Theology In Pieces

Slim and Malcolm
  • 5.0 (45)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Join Slim Thompson, Malcolm Foley and many more to discuss and 'Apply the Gospel' into little bite sized pieces every week. email hello@theologyinpieces.com to ask questions or reach out. 

  1. 2h ago

    82 - Jesus Was a Migrant with Alexis Busetti

    Send us a Question! Immigration talk can make Christians defensive fast, but we wanted to slow down long enough to ask a better question: what if “migration” is not a fringe issue, but a core Christian theme woven through Scripture and human life? We’re joined by Alexis Busetti, host of That Makes Total Sense and a PhD student in intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, to help us rebuild a theology that’s been fractured by fear, outrage, and talking points. Alexis co-wrote Migration, a six-week interactive Bible study published by IVP, and we dig into why this resource works so well for churches. We walk through the study’s guiding framework manifesto, myth, material, and emotion, and talk honestly about how myths around immigrants get formed and reinforced in our political echo chambers. Along the way we name the forces shaping the church right now: Christian nationalism, individualism, and the ways power and self-interest can hide behind “just follow the law.” Then we go theological in the best way. What does it mean to say Jesus is a migrant, and why does it matter that the Incarnation itself is God choosing to move toward us? We also get practical and local: when immigration enforcement makes people afraid to attend church, the clean separation between “government policy” and “church compassion” falls apart. We share what our congregation is trying next, including dinners with churches who disagree, a border learning experience, language partnerships, and transportation support as trust-building immigrant ministry. As always we explore the absurd stories of today like SpaceEX hitting the moon with a rocket, Christian Nationalist pastor Jack Hibbs connecting Mamdani with Stalin ,  creepy Centaur Robots, and Mike Johnson's Prayer that God answered regarding the Big Beautiful Bill.  SPOILER ALERT!!!  - Malcolm and Slim go into detail with their response to the New Spiderman movie.  So if you haven't seen it yet, skip from 12:48-22:10.   If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    82 - Jesus Was a Migrant with Alexis Busetti

  2. Jul 22

    81 - When High T Meets The Holy T

    Send us a Question! The Lord's Supper.  What it is.  & Who it's for.   On today's podcast, we catch up on Malcolm’s sabbatical highlighted by his time at monastery, chanting psalms, and rereading big chunks of the New Testament), then we pivot to some annoying Low T shenanigans, The Odyssey, and finally we wrestle with: The Holy Table/ Communion/ Eucharist / Lord's Supper.   We walk straight through 1 Corinthians 11, be accused of cannibalism, discuss what's really happening in this passage, what "an unworthy manner,” & “discern the body,” means. Hint: IT'S NOT A SNACK!! From there we zoom out to John 6 and the long Christian debate about real presence: Roman Catholic transubstantiation, memorial-only approaches, and the Reformed conviction that Christ is truly present by the Spirit and truly nourishes his people. Finally, we tackle the pastoral edge: open vs closed communion, baptism as the marker of the new covenant community, and why questions about children and special needs believers expose what we really think communion is. Terrible Tweets: The High T Dept. of War Jesse Waters Horrific "women better be careful" Dumb has a B! The Odyssey has gone Woke - Matt Walsh Subscribe, share this with a friend who has opinions about communion, and leave a review telling us where your tradition lands and why. If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    81 - When High T Meets The Holy T

  3. Jul 10

    80 - Is James Talarico the Antichrist? What's More Dangerous: Bad Theology or Bad Character?

    Send us a Question! Calling a political opponent “demonic” feels bold until you realize what it does to your soul. In this episode, we begin with a provocative question that's been circulating in some corners of Texas politics and Christian social media: "Is James Talarico the Antichrist?" From there, we zoom out to wrestle with a much bigger issue: how Christians talk about other Christians when theology, politics, and culture wars collide. We explore the contrast between two prominent figures in Texas politics: Ken Paxton, whose career has been marked by numerous public controversies and allegations, and James Talarico, whose appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience reignited debates about progressive Christianity. Along the way, we examine why so many online conversations leap from disagreement to accusations of being "demonic" or part of the "synagogue of Satan," instead of offering thoughtful theological critique. Then we slow down and ask what Scripture actually says. What does “antichrist” mean in 1 John? Is it just shorthand for “someone I strongly disagree with,” or is it tied to denying Jesus and the incarnation? We also wrestle with the “God is nonbinary” controversy, the Bible’s gendered language for God, and why our current moment turns nuance into outrage. And we keep coming back to the same test Jesus gives us: fruit. Character. Trustworthiness. Repentance. If you’re tired of jersey politics and spiritual name-calling, this one is for you.  Resources listed: Joe Rogan interview with James Talarico James Talarico is More Demonic than You Think - with Allie Beth Stuckey Lt. Gov Dan Patrick saying JT will "go to hell"  Josh Howerton (Mega Church Pastor calling him a Synogogue of Satan)  The Hypocrisy of Republicans trying to Shame James Talarico for his Faith 'Fake Christian' or Faithful?  GOP Ads Against Paxton Joel Berry's Tweet Jason Howerton Tweet If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    80 - Is James Talarico the Antichrist? What's More Dangerous: Bad Theology or Bad Character?

