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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48:36
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48:36
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
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41:55
Lucy Peppiatt - Formed through Theology
What do theology and spiritual formation have to do with one another? Lucy Peppiatt has found many ways in which she has taught and encouraged the integration of study and deep spiritual formation at WTC. We are delighted to have her on this episode to share how theological study can be a foundation for wholeness, maturity, and formation into Christlikeness.
If you would like to explore what studying theology would look like for you, then please visit wtctheology.org.uk. All of our programmes are part-time and are designed to fit around life, work, and church, because we believe that embarking on a journey of study can be transformational for you and your faith in Jesus. We have multiple study options available, so visit our website to find out more.
SHOW NOTES
Lucy’s books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Lucy-Peppiatt/author/B00A4LNCS2
Study with WTC: wtctheology.org.uk
Kyle Strobel on TheoDisc: https://youtu.be/9dibh6Qxh7c
Kyle Stobel’s Substack Article, ‘A Training in Wisdom and Love’: https://kylestrobel.substack.com/p/a-training-in-wisdom-and-in-love
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52:47
AJ Swoboda - A Teachable Spirit
How do we really love God with our minds? For Christians the emphasis is often on loving the Lord with our heart, soul and strength, but when it comes to our minds, there can be some reticence. There can be a real pressure in the church to act as if we know it all, or a fear that theology and learning might lead us to not know what we believe. The call to love God with our minds has never been more important. On this episode of Theodisc, Kenny is joined by AJ Swoboda, who thinks that learning is deeply embedded in the Christian tradition. He contends that our faith gives us tools and examples of how we can learn to be the best learners – and not just for the sake of knowledge, but in order to be Christ’s faithful witnesses in our world. We hope you learn as much as we have from this episode!
SHOW NOTES
Get AJ’s book, ‘A Teachable Spirit’ - https://amzn.eu/d/4NSunXm
Read AJ’s Substack - https://ajswoboda.substack.com/
Listen to our previous episode with AJ: https://theodisc.podbean.com/e/aj-swoboda-the-gift-of-thorns/
Listen to the Slow Theology Podcast: https://ajswoboda.com/slow-theology-podcast/
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Amanda Bedzrah - Becoming Queen Bathsheba
On this episode of TheoDisc, Kenny and Amanda Bedzrah talk about Bathsheba - one of the most misunderstood figures in the Old Testament, often labelled as a seductress who, along with David, is complicit in an adultress affair. But a closer reading of the biblical text shows that she is a victim of an abuse of power. Amanda's latest book, Becoming Queen Bathsheba, is a fictional account of Bathsheba’s experience based on fidelity to the Scriptures, historical and cultural research, and the experiences of women across the Old Testament. Kenny and Amanda's discussion deals with some sensitive issues around trauma and abuse of power, because they are central to the Bathsheba narrative. We hope you find this episode encouraging and healing, as Amanda prays at the end of this episode.
SHOW NOTES
Amanda’s website: https://amandabedzrah.com/
Amanda’s books: https://bit.ly/4284uLq
The Empower A Woman Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amandabedzrah/videos
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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