Talking Theology is the podcast of Cranmer Hall Durham, where we explore the best of academic theology, and think creatively about how theological insights can shape Christian life, ministry, and mission in today’s world.
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What is really going on Paul's letter to the Galatians? How can we make sense of the idea that pagan converts were in danger of "returning" to something by adopting Jewish practices such as circumcision? And what light does the answer to that question shed on the relevance of the letter for Christian ministry today? In this episode Revd Dr Nick Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, speaks to Dr Neil Martin, member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at Oxford University and Associate Pastor at Oxfo...
What is does it look like to theologise Anglican-ly? Why should we burn Richard Hooker's supposed three-legged stool of Scripture, reason and tradition? And how might reflection on the ethos of Anglican theology help us to respond to the disagreements and fractures which characterise the global Anglican communion with wisdom and humility? In this episode Revd Dr Josh Cockayne, Academic Dean at Cranmer Hall, speaks to Dr Scott MacDougall, Director for Theological Resources for the Episcopal Churc...
How should we approach helping children and young people grow in their faith? What does the Bible have to say to that question? And how can parents, church leaders and children and youth workers best work together? In this episode Revd Dr Nick Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, speaks to Revd Sarah Strand, Dean of Anglican Formation at Cranmer Hall, about her new book, co-authored with Rev Dr Emma Parker, Growing Together in Faith: Thinking Theologically about Ministry with Children and Teenagers, w...
What is nonviolent atonement theology? What can the church learn from this kind of approach to understanding the significance of the life and death of Christ? And how should this shape our ministry and our preaching? In this episode Dr Cynthia Bennett-Brown, Director of the MA Programme and Lecturer in Doctrine and Theological Reflection at Cranmer Hall, speaks to Revd Dr Andrew Campbell, Rector of St Swithin's Magherafelt, about his new book One for the Other: Engaging with nonviolent atonement...
Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin discusses his new book on Blaise Pascal, revealing the 17th-century polymath's surprising contributions to science, mathematics, and even modern urban life. The episode delves into Pascal's complex integration of faith and reason, his concept of a "hidden God," and the transformative "Night of Fire." Tomlin also unpacks Pascal's Wager and explains how his wisdom continues to challenge and encourage contemporary thought on human nature, suffering, and spiritual openness.
What happens when we gather together for worship? How can theology and psychology work together to yield new insights into that question? And what are the implications for churches and church leaders in an increasingly online world? In this episode Revd Dr Nick Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, speaks to Revd Dr Josh Cockayne, Academic Dean at Cranmer Hall, and Dr Gideon Salter, Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Liverpool Hope University, about their new book Why We Gather: Psychology, Theolo...
What's striking about the Apostle Paul and the stories he shared? What was first-century Corinth really like, and what was the real problem with the Corinthian church? How was the cross the content of Paul's preaching but also the pattern of his living? And how might Paul's cross-shaped narrative about himself affect the way we tell our stories today? In today's episode we will be talking to Rev Canon Dr Philip Plyming. Philip is warden of Cranmer Hall, as well as the host of Talking Theology. H...
What did it feel like to be a Christian in the earliest churches? How does telling stories help us understand the role of women in Paul's ministry? How does imagination help us see Paul and his good news in a different light? How might close attention to people's backstories help us to forgive them and indeed ourselves? In this episode, we talk to Canon Dr. Paula Gooder. Paula is a New Testament scholar and Canon Chancellor at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Among her many published works are tw...
What has been the impact of Christianity on western civilisation? How did the shock of the cross change the relationship between the weak and the strong? Where might we see Christian theological dialogue in unexpected places? And why might it be important to reconnect Christian values with Christian stories? In today's show we will be talking to Tom Holland. Tom is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, and he co-hosts the popular podcast The Rest is History. His latest work is call...
