A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar
Episodes
In this episode, we chat with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer about their new book that's making waves called A Church Called Tov. This book is extremely important and is a prophetic call to the Church to form a goodness culture that resists abuses of power and promotes healing. We chat about recent scandals of abuse and coverup in the modern church, why we've created toxic church cultures and how we can move toward more ...
In this bonus episode, we share an Ash Wednesday gift with you. Mark Werner is Randy's Spiritual Director, and is well acquainted with contemplative spirituality and is a bit of an expert in the ways of the Enneagram. In this episode, Mark shares about his "dark night of the soul" and having a faith crisis while in pastoral ministry, and the more ancient practices that brought him into a more spacious and centered faith...
Ever had an issue with violence in the Bible? How about the many inconsistencies in the Scriptures? What about the rampant patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny? There are all sorts of issues and problems within Christianity's sacred text, but does that mean that we have to choose between believing that everything is prescriptive and inspired, or walking away from the Bible altogether?
In this episode, we offer a different and more ...
What is the Bible? How should we read it? What does it mean for a text to be authoritative? Do I have to believe the Bible is inerrant in order to be a Christian? In this episode, we discuss the beautiful messiness that is the Bible and talk about our relationships with this incredible and ancient text.
The whiskey featured in this episode is Wathen's Single Barrel.
If you're local to Milwaukee, check out our friends at Story...
In this episode, we chat with Kristin Kobes Du Mez about her book that's been making waves and is brilliantly titled Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. This book is probably our favorite of 2020 and is a must-read. During the course of this interview, we chat about everything from toxic masculinity and power hungry religious leaders to Amy Grant and Tiffany. Seriously.
The whi...
In this episode, we chat with Brian Zahnd about his journey from a militaristic, warmongering brand of Christianity to a more peace-loving, Jesus-centered way. Along the way, we touch on everything from his take on the current state of the American church, the Christian's role in the state, the book of Revelation, his favorite philosophers, Christian ethics, the Bible, and Bob Dylan.
The whiskey featured in this episode is a spe...
Did humans come from monkeys? How old is the earth? Should we interpret the Bible literally? Does any of it matter? In this episode, we discuss creationism and evolution, a recurring topic at Randy and Kyle's church Q&A's.
The whiskey featured in this episode is Driftless Glen bourbon.
If you're local to Milwaukee, check out our friends at Story Hill BKC.
The books and resources for further reading that we recommend at...
CONTENT NOTE: This episode contains references to trauma, abuse, suicide, and mental illness. Not recommended for children.
On this episode, we're joined by William Paul Young (author of The Shack and Eve) and Brad Jersak (author of A More Christlike God and Her Gates Will Never Be Shut). We discuss their new co-authored novella, The Pastor: A Crisis, a raw story of a fundamentalist pastor undergoing the judgment of God. But our...
How does Jesus's death work? In this episode, Randy, Kyle, and Elliot discuss atonement, the theological issue of how Jesus saves humans. It's a deep dive, and a bit nerdy, but we think it's important.
The whiskey featured in this episode is Bulleit Rye.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)
In this episode we talk with Lisa Koons, who is the national director of 24-7 Prayer USA. Our conversation covers the role of prayer in social justice, why more American Christians aren't focused on racial justice, how anger fits into the Christian response to injustice, and more. Lisa has a powerful, healing presence, and we encourage you to meditate on her words here.
The beer featured in this episode is La Ruche (Blend #3) by...
In this episode we tackle the good, the bad, and the ugly of American evangelicalism. This conversation represents the culmination of something Kyle and Randy have been discussing for a while, and something that comes up a lot when they do live church Q&A's. Is "evangelicalism" salvageable? Listen to find out.
The bourbon featured in this episode is Willett Pot Still Reserve.
If you're local to Milwaukee, check ou...
In this episode we talk with Jim Vining, a professor of communication and rhetoric, about the state of our current political and religious discourse in the United States.
The bourbon featured in this episode is Maker's Mark Cask Strength.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)
In this episode Randy, Kyle, and Elliot tackle the thorny issues of patriotism, nationalism, and their relationship to the American Christian church. They don't pull any punches.
The bourbon featured in this episode is Stagg Jr. by Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)
In this episode, we interview Jared Byas, author and co-host of the hit podcast The Bible for Normal People. We discuss his new book Love Matters More, available now wherever books are sold. It's a lively discussion about love and truth, and how those concepts are often abused by religious people under the guise of "telling the truth in love."
The beer featured in this episode is from Central Waters Brewing Company.
In this episode Randy and Kyle discuss disagreement, a current topic if there ever was one. Kyle did his PhD dissertation on the epistemology of disagreement, and this conversation explores what it is, some common pitfalls, how to do it better, and what it looks like for Christians in particular.
The beer featured in this episode is King Sue by Toppling Goliath Brewing Company.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphi...
In this episode, we interview Jenny Heckman (MS, LPC, NCC) about dealing with anxiety and staying mentally healthy during the pandemic. Jenny is a licensed professional counselor and a former pastor, and we think her insights here are important and timely.
The beer featured in this episode is Strawberry Rhubarb Wild Fruit Ale by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)
In this episode, Randy, Kyle, and Elliot discuss American Christian fundamentalism and why they have, to borrow a phrase, kissed it goodbye.
The whiskey featured in this episode is Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon.
AUDIO NOTE: There is some slight distortion and static at various places in this episode. We have since fixed these problems for all upcoming episodes. Socially distanced recording is hard.
Support the show (https://www.pa...
In this episode, Randy and Kyle introduce themselves primarily by describing why they are still Christians, despite periods of "deconstruction" in their lives.
Beer featured in this episode: Brambleberry Puree by Eagle Park Brewing
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)
New podcast on philosophy, theology, and spirituality. Launching July 2020.
Who:
Randy Knie, Pastor
Kyle Whitaker, Philosopher
Elliot Lund, Producer
https://pastorandphilosopher.buzzsprout.com/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/apastorandaphilosopher)