In this episode, I am joined by writer and director Todd Komarnicki to discuss his upcoming movie, Bonhoeffer. Komarnicki discusses the grueling yet rewarding process of adapting the complicated and meaningful life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer to the big screen. We delve into Todd's relationship with Bonhoeffer and how Dietrich's story, faith, and historical context create unique cinematic challenges when telling his story in film. In the conversation, Todd addresses the controversy surrounding the film and the legacy of Bonhoeffer, rejecting Metaxas' influence and insisting that Bonhoeffer's witness serves as a challenge to Christian nationalism then and now. Komarnicki shares his thoughts on the importance of integrity, his creative process, and the deeply personal connections that bring the film to life. I was proud I managed to get through the entire conversation without asking about the four main food groups at the North Pole:)

WATCH the conversation here on YouTube

Todd Komarnicki is a prolific writer and producer of film and television as well as an acclaimed novelist. He is the writer and director of the new film Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. Komarnicki's screenplays include Sully directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, which opened at #1 in the box office to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. He was also the producer of one of the most EPIC Christmas films, Elf starring Will Ferrell!

The film opens nationwide on November 22nd, and you can find tickets in your area here.

For those interested in the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I would love for you to check out our audio documentary on Bonhoeffer and his resistance to Nazi Germany. Over 8 episodes, it walks through Bonhoeffer's life and legacy with the wisdom of Bonhoeffer scholars across the globe. I created it with Dr. Jeffrey Pugh to introduce the historical Bonhoeffer to a broad audience, hoping to address some of the myths and misuses of his legacy rampant in popular culture. Suppose you want to go deeper into Bonhoeffer's theology. In that case, you can join the documentary's companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, to get access to extended interviews with renowned Bonhoeffer scholars, regular livestream QnA sessions, selected readings from Bonhoeffer, and an online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0, so join the online community and learn at your own pace.

Want to read some Bonhoeffer? We are giving away The Complete Works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (16 vols)!! You can enter the giveaway and score extra entries by sharing it with friends.

Want to learn about Bonhoeffer in Bonhoeffer's own house? Spend a week with me & Dr. Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Preston Hill and Sarey Concepcion for a conversation about psychological trauma and theology. Preston's academic work focuses on trauma theology, aiming to help people of faith understand and address trauma through a science-informed approach. The conversation delves into the importance of balancing the seriousness of trauma with the possibilities for hope and healing. Additionally, we discuss the launch of the Spiritual First Responders Project.

WATCH the conversation on YouTube here.

Dr. Preston Hill serves as Assistant Professor of Integrative Theology at Richmont Graduate University and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. ln 2021 he completed a Ph.D. in Theology at St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, having previously completed an MLitt degree in Analytic and Exegetical Theology from the Logos Institute at St Andrews. He has released his first coauthored book with Scott Harrower and Joshua Cockayne entitled Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Church (Cascade) and is releasing his first edited volume entitled Christ and Trauma: Theology East of Eden (Pickwick Publications). Dr. Hill is also ordained in the Anglican tradition and is a pre-licensed clinical pastoral therapist.

Spiritual First Responders Project: Spiritual thriving after a big faith change is possible! The Spiritual First Responders Project is a new resource for navigating faith change with evidence-backed processing groups led by licensed mental health professionals. They are looking for folks who have de-identified from religion but are still seeking a healthy community and some sort of healthy spiritual practice.

We know that globally, one out of every five people used to identify as religious and now no longer identify as religious. Half of those folks still have persisting spiritual desires and don't feel like those desires are being satisfied. There's no current social infrastructure to help them flourish how they want. If you aren't finding room for doubting, questioning, or exploring other parts of your own tradition and other traditions altogether, and you want a safe community to do so, consider joining the SFRP. The essential aim is to provide groups that are aimed to meet the unique needs of this population. So if you would benefit from a safe, anonymous group led by a licensed mental health professional, check it out.

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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Philosopher Dr. Aaron Simmons & ethicist Dr. Kevin Carnahan join me for a powerful and enlightening conversation. These two friends and scholars attempt to process the recent election results through the lens of philosophy, theology, and ethics. Addressing complex societal anxieties, they helped me delve into themes of burnout, cross-tribal dialogue, the reality of human suffering, and the necessity of compassion. Despite the challenging topics, the conversation maintains a hopeful tone, encouraging listeners to lead with empathy and resilience during turbulent times.

You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube here.

Dr. Simmons is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University. You can follow his Substack 'Philosophy in the Wild.'

Dr. Carnahan is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University, former editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, and president of The Niebuhr Society. You can follow him on Tic-Tok.

Previous Related Episodes with Kevin and Aaron

• Kevin Carnahan: Moral Clarity & the Uneasy Conscience
• The Courage to Be 15 w/ Elgin Fuller & Aaron Simmons
• Aaron Simmons: Camping with Kierkegaard
• Faith After Deconstruction
• Philosophy & the Experience of God
• Do I Have a Soul? & other cultural preferences in bold.
• Off-Road Religion & Pandemic Philosophizing

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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In this thought-provoking episode, I am joined by Dr. David Congdon to discuss his new book tackling the complex question of what defines a true Christian. The conversation delves into the historical and theological nuances of defining Christianity through various lenses such as doctrine, culture, and politics. Congdon critiques modern and orthodox notions of Christianity while proposing a new framework he calls 'polydoxy', informed by intellectual autonomy and religious self-determination. The discussion also explores how traditional ideas about orthodoxy and heterodoxy might evolve in a contemporary context, offering a fresh perspective on the ever-relevant debate about religious identity and authority.

WATCH the conversation here on YouTube

David Congdon is an author, speaker, and scholar working in the area of theology and culture. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he completed a B.A. in English at Wheaton College, acquired an M.Div. and Ph.D. in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, and have since worked in the publishing industry as an academic acquisitions editor.

In this episode, we discuss his new book Who Is a True Christian?: Contesting Religious Identity in American Culture. It is an intellectual history of the modern quest to define the “essence of Christianity,” a quest that both liberals and conservative traditionalists have participated in—the former wittingly and reflectively, and the latter often unwittingly and unreflectively. The book examines three versions of the conservative quest for the essence that have profoundly shaped contemporary American Christianity: the doctrinal quest for “historic Christianity,” the cultural quest for the Christian worldview, and the political quest for a global, persecuted, cisheteronormative identity. Having traced these developments historically, he argues that the root of the problem is the concept of orthodoxy itself, and suggests the transgressive concept of polydoxy as a constructive way forward for Christianity in a pluralistic society.

Previous Podcast Episodes with David

• Dialectical Theology
• Bultmann’s Mission of Demythologizing

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tripp sits down with returning guest Paul Capetz, a historical theologian and Methodist minister, to discuss his new compelling book on the Reformation's relationship to scripture. They delve into the evolution and the different trajectories of scriptural interpretation from Martin Luther and John Calvin, through modern theologians like Karl Barth and Rudolf Bultmann. Capetz shares personal anecdotes about his journey in the church and discusses the critical need for Protestantism to reorient itself around the gospel, while making space for modern questions and criticisms. This conversation navigates through historical theology, scripture's authority, and the vital challenge of reclaiming an authentically Protestant understanding of faith in today's context.

WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Paul E. Capetz is professor of historical theology emeritus at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and is currently minister at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of God: A Brief History and co-editor of James Gustafson’s Moral Discernment in the Christian Life. This episode centers on his recent book, Recovering Protestantism’s Original Insight.

Previous Episodes w/ Paul Capetz

• Recovering Protestantism’s Original Insight
• Existentialist Philosophy, Politics, & Theology
• Calvin’s 500th Birthday
• The Big Theological Throw Down with John Cobb & Paul Capetz

01:19 Discussing the New Book

03:26 Personal Journey and Early Influences

06:40 Challenges with Biblical Interpretation

19:44 Luther vs. Calvin on Scripture

29:21 Modern Protestantism and Its Contradictions

37:29 Historical Critical Methods and Modernity

39:05 Liberal Protestantism and the Reformation Heritage

40:18 Barth and Bultmann: Diverging Paths

47:24 Existential Interpretation and Demythologizing

51:27 Modernity, Faith, and the Existential Question

58:44 Challenges of Contemporary Christianity

01:04:38 The Future of Liberal Protestantism

01:15:47 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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So many of us have been challenged and shaped by the witness and work of Gustavo Gutiérrez, the Father of Liberation Theology. Few theologians have shaped theology in the 20th century and beyond as much as Gutiérrez, so I asked my friend Dr. Joerg Rieger to join me in reflecting on his life. Joerg is not just a fellow scholar of liberation but was blessed to work and interact with Gustavo personally. In our conversation, we introduce some of his most important theological contributions and let Joerg share some stories to give us a window into his powerful personality.

Learn more about Solidarity Circles here.

You can WATCH the video on YouTube

Joerg Rieger is Distinguished Professor of Theology and the Cal Turner Chancellor’s Chair of Wesleyan Studies. He is also the founding director of the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice. For more than two decades, he has worked to bring together theology and the struggles for justice and liberation that mark our age. His work addresses the relation of theology and public life, reflecting on the misuse of power in religion, politics, and economics. His main interest is in developments and movements that bring about change and in the positive contributions of religion and theology. His constructive work in theology draws on a wide range of historical and contemporary traditions, with a concern for manifestations of the divine in the pressures of everyday life.

Previous Podcasts with Joerg

• Theology in the Capitalocene
• Divine Justice & our Ultimate Concern
• the End of Religion & Business as Usual
• Joerg Rieger: Jesus vs Caesar 
• Different Gods, Different Religions?
• Wild Goose Theology Happy Hour with Joerg Rieger and Emilie Townes
• The Economy, Election, Ayn Rand-Ryan-Romney, Occupy, & More
• Occupy the Church! Rita Nakashima Brock, Joerg Rieger, & Christophe Ringer
• Economics, Theology, and Discipleship

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Go with me to Berlin to spend a week in Bonhoeffer's House!

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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In this episode, I am joined by Kester Brewin, my partner, for the first Process This series on Artificial Intelligence. Here we wrap-up our series of interviews as we delve into the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence on theology, ethics, law, and society. Reflecting on our conversations with interdisciplinary experts, we focus on the philosophical and ethical implications of AI, from Taylor Swift's stance on AI misuse to the potential dangers of deep fake technology on social media platforms. Topics include AI's challenges to human individuality, freedom, and personhood, illustrated by references to TikTok, historical events, and Weber's theory of disenchantment. The episode explores the balancing act between technological advancements and ethical considerations, highlighting both optimistic and pessimistic views on AI's role in problem-solving and its societal impact. Through examples from Tolkien, transhumanism, and educational practices, the discussion underscores the need for responsible regulation and the importance of community in navigating modern capitalism's whirlpool, ultimately pondering the true cost of technological progress on human dignity and autonomy.

Kester joined me, and the members of the Process This community as we recorded it live. If you want to hear the entire conversation, be invited to join future Process This live streams, and get an ad-free version of all the Homebrewed Christianity podcast episodes, then come join the community for as little as $6.70 per month. 

Kester Brewin is an author, speaker, 25-year veteran of the classroom, and now Head of Communications at the Institute for the Future of Work, a research charity exploring how AI impacts the UK labour market. His most recent book, God-Like: a 500-year History of AI, is not only a powerful telling of humanity’s ongoing relationship with technology and a reflection on the current questions surrounding AI, but it is also a powerful and compelling work of radical theology. 

Previous Episodes with Kester

• Artificial Intelligence & the Human Future
• Adult VBS with Walter Brueggemann, Kester Brewin, and Kristen Howerton
• Let Sleeping Gods Die w/ Kester Brewin
• Plundering Religion with Kester Brewin, Peter Rollins, & Barry Taylor #Mutiny
• Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Religion

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, I am joined by Logan Isaac, a veteran, theologian, and ethicist, to discuss the intricate relationship between the church and veterans. This conversation delves into the trauma and moral harm veterans bring into faith communities, the stereotypes faced by soldiers, and the responsibility of the church in addressing these issues. Logan shares his personal journey from artilleryman to conscientious objector, offering deep insights into the ethical complexities, the role of humility, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for veterans. Explore the narrative of spiritual and political empowerment, the impact of stereotypes, and the historical context of veterans' involvement in social movements. Don't miss this enriching dialogue, which also highlights some upcoming opportunities to connect at Theology Beer Camp aimed at fostering support and understanding for veterans and their families.

Logan Issac served six years in the Army as a forward observer assigned to the 82nd Airborne and 25th Infantry (Light) divisions. After a deployment to Iraq, he sought to lay down my weapons as a noncombatant but was discharged instead. Then he earned degrees in theology at Duke University (MTS, 2013) and the University of St Andrews (M.Litt, 2015). He is an author and editor with over 20 publications, including Reborn on the Fourth of July, awarded a Publishers Weekly Starred Review, and “Ponder Christian Soldiers,” named the Best Article Series of 2016 by the Evangelical Press Association.

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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This episode of The Rise of Bonhoeffer explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer's experiences after returning to Germany. Transformed by his time in New York City, he visits the theologian who first awakened the conscience of the German church to the rising totalitarian idolatry - Karl Barth. The episode tracks his burgeoning role in the German church struggle from his initial involvement in the ecumenical movement, his time as a youth minister to the working class of Berlin, and his entrance into the academic classroom. After Hitler is sworn in as Chancellor and the rapid Nazification of Germany begins, Bonhoeffer comes to see the deep discipleship needed to resist the spreading German Christian Faith Movement. As Germany falls deeper into chaos, Bonhoeffer navigates the shifting political landscape, establishing international connections that later prove crucial during his resistance against the Nazi regime.

Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here.

Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer's House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here.

Featured Scholars in the Episode include:

Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer's complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. 

Andrew Root is Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker: A Theological Vision for Discipleship and Life Together, Faith Formation in a Secular Age, The Pastor in a Secular Age, The Congregation in a Secular Age, Churches and the Crisis of Decline, The Church after Innovation, and The End of Youth Ministry? He is a frequent speaker and hosts the popular and influential When Church Stops Working podcast.

W. Travis McMaken, PhD, is the Butler Bible Endowed Professor of Religion and Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. He is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). McMaken’s writing engages primarily with 20th century theology (esp. Protestant theology, with specialization in Karl Barth, Helmut Gollwitzer, and T. F. Torrance) while working constructively on the subjects of sacramentology, ecclesiology, and political theology. Check out his recently edited book Karl Barth: Spiritual Writings.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

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I am thrilled about this episode in the ongoing Process This series on Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, my series co-host and author of God-Like: A 500-Year History of Artificial Intelligence in Myths, Machines, Monsters, Kester Brewin, is joined by Rachel Adams, the founder and CEO of the Global Center on AI Governance. They discuss her work in AI governance, particularly concerning Africa and the global south. Adams explains the need for AI policies that consider justice, sustainability, and cultural relevance, and highlights AI's unique challenges and opportunities on the African continent. She discusses the African Union's continental strategy on AI, disparities in technological advancement, and the risks AI poses to global inequality. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations and potential geopolitical impacts of AI, as well as Adams' upcoming book titled 'The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality.

Watch the conversation on YouTube

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our upcoming class - THE RISE OF BONHOEFFER, for a guided tour of Bonhoeffer's life and thought.

Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP.

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

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In this episode of The Rise of Bonhoeffer, we journey with Dietrich to New York City for a year as a Postdoctoral post at Union Theological Seminary. This school year in New York radically changed him, but the spark that lit his theological imagination was outside the classroom. When he arrived in NYC, he brought an overtly intellectual faith he had used to justify a nationalist and militaristic faith. Through his encounter with the Harlem Renaissance, Abyssinian Baptist Church, and a road trip through the South, along with power friendships with people like Frank Fisher and Jean Lasserre, his vision of just what a disciple was called to be was transformed. This German who came contemplating the possibility of killing for blood and soil came to see himself anew as a disciple of Jesus. Jesus called his followers to bear a cross and not build one, to love their enemies and not kill them, and to practice solidarity with the suffering and exploited and not race, creed, or nation. Bonhoeffer came to discover that Jesus can always be found in the face of the Other. Without his time in New York and these transformative experiences, we would never have the Bonhoeffer so many admire.

Follow the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here.

Want to learn more about Bonhoeffer? Join our open online companion class, The Rise of Bonhoeffer, and get access to full interviews from the Bonhoeffer scholars, participate in deep-dive sessions with Tripp and Jeff, unpack curated readings from Bonhoeffer, send in your questions, and join the online community of fellow Bonhoeffer learners. The class is donation-based, including 0. You can get more info here.

Featured Scholars in the Episode include:

Reggie L. Williams is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University. He is the author of “Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance,” which was selected as a Choice Outstanding Title in 2015 in the field of religion. The book focuses on Bonhoeffer’s exposure to Harlem Renaissance intellectuals and worship at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist during his time at Union Seminary in New York from 1930 to 1931.

Lori Brandt Hale, trained in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion, specializes in the life and legacy of German theologian and Nazi resister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and currently serves as the president of the International Bonhoeffer Society – English Language. She is the co-editor of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theology, and Political Resistance. She is also the co-author of Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians.

Stephen Haynes is the Albert Bruce Curry Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and Theologian-in-Residence at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. He is a Dietrich Bonhoeffer scholar and author or editor of over 14 books including The Bonhoeffer Phenomenon, The Bonhoeffer Legacy, and The Battle for Bonhoeffer: Debating Discipleship in the Age of Trump. In this book, Haynes examines “populist” readings of Bonhoeffer, including court evangelical Eric Metaxas’s book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.

Gary Dorrien is Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He is also the author of Anglican Identities: Logos Idealism, Imperial Whiteness, Commonweal Ecumenism, Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition, American Democratic Socialism and In a Post-Hegelian Spirit: Philosophical Theology as Idealistic Discontent. 

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity and Theology Nerd Throwdown podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 70,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

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