Theology in the Raw

What if studying theology made you more amazed by God? My friend Lisa Harper joins me to talk about what happens when the things we learn about God change how we pray, how we parent, and how we love the people around us.Lisa’s book Theology for the Rest of Us is the jumping-off point for our conversation. We get into what we can know about God and what remains a mystery, how the Trinity shapes the way we think about community, and why the return of Jesus is a reason for hope. Lisa also tells the story of listening to her daughter gush about her first crush and thinking, “I remember when I talked about Jesus like that.”And yes, somehow a sausage biscuit gets thrown out a car window, and we end up talking about atonement. This is why I love talking theology with Lisa.Chapters0:00 Theology was meant to be lived0:40 Can studying God deepen our love for him?3:38 Lisa Harper and her chaotic dissertation defense14:57 Theology for the rest of us15:46 What we can know about God and what leaves us in awe24:00 The Trinity and why we need community32:30 Using theology to invite people in34:31 Finding hope in the return of Jesus40:05 What baptism meant to the early Christians46:42 “I remember when I talked about Jesus like that”51:42 When words become armor57:58 A sausage biscuit and a lesson in atonementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does the Bible support capitalism or socialism—or challenge both? What do Jesus’ teachings about wealth, the early church’s shared possessions, and the Old Testament’s economic laws mean for Christians today?Dr. Michael Rhodes joins Preston to explore what Scripture says about money, work, poverty, generosity, and economic justice. From Jubilee and debt forgiveness to the difference between earning a profit and maximizing it, Michael challenges us to consider how following Jesus should shape our entire economic life.We also wrestle with the role of government in helping the poor, minimum wage debates, the dangers of concentrated wealth and power, Michael’s critique of Elon Musk and the USAID cuts, and a question raised by When Helping Hurts: Can our generosity actually harm the people we want to help?Michael Rhodes holds a PhD from the University of Aberdeen and lectures in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College in New Zealand. His books include Just Discipleship, Practicing the King’s Economy (coauthored), and Reimagining Biblical Politics.CHAPTERS00:00 “I Am the Rich Person”00:36 Introducing Dr. Michael Rhodes01:44 How Should We Read the Bible on Economics?05:06 Jubilee, Land Ownership, and Care for the Poor08:57 Beyond Charity: A Soup Kitchen or a Potluck?10:49 Why Did the Early Christians Sell Their Possessions?15:23 Did Jesus Expect Everyone to Give Everything Away?18:43 The Bible’s Warnings About Wealth Apply to Us19:46 Should Biblical Economics Shape Government Policy?22:36 Daniel, Proverbs, and Challenging Those in Power27:35 Can We Trust the Government to Help the Poor?31:15 Minimum Wage: Moving Beyond Political Talking Points38:24 A Business Owner Rethinks Profit—and Encounters Bad Policy41:10 Biblical Principles for Work, Generosity, and Economic Life44:15 Food Aid, Debt Forgiveness, and Breaking Cycles of Poverty46:59 Capitalism, Socialism, or Something Else?49:12 Is Profit Maximization Against God’s Will?50:29 Billionaires, Government, and Concentrated Power52:57 Elon Musk, USAID, and Christian Responsibility55:54 When Party Loyalty Overrides Our Convictions57:38 When Helping Hurts: Can Generosity Do Harm?62:30 Reimagining Biblical PoliticsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is the gospel simply about having our sins forgiven so we can go to heaven? N.T. Wright joins Preston to explore how Isaiah changes the way we understand Jesus, salvation, and the announcement that “Jesus is Lord.”Drawing on his book, Into the Heart of Isaiah: The Meaning and Message of Isaiah 40–55, Tom walks us through the story of God’s return, the suffering servant, and the renewal of creation. Who is Isaiah’s servant: Israel, Jesus, or both? How does Isaiah help us understand John’s Gospel and Jesus’ parables? And why would the early Christian announcement of good news challenge the most powerful empire in the world?We also discuss biblical authorship and inspiration, the idols Christians can remain captive to, what Jesus’ authority means for earthly politics, and how to read the Old Testament without missing the bigger picture.N.T. Wright is a New Testament scholar, former Bishop of Durham, and senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. His many books include Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, and After You Believe.In our Extra Innings conversation, I ask Tom why he believes women can serve in every position of church leadership. Hear his response, including his reflections on Mary Magdalene and Phoebe, by joining the Theology in the Raw community:https://www.patreon.com/theologyintherawCHAPTERS00:00 Is our gospel missing something?00:46 Introducing N.T. Wright and the gospel in Isaiah03:18 Why a New Testament scholar studies Isaiah05:08 Why Isaiah 40–55 belongs together07:55 Who wrote Isaiah, and does it matter?09:30 Can God inspire editors?12:25 Exile, the temple, and God’s promised return16:07 Why God works through human beings17:00 