The Two Cities

In this episode we’re joined by Professor Curtis Freeman, who is Ruth D. Duncan Director of the Baptist House of Studies and Research Professor of Theology and Baptist Studies at Duke Divinity School, and he’s the author of Pilgrim Letters, and the book that we’re excited to discuss in this episode, Pilgrim Journey. In our conversation we talk about the value of speaking Christianly about the world so that the church can be the church during throughout the journey of life, drawing upon Scripture, catechetical tradition, the Christian calendar, and the creeds. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Amber Bowen and Dr. John Anthony Dunne.

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Jonathan Downie (PhD, Heriot-Watt University), who is a Consultant Interpreter and Researcher in Multilingual Churches, and the author of Multilingual Church: Strategies for Making Disciples in All Languages (w/ William Carey Publishing). Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Downie articulates the importance of multilingualism as something that churches should incorporate and embrace rather than conveniently ignore. We talk best practices, how language is more than verbal communication, how multilingualism would impact different denominations differently, and how multilingualism relates to the church’s approach to topics like immigration and the global refugee crisis. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Rev. Daniel Parham, and Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne.

Dr. Barnabas Aspray is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD and the author of a recent article in the academic journal, Modern Theology, called "Jesus Was A Refugee: Unpacking the Theological Implications."In this episode Dr. Aspray addresses the topic of the refugee crisis around the world by building upon the notion of the Holy Family as refugees in their flight to Egypt in Matthew's Gospel, and by putting a finer point on how all of humanity are, in a particular theological sense, refugees. As he carefully explains, his nuanced approach is not meant to diminish the experiences of refugees, but to highlight our shared humanity with them as a to buttress our international humanitarian efforts.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Warne, and Dr. Logan Williams.

CW: violence against children, assault, domestic partner violence, adverse religious experiences, suicideRev. Dr. Scott Harrower is Lecturer in Christian Thought at Ridley College and an ordained minister in the Anglican Church.In this episode, Revd Dr. Harrower offers a theological response to trauma through the doctrine of the Trinity–reflected in large part in his book God of All Comfort. We talk about how his background as a nurse informs his work as a theologian and pastor, how a richer understanding of the Trinity can provide secure attachment, and how the Gospel of Matthew offers a horrors and comfort together.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Madison Pierce, and Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Porter.

CW: adverse religious experiencesDr. Charles Kiser is a pastor and theologian with Storyline Christian Community in Dallas, TX, and Dr. Elanie Heath is the former Dean of Duke Divinity School and the author of The Mystic Way of Evangelism and Loving the Hell Out of Ourselves (and Others).In this episode, we talk about Dr. Kiser’s and Dr. Heath’s recent book Trauma-Informed Evangelism. In addition to defining terms like “trauma” and “trauma-informed,” they tell how the book came about and the source of many of its stories. They also share how their approach centers those with whom Christ is being shared–allowing them to take the place of “host,” especially as they find safety post-religious trauma. Along the way, they explore various intersections of trauma and theology, such as the way that God offers empathy to those in pain.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Dr. Madison Pierce.

CW: murder, depressionDr. Matthew D. Kim is the Professor of Practical Theology; Holder of the Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Chair of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Seminary at Baylor University.In this episode, Dr. Kim introduces us to his book Preaching to People in Pain (Baker Academic, 2021) and his broader philosophies around trauma informed preaching. He explains some of the ways that preachers can attend to the pain of their congregations, attend to their own pain faithfully, and can ensure that those things do not override the primary message of the texts being preached. He also provides some very helpful examples of each.Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng, and Dr. Madison Pierce.