Personalist Manifesto(s)

In this conversation, I speak with my friend, and sports super fan, Andrew Blaine.Sports talk has come up here and there on this show—usually when I am lamenting the ongoing losses and heartbreaks that come with being a Vancouver Canucks fan—but this is the first episode where sport is spoken about at length.What you may come to see as the conversation progresses, however, is that sports for Andrew are about more than sports. Sports are about community, relationship, and… a God who meets us, and changes us, in and through communities and relationships—within churches, yes, but also beyond churches too. And so with that, here’s my conversation with Andrew.BioAndrew Blaine is a sports super fan who loves Jesus and has a passion for community.LinksInstagram: @_andrewblaine0441Trinity Western Spartans: https://gospartans.ca/

In this episode, I speak to someone by the name of Jonathan Lyonhart.Jonathan is a theologian, philosopher, author, and ordained minister. He emailed me a while back, letting me know he’s listened to this show, and he thought I might be interested in reading his new book The Journey of God: Christianity in Six Movements.I responded to Jonathan’s email, saying something like, “Of course. Send me your book. Let’s do this.”And we are here, Jonathan and I talking about stories, theology, philosophy, and a lot of other things—including inside baseball talk about living in Vancouver (the Canadian one, not the American one).Side note: if you have a book you think I should read, email me (michaelmorelli@nbseminary.ca). Chances are I’ll want to read it.BioJonathan Lyonhart (PhD, Cambridge) is a British-Canadian theologian, philosopher, author, and ordained minister. He is an Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Jamestown, a Fellow at the Cambridge Center for the Study of Platonism at Cambridge University, and a co-host of the Spiritually Incorrect Podcast. Additionally, he co-founded The NumiNous Institute for Faith and Neurodiversity with his wife, who is a doctoral candidate in History at Oxford University.LinksWebsiteSpiritually Incorrect PodcastThe Journey of God (authored Book)Space God (authored book)Monothreeism (authored book)Madison LyonhartNumiNous Institute for Faith and NeurodiversityAdditional LinksLife is Beautiful

In this episode, we’re finishing the four-part seminar series on disability and the church I’ve been sharing with you over the course of the last few weeks. So, be sure to check out the other three sessions before you jump into this one if you haven’t already. Or, start here and work your way backwards if you want. It’s up to you, really. You’re your own person. I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, right? Session One - Disability Language and Rhetoric with Krista Ewert: https://youtu.be/5fUtwkY2nvUSession Two - What is a Human? with Michael Morelli: https://youtu.be/Rr67U8XpbeYSession Three - Mutualistic Ministry with Greg Harris: https://youtu.be/OQM6W9wmCPUIn this seminar, we’re hearing from my friend Kathy Dubbledam—the director of YoungLife Capernaum in Canada. Now, you may have heard of YoungLife (who hasn’t?). But have you heard of YoungLife Capernaum? It’s all about relationships; relationships that start with meeting teens with disabilities where they’re at, caring for them and sharing the Christian faith in simple and understandable terms… all with no strings attached. [They] want to make sure that every teen involved in Young Life Capernaum knows they are invited, celebrated, and needed.And since Kathy is the director of this YoungLife ministry, she has so much wisdom to share about what it looks like to create communities where everyone truly belongs, and truly shares the gifts they have received from God.BioKathy Dubbeldam is the Capernaum Ministry Director for Young Life of Canada and has been serving with Young Life for 25 years. Young Life is a global faith-based youth mentorship program, and Kathy leads the Capernaum branch, ensuring that friends with disabilities are welcomed and included. She introduced Capernaum to Canada in 2014, starting in Edmonton, and has since helped expand it to 12 cities across three provinces. Over the past eight years, she has established Capernaum-specific clubs, trained staff in inclusive practices, and advised church pastors on creating welcoming spaces for individuals with disabilities. She is also developing accessible devotionals to support faith growth for all abilities.These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, Fellowship Pacific, YoungLife Capernaum, and this show.LinksYoungLife Capernaum: https://capernaum.younglife.ca/Instagram: @younglifecapernaumcanadaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ylcapernaumeverywhereThe Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre/orgNorthwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.caFellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

