Everyday Theology

What are the prophetic texts, and how should we approach them in our modern day? It may be surprising to many Evangelical Christians that known prophets in Scripture did not declare what MUST come to pass, rather what COULD come to pass.  In this episode, Aaron joins author and scholar Rick Wadholm to discuss why prophets existed in Biblical times, and what they really communicated.

We know to read Scripture through its contextual lens... but we often don't realize the Lutheran-Reformed framework that alters our understanding. What if we aimed to understand Paul on his own terms? What if returning to ancient texts brings a fresher, more balanced perspective? In today's episode, Aaron joins Jason Myers, author and professor of Biblical Studies at Greensboro College, to encourage us to stretch and expand our perspective on Paul's teachings by going back to the basics. 

The church often discusses the Old Testament superficially, missing important messages the text has to offer. Many nuanced ideas reside beneath the surface. What do we do with Old Testament stories, and how do we dissect them in a balanced way?  In today's episode, Aaron joins Dr. Brad Embry, professor of Hebrew and Old Testament, to discuss what the book of Judges communicated to its historical context as well as to us today.

Evil — racial injustice, specifically — has been done in the name of God since America's founding. History has divided a black and white identity, and American Christianity often favors the white side. Culture is learning how to integrate the two... but what about the church?  In this episode, Aaron joins author and scholar Antipas Harris to discuss how the history of the church has worked against the black community, and how to repair the divide.  . . . "If Christianity is for everyone, why does the Bible seem to endorse slavery? Why do most popular images of Jesus feature a man with white skin and blue eyes? Is evangelical Christianity 'good news' or a tool of white supremacy?"  . . .  For a deeper dive in answering questions like these, check out Antipas Harris' new book, Is Christianity the White Man's Religion?, available below and anywhere books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Christianity-White-Mans-Religion-People/dp/0830845992

The command, "Treat others as you want to be treated," is a Biblical text that has translated into an American value. Why do so many Americans — members of the Right wing, particularly — turn a blind eye to creation care on a political scale?  In this episode, former Congressman Bob Inglis gives us instructions on how to vote in a way that aligns with our values. Caring for our neighbor is a blessing for all: a practice that allows us to both love God and love people better.  .  .  . Inglis is the founder of RepublicEn, a community dedicated to doing the right thing, the right way. Get involved here: https://republicen.org/ 

It is easy to assume that Conservative Christians have held the majority influence on American politics. Journalist and scholar of religion, Jack Jenkins, suggests the opposite: that the Religious Left, instead, has fundamentally shaped the progressive values at the heart of American democracy — like abolition, labor reform, civil rights, and environmental preservation. Listen today as Aaron and Jack discuss the politics that history ignores; and why, perhaps, it is time to rethink our understanding of Christianity's relation to the Left.  Read American Prophets by Jack Jenkins today: http://www.jackjenkins.me/american-prophets.html

It hardly matters what Scripture means to us. It matters deeply what it meant to those for whom it was written. Every line of Scripture has context — a reason, a time frame, and a purpose.  We often use the Bible as a means of advocating for our own nation and political agenda. We should keep in mind, instead, that earthly kingdoms won't last forever; the Kingdom of God will. To hear more from Pastor Tommy Phillips, head on over to https://www.watermarktampa.com/.

What is Biblical justice, and is it the same as social justice? Why do Christians often inherently avoid both? In this episode, Aaron sits down with Dan Morrison to discuss holistic Biblical justice. Together they propose that the American Christian perspective is not the whole truth — and take a deeper look at why living Biblically is so difficult, for reasons we don't expect.

Christianity is, and always has been, a counter-cultural movement. Why does the Christian church often resist confronting its very own culture of patriarchy? When we read Scripture through a lens of female empowerment, we see women impacting every aspect of the spread and development of the church. The problem: we aren't trained to do so. In this episode, Aaron and Kim Alexander, Associate Professor at Regent University, dive into specific practices to adopt an accurate, well-rounded perspective of women in the church. 

What is Black Theology? How is it different from the systematic theology our churches often follow? Many people assume that there is a "right" way to study theology; that it is only a spiritual effort, rather than something that demands personal and institutional change. Black Theology instead teaches us that God is in the business of setting the oppressed free, in every sense of the word.  Join us today as Aaron speaks with Professor and Ph. D student Anthony Roberts about the beauty of Black Theology, and how it encompasses oppression, power, liberation and reconciliation.