Homebrewed Christianity

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Eleanor McLaughlin, a Tutor in Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon and author of 'Unconscious Christianity in Bonhoeffer’s Late Theology', dives deep into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's groundbreaking ideas. She explores the concept of 'unconscious Christianity' and its implications for today's ethics. Eleanor shares Bonhoeffer's relevance in the face of modern societal challenges and discusses his view of faith beyond labels. The conversation also touches on Bonhoeffer's unique perspective on reconciliation and the impact of his family on his theological journey.

 In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Root. We discuss Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his time in the experimental underground seminary at Finkenwalde. This community became a site for him to enact his broader theological and ethical intuitions in community. We unpack the significance of Bonhoeffer's relational theology, the establishment of illegal seminaries, Bonhoeffer's radical commitment to living out the gospel in dire times, and his enduring legacy. The conversation also touches on Bonhoeffer’s formation of deep friendships, notably with Eberhard Bethge, and the practical implications of his ideas for contemporary theological education and church life.Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer’s House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HEREDr. Root is joining me this DECEMBER for our open online class exploring the 'Theologians of Crisis' - Breaking into the Broken World. Join us to learn about Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rudolph Bultmann as we explore their thoughts and timely reflections in their Advent/Christmas sermons.Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here.WATCH the conversation here on YouTubeAndrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. Some of his most recent books are The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018). Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies.Previous Visits with Andy Root Resonance in an Accelerated Age Secular Mysticism & Identity Politics the Church after Innovation Churches and the Crisis of Decline Acceleration, Resonance, & the Counting Crows Ministry in a Secular Age Christopraxis with Andy Root Faith Formation in a Secular Age the Promise of Despair _____________________This DECEMBER, we will be exploring the 'Theologians of Crisis' in our online Advent class - Breaking into the Broken World. Join us to learn about Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Rudolph Bultmann as we explore their thoughts and timely reflections in their Advent/Christmas sermons.Join my Substack - Process This!Join our class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!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

Join theologian Joshua Mauldin, Associate Director at Princeton’s Center of Theological Inquiry, as he explores the profound insights of Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They discuss how these thinkers confronted the crises of democracy and the rise of Nazism, drawing startling parallels to today’s challenges. The conversation delves into the ethical complexities of modernity, the necessity of tolerance, and the importance of community engagement in navigating societal dilemmas. A must-listen for anyone intrigued by theology and modern political thought!

Garry Dorrien, a leading scholar in liberal Protestant theology, Diana Butler Bass, an insightful commentator on contemporary spirituality, and Robert C. Jones, founder of PRRI, discuss the complex ties between democracy and religion in America. They analyze systemic racism's impact on politics, personal histories within faith communities, and the urgent need for social justice initiatives. The conversation highlights the role of community organizing and the importance of educational approaches to combat book bans and foster solidarity in social change.

Todd Komarnicki, writer and director of the upcoming film about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, dives into the challenges of adapting Bonhoeffer's complex life for the screen. He reflects on Bonhoeffer's evolving faith and his journey from nationalism to a deeper understanding of the gospel. The conversation touches on themes of integrity, the emotional weight of storytelling, and the tension between true heroism and modern representations. Komarnicki also critiques the influence of contemporary narratives on Bonhoeffer's legacy, highlighting the importance of empathy in today's world.

Aaron Simmons, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University, and Kevin Carnahan, a Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University, engage in a profound conversation about the recent election. They explore complex themes like burnout, the importance of empathy, and the urgency of cross-tribal dialogue. The duo navigates the intersections of politics and ethics, revealing the interplay of societal anxieties and voter motivations. Their hopeful outlook encourages listeners to foster compassion and resilience in challenging times.

In this thought-provoking episode, I am joined by Dr. David Congdon to discuss his new book tackling the complex question of what defines a true Christian. The conversation delves into the historical and theological nuances of defining Christianity through various lenses such as doctrine, culture, and politics. Congdon critiques modern and orthodox notions of Christianity while proposing a new framework he calls 'polydoxy', informed by intellectual autonomy and religious self-determination. The discussion also explores how traditional ideas about orthodoxy and heterodoxy might evolve in a contemporary context, offering a fresh perspective on the ever-relevant debate about religious identity and authority.WATCH the conversation here on YouTubeDavid Congdon is an author, speaker, and scholar working in the area of theology and culture. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he completed a B.A. in English at Wheaton College, acquired an M.Div. and Ph.D. in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, and have since worked in the publishing industry as an academic acquisitions editor.In this episode, we discuss his new book Who Is a True Christian?: Contesting Religious Identity in American Culture. It is an intellectual history of the modern quest to define the “essence of Christianity,” a quest that both liberals and conservative traditionalists have participated in—the former wittingly and reflectively, and the latter often unwittingly and unreflectively. The book examines three versions of the conservative quest for the essence that have profoundly shaped contemporary American Christianity: the doctrinal quest for “historic Christianity,” the cultural quest for the Christian worldview, and the political quest for a global, persecuted, cisheteronormative identity. Having traced these developments historically, he argues that the root of the problem is the concept of orthodoxy itself, and suggests the transgressive concept of polydoxy as a constructive way forward for Christianity in a pluralistic society.Previous Podcast Episodes with David Dialectical Theology Bultmann’s Mission of Demythologizing _____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!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

