Becoming Christian: Faith is a Journey not a Destination

Why We Believe: Theology and Social Imaginary

Any discussion of theology needs to start with the conditions of our belief. When we read Augustine or Aquinas, it’s very clear there are linguistic and philosophical building blocks that help us make sense of reality. Charles Taylor describes this as “social imaginary”. Making sense of social imaginary is an important first step in theology.
The sources of Christian theological reflection include the bible, tradition, and personal experience. As we explore the history of theological reflection we discover the ways individuals and communities engage with these sources. This podcast begins by asking questions about the conditions of our belief in conversation with Charles Taylor, Han Solo, and Obi Wan Kenobi.

The Meaning of Christ's Death and Resurrection

In this episode we focus on the meaning of Christ's ministry, teaching, death, and resurrection. What does it mean to say that Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God? How can we understand the death and resurrection of Christ in the context of exile and alienation? 

The Gospel of John

What are the themes of John's gospel? How does John frame the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus in the context of the Exodus? This episode will focus on the themes of John's gospel, showing how it presents Jesus as leading the new people of God through the wilderness.

Becoming Christian: Religious Faith or Secular Faith?

This episode will focus on the relationship between faith, finitude, and the eternal in an attempt to answer this question: What is Christian faith for the contemporary Western world?

The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus and the Torah

Matthew's gospel has a specific objective--to convince you that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. This episode focuses on the themes of Matthew's gospel, why he has Jesus giving a sermon from a mountain, and how Jesus fulfills the hope of the Israel.

The Gospel of Mark: Who DoYou Say Jesus Is?

Mark's gospel is focused on action. Jesus is in a hurry, and he is headed to Jerusalem where he is going to die. Mark's gospel is also full of questions. Different groups are trying to figure out who Jesus is. All of this culminates in the question Jesus asks his disciples: Who do you say I am? This is the question Mark wants everyone who reads his gospel to answer. This episode explores the themes of Mark's gospel, setting the stage for his death and resurrection.

The Politics of the Gospels: Good News about What?

What is the "good news" of the Gospel? For many contemporary Christians the good news is understood to be personal--Jesus died to save me from sin. While this is true, this isn't the whole picture. The gospel is much bigger than this! To understand the good news we need to place it in the context of the Old Testament: What were they waiting for? What was their hope? This episode provides an introduction to the gospels—what type of writing they are, and how they testify to God's saving action in Jesus Christ. 

The Wisdom Writings: Reading the Old Testament

How do we make sense of books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastics, and Job? Is the creation ordered by God? Or is everything meaningless? Are those who listen and obey God blessed and the foolish cursed? Or does God send rain on the just and unjust? This conversation will explore these questions as well as a brief discussion of the writings of the Old Testament. 

Listening and Dialogue

When it comes to controversial issues in the church there are some who claim wanting to dialogue is a bad thing. As if having conversations and trying to understand another person’s point of view leads to compromising your faith. St. Benedict begins his rule with the word “Listen”. Of course, he’s talking about listening to God, and to him as he writes the rule, but there’s also a case to be made that he’s talking about listening to each other. That relationality, and listening, might just be the foundation for Christian community. Give it a listen! Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe

The Prophets

This episode focuses on the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, and how they speak to Israel’s exile and hope of restoration. By speaking to Israel, they connect to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Get full access to The Reformational at reformational.substack.com/subscribe