  4. Jun 18

    79 - I Criticized Patriotism... Then I Watched the World Cup

    Send us a Question! What the World Cup, the Knicks, Politics, and Chris Farley Have in Common... After talking about the dangers of patriotism in our last episode, Slim confesses the conflicting feelings found in the joy he found in a world cup victory. That emotional swing matters, because it helps us name the real issue. The problem is not affection but... elevation.  An idol is when a good thing becomes an ultimate thing.... and when national pride starts acting like nation worship. From there, we move into the messier world of politics, social media, and war. I read a couple of “terrible tweets” that are funny for all the wrong reasons, then sit with the uncomfortable question: do I actually want peace, or do I just want my opponents to lose? If you’re a Christian who cares about life and justice, you cannot cheer de-escalation only when it benefits your team. We talk about praying for leaders, praying against violent ambitions, and why saving lives has to outrank scoring points. Then we widen the lens to sports, comedy, and the human heart. The Knicks’ improbable run becomes a parable of hope, and Chris Farley’s story becomes a warning about the limits of applause. We end with a better kind of laughter, the kind Scripture ties to redemption and surprise, when God does what felt impossible. Hope this epsiode can bring you some of that good laughter.  Terrible Tweets: $120 GAS TANK Greenland is now asking Trump to Invade... Resources mentioned: Slim's Prayer against Trump's ambitions back in April  All The Human Heart Wants is It's Chance - Paul Putz What Laughter Reveals - Genesis 18&21 Sermon Matt Foley (Chris Farley) - SNL I AM CHRIS FARLEY - Amazon Prime If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    79 - I Criticized Patriotism... Then I Watched the World Cup

  5. Jun 11

    78- Is Patriotism a Sin? (America's 250th Celebration)

    Send us a Question! With America heading into a 250th anniversary, we sit with an uncomfortable question Christians tend to dodge until it’s unavoidable: is patriotism a sin? With Malcolm on sabbatical, Slim goes solo and names why this topic feels so spiritually charged right now. We start with the emotional pull of national pride, the summer nostalgia, the stories we tell ourselves about home and belonging. Then we turn and face the hard collisions: what do we do with a country we love when its history and violence? From there, we unpack why patriotism is uniquely tempting for Christians, because it borrows the language of religion: sacred symbols, rituals, songs, and pledges that can quietly train our hearts toward ultimate loyalty. Next, we dig into a biblical view of patriotism and nationalism through the New Testament lens: citizenship in heaven, life as exiles, Jesus’ refusal to advance his kingdom through coercion, and the enemy love ethic of the Sermon on the Mount. We also take Romans 13 seriously, offering a more nuanced reading alongside insights from John Howard Yoder and themes echoed in Greg Boyd’s The Myth of a Christian Nation. Finally, we trace the historic shift after Constantine and ask the question that won’t go away: did the church convert the empire, or did the empire convert the church? Before all that we look at 2 different denominational conversations happening right now.  1 in the SBC banning women Pastors and 1 in the PCUSA and Polyamory or Monogamy in the clergy.  The Artificial Line and a point where we agree with Trump.  If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    78- Is Patriotism a Sin? (America's 250th Celebration)

