God for Grownups

When I first heard about the "Big Bang Singularity," probably while watching the movie Interstellar, back in 2014, my immediate thought was God. Think about it: classical theology teaches that God resides, likewise, beyond space and time. Space and time, in other words, lose meaning when applied to God. How is this any different from the Singularity posited by science? Maybe, I wonder, the Singularity is sacred.

On this episode, we're featuring a session from the Queen Anne Lutheran Church forum series, Demons, Darkness & the Devil, with Catholic perspectives from Fr. William Watson, S.J. Watch a recording of this forum and view earlier sessions at in the series on the Queen Anne Lutheran YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/queenannelutheran Join us on Sunday, March 21 for the final session in the series, with Pastor Dan sharing contemporary Lutheran perspectives on the topic: https://fb.me/e/1S2GHaoXe About this week's speaker: Fr. Watson has spent over thirty years developing Ignatian programs and retreats used by Georgetown University, Seattle University, Santa Clara University, Gonzaga University and Loyola College in Baltimore. In 2011 he launched The Sacred Story Institute, a non-profit promoting third millennium evangelization for the Society of Jesus and the Church by using the Examination of Conscience of St. Ignatius. Fr. Watson received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2009 from The Catholic University of America (Washington D.C.). He also holds Masters degrees in Divinity and Pastoral Studies, respectively (1986; Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge Massachusetts).

Pastor Dan Peterson and Dr. Beatrice Lawrence discuss and compare Christian and Jewish perspectives on violence, in light of the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

How do we explain such rash behavior on the part of the earliest disciples? Pastor Dan Peterson shares what he believes to be the best answer to the question of why the disciples immediately left everything to follow Jesus. The answer sheds light, as well, on what it might mean for us to follow Jesus today. This episode of God for Grownups is Pastor Dan's sermon from Queen Anne Lutheran's weekly audio podcast service. Subscribe to the Queen Anne Lutheran podcast for the full service and more messages from Pastor Dan.

On this episode, we're presenting highlights from one of our most enlightening virtual forums of the past year. The talk focuses on a turning point in the life of Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German who lived from 1906 to 1945. Bonhoeffer is widely known for his resistance to Nazi dictatorship and genocide, and for his writings on Christianity in secular life, including his classic book, The Cost of Discipleship. Lesser-known is the impact on Bonhoeffer of his year of study at Union Seminary in New York, in 1930-31, during which he worshiped at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and was deeply influenced by Harlem Renaissance intellectuals. Dr. Reggie Williams writes about this subject in his award-winning book, Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance. Dr. Williams is our featured guest for this forum, which Queen Anne Lutheran co-hosted with St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue. Watch a video of the forum here, with additional audience Q&A.

In difficult times like these, where do you find hope? Pastor Mark Griffith of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Wash., joins host Pastor Dan Peterson of Queen Anne Lutheran Church in Seattle to grapple with that question on this episode of God for Grownups.

This past week we learned, thanks to an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, that Dr. Jill Biden, soon to be our nation’s First Lady, is not a doctor, at least according to Joseph Epstein. Today, when men like Epstein deny the dignity and freedom of women by telling them to “know their place,” let us remember the example of Mary, whose choice and dignity were respected by no less than God.

For millennia, believers in God have asked, “Why doesn’t God prevent unnecessary suffering?” The usual answers to this question leave most of us unsatisfied. Dr. Thomas Jay Oord offers a different answer—actually five answers that combined, solve the problem of evil. In this "God Talk" forum discussion from Queen Anne Lutheran Church, Dr. Oord will speak from ideas in his best-selling book, God Can’t. This discussion will center on God’s uncontrolling love for us and all creation. For more on this topic, listen to an earlier discussion between Pastor Dan Peterson and Dr. Oord on the "God for Grownups" podcast. Go to this blog post for an introduction to Oord’s views. This short video gives an overview of Oord’s book, which can be ordered from Amazon here. Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D. directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary. He’s a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multidisciplinary studies; author or editor of more than twenty-five books. He is known for contributions to research on love, science and religion, open and relational theology, the problem of suffering, and the implications of freedom for transformational relationships.

