Pub Theology Live

Pub Theology founder and host Bryan Berghoef joins Ogun and the returning Rev. Shannon Meacham to discuss his run for congress and the importance of pub theology discussions. Also, a look forward of what the next year of the podcast will look like.

Bryan is joined by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis at this year's Wild Goose Festival for a conversation about how to reclaim Christianity and seek a movement of love. Tune in for this engaging conversation recorded in front of a live audience in Hot Springs, North Carolina!

Layton Williams joins us for lament, laughter and reflections on the seeming impossibility of the death of Rachel Held Evans.

We talk favorite television shows, the ability of film to portray the depths of the human experience as well as spiritual themes, and whether the quality of television is improving or becoming worse. Plus: when does fandom become idolatry? Layton Williams joins us to discuss!

We talk about Holy Week: what is the significance of Jesus entering Jerusalem as he did? Of his actions at the temple? Why did Jesus die and why has this event been so central to the heart of the world’s largest religion?

What would you do for a million dollars? What was Judas' motivation for selling out Jesus? We discuss money, trust, betrayal and more! Tune in for some conversation on life and faith, over a craft-brewed pint!

What role does humor play in a worship service, if any? We discuss our take, share some laughs, and discuss the fine line between serious and playful, and how laughter can make our lives better.

We talk "Holy Envy"—how we can not only learn from other faith traditions and people of no faith, but appreciate, admire, and even envy some of the beautiful traditions and practices they espouse. Also, Bryan threatens to leap off tall buildings in a single bound.

We talk about what happened in New Zealand and the intersection of Islamophobia, guns, fear, and white supremacy. We also discuss finding common ground across religious traditions, and how Christians and people of other faiths can support Muslims around the world.

Is signing the Bible appropriate? Why or why not? What makes the Bible different from other books, if anything? And if even the devil quotes the Bible, what value does quoting the Bible hold? Tune in to all this and more on Episode 123!

We discuss Lent, and how it kicks off with a gluttonous celebration right before launching into a sobering reminder of our mortality. We get into the beauty and opportunity that the season of Lent provides.

Today we'll talk about feminine aspects of God: where and how are they present in scripture, and why are they so often hidden? We'll also talk about the divine feminine as a consciousness or energy found within human beings. We're joined by Patricia Reilly, who has been inspiring women for over 25 years. Her iconic books, poems, and trainings have traveled around the world.

On this episode we talk about sex: what messages did you receive about sex as you were growing up? How was sex talked about in your family, by adults around you, in your church? Why do churches tend to elevate 'sexual sin' above other kinds of sins? Is the term 'sexual sin' outdated? How can we do better as humans and especially in the church on this powerful yet often avoided topic of sex?
 Carissa Buursma joins us to discuss!

Have you ever been told, "Don't think about it too hard, just believe!" Does belief require turning off our brains? Does knowledge come by faith, or vice versa? Jason Chesnut joins us to discuss the tension between faith, belief and knowledge on this week's episode. Tune in!

Today we talk about the Polar Vortex: is it fair to say human sin is partly to blame? Are human actions precipitating the increasing number of severe weather events happening around the globe? If so, what is the antidote? Is this a spiritual pursuit? How are churches and other faith communities addressing this issue? We're joined by Derrick Weston to discuss!

What do our dreams have to tell us? Is it our unconscious letting us know something we are unaware of? Are dreams merely random neural firings? Do they foretell anything? We'll share some of our own dreams and nightmares, as well as discuss the role of dreams in the Bible, and whether or not God still speaks through dreams. Tune in!

We discuss some of the words of Martin Luther King Jr and how they apply today. We ask whether we've learned the lessons he was trying to teach us. We also delve into the recent situation involving Catholic school kids wearing MAGA hats engaging a Native American. Were we too quick to rush to judgment? Was it correct to be outraged? Where is the instant outrage cycle taking us? We discuss!

We talk social media: how has it impacted the way we live, relationships, communication, etc. When does social media usage become an addiction, and if you step away, do you suffer from a fear of missing out? We discuss!

Why are humans so susceptible to addictions? Are churches or religious institutions helpful in guiding people to find a healthy way to manage or be freed from addictions? Is there such a thing as a "positive addiction"? We discuss!

It's our Christmas episode! We discuss our favorite Christmas movies, traditions and more, plus what does it mean to say that God became human? We wrestle with the notion of incarnation, and also whether or not it is appropriate for pastors to ruin Christmas.