Theology in the Raw

Episódios

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  Venus, Purity Culture, and the Ideal Christian Woman | Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt 14.09.2026 1h 6min

  Who decided what a “good woman” should look like?Long before social media, paintings, sculptures, religious images, and other forms of visual culture were shaping our expectations of women. Those images did not merely reflect society. They helped define beauty, sexuality, motherhood, virtue, and even what Christians imagined a godly woman should be.Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt is an art historian (Ph.D. from Washington University) and is a professor of art and art history at Covenant College. She’s also the author of two books: the award-winning Redeeming Vision: A Christian Guide to Looking at and Learning from Art (Baker Academic 2023) and her recent book Look Like a Lady: Five Visual Tropes of Womanhood and How to See Ourselves Differently (Brazos 2026), which forms the basis of our conversation today. Chapters:00:00 The Desire to Be Desirable00:41 What Is a Woman?03:39 Meet Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt06:16 How Art Shapes Christian Theology09:58 Why Medieval Jesus Looks Like a Little Man14:22 Five Images of Womanhood15:20 The Venus Trope and Sexual Desirability18:10 Why Women Learn to See Themselves as Objects23:21 Purity Culture and the Objectification of Women28:37 Mary, Elizabeth, and a Better Way of Seeing33:35 The Myth of the Perfect Mother38:02 How the Reformation Changed Womanhood43:44 Are Women Competing for God’s Love?46:27 Infertility, Motherhood, and Female Identity49:30 “Is Something Wrong With Me?”52:24 Do Fathers Get More of a Free Pass?54:45 How Women Become “Monsters”59:47 Does the Church Still Vilify Women?63:45 Shaped by Trauma, Not Defined by It65:36 A Bigger Vision of Christian Womanhood See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Are We Making Our Kids More Anxious? Dr. Chinwé Williams 10.09.2026 57min

  Are parents accidentally making their kids more anxious by protecting them from discomfort?Dr. Chinwé Williams joins Preston to explain why anxiety, depression, loneliness, and social avoidance have risen among young people. They discuss the role of smartphones and social media, the disappearance of real-world community, constant exposure to frightening news, trauma, pornography, and the pressure many kids feel to avoid failure.Dr. Chinwé Williams is a Licensed and Board-Certified therapist with expertise spanning a variety of domains, including youth and family mental health, parenting & and trauma recovery. Chinwé has served in academic, corporate, school, and faith-based work settings. She’s also the co-author of the best-selling book Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection and her latest book is: Calm, Courageous, and Connected: A Parent's Guide to Raising Emotionally Resilient KidsChapters:0:00 Avoidance Is Feeding Kids’ Anxiety2:20 Is the Youth Mental Health Crisis Real?5:30 What Is Causing the Mental Health Crisis?8:08 What Social Media Is Taking Away From Kids9:32 Why Kids Need “Third Spaces”12:41 Are Kids Becoming Afraid to Take Risks?16:54 Why Teens Struggle With Social Anxiety20:04 How Avoidance Makes Anxiety Worse21:15 Building Grit and Emotional Resilience23:58 How Parents Accidentally Reinforce Anxiety26:22 How Parents’ Childhood Wounds Shape Their Parenting29:57 Fear, Bad News, and the “Milk Carton Generation”35:10 Trauma, Sexual Abuse, and Pornography43:30 How Parents Can Help Anxious Kids44:04 Co-Regulation and Connection Before Correction48:30 Teaching Kids Cognitive Flexibility51:12 The “Grace Check”52:42 Healthy Smartphone and Social Media Boundaries55:41 Who Could Your Teen Call at 2 A.M.?56:29 Calm, Courageous, and Connected See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Bonus Preview: Patreon Q & A 09.09.2026 16min

