Brew Theology Podcast

Episode 86: Exploring Paradox in the Religious & Secular World - Part 1

“Next to a church profaned by its exclusion of otherness, a city of true diversity is a cathedral. Next to a Christian eclipsed by theological arrogance, an honest atheist shines like the sun". Quaker author Parker Palmer in his book, The Promise of Paradox, asks What sometimes causes such arrogance in a religion (Christianity) named for one who proclaimed, the meek shall inherit the earth? It is not unusual for discouraged or defeated modern Christians to look for light in the secular world when their Christian church community twists theology into dark exclusivity. Rob Carroll, Leah Brite & Matthieu Caldwell join Janel and Ryan in this discussion (part 1 of 2). Ryan's mother, Nancy Miller, joins the podcast as well. We'll discuss paradoxes in religion and the secular world which help those of us "searching" find more transcendent truth in our lives. Let's brew!

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If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

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We are headed back to the Wild Goose Festival on July 12-15. Brew Theology will have a booth on the main road, we'll be on the GooseCast stage for a Happy Hour special on Satuday night, and we'll be doing an interactive BT demo... Join us. Get 25 % off with the promo code GOOSECAST18 (thank us later over a beer!).

Guess what? We'll be back in North Carolina for another Theology Beer Camp with Homebrewed Christianity on Aug. 16-18. We'll kick off the event with a full day, pre-game session at Habitat Brewery. Get your tix HERE. PM us on Instagram, Twitter or FB to get a discount promo code for the 3 day event.

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter(@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

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Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

Episode 85: Prison Reform with Christie Donner - Part 2

Part DEUX!

Everything is theological... including this relevant topic: Transforming Safety: An alternative to mass incarceration through community engagement with Christie Donner (Executive Director for Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition). Ryan, Janel, Elizabeth and Randy have a phenomenal conversation on episode 85 (part 2) of the Brew Theology Podcast. 

After thirty years of a "get tough" approach to crime that has fueled unprecedented levels of incarceration, communities most impacted both by higher rates of victimization and criminal justice involvement have seen little to no improvement; in fact, by many metrics these communities face even more problems. This discussion offers a different perspective on how to approach public safety that advocates for a larger role for community-based and community-led safety efforts through a discussion of two bills enacted by the Colorado legislature that were drafted and successfully lobbied by the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, including HB 17-1326 which created and funded a crime prevention pilot in North Aurora and Southeast Colorado Springs and HB18-1326 that funded community reentry programs to help people leaving prison.

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If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

/// 

We are headed back to the Wild Goose Festival on July 12-15. Brew Theology will have a booth on the main road, we'll be on the GooseCast stage for a Happy Hour special on Satuday night, and we'll be doing an interactive BT demo... Join us. Get 25 % off with the promo code GOOSECAST18 (thank us later over a beer!).

Guess what? We'll be back in North Carolina for another Theology Beer Campwith Homebrewed Christianity on Aug. 16-18. We'll kick off the event with a full day, pre-game session at Habitat Brewery. Get your tix HERE. PM us on Instagram, Twitter or FB to get a discount promo code for the 3 day event.

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter(@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

///

Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

Episode 84: Prison Reform with Christie Donner - Part 1

Everything is theological... including this relevant topic: Transforming Safety: An alternative to mass incarceration through community engagement with Christie Donner (Executive Director for Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition). Ryan, Janel, Elizabeth and Randy have a phenomenal conversation on episode 84 (part 1) and episode 85 (part 2) of the Brew Theology Podcast. 

After thirty years of a "get tough" approach to crime that has fueled unprecedented levels of incarceration, communities most impacted both by higher rates of victimization and criminal justice involvement have seen little to no improvement; in fact, by many metrics these communities face even more problems. This discussion offers a different perspective on how to approach public safety that advocates for a larger role for community-based and community-led safety efforts through a discussion of two bills enacted by the Colorado legislature that were drafted and successfully lobbied by the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, including HB 17-1326 which created and funded a crime prevention pilot in North Aurora and Southeast Colorado Springs and HB18-1326 that funded community reentry programs to help people leaving prison.

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If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

/// 

We are headed back to the Wild Goose Festival on July 12-15. Brew Theology will have a booth on the main road, we'll be on the GooseCast stage for a Happy Hour special on Satuday night, and we'll be doing an interactive BT demo... Join us. Get 20% off with the promo code GOOSECAST18 (thank us later over a beer!).

Guess what? We'll be back in North Carolina for another Theology Beer Camp with Homebrewed Christianity on Aug. 16-18. We'll kick off the event with a full day, pre-game session at Habitat Brewery. Get your tix HERE. PM us on Instagram, Twitter or FB to get a discount promo code for the 3 day event.

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

///

Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

Episode 83: Religionless Christianity - Part 2

Part 2!

