The Theology Mill

The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church. Professor John Swinton is a renowned practical theologian and the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. On this episode, Dr. Swinton and I discuss his career prior to entering the theological academy, a theology of mental health challenges, the experience of time for those living with disabilities, and confronting the problems of both “radical evil” and “banal evil.” PODCAST LINKS: USE CODE “DELIVER23” AT CHECKOUT FOR 40% OFF PROF. SWINTON'S NEW BOOK, Deliver Us from Evil: A Call for Christians to Take Evil Seriously: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666734003/deliver-us-from-evil/  * (Coupon code is good through 2/28/2023.) * Blog post: [coming soon] Jasmine Pearl Tea: https://thejasminepearl.com/ SOURCES MENTIONED: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. ———. The Origins of Totalitarianism. Hull, John M. Touching the Rock: An Experience of Blindness. Koyama, Kosuke. Three Mile an Hour God. Luhrmann, T. M, and Jocelyn Marrow, eds. Our Most Troubling Madness: Case Studies in Schizophrenia across Cultures. Swinton, John. Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship. ———. Deliver Us from Evil: A Call for Christians to Take Evil Seriously. ———. Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges. World Health Organization, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. OUTLINE: (02:02) – Black tea (with coffee beans), Coke Zero, and (thoughts of) Scotch (03:30) – From nursing to the theological academy (07:18) – Distinguishing practical theology as a subdiscipline (10:26) – Diagnostic descriptors as experienced by diagnosed persons (15:32) – Problematizing the DSM (20:31) – Describing the experience of mental health challenges (24:24) – Living with mental health diagnoses in the West (30:12) – Advice for those living with mental health challenges (31:45) – Advice for churches trying to welcome those with mental health challenges (32:59) – The “temporarily able-bodied” (35:40) – The speed of Western time and the speed of God’s time (42:20) – Living in God’s time (44:47) – “You’ve changed”: personal identity amidst the changes that come with disability (51:06) – Evil according to Paul the Apostle, Susan Eastman, and Hannah Arendt (58:57) – Resisting evil

Steven DeLay, a Philosophy PhD and author, discusses Kierkegaard, phenomenology, and the relationship between philosophy, theology, and fiction. They explore the value and dangers of studying philosophy and theology, as well as the distinction between literature and philosophy. The podcast also touches on coffee preferences and top books of 2022, and the guest's personal journey from atheism to Christianity.

The Grind is a series of interviews with young scholars and PhD students on the many ways of "making a way" in the theological academy, and all the trials and joys therein. Cody Bivins-Starr is a PhD student in theological ethics at the University of Aberdeen and is writing his dissertation on a theology of madness under the direction of Dr. Brian Brock. In this interview for our podcast series, The Grind, Cody and I talk about applying to PhD programs, dissertation research, PhD supervisors, and much more. PODCAST LINKS: Blog post: https://wipfandstock.com/blog/2023/01/24/the-grind-cody-bivins-starr-on-considering-madness-theologically-picking-a-phd-supervisor-and-researching-for-a-dissertation/ Cody's academia.edu page: https://aberdeen.academia.edu/CodyBivinsStarr The Tao of Tea (Portland, OR): https://taooftea.com/ Sisters of the Road (Portland, OR): https://sistersoftheroad.org/ CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw SOURCES MENTIONED: Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics II.2: The Doctrine of God. Brock, Brian. “Parenting as political resistance: Disability and ‘dealing with’ late-modern medicine.” Fanon, Frantz. The Psychiatric Writings from Alienation and Freedom. ———. The Wretched of the Earth. Foucault, Michel. The Birth of Biopolitics: Lectures at the Collège de France, 1978–1979. ———. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. ———. Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. OUTLINE: (01:28) – Assam tea and espresso tonic (03:08) – From Grudem to Hauerwas to Barth and Bonhoeffer (06:43) – Barth and political theology (09:38) – Assemblies of God – Anglican – Mennonite (16:36) – A theological account of madness (23:04) – Picking a PhD program/supervisor (30:53) – Pros and cons of PhD programs in the UK (37:09) – Pains and joys of the PhD process (44:08) – Reading non-theological sources (50:45) – Mapping life post-PhD (55:31) – Advice for prospective PhD students

