Are you ready to rethink the Bible and challenge easy answers? Join guests like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tim Mackie (BibleProject), Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Rainn Wilson (The Office), and Rob Bell as we dive into complex conversations about faith, moving beyond conservative and liberal camps. If you don’t fit neatly into either space, you’ll fit in just fine here. Hosted by Nate Hanson (former Crazy Love pastor) and Shelby Hanson (MA Biblical Studies & Dead Sea Scrolls), Almost Heretical invite ...
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Can you feel loss for something you've never known? An environmental thriller starring Pearl Mackie, Tanya Moodie and Pippa Haywood. With theme music by Bonobo. Written by Timothy X Atack and directed by Becky Ripley. Each episode comes with its own talk and soundscape. Plus, take part in The Forest 404 Experiment to see how you respond to sounds of nature.
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TheoDisc is a podcast by WTC faculty and friends with fortnightly episodes on theological ideas that will hopefully stimulate you to pursue your own theological learning and ultimately to deepen your faith. It is a place of discussion and debate, and a place to hear a variety of voices. We do hope you enjoy listening! TheoDisc is part of WTC Theology: https://wtctheology.org.uk/
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#148 – Is God male? (Liz Charlotte Grant, Pt 2)
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Listen to the aftershow Part 2 of 2: Liz Charlotte Grant returns to delve even deeper into faith and scripture, questioning the Bible’s patriarchal interpretations and exploring whether divine inspiration is real. Join us as we discuss how gender influences our view of God, the tension between tradition and spiritual independence, and what it truly…
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Freddy Hedley - Worship in the Old Testament
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In this episode of TheoDisc Podcast we are looking at Old Testament Foundations for Worship with Dr Freddy Hedley. Often when we look at worship in the Old Testament, it can seem highly ritual, centred on external action, and more focussed on the inaccessibility of a holy God. There’s also a lot of blood which can be difficult to study. But Freddy …
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#147 – God as a Mother (Liz Charlotte Grant, Pt 1)
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Listen to the aftershow Part 1 of 2: Liz Charlotte Grant joins us to challenge traditional views of faith, gender, and scripture. Together, we explore how God is portrayed beyond the masculine lens and dive into the transformative power of therapy, the struggles of women in ministry, and reimagining spiritual autonomy. Visit her work at lizcharlott…
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#146 – Dana Hicks: Trading Conservative Dogma for Liberal Dogma
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Listen to the aftershow where we talk about kids, iPads, and spirituality Dana Hicks discusses the journey from conservative pastor to deconstructing faith and redefining spirituality. We delve into how deconstruction can lead to trading conservative dogma for liberal dogma, the role of psychedelics in spiritual experiences, and the importance of a…
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Jack Levison - Fresh Air
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In episode 44 of TheoDisc, Kenny's guest is is Jack Levison, who has recently released a revised edition of his book Fresh Air. He brings some provocative questions to those of us who are charismatic, about the myriad of ways in which the scriptures describe spirit, both divine and human, and how we experience the work and presence of the Spirit of…
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#145 – Garrick Allen: Revelation Isn’t What You Think
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Listen to our after show where we talk about Garrick's thoughts on Pastors, Revelation and Hell Dr. Garrick Allen uncovers truths about how the Book of Revelation has been misunderstood for centuries, reshaping our view of Scripture. Discover how ancient manuscripts and hidden texts challenge modern beliefs in unexpected ways. Thoughts, questions, …
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Ben Blackwell - 'Live' from the WTC Residential
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Welcome to this special edition of the TheoDisc podcast which was recorded live at the WTC residential in September 2024. Our Residential is a time when students from all of our Hubs around the UK and Northern Ireland gather together for a week of worship and learning, and we thought it would be fun to record an episode of TheoDisc with our student…
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AJ Swoboda - The Gift of Thorns
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In episode 42 of TheoDisc, Kenny chats with AJ Swoboda about his own experiences and wisdom around the topic of 'Desire'. He is genuinely someone who has wrestled with these things and is eager to help others walk in healing and renewal. In his book, The Gift of Thorns, he helps us to see that desire is actually fundamental to our humanity as God c…
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Jared Michelson - Theology on the Ground
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In episode 41 of TheoDisc, Kenny chats with Jared Michelson, who says that his journey into theological study not only saved his faith, but gave him tools with which to minister to people in the midst of the difficulties they face. Theological study made him a better pastor. It’s certainly what we believe at WTC where we aim to build up the church …
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Tim Mackie and Lucy Peppiatt - Biblical Studies and Christology
