The Future of Religious Identity: Live From Theology Beer Camp
Homebrewed Christianity
Intro
This chapter explores the complexities of the Old Testament, encouraging listeners to engage with its contradictions as a means to deepen their understanding. A prominent biblical scholar advocates for viewing the text as a dialogue, fostering a more enriching interaction with scripture.
In this plenary session from Theology Beer Camp 2024, John Thatamanil explores the future of religious identity in an increasingly pluralistic America, arguing that multiple religious participation will be the defining feature of North American religious life. Drawing from his personal journey as an Indian Christian immigrant who also practices Hinduism, and Wilfred Cantwell Smith's provocative question about how Christians explain the existence of other scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Thatamanil challenges "Christian supremacy" and its colonial legacy. He distinguishes between harmful forms of religious mixing (particularly the worship of both God and capitalism) and life-giving forms that promote justice and liberation, proposing that the real theological problem isn't practicing Buddhism alongside Christianity, but trying to serve both God and mammon in a capitalist society. The talk culminates in a call for "fluid and dynamic integrity" rather than impossible homogeneity, suggesting that being "spiritually fluid" - like being gender fluid - represents a faithful response to divine truth revealed across traditions.
Dr. Thatamanil is Professor of Theology & World Religions at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.
Previous Podcasts with Thatamanil
- Tillich and the Advent of New Being
- Deconstructing Divinity & Embracing Diversity
- God – the Ground, the Between, the Personal
- What we do when we do theology
- A Comparative Theology of Religious Diversity
- Theology Without Walls
- Non-duality, Polydoxy, and Christian Identity
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here.
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