
The Two Cities
The Two Cities is a podcast dedicated to Theology, Culture, and Discipleship. Originally beginning as a blog back in 2011 (thetwocities.com), we have extended our eclectic array of theological integration to the world of podcasting. Co-hosts and contributors include: Dr. Amber Bowen, Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Emmett, Jennifer Guo, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, Stephanie Kate Judd, Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng, Stanley Ng, Rev. Dr. Chris Porter, Rev. Daniel Parham, Dr. Madison Pierce, Dr. Kris Song, Dr. Sydney Tooth, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne, and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 5, 2025 • 49min
Episode #263 - Divine Judgment in the Gospel of Mark with Dr. M. John-Patrick O'Connor
In this episode we’re joined by Dr. M. John-Patrick O’Connor, who is Associate Professor of New Testament at Northwest University, and the author of the book that we’re discussing in this episode, The Last Will Be First: Divine Judgment in the Gospel of Mark (published by Baylor University Press). In our conversation we discuss the “grammar of judgment” present in the Gospel of Mark as it relates to the “little ones” (mikra) and “big ones” (megaloi) in the text. We discuss the necessity of judgment, what we lose if remove judgment from our conceptions of God, and implications for discipleship and theology. Team members on the episode: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Sydney Tooth, and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2025 • 57min
Episode #262 - John of History, Baptist of Faith with Professor James McGrath
In this episode we’re joined by Professor James McGrath, who is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University, and the author of the book that we’re discussing in this episode: John of History, Baptist of Faith: The Quest for the Historical Baptizer (published by Eerdmans). In our conversation we talk about the differences between this book with Christmaker and delve more deeply into various historical matters surrounding John the Baptist, including connections with Qumran, the relationship between baptism and ritual purity, what we can learn about John the Baptist from Mandaean sources, and the portrayal of John the Baptist in film. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2025 • 41min
Episode #261 - Engaging Jesus with Our Senses with Dr. Jeannine Hanger
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jeannine Hanger, who is Associate Professor of New Testament at BIOLA University and Talbot School of Theology, and she’s the author of the book that we’re discussing in this episode, Engaging Jesus with Our Senses: An Embodied Approach to the Gospels (published by Baker). In our conversation we talk about the importance of embodiment, both in terms of our lived realities as followers of Christ and in relation to the way that the Gospels highlight sensory experiences in many different ways. Dr. Hanger draws a connection between the two in her book and shares some of her exegetical insights with us. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Madison Pierce, and Dr. Kris Song. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 2025 • 57min
Episode #260 - One Spirit with Dr. Kris Song
In this episode we’re joined by one of our very own co-hosts here at The Two Cities podcast, Dr. Kris Song, who is an instructor in New Testament at Bethel Seminary and the author of One Spirit: Pneumatology and Unity in the Corinthian Letters (published by Baylor University Press). In our conversation we talk about Paul’s pneumatology in the Corinthian Correspondence, how studies in the concept of “third space” helps to move forward current conversations in Pauline scholarship, such as debates about Paul’s understanding of the pneuma in Paul within Judaism. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Jennifer Guo, and Rev. Dr. Chris Porter. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 12min
Episode #259 - Squid Game 2
In this episode we discuss the second season of the hit Netflix show, Squid Game. We chat about what we appreciated most about season 2 relative to season 1, how this season builds upon previous questions that the show raises about capitalism and makes the stakes more jarring as we think about its effects on younger generations and democracy itself, and we also offer up some theories about where the show is headed in the upcoming third season. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng, Stanley Ng, Dr. Kris Song, and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 1, 2025 • 1h
Episode #258 - Religion for Realists with Professor Sam Perry
In this episode we’re joined by Professor Sam Perry, who is Sam K. Viersen Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma is the Department of Sociology, and the author of several books, including, most recently, Religion for Realists: Why We All Need the Scientific Study of Religion (with Oxford University Press). In our conversation we talk about the importance of the sociological study of religion, especially with respect to the political climate in which we find ourselves around the globe. Some of the key insights that emerge from this are the ways that theological ideas are subsumed to group identity and other social and political dynamics. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 2024 • 57min
Episode #257 - Hope in the Time of Crisis with Professor Norman Wirzba
In this episode we're joined by Professor Norman, who is Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology & Senior Fellow at the Kenan Institute of Ethics at Duke University and the author of Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis (published by Yale University Press). In our conversation we talk about how hope is an active embodiment of love, that the loveliness of the world is what inspires hopefulness, how hope should not be confused with optimism, the way that improper conceptions of hope perpetuate bystander syndrome and practical nihilism, and true hope is something that “happens in the dark.” Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Grace Emmett. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 2024 • 1h 16min
Episode #256 - How to Study the Bible's Use of the Bible with Professor Gary Edward Schnittjer and Dr. Matthew Harmon
Join distinguished professors Gary Edward Schnittjer and Matthew Harmon as they delve into the intricate relationship between the Old and New Testaments. They explore seven crucial hermeneutical choices that shape biblical interpretation, emphasizing the importance of understanding intertextuality. Discover how biblical authors reference earlier texts, the significance of context, and diverse interpretive methods. Plus, gain insights from their new resource aimed at aiding both students and pastors in navigating scripture while acknowledging diverse scholarly opinions.

Dec 11, 2024 • 57min
Episode #255 - Recapping SBL & AAR 2024
In this episode we talk about the presentations we gave at the 2024 SBL & AAR conferences in San Diego and reflect on some of our highlights. We also took the mic around the book stalls for short interviews with various people, including: Prof. Steve Walton, Dr. Andy Judd, Dr. Holly Beers, Dr. Joshua Mobley, Dr. Jonathan Lett, Hakeem Bradley, Dr. Melissa Tan, Victoria Nay, Michael Thompson, and Dr. Christoph Heilig. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Jennifer Guo, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, Dr. Madison Pierce, the Rev. Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Kris Song. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 5min
Episode #254 - The Genre Studies Gap with Professor Jeannine Brown and Dr. Andy Judd
This episode is a Live recording with audience of a discussion about genre with Professor Jeannine Brown and Dr. Andy Judd. The event was sponsored by Bethel Seminary, Ridley College (Melbourne), and The Two Cities podcast. Following up on our episodes on genre with each of them, we answer audience questions and dig deeper into the topic.Professor Jeannine Brown is David Price Professor of Biblical Foundations at Bethel Seminary and the author of Embedded Genres in the New Testament: Understanding Their Impact for Interpretation (published by Baker Academic).Dr. Andrew Judd is Deputy Principal and Lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley College (Melbourne) and the author of Modern Genre Theory: An Introduction for Biblical Studies (published by Zondervan).Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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