Talking Theology Philip Plyming

What's striking about the Apostle Paul and the stories he shared? What was first-century Corinth really like, and what was the real problem with the Corinthian church? How was the cross the content of Paul's preaching but also the pattern of his living? And how might Paul's cross-shaped narrative about himself affect the way we tell our stories today?

In today's episode we will be talking to Rev Canon Dr Philip Plyming. Philip is warden of Cranmer Hall, as well as the host of Talking Theology. His new book, Being Real: The Apostle Paul's Hardship Narratives and the Stories We Tell Today is being released later this year.

What did it feel like to be a Christian in the earliest churches? How does telling stories help us understand the role of women in Paul's ministry? How does imagination help us see Paul and his good news in a different light? How might close attention to people's backstories help us to forgive them and indeed ourselves?

In this episode, we talk to Canon Dr. Paula Gooder. Paula is a New Testament scholar and Canon Chancellor at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Among her many published works are two books based on New Testament characters, Phoebe and Lydia.

What has been the impact of Christianity on western civilisation? How did the shock of the cross change the relationship between the weak and the strong? Where might we see Christian theological dialogue in unexpected places? And why might it be important to reconnect Christian values with Christian stories?

In today's show we will be talking to Tom Holland. Tom is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, and he co-hosts the popular podcast The Rest is History. His latest work is called Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind.

What values drive contemporary leadership, and how have they influenced the Church? Where did the idea of servant leadership first come from, and why is the answer more surprising that we might think? What are the problems with servant leadership when it comes to power and how we use it? And how is friendship a better model, and what does it mean to lead in love?

In today's show we will be talking to Dr Chloe Lynch.  Chloe is a lecturer in practical theology at the London School of Theology, and is also a spiritual director, with a ministry of preaching, teaching, and mentoring church leaders. She published her book, Ecclesial Leadership as Friendship, in 2019.

What is neoliberalism and what are the assumptions behind it? How does language of individualism, competition and commodities find its way into the church? What signs might we see of a church swimming with the neoliberal tide? What are the ethical questions raised by a church adopting free market values?

In this episode we are talking to Professor Mathew Guest. Mathew is Professor in the Sociology of Religion and Head of the Department of Theology and Religion here in Durham University. His recently published book is titled: "Neoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the Twenty-first Century". 

How is John's gospel both accessible and profound? What does it mean to read John's gospel as the culmination of the New Testament testimony to Jesus? How does John's gospel invite us to improvise in response to the love of God? And how does this gospel allow us to read our way into the presence of Jesus?

In today's show we will be talking to Professor David Ford. David is Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at the University of Cambridge. He's also chair of trustees of Lyn's House, Cambridge, a Christian community of friendship between people with and without learning disabilities. He's recently published The Gospel of John:  A Theological Commentary.