The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church. Fr. John Behr is the Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen and an esteemed scholar of the patristics, having published several translations of various Church Fathers and monographs of his own on patristic figures and patristic theology.  Here we discuss the Gospel of John, Irenaeus and Origen, and the mystery of Christ and of life in death. PODCAST LINKS: Blog post: https://wipfandstock.com/blog/2023/01/10/luminaries-john-behr-the-gospel-of-john-irenaeus-and-origen-and-the-mystery-of-life-in-death/ Fr. Behr's website: https://frjohnbehr.com/ CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ SOURCES MENTIONED: Ashton, John. Understanding the Fourth Gospel. Athanasius. On the Incarnation. Behr, John. Asceticism and Anthropology in Irenaeus and Clement. ———. Irenaeus of Lyons: Identifying Christianity. ———. John the Theologian and his Paschal Gospel: A Prologue to Theology. ———. The Nicene Faith. Formation of Christian Theology 2. ———. The Way to Nicaea. Formation of Christian Theology 1. ———, and Conor Cunningham, eds. The Role of Death in Life: A Multidisciplinary Examination of the Relationship between Life and Death. Brown, Peter. The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity. Derrida, Jacques. The Gift of Death. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. The Possessed. Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality. 3 vols. Henry, Michel. I Am the Truth: Toward a Philosophy of Christianity. ———. Incarnation: A Philosophy of the Flesh. ———. Words of Christ. Käsemann, Ernst. The Testament of Jesus: A Study of the Gospel of John in the Light of Chapter 17. Origen. On First Principles. Translated by John Behr. Sanders, E. P. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion. OUTLINE: (01:31) – Diner coffee and assam/lapsang souchong tea (02:31) – John the Theologian (09:01) – Rediscovering modern philosophy (10:42) – The Prologue to the Gospel of John (18:11) – “And the Word was towards God” (27:07) – Contemporary scholarship on Irenaeus (30:43) – The “Great Church” and heresy (37:30) – The body: Church fathers, Peter Brown, Foucault (41:33) – Origen in translation (52:11) – Death: re-thinking “it is finished” (01:04:53) – What’s wrong with “the Bible” (01:11:43) – Original sin and the Fall

Book series spotlights provide a closer look at one of our many series via an interview with series editors and/or authors. In this inaugural book series spotlight, we sit down with K. C. Hanson and Douglas E. Oakman, series editors of Matrix: The Bible in Mediterranean Context. The volumes in the Matrix series explore the biblical text within the social context of the ancient Mediterranean and employ a variety of historical and social-scientific methods (including cultural anthropology, macrosociology, social psychology) to illuminate the text in said ancient Mediterranean world. K. C. Hanson is editor-in-chief at Wipf and Stock and the author and editor of many books, including Palestine in the Time of Jesus: Social Structures and Social Conflicts (2008, co-authored with Douglas E. Oakman). Douglas E. Oakman is Emeritus Professor of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University and the author of several Cascade titles, including Matrix series volumes, Jesus and the Peasants (2008) and The Radical Jesus, the Bible, and the Great Transformation (2021). PODCAST LINKS: Series page: https://wipfandstock.com/search-results/?series=matrix-the-bible-in-mediterranean-context K. C. Hanson's author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/k-c-hanson/ Douglas E. Oakman's author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/douglas-e-oakman/ CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ SOURCES MENTIONED: Carney, Thomas F. The Shape of the Past: Models and Antiquity. Craffert, Pieter F. The Life of a Galilean Shaman: Jesus of Nazareth in Anthropological-Historical Perspective. Elliott, John H. A Home for the Homeless: A Social-Scientific Criticism of 1 Peter, Its Situation and Strategy. Guijarro, Santiago. The Gospel of Mark in Context: A Social-Scientific Reading of the First Gospel. Malina, Bruce J. The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology. Neyrey, SJ, Jerome H. By What Authority?: Luke Gives Jesus Public Voice. Oakman, Douglas E. Jesus and the Peasants. ———. The Radical Jesus, the Bible, and the Great Transformation. Pilch, John J., and Bruce J. Malina, eds. Handbook of Biblical Social Values. Rohrbaugh, Richard L. The Biblical Interpreter: An Agrarian Bible in an Industrial Age. ———. The New Testament in Cross-Cultural Perspective. Scott, James C. The Moral Economy of the Peasant: Rebellion and Subsistence in Southeast Asia. van Eck, Ernest. The Parables of Jesus the Galilean: Stories of a Social Prophet. OUTLINE:  (01:41) – Matcha tea, lemon ginger tea, and dark-roast coffee (05:38) – The emergence of the Matrix series (14:26) – Cross-cultural experiences and social-scientific approaches (19:56) – Biblical scholarship for other scholars, churches, and students (23:46) – Mapping social-scientific interpretation (27:43) – Ancient context and modern global context

Dr. Emmanuel Falque discusses the essence of phenomenology and its intersection with theology, reflecting on lived experiences and the evolution of the field. He explores the significance of resurrection, redefining God as a force beyond giver, challenging atheism. The conversation touches on topics like finitude, transformation, and the phenomenon of flesh in understanding resurrection.

Dr. Conor Sweeney, a professor of theology, discusses Heidegger, sacramental theology, John Paul II, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and more. Topics include phenomenology, ontology, ontotheology, the interplay between metaphysics and faith, and the importance of relationality in human development.

