Regent College Podcast

Loneliness has been a major topic of conversation in recent years.  What is the antidote for loneliness?  Dr. Eric Jacobsen wrote a book recently on this very topic, entitled "Three Pieces of Glass."   We discuss what it looks like to cultivate belonging, not only on an individual level but also on a societal level.  Eric is passionate about reframing and restructuring the built environment, and believes that much of the loneliness we experience is not just a result of individual choices, but also due to choices we have made as a society.   Enjoy this conversation. We hope it inspires you to cultivate belonging in your own environment.  

Many Christians in western society describe Christianity as becoming a global religion, but is this the right way to think about Christianity?  Christianity has also been categorized at times as a white western religion.  How can we overcome these  false narratives?  Dr. Vince Bantu recently wrote a book on these very questions and helps to shed light on these false perspectives and narratives.  We hope you find this conversation illuminating as Dr. Bantu discusses topics and history that is often over looked.  

Modern health care in the West has provided healing and hope for many, but it also has had its challenges. Often the uninsured, the immigrant, and the refuge have difficulty in western medicine, as it can be confusing and costly.  We had a wonderful conversation with Dr. Morgan Wills who is a Regent grad and the President and CEO of Siloam Health.  Siloam Health is a faith based non-profit that seeks to care for the whole person: physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health.  Dr. Wills is passionate about whole person care and serving cross-culturally by taking on a posture of cultural humility.  We hope you enjoy this conversation! 

How are we to understand race and racism?  Many would say they aren't racist, but often our impact bias and prejudice can go unnoticed and unchallenged.  Joshua Koh is a Regent grad and pastor in Vancouver and he brings clarity and sheds light on these often hidden and unmentioned sins.  We hope this sparks conversation and leaves you in a place of wonder and conviction.  

It is clear that we are living in and moving towards a post-Christian secular society, but is this actually a problem for the Church and society?  Should we try to hold tightly to Christendom or might this secular age provide more opportunities than we think?  We had a wonderful conversation with Gordon T. Smith on these questions and discussed his most recent book, "Wisdom From Babylon: Leadership for the Church in a Secular Age."  Drawing Biblical Wisdom from the prophets, 1 Peter's audience, and others we find an appropriate Christian response to the secular age.  

Our culture often paints a narrative that certain vocations are more important than others.  The Church also has influenced how we understand our vocation and calling, sometimes in incorrect ways.  Dave Hataj is the president and owner of Edgerton Gears, Inc. and helps to shed light on how God's goodness can be seen in everyday work, including the manufacturing of gears.  Through his story Dave shares how we can and should follow Jesus in our vocations.  

Today we see many spiritual practices both inside and outside the church, but what is the goal of these spiritual practices?  How much do our spiritual practices impact our worldview and doctrines?    Dr. Susan Phillips has taught on spirituality and spiritual practices for years and helps answers these questions and more. Our culture, social setting, felt needs, and values greatly influence the communal spiritual practices we incorporate in our gatherings.  Whether it be confession, prayer, musical worship, or even sharing a meal, our spiritual practices greatly form and shape us as the people of God.  

Have you ever tried to learn the biblical languages and found it difficult? Or have you wonder why it is even important to learn the Biblical Greek or Hebrew?  Mary Beth Lascurain is a student at Regent and recently did an integrative project in a desire to answer these very questions.  Mary Beth has a strong passion for the Biblical languages and wants to teach and help others through implicit learning.  We hope you enjoy our conversation.  

How have pastors been seen throughout church history?  What  exactly is the role of a pastor?   The Apostle Paul, Gregory the Great, Charles Spurgeon and many others have helped form and shape the role of a pastor.  Historian Dr. Don Lewis shares with us the different perspectives and types of pastors throughout church history and how this can help shape our own imaginations for the role of the pastor today.   We hope you enjoy this conversation. If  you would like to learn more, check out Dr. Lewis' class this fall; "The Christian Pastor in Historical Perspective". 

Our bodies are uniquely designed to heal.   When we fall down and scrap our knee our bodies instinctively know how to heal.   If our bodies know how to heal physical injuries, can they teach us how to heal emotional and relational injuries?  Dr. Jennie Mclaurin has co-authored a book recently on this very question called "Designed to Heal: What the Body Shows Us about Healing Wounds, Repairing Relationships, and Restoring Community".    We hope you enjoy this conversation.  

