Regent College Podcast

What was it like to be a Christian in the earliest centuries after the resurrection of Christ? How did theological thinking and the understandings of authority develop? Dr. George Kalantzis helps us consider the layers of complexity that early Christians wrestled with as the church was established. George points out the important place of canon, creeds, apostolicity and ethics, underpinned by submission to the Holy Spirit. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, George brings a unique perspective to the study of the patristic period, so bring your questions into the classroom for “The First Christian Centuries” (July 28–Aug 1). You can also catch his Evening Public Lecture on July 28 at 7:30 pm: Migration and Refugees (and the Re-humanizing Role of the Church).Note: At 49:50, Dr. Kalantzis references Project 1611, but he intended to say Project 1619 and the 1776 Commission when reflecting on competing historical narratives in the United States.George's BioDr. George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies at Wheaton College. A native of Athens, Greece, he specializes in historical theology with a focus on early Christianity, particularly the development of Christological and Trinitarian thought, ecclesial ethics, and the Church’s engagement with Greco-Roman culture. Dr. Kalantzis is the author and editor of several volumes, including Caesar and the Lamb: Early Christian Attitudes on War and Military Service. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Senior Fellow with the International Association for Refugees, where his work intersects theology and humanitarian advocacy. George will be joining us here in the last week of July to teach “The First Christian Centuries.” He will also be giving an Evening Public Lecture on Monday July 28, titled Migration and Refugees (and the Re-humanizing Role of the Church).Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Resources MentionedVisual Museum of Women in ChristianityInternational Association for RefugeesRegent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

How do we thoughtfully engage with the political realms in which we find ourselves, and what might we learn from our forebears in how they tackled the division of church and state? In this conversation, we learn from Dr. John M. Owen IV about the Catholic, Lutheran, Anabaptist and Reformed traditions and their approaches to political engagement. After tracing through points in history, we return to the present day, considering what it means to engage politically when global democracy appears to be stalling. John thoughtfully reflects on the causes of authoritarianism and rising nationalism and shares his perspective on the future of democracy. If this conversation piques your interest, join us for “Christianity and Politics” from July 21-25. You can also catch John’s recent Evening Public Lecture “What’s Wrong with Democracy?” on our Youtube channel. (Note: This podcast conversation was recorded on Friday, June 13, 2025)BioDr. John M. Owen IV is the Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and the Miller Center for Public Affairs. Dr. Owen earned his MA and Ph.D. from Harvard University. His scholarly work focuses on international relations, with particular attention to the interplay between ideology and international order. He has authored several books, including The Ecology of Nations: American Democracy in a Fragile World Order (2023). John brings a nuanced perspective to discussions on international relations, emphasizing the significance of ideas and ideologies in shaping global dynamics. John will be back with us at Regent this summer, teaching “Christianity and Politics” from July 21-25. He will also be giving an evening public lecture on July 7, titled “What’s Wrong with Democracy?”Previous Podcast AppearancesChristianity, Politics and Liberalism (June 2022)Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Today Claire and Rachel have a wonderfully rich conversation with Dr. Susan Currie, a Spiritual Director and Minister of Spiritual Formation at Leadership Transformations, Inc. Susan brings her experience of theological education, spiritual direction and training spiritual directors to her understanding of a Rule of Life. She shares about her own journey to becoming a spiritual director, the history of a Rule of Life, individual and communal rules, Jesus’ rhythms, and the underpinning goal of growing in company with Jesus. We consider the importance of seasons and discernment in crafting a rule of life, then conclude the episode with a guided examen, where Susan graciously invites us to notice God’s presence in our daily lives. Prepare to enter a spacious place, and consider joining us next week for “A Rule of Life for a Way of Life.”Susan's BioDr. Susan Porterfield Currie is a distinguished spiritual director and educator specializing in spiritual formation. She holds a Master of Arts from Bryn Mawr College, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Susan serves as the Director of the Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction and is a Minister of Spiritual Formation at Leadership Transformations, Inc. Susan and her husband, David, are active members of the Anglican church.Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Claire and Rachel take some time with outgoing Regent President and resident penguin fanatic, Dr. Jeff Greenman to look back on his tenure since 2015. They hear about Jeff’s student experience at Regent, the joys and challenges of leadership, why he loves Regent students, the projects that he has spearheaded and seen to fruition – from student housing  projects to the Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology and Society, and some of his quirkier traits and trademarks! It is a deeply hopeful conversation, which emphasises the importance of theological education and humble leadership in our contemporary moment.Jeff's BioDr. Jeffrey P. Greenman is a distinguished theologian and educator, currently serving as the President and Professor of Theology and Ethics at Regent College. He is the first alumnus to hold this position, having earned his Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Regent College in 1988. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College, a Master of Arts from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in Religious Ethics from the University of Virginia. ​Before becoming President in 2015, Jeff held significant roles at Regent College, including Academic Dean and Executive Vice President. In 2024, Jeff Greenman announced his decision to retire in June 2025, concluding a decade of leadership at Regent College. He continues to be actively involved in teaching, writing, and speaking engagements, focusing on Christian ethics, spiritual formation, and leadership development. Today, we will be reflecting with Jeff on his time as President, as well as his many years of connection with Regent.Previous Podcast AppearancesThe Pedagogy of Praise (Jan 2022)The food industry, gluttony and theology, with Whitney Buckner (May 2019)Rethinking Education, with Raphael Haeuser (May 2018)Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

