Crackers and Grape Juice

talking about faith without using stained-glass language
  • 4.7 (291)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Crackers and Grape Juice began in the spring of 2016 with a conversation between Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy. In the years since, two shows have been added to the lineup, Strangely Warmed and (Her)Men*You*Tics, but the goal has remained the same: talking about faith without using stained-glass language. crackersnjuice.substack.com

  1. MAR 4

    Expansions of the Lecture on Homiletics

    Jason and Teer (finally) catch up with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher) to discuss section 10.2 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theological Education at Finkenwalde. From section 10.2(1): The sermon derives from the incarnation of Jesus Christ and is determined by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It does not derive from some universal truth or emotional experience. The word of the sermon is the incarnate Christ. The incarnate Christ is God. Hence the sermon is actually Christ. Godas human being. Christ as the word. As the Word, Christ walks through the church-community. From 10.2(5): The shape of the preached word is different from that of every other word. This word is not mediated truth, not a word of expression, communication [Mitteilungswort], or a goal. It is not expressing something other than itself. The essence of the word does not reside beyond it. The word is itself the content = the historical Christ who bears all humanity along with all its punishment and its suffering. Christ who bears in this way, that is the dimension of the preached word. This one condition of being taken up isthe basis of the perpetual bearing that the preached word itself undertakes; ethically this bearing = the bearing of good and evil; homiletically it means the address: you are to be challenged by God. Hence in correspondence to this one condition of being taken up, one must also say that human beings in their own turn bear Christ. This distinction must be made clear, not in terms of ritual but in terms of content. How does the preached word become the Christ-word, and how does it receive its original form? Stay tuned because next up is 10.2.2, which dives into the questions posed by Bonhoeffer’s students. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  2. Episode 470: Lament in the Twin Cities

    JAN 30

    Episode 470: Lament in the Twin Cities

    Jason and Todd sit down with Rev. Dennis Saunders, a pastor in the Twin Cities, to reflect on his experience over the past few weeks. Be sure to check out Dennis’ podcast Church and Main. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    Episode 469: Righteous Among the Nations

    This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Joseph Edelheit to reflect on one of the darkest moments of this Advent season and how faith communities are navigating grief, fear, and resilience. On December 14, 2025, a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia — known affectionately as “Chanukah by the Sea” — turned into a scene of unspeakable violence when two gunmen opened fire on the Jewish community gathered to welcome the Festival of Lights. At least 15 people were killed, and dozens more were wounded in what authorities and community leaders have characterized as a terrorist attack with antisemitic intent. In the midst of global mourning, believers across traditions are asking how our faith shapes responses to such hatred. To guide the conversation, Rabbi Jospeh suggested “The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting was an attack on Judaism” by Jeffrey Salkin, which argues that this tragedy is not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader pattern of attacks that seek to desecrate Jewish life and faith itself. The piece challenges both Jewish and non-Jewish readers to reckon honestly with rising antisemitism and what it means to defend not only people but the sacred rhythms of religious life. Whether you’re listening from a church pew, a living room candlelighting, or on a long walk, this episode is our invitation to sit with hard questions and to remember that faith calls us to stand with those made vulnerable, even when the world feels unbearably heavy. 📍 Tune in, subscribe, and join us for a conversation about grief, memory, and the work of love in dark times. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    Episode 468: The Form of the Sermon

    In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section five of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
  5. Episode 467: The Sermon and the Text

    12/08/2025

    Episode 467: The Sermon and the Text

    In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section four of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Jason and Ken also rant (at the very beginning) about what grinds their gears about Advent. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  6. 11/14/2025

    Episode 466: The Twice Born Sermon

    In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section three of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture: A sermon is born twice, once in the pastor’s own study and once in the pulpit, the latter representing the real origin.[36] An ill-prepared preacher will be insecure and will have to distract listeners from that insecurity through all sorts of devices deriving from his own vanity: noise, pathos, appeal to teary emotions. The highest possible objectivity in the pulpit results from the best preparation. The preacher is free with regard to preparatory work to the extent required and is not bound to having to learn anything word for word. Prayer in the sacristy before the sermon. Kneeling belongs not in word through the Spirit. Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  7. 11/03/2025

    Episode 465: What is the Sermon?

    In this episode, Teer Hardy and Jason Micheli, along with Ken Jones (The Undomesticated Preacher), explore section two of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s lecture on homiletics. Here’s a snippet of Bonhoeffer’s lecture: “In the subjectivity of the preacher, the objective character of the church is constantly changing. The sermon of the one who does not stand in obedience is robbed not of its promise but of its trustworthiness. Discipleship is the place where the proclamation is made present. Hence, what it must emphasize is not its proximity to the Volk but its alien character in this world.” Next up is Section Three (which you can read in the same document as Section Two). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 11m

  8. 10/23/2025

    Episode 464: Preaching Office and Pastoral Office

    This episode, Jason and Teer are joined by Ken Jones to explore the theology of preaching as articulated by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, exploring the significance of the preaching office, the relationship between preaching and the sacraments, and the challenges faced by contemporary preachers. Ken emphasizes the importance of understanding preaching as a divine calling rather than a mere profession, and they discuss the need for a sacramental view of preaching that recognizes its role in delivering the gospel. They also address the crisis in preaching today and the necessity for preachers to be well-trained and grounded in scripture. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crackersnjuice.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min
See All (492)

4.7
out of 5
291 Ratings

About

Crackers and Grape Juice began in the spring of 2016 with a conversation between Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy. In the years since, two shows have been added to the lineup, Strangely Warmed and (Her)Men*You*Tics, but the goal has remained the same: talking about faith without using stained-glass language. crackersnjuice.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    talking about faith without using stained-glass language
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    492
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Crackers & Grape Juice
  • Show Website
    Crackers and Grape Juice

You Might Also Like