Homebrewed Christianity Podcast

In this episode, I am joined by your favorite theological troublemaker, Dr. Pete Enns, for a wide-ranging Q&A session where we tackle your burning questions from our SubStack communities (Odds & Enns and Process This). We delve into everything from understanding eternal punishment in Matthew 25, to the various ways divine presence is portrayed in Genesis, to what makes deconstruction a healthy or nihilistic approach, and whether Christianity can adapt to modern existential needs. We bring a blend of biblical scholarship, philosophical musings, and irreverent humor as we engage with your questions, delivering what we hope are at least "above average" answers. To get access to the entire conversation, submit your questions, and join live next time, join their SubStack communities, Odds & Enns⁠ and ⁠Process This. Want to hang with Pete & Tripp? Come to Theology Beer Camp, Oct 16-18 in St. Paul for some seriously nerdy fun. Peter Enns (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of biblical stud

Holy smokes, theology nerds – buckle up for a prophetic ride through Black Christology that'll completely recalibrate your understanding of Jesus and faith in times of empire. I am joined by Dr. Adam Clark as he traces the revolutionary lineage from Howard Thurman's mystical Jesus who refuses the "hounds of hell" (after being called a traitor to dark peoples for following Christianity), through Albert Cleage's literal Black Messiah who'd be riding in the colored section of Jim Crow buses, to James Cone's God who shows up at the lynching tree. At a moment when Christian nationalism weaponizes the gospel to enforce xenophobic authoritarianism, this prophetic tradition reminds us that authentic Christian witness is found in loving solidarity with the crucified of today. This isn't polite reflection, friends – it's resistance theology that exposes how God deliberately identifies with the oppressed, choosing foolishness to shame the wise and weakness to shame the strong. This episode might flip your theological wo

In this plenary session from Theology Beer Camp 2024, John Thatamanil explores the future of religious identity in an increasingly pluralistic America, arguing that multiple religious participation will be the defining feature of North American religious life. Drawing from his personal journey as an Indian Christian immigrant who also practices Hinduism, and Wilfred Cantwell Smith's provocative question about how Christians explain the existence of other scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita, Thatamanil challenges "Christian supremacy" and its colonial legacy. He distinguishes between harmful forms of religious mixing (particularly the worship of both God and capitalism) and life-giving forms that promote justice and liberation, proposing that the real theological problem isn't practicing Buddhism alongside Christianity, but trying to serve both God and mammon in a capitalist society. The talk culminates in a call for "fluid and dynamic integrity" rather than impossible homogeneity, suggesting that being "spiritu

What happens when you stand at the crossroads where the sacred meets the secular, where your identity refuses to fit into neat binaries, and where faith seeks understanding in the midst of doubt? In this deeply personal conversation, Episcopal priest and pioneering womanist theologian Kelly Brown Douglas returns to the podcast to explore theology as a lived experience, not abstract speculation. We dive into her powerful concept of "crossroads theology" – that stable, definite space where the blues singer performs both pain and praise, where Black and Episcopalian identity refuse to be bifurcated, and where God meets us in our full complexity. Kelly unpacks how the dangerous narratives of respectability and white supremacy create false binaries that diminish our humanity, and how Jesus's own crossroads moment challenges our comfortable Christianity. From her nightly prayers on her knees to calling the names of deported families, from finding God in resistance movements to wrestling with faith after Trayvon M

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim's to discuss Feminist Christology. We explore the importance of retrieving feminine imagery of God and Jesus through the biblical wisdom figure Sophia. She argues that despite Jesus's historical maleness, a feminist Christological approach is essential for contemporary Christianity because it challenges 2000 years of patriarchal interpretations and creates more inclusive understandings of the divine. The conversation traces Sophia's development across Hebrew Scripture, demonstrating how early Christians identified Jesus with this feminine divine figure, particularly in Paul's letters, Matthew, and John. Kim connects Sophia with Asian religious concepts like prajna, suggesting that this wisdom Christology offers liberating possibilities for Korean North American women navigating bicultural identities. She points out that feminist theologians are not inventing new concepts but reclaiming a significant biblical tradition that portrays God's presence in feminin

