Veterans of Culture Wars

Lindsey DuBois joins the pod to talk about her experiences in the Evangelical church and her work as a clinical hospital chaplain especially in the time of COVID.  Lindsey is doing incredibly courageous work helping and praying with people walking through experiences of traumatic loss and grief. -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Evangelical activist Shane Claiborne joins the podcast to talk about America's epidemic of gun violence.  We recorded this episode on March 24th - a few days after mass shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, and the 3rd anniversary of the March For Our Lives. The conversation includes why gun violence is both a heart problem and a law/legislation problem, why Americans make idols of guns and rugged individualism, and Virginia becoming the 23rd state to outlaw the death penalty.  The problem of gun violence can certainly look bleak, but Shane has an infectious hope that meaningful change is possible, and we felt more hopeful after talking with him. "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.  They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Isaiah 2:4, NIV Find Shane Claiborne online: Twitter:  @shaneclaiborne Facebook:  ShaneClaiborne Instagram:  ShaneClaiborne Books by Shane Claiborne: Beating Guns: Hope for People Who are Weary of Violence by Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin. Order here:  https://thesimpleway.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/beating-guns-hope-for-people-who-are-weary-of-violence Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why Its Killing us by Shane Claiborne.  Order here:  https://thesimpleway.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/beating-guns-hope-for-people-who-are-weary-of-violence Other books by Shane you can view and order here:  https://thesimpleway.myshopify.com/collections/books Article on Shane Claiborne's activism:  https://www.newyorker.com/news/on-religion/god-guns-and-country-the-evangelical-fight-over-firearms Mentioned on the Pod: Article:  Virginia bans the death penalty.  https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/24/politics/virginia-governor-signs-law-death-penalty/index.html Article:  8 million people have left the church between 2016-2020.  https://newrepublic.com/article/161772/can-religion-give-ptsd Article:  Seeing Gun Violence as Pro-Life Issue by Shane Claiborne.  https://baptistnews.com/article/seeing-gun-violence-as-a-pro-life-issue/#.YGOmJ0hKiSM Article:  Rethinking the Second Amendment by Shane Claiborne.  https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/3/24/22347346/maybe-its-time-to-rethink-the-second-amendment-christians -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Author Sarah Welch-Larson (Becoming Alien:  The Beginning and End of Evil in Science Fiction's Most Idiosyncratic Film Franchise) joins the pod to talk about evil and creation/discreation in the Alien film franchise, and her interpretation of the series through the lens of Dr. Catherine Keller's "The Face of the Deep: A Theology of Becoming". Get a copy of Sarah Welch-Larson's book by going here:  https://wipfandstock.com/9781725283008/becoming-alien/ Follow Sarah on Twitter:  @dodgyboffin Read her film writing at Bright Wall Dark Room: https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/author/sarahwelch/ Mentioned on the Pod: Film: Alien (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5lPt9edzQ) Film: Aliens (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSeQQlaCZgU) Film: Alien 3 (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUTaNMJJBa8) Film: Alien Resurrection (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15g12dGxWX4) Film: Prometheus (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcHYisZFLU) Film: Alien Covenant (Watch the trailer here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svnAD0TApb8) Book:  The Face of the Deep: A Theology of Becoming by Dr. Catherine Keller.  Order here:  https://www.routledge.com/The-Face-of-the-Deep-A-Theology-of-Becoming/Keller/p/book/9780415256490 -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Zach created this audio collage for our upcoming episode discussing gun violence with Shane Claiborne, and we've decided to release it now as a standalone episode, in recognition of the recent mass shootings, and to affirm our support for meaningful change to reduce gun violence in America. Every name you hear is a victim of gun violence.  Where you can help: https://everytown.org/ https://momsdemandaction.org/ Where you can learn: Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin - Beating Guns: Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/beating-guns/388780 Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz - Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100460830 Shane Claiborne op-ed 3/24/2021 - "Maybe it’s time to rethink the Second Amendment" https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/3/24/22347346/maybe-its-time-to-rethink-the-second-amendment-christians

