality of God's grace.  

In this episode PJ brings up a question he heard from a student in his world religions class about Christianity.  This question basically was, "Why do Christians believe God had to punish His son for the sins of others in order to forgive? If God is forgiving, why doesn't he just do it?"  Aiden, Erin, PJ, Jaden, Grant and AJ discuss what forgiveness is all about and why Jesus did die. 

Erin joins AJ, Jaden, Aiden and PJ for a discussion on how bad theology can mess people's lives up and how to discern when you might be succumbing to it.  

Some American Christians display a despair over this world, an escapist theology where they are waiting to "leave" this world behind for "heaven." When the Bible speaks of the goodness of creation and how God will renew this creation, bringing heaven and earth together.  Jaden, Aiden, AJ and Pastor John discuss the hope we can have rather than the despair over the state of the world. 

AJ, Jaden and Pastor John discuss human nature and how having a "low anthropology" actually brings hope since we don't have to be what we are not and the Gospel comes through most fully.  

AJ, PJ, Jaden and Aiden talk about humility, what it is, and what it is not, and how it fits in with both theology and life. Most people even when trying to be humble, aren't actually humble.  Humility may not be what you think it is.  

Jaden, Aiden, AJ and PJ discuss implications of the theology of the cross, that what Jesus went through is typical of God's way to work in this world, not incidental.  The cross is not a formula but God's means in our lives. 

AJ, Jaden, Aiden and PJ discuss the difference between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory and why it matters. 

Jaden, AJ, Aiden and PJ discuss how a sewage utility in Ohio over the holidays did the unexpected and as a result thousands of customers came to them and shared their burdens via voicemail. This is an apt metaphor for what the Church is to be. 

Aiden, Jaden, AJ and Dr. John Roth discuss why people pray and what does prayer change. 

John, Jaden, Aiden and AJ discuss why theology matters and how what you believe about God impacts everything else in your life. This first episode of Theocology sets the stage for many more in 2024

Jaden, Aiden and PJ discuss the new year and what's changing about our podcast - new name with a more deliberate focus. 

AJ, Jaden and PJ discuss how they've grown this semester and how God causes growth in people's lives - what aids in growth and what inhibits it. 

JR, Grace, AJ, Jaden and PJ discuss Law and Gospel again and how the Gospel is what a follower of Jesus needs to be empowered and to live. 

AJ, PJ, JR, Jaden, Grace and Grant discuss how easily people fall into legalism and what God's law (Ten Commandments etc.) actually used for.   This contrasts to the Gospel, which will come up more in the next podcast. 

AJ and PJ talk about depression, expectations and holidays - how these interact and also how family histories intertwine. 

AJ, PJ, JR, Jaden, Grant and Grace all discuss a second round on conflict, how to know when you're entering "the tar pits" of high conflict, how to resolve everyday conflict, and how we can help others. 

PJ, JR, Grace, Jaden, Grant, and AJ discuss how to recognize when someone is in high conflict and how to get out of the tar pits of conflict. This is the first part of a discussion on this topic taking some of its foundation from Amanda Ripley's book High Conflict.