Currents in Religion is a podcast from the Baylor University Religion Department and Baylor University Press. We host conversations with academics, writers, and artists that explore some of the most interesting currents in religious studies, with a focus on Christianity. Episodes release weekly. On this podcast you'll hear discussions about theology, ethics, biblical studies (New Testament and Hebrew Bible/Old Testament), history, archaeology, and so on. Engage with us on Twitter (@cirbaylor ...
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Christopher Seitz about his new book The Heights of the Hills are His Also. Learn more about the book here: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481322454/the-heights-of-the-hills-are-his-also/ Other Episodes You Might Like Bill Bellinger on the psalms and faith: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MEUD4045KXTY3GtNhXRNy?si…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Sameer Yadav, one of Baylor's newest religion faculty. The son of Indian immigrants, Sameer was raised in a Hindu home in rural Idaho. His childhood experiences of religion are the beginning of Sameer's story of becoming a theologian. Hear more about his journey in this episode. Listen until the end to hear Sameer d…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with John Duncan about teaching introductory courses on the Bible and church history. The discussion includes reflections on the challenges of teaching courses like these, such as navigating issues raised by having students of various faith backgrounds in the room. John also offers strategies and examples of in-class act…
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In this episode, João Chaves joins as guest host, facilitating a conversation with guests Felipe Hinojosa and Stephen De Trolio. They discuss Christian nationalism, the colonial history of Christian nationalism, and the impact histories of Christian nationalism have on the church today. This episode is a special collaboration with the Baptist Schol…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Jerusha Neal (Duke Divinity School) about her new book Holy Ground: Climate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place. How might our discourse, teaching, and preaching about climate change differ if we listened more carefully to the voices of displaced people? Listen to hear what Jerusha Neal thinks. Holy Groun…
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In this episode, guest host Natalie Carnes (Baylor University) speaks with Kutter Callaway (Fuller Theological Seminary) about the past, present, and future of theology and the arts. Other Currents Episodes You Might Like: Mikeal Parsons and Robin Jensen onearly Christians and their arts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yQRLp1wcReeYgd5X8rdtL?si=H…
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Summary In this episode, Deirdre Fulton joins us to share about the process of updating the NRSV, and to tell us a little about her role in that process. Deirdre Fulton is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament here at Baylor University. Themes Bible translation, text criticism, NRSVue Relevant Baylor Press Books Baylor handbooks on orig…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Tyler Mowry about teaching religious studies in online settings, using digital humanities, and assigning AI. Tyler is a Hebrew Bible PhD student and Learning Management System Content Specialist at Baylor University. Links to the digital humanities tools Tyler mentions in the interview will be posted in due course. …
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Leslie Garrote about American Evangelicalism: its history, the challenges of studying a living religious movement, and best practices. Leslie is currently a PhD student in Baylor's Religion Department. She is a Hispanic Theology Initiative scholar and a recipient of the Louisville Institute's doctoral fellowship. Le…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with E. Trey Clark about his new book, Black Contemplative Preaching: A Hidden History of Prayer, Proclamation, and Prophetic Witness (Baylor University Pres: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481321990/black-contemplative-preaching/). Related Episodes: Malcolm Foley on Cone's The Cross and the Lynching Tree: https://podca…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Dr. Joel Burnett about his cutting edge research on the Amman Theater Statue, a larger-than-life, Iron Age statue discovered in 2010. We discuss the statue's origin, its features, and its religious function. Along the way, Joel helps us understand how this statue relates to and sheds light on other ancient Near East…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Beverly Gaventa about Paul's letter to the Romans. Her New Testament Library commentary is out now with Westminster John Knox (https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664221009/romans.aspx). This episode also features special music from Paul Zach (ft. Jon Guerra, Tristen Stuart-Davenport, and IAMSON). Listen to the full …
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Barry Harvey about the story that led to the Barmen declaration, how Dietrich Bonhoeffer factors into that story, and how Barmen remains relevant today, even after 90 years. Barry Harvey is professor of theology in the Religion Department as well as in the Great Texts program of the Honors College here at Baylor Uni…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Micheal O'Siadhail about his new collection of poetry, Desire, which is out now from Baylor University Press. Micheal O’Siadhail is an award-winning Irish poet. He received the Irish American Cultural Institute prize for poetry in 1982; the Marten Toonder prize for Literature in 1998. And one of his other Baylor Uni…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Gary Dorrien about his new book, Anglican Identities, recently published by Baylor University Press. Learn more about the book and Gary here: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481320931/anglican-identities/
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Black Baptist Leaders, Race Literature, and the Salvation of America: A Conversation with Adam Bond
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Episode Overview In this episode, Zen speaks with Adam Bond about his story and scholarship. Adam Bond joined the Religion Department at Baylor University in the summer of 2023. Prior to his time at Baylor, he served as the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. Bond is a historian of Christianity in the United States…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Léon van Ommen about his new book, Autism and Worship, out now from Baylor University Press. Resources from the Episode Buy the book: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481319898/autism-and-worship/ Learn about the Centre: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sdhp/centre-for-the-study-of-autism-and-christian-community-1725.php Liste…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Robin Jensen and Mikeal Parsons about their new co-edited volume Early Christians and Their Art, which is out now with SBL Press. You can learn more about the book at the link below. Our GuestsRobin Jensen is the Patrick O’Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. But she is also a concurrent facu…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Elise Edwards about her new book Architecture, Theology, and Ethics: Making Architectural Design More Just (Lexington Books, 2024). Dr. Elise Edwards is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Baylor University. You can order the book by clicking here. Other Episodes You Might Like Feminist theology and…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Menachem Fisch and Debra Band about their illuminated philosophical commentary, Qoholet: Searching for a Life Worth Living. You can learn more about the book by clicking here. Other Currents in Religion Episodes You Might Like: Natalie Carnes feminist theology and the arts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nata…
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Rebecca Poe Hays is working on several projects that bring the Psalms into conversation with recent research on trauma and resilience. She joins us today to talk about her research, both how it helps us better understand the psalms historically and how it makes them relevant in the life of faith today. Rebecca Poe Hays is Assistant Professor of Chr…
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In this episode, Zen recaps some interesting, important, or otherwise intriguing religion news headlines. Polls/Reports Cited in Part 1 Is Religion Good for You? https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/512216/religion-spirituality-tools-better-wellbeing.aspx Asian American Nones & Connection to Religion: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/10/…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Jeff Hubbard about publishing academic journal articles. As a graduate student, Jeff has published in seven different peer reviewed journals and has a lot of wisdom (and humor) to share. You can learn more about Jeff by visiting his academia page (https://baylor.academia.edu/JeffHubbard/). Other Episodes You Might L…
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Women in the New Testament, Greco-Roman World, and Ministry Today: A Conversation with Susan Benton
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Dr. Susan Benton about her research on women in early Christianity and the Greco-Roman world and her work as a member of the ministry guidance team in Baylor's Religion Department. Learn more about the ministry guidance program at Baylor University: https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/ministry-guidance Check…
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This episode is a rerun from November 2022. In this episode, I speak with Dave Nelson, who is the director of Baylor University Press. We speak specifically about AAR/SBL from a publishers perspective. Dave offers honest advice about networking and discusses why he enjoys conferences like this one. AAR/SBL discount: Get 30% off and, if you're in th…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Philip Jenkins about his new book A Storm of Images: Iconoclasm and Religious Reformation in the Byzantine World, recently published by Baylor University Press. Dr. Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Professor of History & Director of the Program on Historical Studies of Religion at Baylor University. Related Episodes:…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Laine Scales and João Chaves about the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable and their new book Baptists and the Kingdom of God (Baylor University Press, 2023). BSIR Call for Papers https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/sites/g/files/ecbvkj1166/files/2023-10/BSIR_Call%20for%20Proposals%202024%20%282%29.pdf…
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Neil Messer, who has recently come to Baylor as Professor of Theological Bioethics. The discussion considers Neil's work in neuroethics. The episode also includes a plug for Autism and Worship: A Liturgical Theology by Armand Léon van Ommen. This new book is out now from Baylor University Press. Related Episodes: In…
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On Applying to PhD Programs in Religion
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Are you applying to PhD programs in religion? Or thinking about it? This episode is for you. In this episode, Zen shares about the process for applying to Baylor's graduate program in religion. He speaks with currents, Lanie Walkup and Tyler Fulcher, and Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, a graduate faculty member. They discuss how to write a strong applicati…
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Theology, Ethics, and a Church in Conflict: A Conversation with Amy Carr and Christine Helmer
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Welcome to our Fall 2023 season! In this episode, Zen speaks with Amy Carr and Christine Helmer about their brand new Baylor University Press book Ordinary Faith in Polarized Times: Justification and the Pursuit of Justice. Amy Carr is Professor of Religious Studies at Western Illinois University. Christine Helmer is Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Hu…
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Paul and the Good, Green Life: Conversations with Julien Smith and Cherryl Hunt
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Summary: How might Paul help Christians today live faithfully in light of the ecological crisis? In this episode, Zen speaks with Julien C. H. Smith and Cherryl Hunt about how Paul’s writings are relevant to living faithfully today, with a specific focus on the ecological crisis. Themes: New Testament studies; environmental ethics; virtue theory; P…
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Writing Religious Studies: Featuring Amos Yong, Alicia Myers, and Christopher Hoklotubbe
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Summary: Do you ever wish you knew how other writers come up with ideas, research for essays, or write their books? In this episode, Zen speaks with Alicia Myers, Amos Yong, and Christopher Hoklotubbe about how they approach writing, from generating ideas to organizing research to putting words on the page. Themes: Writing habits, writing style, re…
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Summary: In this episode, Zen speaks with the Primary and Co-Investigators of “Illuminating Theological Inquiry and Christian Ethics Through Training in Psychological Science,” a 2.5 million dollar John Templeton Foundation grant. Sarah Schnitker, Devan Stahl, Natalie Carnes, and Anne Jeffrey—who are Baylor faculty—share about grant and how its alr…
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Summary: In this episode, Zen speaks with Mandy McMichael about her project on Baptist Women in Ministry and the art of interviewing for historical research. Themes: Baptists, women in ministry, oral history, historical research methods Additional Resources: • Baptist Women in Ministry (https://bwim.info/) • Baylor Institute for Oral History (https…
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In this episode, Zen wraps up season one of Currents in Religion. In addition to giving thanks to our listeners and our guests, Zen shares about Summer School, which will be a short season in late June/early July. Thanks for a great first season!
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Why do we call the main characters in the Book of Judges “judges”? Compared to what judges are supposed to do in Deuteronomy, for example, the “judges” of Judges don’t really look like judges at all. In this episode, Dr. Julian Chike joins me to discuss his work on the Book of Judges, in which he explores social, historical, and literary developmen…
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In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Trevor Hart joins us to discuss Jesus and his works, christology and soteriology. We discuss topics like substitution, deification, participation, particularity, and more. The discussion engages with themes and ideas in Trevor's book In Him Was Life (Baylor University Press), a recently published collection of Trevor's…
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The Cross and the Lynching Tree: Malcolm Foley on James Cone, Racism, and American Christianity
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James Cone died five years ago this month. He is one of the legends of American theology, writing books like A Black Theology of Liberation, God of the Oppressed, and The Spirituals and the Blues. One of the last books of his celebrated career, The Cross and the Lynching Tree, was published in 2011. And, because this episode releases on Good Friday…
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In this episode, Dave Nelson talks about publishing academic books. He discusses the process of publishing a book, gives tips for turning a dissertation into a published book, and offers ideas on how to write better. Dave is an expert in these things, having served as an acquisitions editor at Baker Academic for years, before becoming the Director …
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In this episode, Dr. Bruce Longenecker joins to discuss Greco-Roman associations and how studying them helps us to read the New Testament. Bruce recently published an edited volume about Greco-Roman associations with Baylor Press. He’s currently teaching both a graduate and an undergraduate seminar on the topic. The study of associations is proving…
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So, today’s episode is a little different from our usual format. Instead of an interview, today you’re going to hear a lecture recently hosted by Baylor’s Religion Department in collaboration with the J.M. Dawson Institute for Church State Studies. The lecture was delivered by Dr Brett Scharffs. Dr. Scharffs is the Rex E. Lee Chair and Professor of…
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How might interreligious dialogue help the world address some of its most vexing issues? One possible way is by making progress on questions surrounding natural law. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Seyed Amir Hossein Asghari, who is the Postdoctoral Research Associate in Natural Law in the Religion Department here at Baylor University. We’re …
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Lyric Theology: Thomas Gardner on Marilynne Robinson, lyric thinking, and the doctrine of creation
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In this episode, I speak with Thomas Gardner about Lyric Theology, his recent book that is out now with Baylor University Press. In the book, Thomas looks at four different artists—Czeslaw Milosz, Terence Malick, Marilynne Robinson, and Annie Dillard—as a way of exploring the doctrine of creation. Thomas practices patient, careful engagements with …
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Today—February 24, 2023—marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, an escalation of a conflict that has been long running. In this episode, Zen speaks with Paul Martens about the war, about how Christians have thought about war throughout history, and about how Christians might respond. Dr. Paul Martens is associate professor of ethics in the dep…
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Africana Biblical Criticism and the Book of Esther: Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar on her book Trafficking Hadassah
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In this episode, Zen speaks with Dr. Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar about her book Trafficking Hadassah (Taylor & Francis Group, 2021). This book explores the Book of Esther by employing Africana biblical criticism. We discuss her method and some of the ways it leads her to read Esther differently. Dr. Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar is Assistant Professor in…
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In this episode, Zen chats with Rev. Dr. Marcus Jerkins about his book, Black Lives Matter to Jesus: The Salvation of Black Life and All Life in Luke and Acts. The book explores the significance of Black characters in the theological story of salvation told throughout Luke and Acts. Here's the books blurb: ############## The third evangelist makes …
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In this episode, we chat with Dustin Benac about his new book Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in a Changing World (Baylor University Press 2022). The book studies the way Christian communities in the Pacific Northwest are adapting in ways that may prove beneficial to the broader Christian community. How do churches belong in their part…
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In this episode, I speak with Katherine Ellis about getting a PhD in Baylor's Religion Department. We talk about the various stages of the program, from course work to dissertation. We talk about funding and what it's like to be at an R1 institution in Waco. Katherine also confirms that I am the most fun person in the Department. This episode will …
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Rotten Epiphany: Mikeal Parsons and Cody Sanders talk Corpse Care
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“What is the revelatory potential of the corpse?” That is the question that Cody Sanders and Mikeal Parsons seek to answer in their new book, Corpse Care: Ethics for Tending the Dead. Here's the book's blurb: "Corpse Care relates the history of death care in the U.S. to craft robust, constructive, practical ethics for tending the dead. It specifica…
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For many, the term “inclusion” is the end all for social justice efforts. But, in her new book, Erin Raffety suggests that “inclusion” doesn’t work, at least in churches with disabled people. Listen to this quote: “The church is called apart from the world to repent of its ableism, disown its power, abandon inclusion, and pursue justice alongside d…
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