Barefoot to Emmaus

Synopsis of our second half of Holy Week highlights.

Picking up where we left off last episode, Char and Byron explore the events of Holy Week beginning with Jesus's clandestine trial before the Sanhedrin and ending with the mysterious empty tomb and whispers of resurrection.

This is the summary of Episode 87 covering insights about Holy week from Palm Sunday to the arrest of Jesus on the night of Maundy Thursday

Byron and Char dive into going over or thoughts, insights, and fun facts around the first half of Holy week from the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the cleansing of the temple on Holy Monday, the offering of the widow's mite on Holy Tuesday, the complexity behind Judas' betrayal on Holy Wednesday, and finally the upper room communion and foot washing of Maundy Thursday culminating in the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.

The paradox of the Trinity is as complicated as it is beautiful and important to Christian theology. In this episode, Byron and Char explore the theology of the Trinity, including heresies, the reflections of wise patristics, and Byron and Char's own reflections on this mystery. Definitely a deep and compelling episode worthy engaging.

The summary episode on Israel Palestine.

In the midst of the current escalation of the conflict in the Israel/Palestine area, Byron and Char attempt to humbly offer some reflections on the long and complex history of the region as well as some theological comments at this sensitive moment.

Synopsis episodlet on the paradox of self-awareness.

In this more personal, therapeutic conversation, Char processes what they call "the paradox of self-awareness" - the investment in self-understanding leads to a perceived inability to be seen by others (or even yourself). We hope this conversation offers you something to mull on in your own journey of self-knowledge and vulnerability.

Synopsis summary of episode 83 on Spooky Theology

Char and Byron's Halloween episode for this year. Ghost sharks, magic, and all sorts of other spooky questions about the diverse and mysterious spiritual realities around us.

Summary of episode 82 on our reflections on Seminary as we transition out.

Byron and Char reflect on the last three years of seminary as things draw to a close or at least a transition. Favorite classes, things we've seen each other grow in and more. (Don't worry we will have more episodes, this is not the end.)

Our synopsis recording on the episode on mental and spiritual health.

The mind and heart are often conflated with the spirit in practice, when it comes to theology and the role of a minister regarding spiritual care. Join Byron and Char as they discuss the distinction of mental health from the spiritual and the importance of a psychotherapeutic lens for holistic wellbeing.

This is our summary episodelet about Feminist Christology asking questions about Jesus' mediation of gender. For more, check out the full episode.

Byron and Char respond to a listener question about Jesus' gender. Could Jesus have come as a women, Could Jesus' masculinity have meant he was culpable of the social sins of patriarchy from a liberationist lens? Might Jesus actually have been a woman and it was covered up? All this an more in this intriguing episode.

Synopsis of our episode on asceticism.

Asceticism is a strongly misunderstood practice within many modern Christian circles. Join Byron and Char as they dive into the rich history and unpack the theological significance of practices like fasting and even martyrdom.

CW: This episode touches on themes of extreme violence and sexual assault. The first portion (before the midway theme music) is without such content if you want to listen but avoid potential triggers.

Synopsis to our episode on Avatar the Last Airbender.

For some the best show on earth, Avatar contains rich themes related to colonialism, violence, identity... and of course spirituality. Join Byron and Char as they explore this show for the brilliant gift that it is to us all.

This was a challenging one, folks. Byron and Char wrestle through the nature of our self-conception and God-thoughts within the framework of duality: does the self exist in distinction from the other or is this a delusion? Is God truly Other, or do these boundaries limit our ability to understand how we relate to (or within) the Divine? This conversation is a bit more esoteric than usual, but it's a great discussion that will surely leave you thinking.

Brief overview of the episode on Comparative Mythology.

How unique is the christian God? Functionally do we think of God as a deity, a being, a really powerful alien, a force, something ontologically distinct? Dive in with Byron and Char to some OLD stories from early Pre-Jewish beliefs and see how some of what the Bible might point to has some interesting similarities with early myths from other religions and cultures. Explore the Chaos-Kampf, the mythological struggle between the divine sky-father storm god and the chaotic sea serpent.

Synopsis episodlet on embodiment with Wesley Rowell.

Hallmarking the end of three years at Princeton Theological Seminary, Byron and Char interview classmate and soul friend Wesley Rowell on the topic of embodiment. They discuss reconnecting with our childhood selves, full integration of all our parts without shame, and share the joy of their friendship.

