Faith Improvised
Exploring what it means to be faithfully Christian in our always-changing world with its challenges and opportunities. I like to think out loud and talk with friends about biblical texts, books, politics, sports, music, films, and basically anything that interests me. This is all an attempt to be fully alive in God’s good world and to enjoy the liberating reality of the Christian gospel.
Latest episodes
Dec 14, 2021 • 1h 15min
Election and God's Prerogative in Romans 9
I recommend J. Russell Hawkins's excellent new book, The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 9.
Dec 7, 2021 • 1h 15min
The Climax of Paul's Argument in Romans 8
I offer some reflections on random topics, but especially about the notion of 'kayfabe' as a way of understanding behaviors in the world. I refer to Gregory Thornbury's article "On Metaphor and Kayfabe," which can be found here (https://daviddark.substack.com/p/on-metaphor-and-kayfabe). And I talk about the conclusion to Paul's second major movement in Romans 8.
Nov 30, 2021 • 36min
Questions about Romans and Mark
In this episode I offer some thoughts on whether Romans 7 can help Christians who struggle with addictions, and consider Jesus' abrasive and insulting statement to the Syrian-Phoenician woman in Mark 7.
Nov 16, 2021 • 1h 4min
The Mosaic Law and the Cosmic Power of Sin (Romans 7)
I recommend Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry's insightful book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 7.
Nov 10, 2021 • 1h 3min
The Cosmic Scope of Paul's Exhortations in Romans 6
I recommend Danté Stewart's brilliant memoir, Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle, and I talk about the communal and cosmic shape of Paul's exhortations in Romans 6.
Nov 2, 2021 • 1h 43min
The Roman Conflict in Cosmic Perspective
In this episode, I give an update of what I've been up to on my little hiatus, I list a few books I'm currently enjoying, and I begin talking about the second major movement of Paul's argument, which starts in Romans 5:12-21.
Sep 21, 2021 • 38sec
A Brief Hiatus
I'm taking a little break from the podcast and plan to be back at it soon!
Sep 14, 2021 • 1h 4min
The Roman Christians' Transformed Identity
I recommend Tim Otto's beautiful and hope-filled book, Oriented to Faith: Transforming the Conflict Over Gay Relationships, and I talk about the final passage in the first major movement of Paul’s argument in Romans (Rom 5:1-11).
Sep 7, 2021 • 1h 8min
Paul Sends Abraham to Rome
I recommend Rebekah Eklund's wonderful new book, The Beatitudes Throughout The Ages, and I talk about how Paul argues for the unity of the Roman Christians by citing Abraham in Romans 4.
Aug 31, 2021 • 1h 8min
Paul Unites the Romans in Justification
I recommend The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race (Yale University Press), one of the most brilliant and breathtaking books I've ever read, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 3:21-31.
