Crackers and Grape Juice

Sharing from his own journey, David Finnegan-Hosey puts into words how faith communities can be present alongside those suffering from mental illness and crises in 'Christ on the Psych Ward.' David Finnegan-Hosey currently serves as a chaplain-in-residence at Georgetown University, having previously worked with campus ministries at American University and the University of Hawaii. He holds an M.Div from Wesley Theological Seminary. In 2011, David was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a series of psychiatric hospitalizations. He now speaks and writes about the intersections among mental illness, mental health, and faith. You can read more of his writing on his blog, Foolish Hosey. David lives in Washington, DC with his wife Leigh and their dog Penny Lane.https://www.christonthepsychward.com/

Gun violence has increased exponentially in the United States. Can the church play a role in making not only our communities safer but also in thinking theologically about violence, guns, and our calling to live as disciples of Jesus Christ? Pastor Amy Butler is the seventh Senior Minister and the first woman to serve at the helm of the Riverside Church in New York City. She holds degrees from Baylor University, the International Baptist Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary. Follow Pastor Amy on her blog www.talkwiththepreacher.org or on social media @PastorAmyTRC.

In this episode, Jason talks with Chad Bird about his two new books Night Driving and You're God is Too Glorious. An Old Testament PhD and one-time Lutheran Pastor, Chad Bird is a Texas oil-truck driver and prodigal son who knows first hand that the Father's love comes by way of the cross.

Dr. Mark Mattes teaches at Grand View University in Iowa. His latest book is Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty. In this episode, we talk about the kenotic love of Christ poured out upon the Cross as the definition of Beauty and the beautiful for the Christian life. Referring to his recent essay in the book The Necessary Distinction, we also discuss how Wesleyans like us Crackers can reconcile 'perfection' with Martin's 'simul.'

Joined by Rev. Drew Colby, Teer and Jason interview Dr. Andy Root of Luther Seminary and author of "Faith Formation in a Secular Age: Responding to the Church's Obsession with Youthfulness."

"If progressives want to advance their agenda, they need to relearn how to win elections."In this episode, taped back in the late summer, I talk with Dr. Mark Lilla about his book The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics. Mark Lilla is Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and a prizewinning essayist for the New York Review of Books and other publications worldwide. His books include The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics; The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction; The Stillborn God: Religion, Politics, and the Modern West; and The Reckless Mind: Intellectuals in Politics. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. VISIT MARKLILLA.COM.

One of the members for the retranslation of the Psalms in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, J Chester Johnson shares his experience of not only interpreting the Psalms but also how this poetic form of scripture still speaks for the church today.

Jason and Taylor have a conversation with Chaim Saiman about his viral article for The Atlantic titled Why The Last Jedi Is More Spiritual Than Religious. Chaim is a Law Professor at Villanova University and is interested in the intersection between law and faith. The conversation covers a range of topics including Jesus and the Law, growing up in the bible belt, the First Commandment, Jesus as the proto-Christian, the religiosity of Star Wars, and how our faiths and cultures are tied together.

The guys talk about Ash Wednesday, Lent, mortality, and repentance.

Johanna, Jason, and Taylor talk about scripture and the season of Lent on this bonus crossover episode.