Context Matters

Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker Nicholas Ma joins us to talk about his latest documentary titled "Leap of Faith". In today's episode we explore the unspoken topics that often divide communities and underscore the universal quest for mutual belonging. The participants in the documentary were invited to meaningful dialogue around race, homelessness, and socioeconomic disparities, but the conversatio...

Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker Nicholas Ma joins us to talk about his latest documentary titled "Leap of Faith". We explore why documentaries captivate him and how they represent human encounter and vulnerability. In an ever-increasing divided world where people talk about those they disagree with as being an "enemy", is it possible for a group of pastors to come together to speak into the huge c...

Today is Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. John Inazu about his book Learning to Disagree. We live in an increasingly divided world in which we resist nuance and have definitive opinions. If you look at public discourse, those who have differing opinions are not only adversaries but increasingly described as evil. We  disagre with one another in destructive ways. Can we right the ship? Today we...

Do you feel like it is hard to have proper conversations with people about challenging subjects? It seems to be getting harder! This is why we all need to read today's guest newest book: Learning to Disagree. Dr. John Inazu is a lawyer who brings us along into his law review classroom to learn how to disagree with others while not giving up on our convictions. And along the way, we find out how th...

Join us for part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Jack Beck. Learn how themes like divine identity and historical events are intertwined with specific locations like Mount Herman and Shechem. Discover how geography can illuminate scripture, bringing fresh perspectives and profound understanding. This episode also explores how Jack's work with Our Daily Bread Ministries makes biblical geography acces...

Dr. Jack Beck is biblical geographer, professor, and prolific author. He is also and avid outdoorsman and the first person I have known to build and fly his own plane. From sailing and traveling to working on a dairy farm, he reflects on how these adventures fueled a restless curiosity that later shaped his approach to studying the Bible. We'll also explore the concept of literary geography and ho...

Dr. Mia Chung joins us for Part 2 of the conversation about the power of classical music to help with human flourishing. Today we explore the decline of musical education and its repercussions on holistic child development. Our discussion emphasizes how early training in music can prime the brain for better cognitive and social skills, addressing issues like executive function and intuitive learni...

Dr. Mia Chung joins us to talk about how classical music is a foundational aspect of human flourishing. Dr. Chung is an internationally renowned pianist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician.  She was on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and she is now a professor at Harvard. Additionally she is the founder and executive director of the Octet Collaborative, which is a...

Scott Erickson is an artist who uses many mediums to communicate with this audience. Today we talk about his collaborative book project with Justin McRoberts, 'In the Low, Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons,' which provides spiritual support for those experiencing depression. Scott then shares personal anecdotes, including an impactful experience at the Wailing Wall, illustrating how art can serve as...

Scott Erickson joins us to talk about the power of art in our spiritual lives. Scott talks about growing up in a religious family with significant exposure to Christian traditions but feeling out of place due to his inclination towards art in a tradition that lacked visual representation. But then he found the old European cathedrals and realized art can be used as a significant medium for spiritu...

Today is part 2 of the conversation with Rachel Clinton Chen about healing from spiritual abuse. Rachel discusses ways our cultural values have influenced leadership in churches, often valuing charisma over genuine pastoral care, which sometimes leads to spiritual abuse. We also discuss what to do in the case of people unintentionally contributing to spiritual abuse - sometimes due to their own un...

Today we are talking about the sticky subject of spiritual abuse in the church. To lead us on the journey is Rachael Clinton Chen. Rachael is devoted to addressing the harm of abuse – especially spiritual abuse – at the intersection of trauma, healing, embodiment and spiritual formation. She leads the Story Workshop for Spiritual Abuse & Healing and recently developed the Allender Center’s Spiritu...

In Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Justin Reed about his new book The Injustice of Noah's Curse, we focus on the "presumption of Canaanite guilt" and what kind of influence that has on interpreters. How can we learn to ask better questions of the text? This is yet another example of why it is so important to study the Bible with people who bring different lenses to their study! Dr. Reed helps...