What does climate have to do with theology and where does storytelling come in? Today, we sat down with Dr. Everett Hamner to talk about his interdisciplinary journey at Regent, and how it has shaped his interests in ecotheology, climate literature, and responding to the very real crisis we are facing globally as a result of our consumption. By delving into stories that create and envision alternative futures, such as Playground by Richard Powers, Everett weaves together science, faith and art to engage us with realistic and truthful approaches to these big issues. If you’re interested in learning more, join us from July 7-11 for “Climate Theology and Storytelling.”Everett's BioDr. Everett Hamner is a Professor of English at Western Illinois University (WIU), where he has been a faculty member since 2008. He holds a Master of Christian Studies from Regent College and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa, completed in 2008. Dr. Hamner's interdisciplinary academic background encompasses literature, science, and religion. His research interests include American literature, speculative fiction, and the intersections of science and religion in contemporary culture. He is the author of Editing the Soul: Science and Fiction in the Genome Age, which examines the portrayal of genetics in literature and popular media. Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Claire and Rachel caught up with Regent alums Andrés Pérez González, Corey Janz, and Jonathan Lipps, also known as the Anachronists, to talk about their beautiful new indie-folk EP Confessions, based on Augustine’s famous work of the same name. In this special podcast episode, we hear excerpts from the songs, their process of writing and reflecting on the Confessions over Zoom during COVID, and we get the chance to hear the world premiere of “All of Our Decayed Parts.” They also reflect on the importance of artistic reflection in our interpretation of, and engagement with, theology. It’s a beautiful, Regent-y conversation. Enjoy!(Post-production for this episode by Jonathan Lipps)BiographyThe Anachronists are Andrés Pérez González, Corey Janz, and Jonathan Lipps, all accomplished musicians and songwriters in their own right. Hailing from three different countries (Mexico, Canada, and the US, respectively), they met as theology students here at Regent College. Having already collaborated for some time on music for College events, and faced with the lockdown environment of the early Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the three friends decided to work on this project together. Fueled by a shared love for deep theological reflection as well as intelligent and soulful songwriting, Anachronists were formed as a way to introduce their colleagues and contemporaries to a new mode of engaging with ancient thinkers; they set out to write music that would satisfy the mind and the discerning music aficionado’s ear, as well as the heart. Today, we will be talking with them about their album Confessions, based on St. Augustine’s writings of the same name.Find all the information about the EP and the Anachronists here.Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Have you ever felt intimidated by theological conversations? Today, we talked to Dr. Amy Brown Hughes about the role of dialogue in generating theology in the early church. Famous theologians like Methodius, Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine published conversations with others, including prominent women in their lives, such as Thecla, Macrina and Monica. Amy argues that theology was not an elite genre or closed discussion then – nor should it be so today! She thoughtfully engages with many issues surrounding our engagement with God and invites us to enter into theology as a hospitable conversation. We’d encourage you to listen and discover aspects of the patristic period that may surprise and challenge your preconceptions – and then come join the dialogue in the classroom from July 14-18 at Regent.BioDr. Amy Brown Hughes is an Associate Professor of Theology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. She earned her Ph.D. in historical theology with an emphasis in early Christianity from Wheaton College in 2013. Dr. Hughes specializes in early Christianity, focusing on Trinitarian and Christological thought, theological anthropology, and the role of women in early Christian history. She co-authored the book Christian Women in the Patristic World with Lynn H. Cohick. We’re excited that Amy will be joining us at Regent from July 14-18 to teach a class on Theology as Dialogue in Early Christianity. Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Claire and Rachel are joined by Dr. Sarah C. Williams for an engaging conversation about marriage, sex and gender throughout Christian history. Beginning with reflection on the 1960s to today, Sarah shares some insights from her upcoming summer class on the relationship between Christianity and the ever-shifting cultural matrix of political, societal and phenomenological values that shape our understanding of marriage, celibacy, sex and gender identity. In particular, Sarah reflects on the commodification of sex and the pornography industry from systemic perspectives that move beyond pastoral conversations around personal addiction. She also shares a little about her recent work on Josephine Butler, When Courage Calls, which she will launch with us on July 2.Sarah's BioDr. Sarah C. Williams is a historian, writer, and storyteller, specializing in 19th- and 20th-century cultural and religious history. Sarah trained as a historian at the University of Oxford, where she subsequently taught for seven years. In 2005, Sarah moved with her family to Vancouver to teach the History of Christianity at Regent College. After teaching at Regent full-time for over a decade, Sarah returned to the UK with her husband, Paul, to live in the Cotswolds, where she continues to write and research. Sarah is a passionate and committed teacher who is much loved by her students. She has written and edited numerous academic articles and books. Her most recent book is When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women (Hodder & Stoughton, 2024). She’ll be joining us in July (7-11) to teach Marriage, Sex and Gender in Historical Perspective.Previous Podcast AppearancesA New Language for the Sexual Crisis of Our Generation (July 2019)Summer Podcast Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

