Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times
82 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 24 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 103 ratings(Formerly In Faith & Doubt)Dr. AJ Swoboda and Dr. Nijay Gupta are co-hosts of Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times. Topics include Scripture, theology, and anything and everything under the sun that gives life meaning.
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Episodes
ST44: The Gift of Thorns (Nijay Interviews AJ)
April 25, 2024 04:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBAJ has written an important new book called THE GIFT OF THORNS. Nijay and AJ discuss why AJ wrote this, a bit of his own story, and how unfulfilled wants can lead us into deeper spiritual life with Christ. This is a raw and vulnerable conversation. (WARNING: adult content is briefly discussed) Support the Show.
ST43: Praying "Deliver Us from Evil" (Slow Prayer)
April 16, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBAJ and Nijay finish out their series on the Lord's Prayer and how to process the prayer Jesus taught us and learn how to pray slowly and authentically before God. Can we (smarty-pants moderns) really believe in evil? Should we fear evil? What does deliverance/rescue look like? Listen in—and please give Slow Theology and rating on your preferred listening app. Support the show
ST42: Praying "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" (Slow Prayer)
March 25, 2024 13:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBAJ and Nijay continue their series on prayer. They get into theological questions like "what is temptation?" and "Does God influence temptation, if so why?" But they also talk about how this prayer shapes our Christian lives. Support the Show.
ST41: Praying "Forgive Us" (Slow Prayer)
March 12, 2024 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAJ and Nijay continue to journey slowly through the Lord's Prayer. They reckon with the challenge of forgiving one another, and how important this is as a spiritual practice and an act of trust in God. Support the Show.
ST40: Praying "Give Us Daily Bread" (Slow Prayer)
February 28, 2024 15:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBAJ and Nijay continue with their Slow Prayer series focusing on the Lord's Prayer. How does it shape our prayer life to pray "Give us this day our daily bread"? Support the Show.
ST39: Praying "Your Kingdom Come" (Slow Prayer)
February 20, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBAJ and Nijay continue the "Slow Prayer" series, journeying through the Lord's Prayer line by line. In this ep. they discuss the "cry for the kingdom" (as theologian Stanley Grenz puts it). Support the show
ST39: Praying "Your Kingdom Come"
February 20, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBAJ and Nijay continue the "Slow Prayer" series, journeying through the Lord's Prayer line by line. In this ep. they discuss the "cry for the kingdom" (as theologian Stanley Grenz puts it). Slow Theology recommends: The Holy Curiosity Podcast with Kat Armstrong Support the show
ST38: Praying "Our Father in Heaven..." (Slow Prayer)
February 14, 2024 13:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBWhy does it matter how we address God? Why "Our Father"? What does it mean that He lives "in Heaven?" And what does it mean to "hallow" God's Name? AJ and Nijay discuss the beginning of the prayer Jesus gave us. (Remember, you don't pray alone, you pray with Jesus) Support the Show.
Praying "Our Father in Heaven..."
February 14, 2024 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBWhy does it matter how we address God? Why "Our Father"? What does it mean that He lives "in Heaven?" And what does it mean to "hallow" God's Name? AJ and Nijay discuss the beginning of the prayer Jesus gave us. (Remember, you don't pray alone, you pray with Jesus) Slow Theology recommends: The Holy Curiosity Podcast with Kat Armstrong Support the show
ST38: Praying "Our Father in Heaven..."
February 14, 2024 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBWhy does it matter how we address God? Why "Our Father"? What does it mean that He lives "in Heaven?" And what does it mean to "hallow" God's Name? AJ and Nijay discuss the beginning of the prayer Jesus gave us. (Remember, you don't pray alone, you pray with Jesus) Slow Theology recommends: The Holy Curiosity Podcast with Kat Armstrong Support the show
ST37: Slow Prayer (Introducing a Lord's Prayer Series)
February 06, 2024 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBNijay and AJ are kicking off a multi-episode series about prayer, with a focus on the Lord's Prayer. Join them for this introductory episode where they chat about why this short prayer from Jesus has been so important in the history of the Church—and how it can shape our spiritual lives today. Support the Show.
