Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday Faith

Scott Rice (Resident Theologian for Theology Lab at Highrock church; ThD, Harvard Divinity School)

Theology Lab is a podcast that supports courage and curiosity for everyday faith. We focus on connecting questions of faith with approachable conversations in theology, interpreting the Bible (Scripture), life in the church. It's a podcast, with different offerings (series, like Beyond Simple Answers), that explores a working theological vision (key beliefs) for folks who consider themselves as curious, as asking questions about their faith (e.g., deconstruction, evangelicalism and post-evangelicalism), and looking for helpful ways forward. In our Beyond Simple Answers podcast (a Theology Lab series), we explore a theological vision for faith, in the form conversations, that responds to simple answers to important questions that often fall short -- and what different responses to questions can look like. Episodes on Theology Lab consist of conversational interviews with a range of guests, from public figures like David Brooks and Russell Moore, to biblical scholars, church leaders, theologians, and more. Theology Lab values an approach to faith that is open to questions and comfortable with nuance. It's a place for those who see themselves as theologically curious. How can we be both grounded while pursuing a vibrant, expansive kind of faith? Theology Lab is offered by Highrock church. These discussions (available here and on YouTube as free resources) focus on important issues of our time – past topics include the state of American evangelicalism, God and money, interpreting Scripture, and theology through the lens of different cultural and ethnic experiences (Black theology, Asian American theology), evil (theodicy), and more. Our website is www.theologylab.org, and you can Scott for more info: theologylab@highrock.org https://www.instagram.com/theologylab1/ https://twitter.com/Theology_Lab

  1. Announcing (new series!) Beyond Simple Answers: Our Lingering Questions

    MAR 5

    Announcing (new series!) Beyond Simple Answers: Our Lingering Questions

    SEARCHING FOR A THEOLOGICAL VISION WHEN SIMPLE ANSWERS FALL SHORT. Interesting? This is what Theology Lab's new series, Beyond Simple Answers is about: Explorations on faith, the Bible, theology, for a faith that is looking beyond simple answers. In the inaugural episode of the podcast "Beyond Simple Answers," hosts Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee introduce their mission to explore complex theological questions that often elude simple answers. The podcast aims to create a space for critical inquiry within a faith context, encouraging listeners to engage with their doubts and questions rather than suppress them. Each host shares their personal journeys, highlighting their diverse backgrounds in ministry, medicine, and technology, which inform their perspectives on faith and theology. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community in navigating these discussions, aiming to foster a supportive environment for exploring challenging topics. The hosts outline the podcast's unique approach, which combines a desire to believe with critical thinking, all while operating within a church context. They express their hope to work out a shared theological vision through open dialogue, inviting listeners to join them in this exploration. The episode concludes with a teaser for the first series, which will tackle the provocative question, "Why does God create a world with so much suffering?" This question serves as a springboard for deeper discussions about faith, salvation, and the nature of God, setting the stage for future episodes that promise to engage listeners in meaningful theological inquiry. Check out Kristin’s book, We Mend With Gold! Find a local bookseller: https://tinyurl.com/MendwithgoldLocal Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/MendWithGold Takeaways This podcast seeks a theological vision when simple answers fall short.We want to encourage questions and doubts in a supportive community.Critical thinking and faith can coexist in meaningful ways.Theology Lab's website: www.theologylab.org Music Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE Chapters 00:00 Beyond Simple Answers! 00:49 Introduction to Beyond Simple Answers 01:38 Meet the Hosts: Personal Journeys 05:16 Goals and Unique Approach of the Podcast 10:34 Teaser for the First Series: Why Did God Create a World with So Much Suffering?