Do you ever hear people saying, “I love Jesus, but not religion!”? We live in a spiritual, but not religious society, and it’s showing as we have seen a steep decline in church attendance throughout the decades, specifically from ages 22-35 (Millenials!). In Episode 83 (Part 2 of 2), we (Janel, Ryan, Andy, Kelly, Eric and Rob) hash out paradoxical ecclesiology (study of the church), channeling 20th C. practical theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What does it mean to have a religion-less community of faith? Let’s brew!

If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

///

Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

 

 

Episode 82: Religionless Christianity (Part 1)

Do you ever hear people saying, “I love Jesus, but not religion!”? We live in a spiritual, but not religious society, and it’s showing as we have seen a steep decline in church attendance throughout the decades, specifically from ages 22-35 (Millenials!). In Episode 82 (Part 1 of 2), we (Janel, Ryan, Andy, Kelly, Eric and Rob) hash out paradoxical ecclesiology (study of the church), channeling 20th C. practical theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. What does it mean to have a religion-less community of faith? Let’s brew!

If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

///

Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

Episode 81: "Frontiers in Womanism: Quareing The Approach" with Dr. Jennifer Leath - Part 2

PART 2!!! Join Brew Theology again on episode 81 (Part 2 of 2) when Ryan, Janel and Piper continue having a liberating and refreshing conversation with Dr. *Jennifer S. Leath from Iliff School of Theology. The topic: Frontiers in Womanism: Quareing The Approach!

If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

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Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

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*Jennifer S. Leath joined the Iliff faculty in 2015 as assistant professor of religion and social justice. Leath’s research concentrates on the intersection of sexualities and religions in sacred communities and spaces of African Diaspora. Her scholarship also engages the intersection of Afro-Diasporic women’s spiritualities and social activism. Bridging concerns of religious ethics and African American studies, much of her current writing and teaching focuses on the sexual ethics and economies of historically Black churches and Afro-Diasporic religion in the United States.

Committed to interdisciplinary scholarship, Leath is preparing her first monograph, “Childcare Activists: Reframing Afro-Diasporic Faith from the Home to the Streets,” which actively engages the intersection of the spiritualities, activism, and secular childcare work of Afro-Diasporic women in the United States. She has also begun work on a second monograph, titled “From Black to Quare (and then) to Where: Ethical Trajectories of Black Sexualities.”

Professor Leath’s other research and teaching interests include the metaphysics of womanism, African and Afro-Diasporic approaches to sexualities in political economies, ecumenisms of the “global south,” the intersections of Buddhist and womanist thought, and interdisciplinary approaches to interreligious dialogue. Prior to joining Iliff’s faculty, Dr. Leath was a 2014-15 research associate and visiting lecturer at Harvard Divinity School’s Women’s Studies in Religion Program. She also helped to establish the Center on African American Religion, Sexual Politics & Social Justice at Columbia University, working as the assistant director of research after completing her doctoral work. In addition to her research, she is an active member of various academic communities, including the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the American Academy of the Religion, and the Society for Christian Ethics.

Dr. Leath is also an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she has served as pastor in White Plains, New York and in Media, Pennsylvania, and she has served as an associate pastor at churches in Philadelphia, New York, and New England.

B. A., Harvard University
M.Div, Union Theological Seminary
M.A., Yale University
M. Phil., Yale University
Ph.D., Yale University

Episode 80: Frontiers in Womanism: Quareing The Approach with Dr. Jennifer Leath

Join Brew Theology on episode 80 (Part 1 of 2) when Ryan, Janel and Piper get to have a liberating and refreshing conversation with Dr. *Jennifer S. Leath from Iliff School of Theology. The topic: Frontiers in Womanism: Quareing The Approach!

If you are a fan of this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

///

Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor

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*Jennifer S. Leath joined the Iliff faculty in 2015 as assistant professor of religion and social justice. Leath’s research concentrates on the intersection of sexualities and religions in sacred communities and spaces of African Diaspora. Her scholarship also engages the intersection of Afro-Diasporic women’s spiritualities and social activism. Bridging concerns of religious ethics and African American studies, much of her current writing and teaching focuses on the sexual ethics and economies of historically Black churches and Afro-Diasporic religion in the United States.

Committed to interdisciplinary scholarship, Leath is preparing her first monograph, “Childcare Activists: Reframing Afro-Diasporic Faith from the Home to the Streets,” which actively engages the intersection of the spiritualities, activism, and secular childcare work of Afro-Diasporic women in the United States. She has also begun work on a second monograph, titled “From Black to Quare (and then) to Where: Ethical Trajectories of Black Sexualities.”

Professor Leath’s other research and teaching interests include the metaphysics of womanism, African and Afro-Diasporic approaches to sexualities in political economies, ecumenisms of the “global south,” the intersections of Buddhist and womanist thought, and interdisciplinary approaches to interreligious dialogue. Prior to joining Iliff’s faculty, Dr. Leath was a 2014-15 research associate and visiting lecturer at Harvard Divinity School’s Women’s Studies in Religion Program. She also helped to establish the Center on African American Religion, Sexual Politics & Social Justice at Columbia University, working as the assistant director of research after completing her doctoral work. In addition to her research, she is an active member of various academic communities, including the Society for the Study of Black Religion, the American Academy of the Religion, and the Society for Christian Ethics.

