Pub Theology Live

This week we discuss what we would want on an ultimate sandwich. We also discuss whether the Apostle Paul believed in penal substitutionary atonement, whether current political policies might be considered 'Christian', and whether God really needs or wants to be praised all the time. Plus: what kind of communion bread is the best?

We are BACK! After a brief hiatus, the gang returns to talk about the Winter Olympics, some recent events, and the all important question of whether Jesus actually walked on water or whether the disciples even knew how to swim. You are not going to want to miss this episode - the most fun we have had on a show in a long time. Grab a favorite beverage and your ear buds, and tune in!

This week we pay homage to Martin Luther King Jr, discussing some of his work and actions. We ask: what is the civil rights issue of our day? Is protesting at worship or disrupting church an OK thing? Where do you draw the line? And how does one discern what laws are right and good, and which ones should be broken in the name of justice?

We discuss the tragic shooting by ICE in Minneapolis of an unarmed mother, how to focus when the news is constant and bad, how to expose evil without participating in it, and more!

We are back! We discuss plans and hopes for the new year, wrestle with the question of evil, and the political nature of Epiphany. We also touch on events in Venezuela as well as religious beliefs that it is best to unlearn. Grab a favorite beverage and tune in!

Episode 329: It's the Goddamn Story—Christmas Episode by Pub Theology

This week we discuss what we are thankful for, as well as our favorite pie to eat at Thanksgiving. We also discuss John 3:17 and what it means to say God sent God's on into the world to save it and not condemn. We also discuss other ways of thinking, peaceful protest, and some wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita. Tune in!

On a scale of 1-10, one being "no worries" and 10 being "totally stressed out" — what level of anxiety do you generally feel on a given day? We discuss our responses, plus what lowers that stress and makes us happy! We also discuss Jesus' admonition not to worry about tomorrow: good advice, or applicable only to people of privilege? We also discuss fear, political usage of Scripture, and more!

Have you ever engaged with a random tester, someone possibly trying to phish you? How did that go? What is the difference between judging and discerning? Why are more women than men leaving evangelicalism? And how would you respond in an awkward social situation? We discuss it all!

We wax nostalgic about favorite Halloween costumes of times past, as well as favorite candy - right now! What is your favorite? We also discuss the wisdom of ancestors, the evolving story of Christianity, harmful theology, and whether God has a religion. Tune in!

The word 'Christian' was originally used as a slur against early Jesus followers. Today that term is problematic for different reasons. What is your own relationship to that moniker, and how has that changed over time? Bryan, Shannon and Ogun discuss, plus much more!

On this episode we discuss favorite books, the importance of reading (is listening to an audio book 'reading'?), and truth. Plus, why do Anne Frank's words from long ago resonate so strongly today, and why do immigrants get such a bad rap, considering the numerous biblical calls to welcome the stranger? We discuss!

Would you cash a check from someone who has seriously hurt you? How much would it take for you to take the money from someone like that? Shannon sets a low bar, Ogun needs more zeroes. We discuss that, plus the theology of "seed faith," the call for the church to be prophetic in these times, and more!

Shannon, Bryan and Ogun survive the rapture to discuss their own end-times experiences, reactions to the Charlie Kirk Memorial, James Baldwin on disagreement, and staying calm. Tune in! It's not Shannon's first rodeo, ahem, rapture.

Bryan, Shannon and Ogun are back! We kick off our fall season discussing fall, the Charlie Kirk tragedy, spite, and peacemaking.

We discuss our favorite things to enjoy off the grill or smoker on a holiday weekend, whereby Ogun learns about pork butt. We also discuss the fusion of patriotism and Christianity, the comfort or terror one received as a child from the concept that "God sees all," and whether there is an unbridgeable abyss or chasm between ourselves and other people or other creatures. Tune in to our summer send-off episode!

We discuss the metaphor of the "tricycle of faith": Scripture, tradition, and personal experience. Which of these three wheels is most important to you? Does it matter which of these serves as the front wheel, thereby steering the whole operation? Ogun and Bryan press this metaphor as far as it will go, until the wheels nearly come off. Tune in as we suggest other metaphors as well. We also discuss pickle ball and whether getting high can augment one's religious experience.

Episode 317: We Need Better by Pub Theology

Bryan and Ogun discuss a dairy farm run on Hindu principles: does their approach of free-range, non-violent farming approaches actually make the milk taste better and of higher quality? We discuss that, plus the death and funeral of Pope Francis, the role of doubt, and Pascal's wager.

Our Holy Week episode! Bryan and Ogun are back to discuss everything from Palm Sunday to Easter: why did the people move so quickly from cheering Jesus on Sunday to calling for his execution on Friday? Was Judas a necessary cog in the plan for Jesus to die on the cross? If so, shouldn't he also be revered as a sacrifice? We also discuss Holy Week in Spain, where observances include grand processions and are much more public, as well as Holy Saturday, and what we can learn from this time of silence, absence and unknowing. Finally, we discuss the phone-less setting of the Masters, and the power of being present at such an event.