In this episode, we’re continuing on in the disability and the church seminar series—the third of four sessions. If you haven’t caught the first two sessions, be sure to check them out before you get into this one.In this seminar, my friend Greg Harris presents on disability and discipleship.Session One - Disability Language and Rhetoric with Krista Ewert: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-seminar-part-one-before/id1779392257?i=1000720849933Session Two - What is a Human? with Michael Morelli: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-part-two-what-is-a/id1779392257?i=1000721876026Not only is Greg a pastor, he’s also working on a doctorate that focuses on this topic.He’s exploring the question: what if the church was a place where everybody was truly considered capable of being a disciple and discipling other people? What would that community look like? What would it to do to make it that kind of community?As Greg poses these questions, he provides a number of opportunities for us to reflect one where we—where you are at—and ask: how is my church, my community doing in this area? Could we be doing better? And if so, what does better look like in this context?These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, and Fellowship Pacific.BioGreg Harris has served in pastoral ministry since 2010, and has been on the pastoral team at SouthRidge Fellowship since Fall 2022. He believes the church should be a place of mutuality, and he desires to see each disciple of Jesus—regardless of their dis/abilities—mature in Christlikeness.Greg received a Dip. in Biblical Studies and a B.A. in Worship Arts from Columbia Bible College; an MDiv from Northwest Baptist Seminary, and is a Doctoral candidate in Practical Theology at McMaster Divinity College (with a research focus on the intersection of dis/ability and discipleship in the local church). LinksMy Disabled Son is the Image of God: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/03/1p36-down-syndrome-theology-disability-child-image-of-god/Instagram: @gregharris7SouthRidge Church: https://southridgefellowship.ca/accessibility-and-inclusion/Additional LinksThe Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.orgNorthwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.caFellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

This is the second of a four-part seminar series on disability and the church. It explores what it means to be human, specifically from the perspective of the Bible, theology, and what most people call disability.These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest Seminary and College, and Fellowship Pacific, and this show.If you haven't listened to the first seminar exploring the history of disability language and rhetoric, check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/disability-and-the-church-seminar-part-one-before/id1779392257?i=1000720849933BioMichael is Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics and Program Manager, Life-Long Learning at Northwest College & Seminary. He holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: A Nascent Theological Tradition (Lexington Books) and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and World: A New Essay By Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick). He publishes and presents on a variety of topics within the fields of theology, morality, culture, politics, technology, and disability. He has also worked in local church ministry and continues to serve the church in a lay capacity.LinksSubstack: https://personalistmanifestos.substack.com/Instagram: mchlmorelliBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mchlmorelli.bsky.socialThe Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.orgNorthwest College and Seminary: www.nbseminary.caFellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/Additional ResourcesVincent Lloyd, Black Natural Law: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/black-natural-law-9780199362189Brian Brock and John Swinton (eds.), Disability in the Christian Tradition: A Reader: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802866028/disability-in-the-christian-tradition/

This is the first of a four-part seminar on disability and the church. These seminars were the result of a collaborative effort between The Lazarus Centre, Northwest College and Seminary, Fellowship Pacific, and this show—all groups I am a part of in one way or another.I am sharing these seminars with you because I do not want the discussions of disability we have on Personalist Manifesto(s) to just be theoretical. I want to them to lead to real, practical action.In the first seminar, my friend and colleague Krista Ewert presents on disability language and rhetoric, because, as you will see, this is a critical place to start when thinking about disability.BioKrista is storyteller and leader: a multi-hyphenate who thrives on creating and curating all things deeply connecting. Krista grew up attending South Delta Baptist Church and has worked in various churches in different ministry capacities. She was the Communications lead for the National Ministry Team at the Church of England, where she had the opportunity to work with the National Advisor for Disability and the Diocesan Disability Advisors. She has also worked as a Marketing leader at Alpha Canada and World Vision. She has a degree in theology from Prairie Bible College and a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities focusing on Disability Language and Rhetoric. Krista is married to Ben, who is the Director of Choral Activities at TWU and Director of Music at St. John’s Vancouver Church where she attends with her three children, Jakob (17), Ella (15), who was born with Down syndrome, and Audrey (10).LinksKrista's Substack: https://kristaewert.substack.com/The Lazarus Centre: www.thelazaruscentre.orgNorthwest College & Seminary: www.nbseminary.caFellowship Pacific: https://fellowshippacific.ca/

Initially, my childhood friend Jeff Wheeldon thought he was going to be a pastor. Then, he thought he was going to be a theology professor. But then, he ended up in politics. Some of you may be excited to hear I’m interviewing a Christian who happens to be in politics. Some of you might get a little skittish. If you’re in the latter category, stick with us. I think you’ll find that Jeff is breaking the mold in terms of what it means to be a Christian in politics. We talk about theology, politics, political theology, and… swans. Note: Because Personalist Manifesto(s) strives to be non-partisan, it is important to mention that this conversation is not a political ad or endorsement. It’s simply one friend speaking to another about the above topics. Bio Jeff Wheeldon loves his family, playing tabletop games with his friends and kids, and managing complex systems to make a better world. He paints miniatures, is working on his first novel, and serves as a municipal councillor in Brighton, Ontario. He's a big fan of Jesus, and is learning to love himself and everyone else too. Links Jeff's blog: https://jeffwheeldon.ca/blog/ Jeff's publications: https://sociologyandchristianity.org/index.php/jsc/article/view/281Additional Resources Astra Taylor, Massey Lectures / The Age of Insecurity: https://www.cbc.ca/radiointeractives/ideas/2023-cbc-massey-lectures-astra-taylor Marva Dawn, Powers, Weakness, and the Tabernacling of God: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802847706/powers-weakness-and-the-tabernacling-of-god/ Walter Wink, The Powers Trilogy: https://www.goodreads.com/series/55665-powers Greg Boyd, Satan and the Problem of Evil: https://reknew.org/book/satan-the-problem-of-evil-constructing-a-trinitarian-warfare-theodicy/ Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/thinking-in-systems/ Michael Banner, Ethics of Everyday Life: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ethics-of-everyday-life-9780198722069?cc=ca&lang=en& Club of Rome, Limits to Growth: https://www.clubofrome.org/publication/the-limits-to-growth/ Jacques Ellul, Theology and Technique: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725259775/theology-and-technique/ Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/73535/the-righteous-mind-by-jonathan-haidt/ E.F. Schumacher, Small is Beautiful: https://www.amazon.ca/Small-Beautiful-Economics-People-Mattered/dp/0099225611