Synopsis episodlet on blended family with Eli Henry.

Guest interview with Princeton MDiv/MSW 3rd year Eli Henry, where they describe the beautiful web of their blended family and the significance of this context on their personal and theological development. We discuss adoption and adoptionism, as well as the significance of family to identity.

Summary episodelet on Sacraments and Eucharist.

Char and Byron take some time to dig into the theology of the Christian Sacraments, specifically the Eucharist, Communion. What is the history and theology behind it? What are the necessary features? Who can take it?

Our synopsis on the episode on Ash Wednesday and Lent.

Byron and Char in the middle of lent take a step back to Ash Wednesday and the disciplines of fasting and devotion. Join us as we explore our experiences and theologies of the quiet time before Easter.

Our synopsis of our second episode on gender.

In a never-before-occurrence, Byron and Char post a recorded conversation they were having on a Tuesday night like any other. It dives DEEP into the questions of gender - what it is, how it can be simultaneously identifying and unifying, and so much more. Join us for this tantalizing follow-up to "Gender 1"!

Synopsis Episodlet on Gender 1!

Char and Byron dive into a DEEP topic this week, exploring the implications of gender as a social construct, hegemonic masculinity, gender essentialism, and so much more. This is an excellent place to take a plunge into some very existential questions!

This year, we're starting something new - a brief 5-10 synopsis of each episode, if you have interest but don't have the time for a full hour. This is on our episode interviewing Roman Montero on his book, "All Things in Common: The Economic Practices of the Early Christians."

Intentional community and radical economics are central to Char's passion and theological imagination. Today, Char and Byron interviewed author Roman Montero regarding his groundbreaking book, "All Things in Common: The Economic Practices of the Early Christians." You won't want to miss this riveting discussion! Make sure to also check out Montero's work at https://romanamontero.wordpress.com/

Karl Barth is a major figure in Reformed Theology. People talk about him a lot and Byron took a class on him recently. Take a listen to hear some basics of what he was all about. 

Can anger be a good thing? Are we required to forgive? Char and Byron explore the nature of anger and forgiveness, and their theological bases in this episode.

Char and Byron discuss the meaning behind their new benediction: May you find wonder in the mundane, hope amidst the chaos, and comfort in the love that makes you you. Go in Peace. 

Char and Byron tackle one of the biggest questions in theology, the problem of evil. There are a few good answers, a few bad ones, and at the end of the day maybe no answer will completely satisfy this heart-rending conundrum. Why is there evil in the world? Does God allow it? Does everything happen for a reason? Join us to find out!  

Byron and Char dive deep into a topic that has been at the fore of our consideration for some time - how do we understand the hegemonic imagination that shapes our very subconscious? More so, how do we challenge and subvert its influence? Join us as we wrestle with questions like these in this week's discussion.

Byron and Char have both been very involved in youth ministry for a while. Listen today as we discuss some of our own background and thoughts on what makes youth ministry great, and some things that don't work well. Special shoutout to Scott Gronholz from https://tinyurl.com/nosmallthing 

If you've been a long-time follower of B2E, you know that the image of God is frequently an important reference point for our theology. Here, we break down the question specifically: what does it mean to be made in the image of God? Join us for this deeply important pondering. 

Who and what IS Satan? How does what we believe about Satan or the devil affect what we think about God? What actually is Satanism? Join us as we delve into some of these important and fascinating questions and more! 

It may seem an odd thing to wonder - why does it matter what our bodies are like after we die? But these questions have tremendous implications for the nature of God and the nature of God's creation, what is considered "whole" or "good." If those questions tickle your fancy, join us for an hour of deep talks!

Byron explains what he did all summer working with incarcerated teenagers for a chaplaincy internship. Some interesting lessons and interactions in the face of pretty tough circumstances. 

In a world wrought with systemic and structural injustice, are we in need of revolution? Is it the call of the Church to be involved in the revolution? Join Byron and Char as they wrestle with these questions.

Char and Byron touch on the idea of Age, youth, and maturity. Join us as we ask some questions: What is Wisdom, does it invariably come with age, what does Jesus mean when He says to be like a child, how might Jesus have related to the idea of coming to an end, and is it the fact that we have an end at all that gives this all meaning?