Peacemakers Andrew Larsen and Cari Conklin-Larsen join the pod to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and some of the Evangelical theological beliefs that shape America's approach to this ongoing crisis. Mentioned on the pod: Jewish Voice for Peace- Video:  Israel Palestine Conflict 101.  https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/israeli-palestinian-conflict-101/?fbclid=IwAR1Y0n21BelyVv6sibgKPpFWOLmWOBB6-XsMiPjcN0gBm7d787-OMtPBKNE Video:  Reporting on the Vaccine rollout in Palestine.  https://www.democracynow.org/2021/3/4/vaccine_rollout_palestinian_territories_israel?fbclid=IwAR3Jm_dKLWElNIpiytdv-Xvlx0AlBhk0k-BzJvF-aWZ99Bqtx0f3xK0J8vs Article:  International Criminal Court opens war crimes investigation in Palestinian territories.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-icc-prosecutor-says-will-open-investigation-into-war-crimes-in-palestinian-territori-1.9586293?fbclid=IwAR32gWxoU-3Fwfw4k-2482iA5SvqXTdP2QrK4ov9owSCFbhmV_IUpkpcPf4 Book:  The Other Side of the Wall:  A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope by Munther Isaac.  Order here: https://www.ivpress.com/the-other-side-of-the-wall Book:  Palestine Speaks:  Narratives of Life Under Occupation edited by Mateo Hoke and Cate Malek.  Order book here:  https://voiceofwitness.org/oral-history-book-series/palestine-speaks-voices-from-the-west-bank-and-gaza/ Book:  The End of the Peace Process:  Oslo and After by Edward Said.  Order the book here:  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/159792/the-end-of-the-peace-process-by-edward-w-said/ Book:  A Wall in Jerusalem: Hope, Healing, and the Struggle for Justice in Israel and Palestine by Mark Braverman.  Order the book here:  https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Jerusalem-Healing-Struggle-Palestine/dp/1455574201 Book:  Jesus and the Land: The New Testament Challenge to Holy Land Theology by Gary M. Burge.  Order the book here:  https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/jesus-and-the-land-the-new-testament-challenge-to-holy-land-theology_gary-m-burge/642469/item/15020765/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=475047084461&pkw=&pmt=&slid=&plc=&pgrid=110814253894&ptaid=pla-988546642473&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Pygw9PG7wIVwwytBh3mUQ0-EAQYASABEgKtYPD_BwE#idiq=15020765&edition=6856024 You can reach out to Andrew Larsen and Cari Conklin-Larsen on Facebook if you are interested in touring Israel/Palestine: -https://www.facebook.com/andrew.e.larsen -https://www.facebook.com/cariconklin68 -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Author of the book "Jesus and John Wayne:  How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation", Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins the pod to talk about how white evangelicals redefined Biblical masculinity to fit the militant masculinity of secular icons like John Wayne, Teddy Roosevelt, and William Wallace. We talk about Mark Driscoll, Donald Trump, Beth Moore, egalitarianism and complementarianism in the church, Explo '72, Hal Lindsey's "Countdown to Armageddon", Kristin's favorite John Wayne film and more. For more information on "Jesus and John Wayne" and Dr. Kristin Du Mez and to get a copy of the book, you can go here: https://kristindumez.com/books/jesus-and-john-wayne/ Get a copy of Kristin's first book "A New Gospel for Women:  Katharine Bushnell and the Challenge of Christian Feminism" by going here: https://kristindumez.com/books/new-gospel-for-women/ Follow Kristin on Twitter:   @kkdumez Mentioned on the pod: -Leah Payne, who is writing a book about Contemporary Christian Music.  For more information on Dr. Payne and updates on her forthcoming book you can follow her on Twitter:  @drleahpayne and view her bio on the Portland Seminary website:  https://www.georgefox.edu/seminary/faculty/bio/leah-payne.html -God's Forever Family: The Jesus People Movement in America by Larry Eskridge. You can get that book here:  https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326451.001.0001/acprof-9780195326451 -Daniel Silliman's upcoming book Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith. Follow him at @danielsilliman -Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ: The Renewal of Evangelicalism in Postwar America by John G. Turner https://uncpress.org/book/9780807858738/bill-bright-and-campus-crusade-for-christ/ -The Armageddon Experience - One Way (Live at Explo '72) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MoYtlhdirw -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: @vcwpod Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Benito Cereno, co-host of the Apocrypals podcast and comics writer (Invincible, The Tick) joins the pod to discuss the Biblical canon and extra-Biblical literature. Spoiler alert: it's weird! He also talks about his upbringing in the Southern Baptist Church and his life as a comic book writer. Dave plays trivia host as Zach and Benito face off in a game of "God-Breathed or Not-Breathed". Check out Benito's work and podcast: https://benito-cereno.tumblr.com/ https://apocrypals.libsyn.com/ -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Benito- @benito_cereno Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Pastor of Renewal Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Ryan Egli, joins the podcast to talk about his multi-denomination life journey in Evangelical Christianity.  From Charismatic roots to Cornerstone Music Festival to the Mennonite Faith to a Grace Brethren College and beyond, he describes his experiences through different expressions of Evangelicalism.  He also talks about his commitment to pacifism and non-violence inspired by the influence of the Mennonite faith, Jesus' Kingdom vs Evangelical Nationalism and what it is like to be a pastor during the age of COVID and racial unrest. -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Ryan- @ryanegli Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Roger Ebert said, "The movies are like a machine that generates empathy." Film critic and author Jeffrey Overstreet joins the pod to talk about how Evangelicals approach movies, cinematic art, transcendence, and empathy, as well as spiritually based themes in the films by the Coen Bros.  He also shares some of his favorite films from 2020. -Jeffrey Overstreet's website:  lookingcloser.org -"The Theology of the Coen Brothers? A Conversation Between Matt Zoller Seitz and Jeffrey Overstreet" https://www.lookingcloser.org/blog/2018/04/20/the-theology-of-the-coen-brothers-a-conversation-between-matt-zoller-seitz-and-jeffrey-overstreet/ -Buy Jeffrey's memoir of moviegoing and faith, "Through a Screen Darkly": https://www.amazon.com/Through-Screen-Darkly-Looking-Closer/dp/0830743154/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N4KTUBB4XHQO&dchild=1&keywords=through+a+screen+darkly&qid=1613176010&sprefix=through+a+screen+%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1 -Buy Jeffrey's fantasy novel "Auralia's Colors":  https://www.thriftbooks.com/series/the-auralia-thread/42859/ Mentioned on the Pod: Book:  "Amazing Grace:  A Vocabulary of Faith" by Kathleen Norris.    Song:  "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed.   Film:  Midnight Run (d. Martin Brest) Film:  Extra Ordinary (d. Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman) Film:  Lady Bird (d. Greta Gerwig) Film:  Little Fish (d. Chad Hartigan) Film:  Save Yourselves! (d. Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson) Overstreet's Top 5 Films of 2020: 5) Shirley (d. Josephine Decker) 4) Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets (d. Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross) 3) Lover's Rock (d. Steve McQueen) 2) Minari (d. Lee Isaac Chung) 1) Nomadland (d. Chloe Zhao) -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Jeffrey- @overstweet Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm

Managing director of the Center for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, Kait Dugan joins the pod to talk about Evangelicals and Qanon as well as share her story with Evangelical Christianity.  We chat about why Evangelicals seem susceptible to belief in conspiracy theories and more. Articles on Evangelicals and Qanon: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-faqs-what-christians-should-know-about-qanon/ https://religionnews.com/2021/02/11/survey-more-than-a-quarter-of-white-evangelicals-believe-core-qanon-conspiracy-theory/ https://religionnews.com/2020/12/01/eric-metaxas-and-the-losing-of-the-evangelical-mind/ https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/26/1007611/how-qanon-is-targeting-evangelicals/ https://religionunplugged.com/news/2020/10/13/an-evangelicals-guide-to-qanon https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/opinion/evangelicals-qanon.html https://newrepublic.com/article/160922/capitol-riot-revealed-darkest-nightmares-white-evangelical-america https://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/a-new-survey-suggests-white-evangelicals-are-most-likely-to-believe-qanon-conspiracies/ https://afterall.net/quotes/bonnie-kristian-on-the-false-prophecies-of-q/ -Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com -Read Dave's occasional blogging at:  www.dangeroushope.wordpress.com. Twitter: Zach- @muzach Dave- @Davejlester Kait- @kaitdugan Podcast music by Zach Malm Logo by Zach Malm