Theology On Mission

Is this even a question Christians should be asking? Does it reek of privilege and entitlement? Fitch and Moore discuss if/how Christians should vote in the upcoming election. Fitch does an average Hauerwas impression and examines how our culture means we now "vote for commercials, not people."

Mike sits down with Jonathan "Pastah J" Brooks to talk about his new book "Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods." Pastah J leads Canaan Community Church in West Englewood, Chicago. They discuss the history of Englewood, community development principles, and what the buzzword "presence" actually means.

How should the church engage "elite culture"? Should our books be on the New York Times bestseller list? Our influence wielded in the halls of power? James Davidson Hunter's book "To Change the World" has a unique proposal for engaging "elite culture." Dave and Mike discuss Hunter's proposal and Mike teaches Dave about the 90s evangelical movement "See You At The Pole."

New season! New co-host! Mike Moore joins Dave Fitch to talk about the B-I-B-L-E. How do we appeal to the Bible in midst of conflict? How does a pastor steward their leadership position? And where the heck did Holsclaw go?

When a leader falls, whose fault is it? Is it the leaders character? Is it the institutional pressures? And what can the church learn from it? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about the huge leadership failings and transitions happening at Willowcreek Community Church, and discuss what it means for leadership in the church at large. And Geoff shares some big news about taking a pastoral position in Grand Rapids, MI (details are here: http://geoffreyholsclaw.net/god-moving-us-grand-rapids/. And here is the PDF of Fitch's chapter on Leadership: http://www.seminary.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Leadership-Ch.-3-Great-Giveaway-pdf.pdf You can get the entire "Great Giveaway" the classic Fitch book, here: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Giveaway-Reclaiming-Organizations-Psychotherapy/dp/080106483X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480030757&sr=1-4&keywords=David+E+Fitch

Why are we so anxious and depressed? Is it us or is it our culture? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw conclude season 3 by talking about the recent celebrity suicides, and what it says about our culture that demand our happiness but still judges us as failures. You can find the House Gathering resource here on our FB page—and please like the page if you haven't already (https://www.facebook.com/TheologyOnMission/posts/2053138735006701) The two articles we talked about were: "Americans are depressed and suicidal because something is wrong with our culture," by Kirsten Powers (https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/06/09/kate-spade-suicide-anthony-bourdain-depression-culture-success-column/687388002/) "Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?" Jean Twenge (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/)

Does Pentecost overcome Babel? Does baptism in Jesus obliterate all distinctions? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." They ask if there is a better way of understanding this text in light of Babel and Pentecost. And Geoff is wearing his crazy tongues of fire "Pentecost" shirt. See the Theology & Mission Lectureship here: http://www.seminary.edu/onmission18/

Is the church being feminized? Is that a mark of decline? Or of revival? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw jump into another episode talking about the supposed feminization of the church and what it means for you. Resources: God and Men and Jordon Peterson: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/31/opinion/god-jordan-peterson.html The Feminization (and Decline) of Religion: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/the-feminization-and-decline-of-religion/ Malestrom: https://smile.amazon.com/Malestrom-Manhood-Swept-Currents-Changing-ebook/dp/B00PFD5JPI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525466675&sr=8-1&keywords=Malestrom+james Church Planting with Women = Disaster: https://soundcloud.com/theology-on-mission/24-planting-a-church-without-women-disaster

If God is so powerful, why does God need witnesses? What kind of God needs others to speak for him? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw jump in again by tackling the question, "Why does God entrust the future of the world to human messengers?" Also, check out the Theology and Mission Lectureship: http://www.seminary.edu/onmission18/

Make people feel guilty for only showing up twice a year? Put Jesus up on the cross again? What else should we avoid when it comes to Easter Sunday? In this zany & serious episode, Geoff Holsclaw—joined by Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke—talk about how not to ruin Easter. And they accidentally start a new segment about what they'd being doing 500 years ago (you'll want to hear what they say about Fitch). And be sure to check out the Matt and Ben's new Gravity Leadership Podcast. Check out their newest episode, "God Meets Us Where we Really Are" (https://gravityleadership.com/podcast/god-meets-us/).

