Church Potluck Podcast

Jesus Christ, Moviestar on Church Potluck! Explore the life of Jesus as it's represented in the modern film series, The Chosen. Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins and the exuberant Gabrielle Roes along with host Dale McConkey as we discuss the merits of this cinematic blockbuster within the Christian community. We peel back the layers of film and television portrayals of Jesus to reveal how movies like The Chosen influence our faith and understanding of the scriptures. We also delve into the series' integration of Jewish customs, the artistic balance between imagination and scripture, and the emotional resonance these stories have with audiences today.

And join us as we play "Dale Got It Right or Dale Got It Wrong?" See if Gabrielle and Jon agree with these statements:

*The Chosen is the most Jewish representation of Jesus on film.
*We should be concerned by all the non-biblical content in The Chosen.
*Jesus’ personality in The Chosen is consistent with the way he is portrayed in the Bible.
*The Chosen misses the mark in the manner it gives authority to the Bible.
*We should be concerned by The Chosen’s connection to the Left Behind series.

Grab some popcorn and join the potluck! (Mixing metaphors much?)

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

As Church Potluck makes its return from an extended break, we're setting the table to feast on a diversity of Christian experiences and insights. This latest episode serves up an intimate look at the complex and controversial intersection of Christian faith and transgender identity. We are joined by two transgender clergy members, Rev. Kimble Sorrells and Rev. Andi Woodworth, who each share their personal and spiritual journeys with us. We are also joined by students from my (Dale's) class on the sociology of s*x, gender, and s*xuality, with several of them asking questions. Regardless of where you fall on the theological spectrum, we hope you find the podcast informative. You can download the episode at www.churchpotluck.org.

Weeeee'rrre Baaaack!!! After an extended hiatus, Church Potluck has returned! In this episode (recorded a few months ago), brace yourself for a journey through the ethical labyrinth of modern science with Dr. Michael Bailey and Dr. Michael Papazian as our guides, discussing Christian and philosophical perspectives on the latest biotechnological marvel: human embryos created with neither s***m nor eggs. And of course, we toss in a few games and lots of laughs!

Later this week (perhaps tomorrow), we will also have a thought-provoking conversation with two transgender clergy who visited my Sociology of S*x and Gender class and recorded a podcast with their questions!

It's the long-awaited Oppenheimer episode! We explore the man, the myth, the movie: J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb." Our esteemed guests are Drs. Todd Timberlake (physics), Kirsten Taylor (international relations), and Clint Peters (literature and film). This episode offers an engaging blend of history, science, and ethics as we scrutinize Oppenheimer's moral dilemmas and understand his legacy as portrayed in the recent film.

We play the game "Oppenheimer or Stoppenheimer?" We explore the ethics of the atomic bomb and modern warfare. We discuss the United Methodist theological position on warfare. And in our "Leftovers" segment, we allow Clint to take a deep dive into his insights on Christopher Nolan's production of the Oppenheimer film.

It is a fun and insightful episode, so please join us at the table, come and get it, and dig in! Download at www.churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

Crusades = Bad. It's that simple, isn't it? Join us for a deep dive as we explore the Crusades from multiple angles from three historians. First, Larry Marvin explores how the Crusades were not primarily an attempt to convert Muslims. Next, Kelsey Rice discusses the Crusades from the vantage point of medieval Muslims. Finally, Christy Snider discusses the ways that Crusade rhetoric is used in more recent history, especially in the wake of 9/11.
Later in the podcast during our "Leftovers" segment, we discuss the motivations behind those embarking on the Crusades, and we also discuss the motivations of modern-day historians. There's a lot of meat at this church potluck, so put on your thinking caps* and get ready to dig in! Download at www.churchpotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
*Feel free to disregard the custom of removing one's hat when at the dining table.

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

Is America losing its religion? Statistics indicate yes, with a rapid decrease in church affiliation and a marked increase in people who don't identify with organized religion. This episode of Church Potluck features Curt Hersey (Communication), Michael Bailey (political science), and Michael Papazian (philosophy), who each help us explore the fall of religiosity, the rise of non-affiliation, and the evolution of religious identities.
Some topics we address in this episode:
*What features of contemporary Christianity are turning people away from the Church?
*Even with this recent decline, religious faith remains resilient in the U.S compared to other industrialized countries. Why? How?
*How does faith get transmitted from generation to generation, and why are these traditional modes failing?
Join us for some food for thought and something to chew on! Download wherever you get your podcasts or at www.churchpotluck.org.

Are Christian faith and horror movies compatible in any way? Find out on this week's episode of Church Potluck! Creative writing professor Clinton Crockett Peters leads a discussion with Curt Hersey, Mike Bailey, and me as we consider the role of horror in culture and its relevance to faith. Download at any podcast platform or www.churchpotluck.org (note the new website).

