Homebrewed Christianity

Gary Dorrien: Theological Ethics & Liberal Protestantism

In this episode, I am joined by Gary Dorrien, the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, to discuss his autobiography, notable contributions to social ethics, and the liberal theological tradition. The conversation addresses the evolution of liberal Protestantism, the intellectual and cultural challenges it faces, and the lasting impact of theologians like Schleiermacher, Bonhoeffer, and Niebuhr. Key themes include the intersection of theology and politics, the tension between tradition and modern criticism, and the importance of grounding theology within the church.If you enjoy this conversation, come hang out with Dr. Dorrien at Theology Beer Camp in Denver this October!Gary Dorrien is Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He is also the author of Anglican Identities: Logos Idealism, Imperial Whiteness, Commonweal Ecumenism, Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition, American Democratic Socialism and In a Post-Hegelian Spirit: Philosophical Theology as Idealistic Discontent. You won’t want to miss his upcoming theological memoir Over from Union Road My Christian-Left-Intellectual Life.WATCH the conversation here on YouTube_____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Stauffer: Theology for Action

In this episode, we are joined by social ethicist Dr. Aaron Stauffer to guide us through the intersection of theology and community organizing. Aaron, a coordinator for the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion & Justice and author of Listening to the Spirit, explores the intertwining of theology, activism, and justice. Discover how faith has historically inspired activism and can energize current movements. The dialogue delves into sacred values, community organizing, and the transformation of religious and political landscapes. Topics include bipartisan politics, military spending, foreign policy, and the role of unions like the UAW. Reflect on the impact of historical social movements, the military-industrial complex, and theological perspectives on democracy and class solidarity. Learn about upcoming events like Theology Beer Camp and the concept of Solidarity Circles to build supportive networks of change-makers. This episode is a compelling blend of faith, practical efforts for social change, and community values.Aaron Stauffer is the Director of Online Learning and Associate Director of the Wendland-Cook Program at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He earned his PhD in social ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and has organized with the Industrial Areas Foundation in San Antonio, Texas and Religions for Peace. His work has appeared in Tikkun, Sojourners, The Other Journal, Political Theology, and CrossCurrents, as well as other scholarly and popular publications.About Solidarity Circles
Building Solidarity by Deep TransformationFaith leaders, clergy, & organizers today feel more isolated than ever. We are over-resourced and under-connected. We need spaces and networks to organize together.Solidarity Circles are built to meet this need. These are virtual peer-networks for faith leaders, organizers, clergy, and members of the community who realize that the solidarity economy is essential for the flourishing of life and our faith communities. Solidarity circles are one way the Wendland-Cook Program is seeking to revitalize and build the church and Christian theology in positive ways. We believe that this work is deeply connected to the mission and vocation of Christian churches. Broadly understood, the cooperative and solidarity economy are ways of addressing longstanding economic inequalities within our society, including white supremacy and gender and inequities.
We're so excited about the work we can do together. INFO HERE
Watch the conversation on YouTube_____________________Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Burge: What it’s like to close a Church

Dr. Ryan Burge is back to unpack closing the church he pastors and put it in the changing context of institutional religion in America. This is a candid discussion on the personal and societal impacts of church closures in America, illustrated by Ryan's own experience of closing his long-term church. The conversation explores theological diversity, the digital evolution of faith awareness, and the shifting landscape of religiosity in America. With anecdotes about conference speaking, humorous takes on 90s Christian rock, and reflections on pop culture influences like South Park, this episode is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Perfect for anyone grappling with similar challenges or curious about the state of American Christianity.WATCH the conversation on YouTube Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Previous Visits from Ryan BurgeThe Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts
The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping!
Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter
a Year in Religion (in Graphs)
Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data
5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes
Myths about Religion & Politics
Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;)Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.
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Rolf Jacobson: Creation & Sin

