Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday Faith

In this Theology Lab conversation, Tim Mackie of The BibleProject (the Bible Project) explores one of humanity's oldest questions: Where does evil come from? Drawing from Genesis 1–11, Tim Mackie unpacks the Bible's foundational stories of good, evil, sin, suffering, violence, and human nature, showing how these themes shape the entire biblical narrative and ultimately point to Jesus. The interivew looks at stories Adam and Eve, Genesis 1-3, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and then moving on in Genesus, Cain and Abel, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, tracing how human choices, disordered desires, and mistrust of God lead to the spread of violence and brokenness throughout the world. Tim also explains why the Bible presents goodness—not evil—as the most fundamental reality, and why evil is best understood as a distortion of God's good creation. This conversation explores key Christian theological ideas as well, including the problem of evil, freedom, biblical theology, wisdom, and the role Jesus plays in the vocation of humanity in the eyes of God. Theology Lab is about encouraging curiosity and courage for an everyday faith. The follow up episode will look at a topic related to our Beyond Simpe Answer series which focuses on pursuing a theological vision when simple answers aren't enough. Learn more about the BibleProject at: bibleproject.com Theology Lab's website is: theologylab.org #TimMackie #BibleProject #Genesis #ProblemOfEvil 00:00 Evil is a parasite 00:53 Why turn to the Bible? 5:40 How does Genesis 1-11 illuminate evil's origins? 14:55: C.S. Lewis: Evil is a parasite 21:40 Jesus and Paul

The thumbnail title of this episode is inspired by theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer's claim, only a suffering God can help. In this Q&A episode of Theology Lab's Beyond Simple Answers, Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee explore some of the deepest questions in Christian theology: Can protest be a faithful form of prayer? Why does it matter that Christ suffers with us? And can Christianity truly explain evil and suffering? Drawing from the Bible, the book of Job, the Psalms, liberation theology, process theology, and personal stories of grief and loss, this conversation wrestles honestly with the problem of evil, the goodness of God, and the meaning of suffering. The discussion explores whether lament, anger, and even protest toward God can be authentic expressions of faith. Kristin T. Lee reflects on protest prayer, grief, racial trauma, and the role of lament in Christian spirituality, drawing on authors like Cole Arthur Riley and Tasha Jun. Greg Fung discusses process theology, divine power, and why the presence of God in suffering raises difficult questions about evil and theodicy. Scott Rice explores what it means for Jesus Christ to suffer with humanity and what hope Christians can hold onto in the face of pain, death, injustice, and unanswered questions. This episode also dives into: The problem of evil and suffering Protest theology and liberation theology Faith and doubt Theodicy and God’s goodness Jesus’ suffering and the cross Prayer, lament, and grief Heaven, hell, forgiveness, and judgment Can Christians question God? Why suffering challenges faith If you’ve ever struggled with suffering, questioned God, or wondered whether Christianity has satisfying answers to evil, this conversation is for you. #Christianity #Theology #ProblemOfEvil #Jesus #Prayer #Theodicy #LiberationTheology #ProcessTheology #Bible #God #ChristianPodcastwww.theologylab.orghttps://colearthurriley.com/writing/project-one-64g3thttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63009311-tell-me-the-dream-again

What happens when a mother and son publicly wrestle with one of Christianity’s hardest questions? In this bonus episode of Theology Lab’s Beyond Simple Answers series, Scott Rice sits down with Vivian Su and Jasper Su for an honest conversation about God, suffering, faith, doubt, and the problem of evil. Vivian shares how trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness has sustained her through life’s hardest realities, while Jasper opens up about his struggle to reconcile an all-loving, all-powerful God with the suffering he sees in the world. Together, they explore: Why suffering exists Whether good must come through pain The emotional tension between trust and understanding The Book of Job and unanswered questions How family members can disagree deeply without losing love and respect This isn’t a debate. It’s a vulnerable, thoughtful conversation about faith, doubt, and what it means to wrestle honestly with God. Learn more about Theology Lab here: www.theologylab.org #TheologyLab #ProblemOfEvil #FaithAndDoubt #Christianity #Theology #Job #Suffering #FaithJourney

This episode explores the profound questions surrounding the problem of evil, God's goodness, and faith. Scott, Kristin and Greg share personal stories, theological insights, and the importance of engaging with difficult questions to deepen faith. This is the second episode in the series on creation, evil and suffering, and it takes an unexpectedly personal turn. The hosts get into theological questions about God's goodness and why the challenge of evil is so difficult, and yet why we continue to feel compelled to ask what belief in God's goodness can look like even when there is evidence and suffering in the world that would say otherwise. "Can I believe God is good despite the evidence?"👀 Key topicsThe problem of evil and sufferingTheological responses to evil and sufferingPersonal stories of faith and lossThe importance of questioning in faithThe role of Jesus and Christian principles in understanding evilLearn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.orgMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE

In this first episode of Beyond Simple Answers we explore the question, Why does God create a world where evil and suffering exist? Why answers to this question don't fully satisfy, and how can we continue to explore God, faith, evil, suffering in a theological vision (engaging the Bible and more) together?Explore the profound question of why God created the world, considering theological answers, human experiences of suffering, and the implications for faith and understanding. Join us as we unpack different perspectives and wrestle with the big questions of existence.Check out Kristin’s book, We Mend With Gold! Find a local bookseller: https://tinyurl.com/MendwithgoldLocal Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/MendWithGoldLearn more about Theology Lab at www.theologylab.orgCheck out Kristin's Insta page (bookstagram) through her handle, @ktlee.writesMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGEApproximate Chapter times:00:00 Introduction to Beyond Simple Answers01:50 Exploring the Question of Creation04:30 Responses to Creation: Insights from Followers06:55 Theological Perspectives on God's Glory10:45 Human Freedom and the Nature of Evil14:20 Unpacking the Complexity of Creation17:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

