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Faith Seeking Understanding: A Podcast on Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

Faith Seeking Understanding: A Podcast on Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

By Allan R. Bevere

A podcast dedicated to Christian faith and 21st century life. Hosted by Allan R. Bevere, pastor (retired), professor, and self-appointed Anselm Chair of Podcast Theology and Culture, Faith Seeking Understanding University.
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Calmly Considered: Why Ukraine Matters

Faith Seeking Understanding: A Podcast on Christian Faith and 21st Century LifeFeb 13, 2024

00:00
36:51
Calmly Considered: Why Ukraine Matters

Calmly Considered: Why Ukraine Matters

On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the continuing saga of Ukraine and why it matters to the United States and the rest of the world.

Feb 13, 202436:51
Word Revisited: The Bible, Politics, and Imagination
Feb 01, 202445:06
The Wesleyan Way: Our Holiness Heritage

The Wesleyan Way: Our Holiness Heritage

On this episode of "The Wesleyan Way," we interview Rev. Craig L. Adams, retired United Methodist pastor who is the keeper of the Wesleyan Holiness Heritage Facebook group. Craig discusses the holiness roots and heritage of United Methodism.

Jan 25, 202442:54
Believing Is Seeing: Speaking Christian in Today's World
Jan 04, 202459:24
Calmly Considered: The Year in Review 2023

Calmly Considered: The Year in Review 2023

In the final episode of 2023, Michael and Allan review 2023 and look to 2024.

Dec 22, 202301:01:27
Word Revisited: The Apostle Paul-- Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?
Nov 14, 202345:31
Calmly Considered: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Calmly Considered: The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the perennial tragedy of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

Nov 07, 202301:00:04
Believing Is Seeing: Is God All Powerful?

Believing Is Seeing: Is God All Powerful?

On this episode of "Believing Is Seeing," I interview Thomas Jay Oord on his book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence, where he challenges the belief that the Bible teaches that God is omnipotent, that is all-powerful.

Oord directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. More information on ORT can be found at Tom's website. https://thomasjayoord.com/

Oct 03, 202339:53
Calmly Considered: Does Character Count? Does Virtue Matter?

Calmly Considered: Does Character Count? Does Virtue Matter?

On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan explore why it appears that American society has jettisoned the importance of character and virtue for leadership, particularly in the realm of politics. Does character really count? Does virtue really matter?

Sep 26, 202351:10
Believing Is Seeing: Christian Faith and Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Believing Is Seeing: Christian Faith and Extraterrestrial Intelligence

On this episode of "Believing Is Seeing," Allan converses with the Reverend Professor David Wilkinson, Professor and Principal of St. John's College in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham, U.K. Dr. Wilkinson has two Ph.Ds, one in astrophysics and the other in systematic theology. They discuss the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence and what its existence might mean for the truth of Christianity.

Wilkinson's publications can be found here.

Aug 15, 202354:40
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Legacy (Episode 15)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Legacy (Episode 15)

On this final episode of "A Prophet with Honor," Pidge and Allan ponder Dietrich's legacy and how it informs discipleship in the 21st century.

Aug 10, 202334:18
Calmly Considered: The Supreme Court-- Guardians of the Constitution or Judicial Legislators?

Calmly Considered: The Supreme Court-- Guardians of the Constitution or Judicial Legislators?

On this episode of "Calmly Considered" Michael and Allan discuss the Supreme Court of the United States: its history, development and its politicization by politicians throughout the decades.

Aug 08, 202356:51
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Scripture (Episode 14)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Scripture (Episode 14)

On this episode of "A Prophet with Honor," Pidge and Allan discuss Dietrich's understanding of the nature of the Bible and how he used it in his theological reflection.

Aug 03, 202325:36
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Life Together (Episode 13)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Life Together (Episode 13)

On this episode of "A Prophet with Honor," Pidge and Allan reflect upon Dietrich's understanding of the church formed largely by his time with the underground seminary which resulted in his book Life Together.

Jul 27, 202333:09
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer-- Who Is Christ for Us Today? (Episode 12)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer-- Who Is Christ for Us Today? (Episode 12)

Who is Christ for us today? That is the central question in Dietrich's theology. In episode 12, Pidge and Allan reflect upon Bonhoeffer's understanding of Jesus not as an abstract doctrine, but as one who calls his disciples to follow in his way of life, death, and resurrection.

Jul 20, 202330:46
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Cost of Discipleship (Episode 11)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Cost of Discipleship (Episode 11)

On episode 11 of "A Prophet with Honor," Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship is highlighted. Originally lectures he taught at the underground seminary, this book reveals how seriously Dietrich took Jesus' call to discipleship and faithful obedience. "When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die."

