Homebrewed Christianity

In a dynamic conversation, Aaron Stauffer, a theologian and community organizer from Vanderbilt University, joins fellow philosopher Aaron Simmons to tackle how sacred values influence political life. They explore the balance between faith and critical thinking in mainline churches, and why good theology sometimes produces terrible music. The duo humorously discusses radical democracy, vulnerability, and the challenges of multiculturalism. They also ponder what happens when sacred values collide with democratic ideals, all while advocating for a more inclusive, engaged community.

What's up Theology Nerds! We're diving deep into one of the most powerful sessions from last year's Theology Beer Camp in Denver - a conversation that honestly left me speechless. Brian McLaren kicks us off with a gut-punch keynote on ecological crisis and the power of lament that'll challenge everything you think you know about faith in our current moment. Then Jacob Erickson responds with some brilliant eco-theological insights that had the room scribbling notes like crazy. We're talking about overshoot, oligarchy, the impotence of religion, and what it looks like to let nature save us instead of the other way around. Plus, there's this incredible discussion about "rebellious mourning" that I'm still pondering. Fair warning - this is raw, honest, and necessary conversation about faith in the face of climate crisis. And hey, if this gets you fired up, there are still about 100 tickets left for Theology Beer Camp 2025 in St. Paul this October. Trust me, you don't want to miss what we're cooking up this year! You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠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. 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. UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Here you'll discover how ancient texts illuminate modern struggles, how theological reflection deepens social action, and how historical understanding opens new possibilities for faithful engagement with our world's brokenness and beauty. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.FaithAndPolitics.net _____________________ 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 70,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get instant access to over 50 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

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.