Theology in the Raw

This week in Old Testament in the Raw (formerly known as OT Dive), Preston and his class dive into Genesis 2-3. We begin by looking at all the ways that Genesis 2 emphasizing the intimacy or imminence of God. Then we discuss the location and theological significance of the garden of Eden. Finally, we look at the Fall of Adam and Even and some relevant aspects of their sin that we can use to consider our own “fall into sin” that happens all the time.

Preston is joined again by his friend Steve Patton to talk about the Kanye's conversion and white evangelicalism's response. And yes, Steve has some critical thoughts on the whole ordeal. Steve and Preston talk quite a bit about Kanye, then they banter around about the meaning of "white evangelicalism," then get sidetracked into a related conversation about racial reconciliation and what this should really look like. 

This week in Old Testament dive, Preston digs deep into Genesis 1 and draws out the main theological theme of the transcendence of God. This theme is correlated with the theme of God’s immanence in Genesis 2. Both themes—transcendence and immanence—forge a robust and complimentary portrait of God that’s fundamental for a Christian worldview. Oh, and we do get into the whole debate about the age of the earth.

Heather is a communications professor at Colorado Christian University and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. Her and Preston talk a lot about her church, communication, politics, college students, and much more

Back by popular demand, pastor and writer John Mark Comer joins Preston to talk about his latest book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. They also talk about many other things like parenting in a post-Christian world, ministry in an urban context, where culture is headed, the Benedict option, and many other things. 

Preston started teaching an Old Testament course at an adult Sunday school class at his church and is going to be releasing these talks on this podcast. In this introductory lecture, Preston discusses how to read the Old Testament, the nature of divine inspiration, and gives an overview of OT history.

Preston sits down with his friend Addison Bevere to talk about the ministry of Messenger International, a global ministry with a massive reach and a generous heart. Addison also just wrote a book called "Saints: Becoming More than Christians," which comes out on Jan 21. The book discusses what it means to be called "Saints"--a term used WAY MORE than the term Christian in the Bible.

Preston continues his conversation about the annihilation view hell. In this podcast, he goes through the Old Testament, Early Judaism, and the New Testament, showing that there is a good deal of biblical support for annihilation. Preston then addresses some of the common pushbacks for this view.

Preston explains his journey with the doctrine of hell, from thinking that annihilation was heresy and that John Stott must have lost his faith for believing it, to writing Erasing Hell and still leaning toward the traditional view, to continuing to rethink the biblical legitimacy of the annihilation view.

Preston and Ozzie did their Ph.D.’s together at Aberdeen University, where Ozzie wrote a brilliant dissertation on the role that speeches from non-Christians play in the book of Acts. Fast forward several years and Ozzie is teaching at Beeson Divinity School in Alabama and meets his (now) wife, Kristen, who was finishing her M.Div. Both Kristen and Ozzie are writers, leaders, and passionate about ministry. Both grew up believing that only men can be church leaders/preachers, but have both shifted their view. This podcast explores why.

Preston sits down with Barnabas Piper (John’s son) to talk about the pros and cons of growing up in the fishbowl of a pastor’s family. Barnabas has been through a lot and is super honest and raw about his journey. He’s wrestled with his faith, found his own theological journey, been through a divorce, worked for a conservative Christian organization, and now serves on staff at a church in Nashville. And he’s written a few books in the midst of it all.

Preston and Shane sit down for the first time on Theology in the Raw to talk about Christianity, the church, Mother Theresa, guns, gun violence, when he’s getting his dreads back, conservatism and progressivism, and many other topics.

Questions, questions, questions. Preston is taking another week to address some super interesting questions sent in from his listeners. Where should trans-identified students sleep at summer camp? With the boys or with the girls? Should Christians watch movies with sex and nudity? How should Christian institutions frame their sexuality and gender statements? And much, much more.

After doing loads of interviews this Fall, Preston is back to responding to some questions sent in by his listeners. Is the Bible political? What’s the difference between being political and partisan? Do we throw away books written by Christians after they’ve slept with their secretary? How can Christians who believe in nonviolence also believe in hell? And many other questions.

Preston was speaking at University of Northwestern in Minneapolis and in between talks he and his good friend, Luke Thompson, went out to see the movie The Joker. That evening, Preston and Luke went out to a local pub and talked about the cultural and moral significance of the movie. It is--in Preston and Luke’s opinion--one of the most culturally and morally significant movies in the last decade. Listen to find out why.