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The Two Cities

Latest episodes

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Dec 22, 2021 • 1h 1min

Episode #100 - Celebrating 100 Episodes

In this episode we celebrate 100 podcast episodes! In the spirit of celebration, we have an eclectic episode full of feedback from some of our previous guests as well as questions from listeners and responses from all twelve of our podcast hosts. In addition we conclude the episode with a number of bloopers followed by the origin story of our theme music, and the unveiling of our new theme music for the next 100 episodes! Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen, Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Emmett, Jennifer Guo, Brandon Hurlbert, Stephanie Kate Judd, Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng, Rev. Daniel Parham, Dr. Chris Porter, Dr. Kris Song, and Dr. Logan Williams.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 15, 2021 • 1h 1min

Episode #99 - COP26 and Climate Justice with Pastor Ray Minniecon, Jarrod McKenna, and Dr. Byron Smith

On today's episode we're discussing the topic of Climate Justice in the wake of the recent COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland on October 31 through November 13 of 2021 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties). We are joined by three guests from Australia: Pastor Ray Minniecon, Jarrod McKenna, and Dr. Byron Smith. Over the course of our conversation we talk about the severity of the problem of climate change and how it impacts indigenous communities, and the theological necessity to engage ourselves with the work of climate justice as an embodied expression of hope in the resurrection.Pastor Ray Minniecon is an Australian indigenous leader and a descendant of the Kabi Kabi nation, the Gureng Gureng nation of South-East Queensland, and also the South Sea Islander people with deep connections to the people of Ambrym Island. He holds many roles, including as executive member of the Indigenous People’s Organization, Director of Bunji Consultancies, and Honorary Indigenous Minister for Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries, St. John’s Anglican Church, Glebe. Pastor Ray also recently attended COP26.Jarrod McKenna is the co-host of the Inverse Podcast, the Founder of First Home Project for refugees, was the founding CEO of Common Grace (a Christian advocacy organisation), an initiator of LoveMakesAWay.org.au (a movement for refugees which has become the largest faith based civil disobedience movement in Australia’s history), and was World Vision Australia’s National Advisor for Faith and Activism and a Nonviolent Social Change Educator for World Vision in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.Dr. Byron Smith is an ecological ethicist and Christian minister. His PhD in theological ethics from the University of Edinburgh focused on emotional responses to climate change in the context of Christian identity. His time is split between pastoral ministry in the Anglican church in Sydney, and a speaking/writing ministry helping churches join the dots between ecological justice and faith.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Stephanie Kate Judd. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 8, 2021 • 1h 8min

Episode #98 - Reviewing The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill with Aimee Byrd and Dr. Michael Bird

In this episode we debrief our experiences listening to Christianity Today's podcast series, The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill, which is all about Mark Driscoll's leadership at a megachurch in Seattle from 1996 to 2014. Joining us for this conversation are Aimee Byrd, the author of Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (published by Zondervan), and Dr. Michael Bird, who is Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College, Melbourne. You can find the two of them chatting on together on their podcast and YouTube series, "Birds of a Feather." Over the course of the conversation we express our appreciations, discomforts, and main take aways from the lessons of Mars Hill. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Brandon Hurlbert, Stephanie Kate Judd, Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Logan Williams.Sources referenced in the episode:Jessica Johnson, Biblical Porn: Affect, Labor, and Pastor Mark Driscoll’s Evangelical Empire (Duke University Press, 2018), which is based on Johnson's own ethnographic research at Mars Hill from 2006–2008. Cf. also her article in Religion Dispatches on October 1st reviewing the podcast series: https://religiondispatches.org/sharing-many-of-the-same-flaws-as-its-subject-the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill-podcast-puts-blame-anywhere-but-where-it-belongs/ Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Dec 1, 2021 • 48min

Episode #97 - Society of Biblical Literature 2021 Review

In this episode we reflect on our experiences participating in the annual biblical studies, theology, and religion conferences that take place every November, including the Society of Biblical Literature, which most of our team participates in, as well as the American Academy of Religion and the Institute of Biblical Research (among others). In our conversation we talk about the papers that we presented, the things that stood out to us about the unique nature of the conference this year because the sessions were held both in person in San Antonio as well as virtually for those who weren't able to come in person, and then also the highlights from the conference including some of our favorite papers. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Emmett, Brandon Hurlbert, Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 24, 2021 • 43min

Episode #96 - Power Women, Motherhood, and the Academy with Dr. Stephanie Chan & Dr. Christina Lee Kim

