Yale Religion

Yale Divinity School alum and hospice chaplain Reverend Aaron Klink discusses how spiritual care complements modern medicine, a near-death experience that transformed his understanding of mortality, and the enduring question of God’s presence in suffering. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2025-05-06-where-is-god-in-suffering-spiritual-care-mortality-and-meaning-with-hospice

Professor of American Religious History Tisa Wenger discusses how the early US government used Christianity to justify indigenous land theft, the limits of religious freedom in America, and the importance of Yale’s new certificate in Native American and Indigenous studies. A transcript of this episode can be found here: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2026-04-06-religion-power-and-indigenous-lands-a-quadcast-interview-with-tisa-wenger

Socio-cultural anthropologist Todne Thomas, Associate Professor of Divinity and Religious Studies at Yale Divinity School, discusses researching a 2015 arson of a predominantly Black church in Tennessee, what it says about humanity, and why in-depth study of American religious life is critically important. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2025-12-12-what-a-2015-church-burning-reveals-about-race-religion-and-life-in-america-with

Yale University Professor of History and Religious Studies Carlos Eire discusses evolving Protestant and Catholic views on miracles, the history of near-death experiences, and ‘hot button issues’ including the celibacy rule for Catholic priests. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/2025-10-15-the-history-of-miracles-and-near-death-experiences-quadcast-interview-with-carlos

Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School and Professor at Yale Divinity School, discusses the origins of today’s Christian practices, which Christian rituals were lost over the centuries, and why the famous biblical story of Abraham and Isaac is about trust, not sacrifice.

Ryan Darr, YDS Assistant Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Environment and an expert on multispecies justice, discusses rapidly accelerating species extinctions, why they matter from an ethical and theological perspective, and why responses to the climate crisis and biodiversity loss requires less individual action and more new kinds of communities. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/species-extinctions-and-why-they-matter-quadcast-interview-ryan-darr

YDS Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity Teresa Morgan discusses what attracted Greeks and Romans to Christianity in the religion’s first centuries; how Greek and Roman societies shaped Christian teachings; and the challenges she faced as a female priest.

Yale SOM grad Bryan Enriquez ’21 discusses launching the Hallow prayer app, argues that technology and artificial intelligence are good for religion and religious practice, and responds to critics who say that the marketing of Hallow commercializes faith. Transcript available here: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-developing-1-religion-app-world-bryan-enriquez

Professor John Grim, co-director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, discusses the relationship between indigenous religions and the environment, why religion needs to be part of the fight against climate change, and shares how he responds to climate change deniers. Transcript available here.

YDS Associate Professor of New Testament Yii-Jan Lin discusses how American immigration ideology and policy has been influenced by the Book of Revelation; COVID-19 and patterns of xenophobia in America; and modern political discourse on immigration. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-modern-immigration-ideology-and-book-revelation-professor-yii-jan-lin

Yale Divinity School Lecturer Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove offers insights on the upcoming presidential election – drawing from his latest book with Bishop William Barber, ‘White Poverty’; discusses how a peacemaking trip to Iraq during the US invasion transformed his life; and talks about his work helping lead the new Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at YDS. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-jonathan-wilson-hartgrove

YDS alumna Vanessa Avery shares lessons learned from decades of interfaith peacebuilding, how architecture can be used as a tool to bring people together, and the importance of radical hospitality. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-sharing-sacred-spaces-and-radical-hospitality-vanessa-avery

Yale Divinity School Dean and Professor of New Testament Gregory E. Sterling discusses the future of theological education, overcoming polarization in America, and how the school’s new Living Village project is an ethical response to the climate crisis. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/future-theological-education-yds-dean-gregory-sterling

Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence co-founder Dr. Robin Stern discusses the role of spirituality and religion in understanding and managing emotions, the danger of suppressing emotions like anger, and her groundbreaking work on gaslighting. For more information and a transcript of this conversation, please see: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/emotional-intelligence-and-spirituality-dr-robin-stern

YDS Professor Emeritus John Collins, author of the book “The Apocalyptic Imagination,” discusses what the Bible really says about the end of the world; what caused the rise of apocalyptic literature; and how some Christians err in their understanding of end times. For more information and a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/what-bible-really-says-about-end-world-quadcast-interivew-john-collins

As the Yale Institute of Sacred Music celebrates its 50th anniversary, ISM Director Martin Jean discusses the institute’s past, present and future; how to save the genre of classical music; and what’s lost for humanity if sacred practice declines. https://divinity.yale.edu/news/importance-sacred-quadcast-interview-martin-jean

YDS Professor Joel Baden discusses launching and leading the Center for Continuing Education at YDS, defends his critical scholarship of the Bible, and critiques what he calls scholarly evangelicalism. A transcript of this interview can be found here.

In this episode, YDS alum Dr. Julie Faith Parker interprets the Bible through a feminist lens – reclaiming the biblical figure of Eve as a hero, questioning the common idea that only men authored scripture, and arguing that some of the women in Jesus’ circle are more important than some of the twelve disciples. For more information and a transcript of this episode: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/eve-isn-t-evil-alum-scholar-challenges-assumptions-about-women-bible

YDS Associate Dean for Student Affairs Reverend Vicki Flippin discusses the new Good Life Center at YDS, her previous pastoral role that included sheltering people at risk of deportation, and how Malcolm X inspired her to pursue a career in ministry.

Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes ’18 M.Div. and husband, Pastor Andrew Wilkes, discuss launching a Brooklyn-based church committed to Black lives and justice; their co-authored book, “Psalms for Black Lives”; and the challenges of being co-ministers and spouses.

