Theology in the Raw

Theology in the Raw
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Helping believers think Christianly about theological and cultural issues by engaging in curious conversations with a diverse range of thoughtful people.

  1. 2d ago

    What Are Christians Getting Wrong About Islam? Dr. Daniel Bannoura

    Are Christians being fair in how we understand Islam? Palestinian Christian scholar Dr. Daniel Bannoura joins Preston Sprinkle to explore Islam and Christianity, religious violence, what the Quran says about Jesus, and the treatment of women. In the fourth and final episode of our Understanding Islam series, Daniel helps me process my conversations with Javad Hashmi, Gabriel Said Reynolds, and Fariza Gulomikova, including some of the pushback the series received. Daniel grew up in the West Bank and earned his PhD in Islamic Studies at Notre Dame, focusing on the biblical subtext of the Qur’an. We discuss the relationship between the Quran and Hadith, Islamic teachings about Jesus and the Trinity, and Daniel’s interpretation of the Quran’s passage on the crucifixion. We also wrestle with Christianity’s own history of justifying violence and how politics, culture, and education shape Muslim communities. And I press Daniel on whether Christianity and Islam offer distinct visions for the treatment of women. It’s a challenging conversation about real theological differences, our own assumptions, and what it means to love our Muslim neighbors faithfully. Watch or listen to Extra Innings at https://patreon.com/theologyintheraw, where Daniel and I tackle your questions: Is Islam animated by dark spiritual forces? Is it a Christian heresy or a separate religion? What can Christians learn from Muslims? And how should we respond to fears about Sharia law in America? CHAPTERS 00:00 A Palestinian Christian’s experience of violence 00:31 Understanding Islam: The series finale 02:22 Meet Dr. Daniel Bannoura 05:13 Learning to love Muslim neighbors 08:31 Reflecting on the Islam series 12:31 Was Javad Hashmi representative of Islam? 18:22 The Quran, Hadith, and Islamic scholarship 24:22 What does Islam teach about Jesus? 28:27 The Quran and the Trinity 30:08 Does the Quran deny Jesus’ crucifixion? 35:43 How religious traditions develop 38:14 Why focus on violence and women? 40:27 Comparing Christian and Muslim violence 44:30 Muslim diversity beyond the stereotypes 45:43 Colonialism, politics, and religious extremism 48:37 Women, culture, and education 52:08 Do Christianity and Islam treat women differently? 55:00 Jesus’ countercultural treatment of women 59:41 Your questions answered in Extra Innings See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What Are Christians Getting Wrong About Islam? Dr. Daniel Bannoura

  2. 6d ago

    John Mark Comer: What Constant Noise Is Doing to Your Soul

    Watch our Extra Innings conversation on Patreon, where John Mark Comer shares his evolving views on women in church leadership and the questions he’s still wrestling with: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw What is constant noise doing to our souls? And why can being alone with God feel so uncomfortable? John Mark Comer joins Preston to discuss his latest book, Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise. We explore how noise affects our capacity to love God and others, what surfaced during John Mark’s 21-day solitude retreat, and why silence often brings us face-to-face with the pain we’ve been avoiding. John Mark also shares why quiet doesn’t come naturally to him, how to practice solitude within the demands of everyday life, the difference between solitude and loneliness, and the surprising structure of the small church he helps pastor. John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including Practicing the Way, which was named the 2025 Christian Book of the Year by the ECPA, and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, which has sold more than a million copies and been translated into over 20 languages. His latest book is Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise, which forms the basis of our conversation. John Mark is a pastor and the founder of Practicing the Way, an organization working to see the renewal of apprenticeship to Jesus in our time. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why solitude is so hard 00:49 Introducing John Mark Comer 03:57 Running, ministry, and friendship 07:24 Why your body matters for spiritual formation 10:27 Writing theology that people can understand 12:53 Noise is a threat to our souls 13:48 Sponsors 15:45 How noise affects our bodies and relationships 21:47 John Mark’s 21-day solitude retreat 24:32 What we learn when distractions are stripped away 27:36 Jesus’ rhythm of retreat and return 30:49 Becoming a person of quiet in an anxious world 34:45 Solitude for busy people and extroverts 38:39 Finding quiet within the life you actually have 42:08 The difference between solitude and loneliness 44:56 Inside John Mark’s small church community 47:51 Extra Innings: Women in church leadership See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    John Mark Comer: What Constant Noise Is Doing to Your Soul