*trigger warning* / *take care of yourself*Karen O'Donnell has written a lot on theology, feminism, trauma, and so much more. We got together to talk about her latest book, Survival: Radical Spiritual Practices for Trauma Survivors. If you're journeying with trauma, or journeying with people who are, I hope this conversation helps you in that journey.BioDr Karen O'Donnell is a theologian with particular interests in the ways in which bodies intersect with theologies. This has led to work in trauma and feminist theologies with an emphasis on women's bodies. Her most recent publications include a co-edited volume Pregnancy and Birth: Critical Theological Conceptions (SCM Press, 2024) and Survival: Radical Spiritual Practices for Trauma Survivors (SCM Press, 2024). Karen is Academic Dean at Westcott House, Cambridge and Associate Lecturer in Gender and Theology in the Divinity Faculty, Cambridge University, UK. LinksPersonalBluesky: @karenod.bsky.socialInstagram: @karabelle82Website (including publications): karenodonnell.org.ukFeminist Theology NetworkBluesky: @feministtheology.bsky.socialInstagram: @feministtheologynetwork Sign up: https://mailchi.mp/a5e743737064/feminist-theology-networkAdditional Links• Serene Jones, 'Trauma and Grace': https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/0664264778-trauma-and-grace-second-edition/• Judith Herman, 'Trauma and Recovery': https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/judith-lewis-herman-md/trauma-and-recovery/9780465098736/?lens=basic-books• Judith Herman, 'Truth and Repair': https://www.akpress.org/truth-and-repair.html• Bessel Van Der Kolk, 'The Body Keeps the Score': https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score• Sam Fender, 'People Watching': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cXCUp6j5M8• 'The Piano' (movie trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ooIf1QDZo• 'The Heart asks Pleasure First': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCJB9mIlFBs&list=RDTCJB9mIlFBs&start_radio=1• 'Moonlight Sonata': www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU&list=RD4Tr0otuiQuU&start_radio=1• 'Armageddon' (movie trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8eEniEfgU• 'We're all living in the upside down': https://www.salon.com/2016/09/01/were-all-living-in-the-upside-down-stranger-things-is-a-show-about-the-internets-dark-sides/

Conspiracy. Conspiracy theories. Fake news. Fake media. Disinformation. Misinformation. Propaganda. Such words, and words like them, have entered the mainstream, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the average person to navigate the choppy waters of on and offline truth and lies. How did we get here, sensible people are asking?And what do we do about it, is their follow-up question.Enter Jared Stacy, who’s written an immensely helpful and apocalyptic doctoral thesis (which is becoming a book) on conspiracy theories, theological paranoia, and North American evangelicalism.Now, having just said that, I am aware that you either got very interested or very disinterested in what’s ahead. If you’re in the former category, excellent. Jared’s got some great wisdom to share with us. If you’re in the latter category, please give this conversation a chance before you walk away. I hope—maybe even promise?—that we don’t get overly judgy or technical. In fact, as Ellul wrote in his prescient book Propaganda, “I insist that to give [the warnings I do in my work] is an act in the defence of [people], that I am not judging propaganda with Olympian detachment, and that having suffered, felt, and analyzed the impact of the power of propaganda on myself, having been time and again, and still being, the object of propaganda, I want to speak of it as a menace which threatens the total personality." Jared and I attempt to speak from a similar place of self-awareness. Nobody, not even you, me, or Jared are immune to the causes and effects of propaganda, conspiracy theories, fake news, paranoia, and so on. And the moment we think we are, that is when we are most at risk. So please, listen, and reflect, with care.BioJared Stacy (PhD, Uni of Aberdeen) is a theologian and chaplain. He is the author of an upcoming book with Harper Collins on American evangelicalism and conspiracy theory. His research focuses on theological resistance to political extremisms and conspiracism. He lives in Tampa Bay. LinksTheological paranoia: American Evangelicalism, conspiracy theory and a public theology of January 6 (PhD Dissertation)"The theological paranoia driving conspiracy theory among Christians" (article)SubstackInstagramBlueSkyAdditional ResourcesDietrich Bonhoeffer, After Ten YearsHoward Thurman, The Fascist MasqueradeJacques Ellul, Propaganda: The Formation of Men's AttitudesKristen Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John WayneTimothy Gloege, Guaranteed Pure: The Moody Bible Institute, Business, and the Making of Modern EvangelicalismCal Newport, Digitial MinimalismJeffrey Bilbro, Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News

