Currents in Religion

Are you applying to PhD programs in religion? Or thinking about it? This episode is for you.In this episode, Zen shares about the process for applying to Baylor's graduate program in religion. He speaks with current students, Lanie Walkup and Tyler Fulcher, and Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, a graduate faculty member. They discuss how to write a strong application and how to survive the process.The episode also includes a promo for "The End of Civility" by Ryan Andrew Newson, a new book from Baylor University Press. Learn more here.

Show SummaryIn this episode, I am joined by Michelle Knight, author of The Prophet’s Anthem: The Song of Deborah and Barak in the Narrative of Judges, which was recently published by Baylor University Press (link below). We talk about how the story of Deborah in Judges 4 relates to the song of Deborah in Judges 5, and how both function as a critical interpretive key to the whole narrative of Judges. We also talk a little about the way Deborah, as a judge, stands out among the others—as an exemplary leader in the history of Israel. Our GuestMichelle Knight is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She also serves as Senior Reviewer for the Historical Books for the New Living Translation. Find her book here: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481321594/the-prophets-anthem/Other Relevant EpisodesThe book of...Judges? with Julian Chike: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6oKFIaMTUGBmFW7kQWZ5bl?si=CzqDe3WzQ8WfpqhtnD04EwTrauma, Resilience, and the Psalms with Rebecca Poe Hays: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0B475O1XqN0hA0795xWCWL?si=gQ4idTWeQqCx9VRP9d316QClimate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place with Jerusha Neal: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79uXLCcysx7MHR4DpyIQUR?si=mN8wEoN2QQOe6czbVMMqdQ

In this episode, we feature the work of three scholars affiliated with the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable (BSIR). They discuss the collegial process of BSIR and their research on northern Baptist women and their missions. Our GuestsDr. Laine Scales is the guest host for this episode. Laine is a professor and the PhD program director in the Diane R. Garland School of Social Work here at Baylor. She is also a co-director of BSIR.Nadia Andrilenas is a PhD candidate in the Department of Religion in Historical Studies at Baylor University. Her research examines women’s experiences in Christianity, especially in East and Southeast Asia, and draws from World Christianity methodologies. Her dissertation will investigate how women and gender shaped early 20th century Vietnamese evangelicalism.Dr. Laura Rodgers Levens. Laura is the Associate Professor of Christian Mission and the Director of the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies Program at BSK Theological Seminary. She specializes in interdisciplinary courses that integrate multiple academic disciplines for practical theological inquiry and training. In addition to teaching, Laura has written for numerous publications, serves on various academic and ecclesial committees, and regularly guest preaches in local churches. Other Episodes Featuring BSIRJoão Chaves and Ronilso Pacheco: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5w8Py2063b3uYrRXBEaw9D?si=twyX2DkjS5icXL4sVCUlhgLaine Scales, David Goatley, and Brad Creed: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Ix2UztGrdZXAs5xspNfSs?si=TgdbDgq_RWqUR_T8hmCkJgJoão Chaves, Felipe Hinojosa, and Stephen Di Trolio: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Zg9lJjGr2sA581pfQosv5?si=tk9LFYZERRawusevrWFxtQLaine Scales and João Chaves: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qABw70AEevYv9OwXDtDMY?si=CDVwcFIGQ5S3X4kYHhBkjw

Was the Apostle Paul a Stoic? Mm, probably not. But some people in Corinth who Paul taught about Christ may have appropriated Stoicism, subordinating it to flesh out their understanding of their new faith. That is what Timothy Brookins joins us to talk about today.This Episode's GuestTimothy earned his PhD from Baylor University, working on First Corinthians, Stoic philosophy, and economics. He’s gone on to publish several books, including recently Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Corinthians (Eerdmans, 2024). Timothy taught at Houston Christian University for more than a decade before making a move to University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas. LinksRediscovering the Wisdom of the Corinthians: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802883230/rediscovering-the-wisdom-of-the-corinthians/Other Relevant EpisodesA Bigger Gospel with Beverly Gaventa: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0B1vRGZZRDIczqb87pR7vl?si=XOISyBiPSfWxTBI0yHH_FgMike Bird on Jesus among the Gods: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cNAJcGfBtf4QFVJTyqSXI?si=HBhS3gf9QnaT1qSNBuJlWQWomen in the New Testament with Susan Benton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zSCCtXkiPjolc1L7VfQ2o?si=qXAQkZv6TpyUj-Wwcqe-fw

