Front Row

Faith And Reason®

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Front Row Podcast

FaithandReason Front Row gives you closeup access to leading thinkers, theologians, organizers, and activists. Hear thoughtful insights on how history and theology intersect with the issues driving our world. Grab a seat and join us on the Front Row.

26 AUG

Christians Against Christianity Episode 2: The Abortion Obsession

In the second part of this series, Dr. Obery Hendricks, Dr. Charlene Sinclair, and Peter Laarman take a deep dive into what white Christian nationalists actually worship: power, wealth, and (most of all) whiteness. American evangelicals were once in broad alignment with other groups in regard to abortion. Now they are overwhelmingly aligned with the Catholic bishops, with the "right to life" becoming a familiar dog whistle in evangelical circles. Dr. Hendricks, Dr. Sinclair, and Rev. Laarman discuss what a real life-centered ethic looks like. They also excavate the roots of the abortion obsession, going back to the time when conservative strategists realized that explicit anti-Black racism was no longer acceptable and needed a new wedge issue to stir up their base.

37 min
29 JUL

Christians Against Christianity. Episode 1: Genuflecting at Strange Altars

A deep dive into what white Christian nationalists actually worship: power, wealth, and (most of all) whiteness. They discuss what's new and dangerous in the very close alliance between this cohort and would-be dictator Donald Trump. Dr. Hendricks, a respected biblical scholar, observes how far removed the white evangelical values are from the actual values of the Jesus of the gospel accounts, to the point that the white evangelicals' claim to be "Bible believers" becomes absurd.

42 min
27 FEB

REVELATION: Vengeance and Sacrificial Bloodshed

Who do we expect to be the one to turn the other cheek? In our democracy, our ideals envision a give and take of compromise. In reality, however, we often expect Black people and other people of color to bear the majority of the sacrifice. Meanwhile, white power structures have been historically less likely to accept any loss – symbolic or material. Looking to a worldwide view, Palestinians have been sacrificing openly for 75 years to no discernible effect in terms of being respected and granted justice. For the oppressed, it is the Book of Revelation that speaks to anyone battling demons of any kind, throughout the world or within the heart. They picture not only the utter darkness that cloaks the earth, but also the glory and hope of God that is ultimately stronger. Can we genuinely "turn the other cheek"? Can those who are suffering be expected to remain patiently hopeful?

26 min
15 FEB

REVELATION: Texts of Terror in A New Age of Terrorism

"How does Revelation fit with our awareness of the non-violent historical Jesus?" One could start by reflecting on Netanyahu's recent speech in Hebrew, referring to the biblical injunction to kill the Amalekites: women and children along with the men. We could go from there to homegrown texts of terror. The Turner Diaries. The Left Behind series. And, again in reference to Black suffering, Thomas Dixon's The Clansman: the book that inspired "Gone with the Wind." John Dominic Crossan says, “This biblical patterning of yes-and-no justifies my choice of the nonviolent Jesus of the Incarnation over the violent Jesus of the Apocalypse as the true Jesus. Put simply, the nonviolent Jesus is the Christian Bible’s assertion, acceptance, and affirmation of the radicality of God, while the violent Jesus is its corresponding subversion, rejection, and negation in favor of the normalcy of civilization.” Which Jesus do you choose?

26 min
1 FEB

REVELATION: Whose Apocalypse?

It might seem that the Greek word, Apocalypse, is on everyone’s lips these days, from environmentalists to the Extreme Right. Guests Peter Laarman and Charlene Sinclair share their different perspectives in confronting and challenging the ascending violence of “the war in heaven,” where Jesus judges the whole world. You must ask yourself: How does this maniacal, murderous, terrorizing, life-destroying Jesus, fit with the peaceful, non-violent historical Jesus of the New Testament? Who is the one you worship? What is the nature of your God?

24 min
18/02/2022

Revisiting Marcus Borg Pt. 3: Today’s Progressive Christians

In the third part of this series, we analyze the death of Jesus, revisit Marcus Borg's final lectures, and uncover the many ways Progressive Christians can support advocacy and activism in their communities. Join our discussion with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman for an exciting dialogue about the faith, advocacy, and the implications for Christianity’s future.

45 min
11/02/2022

Revisiting Marcus Borg Pt. 2: Moving the Church Forward

Is God’s love patriarchal? How do young people perceive the church? Does the interpretation of Jesus’ death as “payment” stand in the way of connecting with the gospel? In the second part of this series, we probe these questions and revisit Marcus Borg's final lectures with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman. Listen at home or share with your class for an exciting discussion on faith, the gospel, and the implications for Christianity’s future.

40 min
03/02/2022

Revisiting Marcus Borg, with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman - Part 1

We revisit Marcus Borg’s final lectures with Rev. Janet Cooper Nelson and Peter Laarman and discuss the implications for Christianity’s future. Beginning with an excerpt from Borg’s lecture on the Cross, the conversation expands into a discussion about how the core symbolisms of Christianity may be changing in unprecedented ways.

41 min

FaithandReason Front Row gives you closeup access to leading thinkers, theologians, organizers, and activists. Hear thoughtful insights on how history and theology intersect with the issues driving our world. Grab a seat and join us on the Front Row.

Creator

Faith And Reason®
Years Active

2017 - 2024
Episodes

58
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© D.L. Dykes, Jr. Foundation
Show Website

Front Row