New Creation Conversations

Welcome to episode forty-one of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by another good friend and former colleague from Azusa Pacific University, Dr. Steve Wilkens. Steve is professor of philosophy at APU, where he has spent his entire teaching career. Steve is an alumnus of Tabor College in Kansas. He also has an MA and a PhD in Systematic Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Steve has written more than a dozen books on philosophy, theology, and the history of western thought. We discuss some of my favorites including: Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories That Shape Our Lives; Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics: An Introduction to Theories of Right and Wrong; Christian Ethics: Four Views; Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans: An Introduction to Key Thinkers and Philosophers; and his most recent work, What's so Funny About God?: A Theological Look at Humor.Steve is a great thinker and a really gifted author. But more than that, during our time in Pasadena, we were really privileged to be neighbors, friends and part of the same Body of Christ with Steve and his wife Debra and their wonderful kids Zoe and Zach. Steve is well known for drinking coffee and talking philosophy and theology with his colleagues at APU. On many occasions, I found myself caught up in great discussions about the deep questions of life with Steve and other friends there. I miss those exchanges. However, this podcast conversation reminds me of some of those deep dialogues, and I'm glad I get the chance to include you in the renewal of this conversation between two friends. 

There is new episode of New Creation Conversations coming this Wednesday. However, on this first Monday of Advent we wanted to introduce you to a new podcast - New Creation Common Prayer. It is a podcast devoted to helping us center our lives around the Scripture, prayers, and creeds of the Christian faith and the Advent season as we prepare our hearts for all the ways Christ comes to us in our daily lives and to prepare our lives for the final arrival of the new creation.New Creation Common Prayer can be found through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other podcasts services. We hope it is helpful for you. Help us by subscribing or sharing it with someone.

Dr. Dennis Okholm, a theology professor, discusses his books on Benedictine spirituality, the connection between the seven deadly sins and psychology, and the importance of incorporating ancient Christian traditions into psychology and seminaries. They also explore the significance of liturgical practices in forming habits and identity formation.

Welcome to episode thirty-nine of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by a good friend and a wonderful thinker and minister, Dr. Corey MacPherson. Corey has served, for the last seven years, as the Associate University Chaplain and the Protestant Campus Minister at Colgate University. Prior to that Corey served for eight years as Vice President for Spiritual Development and Church Relations at Eastern Nazarene College. Corey, and his wife Edie, have also been church planters, founding the Northshore Church in Stony Brook, NY. Corey has written numerous devotionals as well as articles on preaching and has been a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Corey earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, a Master of Divinity Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. Corey and I got to know each other through his ministry at ENC and serving on a lengthy committee assignment together for the denomination. In that time, I grew not only to have great respect for Corey’s gifted mind, but also grew to value his wise and discerning heart. I have a great deal of respect for Corey’s ministry – especially to college students. And I think he has a lot to teach us about how to minister in a culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic context.

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.

Welcome to episode thirty-seven of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by a good friend, a gifted minister, and one of the few women who are currently serving as a District Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene – Rev. Olivia Metcalf. Rev. Metcalf is a graduate of NNU and Nazarene Theological Seminary. She is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at NTS as well. Olivia is a fourth generation ordained elder. She and her husband – Dustin – have co-pastored churches in California and Idaho. They also led the spiritual life together at NNU as co-chaplains for the university. She is the vice president of the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy and just recent became the District Superintendent of the Upstate New York District in the Church of the Nazarene. Much of our conversation centers around the Advent season that is just a few weeks away. Olivia is the author of this year’s Advent devotional from the Foundry Publishing entitled, Come Peasant, King. It is a beautiful daily devotional for individuals, small groups, discipleship classes, or entire churches to do together. There are additional resources available from the Foundry for children, youth, and pastors that can assist in leading people through the spiritual formation of the season. In Come Peasant, King Olivia reminds the church that, as we prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of Christ, we also engage in a willingness to fully surrender to the call of God on our lives, wherever that may lead us. I’m deeply thankful for Olivia’s leadership and friendship and excited to have this conversation with her. I’m also very thankful that you have chosen to sit in on this conversation with us. 

