In All Things Podcast

WORLDVIEWING around the Globe with Richard Mouw & Matthew Kaemingk (ep. 9)

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with theologians Richard Mouw and Matthew Kaemingk about a new book, edited by Matt and dedicated to Rich - Reformed Public Theology: A Global Vision for Life in the World (Baker Academic, 2021). The theme question of the episode: "why does theology matter for public life?" Some topics we discuss:

• What do you mean by "Reformed"? What is "public" theology? And what is the unique contribution of the Reformed tradition to public theology?
• In a book with 20+ authors of different nationalities, vocations, and denominations, what are the common threads these authors share?
• As we seek to live in a pluralistic world, how do we learn to listen genuinely and to speak gently, with firm conviction?
• What are some characteristic flaws or blind spots of the Reformed tradition that this book celebrates?
• What does Reformed public theology have to say when it comes to institutional power, institutional sin, and institutional reform?
• What does "every square inch" really mean? Why doesn't it mean Christians "taking over"?

If you'd like to read more, In All Things is hosting a four-part review of the book, which will be posted here as they become available:

Part One: https://inallthings.org/an-unlikely-story-a-review-of-reformed-public-theology/

Part Two: https://inallthings.org/neo-calvinism-for-the-nations-reviewing-part-2-3-of-reformed-public-theology/ 

Part Three: https://inallthings.org/the-academy-and-aesthetics-a-review-of-reformed-public-theology/ 

WINNING and What it Cost Us with Kristin Kobes Du Mez (ep. 8)

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez about her NYT bestselling book Jesus and John Wayne (Liveright, 2020). The theme question of the episode: "what have we lost in our desire to win?" Some topics we discuss:

• What surprised Kristin in her research and in the book's reception
• Who is an evangelical? Who gets to say what is mainstream to evangelicalism and what is on the fringe?
• How "Reformed" communities who have traditionally been "evangelical adjacent" fit into the picture.
• What to do when we realize how much popular culture shapes Christian identity, and what it takes to resist, repent, and repair.
• Areas for further research (the need for ethnographic studies!) and where the conversation can go from here.

If you'd like to read more you can check out the In All Things review of Kristin's book (written by my guest co-host, Scott Culpepper): https://inallthings.org/what-has-jesus-to-do-with-john-wayne-a-review-of-jesus-and-john-wayne/ 

 

DYING and Embracing Mortality with J.Todd Billings (ep. 7)

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with J. Todd Billings, a theologian and author, about his book The End of the Christian Life (Brazos, 2020). Our theme question: what does it mean to embrace our mortality? Among the topics we discuss:

• On being immersed in the cancer community after a terminal cancer diagnosis
• How Western culture works to obscure the reality of our mortality 
• How we can live in the tension between our smallness and the grand calling to make/change culture
• On what a "good funeral" looks like and what the Christian hope actually is 
• How the Covid pandemic has brought our mortality (and denial) into sharper relief.

If you'd like to read more you can check out our review of the book (written by my guest co-host, Todd Zuidema) here: https://inallthings.org/memento-mori-a-review-of-the-end-of-the-christian-life/ 

JOINING and Celebrating Multiethnic Stories with Chandra Crane (ep. 6)

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Chandra Crane, a writer and leader in multiethnic ministry initiatives, about her new book Mixed Blessing (InterVarsity Press, 2020). Our theme question: what does it mean to see, steward, and celebrate multi-ethnicity? Among the topics we discuss:

• How multiethnic (mixed) people process questions like "where are you from?" and "what are you?" 
• The blessing that mixed people are to the church and the world
• Ways to think about distinctions between ethnicity & race, "cultural appropriation" vs. "cultural appreciation", and cultural stereotypes vs. "cultural prototypes".
• Why it is important to talk about ethnicity as part of talking about our identity in Christ (and the identity of Christ!)

If you'd like to read more you can find an excerpt of Chandra's book here: https://inallthings.org/whole-people-wholly-reliant-on-jesus/ 

WORKING and Worshipping with Cory Willson (ep. 5)

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by a guest host, Jeremy Perigo, and together we talk with Cory Willson about his new book (coauthored with Matthew Kaemingk) Work and Worship (Baker Academic). Our theme question: what does it mean to reconnect our worship to our work? Among the topics we discuss:

• If work and worship are meant to be connected, how did they get disconnected? What sort of theologies have fueled this divide, and how do we heal it? 
• Why is a focus on practices and rituals critical, rather than just having a good "theology of work"?
• How do we bring out work into the place of worship, and how do we bring worship into our place of work?
• Is there a hidden assumption that our work will always be meaningful and fulfilling? How do we include those whose experience of work is full of pain?
• How has the Covid-19 pandemic shifted our understanding of gathered worship and gathered work?

