Beer, Conversation, and God. People have been gathering in pubs and public spaces for ages, talking about life, philosophy, faith, and deep questions of meaning. Now we're bringing the conversation to the interwebs. Visit pubtheology.com for more info and to start a gathering of your own. Visit patreon.com/ptlive for more content including pre and post show discussions and interviews with special guests.
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Episode 294: Live at the Wild Goose Festival!
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Shannon and Ogun are joined by guest host Cameron Highsmith and friends live at the Wild Goose Festival in Asheville, North Carolina! Together they discuss routine, the nature of Scripture, and the limits of language. You don't want to miss this engaging, crowd-sourced episode!By Pub Theology
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Episode 293: Harrison Butker's World
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Shannon, Ogun and Bryan discuss the controversial remarks by Kansas City Kicker Harrison Butker at a recent college commencement ceremony. Are his remarks about women understandable given the context? Are they indefensible? What is the worldview that creates and supports such a perspective? We also look at the troubling text in 1 Timothy 2 which ca…
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Bryan, Shannon and Ogun discuss the life and times of an AI Priest named Father Justin. How and why did things go wrong? Will there be future such attempts at integrating artificial intelligence with religion and spirituality? We also discuss the question of meeting a man or a bear in the woods, and whether pluralism is at risk in the US and beyond…
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This week Bryan and Ogun discuss the news of the move toward full inclusion of LGBTQ+ folks in the United Methodist Church: was it worth losing thousands of churches to finally arrive at this place? We also discuss media coverage of the campus protests, the slowness of justice, and co-opting praise songs.…
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Shannon is back! We discuss the current college protests and whether teaching competition in education leads to war. We also discuss Russell Brand's baptism and conversion to Christianity, which he says will allow him to "leave the past behind." Can you ever truly leave the past behind? We also discuss the idea of Christian pluralism and the plan o…
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Bryan and Ogun discuss the challenge of finding work/life balance, especially when it comes to making time for one's spiritual life. A church in the UK is attempting short, 15-minute "micro services" to help people fit worship into their busy lives. We discuss whether this is an appropriate concession to our busy world, or caving to modern pressure…
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Episode 288: Be Fruitful and Multiply
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Ogun shares about the green monkey infestation on the island of Barbados, and we wonder whether we humans are the monkeys when it comes to planet Earth. In light of Earth Day, we discuss environmental challenges, whether AI will wipe us out to solve climate change, and what we are worried about most. We also discuss tax day, and whether taxes shoul…
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It's our Eclipse Episode! Shannon and Bryan share their eclipse experiences in Maryland and Michigan. We also reflect on religious views on the eclipse event, and what kind of meaning might be ascribed to such a celestial happening. We also discuss a new documentary which posits that Jesus was not just a vegetarian, he was the "OG animal activist."…
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Episode 286: The Price of Betrayal [Adjusted for Inflation]
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Should Judas have held out for more money? In our pre-Holy Week episode we discuss whether people are more interested in being affirmed in their current beliefs than discovering the truth, and the problematic theological view known as supersessionism. Plus: was Saint Patrick a hero or something more sinister, considering how he treated folks who pr…
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Episode 285: All God's Creatures... And All That
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We discuss the role of animal chaplain, where someone will do pastoral care and funerals for those who lose a beloved dog, cat or goat. Is this a role the church needs to put more emphasis on? We discuss. We also compare Ramadan and Lent, talk about the Bible vs the Word of God, the emergent church, and whether cabbage is the new bacon. Plus: favor…
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Episode 284: God Ordains It [When It's What I Want]
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Shannon and Bryan discuss whether God appoints people to leadership positions at certain moments in history; cough—Donald Trump; we also discuss how good the church really is at forgiveness and extending grace, and whether trying to have faith over fear is a good thing. Also, we celebrate all things March, and discuss what space there is or should …
