Theology in the Raw

The Myth of Good Christian Parenting is available to pre-order now on Amazon, reserve your copy today! Join the Theology in the Raw community on Patreon to watch our "Extra Innings" conversation on whether parents should spank their kids. Marissa Franks Burt (MA in Theological Studies, Columbia International University) is a novelist, editor, teacher, and cohost of the At Home with the Lectionary and In the Church Library podcasts. She lives in a small town in Washington's Snoqualmie Valley with her husband, six children, and heaps of books. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis (PhD, University of Iowa) is a musicologist, educator, and correspondent for Christianity Today, writing on worship practices and Christian subculture. She is an adjunct professor at Grand View University in Des Moines and previously worked at the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. Marissa & Kelsey cohost the podcast In The Church Library where they discuss print resources. And they coauthored the book The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families, which is the topic of our conversation. Link to pre-order bonuses. Link to download of the introduction and first chapter. Order from Baker for guaranteed release day deliverySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Juli Slattery is the president and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. She is a clinical psychologist and hosts the weekly Java with Juli podcast. Juli has authored or co-authored 14 books, including her latest book: Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes…Everything. Join the Theology in the Raw community to get access to our "extra innings" conversation, where Juli counsels me on how to respond to slander and lies spread about me from Christian influencers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Julia Sadusky is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and speaker who specializes in sexuality, gender, and faith and has written several books in this area, including Start Talking to Your Kids about Sex. Julia has submitted an Amicus Brief concerning the recent case against the ban on conversation therapy in the state of Colorado. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Check out Patreon.com/theologyintheraw for Extra Innings, bonus episodes, interactive live streams, and discounted event tix!Shoutout to our amazing sponsor, Wild Alaskan. Save $35 on your first box of delicious, sustainable seafood. Head to wildalaskan.com/titr to order. Also, be sure to grab a copy of God's Colorful Kingdom, available now! Exiles in Babylon Conference 2026 Registration is open! Join us in Minneapolis, April 30-May 2. Esau McCaulley, PhD, is Pastor of All Saints Anglican Church in Naperville IL. He is also an author and The Jonathan Blanchard Associate Professor of New Testament and Public Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. His research and writing focus on New Testament Exegesis, African American Biblical Interpretation, and Public Theology. Esau's latest book is a children's Bible called God's Colorful Kingdom, which celebrates God's heart for diversity throughout scripture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content! A. J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) is an assistant professor of Bible, theology, and world Christianity at Bushnell University. He also leads a doctor of ministry program around Christian formation and soul care at Friends University. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including the award-winning Subversive Sabbath and After Doubt. Nijay K. Gupta (PhD, Durham University) is Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. Gupta is an award-winning author of numerous books, including Tell Her Story, Strange Religion, and commentaries on Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. He is also a senior translator for the New Living Translation. A.J. and Nijay cohost the Slow Theology podcast and co-authored the recent book Slow Theology, which is the topic of our conversation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Mwendia is a Kenyan Christian, who experiences same-sex attraction. Steve founded a ministry called “Found” that aims to walk alongside believers experiencing same-sex orientation and/or gender dysphoria, helping them flourish in their faith, identity, and community. See more at foundafric.org. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Nate Collins has a Ph.D. in New Testament from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of All But Invisible: Exploring Identity Questions at the Intersection of Faith, Gender, and Sexuality (Zondervan, 2017), as well as a forthcoming volume about sexuality in the Biblical Theology for Life series from Zondervan Academic. And in 2018, Nate founded the ministry of Revoice and serves as its current President. Join the Theology in the Raw community to listen to my "extra innings" conversation with Nate about his journey as a gay man in evangelicalism, including his 14 years at Southern Seminary.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Lainey Greer is the founder of Your Body Matters and creator of Understand Healthy and The Bible and Your Body. She is passionate about Christian theology and body stewardship and strives to give believers the tools they need to glorify God in their bodies. Dr. Greer holds a BS in Exercise Science from University of Tennessee, a master's from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She's also written several books including Embodied Holiness and Struggling with Body Image. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Faith For Exiles, Good Faith, You Lost Me and unChristian. He is CEO of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with more than two million individuals and overseen thousands of U.S. and global research studies. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aimee Byrd is an author and speaker, troublemaker, and a semi-empty nester going back to school. And she's recently become an aspiring bartender. Aimee is the author of several books including Why Can't We Be Friends? Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and the recently released: Saving Face: Finding My Self, God, and One Another Outside a Defaced Church. Join the Theology in the Raw community to listen to my "extra innings" conversation with Aimee about when you should leave a church.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laurie Krieg is the Director of Parent Programs & Discipleship at The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, where she also serves as a founding board member. Laurie has a master's in evangelism and leadership from Wheaton Graduate School, and she and her husband, Matt, are the co-hosts of the Hole in My Heart Podcast, co-authors of An Impossible Marriage (IVP 2020), and together wrote the forthcoming parenting book, Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World (IVP 2026). Pre-order our brand new resource: Christian Sexuality: Raising Kids, which releases on Sept 16th! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September Bonus Q&A EpisodeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laurie Krieg is the Director of Parent Programs & Discipleship at The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, where she also serves as a founding board member. Laurie has a master's in evangelism and leadership from Wheaton Graduate School, and she and her husband, Matt, are the co-hosts of the Hole in My Heart Podcast, co-authors of An Impossible Marriage (IVP 2020), and together wrote the forthcoming parenting book, Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World (IVP 2026). Pre-order our brand new resource: Christian Sexuality: Raising Kids, which releases on Sept 16th! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua S. Porter is a writer, pastor, and former frontman of the art-punk band Showbread. After years of loud music and louder questions, he now teaches and writes about radical discipleship, faith after deconstruction, and the subversive way of Jesus. He is the author of Death to Deconstruction and How to Die: Chaos, Mortality, and the Scandal of Christian Discipleship. Josh pastors at Van City Church in Vancouver, Washington. Find him at joshuasporter.com. Join the Theology in the Raw community to listen to our "extra innings" conversation about Josh's behind the scenes peak into the Chrisitan rock music industry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Kevin J. Vanhoozer is one of the leading Evangelical theologians of our day. He's taught systematic theology and hermeneutics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Edinburgh University, and Wheaton College. He's currently a Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He's the author of many groundbreaking books, two of which are important for this conversation: Is There a Meaning in this Text? and Mere Christian Hermeneutics: Transfiguring What it Means to Read the Bible Theologically. Join the Theology in the Raw community to listen to our "extra innings" conversation about "inerrancy" and whether this is a legitimate description of the Bible. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Street Hymns is a musical & spoken word artist, writer, producer, & battle rapper. Street has been a regular performing artist at the Exiles in Babylon conferences and is one of the most creative and talented persons I've ever met. He's also working on a series of Manga books for David C. Cook publishers. Search "Street Hymns Battle Rap" on YouTube to see him in action! Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brenna Blain is a Contemporary Theologian, teacher, and author of the bestselling book Can I Say That? How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real God. Her work focuses on the intersection of faith, suffering, and orthopraxy. She is passionate about preaching for and advising churches across the world, partnering relationally to offer guidance on complex realities with a compassionate and orthodox lens. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Shawn Wilhite is an Associate Professor of New Testament at California Baptist University. He has two earned Ph.D.s: one from Durham University (Theology and Religion), where he wrote his dissertation on Cyril of Alexandria and Scriptural Exegesis, and another from Southern Seminary (New Testament), where he wrote his dissertation on The Didache. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August Bonus Q&A #1 EpisodeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and best-selling author who, in his own words, “writes books for people who don't read books.” He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Max's books have sold more than 150 million copies in over 50 languages worldwide. His latest book is: Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Ryan Butler is a Teaching Pastor with the Willamette family of churches in the Portland area and the author of The Party Crasher, Beautiful Union, The Skeletons in God's Closet, The Pursuing God, and his most recent book, God is On Your Side. To listen to our "extra innings" conversation, head over to Theology in the Raw's Patreon page to become a member of the Theology in the Raw community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kurt Ver Beek is the co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ). He taught as a professor of Sociology at Calvin University, where he directed the Honduras Justice Studies semester with his wife, Jo Ann, for 20 years. He is the author of Call for Justice, co-written with Christian philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marian Jacobs has a background in theater-arts and is an avid reader, writer, wife and mother, and a current seminary student. She's the author of the recently released On Magic and Miracles: A Theological Guide to Discerning Fictional Magic, which is the topic we discuss in this conversation. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kainan is a covenant member at Fielder Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he serves as a commissioned shepherd, Bible teacher, and church planting resident. He earned his BA in Communication Theory from Dallas Baptist University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Theological Studies at Grimké Seminary in their School of Urban Ministry. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Subscribe to Theology in the Raw on Patreon to instantly unlock Part 2 of this episode for FREE. You'll get to watch Malcolm and Thaddeus interact with questions from each other and our live audience! Just head to www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw and select “Join for Free” to watch now. For this first video, I invited Dr. Thaddeus Williams and Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley to discuss and debate the role of social justice in the mission of the the Church. This took place at 2025 Exiles in Babylon Conference, hosted in Minneapolis April 3-5, 2025. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley serves as the Special Advisor to the President of Baylor University for Equity and Campus Engagement and as a pastor at Mosaic Waco, an intentionally multi-cultural, non-denominational church in Waco, TX. His book with Brazos Press, The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money is the Root of Racism and How The Church Can Create a New Way Forward, argues that the only truly antiracist Christian communities are the ones that resist greed and exploitationThaddeus Williams (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) serves as tenured professor of theology for Biola University. He is also the author of the best-seller Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice. He has also taught Philosophy and Literature at Saddleback College, Jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, and as a lecturer in Worldview Studies at L'Abri Fellowships in Switzerland and Holland, and Ethics for Blackstone Legal Fellowship the Federalist Society in Washington D.C.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Subscribe to Theology in the Raw on Patreon to instantly unlock this full Bonus Q&A. You'll also have access to a huge archive of bonus episodes, Extra Innings, and free video content from the Exiles in Babylon archives. Here's the questions you'll find when you unlock the full episode!* Huldah interpreted Scripture for men and was sanctioned by God as a prophet to do so. Does that role for women change in the New Testament?* Do you see this issue as an agree-to-disagree issue between Christians? How important is it and why?* Does Phoebe being a letter carrier necessarily mean that she is teaching authoritatively? Isn't Paul the true authority, and she is simply representing him?* In 1Tim 3:1 Paul says “if anyone desires to be an elder” if he meant only men, why use the Greek word “tis” and not a more descriptive word for male?* Is it possible to be a mutualist at home but a purely symbolic complementarian in the church on the basis that bishops are representatives of the apostles?* Elder-exclusive complementarianism is the only form that makes any sense to me, Biblically. What arguments, if any, do you see for stricter forms?* Does "husband of one wife" in 1 Tim. 3.2;3.12 have to be gender exclusive? Could it be translated as some have suggested as a "one-man" woman?* Comps: women cant teach/exercise auth. over men because 1 Tim 2.But Priscilla teaching Apollos is to a degree a man submitting to a woman's teaching. How you understand this?* In Gen 3 God punished females with subjection to their husbands due to Eve's sin. Is Paul extrapolating this to church leadership positions as well in 1 Tim 2?* Do we need to read primogeniture into Genesis in order to be faithfully exegeting Genesis 2?* With so many Hapax Legomena in 1 Timothy, and 8 alone in 1 Timothy 2, why is it so often quoted as “the clearest passage on women” in the New Testament?* Does Gen. 3:15 indicate that sexism is from Satan, ie., that the enemy specifically targets women? If so, what are the implications for the church/Christians?