Jon Coutts is a polymath theologian. He's written and presented on Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the church, film, and a whole lot more. So when Jon emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in reading some work he did on artificial intelligence (AI), my response was of course! and, we should have a conversation about this. Here is that conversation.BioJon Coutts is theologian in western Canada with a forthcoming book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's ethics. He has been a professor in England and in Canada. Links Jon’s books and articles can be found at thissideofsunday.blogspot.comAdditional ResourcesWillie James Jennings, Acts: A Theological CommentaryGustavo Gutiérrez, Concilium 171: Different Theologies, Common Responsibilities: Babel or Pentecost?Vincent Lloyd, Black Natural LawKarl Barth, "The Lordless Powers," The Christian Life

Ryan Turnbull is a Canadian theologian, and I’m a Canadian theologian, so we talk about a lot of Canadian stuff in this episode. But you don’t have to be Canadian to engage in or get something out of this conversation. Because what we talk about functions like a case study of what it looks like to be a theologian who lives in a particular place and is thinking critically and constructively (theologically) about that place. So hopefully Ryan and I’s conversation helps you do that—in your own place, wherever that happens to be.Ryan is not only a great scholarly thinker, he actually cares about the places he finds himself in and the people who are there. And, in the spirit of Personalism, it captures one of the core sayings of Ellul, Charbonneau, and others, which was: think locally, act globally. So I hope this conversation helps you do that.BioRyan holds a BA and MA in Theology from Providence University College and Theological Seminary and just completed the defence of his PhD in Theology and Religion in December 2023, at the University of Birmingham, entitled “Haunted and Held: A Christian Theology of Place.” Ryan is currently a Visiting Fellow at St John’s College and serves as the Diocesan Discipleship Developer in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. In addition to his day job with the diocese, Ryan serves on the executive of the Canadian Theological Society and teaches theology as an adjunct instructor at a number of universities and seminaries across Canada.LinksWebsiteBlueSkyAdditional ResourcesVal Plumwood, Shadow Places and The Politics of DwellingPaul Virilio, Bunker ArchaeologyStanley Hauerwas, Prayers Plainly SpokenElaine Enns and Ched Myers, Healing Haunted HistoriesJacques Derrida, Specters of Marx The State of the Debt, the Work of Mourning and the New InternationalDoreen Massey, A Global Sense of PlaceMichael Schneider, ‘Reservation Dogs’ Uses 1970s Horror Motifs to Tell the Cruel History of Native Boarding SchoolsShelly Rambo, Resurrecting WoundsThe Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaCanada’s Residential Schools: Missing Children and Unmarked BurialsDavid Graeber, Debt: The First 5000 Years

This is a recording of a recent presentation I gave titled "Creative Processes in a World with Artificial Intelligence (AI), or Why and How God Uses The Work of Artists." Normally, Personalist Manifesto(s) features dialogues throughout, but this one is a little bit different. It starts with a presentation and ends with a Q&A dialogue. Because I only had one mic, and the mic was my phone, the audio quality isn’t great and the questions are quiet. But I did what I could to boost the sound and clean it up so you can hear everything.This presentation is delivered and this dialogue is engaged with Ellul’s work on art and technology looming in the background. Ellul teaches artists to be attentive to the world around them, and to be careful about the techniques and processes they do and don’t engage to represent that world. So, in a world with AI, where technologies are producing ‘art’ for us, we would do well to listen to Ellul.And so with that, here is a presentation and dialogue inspired by some of my learnings from Ellul and others in this fraught and wondrous terrain of art and technology.BioMichael Morelli is the Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Northwest College & Seminary and ACTS Seminaries. Both are affiliates of Trinity Western University. He’s also an adjunct professor of theology of at Trinity’s Religious Studies and Nursing Schools.He has a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: A Nascent Theological Tradition (Lexington Books) and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay By Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick). LinksTheology Beer Camp 2025: https://www.theologybeercamp2025.comMichael Morelli, Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-ethics-and-technology-in-the-work-of-jacques-ellul-and-paul-virilio-9781793625434/T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland: Facsimile Edition: https://www.amazon.ca/Waste-Land-Facsimile-Transcript-Annotations/dp/0156948702Gustav Janouch, Conversations with Kafka: https://www.ndbooks.com/book/conversations-with-kafka/Madeline L’Engle, Walking on Water: https://www.madeleinelengle.com/books/non-fiction/walking-on-water-reflections-on-faith-and-art/James H. Cone, The Spirituals and The Blues: https://en.novalis.ca/products/the-spirituals-and-the-bluesDavid Lynch, Catching the Big Fish: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/546656/catching-the-big-fish-by-david-lynch/9780143130147Jacques Ellul, Empire of Non-Sense: Art in the Technological Society: https://papadakis.net/books/the-empire-of-non-sense/