ST36: Walking with a Spouse through their Deconstruction
January 30, 2024 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBWhat happens when your spouse (or close relative/friend) is going through deconstruction and you aren't? It can be a jarring and disheartening experience, and it comes with lots of possible and normal emotions like anger, fear, sadness, compassion, or uncertainty. AJ and Nijay process this together based on insights from Scripture and personal experiences. Support the Show.
ST35: What Children Can Teach Us About Theology and Faith
January 18, 2024 04:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBAJ and Nijay dialogue about an important question: How would our faith be transformed if we learned with and from children? Too often children are hidden in the church, treated as distractions or underformed community members. But maybe we adults have something to learn FROM children. Listen in to this important conversation. Support the show
ST34: End of Year '23 Episode: Book Recommendations & More! (Podcast Short)
December 28, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.8 MBAJ and Nijay wish everyone a happy new year! This Podcast Short is a brief chat about their favorite reads of the year, but also that it is okay not to read everything and sometimes its the best thing to kick back and listen to podcasts! AJ, Nijay, and Nick (our amazing audio editor!) are so thankful for our regular listeners and new listeners as well. More honest and engaging topics and discussions to come in 2024 - have a safe and joyous New Year celebration with friends and family. Sup...
ST33: The Christmas Episode!
December 21, 2023 15:00 - 23 minutes - 16.1 MBChristmas can be the best of times, but it can also be lonely, stressful, and exhausting. Nijay and AJ have some fun in this episode, but also talk about some of the hard stuff about the holidays too. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas! Support the show
ST32: Christian Life After Experiencing Spiritual Abuse (**Trigger Warning/Sensitive Topic**)
December 13, 2023 18:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBIn 2023, there have been a number of heartbreaking stories involving spiritual abuse in Christian environments, and too many lives have been harmfully affected by these men in power. AJ and Nijay broach this heavy subject thinking about the victims of spiritual abuse who want to go back to church or a Christian community, but are (rightfully) afraid, cynical, or hopeless. How can a "slow theology" approach and mindset offer some encouragement and direction? **Warning: while AJ and Nijay do n...
ST31: Why Are So Many People I Know Becoming Catholic? (BTW: We Love Catholics)
December 07, 2023 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBAJ and Nijay noticed a lot of former evangelicals becoming Catholic. BTW: AJ and Nijay admire and respect Catholics, but they discuss this phenomenon. What's going on? What's driving this trend? What is the hunger or felt need? Another way to put it: what can evangelicals learn from Catholics and other high church/liturgical traditions? Support the Show.
ST30: When Theology Leads Us Away From God
November 02, 2023 17:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBTheology is good, Nijay and AJ are both academics and affirm that their engagement with theological and biblical scholarship overall has strengthened and stretched their faith in healthy ways. But can critical theological study actually be a detriment to faith? What exactly is the problem? Nijay and AJ have a special conversation about what goes wrong when theology leads us away from God. Support the Show.
ST29: Distinguishing Theology Heresy from Theology Difference
October 24, 2023 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBHow do you know if a teaching you hear is heresy, or just a matter open to interpretation? And if you encounter heresy, should you do something about it? What? AJ and Nijay discuss. Support the Show.
ST28: Into the Heart of Romans (Interview with NT Wright)
September 29, 2023 14:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MB**special episode** This is the first guest we have ever had on Slow Theology, the one and only Prof. N.T. Wright, arguably the most influential biblical scholar in the last fifty years. He has a new book coming out (Into the Heart of Romans), and AJ and Nijay had the privilege of chatting with Wright about Romans, faith and doubt, and reading the Bible wisely and faithfully. Support the Show.
ST27: Processing Violence in the Bible
September 20, 2023 13:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBWhat do we do with violence in the Bible? Especially when it is commanded by God? Isn't the Bible about love and peace? AJ and Nijay reflect on one of the most pressing ethical questions related to the Bible. Support the Show.
ST26: A Spirituality of Singleness
September 12, 2023 14:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBAdult singles have sadly become a marginalized group in the American church, especially when marriage is viewed as the absolute ideal for all believers. AJ and Nijay process what Scripture really says about marriage and singleness and process a healthy spirituality of singleness. Support the Show.
ST25: Can You Lose Your Salvation?
September 06, 2023 12:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBAJ and Nijay discuss the common question from students and church folks: Can you lose your salvation? Support the Show.
ST24: Striving towards a Balanced Reading "Diet"
August 30, 2023 13:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBIn this short episode, AJ and Nijay discuss how to make sure you are reading and engaging with different kinds of material, and to what degree you let that material influence and affect you. Support the Show.
ST23: The Christian Practice of the Anointing of the Sick
August 22, 2023 02:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBAJ and Nijay continue their conversations about formative traditions of the church: baptism (ST21), communion (ST22), and anointing of the sick. The biblical tradition puts weight not only on the healing power of God, but also the caregiving ministry of the church. Support the Show.
ST22: Why the Lord's Supper Matters
August 15, 2023 20:00 - 30 minutes - 20.6 MBProtestants emphasize two sacraments—baptism (see ST21) and the Lord's Supper. Why is it important for Christians to gather together and share this special moment of food and drink? AJ and Nijay ruminate on this crucial practice. Support the Show.
ST21: Why Baptism Matters
August 07, 2023 16:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBAJ and Nijay talk about baptism in this episode - what it is, why it matters, and why we should take it seriously as a step of faith and commitment to God and God's family. Support the Show.
ST20: Is the Bible Enough? Rethinking Why We Read Scripture
June 06, 2023 23:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBAJ and Nijay note how the Bible is actually a short book, especially the New Testament part. Is that all God wants to say to the world? Listen in as they talk about the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. There might actually be a good reason why less is more! Support the Show.
ST19: Evangelism: What Is it and Do I Have To Do It?
June 03, 2023 02:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBAJ and Nijay chat about evangelism - we all loathe Bible tract pitches and canned gospel messages. Is there a way for evangelism to be more natural and less icky and intimidating? Join Slow Theology for an honest and optimistic conversation about sharing the good news today. Support the Show.
ST 18: The Good News of Heaven (A Tribute to Pastor Tim Keller)
May 19, 2023 19:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBOn Friday, May 19, 2023, esteemed Christian pastor, thinker, and writer Timothy J. Keller passed away. Nijay and AJ had already planned to talk about the importance of heaven in the Bible and Christian theology—this news about Keller offered an opportunity to remember and honor Keller as he went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen in on their conversation about why heaven matters, why it is good news, why it is not just clouds, harps, and fat baby angels—it is so much more. Support th...
ST17: Formation from the Depths: A Spirituality of Paul's Prison Letters
May 12, 2023 23:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBWhat can we learn from Paul's prison letters about knowing God and growing as a person in those dark moments and seasons? Nijay and AJ look for wisdom from the apostle in chains, St. Paul, as well as other heroes who put pen to paper behind bars. Support the Show.
ST16: What Do I Do with Mean Christians?
May 05, 2023 20:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBChristians can be mean, they can say hurtful things; they can cast aspersions from afar on social media and act like they are "fighting the good fight." For some of us, it's exhausting to look around and see Christians constantly at war with one another. AJ and Nijay are back again to process: what do we do with mean Christians? Support the Show.
ST15: Processing Hard Doctrines like Hell (Questions from Listeners)
May 02, 2023 18:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBAJ and Nijay talk through a great question from a perceptive listener - why would a loving God even create a place of eternal suffering like Hell? Slow Theology takes this opportunity to talk about how to process hard doctrines. Support the show
ST14: How to Know When Opposition is God's Will? (Questions from Listeners)
April 18, 2023 03:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBLet's say you decide to do something and you face pushback or opposition. How do you know it is a sign of God's will to stop (that you are wrong)? AJ and Nijay chat about suffering, persecution, hard consequences, and how to discern God's will. Support the Show.
ST13: Finding and Forming Churches of Character (Not Flash)
March 03, 2023 21:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBAJ and Nijay engage with a listener question: how do you identify and support a church that is genuine, character-focused, and humble in leadership and witness; and not something that is just flashy. Good question worth pondering, Slow Theology is the perfect place to process this. Support the show
ST12: What is the Goal of the Christian Life?
February 09, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBNijay and AJ go back to basics - what is the goal of the Christian life? Support the Show.