Dr. Justin Reed teaches at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is here to talk about his new book The Injustice of Noah's Curse. Dr. Reed starts by introducing us to his context growing up and the influence of his mother and father on his faith and academic work. Then we dive into the strange text of Genesis 9. The timing is strange, the absence and presence of characters is strange,...

Dr. Dana Harris joins us for part 2 of our conversation about preaching and the book of Hebrews. We explore the book's theology and its profound connection to the Old Testament (equally dispelling misconceptions that the book is anti-Semitic). The preacher of Hebrews uses Midrash to use weave scripture into a meaningful narrative for the contemporary audience. How can we learn from the audience of...

Dr. Dana Harris joins us to talk about the profound experiences that shaped her outlook on teaching and faith. We discuss God's presence in nature and the importance of theological education. Dr. Harris specializes in the book of Hebrews, so we dive into the riddle of that book. Is it a  transcript of a sermon? Is it an epistle? Who is the author, and who are the Hebrews to whom this is addressed?...

This is part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Rebecca Idestrom about her book Show Me Your Glory . Today Dr. Idestrom discusses God's glory in the Temple. This leads us to a conversation of the visions of God's glory in the book of Ezekiel and how they relate the God's divine kingship and the hopeful restoration promised at the end of the book.  Find out more about Rebecca Idestrom HERE Explore the...

We sit with Dr. Rebecca Idestrom to discuss the themes of her latest book, Show Me Your Glory, which explores the concept of God's glory throughout the Old Testament. Dr. Idestrom explains how the notion of "glory" is multifaceted and context-dependent, involving both tangible and intangible elements of God's presence and character. We also talk about how Israel's perception of God's glory evolved...

We start today's episode talking about all the different Marys in the gospels and how that influences the way people interpret Mary Magdalene. Dr. McNutt also untangles how the Gospels describe Mary Magdalene and then  offers insights into her significance, not just as a follower, but as a pivotal figure financially supporting Jesus's ministry.  Read more about Jennifer Powell McNutt HERE Read mor...

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt talks about her new book called The Mary We Forgot: What the apostle to the apostles teaches the church today. To be honest, Mary Magdalene's story is rarely told well in churches, which leads  us to dismiss her as a teacher for people in the church. Her portrayal in popular media like The Da Vinchi Code or Jesus Christ Superstar tantalizingly focuses on her sex app...

Today's episode flips the tables and places me in the hot seat. Wesley Arning and Ryan Presley interviewed me about the book of Deuteronomy for their podcast called The Wayside Podcast. So I am rebroadcasting it for you here to help us think about storytelling and transformation as we enter this Advent season. Listen to more of the Wayside Podcast HERE Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Pla...

When scholars examine the writing, copying, and editing of biblical text, they can discern a complexity in the Hebrew Bible. There is scribal activity at the copying AND editing levels. What does this tell us about the development of Scripture? And what do we do with Dead Sea scrolls like Jeremiah that show us a complexity within the Jewish communities through the complexity of the scrolls themsel...

Textual criticism is about. offering a critique about what the best reading of the biblical text is, because before you can translate it, you need to know that you've got the best reading possible. And to engage in textual criticism, you need to have a fascination with biblical languages and biblical culture and biblical history. If it sounds complicated, it sort of is. But we have a great guide t...

In today's episode with the Rev. Dr. George Athas, we pick up the historic overview of what is incorrectly called the 400 years of silence. We dive into the significant historical influence of Greek culture and thought on Jewish society, especially during the Hellenistic period. In the Hasmonean period, we find the rise of anti-Dividic position of silencing the prophetic voice. What does that mean...

We casually talk about 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, but why do we say that? Who was the first to coin that phrase? What if that is an anti-Messianic statement? Then shouldn't we be more aware of the history and the development of Jewish thought to develop better vocabulary to talk about this time period?  The short answer is, "Yes!", and the Rev. Dr. George Athas can he...