When I started Personalist Manifesto(s), everyone told me I needed to talk to two people: Daniel Cérézuelle and Christian Roy. I agreed with their suggestions. I spoke to Daniel in the first ever Personalist Manifesto(s) conversation, so you can check that out through the link below if you haven’t already. In this conversation, I speak with Christian. His research focuses not only on Personalism, but the expressions of it represented by Jacques Ellul, Bernard Charbonneau, and their colleagues and friends. We have a freewheeling conversation, not just about the history of Personalism, but its spirit and its relevance for today. BioBased in Montreal, Christian Roy (Ph.D. McGill 1993) is a cultural historian, an art critic, a film scholar, and a multilingual translator, e.g., from German of Carl Schmitt and Paul Tillich and into English of Jacques Ellul (Theology and Technique, Wipf & Stock, 2024) and Bernard Charbonneau (The Green Light: A Self-Critique of the Ecological Movement, Bloomsbury 2018 and Mediatized Society in instalments). Roy’s independent research focuses on lesser-known strands of the Personalist intellectual tradition (such as the Ordre Nouveau group, the Bordeaux School, etc.), to dig up their roots in interwar Europe.LinksAcademia: roychristian.academia.eduPatreon: patreon/christianroymediaAdditional ResourcesBernard Charbonneau, "La société médiatisée": https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9-m%C3%A9diatis%C3%A9e-Bernard-Charbonneau/dp/B09FS2VBYLBernard Charbonneau, "The Green Light: A Self-Critique of the Ecological Movement": https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/green-light-9781350027091/Frances Stonor Saunders, "The Cultural Cold War: The CIA and The World of Arts and Letters": https://www.amazon.ca/Cultural-Cold-War-World-Letters/dp/1565846648What is Personalism? A Conversation with Danielle Cérézuelle: https://personalistmanifestos.substack.com/p/what-is-personalism-a-conversation-1d7

The origin story of this dialogue is a bit of a complex one. It started when a directed study I am doing with a master’s student named Ruby collided—in the best way possible—with an online exchange I had with scholar Lisa Powell. This was brought about by the recent conversation I had with Daniel Rempel about Barth, witness, and intellectual disability (link below if you haven't seen it yet).When Daniel posted our conversation on his social media account, Lisa commented on it, and I said “Hey, Lisa, I’m currently reading your book for a directed study with a master’s student right now. We should talk!” And Lisa said sure. And then I suggested to Ruby that she join the conversation for extra credit if she felt up to it.So here we are. Lisa, Ruby, and I talk about Lisa’s latest book 'The Disabled God Revisited.' We talk about how theologies like the kind Lisa is engaged with and doing help us to discover just how big, unsettling, and wonderful the Triune God revealed in scripture is—and, how this Triune God is constantly encouraging, and sometimes challenging us, to reframe what we mean when we say the word human. So, as much as a scholar like Jacques Ellul teaches us to be wary of modern technologies and media, a story like this goes to show that neither are all bad all the way down—as long as we don’t use the good examples of their uses and effects to justify ignoring, perpetuating, and/or benefiting from the bad.BioLisa Powell is Professor of Theology at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where she is also the director of the Justice, Diversity, and Gender Studies Program. She's published two books, including The Disabled God Revisited and articles in a variety of academic journals including The Journal for Feminist Studies in Religion, which awarded her the Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza New Scholar Award for her research on Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz as a 17th Century theologian. Her area of teaching and research focus on systematic theology from liberative perspectives. LinksBluesky: @lisapowell.bluesky.socialX (formerly Twitter): @lisadawnpowellThe Disabled God Revisited (authored book): https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/disabled-god-revisited-9780567694355/Inconclusive Theologies: Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Kierkegaard, and Theological Discourse (authored book): https://www.mupress.org/Inconclusive-Theologies-Sor-Juana-Ines-de-la-Cruz-Kierkegaard-and-Theological-Discourse-P804.aspx“Disabled God at 30 Years: Legacy and Promise” (lecture): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFBe_SZH38QAdditional ResourcesBruce McCormack, “Grace and Being: The Role of God’s Gracious Election in Karl Barth’s Theological Ontology,” in The Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth, ed. John Webster (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), 92-110:https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-karl-barth/grace-and-being/8B5E8A8677B55B4F6075FFDDF8AD97F8James H. Cone, God of the Oppressed: https://en.novalis.ca/products/god-of-the-oppressedDelores William, Sisters in the Wilderness: https://en.novalis.ca/products/sisters-in-the-wilderness-20th-anniversary-editionFaye Bodley-Dangelo, Sexual Difference, Gender, and Agency in Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/sexual-difference-gender-and-agency-in-karl-barths-church-dogmatics-9780567679321/Wati Longchar, “Dancing with the Land: Significance of Land for Doing Tribal Theology,”: https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/ijt/38-2_016.pdfDisability, Witness, and Christian Life - A Conversation with Daniel Rempel: https://personalistmanifestos.substack.com/p/witness-disability-and-the-christian

