Theology on Mission

Buckle up friends, we have a special episode for you this week. Two Northern professors, Greg Boyd and Claude Mariottini debate how to interpret the violence in the Old Testament. Fitch guides the conversation through a few Old Testament passages as Boyd and Mariottini discuss how to make sense of violent portrayals of God in the Old Testament in light of Jesus' crucifixion.

This week we welcome back the co-founder of Theology on Mission, Geoff Holsclaw! Geoff recently wrote a response to David Bentley Hart's book on universal salvation. After bantering for a good five minutes Fitch, Moore, and Holsclaw talk about the challenges and hopes of Christian universalism. Geoff Holsclaw is a professor of theology at Northern Seminary and a co-pastor with his wife Cyd at Vineyard Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Geoff and Cyd's forthcoming book "Does God Really Like Me?" is available now for pre-order. They also have a podcast you should check out, "God With Us." A few of the books that are referenced here: That All Shall Be Saved by David Bentley Hart Dare We Hope That All Men Be Saved by Hans Von Balthasar The Evangelical Universalist by Gregory MacDonald

Evangelicals have discovered liturgy and non-denominational kids are becoming sacramental adults! What are we to make of this liturgical turn? Fitch and Mike look at the trends of evangelicals on the "canterbury trail," and offer some considerations for those who have discovered a new love for liturgy. Here are four considerations: 1) Keep it accessible 2) Keep the bible central 3) Keep it cultural engaged 4) Keep pace and order Want to read more about liturgy? May we suggest: -Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail by Robert Webber -Reaching out Without Dumbing Down by Marva Dawn -Liturgical Theology by Simon Chan -The Eucharist: Sacrament of the Kingdom by Alexander Schmemann

The early church distinguished itself from the Roman and Jewish religions by adopting a "third way." Fitch and Moore sit down with historian Jerry Sittser to talk about what we can learn from the ancient church about evangelism, identity, and worship. Jerry Sittser is the author of the recent book, "Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian "Third Way" Changed the World." He is a professor of theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where he also serves as senior fellow and researcher in the Office of Church Engagement.

Fifty years ago gospel tracts, four spiritual laws, and street witnessing were pillars of evangelism for the evangelical church. Recently, the pendulum has swung the other way to the point where some Christians are reticent to evangelize, or, just don't know how! Drawing on Luke 10 Fitch and Moore discuss how evangelism takes the shape of proclamation rather than coercion. A few of the books they reference (but can't always remember!): Live to Tell by Brad Kallenberg Evangelism after Pluralism by Bryan Stone The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman

What should be done with the theology of theologians who have failed morally? John Howard Yoder, Dr. King, Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, etc. Dave and Mike outline the common responses and try to construct a way forward. By mainly focusing on the case of John Howard Yoder they propose a nuanced response that includes critical reading, intertextual evaluation, and dialogue between the church and the academy. A lot of sources were quoted in this podcast. You will need to Google search the keywords below. Ruth Krall, "The Elephants in God’s Living Room: The Mennonite Church and John Howard Yoder" Rachel Gooseen, “Defanging the Beast”: Mennonite Responses to John Howard Yoder’s Sexual Abuse Karen Guth, "Doing Justice to the Complex Legacy of John Howard Yoder" Stanely Hauerwas, "Minding the Web: Making Theological Connections" Steven Long, "Augustinian and Ecclesial Christian Ethics: On Loving Enemies"

Two months ago, pastor-writer Joshua Harris publicly announced he was no longer a Christian. Fitch and Moore do an "icy take" on his announcement, seeking to understand Harris' evangelical culture. Fitch and Moore attempt to grasp the purity culture that Harris helped shape and then explore how legalism, individualization, and cognization produce a church unable to doubt and ask meaningful questions. If you want a behind the scenes look at our recording go to our Facebook page and watch the video.

Who cares about the "end times"? Should we leave behind the "Left Behind" conversations? Does pre-trib, post-trib, etc, even matter? Fitch & Moore talk about "over-realized eschatology" and how it can inhibit the church. They propose that right eschatology enables us to work through suffering, work for peace, and find our place in God's work. A lot of book recommendations here: Stanley Hauerwas-Approaching the End Michael Gorman-Reading Revelation Responsively G.B. Caird- Commentary on Revelation The Millenial Maze-Stanley Grenz

We are back! Fitch and Moore talk about big problems (gun control, homelessness, policing) and if there are solutions. How do we address massive and systemic issues that outsize our communities? Can small churches actually cultivate solutions? Can big churches? Fitch riffs on the idea of God's right hand and God's left hand--the work of the Spirit and the work of preservatory grace. Here are a few of the books and authors we reference in the conversation: A Secular Age--Charles Taylor The Way of Ignorance: And Other Essays--Wendell Berry Discovering an Evangelical Heritage--Donald W. Dayton

Drawing from Matthew 10 and 18 Fitch and Moore talk about the differences between antagonisms and conflict. Does anger have a place in our redemption? How do we identify sin in the midst of our conflicts? And how do antagonisms fit in all this? Here are the books we are reading Sin: A History by Gary Anderson Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Warren Genealogy of Queer Theory by William B. Turner