Best JR Forasteros Podcasts (2024)

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S.7 E.30: Discussing the Book The Summer of 2020: with Drs. Andre Johnson and Amanda Nell Edgar 1:14:48

3M ago1:14:48

1:14:48

Continuing on with part 2 of our season finale double header! Long time friend Dr. Andre Johson is back to talk about his new book with co-author Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar.Be sure to listen to the 1st of the two as well! See you all in Season 8!In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, protests broke out in Minneapolis and quickly spread across…

1
S.7 E.29: Fighting On and On: Rev. Allyn Maxfield-Steele 1:25:36

3M ago1:25:36

1:25:36

Here we are, good people, at the end of season 7! But not without a double header! First up, Allyn Maxfield-Steele. What a name!! A newfound friend and fellow anti-racist Allyn is a co-executive director at Highlander Research and Education Center. He's been fighting the good fight and has some good things to say about it. Join me in listening in!h…

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S.7 E.28: Seen Fire and Seen Rain: The J.R. Forasteros 1:10:03

4M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

You already know who this is! There is a lot to talk about and get into these days! Having the always unique and intriguing J.R. Forasteros is so great and refreshing! Come on now!https://jrforasteros.com/jr-bio/https://sojo.net/biography/jr-forasteroshttps://www.arthousedallas.com/stories/2018/6/19/jr-forasteros-authorhttps://soundcloud.com/whiteh…

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S.7 E.27: Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism: Elizabeth Neumann 1:23:10

4M ago1:23:10

1:23:10

This week ya'll! Remember when I said there was an alarming amount of White racists joining law enforcement, the military, and government agencies....yeah...well, this week, we talk to the expert who's been monitoring domestic terrorists here in the U.S. Elizabeth Newmann joins me to discuss her latest book. Listen in!Elizabeth Neumann served as th…

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S.7 E.26: Beyond Ethnic Loneliness The Pain of Marginalization: Prasanta Verma 56:12

5M ago56:12

56:12

Oh, this a good one right here! As a BIPoC have you ever felt like you were the only one and the only one doing the damn thing....yeah, me too! This week I get to talk with my new friend, Prasanta Verma. She was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the South, and now resides in the Upper Midwest. Her essays and poetry hav…

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S.7 E.25 The Hope in our Scars: Finding God in Disillusionment: Aimee Byrd 1:13:30

6M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

This week I talk with a newfound friend who has gotten the holy crap beat out of her from toxic churches and evangelicals. Goodness. Unfortunately, her story is not unique, but she also holds in tension the hope within this type of theological disillusionment! Join us this week & listen in with Aimee Byrd.Aimee Byrd is a former coffee cafe owner wh…

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S.7 E.24 Learning to Disagree and Navigating Differences: Dr. John D. Inazu 1:04:01

6M ago1:04:01

1:04:01

This week we going into some pragmatics on disagreement, conflict, and basic dignity when we do disagree. Dr. John Inazu is my guest discussing his new book and a whole lot more! Check it out!!John Inazu’s scholarship focuses on the First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, and religion, and related questions of legal and political theory. His …

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S.7 E.23 Following Jesus into a New Kind of Family: Rev. T.C. Moore 1:17:05

7M ago1:17:05

1:17:05

!!!!EXPLICIT!!!! Oh, this week we get to hear from a cat doing some great work inside the Church! Rev. T.C. Moore comes on and also talks about his new book, c'mon now and listen in.T. C. Moore is a pastor, graffiti artist, writer, and theology nerd. He serves as lead pastor of Roots, a Moravian community in St. Paul, Minnesota, and works with cour…

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S.7 E.22 A Case Against Eternal Damnation: Derek Ryan Kubilus 1:20:45

8M ago1:20:45

1:20:45

!!!!EXPLICIT!!!!! Oh yeah...you read it right...hell might not be eternal, or even a place to go! Check this weeks conversation out with my new friend Derek!Derek Ryan Kubilus is an ordained elder serving in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is also a member of the Order of Saint Luke and an amateur podcaster. He currently…

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S.7 E.21 Our Trespasses: Rev. Greg Jarrell 1:08:12

8M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

This week I talk with author, pastor, and historian, Greg Jarrell. He breaks down some of the inequities that have happened in our cities, towns, and communities over time; red lining was just the beginning. Check it out fam!By Daniel White Hodge

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S.7 E.20 Surviving Fighting and Restorative: Justice Bree Yoo-Sun 1:26:12

9M ago1:26:12

1:26:12

!!!!EXPLICIT!!!! Yeah, you gon' wanna take a minute to listen to this story and the work Bree is doing here in Chicago. An amazing story of survival and fight, but, it doesn't end there...Bree is doing the damn thing! CheckBy Daniel White Hodge

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S.7 E.19 Theologizin' Bigger: Rev. Trey Ferguson 1:04:20

9M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

Black History Month is on!! This week I talk with Rev. Trey Ferguson who just put out an amazing book looking at relationships, race, and religion! Yeah, come on listen in!By Daniel White Hodge

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S.7 E.18 Pushing Through the Evangelical Mess: Ruth Schmidt 1:11:52

10M ago1:11:52

1:11:52

!!!!EXPLICIT!!! We're back and ready for 2024! I met my guest this week soley online when she posted and amazing thread regarding her termination with Fuller Seminary. Shoo-wee, this is good! Listen up!By Daniel White Hodge

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All I Want for Christmas is You 32:56

11M ago32:56

32:56

"All I Want for Christmas is You" is the best-selling Christmas song of all time. At its heart is a vulnerability that's essential to the Christmas season. Hope requires risk, an admission that where we are is not where we want to be. How can we choose to be vulnerable as we approach Christmas?By JR. Forasteros

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Last Christmas 28:26

11M ago28:26

28:26

Have you noticed Christmas decorations seem to be going up earlier and earlier? First it was Thanksgiving... now Halloween is in danger of getting swallowed up by Kris Kringle! But with a world so full of war, plague and division, is it any wonder we want to throw up Christmas Cheer like a shield? Can you blame us for wanting a garland-strewn respi…

1
S.7 E.17 Wonder as a New Starting Point: Dr. José Francisco Morales Torres 1:14:36

11M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

As we enter into the Holiday season I get to sit down to talk with my good friend from AAR, Dr. José Francisco Morales Torres, finally! He talks about being a Latine male in the academy, the variants between the thrown and the grave, and his new book, out now. Listen in!By Daniel White Hodge

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Baby, It's Cold Outside 36:49

11M ago36:49

36:49

During the Christmas season, we celebrate God coming to earth. In a world marked by violence, division and bigotry, God's arrival means a big shake up. Are we sure we're ready for God's arrival? If not, how can we prepare?By JR. Forasteros

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Curiosity (2023) 38:20

12M ago38:20

38:20

Christians aren't known for being curious. Why would we be, when we have a monopoly on truth? But that attitude is at odds with the God who created our universe and invited us to explore. It's at odds with the God who calls us to welcome the stranger and go into the whole world. What does a church that cultivates curiosity look like? How does prior…

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S.7 E.16 QAnon, Chaos, and The Cross: A Conversation with Drs. Michael Austin and Gregory Bock 1:21:18

12M ago1:21:18

1:21:18

We back! After the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday its time for some conspiracy theories, QAnon, and religion! It's on now. Joining me this week are Drs. Michael Austin and Gregory Bock who have edited a great volume getting into all this, yeah! Check it out.By Daniel White Hodge

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Change (2023) 37:33

12M ago37:33

37:33

Nobody likes change, but it's inevitable. And for people of faith, change is good. We're called to embrace change so radical the only word for it is resurrection. So how can we take change seriously - in our own lives, in our congregation and in our world?By JR. Forasteros

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Collective Liberation (2023) 43:09

1y ago43:09

43:09

Even though diversity has become a buzz word, it's hard to find any organization that takes it seriously - especially churches. What does it look like to take diversity seriously? The radical truth is that none of us is free until all of us is free. So how can we chase that together as a church?By JR. Forasteros

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Friendship (2023) 44:16

1y ago44:16

44:16

We're in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and far too often, churches are part of the problem. How can that be, when Jesus insists that he made us his friends? What does it mean for a church to take friendship seriously, particularly in the midst of a culture dying to connect?By JR. Forasteros

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S.7 E.15 We Are Enough: A Conversation with The Many 1:24:50

1y ago1:24:50

1:24:50

You know them you love em, The Many! Back on the show talking about their new song and all the nuances of being an Xtian band in this era. Listen in!By Daniel White Hodge

1
The Road Ahead 38:56

1y ago38:56

38:56

There's no way around it: change is traumatic. That the change is good doesn't alter the reality that it's really hard. Paul's paradigm-shifting transformation on the road to Damascus illustrates the pain and joy of following God's radical call to something new. How does faith enable us to follow God faithfully into the unknown?…

