Foreword

It’s not every day all five of us are on the podcast, and we wish it was for a more cheerful reason. But in this episode, we say goodbye to Foreword as we’ve known it.As the Foreword team goes our separate ways, we want to express what a pleasure it has been to do this together. It’s been a highlight for each of us during our time together, and we hope that it’s been enjoyable for you too. And we, of course, want to thank our producer Curtis Pierce, without whom none of this would have ever been possible, our graduate assistant, Lauren, and especially you. Thank you for investing in us, in our guests, and in the Church we are all striving to serve.These words are the last in our Foreword.

Our final guest for the season is Dr. Ahmi Lee, author of God’s Grand Drama: A Biblical Theological Approach. Ahmi is an MDiv. graduate of TEDS, and she also gave the 42nd Annual Rohm Lectures on Preaching on campus this year. She has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is now the Chief Partnership Officer at Resource Global, a Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping young professionals for having an impact for the gospel in their contexts. She is interviewed by Dr. Michelle Knight and Dr. Madison Pierce.Ahmi begins by sharing her calling to develop Christian marketplace leaders to make a difference for Christ at Resource Global, along with her prior experiences teaching preaching at Fuller. Her discovery of this calling originated from a life of preaching and ministry, beginning in South Korea and Japan. The secular and pluralistic environment she encountered in Japan instilled in her a desire to share the gospel to those around her. Ahmi reflects how these experiences taught her how to be a flexible preacher who listens to her or his people in order to identify areas where God is already working. She also speaks about how the church can be both faithful and faithless, beautiful and ugly, but how God still operates through all of it. The group then shift to discuss Ahmi’s book on preaching. She notes how her approach splits the difference between a more traditional, propositional approach and a more listener-based approach. To do so, she recommends four “perspectives” to which the preacher ought to attend when she or he preaches. From there she talks about her future project on the office of the pastor and the benefits the early church can provide. In particular, there are lessons to be learned from these figures on how to preach during difficult times. She concludes with some recommendations on how to prepare sermons, the role of delight in that process, and how one’s understanding of God ought to be formative.Along the way, listeners will discover…What it’s like to do street preaching in Japan when you’re a highschoolerAhmi’s hopes for pastors and teachers as they construct beautiful thingsThe best tools for preaching in a way that invites others into God’s great dramaTo learn more about Dr. Ahmi Lee, you can watch her Rohm Lecture here, you can watch the follow-up Q&A here, you can acquire her book here, or you can see the kind of work she does with Resource Global here.

Joining Foreword this week is Dr. David C. Kirkpatrick, Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison University. David is a historian of religion, politics, and social movements working at the intersection of Latin America and the United States. He completed a PhD. at the University of Edinburgh’s prestigious Centre for the Study of World Christianity, but not before passing his way through TEDS, earning an MDiv and MA in Intercultural Studies. Dr. Fellipe do Vale and Dr. Madison Pierce have a lovely conversation about David’s work on Latin American Evangelicals and their contributions to understandings of how evangelicalism is defined.David’s work focuses on 20th-century figures like René Padilla, Samuel Escobar, and Orlando Costas, evangelical theologians who called for a holistic understanding of the gospel that extended to concern for the poor as a corrective to approaches that neglected such dimensions. They trained alongside and in conversation with familiar figures like John Stott and Carl F.H. Henry, yet often speaking from convictions forged in their own Latin American contexts. There is something noticeably distinct about these figures; while they are recognizably evangelical in their doctrinal commitments, they also differed strongly from their North American conversation partners on social issues, even whether Christians ought to engage them, and David brings out these differences well. This, of course, is a fundamental question about what the gospel is and its relationship to every element of life, and the answer of these evangelicals is illuminating for the contemporary concerns of many Christians. Finally, David shares about his rewarding experiences teaching in a research university as a Christian.Along the way, listeners will discover…What makes the state of Wisconsin so wonderfulWhat Madison was like as a seminary classmateWhich TEDS professors had the biggest impact on David in shaping his studiesTo learn more about Dr. David C. Kirkpatrick, we encourage you to check out his book, and keep an eye out for his two other forthcoming books, Global Visions of Violence: Agency and Persecution in World Christianity and Blood and Borders: Violence and Intolerance at the Intersection of Latin America and the United States. See also his department page at JMU, where he teaches some excellent courses!