In this episode we talk about what it is like to be a mother, an academic, and a Christian all at the same time. Joining us for this conversation are Dr. Stephanie Chan and Dr. Christina Lee Kim, both of whom contributed to the recent volume, Power Women: Stories of Motherhood, Faith, and the Academy (recently published by IVP). Dr. Chan is Associate Professor of Sociology at Biola University and Dr. Kim is Associate Professor of Psychology at Biola University. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Chan and Dr. Kim talk about the challenges and the joys of being mothers, academics, and Christians, and delve into many relevant issues at the nexus where these three spheres overlap. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen and Grace Sangalang Ng. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 17, 2021 • 47min

Episode #95 - Doubt & Deconstruction with Dr. A. J. Swoboda

In this episode we discuss doubt and deconstructing faith with Dr. A. J. Swoboda, who is Assistant Professor of Bible, Theology, and World Christianity at Bushnell University (Eugene, Oregon), and the author of After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It (published by Brazos). Over the course of our conversation we talk about what doubt and deconstruction are, and what healthy and unhealthy versions of each can look like. Dr. Swoboda understands doubt as something precipitated by what happens to us, whereas deconstruction is an active undertaking. Along the way we talk about the role of professors and pastors in the work of disorientation and reorientation, and how faith leaders need to begin by displaying to others how they themselves wrestle with the difficult questions of the faith. Dr. Swoboda tells us about how all of his personal heroes of the faith, including C.S. Lewis, Flannery O’Connor, and Henri Nouwen, etc., all had serious challenges in their life of faith. Swoboda describes his own doubts as sacred thorns that he gets to share with his students who also wrestle with tough issues.We need to practice the ministry of the ear, as Dr. Swoboda says, and we need to give “spiritual consent” before we respond to someone’s doubts and deconstruction, asking someone confiding to us how they’re inviting us to respond. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 10, 2021 • 51min

Episode #94 - Squid Game Review

In this episode we discuss our appreciation of, and enduring fascination with, Netflix's breakout South Korean horror-drama, Squid Game. Over the course of our wide-ranging conversation we discuss the show's critique of capitalism and connect that critique to the historical and theological insights of Albert Hirschman and Kathryn Tanner. We also delve further into the ways that the show portrays how the economic game leverages gender disparities and corrupts religious adherence. And we conclude with a discussion about a fan theory regarding the father of Gi-Hun (aka player 456). Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Grace Sangalang Ng, Dr. Kris Song, and Dr. Logan Williams. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Nov 3, 2021 • 58min

Episode #93 - Dune Movie Review with Matthew William Brake

In this episode we review the new Dune film by Denis Villeneuve with Matthew William Brake, the series editor for the Theology and Pop Culture series published by Fortress and Lexington Press. Over the course of our conversation we talk about our appreciation of the film, how it did as an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, and how it compares to David Lynch’s much-maligned film version from 1984. Key themes that we dig into include: cultural representation and a lack of other-worldliness in the new film, the relationship of individuals to the larger group, Messiah tropes, prophecy, and “future memories,” and what other films might secretly be set within the Dune universe. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Brandon Hurlbert, Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Kris Song. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Oct 27, 2021 • 45min

Episode #92 - Frankenstein with Dr. Karen Swallow Prior

In this episode we talk about Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein with Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, who is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books (published by Brazos), and the editor of a series published by B&H called A Guide To Reading and Reflecting, which includes classics like Frankenstein. Over the course of our conversation we discuss the structure of the novel as well as key themes that the story brings out of relationality, and a desire to belong, and how those themes sync up so well with humanity’s deepest theological questions. We also talk about contemporary ambition and technological aspirations, such as transhumanist pursuits, and what Mary Shelley’s novel has to say to them. In the end we turn to the adaptations of the novel and even the broader reception of the Frankenstein story in popular culture. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen, Dr. Josh Carroll, and Dr. John Anthony Dunne. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Oct 20, 2021 • 45min

Episode #91 - Why Christians Should Watch Horror Movies with Dr. Murray Stiller

In this episode we discuss horror films with Dr. Murray Stiller, who is Professor of Media and Communication Studies at Redeemer University (Hamilton, Ontario). Over the course of our conversation we talk about why horror movies are so popular and why it’s important to be having a discussion like this. We address the tropes and themes that are germane to the genre of horror in its many iterations across literature, film, and art, and it the way the genre has evolved over the years to reflect the greatest fears of the day. We also address where horror films in particular go too far, and why Christians should consider watching these kinds of films. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Chris Porter. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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