How are we to use technology and social media in today's climate?  Are their wise practices and ways of engaging our tech that allow us to be human?  Is technology, more specifically social media, neutral? How should parents navigate trust and privacy with their children?  Amy Crouch is the youngest guest so far on the Regent College podcast, and she shares with us wonderful insights on how to be tech wise.  

Democracy or more specifically Liberal Democracy has been a significant part in Western society, but is it in trouble?  Is Democracy even the best form of government?  The rise in fake news and volatile discourse has seem to undermine the Democratic system.  Dr. Craig Gay, who directs Regent's ThM, helps to bring clarity to these questions and more.  

The New Testament is full of references from the Old Testament, but how are we to understand the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Testaments?   How did the New Testament's authors understand and use the Old Testament?  Should we even call it the Old Testament? And did the New Testament authors take the Old Testament passages out of context? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with Dr. Rikk Watts. 

What is Evangelicalism and who are Evangelicals?  Has recent polarization and politicization deteriorated the Evangelical identity?  Has the term Evangelical become meaningless or even harmful? How has Evangelicalism changed throughout history?  Dr. Mark Noll helps to unpack these questions and more.  

Where are all the women interpreters of scripture?  Why did some of these women interpreters become silenced?  And do women interpret scripture different than men? Throughout church history there have been over 150 women interpreters of the the Bible yet many have been silenced and gone unnoticed.  Dr. Marion Taylor has written extensively on these silent voices and helped illuminate their writings.  Join as Dr. Taylor sheds light on these hidden voices and why this is significant for both Biblical interpretation and the church. 

Ever wonder what the book of Hebrews is all about?  Why mention so much about Angels?  How is Christ understood in Hebrews?  And what is the unforgivable sin?  Join us in our conversation with Dr. George Guthrie as we seek to answer these questions and more.  Dr. Guthrie has over thirty years of experience in the book of Hebrews and has written an application commentary on it.  If you found this conversation intriguing and would like more check out Dr. Guthrie evening public lecture on Hebrews at Regent College.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEMDJJSck54 

How are we to understand the Torah?  What did law look like in the Israelite Ancient Near Eastern context?  Was Israel actually different or distinct from the surrounding cultures?  How did Paul and the New Testament authors view the Torah? Today we discuss these questions and more with Dr. John Walton and his new book The Lost World of the Torah: Law as Covenant and Wisdom in Ancient Context.  If you are interested in more content like this Dr. Walton will be teaching a summer course at Regent College.   https://www.regent-college.edu/summer/courses/timetable. 

Friendship is one of the most important human relationships. But in a culture focused on romance and the nuclear family, it often gets short shrift. Today, Drs. (and friends) Cindy Aalders and Maxine Hancock join us to talk about the vital importance of friendship––theologically, historically, and personally. What do we lose when we deprioritize friendship? How do we cultivate friendships that hold fast through grief, loss, and disappointment? What are some of the obstacles that inhibit intergenerational and cross-gender friendships––and how can we overcome them? And how does our friendship with each other nurture our friendship with God? Don't miss this important and encouraging conversation.To learn more about Regent College and its upcoming courses visit:www.regent-college.edu/

If humanity is made in the image of God, what can we learn from genetics? Today we're talking with Dr. Denis Alexander about how current scientific approaches to genetics square with a scriptural approach to human identity. What is the image of God? Is there a scientific equivalent to original sin? And is genetic enhancement okay? Join us for this fascinating exploration of theology and biology.Denis Alexander has served as Founding Director (Emeritus) of The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge; Chair of the Molecular Immunology Programme and Head of the Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development at The Babraham Institute; Editor of Science and Christian Belief; and member of the executive committee of the International Society for Science and Religion. He is the author of Genes, Determinism and God (CUP), Is There Purpose in Biology? (Oxford), and Are We Slaves to Our Genes? (CUP).To learn more about Regent College and its upcoming courses visit:www.regent-college.edu/

 Dr. Claudia Rossetto holds a MATS from Regent College and a D.Min. from Carey Theological College. She argues that western culture's emphasis on independence is contributing to a widespread experience of social isolation. Join us to learn about the difference between social isolation and loneliness, systemic and individual causes of social isolation, and the (possible) relationship between wealth and loneliness. Enjoy the podcast––and don't forget to leave a comment!To learn more about Regent College and its upcoming events and courses visit:www.regent-college.edu