  Hey friends, Check out the top voted questions from my September Q & A! For the full episode, join the Theology in the Raw Patreon Community at https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw Here's the full list of Questions: 00:59 Isn’t it unfair to consider gay-affirming Christians “outside the fold” when pro-war Christians have an equally unbiblical view, but are not treated as such?09:15 Prophecy of male birth aside, could Jesus have been female and still died for the sins of the world?13:21 Assuming a view of Jesus with literal brothers, sons of Mary, why do you think Jesus at the cross entrusted the care of Mary to John and not to his literal brothers?15:45 My mother-in-law is a hospice nurse and had a patient request that she be present at their medically assisted suicide. My mother-in-law would not administer anything, but should she go?17:40 Are David and Jonathan and Ruth and Naomi good biblical kinship examples of modern same-sex celibate partnerships?20:11 I really appreciated your two discussions of biblical masculinity. Any further thoughts or takeaways after you’ve had some time to mull over the conversations?24:11 How is it that believers, all with the Spirit guiding them, come to such opposing conclusions? How can we be confident we know what God is actually saying or leading us to?27:03 After a decade at a fast-growing church, should I be concerned that I don’t feel rooted or have a role, while later arrivals become deacons and become known by the leaders?28:11 Do Job’s speeches function as valid lament for Christians, or are they out of bounds? Some of his statements are pretty intense.31:09 Would you ever consider having a Christian polygamist on your show? I’ve seen a lot more recently. I strongly disagree, but would love a real back-and-forth.33:27 How would you explain the doctrine of the Trinity to a nonbeliever or a child? How does it make sense that the Son doesn’t know the day or time of the end?37:33 Is communion in the Bible always done with the group eating from a common loaf and drinking from a common cup? If so, should that be the standard practice today?42:18 Is Satan God’s enemy or just ours? If we fail a test, is it Satan’s fault or the proctor’s fault? Was Satan upset when Jesus and Job passed the test? Is the Satan of Job and Matthew 4 the same as Revelation?44:22 In thinking about friendship as an intimate relationship, what is the place of physical affection? What is cultural versus biblical, especially for men? How do we get there?47:32 What do you think of Greg Boyd’s cruciform hermeneutic of Old Testament violence described in The Crucifixion of the Warrior God?50:35 My son asks what we know about angels and archangels from the Old Testament versus pop culture. What do Judaism and Christianity say about ranks, personhood, and the reason for their creation?53:59 Does a Genesis-first hermeneutic in Matthew 19 imply Christians should be vegetarian as New Eden people, like Adam and Eve? Also, Isaiah 11.58:37 Do Jews and Christians worship the same God, or does the incarnation fundamentally change who God is? I still feel unclear.1:00:40 In 1 Timothy 3:2, one of the qualifications for an elder is “able to teach,” which doesn’t appear for deacons or women. Is this a good argument against women teaching?1:04:19 What’s the likelihood that Paul was married and subsequently widowed or divorced? I’ve heard that to be a Pharisee, he would have had to be married. Is this true? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  When Christian Unity Becomes Forced Agreement, with Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez 07.09.2026 46min

  What if Christian unity doesn’t mean agreeing about everything?Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez joins Preston to discuss the difference between genuine Christian unity and the false peace created by forced agreement. Drawing from her new book, False Peace, Pricelis explains why sameness can silence people, erase meaningful differences, and prevent churches from addressing conflict honestly.They discuss political and theological disagreement within the church, pastoring a diverse congregation in the Bronx, creating a church culture that welcomes criticism, and deciding which doctrines Christians should divide over. In the Patreon-exclusive Extra Innings segment, Preston and Pricelis continue the conversation by discussing women in church leadership, Pricelis’s journey toward becoming an ordained pastor, and how she maintains meaningful relationships with Christians who strongly disagree with her.Join the Theology in the Raw Patreon community to listen to Extra Innings: https://www.patreon.com/theologyintherawLearn more about Pricelis and her book, False Peace: How to Reject the Lie of Sameness, Embrace Difference, and Embody True Unity: https://www.pricelispd.com/my-books See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Does the Church Get Modesty Wrong? Dr. Sandra Richter & Noël Tsoukalas 03.09.2026 1h 17min