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For this standalone TheoDisc episode, we are re-releasing a previous episode where Kenny and Lucy Peppiatt had a chat with Tim Mackie from BibleProject a couple of years ago in Belfast. They found out more about his journey from being purely a biblical scholar, to gaining a deeper understanding of Systematic Theology and Christology, while looking …
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#144 – Jon Foreman: Leaving the Christian Label
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Listen to the Jon Foreman aftershow here. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot (link) discusses the journey of faith, doubt, and the rejection of labels. We delve into the topics of deconstruction, being hurt by people claiming Christianity, and the complexities of using “Christian” as an adjective. We also explore the idea of embracing community over tribali…
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Tamara Knudson - Oaths and Vows: Women in the Old Testament
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In episode 40 of TheoDisc, Kenny chats with Dr Tamara Knudson about oaths and vows in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), particularly in the stories of key women figures like Ruth, Hannah and Abigail. Tamara helps us understand the difference between an oath and a vow and how they hold profound and transformative potential as we recognise them in th…
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#143 – Candida Moss (Part 2): Uncovering Biblical Authorship Mysteries
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Listen to the After Show Candida Moss, a leading theology professor, returns for part two of our conversation, diving into her groundbreaking research on the manuscript traditions and writing processes of the New Testament. Discover how dictation, collaboration, and the roles of enslaved individuals shaped the creation of early Christian texts. Lea…
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Dennis Edwards - Humility Illuminated
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In episode 39 of TheoDisc, Kenny is joined by Rev Dr Dennis Edwards, who says humility has been misunderstood, manipulated or marginalised, such that it’s been hidden away in a dark corner. But in his book, Humility Illuminated, Dennis wants to recover the biblical roots of humility, its importance for the character of the church, and the way it ca…
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Nijay Gupta - Strange Religion
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In episode 38 of TheoDisc, Kenny chats with Dr Nijay Gupta, who would say that weirdness was actually what made the early church attractive. Nijay’s latest book, Strange Religion, talks about how the First Christians were weird, dangerous and compelling. They spoke about how understanding the way these Christians navigated their world with the mess…
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#142 – Candida Moss (Part 1): Enslaved Authors of Christianity
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Listen to the After Show Candida Moss is a leading theology professor, about her groundbreaking research on the enslaved Christians who helped create the New Testament. Discover how this reshapes our understanding of biblical inspiration, ancient authorship, and Christianity’s historical complicity in slavery. Get Candida's book God's Ghostwriters.…
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#141 – Rethinking the Tower of Babel
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To become a supporter of Almost Heretical and get more bonus episodes like this, click here: http://almostheretical.com/subscribe In this bonus episode of Almost Heretical, Nate Hanson and Shelby dive into the story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 11. They discuss its significance, the cultural context, and various interpretations, including its…
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Terran Williams - Women and Authority in 1 Timothy 2
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In episode 37 of TheoDisc, Kenny had a really insightful and helpful conversation with Terran Williams on Paul’s instruction in his first letter to Timothy, commonly translated in our English Bibles as ‘I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man’. They focussed in on what is happening in 1 Tim 2 concerning women teaching and lead…
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#140 – Frank Kenny: Unveiling the God of War
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Listen to the Frank Kenny after show! How has our understanding of God evolved over time? Nate & Shelby talk with Frank Kenny about his book, The God of War: How an Ancient God Shaped a Modern World (link), exploring the historical contexts and conflicts that have shaped modern Christianity. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretica…
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Murray Rae - Resurrection and Renewal
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In episode 36 of TheoDisc, Kenny is joined by Prof Murray Rae, and they address the question: "Why is the resurrection of Jesus important?" Murray works from the narrative of scripture to explore the ways the resurrection influences our understanding of Christ, salvation, the future, mission, the church, and the unfolding purpose of history. They d…
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#139 – Brian McLaren: Christianity Beyond Belief
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Listen to the after show for the Brian episode where we talk about why the Church tries to control beliefs What if being a Christian wasn't about what you believed? Nate & Shelby talk with Brian McLaren about his influential works, including Do I Stay Christian? and his latest, Life After Doom. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheret…
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Amy Brown Hughes - Virginity in Church History
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In episode 35 of TheoDisc, Kenny chats with Dr Amy Brown Hughes about a topic that has often been left for Youth groups to discuss nervously - that’s the topic of Virginity. In her work in historical theology, Amy has explored the ways that, for the church, virginity has historically been about more than just sexual abstinence, but was a calling, a…
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#138 – Olivia Jackson: Why Christians Deconstruct
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Listen to the after show where we talk about favorite books, women missionaries, and being anti-academia Olivia Jackson interviewed hundreds of Christians about their deconstruction experience. We talk about why people changed their faith. Is it different in America compared to the UK, Australia, etc? Olivia's book. Thoughts, questions, stories? Pl…
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#137 – Tim Alberta: Reject Trump, Embrace Jesus
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Listen to the after show where Nate & Shelby talk about Tim's more traditional beliefs... Why did they have Tim on? Tim Alberta reflects on how his Christian upbringing shapes his approach to politics, emphasizing critical thought over tribalism. He advocates for a church response that mirrors Christ's love and grace, facing societal challenges wit…
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#136 – Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Spiritual Anxiety & Religious Trauma
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Listen to the after show where Nate & Shelby debrief and shore more thoughts about this conversation with Tiffany Tiffany Yecke Brooks discusses her evolution from fundamentalist roots, questioning long-held doctrines, and identifying spiritual anxiety as a trauma response. She advocates for reinterpreting biblical stories and emphasizes the import…
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Justin Brierley - The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God
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In episode 34 of TheoDisc, we ask the question: "Are there signs in the west that attitudes towards God and faith are shifting?" That’s the hope presented by our guest for this episode, Justin Brierley. Justin has been hosting and leading conversations for some time around Christian apologetics, inter-faith dialogue, theological debate, and the pla…
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#135 – Thomas Jay Oord: Open Relational Theology
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Listen to the Utterly Heretical after show episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with Thomas Jay Oord Dr. Thomas Jay Oord delves into open relational theology, highlighting a non-controlling, relational God and rethinking traditional omnipotence. Check out his book God After Deconstruction with Tripp Fuller. We addresses …
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Stephen Dempster - The Return of the Kingdom
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In episode 33 of Theodisc, we’re thinking about ‘kingdom’ as the overarching theme of the whole biblical story - this idea that if you step back and observe the entire sweep of the Scriptural narrative, the image of God as the coming king becomes evident. Kenny had a chat with Dr Stephen Dempster, who has just written a book called ‘The Return of t…
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#134 – Dr. Laura Anderson: Sex, Dating, Courtship and Trauma
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Listen to the 20-minute Utterly Heretical after show episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with Dr. Laura Anderson Dr. Laura Anderson tackles religious trauma, explaining it as our physiological response to religious experiences, distinct from the events themselves. She critiques purity culture for its detrimental effects…
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#133 – David Fitch: Is God's Love Coercive?
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Listen to the extra 20-minute Utterly Heretical episode that Nate & Shelby recorded debriefing this conversation with David. Does Hell or even annihilationism mean that God's love is coercive? David Fitch (author of Reckoning With Power) debates with Nate and Shelby about whether we can call God's love "non-coercive". Thoughts, questions, stories? …
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Paulus de Jong - Echoes of Exodus in John
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In episode 32 of TheoDisc Podcast, Kenny is joined by Paulus de Jong as they explore allusions from John's Gospel to the book of Exodus, and how seeing those links make us better readers of John's Gospel. Enjoy!Door WTC Theology
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#132 – Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas
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Elaine Pagels presents the compelling theory that the Gospel of John might have intentionally silenced the Gospel of Thomas. This interview not only explores the hidden gospels but also challenges us to rethink the foundational narratives of Christianity through the insights of Elaine Pagels. Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretic…
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Jared Patrick Boyd - Finding Freedom in Constraint
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In this episode, Kenny speaks with Jared Patrick Boyd about the danger of seeing Spiritual formation as a mere Christian lifestyle fad, the purpose of spiritual disciplines as more than just helpful habits but to make visible our interior world, and how Spiritual Formation only fully benefits us on our journey to Christlikeness if we pursue it in c…
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