Best Mainline Christianity Podcasts (2025)

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Elesha Coffman: The Christian Century and Mainline Legacy 1:48:27

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19d ago1:48:27

1:48:27

So I had the chance to sit down with Elesha Coffman, who's written what might be the only book entirely devoted to the Christian Century magazine, and we ended up diving deep into the whole messy question of what "mainline Protestantism" even means - which apparently stumped two past presidents of the American Society of Church History during her d…

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Ryan Duns: From Jaws to K-Pop Demon Hunters: How Horror Films Reveal the Sacred 1:29:38

5h ago1:29:38

1:29:38

Ryan Duns is back on the podcast to talk about his provocative new book exploring horror and theology, and boy does he deliver some counterintuitive insights. He argues that horror is actually the most conservative film genre—and that’s precisely why it works so well for theological reflection. Think about it: to be scared, you first have to believ…

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Ryan Duns: From Jaws to K-Pop Demon Hunters: How Horror Films Reveal the Sacred 1:28:14

1h ago1:28:14

1:28:14

Ryan Duns is back on the podcast to talk about his provocative new book exploring horror and theology, and boy does he deliver some counterintuitive insights. He argues that horror is actually the most conservative film genre—and that's precisely why it works so well for theological reflection. Think about it: to be scared, you first have to believ…

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Four Questions About AI That Will Keep You Up at Night w/ Noreen Herzfeld | Theology Beer Camp 2025 53:22

1d ago53:22

53:22

Picture this: You’re sitting in a coffee shop, scrolling through your phone, when you notice the person across from you talking animatedly to their laptop. They’re laughing, sharing intimate details about their day, even saying “I love you” to… a chatbot named Aaron. Aaron has sky blue eyes, loves to bake, and never disagrees with anything his huma…

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Four Questions About AI That Will Keep You Up at Night w/ Noreen Herzfeld | Theology Beer Camp 2025 51:27

2d ago51:27

51:27

Computer scientist turned theologian Dr. Noreen Herzfeld tackles the most pressing questions about artificial intelligence through a theological lens. As we race toward artificial general intelligence while simultaneously destroying our planet's climate, could this be the "great filter" that explains why we haven't found alien civilizations? This g…

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The Mainline Churches and Gaza with Todd Stavrakos | Episode 251 48:34

3d ago48:34

48:34

Todd Stavrakos discusses the mission of Pathways for Peace, focusing on fostering dialogue between the Jewish and mainline Christian communities regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. He highlights the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the complexities of the situation, including the roles of Hamas and the Israeli government. The discussion…

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Hanna Reichel: Navigating Faith in the Era of Authoritarianism 1:25:11

4d ago1:25:11

1:25:11

Dr. Hanna Reichel returns to the podcast to discuss their timely devotional For Such a Time as This, which emerged from student questions about how theological wisdom applies to our current political moment. Drawing parallels between Trump-era America and the Weimar Republic, Reichel explores the muddy complexity of resistance, the dangers of purit…

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Swimming Against the Stream: How Contemplation Fuels Justice Work with Aizaiah Yong 1:27:57

5d ago1:27:57

1:27:57

In this conversation with Aizaiah Young, we dove deep into what it means to live a contemplative life in our hyperaccelerated culture. Aizaiah, who works at the Collegeville Institute and draws from thinkers like Raimon Panikkar and Howard Thurman, made a compelling case that contemplation isn’t passive navel-gazing—it’s about bringing your full se…

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Aizaiah Yong - Swimming Against the Stream: How Contemplation Fuels Justice Work 1:27:31

5d ago1:27:31

1:27:31

In this conversation with Aizaiah Young, we dove deep into what it means to live a contemplative life in our hyperaccelerated culture. Aizaiah, who works at the Collegeville Institute and draws from thinkers like Raimon Panikkar and Howard Thurman, made a compelling case that contemplation isn't passive navel-gazing—it's about bringing your full se…

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Is the Nuclear Family Ideal Unchristian?

