Theology In The Raw

Eli is the real deal. He not only understands the race conversation. He embodies it. In this episode, we talk about all things related to race, ethnicity, the church, and America, and we also discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East. Eli is an emerging leader in the Next Gen space. He serves several national networks in varied roles. He is the Next Gen Regional Co-Chair for North America with Empowered21, and he also fills the position of National Millennial Director for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). His full time responsibilities are with OneHope as a Masters FellowSupport PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Darrin W. Snyder Belousek teaches philosophy and religion at Ohio Northern University. He has taught previously at various church-related colleges: Bluffton University, Louisburg College, Bethel College, Lithuania Christian College, Goshen College, and St. Mary's College. He received a Ph.D. in history and philosophy of science from the University of Notre Dame (1998) and a certificate of theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (2017). Dr. Belousek has written an outsstanding book about same-sex marriage titled: Marriage, Scripture, and the Church: Theological Discernment on the Question of Same-Sex Union. In this podcast, we talk about the meaning of marriage, Ephesians 5, sex difference (or sexuate correspondance, as he calls it), Genesis 1-2, and why the question of marriage is at the center of these debates. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.spri

Should Christians use a trans* identified person’s chosen pronouns (i.e. ones that don’t align with their biological sex)? I (Preston) have argued for “pronoun hospitality,” that Christians should use a person’s pronouns. And Julie generally agrees with this perspective, but she believes that it’s sometimes better for the long term well-being for trans* identified children and adolescents when their parents don’t use their chosen pronouns. In case you didn’t know, this is super controversial! Which is why we need to have this conversation. In this episode, I talk with Julie about her perspective, evidence for and against it, and various other things related to the discussion about how to best treat trans*-identified children and teens. Julie is a licensed pediatrician in the U.K. and has written extensively about Gender Dysphoria and trans* identities. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagra

Caleb Kaltenbach has become a leading voice in the conversation about faith, sexualtiy, and gender, and he’s spent many hours researching the Equality Act. In this episode, we discuss what the Equality Act is, look at its historical roots, the content of the act, its implications for religious liberty, and what it means for churches and Christian non-profits. Caleb Kaltenbach is a pastor and founder of The Messy Grace Group where he helps churches love and foster community with LGBTQ individuals without sacrificing theological convictions. He's currently writing Messy Truth and has also authored God of Tomorrow and Messy Grace (where he discusses being raised in the LGBTQ community, following Jesus, and how loving others doesn’t require shifting beliefs).Besides speaking, writing, and consulting, Caleb has been guest with or featured in The New York Times, Fox and Friends, The Glenn Beck Show, The Eric Metaxas Show, Christianity Today, Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Pod

Dr. McLaughlin has a Ph.D. in English Literature from Cambridge University (U.K.) and has become a premier apologist for a new generation. Her book Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion won Christianity Today’s book award for 2020 and her latest book The Secular Creed is bound to stir things up. In this episode, we talk about how most of the challenges to Christianity are more ethical in nature. People think Christianity can’t be true in light of its history of racism, slavery, misogyny, and homophobia--among other things. Rebecca addresses these kinds of legitimate arguments with intelligence and wisdom. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Dr. Thornton recently finished her Ph.D. in Systematic Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she currently serves as associate director of Ph.D. Studies and director of the Th.M program. Christy also served as a missionary in Morocco, which sparked her interested in the conversation about how best to reach Muslims (i.e. the C1-C6 spectrum). In this conversation, we discuss the C1-C6 spectrum, Moorocan culture, and missions, and then we discuss her shift from Missiology to Systematic Theology, discussing different theological methodologies, epistemology, ontology, and Christo-centric Trinitarian theology.  Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Dr. Brooke Keels has Ph.D. in Psychological and over 10 years of counseling experience. She serves as the Executive Director of Counseling Services for Mercy Multiplied, nonprofit Christian organization that equips people to live free and stay free through Jesus Christ. In this episode, we talk about the rise in suicidality, anxiety, and depression especially among teens. We also discuss the widespread problem of sexual abuse and how people can find healing from trauma. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

