Thinking God Podcast

Today's guest is special. He is the Hank Williams Jr. of 20th Century Theology, though I know he will hate that description. He brings a message of hope, love and more, and he is a wonderful man and I am so pleased he joined me on the podcast.   His honesty is refreshing and I hope we get together again. His latest book is: “Fall in Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy.”

This week's guest is scholar Hal Taussig, a recently retired Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary in New York who lectures around the country and world, and who now is a working with the Westar Institute He is one of the authors of “After Jesus Before Christianity”  the editor of the award-winning A New New Testament (2013), a United Methodist minister, and author of 14 books other books, which examine writings from that period and historically recent discovered texts and the light they shed on the period before there was a canonized group of biblical texts. He as been featured in a number of national media outlets including The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Daily Show, People Magazine, Newsweek Magazine, National Public Radio, and the Washington Post. We met live during his visit for to the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology.   That's it for this edition of The Thinking God Podcast. Join me next time when my guest will be Frank Schaeffer.

Welcome to the Thinking God Podcast, a place where we talk about truth wisdom wherever it might be found, and today's guest is a shining light of hope. Natalie Wigg Stevenson is my favorite kind of theologian. She combines the best of scholarly approach with a lively curiosity and warm personality to make challenging approaches to faith accessible. Her book “Transgressive Devotion: Theology as Performance Art,” asks the reader to stop trying to define or describe God and instead experience making God manifest and accessible in a very real way, a prayer that takes us into and out of the unknowing. She also embraces all of her personal spiritual experiences from her Pentecostal roots to her own fresh transformational mysticism with deep roots in theological tradition. Natalie, who has a Master's degrees and PhD from Vanderbilt and  a MDiv from Yale Divinity School, is a professor of contextual education and theology at Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto. Her vibe is really fine.

Christian Pastor Austin Carty, latest book, “The Pastors' Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters in Ministry,” aims to get Christian pastors, and hopefully through osmosis and encouragement their congregations, to begin a long love affair with reading. His passion for books and reading, and how it can benefit the face-to-face pastoral work and just helping humans in general become more fully actualized, are obvious. Carty is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church, affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and this conversation could have extended for hours, due to our mutual passion for books and reading.

The Marvelous Maggie Rowe is  a Los Angeles-based writer who has written for such shows as “Arrested Development” and one of my favorites, the wildly underrated Netflix series “Flaked.”  She's also a screenwriter, a producer, an actress and author who has been on this podcast before after the publication of her first book “Sin Bravely.” Maggie now makes her triumphal return to the Thinking God podcast, to talk about her new book “Easy Street: A Story of Redemption from Myself,” and is, as always, delightful, warm and entertaining.

For well over a decade, Jon Steingard was a part of the Christian band Hawk Nelson, where he served as lead vocalist and lead guitarist until his departure two years ago when he announced he no longer believed in God. Steingard has not became an evangelical atheist, he is instead a man on a spiritual search and is now expressing his artistic energy in video and visual art.

Neal Allen's latest book "Shapes of Truth" offers a great deal to consider. Seasoned searchers of truth will find a lot to like in both the book and in this interview. 

Amy-Jill Living is one fine conversationalist. Her blend of scholarship and passion, coupled with a generous approach to the viewpoints of others, carve out a rare and welcome spot in modern religious circles. She is the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies, and  Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School Holding a B.A. from Smith College, M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University, she is author of more than a dozen books, including “The Difficult Words of Jesus,” “Short Stories from Jesus,” and “The Bible Without Jesus.” Her books, though decided not written from a Christian perspective, are used in Christian churches across the country to uncover the Jewish perspectives on scriptures from the lens of a scholar.

David Hayward is the NakedPastor. After 30 years in the church, he left the ministry to pursue his passion for art. His work challenges the status quo, deconstructs dogma, and promotes critical thinking. His new book, "Flip it Like This," is available for at Amazon, where his other books are also available. Find out more at his website. 