What values drive contemporary leadership, and how have they influenced the Church? Where did the idea of servant leadership first come from, and why is the answer more surprising that we might think? What are the problems with servant leadership when it comes to power and how we use it? And how is friendship a better model, and what does it mean to lead in love? In today's show we will be talking to Dr Chloe Lynch. Chloe is a lecturer in practical theology at the London School of Theology, and ...
What is neoliberalism and what are the assumptions behind it? How does language of individualism, competition and commodities find its way into the church? What signs might we see of a church swimming with the neoliberal tide? What are the ethical questions raised by a church adopting free market values? In this episode we are talking to Professor Mathew Guest. Mathew is Professor in the Sociology of Religion and Head of the Department of Theology and Religion here in Durham University. His rece...
How is John's gospel both accessible and profound? What does it mean to read John's gospel as the culmination of the New Testament testimony to Jesus? How does John's gospel invite us to improvise in response to the love of God? And how does this gospel allow us to read our way into the presence of Jesus? In today's show we will be talking to Professor David Ford. David is Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at the University of Cambridge. He's also chair of trustees of Lyn's House, Cambridge,...
What is tragedy and how do we see it not only in the arts but also in the Bible? How does tragedy help us see what it is to live as sinners in a fallen world? What is the difference between optimism and hope? How is a tragic view of life actually part of the Good News? In this episode we are talking to Dr Giles Waller. Giles is a research associate at the University of Cambridge and a member of the Cambridge Interfaith Programme. His forthcoming book is entitled, 'Tragic Theology: Drama, the Cro...
Where did Pentecostalism start and what can we learn from its history? What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit, personal piety and power and justice? What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the resurrection of Jesus and how does this affect how we see wounds around us today? How can we resist limiting the spheres in which we long to see the Holy Spirit at work? In this episode, we talk to Dr Selina Stone. Selina is a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Theology and Rel...
What does the ancient book of Philemon have to say to our modern world? What does it mean to pursue our discipleship from a place of discomfort? What are the different, authentic voices that need to be unmuted for us to hear from God? And what is reverse mission, and how is God speaking to the Church from unexpected places? In today’s show we will be talking Revd Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana. Israel is a Baptist minister and Director of the One People Commission of the Evangelical Alliance. Amon...
How is theology changed by people, place and time? How is the Holy Spirit leading the Church in the unfolding truth of Christ? How is it the Spirit's distinctive work to maximise gladness? And how can we be opened up by the past to imagine a new future? In today’s show we will be talking Professor Ben Quash. Ben is Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London. He explores the theological significance of literature, drama, the visual arts and music, and in particular how they m...
Why has place always mattered and why does it matter today? What's the difference between the parish system and the parish vocation? How are we called to love the different places where we have been placed by God? And why has the debate about the role of the parish become so polarised, and what's a better way forward? In today’s show we will be talking to Revd Dr Will Foulger. Will is the Director of Mission and Evangelism here at Cranmer Hall, and also the Director of the Centre for Church Plan...
How does prayer help us integrate our experiences of God with our efforts to understand God? How can we think and talk about prayer in a way that captures its rich diversity? How does contemplating God help us resist the constrictions the world puts on us? And how can thinking prayer help us bring others before God? In today’s show we will be talking to Professor Andrew Prevot. Andrew is Associate Professor in the Theology Department at Boston College. He has written extensively on the relations...
What did it mean for the Apostle Paul’s existence in Christ to be patterned on the Cross? Why is the Christ-hymn from Philippians 2 Paul’s master story and how does it speak to us, not only as individuals, but to communities of faith? If Good Friday supplies the pattern of Christian lives, how does Easter supply the power? And, what does it mean for the Church to not simply believe the Gospel, but also become the Gospel? In this episode I am talking to Professor Michael Gorman. Michael is the Ra...
What's the problem with singing joyful songs in the face of suffering? What do the psalms teach us about staying with suffering, rather than moving too quickly to praise? How is the practice of lament witnessed to across the pages of the Bible, right up to the very end? And how is naming the reality of pain and trials actually an expression of hope? In today’s show I will be talking to Rev Dr Federico Villanueva, who is currently a Commissioning Editor for Langham Publishing and Scholar Care Coo...
