Theology on Mission Theology on Mission
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- Religion & Spirituality
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For those longing to connect theology and mission, we are talking about God and everything else. Broadcasting from NORTHERN SEMINARY, in partnership with Missio Alliance, David Fitch and Mike Moore bring their experiences as pastors and professors to bear on issues of mission and church. Pull up a chair or take them and their guests with you around town.
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S9: E13 Finding Freedom in Constraint: Reimagining Spiritual Disciplines as a Communal Way of Life | Jared Patrick Boyd
The constraints of the spiritual life, practiced in the community, are what set us free. Practicing spiritual disciplines can seem difficult, especially when we undertake them as isolated individuals. But we were never meant to practice them alone.
Jared Patrick Boyd reveals how the constraints practiced in Christian community shape us into the way of Christ. He re-anchors the practices of constraint within the ascetic tradition of monasticism, religious orders, and the early church fathers. Boyd writes, "The constraints of a rule of life are what make life together, lived for one another, possible. A rule of life is not meant to be primarily personal, but communal. It's not primarily meant to guide my life. It is meant to describe our way of life together." Constraint is the practice of learning to pay deeper attention to the things in our inner world that prevent us from progressing in the school of love.
Discover a deep conversation on freedom and constraint with six core practices of constraint that can form in us a greater freedom to be and become people who love as God loves. Enter into this vision with your local community (in small groups, church leadership teams, or families), and learn to make greater room to experience the love of God.
Grab your copy of Finding Freedom in Constraint: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Freedom-Constraint-Reimagining-Disciplines/dp/1514004313 -
S9: E12 On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living | Dr. Alan Noble
We aren't always honest about how difficult normal human life is.
For the majority of people, sorrow, despair, anxiety, and mental illness are everyday experiences. While we have made tremendous advancements in therapy and psychiatry, the burden of living still comes down to mundane choices that we each must make―like the daily choice to get out of bed.
In this deeply personal essay, Alan Noble considers the unique burden of everyday life in the modern world. Sometimes, he writes, the choice to carry on amid great suffering―to simply get out of bed―is itself a powerful witness to the goodness of life, and of God.
Purchase Your Copy of On Getting Out of Bed: https://www.ivpress.com/on-getting-out-of-bed -
S9: E11 Redeeming Power or Powering Under: What Did Jesus Do? | Matt Tebbe
How did Jesus interact and weld power?
In this thought-provoking episode of Theology on Mission Podcast, we dive deep into this riveting theological discussion with our special guest, Matt Tebbe.
Matt Tebbe, a theologian and author of "Having the Mind of Christ," brings his unique insights to the table as we delve into the polarizing topic of 'power' as seen in theological perspectives. We grapple with intriguing questions regarding the nature of power, the difference between worldly and godly power, and the implications of these two distinct forms of power in various social and cultural contexts.
Building on the foundation of our previous discussions, we continue our exploration of power in the context of Jesus' life and teachings. We ponder over the transformative power of Jesus, examining different biblical narratives where Jesus interacts with societal norms and challenges power structures.
Matt presents his interpretation of how Jesus used power to promote justice and love. He discusses 'power redistribution' and describes how Jesus navigated balancing power dynamics through love. Contrary to redistributing worldly power, Dave Fitch argues that Jesus entered spaces, disrupted the worldly power, and permitted a new power - the power of the Kingdom - to work.
Despite the disagreements and differences, this conversation provides an enriching understanding of how differently we reckon with power, providing a path towards addressing power issues that many face in faith establishments.
Learn more about Matt Tebbe’s Gravity Commons organization at https://gravitycommons.com/community/ and The Table at https://www.thetableindy.org/ -
S9: E10 Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire | Dr. Preston Sprinkle
What if we considered ourselves “exiles in Babylon” and turned to Scripture, not political parties, to shape our most passionate values?
Politics are dividing our churches like never before. In his new book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, Dr. Preston Sprinkle reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn’t where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to—or above—a Christian one. Church was a place where God’s plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator’s design for human flourishing.
Fitch, Mike, and Preston explore why:
Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped the political identity of God’s people—and still does today.
Christians should see themselves as foreigners in the country where they live.
The gospel of Jesus’ kingdom was politically subversive.
The church today should view its political identity as fundamentally separate from the empire.
Total allegiance to a political party dilutes the church’s witness. Discover a more biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.
Get your copy of Exiles: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/books/exiles -
S9: E9 Where Do Christians Start with Power - Genesis 1-3?
How does God leverage power?
In David Fitch’s new book, Reckoning with Power, he unpacks the difference between worldly power, or power over others, and God's power, which engages not in coercion but in love, reconciliation, grace, forgiveness, and healing.
On today’s podcast, Mike and Fitch focus on the power found at the very beginning of Genesis and how that sets the stage for how the church should reckon with power. -
S9: E8 Christ Among the Classes with Al Tizon
In this episode, our friend Dr. Al Tizon unpacks his fabulous new book, Christ Among the Classes. In this discussion we explore the countors of discipleship, money, and how Jesus is prophetically present in the economy of God's kingdom.
Rev. Dr. Al Tizon is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Missional & Global Leadership at North Park Seminary. An ordained minister of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Tizon has served churches and engaged in community development work, church leadership, holistic ministry, advocacy, and urban ministry both in the Philippines and in the United States. He was formerly co-president of Evangelicals for Social Action, an activist think tank that combines holistic ministry, public policy, and scholarship.
If you want to study with us at Northern and other scholars like Greg Boyd, Beth Jones, Nijay Gupta, Dave Fitch, Ingrid Faro, and visiting lectures from theologians like Amos Yong, Jonathan Tran, and Jeannine Brown, then go to www.seminary.edu
Customer Reviews
Good for my soul
The Theology on Mission podcast is good for my soul. As a pastor and church planter, much of the content I am pointed to is strictly pragmatic and “practical,” often without any [theological] foundation. This is actually the reason I was so drawn to the podcast- just by its title. I think that at times, even “the church world” gets caught up in the temptations of consumerism and relevancy, and this podcast is a reminder that the church’s mission is rooted in century-old thoughts, and is not to be moving aimlessly from book to book, podcast to podcast, strategy to strategy. Every episode is a must listen!
Enjoy the podcast
Been a long time listener and really enjoy the podcast overall. I do wonder what Mike Moore’s purpose in the podcast is because Fitch monopolizes so much of the conversation. It seems like it might make more sense for Fitch to be the solo host. Blessings!
Has some good points but…
While I do appreciate some of the points made, I find that they view the Bible through the lenses of cultural correctness rather than culture through a Biblical lenses. I don’t need to be belittled and demeaned by being instantly seen as “oppressed”. It is not helpful, is insulting and reveals more how they view others than the reality with how others are.