YDS Professor John Pittard discusses artificial intelligence’s impact on religion; reflects theologically on whether future AI robots could connect with God; and argues for a global alliance to regulate AI.

Dr. Kyama Mugambi, Professor of World Christianity at Yale Divinity School, discusses how Christianity in Africa is impacting the global religious landscape, why Christianity in Africa is not a ‘colonizer’ religion, and what Christianity has in common with African Traditional Religions.

Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church Bishop Michael Curry ’78 M.Div. reflects on his fiery sermon on love at the royal wedding, becoming the first person of color to lead the Episcopal Church, and why the world is in need of ‘crazy Christians.’

YDS faculty member and former Yale University chaplain Jerry Streets ’75 M.Div. discusses the results of his survey on clergy wellbeing, the importance of multi-faith ministry, and lessons learned from his long career as a pastor.

Renowned sustainability architect Jason F. McLennan discusses Yale Divinity School’s Living Village complex, the relationship between religion and the environment, and his response to critics of green building.

Yale Divinity School alumna Kerry Robinson discusses advocating for women in leadership positions in the Catholic Church, offers advice on best practices in the field of fundraising, and shares how a YDS professor gave her the best advice she ever received.

Yale Divinity School alum Dr. Scott Morris, founder and CEO of faith-based medical clinic Church Health, discusses the connection between health and religion, why Christians must engage in healing ministries, and the biggest failure in the American healthcare system.

YDS alum Michael O’Loughlin discusses his book ‘Hidden Mercy’ and untold stories of the grassroots Catholic response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in America, the challenges of being an LGBT member of the Catholic Church, and how Pope Francis sparked a spiritual revolution on Twitter.

Yale Divinity School Professor Bruce Gordon discusses how the role of the Bible is changing worldwide, why the Bible transcends its historical contexts, and ancient debates about the Bible that are still alive today.

Yale Lecturer Abdul-Rehman Malik discusses the significance of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, the Islamic origins of coffee, and combating Islamophobia.

Distinguished Palestinian theologian Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb discusses misperceptions of Christians in the Middle East, positive Christian-Muslim relations in the Holy Land, and what is it like to live in the city of Bethlehem.

Former Yale Divinity School Professor Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton discusses the origins of the Gospel of Mark and its distinct characteristics that set it apart from the other three gospels.

New York Times Bestselling Author and CNN Political Analyst Kirsten Powers discusses grace as a practice to cure division in America and her personal journey from atheism to Catholicism.

Yale’s Jewish Chaplain Jason Rubenstein discusses modern Judaism in America, what makes it distinct from other Jewish communities around the world, and how sacred texts beyond the Hebrew Bible influence Jewish practice today.

In the runup to the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference, the Quadcast interviews the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ’78 M.Div. about the moral duty of religious leaders to preach on the climate crisis.

Yale Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies Philip Gorski sheds insight on white Christian nationalism, as well as the changing religious demographics in America. You can read Professor Gorski’s latest article here: https://currentpub.com/2021/08/03/three-cheers/

YDS Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation Laura Nasrallah discusses the history, significance, and backstory of the letters of Paul.

Dean Randy Hollerith of Washington National Cathedral, ’90 M.Div., discusses presiding over presidential inaugural prayer services for Donald Trump and Joe Biden, why religious leaders should play a central role in healing divisions in America, and finding hope and faith during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the third and final podcast in the Fireside Chat series that the Spiritual Formation Committee has sponsored this year. In this podcast, you will hear Professor Tisa Wenger and MDiv student Tasha Brownfield interview each other about their faith stories related to the Unitarian Universalist tradition.

The Spiritual Formation and the Practice of Faith Committee is continuing the practice of Fireside Chats through inviting members of the community to share their spiritual journeys. Since we cannot conduct these chats by the actual fireside in the Common Room this year, we are offering them as podcasts instead. In this episode, student Christy Stang interviews Abdul-Rehman Malik on his experience of spirituality and his Muslim faith.

The Spiritual Formation and the Practice of Faith Committee is resuming the practice of Fireside Chats, whereby members of the community share a little bit about their spiritual journeys. Since we cannot conduct these chats by the actual fireside in the Common Room this year, we are offering them as podcasts instead. Listen to this first episode to hear Professor Jacqueline Vayntrub and M-Div student Ora Weinbach share stories about their Jewish identity and practice, and their experience of being Jewish at a predominantly Christian divinity school.

US Senator Chris Coons weighs in on religion’s role in American politics, Republican and Democratic relations, and his fondest Yale memories.

Mecca Griffith interviews Christian ethics professor Jennifer Herdt on the human capacity for both empathy and exclusion—and society’s proven ability to create change in the face of injustice.

Emily Judd interviews Yale Divinity School professor Mary Clark Moschella about how to find one’s life purpose, focus on the positive despite obstacles, and her Yale course that brings together graduate students and incarcerated women.

Emily Judd interviews Yale Divinity School alum and former Democratic nominee for Massachusetts governor Bob Massie, in a conversation that covers Christianity’s teachings on money and wealth, his health battles with hemophilia and HIV, and what inspired him to leave ministry and go into politics.

Emily Judd interviews Professor of New Testament Yii-Jan Lin about resistance, feminism, and slavery in the New Testament, and how one passage can be interpreted differently to support opposites sides of an argument.

Yale Professor Mary Evelyn Tucker addresses the urgent threat of climate change, how the fields of religion and science can unite to save the planet, and the importance of the US staying in the Paris Agreement.