Theology Nerd Throwdown

What's up Theology Nerds! This week on TNT, Bo and I kick things off with the breaking news about the new American Pope from Chicago (perfect timing for a Bear's Super Bowl win?) before diving into a deep theological conversation about the future of liberal Christianity. Following last week's rather pessimistic outlook, we explore more hopeful possibilities for revitalizing liberal theology. We discuss the potential of engaging the cultural desire for re-enchantment, reclaiming myth, and adopting what Gary Dorrien calls "metaphysical courage" - making strong theological claims while maintaining intellectual humility. Bo and I nerd out HARD on Paul Ricœur's approach to reading sacred texts, discussing how he calls us to be hermeneutical interpreters, phenomenologists who bracket assumptions, and theological thinkers who allow ourselves to be appropriated by the text. We explore how religious truth functions more as a "porous knowledge" than propositional certainty, and why tending to questions might be more important than providing answers. This episode gets into some legit philosophical territory (with special shoutouts to David Tracy, who passed away this week). If you've been feeling a bit hopeless about the state of liberal Christianity, this conversation might just offer some theological fuel for your journey. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/live/SAAUfQdgZiw?si=4JHVlyIuw8MRiA5i] Don't forget we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! ⁠⁠CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/2786/877/h3bi6rlu68r5a3e4] Join us at Theology Beer Camp this October 16-18 in St. Paul, MN. [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] Theology Beer Camp ⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/]is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. This event features a lineup of well-known podcasters, scholars, and theology enthusiasts who come together to "nerd out" on theological topics while enjoying loads of fun activities. Guests this year include John Dominic Crossan, Kelly Brown Douglas, Philip Clayton, Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Jeffery Pugh, Juan Floyd-Thomas, Andy Root, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Noreen Herzfeld, Reggie Williams, Casper ter Kuile, and more! ⁠Get info and tickets here⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/]. Upcoming Online Class:⁠⁠ Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠ [https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/rediscovering-the-spirit-info-page/] "⁠⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost⁠⁠ [https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/rediscovering-the-spirit-info-page/]" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. ⁠⁠As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. ⁠⁠ [https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/rediscovering-the-spirit-info-page/] _____________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] This podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://trippfuller.com/] production. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], ⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/theologynerd], & ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/] podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://processthis.substack.com/] Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theologyclass.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], send ⁠⁠⁠⁠feedback/questions⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://castfeedback.com/hbc] or become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠member of the HBC Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://trippfuller.com/community/]. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What's up, Theology Nerds! In this episode, Bo and I tackle the existential question: "Does Liberal Christianity Have a Future?" Spoiler alert: Bo doesn't think it does, and his explanation involves both elevators and human eardrums! We dive into the fascinating history and predicaments of liberal theology, exploring why churches with endowed organs might be spiritually starving. I share five theological predicaments identified by scholars like Catherine Keller and Steven Webb (who inspired Bo to drop a mic with his observation that liberal theology is "too secular for believers, too religious for secularists, and too academic for non-theologians"). Bo confessed his own struggles with Bible literacy and shared some pushback from his congregation about a sermon suggesting people shouldn't read the Bible alone. We unpack the cultural shifts making mainline Protestantism increasingly obsolete - from the sociology of Sundays to the commodification of identity. Bo introduces his "perfect storm" theory about why liberalism's prioritization of the individual creates an irreconcilable tension with Christianity's commitment to community in our consumer capitalist context. This episode gets nerdy, punchy, and occasionally brutal in our assessment, but we're saving our potential solutions for next time! Don't forget we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! ⁠CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE⁠ [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/2786/877/h3bi6rlu68r5a3e4] You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/live/hkx10nikb1k] Don't forget - ⁠Theology Beer Camp ⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/]is coming up! Get your tickets at theologybeercamp.com. For our Christology series, check out ⁠ManyFacesOfChrist.com⁠ [http://manyfacesofchrist.