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

Season 2 of Church Potluck has officially begun! To kick off the new season, we are exploring the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence on religious faith. Join Christy Snider (history), Michael Papazian (philosophy), Michael Bailey (political science), and me (sociology) as we question the spiritual implications of AI in our lives. Download at www.ChurchPotluck.org or wherever you get your podcasts. (Note the new web address.)

The title of this episode was generated by AI, and here is the unedited summary of the podcast, also generated by AI:

Ever wondered about the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and faith? Does the idea of machines with consciousness challenge your belief of what it means to be human? Brace yourself for an engaging conversation as we navigate this intriguing terrain on another episode of Church Potluck.

With Dr Christy Snyder, Dr Michael Papasian, and Dr Michael Bailey as our esteemed guests, we wrestle with Alan Turing's concept of AI and question the true intelligence of a computer. As we delve deeper, the philosophical implications of AI, its potential to learn, develop a personality, and even to be seen as a person, will force you to re-evaluate your understanding of AI. Will AI ever have rights? Can it be part of the religious context? We even take a daring leap into the world of policy decisions and the potential biases of AI.

Our discussion takes us from the very concept of AI and human consciousness to the role of AI in religion, public policy, and its potential impact on humanity. We discuss the ethical and moral implications of AI, the potential for AI to learn and develop its own personality, and even the possibility of AI having rights or being seen as a person. Through the lens of faith and religion, we attempt to uncover how AI is reshaping our notions of being human and our place in the world. A truly enlightening episode of Church Potluck awaits you.

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

Another episode of Church Potluck is available! Good friend and colleague Jeffrey Lidke guides Michael Papazian, Mike Bailey, and me through the similarities and differences between Christianity and Buddhism. We throw in a little Denver Nugget basketball for good measure. Very interesting conversation, if do say so myself. Download at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
Full description: Buddhism and Christianity. How do they differ? How are they similar? Our esteemed guest, Dr. Jeffrey Lidke (religious studies), shares his personal experiences as well as his academic explorations of Buddhism. Drs. Bailey (political science) and Papazian (philosophy) add their questions and insights regarding Jesus and Buddha. Also, find out how well Dr. Lidke performs on this week's gameshow: "Jesus, Buddha, or Mark Twain?"
This episode also includes an extended "Leftovers" section (20 minutes). There, we continue the discussion of Buddhism and Christianity. But we also digress into a myriad of other topics, including the way Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic plays basketball with a passion and team-oriented style that embodies Buddhist principles.

Another Church Potluck podcast has dropped! This week, we explore the Southern Baptist Convention's recent intensification of restricting women from serving as pastors. I am grateful to this week's guests: local Southern Baptist preacher Stephen Drake, former Berry assistant chaplain Erin Moniz, and current Berry chaplain Jon Huggins. Download at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Here's a full description of the episode:
Is it time for the Southern Baptist Convention to reevaluate its traditional views on women serving as pastors? In an eye-opening conversation, we tackle the question of whether these views reflect sound biblical theology or are simply remnants of outdated s*xist ideology. Our guests are Southern Baptist preacher Rev. Dr. Stephen Drake along with Drs. Erin Moniz and Jon Huggins, both of whom are ordained in the Anglican Church of North America.

We discuss the recent Southern Baptist meeting in New Orleans in which several churches were ejected from the SBC for having female pastors, and also additional restrictions were placed on women in pastoral roles (pending final approval next year). Comparing the Southern Baptist Convention's practices to those within the Anglican Church and other Christian traditions, we explore the evolving perspectives on gender roles in church leadership. Erin shares her experiences as a woman being called to ministry and pursuing her ordination.

As we wrap up, we delve into the concepts of complementarianism, egalitarianism, and mutuality, examining their implications for gender roles within the church. Our guests share their perspectives on the roles of men and women in church leadership and the vital need for both voices to be represented. We also touch on the potential harm that can be caused unintentionally by certain messaging and recommend resources for further exploration. Join us for this enlightening and engaging conversation on the ever-evolving roles of women in church leadership.

Church Potluck Podcast Smorgasbord of Christian conversation. Various topics, academic disciplines, and church traditions.

Church Potluck Podcast just dropped a new episode, “A Monk’s Life: Ancient Wisdom for Modern People.” Michael Papazian thought of the episode idea and shares his insights from both his research and a “Christian Spirituality” class that he teaches. We will come newcomer J Marshall Jenkins to the podcast, a professional counselor, who specializes in contemplative Christian practices. And Larry Marvin are provides historical perspective, and makes some interesting modern-day comparisons  to monasteries. Oh, and we also play “Monk or Bunk?”

We also added a new feature to the podcast. I recorded the after-podcast conversation of our guests. Often, very interesting additional insights come out when we are done with the formal episode. So I might now begin to include those remarks unedited as a kind “second helping.” That’s why the episode is longer than usual. I hope you enjoy.