  3. Oct 5

    Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: Peter Beinart

    Watch our Extra Innings conversation by joining the Theology in the Raw Patreon community: https://patreon.com/theologyintheraw What happens when the story you grew up believing meets the people whose voices were missing from it? Peter Beinart joins Preston to discuss how spending time with Palestinians challenged his understanding of Israel, Jewish identity, and the relationship between safety and freedom. They explore his experience of October 7, the history of Palestinian displacement, his comparison with apartheid South Africa, and why he believes the conflict is bigger than Hamas. Peter also reflects on the personal cost of challenging his community’s assumptions and why he argues that nationalism can become a form of idolatry. Peter is Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York, a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times, Editor-at-Large of Jewish Currents, an MS NOW political commentator, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. He writes the Beinart Notebook newsletter on Substack. His latest book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning, is a New York Times bestseller and winner of the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction. Chapters 00:00 Introduction08:00 Peter’s experience of October 710:35 Rethinking Israel after meeting Palestinians13:52 The history Peter grew up believing18:44 Understanding 1948: Independence and the Nakba23:43 Grieving October 7 and opposing Israel’s response26:40 Why this conflict is bigger than Hamas32:01 Lessons from apartheid South Africa35:05 Why Peter calls Israel’s system apartheid40:59 America’s role and support for Israel45:19 The personal cost of speaking out48:19 Judaism, Zionism, and nationalism as idolatry52:47 Is there hope for equality and freedom?56:29 Extra Innings: American evangelicals and Israel See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: Peter Beinart

  4. Oct 1

    Immigration, Crime, and Deportation: What Should Christians Believe?

    What happens when immigrants who came to the U.S. legally lose their status and face deportation? And what happens to their American-born children when the country their parents could be sent to is considered too dangerous to visit? Matthew Soerens joins Preston to unpack some of the biggest questions and misconceptions surrounding immigration. Why don’t immigrants just come legally? Do undocumented immigrants take American jobs? What does the evidence say about immigration and violent crime? And how should Christians weigh respect for the law alongside the biblical commands to love our neighbors and welcome strangers? Matthew Soerens is World Relief’s vice president of advocacy and policy and is the co-author of three books: Welcoming the Stranger (InterVarsity Press, 2018), Inalienable (InterVarsity Press, 2022), and Seeking Refuge (Moody Publishers, 2026), which just released a second edition. Matt also serves as the National Coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition that advocates for immigration reforms consistent with biblical values. Chapters: 0:00 Haitian families and the danger of separation 0:44 How should Christians think about immigration? 5:15 Starting with Scripture, not party talking points 10:34 Romans 13 and changing legal status 12:38 What’s happening to Haitian families in Springfield? 18:51 Why was temporary protected status withdrawn? 21:25 What can churches do for affected families? 23:58 Can people with temporary status apply to stay? 26:42 Why don’t immigrants just come legally? 35:54 Do immigrants take American jobs? 41:46 What about undocumented immigrants and the economy? 48:36 A proposed path to make things right 51:00 Do immigrants commit more violent crime? 55:25 What would mass deportation mean for the church? 58:26 What do evangelical Christians actually believe? 1:00:54 Seeking Refuge and the global refugee crisis See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Immigration, Crime, and Deportation: What Should Christians Believe?

  5. Sep 28

    The Book of Revelation: A Deep Dive with Dr. David deSilva

    Join the Theology in the Raw Patreon Community to Watch our Extra Innings! https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Is the Book of Revelation a roadmap to the future, or was it meant to help Christians see their own world more clearly? New Testament scholar David deSilva joins Preston to walk through Revelation from the seven churches to the New Jerusalem. They discuss why John wrote to real communities living under the Roman Empire, what the throne room reveals about Jesus’ authority, and how the seals, trumpets, and bowls speak to suffering, judgment, and faithful witness. They also explore Revelation’s critique of empire and political allegiance. What did “Babylon” mean to John’s first readers? What does it mean to “come out of Babylon” today? And which parts of Revelation should Christians understand as future hope? Dr. David deSilva is an ordained elder in the Florida Conference of the GMC and has served as Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary since 1995. He is the author of forty books, including Seeing Things John's Way and his recently released Archaeology and the Revelation of John. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 5:12 Who Was Revelation Written For? 10:21 Who Was John? 12:11 Jesus and the Seven Churches 16:19 Prophecy and John’s Authority 20:40 The Real Cities Behind the Seven Churches 26:49 Revelation, Empire, and Political Allegiance 35:19 Speaking Prophetically to Our Own Political Side 40:25 The Throne Room: Who Is Really in Charge? 46:21 What Does the Scroll Represent? 49:05 The Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls 55:17 Is Reading Revelation as Prediction Overrated? 58:34 How Should We Read Revelation Today? 1:02:44 Babylon and the Roman Empire 1:10:14 What Does “Come Out of Babylon” Mean? 1:13:23 The New Jerusalem and Revelation’s Future Hope See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Book of Revelation: A Deep Dive with Dr. David deSilva