 I first met Bert in Fall 1997 when I transferred in as a Junior at The Master’s College (now University). Bert was one of my roomates and we quickly began a mentoring friendship. For the next 3-4 years, Bert poured into and helped lay some vital spiritual foundations in my life. He has been, quite simply, one the most influential persons in my life. But Bert has his own tumultuous story, which involved getting saved out of a gang culture and thrust into the Christian spotlight as a singer, preacher, Chaplain, and mentor to many. After several years of major “Christian success,” he fell back into his old ways, even darker than before, and ultimately ended up in jail. He’s been slowly and faithfully building back his faith again, without needing the stage to validate his Christian worth. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his w

Dr. Laidlaw is a board certified Endocrinologist with an MD in Endocrinology from USC. He’s been involved in the conversation surrounding trans* identified teens and the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones (CHT). In this conversation, Michael gives us the the honest facts about what we know and don’t know about short term and long term effects of blockers and CHT.Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

Aaron Keyes has been a worship pastor for over 20 years, currently serving as the worship pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Aaron is also the founder of Mere Worship, a network of worship pastors who are reimagining Christian worship, and the founder and director of 10,000 Fathers, a discipleship-orientated worship school. In this episode, we talk about all kinds of things related to Christian worship and worship leading, including the difference between subjective and objective oriented songs, the need for character in a worship pastor, why musical talent alone is insufficient in a worship leader and how it can even be destructive, “Jesus is my boyfriend” type songs, and some potential problems with the CCLI industrial complex. Check out the 10,000 Fathers worship school: https://worship.schoolAnd the Mere Worship community: https://www.mereworship.comSupport PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSpri

Few people understand the intersection between faith and culture better than Gabe Lyons. In this conversation, we avoid all the easy topics and only discuss the highly controversial ones: Qideas (not Qanon), COVID vaccines, can we trust the government, how should we think through the “facts” about the pandemic, is censorship really happening, how to think through sexuality and gender questions, and much more. Gabe Lyons is the co-author of Good Faith (2016), unChristian (2007) and authored The Next Christians (2010), as a manifesto for how Christians can faithfully lead in a changing culture. He is the founder of Q, a learning community of Christian leaders where they are equipped to engage our cultural moment. Their Q Conference (www.Q2017.com) annually convenes thousands of leaders from all industries while Q Commons, their global event simultaneously unites 140 cities and over 10,000 people on an October evening (www.QCommons.com). Called "sophisticated and orthodox" by The New York Times, Q equips Ch

Rich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. Rich holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He enjoys reading widely, preaching and writing on contemplative spirituality, justice-related matters, and the art of preaching. He's been married to Rosie since 2006 and they have two beautiful children, Karis and Nathan. His first book, The Deeply Formed Life, is now available wherever books are sold.In this conversation, we talk about what it was like pastoring a church that is located at the epicenter of the pandemic in Queens, NY. We also discuss the beauties and challenges of pastoring a church where 75 different nations are represented, especially when they are all over the map on political and racial issues. We conclude by talking about Rich’s first book, The Deeply Formed Life, which focuses on the personal and public practices that contribute to our spiritual format

In this conversation, we talk about his remarkable encounter with Benny Hinn, his recent thoughts on church unity, how he’s revisited his beliefs about the Eucharist, and we reflect on the pros and cons of being educated at The Master’s College (now University) and Seminary. Francis Chan is a pastor, writer, speaker, missionary, and evangelist. Most of all--he’s a Christian who loves to spend time with. Francis has written many books, including Crazy Love, Erasing Hell, and the recently released Until Unity. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.

In this podcast, we discuss why the idea that LGB people are “born that way” does not match the scientific data; instead, sexual orientation is a complex blend of nature and nurture. We then talk about the phenomenon of sexual fluidity--a topic that Lisa has become an expert on.

