Theology on Mission

Fitch and Moore sit down with Andrew Draper to discuss his superb work "A Theology of Race and Place: Liberation and Reconciliation in the Works of Jennings and Carter." Dr. Andrew Draper is a pastor in Muncie, Indiana and has written extensively on black theology, ethics, and the church. In this episode Andrew shares his expert insight into the work of Jennings and Carter and the implications it...

Here is the audio from our recent webinar. We hope to be back in the studio soon! Check out our Master's in Theology & Mission with classes taught by Dave Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones. Past visiting professors and lecturers have included Stanley Hauerwas, Michael Gorman, Fleming Rutledge, Reggie Williams, Soong Chan Rah, and Kyuboem Lee. https://www.seminary.edu/programs/theologya...

Fitch & Mike sit down with Dr. Drew Hart, professor at Messiah University to discuss his new book, "Who Will Be My Witness?"

How does a local church discern through disagreements? How do we decided what "issues" are essential? Here are the steps proposed in this episode, following the apostles work in Acts 15 1) The apostles and elders (leaders) met to consider the question (v6) 2) They observed what the Holy Spirit was doing (v8-9, 12) 3) A whole community listened and discerned (v12) They wokred with the leaders (v22)...

What would it look like for us to focus our ministry on increasing density, rather than increasing numbers? Listen to find out!

This bonus episode is the audio from our webinar with Hugh Halter on church planting. Our conversation kicks off the introduction of the Church Planting Institute at Northern Seminary. Check us out at churchpi.com

How do we respond to a post-Trump presidency? Fitch suggests a few different approaches drawing on authors who write about post-Nazi Germany and Ta Nehisi Coates. To be clear, we aren't accusing those who voted for Trump of being Nazi’s! We are offering perspectives (some from post Nazi Germany) for those of us who can’t relate or find it difficult to engage the 74 million who did vote for Trump.

"To pursue liturgy for our own depths of formation and ignore the cultural engagement of those outside the faith is a luxury of Christendom." --Dave Fitch In this episode we discuss the "post-evangelical" turn towards liturgy and the great joy of celebrating Advent. We contend that Advent is for the formation of Christians and for the purposes of engaging those outside of liturgical traditions of...

Just in time! On the eve of the election Fitch and Moore describe a 'Third Way' approach to theology of church and culture. Some suggest a 'Third Way' approach is merely a position of privilege that too easily compromises and disengages. This episode corrects those fallacies and outlines how Third Way politics provides a different way of being with Jesus in the world. Show Notes: THIRD WAY POLITIC...

In this episode, Fitch and Moore explore critical theory and what is has to offer the church. The conversation follows Fitch's response to Tim Keller's article on biblical justice and covers an expanse of topics: race, sexuality, ideology, identity politics and more. Here is Fitch's recent article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/august/critical-theory-tim-keller-and-david-fit...

Dave wrote an article at Christianity Today that responded to Tim Keller's recent piece on justice. In this podcast, Fitch and Moore explore how "justice" is up for grabs post-Christendom. They agree with Keller's assessment of the culture, but diverge when it comes to the issue of foundations and posture. (audio volume gets a little funky on Mike's mic during the podcast) Read the pieces below: h...

Fitch and Moore look at the fundamentalism of evangelicalism in North America and how it has led to the backlash of progressive evangelicalism. They explore the backlashes to purity culture, penal substitutionary atonement, the inerrancy of Scripture, making a decision for Christ, and more. (One note: there is some reverb in Fitch's microphone)

This podcast starts pretty meta: two white men speaking about white men speaking. How should white men position themselves in leading the church? Fitch and Moore suggest the practice of silence, listening, and going to where you are invited, before speaking.

UPDATED: Greg Armstrong joins again to examine the evolution and ideology of the word "racist." The word "racist" has changed from meaning prejudice to including the unconscious systems of white supremacy. Now, drawing from the work of John McWhorter's, we see the third wave that equates the word "racist" equated with subjective feelings. What does this mean for the church as we try to unwind the...

How do we make sense of the protests and riots that have erupted after the murder of George Floyd. Greg Armstrong, Director of Admissions at Northern and pastor of Renew Church (Lombard, IL) joins Mike and Dave as they discuss the church's response to and participation in public demonstrations.

Over the last month, a little theological scuffle has emerged regarding what the "gospel" means. Reformed pastor, Greg Gilbert, criticized Scot Mcknight and Matthew Bates formulations of a "kingship gospel." You can see the articles and conversation below in the links. Here is where Theology on Mission jumps in. What are the social implications of how we define the gospel? How does our atonement i...

Is video killing the church? This week we invite Geoff Holsclaw on the podcast to discuss church growth in the era of video church. Should we be concerned about falling into attractional modes of worship with the increase of online Sunday worship? Holsclaw critiques missiologists who 1) see this as a church growth moment 2) who see this as setting the church back decades. Rather, he proposes this...

"I'm more apt to catch a bullet than the coronavirus" That is a sentiment Mike has heard repeatedly in his church. What can we learn from populations in America that have lived under constant threats of "coronaviruses" of imminent death? Pastor Joe Mitchell joins Mike and Fitch to discuss how to suffer well during this time. Drawing from eschatology and critiques of the religious marketplace they...

These are unprecedented times and an uncertain future for the global church. How is the church to respond with restrictions on gatherings, mass anxiety, and an uncertain future? Fitch and Moore draw from their distinct contexts and discuss this somber moment. They give instructions for how small gatherings can take place in homes Check out Fitch's article on this issue: https://www.missioalliance....

Studies suggest that around 70-80% of pastors experience depression. For many in the ministry, depression is inevitable. The question isn't, "Will I become depressed?" The question is, "Who will I journey through depression with?" Fitch and Moore discuss their own experience through depression and the key postures and practices for persevering in ministry.

When you gather around the table as the church how should we talk and listen to each other? Fitch proposes three questions to ask around any table fellowship: Are you lonely? Are you angry? Are you lost? Fitch and Moore talk about the need to be embodied around a table on a regular basis amidst a hurried and isolated culture.

We are back for 2020! Fitch and Moore discuss volunteerism and how it encourages and discourages mission for the church. How does volunteering in the community actually hinder the work of the church? And how do we pastor our churches that default to a volunteer mentality? Here are four tips for moving the church from volunteerism: 1) Seek and follow the apostles 2) More than a project this is a so...

Mike's college professor, J. Denny Weaver joins the show to talk about his work on atonement and the crucifixion. Almost 20 years ago Weaver's book, "The Nonviolent Atonement," was published and contributed significantly to Anabaptist interpretations of atonement.

Buckle up friends, we have a special episode for you this week. Two Northern professors, Greg Boyd and Claude Mariottini debate how to interpret the violence in the Old Testament. Fitch guides the conversation through a few Old Testament passages as Boyd and Mariottini discuss how to make sense of violent portrayals of God in the Old Testament in light of Jesus' crucifixion.

This week we welcome back the co-founder of Theology on Mission, Geoff Holsclaw! Geoff recently wrote a response to David Bentley Hart's book on universal salvation. After bantering for a good five minutes Fitch, Moore, and Holsclaw talk about the challenges and hopes of Christian universalism. Geoff Holsclaw is a professor of theology at Northern Seminary and a co-pastor with his wife Cyd at Vine...