DRIVING THEOLOGY
Religion & Spirituality
About
This podcast is recorded in my car as I drive to work. I do it this way so that I can work through ideas organically without the luxury of a Bible or any other books to fall back on. This way I know how I sound when I talk on these subjects and I can listen back to what I said and see the path and progression of my own theology and understanding of Jesus. I do not edit so as to keep discussions as raw and real as possible, although I do pause from time to time, like when I recently spilled my coffee or when I get a call.
Episodes
- 403: Yes: Empathy IS A Weapon!
MAGA wants you to believe that empathy can somehow be weaponized, can be evil, can be manipulated. What they don't tell you, is that empathy is a weapon against all that is anti-Christ, anti-love. Yes, it is a weapon. But not against goodn…
- 402: We Talkin' About Practice!
This episode of DRIVING THEOLOGY explores perceived shortcomings in the modern church experience, focusing on the concept of 'practice' as a potential area for improvement.
- 401: Best Friends Forever
The episode discusses the difficulty in finding and maintaining adult male friendships. The host shares personal reflections on the importance of the good friends and mentors they have had.
- 400: Blasphemer-In-Chief?
Episode 400 of DRIVING THEOLOGY discusses how DJT tests the boundaries of his Christian supporters. The episode notes that for some MAGA followers, their faith in him appears absolute.
- 399: Building For The Kingdom
Episode 399 of DRIVING THEOLOGY examines Jesus's self-perception and objectives. The discussion focuses on what Jesus believed he was accomplishing and who he identified himself to be.
- 398: Ladder Kicking Saints
Episode 398 of DRIVING THEOLOGY covers a new book on Catholic Tradition and a book by NT Wright.
- 397: You Get Forgiveness! You Get Forgiveness! You Get Forgiveness!
It takes me a little to get going here, but I do get to a point. I promise!
- 396: Truth AND Mercy
War in Iran, people dead, innocent victims, outrage abounds...What is going on?! A tale as old as time. Where is the justice? Mercy? Who will stop the cycle?
- 395: Ambassadors Of Reconciliation
Bad things happen when we cherry pick verses to make our point, especially words of Paul, and don't give the entire text the attention it deserves.
- 394: Having Faith In The Dread
Will we ever know the full truth of who Epstein was and what he did? IDK. But I do believe in the promises of our Father!
- 393: Master Or Mascot
Is this rare from-home episode, I try to describe my paradigm for understanding Jesus, who he is and what he is doing in the world. Also, I posit the question: Is Jesus your Master or your Mascot?
- 392: Life Is Beautiful
In this episode, I am a bit distracted here and there as I am anticipating getting a call any minute announcing the birth of my first grandbaby. It didn't happen during the drive, but came about 20 minutes later. Mom and baby are great. Bu…
- 391: Not Cool, ICE! Not Cool!
ICE has been cracking down, literally, on protestors in Minnesota and elsewhere, overstepping their boundaries and generally wrecking havoc wherever they go. This is to be expectied. Governments over the years have used force to intimidate…
- 390: Bending Toward Justice
Thoughts from reading the story of the Exodus, specifically the story of Passover and how it reltes to Communion. I get the MLK quote a bit wrong here. it should be, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice".
- 389: Be An Oasis
Is a sense, walking through this life as a believer in Jesus is like a blessed man walking through a dessrt. We encounter many in need of what we have, and we can be an Oasis in the desert to all that we meet.
- 388: Love Arrives
The last offering of advent and probably for the year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all!
- 387: JOY In JESUS!
Though I mistakenly refer to this week's theme as HOPE once or twice, I am talking agout Joy, specifically, the joy that comes from the knowledge that Jesus is making all wrongs right.
- 386: Peace On Earth
I have chosen to explore "peace" this second week of Advent this time around (I change up the order and theme's year to year based on nothing in particular). Of course, "shalom" is the word for peace in biblical Hebrew. But does "peace" co…
- 385: Hope For Deliverance
It is that time again. Hope is our topic today for the first week in Advent.
- 384: Green Eggs And Abraham
On waking this morning I was greeted by two epiphanies related to Abraham. How random is that?!
- 383: Theology Matters
There are many people, even Christians, who haven't give theology the time of day. Or so they think. In this episode, I discuss how everyone has a theology, and why theology matters.
- 382: What It Means To Love God
It takes me a while to get there, but, as if often the case, I end up at Love. Specifically how we love God.
- 381: Middle-Age Blues
Do you get the blues from time to time? I didn't for most of my life, but, these days, yes. Sometimes I have a lot on my mind, burdens that I carry, people and futures that I worry about. I'm sure you do too!
- 380: The WORD of YAHWEH
380: The WORD of YAHWEH by Michael Dean McLain
- 380: In The Beginning Was The...?
A less focused episode, for sure, but I think I get to a worth while point...eventually.
- 379: May Your Love Be The Air That We Breathe
In this episode, I explore a phrase that has been on my mind during my morning prayer time lately while praying for all the hurting people in the world.