  What does the Bible really mean by modesty, and why have Christian conversations about clothing so often produced shame, especially for women and teenage girls?Dr. Sandra Richter is a renown biblical scholar, author, and professor of Old Testament at Westmont College. The 2nd edition of her killer book, The Epic of Eden, releases in November 2026. Sandy is also a faithful mom, and one of her daughters, Noël Tsoukalas, joins us in this conversation about modesty. Noël is a Pop singer-songwriter and worship leader. She made a name for herself on Season 21 of American Idol, where she received a golden ticket and three “yeses” from celebrity judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. Check out her music on Spotify! 00:00:00 “Your Outfit Is Causing My Husband to Stumble”00:06:55 Sandy & Noel on Modesty and Purity Culture00:12:50 How the Church Has Mishandled Modesty00:18:10 Sandy’s Experience with Christian Dress Codes00:21:26 When Modesty Culture Makes Girls’ Bodies “Public Property”00:27:21 The Billy Graham Rule and Women in Church Leadership00:32:21 What Does Biblical Modesty Actually Look Like?00:36:18 Body Shaming and Modesty in the Church00:38:26 Teaching Girls to Set Boundaries with Church Leaders00:42:51 Should Churches Have Dress Codes?00:51:26 Body Types and the Subjectivity of Modesty00:53:36 What Does Modesty Look Like for Men?00:56:28 Biblical Modesty Is About More Than Sexuality00:59:12 Double Standards for Men and Women at Christian Camps01:01:41 How Should Christian Camps Handle Swimsuit Dress Codes?01:06:15 Does Modesty Culture Discourage Women from Ministry?01:08:30 Social Media, Body Image, and Female Musicians01:11:30 Healing from Shame Around Modesty and Purity Culture01:14:05 Who Should Talk to Women About Their Clothing?01:15:20 Forrest Frank and Cory Asbury make the internet stumble See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  When Church Hurts: Spiritual Trauma and Rebuilding Your Faith: Colleen Ramser 31.08.2026 1h 5min

  Colleen Ramser is an EMDR-certified licensed professional counselor (LPC) who specializes in trauma, particularly the effects of spiritual abuse, domestic abuse, and complex trauma. She’s a survivor of spiritual trauma, which she talks about in the show, and she’s the author of the book The Shattered Soul: Restoring Wholeness and Rebuilding Your Faith After Spiritual Trauma, which addresses a lot of the things we discuss in this fasciainating conversation.00:00 Why Spiritual Trauma Can Make Faith Feel Impossible00:30 Introduction02:52 What Qualifies as Trauma?05:49 Trauma vs. PTSD07:46 Resilience, Support, and Post-Traumatic Growth17:06 What Is Spiritual Trauma?21:00 Colleen’s Experience with Spiritual Abuse31:18 Signs and Symptoms of Spiritual Trauma32:48 How Spiritual Trauma Affects Pastors and Church Leaders39:14 Recognizing and Treating Spiritual Trauma41:20 Healing Trauma and Rebuilding Your Faith46:06 Complex Spiritual Trauma vs. Theological Disagreement49:46 Is the Term “Spiritual Abuse” Overused?57:30 Are Churches Getting Better at Addressing Abuse?63:24 Jesus, Power, and the Fruit of the Spirit See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Faithful and Courageous Women in the Bible: Dr. Sandra Glahn 27.08.2026 55min

