Makerspace

Sam Burrows & CEN
  • 4.9 (10)
  • EDUCATION
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Makerspace is a podcast run by Christian Education National, a network of Christian schools across Australia. Find out more about us at https://cen.edu.au Hosted by Sam Burrows

  1. Dr Sylvia Keesmaat: Resisting Empire and Forming Communities

    21/12/2025

    Dr Sylvia Keesmaat: Resisting Empire and Forming Communities

    This week I got to speak with Canadian theologian and prominent author, Dr Sylvia Keesmaat. Sylvia is a biblical scholar, obtaining her doctorate at Oxford University, studying with N.T. Wright. She is a professor of biblical studies and hermeneutics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. Sylvia is the co-author, with her husband, Brian Walsh, of the popular books Romans Disarmed and Colossians Remixed, both books highlighting how the gospel challenges dominating powers and invites alternative, justice‑oriented ways of life both in the first century and today. In this conversation we talk about her work that centres around hearing Paul’s letters in their socio-political terms, about his anti-Empire language and what that means for us today. We also talk about hope and lament, and how we need to be forming communities that are grounded in the place they’re in, as well in important teachings.

    50 min
  2. Justin Ariel Bailey: The Current Worldview Conversation

    07/12/2025

    Justin Ariel Bailey: The Current Worldview Conversation

    In this episode I speak with Dr Justin Ariel Bailey, a prominent voice in Christian ministry and theological writing, Justin is a professor of theology at Dordt University in Iowa, and published a book, Interpreting Your World in 2022. In this conversation we talk about the changing nature of worldview studies, and how to find the balance between an appreciative and critical approach when Christians engage with culture. We chat through the history of the term "worldview" and what it might mean to lead students in important conversations now.

    46 min
  3. Ken Dickens and Rod Thompson: The History of CEN

    23/11/2025

    Ken Dickens and Rod Thompson: The History of CEN

    This I got to sit down with Dr Rod Thompson and Dr Ken Dickens, a couple of men that have been a significant part of our network for a number of decades. Rod as the coordinator of biblical foundations and lecturer in the National Institute, and Ken serving for a stint as the CEO of the network, principal of the national institute, and in more recent years, a lecturer too. Ken is part of a team that is putting together a history of our network to be released early next year, and I thought as part of the lead up to the book, I would sit down with him and Rod to get a sense of what it’s been like to have been part of the ongoing character and story of CEN. This is an extended episode because we cover a lot here, from the beginnings of the network including its underlying theological commitments, through to the growth phase, interactions with other groups and networks, and challenges looking forward. It was a really nice way to get a snapshot of what has made us who we are and capture something of these two guys as the pass on the baton.

    1h 24m
  4. Dr Diane Hockridge: Formation through Online Learning

    09/11/2025

    Dr Diane Hockridge: Formation through Online Learning

    This week I’m speaking to Diane Hockridge. Diane is an Australian educational designer and researcher, specialising in the design of online and distance-theological education, with a particular interest in spiritual and holistic formation of students. She is currently the Educational Designer at Ridley College in Melbourne and has a PhD in spiritual formation and online education. In this conversation we discuss the challenges and opportunities of online education, focusing on supporting students through diverse learning experiences and leveraging their existing contexts. We talk authentic learning, service-based assignments and reflective practices to foster student growth. We also explore the future of theological education, considering the role of new technology and AI.

    35 min
  5. Dr Maja Whitaker: Bodies, Disability, and the Resurrection

    05/10/2025

    Dr Maja Whitaker: Bodies, Disability, and the Resurrection

    This week I’m joined by Dr. Maja Whitaker. Maja is a New Zealand-based theologian, academic, and ordained pastor. She’s currently the Academic Dean and a lecturer in Practical Theology at Laidlaw College in Christchurch, New Zealand. She pastors Equippers Church in Timaru alongside her husband, Dave, and is a mother to four daughters. Maja’s research interests explore body theology, pastoral theology, spiritual formation, and disability theology. In this conversation we explore a lot of this, chatting through the resurrection and how to think through body ideals, how to think carefully about body difference, and how to let disability teach us.

    46 min
  6. Josh Taylor: What is Sin?

    21/09/2025

    Josh Taylor: What is Sin?

    This week I’m joined by Josh Taylor. Josh is an Anglican priest from the Diocese of Christchurch in New Zealand. He has experience in youth ministry, as a spiritual director, and several years as a Vicar in Timaru, New Zealand. He has just submitted a PhD through the University of Otago. His thesis is titled: “Speaking of Sin in 21st Century Aotearoa.” It’s his PhD that I’m talking to him about today. We explore why sin can feel like a foreign and awkward concept these days and then track other ways people have tried to express it. We talk about big ideas like total depravity and original sin and try to build a picture of thinking about the concept that’s actually hopeful, especially in light of cultural approaches to morality. This is a really helpful chat to help guide young people in a world that is pretty confused about what sin is and how we see God.

    55 min
  7. Tony Golsby-Smith: Christ, Reality, Knowledge, and Business

    07/09/2025

    Tony Golsby-Smith: Christ, Reality, Knowledge, and Business

    In this episode I speak to Tony Golsby-Smith. Tony is the co-founder and chairman of Second Road, a strategy and innovation firm. He is also behind Gospel Conversations, a theological discussion group behind various events and with numerous online resources . This conversation is a dense one, as we cover Tony’s journey through teaching into consulting, and then the relationship between Jesus, knowledge and reality. We talk about some of the inadequacies of some current evangelical theology and the nature of God’s work in the world. This is a challenging conversation but hopefully a stretching one too. I really enjoyed this conversation, and really appreciate the way Tony is searching for a theology that speaks to all of life. I’ve got a link for the Gospel Conversations website in below - it’s really worth getting involved with! He mentions an event with John Behr, which has already happened, but there’s video resource on the website that is well worth checking out. https://www.gospelconversations.com https://2nd-road.webflow.io

    58 min
  8. Dr David I. Smith: Everyday Christian Teaching

    24/08/2025

    Dr David I. Smith: Everyday Christian Teaching

    We kick off this new season with a return guest, the godfather of Christian education himself, David I. Smith. David is probably best known for his book, On Christian Teaching, and he’s just released a follow up to this, called Everyday Christian Teaching. This book is a more practical exploration of some of the concepts of the former book, and is full of suggestions for practices for the classroom, as well as powerful stories and reflection questions. CEN will be using his resources in a few different ways. https://calvin.edu/everyday-christian-teaching

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Makerspace is a podcast run by Christian Education National, a network of Christian schools across Australia. Find out more about us at https://cen.edu.au Hosted by Sam Burrows

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Burrows & CEN
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sam Burrows, CEN, 2024
  • Show Website
    Makerspace