My Seminary Life

What is Black Ecclesia Interpretation? This is the finale to our Camp My Seminary Life series on Hermeneutics as I review "Reading While Black" by Esau McCaulley. In this episode, i breakdown some of the main portions of the book, talk about McCaulley's approach to Black Ecclesia Interpretation, and what it was like for me as a white man to read a book that was not directly for me. I also spend ti...

The Summer Camp series on Hermeneutics is back with episode four of five with an introductory look at Biclical Criticism. In this episode, I discuss briefly what Literary Criticism and Historical Criticism is, how they can positively play a role in our Hermeneutical process, and some of the paths that people take to arrive at conclusions that I myself may not agree with. I also breakdown the long-...

In this episode, I explain what's with the long delay to finish the Hermeneutics series, where my recent struggles with my mental health has taken me, and what's next for the show. Facebook & Instagram: @myseminarylifepod Contact: emailseminarylife@gmail.com Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/mslpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MySeminaryLife Shop: https://my-seminary-life-store.creator-sp...

Welcome to day three of Camp My Seminary Life, campers! Today, we have a guest counselor here to speak to us about Heremeneutics. Joshau Noel, the host of Systematic Geekology, Dummy 4 Theology, and The Whole Church Podcast, has three reasons why he thinks Hermeneutics is important. Hermeneutics has played a role in his life story, feeds his quest for understanding why we believe what we believe,...

Welcome back campers! Here on day two of Camp My Seminary Life I sit down to paint a better picture of what the hermeneutical process looks like by walking you all through my process. Whenever I sit down to write a sermon or Bible lesson, this is what it looks like for me to study and interpret a passage of Scripture. Shop: https://my-seminary-life-store.creator-spring.com/ Buy Me a Coffee: buymea...

Welcome to camp! Camp My Seminary Life begins this week on the beautiful shores of Lake Tolien. This year for our first ever summer camp we are looking at the topic of Hermeneutics. This is an essential subject for both pastors and believers of all kinds. In this first episode, I address the question, "What is Hermeneutics?" In understanding the importance of studying Scripture in its context to i...

It is the final day of Summer School! In this episode, I sit down to discuss one of the other current cults, Twin Flames Universe. Listen as I unpack what a twin flame and the Mirror Exercise is, discuss the controversial practic they have of assigning genders, and I give my thoughts on how we sometimes over-complicate the concept of "the will of God for my life." Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com...

We are on Day 4 of our Summer School series and we are going to focus more on current cults that we need to be aware of as they are currently operating. Today's focus is on 7M and Shekinah Church lead by Robert Shinn. In this episode, my wife Claire joins the show to review Netflix's most recent documentary "Dancing for the Devil" and talk about the history and essential teachings of Shekinah Chur...

Mormons. We're talking about Mormons today. The Summer School series on Cults rolls on with Day 3 covering one of the most reconizable cults out there, what is commonly referred to as Mormons. In the episode, I walk through a brief history of the Mormon Church proper, talk a little bit about some of the differences between other smaller Mormon groups, and highlight some of the major teachings in t...

Who are the Witnesses of the WMC? As our Summer School series on Cults continues, I am once again joined by author Christian Ashley of the Let Nothing Move You podcast to discuss a time when he was approached by followers of Mother God. Christian and I discuss the complicated history of the Church of God in South Korea before it was relaunced into the WMC. We breakdown some of their teachings, inc...

Welcome to Summer School! All this week we will be exploring the topic of cults and looking to answer the big question, "Could I really run into someone who is a part of a cult?" The answer may surprise you with this episode. For Day 1 of Summer School, we're looking at the genre of UFO Cults; cults that have extraterestrials worked into their doctrines. From setting up embasies on earth, to infam...

Schoolz Out! As we wrap up the "school year" it's time to unwind with an enjoyable film. Here today from Systematic Theology, Christian Ashley rejoins the show to run it back as we discuss 300: Rise of an Empre. Last fall during the Ancient Greece series, Christian and I talked about 300 as a way to discuss the long lasting impact of the Spartans on pop culture. This time, we're just here to have...