John Pavlovitz does not consider himself a member of the radical left, unless you count behaving like the object of the Christian faith radical (which it is and always has been). In this podcast he talks about being the inclusivity of faith, dealing with radical right friends and family, mental health and more.

Singer/Songwriter Pat Terry talks about his life in music, his faith and what's next. The audio around 40 minutes in is corrected in this version. Thanks for the heads up from several listeners.

Singer/Songwriter Pat Terry talks about his life in music, his faith and what's next.  

Jamie Wright is a writer who knows spending $53 billion annually to spreak white people religion is ridculous. That's why she closely monitors the crap meter that evaluates such "mission trips" and "callings" and loudly and colorfully reports the truth to anyone who will listen. Her new book "The Very Worst Missionary: A Memoir or Whatever" is the most honest book on being a missionary I have read. It's based on her five years as an on-the-ground, full-time "foreign" missionary, and is a spot on account of the underbelly of what it's like. She's a good writer who is going to get even better with her next book (I have her promise she will keep working on it). After you buy her book, follow her latest musings on her blog here.

Rebroadcast of podcast with writer, comedian and always fascinating Maggie Rowe. Since this interview, Season Two of "Flaked" has aired, and it finished well. Buy her book. If, as Anne Lamott writes, laughter is the carbonated form of the Holy Spirit, Maggie Rowe is a major distributor of divine carbonation for the third member of the trinity, something for which we can all be grateful. (And for the record), though she worried at one point she was getting close, Maggie has never managed to blaspheme her bubbly supplier. As writer, comedian, actor and the author of "Sin Bravely: My Great Escape from Evangelical Hell," she brings some serious fun to the Thinking God Podcast. You may have seen her in such movies as "Ocean's Thirteen" or "Fun With Dick and Jane," or the monster television series "Arrested Development," a show for which she is also a writer. And for 15 years she has been a key part of the Comedy Central show "Sit 'N' Spin." Maggie is currently writing for the wonderful series "Flaked," which is available on Netflix.  She is also someone who has found a path of recovery from misgued religion to a place of faith and hope, which makes her the perfect guest.

Andrew Morgan makes films that matter.  Morgan's "The True Cost" tells the story of why the fashion industry is problematic for almost everyone involved. His latest, "The Hertric," follows Rob Bell in his quest to tell the world: Love Wins.  

Diana Butler Bass is the author of 10 books, includint "Grateful," due out April 3. She is a highly sought-after speaker, and one of Ameria's top scholars on religion and culture. She is also articulate and engaging concerning her own spiritual and political journey, and a very good guest.  It's worth your time to find out more about her and her books, and the best plact to do that is here: http://dianabutlerbass.com We talked a llittle about her upcoming book "Grateful" during the podcact last year.

Jay Bakker has had a front row seat to the excesses of evagelicalism for four decades, and has taken an exit to a new kind of faith. His books and weekly sermons are imporant and deserve a broader audience. Jay is also a great guy with a big heart and tender sould. He also celebrated his first Christmas with his six-month-old daughter Amelia Faye Bakker last week. 

Dr. Steve Brown really does not care what you think. He is not your mother, your guru or the Holy Spirit. But if you are wise, you will pay attention to this man and what he says. Seriously, if for no other reason than he is the Johnny Appleseed of grace. The founder of the Keylife Network (Keylife.org), says  he’s no guru, but he has been something of a guru to me. Steve is the Johnny Appleseed of grace, since he was writing, taking and preaching about grace, real grace, the kind without a hook in it, decades before most were considering it as an option. He is the author of 18 books, including his latest, “Hidden Agendas: Dropping the Masks That Keep Us Apart,” “Three Free Sins,” “Scandalous Freedom,” and one of the best books on prayer in our generation, “Approaching God.” He is host of the radio programs, heard on more than 600 stations,  “Steve Brown, etc,” and “Key Life” and the “You Think About That” radio spots of hope and encouragement.  He also smokes a pipe and reads Stephen King and doesn’t care who he offends because he’s not looking for a new job.