Israel, the servant, and renewed creation19:19 Sponsor: Boll & Branch20:26 Is the suffering servant Israel or Jesus?24:18 How Isaiah shapes the New Testament26:32 A gospel bigger than escaping the world27:18 Isaiah behind John’s Gospel and Jesus’ parables31:12 What “good news” means in Isaiah33:25 Is the gospel more than forgiveness?34:10 Jesus, Caesar, and the power of the cross35:47 “Jesus is Lord” and turning from idols37:17 What does Jesus’ authority on earth look like?38:24 The politically subversive message of Jesus40:08 American polarization and the church41:28 How to read Isaiah without getting lost46:05 N.T. Wright, the Beatles, and Coldplay48:43 Advice for preaching IsaiahSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is the death penalty biblical? Should Christians support capital punishment—or does following Jesus lead us toward a different understanding of justice, mercy, and redemption?Shane Claiborne joins me to discuss what the Bible says about the death penalty and why we both changed our minds. We explore Old Testament laws, Jesus’ teaching on “an eye for an eye,” the early church’s response to violence, and whether Romans 13 justifies capital punishment.But this conversation goes beyond biblical interpretation. Shane shares stories from years of visiting people on death row, including encounters with people who were later exonerated, families of murder victims, and a former executioner. We wrestle with difficult questions: Can you be pro-life and support the death penalty? What about justice for victims? And what does it mean to believe that no one is beyond redemption?Shane is an author, activist, and co-founder of Red Letter Christians. His books include Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It’s Killing Us and Rethinking Life.For my further thoughts on Romans 13 and the death penalty, join the Theology in the Raw community and watch or listen to Extra Innings:https://www.patreon.com/theologyintherawSubscribe for more curious conversations about difficult topics.CHAPTERS00:00 The Bible Belt is the death belt00:33 Why Christians are debating the death penalty05:27 Shane Claiborne: Why I changed my mind08:32 How the death penalty works in practice10:18 Who gets executed? Race, poverty, and geography12:05 The human cost of death row14:11 Can people on death row change?16:50 What does biblical justice look like?17:37 Don Johnson: Redemption on death row20:01 What about the victims?23:59 Forgiveness after the Charleston church shooting25:10 Christian leaders and the death penalty26:36 An invitation to pray on death row29:20 Does the Old Testament justify capital punishment?30:44 Jesus and “an eye for an eye”31:54 The early church on killing and state violence35:38 Why Christians still defend the death penalty37:07 Reading Old Testament laws as Christians39:22 Wrongful convictions and trusting the state41:10 Race, wealth, and unequal justice43:56 A Jewish perspective on the death penalty44:48 Does Romans 13 support the death penalty?47:50 The Reformation and the power of the state49:58 Wrestling with a change of mind51:12 Firing squads and the toll on executioners52:54 Forgiveness, consequences, and the gospel53:37 Shane’s books and further resourcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have we lost something in communion? Is the Lord’s Supper simply a symbol that reminds us of Jesus’ death, or is something more happening when we receive the bread and wine?Anglican priest Hannah Miller King joins Preston to explore the Eucharist and its role in spiritual formation. They discuss Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican understandings of Christ’s presence, why communion has become an afterthought in some churches, and whether we should expect to feel anything when we take it.Drawing from her book, Feasting on Hope: How God Sets a Table in the Wilderness, Hannah shares how communion has shaped her experience of grief, belonging, and healing. They also discuss her experience as a female priest and how Christians can remain in fellowship while disagreeing about women in church leadership.In Extra Innings, Preston asks Hannah why some evangelicals are drawn to Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches. Hear her own journey and the extended conversation by joining the TITR community: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintherawCHAPTERS00:00 Is communion more than an object lesson?00:46 Have we lost something in communion?04:35 Introducing Hannah Miller King05:01 Different Christian views of the Eucharist07:33 The early church, Luther, and Calvin10:55 What can Christians agree on about communion?13:34 Wasn’t the Lord’s Supper an actual meal?17:03 Sponsors19:09 Has communion become an afterthought?20:42 Making the table central to worship24:05 Wine, grape juice, and why the elements matter26:24 Communion, grief, and those we’ve lost29:43 What if I don’t feel anything?33:25 Embodiment, trauma, and healing37:58 Lament and the hope of resurrection39:06 Bringing our suffering to the table41:30 Teaching a richer understanding of communion43:23 Being a female Anglican priest47:25 Disagreeing about women’s ordination49:41 Unity without agreeing on everything51:57 Why male-only bishops?55:15 Faith when the miracle doesn’t comeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.