In this thought-provoking episode, former neuroscientist-turned-Franciscan sister Ilia Delio offers a radical vision for the future of religion at Theology Beer Camp. Speaking to a community of spiritual seekers, Delio places humanity within our cosmic context—mere seconds in the universe's 13.8 billion-year story—while arguing that we are the universe becoming conscious of itself. She challenges institutional religion's static cosmologies, drawing on Teilhard de Chardin's integration of evolution and faith to advocate for a "religion of the Earth" that recognizes God as "in love with matter." With urgency, Delio warns that if religion doesn't evolve beyond dogma into creative participation with cosmic processes, technology will replace it as humanity's guiding force. The conversation, complemented by responses from biblical scholar Pete Enns, exemplifies the kind of boundary-pushing theological dialogue that makes Theology Beer Camp a unique gathering for those reimagining faith at the intersection of scienc

What's up Theology Nerds! Today I'm thrilled to share my conversation with the brilliant Philip Clayton on his new book Science and the Sacred: Beyond the Gods in Our Own Image. This isn't your typical science vs. religion debate - it's something way more interesting! Philip co-authored this book with Claudia Pierce, an atheist religion journalist, creating a beautiful dialogue between theistic and non-theistic perspectives that finds surprising common ground. We explore how their five-year collaboration revealed shared values even as they maintained different views on God. Phil walks us through how modern scientific understanding can coexist with spiritual meaning, challenging both religious fundamentalism and reductive scientism. We dive into questions from both conservative Christians and skeptical atheists who read the book in advance, creating a lively three-way conversation about doubt, faith, and what it means to approach mystery with openness rather than certainty. If you're tired of culture war takes

What's up Theology Nerds! Today on the podcast I'm joined by my brilliant friend Diana Butler Bass for another edition of "Ruining Dinner" as we mark the first 100 days of Trump's second administration. We dive into some fascinating new data on religion and politics in America that just dropped, examining everything from unexpected consensus on religious liberty (a rare bright spot!) to disturbing trends in support for political violence among Christian nationalist adherents. Diana shares her recent adventures lighting the Old North Church green for Bill McKibben's "Sunday" climate initiative, while I update her on my site visit to St. Paul (not Minneapolis!) for Theology Beer Camp and my new life as a chicken dad. We explore how competing narratives of discrimination reveal deep divides in American Christianity, unpack the dangers of executive overreach, and discuss what Lindsey Graham's papal nomination trolling reveals about our political moment. This conversation was originally for our Substack members, b

In this session, we are joined by historical theologian, Dr. Paul Capetz. Dr. Capetz, a minister in the United Methodist Church and former theology professor at various Protestant seminaries, discusses liberal Christology and its limitations. While identifying as a liberal theologian who seeks to reconcile Protestant heritage with Enlightenment thinking, Capetz argues that traditional liberal Christology is fundamentally flawed. He explains that liberal theologians like Friedrich Schleiermacher attempted to reconstruct the historical Jesus using modern historical analysis, but this approach faces insurmountable challenges. Following Rudolf Bultmann, whom Capetz considers the greatest New Testament scholar of the 20th century, he contends that a biography of Jesus cannot be written due to limited reliable historical sources. More importantly, Capetz argues that Christology shouldn't be based on speculations about Jesus's relationship with God, but rather on the apostles' witness to Jesus as the decisive revela

In this episode, Dr. Jason Storm returns to explore the relationship between science, religion, and meaning in the modern world. Starting with Storm's work on The Myth of Disenchantment, they discuss how the conventional narrative of modernity leading to widespread secularization and loss of magical/spiritual thinking is largely inaccurate. Storm explains how this narrative emerged in the 19th century while spiritualism and occult movements were actually flourishing. They examine the fragmentation of belief systems, the historical transformation of faith and epistemology, and how various "meaning crises" arise in contemporary society. The conversation touches on capitalism's relationship with environmental degradation, our connection to nature as a source of meaning, and the limitations of postmodernism. Storm advocates for a metamodern approach that encourages epistemic humility, community engagement, and brave spaces for meaningful dialogue to address complex social problems. You can read more about it in M