  6. Sep 24

    She Left Islam for Jesus: Fariza Gulomikova

    Join the Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Fariza Gulomikova grew up in a Shia Ismaili family in Tajikistan. As a child, she saw how much a person could lose by leaving Islam. Then her cousin became a Christian, and the kindness she encountered at his church challenged everything she thought she knew about Christians. In part three of our Understanding Islam series, Fariza tells Preston about her childhood, her encounter with Jesus at age 11, her family’s response to her conversion, and the challenges of starting over in the United States. She also shares what she wishes Christians understood about their Muslim neighbors. Chapters 0:00 Fariza’s decision to become a Christian 0:32 Introduction to part three of Understanding Islam 2:23 Growing up in Tajikistan during a civil war 5:31 Sunni, Shia, and Fariza’s Ismaili background 12:22 Growing up as a girl in a Muslim majority country 17:47 The pressures and dangers Fariza saw women face 26:41 Fariza’s people, language, and culture 29:10 Her childhood view of Christianity 31:34 The cousin who changed her view of Christians 33:32 The kindness that drew her toward Jesus 34:30 Fariza’s encounter with Jesus at age 11 36:45 What she was taught about Jesus in Islam 38:44 Fariza’s advice for Christians talking with Muslims 43:39 How her family responded to her conversion 47:33 Starting over in America 52:28 Islam, terrorism, and stereotypes 55:28 Searching for belonging in Christian communities 58:41 Fariza’s final word to Christians See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    She Left Islam for Jesus: Fariza Gulomikova

  7. Sep 21

    Comparing the Quran to the Bible: Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds

    Join the Theology in the Raw community to hear Preston’s Extra Innings response to this conversation. How does the Qur’an compare to the Bible? Do Muslims read it the way evangelical Christians read the Bible? And if the Qur’an is Islam’s sacred text, why are the Hadith so important for understanding what Muslims believe and how they live? In part two of our series on Islam, Preston sits down with Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds, a Catholic Qur’an scholar and the Crowley Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University and is the author of The Qur’an and Its Biblical Subtext, The Qur’an and the Bible, and Christianity and the Qur’an. Together, they explore how Muslims understand the Qur’an, where it came from, how it took shape, and how its form and use compare with the Bible. They also discuss Muhammad’s relationship to the Qur’an, the early Islamic conquests, passages concerning violence and women, and why reading the Qur’an by itself does not necessarily tell you how Muslims will interpret or apply it. Gabriel’s books explore how the Qur’an engages earlier scriptures and what that relationship can tell us about the emergence of Islam. His latest book, Christianity and the Qur’an, was published by Yale University Press in 2025. You can find more of Gabriel’s work on his YouTube channel, Exploring the Qur’an and the Bible. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why reading the Quran alone isn’t enough 00:42 Introducing Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds 02:15 How Gabriel began studying Islam 05:31 What is the Quran? 09:03 Where did the Quran come from? 12:24 Did Muhammad write the Quran? 14:13 How does the Quran compare to the Bible and Psalms? 19:13 The biggest differences between the Quran and the Bible 21:42 Violence and the early Islamic conquests 27:10 How early Muslims treated Christians and other conquered peoples 32:29 Does the Quran command violence? 39:32 How Muslims interpret difficult Quranic passages 43:28 Is Islam inherently violent? 47:25 What does the Quran say about women? 49:58 Polygamy and the disputed passage about striking wives 52:29 Modesty, honor, and women in Muslim societies 59:07 What are the Hadith, and why do they matter? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Comparing the Quran to the Bible: Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds

  8. Sep 17

    The Quran, Sharia, Violence, and Women. Understanding Islam, Part 1

    Join the Theology in the Raw community to listen to my "Extra Innings" response to my conversation with Javad. What do Christians misunderstand about Islam? Is it inherently violent? Was it spread by the sword? What do Muslims believe about Christians, Sharia, women, the Quran, and the Hadith? In the first episode of our three-part series on Islam, Preston sits down with Dr. Javad Hashmi, a Muslim scholar and PhD candidate in Islamic Studies at Harvard University. The conversation explores the origins of Islam, what historians can know about Muhammad, the development of the Quran and Hadith, Sunni and Shia Islam, Sharia, early Muslim-Christian relations, Islamic empires, religious violence, ISIS and al-Qaeda, the treatment of women, and how Muslims view Christians and Americans. This conversation is not intended to settle every question or present one definitive account of Islam. It is an attempt to listen carefully, understand Islam’s internal diversity, and ask difficult questions without reducing an entire religious tradition to slogans or stereotypes. This is Part 1 of our series, Understanding Islam. CHAPTERS 00:00 Does the Quran Promote Violence? 00:43 What Is Islam, Really? 05:21 Introducing Dr. Javad Hashmi 06:32 How to Understand Any Religion 12:41 Muhammad and the Origins of Islam 23:40 Early Muslim-Christian Relations 29:16 Was Islam Spread by the Sword? 42:30 Sunni, Shia, and Sufi Islam 49:50 Core Beliefs and Sharia 55:46 The Quran Versus the Hadith 1:04:36 Islam, Violence, and Terrorism 1:15:41 Islam and Women 1:27:03 How Muslims View Christians and Americans 1:32:22 Closing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Quran, Sharia, Violence, and Women. Understanding Islam, Part 1
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Helping believers think Christianly about theological and cultural issues by engaging in curious conversations with a diverse range of thoughtful people.

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  • Creator
    Theology in the Raw
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    849
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Theology in the Raw

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