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miko Peled is an Israeli-American, whose father Matti Peled was a famous Israeli general who served in the 1948 and 1967 war with the Israel Defense Force. Miko also served 3 years in the IDF. But he is now an activist advocating for Palestinian liberation and the end to the occupation. Miko is the founder and president at Palestine House of Freedom in Washington, D.C. And is the author of several books including The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Measha Brueggergosman-Lee is a professional singer and musician, who in 2024 became the first black recipient and youngest recipient ever of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Classical Music from the Governor General of Canada. She's also the author of her memoir Something Is Always On Fire and is currently writing a sequel entitled Open-Hearted. She is currently in the third year of a Masters in Practical Theology at Acadia Divinity College.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Daniel Bannoura (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is a Palestinian theologian. His research focuses on the Quran, Christian-Muslim relations, and Palestinian theology. He's also a co-host of "Across the Divide", a podcast on faith and politics in the context of Palestine-Israel. And he's on the organizational team for the upcoming “Church at the Crossroads” conference outside of Chicago this coming September (11-13). Recieve $20 off registration for the Church at the Crossroads conference by entering "TITR" upon checkout. Listen to Daniel's podcast Across the Divide. Click on this link to find Daniel's resource list for Israel-Palestine: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JHWbiYVQ4sD5gX-o0yHC-5hXnY1KPf0kBvw2rZSJfiE/edit?usp=sharing Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Daniel Bannoura (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is a Palestinian theologian. His research focuses on the Quran, Christian-Muslim relations, and Palestinian theology. He's also a co-host of "Across the Divide", a podcast on faith and politics in the context of Palestine-Israel. And he's on the organizational team for the upcoming “Church at the Crossroads” conference outside of Chicago this coming September (11-13). Recieve $20 off registration for the Church at the Crossroads conference by entering "TITR" upon checkout. Listen to Daniel's podcast Across the Divide. Click on this link to find Daniel's resource list for Israel-Palestine: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JHWbiYVQ4sD5gX-o0yHC-5hXnY1KPf0kBvw2rZSJfiE/edit?usp=sharing Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Dr. Ed Uszynski (PhD, Bowling Green State University) has been working with collegiate and professional athletes in various roles with Athletes in Action since 1992. He's the author of Untangling Critical Race Theory: What Christians Need to Know and Why It Matters (IVP) and his most recent book, Away Game: A Christian Parents Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, coauthored with Brian Smith. To listen to our "extra innings" conversation, head over to Theology in the Raw's Patreon page to become a member of the Theology in the Raw community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Daniel Lee Hill (PhD, Wheaton College) is assistant professor of Christian theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas. He is the author of several books, including his most recent book, Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists (Baker Academic, 2025), which forms the basis of our conversation. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Thomas A. Tweed, who did his graduate study at Harvard and Stanford, is the Harold and Martha Welch Professor of American Studies and Professor of History at Notre Dame University. Dr. Tweed served as president of the American Academy of Religion in 2015, the largest learned society for the study of religion. He is the author of many books, including his more recent: Religion in the Lands That Became America: A New History (Yale University Press) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Theology in the Raw on Patreon to instantly unlock this full Bonus Q&A on women in leadership! You'll also have access to a huge archive of bonus episodes, Extra Innings, and free video content from the Exiles in Babylon archives.  Here's the questions you'll find when you unlock the full episode!* Are Egalitarian arguments similar to arguments from pro LGBTQ theologians? * 1 Corinthians 12 gives a list of spiritual gifts for church leadership and specifically doesn't mention sex distinction. Are these roles specific to men only? * Which is a bigger risk - being wrongly complementarian or being wrongly egalitarian? What price do we pay in each case?* How do complementarians rationalize listening to female academics (such as those on your podcast) when they say Biblically women can't teach men?* “1 Tim 2:11: ‘A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.' Once culturally liberating, now often restrictive—how do you handle that tension?”* In Eph 5, ppl teach about men & women like it transcends culture over time, but the bit on slaves is taught differently. How can we know how to differentiate?* How should the fact that Jesus chose 12 male Jewish apostles inform this question?* What is the complementarian rationale for keeping male/female distinctions while no longer keeping slave/free and Jew/Greek distinctions in Gal. 3:28?* Paul says, “ I do not permit a women to teach” he didn't Say “God does not allow a women to teach” do you make anything about this being a “Paul” command Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Sandra Richter (PhD Harvard) is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College and, in Sandy's own words: "I'm Preston Sprinkle's best friend." Oh, glory! Sandy is also the author of several books including the incredible The Epic of Eden and an ongoing series of Bible Studies (written and video) called Epic of Eden Bible Study. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lila Rose is an anti-abortion activist who is the founder and president of the anti-abortion organization Live Action and the author of Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World. She's the host of the Lila Rose Show on YouTube and has engaged in a number of debates over the ethics of abortion. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Theology in the Raw on Patreon to instantly unlock this full Bonus Q&A, as well as a huge archive of bonus episodes, Extra Innings, and free video content from the Exiles in Babylon archives. Check out all the questions Preston tackled on today's episode: * What are your thoughts on spiritual gifts, cessationism vs continuationism? * Should Protestants read the deuterocanonical books even if they don't agree they are inspired? * What are your thoughts on Open Theism? * Many people are converting to Catholicism and Pentecostalism. Do you have a theory for why these denominations are particularly reaching people in this time? * Have you ever heard of the miracle of the holy fire? How should western Christians think about and relate to traditions and rituals in the eastern church? * Matt. 16:19, 18:18. What does Jesus mean here: “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”? * If events/people in Gen. 1-11 weren't "real," what about the Noahic covenant, genealogies, doctrines, etc based on them? * Creative ideas for how we can biblically engage with pride month? In the past we have done prayer walks but that is kind of behind the scenes. * Is marriage always to be officiated in public with witnesses? In other words, if vows were made privately does that count biblically as marriage? * What unique challenges do you think a father faces when raising a daughter, and how should he address them? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey is my brotha from another motha. He also has a Ph.D. in New Testament from Aberdeen University, is the Dr. Craig L. Blomberg Endowed Chair of New Testament at Denver Seminary, and is the author of several books and peer reviewed articles. In this conversation, Joey walks us through the four main lenses scholars use to assess the main focus of Romans: Reformational, Apocalyptic, Heilsgeschichte (Salvation-History), and Reading Romans Backwards. To listen to our "extra innings" conversation, head over to Theology in the Raw's Patreon page to become a member of the Theology in the Raw community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Christopher West serves as President of the Theology of the Body Institute near Philadelphia and as Professor of Theological Anthropology in its jointly sponsored master's program with Pontifex University. Christopher is one of the world's most recognized teachers of John Paul II's Theology of the Body. He's written many books including Our Bodies Tell God's Story: Discovering the Divine Plan for Love, Sex, and Gender. To recieve 20% off of Christopher's book "Our Bodies Tell God's Story," go to https://shop.corproject.com/collections/books/products/our-bodies-tell-gods-story-discovering-the-divine-plan-for-love-sex-and-gender-paperback and enter the code "OURBODIES" at checkout. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Todd Bolen is professor of Biblical Studies at The Master's University (my alma mater) and the founder of BiblePlaces.com—one of the most comprehensive pictorial library of biblical sites. Todd was one of my all-time favorite professors in college and was one of my main inspirations for wanting to become a biblical scholar. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Griffiths is pastor of Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa, Canada and leads Encounter the Truth, a media ministry that broadcasts on radio and podcasts across the U.S. and Canada. In his recent book, Gathered for Good: God's Good Design for the Local Church, he addresses the need for in-person gathering with empathy and authority, and encourages believers to commit to their local church community as a way to deepen their spiritual growth. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly M. Kapic (PhD, King's College, University of London) is a professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. He is an author or editor of more than fifteen books, including You're Only Human, Embodied Hope, which each won a Christianity Today Book of the Year Award, and the recently released You Were Never Meant to Do it All. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Sean McDowell is a professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has earned two Master's degrees in philosophy and theology and his Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies. He is the author, editor, or co-author of more than 20 books including More Than A Carpenter, Chasing Love, End the Stalemate, and The Fate of the Apostles. He is the co-host of the Think Biblically podcast–one of the most popular podcasts on the intersection of faith and culture. At the end of this episode we also discuss our recent debate about whether Christians should use preferred pronouns. This “extra innings” portion of our conversation will be available for our patreon supporters. If you would like to become a member of the patreon community, then head over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw to get access to TITR “extra innings” and other premium content.