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1kvmKqcuNrWuPuSbbFRc2Cbdxh6F3mPnCuRwKlgWDPxm49izXA8f8F_-o_aem_oBeWAM_n8XqnJPxlnzCYow] . Until next time, keep thinking deeply and drinking good beer! ⁠You can WATCH the conversation on YOUTUBE⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/live/fMBfWVhd1sM?si=-P47G3KG33OHi9GG] 3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends. ONLINE CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Many Faces of Christ Today The question Jesus asked his disciples still resonates today: "Who do you say that I am?" Join our transformative 5-week online learning community as we explore a rich tapestry of contemporary Christologies. Experience how diverse theological voices create a compelling vision of Jesus Christ for today's world. Expand your spiritual horizons. Challenge your assumptions. Enrich your faith. As always, the class is donation-based (including 0), so head over to ⁠ManyFacesOfChrist.com⁠ [http://manyfacesofchrist.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1kvmKqcuNrWuPuSbbFRc2Cbdxh6F3mPnCuRwKlgWDPxm49izXA8f8F_-o_aem_oBeWAM_n8XqnJPxlnzCYow] for more details and to sign up! _____________________ ⁠Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. ⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] This podcast is a ⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠ [https://trippfuller.com/] production. Follow ⁠the Homebrewed Christianity⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], ⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/theologynerd], & ⁠The Rise of Bonhoeffer⁠ [https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/] podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our⁠ Substack - Process This!⁠ [https://processthis.substack.com/] Get instant access to over 45 classes at ⁠www.TheologyClass.com⁠ [https://theologyclass.com/] ⁠Follow the podcast, drop a review⁠ [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], send ⁠feedback/questions⁠ [https://castfeedback.com/hbc] or become a ⁠member of the HBC Community⁠ [https://trippfuller.com/community/]. ⁠Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025⁠ [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What's up Theology Nerds! Today's episode goes all over the place - from Easter rituals to mandatory Bible readings, with plenty of religious baggage unpacked along the way. Bo starts us off with his discomfort over some potentially mandatory Bible reading legislation in Idaho (which I kept confusing with Iowa - my bad, flyover state friends). This leads to a fascinating discussion about religious literacy versus using religion as a tool of conformity and exclusion in education systems. We share some personal stories - including my "Resurrection Smoke-a-thon" Easter tradition with themed cigars and smoked meats (because nothing says "resurrection" like brisket and tobacco), and Bo's frustration with having the EXACT SAME conversation with locals every week as a Methodist minister in a community where only 4-6% of people would ever consider attending his church. The loneliness epidemic gets real as Bo talks about eating Easter dinner alone and the challenge of building meaningful relationships when you know the denomination will move you in 5 years. We unpack how late-stage capitalism is shredding our social fabric, delaying home ownership and family formation, which historically provided entry points to community. In true TNT fashion, we tangent into: * The toxic effects of social media (seriously, studies show quitting improves your mental health as much as TWO YEARS of quality therapy) * A proposed Bible Quiz Bowl showdown at Theology Beer Camp featuring recovering Sword Drill champions * My college-era protest of wearing an Ezekiel 23:20 t-shirt to a Bible inerrancy event (the verse about donkey genitals...) * The passing of Pope Francis and his open-handed approach to Catholic tradition * Post-liberal theology, narrative approaches to scripture, and creeds as questions rather than conclusions * For our next episode, we're bringing back the topic we skipped today: "Does Liberal Theology Have a Future?" Also, we want YOU to send us audio recordings making the case for which Bible verses should be mandatory reading if schools start requiring it. The more interesting your take, the more likely we'll feature it! CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE [https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/2786/877/h3bi6rlu68r5a3e4] Don't forget - Theology Beer Camp [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/]is coming up! Get your tickets at theologybeercamp.com. For our Christology series, check out ManyFacesOfChrist.com [http://manyfacesofchrist.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1kvmKqcuNrWuPuSbbFRc2Cbdxh6F3mPnCuRwKlgWDPxm49izXA8f8F_-o_aem_oBeWAM_n8XqnJPxlnzCYow] . Until next time, keep thinking deeply and drinking good beer! You can WATCH the conversation on YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/live/fMBfWVhd1sM?si=-P47G3KG33OHi9GG] THEOLOGY BEER CAMP | ST. PAUL, MN | OCTOBER 16-18, 2025 [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] 3 DAYS OF CRAFT NERDINESS WITH 50+ THEOLOGIANS & GOD-PODS AND 600 NEW FRIENDS. ONLINE CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT: The Many Faces of Christ Today The question Jesus asked his disciples still resonates today: "Who do you say that I am?" Join our transformative 5-week online learning community as we explore a rich tapestry of contemporary Christologies. Experience how diverse theological voices create a compelling vision of Jesus Christ for today's world. Expand your spiritual horizons. Challenge your assumptions. Enrich your faith. As always, the class is donation-based (including 0), so head over to ManyFacesOfChrist.com [http://manyfacesofchrist.