The Two Cities

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Jesse Nickel, who is a member of the Faculty of Biblical Studies at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, British Columbia and the author of the new book, A Revolutionary Jesus: Violence and Peacemaking in the Kingdom of God (published by Fortress). Over the course of our conversation, we talk about Jesus’s non-violent kingdom and his call to peacemaking, noting, among other things, how pacifism is not passive-ism. As we reflect on Dr. Nickel’s book we make connections to the post-election climate in the States. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Brandon Hurlbert.

In this episode we’re joined by Kaitlyn Schiess, who is a Doctoral Student at Duke Divinity School, the Co-host of the Holy Post podcast and host of the Curiously Kaitlyn podcast, and the author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Her (published by Brazos). Over the course of our conversation, Kaitlyn shares with us how she’s processing the results of the US Elections while also offering us many wise words about managing the diverse emotional responses expressed by people in our churches and neighborhoods, the need to be curious in order to cultivate empathy for others, and the importance of showing up locally instead of being so nationally-focused, among many other valuable insights. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities: Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Madison Pierce, and Dr. Logan Williams.

In this episode we’re joined by Professor Sam Perry, who is Sam K. Viersen Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma is the Department of Sociology and the author of several books, including two on the topic of Christian Nationalism, Taking America Back for God (with Andrew Whitehead, published by Oxford University Press), and The Flag and the Cross (with Philip Gorski, published by Oxford University Press). In this episode, Professor Perry talks about Christian Nationalism as an Ideology, identity, and political strategy. He also distinguishes between patriotism (which is about stewardship) and nationalism (which is about exclusion and rivalry). The conversation talks about some recent trends with Christian Nationalism that has developed since Prof. Perry’s books on the topic have appeared. While being informative, Prof. Perry also offers some practical advice for the road ahead after the elections are over. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Brandon Hurlbert, Rev. Dr. Chris Porter, and Dr. Logan Williams.

 In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Yii-Jan Lin, who is Associate Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School and the author of the forthcoming book,  Immigration and Apocalypse: How the Book of Revelation Shaped American Immigration (with Yale University Press). Over the course of our conversation we discuss the conflation of America with the New Jerusalem in political rhetoric, and the implications that has for how some conservative politicians talk about immigration. We discuss pressing issues with immigration in America, our respective family experiences with immigration, and why we should not read Revelation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: The Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Adishian, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, Dr. Grace Emmett, and the Rev. Dr. Chris Porter.

In this episode we’re talking about Preaching and Politics with Professor Matthew Kim and Dr. Paul Hoffman. Professor Matthew Kim is Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership and the Holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism at Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, and Dr. Paul Hoffman is lead pastor of Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Together they are the authors of Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity (published by Baker Academic). In this episode we talk about preaching in the light of the present political climate in the run-up to the US elections, and our guests emphasize the importance of discussing our identity in Christ over against a political party, how we might be guilty of making politics an idol, that fear is not a theological virtue, and that at the end of the day Christ is Lord no matter what happens. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. Josh Carroll, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, and Dr. Grace Sangalang Ng.

In this episode we’re joined by Rev. Dr. N. Gray Sutanto, who is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and the author or editor of several books on Neo-Calvinism and the theology of the Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck, including translating into English some of his previously untranslated works. Over the course of our conversation we talk about education, politics, and other elements related to the cultural mandate and the application of Reformed thought to culture. The episode is a bit of a hinge, functioning as a Protestant perspective on monasticism and asceticism, and as an entry point into our forthcoming episodes on politics and social life. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Rev. Daniel Parham.

In this episode, we're joined by Br. Christian Matson, Ph.D., who is a Hermit in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington and the director of a theatre company focused on suicide prevention called Earendel Theatricals (earendelonstage.com). Over the course of our conversation, Br. Matson tells us about his unique journey to religious life, first as someone who converted from Protestantism to Catholicism and then as someone who struggled to find a religious order that would accept him as someone who identifies as transgender, which he explains in the episode. Br. Matson's story is one of perseverance and a resilient commitment to Christ as he faced opposition to his calling to religious life. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Rev. Daniel Parham.

In this episode we're joined by Rev. Dr. Isaac Augustine Morales, OP, who is Associate Professor of Theology at Providence College, an ordained Catholic priest, and a member of the Order of Preachers. Over the course of our conversation, Fr. Morales tells us about his journey in joining the Order of Preachers, what is distinct about the Dominican Order within the various branches of Religious Life, and we talk about how things like wearing his habit affects his teaching. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John Anthony Dunne and Rev. Daniel Parham.