This week, Dr. Brad East joins us for a deep dive into the Doctrine of Scripture and its implications for how we read and interpret the Bible, engage with church tradition and confess weekly that “This is the Word of the Lord.” How did we get there? Brad talks about inspiration, canonisation, and the Scriptures in the life of the church. He also delves into different denominational approaches to Scripture, touching on infallibility, perspicuity and sufficiency, amongst other topics. Finally, Brad offers encouragement to those who seek to foster thoughtful reading practices in a post-literate generation. He’ll be joining us from Jun 9-12 to teach “The Doctrine of Scripture.” We’d love for you to join us!Brad's BioDr. Brad East is an associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University in 2017. Brad’s scholarly work focuses on theology and ecclesiology. He is the editor of The Triune Story: Collected Essays on Scripture by Robert Jenson (Oxford University Press, 2019) and the author of several books, including: The Doctrine of Scripture (Cascade, 2021). His research interests include the relationship between scripture and the church, as well as the role of theology in contemporary Christian practice. Dr. East will be joining us here at Regent this summer, teaching a class on the doctrine of scripture.Summer Podcast Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

Dr. Amy Peeler joined us to share about her upcoming class, "Gender and the New Testament" (June 30-July 4). Dr. Peeler is a New Testament scholar who brings years of thoughtful study and personal questions to the conversation around the value of femaleness in Scripture and theology. Starting with an exploration of the role of Mary in Christianity, Amy provides an insightful perspective on God’s inclusion of women, an aspect of our faith often forgotten or diminished in Protestant Christianity. We also discussed the maleness of Jesus and the Fatherhood of God and Paul’s perspective on women in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11. Amy’s winsome approach to these divisive and charged issues was truly encouraging and inspiring.BioDr. Amy L. Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois. She earned her MDiv and PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Peeler serves as an Associate Priest at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois. Her research interests include the Epistle to the Hebrews, ancient rhetoric, the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, Israel's sacrificial system, atonement, and familial language in the New Testament. She has written several books, including Women and the Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022).Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter