Christology – The Two Cities

The Divine Heartset in Philippians with Dr. Crispin Fletcher-Louis (Podcast)

Sep 4, 2024

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Crispin Fletcher-Louis, who is a Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire and the author of the book that we’re discussing in this episode, The Divine Heartset: Paul’s Philippians Christ Hymn, Metaphysical Affections, and Civic Virtues (published by Cascade). Over the course of our conversation, we talk about Dr. Fletcher-Louis’s massive volume on the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2, in which he makes several fascinating exegetical decisions rooted in...

Ecological Trauma with Dr. Tim Middleton (Podcast)

Feb 14, 2024

Dr. Tim Middleton is Tutorial Fellow in Theology & Director of the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College at Oxford University. In this episode, we talk about ecological trauma—the trauma experienced by the earth and as a result of climate change and other ecological conditions. Dr. Middleton explains how his work intersects with trauma theologies and brings Christology into the conversation. Team members on the episode from The Two Cities include: Dr. John...

Origins of New Testament Christology with Dr. Bryan Dyer (Podcast)

Sep 27, 2023

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Bryan Dyer, who is senior acquisitions editor at Baker Academic and the co-author with Stanley Porter of the book that we’re excited to discuss today—Origins of New Testament Christology: An Introduction to the Traditions and Titles Applied to Jesus (published with Baker Academic). Over the course of our conversation, we discuss where this book fits within broader scholarship of New Testament scholarship. In particular, Dr. Dyer notes how...

What Jesus Learned From Women with Dr. James F. McGrath (Podcast)

Oct 6, 2021

In this episode we’re talking about What Jesus Learned From Women with Dr. James F. McGrath, who is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University, the host of a podcast called ReligionProf, and the author of the book that we’re discussing here, What Jesus Learned From Women (published by Cascade). Dr. McGrath’s thesis is that there are many women in the Gospels who teach Jesus various things. Acknowledging that...

Minding God’s Narrative

Aug 31, 2020

Throughout this summer I’ve been noticing various social media posts that attempt to describe Jesus as transcending all nationalities and ethnicities. I’m guessing the point of these posts is that Jesus ought to be acknowledged as ‘above’ our current racial tensions. In these posts, Jesus is defined as a pan-global figure and therefore beyond any debatable skin color. Any emphasis on nationality and ethnicity ought to be removed because Jesus is to be interpreted as...

My New Article on Trinitarian Theology

Mar 5, 2019

My friend Matt Owen and I just published an article in Theologica called “The Son of God and Trinitarian Identity Statements.” I had an absolute blast co-writing this piece and if you’re interested in the doctrine of the Trinity, early Christology, and the interdisciplinary relationship between analytic and exegetical theology, you should check out our article here. Here is the abstract to the article: Classical Trinitarians claim that Jesus—the Son of God—is truly God and that...

Coming From Christ

Jul 25, 2018

I started a new job working as a high school humanities teacher for a public charter school the second week of July. As one of many new teachers coming into the charter school network, I have spent the last two weeks sitting through orientation lectures and training seminars. Between sessions on “Student Engagement” and “Discussion for Your Classroom” I’ve had the pleasure of meeting other new teachers. I’ve spent the last ten years of my...

Nestorius B.I.G.

May 9, 2018

I’ve recently watched a documentary show and some movies about the rise (and in some cases, the demise) of famous late 20th century CE hip-hop artists. Conflicts between American East-coast and West-coast artists and their supporters contributed in many ways to the popularity, but also to the controversy and eventual ruin of some rappers. For example, the ‘beef’ between West-coast rapper Tupac Shakur and East-coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. may have contributed to both of their...

Christ the Cornerstone of Christian Hope: Theological Reflections from 1 Peter 2:4-10

Apr 30, 2018

In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus warns his disciples that those who persecute him will likewise persecute those who believe in him (Jn. 15.20). The encouragement and consolation penned to the recipients of 1 Peter deem these prophetic words true. While the details of their adversity are unclear, 1 Peter addresses the Christian communities throughout Asia Minor suffering local abuse and revilement on account of Christ. The first few chapters of letter simply gush...

Review of Union with Christ in the New Testament by Grant Macaskill

Jun 14, 2014

Macaskill, Grant. Union with Christ in the New Testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. 308 pages + 45 pages bibliography and indices. Hardcover. Retail: £75.00 ISBN: 978-0199684298. Long a pillar of Eastern Orthodox theology, theosis has been generating increasing interest across denominational lines in recent years. In Union with Christ in the New Testament, Grant Macaskill (University of St Andrews) utilizes an exegetical, historical, and theological approach to offer significant biblical insights that have far-reaching...