Theology in the Raw

Julia is a transgender woman from Toronto, Ontario, who's determined to bridge the divide that’s forming on transgender matters. In this conversation, we discuss many things related to the transgender conversation including gender dysphoria, transitioning, Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria among teens, navigating the pronoun debate, dead naming, biological sex and gender identity/expression, autogynephilia, biological males in female sports, and other related topics. You can follow Julia on Twitter (@AlottaMalotta) and through her website: https://alottamalotta.com Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dallas Jenkins is an American film and television director, writer and film producer. He is best known as the creator, director and co-writer of The Chosen, the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus. In this conversation, we talk about his heart and philosophy behind The Chosen, including the role that creativity plays in opening up the biblical account Christ. We also discuss the recent controversy over Christians being upset that a gay cameraman had a 3 inch pride flag on his own equipment on set.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Holly Catterton Allen retired in 2022 from her position as Professor of Christian Ministries and Family Science at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Her most recent books include Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community, and Worship, 2nd edition (InterVarsity Academic, 2023) and Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development (InterVarsity Academic, 2021). In this conversation, we talk extensively about the need for intergenerational ministries in our churches.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brad Vaughn is a theologian in residence with Global Training Network and marketing manager for William Carey Publishing. He lived and worked in East Asia for almost two decades, teaching theology and missiology for Chinese pastors. He serves on the Asian/Asian-American Theology steering committee of the Evangelical Theological Society and is the author of Saving God's Face, One Gospel for All Nations, Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes, Seeking God's Face, and The Cross in Context. You can find his articles and resources at savinggodsface.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Naghmeh has one of the most incredible stories I’ve ever heard. Raised in a Muslim family, converted to Christ through her brother’s dream at age 9, helped start a massive house church movement in Iran where she faced tremendous persecution, which eventually landed her husband in prison. She then found herself on a national stage fighting to get her husband out of prison—talking to major news outlets (CNN, Fox, etc.) and to presidents Obama and Trump. She then had to face some hard truths about her abusive husband, and when she spoke out against abuse, she faced a backlash from some high-profile American church leaders. Naghmeh currently lives in Boise, ID and speaks out against the abuse of women in the church and continues to serve the house church movement in Iran. Even though that culture devalues women, the church in Iran is growing rapidly through the leadership of women, of which Naghmeh is a part. Naghmeh has written about her story in a forthoming book: I Didn't Survive: Emerging Whole After Deception, Persecution, and Hidden Abuse. You can learn more about Naghmeh from her website: https://www.tahriralnisa.org/about/naghmeh-panahi/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Craig Greenfield is the founder of Alongsiders International, a grassroots youth discipleship movement that has now spread to more than 30 countries. He is the author of Subversive Jesus, and his latest book is titled Subversive Mission: Serving as Outsiders in a World of Need. Craig has served alongside the poor in Cambodia for 2 decades and has learned a ton about effective (an ineffective) cross-cultural ministry. In this podcast conversation, we talk about the shift approaches to orphan care, meaningful cross culuteral ministry, whether the terms missionary/missions are helpful, and the pros and cons of short term mission trips. Learn more about Craig from his website: https://www.craiggreenfield.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tiffany Bluhm is the author of Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up and the co-host of the popular podcast, Why Tho. She speaks and writes at the intersection of women’s issues and faith with her work featured in Publisher’s Weekly, Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, the YouVersion Bible app, Jenny McCarthy Show, and more. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two sons. In this podcast conversation, we talk about the content of her book Prey Tell, which addresses the abuse of power in the church. What constitutes an abuse of power? Why do more people not speak up? How can you spot a leader exhibiting narcissistic tendencies? What kind of ecclesiological structures help enable the abuse of power? And what can we do to help lessen cases where people abuse their power?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Nilay Saiya is associate professor of public policy and global affairs at Nanyang Technological University. He holds research interests in religion and global politics, international security, and American foreign policy. He is author of two books: Weapon of Peace: How Religious Liberty Combats Terrorism (Cambridge University Press, 2018) and The Global Politics of Jesus: A Christian Case for Church-State Separation (Oxford University Press, 2022), the later of which forms the discussion of our podcast conversation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

0:00 Introduction 1:22 What was your perspective on the divorce conversation with Constantine? Did anything he said push you to re-evaluate your current stance? 8:28 With a non-violent stance (which I share), how do you see church security? To me, it seems to be suspicious of others and prioritizes the lives of believers. 14:41 Is it possible that Adam was not sexed before Eve was created? Thinking through how Adam renamed himself and wasn't "man" until woman was created. 20:18 How involved are supernatural forces in our daily lives? The ancient world recognized much more than we do. Is this important for believers today? 28:30 With all your research into the NT church, do you see any benefits to keeping church sizes intentionally smaller and more localized? 43:57 Given that circumcision was given as a sign of the covenant in Genesis 17, what does this say about women? Did God not make a OT covenant with them? 48:46 Age of accountability. Is this really a thing?? 53:59 Have you maintained a relationship with the Revoice people and what direction do you think it and the Side B movement is going? 1:00:53 Is it sinful for Christians to save money for retirement or other personal financial goals) in light of Scripture’s commands to be generous/care for the poor? 1:07:26 I recently asked ChatGPT to make a biblical case for universalism and for eternal torment. Both were compelling. How might AI impact the future of theology? 1:11:55 Thoughts on churches like North Point hosting an LGBTQ conference with primarily affirming speakers, and Saddleback partnering with “The Reformation Project”? 1:17:58 Dino episode: Was God's creation imperfect if death existed before the fall of man? Did God create death? What about Romans 8 talking about creation groaning? 1:26:38 What do you think of rewards in Heaven? To me, it seems to imply inequality in Heaven. And Matt 20:1-16 could be seen as pushing back on it. If you've enjoyed this content, please subscribe to my channel! Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Or you can support me directly through Venmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1 Visit my personal website: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com For questions about faith, sexuality & gender: https://www.centerforfaith.com My Facebook public page: https://www.facebook.com/Preston-Spri... My Facebook private page: https://www.facebook.com/preston.spri... Twitter: @PrestonSprinkle Instagram: preston.sprinkle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Carmen Imes earned her Ph.D. in Old Testament from Wheaton College and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She's the author of two books: Bearing God's Name and Being God's Image--both published by IVP. Imes has appeared on more than 50 podcasts and radio shows and launched her own YouTube channel where she releases weekly "Torah Tuesday" videos. She is a guest blogger for Christianity Today, The Political Theology Network, and The Well (InterVarsity's blog for women in the academy and professions). Imes is also a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and retreats. Before earning her Ph.D. from Wheaton College, Carmen and her husband served as missionaries in the Philippines with SIM International, reaching out to ethnic minorities. Imes loves introducing students to the rich insights of the global church. In this podcast conversation, Dr. Imes talks about what it means to be--not bear--God's image and why it matters.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.