Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times

How do you know if a teaching you hear is heresy, or just a matter open to interpretation? And if you encounter heresy, should you do something about it? What? AJ and Nijay discuss. Support the show

**special episode** This is the first guest we have ever had on Slow Theology, the one and only Prof. N.T. Wright, arguably the most influential biblical scholar in the last fifty years. He has a new book coming out (Into the Heart of Romans), and AJ and Nijay had the privilege of chatting with Wright about Romans, faith and doubt, and reading the Bible wisely and faithfully.  Support the show

What do we do with violence in the Bible? Especially when it is commanded by God? Isn't the Bible about love and peace? AJ and Nijay reflect on one of the most pressing ethical questions related to the Bible.  Support the show

Adult singles have sadly become a marginalized group in the American church, especially when marriage is viewed as the absolute ideal for all believers. AJ and Nijay process what Scripture really says about marriage and singleness and process a healthy spirituality of singleness.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay discuss the common question from students and church folks: Can you lose your salvation?  Support the show

In this short episode, AJ and Nijay discuss how to make sure you are reading and engaging with different kinds of material, and to what degree you let that material influence and affect you.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their conversations about formative traditions of the church: baptism (ST21), communion (ST22), and anointing of the sick. The biblical tradition puts weight not only on the healing power of God, but also the caregiving ministry of the church.  Support the show

Protestants emphasize two sacraments—baptism (see ST21) and the Lord's Supper. Why is it important for Christians to gather together and share this special moment of food and drink? AJ and Nijay ruminate on this crucial practice.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about baptism in this episode - what it is, why it matters, and why we should take it seriously as a step of faith and commitment to God and God's family.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay note how the Bible is actually a short book, especially the New Testament part. Is that  all  God wants to say to the world? Listen in as they talk about the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There might actually be a good reason why less is more!  Support the show

AJ and Nijay chat about evangelism - we all loathe Bible tract pitches and canned gospel messages. Is there a way for evangelism to be more natural and less icky and intimidating? Join Slow Theology for an honest and optimistic conversation about sharing the good news today. Support the show

On Friday, May 19, 2023, esteemed Christian pastor, thinker, and writer Timothy J. Keller passed away. Nijay and AJ had already planned to talk about the importance of heaven in the Bible and Christian theology—this news about Keller offered an opportunity to remember and honor Keller as he went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen in on their conversation about why heaven matters, why it is g...

What can we learn from Paul's prison letters about knowing God and growing as a person in those dark moments and seasons? Nijay and AJ look for wisdom from the apostle in chains, St. Paul, as well as other heroes who put pen to paper behind bars. Support the show

Christians can be mean, they can say hurtful things; they can cast aspersions from afar on social media and act like they are "fighting the good fight." For some of us, it's exhausting to look around and see Christians constantly at war with one another. AJ and Nijay are back again to process: what do we do with mean Christians? Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk through a great question from a perceptive listener - why would a loving God even create a place of eternal suffering like Hell? Slow Theology takes this opportunity to talk about how to process hard doctrines.  Support the show

Let's say you decide to do something and you face pushback or opposition. How do you know it is a sign of God's will to stop (that you are wrong)? AJ and Nijay chat about suffering, persecution, hard consequences, and how to discern God's will.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay engage with a listener question: how do you identify and support a church that is genuine, character-focused, and humble in leadership and witness; and not something that is just flashy. Good question worth pondering, Slow Theology is the perfect place to process this. Support the show

Nijay and AJ go back to basics - what is the goal of the Christian life? Support the show

AJ and Nijay talk about the importance of listening to, reading, and even valuing our theological enemies. We will never agree on everything, there may be times and reasons to be strongly critical and pushback, but a healthy posture in general is "intellectual hospitality." It's not easy, but—"This is the way." Support the show

In this final episode in the series on the Apostles' Creed, AJ and Nijay chat about the final lines of the confession: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen." Why were these concepts so important to the early church? How do they form us and give us hope and direction today?  Support the show

Perhaps the most challenging part of the Creed today is the confession: "I believe in the Church." AJ and Nijay talk about the difficulties of "confessing" the Church, but also the hope that God has invested in this flawed, but holy institution. Can the Church become the beautiful community that it was always meant to be? Support the show

Continuing the Slow Creed series, AJ and Nijay talk about the Holy Spirit. Why affirm belief in the Spirit? Why is this central to Christian faith, formation, and life? Support the show

In this ep. Nijay and AJ continue in their conversations about the Apostles' Creed. Having already discussed the incarnation in the last ep, they address the death of Christ and how Christians have thought about "atonement" and salvation throughout the years.  Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue to process the Apostles' Creed slowly; this time they talk about what it means to believe in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Support the show

AJ and Nijay continue their series on "Slow Creed," in this episode talking about "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth." Support the show