Donald Wallenfang, a Secular Discalced Carmelite and Professor of Theology and Philosophy, discusses key figures in phenomenology like Jean-Luc Marion and Emmanuel Levinas. They delve into concepts like intentionality, reduction, and the intertwining of phenomenology and metaphysics. The conversation highlights the impact of phenomenology on theology and daily life.

The Grind is a series of interviews with young scholars and PhD students on the many ways of "making a way" in the theological academy, and all the trials and joys therein. Dr. Jordan Daniel Wood recently published a book with University of Notre Dame Press titled “The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus the Confessor.” He received his PhD in theology from Boston College and is a stay-at-home father of four girls. In this interview for our podcast series, The Grind, Dr. Wood and I discuss his intellectual formation, his experiences as a PhD student and young scholar, how he’s carved his own way as an academic, and lots more.  PODCAST LINKS: Dr. Wood's book: https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268203474/the-whole-mystery-of-christ/ Dr. Wood's academia.edu page: https://bc.academia.edu/JordanWood Naoki Matcha (Saint Mary's, GA): https://naokimatcha.com/ Brick & Mortar Coffee (Springfield, MO): https://brickandmortar.coffee/ CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw SOURCES MENTIONED: Maximus the Confessor. On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ.  ———. On Difficulties in the Church Fathers. Vol, 1, The Ambigua. ———. On Difficulties in the Church Fathers. Vol. 2, The Ambigua.  The Philokalia. 4 vols.  Wood, Jordan Daniel. "The Lively God of Sergius Bulgakov: Reflections on The Sophiology of Death."  ———, and Justin Shaun Coyle. "Must Catholics Hate Hegel?" OUTLINE: (02:28) – Matcha, raw milk, and Ethiopian coffee (05:36) – Discovering historical theology (12:43) – Maximus as Master (20:44) – PhD days at Boston College (24:18) – Family and the life of study (31:01) – On the merits of not working in the academy (44:13) – Further merits of being an unattached academic (59:43) – Advice for prospective and current PhD students

The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church. Dr. Michael J. Gorman, who goes by Mike, holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore. He is the author of many books with Cascade, including Reading Paul, Reading Revelation Responsibly, and the forthcoming The Self, the Lord, and the Other according to Paul and Epictetus. In our interview here, Professor Gorman and I talk about theological interpretation of Scripture, missional hermeneutics, theosis, the Book of Revelation, abortion, and more. Apologies for the glitches and poor sound quality in parts of the episode. We are actively working to strengthen WiFi signals and microphone quality. PODCAST LINKS: Blog post: https://wipfandstock.com/blog/2022/10/18/luminaries-abide-in-me-and-you-will-bear-much-fruit-an-interview-with-michael-j-gorman/ Gorman's author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/michael-j-gorman/  CONNECT: Website: https://wipfandstock.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvht9V0Pndgvwh5vkpe0GGw Twitter: https://twitter.com/wipfandstock Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wipfandstock Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wipfandstock/ SOURCES MENTIONED: Dault, David, et al. The Leaked Dobbs Draft, the Closure of Catholic News Service, and Looking Ahead to the Summer. The Francis Effect. Podcast audio. May 11, 2022. Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. “Reading for the Subject: The Paradox of Power in Romans 14:1—15:6.”  Gorman, Michael J. Abide and Go: Missional Theosis in the Gospel of John.  ———. Abortion and the Early Church: Christian, Jewish and Pagan Attitudes in the Greco-Roman World. ———. Reading Paul. Cascade Companions.  ———. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation.  ———. “Shalom and the Unborn.”  ———, and Ann Loar Brooks. Holy Abortion?: A Theological Critique of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice: Why Christians and Christian Churches Should Reconsider the Issue of Abortion.  Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture.  Hays, Christopher B., and C. L. Crouch, eds. God and Guns: The Bible against American Gun Culture.  Hays, Richard B. “Reading the Bible with Eyes of Faith: The Practice of Theological Exegesis.” LaHaye, Tim, and Jerry B. Jenkins. The Left Behind Series. 12 vols.  Lindsey, Hal. There’s a New World Coming: ‘A Prophetic Odyssey.’  Sandmel, Samuel. “Parallelomania.”  Williams, Rowan. Christ the Heart of Creation.  OUTLINE: (01:32) - ‘70s Folk Rock (02:34) - France, Greece, and Turkey (03:29) - Theological Interpretation of Scripture (08:07) - Missional Hermeneutics, Missional Theosis (13:07) - Making Sense of the Pauline Corpus (15:15) - (Mis)readings of the Book of Revelation (21:20) - Abortion and the Church (25:40) - The Bible and Nonviolence (31:17) - Why Publish the Dissertation Now? (33:57) - Paul and Epictetus (38:57) - Writing for the Church, Ecumenism (41:45) - Changing Your Mind