In this session, Dr. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez provides an overview of Reformed Christology, focusing on the theological contributions of two key 20th century Reformed theologians: Karl Barth and Jürgen Moltmann. He begins by introducing the Reformed tradition's historical roots in 16th century Calvinism and its emphasis on social responsibility. It then examines Barth's Christocentric theology, which emphasizes God's transcendence and self-revelation in Christ as the only source of knowledge about God. Barth rejected liberal Protestantism's subjective approach and insisted on Christ as the center of all theology. He then transitions to Moltmann, whose theology developed in the shadow of the Holocaust. Moltmann rejected the doctrine of divine impassibility, arguing that God suffers with humanity, particularly through Christ on the cross. His Trinitarian theology emphasizes God as a community of equals and has political implications, including the church's responsibility to critique society and work toward justi

Sarah Heath, and Kristen Tideman joined me to unveil the exciting details for Theology Beer Camp 2025 in this lively promotional episode filled with laughter, nostalgia, and anticipation. The hosts reminisce about past camps while revealing this year's Monty Python-inspired theme, "Quest for the Holy Stein," coming to St. Paul, Minnesota this October. With an impressive lineup of theologians, free-flowing beer, and a community-focused approach, this episode captures the unique blend of intellectual engagement and genuine fun that makes Theology Beer Camp a must-attend event for theology nerds and craft beer enthusiasts alike. You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube Key Announcements for Theology Beer Camp 2025: Dates and Location: October 16-18, 2025 in St. Paul, Minnesota Theme: "Theology Beer Camp and the Quest for the Holy Stein"  Early Bird Tickets: Available until May 15th at theologybeercamp2025.com Impressive Speaker Lineup: Including John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Reggie Will

In this episode, I am joined by Congressman Eric Swalwell. We discuss his background, faith, and political journey to Congress. Swalwell shares how he first came to Campbell University (a small Christian school in North Carolina) on a soccer scholarship, where he was the goalkeeper on the soccer team. Though politics wasn't initially on his radar, an injury led him to explore student government, mock trial, and Model UN activities. After interning for a member of Congress, he transferred to the University of Maryland to pursue public service. Throughout the discussion, Swalwell reflects on being a Democrat of faith, noting that many Democrats tend to keep their faith private because they see how religion can be "weaponized" in politics. He expresses a desire for more collaborative cooperation across faith lines rather than using religion as "a means to power." The conversation also touches on polarizing issues like gun control, with Swalwell advocating for an assault weapons ban while preserving Americans' r

In this episode, Sociologist Christian Smith discusses his new book Why Religion Went Obsolete. Smith explains that while traditional religion has been declining in America for decades, this decline hasn't resulted in greater secularism but rather a shift toward what he calls "re-enchantment culture." He argues that religion hasn't simply declined but has become obsolete - still functional but superseded by alternatives that better match contemporary sensibilities. Smith identifies numerous causal factors behind this obsolescence, including technological changes, neoliberal capitalism, transformed family structures, and the internet. He emphasizes how religious institutions often contributed to their own obsolescence through scandals and political entanglements. Our conversation explores how these changes have created a "millennial zeitgeist" that fundamentally mismatches with traditional religious structures, making religion feel outdated for younger generations who are raised with different cultural assumpt

This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. In it, I unpack Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theological reflection on Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, which he sees as a central metaphor for authentic Christian faith. I struggle with Bonhoeffer's conviction that true Christianity isn't found in religious performance or institutional power but in standing with God in suffering. Following Bonhoeffer's interpretation of Jesus's question, "Could you not stay awake with me one hour?" I explore how he sees Jesus calling believers to practice solidarity with those who suffer rather than seeking religious escape or comfort. According to Bonhoeffer, authentic faith emerges through presence in places of abandonment and vulnerability, where God is revealed not as a problem-solver but as one who enters fully into human suffering. I hope you enjoy it and consider supporting my work by joining 80k+ other people on Process This. If you want to read or watch the essay, you will find it here on Sub

