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Theology Nerd Throwdown

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So we're LIVE at the Common Market in Charlotte, drinking craft beverages and fielding questions from the Speaking to a Modern World conference, which means we're ping-ponging between topics faster than your algorithm-addled attention span. Josh starts us off playing voice of the people, then we trade him for Leah Robinson, who's delightfully willing to interrupt me when I get too deep in the philosophical weeds. We tackle everything from what the hell "modernity" actually means (hint: it's not just Protestants arguing about beliefs), to why religion emerged before language as a solution to mammalian cooperation problems, to how process theology offers a different way through deconstruction than Nietzsche's lonely child-making. Tom and I explain why we think classical theism's omnipotent God is actually less helpful than you'd think, we get into the weeds on sacrificial language and atonement theory, and Leah keeps us honest about whether all our philosophical specificity is just academic masturbation or actually useful for people trying to figure out how to live. Plus we discover that getting kicked out of the Nazarenes gives you mixed feelings but doesn't automatically make you drink beer.
UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing
This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley
As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.FaithAndPolitics.net
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
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This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 75,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 50 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo and I dove deep into onto-theology after he texted me wanting to explore its "upside" - which led to a sprawling conversation about everything from James Dobson's recent death and its impact on evangelical parenting, to Taylor Swift's engagement, to my chickens interrupting the show. We unpacked how onto-theology (the problematic conflation of Being itself with a supreme being) actually offers important critiques of theological overconfidence, exploring how thinkers like Caputo and Westphal use Heidegger's insights differently. Along the way, we wrestled with whether faith can maintain intellectual integrity in a post-Enlightenment world, discussed the violence embedded in certain models of divine sovereignty and parenting, and considered how the ontological difference between Being and beings challenges our theological certainty. Plus, I confessed to Bo about a wild Heidegger dream involving cartoon beer logos, and we plan future episodes on contemporary worship songs and a live Zoom chat with our regular listeners
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing
This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley
As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.FaithAndPolitics.net
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
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This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 50 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Tom Oord, who's in the middle of writing what might be the first ever systematic theology with "love" right there in the title. We dove deep into how systematic theology actually works - you know, the difference between someone like Wayne Grudem who treats the Bible like a collection of proof texts versus Paul Tillich who's doing this whole apologetic dance with existentialism. Tom's taking this fascinating approach where he's putting love at the very center from the get-go. We talked about how every systematic theology reveals the theologian's situatedness - whether that's the parade of white, male, Reformed voices dominating the bestseller lists, or how Tom's own journey of getting kicked out of evangelical spaces for advocating LGBTQ inclusion shapes his work. The conversation got really good when we dug into the practical stuff too - like how theology has to grapple with Jesus's either/or between God and mammon, and why the incarnation can't just be abstract doctrine but has to flood into ethics immediately. Plus, Tom's doing this wild thing where he's putting his rough drafts on Substack and letting people tear them apart in real time, which honestly takes more guts than I'd have.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube.
Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology.
Some Previous Tripp & Tom Pods
A Journey of Faith and Integrity
Faith without Certainty
Big God Questions
Christ, Christmas, & the Incarnation
the Death of Omnipotence!
Brian McLaren & Thomas Jay Oord: a God Worthy of Love
Process This!
Process Theology QnA
Authority, Atonement, Abortion, and a Big Hug
from Pluriform Love to Divine Revelation
Big God Twitter Takes
Trump is (NOT) a Process Theologian & Other Questions
Thomas Jay Oord wants you to know “God Can’t”
Open and Relational Theology Throwdown
Open and Relational Q&A with Thomas Jay Oord
Why Go Wesleyan?
UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - The God of Justice: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Contemporary Longing
This transformative online class brings together distinguished scholars from biblical studies, theology, history, and faith leadership to offer exactly what our moment demands: the rich, textured wisdom of multiple academic disciplines speaking into our contemporary quest for justice. Join John Dominic Crossan, Peter Enns, Casey Sigmon, Aizaiah Yong, & Malcolm Foley
As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.FaithAndPolitics.net
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
_____________________
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 50 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wow, what a wild ride this turned out to be! Bo and I got into the religious landscape after I shared this crazy sticky note revelation I had at the cigar lounge - connecting Jeffrey Epstein conspiracies and Palestine through the lens of basic human decency and institutional trust. We ended up unpacking everything from why young people are abandoning religion (spoiler: it's not just youthful rebellion) to the difference between being "spiritual but not religious" versus actual consumer spirituality. Bo dropped some brilliant insights about how we're hardwired for religious behavior but living in a post-religious age where belief has become just another consumer choice. Plus, we tackled a mountain of listener questions about mega churches, the future of mainline denominations, and whether millennials will ever come back to organized religion. Honestly, between Bo's recent religious trauma research, my flooding basement, and our shared frustration with reductive atheists who claim love isn't real, this felt more like group therapy than theology. But hey, that's what makes good conversation!
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
ONLINE SUMMIT: Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION
Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action.
As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.HomebrewedClasses.com
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
_____________________
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's up Theology Nerds! We're back from vacation and home renovations with a special Bible bonanza episode that's equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking. Bo and I are tackling the issue of mandatory Bible reading in schools by collecting suggestions from listeners about which verses should be read if we're going down this road. We got calls from Finland to Britain with everything from Jesus's upside-down teachings about greatness through service, to some truly awkward Old Testament passages that definitely won't make it past the school board. Along the way we dive into why pulling random Bible verses out of context is like grabbing ingredients from the fridge and calling it a meal, discuss how publishers shape our reading through chapter headings, and explore what it might actually look like if we took Jesus's radical teachings seriously. Plus Bo gets trapped in his studio when his door handle breaks, I'm surrounded by dancing chickens, and we somehow end up talking about whether Christianity's future is mystical or nonexistent. It's theology, humor, and some surprisingly deep insights about scripture, power, and what we're really afraid of when we talk about moral decline.
You can WATCH this episode on YouTube
ONLINE SUMMIT: Democracy in Tension - NAVIGATING THE INTERLOCKING CRISES OF DEMOCRACY AND RELIGION
Democracy today faces profound challenges – polarization, inequality, populist authoritarianism, and widespread cynicism are eroding the foundations of democratic life. Yet, what if democracy's greatest strength lies not in eliminating these tensions, but in productively embracing them?The summit will navigate the complex terrain between political equality and social justice, liberal freedom and democratic sovereignty, and ethical demands and political action.
As always, the class is donation-based, including 0. INFO & Sign-Up at www.HomebrewedClasses.com
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
_____________________
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's up theology nerds! When we lost the legendary Walter Brueggemann, I knew we had to do a proper tribute to one of the most influential biblical scholars of our time. I'm joined by Bo and Rolf Jacobson from Luther Seminary for a deep dive into Walter's life and work - this is the guy who somehow managed to have both mega-nerd street cred in the academy AND pastors across the country whose preaching was transformed by his books. We explore how Walter revolutionized biblical theology by showing us a God who's relational, passionate, and takes sides (goodbye, distant philosophical absolutes), his famous disagreements with Terence Fretheim about divine freedom versus fidelity, and how "The Prophetic Imagination" is really about hope and alternative consciousness, not scolding people. Rolf shares incredible stories about Walter's pastoral heart, we discuss his brilliant interdisciplinary work that connected everything from Paul Ricoeur to economic theory, and we talk about his scathing critique of American capitalism (the golden calf in front of Wall Street is basically God trolling American Christians about their idolatry). Whether you know Walter from "The Prophetic Imagination" or you're just discovering him, this conversation captures why he was so special - a scholar who made ancient texts dangerous again and showed us that the God of the Bible is way more interesting, subversive, and liberating than we usually dare to believe. As Walter would say to his grandkids about the manna story: "You are not children of scarcity, you're children of abundance - don't forget it."
If you want to get access to the Introduction to the Old Testament class with Dr. Brueggemann, head over to TheologyClass.com
You will find 3 of my episodes with Brueggemann combined into this one episode.
Books by Brueggemann that we mention
The Prophetic Imagination
Reverberations of Faith
The Vitality of Old Testament Traditions
Finally Comes the Poet
Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN. (Rolf is coming too!)
Dr. Rolf A. Jacobson is the Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry at Luther Seminary.