Matthew 25:13 ... or Dave Matthews? We're trying something new this week on the podcast, sharing my sermon from Queen Anne Lutheran Church's weekly audio service. As you'll hear, however, it's not a traditional sermon. I enjoyed putting it together, and I hope you're able to take from it some insight and inspiration. You can hear the full audio service at queenannelutheran.org, including the gospel reading, prayers, and music by our cantor, the amazing Kyle Haugen. You can also subscribe to the Queen Anne Lutheran podcast wherever you listen. — Pastor Dan Peterson

This is the first of four “God Talks” in Queen Anne Lutheran Church's forum calendar, each of which serves as a one-time discussion of an issue or topic that intersects with God or faith. The conversation features Amy Radil of KUOW Public Radio and Martin Kaste of NPR News, with Pastor Dan Peterson, and questions from members and friends of the Queen Anne Lutheran congregation. What is it like for people of faith to cover politics? How do these journalists’ faith/values inform the way they cover the news as well as what they choose to cover? What do they feel people of faith should know when it comes to their coverage of politics, particularly elections? We invite you to read the article “How Should Lutherans Be Involved in Politics?” in this month’s Living Lutheran magazine in conjunction with this talk.

Pastor Dan Peterson talks with author and theologian Thomas Jay Oord about the power and limits of God, and the persistent question of why God "allows" bad things to happen in the world. As Tom explains in one of his latest books, 'God Can't,' the answer challenges the very premise of the question.

Pastor Dan Peterson of Queen Anne Lutheran Church and guest Dr. Beatrice Lawrence of Seattle University, an expert in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Hermeneutics, discuss Christian and Jewish perspectives on the immortality of the soul, what happens when we die, and how the answers can inform the way we live.

What was the symbolism of President Trump's impromptu visit to St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.? Pastor Mark Griffith of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Wash., joins Pastor Dan Peterson of Queen Anne Lutheran Church in Seattle for this discusison.

1 Timothy 2:12 -- "I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent" -- makes the biblical view of women clear. Or does it? Join Dan and Bea as they explore the topic of women in the Bible, comparing this verse with others and finding some highly surprising alternatives along the way.

Should the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion be delivered over a Zoom call? And is it really a sacrament if not given in person? A special guest, Pastor Mark Griffith of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Wash., joins Pastor Dan Peterson of Queen Anne Lutheran Church in Seattle to discuss and debate an issue that is dividing the Christian faith during the COVID-19 pandemic, and compare the different approaches they've taken to Holy Communion in their respective congregations. Co-host Beatrice Lawrence will be back on our next episode. Follow St. Luke's Lutheran on YouTube. Listen to "Word Out," the weekly audio worship service from Queen Anne Lutheran. Subscribe to God for Grownups for more episodes.

How can religious traditions continue when the communities that define and inspire them are kept from coming together? Dan and Bea discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Jewish and Christian communities, the struggle to bridge the gap with technology, and the long-term impact on our understanding and practice of faith.

Dan and Bea discuss some important and surprising facts to know about Hebrew Bible, and the Old and New Testaments, and larger differences between the Jewish and Christian traditions, providing some important background in the God for Grownups podcast series.

Bea and Dan discuss the historical roots and modern implications of Anti-Semitism from a Biblical perspective, tracing this insidious form of bias and discrimination from the "great divide" of the Jewish and Christian faiths to present-day politics.

Dan and Bea share their favorite passages and books from the Bible, and explain the significance for them personally and in the context of the Christian and Jewish faiths.

"Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who makes the things of creation." After a difficult week, Bea shares the significance of that blessing in her own life, as she and Dan explore Jewish and Christian perspectives on gratitude.

What does it mean to be saved? And what are we being saved from, anyway? On this episode of God for Grownups, Dan and Bea explore the many different perspectives on salvation across the Jewish and Christian traditions.

Subscribe to God for Grownups:Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify What are the hallmarks of a mature faith? On this episode of God for Grownups, Pastor Dan Peterson is joined by a special guest, Pastor Mark Griffith of St Luke's Lutheran Church in Bellevue, Wash., to explore that question, with some surprising twists and insights.

Dan and Bea are back, and they're preparing to watch "The Shining" by asking a simple question: "Do you believe in ghosts?" Which leads to the natural question, "What do you mean by believe?" And that's when things get interesting.

What happens when people die, and what does it mean for those who survive them? Dan and Bea explore Christian and Jewish perspectives on death, and discuss how the two faiths differ in the traditions and rituals for loved ones left behind.

Dan and Bea go to the movies, lose Dan's car, and share their perspectives on sin, grace, and whether it's OK to check text messages during the previews.

The debut episode of "God for Grownups," a new podcast exploring scripture, faith and everyday life from the perspectives of Judaism and Christianity. Hosted by "Dan & Bea," a.k.a. Dr. Beatrice Lawrence of Seattle University, an expert in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Hermeneutics (and future daytime talk show host); and Rev. Dr. Dan Peterson, a theologian (and aspiring superhero) and pastor of Seattle's Queen Anne Lutheran Church.