Homebrewed Christianity Podcast

In this interview, Bo talks with Brandon Vogt about “Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet“.  Brandon  is a Catholic writer and speaker who blogs at The Thin Veil (www.thinveil.net). He writes on spirituality, technology, social-justice, and features regular book reviews and weekly giveaways on his blog. He also manages the Church and New Media blog (www.churchandnewmedia.com) and daylights as a mechanical engineer. This episode is brought to you by the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, a progressive, interdenominational graduate school that’s rooted in the integration of theology, psychology and culture. We value mission, relationality, praxis, and creativity and this is seen in the students training to be therapists, pastors, leaders and artists that innovate and excel in their calling and career. Follow them on Twitter @Seattle_School - if you are one of the first 5 people to ask @Seattle_School on twitter, you  will get a copy of Dwight Friesen’s new book! Don’t forget to sign up for Wild Goose and the Sustainable Faith Conference

UPDATE: Book Party Info HERE   Homebrewed Christianity is thrilled to share the first piece of audio from the Emergent Village theological conversation with philosopher and theologian Philip Clayton.  Even more than that we are pumped to announce our first Homebrewed Christianity Theo-nerd Book Party March 15th!  BUT FIRST… you can’t imagine how thought provoking this podcast is.  Philip Clayton gives his first public talk about his newest book The Predicament of Belief which he recently published with friend and President of George Washington University Steven Knapp.  As conference coordinators Bo and I challenged Phil to press Process Theology to address those three theological concepts that make most liberals run – the Resurrection, the Trinity, and Eschatology – and he agreed! Not only is the presentation engaging and provocative but the challenge to speak credibly about our faith is a challenge Philip and Steven see impacting the church.  Here’s how they put it in the book… When church leaders can no longer presuppose a securely shared fabric of beliefs, they rely increasingly on extrinsic motivations: professional musicians, high-tech services, attractive social programs, and the like.  The trouble is that reflective persons recognize that such initiatives are no longer tied to compelling and persuasive beliefs about what is ultimately the case.  When those beliefs become merely metaphorical or poetic–or worse, when one finds oneself using language one no longer believes but vaguely feels that one ought to believe–one begins to wonder about the raison d’etre of the entire institution and its practices.  Is it surprising that many have the sense that (in John Cobb’s words) “what we do and say does not seem to be terribly important.” (HT: Scot) Since this was a live event the beginning of the podcast may be hard to follow as Phil is commenting on a collection of rather humorous pictures of Jesus but at minute 14 to the end it is straight out theologizing.  In this podcast you will hear Philip address… * Divine Action, the Jesus Seminar, Peter Rollins and the Resurrection * Christological uniqueness, particularity, kenosis, and adoptionism * Religious Language, the reality of God, and spectrum of certainty * Self-giving love and feminism * Religious Pluralism There was a good summary and lack-luster critique here.  Robert Cornwall reviews the book but wants more Easter bells.  Thomas Jay Oord is reading the book & you should too as part of the Theo-nerd Book Party.  Here’s the deal.  I mailed out copies to a number of Deacons who signed up to blog about the book and will sharing those posts when they come in.  But even if you didn’t get a copy (too much demand!) you can still participate in the fun! How? (glad you asked) 1) Read the book, blogs, kindle it, and of course listen to the podcast. 2) Call-in or Email us your questions for Philip! (JUST CLICK THE Mic IMAGE on the RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOMEPAGE & TALK) 3) Attend the Theo-nerd Book Party March 15th.  We will host this LIVE & STREAMED event at Philip’s house in Claremont, CA.  We will post the info and stream on the Homebrewed Christianity Facebook Page so ‘like’ it and get ready!

What is religion? What about theology? Do Christians need to call God a dude? Did Jesus have to die to save us from our sins? These questions and more are tackled in the style of Nerd this week! Subscribe to the TNT podcast now…the feed will be separate very soon! On top of the provoking questions we are joined by a special guest, Deacon Dr. Eric Hall, who brings his own unique take on the issues of the week.  We start by engaging some recent blog posts and then move to more philosophical matters. We want you to join the TNT podcast. Comment on the blogs, call in 678-590-BREW, or click the “Send Voice Mail” button on the right side of the homepage and your voice can shape an episode soon. Subscribe to the TNT podcast now…the feed will be separate very soon! Here’s the ‘don’t be a dick’ pledge put out by Ben Gleib. Here’s the blogs we talk about…She who is not, Did Jesus need to die to save us from our sins?, I hate religion but love Jesus, What is theology and Secularization – focusing on the work of Heidegger, Charles Taylor (both Secular and Modern Social Imaginaries) and Eberhard Jungel.  

