Brew Theology Podcast

Episode 16: "Devils & Demons"

In Episode 16 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan and friends - Janel, Chris, Monica & Liz dive into the abyss of darkness and talk about their experiences and theology with devils and demons.  

Dana Carvey’s classic, Church Lady skit on SNL from the 90’s brings us to the hilarious and haunting question, “Could it be SATAN?” Perhaps you’re familiar with John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” which describes Lucifer’s descent from the heavenly realm. Maybe you’ve been Bedazzled by Elizabeth Hurley, the sly princess of darkness released in 2000. How about Al Pacino’s stellar performance in “The Devil’s Advocate?” There’s no shortage of red-horned, culturally devilish goodness. The conversation of Satan and demons has been around for thousands of years. Some want to label the “demonic” and/ or “satanic” as simply aspects to address liberation theology, tangibly rescuing those held in oppression. Others seem to talk of the supernatural in literal terms, and in so doing, dismiss the conversation and application of human-based delinquencies and social change. What about you?

Enjoy this devilish episode, friends!

& "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org, which is launching THIS WEEK! Check us out on Vimeo! Subscribe to our YouTube page. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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Episode 15: "Prayer & Meditation"

In Episode 15 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Janel and friends - Leah, Dan & Liz - brew up the topic of prayer and meditation. We've provided some show notes/ resources below for your own experience(s), below. As long as religion has existed, prayer has been an integral if not foundational aspect to the practice of faith. This is true across many cultures and religions and it is hard to pinpoint when the practice of prayer first started to develop. Prayer is one of those things that carries with it testimony of participation. What is it like to pray? What have we experienced in prayer? How has God met us there? ... Many people have really mixed feelings about prayer. What about you? Enjoy this episode, friends. We hope you learn somehting new. Make sure & share the hopilicous brew online.

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org! Check us out on Vimeo! Subscribe to our YouTube page. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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P.S. Don't have a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? Get one here: https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology

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Resources:

1. Encyclopedia Britanica - http://www.britannica.com/topic/prayer
2. For a specific tradition, you can look at the wikipedia page on Prayer in _____ to get started.
3. Bead One, Pray Too: A Guide to Making and Using Prayer Beads (Book)
4. Praying in Color: http://prayingincolor.com/
5. History of Labyrinths: http://www.labyrinthbuilders.co.uk/about_labyrinths/history.html
6. Several Videos on Jewish Prayer: http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1265583/jewish/A-History-of-Prayer.htm
7. Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas (book) Kind of a Prayer Personality Type 

Experiencing Prayer:

Spending time with the Labyrinth (10 minutes)

Spending time with Prayer Beads (10 minutes)                 

Coloring Prayer (10 minutes)

1.Which of these activities connected with you? Were they things you have experienced before?

2. How does it feel to pray with your hands and senses involved? Does it change the experience of prayer for you?

3. What are some of your favorite prayer patterns, methods, or tools? Have you tried different things? What connects with you?

Episode 14: #BLESSED

In Episode 14 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan and friends - Janel, Monica, Liz & Chris - get ready for Thanksgiving by talking about all things #BLESSED... They tackle Manifest Destiny - America, the "City on a Hill" (AKA: Make America Great Again), the Prosperity Gospel, Poverty in the Global South and the Beatitudes of Rabbi Jesus.  

Enjoy this relevant episode, friends. & share the hopilicous brew online. 

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, www.brewtheology.org! Check us out on Vimeo! Subscribe to our YouTube page. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, the alliance/network, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

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P.S. Don't have a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? Get one here: https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology

Episode 13: "God IS or is NOT..."

In Episode 13 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Janel, Kyle, Piper, Dan and Baird nerd out with conventional labels of God while seeking to dive into those meanings and deconstruct them. Often, one hears, “The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.” This “Bible says it…” motto is always wrapped in a particular understanding of the Bible. We’ll unpack 4 specific words scholars have given God that will be reexamined from many angles. After genuinely grappling with these godly attributes, some will keep these conventional labels. Others have already shed them. Some will look at them a new for the first time. There are biblical and historical reasons for the labels we’ve given God, and what we think/ believe and say about God/ god/ gods/ G-d is always played out in how we live and move and have our being… Yes! Theology is practical! Perhaps you’ll add and subtract some new hops and barley as you include some of your own wild yeast in your own Brew Theology group...

Immutable = The belief that God doesn’t change.

Impassible = The belief that God doesn’t suffer or show emotion.

Omnipotent = The belief that God is all-powerful.

Omniscient = The belief that God is all-knowing.

Enjoy the episode, friends. & Share the hopilicious brew.

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is so close to launching... www.brewtheology.org! Check us out on Vimeo! Subscribe to our YouTube page. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.

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P.S. Want a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology

Episode 12: "Islam" with Iman Jodeh

In Episode 12 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Janel Apps Ramsey and friends - Leah White, Liz Wolfert & Dan Rosado - interview Iman Jodeh about Islam. As a first-generation Palestinian American, Iman is fluent in Arabic and maintains a second home in Ramallah, Palestine. She is the co-founder of Meet the Middle East, a locally based non-profit that aims to foster relationships between the Middle East and the West through education and immersion travel. Iman also teaches the Enrichment courses, The Israeli Palestinian Conflict: From Ancient History to Today’s Headlines as well as Life Under Occupation: A Palestinian Perspective, and regularly guest lectures to various groups in the Denver Metro Area about Islam and the geo-political situation of the Middle East.

Enjoy the episode, friends. & Share the hopilicious brew.

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is getting even closer to being up...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming... Read HERE! Check us out on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

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P.S. Want a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology  

Episode 11: "Theodicy" - The Problem of Evil, Pain & Suffering

For thousands of years humanity has wrestled with suffering. Buddhism starts with the noble truth that all of life consists of suffering. Aching for meaning and seeking religious insight, humans have grappled with karma, and brought theodicy – attempting to answering the questions of why a good deity permits the materialization of evil – to light in an age of uncertainty, doubt and confusion. While suffering is relative, and in some cases easier to make sense (i.e. working out and working hard has a “pain” component), the deeper questions ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” &, “Do all events have a purpose?” Is God all powerful and able to stop A, B or C? Then Why...?

In Episode 11 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan and friends - Vlad, Amanda, Andy & Kyle - hash out the most age-old and relevant questions regarding trauma. God is on trial, indeed...  

Enjoy the episode, friends. & Share the hopilicous brew.

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is so close to being up...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming... Read HERE! Check us out on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

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P.S. Want a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology  

Episode 10: "Check Your White Privilege"

In Episode 10 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Janel Apps Ramsey hosts a stellar show with friends (Nena, Alex and Baird) that will challenge you on many levels. What do we mean when we talk about white privilege? Is there a widely accepted definition? Is white privilege circumstantial? What about those white people who do not feel as though they have had preferential treatment because of their skin color? What about Obama? He is black, AND THE PRESIDENT! Wait a minute... What does this have to do with Theology?

Enjoy the episode, friends...

Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is nearly up and running...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming... Read HERE! Check us out on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

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P.S. Want a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? https://teespring.com/stores/brew-theology 

Peace,   
Ryan

Episode 9: "Rags To Riches"

In Episode 9 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan, Andy, Amanda, Vlad & Kyle hash out liberation theology. What do you think about the phrase “Preferential Option for the Poor”?  
Although many people in the United States experienced the 1960s and 70s as a time of peace and prosperity, the same cannot be said for the global community. With the Cold War ramping up, leaders in the east and west both vied for resources, forged unstable alliances, deposed leaders, and fought proxy wars around the globe in order to secure their seat at the top. Unsurprisingly, those hit hardest were the economically and politically disenfranchised. As a result, Liberation Theology was birthed & has had significant rippling effects giving birth to black liberation theology, etc.; it spread to other religious groups and there are now Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and many other liberation theologies that have taken root around the globe. Put in your ear buds, grab a pint or two & liberate you minds with good convo in eclectic & respectful community. 

Link to Intro to Liberation Theology book that Kyle mentioned on the show: https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Liberation-Theology-Leonardo-Boff/dp/0883445506/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476244513&sr=1-1&keywords=introduction+to+liberation+theology

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Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is nearly up and running...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming... Read HERE! Check us out on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

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P.S. Want a Brew Theology T-shirt, tank or sweatshirt? https://teespring.com/brewtheology 

Peace,  
Ryan

Dr. Miguel De La Torre Interview: Liberation Theology

In Episode 8 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan, Kyle & Liz interview world renowned ethicist and leading liberation theologian, Dr. Miguel De La Torre. Dr. De La Torre speaks about his theology of hopelessness, the posture of "para joder," and Jesus using this method with the systems of power ("para joder" is Spanish for "screwing with"); even "The Satan" comes up this fun, liberating, brewtastic show. 

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Amazon Links to books Dr. Miguel mentioned in the show!

https://www.amazon.com/Politics-Jesús-Hispanic-Political-Theology/dp/1442250364/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475903679&sr=1-5&keywords=politics+of+jesus

https://www.amazon.com/Latina-Social-Ethics-Eurocentric-Perspectives/dp/1602582947/ref=la_B001JOTRLE_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475903896&sr=1-8

https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Malcolm-America-Dream-Nightmare/dp/1570759790

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P.S. Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). Bookmark the Brew Theology website, which is nearly up and running...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming... Read HERE! Check out our latest video on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org. 

Episode 7: "Pluralism"

In Episode 7 of the Brew Theology Podcast, Ryan and friends (Dan, Janel, Stephen & John) tackle pluralism. Religious Pluralism is defined as "the acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid, promoting coexistence." When we "brew theology" together each week in Denver, we do so in a pluralistic context. What does pluralism say about "truth?" Is tolerance truly feasible? Can monotheistic traditions accept real pluralism? Why believe in anything if that's the case? Can you hold onto your particular faith/ religion and still be embedded in a pluralistic culture that is in sync with a "common good?" Are there "ultimates?" Can you take a bit of "this" and "that" and "co-exist" with a new flava' of spirituality? Do all paths lead to ___________ (whatever "that" is). I'm sure the "heresy" thing will be brought up too... Enjoy, friends.

AND Follow & "Like" Brew Theology on Facebook & Instagram (@brewtheology) & Twitter (@brew_theology). The Brew Theology website is under construction...www.brewtheology.org! Here's what's coming. Read HERE! & check out the additional Brew Theology brand (via coffee & tea) HERE! Check out our latest video on Vimeo, HERE! Subscribe to our YouTube page, HERE. Questions & inquiries about Brew Theology, contact Ryan Miller: ryan@brewtheology.org &/ or janel@brewtholeogy.org.