5d ago

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There is a widespread assertion, even among certain Orthodox Christians, that the so-called traditional or nuclear family is not a Christian concept and is even denounced by Jesus. What's the truth about family according to the Orthodox tradition?By Fr. Thomas Soroka

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My Body, My Choice Rewind 1:16:09

6d ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Abortion remains a controversial issue, both in the United States and around the world. Women who undergo abortion as a medical procedure are often stigmatized as young, irresponsible, uncaring, and among extremists, "murderers." What is it like to face a situation where abortion is necessary, and a woman is forced to make that decision to choose b…

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Dinner with a Prophet - Episode #4201 46:20

6d ago46:20

46:20

Episode 4201 features Rev. Jody Andrade (Presbytery of Greater Atlanta) with “Dinner with a Prophet,” on Jeremiah 32:1–3a, 6–15. Let’s be honest—Jeremiah is the last person you’d invite to a cozy dinner party. He’s intense, unfiltered, and not much for small talk. Yet Rev. Andrade reminds us that around his table we find the real feast: truth-telli…

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Grant Wacker: the Defining Moments of Religion in America 1:04:49

7d ago1:04:49

1:04:49

What’s up theology nerds! On this episode, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Dr. Grant Wacker, one of America’s preeminent historians of religion, and man did he deliver. We dove deep into his fascinating “Bushman test” – the idea that when writing history, you should do so with the understanding that you might someday encounter you…

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Grant Wacker: the Defining Moments of Religion in America 1:02:43

7d ago1:02:43

1:02:43

What's up theology nerds! On this episode, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Dr. Grant Wacker, one of America's preeminent historians of religion, and man did he deliver. We dove deep into his fascinating "Bushman test" - the idea that when writing history, you should do so with the understanding that you might someday encounter you…

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Standing Firm: Bonhoeffer’s Urgent Wisdom for Our Dangerous Times 29:40

8d ago29:40

29:40

In a world that feels increasingly unmoored, where the ground beneath our feet seems to shift daily, theologian Jeffrey C. Pugh offers us a sobering yet essential guide through the wisdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Speaking to participants preparing for Theology Beer Camp 2025, Pugh doesn’t mince words: we are living in “the most dangerous times” many…

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Standing Firm: Bonhoeffer's Urgent Wisdom for Our Dangerous Times 32:14

8d ago32:14

32:14

🍺 Bonhoeffer for Dangerous Times | Theology Beer Camp 2025 PreviewAre we living in the most dangerous times of our lives? Renowned Bonhoeffer scholar Jeffrey C. Pugh doesn't pull punches in this powerful preview lecture for Theology Beer Camp 2025. Drawing from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's prison writings, especially "After Ten Years," Pugh explores why t…

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Against Empathy: When Christians Declare Compassion a Vice 1:43:09

10d ago1:43:09

1:43:09

Bo and I dive deep into a controversial AP article about Christian conservatives declaring empathy a vice – yeah, you heard that right. We unpack how figures like Ali Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney are arguing that empathy has become a “cudgel for the left,” leading Christians to affirm sin and support destructive policies. But here’s where it gets in…

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Depriving Politics of Pathos with Jason Micheli | Episode 250 53:05

10d ago53:05

53:05

I chat with Jason Micheli, a United Methodist pastor, on the pitfalls of pathos in politics, emphasizing its potential to overshadow core Christian tenets. Drawing on Jason's article "Deprive Them of Their Pathos," we reflect on Karl Barth’s theological insights, arguing against conflating faith with political ideologies. Our conversation addresses…

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Kings, Prophets, and Politics: Ancient Warnings About Power and Justice with Pete Enns 1:13:40

11d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

We had Pete Enns back on the stream to dive deeper into questions from his God of Justice lecture, and man, did we get into some rich territory. Pete walked us through the fascinating tension between Deuteronomy 17’s positive view of kingship versus First Samuel 8’s harsh warnings – showing how the Bible itself contains multiple voices wrestling wi…

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Pete Enns: Kings, Prophets, and Politics: Ancient Warnings About Power and Justice 1:15:14

11d ago1:15:14

1:15:14

We had Pete Enns back on the stream to dive deeper into questions from his "God of Justice" lecture, and man, did we get into some rich territory. Pete walked us through the fascinating tension between Deuteronomy 17's positive view of kingship versus First Samuel 8's harsh warnings - showing how the Bible itself contains multiple voices wrestling …

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Political Violence and the Murder of Charlie Kirk

13d ago

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A deeply divided political atmosphere in the US has produced cutting, accusatory rhetoric on both sides. This has increasingly resulted in a violent end. Lex Kohn, author of the new book, "Loving Our Enemies Through Seasons of Bitterness," joins Fr. Tom to discuss.By Fr. Thomas Soroka