Grant Skeldon is a leading expert in understanding GenZ and has spent the last several years of his life raising up and discipling GenZ leaders. In this podcast episode, Grant walks us through an indepth look at GenZ and corrects some wrong assumptions older people have about this vibrant generation. Grant started Initiative Network when he was 23 with the goal to develop young leaders into Christ-loving, city-changing, church-investing, disciple-making local missionaries. Initiative has united and accelerated some of the most diverse and dynamic next gen leaders from across the country. In 2020 Grant got married and moved to Nashville to become the Next Gen Director for Q.He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Relevant, and The Gospel Coalition. His book on millennials, The Passion Generation has helped thousands of pastors and parents who are trying to reach, raise, and retain the next generation. Grant serves on the board of Catalyst, as well as an associate for Leadership Network and Exponential

In this podcat episode, Preston and Lindsey talk about the beautiful complexity of female sexualtiiy and why so many teen girls today identify as bisexual (as opposed to lesbian or striaght). Lindsey is a a gay Christian woman committed to the historical biblical sexual ethic and is passionate about teaching the Church how to love and disciple LGBT+ people well. She is thrilled to get the opportunity to write content for EQUIP ministries, specifically for and about gay women.Lindsey graduated from Taylor University in 2014 with a BA in Film and Media Production. She is currently working towards a Master's in Social Work. Her goal is to become a counselor and journey with others like her who are navigating the tension between their Christian faith and sexuality.Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjo

A. J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) is assistant professor of Bible, theology, and world Christianity at Bushnell University. He also leads a Doctor of Ministry program around the Holy Spirit and leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of a number of books, including the award-winning Subversive Sabbath. He is married to Quinn and is the proud father of Elliot. They live and work in Eugene, Oregon.In this podcast episode, we talk about his latest book After Doubt, which is all about deconstruction and doubt; or, as the subtitle states: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It. And A.J. is the perfect guide. He has his own deconstruction story and he very much resonates with some of the problems that conservatives or progressives have with American evangelicalism. And he helps us navigate these issues in this podcast episode. Learn more about A.J. here: https://www.ajswobodawrites.comSupport PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Conn

Josh Butler is a good friend and one of the most gifted, enjoyable, and all around brilliant dudes I’ve ever met. He’s a pastor, teacher, scholar, writer, and scandalous witness to the gospel of Christ. I could do ministry with this dude any day of the week. He’s written two incredible books: The Skeletons in God’s Closet and The Pursuing God--both are absolute gems. Josh also serves as a lead pastor at Redemption Church in Tempe, AZ, and served as a pastor for over 15 years at Imago Dei Church in Portland, OR. In this podcast, we banter around about all kinds of things related to politics, race, discipleship in 2021, pastoring in a post-Covid world, nationalism, partisanship, and how to deal with Christians who are heavily influenced by the partisan politics of our day. Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkl

Humans can live without sex, but we can’t live without love, intimacy, and community. So where does this leave Christian who are gay, who are also pursuing celibacy as a vocation? Pieter Valk helps us think through this question on a rich, theological, and practical level. Pieter graduated from Vanderbilt University with Highest Honors in Chemistry in 2013. After graduating, Pieter studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for a year with a focus on Lay Leadership and Culture-making.Pieter is the founder and director of Equip Ministries, a Nashville based organization created to help churches become places where LGBT+ Christians could belong and thrive according to a traditional sexual ethic. See more here: https://equipyourcommunity.orgOne of the most interesting projects Pieter is involved in is the Nashville Family of Brothers (https://familyofbrothers.org), a monastic-like community of Christian men devoted to pursuing celibacy together.Support PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.com

It makes sense. Illegal drugs should be criminalized. Period. The harsher a society is on drug use and drug dealing, the fewer problems it will have. Right? Not necessarily. As long as there are buyers, there will be producers. And as long as people experience pain and trauma, they will seek ways to numb it. Christina Dent is a politically conservative Christian who supported criminalizing drugs until she became a foster parent and saw the negative effects up close. She researched why drug-related harm isn’t decreasing and became convinced it’s because the criminal justice system is the wrong tool for addressing drugs. Check out more about Christina’s work at https://www.enditforgood.com/aboutSupport PrestonSupport Preston by going to patreon.comVenmo: @Preston-Sprinkle-1Connect with PrestonTwitter | @PrestonSprinkleInstagram | @preston.sprinkleYoutube | Preston SprinkleCheck out his website prestonsprinkle.comIf you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave a review.