New Creation Conversations Episode 038 - Dr. Hans Boersma on the Patristics, the Atonement, Sacramental Theology, and Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew

Welcome to episode thirty-eight of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by a long-time friend and very significant theologian, Dr. Hans Boersma. Hans and I got to know one another well twenty-something years ago when we spent a summer together at Calvin College studying and writing about eschatology with Miroslav Volf. A few years later essays from both of us were used in a book edited by John Sanders entitled Atonement and Violence: A Theological Conversation (published by Abingdon Press).

Hans has gone on to have an amazing career as a prolific and internationally noted theologian. He has written over a dozen books on subjects like the patristics, the atonement and sacramental theology. Hans taught for several years at both Regent College and Trinity Western University in Canada. More recently he has been named Chair of the Order of St. Benedict Servants of Christ Endowed Professor of Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House – a unique Anglo-Catholic Seminary formed in Benedictine practices in Wisconsin.

Some of our conversation centers around Han’s most recent book – published by IVP Academic Press – entitled Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew. There is a companion book that goes with it – written by a previous podcast guest, Scot McKnight, entitled Five Things Biblical Scholars Wish Theologians Knew. I have learned a great deal from Hans across the years – especially related to the theology of the patristic and medieval ages and the richness of sacramental theology. He always invites me to think more deeply and more broadly about the reality of Christ in our midst. So thankful for Hans and his commitment to Christian scholarship. And I’m thankful to get to bring this conversation to you. Here’s my conversation with Dr. Hans Boersma.