  To listen to or watch our extra innings conversation, become a member of the Theology in the Raw community at https://www.patreon.com/theologyintheraw.Dr Sandra Glahn has spend more than a quarter of a century working as a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. She's the cofounder of the Visual Museum of Women in Christianity and the author of more than 25 books--her latest being A Woman's Place Is in the Story. In this episode, we discuss several women in the Old Testament and how the biblical narrator frames their stories. In our "extra innings" conversation, we discuss the question: "What do Egalitarians and Complementarians get wrong about the women in leadership debate." 00:00:00 Introduction00:02:56 How Biblical Narrators Shape the Story00:04:39 Word Repetition in the Bible: Why It Matters00:05:29 Tamar in Genesis 38: Hero or Villain?00:11:32 Are All Women in the Bible Meant to Be Role Models?00:12:08 Judah and Tamar: A Biblical Character Transformation00:16:44 Shiphrah and Puah: The Midwives Who Defied Pharaoh00:21:05 Why Every Christian Should Know Shiphrah and Puah00:22:17 Did Moses Challenge Patriarchy in the Old Testament?00:29:57 Abigail in 1 Samuel: Wisdom, Courage, and Leadership00:36:34 Was Ancient Israel Really a Patriarchy?00:39:51 Elisha and the Shunammite Woman: A Surprising Biblical Story00:43:17 Job's Daughters and Women's Inheritance Rights00:48:15 Why Reading the Full Biblical Story Changes Everything00:50:10 Jezebel: Justice, Power, and the Biblical Narrative See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Engaging the Race Conversation and Lessons from Elijah for our Chaotic World: Max Lucado 24.08.2026 1h 2min

  Max Lucado is a pastor with decades of ministry experience and one of the most bestselling Christian authors of all time, who’s written more than 40 books that have sold around 150 million copies and have been translated in 56 languages. His latest book is Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion.Chapters 00:07:42 Revisiting 2020: Covid and BLM00:13:30 The Backlash to Max “Going Woke” 00:16:41 Responding to Generational Pain with Compassion00:20:55 Tips for Good Writing 00:25:56 The Impact of AI on Writing 00:27:58 AI, Plagiarism and Christian Integrity00:35:21 Is the World Really Getting Worse?00:40:11 Over Exposure to Negative Information in the World00:43:54 What Elijah Can Teach us about navigating the chaos of our world 00:49:01 How God Can Meet us in Our Isolation00:51:19 Battling with Sinful Thoughts 00:54:09 Was Ahab Elijah’s Enemy? 00:55:07 Elijah Was Human: Hope for Ordinary Christians00:56:54 Does Prayer Accomplish Anything? 01:00:31 Does Prayer Really Change Anything? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Engaging the Race Conversation and Lessons from Elijah for our Chaotic World: Max Lucado 24.08.2026 1h 2min

  Max Lucado is a pastor with decades of ministry experience and one of the most bestselling Christian authors of all time, who’s written more than 40 books that have sold around 150 million copies and have been translated in 56 languages. His latest book is Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion.Chapters 00:07:42 Revisiting 2020: Covid and BLM00:13:30 The Backlash to Max “Going Woke” 00:16:41 Responding to Generational Pain with Compassion00:20:55 Tips for Good Writing 00:25:56 The Impact of AI on Writing 00:27:58 AI, Plagiarism and Christian Integrity00:35:21 Is the World Really Getting Worse?00:40:11 Over Exposure to Negative Information in the World00:43:54 What Elijah Can Teach us about navigating the chaos of our world 00:49:01 How God Can Meet us in Our Isolation00:51:19 Battling with Sinful Thoughts 00:54:09 Was Ahab Elijah’s Enemy? 00:55:07 Elijah Was Human: Hope for Ordinary Christians00:56:54 Does Prayer Accomplish Anything? 01:00:31 Does Prayer Really Change Anything? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Is the Old Testament Law Filled with Punishment, Legalism, and Arbitrary Rules? Dr. Dru Johnson 20.08.2026 1h 7min