The Bible is anything but clear when it comes to God. Within the text, God is not a consistent and defined character, and after thousands of years of debate and interpretation, God is no less a mystery today. In this episode, one of my favorite Biblical scholars, Dr. Rolf Jacobson joins me to discuss the character of God in the first 11 chapters of Genesis and how the stories of Creation and the crisis of sin give a narrative account of the human predicament before a loving God.If you enjoy the conversation, go grab the entire series now and join our upcoming live Q&A sessions where we walk through the entire Biblical story, asking the question of God. PS, it is donation-based, including 0, :)WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE ON YOUTUBEDr. Rolf A. Jacobson is the Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry at Luther Seminary.Known for his humor and faithful biblical interpretation, Jacobson is an in-demand preacher and teacher. With Craig Koester, he developed and supports the Narrative Lectionary. He enjoys collaborating with other teachers and pastors. His collaborative projects include The Book of Psalms (NICOT; with Beth Tanner and Nancy deClaissé-Walford), Invitation to the Psalms (with Karl Jacobson), Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms (with five fellow Luther Seminary graduates), and Crazy Book: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms(with Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobson). He is also the author of The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Old Testament: Israel’s In-Your-Face, Holy God. His scholarly interests include the Psalms, prophets, biblical theology, biblical narrative, and preaching the Old Testament.His voice can be heard on two weekly preaching podcasts, “Sermon Brainwave” and “The Narrative Lectionary,” as well as singing the high lonesome with a Lutheran bluegrass band, “The Fleshpots of Egypt.”A childhood cancer survivor, he is a double, above-the-knee amputee who generally wears a bicycle and a smile. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved wife Amy, their children Ingrid and Gunnar, and a cat who thinks he is a dog. He is a loyal friend, a lifelong sufferer of Minnesota sports, and a committed board-game geekThe God of the Bible (an Open Online Class)Are you ready to unravel the enigmas of the divine? Or perhaps, just revel in the glorious complexity that is the God of the Bible? Join Dr. Rolf Jacobson and Dr. Tripp Fuller for an online class that's sarcastically (or is it?) titled, "The God of the Bible: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery." Because if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that the nature, character, and vision of the God of the Bible are anything but simple!This class will take you on an unforgettable journey through the Biblical narrative, from Creation to Consummation. Our mission? To present the nature, character, and vision of the God of the Bible. Our method? Overcoming the hesitations of (post)modern, critical scholarship to highlight the aesthetic power of the divine as revealed in scripture.ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS: You can participate fully without being present at any specific time. Replays are available on the Class Resource Page.Previous Episodes with Dr. JacobsonFive Offensive Things… you learn in Seminary
The Five Most Offensive Bible Things… you Learn in Seminary
Israel’s In-Your-Face, Holy God
Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;)Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Caputo: Angels, Ghosts, & AI

I am thrilled about this episode in the ongoing Process This series on Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, my series co-host and author of God-Like: A 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters, Kester Brewin, is joined by philosopher John Caputo. The conversation occurred at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and theology. They explore the mystical and philosophical implications of AI, reflecting on humanity's relationship with technology and the future of AI in reshaping our understanding of existence. They also touch on key figures such as Heidegger and Derrida, addressing both the potential and peril of technological advancements. Whether you're a theology nerd or a curious mind, this interdisciplinary dialogue promises an enlightening exploration into AI and the human future.John David Caputo (born October 26, 1940) is an American philosopher who is the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus at Syracuse University and the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Villanova University. Caputo is a major figure associated with postmodern Christianity and continental philosophy of religion, as well as the founder of the theological movement known as weak theology. Much of Caputo’s work focuses on hermeneutics, phenomenology, deconstruction and theology.Watch the conversation on YouTube here.Previous Episodes with JackWhat to Believe?
Tillich and a Radical Theology of Culture 
John Caputo on the End of Religion
The John Caputo Book Party!
 the journey form Radical Hermeneutics to the Weakness of God
Homebrewed Christianity’s 5th Birthday with John Caputo 
Get Lost in Order to be Saved! John Caputo on Radical Theology
John Caputo says “GOD…perhaps”
on the Future of Continental Philosophy
Why Go Derrida with John D. Caputo
Caputo Returns
Stargazing with Nietzsche and Caputo
Keller-riffic + Caputo Tells Pete the “lack” is BS
Theology For the Subversive People! Caputo + Jonnie
Fresh Jack Caputo for a Nerdy Thanksgiving!
Bootlegged Christianity with Philip Clayton, Jack Caputo, Bill Mallonee, Peter Rollins, & Jay Bakker
Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Foerst: Embodied AI & the Challenge of Personhood