Welcome to episode thirty-six of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by a scholar who is likely the foremost authority on the history of the evangelical movement in America – Dr. Randall Balmer. Dr. Balmer holds the oldest endowed professorship – the John Phillips Professorship in Religion – at Dartmouth College. He earned his PhD from Princeton University in 1985 and taught Religious History at Columbia University for 27 years before coming to Dartmouth in 2012. Randall has published widely in both scholarly journals and in the popular press. His op-ed articles have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including both The Los Angeles and The New York Times. He is regularly asked to comment on religion in American life and has appeared frequently on network television and public radio. Dr. Balmer has published more than a dozen books, including Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter, God in the White House: How Faith Shaped the Presidency from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, and The Making of Evangelicalism: From Revivalism to Politics and Beyond. His book, Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America, now in its fifth edition, was made into an award-winning, three-part documentary for PBS. Most of my conversation with Dr. Balmer focuses on his most recent book, Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right – published by Eerdmans Publishing Company. 

Welcome to episode thirty-five of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by two people who help me have an important and thoughtful conversation about the church’s ministry and inclusion of people with autism and other forms of neurodiversity. My first guest is Daniel Bowman Jr. – Associate Professor of English at Taylor University. Professor Bowman is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College and has Master’s Degrees from The University of Cincinnati and Seattle Pacific University. He has published a collection of poems entitled A Plum Tree in Leatherstocking County and has written for a number of literary publications and journals. Our conversation centers around his brand new book from Brazos Press entitled On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gift of Neurodiversity. It is an excellent book that is semi-biographical – telling the story of his self-discovery of being on the autism spectrum – as well as reflecting with others about how the church can both bless and be blessed by sharing life with people who embody various forms of neurodiversity. My second guest is my longtime friend and former ministry colleague from Pasadena First days – Rev. Julie Keith. Julie is now the Associate Pastor of Children and Families as the Tahachapi Church of the Nazarene in Central California. Pastor Julie has spent several years ministering to both children and adults with autism or other unique needs, and she has wonderful advice for how churches can include people in all of our uniqueness and diversity as well as minister to families navigating life that now includes autism or other cognitive or emotional challenges. It is a little bit of a different episode and conversation this week, but one that is increasingly important and I hope beneficial as we attempt to be the Body of Christ celebrating and including all of unique and essential members of the body. Here are my conversations with Professor Daniel Bowman and Pastor Julie Keith.

Welcome to episode thirty-four of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by very good friend and a former partner in crime with me from my Azusa Pacific Seminary deanship days – Dr. Brian Lugioyo. Brian is a graduate of Westmont University. He has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Fuller Seminary and a PhD in Theology and Ethics from the University of Aberdeen. Brian has taught at both Spring Arbor University and Azusa Pacific University and Seminary and has just recently become the Dean of the School of Theology and Seminary at Seattle Pacific University. Brian’s research focuses on neuroscience and Christian anthropology, the role of liturgy and ethics, and the life and work of the protestant reformer, Martin Bucer. As you will hear, Brian comes from a Cuban-American family of Presbyterian ministers and theologians. He has written a handful of books, including: Martin Bucer’s Doctrine of Justification; Reconsidering the Relationship Between Biblical and Systematic Theology in the New Testament; and a recent multi-piece work entitled Lamenting Racism: A Christian Response to Racial Injustice.Brian and I are kindred spirits on all kinds of ways. We spent a lot of time in one another’s offices talking about theology, ethics, worship practices, and what theological education ought to look like into the future. We talk about a number of topics including his interest in understanding the complexity of human nature and his unique interest in the Song of Solomon. I am excited that Brian has emerged as a young leader in theological education and excited that I get to introduce him to you through this conversation. Here is my conversation with Dr. Brain Lugioyo.