Theology on Mission

Are we all just reacting to various Fundamentalisms here in America? Is there a doctrinal identity or a practical mission at the center of American Evangelicalism? Is there a hidden affinity between conservative and progressive Evangelicals? In this provocative beginning to Season Two of Theology on Mission, Geoff Holsclaw and David Fitch talking about the various evangelical off-ramps that people take on the American religious highway. Geoff goes so far as claiming that we have never been "evangelical": not himself, not Ed Stetzer, not Rachel Held Evans, not Christianity Today, and not even Billy Graham (think of the famous definition of anyone who likes Billy Graham is an evangelical).

Is there a difference between female and male? And if there is, why? And how do we explain it? These are the pertinent questions that our culture casts before the church. Dave and Geoff talk about different ways people ground gender differences, and some of the Kingdom guidelines to help us move forward.

Why does it seem that more information does not lead to better transformation? Why does correcting false facts always seem to backfire on us? From political conflicts to pastoral care, we must dig deeper in every conversation. In this new episode of Theology on Mission, Geoff Holsclaw and David Fitch talk about the how are personal identities are at stake in all the information we hold dear, how this affects pastoral ministry and cultural issues. They talk about how we must always listen for the conversation below the conversation, and 2) how we must always give an alternative identity to people, not just alternative information.

What has authority for you? Where do you find answers to your deepest questions? Too often Science and Scripture are pitted against each other. David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw discuss the role of Science and Scripture in forming balanced disciples of Jesus, moving beyond an extreme view on either end.

Does the missional movement have a low Christology? Does our view of Jesus affect how we understand his mission? Does Christology matter for everyday living for us? Is Christology a practical in any way? Geoff Holsclaw and special summer guest Scott Jones talk about superheroes, kinds of Christologies, and God's mission in the world through us. Low, middle, and high Christologies are different views of who Jesus is, what his work accomplished for us, and how we participate in this work (and Geoff leaves in that part where I don't turn my phone off).

"In the beginning God raised Jesus from the dead" ~Michael W. Pahl Where does theology come from? Where is it going? How does it all fit together? Theology is the handmaiden of mission, but too often mission becomes the prisoner of an overly propositional theology. Theology at its best is here to help us tell the story of God rightly, not reconstruct the story into a joyless system. Geoff Holsclaw and special guest Scott Jones talk about "theology" as holding together the 1) Word OF God, 2) words TO God, and 3) words ABOUT God, relating them to make a theology on mission.

What does the Trinity have to do with anything anyway? Well, a lot! But sometimes it feels like Evangelicals are just discovering the Trinity. In this special crossover episode Geoff Holsclaw, with the hosts of "New Persuasive Words", Scott Jones and Bill Borror, talks about the Trinity, reading the Bible, and connecting with the tradition.

Are we pursuing God, or is God pursuing us? And what does it matter if we reverse the emphasis? With special guest Joshua Ryan Butler, Geoff and Dave discuss talk about God's pursuit of us. Evangelicals of the contemplative lean or activist bent have their own set of practices they feel helps them pursue God. But often these lead to a dead end or burn out. Can we understand life with God as God’s pursuit of us, and what might this mean for our understanding of the atonement and the church, and even the uniqueness of Jesus. We end by talking about the different practices of being “found” by God.

Is it always great to experience revival? Or is there pain and waiting in the coming of new life? Mandy Smith and Cyd Holsclaw join Geoff to talk about the hopes and disappointments of the Spirit at work among us as things are torn down and built up.

Is there a future for Reformed theology? Yes, there is! But it might look different. This internationally diverse panel discusses how the Reformation can still impact the West. In this round table is Ruth Padilla Deborst, Carl Ellis, Jin Kim, Cherith Fee Nordling and David Fitch, hosted as ever by Geoff Holsclaw. Recorded at the Missio Alliance event, "The Young, Restless, and Always Reforming", around the panel titled, "The Reformed Tradition and the Christendom Legacy."