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1kvmKqcuNrWuPuSbbFRc2Cbdxh6F3mPnCuRwKlgWDPxm49izXA8f8F_-o_aem_oBeWAM_n8XqnJPxlnzCYow] for more details and to sign up! _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity [https://trippfuller.com/] production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], Theology Nerd Throwdown [https://followthepodcast.com/theologynerd], & The Rise of Bonhoeffer [https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/] podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! [https://processthis.substack.com/] Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com [https://theologyclass.com/] Follow the podcast, drop a review [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], send feedback/questions [https://castfeedback.com/hbc] or become a member of the HBC Community [https://trippfuller.com/community/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this episode, we were joined by surprise guest Josh Patterson from the Rethinking Faith Podcast, who subjects Bo to his signature "20 Questions" game. The conversation ranges from lighthearted to profound as Bo considers which biblical book he would eliminate, which religious figure would make the worst associate pastor, and why he remains a Christian despite doubts. The discussion weaves through topics including Native American spirituality, Tom Bombadil from Lord of the Rings, wild adventures at theology conferences, and questions Bo would ask if Jesus appeared before him. Throughout the conversation, Bo reflects that his continued faith journey has been marked not by steady progress but by fortunate encounters with guides who've helped him stumble forward despite his self-described "train wreck" nature. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/live/-BM704Tb_eI?si=fXgoqb7pdRKniDXu] THEOLOGY BEER CAMP | ST. PAUL, MN | OCTOBER 16-18, 2025 [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] 3 DAYS OF CRAFT NERDINESS WITH 50+ THEOLOGIANS & GOD-PODS AND 600 NEW FRIENDS. A FIVE-WEEK ONLINE LENTEN CLASS W/ JOHN DOMINIC CROSSAN Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here. [https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/paulthepharisee/] _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity [https://trippfuller.com/] production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], Theology Nerd Throwdown [https://followthepodcast.com/theologynerd], & The Rise of Bonhoeffer [https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/] podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! [https://processthis.substack.com/] Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com [https://theologyclass.com/] Follow the podcast, drop a review [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], send feedback/questions [https://castfeedback.com/hbc] or become a member of the HBC Community [https://trippfuller.com/community/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Tripp and Bo dive into a fascinating theological discussion about Daniel 10 and its interpretation in this episode of the Theology Nerd Throwdown. Bo, who is preaching through Daniel, seeks Tripp's insights on how progressive Christians can approach the text's three-tiered cosmology featuring territorial spirits and angelic battles. They explore various ways to understand ancient worldviews without dismissing them, including how some modern Christians have used these concepts for potentially problematic practices like "spiritual mapping" and "prayer walking." The conversation touches on colonialism in missions, cultural sensitivity, and how the same text that describes cosmic battles can be weaponized for xenophobic purposes or reimagined through a lens of cultural humility. Throughout their dialogue, they weave in personal stories about mission trips, theological embarrassments, and how contextual theology might offer better approaches to understanding both ancient texts and cultural differences. You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/live/BzMFg5LuQ2g?si=L2vA9XX1h5E7XhWJ] THEOLOGY BEER CAMP | ST. PAUL, MN | OCTOBER 16-18, 2025 [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] 3 DAYS OF CRAFT NERDINESS WITH 50+ THEOLOGIANS & GOD-PODS AND 600 NEW FRIENDS. A FIVE-WEEK ONLINE LENTEN CLASS W/ JOHN DOMINIC CROSSAN Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here. [https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/paulthepharisee/] _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. [https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/] This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity [https://trippfuller.com/] production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], Theology Nerd Throwdown [https://followthepodcast.com/theologynerd], & The Rise of Bonhoeffer [https://www.bonhoefferpodcast.com/] podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! [https://processthis.substack.com/] Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com [https://theologyclass.com/] Follow the podcast, drop a review [https://followthepodcast.com/hbc], send feedback/questions [https://castfeedback.com/hbc] or become a member of the HBC Community [https://trippfuller.com/community/]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]