So If you walk for too long (about 2 hours for now), it seems like you sort of run out of things to listen to.I love a voice message from friends, it’s like going on a walk with your pal but then you can introvert when you want. Or toggle to something else— which keeps me stimulated.
Last year when I would walk long distances, I played jazz in the background and wrote a ROM COM fiction in my head. I still think about that book and maybe one day I’ll write it down. It’s about a woman whose husband cheats on her, they get divorced—her kids are older and on their own so she decides to pick up and move to New York. Her job is a dog walker who hangs out with old people and she accidentally falls in love with a filipino guy that lives there. I swear it’s funnier than it sounds—there’s an entire underwear scene that made laugh on the trail a lot(it’s less scandalous than you think). LOL. But I always say that one day I would write a fiction about things going the other way for me—reconciliation in marriage doesn’t always happen, but I have confidence I would have eventually been ok and then thrived. Of course you’re not here for this, you’re here for podcasts!
There are a couple podcasts I love. Some of you have suggested Bible Recap and while I love Tara’s ministry (I am being genuine!), she falls in a staunchly complementarian camp and so when she explains well-debated verses on women, it will be given to you in a way that places women in a hierarchy under men blatantly. It’s not for me in this season, but I respect her work.
A podcast I love is Holy Curiosity by Kat Armstrong. I mean, the whole 6 shows are theological rich and all about women in the Bible. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE your ears. So many false assumptions about several(read: most) females in the Bible, it’s insane. But if the scholarship is dominated by men, there will be lack of female perspective and even reading into things that aren’t there. Of course, Lynn Kohick is one of the guests, as is one of my seminary sisters, Cheryl Luke, and I hold them both in highest esteem.
Speaking of Lynn, who is the Distinguished professor of NT and Director of Houston Theological Seminary, she’s a smart chicken. She has a podcast which is probably the closest you’ll get to being in her lectures—insert drool emoji. This is in general, all about women in the Bible but what she says is not only scholarly, but also so gracious and exuding with God’s love. Get her in your ears!
I have enjoyed the BEMA podcast if you’re looking for more of an academic vibe where they get into nuanced themes and ideas but remain very orthodox with generous assumptions about complementarian or egalitarian camps. Very interesting and I use it as a companion to what I’m learning in my textbook and bible. If you wish you could go to Seminary, but don’t have the time, this is a great toe dip. This is 2 dudes, fyi. I sometimes tire of male dominated voices in this area but I find these guys pretty refreshing.
Of course, I do love listening to NT Wright, not because of his magical accent, but dannnnng this guy is so wise, meticulous in his studies, and it’s a joy to see someone so joyfully research, learn, and then regurgitate into simpler terms for those of us who are not a scholar. Really any topic is wonderful and you’ll learn a lot—I’ve been reading about his perspective on heaven and it’s changing my whole view on “going to heaven”. I will write a whole newsletter on this, don’t worry! ;)
Lastly, not religious, at least not yet— I’m listening to the 90 minute one-woman show “Accidentally Brave” by Maddie Corman on audible (It’s free, btw)— which is a true story that a woman turned into a broadway play about what it feels like to be on the receiving end of scandal. Her high profile husband was put in jail for child pornography charges(I know, OOF). So far it is super interesting and with all the scandal and fall out in our churches today, I think it is important to understand the people who had no part in the horrible, awful, abuse or wrong doing that get taken in the dark tunnel of scandal along with their (deserving) spouse. As someone on the receiving end publicly in my smaller community, I can’t imagine it on a national scale. Nonetheless, it is a truly agonizing process to have people speculate about you, as if you are fodder for consumption and gossip by proxy. Obviously a nuanced and complicated subject and I think this adds something to the conversation.
On recent scandal: it is important to hold both justice and some sort of nuanced understanding the the wrong doers are not above God’s redemption, though they are also not above the law or consequences. We hold this tension, uncomfortably. And while I tire of scandal in the church being exposed over and over, I am also thankful that God continues to bring everything to the light and that vengeance belongs to Him. This frees me to love the unlovable, the outcasts, and the worst of the worst while seeking justice for victims and advocacy for change inside rotten systems. When you look at where scandal thrives, it is mostly in these hierarchical power structures where men are left unchecked, women are not in the room when decisions are made— their voices and leadership are lacking, and the boys club then covers for one another, especially in sexual abuse. Please take a look at where scandal abounds in religious institutions— hierarchies where men are at the top and promise “ambivalence”. Acts 29(a more hip iteration of southern baptist, usually called “reformed baptist”), Baptist, right wing evangelicalism “Non denomination” spaces, Catholicism, and mormonism to name a few. Unfortunately, when half your congregation and half the face of God isn’t depicted at the table, the church suffers. Take your thumb off your women, and watch your church thrive.
That’s enough ruffling of feathers for now, ha! I hope these podcasts keep you busy and learning like they do for me.
Happy walking,
Jami
P.S. If you missed the lawn spray that helps with mosquitos, I am obsessed with this. It really does work!
But, if you get bit, the bug bit thing works magic!