David Gushee is a calm voice of powerful reason calling the Christian church to leave American evangelicalism for a more meaningful and productive life meant for those called to follow Jesus. Officially, the Rev. Dr. David Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University. His latest book, “Still Christian: Following Jesus Out of American Evangelicalism,” in which he writes of his experiences that began with becoming a born-again Southern Baptist in 1978 to being kicked out of evangelicalism in 2014 for his stance on LGBT inclusion in the church. But Gushee's religious pilgrimage proves even broader than that, as he leads his reader through his childhood experiences in Roman Catholicism, his difficult days at the liberal Union Seminary in New York, his encounters with the Christian Right, and more. In telling his story, Gushee speaks to the cultural divisions of a generation, as well as of today, and to those who have themselves been disillusioned by many battles within American Christianity.   He is the author or editor of 20 books and hundreds of articles in his field, including Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust, Kingdom Ethics, The Sacredness of Human Life, and, most recently, Changing Our Mind. Dr. Gushee has always accompanied his scholarly production with church work (First Baptist Church, Decatur), activism (human rights, creation care, LGBT acceptance), opinion writing (Washington Post, Huffington Post, Baptist News Global, now Religion News Service), board service (Public Religion Research, Sojourners, Center for Victims of Torture), and domestic and global media consultation. He has lectured on every continent, with endowed lectures in New Zealand, Holland, and Switzerlan. Dr. Gushee has been married to Jeanie for 31 years. They are the parents of two daughters and a son, and one grandson.  His latest book would make a great Christmas gift, and I found him to be insightful, spiritual and humble in this interview.

Pamela Hawkins has written more acclaimed books on the Advent season, which starts next week, than anyone in recent history. She is also a retired pastor who works with immigrants and believes there's hope in the world adn that prayer is important. Prepare for Advent but listening to her and checking out her book. This is a rebroadcast from 2017. Thinking God will return in early 2019.    

Brian McLaren joins the Thinking God podcast this week to discuss, among other things, his new book "The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian." McClaren brings a scholarly pastor's heart to the conversation. Brian is one of the pioneers of progressive Christianity. His book, "A Generous Orthodoxy," is one of the most influential works of the past several decades. He was a voice in the wilderness for a faith that included a bigger view of God.

JT Olson is founder and exectutive director of Both Hands Ministries, a group dedicated to serving widows in need and helping families adopt orphans. He tells the story in his new book, "The Orphan, the Widow and Me."

Pete Enns was the first guest on the Thinking God Podcast in the fall of last year and this episode in an encore presentation of our discussion. Author, scholar, professor and all-around nice guy Peter Enns joins me for the first episode of Thinking God. Pete has his own podcast now as well, and I highly recommend it. Find out more and buy his books at https://www.peteenns.com/

Ashley Cleveland's biography may be called "Little Black Sheep," but there is nothing small about her talent. One of the best vocalists in Nashville, she has blown audiences away with her combination of rock and soul that is as powerful as ever. On the Thinking God Podcast, she talks about music, faith, recovery and more.

Dr. Joel Hunter might be in a category of his own. When he announced earlier this month he was stepping down from Northland, a Church Distributed, after more than 30 years as senior pastor, those who praised his faith and action for those in need and those marginalized in Central Florida included leaders from both the Muslim and Jewish communities. A rare megachurch pastor who believes that working with those of other faiths is the only way to fully minister to the world, Hunter will now devote his efforts in his Florida community in full devotion to "the least of these." He says it's a return to his roots in ministry, which started with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Hunter is one of the good ones, who helps others find the light shining through the cracks in their lives.

Diana Butler Bass is the author of 9 books, a highly sought-after speaker, and one of Ameria's top scholars on religion and culture. She is also articulate and engaging concerning her own spiritual and political journey, and a very good guest.  It's worth your time to find out more about her and her books, and the best plact to do that is here: http://dianabutlerbass.com

Vanna Fox was on her way to the mission field (as a music missionary, no less!), when her path shifted and landed her for the next 17 years on drive time radio in North Carolina. But when she heard the call of the Wild Goose, she left the airwaves to surf the spirit waves of the nation's largest progressive Christian Festival. She likes to laugh, and has a great story. Stay tuned to the end of the bumper music on this podcast for a very special Wild Goose message.