How can music help us to access theological realities to which words bear witness? How can the patterns of Western music provide us with a disarming but compelling way into the heart of the Gospel? How can the uncontainability of music point us to a transcendent God of love and grace? How can music expand our perceptions of what it is to be human and open up conversations of faith? In today’s show we are talking to Professor Jeremy Begbie. Jeremy is a Professor at Duke Divinity School, as well a...
How did the murder of George Floyd confront us with the reality of racism and its impact? How does theology tell stories that recognise the intrinsic value of each human story? What is the concept of Afrofuturism and how might it help us think theologically about God's future? And how can we walk within a hope which is characterised by Black flourishing and not struggle? In today’s show we are talking to Right Reverend Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, who is Bishop of Willesden. Bishop Lusa was previously Blac...
How do we talk about contemporary worship in a way that describes what is actually going on in the Church today? How do we keep our worship faithful to our beliefs? How do we ensure worship includes both intimacy and awe? And why is worship about God coming to us rather than us working towards God? In today’s show we are talking to Revd Professor Maggi Dawn, who is a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion here in Durham. Maggi is a theologian, author, musician and priest, and has w...
What's it like to live in the constant anticipation of the end of time? How do communities which see time as short live out their faith and interpret the world around them? How does the study of communities such as the Plymouth Brethren or Jehovah's Witnesses help us think about mainstream Christian theology? And how might personally entering another religious culture inform and challenge our own faith? In today's show we are talking to Dr Joseph Webster. Joseph is an Assistant Professor in the ...
Why should Christians be involved in politics? How can theology ask real world questions? What can we learn from Dietrich Bonhoeffer about how theology and politics need to go together? What are the challenges of engaging in faith and politics in a social media context? And how do prayer and worship help us to see the world around us differently? In today’s show we are talking with the Rt Revd Nick Baines. Nick is Bishop of Leeds, and an expert in public engagement at the intersection of faith a...
What do the stories and laws of the Old Testament teach us about a God of justice? How does the incarnation of Jesus shape the way we see issues of justice and mercy today? How does the cross hold mercy and justice together? How can facing up to our own broken humanity help us imagine a world beyond judgement? And what do we do when we are confronted by injustice in the world around us? In today's show we are talking to the Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley. Isabelle is currently the Secretary for Ecumeni...
What is loneliness and how does the Bible, and particularly the Old Testament, talk about it? How does the Old Testament's description connect with what we've learned about loneliness in the last 20 years? Why does God care about lonely humans and what does God do about it? How can Christians learn to live well with loneliness, and how can we be good friends in a world where people are lonely? In today’s show we are talking to Elizabeth Hare. Lizzie is a pastoral tutor lecturer in the Old Testam...
What are the different voices in Scripture across the Old and New Testaments on war and conflict? How can a war ever be just? And why does the Just War tradition still matter today? How does the story of Anglicans living in a time of war provide a cautionary tale for the Church in todays world? How has the relative peace in Europe since World War II led to a functional pacifism in many churches? And how does the current conflict in Ukraine challenge that view? In today’s show we are talking to C...
What does it mean to be a theologian, and how does it relate to the everyday faith of the Church? What is a wise theological response to the problem of evil? How can we approach suffering without denying it on the one hand, or sacralising it on the other? How might Julian of Norwich help us hold together our unanswered questions with hope for God's unimaginable future? What's wrong with thinking of the doctrine of the Trinity as a tool for solving practical problems, and what then is the doctrin...
What does it mean to approach theology ‘feet-first’? Why should churches in the UK and the West more generally engage with global theologies, and what might they learn in the process? What are some ways in which the history of Christian mission is being complexified and re-storied? For instance, how have Dalit Christians been missionaries to the missionaries? And finally, how can learning about different contexts in the global church help reinvigorate the ways we work together for justice and pe...
