Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Dale McConkey, Host

Explore the life of Jesus as it's represented in the modern film series, The Chosen. Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins and the exuberant Gabrielle Roes along with host Dale McConkey as we discuss the merits of this cinematic blockbuster within the Christian community.  We peel back the layers of film and television portrayals of Jesus to reveal how movies like The Chosen influence our faith and understanding of the scriptures. We also delve into the series' integration of Jewish customs, the artistic balance between imagination and scripture, and the emotional resonance these stories have with audiences today.

And join us as we play "Dale Got It Right or Dale Got It Wrong?" See if Gabrielle and Jon agree with these statements:
The Chosen is the most Jewish representation of Jesus on film.We should be concerned by all the non-biblical content in The Chosen.Jesus’ personality in The Chosen is consistent with the way he is portrayed in the Bible.The Chosen misses the mark in the manner it gives authority to the Bible.We should be concerned by The Chosen’s connection to the Left Behind series.Grab some popcorn and join the potluck! (Mixing metaphors much?)

Warning: Spoilers throughout the episode.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

As Church Potluck makes its return from an extended break, we're setting the table to feast on a diversity of Christian experiences and insights. Our latest episode serves up an intimate look at the complex and controversial intersection of faith and transgender identity. We are joined by two transgender clergy members, Rev. Kimble Sorrells and Rev. Andi Woodworth, who each share their personal and spiritual journeys with us. We are also joined by students from my (Dale's) class on the sociology of sex,  gender, and sexuality, with several of them asking questions.  Regardless of where you fall on the theological spectrum, we hope you find the podcast informative.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Weeeee'rrre Baaaack!!! After an extended hiatus, Church Potluck has returned! In this episode (recorded a few months ago), brace yourself for a journey through the ethical labyrinth of modern science with Dr. Michael Bailey and Dr. Michael Papazian as our guides, discussing  Christian and philosophical perspectives on the latest biotechnological marvel: human embryos created with neither sperm nor eggs.

Our conversation probes the ethical minefields of new reproductive technology and its threat to philosophical liberalism. We also address the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of sexual intimacy and procreation and reflect on how the separation of sex from procreation has led to a cascade of societal shifts.

And of course, we toss in a few games and lots of laughs!

Join us in this thought-provoking episode that is as rich and varied as a Church Potluck, and prepare to engage with questions that will stir your soul and nourish your mind.

Note: We've marked this episode "explicit" only because of our discussions on sexuality, which include a few colorful descriptions!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

It's the long-awaited Oppenheimer episode! We explore the man, the myth, the movie: J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb." Our esteemed guests are Drs. Todd Timberlake (physics), Kirsten Taylor (international relations, and Clint Peters (literature and film). This episode offers an engaging blend of history, science, and ethics as we scrutinize Oppenheimer's moral dilemmas and understand his legacy as portrayed in the recent film.

We play the game "Oppenheimer or Stoppenheimer?" We explore the ethics of the atomic bomb and modern warfare. We discuss the United Methodist theological position on warfare. And in our "Leftovers" segment, we allow Clint to take a deep dive into his insights on Christopher Nolan's production of the Oppenheimer film.

It is a fun and insightful episode, so please join us at the table, come and get it, and dig in!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Crusades = Bad. It's that simple, isn't it? Join us for a deep dive as we explore the Crusades from multiple angles from three historians. First, Larry Marvin explores how the Crusades were not primarily an attempt to convert Muslims. Next, Kelsey Rice discusses the Crusades from the vantage point of medieval Muslims. Finally, Christy Snider discusses the ways that Crusade rhetoric is used in more recent history, especially in the wake of 9/11.

Later in the podcast during our "Leftovers" segment, we discuss the motivations behind those embarking on the Crusades, and we also discuss the motivations of modern-day historians. There's a lot of meat at this church potluck, so put on your thinking caps* and get ready to dig in!

*Feel free to disregard the custom of removing one's hat when at the dining table.
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Is America losing its religion? Statistics indicate yes, with a rapid decrease in church affiliation and a marked increase in people who don't identify with organized religion. This episode of Church Potluck features Curt Hersey (Communication), Michael Bailey (political science), and Michael Papazian (philosophy), who each help us explore the fall of religiosity, the rise of non-affiliation, and the evolution of religious identities.

Some topics we address in this episode:
What features of contemporary Christianity are turning people away from the Church?Even with this recent decline, religious faith remains resilient in the U.S compared to other industrialized countries. Why? How?How does faith get transmitted from generation to generation, and why are these traditional modes failing?Join us for some food for thought and something to chew on!
The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.