Jul 13, 202333:21
Calmly Considered: Managing Tensions, Or How to Keep from Making Stupid Arguments

Calmly Considered: Managing Tensions, Or How to Keep from Making Stupid Arguments

On this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the importance of polarity management, a way of viewing tensions not as either/or problems to be solved, but both/and tensions to be managed. When tensions are turned into problems as is so often the case in today's politics, stupidity reigns supreme and solutions remain elusive.

Jul 11, 202355:10
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Letters and Papers from Prison (Episode 10)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Letters and Papers from Prison (Episode 10)

In this episode of "A Prophet with Honor," Pidge and Allan discuss the book, Letters and Papers from Prison which is a compilation of Dietrich's correspondence (published posthumously) while under arrest by the Nazis. These writings reveal a deeply personal side of Bonhoeffer as well as his deep reflections on faith and suffering.

Jul 06, 202336:04
A Prophet with Honor: Bonhoeffer the Assassin? (Episode 9)

A Prophet with Honor: Bonhoeffer the Assassin? (Episode 9)

It is generally believed that Dietrich Bonhoeffer was involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He certainly knew of plots, but did he in some way participate in the planning? Pidge and Allan discuss the matter.

Jun 29, 202333:50
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Stupidity (Episode 8)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Stupidity (Episode 8)

In his Letters and Papers from Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous." What does Bonhoeffer mean by "stupidity?" Is he referring to those who lack intelligence or is it something more complicated? Who is he referring to in his context of Nazi Germany? Pidge and Allan discuss the matter.

Jun 22, 202333:42
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church (Episode 7)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church (Episode 7)

The Confessing Church was formed in Germany in May 1934 as an alternative to the German Nationalist Church which was complicit with Nazism. Dietrich would play a key role in its formation and work.

Jun 15, 202338:51
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Harlem (Episode 6)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Harlem (Episode 6)

In 1930, Dietrich spends a year in New York City. He spends time in Harlem with the black community there. One of the shocking incidents that happens to Bonhoeffer is that one night he and an African American friend are refused service at a restaurant because of his friend's skin color. Bonhoeffer cannot fathom this.


In this episode of A Prophet with Honor, Pidge and Allan reflect on Dietrich's time in Harlem and how it transformed his life and theology.

Jun 08, 202336:04
Calmly Considered: A Discussion on Deconstruction

Calmly Considered: A Discussion on Deconstruction

On this episode of Calmly Considered, Michael and Allan discuss deconstruction particularly as it relates to religion and faith. What is deconstruction? Is it new or something that's been around for a long time? Is deconstruction present in the Bible? Was Jesus a deconstructionist?

Jun 06, 202343:33
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in America (Episode 5)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer in America (Episode 5)

In 1930, Dietrich comes to the United States for a year of study at Union Theological Seminary in New York. It will be a formative experience that he will take back to Germany.

In episode five of fifteen, Pidge and Allan reflect on Bonhoeffer’s transformative experience in America.

Jun 01, 202338:07
Courageous Conversations: Immigration, the Bible, and Current Realities

Courageous Conversations: Immigration, the Bible, and Current Realities

On this episode of Courageous Conversations, we interview Christy Staats of the National Immigration Forum. We discuss the current situation at the border between the United States and Mexico and separate fact from fiction. Christy also offers a Christian perspective on immigration and how the followers of Jesus can respond to those seeking asylum.

May 30, 202357:08
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1938-1945 (Episode 4)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1938-1945 (Episode 4)

In 1939, Dietrich Bonhoeffer travels to New York for a second time hoping to avoid being drafted into the German army. When he arrives, he immediately begins to regret it, feeling he has abandoned his friends and the cause of the resistance. Six weeks later, he returns to Germany to continue the struggle.

Episode four of A Prophet with Honor, looks at Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life as a secret agent for the resistance until his imprisonment and execution.

May 25, 202338:51
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1933-1937 (Episode 3)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1933-1937 (Episode 3)

In January 1933, Adolf Hitler is made Chancellor of Germany. Two days later, while Dietrich is giving a radio address critical of the Nazis, the broadcast is taken off the air and Bonhoeffer has a direct encounter with Hitler's fascism.

On episode three of A Prophet with Honor, Allan and Pidge highlight the important events of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life from 1933-1937.

May 18, 202338:13
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1906-1932 (Episode 2)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer - 1906-1932 (Episode 2)

On April 1, 1933, the Nazis proclaimed a boycott of Jewish businesses in Germany in an attempt to intimidate German Jews and discourage others from doing business with Jews. The morning of April 1st, Dietrich's 91 year old grandmother, Julie went into town passing Nazi guards entering a Jewish owned department store and purchasing what she desired. She said, "No one is going to tell where I can and cannot shop."