This weeks episode can be found at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for your support! 

Note: The picture below is either a painting by Claudio Rinaldi, or a photo of this week’s panel of guests.

Here’s the description that AI wrote, slightly revised: 

Is monasticism an outdated concept or can its principles still be of value in today's fast-paced world? We had a riveting discussion about monasticism and contemplative Christianity with our esteemed guests, Drs. Michael Papazian (philosophy), Larry Marvin (history), and Marshall Jenkins (counseling). Together, we explored various features of monastic lifestyles and the relevance of monasticism in the 21st century.

After playing "Monk or Bunk?", our conversation delved into Dr. Michael Papazian's experiences of teaching a course on monasticism and Christian spirituality at Berry College, where students engage in contemplative practices such as Lectio Divina. We discussed the potential benefits of incorporating these principles into our modern lives. Join us for this enlightening and thought-provoking conversation on monasticism and contemplative Christianity.

NEW FEATURE: Our guests often continue the conversation with fascinating additional insights after the formal recording is over. Church Potluck now plans to record those additional conversations and include them as an unedited "second helping" at the end of the podcast (thus the longer episode length).

So we did a podcast on Flat Earth Theory! Newcomer to the podcast Dr. Clint Peters (English, Creative Writing) came up with the idea. Here is the episode description, which was largely generated with artificial intelligence. Spooky.

Have you ever wondered what fuels the beliefs of Flat-Earth proponents? Join us in this episode as we sit down with Drs. Clint Peters, Todd Timberlake, and Mike Bailey to explore the intriguing world of Flat-Earth theories and their connections to religion and the Bible.

We first dive into the history of the spherical Earth and the astronomical evidence that has shaped our understanding of our planet's shape for centuries. We then delve into the fascinating story of Patrick Burke, a hardcore Flat-Earther from Denton, Texas, known for his passionate albeit peculiar defenses of a host of conspiracy theories.

Lastly, we discuss the power of acceptance and understanding in fostering meaningful dialogue between individuals with differing beliefs. We touch on the prevalence of conspiracy theories in our society and the importance of skepticism in the face of authority.

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode as we navigate the complex and intricate world of Flat-Earth theories, beliefs, and their impact on the individuals who hold them.

It's a Church Potluck double-drop! Today we released not one but two episodes, both related to this Saturday's coronation of King Charles III. The first episode features Jonathan Parker (biblical studies) and newcomer Paul Neal (music, choral activities) who discuss the religious and musical significance of the coronation. The second episode features newcomer Larry Marvin (European history) and Mike Bailey (political science) who explore the relationship between Church and State, both in medieval monarchies and modern democracies. I hope you enjoy them both! churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com and other podcast sites.

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"Faith in College" In this week's Church Potluck podcast, I sit down with three graduating seniors from Berry College: Darla Gore, Grace Segars, and SK Smith. Each discusses the ways that their faith was simultaneously challenged yet strengthened while at college. They also explore the ways that academics, student life, the chaplain's office, and special programs each provide fertile soil for spiritual growth and inquiry. An engaging conversation loaded with youthful enthusiasm and optimism! (churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com or wherever you download your podcasts.)

What is it like to live and serve in the midst of poverty? On this week's episode of Church Potluck, we talk with my school dean, Gabriel Barreneche, about his experiences in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) as a young adult. Alongside Gabriel is Vanessa Belanger, a recent Berry College alumna who is finishing her yearlong participation in the JVC. Our conversation explores the transformative potential of the four core values of the JVC: Community, Simple Living, Social Justice, and Spirituality. Dr. Michael Bailey (political science) and join the conversation as well. Download at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week's episode of Church Potluck is available for download. I hope you enjoy it! Title: "Schism: When the Church Divides."
Description: The Church is called to be "one body and one Spirit," yet we have a long history of fracturing into separate traditions and denominations. What should we make of such divisions? Join Dr. Michael Papazian (philosophy), Jon Parker (biblical studies), and Dale McConkey (sociology) as we discuss the schisms in each of our respective Christian traditions. The first half of the episode focuses on the historical schisms of the early Church, while the latter half analyzes the recent schisms in Mainline Protestant denominations like the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com

Church Potluck concludes its trilogy of Easter episodes with a discussion of the Atonement. With Good Friday approaching, Christians prepare to commemorate Jesus saving us on the cross. But what is Jesus saving us from? And how does his crucifixion on the cross actually save us? And who is being saved? And why are there so many opinions on these matters within Christianity? Join Dr. Matthew Lee (philosophy), Rev. Dr. Chaplain Jonathan Huggins (theology), and Dr. Michael Papazian (philosophy) as we consider the above questions and more. Also, Dr. Papazian discusses why this cross, the Armenian Cross, is an excellent symbol that encapsulates both crucifixion and resurrection.
Our Easter Trilogy:
*Angles on the Atonement
*A Walk Through Holy Week
*How Central is the Resurrection?
Available at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com and all major podcast providers.