Previous Episodes with Dr. Jacobson
Creation and Sin
Wild Places with Israel’s God
Five Offensive Things… you learn in Seminary
The Five Most Offensive Bible Things… you Learn in Seminary
Israel’s In-Your-Face, Holy God
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim
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Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo comes back from an epic 22-year tradition canoe trip in the Adirondacks - complete with black flies, hypothermia, and some serious Type 2 fun - and drops maybe his most intense opening riff ever. We're talking democracy, pornography, evangelicalism, the economy, and a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn't mean what it used to mean anymore. Bo's got this theory about "floating signifiers" - basically things that have become untethered from their original meaning and are just floating around causing confusion and cultural chaos. From Methodists who don't do the methods to evangelicals who've been unmasked, from the gold standard to the stock market that may or may not actually exist, we dive deep into why nothing feels real anymore and why everyone's either retreating into romanticized nostalgia or getting lost in word policing. Plus: Ninja Turtle personality tests, the nine-by-nine-by-nine baseball challenge, and why Trip thinks we need to focus on basic material reality instead of fighting endless identity battles. It's a wild ride that somehow ends with a constructive Triple-A framework for moving forward.
You can WATCH the conversation (&30 extra minutes) on YouTube
Don't forget we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE
Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN.
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here.
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's up Theology Nerds! This week on TNT, Bo and I kick things off with the breaking news about the new American Pope from Chicago (perfect timing for a Bear's Super Bowl win?) before diving into a deep theological conversation about the future of liberal Christianity. Following last week's rather pessimistic outlook, we explore more hopeful possibilities for revitalizing liberal theology. We discuss the potential of engaging the cultural desire for re-enchantment, reclaiming myth, and adopting what Gary Dorrien calls "metaphysical courage" - making strong theological claims while maintaining intellectual humility. Bo and I nerd out HARD on Paul Ricœur's approach to reading sacred texts, discussing how he calls us to be hermeneutical interpreters, phenomenologists who bracket assumptions, and theological thinkers who allow ourselves to be appropriated by the text. We explore how religious truth functions more as a "porous knowledge" than propositional certainty, and why tending to questions might be more important than providing answers. This episode gets into some legit philosophical territory (with special shoutouts to David Tracy, who passed away this week). If you've been feeling a bit hopeless about the state of liberal Christianity, this conversation might just offer some theological fuel for your journey.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Don't forget we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE
Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN.
Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! Get info and tickets here.
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here.
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's up, Theology Nerds! In this episode, Bo and I tackle the existential question: "Does Liberal Christianity Have a Future?" Spoiler alert: Bo doesn't think it does, and his explanation involves both elevators and human eardrums! We dive into the fascinating history and predicaments of liberal theology, exploring why churches with endowed organs might be spiritually starving. I share five theological predicaments identified by scholars like Catherine Keller and Steven Webb (who inspired Bo to drop a mic with his observation that liberal theology is "too secular for believers, too religious for secularists, and too academic for non-theologians").
Bo confessed his own struggles with Bible literacy and shared some pushback from his congregation about a sermon suggesting people shouldn't read the Bible alone. We unpack the cultural shifts making mainline Protestantism increasingly obsolete - from the sociology of Sundays to the commodification of identity. Bo introduces his "perfect storm" theory about why liberalism's prioritization of the individual creates an irreconcilable tension with Christianity's commitment to community in our consumer capitalist context. This episode gets nerdy, punchy, and occasionally brutal in our assessment, but we're saving our potential solutions for next time!
Don't forget we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE
You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube
Don't forget - Theology Beer Camp is coming up! Get your tickets at theologybeercamp.com. For our Christology series, check out ManyFacesOfChrist.com .
Until next time, keep thinking deeply and drinking good beer!
You can WATCH the conversation on YOUTUBE
3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
ONLINE CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Many Faces of Christ Today
The question Jesus asked his disciples still resonates today: "Who do you say that I am?"
Join our transformative 5-week online learning community as we explore a rich tapestry of contemporary Christologies. Experience how diverse theological voices create a compelling vision of Jesus Christ for today's world.
Expand your spiritual horizons. Challenge your assumptions. Enrich your faith.
As always, the class is donation-based (including 0), so head over to ManyFacesOfChrist.com for more details and to sign up!