We are emergent Christian ministers who love being theology nerds. In each episode we talk to a theologian, philosopher, or Biblical scholar about the big questions of faith, doubt, ethics, and culture. It is our conviction that there is too much tasteless 'cheap light beer' Christianity in the world. Our goal is to get the best theological ingredients from the church's professional nerds into your iPod so you can brew your own faith. homebrewedchristianity.com

Peter Enns, author of the new book Evolution of Adam, and professor of biblical studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania sits down with Tripp for an action packed conversation about Adam’s lack of a belly button! Ok, may be not BUT they do discuss how Israel, Paul, the early church, and Christians today relate to that powerful story of the first human.  Insights from science, the results of historical research, and hermeneutical questions abound throughout the conversation.  More importantly for many of our listeners will be Peter’s sensitivity to our more conservative Christians fears surrounding this issue and some of his sage like advice in moving forward.  This conversation is blastand we hope you enjoy it, share it, and send us a shout out by clicking that button on the right side of the post. This book isn’t the first time Peter has been in evangelical hot water and probably not the last.  Peter is not scared of controversy but from what I can tell it comes right out of his evangelical commitment to scripture.  On his blog Rethinking Biblical Christianity he just replied to Kevin De Young’s 10 reasons to believe in a historical Adam with precision and a generous account of what has a rather harsh, unkind, and (for me at least) nonsensical defense of an incredulous assertion.   James McGrath’s response was also pretty awesome. This interview is part of the Baker Blog Tour organized by the talented Bryan Dyer.  Check out this list of the other contributors…. Joy Bennett -  “Joy In This Journey” Nate Claiborne – NathanielClaiborne.com Rachel Held Evans – RachelHeldEvans.com James McGrath – “Exploring Our Matrix” Gregory Smith – “Jesus Loves Darwin” Jacob Sweeney – “Jacob Sweeney’s Blog” Justin Topp – “A Biologist’s View of Science & Religion” Kurt Willems – “The Pangea Blog”

 Whose ready for some mystical, mutant, comic book, and science fiction fun? I know I am! Prof. Jeffery Kripal joins the podcast this week to philosophize about his love for the paranormal and mystical part of human experience.  In doing so he turns to the wonderful world of comic books and science fiction but not as a reporter or historian but as a place where deep metaphysical issues and religious questions are being addressed through pop culture.  I have been thrilled to share this conversation ever since we recorded it.  While many of our regular listeners won’t be able to go everywhere Jeff goes philosophically…Gnosticism & psychedelic drugs… I am confident his cultural exegesis and mapping of mystical narratives will have you entertained and intrigued. Mutant Linkage… * Mutants & Mystics was a Patheos book club so there are a ton of blog reviews, a Kripal interview, round table, sample from the book, and more…check it out. * Ryan Parker has the most uber-awesome review of the book * If you dig the interview check out Jeff’s podcast The Impossible Talk Podcast where he and his film making partner Scott Hulan Jones have “sophisticated, open discussions of and lectures on the paranormal and anomalous dimensions of American culture.” *Now for a fun moment from X-men…

In this special episode Deacon Jeremy Fackenthal & Tripp Fuller talk Marx and Whitehead at the 2012 Emergent Village Theological Conversation for 2012. The “Inverse Theology” that is referenced is from Walter Benjamin and Theodore Adorno. Also referenced is the popular blog from last month “Undercover Boss” by Stephen Keating 

What do N.T. Wright, Marcus Borg and John Cobb have in common?  This podcast! In this hour, Tripp and Bo take 4 calls from hotline and respond to questions about eschatology and the resurrection. You can call in with any questions or comments at 678-590-2739 (brew) and let us know what you want us to talk about. Two books that we reference today are Surprised by Hope and Simply Christian. We also alude to the John Cobb prayer podcast.  Thanks to Jason, Angela, Garret, and Keaton for calling in! Graphic Option TWO

 What does coming to Jesus look like today?  We may not have the answer but we do have a seriously fun and enlightening conversation. During the American Academy of Religion a herd of theology nerds gathered in the home of Mark Scandrette – Jesus Dojo extraordinaire – for some live Homebrewed Christianity podcast fun.  Daniel Kirk (New Testament Prof at Fuller Theological Seminary) and Philip Clayton (Philosophical Theologian and Dean of Claremont School of Theology) were our featured contributors but the crowd Deacons who gathered made the entire experience a blast. On top of the podcast we all enjoyed the wonderful food provided by the Scandrette family, the huge bottle of Bullet Bourbon from Rebekah, 3 amazing homebrews from Kirk, and some great questions at the end.  We hope you enjoy the live brew.  If you dig it you should make plans to join us February 12 at Claremont for John Caputo going 3-D or holla about hosting a show in your own homebarchurch. If you are wise….and of course you are…you should get Kirk’s new book Jesus Have I Loved, but Paul? and Phil’s freshest The Predicament of Belief. 

