The Theology Mill

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

Matthew Levering, The James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, discusses Hans Urs von Balthasar's work in relation to Thomism, liberal Catholicism, Ignatian spirituality, and modern German philosophy. They also explore Balthasar's understanding of the Trinity and self-surrender, his critique of Nietzsche's concept of truth, the significance of Aquinas in his work, and recommendations for beginners interested in Balthasar's books. They analyze the concept of Catholicity and discuss Balthasar's approach to religious liberalism within Catholicism.

Explore the unconventional theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar, blending poetry, Orientalism, Heidegger, and Thomism. Dr. Anne M. Carpenter discusses Balthasar's risky theological aesthetics, beauty, and the integration of art. Delve into Balthasar's unique approach to poetry, tradition, and moral dilemmas in theology.

The podcast discusses the Balthasar Booth exhibit, Layton Friesen's insights on Balthasar's work and ethics, the relationship between contemplation and ethics, and the theological disagreements between Balthasar and Barth. They explore Balthasar's circular argumentative strategy and the interconnection of doctrine and ethics for a godly life.

The Luminaries series is a collection of interviews with premier thinkers working in the theological academy and the church. Dr. William T. Cavanaugh is a prolific theologian, professor at Depaul University in Chicago, and is known especially for his work in political theology. He is also a husband and father of three sons. In this interview, Professor Cavanaugh and I talk about a whole host of subjects, including Cavanaugh’s mentor, Stanley Hauerwas, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the dangers of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. 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/2022/07/11/he-did-not-take-revenge-on-the-torturers-an-interview-with-william-t-cavanaugh/ Author page: https://wipfandstock.com/author/william-t-cavanaugh/ 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: Cavanaugh, William T. Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire.  ———. “Electing Republicans has not reversed Roe v. Wade. It’s time to change our strategy.” ———. Field Hospital: The Church’s Engagement with a Wounded World.  ———, ed. Fragile World: Ecology and the Church. ———, ed. Gathered in my Name: Ecumenism in the World Church. ———. “I had to learn to love the church; then I had to learn to love God.” How My Mind Has Changed. ———. The Myth of Religious Violence: Secular Ideology and the Roots of Modern Conflict. ———. Theopolitical Imagination: Discovering the Liturgy as a Political Act in an Age of Global Consumerism. ———. Torture and Eucharist: Theology, Politics, and the Body of Christ.  Center for World Catholicism & Intercultural Theology. Coolman, Holly Taylor. “The 12 things pro-lifers must do if Roe v. Wade is overturned.” Francis, Pope. Laudato si’.  Hartch, Todd. The Rebirth of Latin American Christianity.  Hauerwas, Stanley. The Hauerwas Reader.  Radner, Ephraim. A Brutal Unity: The Spiritual Politics of the Christian Church.  Zizioulas, John D. The Eucharistic Communion and the World. OUTLINE: (01:21) - Stanley Hauerwas (06:11) - Partisanship (10:11) - Roe v. Wade, Abortion, and the Church (15:12) - Church as Field Hospital (18:49) - The Church's Witness, or Lack Thereof (22:17) - The Eucharist (25:09) - The Church and Violence (29:35) - Theology through a Global Lens (34:57) - Ecumenism on the Global Stage (39:03) - The Church's Role in Ecological Issues (42:48) - Pope Francis Compared to His Papal Predecessors (47:23) - Changing Your Mind