Leslie Rogers, who is the Director of the Intercultural Development Office here at Trinity, joins Dr. Joshua Jipp and Dr. Michelle Knight for a conversation. The IDO serves to “promote unity in diversity through engaging students in each of their journeys through identity development, spiritual formation, and intercultural competency,” and Leslie’s brilliant vision and commitment helps make it the beautiful place that it is.Josh and Michelle begin by asking Leslie about her story, a truly inspiring account of how she originally did not want to attend university but was inspired to do so by Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates (a friend of the pod!). During her time, positive interactions with professors and nourishment from her community helped her to find an inroad in academic study, ultimately earning both her undergraduate degree and MDiv at Trinity. During this time, Leslie developed a passion for developing leaders with a special focus not so much on garnering a platform but in shaping their character in the entirety of who they are. Being well-acquainted with the school, Leslie also shares what she considers to be the blessings and shortcomings of being at TIU. She loves the togetherness and proximity a Christian university offers, but realizes that there is a challenge to being a Black woman in an evangelical institution, especially in its limitations with regard to offering students of color an opportunity to learn deeply from their own communities. She helpfully provides some advice for those facing similar challenges, assuring students that God sees them, validates them, and grants them dignity and worth. She also recommends having designated places of “refilling” in order to avoid being burnt out.Along the way, listeners will also discover…Which Foreword spouse has preached alongside LeslieHow good of a cook Michelle really isThe value and benefit of having a good community as one studiesLeslie’s directorship of the Intercultural Development Office is truly impressive, and you can learn more about it here. You can also enjoy Leslie’s preaching and writing here, and be sure not to miss her podcast, In Process, which explores Christian leadership.

In this episode, Dr. James Arcadi and Dr. Michelle Knight interview Dr. Christina Bieber Lake, a Henry Center Fellow this year, and Clyde S. Kilby Professor of English at Wheaton College. Christina made the long journey north from Wheaton to spend this year researching at TEDS, and in this episode, she shares the work she is doing to show how novels and poetry have a profound impact on how we inhabit our worlds.Christina began her career with a strong desire to teach English in a way informed by her Christian confession, an impulse supported by her initial work on Flannery O’Connor. O’Connor also stimulated her efforts to combat Gnostic tendencies in Christian practice, tendencies that prefer to see human beings more like disembodied “angels” than embodied and finite. Instead, Christina calls Christians to inhabit their worlds differently—slowly, more appreciative of the mundane, more sensitive to beauty—and the primary way she calls them to do so is through stories. Narratives, she argues in her book Beyond the Story and in her current Henry Center work, invite us into new worlds that are opened to us, calling us to remember the world as enchanted and that times of leisure and non-productivity are not times that are wasted. She concludes with some reflections on how this can be applied in the work of a teacher (and ostensibly beyond), from her book, The Flourishing Teacher. Along the way, listeners will discover…What American fiction author Christina really does not likeThe importance and value of contemplative prayerSome great new poets to readTo find out more about Dr. Christina Bieber Lake, there is no better place than her website. Also check out her profile at the Henry Center, her faculty page at Wheaton, or read one of her many books.

Pastor Aaron Reyes joins Dr. Joshua Jipp and Dr. Madison Pierce from Austin, TX to talk about his work at Hope Community Church, the Crete Collective, and the Vida House. Aaron is an MDiv. alumnus from TEDS and continues to partner in ministry with TEDS in various ways.Aaron begins by sharing his experiences growing up in Texas in an immigrant community, and how that had significant impacts for the shape of his ministry. Though he did not originally have intentions to return to Texas after doing his education in the Chicago area, the convictions he acquired in TEDS classes about the teachings of Jesus led him to emphasize the least of these in his ministry, especially those whose lives have been made difficult on account of bias regarding race and ethnicity. Aaron then reflects on his approach to ministry in his context, especially how it relates to knowing the particular history of his city and a sensitivity to the stories of the people around him, especially those who have immigrated to the United States. At his church, therefore, you’ll see languages and other forms of cultural expression that reflect the people who have been gathered in the community. He also shares about the work of his wife, Michelle, who has two books on engaging issues of race and culture wisely. Finally, Aaron describes his work with the Crete Collective, an association of churches that seeks to embody both justice and justification, and with Vida House, which provides theological education for the communities around him.Along the way, listeners will discover…Why middle-aged people like Tom BradyWhy Liverpool is the best football clubThe kinds of interactions that brings the most joy to a pastor working in multicultural contextsTo learn more about Pastor Aaron Reyes, visit his profile at Hope Community Church and learn about the wonderful work they are doing, read about the Crete Collective or his and Michelle’s approach to preaching in Christianity Today, or watch this news piece that highlights the work Hope did to set up hand-washing stations during COVID.

Dr. Luke Tillett, who teaches in the mental health counseling program at TEDS, is this episode’s guest. Dr. James Arcadi and Dr. Fellipe do Vale have the opportunity to talk about the vital work he does in the program.Luke describes the path he took to get to the point where is now, as someone who both teaches and practices mental health counseling. Counseling and pastoral practice were always intertwined for Luke, and he shares how his motivations to be a better pastor led him to gain skills in being a good counselor. He has professional experience in both roles and therefore possesses a remarkably useful set of experiences to form future ministers at TEDS for work that is sensitive to mental health concerns. Luke’s research, in fact, has investigated how religious practices impact mental health wellbeing, particularly how they can serve as a “protective factor” against mental health challenges and how a lack of emotional involvement in those practices also prevents them from being beneficial in emotion regulation. From these rich insights, Luke describes the difficulties raised by the pandemic, highlighting the benefits of a good therapist (and helps to address some Christian concerns surrounding therapy). He provides advice for pastors in these hard days, and for congregants who wish to help support them. Finally, Luke articulates a lovely vision for the role counseling plays in a seminary curriculum aimed at forming Christians for ministry.Along the way, listeners will discover…Some concrete advice for church members interested in supporting their pastorsHow spouses can overcome not having anything to talk aboutLuke’s preferred method for painting a midwestern landscape in FebruaryTo learn more about Dr. Luke Tillett, visit his faculty page, read his profile at LifePlace (where he practices counseling), or listen to a recent interview he did.

For this episode, Dr. H. Wayne Johnson, Provost of Trinity International University and Associate Professor of Biblical and Pastoral Theology at TEDS, sits down with Dr. Michelle Knight and Dr. Josh Jipp.Wayne has a rich history of allowing cross-cultural experiences to shape his understanding of himself and of God. During his twenty years at Trinity, he also has encouraged students and faculty to pursue similar experiences in his various roles. He has been Dean of Chapel for Trinity International University, Dean of Students for TEDS, Director of the MDiv program, and Associate Academic Dean of TEDS. In that time, he’s taught some key courses within the MDiv, including "Biblical Theology and Interpretation," "Christian Worship and Pastoral Practices," and "Spiritual Formation for Ministry." He has also dedicated significant energy to the formation of faculty and staff. Wayne shares how he identifies with the Anabaptist tradition, particularly its emphasis on peacemaking and offers some wisdom on that tradition would assist us in this era of increased polarization within the church.Along the way, listeners will learn…What kind of motorcycle Wayne ridesWhat happened when he met a sharkWhat biblical passage plays a key role in his peacemaking effortsTo learn more about our Provost, Dr. H. Wayne Johnson, see his faculty page, listen to one of his recent sermons, or join us here at Trinity and enjoy his leadership!

Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards joins Dr. Madison Pierce and Dr. James Arcadi for episode nine. Dennis is Associate Professor of New Testament at North Park University, along with being an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. He has attended Cornell University, completed an MDiv at TEDS, and finished his education with a PhD at the Catholic University of America.Dennis is a multi-talented person, and Madison and James have a great time learning about his journey to faith. He recounts his early experiences in the church and how he eventually discovered a call to ministry and to academic teaching (after earning a chemical engineering degree!). Dennis explains further how he found his way to studying James 5 at Catholic University for his PhD, even while he continued pastoring. He describes how he balances these two dimensions of his life, the academic and the pastoral, and offers crucial insight for the role of study in the life of the church. From there, they discuss his most recent book, Might from the Margins, and how his own experiences of marginalization provide points of contact with other forms of marginalization, and how the church can be reframed to remedy this. He addresses how often evangelicals have operated with recourse to societal power instead of the way of Jesus, which is best exemplified by those on the outside. Dennis finally shares some vital insights from his work in 1 Peter, especially what it teaches us about what it means to live as Christians not understood (or even hurt by) the broader world. Along the way, listeners will discover…Which theology book kept following Dennis around, despite his best attempts to avoid itWhat instrument Dennis plays, even when he preachesWhat Dennis’ hopes for TEDS areTo learn more about Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, see his faculty page, purchase Might from the Margins or his commentary on 1 Peter, or watch his recent message at Mosaic.

