Pub Theology LIVE

Bryan and Tina welcome pastor Casey Banks to the show, a United Methodist pastor starting a new faith community in Vancouver, WA and recent graduate of Duke Divinity School. She is passionate about creating safe spaces to explore Christian community and spirituality. We chat about what such safe spaces might look like and why they’re needed.

Brian McLaren joins Bryan and Ogun to discuss themes from his latest book: The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian. Tune in for some theological insights, spiritual wisdom, and even a few laughs over some craft beer.

Bryan, Tina and Ogun are back for 2017, and discuss their resolutions and embarrassing moments, plus some conversation around separation and the potential failure of collective memory. If you want to contribute to the conversation, you can do that in one of three ways: 1) Twitter: Follow @PubTheology and with #PTLive. 2) Facebook: Comment at Facebook.com/PubTheology. 3) New for 2017: You can call...

Bryan, Tina and Ogun exchange Christmas gifts on the show, try to sort out the Star Wars universe, and discuss the spiritual power of coffee and of surrender.

Bryan, Tina and Ogun keep the Christmas deconstruction going, starting with the [shhh...!] Santa myth. The Jesus story is not far behind. Grab a pint and tune in! Listeners have a chance to win free beer from Craft Beer Cellar, and clerical clothing from Casual Priest.

Ogun, Tina and guest Shannon Meacham break down some Christmas music theology and some Christmas myths. No topic is off-limits! Also, should churches hold services on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday?

Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss how to navigate potentially challenging conversations around the table during the holidays. Plus some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods and more!

Bryan, Tina and guest Derrick Weston discuss events of the past week, what a bumper sticker would say to sum it all up, whether "God is on the throne" is a useful statement, and whether safety pins make a difference.

Bryan, Tina and Ogun are joined by guest Rev. Carol Howard Merritt. We discuss Halloween, celebration in the church, hymnals vs rockin' bands, and missions. Plus Tina tells us about that time she met Jesus.

Bryan, Tina, and Ogun discuss clergy fashion, plus St. Francis' reported statement of: "Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words." How does one preach the gospel without words? What role does one's life play in this process? We also discuss self-compassion and being absorbed into an ideology.

Bryan, Tina, and Ogun discuss Bob Dylan: the man, the music, the legend, and recent recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. We take our theological conversational cues from some Dylan lyrics - sure to be a good time.

Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss how to find sanity during this crazy election season. We ponder what role can churches and communities of faith play in elevating the level of discussion? We also discuss whether we are more worried or optimistic about the future, and the Buddhist notion of non-action.

Bryan and Tina are joined by guest host Jack Ricchuito, who help us explore the power of questions. How do questions help us learn new things about ourselves? How do they penetrate fossilized assumptions? Can questions save us?

Bryan, Ogun and guest host Rev. Shannon Meacham discuss the inherent challenges in change, why it causes growth and why it might be difficult for others when someone close to them changes. Plus some musings on peanut butter and beer.

Is God like the wind? Can a minister be an atheist? Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss.

Bryan and Ogun talk about the anxiety and peace that is found in religion and in spiritual practice. What is inherent to religion that can lead to anxiety? If your faith makes you more anxious, are you doing it wrong? We also talk about self-care and the need for clergy especially to take time for renewal. And finally we hit on nationalism and all the hubbub happening around standing, sitting or k...

Ogun and Bryan, plus guest host Derrick Weston, discuss whether we believe in fate or destiny. We also ask: Does your faith or theological system support a type of “fate”? What about biology? Is our future hardwired into us genetically?

Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss Colin Kaepernick's protest: was it meaningful, did he miss the point, or was he right on the money? Also, how to balance contemplation and action. Plus Ogun drinks a stout.

Bryan, Tina and Ogun discuss the quandaries of time. How do you spend time? What would you do with more time? Is it possible to 'waste' time? We also discuss revenge: when is it moral or permissible to seek revenge? Is suing a form of revenge? Have you ever been involved in a lawsuit? Who would Jesus sue?

Olympics, faith and God - Bryan, Ogun and Tina are back! We catch up on our summers, plus we discuss our favorite Olympic events, how faith might impact performance, and whether God exists—and if that matters. You don't want to miss this long-awaited next episode! Pub Theology Live is sponsored by Craft Beer Cellar, a family of retail craft beer stores focused on amazing beer, hospitality and educ...

Episode 20 Extra Sips by Pub Theology

Bryan, Ogun and Tina discuss the importance of context in understanding Jesus or any historical text. We discuss the need for deconstruction, and the tension between the message Jesus proclaimed and the gospel according to Paul. We also discuss whether there will be beer in heaven. You can tune in to the live show on Tuesdays at 9:00pm ET at pubtheology.com/ptlive or listen later to the podcast. I...

Some of the pre- and post-show banter of Pub Theology Live!

Bryan and Tina, plus guest Tim Van Haitsma, discuss the idea that the spiritual life is like riding a bicycle, and whether you have to be in motion in order to grow. We'll also hit on Pete Enns' assertion that: “The Bible is not, never has been, and never will be the center of the Christian faith.” AND... we'll discuss the growing movement among evangelicals away from the traditional doctrine of h...

Bryan, Ogun and Tina discuss Morgan Freeman's assertion that God can be real and an invention. Freeman says, “Life is more about what you believe than almost anything else. That’s why God still exists.” Also, do we think of God as feminine? Why or why not? Why might a feminine aspect of the divine be important? We'll discuss Scriptural support for this idea, as well as what other religious traditi...