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Zen speaks with Rachel Toombs about her Baylor University Press book, Good News Resounding, which is available to pre-order now. This book includes contributions from an wonderful group of scholars and artists, including works of academic prose, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art. It offers the reader glimpses of the beautiful world of theology and literature.But the book tells a story, a story about a scholarly life well lived. One that included not only careful reading and thinking, but careful mentoring. The book is a festschrift honoring the career of Ralph Wood, the Baylor University Emeritus Professor of Theology and Literature. In our conversation, Rachel reflects on her experience as one of Ralph’s students. It made me once again grateful for mentors in my own life—and led me to reflect on what it means to be both a good student and a good teacher.Guest BioRachel Toombs earned her PhD from Baylor University. She has written on Flannery O’Connor and Hebrew narrative and has a recently published book with Baker Academic called Reading the First Five Books: The Invitation of the Pentateuch’s Stories (https://bakeracademic.com/p/Reading-the-First-Five-Books-Rachel-Toombs/579875). Rachel has recently been called to serve as assistant professor of Old Testament at Church Divinity School of the Pacific.Related EpisodesNatalie Carnes on feminist theology and the arts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lJKY9SBaJBWZZuAurvGAm?si=bW5TRgafTVuEFDMzygomOgPicturing Ecclesiastes with Menachem Fisch and Debra Band: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6B0Z4z3RrEpzD6mNeXFwUj?si=R8yF8K8fQJ-4TRp-k-9V2QDisaster and Desire with Micheal O'Siadhail: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CMlCkpKw7PhIoSGQEsUKs?si=r5j9NeBuSySMRxKOkIHyHALinksGood News Resounding: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481322539/good-news-resounding/Reading the First Five Books: https://bakeracademic.com/p/Reading-the-First-Five-Books-Rachel-Toombs/579875

In this episode, Zen speaks with Melody Escobar about her new book Revelations of Divine Care (Baylor University Press: 2024). You can learn more about the book at this link: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481320559/revelations-of-divine-care/ Melody Escobar is a research associate with the Collaborative on Faith and Disability in the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities at Baylor University. Other Episodes You Might Like Autism and Worship with Léon von Ommen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RWXSNpgDHR4bd5UfMLiDj?si=OtB2a6X-RPWOkZ2K99M6kQ Inclusion, Justice, and Disability in the Church with Erin Raffety: https://open.spotify.com/episode/76ivqvdHBVoM0XBI32uGZw?si=s5lmHcSWT96tVIDpZ69wrg An Era of Soft Eugenics? with Devan Stahl: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ukJKPza94WEu0MVAPzv9P?si=Hg6XEPQvSc2E5JcmcvE51g

In this episode, Zen speaks with Leah Lomotey-Nakon, one of the newest faculty members in Baylor's Religion Department. Leah shares some of her story and discusses her research on religion and reproductive health. Learn more about Dr. Lomotey-Nakon here: https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/leah-lomotey-nakon-phd Other Episodes You Might Like An era of soft eugenics with Devan Stahl: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ukJKPza94WEu0MVAPzv9P?si=x2YRVkmdS5yT33Wtg0K0Fw Interdisciplining theology with Natalie Carnes, Devan Stahl, and others: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1F7vdM2k59iVygibvhWQq4?si=UwO76n1CTcqXNc0OjJBvjw Imagining motherhood with Amy Marga: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OgGe29lfyEzvrNGtpppBL?si=nWk_uaVTQIihzvwYLi9GBg

In this episode, Zen speaks with Sameer Yadav, one of Baylor's newest religion faculty. The son of Indian immigrants, Sameer was raised in a Hindu home in rural Idaho. His childhood experiences of religion are the beginning of Sameer's story of becoming a theologian. Hear more about his journey in this episode. Listen until the end to hear Sameer discuss whether mysticism has a place in Christian higher education today. Learn more about Sameer at his faculty page: https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/sameer-yadav-phd Other episodes you might like: Black Contemplative Preaching with E. Trey Clark: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Nf1w59GeWEtLstDRerk9t?si=LA-u_s9VQDmFq9XFFG8Reg Amy Carr and Christine Helmer on theology, ethics, and the church in conflict: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DXKtwkSWGOMhkLQKuMqUp?si=awXNtHr9RlK8jZlz-DkI7A Malcolm Foley on James Cone’s The Cross and the Lynching Tree: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BVgyMhmm49BhRWLh3HoYt?si=too2D28bSa2sRMHL5IN9Aw