In the second of fifteen episodes on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Allan and Pidge converse over the important details of Dietrich's Life from his birth in 1906 to the eve of Hitler's rise to power in Germany.

May 11, 202335:06
Calmly Considered: The Mainstream Media-- Purveyors of Truth or Peddlers of Propaganda?
May 09, 202358:05
A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Post World War I Germany (Episode 1)

A Prophet with Honor: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Post World War I Germany (Episode 1)

In this first of fifteen episodes on the life and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Allan and Dr. Pidge Bannin discuss the reasons for the rise of Hitler and the Nazis after the First World War (1914-1918), and why Bonhoeffer was able to recognize the threat while many other Christians were not.

May 04, 202334:58
Word Revisited: Major Matters on the Minor Prophets

Word Revisited: Major Matters on the Minor Prophets

On this episode of Word Revisited, Allan interviews Dr. David W. Baker, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. The conversation centers around the minor prophets. Why are they referred to as minor? What are the major themes of these twelve preachers? What is their relevance for us today?

Dr. Baker is the author and editor of numerous books on the Old Testament which can be found on his Amazon author page.

Apr 30, 202350:19
The Wesleyan Way: Active Faith and Resisting Dangerous Ideologies

The Wesleyan Way: Active Faith and Resisting Dangerous Ideologies

On the episode of The Wesleyan Way, Allan interviews Paul Chilcote, Wesleyan historian and theologian on how a Wesleyan theological perspective can help us avoid the dangerous ideologies of legalism, nationalism, dispensationalism, and antinomianism.

Apr 13, 202359:22
Calmly Considered: Global Population-- Will It Become Standing Room Only?

Calmly Considered: Global Population-- Will It Become Standing Room Only?

On this episode of Calmly Considered, Michael and Allan discuss the growing global population, its implications for the future and why it's important for the followers of Jesus.

Mar 31, 202350:06
Believing Is Seeing: The Character of Virtue-- A Conversation with Stanley Hauerwas

Believing Is Seeing: The Character of Virtue-- A Conversation with Stanley Hauerwas

On this episode of "Seeing Is Believing," Allan interviews Stanley Hauerwas on his book, The Character of Virtue: Letters to a Godson. Among the topics discussed, Stanley wonders if Protestantism still makes sense, and he asks Allan why he remains a United Methodist.

Mar 02, 202343:07
Calmly Considered: Does Social Security Have a Future?

Calmly Considered: Does Social Security Have a Future?

On this episode of Calmly Considered, Michael and Allan discuss the sustainability of Social Security and the necessity of seeking the common good.

Feb 23, 202346:57
The Wesleyan Way: Revival-- Real or Ridiculous?

The Wesleyan Way: Revival-- Real or Ridiculous?

On this episode of The Wesleyan Way, Allan interviews Rev. Dr. Ben Witherington III on the phenomenon of religious revival and specifically the 2023 awakening taking place at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY.  What is revival? Is it something to take seriously as a movement of the Holy Spirit, or should it be dismissed as emotional hype?

Rev. Dr. Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. He is the author of over sixty book and many, many essays and articles. One of his most recent works is Who God Is: Meditations on the Character of Our God.

Feb 21, 202345:24
Courageous Conversations: Abortion-- Toward a Better Understanding

Courageous Conversations: Abortion-- Toward a Better Understanding

In this episode of "Calmly Considered," Allan converses with Joy Moore and Michael Gorman on the subject of abortion. How can Christians offer a more robust understanding of abortion that moves beyond the pitting of rights against each other? How does Christian doctrine inform the discussion? If the church is an alternative to the way of society, how do Christians utilize their unique witness to be an incarnational presence to women in difficult pregnancies and the unborn children they carry? How does abortion affect ethnic minorities?

Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and is the Professor of Biblical Preaching at  Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota. She participates in two weekly podcasts: "Sermon Brainwave," a conversation on the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the coming Sunday and "I Love to Tell the Story," a conversation on the Narrative Lectionary readings for the coming Sunday.

Dr. Michael J. Gorman holds the Raymond E. Brown Chair in Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has written many books including Reading Revelation Responsibly and Paul, a New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology. His Amazon author page has a full listing of his publications.

Feb 09, 202301:11:05
Calmly Considered: The Sport of Gambling-- Should Christians Take the Bet?

Calmly Considered: The Sport of Gambling-- Should Christians Take the Bet?

