God at Work in Prisons
This episode of TheoDisc comes to you during Prisons Week which takes place each year from the second Sunday of October and encourages the church to pray for prisoners and their families, those victims of and affected by crime and those working in the criminal justice system. It also aims to focus the Christian community on how we can join with what God is doing in prisons, where WTC has begun to provide theological training. It was in, what he calls "the pit", that Steven became a Christian, and after his release he studied theology with WTC and is about to matriculate at the University of Oxford. They spoke about his life experience, his reflections of prison, and the hope he has for more prisoners to come into a deep connection with God through theological study. Joining them in the conversation is Sarah Coppin, the Programme Director for WTC’s prison programme.
SHOW NOTES
Find out about WTC’s Prison Programme: https://wtctheology.org.uk/prison-programme/
Participate in Prisons Week: https://www.prisonsweek.org/
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Craig Keener - How to Succeed at Suffering
Following Jesus in the Tough Times
Even though Jesus says that those who follow him will have many trials and sorrows in this world, it’s still the case that we tend to view suffering as something to be avoided, or eliminated from our experience of faith. Perhaps this is rooted in a faulty gospel that proclaims, ‘follow Jesus and he will take away not only your sin, but your troubles too’. Dr Craig Keener has recently written an article called, How To Succeed at Suffering which might help us to accept that taking up our cross is central to the way we follow after our crucified Lord, and in this episode of TheoDisc, he chats with Kenny about the biblical basis for suffering as part of our discipleship.
SHOW NOTES
Craig’s Article: https://influencemagazine.com/en/Practice/How-to-Succeed-at-Suffering
Craig’s Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Craig-S.-Keener/author/B000APBKEK
Craig’s conversation with Lucy Peppiatt on ‘The Mind of the Spirit’: https://youtu.be/XbQVoPxv6IY
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Israel Olofinjana - Why did Jesus speak Aramaic?
A Biblical Theology for a Decolonised Mission
We're back! After a bit of an hiatus over the summer, TheoDisc is pleased to be bringing you some truly insightful chats with truly insightful theologians again!
Our guest on this episode of TheoDisc, Rev Dr Israel Olofinjana, wants us to consider the ways that western Christian mission has been deeply influenced by the powers of colonisation, and that those influences are still felt today by people from the Majority World. By drawing us back to Jesus’ own experience and ministry under a colonial power, Israel provokes the church to consider ways that we can reflect Jesus’ subversive practices that witness to the way the kingdom of God overturns the power structures and patterns of worldly powers. In order for that to happen, Israel says, we need to decolonise the way we view Christian mission with Jesus as our guide. Enjoy!
SHOWNOTES:
Israel’s essay, ‘Why Did Jesus Speak Aramaic?’: https://bit.ly/3SIUaE9
Israel’s Books: https://bit.ly/4l6kUuu
Israel’s Blog: https://israelolofinjana.wordpress.com/
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Crystal Downing - The Wages of Cinema
Crystal Downing is our guest on this episode of TheoDisc, and her latest book, The Wages of Cinema, speaks to the connection between film and faith, but not in the way you might expect. Plenty of authors have tried to extract moral or spiritual lessons from the narrative of a film, but Crystal challenges us to pay attention to the details, the structure, the way films are constructed that might give us theological insight. Connecting the language and history of film with theology, church, work, and the riches of Christian symbolism, Crystal challenges us to move beyond film as entertainment towards film as a powerful force that reveals truth, goodness and beauty.
Find Crystal’s books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Crystal-L.-Downing/author/B078WL2GWL
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Sarah Coppin - Teaching Theology in Prison
An exploration of WTC’s vision to deliver theological education to people in prisons
At WTC, we’ve never held theology, the presence of the Spirit, and daily life, mission, and ministry as separate or in competition. Instead, we believe that good theology contributes to Spiritually-formed people who express the kingdom of God wherever they are. That’s why, on this episode of TheoDisc, Kenny talked with Sarah Coppin about the way God has enabled WTC to take accredited theological education into prison so that prisoners can be equipped and empowered in faith and ministry. Enjoy!
Find out more about WTC’s Prison Programme: HERE
Contact Sarah: HERE
Read Sarah’s Substack: HERE
TheoDisc is a podcast by WTC faculty and friends with fortnightly episodes on theological ideas that will hopefully stimulate you to pursue your own theological learning and ultimately to deepen your faith. It is a place of discussion and debate, and a place to hear a variety of voices. We do hope you enjoy listening!
TheoDisc is part of WTC Theology: https://wtctheology.org.uk/
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