In this episode, João Chaves joins as guest host, facilitating a conversation with guests Felipe Hinojosa and Stephen Di Trolio. They discuss Christian nationalism, the colonial history of Christian nationalism, and the impact histories of Christian nationalism have on the church today. This episode is a special collaboration with the Baptist Scholars International Roundtable. Learn more about the Roundtable here: https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/affiliated-programs/baptist-studies-center-research/baptist-scholars-international-roundtable-4Learn more about the guests at their respective academic pages:João Chaves: https://religion.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/joao-chaves-phdFelipe Hinojosa: https://history.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/person/felipe-hinojosaStephen Di Trolio: https://ptsem.edu/profiles/stephen-r-di-trolio/Other Episodes You Might Like:Studying Evangelicalism with Leslie Garrote: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61dadOXmU40hMxjljYYDfp?si=Kn_DELYsTRiZDq6p-q7OZgBaptists, Scholarship, and God's Kingdom with Laine Scales and João Chaves: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qABw70AEevYv9OwXDtDMY?si=rjZO682BRCyHK-hAPvFSNwHearing History with Mandy McMichael: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mg7ciIUc4RjPnWxqhhmGr?si=8k_zbv_pSH2aL6tHxVvcew

In this episode, guest host Natalie Carnes (Baylor University) speaks with Kutter Callaway (Fuller Theological Seminary) about the past, present, and future of theology and the arts. Other Currents Episodes You Might Like: Mikeal Parsons and Robin Jensen on early Christians and their arts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yQRLp1wcReeYgd5X8rdtL?si=HShgW_EqSECM-CAL-LzHfw Elise Edwards on architecture, theology, and ethics. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fvfwLeXZYKTMoNYpoeFjL?si=DC84TaWeSuazDU42MjoIKw Menachem Fisch and Debra Band on illuminating Ecclesiastes. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6B0Z4z3RrEpzD6mNeXFwUj?si=gIW0UhQfQX2sn0-xpUIixA Interdisciplining Theology: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1F7vdM2k59iVygibvhWQq4?si=luH0bOHsTMiRD_Wzssv3Yg Natalie Carnes on Feminist Theology and the Arts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lJKY9SBaJBWZZuAurvGAm?si=Gvqrcv9WQcOB9TtFu0Ci1A Links to books, initiatives, and grants mentioned: Natalie's new book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/attunement-9780197765623 Baylor Initiative in Christianity and the Arts: https://bica.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/ Illuminating Theological Inquiry Grant: https://ethics.web.baylor.edu/special-programs-and-projects/project-overview Measuring the Immeasurable Grant: https://templetonreligiontrust.org/explore/measuring-transcendence-irl/

In this episode, Dr. Bruce Longenecker joins to discuss Greco-Roman associations and how studying them helps us to read the New Testament. Bruce recently published an edited volume about Greco-Roman associations with Baylor Press. He’s currently teaching both a graduate and an undergraduate seminar on the topic. The study of associations is proving, more and more, to bear fruit for those interested in Christian origins and the interpretation of the New Testament. Baylor University Press Books on Associations: Associations in the Greco-Roman World: A Sourcebook edited by Richard S. Ascough, Philip A. Harland and John S. Kloppenborg (https://www.baylorpress.com/9781602583740/associations-in-the-greco-roman-world) Greco-Roman Associations, Deities, and Early Christianity edited by Bruce Longenecker (https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481315166/greco-roman-associations-deities-and-early-christianity/) Christ Groups and Associations: Foundational Essays edited by Richard S. Ascough (https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481318211/christ-groups-and-associations) Websites for Associations http://philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/ https://ancientassociations.ku.dk/CAPI/ https://gdrg.ugent.be/

In this episode, I speak with Thomas Gardner about Lyric Theology, his recent book that is out now with Baylor University Press.In the book, Thomas looks at four different artists—Czeslaw Milosz, Terence Malick, Marilynne Robinson, and Annie Dillard—as a way of exploring the doctrine of creation. Thomas practices patient, careful engagements with these artists, asking all along the way how their “lyric thinking” might enrich theological reflection. It’s a fascinating book and I think you’ll really enjoy our conversation.Thomas Gardner is Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English at Virginia Tech. He’s authored numerous books and collections of poetry, including another book with Baylor Press that puts the Gospel of John into conversation with poets.You Might Also Like These EpisodesMicheal O'Siadhail on his collection of poetry, Testament.Natalie Carnes on feminist theology and the arts.

In this episode, Zen speaks with Dr. Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar about her book Trafficking Hadassah (Taylor & Francis Group, 2021). This book explores the Book of Esther by employing Africana biblical criticism. We discuss her method and some of the ways it leads her to read Esther differently. Dr. Ericka Shawndricka Dunbar is Assistant Professor in the Religion Department at Baylor University. Her area of research focuses broadly on gender, ethnicity, violence, intersectional oppression, sexual(ized) abuse, colonialism, trauma, and diasporic studies. More specifically, she engages in intersectional analyses of sexualized, gender-based, and colonial oppression in the Hebrew Bible.