Mark Pinsky is a newspaperman, author, lecturer and insightful man. Did I mention he was a newspaperman? I mean it in the old-school, highest-compliment sense of the word. Pinsky has a drive an desire to find good stories, but to make sure they are written and researched in a manner rare these days, and present them in compelling ways. His books include: "The Gosple According to the Simpsons," "A Jew Among the Evangelicals," "The Gosple According to Disney," "Unfinished Business: The True Story of an Appalachian Cold Case Murder," and "Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith Disability and Inclusion." He still writes regularly for a variety of publications and it is worth you time to Google his name and read his work.

If, as Anne Lamott writes, laughter is the carbonated form of the Holy Spirit, Maggie Rowe is a major distributor of divine carbonation for the third member of the trinity, something for which we can all be grateful. (And for the record), though she worried at one point she was getting close, Maggie has never managed to blaspheme her bubbly supplier. As writer, comedian, actor and the author of "Sin Bravely: My Great Escape from Evangelical Hell," she brings some serious fun to the Thinking God Podcast. You may have seen her in such movies as "Ocean's Thirteen" or "Fun With Dick and Jane," or the monster television series "Arrested Development," a show for which she is also a writer. And for 15 years she has been a key part of the Comedy Central show "Sit 'N' Spin." Maggie is currently writing for the wonderful series "Flaked," which is available on Netflix.  She is also someone who has found a path of recovery from misgued religion to a place of faith and hope, which makes her the perfect guest.  

Bill Mallonee talks about three decades of singing/sonwriting, the music business, Neil Young's "More Barn" mixing, living in the Rockies and how his faith has influenced his life and work. I have known Bill longer than any of my other guest to date, and can say he is one of the most under-appreciated artists of his time, and more talented than he knows. And his heart is as big as the New Mexico sky that fills the nights over his house.

From her bio on soulforce.org Alba Onofrio believes in abundant life and fully-embodied, loving affirmation of the spirit, thus vehemently rejects any notion of the Divine that perpetuates fear, harm, and domination of our peoples. She holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University focused on race and gender theologies of sex and sexual ethics based in queer desire. As a Southern Appalachian Latina Femme, Alba found cultural and political home in SONG (Southerners On New Ground) while working for queer liberation in the South at the intersection of race, class, culture, gender, and sexuality. Alba has also been passionate about eliminating borders en la lucha for over a decade through learning, writing, being in community, teaching English for nine years, and providing services and immigrant advocacy as the Executive Director of the largest grassroots Latino community center in North Carolina for several years after graduating from Duke University with a degree in Comparative Area Studies: Latin American-North America.  Alba is wholeheartedly dedicated to raising their amazing radical kid and eradicating shame and fear wherever found. 

Alan Bean is not the astronaut, and it's a good thing because his calling is much higher tha flying in a spaceship. Bean is executive director of Friends for Justice, an organization that "creates a powerful synergy between grassroots organizing, civil rights advocacy, the legal community, the mass media and ultimately the political establishment." As minorities and other disadvantaged Americans find it more and more difficult to get a fair shake in the courts, Bean and his group come along side to help. And help they have. Visit their website friendsofjustice.wordpress.com to read stories of their victories and heartbreaks. You can also support them financially. The bible is on his side. "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." - Isaiah 1:17 God's on his side as well, so if you haven't thought much about justice lately, this podcast might get the old gears turning.    

He's a pastor, speaker, scholar and an author whose path to seeking God has been a winding one.  He has been called a Christian anarchist, and over the years worked his way through almost every Christian tradition. He is also a drummer who is redefining trancendence and who has a lot to say that people need to hear. Or maybe it's just me that need to hear his message, though I doubt it. Check out his website at http://reknew.org/ or his podcast. You'll be glad you did.