TEDS MDiv alumnus Cliff Nellis joins Dr. Madison Pierce and Dr. Fellipe do Vale this week to speak about his work as executive director of Lawndale Christian Law Center, located on the westside of Chicago. Cliff holds a BA in Philosophy and English from Illinois Wesleyan University, a law degree from the University of Chicago, and is working toward an MBA at the Booth School of Business, also at the University of Chicago.Cliff’s rich and diverse training distinctively equips him for his work at LCLC, which provides care to the youth of north Lawndale in the form of legal services, social services, and other opportunities for healing in the community. Cliff elaborates upon the holistic approach preferred by LCLC throughout the episode, an approach that takes into account both social and legal aspects of the lives of the young people they serve, which he calls “wrap-around supports.” Through these services, Cliff and his team (most of whom live alongside those they serve in Lawndale) hope to enable and equip those they help not to recidivate. The ultimate outcome for which they work is restorative justice, or a state of affairs of broader reconciliation and restitution beyond the distribution of punishment. This approach is both motivated by distinctly Christian impulses and better addresses questions of racial and criminal injustice. Cliff describes how he got into this kind of work, and what Christians can do to cultivate practices that benefit the communities in which they find themselves.Along the way, listeners will discover…How God can change someone’s life during a very long bike rideHow arguing with your sibling is a tool for sanctificationWhat resources are helpful for learning about the criminal justice system in the United StatesTo learn more about Cliff Nellis and the work being done at Lawndale Christian Legal Center (and to work alongside them!), look around their website (where you can make a donation), read the book that originally inspired Cliff, Real Hope in Chicago, or watch the news piece done on LCLC on ABC News.

Dr. Eric Tully joins Dr. Michelle Knight and Dr. Josh Jipp for this week’s episode. Eric is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and he also directs the PhD. in Theological Studies. He completed his MDiv. at TEDS and also holds a BA from Moody Bible Institute and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.Eric begins with a recounting of his childhood in the mission field in central Africa, a time during which he grew to appreciate the spiritual benefits of the Old Testament. From that point onward, he was committed to helping the church understand it well. This leads into a discussion of Eric’s course on the “Book of the Twelve,” commonly known as the “Minor Prophets,” and the most coherent reasons we have for reading them as a unified set of texts. There is also an insightful conversation about the eschatological vision of the prophets, and how one’s relation to God determines where one stands in relation to such a vision. Eric also expatiates on the importance of focusing on the Hebrew text for interpretation, both in his work in Hosea and in his co-taught course on the Psalms with Dr. David Luy. Finally, Eric shares his wisdom about the benefits of getting a PhD., especially the kinds of intellectual virtues one is able to cultivate through the process.Along the way, listeners will discover… Who shot first, Han or Greedo, and why?Eric’s favorite drink.What the prophets uniquely contribute to what we know about God, and what we’d lose without them.To learn more about Dr. Eric Tully, visit his faculty page, or explore one of his many books, whether his Hosea commentary, his introduction to textual criticism, or his forthcoming work on the prophets, due March 2022. He has also done a recent chapel message. Thanks for listening!

Dr. Fellipe do Vale and Dr. Madison Pierce interview Dr. Manuel Rauchholz, who is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Manuel has been teaching at TEDS for three years, and he also is an alumnus. He completed a ThM under Paul Hiebert at TEDS before going on to doctoral work in cultural anthropology at Heidelberg University.The episode begins with Manuel sharing the fascinating trajectory his life has taken, beginning with his birth in Germany, through to his family’s missions work in Micronesia (especially the island of Chuuk), and followed by stretches of time in Illinois, Germany, and Japan. Manuel brings his cultural expertise and curiosity to his work, and in the episode, he emphasizes the importance of a careful and detailed understanding of human communities, both in their beauty and in the difficult things one encounters therein. Such a practice enriches seminaries and churches, for it is a way to become “all things to all people,” maintains Manuel, and doing so demonstrates love and self-giving to those communities. Manuel himself has exhibited this nuanced anthropological work in his studies on human trafficking in small island communities, and concludes with some recommendations for how Christians can be agents of good in such spaces.Along the way, listeners will discover…Why Manuel thinks his wife is more German than he isSome of the challenges of being a cultural anthropologist, especially since people, unlike books, do not stay in one placeHow theologians, pastors, and ministers can learn from the study of cultureTo learn more about Dr. Manuel Rauchholz, visit his faculty page, read one of his publications in journals like the Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, watch his recent interview on abuse and the church with the Koinonia network, or better yet, come study with him at TEDS!