    12 min
  2. Munther Isaac (Christ in the Rubble) & Mary Speta (Amirah) on War, Trafficking & How to Love One's Enemy

    JAN 24

    Munther Isaac (Christ in the Rubble) & Mary Speta (Amirah) on War, Trafficking & How to Love One's Enemy

    A Theology Lab podcast on faith and justice amidst suffering and evil. Rev. Munther Isaac—known for his influential sermon “Christ in the Rubble”—and Mary Speta, Executive Director of Amirah, discuss how faith helps them love amidst impossible situations. The conversation addresses theology and the message of Scripture. Together, they offer thoughtful theological reflection on some of today’s most challenging global issues: war, human trafficking, trauma, and the radical call to love one’s enemy. Designed for learners, students, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Christian moral discernment, this Theology Lab session (part of the Deliver Us From Evil series). Rev. Munther Isaac brings pastoral insight shaped by conflict and suffering, while Mary Speta offers an expert, survivor-informed perspective on exploitation and restorative justice. Key learning themes include: Christian approaches to understanding war, violence, and human suffering How faith communities can respond to human trafficking with wisdom and compassion The call to love one’s enemy and its implications for discipleship, as well as reflecting on how to deal with anger ➡️ Learn more about the organization Mary leads: https://www.amirahinc.org/ Check out Rev. Munther's book: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802885548/christ-in-the-rubble/ The interview includes licensed music (Artlist): I Promise by Ian Post (ian-post) Learn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.org

    37 min
  3. Dreams, Visions & the Bible: Reading Scripture on Turtle Island (2)

    JAN 17

    Dreams, Visions & the Bible: Reading Scripture on Turtle Island (2)

    How should we think about dreams, visions and the Bible? The authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island walk us through this question and their fascinating book. This is a Theology Lab educational conversation with the authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation, Danny Zacharias and Chris Hoklotubbe. The video looks at how to read Scripture in light of an Indigenous - Native American, First Peoples - lens. 👀 This is part 2, which looks at how to understand dreams, visions and connections between the Bible and land (through stories). Alongside an exploration of the Bible, how to understand dreams and visions in relationship to Scripture, this conversation begins with the question about understanding Creator's presence on Turtle Island before settlers arrived. If part 2 on dreams, visions, the Bible and more interests you, check out part 1 of the interview for more on key ideas that underlie reading the Bible on Turtle Island. ➡️ Scott is joined in this interview his colleague, Pastor Robert Bloodworth. The interview includes licensed music (Artlist): Rephrase by Nadav Cohen. 📚 Be sure to check out Danny and Chris's book here: https://www.ivpress.com/reading-the-bible-on-turtle-island?srsltid=AfmBOop_nrX-GkvgvW5hH3uvFvWZn8vaqde4-J0jUxBX9b1cY1CLXtlI ➡️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/stgweHHxMf4 Learn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.org

    24 min
5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Theology Lab is a podcast that supports courage and curiosity for everyday faith. We focus on connecting questions of faith with approachable conversations in theology, interpreting the Bible (Scripture), life in the church. It's a podcast, with different offerings (series, like Beyond Simple Answers), that explores a working theological vision (key beliefs) for folks who consider themselves as curious, as asking questions about their faith (e.g., deconstruction, evangelicalism and post-evangelicalism), and looking for helpful ways forward. In our Beyond Simple Answers podcast (a Theology Lab series), we explore a theological vision for faith, in the form conversations, that responds to simple answers to important questions that often fall short -- and what different responses to questions can look like. Episodes on Theology Lab consist of conversational interviews with a range of guests, from public figures like David Brooks and Russell Moore, to biblical scholars, church leaders, theologians, and more. Theology Lab values an approach to faith that is open to questions and comfortable with nuance. It's a place for those who see themselves as theologically curious. How can we be both grounded while pursuing a vibrant, expansive kind of faith? Theology Lab is offered by Highrock church. These discussions (available here and on YouTube as free resources) focus on important issues of our time – past topics include the state of American evangelicalism, God and money, interpreting Scripture, and theology through the lens of different cultural and ethnic experiences (Black theology, Asian American theology), evil (theodicy), and more. Our website is www.theologylab.org, and you can Scott for more info: theologylab@highrock.org https://www.instagram.com/theologylab1/ https://twitter.com/Theology_Lab

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