Nomad Podcast

Paul Kerensa is a stand-up comedian and BBC scriptwriter for shows like Miranda and Not Going Out. So he seemed like just the chap to talk to about the relationship between humour and religion, and to ask 'What would Jesus laugh at?' “You’ve got to always think, ‘Who’s the victim of this joke? And if the victim were me, would I mind?’ And so, I try not to do jokes which have an overall victim. Often the victim of the joke is me.” - Paul Kerensa Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug! If a monthly commitment isn’t po

Michael Hardin is a theologian, founder of Preaching Peace, and author of The Jesus Driven Life. He's got a rather colourful background and doesn't mince his words, which always makes for an interesting interview. So we asked him whether God is really as violent as the Old Testament makes out, and whether he really had to kill his own son in order to forgive us.  “Every ‘penal substitutionist’ at some point has to engage in a tit-for-tat logic. No matter how they play their theory out, forgiveness is essentially earned. They can claim grace, they can claim that they’re dealing with God’s unconditional love. But essentially, you have to accept what God gave you or you’re doomed.” - Michael Hardin Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contempl

We've somehow managed to persuade Tom Wright, one of the world's leading New Testament theologians, to come on the show for a third time! We ask Tom to summarise his 1680 page 'Paul and the Faithfulness of God', and ponder whether if he met him whether he'd actually like Paul? “What Paul does is not give a blueprint for what everyone must do on all possible occasions. He teaches them how to think Christianly and then says, ‘Now, go figure it out. Where do you live? What does the gospel look like when you walk outside your front door tomorrow morning? You’ve got to think that through.’ And it seems to me that there there is all the scope in the world for all kinds of fresh expressions.” - Tom Wright  Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Cont

We at Nomad recently had a revelation, perhaps we can learn from non-Christians as well as Christians. So we headed down to London and visited the Sunday Assembly, or The Atheist Church as it's become known. After 'worshipping' with 300 atheists, we chat with Pippa Evans one of the founders of what's becoming a global movement, and try to figure out what the Church can learn from the friendlier face of new atheism. “What I used to love about church was wherever I am – wherever in the country – I know that there’s a church in a town that will have its doors open and you can go and sit in there and be quiet if you want to. I’d love it if Sunday Assembly could offer that same solace.” - Pippa Evans Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contempl

Steve Chalke is one of the UK's most influential evangelicals and he recently blessed a same-sex civil partnership. Needless to say, this caused a bit of a stir! So we caught up with him and asked him what led him to take this controversial step. “If the Bible’s right that ‘God is love’ and ‘God is truth,’ then truth is love. Therefore, any message that sends people into depression, that sends people to throw themselves under trains, that drives people from churches, that tells them that in the core of their nature they’re no good – they’re less than human, they’re subhuman in some way – that message must be wrong.” - Steve Chalke Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d lik

Mark Wakeling is a man with a conscience and a man that's got the energy and creativity to follow it. He's a social entrepreneur who has founded Global SeeSaw, which sells ethical and Fair Trade products made by women in India exploited by human trafficking. So we asked Mark to begin to unpack the issues surrounding the social impact of the clothes we buy. “Unless we’re uncertain, we don’t listen. And when we stop listening, we do things to people, not with people.” -  Mark Wakeling Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listene

Scot McKnight is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Illinois, a prolific author and founder of the hugely popular Jesus Creed blog. Scot recently wrote a book called The King Jesus Gospel, so he seemed like the man to help us understand the real meaning of the good news. “The question I would ask is this: is there any evidence in the New Testament that the apostles or Jesus evangelized by awakening people to the prospect of Hell when they died? I don’t see it.” - Scott McKnight Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Belove

As well as life coaching, creative project management, tea making, and helping run the popular ReJesus website, Bruce Stanley has also helped pioneer the Forest Church movement. Forest Church is an experiential community group that helps people connect with God in creation. Check it out, it's really rather interesting. “What’s unique about forest church is that we’re actually participating with nature. Instead of just doing what you could have been doing inside and moving it outside, we’re actually trying to bring nature into what we’re doing so that nature becomes part of the conversation, part of the inspiration.” - Bruce Stanley Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d li

Stuart Murray is chair of the Anabaptist Network in the UK and author of The Naked Anabaptist. So we ask him what's so special about the Anabaptists tradition, and what the it has to say to our post-Christendom culture. “The table is a place of community building, of friendship, of openness and of equality. Things happen around the table. They don’t happen when you’re sitting in rows of pews. And so food and the sharing of hospitality has been a particularly important aspect of community building within the Anabaptist tradition.” - Stuart Murray Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might

Brian McLaren is an internationally recognised and sort after author, speaker and activist. In this episode we're chatting with Brian about his latest challenging and provocative book that explores the vital topic of Christianity's relationship with other religions. “We Christians already know how to do two things well: we know how to have a strong Christian identity that’s hostile toward people of other identities, and we know how to have a weak Christian identity that’s tolerant or benign toward people of other identities. That opens up a third option – is it possible that there could be a strong Christian identity that is benevolent toward people of other faiths?" - Brian McLaren Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Thera