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What's up Theology Nerds! Today's episode goes all over the place - from Easter rituals to mandatory Bible readings, with plenty of religious baggage unpacked along the way.
Bo starts us off with his discomfort over some potentially mandatory Bible reading legislation in Idaho (which I kept confusing with Iowa - my bad, flyover state friends). This leads to a fascinating discussion about religious literacy versus using religion as a tool of conformity and exclusion in education systems.
We share some personal stories - including my "Resurrection Smoke-a-thon" Easter tradition with themed cigars and smoked meats (because nothing says "resurrection" like brisket and tobacco), and Bo's frustration with having the EXACT SAME conversation with locals every week as a Methodist minister in a community where only 4-6% of people would ever consider attending his church.
The loneliness epidemic gets real as Bo talks about eating Easter dinner alone and the challenge of building meaningful relationships when you know the denomination will move you in 5 years. We unpack how late-stage capitalism is shredding our social fabric, delaying home ownership and family formation, which historically provided entry points to community.
In true TNT fashion, we tangent into:
The toxic effects of social media (seriously, studies show quitting improves your mental health as much as TWO YEARS of quality therapy)
A proposed Bible Quiz Bowl showdown at Theology Beer Camp featuring recovering Sword Drill champions
My college-era protest of wearing an Ezekiel 23:20 t-shirt to a Bible inerrancy event (the verse about donkey genitals...)
The passing of Pope Francis and his open-handed approach to Catholic tradition
Post-liberal theology, narrative approaches to scripture, and creeds as questions rather than conclusions
For our next episode, we're bringing back the topic we skipped today: "Does Liberal Theology Have a Future?" Also, we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE
Don't forget - Theology Beer Camp is coming up! Get your tickets at theologybeercamp.com. For our Christology series, check out ManyFacesOfChrist.com .
Until next time, keep thinking deeply and drinking good beer!
You can WATCH the conversation on YOUTUBE
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
ONLINE CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Many Faces of Christ Today
The question Jesus asked his disciples still resonates today: "Who do you say that I am?"
Join our transformative 5-week online learning community as we explore a rich tapestry of contemporary Christologies. Experience how diverse theological voices create a compelling vision of Jesus Christ for today's world.
Expand your spiritual horizons. Challenge your assumptions. Enrich your faith.
As always, the class is donation-based (including 0), so head over to ManyFacesOfChrist.com for more details and to sign up!
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we were joined by surprise guest Josh Patterson from the Rethinking Faith Podcast, who subjects Bo to his signature "20 Questions" game. The conversation ranges from lighthearted to profound as Bo considers which biblical book he would eliminate, which religious figure would make the worst associate pastor, and why he remains a Christian despite doubts. The discussion weaves through topics including Native American spirituality, Tom Bombadil from Lord of the Rings, wild adventures at theology conferences, and questions Bo would ask if Jesus appeared before him. Throughout the conversation, Bo reflects that his continued faith journey has been marked not by steady progress but by fortunate encounters with guides who've helped him stumble forward despite his self-described "train wreck" nature.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tripp and Bo dive into a fascinating theological discussion about Daniel 10 and its interpretation in this episode of the Theology Nerd Throwdown. Bo, who is preaching through Daniel, seeks Tripp's insights on how progressive Christians can approach the text's three-tiered cosmology featuring territorial spirits and angelic battles. They explore various ways to understand ancient worldviews without dismissing them, including how some modern Christians have used these concepts for potentially problematic practices like "spiritual mapping" and "prayer walking." The conversation touches on colonialism in missions, cultural sensitivity, and how the same text that describes cosmic battles can be weaponized for xenophobic purposes or reimagined through a lens of cultural humility. Throughout their dialogue, they weave in personal stories about mission trips, theological embarrassments, and how contextual theology might offer better approaches to understanding both ancient texts and cultural differences.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
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Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, the BoDaddy shares about his co-passion projects in his local community and the struggle to act as a community of faith in our increasingly tribal time. Then they discuss the nature of contemplation versus fascination, sparked by reflections from Tripp's son's school essay and interviews with scholars Kevin Hart and Norman Wirzba. They reflect on the impact of smartphones on our attention, social life, and spiritual well-being, proposing ways to shift from fascination to deeper contemplative living. Along the way, they share humor, personal anecdotes, and a collective plan for conscious technology use during Lent.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025
3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends.
