TheoDisc Podcast

Resisting the co-opting of Christ and the Gospel.
How can the church and individual Christians respond to extremist movements in ways that truthfully represent Jesus well, avoid demonisation, and create the opportunity for much-needed dialogue? Our guest on this episode of TheoDisc, Helen Paynter, has been writing and speaking on this subject for some time, and many of her previous concerns are now being realised in the public square. She is inviting us to think biblically and theologically about nationalistic claims to Christianity while avoiding the tendency towards extreme polarisation that is present in our cultural conversation. Her hope is that the church becomes a prophetic voice for the good and of peace for all. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

SHOW NOTES

Get Helen’s book: Faithful Presence in a Fractured World HERE

See Helen’s Other Books: HERE

Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence: HERE

Read the Theos report on Christian Nationalism: HERE

The Way of Christ for Men and Women
Very often, the conversation around women leading and teaching in the church gets mired in partisan and entrenched positions rather than centering on a careful examination of the Scriptures. In his latest book, 'True Complementarity: the Way of Christ for Men and Women', our guest on this episode of TheoDisc, Andrew Bartlett, argues for a mutuality between men and women, acknowledging their beautiful differences while maintaining that men and women are equally gifted and released into ministry and leadership and ministry by the Spirit. We hope this conversation gives you plenty to think about.

Get Andrew’s Books: HERE

Read Andrew’s articles hosted on Terran Williams’ website: HERE

Supralapsarian Christology for Faith and Practice
On this episode of TheoDisc we are exploring the question: "Which came first: creation or or the incarnation?" Could texts like Colossians 1, which says that all things were made through Christ and for him, or that he is the firstborn of all creation, could they hint at a different story? That’s the claim of our guest on this episode, Professor Edwin van Driel, who argues for a supralapsarian Christology, which is the idea that creation exists because God first intended to be incarnate. This conversation may bend your thinking, so have a seat, get comfy, and settle in for a thought-provoking exploration of the incarnation.

SHOW NOTES

Purchase Edwin's book: HERE
Find out more about Edwin: HERE

Hésed - Understanding God’s relation to humanity in the Old Testament
In our quest to understand the old testament scripture, we tend to look for themes around which we can plot the narrative, like tent poles that hold up the biblical story. But what if, instead of hinging our understanding on singular themes, the Old Testament could be understood as emerging from a relational seed from which the story grows and expands? Dr Jennifer Matheny has identified the Hebrew concept of hesed as that seed which enables possibilities in human relationship with God while maintaining the complex and rich nature of the Hebrew Scriptures. Her latest book, Hesed, the Seed of the Biblical Story, is the basis for this episode of TheoDisc. Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES

Get Jennifer’s Book: HERE

Find out more about Jennifer’s work: HERE

Working with God for deeper renewal in your church
Does the Holy Spirit still move in signs and wonders in the church today? If the Spirit does, is it possible for us to hold the tension between responsible exercise of gifts and open-handedness for what the Spirit wants to do, even if that makes us uncomfortable? And where can we look to learn how to participate in this work of the Spirit without hype and with deep pastoral care? Well, one such place is the new book by Paul Harcourt called Spirit Filled Churches, where he lays out a biblical, theological, pastoral, and practical approach to being open to the renewal of the Spirit in our churches for the sake of the mission of the Kingdom of God. We’re going to talk about that renewal in our conversation on this episode of TheoDisc.

SHOW NOTES

Purchase Paul's book, Spirit-Filled Churches HERE