  6. May 27

    77 - "A Slow-Motion Disaster." Sanctuary and Immigration with Dianne Garcia

    Send us a Question! Pastors w/ guns. Screens robbing our attention. Families losing income, homes, and loved ones through detention and deportation. If any of that makes your stomach drop, you’re not alone.  We need Sanctuary as christians!  We need Shalom.  We need Jesus.  Today we sit down with Dianne Garcia, a Mennonite pastor in San Antonio who founded Iglesia Cristiana Roca De Refugio. Diane also leads a nonprofit Nuevos Vecinos serving hundreds of immigrant families. She walks us through what “mass deportation” actually looks like: work authorization stripped, exploitation at work, higher filing fees, loss of benefits, and relentless financial stress, and most devastating... family separation, with parents detained, deported, and children left behind trying to survive a system designed to create suffering. Along the way, we wrestle with Christian nationalism, gun culture, just war theory, modern drone warfare, and explore one article's plea to reduce the screens in church. Dianne's 90 Day March Mejores Juntos If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    77 - "A Slow-Motion Disaster." Sanctuary and Immigration with Dianne Garcia

  7. Apr 20

    76 - "Marketing Is Witchcraft" And Other Road Trip Theology w/ Sho Baraka

    Send us a Question! Today, we continue: "Theologians in SUV's Coming Back from the Airport".  Listen in on an unfiltered conversation with Sho Baraka about creativity, Christian hip hop, and the hidden forces shaping the modern church. We start light and personal, talking Atlanta culture and the “many hats” Sho wears as a writer, cultural critic, speaker, and artist. From there, he walks us through his origin story: poetry, West Coast influences, freestyling, and the slow work of developing a voice that doesn’t sound like anyone else. Then we zoom out to the music industry and the attention economy. Sho challenges the pressure to overproduce and to live inside the algorithm, and he names why promotion can feel less like honest communication and more like manipulation. If you’ve ever wondered why so much music feels rushed or hollow, you’ll hear a clear diagnosis and a better vision for making art with patience, maturity, and depth. The conversation gets even sharper as we talk about the Western church, “relevance,” and the danger of being tethered to empire. Sho argues that what masquerades as church can become Christendom, Christianity shaped to please power. He also reflects on justice work, the temptation to let anger become condemnation, and the hard but hopeful path back through confession, repentance, and real community. If you care about faithfulness, public theology, racial solidarity, and the integrity of Christian witness, this one will stay with you.  Sho came to Waco on he and Malcolm's "Good Culture In An Empire" Tour.  If you missed it here, reach out and see if they're coming to your city.  They have dates in Denver and Atlanta already lined up.   Check all things Sho Baraka out at www.shobaraka.com/ His Book: He Saw That it Was Good Latest Album: Spotify: Midnight of a Good Culture / Apple: Midnight of a Good Culture The Bootmaker's Ballad (Music video)  If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

    76 - "Marketing Is Witchcraft" And Other Road Trip Theology w/ Sho Baraka

  8. Apr 1

    75 - Christ Is King? Depends What You Mean

    Send us a Question! “Christ Is King” is everywhere right now and that’s exactly why we needed to slow down and ask what we’re actually confessing. We’re recording during Holy Week, and we feel the tension: the Resurrection is the center of Christian faith, but the name of Jesus keeps getting pulled into arguments about power, violence, and national identity. So we put the slogan on the table and ask whether it’s being used as comfort, as a threat, or as a shortcut to baptize the politics of empire.  We discuss imprecatory psalms, the difference between the oppressed crying out for justice and an empire asking God to bless its weapons.  Also, are there  prayers that God ignores?  Does God listen to the prayers of the wicked? The Pope recently warned that God doesn't listen to those who wage war.  We also take a look at our Mail Bag and there is one consistent theme.... $ Hope you enjoy!  Keep writing in!   Sho Baraka & Malcolm's Good Culture in an Empire Event - April 17th! Get your tix.  Resources discussed Power Over vs. Power Under in Two-Kingdoms by Greg Boyd The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church by Greg Boyd Pete Hegseth's Prayer Terrible tweets: "the worst of the worst" Robert Morris released If this conversation helps you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find thoughtful, grounded faith in a loud, fearful world. For more information, you can follow us at https://www.theologyinpieces.com/ Theology in Pieces on Instagram - @theologyinpieces Email us by emailing hello@theologyinpieces.com Malcolm Foley - on twitter @MalcolmBFoley Slim Thompson on twitter @wacoslim For more information on the church, check us out at www.mosaicwaco.org or on instagram.

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5
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About

Join Slim Thompson, Malcolm Foley and many more to discuss and 'Apply the Gospel' into little bite sized pieces every week. email hello@theologyinpieces.com to ask questions or reach out. 

Information

  • Creator
    Slim and Malcolm
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Theology In Pieces
  • Show Website
    Theology In Pieces

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