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Are you someone who creates a life plan? Or do you just take it one day at a time? We discuss that, as well as the Apostle Paul's chastisement of church members who are arguing and grumbling. When is complaining OK, and when is it a sign of a deeper issue? We also discuss the first of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, and the troubling rise of Christian n…
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Karl Marx said, “Philosophers seek to understand the world; the point, however, is to change it.” We discuss whether our tendency is to research, analyze and understand before making a decision, or if we are quicker to just act. And is there a difference between men and women on this? We also discuss our communication styles, as Ogun claims immedia…
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Episode 281: We are the New Boomers
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It's our Post-Super Bowl, Lent-Kickoff episode! We talk the halftime show, commercials, and in particular the Jesus "He Gets Us" ads. Are they a bait and switch? We also discuss Lent and Ash Wednesday, and Bryan learns that purgatory is no longer official Catholic doctrine. We also discuss heaven and hell in light of Bryan's colonoscopy experience.…
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Shannon is back! We discuss whether society is moving further away from religion as it progresses, how our views of God have changed over the years, and what a 'religionless Christianity' might look like. Plus, Bryan doesn't know how to do voicemail, and is fasting before his first colonoscopy experience. What will they discover, in the end? Lots o…
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A town in Ohio is suing a pastor for providing shelter for the unhoused. The town's name is Bryan, OH. Bryan and Ogun discuss the reasons the city may have for doing this, and why local businesses would be better off siding with the church than with the city. We also discuss the sins of our ancestors, and our shifting social media usage. Plus, Brya…
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Bryan and Shannon, sans Ogun, discuss the attempt by scientists to create social robots who can care for people experiencing dementia, among others. Can robots truly be social? We also discuss the concept of loneliness, whether it is always or ever voluntary, and differentiate solitude from being lonely. Also: did creation happen because was God lo…
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While Shannon enjoys a German beer called "Hell," we discuss being over the moon and lunar trivia. We also consider the law of reciprocity, and whether being generous with others tends to come back around? Finally, the conversation moves to deconstruction and whether Martin Luther King Jr's idea of nonviolence is realistic in a world at war. We mig…
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What is the longest you've gone without food or water? The Bible says Moses went forty days and forty nights without either. We discuss that as well as the spiritual practice of fasting. And: could AI help us in our everyday lives, and should a public school religion teacher should be able to proselytize his students? Finally, yes, Bryan is obnoxio…
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Episode 275: Christmas - A Holy [Shit] Moment
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Rev. Dr. Melissa Allison joins Shannon and Ogun to discuss Christmas carols, Christmas theology, purity culture and the pagan celebration of Yule. Why has the obsession with sexual purity persisted in some forms of Christianity, a faith that celebrates an unwed teenage mother? Tune in for this special holiday episode!…
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Episode 274: Religious but not Spiritual
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If someone said to you, "We need to keep Christ in Christmas" - how would you respond? We discuss that, plus a Pew survey that finds 7 in 10 Americans describe themselves as spiritual, while 10% say they are 'religious but not spiritual.' What does that mean? We also discuss the limits of free speech in the case of three university presidents, as B…
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Episode 273: A Literal Cloud of Witnesses
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Ogun breaks out the rum as Derrick Weston joins the show to talk about the idea of a cloud of witnesses as referenced in Scripture, and whether that applies to folks living or dead. Is it creepy or encouraging to imagine there are folks looking on? We also discuss the concept of hope and whether it is something that can inspire us to or deter us fr…
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A lively episode this week as we talk about armed church members, rules and TikTok Jesus! Should churches have an active shooter response plan? Should that plan involve guns? Would you follow a TikTok Jesus for inspiration and potential blessings? And are people more important than rules? We discuss it all over beverages. Tune in!…
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Episode 271: Are You Still So Dull?