In this episode, Tripp sits down with returning guest Paul Capetz, a historical theologian and Methodist minister, to discuss his new compelling book on the Reformation's relationship to scripture. They delve into the evolution and the different trajectories of scriptural interpretation from Martin Luther and John Calvin, through modern theologians like Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann. Capetz shares personal anecdotes about his journey in the church and discusses the critical need for Protestantism to reorient itself around the gospel, while making space for modern questions and criticisms. This conversation navigates through historical theology, scripture's authority, and the vital challenge of reclaiming an authentically Protestant understanding of faith in today's context.WATCH the conversation on YouTubePaul E. Capetz is professor of historical theology emeritus at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and is currently minister at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of God: A Brief History and co-editor of James Gustafson’s Moral Discernment in the Christian Life. This episode centers on his recent book, Recovering Protestantism’s Original Insight.Previous Episodes w/ Paul Capetz Recovering Protestantism’s Original Insight Existentialist Philosophy, Politics, & Theology Calvin’s 500th Birthday The Big Theological Throw Down with John Cobb & Paul Capetz 01:19 Discussing the New Book03:26 Personal Journey and Early Influences06:40 Challenges with Biblical Interpretation19:44 Luther vs. Calvin on Scripture29:21 Modern Protestantism and Its Contradictions37:29 Historical Critical Methods and Modernity39:05 Liberal Protestantism and the Reformation Heritage40:18 Barth and Bultmann: Diverging Paths47:24 Existential Interpretation and Demythologizing51:27 Modernity, Faith, and the Existential Question58:44 Challenges of Contemporary Christianity01:04:38 The Future of Liberal Protestantism01:15:47 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections_____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!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

So many of us have been challenged and shaped by the witness and work of Gustavo Gutiérrez, the Father of Liberation Theology. Few theologians have shaped theology in the 20th century and beyond as much as Gutiérrez, so I asked my friend Dr. Joerg Rieger to join me in reflecting on his life. Joerg is not just a fellow scholar of liberation but was blessed to work and interact with Gustavo personally. In our conversation, we introduce some of his most important theological contributions and let Joerg share some stories to give us a window into his powerful personality.Learn more about Solidarity Circles here.You can WATCH the video on YouTubeJoerg Rieger is Distinguished Professor of Theology and the Cal Turner Chancellor’s Chair of Wesleyan Studies. He is also the founding director of the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice. For more than two decades, he has worked to bring together theology and the struggles for justice and liberation that mark our age. His work addresses the relation of theology and public life, reflecting on the misuse of power in religion, politics, and economics. His main interest is in developments and movements that bring about change and in the positive contributions of religion and theology. His constructive work in theology draws on a wide range of historical and contemporary traditions, with a concern for manifestations of the divine in the pressures of everyday life.Previous Podcasts with Joerg Theology in the Capitalocene Divine Justice & our Ultimate Concern the End of Religion & Business as Usual Joerg Rieger: Jesus vs Caesar  Different Gods, Different Religions? Wild Goose Theology Happy Hour with Joerg Rieger and Emilie Townes The Economy, Election, Ayn Rand-Ryan-Romney, Occupy, & More Occupy the Church! Rita Nakashima Brock, Joerg Rieger, & Christophe Ringer Economics, Theology, and Discipleship _____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!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

In this episode, I am joined by Kester Brewin, my partner, for the first Process This series on Artificial Intelligence. Here we wrap-up our series of interviews as we delve into the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence on theology, ethics, law, and society. Reflecting on our conversations with interdisciplinary experts, we focus on the philosophical and ethical implications of AI, from Taylor Swift's stance on AI misuse to the potential dangers of deep fake technology on social media platforms. Topics include AI's challenges to human individuality, freedom, and personhood, illustrated by references to TikTok, historical events, and Weber's theory of disenchantment. The episode explores the balancing act between technological advancements and ethical considerations, highlighting both optimistic and pessimistic views on AI's role in problem-solving and its societal impact. Through examples from Tolkien, transhumanism, and educational practices, the discussion underscores the need for responsible regulation and the importance of community in navigating modern capitalism's whirlpool, ultimately pondering the true cost of technological progress on human dignity and autonomy.Kester joined me, and the members of the Process This community as we recorded it live. If you want to hear the entire conversation, be invited to join future Process This live streams, and get an ad-free version of all the Homebrewed Christianity podcast episodes, then come join the community for as little as $6.70 per month. Kester Brewin is an author, speaker, 25-year veteran of the classroom, and now Head of Communications at the Institute for the Future of Work, a research charity exploring how AI impacts the UK labour market. His most recent book, God-Like: a 500-year History of AI, is not only a powerful telling of humanity’s ongoing relationship with technology and a reflection on the current questions surrounding AI, but it is also a powerful and compelling work of radical theology. Previous Episodes with Kester Artificial Intelligence & the Human Future Adult VBS with Walter Brueggemann, Kester Brewin, and Kristen Howerton Let Sleeping Gods Die w/ Kester Brewin Plundering Religion with Kester Brewin, Peter Rollins, & Barry Taylor #Mutiny Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Religion _____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.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