Theology in the Raw

Eli is the real deal. He not only understands the race conversation. He embodies it. In this episode, we talk about all things related to race, ethnicity, the church, and America, and we also discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East. 

Dr. Belousek has written an outsstanding book about same-sex marriage titled: Marriage, Scripture, and the Church: Theological Discernment on the Question of Same-Sex Union. In this podcast, we talk about the meaning of marriage, Ephesians 5, sex difference (or sexuate correspondance, as he calls it), Genesis 1-2, and why the question of marriage is at the center of these debates. 

In this episode, I talk with Julie about her perspective, evidence for and against it, and various other things related to the discussion about how to best treat trans*-identified children and teens. Julie is a licensed pediatrician in the U.K. and has written extensively about Gender Dysphoria and trans* identities. 

In this episode, we discuss what the Equality Act is, look at its historical roots, the content of the act, its implications for religious liberty, and what it means for churches and Christian non-profits.

In this episode, we talk about how most of the challenges to Christianity are more ethical in nature. People think Christianity can’t be true in light of its history of racism, slavery, misogyny, and homophobia--among other things. Rebecca addresses these kinds of legitimate arguments with intelligence and wisdom.

In this conversation, we discuss the C1-C6 spectrum, Moorocan culture, and missions, and then we discuss her shift from Missiology to Systematic Theology, discussing different theological methodologies, epistemology, ontology, and Christo-centric Trinitarian theology.  

In this episode, we talk about the rise in suicidality, anxiety, and depression especially among teens. We also discuss the widespread problem of sexual abuse and how people can find healing from trauma.

I first met Bert in Fall 1997 when I transferred in as a Junior at The Master’s College (now University). Bert was one of my roomates and we quickly began a mentoring friendship. For the next 3-4 years, Bert poured into and helped lay some vital spiritual foundations in my life. He has been, quite simply, one the most influential persons in my life. But Bert has his own tumultuous story, which involved getting saved out of a gang culture and thrust into the Christian spotlight as a singer, preacher, Chaplain, and mentor to many. After several years of major “Christian success,” he fell back into his old ways, even darker than before, and ultimately ended up in jail. He’s been slowly and faithfully building back his faith again, without needing the stage to validate his Christian worth.

Dr. Laidlaw is a board certified Endocrinologist with an MD in Endocrinology from USC. He’s been involved in the conversation surrounding trans* identified teens and the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones (CHT). In this conversation, Michael gives us the the honest facts about what we know and don’t know about short term and long term effects of blockers and CHT.

In this episode, we talk about all kinds of things related to Christian worship and worship leading, including the difference between subjective and objective oriented songs, the need for character in a worship pastor, why musical talent alone is insufficient in a worship leader and how it can even be destructive, “Jesus is my boyfriend” type songs, and some potential problems with the CCLI industrial complex.

Few people understand the intersection between faith and culture better than Gabe Lyons. In this conversation, we avoid all the easy topics and only discuss the highly controversial ones: Qideas (not Qanon), COVID vaccines, can we trust the government, how should we think through the “facts” about the pandemic, is censorship really happening, how to think through sexuality and gender questions, and much more.

In this conversation, we talk about what it was like pastoring a church that is located at the epicenter of the pandemic in Queens, NY. We also discuss the beauties and challenges of pastoring a church where 75 different nations are represented, especially when they are all over the map on political and racial issues. We conclude by talking about Rich’s first book, The Deeply Formed Life, which focuses on the personal and public practices that contribute to our spiritual formation.

In this conversation, we talk about his remarkable encounter with Benny Hinn, his recent thoughts on church unity, how he’s revisited his beliefs about the Eucharist, and we reflect on the pros and cons of being educated at The Master’s College (now University) and Seminary.

In this podcast, we discuss why the idea that LGB people are “born that way” does not match the scientific data; instead, sexual orientation is a complex blend of nature and nurture. We then talk about the phenomenon of sexual fluidity--a topic that Lisa has become an expert on.

Grant Skeldon is a leading expert in understanding GenZ and has spent the last several years of his life raising up and discipling GenZ leaders. In this podcast episode, Grant walks us through an indepth look at GenZ and corrects some wrong assumptions older people have about this vibrant generation.