In this edition of the Process This: Artificial Intelligence series we are joined by AI pioneer, computer scientist, and theologian Dr. Anne Foerst. Anne offers a deep dive into the fascinating intersection of AI and theology, urging us to consider the profound ethical, social, and theological questions as we march into an increasingly AI-driven future. As a member of MIT’s earliest explorations of embodied AI, she brings a unique perspective to a conversation increasingly shaped by the emergence of large language models of AI. Dr. Anne Foerst is a Professor and chair of Computer Science at St. Bonaventure University. She teaches Computers and Society, Cybersecurity Ethics, and other interdisciplinary courses. She is also the director of the individualized major program at SBU. Her research focuses on the theological implications of Artificial Intelligence and the personhood of robots. Previously, she has worked as a research scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was also affiliated with the Center for the Studies of Values in Public Life of Harvard Divinity School. While in the artificial intelligence lab at MIT, she served as theological advisor for the Cog and Kismet projects, two attempts to develop embodied, autonomous social robots that resemble human infants in their ability to learn and develop more mature intelligence levels.Check out her book God in the Machine: What Robots teach us about God and Humanity.Watch the conversation here on YouTubeIn the conversation, we discuss...Defining Artificial Intelligence
Anthropomorphism and AI
Personhood and Ethical Challenges
AI in Religious Contexts
Social Robots and Human Development
Ethical Implications of AI
AI and Human Evolution
The Role of Community and Ethics
Join my Substack - Process This!Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Morelli: Jacques Ellul & the Technological Society

On this episode, I am joined by a leading Jacques Ellul scholar, Dr. Michael Morreli, as we unpack his reflections on technology, idolatry, modernity, and Christian Anarchism. If you enjoy the conversation, check out his book  Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio. Michael Morelli is Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics and Program Manager, Life-Long Learning at Northwest Seminary & College (a founding member of ACTS Seminaries, and affiliate of Trinity Western University). He holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: A Nascent Theological Tradition (2021), and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (2023). He publishes and presents on a variety of topics within the fields of theology, morality, culture, politics, and technology. He has also worked in local church ministry and continues to serve the church in a lay capacity. Follow Michael’s work on Twitter: @mchlmorelli 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Dr. Morelli 04:31 Michael Morelli's Academic Journey 14:03 Jacques Ellul's Background and Influences 19:25 Understanding Technique and Its Implications 32:28 The Idol of Technology and Its Consequences 37:09 Power Dynamics and Non-Power in Modernity 46:54 The Dark Side of Innovation 47:12 War and Technology: A Chilling Connection 48:04 Propaganda and Political Power 51:29 The Seduction of Technology 54:39 The Role of Idols in Modern Society 57:42 The Ethics of War and Political Decisions 01:00:38 The Future of Technology and Society 01:14:16 Christian Anarchism and Local Governance 01:22:47 Hope and Despair in Modern Times 01:36:26 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE Join my Substack - Process This! Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Clement-Jones: Living with the Algorithm - Servant or Master?