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Glenn Packiam is a pastor, author and practical theologian who currently serves as the lead pastor of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. He earned a PhD from Durham University, is an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America, and is the author of several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Blessed Broken Given, and the recently released: “What's a Christian Anyway? Finding our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption,” which forms the topic of our conversation. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Larry Sanger is the co-founder of Wikipedia. Larry received his PhD in philosophy from The Ohio State University and for many years was an intellectual skeptic of Christianity. But earlier this year, he wrote an essay titled: “How a Skeptical Philosopher Becomes a Christian” (Feb 2025), which went viral. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Gerry Breshears (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is a professor of theology at Western Seminary, a pastor of pastors, elder at Grace Community Church (Gresham, OR), and a happy great-grandfather. To listen to the last part of our conversation about women in leadership, become a Theology in the Raw patron at patreon.com/theologyintheraw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Christopher Landau is a former BBC World Service religious affairs correspondent, who left journalism to train as a Church of England Minister. He has a doctorate in Christian Ethics at the University of Oxford on the ethics of disagreement among Christians in the New Testament, later published as 'A Theology of Disagreement'. His latest contribution to debates on sexuality is his newly published Grove Booklet, ‘Compassionate Orthodoxy' and Sexuality: Seeking Grace and Truth in Disagreement. He is the director of ReSource, a UK charity supporting local churches in spiritual renewal. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.J. Swoboda (Ph.D., Birmingham) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns (Zondervan), After Doubt (Brazos), and the recently released: A Teachable Spirit: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone. He hosts the “Slow Theology” podcast (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta) and writes the widely read “Low-Level Theologian” Substack. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to premium content at patreon.com/theologyintheraw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skye Jethani is an award-winning author, speaker, and co-host of the Holy Post Podcast. Skye has written more than a dozen books and served as an editor and executive at Christianity Today for more than a decade. His voice has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Washington Post. To listen to the final 25 min of this episode, where Skye and I debate the question "should Christians vote," go over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw.com to become a member, where you can access this convo and other premium content.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Q&A: Why Christians Stopped Celebrating Biblically-Commanded Holidays Like Passover & Hanukkah If you've enjoyed this content, please subscribe to my channel! Support Theology in the Raw through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw 0:00 INTRO0:32 Why did Christians stop celebrating Biblically commanded holidays? Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Hanukkah (Jesus celebrated). Not salvation issue but is it a loss?7:55 Do you think biblical inerrancy should be a central or peripheral doctrine for Christians? 16:13 Are Christians who use Social Media or books to call out fellow Christians violating Matthew 18 about having private conversations first? 20:32 We have friends whose child is trans but say they do not have gender dysphoria. Is this common? I don't remember you ever addressing this in your writing. 22:33 Can you please put the death knell on dispensationalism and rapture theology?! Would you call it a heresy or a deception?! 26:17 Any ideas/strategies for campus ministry staff to engage with non-believing LGBTQ students well? 34:48 I've read that Rahab plays a subversive role in Joshua, though it's not explicit. What safeguards ensure this reading stems from the text, not modern agendas? 39:09 What are your thoughts on Christian missionaries evangelizing a group then insisting the group adapt to their cultural values e.g. modesty/how much they wear 43:55. What are your thoughts on Christian couple traveling alone before marriage? Should they care about perception even if they're not sleeping together? 47:12 Can I be saved if I believe gay marriage is wrong in God's eyes but still choose to marry someone of the same sex? 50:12 Conditional Immortality: I've never heard you point out the duality of Rev 20:10 vs 21:8. Same punishment, very different results. Why not? Seems vital. 52:41 When reading church history, do you sometimes feel discouraged or unsettled (or maybe you feel encouraged)? What helps you read and keep healthy perspective. Join the Theology in the Raw community for as little as $5/month to get access to the full length Q & A episode at patreon.com/theologyintheraw  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices