Queen of the Sciences

There is plenty puzzling about the doctrine of the resurrection, no matter which way you slice it. But it's extra puzzling if you prioritize the immortality of the soul over the resurrection of the body, and if you prioritize the resurrection of the body over the resurrection of the dead. In this episode Dad and I warmly invite Cappadocian father Gregory of Nyssa and his accomplished sister Macrina the Teacher to show us all the good impulses toward a doctrine of the resurrection, along with all the bad ways to defend it. Sometimes theology is best helped by bold mistakes! We're in our SEVENTH year! Show your support by becoming a Patron! 1. Gregory of Nyssa, On the Soul and Resurrection 2. You can pre-order my book, Forty Facets of the Ascension! 3. Related episodes: Gregory of Nazianzus, Perpetua and Felicitas, Heaven Hell and the Life to Come, The Resurrection

Sarah talks with the hosts of the Narrative Lectionary Podcast about the Book of Revelation, and especially the six lessons appointed for this year.

Most church services include preaching... but why? What should be the focus of a sermon? For that matter, what should not be the focus of a sermon? And is any genre more or less compatible with law-gospel preaching? Plus: Sarah shares the worst sermon she ever heard. And a few other doozies besides. We're in our SEVENTH year! Show your support by becoming a Patron! Notes: 1. Iowa Preachers Project 2. Related episodes: Law and Gospel Part 1, Law and Gospel Part 2, How to Hack the Law, Reflections on Tokyo Ministry 3. Luther, A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospel 4. Crossings Community template for law-gospel preaching 5. Augsburg Confession Article 5 5. Seven narrative sermons by Sarah 6. Hays, The Faith of Jesus Christ 7. Zahl, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience

Dad and I both moonlight on Enter the Bible to discuss whether faith is our work or God's work. Or maybe that's the wrong question...?

Luther's 1528 treatise is quite the diatribe against denials of Christ's bodily presence in the sacrament of his Supper. But it is also a deep exploration of the nature of meaning, what we mean when we speak, and above all what Christ means when he speaks. Plus, it'll set right anyone still misinformed enough to think that Lutherans teach "consubstantiation"! We're in our SEVENTH year! Show your support by becoming a Patron! Notes: 1. Related episodes: Holy Communion: Discipline, Holy Communion: Doctrine, Virtual Communion 2. Luther, Confession Concerning Christ's Supper, in Luther's Works 37 3. Uggla, Becoming Human Again: The Theological Life of Gustaf Wingren

Or, how God took a burned, unwilling, and fearful pastor, and turned her into a joyful one. With, of course, a few bumps along the way. In this episode Dad and I reflect together on my six and a half years of missionary ministry in the world's biggest megalopolis, and what the very specific circumstances of church life here can teach us about renewing the church in the U.S. and elsewhere. We're in our SEVENTH year! Show your support by becoming a Patron! Related episodes: Japanese Theologian Kazoh Kitamori, Holy Communion: Discipline, Virtual Communion, The Inhumanity of Lockdown Also, if you haven't ever signed up for my e-newsletter, Theology & a Recipe, now's a good time to do so! I have recommendations for Japan-related books, and some upcoming main issues on Japan-related themes.