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Myron Penner: Five Ways Science Can Help Your Faith 1:22:40

13d ago1:22:40

1:22:40

In this delightful conversation, my friend Myron Penner – everyone’s favorite Canadian Mennonite philosopher of science and religion – offers up five compelling ways that science can actually enrich rather than threaten faith. We move beyond the tired old “conflict thesis” between science and religion to explore how scientific discoveries can help …

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Myron Penner: Five Ways Science Can Help Your Faith 1:22:33

13d ago1:22:33

1:22:33

My friend Dr. Myron Penner - everyone's favorite Canadian Mennonite philosopher of science & religion - offers up five compelling ways that science can actually enrich rather than threaten faith. We move beyond the tired old "conflict thesis" between science & religion to explore how scientific discoveries can help identify factually suspect theolo…

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Fear That Becomes Faith 32:07

13d ago32:07

32:07

The story of Pentecost has inspired countless generations to embrace God's Spirit in their lives. What's the story behind the first Pentecost? Inspired by real-life events, join Dr. Lee Ann Marino for a look at her live message, "I'm in a Pentecost State of Mind" delivered on Pentecost Sunday, 2025 at Sanctuary International Fellowship Tabernacle -…

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Insisting on Praise: Reading Psalm 79 Together - Episode #4200 1:02:05

14d ago1:02:05

1:02:05

Join us for Day1 Episode 4200, “Insisting on Praise: Reading Psalm 79 Together,” featuring Rev. Dr. Jason Byassee of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church and Rabbi Yael Splansky of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, the first Jewish voice ever featured on Day1 in its 80-year history. Byassee preaches “Through not For” and Splansky offers “Insisting on Song: …

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Compelling Preaching and the Iowa Preachers Project with Ken Sundet Jones | Episode 249 1:15:15

17d ago1:15:15

1:15:15

In this episode, Ken Sundet Jones discusses the Iowa Preachers Project, emphasizing the importance of community among pastors and the need for compelling preaching in today's context. We look at the challenges pastors face, the significance of grace in preaching, and the transformative power of the gospel. Iowa Preachers Project Lutheran Toolkit by…

1
Elesha Coffman: The Christian Century and Mainline Legacy 1:48:33

19d ago1:48:33

1:48:33

So I had the chance to sit down with Elesha Coffman, who’s written what might be the only book entirely devoted to the Christian Century magazine, and we ended up diving deep into the whole messy question of what “mainline Protestantism” even means – which apparently stumped two past presidents of the American Society of Church History during her d…

1
Artificial Incarnation: The AI Savior

19d ago

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The rapid development of AI is being hailed by many as mankind's most promising achievement in the modern era. Some have deemed it "The Way" of the future. Has science finally created its god?By Fr. Thomas Soroka

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Religion Before Language: Why We Danced Before We Believed 1:37:19

20d ago1:37:19

1:37:19

So we’re at the Common Market in Charlotte drinking craft beverages and fielding questions from the Speaking to a Modern World conference, which means we’re ping-ponging between topics faster than your algorithm-addled attention span. Josh starts us off playing voice of the people, then we trade him for Leah Robinson, who’s delightfully willing to …

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Relationships and Mental Health 59:16

20d ago59:16

59:16

Relationships can make or break mental health. Why does it make a difference, and how can partners aid in mental health support? Join Apostle Dr. Lee Ann Marino and guests Ministers Nik Lewis and Charlie Reep and Brad Loggins, all of Sanctuary in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a discussion about Brad Loggins's book, Breaking the Silence: A Journey …

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Our Lover's Quarrel with the World - Day1 Classics - Episode #4199 35:51

21d ago35:51

35:51

Join us for Day1 Episode 4199 with the Rev. Dr. Theodore A. Gill of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In his sermon, "Our Lover's Quarrel with the World," based on John 3:13-17, Dr. Gill explores how Christians are called to both critique and cherish the world, holding together the tension of God’s judgment and God’s love. Originally preached in …

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From Iron Swords to Nuclear Bombs: Tracing 3,000 Years of Escalatory Violence with John Dominic Crossan 1:23:46

21d ago1:23:46

1:23:46

What an incredible conversation we had with John Dominic Crossan about distributive justice and the biblical vision for creation! Dom completely reframed how I think about Genesis – showing us that the Sabbath, not humanity, is the crown of creation, and that God’s distributive justice isn’t just a nice idea but the very fabric of how the cosmos is…