- 378: What's In A Name? Quite A Lot!
The name by which you call a person reveals the relationship with that person, at least from your perspective. What do you call God? Does it matter? Well, yes and no.
- 377: Shakes, Quakes, And Squeaky Brakes!
377: Shakes, Quakes, And Squeaky Brakes! by Michael Dean McLain
- 376: Let The Little Children
This week, I cover a few topics; handling times of dispair, and what it means when Jesus says we must become like children to enter the Kingdom.
- 375: The Divine Council And Divine Withdrawal
Building on the theological concept of "Divine Withdrawal", something many people are unfamiliar with, I delve into the Divine Council, a mysterious event mentioned several times in scripture.
- 374: Divine Withdrawl And The Shining Son
In this episode there are two parts; my recent prayers that God would withdraw his protection from the oppressors of the world, and the Sun as an effective and detailed metaphor for the Christ.
- 373: Prayer-A Reconstruction
In this episode, I explore what I've been learning from the book, Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, by Tyler Staton, and through a month of daily, disciplined praying.
- 372: Kyrie Eleison-Christe Eleison-Kyrie Eleison
Diving into another book, this time on prayer. And it has inspired me to pray more intentionally, which is no small feat! *Correction- Kyrie Eleison is a song written by Richard Page for the 80s band, Mr. Mister.
- 371: Reversed Thunder Part 8-Last Words
My wrapping up of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson, a book I've been reading recently to help my understanding of this cryptic book increase. And it has! I still have a way to go, though.
- 370: Reversed Thunder Part 7-Heavenly Salvific Sustenance
In possibly my last offering before September, I try to wrap up m 7 week reading of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson. That being said, I may try and do a proper overview episode from my home in August.
- 369: Salvation Follows Judgement As The Sun Comes After The Storm-Reversed Thunder Part 6
The place that judgement has in the grand scheme of things has often alluded me, and, frnankly, I have steered away from it like the plague. But in this chapter of Reversed Thunder, Peterson gives me a fresh perspective.
- 368:Reversed Thunder Part 5-The Dragon Or The Lamb
In this episode, I talk about the 9th chapter of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson, The Last Word On Politics.
- 367: Purified Prayer And Dignified Causality-Reversed Thurder Part 4
I have a love/hate relationship with prayer. On the one hand, I find it hard to do consistently. On the other, I question its effectiveness. In this episode, I explore prayer in light of Eugene Peterson's book, Reversed Thunder, and have c…
- 366: The Four Horses-Three Types Of War Brought Upon Earth-Reversed Thunder Part 3
In this third episode about "Reversed Thunder", Eugene Peterson's work on Revelation, we meet the four famous horses: War, Famine, Pestilence, and the White Horse of Christ, Fathful, True and Righteous. These horses are not equal, nor are…
- 365: Transforming Unreasonable Love: Reversed Thunder Part 2
I begin by doing a poor job reporting what I've read this week of Reversed Thunder by Eugene Peterson and then move on to some christological thoughts on the Love of Jesus which leads to transformation and salvation.
- 364: Reversed Thunder Part 1
Here, I give my report after having finished Dostoevsky's Notes From Underground and also report on the first fifth of Peterson's Reversed Thunder, a work on Revelation.
- 363: A Reasonable Rendering of Revelation
I do NOT have a comprehensive understanding of John's Revelation. Perhaps it's time to change that. The title of this episode is my hope for the future.
- 362: Diddy Or Didn't He?
Starting with the fiasco knows as the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial, I explore food and the experience of community building that it has, as modeled by Jesus and the Lord's supper.
- 361: Consider The Lilies
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day". Ever heard that? Ever doubt yourself? Do you ever wonder when things go right that it just might be blind luck and not because you did anything right? Me, too.
- 360: In Defence Of Marriage
Reflecting on the recent wedding of my daughter, in this episode I share my opinions on why I believe the institution of marriage is worth-while, especially in such a highly mobile world.
- 359: Stamped With The Image
In this episode, I have a bit of an epiphany. I made a connection that I had not previously made. Not sure if it will hold up to scrutiny, but I'll put it out there none the less.
- 358: RIP Francis, A Man Of Mercy
Pope Francis has passed. As far as I'm concerned, he was a man who desired to be like Jesus and did a pretty good job, considering all the trappings of his office. He will be sorely missed by millions and is not easily replaced.
- 357: More Atonement Theology
Going off of a FB meme, I explore atonement theology once again, going deeper and farther than ever before.
- 356:Introducing our community
By request (thanks, Stephen), I introduce the fine peopole we have been gathering with and mentoring to. I try to hide specific names to protect privacy, tho I hope I don't reveal too much.
- 355: Explain Yourself!
After a brief review of The Chosen Season 4 episodes 1-3, I give a quick overview of Mark chapters 1-4, bringing up something that disappoints me about the parables of Jesus.