In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia take a look at the second section of the Nicene Creed and try to unpack the wealth of meaning there that can almost be obscured by our familiarity with the text.  ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia take a look at the first section of the Nicene Creed and try to unpack the wealth of meaning there that can almost be obscured by our familiarity with the text ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss the so-called Asbury Revival, a chapel service on February 8, 2023 that just didn't stop. Chad offers some background on the Methodist Holiness Movement and shares insights from his own experience at Asbury University. Charlotte has a lot of questions as she struggles to fight her own skepticism. Chad: What’s going to come out of this? That’s what I’m really curious about. What kind of fruit? In my mind, you know, especially regarding the way cultural Christianity is in this country, I would love to see some reaction against that. You know ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss whether all passages of scripture equally merit preaching and teaching and whether there are some passages that might not merit any investigation at all. Does every bit of scripture lift up the love of God and the love of neighbor or are there some truly terrible texts that are simply irredeemable? How do we identify those texts and what responsibility do we have to scripture and to those who hear it ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia discuss whether people of other faiths and people of no faith are cut off from the means of salvation. Can those be saved who have never heard the gospel? What about good, moral people of other traditions? And how do we as Christians relate to those of other religions ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia start with considering how one might tell if someone is a Christian before meandering through the related issues of what it means to be a Christian and what is essential for the faith. Chad: The internet has opened up my eyes to a lot of things, and one thing is there’s a lot of people out there confessing Christ’s name that are downright mean. Charlotte: Yeah. Chad: I don’t know, Charlotte. Are those people Christians? Charlotte: How about this? I don’t know, but I don’t want to be a Christian like they are. Chad: There you go. I can get on board ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia mark the beginning of a new year by reflecting on Christian themes of renewal, the relationship between time and eternity, and the contemplative life as a counter to our time-bound existence. Chad: It’s a great act of faith to live in the moment without bringing the burdens of the past or the fears or worries of the future into that moment. Certainly that’s part and parcel of contemplative practice but I think faith in general.  As I said, God is always present now. God’s not present yesterday. There is no yesterday. God’s not present in the ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia mark the beginning of a new year by reflecting on Christian themes of renewal, the relationship between time and eternity, and the contemplative life as a counter to our time-bound existence. Chad: It’s a great act of faith to live in the moment without bringing the burdens of the past or the fears or worries of the future into that moment. Certainly that’s part and parcel of contemplative practice but I think faith in general.  As I said, God is always present now. God’s not present yesterday. There is no yesterday. God’s not present in the ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia continue to celebrate Christmas by chatting about the nativity stories, the meaning of the incarnation, and their favorite Christmas carols. Chad: When Christmas comes around, it’s such a great time to think about just the wonder of what it means for the Word of God to take on flesh and live among us, as it is in John’s Gospel. I don’t think there’s anything more marvelous or wonderful than that. And it’s near impossible to express without saying things that at least sound completely paradoxical. So, for instance, the one who came into this world ..read more

In this episode Chad Rhodes and Charlotte Elia take a look back at the most downloaded episodes of 2022 and recommend a few host favorites. The top five episodes of 2022 were: 1. What is Love? 2. Will There Be Animals in Heaven? 3. The Older, Responsible Son 4. Concerning That Richard Rohr Meme 5. Faith and Doubt; Faith or Doubt? Also mentioned in this episode were our series on the afterlife, (What Happens When We Die?, What is Hell?, What is Heaven Like?), Talking Theology With a Friend, and Let's Talk TULIP. Thank you to all of our listeners and our supporters for engaging this new endeavor ..read more