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Notably in the Gospel records, there are several times where Jesus admonishes his disciples saying, "Are you still so dull?" What do you imagine would prompt Jesus to say that to his followers today? We discuss that, plus imagination, the usefulness of thumbs, and Diwali.By Pub Theology
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Episode 270: Fear Someone Who Has Only One Book
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Shannon reveals that in her house growing up, there were basically three books: an encyclopedia set, War and Peace, and Bo Knows. Nietzsche says "Fear someone who has only one book." We discuss the idea of reading widely, of being told not to read certain books, and whether the idea of a 'biblical worldview' has merit. Plus: can we just not have to…
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Episode 269: A Lot Can Be Solved Depending on the ABV
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Recording on Halloween, Bryan tries on a few different masks as we discuss favorite scary movies, ghosts, dealing with criticism, and the journey. Plus Ogun has one more show to tell us about, and we decide all problems can be solved with a high enough ABV.By Pub Theology
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This week we discuss celebrating Halloween as an adult, what humans can learn from dogs in the realm of love and joy, and whether God loves us each uniquely. We also solve the Middle East peace crisis with two simple things: Dogs and butter! Tune in! It's the latest rendition of Pub Theology Live.By Pub Theology
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Shannon and Bryan are joined by special guests Derrick Weston and Anna Woofenden! We discuss their new book: The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration. Show highlights: seeing the kitchen as a sacred space, discovering that small acts can make a real difference, sharing our favorite dishes to make, and oh…
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We discuss useless inventions, prayer and the possibility of AI becoming truly conscious. What does it mean to say that the Spirit helps us pray in a language "beyond words"? Does artificial intelligence truly understand language, or is it just reading symbols and responding quickly through lightning fast computations in a way that appears to be un…
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We are back! Shannon, Ogun and Bryan discuss confidence, and why it seems so easy to lack it, and how one might gain it. We also discuss Yom Kippur and the power of communal religious practice, as well as the rise of religious rituals at Burning Man. Plus, our favorite breakfast cereals. Brace yourself!…
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Episode 264: Community and Belonging - LIVE at the Wild Goose Festival
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Recorded LIVE at the Wild Goose Festival! Ogun and Shannon are joined by Rev. Anna Golladay to discuss the human experience of belonging and community and why the church struggles with both. They also discuss how packing for a trip may reflect on one’s emotional baggage and inner life, and much more! You don’t want to miss this special episode reco…
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In the age of mega-churches and wow worship services, is ordinary church still OK? If you had to choose for your child to have a long, but dull life or a short, but hugely impactful life, which would you choose? What do transportation and travel have to do with spirituality? And finally, if one has the Bible, does that minimize the need for other s…
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What happened on that first Pentecost? Was the Holy Spirit truly available in a new way, or was it more like a shift in perception? Shannon and Bryan discuss this important date on the Christian calendar, plus principles of Hinduism and why humans prefer sounds that come from their left. Tune in!By Pub Theology
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We discuss times we’ve been stuck or gone off the map. In this context, we discuss the Ascension of Jesus and the call for his followers to go “to the ends of the earth.” Before modern maps, where did they assume this meant? We also discuss whether belief in God is a prerequisite (or hindrance!) to moral behavior.…
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Is humanity progressing or moving backward? One writer contends that ‘human progress, the myth of the modern age, is increasingly in doubt.’ Ogun counters that, stating that he believes in humanity, despite what’s often seen on the news. We also discuss May as National Masturbation Month, and how to seek a more sex-positive dialogue, especially in …
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Episode 259 - Throw Your Little Things
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This week Shannon and Ogun mock Bryan’s sport of disc golf as ‘not a real sport.’ We also discuss parents acting badly at kids sporting events, the solitude of being human and how love intersects with that, plus - what gives you goosebumps? We discuss!By Pub Theology
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Shannon is back! She joins Ogun and Bryan to discuss what they would put on a billboard if someone gave them one for free, along with that one song from Switchfoot. We also chat about atheist street pirates who are keeping us safe from religious propaganda, and whether aging can or should be reversed. Tune in!…