What place does awe and wonder have in apologetics and between faith and science? In this episode, as we bring Apologetics 201 to an end, Pastor Will Rose stops in to talk about his passion for finding harmony and equiping the church on topics related to faith and science. Pastor Will tells us about his recent trip to the BioLogos Faith and Science Convention, the importance of engaging in discuss...

Talking is hard. In this week's edition of Apologetics 201, I sit down to talk about the basics of engaging in conversation with someone who may be in a cult. From understanding the basic definition of what a cult is, to the need for having tact and love when talking to someone, this episode is geared towards engaging broadly with anyone who is of a different religion than you. Website: https://my...

Christian Science has been around for a while, but what is it exactly? In this week's episode, we explore the shared history between Mind Science and Christian Science as Apologetics 201 continues. We look at what makes Christian Science "Christian" and "Scientific" especially with how it understands the concept of atonement. I talk about the similarities Christian Science shares with Scientology...

There's more than one way to interpret Genesis 1. As Apologetics 201 continues, I am joined by Joe Dea of Happy Dea Ministries and author Christian Ashley to discuss the six major creation views. In this episode, we breakdown Six Day Creationism, Evolution, Gap Theory, Day/Age Theory, and others in an attempt to help people understand that there is not just one path for Christians to follow when i...

Who watches the Watchmaker? In this week's episode of Apologetics 201, we dive head first into the arguments for the existence of creation. Was it, as William Paley put it, an intelligent, benevolet God who like a Watchmaker put the mechanism together? Was it as Darwin purposed a series of changes over time left to chance? Was it as Alan Moore purposed in Watchmen of a Makerless Mechanism that God...

With Christianity being a religion, faith plays a big part in our daily lives. From major beliefs within the Christian faith, like the virgin birth of Jesus to, to daily living, faith plays a crucial role. How does faith play a part in apologetics? As our Helper, what does the Holy Spirit do? How does reason play into the equation as we discuss things that are in the realm of the supernatural. Joi...

This episode is a rebroadcast. What does the word "apologetics" mean and how is it relevant to Christians today? As we begin Apologetics 201, we go back to the original series for a refresher on what this critical word means. Website: https://myseminarylife983333216.wordpress.com/?preview_id=3&preview_nonce=2d22b29479 Shop: https://my-seminary-life-store.creator-spring.com/ Buy Me a Coffee: bu...

Happy birthday My Seminary Life! In this year's birthday special, I sit down with Dr. Jonathan Roy of Trevecca Nazarene University to discuss his dissertation on the role shame has on counselors. It is understandable that those stepping into a counseling environment to receive help may feel some shame in their life, but what about those who are providing the help? What are the mental health profes...

What's in a name? In today's episode, we bring Celebrate March to a close with a look at my name. Yes, it is my birthday as well this month, and although I do not have the influence the rest of the people I highlighted this month have had, I still think there is an interesting origin behind my name. So strap in as I take you to the magical land of 1993 to discuss the films Dragon: The Story of Bru...

Happy birthday L. Ron Hubbard! Who is your favorite sci-fi writer? As we Celebrate March, we now turn our attention to pulp fiction writer and creator of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard and his work "Dianectics." How does someone go from sci-fi writer to leader of a new religion? What is the science in Scientology? What is the aim of Scientology and Dianetics? In this episode, we cover all of that and...

Happy birthday Fred Rogers! Celebrate March continues as we celebrate the life, career, and impact of everyone's favorite neighbor, Mister Rogers. In this episode, I am joined by Pastor Will Rose to take a walk down memory lane looking at how Mister Roger's Neighborhood impacted him, myself,, and now my son as well. We discuss the important lessons Fred Rogers taught like loving your neighbor have...

Happy birthday Chuck Norris, and happy 150th episode MSL Seminarians! In this special edition of Celebrate March, Joe Dea of BuddyWalk with Jesus joins the show to wish a happy birthday to the pop culture phenomenon, Chuck Norris. Joe and I go back to Chucks early days on the karate tournament scene, discuss his place in the hierarchy of great 80s action stars, and look at the cultural impact Walk...

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss! What does it mean to speak for the trees? Today we are beginning our month long series Celebrate March where in each episode I will be sitting down to talk about someone who was born in the month of March who made an impact on faith, religion, pop culture, and in some cases all of the above. In this episode, my wife Claire joins the show to discuss the Illumination film T...