Episodes

  • Faith in Action: The Ethical Journey Through Bonhoeffer's Lens with Dianne Rayson

    Faith in Action: The Ethical Journey Through Bonhoeffer's Lens with Dianne Rayson
    Feb 11 2025
    In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Pugh and Dr. Diana Rayson have an intimate conversation on the theology and ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Discover Dr. Rayson's journey from climate change activism to Bonhoeffer studies and her unique insight into applying Bonhoeffer's theology to contemporary issues like eco-theology and eco-ethics. Delve into Bonhoeffer’s radical ideas, his focus on Christ's presence in community, and the relevance of his teachings in today's world faced with challenges such as climate change and rising nationalism. This episode offers a rich dialogue on the intersection of historical theology and modern ethical dilemmas. Di Rayson is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji and is an ecotheologian and Bonhoeffer scholar, having published widely. Her first book was Bonhoeffer and Climate Change: Theology and Ethics for the Anthropocene. You can hear her previous conversation on the Homebrewed Christianity podcast - Bonhoeffer & Theology for the Anthropocene. 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. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Beyond Ethnocentrism: The Impact of Harlem on Bonhoeffer's Theology with Reggie Williams

    Beyond Ethnocentrism: The Impact of Harlem on Bonhoeffer's Theology with Reggie Williams
    Jan 28 2025
    In this conversation, Tripp & Jeff are joined by Dr. Reggie Williams to delve into the transformative journey of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Williams shares Bonhoeffer's origin story as a theologian and his profound engagement with the black church and Harlem Renaissance. They explore Bonhoeffer's initial philosophical and theological perspectives, his experiences in New York, and the radical shift in his understanding of faith through his encounters with the black community. The conversation also explores how Bonhoeffer's immersion in the Abyssinian Baptist Church and Harlem Renaissance influenced his views on suffering, racism, and Christian responsibility. Williams provides a nuanced view of Bonhoeffer, highlighting both his brilliance and the limitations of his ethnocentric perspectives, and examines the potential pitfalls of mythologizing historical figures without critical reflection. This episode offers deep insights into Bonhoeffer's legacy and its relevance today. Reggie L. Williams is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. He is the author of “Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance,” which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Title in 2015 in the field of religion. The book focuses on Bonhoeffer’s exposure to Harlem Renaissance intellectuals and worship at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist during his time at Union Seminary in New York from 1930 to 1931. He recently released the documentary film “The Cloud of Witnesses: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Harlem 1930/31." Here’s Reggie’s previous visits to the Homebrewed Christianity podcast: Is this a Bonhoeffer Moment? Bonhoeffer & the Critique of Religion Reggie Williams: Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus Debating, Praying, and Living with Tyrants This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Unfinished Hero

    The Unfinished Hero
    Dec 23 2024
    In this episode, we explore the profound theological struggle of Dietrich Bonhoeffer from prison. The discussion delves into Bonhoeffer’s critiques of traditional religious constructs and his vision of 'religionless Christianity.' We trace his time of imprisonment and eventual execution by the Nazis. In his letters from prison, Bonhoeffer wrestles with Christianity's relationship to the modern world, its future, and the profound question of how Christ is to be understood in a 'world come of age.' Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in this Episode Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Elanor McLaughlin is Tutor in Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, with a focus on doctrine and ethics. She holds theology degrees from the University of Oxford (BA and DPhil) and the University of Geneva (Maîtrise en Théologie). Her research interests include the life and thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theological anthropology and disability theology. Di Rayson is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji and is an ecotheologian and Bonhoeffer scholar, having published widely. Her first book was Bonhoeffer and Climate Change: Theology and Ethics for the Anthropocene. Di is an Anglican lay preacher, singer and cellist. When in Australia she lives on a small farm between the mountains and the sea. Barry Harvey is professor of theology in the Religion Department as well as in the Great Texts program of the Honors College here at Baylor University. Among other specialties, Barry is a Bonhoeffer scholar, exploring Bonhoeffer’s thought in classes, articles, and a book titled Taking Hold of the Real: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Profound Worldliness of Christianity. He has served on the Board of the International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section, and the Editorial Board of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Robert Vosloo is professor in Systematic theology at the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and a senior researcher at the Beyers Naudé Center for Public Theology at the same institution. His most recent book is entitled Reforming Memory: Essays on South African Church and Theological History. Reggie L. Williams is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. He is the author of “Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance,” which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Title in 2015 in the field of religion. The book focuses on Bonhoeffer’s exposure to Harlem Renaissance intellectuals and worship at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist during his time at Union Seminary in New York from 1930 to 1931. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Demythologizing Bonhoeffer