For this deeply philosophical conversation, I am joined by Norman Wirzba as we discuss his new book Love's Braided Dance and explore the concept of hope in our modern crisis-filled world. Wirzba explains that many young people view hope with suspicion, often because modern culture promotes shallow optimism over genuine hope. He argues that true hope isn't passive waiting but active participation in loving engagement with others and the world. Wirzba contrasts our modern society's obsession with control, acceleration, and technological solutions with the need for deeper resonance, meaningful connections, and the willingness to embrace friction in relationships. He emphasizes that hope emerges through community and solidarity rather than individual heroism, and requires practices of forgiveness, listening, and Sabbath rest to counteract our culture's demands for constant productivity and consumption. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube   Norman Wirzba is a distinguished professor at Duke University who s

In this session, biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan explores his proposal to reconstruct Easter, focusing on Paul's understanding of "the mystery of God." Crossan argues that this mystery refers to how God allowed Jesus, as Messiah, to be executed by Roman civilization to reveal its inherent injustice, while simultaneously vindicating Jesus through resurrection to reveal the justice of creation. He proposes that historically, the earliest interpretations of Jesus's exaltation were likely focused on individual ascension rather than resurrection, and that it was Paul who transformed this understanding into universal resurrection as an in-time process rather than merely an end-time event. Crossan contrasts Western Christianity's individual resurrection imagery with Eastern Christianity's universal resurrection imagery, arguing that the Eastern tradition is more faithful to Paul's original vision. He concludes by suggesting that Paul's cosmic justice concept serves as a metaphor for humanity's evolutionary cha

In this episode, I am joined by Mark Vernon to discuss the relationship between spirituality, science, and meaning in the modern world. Mark explores how our conception of religion has narrowed to focus primarily on doctrines and morals rather than experiential dimensions, which is a relatively recent development in human history. Vernon describes how human spiritual intelligence evolved not merely as a survival mechanism but as a form of "niche exploration" that allowed humans to discover immaterial realities. He contrasts the dominant enlightenment epistemology of mastery and control with spiritual traditions that emphasize receptivity and participation. Throughout the conversation, Vernon weaves together insights from his background in physics, theology, philosophy, and psychotherapy to argue that reconnecting with our inner lives and recovering a sense of wonder might be essential for addressing our current meaning crisis. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube Mark Vernon is a psychodynamic psychoth

In this session, biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan examines the fundamental conflict between two competing visions in the ancient world: divine deliverance and human resistance. He contrasts the positions of two self-identified Pharisees - Paul and Josephus - revealing how Josephus portrayed Rome's imperial power as divinely ordained while Paul offered a radical alternative vision. Most provocatively, Crossan uncovers evidence of organized nonviolent resistance movements in first-century Judaism that predated Jesus and Paul, suggesting these movements connected Pharisaic beliefs about the resurrection with nonviolent opposition to empire. This historical context illuminates Jesus' command to "love your enemies" as a form of nonviolent resistance, challenging us to consider whether humanity must embrace Paul's radical vision of justice over empire to become a sustainable species. Through archaeological and textual evidence, Crossan demonstrates how these competing worldviews physically manifested in the a

In this thought-provoking episode, I am joined by theologian and philosopher Kevin Hart to discuss the nature of contemplation in both religious and secular contexts. Hart traces the historical origins of contemplation from ancient Rome and Greece through Christian traditions, distinguishing it from meditation and contrasting it with our modern culture of fascination. He draws on phenomenology, particularly Husserl's work, to explain how contemplation offers a way to move beyond the limiting "natural attitude" to experience reality more fully. Hart discusses how poetry, particularly that of Gerard Manley Hopkins, exemplifies contemplative engagement with the world, and explores how Jesus' parables invite a shift from worldly preoccupations to an intimate relationship with God. Throughout the conversation, Hart warns about the dangers of our technology-driven "culture of fascination" that traps our attention and leads to emptiness, while offering practical guidance on contemplative reading through practices li