Imaginatively Missional
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt are visited again by Mark Thiessen Nation, exploring the profound impact of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and writings on contemporary Christianity. In this episode, our hosts talk to Mark about the dangers of nationalism within the church. They discuss the importance of robust discipleship, the …
Continue reading "Episode 215: Bonhoeffer and Nationalism with Mark Thiessen Nation"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew Johnson, Michael, and Matt Till engage with Dr. Steve Bezner, exploring the implications of Bonhoeffer's theology for contemporary church leadership. They discuss the importance of maintaining a distinct Christian identity in a politically charged environment, the role of pastors in shepherding their congregations, and the need for …
Continue reading "Episode 214: Bonhoeffer the Pastor with Steve Bezner"
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael welcome Watson Jones III, an executive pastor in Chicago, to discuss the current climate of shepherding in the city. They explore the challenges faced by the church in light of social issues, the historical context of the church's role in society, and the shifts …
Continue reading "Episode 213: Ministering in Chicago with Watson Jones III"
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt engage with Dr. Wes Watkins to explore the dynamics of church movements, the importance of understanding movements in a contemporary context, and the integration of Motus Dei with Missio Dei. They discuss the characteristics of movements, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the …
Continue reading "Episode 212: Reactivating the Church as Movement"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Dr. Ralph Korner discusses the concept of ekklesia, its historical context, and its implications for the modern church. He emphasizes the importance of community, social justice, and the church's role in society, arguing against a separatist mentality and advocating for active engagement with the world. The conversation explores …
Continue reading "Episode 211: Rethinking Ekklesia with Dr. Ralph Korner"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael engage in a deep conversation with Mark Thiessen Nation about the life and works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They explore Bonhoeffer's stance on pacifism, the influence of Eberhard Bethge, and the misrepresentation of Bonhoeffer in popular media. The discussion delves into the complexities of Bonhoeffer's …
Continue reading "Episode 210: Unpacking Bonhoeffer’s Legacy with Mark Thiessen Nation"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt discuss the rise of end times predictions, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok. They explore the implications of these predictions, the historical context of prophecy, and the importance of focusing on Jesus' mission rather than sensationalism. The conversation also touches on the dangers …
The decision to cease USAID funding has sparked concerns regarding the future of global development efforts particularly in regions heavily reliant on foreign assistance. While the immediate consequences of this policy shift are significant, this moment presents an opportunity to reevaluate traditional aid models and embrace more sustainable, locally led approaches. A church-driven, asset-based model …
In April 2024, our television and mobile screens were filled with images of long-range ballistics glowing in the night sky over Jerusalem. A barrage of missiles had been launched directly by Iran from hundreds of miles away into Israel. In the tense moments where we waited for spectacular images of destruction across a land considered …
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, the hosts discuss the recent tragedy involving Charlie Kirk and the broader implications of gun violence in America. They explore the intersection of faith, politics, and violence, reflecting on the Christian response to such tragedies. The conversation emphasizes the need for love, justice, and a departure from divisive …
Continue reading "Episode 208: Christian Response to Tragedy"
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, hosts Andrew and Michael welcome back Matt Till as he takes on a new role focused on social justice and community engagement. The conversation explores the importance of integrating social justice into the church's mission, reflecting on its historical significance within evangelicalism. Matt shares his personal journey and …
Adapted from Grace Al-Zoughbi Arteen, "A Palestinian Reflection on Overcoming Injustice: Seeking a Christ-like Response in Matthew and Luke," in Social Injustice, Volume II: Evangelical Voices in Tumultuous Times. Ephesiology Press, 2021. I was just seventeen years old when one morning at 2am I finally arrived at my own home in Bethlehem, laid my head on …
Continue reading "A Palestinian Reflection on Overcoming Injustice"
In one dark period of human history, Dietrich Bonhoeffer defined the church’s role, what he referred to as the “disciples’ community,” in the following manner: The disciples are given no choice whether they want to be salt or not. No appeal is made to them to become salt of the earth. Rather they just are …
American evangelicals are clearly divided over social justice. In one of its recent expressions, critical race theory (CRT) has garnered both the admiration and the indignation of those who claim a similar allegiance to Jesus Christ. The recent division among the staff of one of the world’s largest evangelical para-churches, Cru, only highlights the cultural …
Critical race theory (CRT) is finding expression in various social issues around the world. Its renown recently received an unlikely boost by six Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) associated seminary presidents when they unilaterally denounced CRT as incompatible with the SBC's “The Baptist Faith and Message” (Schroeder 2020). The backlash among Black pastors in the SBC …
Continue reading "Christianity, Critical Race Theory, and Relational Ethics"
The German theologian and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), has captured the attention of Americans, if not also many others around the world, like no other modern-day theologian. His Discipleship and Ethics have inspired numerous discussions regarding their application, or misapplication, to contemporary social issues. The root of Bonhoeffer’s ethics is theology as a first order. …
Could there not be a more important topic at the beginning of the third decade of the second millennia than social justice? Simply a cursory observation of the contemporary cultural landscape indicates there is not. Indeed, justice might rightly be described as a uniting hallmark for the struggle of all people. Whether one is seeking …
On this week's Ephesiology Podcast, Michael talks with Jeff Christopherson about his upcoming course on Church Planting. Jeff brings years of experience and wisdom from his career as a serial church planter. The course, based on his book Kingdom Matrix, focuses on equipping church planters in fundamentals based upon Kingdom concepts. Jeff explains that church …
On this week's Ephesiology Podcast, Michael talks with Kathryn Richards Bhatia, assistant professor of social justice in our Master of Arts Missiology of Movement degree, about ministry to the exploited and marginalized. As one of the three markers of the early church, social justice is a vital ministry that emulates the life of first century …
I am a Black Man. We are not okay. I grew up on Chicago’s Southside and I saw drugs, gangs and violence as common things in my childhood — heck, my dad was instrumental in some of it. Now I live in a predominately white, wealthy Boston suburb trying to plant a church and effectively …
Tom (not his real name), sat up from his position on the couch opposite me, exhaled deeply, and asked the group, “So, what should we do about it?” Last Sunday at our weekly church gathering we found ourselves in a debate. People say never to mix politics and religion, but Jesus never shied away from …
Continue reading "How Should Christians Respond to the Challenging Issues of our day"
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