SEARCHING FOR A THEOLOGICAL VISION WHEN SIMPLE ANSWERS FALL SHORT.Interesting? This is what Theology Lab's new series, Beyond Simple Answers is about: Explorations on faith, the Bible, theology, for a faith that is looking beyond simple answers.In the inaugural episode of the podcast "Beyond Simple Answers," hosts Scott Rice, Greg Fung, and Kristin T. Lee introduce their mission to explore complex theological questions that often elude simple answers. The podcast aims to create a space for critical inquiry within a faith context, encouraging listeners to engage with their doubts and questions rather than suppress them. Each host shares their personal journeys, highlighting their diverse backgrounds in ministry, medicine, and technology, which inform their perspectives on faith and theology. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community in navigating these discussions, aiming to foster a supportive environment for exploring challenging topics.The hosts outline the podcast's unique approach, which combines a desire to believe with critical thinking, all while operating within a church context. They express their hope to work out a shared theological vision through open dialogue, inviting listeners to join them in this exploration. The episode concludes with a teaser for the first series, which will tackle the provocative question, "Why does God create a world with so much suffering?" This question serves as a springboard for deeper discussions about faith, salvation, and the nature of God, setting the stage for future episodes that promise to engage listeners in meaningful theological inquiry.Check out Kristin’s book, We Mend With Gold! Find a local bookseller: https://tinyurl.com/MendwithgoldLocal Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/MendWithGoldTakeawaysThis podcast seeks a theological vision when simple answers fall short.We want to encourage questions and doubts in a supportive community.Critical thinking and faith can coexist in meaningful ways.Theology Lab's website: www.theologylab.orgMusic Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGEChapters00:00 Beyond Simple Answers!00:49 Introduction to Beyond Simple Answers01:38 Meet the Hosts: Personal Journeys05:16 Goals and Unique Approach of the Podcast10:34 Teaser for the First Series: Why Did God Create a World with So Much Suffering?

⭐ In this Theology Lab interview, we’re joined by Dennis Edwards (North Park Seminary) and Lisa Bowens (Princeton Seminary), editors of Do Black Lives Matter?, for a thoughtful conversation at the intersection of Scripture, faith, and contemporary social movements. Together, we explore how the Bible has been read—and misread—in discussions surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, and what faithful interpretation looks like in moments of cultural tension and resistance. Edwards and Bowens reflect on the role of biblical theology in addressing injustice, the church’s public witness, and the growing pushback against efforts aimed at equity and inclusion in public life. This episode invites listeners to engage Scripture seriously, wrestle honestly with hard questions, and consider how Christian faith speaks into today’s contested cultural landscape. 📚 Check out the books mentioned in the episode: 📚 Do Black Lives Matter? https://wipfandstock.com/9781666705416/do-black-lives-matter/ 📚Might From the Margins: https://heraldpress.com/9781513806013/might-from-the-margins/ 📚 African American Readings of Paul: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802876768/african-american-readings-of-paul/ Music Copyright code: US9BWVXXM3PYATAZ Highrock Media License Number - uB6aGE

How should we think about dreams, visions and the Bible? The authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island walk us through this question and their fascinating book. This is a Theology Lab educational conversation with the authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation, Danny Zacharias and Chris Hoklotubbe. The video looks at how to read Scripture in light of an Indigenous - Native American, First Peoples - lens.👀 This is part 2, which looks at how to understand dreams, visions and connections between the Bible and land (through stories). Alongside an exploration of the Bible, how to understand dreams and visions in relationship to Scripture, this conversation begins with the question about understanding Creator's presence on Turtle Island before settlers arrived.If part 2 on dreams, visions, the Bible and more interests you, check out part 1 of the interview for more on key ideas that underlie reading the Bible on Turtle Island.➡️ Scott is joined in this interview his colleague, Pastor Robert Bloodworth.The interview includes licensed music (Artlist): Rephrase by Nadav Cohen.📚 Be sure to check out Danny and Chris's book here: https://www.ivpress.com/reading-the-bible-on-turtle-island?srsltid=AfmBOop_nrX-GkvgvW5hH3uvFvWZn8vaqde4-J0jUxBX9b1cY1CLXtlI ➡️YouTube: https://youtu.be/stgweHHxMf4Learn more about Theology Lab: www.theologylab.org

Recorded on January 16, 2024.This episode features Tim Mackie from the BibleProject. It explores questions of biblical interpretation, Scripture, faith and history, and, as the BibleProject emphasizes, how the Bible comes together to form a unified story.Highrock's Scripture & Tradition series looks at some of the basic tools that can help us understand the Bible. How can we view the Bible as simultaneously divine and human literature? If this question piques your interest, this episode may interest you! In this conversation, moderator Scott Rice is joined by Tim Mackie, co-founder of the Bible Project, for the second installment of the Scripture & Tradition Theology Lab series. This discussion looks at the BibleProject's Paradigm podcast series, exploring how the biblical authors intended the Bible to be read. For the folks at the BibleProject, the principles of the Paradigm help set up Bible readers for a life-long journey of coming to better understand the scriptures and how they can transform our faith and encourage a deeper love for God and others.https://bibleproject.com/podcast/series/paradigm/Learn more about Highrock's Theology Lab: highrock.org/theologylabfacebook: / highrocktheologylabContains licensed music from Artlist: rex banner, "brainstorm"