    Demythologizing Bonhoeffer
    Dec 9 2024
    In this episode of The Rise of Bonhoeffer, we delve into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life from the collapse of his seminary to his imprisonment, focusing on his involvement in anti-Nazi conspiracy and failed assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer's internal and external struggles under the oppressive Nazi regime are explored, including his banishment from Berlin, the closure of his seminary by the Gestapo, and the imprisonment of his students. His moral quandaries, including whether to serve in Hitler's army, his bonds with his family, and his eventual involvement in the anti-Nazi resistance, are discussed. The conversation demythologizes aspects of Bonhoeffer's legacy, providing historical clarity on his roles in Operation Seven and his non-involvement in direct assassination plots. To close, we look at his ethical struggle in his 'After 10 Years' letter, illustrating Bonhoeffer's enduring commitment to Christ in a time of cataclysmic moral challenge, making him a complex and unfinished hero of history. Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in this Episode Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Elanor McLaughlin is Tutor in Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, with a focus on doctrine and ethics. She holds theology degrees from the University of Oxford (BA and DPhil) and the University of Geneva (Maîtrise en Théologie). Her research interests include the life and thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, theological anthropology and disability theology. Michael DeJonge is Professor and Chair of the Religious Studies department, where he teaches about the history of Christian thought, theories and methods in religious studies, and religion in modern society. He’s been teaching at USF since earning a Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University in 2009. Barry Harvey is professor of theology in the Religion Department as well as in the Great Texts program of the Honors College here at Baylor University. Among other specialties, Barry is a Bonhoeffer scholar, exploring Bonhoeffer’s thought in classes, articles, and a book titled Taking Hold of the Real: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Profound Worldliness of Christianity. He has served on the Board of the International Bonhoeffer Society, English Language Section, and the Editorial Board of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Di Rayson is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji and is an ecotheologian and Bonhoeffer scholar, having published widely. Her first book was Bonhoeffer and Climate Change: Theology and Ethics for the Anthropocene. Di is an Anglican lay preacher, singer and cellist. When in Australia she lives on a small farm between the mountains and the sea. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,00 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Community & the Cost of Discipleship: The Seminary that Defied Nazis

    Community & the Cost of Discipleship: The Seminary that Defied Nazis
    Nov 25 2024
    In this episode of 'The Rise of Bonhoeffer, ' we explore Dietrich Bonhoeffer's transition from London back to Germany, focusing on his time at the Finkenwalde seminary. This period is crucial as it shapes Bonhoeffer's most significant works like 'The Cost of Discipleship' and 'Life Together'. The discussion delves into his influences in London, his unfulfilled desire to study under Gandhi, and his visits to monastic communities. The conversation also highlights Bonhoeffer's struggle against the Nazi infiltration of the church, his emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount, and his commitment to forming an authentic Christian community as a means of resistance. The episode ends by addressing the challenges faced by Finkenwalde due to increasing Nazi oppression, leading to its eventual shutdown. Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in this Episode Andrew Root is Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, Faith Formation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Congregation in a Secular Age, Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Church after Innovation, and The End of Youth Ministry? He is a frequent speaker and hosts the popular and influential When Church Stops Working podcast. Michael DeJonge is Professor and Chair of the Religious Studies department, where he teaches about the history of Christian thought, theories and methods in religious studies, and religion in modern society. He’s been teaching at USF since earning a Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University in 2009. Lori Brandt Hale, trained in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion, specializes in the life and legacy of German theologian and Nazi resister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and currently serves as the president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language. She is the co-editor of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance. She is also the co-author of Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians. The Rev. Dr. Jennifer M. McBride (Ph.D. University of Virginia) is Associate Rector for Formation at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Previously she served as Associate Professor of Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary and held the Board of Regents Endowed Chair in Ethics at Wartburg College. McBride is the recent past president of the International Bonhoeffer Society and serves as co-editor of the T&T Clark book series, New Studies in Bonhoeffer’s Theology and Ethics. She is author of You Shall Not Condemn: A Story of Faith and Advocacy on Death Row, Radical Discipleship, The Church for the World, and is co-editor of Bonhoeffer and King: Their Legacies and Import for Christian Social Thought. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Setting the Table in the Midst of Nazis

