The Exiled Theologian

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Conversations, interviews and talks exploring where faith, mystery and the Bible intersect in Jesus. Sometimes orthodox questions require unorthodox answers.

Josh Franklin


    • Feb 11, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 20 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Exiled Theologian

    Jonah, a heroic fish and a story with no villain.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2023 80:12


    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. 

    Depression, fitness, faith and absurdity.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 90:41


    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. 

    Joy, death and some meta physics of quality.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 80:49


    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. 

    What's the deal with hell?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 66:33


    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. 

    You are what you eat.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 42:28


    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. 

    The artful ability of horror to be spiritually instructive.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2022 58:50


    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. 

    The journey from total depravity to inherent goodness.

    Play Episode Play 35 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 86:46


    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. 

    Life after faith. Being gay in church. Christianity no longer needed.

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 71:30


    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. 

    The book of Haggai: Is this the interlude?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 26:11


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

    The Empire Employee of the Month

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 55:23


    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. 

    Emperors are Temporary but Wu-tang is Forever

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2021 32:35


    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. 

    The Parable of The Talents: A Holy Paradox

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2021 19:33


    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.  

    Leviticus: A Brave New World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 30:33


    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.

    Creativity as a Spiritual Practice

    Play Episode Play 43 sec Highlight Listen Later Jul 3, 2021 104:31


    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.

    Mastering the Art of Doubt

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 27, 2021 26:02


    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. 

    The spirituality of integrity, deconstructed tacos and remaking what we believe.

    Play Episode Play 59 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 13, 2021 54:47


    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. 

    Theology, Cultural Filters, Spiritual Permission, Don't Fear the Journey

    Play Episode Play 55 sec Highlight Listen Later Jun 5, 2021 36:41


    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. 

    Jesus our Deconstructionist and Savior

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 30, 2021 29:40


    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. 

    Unthought Thoughts

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later May 23, 2021 22:44


    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. 

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