In this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the rise of betting on sports in America and gambling in general. Does legalized gambling boost the economy? What are the challenges gambling presents to communities? Is it appropriate for Christians to gamble?

Jan 24, 202349:18
The Wesleyan Way: Methodist Beginnings Through the Eyes of Women

The Wesleyan Way: Methodist Beginnings Through the Eyes of Women

In this episode of "The Wesleyan Way," we interview Rev. Dr. Donna L. Fowler-Marchant on her book Mothers in Israel: Methodist Beginnings Through the Eyes of Women. Rev. Fowler has done Methodism a great service in writing this book. She demonstrates that women were indeed the backbone of the earliest Methodist movement. These Mothers in Israel as they were called (if you want to know why, read the book) from Suzanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles to Sarah Crosby and others had a formative impact on the first generation of Methodists. Their influence is seen to this day.


Jan 12, 202352:22
Calmly Considered: 2022 Review, 2023 Preview

Calmly Considered: 2022 Review, 2023 Preview

In this last episode of 2022, Michael and Allan review some of the happenings of 2022 and think ahead to 2023. Among the topics discussed are Ukraine, politics, the economy, immigration and the current worker shortage, scientific discoveries, and the all important prediction of who will win the Super Bowl.

Dec 29, 202201:00:22
Believing Is Seeing: Pietism-- Heartfelt Faith or Heavenly-Minded Humbug?
Nov 29, 202255:08
Calmly Considered: Should Christians Participate in Black Friday?

Calmly Considered: Should Christians Participate in Black Friday?

In this episode of Calmly Considered, Michael and Allan discuss how Christians might think about gift giving in the Christmas season and how to balance living in a culture of material abundance with a life of simplicity.

Nov 15, 202254:51
Word Revisited: Should Protestants Read the Apocrypha?

Word Revisited: Should Protestants Read the Apocrypha?

In this episode of Word Revisited, we interview Rev. Dr. David DeSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary (Ashland, Ohio) and an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. The interview centers on his book, Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance. We ask ask him why Protestants should read the Apocrypha and how these writings illuminate the worlds of Jesus and Paul.

Nov 09, 202201:00:28
The Wesleyan Way: An Interview with Bishop William H. Willimon

The Wesleyan Way: An Interview with Bishop William H. Willimon

In this premiere episode of The Wesleyan Way, Allan interviews United Methodist Bishop William H. Willimon on his latest book, Don't Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next.  They discuss such questions as "How have Methodists lost their essential character as a mission?" "What must be done to revitalize a Methodism that is currently aging out of existence?" "Why do Jurisdictional Conferences ask the wrong questions of episcopal candidates?" "What is the hope for what comes next?"

Nov 04, 202252:46
Calmly Considered: The Mid-Term Election and Voting as a Christian

Calmly Considered: The Mid-Term Election and Voting as a Christian

In this episode of "Calmly Considered," Michael and Allan discuss the upcoming mid-term election. They offer some thoughts on the current political landscape and make some predictions, which are probably wrong. They also reflect on how Christians might think about voting as it relates to their faith.

Oct 12, 202254:30
Word Revisited: John Among the Gospels
Sep 21, 202201:01:55
Calmly Considered: Student Loan Forgiveness and Thinking Christianly

Calmly Considered: Student Loan Forgiveness and Thinking Christianly

Michael and Allan discuss student loan forgiveness and how the followers of Jesus can posture themselves to think about it in a Christian manner.

Sep 14, 202254:31
Believing Is Seeing: Does God Know the Future and Other Open Questions

Believing Is Seeing: Does God Know the Future and Other Open Questions

In this premiere episode of "Believing Is Seeing," Allan interviews Thomas Jay Oord, theologian and cross-disciplinary scholar on his book, Open and Relational Theology: An Introduction to Life-Changing Ideas. In addition to the question of what God knows about the future, Allan asks Tom whether God is all-powerful and all knowing, and whether or not prayer matters. It is one fascinating hour-long conversation.

Sign up for Tom's newsletter here and receive the free book, The Thomas Jay Oord Sampler.

Aug 25, 202201:10:23
Calmly Considered: Christian Nationalism-- Christ AND Caesar?

Calmly Considered: Christian Nationalism-- Christ AND Caesar?

Michael and Allan discuss the nature of Christian Nationalism and ask such questions as Can a Christian be patriotic but not a Nationalist? What is the place of the Church in a Nationalist context? Would Jesus affirm Christian Nationalism? How does the New Testament inform the discussion? What about the Kingdom of God?

Aug 18, 202257:02
Courageous Conversations: American Mythologies-- The Cover Stories We Tell Ourselves
Aug 03, 202258:13