Carl Medearis worked as a missionary for many years in Beirut, Lebanon and as a result is recognised as an international expert in Muslim-Christian relations. Carl has some fascinating insights into cross-cultural mission from his years of working with Muslims, and he believes these principles are just as relevant in our Western context. I'll give you a hint, it's all about Jesus! Definitely an episode worth listening to (even if we do say so ourselves!).  “I’m not a fan of Christianity...I think Karl Marx actually was right – it drugs people; it is the ‘opiate of the masses.’ It makes people think that they’re in something that they’re not actually in. So, in that sense, Christianity has been fooling people for 2000 years...So, I’m not a fan of it – that’s true. I’m a fan of Jesus.” - Carl Medearis Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the

Alastair Gordon is a professional and accomplished artist who exhibits around the world. He's also a follower of Jesus. Apparently following Jesus and being a professional artist is a rather tricky thing these days, so we spoke to Ally about this tension and what mission in the world of art might look like. “Today, to call yourself a sincere religious believer kind of equates you with fundamentalists, radicalists – a bunch of people that artists really, really don’t want to be associated with…for various reasons, it’s kind of problematic to be a professing Christian believer and be a contemporary artist at the same time.” - Alastair Gordon Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If

John Polkinghorne has spent more years than we've been alive inhabiting the world of science and faith. He's a theoretical physicist, theologian and Anglican priest. He's been Knighted by the Queen and has received the coveted Templeton Prize for his exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension. So who better to ask a few questions about life, the universe and everything?!  “I often like to say that I’m two-eyed: I view the world through the eye of science and through the eye of religion. And I think with that two-eyed vision, I can see further and deeper than I could with either eye on its own.” - John Polkinhorne  Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’

Matt Russell planted Mercy Street about 15 years ago in the US. Starting from scratch it quickly grew to around a 1000, many of whom were recovering addicts. The church developed a culture of gritty authenticity and honesty. Needless to say, he's got a very interesting story to tell and much wisodm to share!  “Anytime you draw a line in the sand and say, ‘All the Christians on this side of the line,’ you’ll leave Jesus on the wrong side of the line all the time. Because he will not forsake the world that he loves and has given himself to for a list of ‘a prioris’ and theological presuppositions.” - Matt Russell  Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovel

Andrew Marin grew up in a conservative church, and much to his surprise developed a calling and passion to build bridges between the Church and the LGBTQ community. So he moved into a gay part of town, and spent all his time getting to know people in gay bars. Ss you can imagine, there's plenty for us to learn from the remarkable journey he's been on.  “Christians love to hang out with other Christians. I’m over it. Get outside your church, stop hanging out with Christians, have actual friends in the real world that don’t believe the same stuff that we do.” - Andrew Marin  Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to

John Hayes is founder and director of the mission order InnerChange. InnerChange supports missional communities who are living incarnationally in the poorest areas of cities around the world. So brace yourself for a challenging and inspiring interview! “Be content to be an ordinary bush burning with extraordinary fire. Christians get in danger when they try to be an extraordinary bush and then all [they] can give is ordinary fire.” - John Hayes Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug! If a monthly commitment isn’t po

Inspired by a glorious summer of sport, Nomad thought we'd bring you a story that seamlessly links mission and sport. So we met up with the Amos Trust's Chris Rose. Chris has got an amazing story to tell of gathering together street child from around the world for a football World Cup! Hard to believe I know, but it happened! Tune in to find out more. “One of the boys in South Africa said, ‘When people see me standing by the roadside, they see me as a street boy. When they see me play football, they see me as a person like them, and they’re people like me.’” - Chris Rose Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to ou

Mike Sares is a fairly normal, middle-aged, middle class type of guy. But he somehow managed to connect with a group of young artists and skater punks and planted and pastors the Denver based church Scum of the Earth. It's an inspiring story of cross-cultural mission, community and new forms of church.  “I have never in my life felt more alive in Christ, more used by him, more in tune with what he wants, more encouraged to take risks for his kingdom than I have since I’ve been doing ministry on the fringe or in the margins.” - Mike Sares Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be

Ian Adams co-founded mayBe, a fresh expression of church in Oxford. He also works for the Church Mission Society as a missional community developer. So we thought he'd be the right chap to talk about how to start new forms of church.  “For me, one of the great theological recoveries or rediscoveries of the last few decades has been this idea of ‘Missio Dei’ – the mission is God’s. We used to think it’s all about us; no, it’s not all about us. God is doing God’s thing. What we need to try and do is discern it and see it and taste it and then join in, participate, play our part.” - Ian Adams Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporte

Liz Babbs is an author, speaker and evangelist and one who has been deeply influenced by celtic spirituality. So we chat with Liz about celtic spirituality and its potential as a tool for mission. “Values such as hospitality, the sense of celebration, honouring the saints and actually admiring the saints and looking at how they’ve walked their lives as a form of inspiration rather than just ignoring them…that’s all part of the richness of Celtic Christianity.” - Liz Babbs Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page. You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug! If a