Theology on the Way

Brad East is an associate professor of theology in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry at Abilene Christian University. He is the author of The Church: A Guide to the People of God (2024), Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry (2024), and more.Referenced:Robert W. Jenson and Carl E. Braaten, eds., Marks of the Body of Christ (Eerdmans, 1999).See also, Brad East, “Jenson on catechesis for our time,” https://www.bradeast.org/blog/jenson-on-catechesis.

Popular Writing, Deconstruction and Reconstruction, Purity Culture, Atonement, Heaven, The Devil, and Johnny Cash

I discuss: The joy of vocation at ACUThe grief of the move to AbileneHebrews 2 and freedom from the fear of deathThe nature of the churchThe implications of Charlie Kirk's assassination for the universityA Christian response to the idea that words are violenceAn upcoming series analyzing an episode of the Flagrant podcast

Justin is a professor of theology and dean of chapel at Dordt University (Sioux Center, IA). He is an expert in cultural theology and the author of various books, including Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses for Engaging Theology and Culture.

Michael J. Gorman is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University (Baltimore, MD). He is the author of numerous books that have been important for my own work.Check these out:Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and MinistersCruciformity: Paul’s Narrative Spirituality of the CrossInhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Paul’s Narrative SoteriologyBecoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission1 Corinthians: A Theological, Pastoral, and Missional Commentary

Derek Taylor is the director of the Emmaus Scholars Program and an instructor in theology at Whitworth University. He is the author of Reading Scripture as the Church: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Hermeneutic of Discipleship.

Pat Bills is the lead minister at Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas, TX. He is also my brother-in-law and a thoughtful leader of missional change in our shared tradition.

Drew Hart is an associate professor of theology & Program Director for Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice at Messiah University. He is a frequent interlocutor at the Forum on Mission at the annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting.

Tim was the youth minister at my home church for twenty-two years. He is my spiritual father and a lifelong friend. He now serves as the preaching minister at the Rugby Avenue Church of Christ in Charlottesville, VA.

Jeremy Daggett is a cross-cultural missionary in Arequipa, Peru, a friend and former teammate, and director of Harding University’s international program in Latin America.

Updates, Expertise, Reading Revelation, Rogan, Apologetics

Ana is my oldest daughter. She’s a high school senior, a vocalist and stage performer, a self-taught artist, class president, and so much more. It has been a delight to raise her, and I’m so grateful that she likes to have conversations like this one. We talk about dating, sex, pornography, marriage, language, and the way women dress.

Michael Barram is a professor of theology & religious studies at St. Mary’s College of California and the chair of the Forum on Missional Hermeneutics. His most recent book, co-authored with John Franke, is Liberating Scripture: An Invitation to Missional Hermeneutics, the first in a new series titled Studies in Missional Hermeneutics, Theology, and Praxis. Michael’s work as a New Testament scholar has also focused on biblical economics and reparations.

Randy Willingham is a friend and mentor with decades of experience as a minister, university professor, and church consultant. We talk about the power of honest conversations, church conflict, the significance of Jesus’s incarnation, the challenges and failures of the academy in relation to the church, and the future of theological education.

Peru, Processing, Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Worldview

Ben Austin is a professor of sociology who retired from Middle Tennessee State University after decades in the classroom. He continues to teach, nonetheless, and also serves as a shepherd of the Stones River Church. Ben is a consummate storyteller and a wonderful human being.

Mark Love is a professor of theology & ministry at Rochester Christian University in Rochester Hills, MI. He is the director of Rochester’s Master of Religious Education in Missional Leadership program, and he's the author of a new book called It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit and to Us: Acts, Discernment, and the Mission of God. And he’s just launched an exciting new initiative called The 1528 Collaborative.

Leon O’Flynn is a chaplain in the New Zealand Army and a program director at South Pacific Bible College. We chat about his experience in New Zealand Churches of Christ, the need for a contextualized theology, a missional perspective on military chaplaincy, and theological education in light of globalization.

Word.y podcast is another project I’m involved in, with Jon McPeters, my friend and coworker at Stones River Church. These conversations are a change of pace, but they’re no less a part of sharing the theological journey with listeners. I’ll occasionally cross-post Word.y episodes on Theology on the Way. Think of Jon as a regular guest.

Lee Camp is a professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, and the creator and host of No Small Endeavor, a nationally syndicated podcast and public radio show focused on "exploring what it means to live a good life," which also stages live events and variety shows.

Fred Liggin is the senior pastor of Williamsburg Christian Church in Williamsburg, VA, the founder of 3e Restoration, a community development organization that equips and encourages communities to empower neighbors living through social displacement toward holistic sufficiency, and a co-owner of Philoxenia Culture, a research and training collaborative focused on the practices of hospitality. Fred’s story is pretty amazing, and I've learned a lot from him. If you're interested in how churches can love their marginalized neighbors well, this one’s for you.

Bryan Tarpley is an associate research scientist for critical infrastructure studies at the Center for Digital Humanities Research. We reminisce about our friendship, discuss the emerging field of digital humanities, and then explore the significance of sincerity and authenticity in the culture and for the church.

Big news, a bit of comedy, a YouTube update, subscriber questions, an observation about the youth mental health crisis, and an interpretation of the cross in Mark's Gospel. Please support the pod with a paid subscription at www.theologyontheway.com, and don't miss my other content over there!

Check out the book we co-authored: Mark E. Powell, John Mark Hicks, and Greg McKinzie, Discipleship in Community: A Theological Vision for the Future (Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press, 2020).

John Franke is the Director of Adult Faith Formation at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN. An accomplished theologian, John is a leading expositor of missional theology and the coordinator for the Forum on Missional Hermeneutics that convenes at the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting. Recent books: Franke, John R. Missional Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020. Barram, Michael, and John R. Franke. Liberating Scripture: An Invitation to Missional Hermeneutics. Studies in Missional Hermeneutics, Theology, and Praxis. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2024.

Jason Moraff is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at The King's University. Moraff, Jason F. Reading the Way, Paul, and “The Jews” in Acts within Judaism: “Among My Own Nation.” Library of New Testament Studies. New York: Bloomsbury, 2024.

Greg discusses theological method, structured prayer practices, Lent and the liturgical calendar, the concern with observing special days in Colossians, Galatians, and Romans, and finally, Christian nationalism.

Bob Turner is the lead minister at White Station Church of Christ in Memphis, TN.

Lauren White is an assistant professor of theology at Lipscomb University. Her work focuses on theological hermeneutics, emphasizing liturgy, aesthetics, and embodiment.

Charles Kiser is a church planter and author with expertise in trauma studies and a keen pastoral sensibility regarding people harmed by toxic church experiences.

Evertt Huffard is a Professor Emeritus at Harding School of Theology and a church consultant. He was a missionary in Nazareth, Israel, and has spiritually mentored and taught ministers and missionaries all over the world for decades.

Martin Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the Department of Practical Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He was formerly a missionary to China and a minister at Hollywood Church of Christ. He and I also co-create the Missiology podcast. Martin is a great friend, a brilliant missiologist, and a faithful servant of Jesus.

Chris Flanders is a missiologist and professor at Abilene Christian University with expertise in honor and shame studies.

Dan Stiver is a theologian whose work on the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur is second to none in theological studies. He's a devoted seminary professor and a thinker of rare depth.

Joel Green is a world-class New Testament scholar, a prolific author and editor, a leader in the theological interpretation of Scripture movement, and an outstanding teacher and mentor. His experiences and insights illustrate a distinguished career in the academy, and his commitment to the church adds a welcome accent to the inaugural episode of Theology on the Way.