This week, the Foreword Podcast returns with an interview of cognitive psychologist of religion Dr. Justin Barrett, president and co-founder of Blueprint 1543, an organization working at the intersection of Christian theology and the sciences. Justin is also Honorary Professor of Theology and the Sciences at the University of St. Andrews, and has served at Calvin University, the University of Michigan and the University of Oxford. He is interviewed by Drs. James Arcadi and Fellipe do Vale.Justin begins by describing the path that brought him to doing what he does now, a path that winds through multiple states and countries and involves writing a book as a stay-at-home Dad and serving with YoungLife. On this path, Justin developed a passion for integrating his scientific work with his Christian faith, which eventually led to his work in the cognitive psychology of religion, a discipline he had a significant hand in shaping. Justin reflects on how to integrate science and theology well, which occupies so much of his work today. He also discusses his recent book, Thriving with Stone Age Minds, where he explores what it means to thrive as human beings living in an ever shifting environment always placing new demands on our natures.Along the way, listeners will discover…Why it is not a good idea to wear a necktie with batteriesWhy cities just might be bad for usWhy donuts are so amazing (from a scientific point of view)To learn more about Dr. Justin Barrett, you can explore the rich resources he and his team provide at Blueprint 1543 including videos, free courses curated for theologians and ministers (through the TheoPsych program), as well as articles on the integration of science and theology. Consider also his most recent book and the series of interviews he did with Closer to Truth.

Episode four introduces listeners to Dr. Craig Ott, Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies, ReachGlobal Chair of Mission and Director of the PhD.in Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Craig also received his MDiv and PhD from TEDS, and his familiarity with the school stretches a long way. Dr. Josh Jipp and Dr. James Arcadi have a lively conversation with Craig, ranging from his upbringing and conversion in Southern California during the Jesus Movement through to his current work on contextualization in teaching and learning. Craig eventually found his way to TEDS as a student, where he discusses the impactful experiences with professors who sustained intellectual rigor with passionate evangelism (not to mention his experience meeting his now wife and fellow colleague, Alice). Craig and Alice now both teach at TEDS, and they bring with them rich experiences of having served as missionaries to Germany and as church planters, a time during which they had to learn lessons about how to bring the gospel to new places, with new questions and challenges. Apologetics, missions, intercultural studies and evangelism integrate into a profound set of sensitivities that Craig now brings into the classroom and beyond.Along the way, listeners will discover… How much Josh knows about the Premier League (speaking of cross cultural experience…)Whether it is a good idea for spouses to edit one another’s booksWhich board game serves as a helpful analogue to contextualizationTo learn more about Dr. Craig Ott, have a look at the PhD. in Intercultural Studies program at TEDS, at his new book Teaching and Learning across Cultures, his earlier book The Church on Mission or his recent chapel message.

In the third episode of the season, Dr. Michelle Knight and Dr. Fellipe do Vale sit down with President Felix Theonugraha of Western Theological Seminary and alumnus of the MDiv and PhD in Educational Studies at TEDS. Felix previously served as Dean of Students and VP of Student Life and University Ministries at TEDS.Michelle and Fellipe engage Felix about his experiences as the President of a seminary—both the joys and the challenges. The inevitable complexities of leading during the pandemic are discussed, and Felix offers wise and compassionate insight. He also describes the journey into his current role, a path that involved both great hope and the recognition of the pressures of the task. From there, the conversation transitions from past to future as Felix lays out his hopes for the role of a seminary within the United States and throughout the world. Chief among them is the hope that the people who make up a seminary genuinely know God and see their education as an act of worship and spiritual formation. He also hopes that seminaries take seriously the global and racial diversity they ought to nurture. Questions of the relationship between strategies that have been good and worked in the past and those that need to change for the future are also broached.Along the way, listeners will discover…Which member of the Foreword crew is in a picture Felix has hanging in his houseWhich TEDS professors have been most formative for Felix in thinking about institutional leadershipOf which club Michelle was the treasurerTo learn more about President Felix Theonugraha, visit his website bio, the President’s page at WTS (where you can find statements and interviews), or watch his talk from Mosaic at TEDS.

