I talk with Dr. Joseph Lear about Christian ethics—what’s right and wrong, a shared vision of the good, and how to live in a world that isn’t as it should be. We discuss sexuality as an everyday ethical issue, the importance of virtue and habits, and how spiritual disciplines can exist without real moral formation. We also explore ethical behaviour online, emphasizing generosity and knowing when to disengage. Dr. Lear connects ethics to eschatology in Luke-Acts: “the last days” prompts “what shall we do?” leading to sharing and justice, and he argues that losing kingdom-focused eschatological imagination fuels partisan visions like Christian nationalisms. He recommends resources and previews his forthcoming book on Pentecostal preaching.

Today we are introducing a new subseries, Ask a Theologian Junior Edition, and talk with Quinn Swoboda, a children’s pastor and theology student, about why parents feel afraid to discuss theology with kids—often from fear of being wrong and from church cultures where questions aren’t welcomed. We explore how kids read our body language and may stop asking if we react with anxiety, so I should affirm their curiosity, admit when I don’t know, and say we’ll figure it out together. We discuss why kids need theology because they’ll seek answers somewhere, and we talk about suffering, church hurt, and big questions like why good things happen to bad people. Quinn shares “Godly Play,” a narrative, wonder-question approach that helps kids engage Scripture without needing perfect propositional answers, and we end by encouraging parents to treat kids as fellow disciples who can even teach us.

In this episode I talk with Dr. Wayne Park, chancellor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Texas and professor of congregational and marketplace leadership, about integrating faith and work. He pushes back on the idea that workplace faith is just Bible studies or evangelism, and argues that work has intrinsic value and can contribute “kingdom value” and the common good. We explore how the workplace can be a primary site of spiritual formation, using practices like a rule of life, Ignatian-style examen, group discernment gatherings, and set prayers like the Serenity Prayer to realign desires and presence during the day. We discuss closing the Sunday–Monday gap by platforming congregants’ everyday work, visiting people at their workplaces, and even imagining communion brought into work settings. He names leadership myths shaped by Machiavellian and Darwinian business models and recommends accountability groups. He suggests Tim Keller’s “Every Good Endeavor.”

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Andy Everhart from the London School of Theology. Andy introduces us to Communio Dei, a concept emphasizing diversity and community in understanding the Imago Dei. We discuss his upcoming book, the integration of different disciplines in theological studies, and the importance of relational theology in shaping our engagement with society. This conversation is rich with insights into how Jesus' relational nature influences our theological perspectives. We also touch on the fascinating interplay between philosophy and theology in understanding humanity.

In this episode of the Ask a Theologian podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Dr. Mark Cartledge, the principal of the London School of Theology. We delved into the difference between practical and systematic theology, emphasizing practical theology's focus on the contemporary church and its empirical research methods. Dr. Cartledge shared how practical theologians study living traditions and engage with real people to understand the church's current practices and beliefs. We also explored the communal and doxological aspects of the church as depicted in the Pentecost narrative, discussing how these shape discipleship, spiritual formation, and mission. Dr. Cartledge emphasized the importance of understanding and performing the gospel story within one's cultural context. For those interested in going deeper into practical theology, he recommended his book and the Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry program at the London School of Theology.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Ask A Theologian! I apologize for the hiatus—my wife and I are in the midst of transitioning out from our roles as lead pastors, and things have been hectic. But onward we go! Today, I'm excited to have Dr. Pam Engelbert join us. She's a practical theologian and Pentecostal minister who focuses on grief support, among other roles. We delve into her book, 'Who's Present in Absence,' which adds rich perspective on God and suffering. Pam shares her journey of grappling with unmet expectations of God in ministry and how it led her to explore the complex ways Pentecostals experience God's presence and absence in times of suffering. Through interviews and research, she uncovered different types of divine presence—everything from intense moments of intervention to the sustaining presence of God in the midst of extended suffering. We also touched upon reactions from church communities, both helpful and unhelpful, and how presence and practical support often outweigh spoken words. We wrap up by discussing how her expanded view of divine healing informs a broader understanding that goes beyond the miraculous, touching on everyday interactions as sacred opportunities to participate in God’s healing work. It's an enriching conversation that especially resonates with anyone facing deep questions about suffering and faith.

This episode is a little different than our normal podcast. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jeremy D. Sims who is the professor of Spiritual Formation at Southeastern University. We talk about what spiritual direction is and why it's needed today. After exploring the topic, I asked Dr. Sims to take me through what a session of spiritual direction might look like. I got quite personal for me as he directed me into what God might be saying to me during this time of pastoral transition. He made quite a few book recommendations and I've included them below.

1. Easy as Hard Gets by Jeremy D. Sims
2. What is Spiritual Direction? by Jeremy D. Sims and Hannah Sims
3. Soul Shaper by Tony Jones
4. Sacred Listening by James Wakefield
5. Mansions of the Heart by Tom Ashbrook
6. Seeking God Together by Alice Fryling
7. Working the Angles by Eugene Peterson
8. The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson
9. Gravity and Grace by Simone Weil
10. Waiting for God by Simone Weil
11. Spiritual Granularity by Jeremy D. Sims (coming 2026 from IVP)

In this episode of the Ask a Theologian podcast, I chat with Dr. Wolfgang Vondey, a professor of Christian Theology and Pentecostal Studies at Birmingham University in the UK. We delve into the unique aspects of Pentecostal systematic theology, focusing on the metaphor of the altar. Dr. Vondey explains that the altar serves not as an abstract concept but as a metaphor rooted in concrete experiences, such as worship, preaching, and personal encounters with God. He also discusses how the altar symbolizes a threshold experience that is central to Pentecostal spirituality and theology. We explore the importance of narrative and testimony in Pentecostal practice, and how these aspects influence a lived, experiential theology. Finally, Dr. Vondey recommends continuing your journey with works on Pentecostal worship, liturgy, and history to fully grasp the richness of the tradition. If you’re interested in Pentecostal scholarship and theology, this episode is packed with insights.