The Exiled Theologian

In this episode Samuel French and I explore the story of Jonah. We chew on the possibility of it being a parable designed to reveal a deeper wisdom about ourselves, our relationship to each other and God. This is my favorite book in the Old Testament with the most radical and progressive message concerning the universality of God's love and grace. I highly recommend reading "Jonah for Normal People" by Jared Byas if you're interested in exploring this innovative piece of ancient literature further. 

In this episode Samuel French and I chat about our experience with depression. We explore why our obsession with fitness helps temper it's effects and discuss how all of that intersects with our faith and underpins the absurdity of life. 

In this episode I chat with my longtime friend Josh Mason about joy, what it is and where it comes from. We look at the religious and non-religious perspectives and find ourselves down a few more rabbit holes that take us into death and some meta-physics of quality. Josh is a musical artist and graphic designer. We have been meeting for breakfast every week since 2015 to chat about life and how we derive meaning within it. Everyone should have a friend like Josh. 

In this episode I explore the doctrine of hell with my good friend Samuel French. It's not a theologically technical unpacking of it but more so an honest chat. We ask questions and give our personal assessments as we search for the unorthodox perspective. 

In this episode I explore whether the soul gets hungry and what to feed it by considering a set of strange comments from Jesus referring to himself in John chapter 6. 

In this episode I chat with my good friend Michaela Love about the genre of horror in film and television and it's unique ability to tap into the deepest parts of our humanity. Michaela is a regular writer on Screentrant.com. We specifically chat about the Netflix show Midnight Mass and it's rich spiritual themes, unique cinematography, religious undertones and classic scares. 

In this episode I have an insightful chat with my good friend Dave Michalak. We discuss his journey with faith, deconstruction, reconstruction and total depravity. Dave is a critical thinker and adept at introspection. His insights are thoughtful, original and certain to bring you freedom. We discuss the books that most influenced him so take notes! He provides a great blueprint for evolving personal faith and spiritual belief. Everyone can learn from Dave. 

In this episode I have an insightful conversation with my very dear friend Andrew Carter regarding his experience with being gay in church, dealing with sexual harm, reconciling faith with what he actually believed, putting Christianity in the dust bin and how all of it impacted his life. 

In this episode I explore the book of Haggai, exile, spiritual interludes and the path forward into new things. 

In this episode I explore the interaction between Jesus and the Roman Centurion with my good friend Samuel French. Samuel has a unique perspective when it comes to the Bible and doesn't allow boxed thinking to limit his views. He's also a lot of fun to chat with! Why does Jesus praise the faith of this Empire employee? Why is this story here? Jesus doesn't ever seem to let us decide who is in and who is out. He always makes space for the nuance of being human. 

In this episode I explore why Jesus told the Pharisees to "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." with my good friend Nathan Elliott. Nathan is a ravenous researcher and always finds a new angle from which to view the bible. Jesus somehow manages to provide a politically correct answer while at the same time being subversively seditious towards the political and religious power structures of the day. There are many ways to interpret this exchange but at a minimum perhaps Jesus asserts that we can interact with the system of the world without forgoing our ultimate allegiance to the system of the Creator. 

Maybe the parable of the talents isn't simply about the talents. In this episode I explore where fear and belief intersect to determine our actions and create a false god and false self.  

In this episode I tinker with the book of Leviticus and Exodus to explore the ideas underwriting it's instructions to consider the necessity of creating an intentionally consecrated space outside of life. A space to uncover new ideas that can form the foundation for new worlds. All of this inspired by an ancient book that has been deemed an irrelevant and primitive religious manual featuring antiquated practices.

In this episode Tony Aiuppy and I unpack the idea of creativity being a spiritual practice. Tony is a long time friend, a professional artist, art educator, accomplished creative and extremely insightful guy among many other things. When it comes to faith and creativity you'll definitely want to consider anything he says.

In this episode I explore doubt in the story of Thomas and Jesus in the Gospel of John. Doubt in church and society is often assumed to be coming from a negative space while certainty is usually viewed positively. Perhaps that's not always correct and doubt can actually be a tool or even an art to master as we learn to navigate the middle space of life. 

In this episode I have a conversation with Nathan Elliott exploring the spiritual energy of integrity, the parallel of deconstruction in the culinary world and church as well as a new way forward into remaking what we believe. Nathan is a close friend, creative, entrepreneur and critical thinker. 

In this episode I have a fun chat with Kari Barnes unpacking the value of cultural filters that can shape and influence our theology, what it means to have spiritual permission and the good news that God doesn't fear the journey we're on. Kari is my sister-n-law, a brilliant thinker, social creative  and entrepreneur. 

In this episode I explore whether or not we are actually following orthodoxy or Jesus. I take a look at the Sermon on the Mount to unpack a series of ideas Jesus deconstructs and reinterprets in himself. Perhaps Jesus gives us a model for moving forward in reinterpreting his way and the bible in our context. 

Perhaps Jesus isn't calling us to confess our sins but more so to have an open mind. 

Jesus invites humanity to change direction. Deviate, for the territory of the eternal order of things is at hand.