In this episode, Dr. Madison Pierce and Dr. Josh Jipp interview Dr. David Pao, the newly-appointed Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. David is not only Dean of TEDS, but is also Professor of New Testament and an accomplished author and scholar.Josh and Madison talk to David about the key experiences that led him to vocational ministry, including encounters with doubt and the role of Scripture in shaping his way of seeing reality. The conversation then shifts to what David perceives the key challenges to theological education to be, and he maintains that a strong commitment to what Christians hold in common enables a community to interact charitably with one another, even in the midst of differences and struggles. David also shares about his recent research on the Pastoral Epistles, the importance of cultural context for biblical interpretation and his excitement about the ability of Scripture to speak subversively to cultural norms. Along the way, listeners will discover:David’s favorite places to travelDavid’s favorite extra-canonical book to studyWhich member of the Foreword crew’s mom pranked them with the help of DavidFinally, David shares a pastoral word on the true meaning of success in ministry as an alternative to the common desire for success and popularity. To learn more about Dr. David Pao, see his excellent commentary on Colossians and Philemon, his book Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus, or you can watch his recent chapel message here.

As the Foreword crew returns for the season three premiere, there are many new things to get excited about. They are back in the on-campus studio, which has a fresh new look. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, Josh unveils his first smartphone and ranks his favorite apps. We are also introduced to the crew’s newest host, Dr. Fellipe do Vale, who has recently joined the Systematic Theology faculty at TEDS. Each host takes an opportunity to ask Fellipe questions ranging from his favorite TV shows to his research on the theology of gender, from his background living in Brazil and Seattle to what advice he has for ministers looking to navigate many of the truly hard things facing churches today. Along the way, the wisdom of Ted Lasso is invoked for good measure.After, Fellipe takes over hosting duties and asks the rest of the crew a series of “Would You Rather” questions. ●      Who prefers to live in a tree house over a cave? ●      Who would rather be a reverse centaur than a reverse merman or mermaid?Listen to find out!To learn more about Dr. do Vale, visit his faculty page, his list of publications, or simply keep listening to future episodes!

In this episode, our last of our second season (!), the Foreword podcast hosts (Drs. Knight, Jipp, Pierce, and Arcadi) reflect on all that we have learned over the past year from our incredible colleagues and alumni.We hope you enjoy these reflections on our teaching and interdisciplinary conversations, as well as our hopes of carving out space for listening and persevering in hope and faithfulness.Thank you, dear Listeners, for your time and support. Please be in touch (forewordpodcast@tiu.edu) if you have thoughts about Season 3—coming this fall!This episode is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OetIjryKosg

In this episode, Dr. James Arcadi and Dr. Madison Pierce interview Dr. Steven C. Roy, Chair of the Pastoral Theology Department, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.Madison and James learn more about Steve's background, especially his work in systematic theology, and how that shapes his theology of worship and pastoral care. Steve also shares his desire to create space for "lament" in our corporate worship gatherings and then offers his perspectives about some of the most important thing that he feels are facing people in ministry today.Be sure to tune in to learn more about Steve and his life shaped by pastoral care, and here's some of his recent work:"Broken Hearts and Bold Faith: Psalm 74 and the Power of Lament" (EFCA Today, 2015)What God Thinks When We Fail (IVP, 2011)And before the interview, we learn a little about the "critical reception" of James' recent book in the Arcadi household...This episode is also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cH8ciUGLAuI

In this episode, Dr. Madison Pierce and Dr. Josh Jipp interview TEDS alumna Rev. Sandra María Van Opstal, Co-founder and Executive Director of Chasing Justice, a movement led by people of color to mobilize a lifestyle of faith and justice.Josh and Madison talk to Sandra about her calling to equip BIPOC leaders and to help predominately White organizations develop hospitable and multi-ethnic spaces characterized by mutual love and respect.We hope you learn as much as we did!Want to check out more of the Rev Van Opstal's work? Check out her Amazon author page (here). Some recent highlights:Forty Days on Being an Eight (IVP, 2021)Her recent contributions to The Rhythm of Prayer (Convergent, 2021; NYT Bestseller) and  No Longer Strangers (Eerdmans, 2021)The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World (IVP, 2015)Seminary Now curriculum on The Next Worship This episode is also on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/bj6NLq-VJm0