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What exactly is MAGA? In this episode, we dive deep into the movement, not just as a political force, but as a new kind of civil religion. We'll explore the history of self-creation, from Martin Luther to the age of Trump, and how this uniquely American idea shapes the MAGA movement. We'll also unpack the complex relationship between online communities and real connection, the allure of nostalgia, and the very nature of truth in a post-truth era. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the spiritual and cultural forces driving one of the most significant movements in recent history.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo texted Tripp about preaching through the book of Daniel and some ideas he has about resilience and resistance he wants to discuss. He also has a preterist theory about biblical prophecy. Tripp assumes this is something his church and education experience failed to tell him about. What resulted was a lively discussion on the book of Daniel, exploring its layers of prophetic texts, historical contexts, and theological implications. We dive into Daniel's diet, fiery furnaces, the lions' den, and the interpretations of prophetic visions. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how ancient texts provide relevant insights into consumption, allegiance, and how to navigate uncertain times faithfully. Don't miss Bo explaining his take on preterism, punctuated equilibrium, and how these concepts help make sense of contemporary issues.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Tripp & Bo dive deep into the concept of digital colonialism and how tech giants are reshaping human interaction and power dynamics. They explore how data is extracted, processed, and monetized, creating a new colonial class and transforming social relations. Through a critical lens, they discuss the implications for individual autonomy, the erosion of social trust, and potential ways to resist and reimagine our digital lives. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the very frameworks of our current digital society.
You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube
A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan
Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.
Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of the Theology Nerd Throwdown, Tripp & Bo dive into a vibrant discussion on the evolving cultural and political landscape. Bo shares his experiences and insights after moving to Idaho, reflecting on conservative backlash and modern conservatism. The duo explores the complexities of liberalism's critics, the fragmentation of society, and the role of community and virtue in an individualistic world. They discuss strategies for reclaiming ecclesiology as upstream of politics and the implications for local congregations. Tune in for a thought-provoking session that bridges theology, philosophy, and contemporary issues.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo wants to talk about the incarnation and God's love of flesh. Tripp wants street tacos.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
This Advent season, join us for a unique four-week online class that dives deep into the Advent and Christmas sermons of some of the 20th century’s most provocative theologians: Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Tillich, and Rudolf Bultmann. Known collectively as contributors to the “theology of crisis,” these thinkers wrestled with the significance of the Incarnation in a world marked by upheaval, uncertainty, and hope. The class is online, asynchronous, and donation-based, including 0. www.OhGodWhatNow.net
Get info on Theology Beer Camp 2025 here.
Join the Bonhoeffer class - The Rise of Bonhoeffer - and follow the Bonhoeffer podcast!
Follow the podcast here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo doesn't understand the growing attraction of traditional religion. He wants to talk about it.
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
This Advent season, join us for a unique four-week online class that dives deep into the Advent and Christmas sermons of some of the 20th century’s most provocative theologians: Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Tillich, and Rudolf Bultmann. Known collectively as contributors to the “theology of crisis,” these thinkers wrestled with the significance of the Incarnation in a world marked by upheaval, uncertainty, and hope. The class is online, asynchronous, and donation-based, including 0. www.OhGodWhatNow.net
Get info on Theology Beer Camp 2025 here.
Join the Bonhoeffer class - The Rise of Bonhoeffer - and follow the Bonhoeffer podcast!
Follow the podcast here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tripp is wrapping up a giant project on Bonhoeffer & wants to tell Bo about the nature of resistance in his work. Bo said, "Be quiet! I want to be surprised."
You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube
This Advent season, join us for a unique four-week online class that dives deep into the Advent and Christmas sermons of some of the 20th century’s most provocative theologians: Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paul Tillich, and Rudolf Bultmann. Known collectively as contributors to the "theology of crisis," these thinkers wrestled with the significance of the Incarnation in a world marked by upheaval, uncertainty, and hope. The class is online, asyncronous, and donation-based, including 0. www.OhGodWhatNow.net
Get info on Theology Beer Camp 2025 here.
Join the Bonhoeffer class - The Rise of Bonhoeffer - and follow the Bonhoeffer podcast!
Follow the podcast here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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