In this episode of the Ask a Theologian podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Dr. Mark Cartilage, 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. Cartilage 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. Cartilage 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.

In this episode of The Ask a Theologian podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Dr. John Newton, a professor and scholar from Alpha Crucis University College in Melbourne, Australia. We jumped right into the complexities of the Book of Revelation, especially focusing on debunking dispensationalism within Pentecostal theology. Dr. Newton shared his journey from a classical Pentecostal background to rejecting dispensationalism, explaining that it is fundamentally incompatible with Pentecostal beliefs and practices. He argued that dispensationalism, which emerged in the 19th century, imposes a rigid, literal interpretation of scripture that doesn't align with the more dynamic and mission-oriented nature of Pentecostal faith. Dr. Newton has authored several books on this topic, including 'Revelation Reclaimed,' 'The Revelation Worldview,' and a Pentecostal commentary on Revelation, all available on Amazon. We discussed how the Book of Revelation should be interpreted in a way that inspires and aligns more closely with Pentecostal values, focusing on its missional and gospel-oriented aspects rather than using it as a tool for predicting future events. Dr. Newton emphasized that Revelation is about the ongoing spiritual struggle and the ultimate victory of Christ and his followers, encouraging a more hopeful and active engagement in spreading the gospel. This conversation was a deep dive into rethinking how we approach Revelation and its relevance to today's Pentecostal church.

In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of comparative theology with Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Kärkkäinen, who also teaches at the University of Helsinki, explains that comparative theology involves engaging with multiple religious traditions, often positioning Christianity in dialogue with another faith like Islam. We discuss how this differs from comparative religion, with the former being confessional and rooted in one's own faith tradition.Dr. Kärkkäinen shares his personal experiences and insights from living in the predominantly Buddhist country of Thailand, which enriched his understanding of both Buddhism and his own Christian faith. We explore how comparative theology can build bridges, foster interfaith dialogue, and deepen one's theological insights. There’s also a discussion about practical applications, like visiting religious sites and having meaningful encounters with people of other faiths.We also touch on Paul’s approach at Mars Hill, emphasizing the importance of being open-minded and engaging with other religions thoughtfully. The conversation extends to how comparative theology can help us understand and connect with the growing category of 'nones'—individuals with no religious affiliation—in a pluralistic world.

To learn more, check out Dr. Kärkkäinen's books on Amazon, including his latest, I Believe. Help My Unbelief!

On today's episode, we're diving into the fascinating topic of post-colonial perspectives on Pentecostalism with Dr. U-Wen Low from the University of Birmingham in the UK. The conversation is facinating as Dr. Low sheds light on the importance of decolonizing efforts within theology. We discuss how post-colonial thinking aims to dismantle oppressive structures, drawing from historical contexts, like the impact of empires, and how these ideas intersect with the study of Pentecostalism. Dr. Low touches on his research on the Book of Revelation and its dramatic, subversive elements against empire. We also tackle the surprising roots of Pentecostalism beyond Azusa Street, highlighting its anti-colonial nature and the historical moments where these inclusive, radical beginnings started to shift. The conversation explores the value of diverse perspectives in biblical scholarship and warns against reading scriptures solely through the lens of dominant cultures. This episode is packed with insights into how we can engage more meaningfully with theology and our collective past.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Marty Mittlestadt from Evangel University about the intriguing concept of reception history and its significance in theology. We explored how various groups throughout history have interpreted scripture, particularly focusing on the transition from historical criticism to a reader-centred approach known as reception history. Dr. Mittlestadt emphasized that Pentecostals, influenced by their experiences, often interpret the Bible in distinctive ways, resulting in diverse understandings and practices. Through examples from the book of Acts, we discussed how different Pentecostal traditions fill in gaps in the text to align with their beliefs. We also examined the broader implications of these varied interpretations for modern theology, highlighting the importance of humility and the value of learning from different traditions. Finally, we discussed the potential of reception history to enhance our understanding of scripture moving forward. The conversation was both enlightening and engaging. I enjoyed it and I hope you will too.