Theology Lab: Courage & Curiosity for Everyday Faith – Details, episodes & analysis

Here's the introduction episode, with some exciting teasers, from Theology Lab's Scripture and Tradition series. Episodes will come out at least every other week. This series is meant to help us think about how we approach the Bible, deal with challenges in Scripture reflect on questions like ethnicity, race, sexuality and gender, and more when it comes to reading the Bible and thinking theologically. The work of Theology Lab, an offering of Highrock church, is about furthering a more nuanced and curious faith. Check out more with Theology Lab at www.theologylab.org

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

Theology Lab's 2025/26 discussion series! Learn more/Register: Deliver Us From Evil: Faith In the Face of Human Suffering

https://www.highrock.org/theologylab/theology-lab-2025?mc_cid=aba046ddd1&mc_eid=30ec3d28f8

This year’s Theology Lab – Deliver Us From Evil – features Dominique Gilliard, Tim Mackie, Nicholas Kristof, Kaitlyn Scheiss, Russell Moore, Janette Ok, Willie Jennings, Munther Isaac, Miroslav Volf, Matthew Ichihashi Potts, Mary Speta, Drew Jackson, Brian McLaren, and Yi-An Huang! This free online series, open to individuals, groups and churches, reflects on Scripture, theological questions, and what faithful responses to suffering might look like.

The series runs live, is free, and is open to all individuals, groups, and churches.

Learn more about Theology Lab at www.theologylab.org

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

Welcome to a new season of Theology Lab: Critical Conversations - Conflict, Disagreement & Christ-centered Community. This series explores topics that tend to divide Christians, like abortion, LGBTQ+ and same-sex relationships and the church, politics and family dynamics. We have guests like Shane Claiborne, Stanley Hauerwas, Sally Gary, Kellie Carter Jackson and many more!

#theology #scripture #lgbtq #church

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

In this Theology Lab podcast, Notre Dame theologian David Cloutier introduces viewers to Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected Pope and head of the Roman Catholic church. Prof. Cloutier introduces us to Pope Leo XIV, the significance of his choice of name (Leo) and some things to expect in his papacy. The conversation also touches on his American roots and American politics. Whether you’re curious about Catholic social teaching, the history of Christian faith, or how theology and culture shape the Church’s mission today, this conversation offers rich insights.

Check out David's award winning book, The Vice of Luxury: https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/The-Vice-of-Luxury

👍 Subscribe for more podcasts on theology, church history, and Christian learning. #PopeLeo #PopeLeoXIV #CatholicSocialTeaching #ChristianFaith

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

This episode features Dean Dennis Edwards, New Testament Professor and dean of North Park Theological Seminary. In this final episode in Highrock's Black Theology course, Dennis speaks to the dynamic nature of Black faith and its endurance over time. He also addresses resistance to the idea of Black Lives Matter and shows how a focus on the particularity of Black lives leads us to greater concern for justice everywhere.

This episode is part of Highrock Church's Black Theology Class. Email theologylab@highrock.org to learn more. Here's a free discussion guide: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

If you (or your small group) use this resource, we'd love to know! Email Scott @ theologylab@highrock.org

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Check out a co-edited volume by Dr. Edwards, Do Black Lives Matter? here: https://www.revdrdre.com/do-black-lives-matter#:~:text=This%20volume%20is%20a%20collection,of%20Scripture%20to%20this%20resilience.

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#theology #BlackLivesMatter #BlackTheology #ChristianFaith #biblestudy

This theology related episode explores how Womanist theology emerges. It is part of Highrock's Black theology course, featuring Prof. M. Shawn Copeland. This episode dives deep into how faith, Scripture, and theology speak to the lived experiences of Black women, addressing themes of justice, liberation, and resilience. Rooted in Black theology and African American faith traditions, Womanist Theology centers the voices of Black women in the fight for equality within both the church and society. How does the Bible inform this movement? What role does Christian faith play in the pursuit of justice and wholeness? Perfect for those studying the Bible, African American theology, and Black women's faith, this video unpacks transformative theological perspectives. Subscribe for more on faith, theology, the Bible and justice.