The other day, my colleague Joel Korytko started talking about Genesis, Cain, and the city. Right away, I asked him: Have you read Jacques Ellul's Meaning of the City? Joel hadn't read it, so I sent him some sections. After that, we decided it made sense to start talking about it and hit record. What resulted was a three-part conversation on Genesis, Civilization & The City. This is the third part.The first part is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/personalist-manifesto-s-podcast/id1779392257The second part is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/personalist-manifesto-s-podcast/id1779392257?i=1000705472315BiosJoel Korytko is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Northwest College & Seminary. He holds a PhD in Oriental Studies (Septuagint) from University of Oxford, England. He is the author of numerous publications, including the monograph Death of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law (Brill).Michael Morelli is Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Northwest College & Seminary. He Holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is the author of Theology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio (Lexington), and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick).ResourcesEllulThe Meaning of The City: https://wipfandstock.com/9781606089736/the-meaning-of-the-city/Judgment of Jonah: https://wipfandstock.com/search-results/?keyword=judgment+of+jonahApocalypse: https://wipfandstock.com/9781532684456/apocalypse/New Demons: http://www.newhumanityinstitute.org/pdf-articles/Jacques_Ellul-New-Demons.pdf“Technique and the Opening Chapters of Genesis,” from Theology and Technique: https://www.jesusradicals.com/uploads/2/6/3/8/26388433/technique-and-the-opening-chapters-of-genesis.pdfJoelDeath of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law: https://brill.com/display/title/68955?language=en“Correcting Cosmic Skeptic”: youtube.com/watch?v=zYKkktZKrCsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoelKorytkoTwitter: @JoelFKorytkoMichaelTheology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793625441/Theology-Ethics-and-Technology-in-the-Work-of-Jacques-Ellul-and-Paul-Virilio-A-Nascent-Theological-Tradition“What’s in a Name? Jacques Ellul’s Reading of Naming in Genesis 1-3,” from Jacques Ellul and The Bible: Towards a Hermeneutic of Freedom: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725267855/jacques-ellul-and-the-bible/Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666742534/desert-wilderness-wasteland-and-word/nBlueSky: @mchlmorelli.bsky.socialInstagram: @mchlmorelli

The other day, my colleague Joel Korytko started talking about Genesis, Cain, and the city. Right away, I asked him: Have you read Jacques Ellul's Meaning of the City? Joel hadn't read it, so I sent him some sections. After that, we decided it made sense to start talking about it and hit record. What resulted was a three-part conversation on Genesis, Civilization & The City. This is the second part.The first part is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/personalist-manifesto-s-podcast/id1779392257The third part will be posted next week.BiosJoel Korytko is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Northwest College & Seminary. He holds a PhD in Oriental Studies (Septuagint) from University of Oxford, England. He is the author of numerous publications, including the monograph Death of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law (Brill).Michael Morelli is Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Northwest College & Seminary. He Holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is the author of Theology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio (Lexington), and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick).ResourcesEllulThe Meaning of The City: https://wipfandstock.com/9781606089736/the-meaning-of-the-city/Judgment of Jonah: https://wipfandstock.com/search-results/?keyword=judgment+of+jonahApocalypse: https://wipfandstock.com/9781532684456/apocalypse/New Demons: http://www.newhumanityinstitute.org/pdf-articles/Jacques_Ellul-New-Demons.pdf“Technique and the Opening Chapters of Genesis,” from Theology and Technique: https://www.jesusradicals.com/uploads/2/6/3/8/26388433/technique-and-the-opening-chapters-of-genesis.pdfJoelDeath of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law: https://brill.com/display/title/68955?language=en“Correcting Cosmic Skeptic”: youtube.com/watch?v=zYKkktZKrCsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoelKorytkoTwitter: @JoelFKorytkoMichaelTheology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793625441/Theology-Ethics-and-Technology-in-the-Work-of-Jacques-Ellul-and-Paul-Virilio-A-Nascent-Theological-Tradition“What’s in a Name? Jacques Ellul’s Reading of Naming in Genesis 1-3,” from Jacques Ellul and The Bible: Towards a Hermeneutic of Freedom: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725267855/jacques-ellul-and-the-bible/Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666742534/desert-wilderness-wasteland-and-word/nBlueSky: @mchlmorelli.bsky.socialInstagram: @mchlmorelli

