Theology on Purpose

Author Sylvie Vanhoozer joins Sarah to talk about "The Art of Living in Advent" and how the beauty of ordinary life can draw us closer to God. Growing up in the south of France, Sylvie discovered the sacred in simple things—especially through the santons, small villagers in the traditional Provençal nativity scene. Listen in as they explore how art, imagination, and everyday faithfulness can become acts of worship, and how Advent invites us to wait with wonder and live a more embodied faith. You won't want to miss this timely episode ahead of the Christmas season! Get the show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast Feeling spiritually dry? Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

What do bread dough and spiritual discernment have in common? More than you might think. Join Sarah for a reflective look at why it's easier to follow someone else's recipe for faith, and how God invites each of us into the kitchen to discover that God's Word is alive and nourishing. Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/ Get the newsletter here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/subscribe  

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Bekah Stewart, spiritual director and author of "Permission to Matter: The Invitation to Wake Up, Stand Up, and Come Out of Hiding". Together they explore what it means for women to reclaim their spiritual agency and embrace a faith that honors their whole selves. Bekah shares how traditional models of spiritual formation (often shaped by male perspectives) tend to focus on overcoming pride. But for many women, the deeper struggle is self-erasure: shrinking or hiding before ever being seen. She invites listeners to imagine a spiritual life rooted in awakening to our God-given worth and calling. They discuss the difference between self-sacrifice and self-abandonment, the four modes of knowing that shape our faith, and what it means to embody the authority of the Holy Spirit. Find the show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/  

Play isn't just for kids, it can be a spiritual practice for adults, too! In this short solo episode, Sarah explores how play can reconnect us to joy, presence, and the God who delights in us. She shares practical ideas for weaving play into ordinary life and reminds us that delight is a part of spiritual growth. Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

Prayer can look different for each of us, and that was exactly how God designed it! In this episode, author Janet McHenry shares how her practice of prayer walking opened her eyes to the needs around her and transformed her understanding of prayer. We talk about how prayer shapes our experience of God, why one-size-fits-all methods can leave us discouraged, and how to embrace your unique personality and season of life in prayer. If you've ever felt stuck or dry in prayer, this conversation will bring fresh encouragement and practical ideas! Find the show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast Take the Connect with God Quiz to find out which spiritual practice you most need right now: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/  

Words can build up or tear down, bless or curse, and every sentence we speak carries the potential to shape the world around us. In this episode, I share a story from my childhood in France, reflect on the power of language, and explore how we can steward our words to encourage others, speak truth in love, and join God in His kingdom-building work. Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/  

Bible teacher Mariel Davenport shares her journey from atheism to faith and introduces her simple TEND method for connecting with Scripture. We talk about slowing down, creating space for God in busy seasons, and letting His Word transform your everyday life. You'll learn: How Mariel's first read through Genesis changed everything A simple 4-step rhythm to engage Scripture deeply Practical ways to create space for God even on your busiest days Take the Connect with God quiz here Get the show notes here  

What's hiding in the "closets" of your soul? In this short and reflective episode, Sarah shares how a surprising find in a church closet sparked a powerful reminder: God has a way of redeeming the very things we'd rather throw away. Through stories from her ministry work, childhood, and personal struggles with belonging, Sarah explores how God takes our pain, failures, and forgotten dreams—our inner "junk"—and transforms them into tools for kingdom work. If you've ever wondered what God could possibly do with your past hurts or hidden scars, this episode will encourage you to see your story through a lens of hope and redemption. Listen now and discover how nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God. Take the Connect with God Quiz to find out what spiritual practice you need most right now!

Jo Saxton joins Theology on Purpose to share her journey of faith and leadership, from meeting Jesus as a child in London to empowering women through the Ezer Collective and beyond. She opens up about navigating burnout, rediscovering the simplicity of following Jesus, and helping women step into their God-given gifts with courage and confidence. You'll be encouraged by Jo's honesty and equipped with practical wisdom to rise into your own calling as a leader of faith. Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here

Falling asleep is something we can't force, we can only prepare for it. In the same way, hearing from God isn't about striving harder but about creating the right conditions to listen well. In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I share four practices that can open our hearts to God's voice: silence and solitude, Scripture, creation, and prayer. Take the Connect with God quiz

What does it mean to live as God's beloved daughter? In this episode, author and pastor Amy Seiffert shares insights from her book Your Name is Daughter. We explore the strength hidden in Eve's story, the womb-like compassion of God, and how Jesus restored women's voices in a culture that tried to silence them. Amy's wisdom will encourage you to embrace your identity, use your voice with courage, and live grounded in the truth of being God's daughter. Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this candid conversation, Mary Marantz, author of Underestimated, reveals the hidden roots of perfectionism and self-sabotage and how they shape our lives. She offers practical insights for women in leadership and faith to overcome fear, step into God's calling, and move from seeking approval to worshiping through their gifts. If you've ever struggled with fear, perfectionism, or feeling overlooked, this episode will inspire and equip you to lead with confidence and purpose. Get the show notes here!  

In this episode, Elisa Johnston, author of "Justice-Minded Kids," shares how her faith has grown through a commitment to justice. She offers practical insights on overcoming fear around activism, bridging divides with compassion, and living justice as a spiritual discipline. Whether you're just starting or feeling worn out, Elisa's story encourages a faith deeply rooted in love and action. Get the full show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast

Christy Lynne Wood, author of "Religious Rebels," grew up in a cultic Christian subculture where outward appearances and rigid rules replaced a real relationship with Jesus. In this episode, she shares her journey of deconstruction, spiritual abuse, and ultimately rediscovering the beauty of faith beyond fundamentalism. We talk about the dangers of certainty, embracing mystery, and what it means to build a holistic, Jesus-centered theology after religious trauma. Get all the show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast  

Poet and author Tanner Olson shares how his personal faith journey—marked by grief, hope, and prayer—has shaped his writing and ministry. From a transformative mission trip to the long road through infertility and adoption, Tanner reflects on how God met him in unexpected ways. With honesty and gentle wisdom, he invites us to find hope through prayer, poetry, and the quiet presence of God. Find the show notes here

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim joins us to discuss her book When God Became White. She shares her personal journey as a Korean immigrant, her experiences with racism, and how those experiences led her to examine the ways Christianity has contributed to harmful depictions of God. We talk about the consequences of upholding a white, male image of God, how that image has been weaponized to justify racism and sexism, and why reclaiming the other biblical imagery of God matters for the church today. Don't miss this challenging and deeply important conversation about who God is and how our view of God shapes how we live!  

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, poet and professor Kimberly Phinney shares her journey through chronic illness, loss, and the deep questions that reshaped her view of God. We discuss the struggle of holding onto faith in hard seasons, the power of presence, finding hope when healing doesn't come as expected, and poetry as a spiritual practice. This honest conversation invites you to wrestle with God, trust Him in the unknown, and embrace a resilient faith. Find the full show notes here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, author Jen Pollock Michel joins us for a thoughtful conversation on the paradoxes of faith, suffering, and grace. She shares how early experiences of profound loss shaped her faith journey, the tension between effort and dependence on God, and how trying in the spiritual life is not the same as legalism. Jen also reflects on the difference between certainty and confidence, the challenge of holding firm beliefs while remaining humble, and the ongoing wrestling with grace in everyday life. Tune in as we explore these deep theological questions and what it means to live with faith in the midst of uncertainty.  

How do we make space for God in our busy lives? Author Julia Roller shares how small, consistent spiritual practices—like silence and the Examen—can deepen faith, even in the midst of motherhood and work. She opens up about facing breast cancer while pregnant and how community transformed her understanding of God's presence. We also explore how hospitality is central to our faith—not just as hosting others, but as creating space for God in our everyday lives. 

Sarah K. Butterfield talks with Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez, author of "Being a Sanctuary," about her diverse faith journey, the role of uncertainty in deepening trust in God, and practical spiritual disciplines. Pricelis emphasizes the importance of dignity in the church, collective responsibility in faith, and how to navigate church hurt. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on growing a purposeful and personal relationship with God, as a member of the Body of Christ.