Do we still need the 10 Commandments? Ancient relic? Oppressive degrees? Are they even really commandments? Geoff Holsclaw—and special guest Nathan Clair—discuss the relevance of the 10 Commandments for our lives. They talk about the mission of the 10 Commandments to free us to love one another, and not be enslaved once again. For more see The 10 Forgotten Words of Freedom: http://geoffreyholsclaw.net/ten-commandments-forgotten-words-freedom/

You move into a new neighborhood. Now what? How would you go about discern God in that place? What do you look for? Who do you talk to? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about the 7 P's of cultural engagement (and yes, there are a couple of jokes along the way).

Do you love the place you live? Can you see God's mission before you? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw duck out of a meeting in order to talk about the particularity of place, God's mission, and the call on all of our lives. Mentioned book: Why Place Matters ~ McClay and McAllister No Home Like Place ~ Hjalmarson Where Mortals Dwell ~ Bartholomew Spaces for the Sacred ~ Sheldrake

How you do you know yourself? Is your "self" a combination of all your relationships? And what might Lent teach us about these things? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about Jesus' healing of the leper in Mark 1:40-45, and what this might tell us about ourselves, our relationships with others, and faith in Jesus (oh, and we talk about "La La Land.")

How do you know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong? And why should we keep reading the OT when Jesus is the updated version? Today we are encouraged to follow our feelings to determine what is right and wrong. We are called to be authentic in deciding what is good and evil, even if—especially if—it conflicts with traditional religious norms. But is that such a good idea? Geoff Holsclaw—with special guest Matt Tebbe—talk about the voice from heaven over Jesus telling us to "Listen to him!" They cover the way of love, the place of the law, and how we can grow in wisdom and discernment.

How do you judge the size of your church? How do you know if your church is healthy? Dave and Geoff talk about what makes for a church, how to count it, and what impact that might have on faithful mission. It's another one of those episodes where they don't quite agree.

How does God work to change the world? How individuals and communities help God's kingdom come? (If we are interested in this episode, then check out the FREE WEBINAR Dave and Geoff are hosting on this topic: http://www.seminary.edu/free-webinar-how-does-god-change-the-world/) Dave Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw discuss a provocative tweet by Tim Keller which started a storm of comments. Keller said, "Jesus didn't come primarily to solve the economic, political, and social problems of the world. He came to forgive our sins." Dave and Geoff defend Keller against his critics, but also ask if may he couldn't also be wrong about his view. Along the way Geoff sings with the music and Dave says that God is like his dog, Stanley.

Can sex ever really be safe? What do we mean when we give consent? Can we do better to protect women? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw jump into the thick of things as they discuss the "humiliation of Aziz Ansari and the future of safe sex. They discuss issues of sexual power, mutuality, and intimacy. Is their view on sex retrograde or radical? You decide. Articles mentioned: Sexuality and Consent: Protecting Women Demands Better (http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2017/11/29/4772985.htm) The Humiliation of Aziz Ansari (https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/the-humiliation-of-aziz-ansari/550541/?utm_source=atltw)

Why was Jesus baptized? And what is sin, really? And what is sin nature vs. sin nurture? Geoff Holsclaw, along with special guest Scott Kent Jones, talk about the baptism of Jesus (Fitch is out teaching his week-long intensive for his DMIN cohort—detail below). They discuss how Jesus takes on not only human NATURE but also how he endures human NURTURE, with a little detour on original sin. Fitch is gathering people to launch another "Contextual Theology" cohort, so check it out here: http://www.seminary.edu/programs/missional/

Should we strive to be hero-makers? Should we just be side-kicks? And are Dave and Geoff just being too picky about stuff? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about the importance of language when it comes to leadership in the church? Here is the article they were riffing off of: Young Leaders Embrace the Idea of Hero Making (https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/december/young-leaders-embrace-idea-of-hero-making.html)