    Setting the Table in the Midst of Nazis
    Nov 11 2024
    In the fifth episode of The Rise of Bonhoeffer, we begin in the pivotal year of 1933. As Hitler ascends to power, massive transformations occur in Germany, impacting both society and the church. The episode explores Bonhoeffer's resistance to Nazi influence, the formation and legacy of the Confessing Church, Bonhoeffer's move to London, and his eventual return to Germany to steer an underground seminary at Finkenwalde. Key events such as the drafting of the Bethel Confession, the German Christian movement's alignment with Nazi ideology, and the significance of the Barmen Declaration are explored. This episode uncovers Bonhoeffer’s theological struggles, his unwavering fight against anti-Semitism and authoritarianism within the church, and his turn to the ecumenical movement as allies in waging peace. Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in this Episode Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Reggie L. Williams is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. He is the author of “Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance,” which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Title in 2015 in the field of religion. The book focuses on Bonhoeffer’s exposure to Harlem Renaissance intellectuals and worship at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist during his time at Union Seminary in New York from 1930 to 1931. Lori Brandt Hale, trained in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion, specializes in the life and legacy of German theologian and Nazi resister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and currently serves as the president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language. She is the co-editor of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance. She is also the co-author of Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians. Stephen Haynes is the Albert Bruce Curry Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and Theologian-in-Residence at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. He is a Dietrich Bonhoeffer scholar and author or editor of over 14 books including The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon, The Bonhoeffer Legacy, and The Battle for Bonhoeffer: Debating Discipleship in the Age of Trump. In this book, Haynes examines “populist” readings of Bonhoeffer, including court evangelical Eric Metaxas’s book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The Roots of Antisemitism and Bonhoeffer’s Paradigm of Resistance

    The Roots of Antisemitism and Bonhoeffer’s Paradigm of Resistance
    Oct 28 2024
    The journey through the turbulent years preceding World War II in Germany is a complex narrative that intertwines politics, religion, and individual courage. At the center of our story lies Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and participant in the resistance against Nazi ideology within the German church. This episode unpacks the depths of Christian antisemitism, the pressures faced within German society, and Bonhoeffer’s ideological and practical responses to these challenges. Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in this Episode Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Michael DeJonge is Professor and Chair of the Religious Studies department, where he teaches about the history of Christian thought, theories and methods in religious studies, and religion in modern society. He holds the endowed Chair named in memory of James F. Strange, who was a respected colleague and beloved teacher in the department for forty years. He’s been teaching at USF since earning a Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University in 2009. He has been a Fulbright Scholar, a Fellow of the Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies, a Volkswagen/Mellon Fellow at the Leibniz-Institute for European History in Mainz, Germany, and Visiting Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Theology and Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in New York. John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Nazi Idolatry & the German Church Struggle

    Nazi Idolatry & the German Church Struggle
    Oct 14 2024
    This episode of The Rise of Bonhoeffer explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's experiences after returning to Germany. Transformed by his time in New York City, he visits the theologian who first awakened the conscience of the German church to the rising totalitarian idolatry - Karl Barth. The episode tracks his burgeoning role in the German church struggle from his initial involvement in the ecumenical movement, his time as a youth minister to the working class of Berlin, and his entrance into the academic classroom. After Hitler is sworn in as Chancellor and the rapid Nazification of Germany begins, Bonhoeffer comes to see the deep discipleship needed to resist the spreading German Christian Faith Movement. As Germany falls deeper into chaos, Bonhoeffer navigates the shifting political landscape, establishing international connections that later prove crucial during his resistance against the Nazi regime. Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here. Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here. Featured Scholars in the Episode include: Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer's complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Andrew Root is Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, Faith Formation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Congregation in a Secular Age, Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Church after Innovation, and The End of Youth Ministry? He is a frequent speaker and hosts the popular and influential When Church Stops Working podcast. W. Travis McMaken, PhD, is the Butler Bible Endowed Professor of Religion and Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. He is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). McMaken’s writing engages primarily with 20th century theology (esp. Protestant theology, with specialization in Karl Barth, Helmut Gollwitzer, and T. F. Torrance) while working constructively on the subjects of sacramentology, ecclesiology, and political theology. Check out his recently edited book Karl Barth: Spiritual Writings. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins