Jonathan Huggins

Jonathan Huggins joins us on the podcast today with a sermon for the season of Advent reflecting on peace. How does the Gospel redefine shalom—peace—with God, within ourselves, and with others? How can we maintain relational and psychological rest in our souls when facing the anxiety-producing situations of our modern world? 

Peace JONATHAN HUGGINS
Center for Pastor Theologians
What We're Reading — December 2024

For our December episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading (and, on this occasion, watching):

What We're Reading — December 2024
Caleb Campbell
Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski

Today, Chris Ganski shares a sermon on Acts 17:1-9. In the wake of the 2024 election, the book of Acts can be an excellent resource to consider the relationship between church and politics. In the context of Acts 17, does Caesar have anything to fear from the church? What is the church, and what does it mean to belong to the church? How does the church’s identity influence our understanding of the gospel as political? This and more on today’s podcast. 

Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski
Caleb Campbell
Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell

Pastor Caleb Campbell joins the podcast to discuss how pastors might guide their congregations through the results of the 2024 election, drawing from his experience pastoring in Phoenix, AZ. He also discusses his book "Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor." How can we helpfully engage those in their community who align with combative political perspectives? How can pastors support members who are struggling to have conversations with family members, or for whom the election stirs up difficult emotions? This and more on today's episode. 

Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell
Douglas Estes
On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas ...

Douglas Estes joins the podcast once again to discuss the second volume of a collection of essays he edited on theology in the works and worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien. We talk about the role of narrative fiction in shaping pastoral theology and how works like The Lord of the Rings can serve those who lead the church in the present day.

On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas Estes

Sexual Violence, #MeToo, and the Crucifixion | Erin Heim

Sexual Violence, #MeToo, and the Crucifixion | Erin Heim

In part 2 of our conversation with Erin Heim (Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University), we conclude our conversation about adoption in the Apostle Paul. We then pivot to discussing Dr. Heim's paper on the connections between the #metoo Movement and the death and resurrection of Christ. How did sexual humiliation play a part in Christ's torture and crucifixion? What are the implications of this for the female human experience? How does the New Testament reorient our conversations on sexual violence?

Adoption Metaphors in Paul | Erin Heim

Adoption Metaphors in Paul | Erin Heim

We are joined on this episode by Dr. Erin Heim, a Tutor in Biblical Studies at Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford. We discuss her life of faith, training in music, and decision to pursue biblical scholarship. We also discuss Erin's research on metaphors of adoption in the letters of the Apostle Paul. Her research is informed by her own experience as an adoptee, and she argues that many of the ways contemporary Christians talk about adoption in Paul can be painful for adoptees and ironically not very closely related to what Paul actually meant in context.

Formation in the Wake of Distress | Vincent Bacote

Formation in the Wake of Distress | Vincent Bacote

This episode features a presentation from our 2018 conference on spiritual formation, given by Dr. Vincent Bacote of Wheaton College. What can the broader church learn from the experiences and theological emphases of the African American Church? How has the Black experience in America shaped the approach to spiritual formation in these contexts? How can White Christians listen and learn from the wisdom of these communities' shared experience?

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Marcus Johnson

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Marcus Johnson

We are joined on this episode by CPT fellow Marcus Johnson, who serves as a theology professor at the Moody Bible Institute as well as an associate rector at St. Mark's Church in Geneva, IL. Marcus explores his story of faith and theological education, including falling in love with theology and navigating God's calling on his life, particularly his journey to see the life of the church as central to the discipline.

Authority, Leadership, and Power in the Church | Mickey Klink & Joel Lawrence

Authority, Leadership, and Power in the Church | Mickey Klink & Joel Lawrence

In Mark 10 Jesus makes a distinction between the way the Gentiles exercise authority and the way the greatest among Jesus' disciples must become servants. How does this passage relate to a Christian concept of authority? CPT fellows Joel Lawrence and Mickey Klink explore this and related questions in light of the current crisis of authority in the evangelical church.

Christian Patriarchal Feminism | Gerald Hiestand & Amy Peeler

Christian Patriarchal Feminism | Gerald Hiestand & Amy Peeler

Is there such a thing as "Patriarchal Feminism"? This apparent contradiction in terms is at the center of a paper written by CPT fellow and co-founder Gerald Hiestand. Gerald joins our podcast along with CPT fellow Amy Peeler to discuss these ideas. How does Christianity enter into and redeem the "toxic masculinity" that has characterized so many human societies throughout history? How does this relate to contemporary debates between complementarians and egalitarians and, specifically, the question of women's ordination?

Pain and Power in 2 Corinthians | Ben White

Pain and Power in 2 Corinthians | Ben White

We continue our conversation with CPT fellow Ben White about his PhD research. Ben reflects on how growing up in Canada shapes theological vocation. We also discuss the unique opportunities of teaching at a small evangelical college in New York City. Finally, Ben comments on how a Pauline view of power transforms our conception of power in light of the current crisis of power and abuses of it in evangelicalism.

A Burning in My Bones | Winn Collier

A Burning in My Bones | Winn Collier

This week on the podcast, CPT Executive Director Joel Lawrence is joined by Winn Collier, Director of The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination & Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and author of A Burning in My Bones, the official biography of Eugene Peterson. In part 1, we talk about Winn’s journey in faith, his pastoral ministry, and how he got connected to Eugene Peterson.