Theology Unpacked: Raw Edition

Reprising themes of resurrection claims in the modern era – the modern Catechism’s description of resurrection life and how twentieth century theologians responded to the background challenges of critical philosophy.

A first introduction to the roots of the distinctive Christian language of ‘sacraments’ and its connection to the sacred, liberating dramas of the mystery religions. Sacrament as sacred sign in Augustine.

An attempt to look at some of the ways that twentieth century theology has tried to make sense of the claim “Christ died for us”, including a brief look at liberation theology and Girard’s scapegoat theory.

This episode contrasts two Christian authors of different eras connecting atonement with incarnation. The fourth century Athanasius and the 11th/12th century Anselm both explore an argument why God became human with very different emphases. The contrast between Latin Christian focus on atonement and satisfaction and orthodox focus on theosis.

This episode returns to the New Testament matrices for interpreting the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross. The focus is on the letter to the Hebrews and the atoning sacrifice, picking up on themes from earlier podcasts.

This episode contrasts the more selective reading of the Augustinian tradition in the era of Aquinas with Luther’s reading of Paul and Augustine, and the consequences of the Lutheran theology of grace for Christian practice. A brief glance at the Catholic response at the council of Trent and a reflection on the most recent joint declaration between the Catholic and Lutheran churches.

This explores the controversy over interpreting Paul’s teaching on grace at the end of the first century of the Christian Empire. Augustine takes on the monk Pelagius and his followers. We look at the deeper existential reasons for their different approaches with a sideways glance at the life of St Anthony.

Continuing from the previous episode we see how Paul begins to articulate some of the big, abiding themes of Christian theology, teasing out the precise relationship between Torah, grace and freedom.

This episode reflects on Paul’s insight that it is Christ’s death and not obedience to Torah that saves from judgment at the end of time – and the fateful consequences of Paul’s fierce argument in Galatians.

How is it that the death of one man can bring about the rescue of all humankind from sin and death? We explore Paul’s attempt to make sense of this in the concepts of the old and new Adam in his letter to the Romans.

The first of a series of episodes to tease out the ‘models’ of salvation. This picks up on a theme touched on in the first podcast: resurrection and rescue as the vindication of the just one. Thinking about Gospel selection and the relation of this theme to the alternative Gospels of antiquity.

Exploring the elaborated, personal encounters presented by John, the theme of garden and new creation, and returning to the question of the two endings of the Gospel, with the coda of the miraculous catch of fish and the resurrection Eucharist at the lakeside.

Following Luke’s Gospel narrative of the resurrection encounters in a series of scenes that take place in a single day. The importance of the Emmaus story for the reader-disciple.

The earliest version of Mark does not include a resurrection appearance of Jesus – exploring what that might mean for the reader-disciple; contrast with Matthew’s presentation of the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances.

The earliest account of the resurrection is not in the Gospels but in Paul – an exploration of how Paul presents his narrative of the resurrection to the new, gentile Christians in Corinth.

Reprising John’s language of ‘lifting up’ from throughout the Gospel and exploring crucifixion as parodied enthronement: the Gospel language of ‘being lifted up’ turns the parody into paradox.

Focusing on John’s elaboration of the crucifixion in highly visual and localised scenes; his use of the images of sacrifice (especially the Passover lamb) trailed throughout the Gospel.

Following Luke’s elaboration of the crucifixion scene, foreshadowing of the destruction of Jerusalem and foregrounding the theological theme of reconciliation and forgiveness, and the presence of the disciples.

Once again pairing Mark and Matthew a comparison of the scenes of crucifixion and burial, and the theological implications of the authors’ use of Tanakh text and apocalyptic themes to interpret Jesus’ death on the cross.

The two significantly different accounts of the Roman trial by Luke and John, focus on the scene with Herod in Luke, and John’s dramatic dialogue between Jesus and Pilate.

Focus on the parallel accounts of Jesus’ trial before Pilate in Mark and Matthew, noting Matthew’s elaboration – and reflecting on the deadly misinterpretations of the blood-guilt of the Jerusalem crowds in Christian history.

Following the story to the first of Jesus’ trials, before the High Priest and the council, again noticing the differences between the Gospel accounts and highlighting the theological importance of the judgment theme.

Exploring the four different approaches to narrating the scene of the agony in the garden and Jesus’ arrest.

Some suggestions about what the Eucharist might have meant to Christians in the Gospel era, beginning with Paul’s account of the sacred meal in 1 Corinthians, and looking at the eucharistic themes in all four Gospels. 

A comparative look at the three synoptic accounts of the last supper, with the institution of the Eucharist.