1
Out of the Box 44:11

1y ago44:11

44:11

Sometimes, it's God's old thing that keeps us from participating in God's new thing. What do we do when faithfulness gets in the way of being faithful? Jesus warned his followers that the days of God's temple were numbered because God was up to something new. How can we hold the past lightly so we can lean into God's new thing?…

1
S.7 E.14 Loving Disagreement in an Era of Chaos: Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos 1:31:25

1y ago1:31:25

1:31:25

!!!EXPLICIT!!!! How we gonna disagree and still be friends? For real? What if you hate Black folk...oh dear!!! Let's dig in fam, Kathy is back and brings with Matt on their new book. Listen in!!By Daniel White Hodge

1
All Hands on Deck 42:16

1y ago42:16

42:16

We live in a professionalized culture - we're more likely to leave every job to the paid expert than we are to do them ourselves. But when it comes to building God's new thing, this isn't something we can leave to professionals. Nehemiah shows us that we all have a part to play in God's work. How can we discern what our part is? Where do we weigh i…

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S.7 E.13 Faith Unleavened: Tamice Spencer-Helms 1:01:26

1y ago1:01:26

1:01:26

We're back! The 2nd half of season 7 is on right and now with guest Tamice Spencer-Helms! Her new book is out and she goes in on the colonization within so much theology. Check it out.Tamice Spencer-Helms (she/they) is a published author, speaker, and theologian based in Richmond, Virginia. At 20 years old Tamice was drawn to full time ministry. Af…

1
Plan B 32:49

1y ago32:49

32:49

What do we do when life doesn't go the way we thought? People of faith try our best to follow God's will, but that's not a guarantee life is going to go our way. Joseph shows us what faithfulness looks like when Plan A goes off the rails.By JR. Forasteros

1
The Longest Walk 33:36

1y ago33:36

33:36

Nobody loves change, but change doesn't ask our permission to happen. So when change comes, how can we engage it faithfully? It all begins by being willing to leave what's been and trust that God is leading us into the future. Do we have the courage to take that first, longest step?By JR. Forasteros

1
Who Would Jesus Boycott? 47:23

1y ago47:23

47:23

Social media promises to connect us, but we've seen throughout this series how technology can harm as easily as heal. How do we discern what wise use of these technologies look like? How can we be sure technology is serving our faith journey, and not the other way around?By JR. Forasteros

1
Who Would Jesus Cancel? 42:37

1y ago42:37

42:37

In the wake of #metoo, everyone is afraid of Cancel Culture. No one is immune, from celebrities to pastors. While some see this as justice, others see a dangerous mob, accountable to no one. How should people of faith engage cancel culture? What does redemption look like for those who have wronged others? How can we offer grace without compromising…

1
The Almighty Algorithms 45:06

1y ago45:06

45:06

What's the harm in scrolling through social media, reading or watching whatever comes across our screens? We know in the abstract that tech companies use algorithms to determine what we see, but how often do we ask what those algorithms - and the companies who write them - want? How do these algorithms shape our spirituality? And how can we take re…

1
Chat JesusPT 38:19

1y ago38:19

38:19

It's easy to vilify the latest technology, but how do we really know if the latest gadget, app or trend is holy or not? What could the Bible possibly have to say about technologies two millennia younger than its writings? How do we learn to think theologically about smartphones, laptops, social media and everything else?…

1
What's Wrong with Superhero Movies? 40:18

1y ago40:18

40:18

There's no bigger box-office draw than a superhero movie. Why do we love these stories so much? What does that say about us? Is there a limit to the good superhero movies can do? And what does any of that have to do with our calling as a people of God?By JR. Forasteros

1
What do We do when Law & Love Collide? 46:03

1y ago46:03

46:03

In a perfect world, our call to love God would never conflict with our call to love our neighbors. But our world is complex, and too often, we find ourselves torn between a desire to be holy and a desire to love. How do we untangle this tension that leaves us in knots? What do we do when these two forces collide?…

1
Why Does God Hate Hercules? 39:42

1+ y ago39:42

39:42

What does it mean to be 'holy'? In the ancient world, that meant 'set apart' or 'special'. God calls those who follow God to be a 'holy people'. So how are we set apart? Much of the ancient imagery is wrapped up in blood sacrifice, demigods and... dietary restrictions? What does all that mean for us today? How can we be holy as God calls us to be?…

