In which Ryan and Brock (and special guest and friend Steph Schell) perform a real-time deconstruction of a Brock Lawley FB post in which he advised single women seeking men to, among other things, embrace "hyper-femininity" to the point of "borderline overdoing it." A lively discussion follows. How do we pinpoint "femininity"? Are there many varieties? Infinite varieties? Should we get back to more monolithic cultural understanding of masculinity/femininity? Or should we devote more attention (or most of our attention) to the scarcity of mature men out there, rather than to what women are or aren't bringing to the table? Should attracting men/women even be a goal? Tune in for this vibrant, real-time calling-on-the-carpet of Brock.
[Part 2 of 2 with Hank] In which Ryan, Hank and Brock discuss how the balance between being in relationship with people and being outspoken on social media. In our context, this is the tension between being a “pastor” and a “prophet” - caring for and being in community with individuals on one hand and calling out the truth on the other. Is the “me” on social media distinct in any way from the “me” in pastoral relationship with a congregation? Do pastors get to be real people? Or nah?Lays over well with anyone who is wondering how to balance our social media presence with our relationships.
In which Ryan and Brock and special guest Hank Johnson discuss the unique pressures and potential pitfalls in being in church leadership - being looked to as a spiritual "authority", having to be available 24/7, etc. Even if you're not a pastor this is a great window into the psychological craziness going on beneath the frock, behind the pulpit, under the...collar...
In which Ryan and Brock and SPECIAL GUEST STAR AND PRODUCER OF THE POD NOAH ALTHOFF discuss some of Noah's process of deconstructing and reconstructing his Christian faith. We discuss Christian circles that tend to prioritize assurance over honest questioning, the place questioning and analytical examination should have in the construction of faith, and how Noah as a Gen Zer is navigating that.
In which Ryan and Brock discuss some of the fault lines showing in American Evangelicalism, and what the future may hold. Is Evangelicalism still a coherent movement, or a hodge-podge of theological and sociopolitical tribes? A Republican voting bloc? An outmoded category we should leave behind and stop discussing ad nauseum in podcasts?
In which Ryan and Brock discuss Shaun King's call to expel depictions of white Jesus from American churches - and how, maybe, like, we shouldn't really care that much? (And when "Theology Nerd Inside Baseball inevitably starts trending, remember: you heard it here first. #TNIB)
In which Brock talks about Bitcoin as a means of pursuing economic justice (while Ryan internally wonders if Bitcoin are the things that Mario collects on his way to the Princess). They also discuss what it means to pursue alernative forms of justice and social change - through ethically gray end-arounds, or through retreating and focusing on the local church.
In which Ryan and Brock discuss our propensity to squabble over symbols and surface-level disagreements, and miss the fact that Americans agree about way more than we think we do
In which Ryan and Brock theorize in real time that the key to survival for a politically diverse church in 2020 (is that possible?!) rests in talking MORE about politics, not less.
In which Ryan and Brock level criticisms at the political Left and Right - because Brock needed a reason to criticize the Left, apparently.
In which Ryan and Brock argue over the (inevitable?) hypocrisy of pacfists. Ryan, a Christan pacifist, laments pacifism's disproportionate focus on soldiers/war; Brock criticizes (unnamed) pacifist friends who support violent rioting.
In which Ryan and Brock debate the merits of social media activism, and the significance of increased white support of racial justice.
In which Ryan questions the spiritual authority of Pastors who are unrepentantly arrogant jerks (definitely NOT talking about John MacArthur), and both Ryan and Brock deconstruct the notion that "celebrity" pastors with national platforms should even be a thing
In which Ryan questions the spiritual authority of Pastors who are unrepentantly arrogant jerks (definitely NOT talking about John MacArthur), and both Ryan and Brock deconstruct the notion that "celebrity" pastors with national platforms should even be a thing.
In which we talk about Joe Rogan signing on the line and rakin' in those fat stacks. Also YouTube is coming for your free speech, y'all.