This episode is part of Highrock Church's Black Theology Class. Email theologylab@highrock.org to learn more. Here's a free discussion guide: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

If you (or your small group) use this resource, we'd love to know! Email Scott @ theologylab@highrock.org

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#theology #womanism #BlackTheology #ChristianFaith #biblestudy

Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards (dean, North Park Seminary) teaches the faith underpinnings that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Edwards explores the spiritual roots of the movement, revealing the ways in which Black theology and faith informed the actions and decisions of its leaders. From the role of the Black Church to the intersection of faith and activism, Prof. Edwards sheds light on the crucial yet often-ignored theological underpinnings of this pivotal moment in American history. Deepen your understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and how faith played a key role in it.

This episode is part of Highrock Church's Black Theology Class. Email theologylab@highrock.org to learn more. Here's a free discussion guide: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

If you (or your small group) use this resource, we'd love to know! Email Scott @ theologylab@highrock.org

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#BlackTheology #CivilRightsMovement #ChristianFaith #FaithAndJustice #BibleStudy #theology

Catch this episode on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zli9ETZZLv4

Explore the foundations of Black theology in this insightful conversation with Professor Michelle Clifton. This episode unpacks the rich history, biblical roots, and social justice implications of Black theology, offering a powerful perspective on faith, Scripture, and the Black church. Perfect for those passionate about Christian faith, justice, theology, and the Bible, this introduction explores how Black theology engages with issues of oppression, liberation, and divine justice. How does faith empower marginalized communities? What does Scripture say about justice and equality? Join us as we examine these critical questions and more. If you're curious about theological learning, the role of the Black church, and the intersection of faith and justice, this video is for you. Don’t miss this chance to deepen your understanding of Black theology and its impact on Christian thought. The episode also connects Black Theology and parts of the Evangelical Covenant Church tradition.

Here's a link to the discussion guide for this Black Theology course: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

If you (or your small group) use this resource, we'd love to know! Email Scott @ theologylab@highrock.org

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#Blacktheology #liberationtheology #theology #faith

Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/6Ft8QRYoAT0

Prof. Aaron Griffith (Duke Divinity School) features in fourth class in Highrock's Black Theology course. Aaron's talk focuses on the troubling but important history of lynching in the United States. As part of the Black Theology class, Aaron sheds light on the connection between lynching history and the cross, a central symbol to the Christian faith. Aaron is drawing here from the work of the late Black theologian James Cone (The Cross and the Lynching Tree). The class brings attention to critical aspects of Black history in America.

Check out Aaron Griffith's award winning book on evangelicalism and the recent history/politics of punishment, God's Law and Order: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674238787

Here's a link to the discussion guide for this Black Theology course: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

If you (or your small group) use this resource, we'd love to know! Email Scott @ theologylab@highrock.org

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#Blacktheology #Blackhistory #theologydiscussion

YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/mQYxZQAql1Q

Black Spiritual Songs, by Prof. Tom Baskett (Berklee College of Music). What are the African American Spirituals (the Black Spirituals)? Where does what's often described as Gospel music come from? In this video Prof. Baskett introduces us to Black spiritual songs, which he describes as "the earliest Black theology." It is a devotionally and spiritually uplifting video on the Black spirituals (or African American spirituals) and the origins of Gospel music. And it is theologically rich. It can be used in classrooms, churches, and anywhere where folks want to understand the spiritual depths and the rich history of African American spirituals. There is also great content in this video on African American faith and the role of the Bible.

Link to the discussion guide for the Black Theology course is available here: https://live-highrock-network.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DiscussionGuideBlackTheology2022v2-1.pdf

Learn more about Highrock church at www.highrock.org

Learn more about Theology Lab highrock.org/theologylab

Podcast includes original music ("Imagination") written by Dean Payla, produced by PALA.

#BlackTheology #BlackSpirituals #Gospelmusic #Gospelsongs