1
Is Hell Forever? 31:52

1+ y ago31:52

31:52

If someone dies without knowing Jesus, they go to Hell. Hell is a punishment for sin. Many churches describe Hell as "eternal conscious torment". How is that just? How can eternal torment be a fair punishment for even a lifetime of sin? Could it be that we've gotten Hell wrong? Could there be hope even in the depths of Hell?…

1
S.7 E.12 Processing Theology, Pastoring, and this Era: J. R. Forasteros 1:12:07

1+ y ago1:12:07

1:12:07

You know him, you love him, THE great J.R. Forasteros is back for his seasonal appearance on the show! Go on, listen in.By Daniel White Hodge

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What Happens to People Who Never Hear About Jesus? 47:06

1+ y ago47:06

47:06

We're told that unless you accept Jesus as your savior, you go to Hell. But what about the countless people around the world who died without ever hearing about Jesus? Or those who were introduced to him at the end of a conqueror's sword? How can God be loving if those people go to Hell? How can God be just if they're punished for something they co…

1
Why Did God Have to Kill His Son? 44:54

1+ y ago44:54

44:54

Why did Jesus die on the Cross? Did God really kill Jesus because he was angry at us? These questions point to the heart of God's character, and many of us are afraid of the answer. But when we understand how the Bible talks about God's wrath, we see the Cross not as an angry God defending his own reputation, but rather as the one who created and l…

1
S.7 E.11 Black Filmmaking and Racial Dynamics: Craig Lamar Brown 1:18:54

1+ y ago1:18:54

1:18:54

I get to sit down with a filmmaker, artist, and visionary this week. Craig Brown is doing his thing while trying to push into difficult yet meaningful conversations around race and racism. Check it out!By Daniel White Hodge

1
What is the Unpardonable Sin? 36:41

1+ y ago36:41

36:41

God loves us, and God is quick to forgive. Unless we commit the unpardonable sin. What does it mean to 'blaspheme the Holy Spirit'? Why is that the sin God considers unforgivable? How can that be if God's love is unending?By Ashley Bekkerus

1
Who Goes to Hell? 30:29

1+ y ago30:29

30:29

We say God is Love but what about Hell? Do people who don't know God really get tortured for all eternity? If someone prays right before they die, are they safe no matter what? How is that fair when good people who never heard about God suffer forever? Is it possible we've got Hell all wrong? How could Hell actually be good news?…

1
S.7 E.10 Hell Naw I Ain't Sad Them Billionaires Died in that Sub, and other Rants 54:22

1+ y ago54:22

54:22

!!!!!!EXPLICIT!!!!!!! It's just me; going on about this and wanting that. You should really check it out.By Daniel White Hodge

1
How Do I Forgive the Church? 41:20

1+ y ago41:20

41:20

The Church is supposed to be a spiritual family that is assembled around Jesus to offer his love to the world. But far too often, churches are the source of deep trauma. We know Jesus calls us to love our enemies, but what do we do when our enemy is the Church? How do we love the ones who hurt us in the name of Jesus?…

1
How Do I Find Peace? 39:37

1+ y ago39:37

39:37

We hear that God brings joy and peace. But if we're honest, we don't often experience those feelings. Does that mean we're lacking in some essential way? That we need to try harder? Be better? No - joy and peace aren't emotions. They're a state of being that flows out of God's own character. So what does it look like for us to experience them?…

1
Is the Bible Inspired? 39:19

1+ y ago39:19

39:19

What does it mean to say the Bible is the "inspired Word of God"? How do we know the Bible is trustworthy? After all, it's a library of more than sixty books by dozens of authors written and compiled over the course of centuries. Doesn't that make it less reliable? Not for those of us at Catalyst - the human component of Scripture is a feature, not…

1
How Do We Know God? 46:08

1+ y ago46:08

46:08

How do we know who God is? After all, there are dozens of religions who all make competing claims about God's nature. God has revealed themselves to us through God's actions in human history. From the Exodus to Jesus himself, God shows themselves to be a liberator. God rescues us from injustice and oppression. God works for the flourishing of all o…

1
S.7 E.9 Theological Method as Critical Thinking: Dr. Mary Veeneman 1:04:21

1+ y ago1:04:21

1:04:21

I finally get my good friend and colleague, Dr. Mary Veeneman, on the show! We chop it up and talk critical thinking, the prison industrial complex and good theological method. Listen in!Mary Veeneman holds a Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University and has published several articles and a book in her field. She is currently working on a book proj…

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