The Pastor Theologians Podcast

CPT fellow Chris Castaldo, Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, IL, joins the podcast. Chris tells his story of growing up as an Italian Catholic in New York and his eventual conversion to Protestantism. Chris goes on to tell his story of education and training for pastoral ministry. Join us at the CPT Conference

Join us at the CPT Conference

This episode features two short presentations from CPT fellows at our 2019 theology conference. The first presentation, "Every Sermon Should Answer: Why?" was given by Matt O'Reilly, Pastor of Hope Hull United Methodist Church. The second presentation, "Are We Present in the Church?" was given by Chris Bruno, Professor of New Testament at Bethlehem College and Seminary. Jo...

Part 2 of Felicia Wu Song's presentation from our 2019 conference on a theology of technology. Song is a professor of sociology at Westmont College. In this episode she outlines how the gospel's economy of abundance can serve as a counter-narrative to the economy of scarcity present in our digital ecologies. How can the liturgies of the Christian faith serve as counter-liturgies to the f...

In a presentation from our 2019 theology conference, Dr. Felicia Wu Song shares a talk entitled, "Digital Life as Secular Liturgy: A Matter of Christian Formation." Dr. Song is a professor of sociology at Westmont College. What is the social imaginary implied in our modern secular life? What effects does social life have on our embodied relationships? How should our Christian faith commi...

CPT fellow Nick Ellis talks about the crisis in global theological education. How does technology help and hinder education and formation? How does and should education form us as persons? What role does community play in education? How can Christians address the rising costs and ongoing decentralization of education? Nick explores these and other questions while sharing about his current ministry...

CPT fellow Nick Ellis shares his story of growing up as a missionary kid, his family's Mennonite background, and his call to scholarship, theological training, and the mission field. Nick is himself a kingdom-building entrepreneur and churchman and holds a PhD from Oxford University. This episode contains part one of our conversation with Nick. Join us at the CPT Conference

Gavin Ortlund, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Of Ojai, CA joins the podcast. Gavin is a CPT fellow and a member of the St. Anselm Fellowship. Gavin discusses his life growing up as the son of a prominent pastor and seminary professor, as well as discerning his own call to ministry, training, and PhD studies. Join us at the CPT Conference

Part two of our conversation with Gavin Ortlund, a CPT fellow and  Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Of Ojai, CA. Gavin discusses the concept and methodology of theological retrieval and how the theological questions that animated past generations of the Christians can grant fresh insights for Christians today. Gavin's book on theological retrieval releases October 29, 2019. Join us at th...

Before part 2 of his talk, Todd joins the podcast to briefly discuss how he came up with idea for "mere sexuality" and how its these may be even more relevant in 2019 than it was in 2016. CPT President Todd Wilson gave this lecture at the 2016 national conference of the CPT: Beauty, Order, and Mystery – A Christian Vision of Sexuality. According to Dr. Wilson, there is a need for Christi...

CPT President Todd Wilson gave this lecture at the 2016 national conference of the CPT: Beauty, Order, and Mystery – A Christian Vision of Sexuality. According to Dr. Wilson, there is a need for Christians to reclaim what he calls "Mere Sexuality," the historic Christian consensus regarding gender and human sexuality that existed virtually unchallenged for the first two millennia of the...

Paul Taylor, Teaching Pastor and Elder at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins the podcast to discuss the intersection of theology and technology. How should the church respond as technological advance continues and accelerates? How does the Christian theological narrative interact advances in artificial intelligence and the philosophies of post-humanism? Join us at the CPT Conference

Paul Taylor, Teaching Pastor and Elder at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins the podcast to discuss the intersection of theology and technology. Paul tells the story of his call to ministry, theological training, and his early career as a software engineer. Paul also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of working and doing ministry in the San Francisco Bay Area, arguably...

How can Christians and pastors benefit from literary reading? Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well and Professor of English at Liberty University,  joins the podcast. In these episodes she discusses her childhood fascination with reading. She also talks about her career as a professor and the distinction between fiction, non-fiction, literary and non-literary writings. She also discusses...

How can Christians and pastors benefit from literary reading? Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well and Professor of English at Liberty University,  joins the podcast. In these episodes she discusses her childhood fascination with reading. She also talks about her career as a professor and the distinction between fiction, non-fiction, literary and non-literary writings. She also discusses...

Eric Johnson, professor of Christian psychology at Houston Baptist University, joins the podcast to discuss the integration of scripture, theology, and psychology. In this segment of the conversation Eric discusses further the integration of biblical wisdom and psychological science, pastoral counseling, and how ministers can better serve their congregants and their spiritual formation. Join us at...

Eric Johnson, professor of Christian psychology at Houston Baptist University, joins the podcast to discuss the integration of scripture, theology, and psychology. In this segment of the conversation Eric discusses his own experience in counseling and therapy, trinitarian theology, the enneagram, and a survey of Christian psychological methodologies. Join us at the CPT Conference

Eric Johnson, professor of Christian psychology at Houston Baptist University, joins the podcast to discuss the integration of scripture, theology, and psychology. How should Christians think about the scientific conclusions of secular disciplines governed by naturalistic worldviews? What are the philosophical and methodological concerns when relating biblical wisdom with scientific inquiry? Join...

Part 2 of our conversation with CPT fellow Dr. Edward "Mickey" Klink, Senior Pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Roscoe, IL. Mickey joins the podcast to tell the story of how he transitioned from his role as a professor at Talbot Theological Seminary to the senior pastorate of a church in northern Illinois. In this episode Mickey discusses the process of decide to transition to ful...

Part 1 of our conversation with CPT fellow Dr. Edward "Mickey" Klink, Senior Pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Roscoe, IL. Mickey joins the podcast to tell the story of how he transitioned from his role as a professor at Talbot Theological Seminary to the senior pastorate of a church in northern Illinois. In this episode Mickey discusses the discipleship experiences that were mea...

Part 2 of our conversation with Owen Strachan, Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, to discuss his upcoming book Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind (B&H Academic). Owen argues that the nature of human beings is and will continue to be one of the most pressing questions not only in the church but in the Western culture as a whole in the 21st cent...

Owen Strachan, Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, joins the podcast to discuss his upcoming book Reenchanting Humanity: A Theology of Mankind (B&H Academic). Owen argues that the nature of human beings is and will continue to be one of the most pressing questions not only in the church but in the Western culture as a whole in the 21st century. He hopes...

Gerald Hiestand, Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church and Co-Founder of the CPT, joins the podcast again to discuss the inception of the CPT as an organization. What was its original vision for the organization and what is the vision for its future? What opportunities are there for those who love theological scholarship but do not have opportunity or feel called to the academy?  Join us at the...

Dr. Beth Felker Jones outlines a theological vision of sexuality and gender through the lens of our created embodiment. This conference lecture was given at the CPT's 2016 theology conference on human sexuality, Beauty, Order, and Mystery: A Christian Vision of Sexuality. Dr. Jones is a professor of theology at Wheaton College. You can view video of this entire talk, including Q&A at www....

Jeremy Treat, Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Reality LA, joins our host Todd Wilson to discuss his story of church planting, pastoring, and studying theology. How does the discipline of theological study interface with youth ministry? Preaching? Contextual ministry? (Part 2 of 2) Join us at the CPT Conference