The Deconstructionists

Guest Bio: This week we speak with Kester Brewin! Kester is a mathematics teacher known as one of the leading thinkers in philosophy of religion and technology. The power of his work lies in the synthesis of ideas from disparate fields, playing the history of piracy off a psychotherapeutic reading of Star Wars, or pushing Harry Potter to play alongside both Batman and Shakespeare’s Prospero. Acces...

Guest Bio: This week we bring you a real special treat. We were honored and privileged to speak with Dr. Paul F. Knitter. Dr. Knitter is Paul Tillich Professor Emeritus of Theology, World Religions and Culture at Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan, until he retired in June 2013. He holds a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a doctorate from the Univers...

Guest Bio: This week we bring back one of our favorite guests from our first season! Dr. Tad DeLay! Tad is interested in the intersections of continental philosophy, theology, psychoanalysis, critical theory, and politics. He also holds a Ph. D. Religion as well as an M.A. Philosophy, an M.A. Theology, and B.A. Psychology. He lives, writes, and teaches in Denver, and I aims to make theory public....

Guest Bio: This week we talk with one of our new favorite human beings, Carol Howard Merritt! Rev. Carol Howard Merritt (@CarolHoward) is a minister whose writing, speaking, and teaching is anchored in theological wisdom and sociological insight. She’s a sought-after keynote speaker, especially on the topic of ministering in a new generation. After being raised as a conservative Baptist and attend...

Adam brings you some thoughts on the New Year as we step into 2018 and beyond. Thank you to everyone who has made and continues to make this podcast what it is! We will be back in February and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in person this year! Big thanks to: Nicholas Rowe for his amazing production and friendship skills; Ryan Battles for his incredible work on our website; Joe...

The year end wrap-up episode that was a year in the making! Adam and John take a look back at how it all began, what they’ve learned, where they find themselves now, what they’re reading, and what they’re working on for 2018! All new content starting February 2018!!! Special music provided by Nicholas Rowe & Friends “Holly Jolly Christmas” and The Undeserving “The Grinch” https://nicholasrowe....

A special Christmas message from John. John talks about the differences in the birth accounts in the Gospel’s of Matthew and Luke, and why Luke’s Gospel still challenges us now. Merry Christmas and see you all in February! The Deconstructionist’s Podcast is mixed and edited by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Hea...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we bring you a Christmas treat! The return of our dear friend Dr. Alexander Shaia just in time for Christmas. Dr. Alexander Shaia is an international speaker, author, and teacher. He studied cultural anthropology at Notre Dame University, and also has a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Alexander is the author of the revolutionary book, “Heart and Mind: The Four-Gospel Journey...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Dr. Pauline Boss. Pauline is an educator and researcher who is widely recognized for her groundbreaking research on what is now known as the theory of ambiguous loss. All losses are touched with ambiguity. Yet, Dr. Boss’s research and practice have revealed that those who suffer ambiguous loss, losses without finality or resolution, bear a particular and cha...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Andrew Schwab! Andrew is the lead singer of the band Project 86, an author, speaker, and graphic artist. We talk with him about what it’s like within the “Christian” music industry (and music industry in general), the unique dynamics of being in a band, fame, and much much more! Andrew is celebrating 20 years with Project 86 by releasing their 10th studio al...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with our friend the good Dr. Peter Rollins. Dr. Rollins is a provocative writer, philosopher, storyteller, and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret. Peter gained...

Guest Bio: This week we talk with our kindred spirit Kent Dobson! Kent is a scholar and (former) pastor. He guides wilderness based programs designed to cultivate human wholeness and raise questions of the soul. He also leads pilgrimage adventures to Israel, and he is the editor of the NIV First Century Study Bible. (Selected) Published Works: NIV First Century Study Bible & Bitten by a Camel:...

Guest Bio: This week week we talk with Kaitlin Curtice! We chat with her about what it’s like to embrace your Native American heritage, Christianity in the modern era, and her brand new book. Kaitlin is a Native American Christian writer, speaker, and worship leader. She is an author with Paraclete Press and writes at www.kailincurtice.com, on the intersection of culture and spirituality. (Selecte...

Guest Bio: This week week we have the incredible Brian Zahnd. We cover a whole host of topics from Brian’s amazing new book, “Sinner in the hands of Loving God.” This was a really fun conversation that we think you’ll enjoy! Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational congregation in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is a passionate reader of theology and philosophy, a...

Guest Bio: This week week we have a very special episode with Father Gary Thomas. Father Thomas has served as the diocese of San Jose’s official Vatican - certified exorcist since 2009. He also served as a consultant on the movie, “The Rite” starring Anthony Hopkins. The movie is based on a book by the same name which chronicles accounts from his real life career. Special guest music provided by:...

Guest Bio: This week week we have a very special episode with Dr. Eben Alexander. Dr. Eben Alexander spent over 25 years as an academic neurosurgeon, including 15 years at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, the Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Over those years he personally dealt with hundreds of patients suffering from severe alterations in their level of consciousness....

Guest Bio: This week week we talk to our good friend Ryan the lead-singer from the band Civilian. We had the good fortune to be able to record with Ryan over the summer as he was coming through town on tour for his new album, “You wouldn’t believe what privilege costs.” Enjoy this insight into one of the best songwriters around. Make sure to catch Civilian live when they come through your town! Sp...

Guest Bio: This week we speak with legendary Historian/Theologian Dr. Martin E. Marty. The Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he taught for 35 years, chiefly in the Divinity School, where the Martin Marty Center for advanced studies has since been founded, and in the History Department. Dr. Marty has been a columnist for and Senior Editor a...

Guest Bio: This week we speak with Dean Strang! If the name sounds familiar you probably remember him as half of the defense team for Steven Avery in the hit Netflix documentary called, “Making a Murderer.” Dean is a criminal defense attorney from Wisconsin who graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1982 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1985. Today, Dean currently runs his ow...

This week we speak with Brian McLaren! Brian is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak Kanene and Jason Pipkin, two parts of the band, The Lone Bellow! We talk about the origins of the band, living abroad, seminary, the hardships of pastry school, the dangers of eating hot wings in bed, faith, life on the road, marriage, band babies, and much much more! Guest Website/Social Media: www.thelonebellow.com Facebook: @thelonebellow Twitter: @thelonebell...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Zach Hoag! Zach is an author, preacher, and creator from New England. He’s also an all around awesome guy. We talk to Zach about his journey all the way from growing up in a cult to where he finds himself today. (Selected) Published Works: “The Light is Winning: Why Religion Just Might Bring Us Back to Life.” Guest Website/Social Media: www.zhoag.com Faceboo...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Father James Martin! Rev. James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communications, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestsellers "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" and "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything." Among his other books, "My Life with...

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with the incredible Rabbi Arthur Green PhD. Rabbi Green is one of the preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He was the founding dean and is currently rector of the Rabbinical School and Irving Burdnick Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Religion at Hebrew College. He is Professor Emeritus at Brandeis University, where he occupied the distingu...

Guest Info/Bio: We’re baaaaaaaaaack! After taking July off we’re excited to bring you the rest of 2017. We kick it off with comedian, Kevin James Doyle! Kevin is a very funny comedian from Brooklyn, New York who also happens to be John’s brother-in-law. Kevin has co-written and starred in an off Broadway play called, “How to be a New Yorker,” co-hosts a monthly comedy show in New York called “GREA...