Pub Theology LIVE

Why are humans so susceptible to addictions? Are churches or religious institutions helpful in guiding people to find a healthy way to manage or be freed from addictions? Is there such a thing as a "positive addiction"? We discuss!

It's our Christmas episode! We discuss our favorite Christmas movies, traditions and more, plus what does it mean to say that God became human? We wrestle with the notion of incarnation, and also whether or not it is appropriate for pastors to ruin Christmas.

In the post show of Episode 112 on the Apostles' Creed, Bryan and Ogun stick around and finish their beverages, talking sin and forgiveness, music, and more!

We discuss the Apostles’ Creed, which has been given some attention following the funeral of George H. W. Bush, in which our current President refused to join the gathered congregation in saying or reading it. We’ll review it line by line and give our thoughts on this central creed of the Christian faith.

 Back with us on the show to discuss the matter is Keisha McKenzie.

We discuss the complicated issue of legacy. With the passing of the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, lots of kind words are being shared about the sort of man and leader he was. Why is it that we tend to only praise leaders when they die? Is it inappropriate to mention questionable things they were part of? How does this apply to spiritual leaders or the founders of religiou...

What is the purpose of borders? What gives nations the right to determine who can enter, and when and where? Aren't all humans citizens of Planet Earth? We'll also discuss Hebrews 13:2's injunction to show hospitality to strangers, as we may in fact be entertaining angels without realizing it. What are the moral and ethical grounds for showing hospitality and who should we offer it to? We discuss!

What is the difference between patriotism and nationalism? Can you be critical of your country and still be patriotic? Is nationalism always wrong? And is your favorite Marvel character? Guest Hugh Hollowell joins us and we discuss!

In these contentious times, is finding common ground a way to move beyond political division? How does common ground differ from compromise, or “meeting in the middle”? Also, what is the best Halloween candy, and do people who love candy corn also love hoppy beer? We discuss!

Is God male or female? Both? Other? Today we discuss the shifting landscape of gender identity, what science can tell us and how people of faith are responding. This is particularly pertinent as the Trump administration aims to narrowly redefine gender as a biological, immutable condition determined at birth. Tune in!

Are you more comfortable with the familiar and the known, or do you have a proclivity to explore the unknown? Some say that the greatest people in history were ones who were able to venture out into new areas, and brave the unknown. How does this apply to your life, to your beliefs, to society? We explore! Plus: Bryan's 10th anniversary of doing Pub Theology.

A group of Christians is traveling the country by bus on a national tour seeking to encourage evangelicals to consider voting for the common good. What is the common good? According to one common contemporary usage, rooted in Aristotle's philosophy, common good refers to "a good proper to, and attainable only by, the community, yet individually shared by its members." All members? Historically mar...

How do you talk with people who hold a different perspective than you do? Have you found helpful ways to engage? Unhelpful? We discuss that, plus life-giving practices and whether or not October is the best month! Tune in!

This week we talk truth and lies in the #metoo era. How can we go beyond 'he said, she said' to something more substantive? What will it take to believe women? Is there room for nuance on this polarizing issue? Guest host Layton E. Williams joins the conversation as we attempt to sort it all out. Tune in! It's Episode 103 of #PTLive.

If you remember a story different from a friend or sibling - who is right? Where does the truth lie? How do we do the hard work of history when there are multiple and/or limited perspectives, especially when those perspectives disagree? What about the history in the Bible? Is it exempt from the challenges normal history faces? Plus: Coconut Jesus makes an appearance. Tune in!

We're back! We talk about the Nike/Colin Kaepernick ad and what we think of this fusion of social justice and a major athletic brand, plus responses to it. We also discuss whether social justice is "heretical" and distracting from the Gospel, or rather essential to the Gospel. Tune in!

Bryan, Shannon and Ogun take it to the next level in Episode 100, recorded LIVE at the Wild Goose Festival! They discuss: Is It Time to Go Beyond Faith? Finding Life and Meaning in These Dark Times. Lots of great conversation between our fearless trio, along with engaging comments from the crowd. Lots of beers were enjoyed and given away. Tune in to this milestone episode!

We discuss whether we’ve ever been kicked out of a restaurant, whether it was karma or bad taste that Sarah Huckabee Sanders was booted out of a restaurant, and whether pastors should focus on being pastoral and non-political, or if they should defend the vulnerable and speak truth to power. Plus, where do we find hope? Phew - it's a full slate! Tune in to Episode 99.

We discuss the recent example of using the Bible badly by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in support of separating migrant children from their parents. We also talk about the need for self-care when everything seems to be going to @#$@&$*.

[Trigger warning] We discuss the recent deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade and the issue of suicide. What are good ways to be present for friends who may be at risk? We discuss the challenge of depression and how the church has often mishandled folks who are dealing with depression or are contemplating suicide.

We discuss the Supreme Court ruling from this week that went in favor of a Colorado baker who was sanctioned for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. We discuss reactions to this decision, what kind of cake Jesus would bake (and for who), and whether this opens the door to more forms of discrimination.

We discuss whether everyone is truly "entitled to their opinion"—and what that even means. And what is the difference between a fact and an opinion? Are "facts" less reliable today than they used to be? We discuss it all, plus favorite lunch items from childhood. Tune in!

We share some of the best and worst marriage advice we've ever heard. We also discuss, in light of the royal wedding, how a term like "traditional marriage" may not mean what many folks think it means. And Rabbi Eli Freedman joins the conversation!

In light of the preponderance of white people calling the police on African Americans and other people of color, we discuss safety, danger, racism and implicit bias. It's time to talk, white people.

Is love always the right thing to do? Is it ever appropriate to not act in love? What defines whether an act is loving? Rev. Wendy Craig-Purcell: “Just for today… I choose to come from love." What does it look like for you to 'come from love'? We discuss!

James Cone noted that "Any theology that is indifferent to the theme of liberation is not Christian theology." Is he correct? We discuss that, plus whether we'd rather know or be in the dark about the time and place we will die.