Crackers and Grape Juice

The team got together, in person, to record an episode about music and how it moves us. We talk about a bunch of bands including John Prine, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, the North Mississippi Allstars, and more.

Jason was fortunate to have a conversation with Andy Crouch about his book The Tech-Wise Family. Their conversation covers scope of Crouch's book and it includes thoughts on intentional parenting, technology as the framework of the world, pharmaceuticals as idolatry, password sharing, and much more.

Veteran Republican strategist Brad Todd joined Teer and Jason to talk about a book he co-wrote with syndicated columnist and CNN contributor Salena Zito. 'The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics,'is an in-depth examination of the 2016 presidential election. Brad and Selena examine the why and how of the outcome of the election and then look to how 2016 will infl...

In a culture where guns are such a fraught and divisive issue, Tony brings his life experience, passion, and theological lens to the subject. Check out his hunting blog - http://reverendhunter.com/ .

Rev. Sarah Condon joins the podcast to talk about progressive Christianity, hitting television preachers with cafeteria trays, and explains how she's experienced God's grace while serving as a hospital chaplain. Sarah is a frequent contributor to Mockingbird, a ministry that seeks to connect the Christian faith with realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways. She is also the author...

What happens when you read the Easter story in the present tense? What can we learn about Paul's personality in the original Greek? Who put together the worst translation of the New Testament? These questions and more on this episode of Crackers and Grape Juice with David Bentley Hart.

Sharing from his own journey, David Finnegan-Hosey puts into words how faith communities can be present alongside those suffering from mental illness and crises in 'Christ on the Psych Ward.' David Finnegan-Hosey currently serves as a chaplain-in-residence at Georgetown University, having previously worked with campus ministries at American University and the University of Hawaii. He holds an M.Di...

Gun violence has increased exponentially in the United States. Can the church play a role in making not only our communities safer but also in thinking theologically about violence, guns, and our calling to live as disciples of Jesus Christ? Pastor Amy Butler is the seventh Senior Minister and the first woman to serve at the helm of the Riverside Church in New York City. She holds degrees from Bay...

In this episode, Jason talks with Chad Bird about his two new books Night Driving and You're God is Too Glorious. An Old Testament PhD and one-time Lutheran Pastor, Chad Bird is a Texas oil-truck driver and prodigal son who knows first hand that the Father's love comes by way of the cross.

Dr. Mark Mattes teaches at Grand View University in Iowa. His latest book is Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty. In this episode, we talk about the kenotic love of Christ poured out upon the Cross as the definition of Beauty and the beautiful for the Christian life. Referring to his recent essay in the book The Necessary Distinction, we also discuss how Wesleyans like us Crackers can reconcile 'pe...

Joined by Rev. Drew Colby, Teer and Jason interview Dr. Andy Root of Luther Seminary and author of "Faith Formation in a Secular Age: Responding to the Church's Obsession with Youthfulness."

"If progressives want to advance their agenda, they need to relearn how to win elections." In this episode, taped back in the late summer, I talk with Dr. Mark Lilla about his book The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics. Mark Lilla is Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and a prizewinning essayist for the New York Review of Books and other publications worldwide. His b...

One of the members for the retranslation of the Psalms in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, J Chester Johnson shares his experience of not only interpreting the Psalms but also how this poetic form of scripture still speaks for the church today.

Jason and Taylor have a conversation with Chaim Saiman about his viral article for The Atlantic titled Why The Last Jedi Is More Spiritual Than Religious. Chaim is a Law Professor at Villanova University and is interested in the intersection between law and faith. The conversation covers a range of topics including Jesus and the Law, growing up in the bible belt, the First Commandment, Jesus as th...

The guys talk about Ash Wednesday, Lent, mortality, and repentance.

Johanna, Jason, and Taylor talk about scripture and the season of Lent on this bonus crossover episode.

Does the UMC need a Donald Trump to emerge, willing to disrupt the status quo? Can the UMC move beyond the debate of human sexuality, which is really a debate over power and money, and live into is mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?

Rev. Rob Lee announces his recently signed book deal exclusively with Crackers & Grape Juice. Rob opens up about the new role he finds himself in as a public theologian as well as what he has learned about race in America traveling and preaching at churches he once never dreamed of preaching in.

Growing up as a PK and being the spouse of someone who has worked in the local church, Tommie Marshall knows what its like not only for those in ministry but also knows the toll the calling to ministry takes on a family. In her new podcast, Backsliding, she explores the questions she, and others, have felt unable to ask of their pastors or of their neighbor in the pew. Subscribe to Backsliding and...

Diana Butler Bass opens up about s-holes like Nazareth and gratitude while co-preaching with Teer and Jason.

Jason, Teer, and Taylor sat down to reflect on the interviews from 2017. The conversation covers a range of topics including bad episode titles, District Superintendents, Bishops, blowing up the UMC, final interviews, controversial topics, Jason's nerves, and the Beyoncé of Anglicanism.

Jason's conversation with ExPastor, Greg Horton.

In this episode Jason Micheli has a conversation with Josh Larsen about his book Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings. Josh is also the host of the radio show and podcast Filmspotting and is an editor and film reviewer at Think Christian, an online faith and culture magazine. Their conversation also covers reflections on the death of Sam Shepard, the use of creativity, Christia...

The Crackers & Grape Juice team hosted a live podcast event where we invited Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass to offer thoughts about the 1st and 2nd Advents. In this episode Tripp and Diana respond to questions from the live audience including: Why is the 2nd Advent necessary? Why is Advent important for white people in a world full of racial inequality? What's right with the church? Also, the...

The Crackers & Grape Juice team hosted a live podcast event where we invited Tripp Fuller and Diana Butler Bass to offer thoughts about the 1st and 2nd Advents. In this episode Diana reflects on the announcement of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the importance of the 2nd Advent, Divine vs. Human Agency, and how to teach our kids about the already but not yet of God's Advent.