  Be sure to check out our “Extra Innings” conversation where we discuss what the Old Testament actually says about sex outside of marriage. Surprisingly, there’s no explicit verse in the OT that forbids it. To listen to the full conversation, become a member of the TITR community at https://www.patreon.com/theologyintherawDr. Dru Johnson (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is Templeton Senior Research Fellow and director of the Abrahamic Theistic Origins Project at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford. He is also a visiting professor of religion at Hope College, director of the Center for Hebraic Thought, editor of the Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism series, host of The Biblical Mind podcast, and cohost of the OnScript podcast. And, he’s written a bunch of awesome books including his recent book Understanding Biblical Law: Skills for Thinking With and Through Torah, which forms the basis of our fascinating conversation. 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:36 What Is the Old Testament Law?00:04:00 Does "the Law" Mean the Ten Commandments or the Entire Old Testament?00:06:24 The Law Is More Than Rules: Understanding Biblical Law00:08:52 Does "Eye for an Eye" Mean Literal Retribution?00:14:28 Reading Old Testament Laws as Principles, Not Just Rules00:18:07 "You Shall Not Murder" vs. "You Shall Not Kill"00:22:49 How to Learn Ethics from Bible Stories00:24:53 Does the Bible Endorse Polygamy?00:25:58 Why the Laws of Moses Are Different from Other Ancient Laws00:28:11 Moses, David, and Other Morally Complex Bible Stories00:33:44 Are Women Portrayed Better Than Men in the Bible?00:38:13 How to Apply Biblical Narratives Today00:41:25 Biblical Discernment vs. Looking for Easy Answers00:45:21 How Should Christians Read Difficult Old Testament Laws?00:51:13 Why Were Old Testament Punishments So Severe?00:57:17 Restorative Justice in Ancient Israel: Why Were There No Prisons?01:00:31 The Sons of Korah and Other Difficult Old Testament Judgments See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  How Attachment Theory Helps Us Understand Ourselves: Dr. Alison Cook 17.08.2026 59min

  To listen to our extra innings conversation, head over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw and become a member of the TITR community and get access to all of my extra innings conversations and a bunch bonus contentDr. Alison Cook is a therapist, psychologist of religion, bestselling author, and host of the top-ranked The Best of You podcast. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College (BA), Denver Seminary (MA), and the University of Denver (PhD). Alison has spent over two decades helping people move from feeling disconnected to feeling secure, grounded, and loved. She’s the author of four books including her most recent book: The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn’t Come Easy, which forms the foundation of our conversation. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400352606?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallbackTime Stamps00:00 Introduction02:06 Splitting time between Wyoming and Boston07:35 Attachment Theory Explained10:35 How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Relationships18:01 What About People That Didn’t Experience Trauma?22:47 Does everyone have some kind of attachment issue? 23:59 Why the Church Often Misunderstands Self-Care24:37 The Problem with Secular Self-Care Culture 25:22 Avoidant Attachment: First Steps30:09 Preston Gets Live Therapy34:00 Thinkers vs. Feelers 39:04 Core Memories and Emotional Healing46:43 Getting to Know our own Souls 48:06 Can Christians Trust Psychology?50:29 How Your Parents Shape Your View of God53:41 Common Unaddressed Issues: Shame or Blame See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Christian Zionism, Gaza, and the Cost of Silence: Dr. Daniel Bannoura 13.08.2026 1h 6min

  Dr. Daniel Bannoura (Ph.D. Notre Dame University) is a Palestinian theologian and Director of Public Engagement at the Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice. Daniel received his PhD degree in Qur'anic Studies from the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on the history and redaction of the Qur'an, Christian-Muslim relations, and Palestinian theology. Daniel also host of “Across the Divide”, a podcast that provides a space for thoughtful conversations about Palestine-Israel through the lens of faith and peace-making. Check out the Church at the Crossroads conference in Atlanta, Nov 5-7, 2026 and the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Bethlehem, Dec 27th-31st, 2026. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Intro00:02:29 Why a Palestinian Christian Researches the Qur’an00:05:04 Did Muhommed Actually Exist?00:11:43 Christian assumptions about Muslims in Gaza 00:16:00 Double Standards for Gazan Christian Deaths 00:16:48 Why are People Still Dying during the Ceasefire?00:18:53 The Debate Around Using the Term “Genocide” 00:23:49 The Shrinking Borders Around Gaza 00:25:24 UN Report on Children being Targeted in Gaza00:27:36 Life Expectancy, Malnutrition, and the Hidden Death Toll00:29:16 Why the World Knows but Hasn’t Stopped it 00:45:54 The Shifting Political Landscape00:51:08 Upcoming Conferences in Bethlehem and Atlanta 00:56:34 What can the Church do? 01:04:38 An Appeal to Christian Leaders See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Dr. Zach Wagner: What Is Biblical Masculinity? Part 2 10.08.2026 1h 1min