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On this week's episode, Bryan and Ogun discuss the Golden Rule and whether it is the highest relational ethic that exists. Hint: it's not. Tune in to discuss how to treat others better than golden, how to have good conversations, and what weird things houseguests have done.By Pub Theology
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This week we discuss how churches can be more welcoming to folks who only attend on days like Easter, provisions in professional soccer to allow Muslim players to break their fast mid-game, and the chaos happening in Tennessee. Tune in!By Pub Theology
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Episode 255: The Sound of Inevitability
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This episode we explore the NT scholarship that suggests Mary Magdalene may have been written out of a chapter in the Bible. We also heatedly discuss whether the technological evolution of humanity will render faith superfluous and mystery obsolete, all while Ogun updates us on his fasting for Ramadan, Bryan explains why there are chickens in his o…
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Episode 254: Jesus is Coming on Wednesday
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This week Shannon, Ogun and Bryan play two truths and a lie. Can they stump each other? They also discuss transcendent moments and where and how those seem to happen, plus personal spiritual practices and turning the other cheek. Bring your own beverage and tune in for some good conversation over a pint!…
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Ogun finds a rare beverage in Morocco while Bryan explodes another past-due beer. Shannon joins us to discuss: Is the Pope willing (and able) to bring real change to the Catholic church on issues like same-sex marriage and clergy celibacy? Why has the idea of being ‘woke’ become such a political lightning rod? Does evil truly exist in the world, ap…
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This week Ogun joins us from Casablanca, Morocco, Bryan’s beer explodes on him, and Shannon pops open an old standby. Amid all of that, we discuss favorite kinds of books, how the church can have standards without ugly gatekeeping, and whether Christianity is headed toward a new Reformation, or if the end is near.…
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Episode 251: Totally Sane Human Beings
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The gang is back! We discuss the reality that every person we meet is likely going through something difficult, we ask why anyone should care about the Asbury Revival, what is behind the racism of the Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams, and how there are still so many churches opposed to women preachers. Oh, plus Bryan shares his recent experience bein…
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Episode 250: Proceed At Your Own Risk
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Does beer ever go bad? Bryan tries to find out while the gang discusses spy balloons, having relationships across difference, objective truth, and whether God is always watching. We also discuss the text of terror that the Presbyterian Church USA used for an ordination exam for incoming clergy. Tune in!…
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Episode 249: Something’s Wrong with the F—ing Orchard
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We discuss the ongoing crisis of police violence in light of the death of Tyre Nichols, and what needs to change. We also discuss whether God loves each of us uniquely—as if there were only one of us. Also, what does it mean to have faith, and is it true, as CS Lewis claims, that better things always lie ahead? Also, why are some Gen Z'ers ditching…
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Episode 248: Get Your Sh-- Together, Robots!
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Is artificial intelligence advancing too rapidly? Students are now using Chat GPT to create unique essays for school and robots are also creating original art. Derrick Weston joins us this week, and he claims robots are advancing too slowly, and need to get their act together. What do you think? We also discuss the sovereignty of God and what it me…
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This week we celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by exploring some of his thoughts and ideas. King insists that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed. Yet why is it that so often folks who are in the privileged majority are saying their freedoms are under assault? We discuss that, and so muc…
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Was Damar Hamlin’s recovery due to the power of prayer? Why does it take a tragedy to bring people together? Do you believe that witches or oracle readers can predict the future? And why do translations matter when it comes to reading the Bible? We cover all of this and more in our first episode of the year. Tune in!…
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This week Bryan tries to Christmasplain Ogun on the true meaning of Christmas. And with Shannon back, we play Christmas Carol Trivia! Tune in to find out who wins. We also discuss whether folk saints will help Argentina win the World Cup. Don’t miss it! It’s our Christmas Episode Spectacular.By Pub Theology
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