The other day, my colleague Joel Korytko started talking about Genesis, Cain, and the city. Right away, I asked him: Have you read Jacques Ellul's Meaning of the City? Joel hadn't read it, so I sent him some sections. After that, we decided it made sense to start talking about it and hit record. What resulted was a three-part conversation on Genesis, Civilization & The City. This is the first part.The second part is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/personalist-manifesto-s-podcast/id1779392257?i=1000705472315The third part will be posted next week.BiosJoel Korytko is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Northwest College & Seminary. He holds a PhD in Oriental Studies (Septuagint) from University of Oxford, England. He is the author of numerous publications, including the monograph Death of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law (Brill).Michael Morelli is Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Northwest College & Seminary. He Holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is the author of Theology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio (Lexington), and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick).ResourcesEllulThe Meaning of The City: https://wipfandstock.com/9781606089736/the-meaning-of-the-city/Judgment of Jonah: https://wipfandstock.com/search-results/?keyword=judgment+of+jonahApocalypse: https://wipfandstock.com/9781532684456/apocalypse/New Demons: http://www.newhumanityinstitute.org/pdf-articles/Jacques_Ellul-New-Demons.pdf“Technique and the Opening Chapters of Genesis,” from Theology and Technique: https://www.jesusradicals.com/uploads/2/6/3/8/26388433/technique-and-the-opening-chapters-of-genesis.pdfJoelDeath of the Covenant Code: Capital Punishment in Old Greek Exodus in light of Greco-Roman Egyptian Law: https://brill.com/display/title/68955?language=en“Correcting Cosmic Skeptic”: youtube.com/watch?v=zYKkktZKrCsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoelKorytkoTwitter: @JoelFKorytkoMichaelTheology, Ethics & Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793625441/Theology-Ethics-and-Technology-in-the-Work-of-Jacques-Ellul-and-Paul-Virilio-A-Nascent-Theological-Tradition“What’s in a Name? Jacques Ellul’s Reading of Naming in Genesis 1-3,” from Jacques Ellul and The Bible: Towards a Hermeneutic of Freedom: https://wipfandstock.com/9781725267855/jacques-ellul-and-the-bible/Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay by Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666742534/desert-wilderness-wasteland-and-word/nBlueSky: @mchlmorelli.bsky.socialInstagram: @mchlmorelli

Jacques Ellul regularly cited three primary influences upon his work: Karl Marx, Søren Kierkegaard, and Karl Barth. The latter two influences disclose a fair amount about Ellul’s approach to theology and ethics, but the mention of Marx in this trio may complicate matters for some people.Ellul was not a Marxist per se. He taught courses on Marx, he wrote about Marx, and he was a fine reader of Marx. He often said it was the Marxist structural analytical method he most appreciated and used in his work, yet because he was a Christian, he could not completely take the Marxist yoke upon himself.Perhaps in another conversation we’ll explore Marx’s influence on Ellul, but in this conversation, we’ll be exploring the work of Karl Barth, and through that exploration, get a picture of a theologian who significant influenced Ellul. In fact, as Ellul put it in an interview: “I recall the shock I had in 1936—in reading The Word of God and the Word of Man… It was an incredible liberation.” Here’s why Ellul uses such strong language when describing this discovery: “Barth was infinitely less systematic than [John] Calvin, and he was completely existential at a time when the concept did not exist. He put biblical thought in direct contact with actual experience; it wasn’t armchair theology.” In this conversation, we’ll get a glimpse at the existential character of Barth’s work as I talk with Daniel Rempel, someone whose dissertation title (which he is currently readying for publication) says it all: Intellectual disability and the Christian life: a study in Karl Barth, disability, and witness.Of course, neither Ellul nor Barth are ‘disability theologians.’ Such a theological category did exist while they were alive. But, as you will encounter in this conversation, the lack of such categories being applied to their work does not mean it cannot offer helpful resources for thinking about witness, in and beyond disability.BioDaniel Rempel, PhD is Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Providence University College & Theological Seminary. His doctoral research was situated at the intersection of disability theology and the work of Karl Barth. All his work is ultimately rooted in the same concerns: how can we come to know God better, and how does that change the way we live?LinksProvidence Faculty Bio Page: https://www.prov.ca/team-members/daniel-rempel/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:acqk2sjny33npbrbthcdxgxq'Intellectual disability and the Christian life: a study in Karl Barth, disability, and witness' (dissertation): https://abdn.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44ABE_INST/1jd70l9/alma9918422993505941“Wounded for Us: Disability Theology’s Contribution to Christology” (article): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23312521.2024.2440702?src=exp-la“We Have Wasted Too Much of Our Time Ignoring the Fact That We Belong Together: The Office, Belonging, and the Body of Christ,” in Theology, Religion, and the Office: Beauty in Ordinary Things (book chapter): https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781978715936/Theology-Religion-and-The-Office-Beauty-in-Ordinary-ThingsAdditional ResourcesChristiane Tietz, 'Karl Barth: A Life in Conflict': https://academic.oup.com/book/39435