  If you want to listen to our "Extra Innings" conversation about whether marriage is necessary for men to be truly masculine, head over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw and become a member of the Theology in the Raw community. Dr. Zachary Wagner (DPhil, Oxford) is an author, ordained minister, and New Testament scholar. He’s written two books that deal with masculinity, male sexuality, and virtue: Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality and his most recent Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World. He is currently pursuing publication for his DPhil thesis, as well as a further writing and research projects on Christianity and Stoicism. Learn more about Zachary on his website.Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction to Part 201:59 Defining “Biblical” masculinity 03:37 What do people mean when the call their view “biblical”? 04:29 How much of the Bible is directed specifically to men? 07:22 Cultural Norms vs Universal Mandates around Gender10:59 Biology: The impact of Testosterone 19:42 How Important are Gender Roles for Discipleship? 21:34 How Jesus “rewrites” Masculinity 25:19 Do husbands have a moral mandate to be the primary breadwinner? 29:03 Post Industrial careers and gender38:02 Do men have a moral obligation to protect women? 49:29 Christian masculinity and non-violence52:27 Does the Bible mandate Chivalry? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Seth Troutt: What Is Biblical Masculinity? Part 1 06.08.2026 1h 7min

  Join the Theology in the Raw Community on Patreon to listen to our Extra Innings Segment about whether or not you need to be married to truly be masculine. You’ll also get bonus episodes, Zoom meet ups, and more! What does it mean to be a man? It's a question that's generating plenty of heat online, but not much clarity. In this first episode of a two-part series on biblical masculinity, Preston sits down with Seth Troutt to separate what Scripture actually teaches from the messages coming from the online manosphere.Before we can have a meaningful conversation about masculinity and femininity, Seth argues that we first need to understand the difference between man and God. From there, the conversation explores what it means to bear God's image as men and women, the role of humility, responsibility, chivalry, provision, and the significance of the real physical differences between the sexes.Seth Troutt is the Teaching Pastor at Ironwood Church in the Phoenix metro area. He holds a doctorate focused on digital technology, Generation Z, and gender identity, and writes and teaches on the intersection of theology, technology, and culture. He’s also the author of Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God’s Design which is available now. Part 2 of this series, featuring Zachary Wagner, releases next week.Time Stamps00:00:00 Introduction00:06:15 What is Biblical Masculinity?00:07:58 What Andrew Tate and the Manosphere get wrong00:14:48 Is Chivalry a calling for men only? 00:16:41 Examples of powerful women from Scripture 00:21:32 Cultural expectations versus scriptural mandates for men and women00:23:45 Physical differences between men and women (and the exceptions)00:25:52 Should men be providers? Culture vs. Biblical mandate 00:28:43 Should Mothers of young children have jobs? 00:31:33 Why discipline is important for young men 00:33:28 Should certain careers be just for men?00:38:23 Do Christian men have a moral mandate to protect women? 00:41:19 Why did god make men and women differently? 00:45:50 Physical Differences do not mean “better” 00:50:41 Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate, real influence? 00:58:01 Pastoring in this weird cultural moment 01:02:28 Should Pastors podcast?  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Bonus Q & A Preview 05.08.2026 18min