Dr. Leath is also an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she has served as pastor in White Plains, New York and in Media, Pennsylvania, and she has served as an associate pastor at churches in Philadelphia, New York, and New England.

B. A., Harvard University
M.Div, Union Theological Seminary
M.A., Yale University
M. Phil., Yale University
Ph.D., Yale University

Episode 79: "Go To Hell!" Part 2

I don't think we've ever laughed this hard recording a BT episode! Horror meets comedy in "Go to Hell!" Part 2.

See why Janel hypothetically still thinks some toxic people deserve hell (if there is one), and why "heretical" Ryan just wants some more grace and restoration, and says, "to hell with hell"... then simply understand why it's really hard to "lose hell" due to the tribal loyalties, to speak. Check out why Diana's Buddhist tribe is more scared of the Xian conventional hell, and get down with Dillon as he lays down the real elements regarding the hereafter (in the Bible)! 

So, what is Hell? Well, see Part 1 (episode 78) for that part... Often, it is described as a fiery pit presided over by a pitchfork wielding devil who watches gleefully as capering demons torment the souls of the damned. Though this particular image stems from more Christian-oriented descriptions of Hell, the idea of Hell itself is not specific to Christianity. Many cultures and religious traditions talk about an afterlife wherein the souls of the wicked are punished for their earthly misdeeds. The threat of Hell has been used for thousands of years to encourage things such as proper social behavior and faithfulness to a particular religious tradition and while some may disregard these threats as antiquated superstition, Hell nonetheless continues to loom large in the popular imagination. Whether through Hieronymous Bosch’s nightmarish paintings the Robot Hell from Futurama or simply the use of phrases like ‘...is my personal hell’ most people have an understanding of Hell as a place of suffering.

Join Brew Theology on episode 79 (Part 2 of 2) when Ryan, Janel, Dillon and Diana continue the convo, have a bit too much fun brewing up some hell theology, and discuss the variety of viewpoints from different religious traditions.

If you dig this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

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Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor!

Episode 78: "Go To Hell" Part 1

Go to Hell! Why does this phrase still scare or insult us? What is Hell? Often, it is described as a fiery pit presided over by a pitchfork wielding devil who watches gleefully as capering demons torment the souls of the damned. Though this particular image stems from more Christian-oriented descriptions of Hell, the idea of Hell itself is not specific to Christianity. Many cultures and religious traditions talk about an afterlife wherein the souls of the wicked are punished for their earthly misdeeds. The threat of Hell has been used for thousands of years to encourage things such as proper social behavior and faithfulness to a particular religious tradition and while some may disregard these threats as antiquated superstition, Hell nonetheless continues to loom large in the popular imagination. Whether through Hieronymous Bosch’s nightmarish paintings the Robot Hell from Futurama or simply the use of phrases like ‘...is my personal hell’ most people have an understanding of Hell as a place of suffering.

Join Brew Theology on episode 78 (Part 1 of 2) when Ryan, Janel, Dillon and Diana have a bit too much fun brewing up some hell theology, and discussing the variety of viewpoints from different religious traditions.

If you dig this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

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Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor!

Episode 77: Unconscious Theology In Political Turmoil Part 2 with Dr. Tad DeLay

In episode 77, Ryan Janel and Dan continue the conversation with Dr. Tad DeLay (Part 1 of 2) about psychoanalysis, theology and politics. Hello "BIG OTHER" and End Times theology as well. We live in an era of turmoil, which is slowly drowning out the religious, economic, and cultural orthodoxies that pledged their allegiances to a sinking cause. Through the lens of psychoanalysis and philosophy, DeLay explores the repressed theology underwriting our social and political drive to repeat failed patterns. By examining the figures of the cynic and the fool, we will ask: why do we feel as if a big Other commands us to see the world a certain way?

If you dig this episode and/or other Brew Theology shows, give this episode a share on the interwebs, rate Brew Theology on iTunes, etc. and give BT a brewtastic review! 

If you'd like to support Brew Theology head over to the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org and click on the Donate button. Wanna become a local partner and join the movement in your city/ town? Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, Denver community or podcast, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Follow us on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology)

Brew Theology swag HERE. T-shirts, tanks, hoodies, V-neck's, women's, etc. all in multiple colors

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Special thanks to Dan Rosado, our BT editor!

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Tad DeLay is the author of The Cynic & the Fool: the Unconscious in Theology & Politics and God Is Unconscious: Psychoanalysis & Theology. He holds a PhD Religion, an MA Philosophy, and an MA Theology. He teaches and lives in Denver.