In this half-hour, Tripp and Bo chat about last week’s: podcast with Dr. John Cobb Calvin blog with Rachel Held Evans Granny blog with Kurt Willems Paul Capetz on Calvin  Tony Jones blog on Prayer It is a wild and woolly 30 minutes as they prepare for the 2012 Emergent Village Theological Conversation. You have two week to sign up and get yourself to Southern California. p.s. it was 76 and sunny here yesterday*   * previous results do not guarantee future success    

John Cobb answers your questions about Prayer and Process – in prep for for the Emergent Village Theological Conversation for 2012 that kicks off Jan 31. In the past week people over at Tony Jones, Rachel Held Evans, and Kurt Willems have been asking prayer and the relationship between Process theology and Openness theology.  Well John Cobb is here for you! Of course y’all sent in questions about other stuff too…Occupy Wall Street, Postmodernism, Economy, Ecology, and other theological goodies.  I (Tripp) did this interview in Cobb’s library so listening to it will be like my first time because in real time I was a very distracted FANIAC! For other resources check out: Our TNT podcast about why people should come to the Emergent Conversation. Marjorie Suchocki’s entry level PDF is super helpful. The schedule for the conference looks amazing! Bruce Epperly’s podcast continues to generate conversation. His book Process for the Perplexed is fantastic.

 Jack is Back and God Insists you Listen! This is the good Doctor Caputo’s first talk at the Soularize event this past October.  Coming up soon will be his appearance on the main stage as part of the HBC-3D event! Most exciting and essential for every SoCal Deacon’s calendar is a very special John Caputo HBC-3D event February 12th in Los Angeles.  Put it on your calendar and get ready to hop on the tickets when they go on sale…because this House Show will sell out fast.  We are calling the event…. “Christianity UnCorked: Caputo, Cab & Conversation.”  Just imagine an evening of philosophical nerdom in a house with a glass of wine and John Caputo….ahhh I can imagine it now….so put the date on your calender, find your nerdy friends and get ready to grab these tickets up fast. The one and only, living legend, and Homebrewed frequenter John Caputo is here with some more philosophical excitement. Both his first,  second, and third visit rocked the podcast.  Even more exciting are these class lectures Caputo is sharing here at HBC.  These lectures are free theological cat nip for theology nerds. Enjoy. * Caputo Writes lots of books. * Like’ John Caputo on facebook

“What Would Paul Do?”  That’s the question and Peter Rollins and Barry Taylor are here to answer it Biblically.  This is a seriously fun conversation from the Soularize cconference that I thought would be the perfect to share at the beginning of the year. For those who don’t read atheist political philosophy…Paul is back, popular, and getting all sorts of attention.  In our conversation we play out a number of these Pauline insights and then tackle a bunch of questions being asked in the church today.  If you are interested in the philosophical discussion there is no better place to begin than St. Paul Among the Philosophers which is introduced and edited by Jack Caputo.  It includes chapters by Zizek and Badiou (philosophers) and then responses form Christian scholars from across the disciplines. Stuff We Discuss…Paul, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Pete’s new book, Hakim Bey’s temporary autonomous zones, Kester Brewin, Occupy Wall Street condoms and T-Shirts, the Crisis of Capitalism, Red Letter Christianity, the End of History, Identity Politics, Missional Progressive Christianity, why we aren’t ‘making disciples’ in church, and if the church should still gather after the Death of the Big Other God. Since this was recorded live in a room with a Keg of Dale Brothers Beer there are the occasional bumps from me pumping the keg. I put some soft jams underneath to help cut down the noise from the note taking audience.  

Christian Piatt, author of Banned Questions about Jesus & Banned Questions about the Bible stops by for a chat about church, Jesus, faith, the Bible and the important stuff in life.  As a minister’s husband Christian has been part of planting a progressive Disciples of Christ church in Colorado.  He Tweets, he blogs, and facebooks. Most important of all Christian put together a killer collection of thinkers, writers, and ministers to answer a some dangerous and banned questions about Jesus…the kind of questions in which the asking and the answering can be costly.  Each author had just a few paragraphs to answer the question and they did so right next to others so the reader can compare, contrast, yell, and go ‘hmm.’  Not only was Christian wise enough to ask Tripp about Jesus’ sexual fantasias but he also brought some ‘A’ game to the podcast.  Hope you enjoy the conversation! Don’t forget to sign-up for the Emergent Village Theological Conversation coming up in sunny SoCal Jan 31-Feb 2.  Remember to put ‘Deacon Wine Tour’ in the referral box if you want to join the fun.  If you already signed up and want to come just email me.

Tripp and Bo welcome Joe Paparone in for a conversation about missional priorities, process vocabulary, and an emergent framework. This is all in preparation for the 2012 Emergent Village Theological Conversation in Claremont California January 31-February 2nd. Register for the conference at ProcessTheology.org - find the reading list [here] – order Process for the Perplexed by Bruce Epperly and get ready to engage philosophers, theologians, practitioners and church leaders in an amazing set of conversations! If you want to listen to more podcast about Process, here are 3: Welcome to the Wonderful World of Process with Bruce Epperly Intro to Process Thought with Robert Mesle An Emerging, Progressive, and Relational Vision of Faith with Bruce Epperly