Armchair Theology

Ross and Clay continue through Paul's epistles with the book of Ephesians. 

In his letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul pushes grace to its limits. And on the other side is a holiness that will not be defined circumcision or any other adherence to religious piety or social norms. Paul insists that the only thing that matters is grace.

2 Corinthians is a tough letter to read because in it Paul expresses some pain of church hurt. If you've been hurt in church you may resonate. But beneath the pain is an honest defense of both Paul himself and the gospel he proclaims. 

Sometime between Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth and this one, Paul was hurt. Words were exchanged. So in addition to all of the theological depth and pastoral care of any of Paul's letters, 2 Corinthians also carries with it the tone of reconciliation. Join Clay and Ross as they kick off Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. Huge thanks and congratulations to John A...

Paul ends 1 Corinthians by addressing some specific issues that may not affect you or your church but whose solutions are universal by using the logic of the cross. And Clay finds out that Ross has always wanted a mullet. And be sure to check out John Archibald's new podcast here. https://www.alabamamediagroup.com/american-shrapnel-podcast/

Dr. Chuck Gutenson joins Clay and Ross to kickoff 1 Corinthians with a hard look at Paul's insistence on the foolishness of the cross and how it should affect our lives. Thanks Doc.

THEREFORE... Join Ross and Clay as they breakdown one of the biggest therefores in scripture as Paul moves from cause to effect, from theological foundation to practical application in how we ought to respond, grow and live lives of faith and love.

Literally everyone: Paul, has God pre-elected some? Or is salvation for all? Paul: Yes. Join Ross and Clay as they work through some of the most theologically dense reading in the New Testament.

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,   neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  For generations Romans chapter 8 has been a favorite among scholars, churchgoers, and podcaster. In seasons of mourning and feasting, the middle meat...

Romans is one of the most theologically dense books in the New Testament and we did not want to take it on ourselves. Huge thanks to Dr. Jason Borders from  Huntingdon College in Montgomery for helping us launch into Paul's epistles. 

If you've ever studied Luke or Acts with any kind of academic integrity you've certainly read something Dr. Joel Green has written. I (Clay) was most fortunate to have stumbled in his class my first semester of seminary and we consider ourselves just as fortunate to have had this conversation with Dr. Green to wrap up the book of Acts. Huge thanks to Dr. Green for joining us.

"What should the Church resistors be worried about in your neighborhood right now" - Matthew Skinner. As the good news of Jesus marched on toward the ends of the earth it threatened the balance of wealth and power. And those who had wealth and power were predictably upset.  Join Clay and Ross as they break down Acts 15-20 and the implications following Christ could have on your savings a...

"What God has called clean, don't call unclean." In this section of Acts the Church came face to face with the implications of a faith open to non-Jews. Huge thanks to Bishop Willimon for helping us work through week two of Acts and thinking about how it still applies to us. You can find him at willwillimon.com

After the death and resurrection, Jesus early followers were faced with the question: Now What? This week Matthew Skinner joins us to help answer that very question. Dr. Skinner is the Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. He has written about the Bible for websites including Huffington Post, Working Preacher, and ON Scripture—The Bible. He co-hosts Sermon Brainwave , a popular weekly pod...

We've decided John's account of the crucifixion and resurrection are our favorite of the four gospels and the reinstatement of Peter after his denial is a beautiful story or redemption. And with that we've finished the Gospels! If you're interested in Bible study curriculum, visit armchairtheo.com

Calling all Johanine scholars, this one's for you! What an absolute joy it was to talk with Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles and peel back the layers of the Gospel of John! Thank you Dr. Clark-Soles! You can find Dr. Clark-Soles at jaimeclarksoles.com  and check out more of her work on John as well as some of her groundbreaking work on psychedelics and faith.

What really makes us blind? Join Clay and Ross in this episode breakdown who's able to see Jesus's good works and who's blinded by their own bias.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. There may be no more memorable opening line in all of scripture. Join Ross and Clay as they break down the iconic Gospel of John.

Happy Holy Week Friends. Join Clay and Ross as they break down Jesus's last days from wee Zacchaeus, to the Cross to the Resurrection.

The prodigal son, the persistent widow, the shrewd manager... in this episode Ross and Clay some of your favorite and least favorite parables from Luke's gospel. Thanks for listening!

Clay and Ross discuss rewriting the Bible, sitcoms without laugh tracks, when it's time to do the work of the kingdom and when it's time to be still. Join us as we work our way through the Gospel of Luke

One of the craziest God moments in my life happened when I ran into my old friend from seminary, Dr. Nabil Samara, not once but twice in Israel. And I'm so thankful, through the magic of the internet, to get to run into him again as Ross and I kick off the gospel according to Luke.

What do we do with the shortest Gospel ending somewhat unresolved? Join Clay and Ross as they put a brass buckle on the Gospel according to St. Mark.

Join Clay and Ross through the heart of Mark in this politically and culturally challenging Gospel and count how many times Clay mistakenly says Matthew. Hahaha. armchairtheo.com  

Mark skips all the small talk and gets right down to the business of the good news of the Jesus Christ and from the outset Jesus shows that he's there to upset the apple cart of political and religious power dynamics. Join Ross and Clay as they take a look at what this good news really is according to Mark.