I am thrilled about this episode in the ongoing Process This series on Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, my series co-host and author of God-Like: A 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters, Kester Brewin, is joined by Lord Tim Clement-Jones. He is one of the leading voices in the UK House of Lords on AI regulation and online safety. He served as the Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and co-founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence. He is the Liberal Democrat House of Lords spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology and is a founding member of the OECD Parliamentary Group on AI and a former Consultant to the Council of Europe’s Adhoc Committee on AI ("CAHAI"). He brings great wisdom, passion, and wit to the debates he’s participated in. His book Living with the Algorithm – Servant or Master? – is a very clear-sighted explanation of why and how AI should be regulated, and what progress is being made. Get Tim's book here. WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE Join my Substack - Process This! Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Announcement on the Future of Homebrewed Christianity

After 16 years of online theological exploration, Homebrewed Christianity is leveling up. I am joined by David, the HBC tech-guru David, to let you in on a few new projects we just launched and let you know a bit about what's on the horizon. Watch the conversation on YouTube here.Class and Bring the Ivory Tower to Your Screen! After almost 2 years of work behind the scenes, I am thrilled to announce the launch of Theology Class! Almost 10 years ago, we started doing online classes & the supporting members of the HBC community (Elders & Bishops) had access to them after they wrapped up. With 45 classes it got extremely difficult to organize them and make them easily accessible to the community. To remedy this, we dreamed up the Theology Class platform. It will make it easy for the community to see all the classes we’ve done and access them when and where they want, giving you the power to learn at your own pace and convenience. It is hard to describe how much work we put into this, but for those of you who have been supporters of HBC or joined any of the classes, thank you for making this possible!* Get access to seminary-level classes. * Learn from top scholars. * Dive deep into what interests you. * Go at your own pace.Process This Substack How does Process This work? Process This: The central Process This feed will feature posts, often including video and audio, of my own curated intellectual journey, touching on different intellectual interests of mine. They will tend to hover around the intersection of religion, philosophy, science, and culture since that's where my research, writing, and teaching end up.Podcasts: There are also channels for two different podcasts. Homebrewed Christianity is the podcast I started in 2008 and features interviews with scholars across the disciplines. The goal is to bring the wisdom out of the ivory tower so more people can reflect, wrestle, and work through their questions of faith with deeper resources. The Theology Nerd Throwdown is a show I do with one of my best friends, Rev. Bo Sanders, and in it, we have fun nerdy conversations about something God-ish.
Process This Guides: As things get going, an important intention for Process This will be developing resource guides on the more engaging topics. Think of these as digital bibliographies that curate books, articles, interviews, videos, and framing questions to help the interested reader understand the conversation in the academy. A perk of having such a nerdy community will be bringing together what I have found with what y'all bring.
Process This Themes: I have conversations with scholars in different disciplines with various research interests, so we will intentionally help you connect the dots by having a series on specific themes. Each series will have a unique community member episode at the beginning and end, with opportunities to engage and contribute. At the end of a series, we hope those on the journey have a more integrated exploration than individual episodes alone can provide. Join our first conversation on Artificial Intelligence!
You can watch our film The Road to Edmond over here on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Zahnd: Evangelizing Christians Smitten with a Cruciform Poetics

Brian Zahnd returns to the podcast to discuss his fresh book The Wood Between Worlds. In the conversation, we discuss his kaleidoscopic theopoetics of the cross, the glorious metaphor of the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings, Trump’s ability to channel the speech of Mordor, and his mission to evangelize Christians smitten with empire religion. After you hear this, you will want to grab your ticket to Theology Beer Camp so you can hang out with BZ in the flesh! Renowned for his intellectually stimulating sermons and his deep-rooted respect for the church's rich history, Brian Zahnd provides a platform for pastors to interact with leading theologians and is a sought-after conference speaker. His literary contributions, including When Everything’s on Fire, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, A Farewell to Mars, and Beauty Will Save the World. Check out his new book The Wood Between Worlds If you haven’t heard Andy Serkis read The Lord of the Rings, do yourself a favor and be transformed by peak narration. WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE Join my Substack - Process This! Join our current class, FAITH & POLITICS FOR THE REST OF US! Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices