Is our New Testament the same as the original texts written in the first century? How do we know which manuscripts to trust, and who does the work of deciding? What are the implications of the fact that the biblical text itself has a history? In this episode, we discuss these questions and more with Dr Jesse Grenz, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Thanks to Jamie Maule for sound editing! --- Send in a voice message:...

Does the Bible value women? Does it make sense to call God ‘Father’ from a feminist perspective? Why did God create gender difference in the first place? These questions and many more are tackled by Dr. Amy Peeler, New Testament Professor at Wheaton College. Dr. Peeler has recently published Women and the Gender of God which goes into these issues in more depth. Thanks to Jamie Maule for sound editing! --- Send in a voice message:...

In this episode we talk with Prof Michael J Gorman, New Testament Scholar and author of nearly twenty books including several major works on Paul. In this discussion, Prof Gorman draws a distinction between historical criticism and the historical critical method. He argues that understanding the original context is necessary, but not sufficient when it comes to interpreting the Bible today. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/faith-at-the-frontiers/message

Austin and Barney go back over the last few episodes and share our thoughts. What did we learn? What did we disagree with? How do we compare and contrast the Bible scholars and theologians we've interviewed so far? What do YOU think though? Email us your thoughts at whatdoyouthink (at) faithatthefrontiers.com and we'll dialogue with you in future episodes! This is NOT the end of ‘faith and the challenges of history’: it’s just a pause to catch our breath! --- Send in a voice...

So many Bible scholars and methods claim to be ‘historical’, but are they all the same? In this episode, Barney and Austin interview Professor Matthew J Thomas, who has come up with a taxonomy of FOUR methods for reading the Bible that are currently prevalent in scholarship: Simple historical exegesis: interpreting the Bible with attention to its cultural and historical context. Investigating the history of the Bible’s composition, known as ‘source criticism’, ‘form criticism’, or...

Austin and Barney interview theologian Dr Seth Heringer, who describes the development of modern historical methods and how these methods have impacted theology. We consider the ways in which not only the results of historical research, but the principles of the historical method themselves might stand at odds with theology. If history isn't as neutral a discipline as it seems, does that open up possibilities for fruitful dialogue with faith? Thanks to Jamie Maule for his sound...

Barney and Austin interview Old Testament Professor Iain Provan, who takes a different view to our previous guests on the historical reliability of the Bible. For him, there is every reason to trust the Bible's authors, and no reason not to trust them. Provan also suggests that: The very idea of history comes from the Old Testament There is no 'neutral' way of reading the Bible: there are Christian or non-Christian ways of reading. Jesus gave us these texts, and that is why we read...

Austin and Barney interview Professor Emeritus Hugh Williamson of Oxford University on how his faith relates to historical enquiry about the Old Testament. We discuss questions like: How does Prof. Williamson hold together his identity as a scholar and his faith as a Christian? Does he ever see a conflict between them? What does the historical study of the Bible do for one's faith? What historical events in the Bible does Christian faith depend on? Thanks, as always, to Jamie Maule...

Is the Old Testament historically reliable? What difference does that question make to our faith? What do we mean by 'historical' and 'reliable' anyway? In this episode, Barney and Austin interview Professor John Goldingay, a retired Old Testament scholar enormously influential in the Evangelical tradition. Prof. Goldingay shares his thoughts about the relationship between faith and biblical history, and then problematizes the question for us: why are we asking about this and in what way...

Introducing the new co-host, Austin Stevenson, and our new topic for the next series. Austin and I will be wrestling with how the Christian faith relates to its own history. We'll be asking questions like: Do Christians have to believe the Bible is historically reliable? Is there evidence to suggest the Bible is historically reliable? How ought Christians to read and interpret the Bible from a historical point of view? How should Christians think about the troubling aspects of their...

Let's open the science & religion debate to include voices from beyond the White Western world! In this episode Barney interviews two Anglican bishops who are doing just that: Bishop Richard Cheetham, co-director for global engagement with ECLAS & a member of the Anglican Communion Science Commission. Bishop Joseph Galgalo, provincial secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and assistant bishop of All Saints Cathedral diocese.  This episode is full of insights about the way...

Science is done in a society. Society affects not only what science is done, but how people understand it and its role. Dr. Thoko Kamwendo is part of a growing field of research called ‘science studies’ which uncovers the social dimension of scientific research. She has studied in particular how church leaders approach science, and how they communicate its meaning and relevance to congregations. Thanks to Jamie Maule for sound engineering! --- Send in a voice message:...

Do you love reading sci-fi or fantasy? Have you ever thought about its theologial potential? In this episode, Barney discusses the value of science fiction for exploring dimensions of the Christian faith, with: Revd Prof. David Wilkinson Revd Dr Lucas Mix Dr Amanda Rees Revd Prof. Alan Gregory If you like this episode and want to learn more, visit these ECLAS resources: Science, Future and the Christian Imagination. Science Fiction and Public Theology. This article by Amanda...

Barney interviews Pastor Alton Bell about his experiences persuading his church congregation to take the Covid vaccine. This episode digs into the history of black peoples' engagement with white medicine, and is not always easy listening. But its message is important: science is always communicated by someone, and if that someone is the government, there are political issues at play. Thanks to Jamie Maule for his sound engineering! --- Send in a voice message:...

How can scientists enrich and enliven their local church communities? We’ve invited Professor David Wilkinson, Petra Crofton, and Deb Fozzard to explore the impact of the ⁠Scientists in Congregations project that shows just how much scientists can do. If you want to learn more, check out these free science and faith resources for schools and (church) children’s workers: Wild and Wonderful UK. Also take a look at these children's books on science by Petra Crofton: Science Geek Sam...

What do Charismatic/Pentecostal Christians think of science? Two of their number discuss the distinctives of their tradition on this question: Chris Done, Professor of astrophysics at Durham University Simo Frestadius, executive director of the institute for Pentecostal theology Among their many insights are that: Charismatics place a lot of emphasis on experience and experiment - not so different to scientists! Charismatics are keen to ‘demythologise’ the Bible - but not the same...

It may sound like a strange idea to teach science in seminaries. But after recording this episode, it made much more sense to the hosts! Lucas Mix (ECLAS) and Katy Hinman (AAAS) help run help run ECLAS’ ‘Science for Seminaries’ programme, in which future pastors, priests, and church leaders get to learn what it’s like to engage in science and with scientists. We discuss questions like: Why do people turn to their religious leaders for advice on scientific questions? Why has there been...

What is really at stake in seeing faith & science as in conflict with each other? What are the origins of this conflict narrative and what were the theological motivations behind it? These questions and others are the driving force behind today's episode, the first in our ECLAS series. We interview David Hutchings and Dr Amanda Rees for their perspective - both practical and academic - on the common perception of a conflict. Note this episode was recorded shortly before the passing of...

News from Faith at the Frontiers: We’re at the end of the Faith & Economics series. What a thought-provoking series it was! Goodbye to Carmody! She has had to step down because she was too busy to keep it up. A new co-host will be joining us in the series after next. Introducing the next series: in partnership with Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS), we are running a second series on science & religion, much more practically oriented than the last....

For our final episode on faith & economics, we’ve invited Prof. Paul Williams to share his vision for a Christian transformation of economics. Prof. Williams has studied economics and theology, and worked as both an economist and a theology professor for many years. He is uniquely qualified to give insight on our question and this episode is a powerful ending to an incredible series. Written by Paul Williams: ‘Christianity and the Global Economic Order’, in The Oxford Handbook of...

Carmody & Barney pause to reflect on our recent episodes and the opinions presented by our guests. We appear to have invited quite a few capitalists recently without intending to over-represent one viewpoint. So most of this discussion is our own reflections on the varieties of capitalism that we’ve encountered from our guests. We reflect on things like: What are the conditions for the possibility of economic activity? Is there such a thing as an isolated individual? What happens...

Carmody and Barney interview Pete Gladwell, who works for one of the largest investment companies in the UK. Pete explains how he views investment as a community service and tries to make investments that will benefit society rather than only making money for himself or his company. This episode is really interesting to compare to the previous one with Robert Netzly: two Christian investors with different visions of what Christian values in investment look like. Thanks to Jamie Maule...

Barney and Carmody interview Robert Netzly, founder and CEO of Inspire Investing. Robert recently made the decision to withdraw all ESG investment on the basis that it has been overtaken by a Marxist agenda. We ask Robert about his understanding of faithful Christian investment and the principles on which he founded his business. Thanks to Jamie Maule for his sound editing! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/faith-at-the-frontiers/message

Barney and Carmody interview Dylan Pahman on whether there is any such thing as ‘Christian economics’, or whether economics is a value-neutral space like mathematics. We discuss questions like: Is the free market the most natural and universal economic system? Should theologians stay out of economics? Should economists stay out of theology? What should our goals for society be in the first place? Thanks to Jamie Maule for his sound editing! --- Send in a voice message:...