In this first episode for 2024, we discuss a slightly different article: Matthew Wilcoxen's own ‘The Bible is not “like any other book”’: Katherine Sonderegger and the Bible as Vestigium Trinitatis' (IJST, September 2023). This was an article which discussed Sonderegger's recent Systematic Theology Vol. 2  and was presented at a Book Forum at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting 2023. It was followed by Sonderegger's own response to Matthew's article, as well as two other panellists:Kirsten Sanders "A Treasure hidden in a field: Katherine Sonderegger on Scripture"and Philip G. Ziegler "To Think and to Speak of the Living God: Katherine Sonderegger's Systematic Theology, Volume 2"

Back in 2003 the American theologian Robert W. Jenson (1930-2017) delivered the F.D. Maurice Lectures at King's College, London. Starting from the fact that 'Christ' is a title that is inextricable from Old Testament Jewish culture, and adopting Augustine's totus Christus formulation which sees Christ as somehow also identifiable with the ongoing life of the church, Jenson explores his chosen theme of "Christ As Culture". In three stimulating lectures which were subsequently published as articles in the International Journal of Systematic Theology, he argues for an understanding of the church as a culture in the specific modes of polity, art, and drama. Matthew and Matt explore these fascinating pieces together with friend of the pod John Shelton joining in Andrew's absence."Christ as Culture 1: Christ as Polity": https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1463-1652.00112"Christ as Culture 2: Christ as Art": https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2400.2004.00120.x"Christ as Culture 3: Christ as Drama": https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2400.2004.00129.x

This week, we discuss a significant article from the late John Webster (“Trinity and Creation”, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Vol 12, No. 1, January 2010) which is not a new article, but still incredibly noteworthy.Shownotes: 2009 Hayward Lectures

The whole gang is back, as we look at Michelle C. Sanchez’ 2019 article: “Reading tradition as pedagogy in Calvin and Augustine: the case of election” (Scottish Journal of Theology Vol 72. Issue 1 (Feb 2019) pg 20–45)In this article, Sanches argues that we should understand ‘Tradition’ not as opposed to scripture but as the ‘act of handing over’ sound doctrine rather than just the content of what is handed over (separate or different from the purview of the Biblical witness).

This week, Andrew and Matthew Mason discuss Alan Vincelette's recent article: "Why Aquinas should have held that one may intentionally tell a falsehood to an unjust aggressor" (Journal of Theological Studies, Vol 74, pt 1. April 2023)

After a slight hiatus, the boys are back to discuss Andrew Errington’s recent article: “Forgiveness and the Novelty of Christian Ethics” (Modern Theology Month, April 2023). Matthew Wilcoxen sits down to chat with Andrew about the article, and also about the process of writing academic articles whilst also engaged in pastoral ministry.

This week, we attempt to tackle Rowan Williams’ recent article ‘Negative Theology: Some Misunderstandings’ published in Modern Theology Month, March 2023. In this article, Williams discusses Apophatic theology through the lens of grammar, ecclesiology and art.

In this week's episode, we interview our first Guest; Dr. Ben Myers (Associate Professor at Alphacrucis University College) who has written the recent article: "Can God’s work in history be discerned? The ambiguities of providence in the poetry of John Milton" in Scottish Journal of Theology (January 2023).In this article, Myers explores the way that English Reformation thought (particularly through the poetry of John Milton) understood contemporary events to be the divine work and providence of God.

This week Andrew Errington & Matt Wilcoxen look at Ashley Cocksworth’s article "When Prayer Goes Wrong: A Negative Theology of Prayer" (Scottish Journal of Theology, Vol. 7, Issue 1), which critically examines the tendency to introduce the practice of prayer as the answer to everything. Cocksworth argues that we need also a thick account of how prayer goes wrong and can be used to sustain injustice. He suggests that Karl Barth’s theology, though itself susceptible to this criticism, has resources for such an account.

In Matt Wilcoxen’s absence, Andrew Errington & Matthew Mason explore John M. G. Barklay’s Does the Gospel Require Self-Sacrifice? Paul and the Reconfiguration of the Self, (Studies in Christian Ethics, Vol 36, Issue 1, February 2023) in which he challenges the notion that ‘exclusive altruism’ or total self-sacrifice is the lens through which we are to understand Christian ethics. He explores the various passages of Philippians which often are used toward seeing Christian love through this lens.