Jennifer Knapp is a singer/songwriter, author and seminary student who takes her faith very seriously. She is also a great interview. Read more about her and her work at http://ThinkingGod.com

Dr. Dan Allender is one of the keenest voices of the past 25 years on finding healing from sexual abuse. He also believes that to engage the life of God, you have to be engaged with the people around you, your own life, and the live of Jesus (and the scriptures) to find the meaning in the story of our lives.  

Dr. Steve Brown really does not care what you think. He is not your mother, your guru or the Holy Spirit. But if you are wise, you will pay attention to this man and what he says. Seriously, if for no other reason than he is the Johnny Appleseed of grace. The founder of the Keylife Network (Keylife.org), says  he’s no guru, but he has been something of a guru to me. Steve is the Johnny Appleseed of grace, since he was writing, taking and preaching about grace, real grace, the kind without a hook in it, decades before most were considering it as an option. He is the author of 18 books, including his latest, “Hidden Agendas: Dropping the Masks That Keep Us Apart,” “Three Free Sins,” “Scandalous Freedom,” and one of the best books on prayer in our generation, “Approaching God.” He is host of the radio programs, heard on more than 600 stations,  “Steve Brown, etc,” and “Key Life” and the “You Think About That” radio spots of hope and encouragement.  He also smokes a pipe and reads Stephen King and doesn’t care who he offends because he’s not looking for a new job.

Susan Isaacs is an actress, author, and I believe the only non-animated member of the Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism, and she has a cold.She has appeared on “Parks & Recreation,” “Seinfeld,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire,” “Mom,” “My Name is Earl,” and dozens of other television shows and movies. (Including “Scrooged" and in s a nicely framed picture of her in the hands of John Candy in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” He scenes with the great one were cut.) She is also a writer and the Author, of "Angry conversations with God, a Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir."If you haven’t read her book, stop waiting for it to go on sale on Kindle and buy it.

Pamela Hawkins has written more acclaimed books on the Advent season, which starts next week, than anyone in recent history. She is also a retired pastor who works with immigrants and believes there's hope in the world adn that prayer is important. Prepare for Advent but listening to her and checking out her book.

Cathleen Falsani Possley love the Cubs, Jesus and her family. She is also one of our most engaging voices on faith and culture.

Shane Claiborne is a Red Letter Christian and a founding partner of The Simple Way community, a radical faith community that lives among and serves the homeless in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. He is the co-author of Jesus for President. His new book, is Executing Grace: Why It is Time to Put the Death Penalty to Death.

Erik Guzman is VP of communications and executive producer at Key Life Network, where is he also co-host of the nationally syndicated talk show Steve Brown, etc., and the legendary Merry Monk of Love. Erik is also the is is the author of “The Seed: A True Myth” and “The Gift of Addiction: How God Redeems Our Pain.” Erik earned a BA in Mass Communication, and an MBA, and is perpetually working toward a Masters in Theological Studies. He is also a drummer, holds a 5th degree black belt in Aikido. But what I like most, he one of those rare people who offer honest answers to genuine questions.

Jay Bakker talks about life, faith, doubt, Jesus and a lot more on this week's Thinking God podcast.

Tony Campolo, who has spent years reminding people the Kingdom of God is a Party and that Jesus invited us to join Him in his work, says he's not evangelical by modern standards, even though he is totally down with the Apostle's Creed. He also is the only living American to face a trial for heresy. 

Jay Bakker talks about life, faith, doubt, Jesus and a lot more on this week's Thinking God podcast.

Brian McClaren joins the Thinking God podcast this week to discuss, among other things, his new book "The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World's Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian." McClaren brings a scholarly pastor's heart to the conversation.

Author, scholar, professor and all-around nice guy Peter Enns joins me for the first episode of Thinking God, a podcast featuring discussions with writers, speakers, educators and artists who take spirituality seriously and who share the conclusion that hope is still a viable option. The goal is to find valuable insights into embracing a path of faith, replacing dogma and closed thought, with some ideas and concepts which shine light in dark corners. And to have fun while we do it.  Comments, Suggestions podcast@thinkinggod.com