This conversation started with an apology sent to me via email from a friend, and former office mate, named Allen Calhoun. Allen’s apology concerned certain tensions existing between the United States and Canada. Part of my reply to Allen’s apology email was that he is not the one that needs to be saying sorry, but there was something about the motivations behind his heartfelt gesture that prompted me to ask the following: what if this email signalled an opportunity for us to get our other two former office mates together to hit record and talk about these geopolitical tensions out in the open—just as we used to when we were back in Aberdeen, Scotland, working on our research projects, and taking periodic breaks to have the kinds of discussions that you’re about to be thrown into?As you’ll discover, this conversation features the perspectives of two Christians living in America, one Christian living in Canada, and one Christian living in Ireland. The one from Ireland—Kevin Hargaden—takes on the role of host, and mediator, for the Americans (Allen and David Lilley) and the Canadian (me), and in doing so, creates a bit of time and space for all of us to live out, in real time, a truly Personalist conversation; one that seeks to find our common personhood in a moment when the personhood of the ‘other’ is being denied more-and-more, and with devastating results. It all culminates in some final words from Kevin that hit the proverbial nail on the head: if we’re looking for a way out of the geopolitical predicaments we find ourselves in, it all comes down to faithfulness in a moment of flux. BiosAllen Calhoun worked as a tax lawyer after obtaining a JD from the Notre Dame Law School and an LLM in taxation from Washington University in St. Louis. He received an MTh and then a PhD in theological ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and has taught courses in taxation, philosophy, and ethics. He is the author of Tax Law, Religion, and Justice: An Exploration of Theological Reflections on Taxation, and has contributed chapters and articles on topics ranging from the religious origins of the welfare state to aspects of Protestant social teaching and the place of taxation in political theologies. He was a McDonald Distinguished Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University from 2019 until 2024 and currently works as a tax law editor and independent scholar.Kevin Hargaden is the Director and Social Theologian of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (www.jcfj.ie) in Dublin, Ireland. He has degrees in Computer Science, Sociology, and Theology. He did his PhD at the University of Aberdeen under the supervision of Brian Brock and Stanley Hauerwas, studying the theological implications of the collapse of the Irish "Celtic Tiger" economy. He is the author of numerous popular and academic publications including Theological Ethics in a Neoliberal Age (Cascade, 2018). David Lilley is a Pastor for the United Methodist Church in Tennessee. He is an adjunct professor at the Belmont University's Theology & Christian Ministry School. He completed a PhD at the University of Aberdeen, focusing on Sabbath and theological ethics in Karl Barth’s doctrine of creation. AllenTax Law, Religion, and Justice: https://www.routledge.com/Tax-Law-Religion-and-Justice-An-Exploration-of-Theological-Reflections-on-Taxation/Calhoun/p/book/9780367713478?cjevent=bfdbdd8e1b8d11f0807a00a80a82b836KevinTheological Ethics in a Neoliberal Age: https://wipfandstock.com/9781532655DavidAt The Invitation of God Who Rests: https://abdn.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990017334780205941&context=L&vid=44ABE_INST%3A44ABE_VU1&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Everything&query=any%2Ccontains%2Cdavid%20lilley%20rest&offset=0

If you have been a regular, or even semi-regular, participant in what Personalist Manifesto(s) is up to, chances are you’ve heard the name Brian Brock mentioned by me and/or by people I’ve had conversations with. Because Brian was my PhD supervisor—and an excellent one at that—he’s a big influence, just as he is for so many other people I know. As far as Brian’s influence on me goes, he walked with me while I went on the long journey of researching Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio for my PhD thesis. Not only that, he was there to review—and endorse—that thesis when it became a monograph. So, given Brian’s involvement—his ongoing supervision and support—he has spent a fair amount of time reading, writing, and talking about Ellul. And of course, he’s also spent a lot of time reading, writing, and talking about other texts and scholars too. In this conversation, we talk about Brian’s soon to be released book 'Joining Creation’s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness.' As you’ll discover, this book has been years in the making, and its publication represents a massive accomplished as it “follows the first few chapters of Genesis in order to discover the things that the sages of Israel took to be crucial for the ethical life of human beings among other creatures in God’s world.” Having also spent a fair amount of time doing such reflection on the first few chapters of Genesis, I think Ellul would be intrigued by this book if he were alive today. So it only makes sense that I would have Brian join me here for a conversation.BioBrian Brock (PhD, King’s College, London) is chair of moral and practical theology at the University of Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Scotland. He has written scholarly works on the use of the Bible in Christian ethics, the ethics of technological development, and the theology of disability, including Singing the Ethos of God: On the Place of Christian Ethics in Scripture. He is managing editor of the Journal of Disability and Religion, founder and managing editor of the T&T Clark Enquiries in Theological Ethics, and president of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics.LinksUniversity of Aberdeen Faculty Page: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/b.brockJoining Creation’s Praise (authored book): https://bakeracademic.com/p/Joining-Creation-s-Praise-Brian-Brock/618589Singing the Ethos of God: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802803795/singing-the-ethos-of-god/Wondrously Wounded: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481310130/wondrously-wounded/