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

The second episode of our Easter trilogy is now available on all podcast platforms (and churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com). In this episode, we discuss Holy Week. Often, Christians reduce Holy Week to Palm Sunday and Easter Day, but numerous crucial moments occur between these two days. Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Parker as he takes us on a brisk journey through each of the days of Holy Week, with Dr. Jordan Rowan Fannin and Rev. Dr. Dale McConkey adding their insights as well. Here's the path we take:
PALM SUNDAY: JESUS THE VICTOR
HOLY MONDAY: JESUS THE PROPHET
HOLY TUESDAY: JESUS THE APOCALYPTIC PREACHER
HOLY WEDNESDAY: JESUS THE JUST
MAUNDY THURSDAY: JESUS THE LAMB
GOOD FRIDAY: JESUS THE KING
HOLY SATURDAY: JESUS THE DEAD & BURIED
EASTER SUNDAY: JESUS THE RISEN

The Church Potluck podcast is offering a three-part series on Easter. Lots of smart people sharing thoughtful insights! The first episode dropped this morning:
▪️Today: How Central is the Resurrection?
▪️Friday: A Brisk Stroll through Holy Week
▪️Next Wednesday: Theories of the Atonement
Also, if you missed last week's episode, we said goodbye to Tom Kennedy while discussing the role of Christian Colleges in academia.
You can download and subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts; also churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com.

Church Potluck just dropped our St. Patrick's Day episode! Scholar extraordinaire and birthday boy Michael Papazian leads Mike Bailey and me in a fun and fascinating conversation about St. Patrick and his day. What do we know about Patrick historically? What are the myths that have developed over the years? Why and how did he become a saint? (Also, how do people become saints in general?) And what should we think about the holiday named in Patrick's honor? I hope you enjoy the discussion! churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com

Hello Church Potluck Supporters!
Two quick messages for you:
(1) We have uploaded a new episode for you: UFOs, Aliens, and the Implications for Christian Faith. This is a fascinating conversation with Todd Timberlake (physics) as our lead, joined by Mike Bailey (political science), Jon Parker (theology), and myself (sociology). Available wherever you download your podcasts or at churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com. I hope you enjoy it!
2. We at Church Potluck have hit a level of comfort and proficiency that we are now eager to promote the podcast to a wider audience. If you know friends, families, and/or church folks who you think would enjoy Church Potluck, please let them about us. We aren't focused on numbers and we are not seeking any money, but we do want Church Potluck to reach people who would benefit from friendly, thoughtful conversation about Christ and culture. Thanks!
I am very grateful for all the help you have provided in helping Church Potluck get off the ground and establish a strong foundation! THANK YOU!

Hey All,
Two quick notes:
1. I am very grateful to all of of you who joined this page because of my plea for assistance. My purpose for that plea has now concluded, so feel free to leave the page. I’m telling you this because I plan to increase the posts from this page and I don’t want to clutter your walls, especially after you did me a kind a favor.
2. This week’s podcast is very topical as we discuss the Asbury revival with a former Berry College student, Matthew Haugen, who currently lives on the Asbury campus. After getting Matthew’s perspective, Jon Parker, Jon Huggins, and I (each a pastor and academician) discuss the nature of revivals and ask how it is possible to discern whether or not a revival is a genuine experience of the Holy Spirit. I hope you enjoy this conversation!

Special Valentine's episode! Join this week's Church Potluck podcast group as we discuss the real Saint Valentine (as best we can tell), the way we celebrate Valentine's Day in the U.S., and the true meaning of Christian love. Friendly and thoughtful conversation from a variety of academic disciplines and a variety of Christian traditions. Join us! (Guests: Mike Bailey, Tom Kennedy, Dale McConkey, Michael Papazian.)

Thank you for following this page.
I appreciate your support!

The Christmas season is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but often we feel just the opposite. In this episode of Church Potluck, Floyd Atrium hospital chaplain Chris Barbieri joins Berry College's Mike Bailey, Gabrielle Marquez, and Dale McConkey to discuss ways to cope with grief and sadness during the holidays. Please share with anyone who might need to be encouraged.
You can download the episode from most podcast platforms (Apple Podcast, Spotify, etc). You can also listen and download at https://churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com, where you can also find our other episodes exploring Christmas and the Bible, American Culture, and media (movies and music).

Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Conversation Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety ...

Less than a month old and Church Potluck already has more than 200 downloads! If you want thoughtful Christian conversation from a variety of perspectives, give us a try: churchpotluck.buzzsprout.com.