If you'd like to read our review of the biography, written by Dr. Jeremy Perigo, you can find that here: https://inallthings.org/whole-life-worship-a-review-of-work-and-worship/ 

REFORMING the Faith with James Eglinton (ep. 4)

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by a guest host, Gayle Doornbos, and together we talk with James Eglinton about his new biography of Dutch theologian and polymath Herman Bavinck. Our theme question: what does it mean to live with a faith that is rooted in the past, yet responsive to the challenges and questions of the present? Among the topics we discuss:

• How we remember the past: the difference between "critical" and "commemorative" biography
• The relationship of the two monumental figures from the Dutch Calvinist tradition: Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck
• How Bavinck might respond to the idea of "always reforming"
• How Bavinck managed to maintain friendship and to integrate so many voices across ideological virtues
• Why Bavinck was pessimistic about the future of Calvinism in America, and what he meant when he said, "Calvinism is not the only the truth."

If you'd like to read our review of the biography, written by Dr. David Westfall, you can find that here: https://inallthings.org/twin-poles-a-review-of-bavinck/

If you haven't yet gotten ahold of a copy of the biography, we are giving away three copies. You can enter the drawing by sharing or re-tweeting this episode; leaving a review of the podcast will get you three bonus entries! (tag us or let us know to make sure your name is included). Or you can follow this link: https://kingsumo.com/g/w0xegx/in-all-things-podcast-bavinck-giveaway

Thanks again for tuning in!

Twitter: @in_all_things

DOUBTING without Losing Faith with A.J. Swoboda (ep. 3)

On this episode of the podcast, we are talking to A.J. Swoboda, a pastor, professor, and writer, about his new book After Doubt. Our theme question for the episode: what does it mean to question our faith without losing it?

• Discerning between honest and dishonest questioning
• How to honor the communities that nurtured us while also acknowledging their limitations 
• Counsel for those who are doubting, as well as for those who are trying to walk with doubters (parents & teachers)
• The importance of the local congregation when it comes to holding onto faith

As we’ve done with previous episodes, we are giving away five copies of A.J.'s book. You can enter the drawing by following In All Things on Social Media, sharing or re-tweeting this episode; leaving a review of the podcast will get you three bonus entries! (tag us or let us know to make sure your name is included). Thanks again for tuning in!

Twitter: @in_all_things

MAKING Beautiful Things with Makoto Fujimura (ep. 2)

On this episode of the podcast, we have a feature conversation with acclaimed artist Makoto Fujimura about his new book, Art + Faith, and what he calls the "theology of making." Topics we discuss:

• The connections between creating art and the beauty of the gospel
• Why children seem to know how important creativity is, and what has gone wrong for the rest of us
• Why a liberal arts education matters more, not less, in an increasingly technological world
• Ordinary creativity for those who are not artists
• How we can cleanse our cultural imagination and move forward in a polarized world. 

During the two weeks after this episode is released, we are giving away five copies of Mako's new book, Art + Faith. To enter that giveaway, follow this link: https://kingsumo.com/g/z5wjkr/in-all-things-podcast-art-faith-giveaway

For more information about In All Things, you can find us at inallthings.org or follow us on Twitter: @in_all_things

WAITING while We Weep with Tish Harrison Warren (ep. 1)

On this inaugural episode of the podcast, we have a feature conversation with author Tish Harrison Warren about prayer and about waiting for God. We talk about "praying other people's prayers" and how being connected to the larger church offers us resources beyond ourselves. We also discuss quiet grief, and how being a believer changes the experience of waiting for God. 

We also have a short chat with Channon Visscher, the director of the Andreas Center about the vision of In All Things and the plan for this podcast.

During the first two weeks of the podcast, we are giving away five copies of Tish's new book, Prayer in the Night. To enter that giveaway, follow this link: https://kingsumo.com/g/dgkoxe/in-all-things-podcast-prayer-in-the-night-giveaway

For more information about In All Things, you can find us at inallthings.org or follow us on Twitter: @in_all_things