  Join the Theology in the Raw Patreon community to watch the full episode! For as little as $5 per month, you'll get these bonus Q&A's, as well as Extra Innings segments, Zoom conversations, and our brand new At Home with The Sprinkles videos. Here's the full list of Questions: 00:00 Intro00:36 How do you think purity culture has affected asexuality among Christians? Have you done any study of asexuality? And if not, would you consider it?04:33 Several young people in my life are doubting Jesus' divinity. What are some of the best thoughts you have on helping them see & understand Jesus' divine nature? And what resources would you recommend those of us in conversation with these young people?13:04 How would you respond to someone who says that everything is God's will and God never makes mistakes, when something really bad happens?15:54 If same-sex attraction is not a sin, then what is it? And how should Christians relate to it in their own lives?18:07 How do I help my Conservative friends know why I'm not "fixing" my lgtbq friends' orientation and am first loving them and helping them experience Jesus? 21:03 How can lay people practically ensure the strength of our research matches the strength of our convictions/passions?24:32 How do Pastors of small and financially struggling church make income to live? Balance of trusting God’s calling and provision vs quitting ministry? 27:20 Rom 12:18 says if possible live in peace with everyone: how do you go about sharing church community with broken relationships that can’t be reconciled?29:54 What have you seen that helps people to become formed and developed as disciples of Jesus in different seasons of life— 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s etc? 36:45 Recently there’s been renewed conversation online about the dangers of Islam, Sharia Law, and Muslims taking over the United States. Is this just fear mongering? Should someone speak out against that? 47:06 Rachel Held Evans had a phrase she used to say: "On the days when I believe...", implying there were days when she struggled to believe the beautiful but crazy and often bewildering story of Jesus and the gospel. If there are days when you struggle to believe, what do you do? 51:29 How do you reconcile the Biblical account of creation with the evidence for pre-human hominids? Is there any way to believe in a literal Adam and Eve without disbelieving all the evidence for pre-human hominids?54:46 In Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?, you argue that you don’t need sex and marriage to have a fulfilling life, referring to the NT’s view of singleness. While this is a great response when talking to a fellow inerrantist, how would you make the same point when talking to a skeptic (specifically, a skeptic who thinks the Bible is anti-Gay)?57:32 Which view of interpreting the story of Noah & son’s sin in Genesis 9 is your preferred? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Partnering with Indigenous Leaders in Global Missions: Janice Allen 03.08.2026 59min

  Janice Rosser Allen is CEO and President of International Cooperating Ministries (ICM), the global ministry founded by her father, Dois Rosser, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. She has served on ICM’s Board of Directors since 1986 and has led the organization as CEO since 2008. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Duke University, Janice worked in clinical and academic oncology nursing before God called her into full-time ministry with ICM. Widowed at 51, she is an ordained elder, author of God in the Crossroads, and she’s passionate about empowering indigenous Christian leaders worldwide.00:00 — Introduction: How ICM Is Growing the Global Church06:07 — Albert Schweitzer's Missionary Legacy and Radical Faith08:09 — Indigenous Missions: Why Local Church Leaders Matter11:46 — Cooperating with local, indigenous leadership in missions16:12 — How Technology Is Transforming Christian Missions18:07 — How Mission Organizations Vet Trusted Partners22:07 — What the Global Church Can Teach Western Christians29:37 — Powerful Mission Stories from Vietnam and Rwanda34:31 — American Christianity vs. the Global Church41:41 — Church Growth in Iran, Nepal, and Other Restricted Nations45:54 — Why Christianity Is Growing in Thailand47:03 — Prosperity Gospel and Persecution: Challenges Facing the Global Church50:08 — Building local churches with local workers and materials51:20 — Are Short-Term Mission Trips Helping or Hurting?56:56 — How You Can Support Indigenous Missions See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Living Well in a Chaotic World: Dr. Alan Noble 30.07.2026 59min

