Homebrewed Christianity

Kevin Carnahan is a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University, with expertise in ethics and pragmatism. Aaron Simmons teaches Philosophy at Furman University, focusing on the philosophy of religion. They dive into the intersection of Christian citizenship and democracy, tracing historical links from Jesus to Bonhoeffer. The discussion highlights the need for meaningful engagement in a polarized society and critiques the role of religion in democracy, while navigating the complexities of addressing modern issues like Palestine.

Josh Scott, minister at GracePointe Church and author of "Parables: Putting Jesus Stories in Their Place," dives into the transformative power of Jesus' parables. He explores how these stories challenge societal norms and reflect on community struggles. Scott shares insights on making faith relevant today, emphasizing inclusivity and dialogue in navigating theological questions. He discusses the role of the Post-Evangelical Collective in fostering connections among faith leaders, advocating for a church that embraces grace and understanding.

Andrew Root, a scholar in youth and family ministry, shares insights from his recent trip to Berlin, where he taught about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They discuss the pressing question: "Is this our Bonhoeffer moment?" This leads to reflections on faith and resistance amid modern challenges like ICE raids. Root examines whether ethical principles from Christianity can endure without traditional structures, while humorously contrasting heavy theological discussions with the significance of memes and social media in today’s culture.

Jacob Erickson, Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Trinity College Dublin, discusses transformative trends in theological education. He highlights the launch of a new Master's program that blends theology with social justice, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration. Erickson reveals how collaboration with scientists is reshaping understandings of ecology and spirituality. He critiques traditional approaches to desire and ethics, advocating for a more holistic view of knowledge that embraces both wisdom and embodied practices. His work calls for deeper connections between faith, community, and the environment.

Join New Testament scholar Matt Novenson, who teaches at Princeton Theological Seminary, as he dives into the exciting frontiers of New Testament research. He discusses the integration of Jewish studies with the New Testament, revealing how Jesus challenged ritual purity. Matt explores Paul’s role as a 'freelance religious expert' in a competitive ancient world and highlights powerful interpretations of the Bible in various cultural contexts. He also uncovers how biblical themes influence modern issues like immigration policy, making for a captivating conversation!

The hosts dig into the disintegration of democracy, grappling with the challenges of reason amid moral polarization. They ponder the surprising support of white evangelicals for controversial leaders and question Western civilization's religious roots. The conversation morphs into a heavy metal-themed exploration of ethics, reflecting the complexities of modern communication in politics. They announce an upcoming summit to tackle these pressing issues, emphasizing the need for diverse voices and continuous reevaluation of beliefs in a rapidly changing landscape.

Nicholas Spencer, a senior fellow at Theos and host of the 'Reading Our Times' podcast, delves into the intricate dance between science and religion. He challenges the prevalent conflict narrative by illustrating how historical and contemporary perspectives can align. From Darwin's legacy to the ethical dilemmas posed by AI and genetic engineering, Spencer emphasizes the need for deeper, communal conversations around these topics. He reveals how socio-economic struggles often underpin mental health issues, advocating for a relational approach to our understanding of science and faith.

Dr. Aaron Stauffer, an ethicist and organizer at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, discusses the urgent need for progressive Christianity to create meaningful social change. He explores the decline of mainline Protestant public witness and critiques charity-driven approaches. Stauffer highlights initiatives like Solidarity Circles that empower faith leaders to engage with their communities. The conversation delves into the historical roots of progressive Protestantism, the importance of relational dynamics, and how faith can drive justice in an increasingly complex world.

In this episode, I am joined by the eminent historian of science and religion, Peter Harrison. We examine how we've inherited a distorted narrative about the relationship between science and religion. Rather than the conflict narrative we're accustomed to, Harrison reveals that science and religion are not historical foes, and that modern Western sciences are actually built on theological assumptions. The real game-changer comes from tracing how Protestant reforms—notably the attack on allegorical readings of scripture and the demand for each individual to justify their belief— fundamentally transformed how we read both Scripture and nature, eventually leading to our impoverished, utilitarian view of the natural world. Harrison shows how concepts we think are timeless - like "belief," "supernatural," and even "religion" itself - are modern inventions with specific histories, and how understanding these genealogies can help us see that many of our contemporary problems in science-religion dialogue are artifacts of the categories themselves rather than real conflicts in the world. The conversation ultimately suggests that by understanding how we arrived at our current conceptual frameworks, we might find new ways forward that don't trap us in the either/or thinking that dominates so much of contemporary debate. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Dr. Peter Harrison is a former Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion in the University of Oxford, and Emeritus Professor of the History of Science at the University of Queensland, where he was also an Australian Laureate fellow and Founding Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH). His many celebrated books include The Fall of Man and the Foundations of Science, The Cambridge Companion to Science and Religion, The Territories of Science and Religion, & his newest book Some New World: Myths of Supernatural Belief in a Secular Age. ONLINE SUMMIT:⁠⁠⁠ Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION ⁠⁠⁠ Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action. As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠www.HomebrewedClasses.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get info and tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. _____________________ This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, send ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Talisse, a political philosopher and professor at Vanderbilt University, dives into the paradox of polarization in democracy. He uncovers how our political identities overshadow other values, making us more polarized than ever. The conversation explores the importance of empathy and understanding in bridging these divides. Talisse offers hope by emphasizing the need for human connection beyond politics, sharing anecdotes like a MAGA flag camping story that highlight finding common ground. Together, they discuss navigating these tensions to preserve democracy and our humanity.