Crackers and Grape Juice

On this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer and Jason sit down with Rabbi Joseph for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it means to be Jewish in a time of global conflict. As headlines from Gaza continue to grieve and divide, Rabbi Joseph offers a perspective shaped by history, faith, and heartbreak—speaking candidly about the loneliness many Jews feel, the complexity of t...

In this special episode honoring the life and witness of Walter Brueggemann, we revisit a conversation that captures his prophetic brilliance and pastoral heart. Jason, Teer, and Taylor sit down with the legendary Old Testament theologian (whose books can be found on just about every pastor’s shelf) to talk about what it means to be a community of resistance, the radical challenge of sabbath, and...

In this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, we’re joined by author and historian Amy Mantravadi to talk about her new novel, Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation . Amy shares the inspiration behind her richly detailed historical fiction, how the tumult and theology of the Reformation continue to echo in our modern world, and why fiction can be a powerful medium for engaging the past. We also...

In this special episode of Crackers & Grape Juice, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli sit down with Bishop Will Willimon and Rev. Tony Robinson to celebrate the life, legacy, and theological firepower of The Rev. Fleming Rutledge. Together, they explore the depth and breadth of Rutledge’s influence on contemporary preaching and theological discourse. From her theocentric preaching style to her razor...

Caleb Campbell joins the pod to discuss his experiences engaging with Christian Nationalists and the impact of this movement on his congregation and the broader Church. In his book,  Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor , Caleb emphasizes the need for a compassionate approach to address the issue, highlighting the importance of connecting with individuals on a personal l...

David Zahl joins the pod to talk about his new book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World.   In  The Big Relief, DZ spotlights grace as the most important, urgent, and radical contribution Christianity has to offer the world. DZ helps readers understand the beauty and depth of grace, outlining how it provides relief from the guilt, status anxiety, and accelerating demand that...

In this conversation, David Moffitt discusses his insights on the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasizing the significance of resurrection, sacrifice, and atonement in understanding Jesus' role as high priest. He explores the implications of these themes for contemporary theology, particularly in relation to the Passover and the nature of intercession. Moffitt also reflects on the influence of early c...

In this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice, Teer checks in with Jason and Todd to reflect on their recent pilgrimage to Turkey (Asia Minor) with Brian Zahnd. They discuss the reasons for the pilgrimage, the historical and theological significance of Asia Minor as the birthplace of Christianity, and how these experiences deepened their faith. The conversation explores the rich history of early Chr...

After an extended hiatus, Crackers and Grape Juice is back. In this episode, Jason and Teer speak with Jordan Daniel Wood about his journey into the Christian tradition, particularly through the works of Maximus. They explore the implications of the incarnation, the nature of creation, and the goodness of God in relation to evil. The discussion also touches on the importance of time, perfection, a...

Emily Hunter McGowin joins the pod to talk about her book, Christmas: The Season of Life and Light. In this episode, Teer and Emily dive into the rich theological and biblical roots of the Christmas season, reflecting on the themes of God's initiative and intervention in human life. They explore the interplay of darkness and light, the call to repentance and preparation, and the enduring significa...

We talked with Adam Morton recently about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the culture war over the new biopic film, and how to think critically and charitably about figures of history. A friend from Mockingbird Ministries, Adam is the Teaching Associate in Christian Theology, Faculty of Arts at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. Adam's thoughts on the Bonhoeffer film which prompted our conve...

Friend of the podcast, Jennifer Powell McNutt, joined us recently to talk about her new book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today Jennifer Powell McNutt (PhD, The University of St. Andrews) is the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies and professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. She is an award-winning a...

Andrew Rillera joined the pod to discuss his new book, Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus’s Death From the publisher (Wipf & Stock): Lamb of the Free analyzes the different sacrificial imagery applied to Jesus in the NT in light of the facts that (a) there is no such thing as substitutionary death sacrifice in the Torah--neither death nor suffering nor...

Gretchen Purser, host of  The Mess is Mine  Podcast , joins Teer, Todd, and Jason to preview Election Day 2024. Gretchen helps us understand how we got to where we are and what we might expect on Election Day and the following days, weeks, and months. Gretchen is a recovering evangelical, former political hack, and Republican refugee. Find Crackers and Grape Juice on Instagram , Facebook , and Sub...

Brad East joined the pod to discuss his new book, The Church: A Guide to the People of God.  From the publisher (Lexham Press): The Bible tells the story of God and his people. But it is not merely history. It is our story. Abraham is our father. And Israel’s freedom from slavery is ours. Brad East traces the story of God’s people, from father Abraham to the coming of Christ. He shows how we need...

Paul, a farmer and theologian, discusses his journey into farming and theology, his formation in the faith, and his theological influences. He emphasizes the importance of the object of faith and the danger of turning justification into the object of faith. He also addresses the issue of antinomianism in Lutheranism and the need to retain God's law. Paul and Jason discuss the misuse of the term 'g...

In this conversation, Jason Micheli, Teer Hardy and Jack Levison discuss various topics, including their experiences in Greece, and the role of the Holy Spirit. They explore the physicality of the Holy Spirit and its connection to the resurrection of Jesus. They also touch on the dematerialization of the Holy Spirit in Christian theology and the need to reclaim its materiality. The conversation hi...

In this conversation, Beverly Gaventa discusses her new commentary on Romans and the themes within the book. She talks about the last time she cried and the hymn that moved her to tears. She also shares her experience as a parishioner in her son's church and the challenges of preaching Paul's letter to the Romans. Gaventa highlights the importance of understanding the concrete audience of the lett...

In this conversation, Mark Edwards discusses the concept of prison as a sacrament of freedom. He highlights the global problem of mass incarceration and the need for prison abolition. Edwards explores the theology of Karl Barth and his prison sermons, which offer a unique perspective on the nature of prison. He also delves into the definition of sacrament and expands it beyond traditional notions....

Teer and Jason sit down with Rolf Jacobson and Ruben Rosario Rodriguez to reflect on the life and work of Jürgen Moltmann. Moltmann was a German Reformed theologian who was Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at the University of Tübingen and was known for his books such as The Theology of Hope , The Crucified God , God in Creation , and other contributions to systematic theology. 

Will Willimon’s chicken sitter, Slice Penny is a rising third year student at Duke Divinity School and soon-to-be-husband. A recovering drug and alcohol addict, Slice served four years for drug trafficking at a maximum security prison in Florida. Looking back, he sees it’s all a part of God’s call upon his life.