  Dr. O. Alan Noble is Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, a fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and author of four books, including his most recent book: To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times. Check out the Christ at the Checkpoint conference at: www.christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.eduTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction 03:46 Advice for Aspiring Writers07:03 Moral Confusion and Living Well in Chaotic Times10:47 Can Going Offline Fix Modern Life?13:04 The Seven Classical Virtues Explained14:28 On Prudence and Difficulty Making Decisions22:49 Why Courage Is Hard for Young Adults Today27:19 Justice, Social Media, and Virtue Signaling36:07 Suffering, Courage, and Healing from Trauma42:23 Which Virtues Are Hardest to Practice?44:50 Politics, Institutions, and the Common Good52:47 Are Big Corporations Inherently Evil? (Closing Thoughts) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Sharing Your Faith Without Being Weird: Lindsey Medenwaldt 27.07.2026 1h 4min

  Lindsey Medenwaldt is an assistant professor of business and economics at Northwestern College in Iowa. Lindsey has written two books: Bridge-Building Apologetics and her recent (co-authored with Dr. Douglas Groothuis) What If Jesus Is Right? will be released in August 2026. Lindsey engages extensively on the topics of apologetics and worldview as a writer, editor, teacher, and speaker. She has a Jurist Doctorate, a masters in public administration, and a masters in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary.Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction 01:42 How Lindsay Became an Apologist06:20 When you Don’t Know the Answer07:49 Apologetics without being Argumentative11:32 Making friends as Adults 14:20 Evangelism for Introverts 26:20 Moving from Small Talk to Big Faith Conversations 30:06 Evangelism on a Plane 35:47 When you can’t Figure out what to say 40:36 Political Division and Evangelism 45:49 Social Media and A.I impact on Relationships 49:37 Gen Z, Relationships, and Human Connection57:39 What if Jesus was Right? Biblical reliability matters  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  What Is a "Theology of Place?" Dr. Ben Norquist and Dr. Brian Miller 23.07.2026 50min

  Dr. Ben Norquist is a writer, scholar, and serves as the Director of Communications & Development for Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice, bringing Palestinian Christian teaching into conversations within the global church. Dr. Brian Miller is a professor of sociology at Wheaton College, and his research interests include the American suburbs (particularly their development, culture, depictions in media, and housing), cities, religion and place and how it relates to American evangelicalism and culture. Together, Ben and Brian wrote a recent book together called: Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American ImaginationTime Stamps00:00 Introduction02:01 What is a Theology of Place? 06:56 Ethics and Place. 11:29 The Morality of Cities. Why do we build these places? 17:11 Patriotism, Christian Citizenship & Love of Place 23:54 Gentrification, NIMBYism & Who Is My Neighbor?30:33 What Theology of Place Is Trying to Recover34:40 Israel-Palestine Through the Lens of Land40:34 Christianity in the Big City vs. Rural Christianity and the Suburbs49:2 Where to Find More Brian and Ben See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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  Reading the Gospels as Narratives and Depictions of Jesus in Film: Dr. Jeannine Brown 20.07.2026 1h 3min

  Dr. Jeannine Brown is The David Price Professor of Biblical and Theological Foundations at Bethel Seminary, where she has taught for 26 years. She focuses her research on the New Testament, hermeneutics, and integration. She’s written a bunch of books and commentaries, including Scripture as Communication, Becoming Whole and Holy, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (editor), commentaries on Matthew, Philippians, and 1 Peter (forthcoming), and a couple books most pertinent to our conversation: Gospels as Stories and The Greatest Story Ever Retold (with John Anthony Dunne). Jeannine is a member of the NIV translation committee. In this podcast conversation, we talk about reading the gospels as narratives versus harmonizing the 4 Gospels, and we also talk about the portrayal of Jesus in film, including the popular The Chosen series. Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction02:57 Why Read the Gospels as Narrative?07:36 Are the Gospel Differences Contradictions?11:45 Ancient Biography and the Gospels21:45 Why John's Gospel Is Different33:44 How Each Gospel Presents Jesus39:15 How to Read the Gospels Well44:15 Bible Movies and Portraying Jesus54:20 The Chosen: Creative License and Biblical Faithfulness See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.