ST11: Valuing Our Theological Enemies
February 01, 2023 16:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBAJ and Nijay talk about the importance of listening to, reading, and even valuing our theological enemies. We will never agree on everything, there may be times and reasons to be strongly critical and pushback, but a healthy posture in general is "intellectual hospitality." It's not easy, but—"This is the way." Support the Show.
ST10: Slow Creed—I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body
January 05, 2023 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBIn this final episode in the series on the Apostles' Creed, AJ and Nijay chat about the final lines of the confession: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen." Why were these concepts so important to the early church? How do they form us and give us hope and direction today? Support the Show.
ST9: Slow Creed—I Believe in the Church
December 23, 2022 21:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBPerhaps the most challenging part of the Creed today is the confession: "I believe in the Church." AJ and Nijay talk about the difficulties of "confessing" the Church, but also the hope that God has invested in this flawed, but holy institution. Can the Church become the beautiful community that it was always meant to be? Support the Show.
ST8: Slow Creed—I Believe in the Holy Spirit
December 15, 2022 04:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBContinuing the Slow Creed series, AJ and Nijay talk about the Holy Spirit. Why affirm belief in the Spirit? Why is this central to Christian faith, formation, and life? Support the Show.
ST7: Slow Creed—I Believe in Jesus Christ (Atonement)
December 06, 2022 18:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBIn this ep. Nijay and AJ continue in their conversations about the Apostles' Creed. Having already discussed the incarnation in the last ep, they address the death of Christ and how Christians have thought about "atonement" and salvation throughout the years. Support the Show.
ST6: Slow Creed—I Believe in Jesus Christ (Incarnation)
November 01, 2022 20:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MBAJ and Nijay continue to process the Apostles' Creed slowly; this time they talk about what it means to believe in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Support the Show.
ST5: Slow Creed—I Believe in God
October 15, 2022 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAJ and Nijay continue their series on "Slow Creed," in this episode talking about "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth." Support the Show.
ST4: Slow Creed (Introduction) I Believe...
October 11, 2022 20:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBNijay and AJ kick off a new series called SLOW CREED, looking at how to build a healthy relationship with Jesus based on the ancient Christian creeds that invited conviction, consensus, and community. In this first episode they ask, Why does it matter that "I believe..." Support the Show.
ST3: The Gift of Rejection
October 05, 2022 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBAJ and Nijay continue to process "slow theology" by considering how rejection helps us learn and grow. Support the Show.
ST2: Blessed and Cursed by Christian Heroes
September 27, 2022 20:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBInspired by Katelyn Beaty's new book, Celebrities for Jesus, AJ and Nijay reflect on whether or not to have Christian heroes, and if you have them, how to choose them wisely and carefully. Support the Show.
ST1: Introduction to SLOW THEOLOGY
September 26, 2022 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.1 MBFriends, AJ and Nijay have an exciting update. We are transitioning the podcast into a new era with a new title: Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times. The podcast will still talk about the messy of real life, but we will broaden topics to cover how to build a healthy faith in community. Same hosts, same content with more, and we have a new planning schedule that will mean more consistent content on a weekly basis. Thanks for continuing on the journey with us! Support the Show.
ST1: Introduction to SLOW THEOLOGY
September 26, 2022 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.1 MBFriends, AJ and Nijay have an exciting update. We are transitioning the podcast into a new era with a new title: Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times. The podcast will still talk about the messy of real life, but we will broaden topics to cover how to build a healthy faith in community. Same hosts, same content with more, and we have a new planning schedule that will mean more consistent content on a weekly basis. Thanks for continuing on the journey with us!
S6E4: It Takes a Community to Deconstruct Well
May 09, 2022 18:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBNijay and AJ discuss how deconstruction can sometimes happen with a person in isolation and it is easy for their faith to disintegrate. Deconstruction can sometimes be healthy and lead to a stronger faith in the end, but often this requires a community journeying with that person and supporting them. Support the Show.
S6E3: UnScripted: Raw Conversations about Faith and Doubt
April 26, 2022 23:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBNijay and AJ have an "unscripted" and unplanned conversation. They ask each other: What are you wrestling with in your faith right now? What tough issues keep you up at night? They get into lots of real life issues like raising kids, facing your own past, faith's "growing pains"—and aliens and Bigfoot are mentioned along the way. Support the Show.