Episode 86: The Theology of Why Wherein Them Pastors talk the simple question of why things happen, doing a rather deep dive into the book of Job.    Along the way, there is an episode of Heresy Corner (wherein the devil is robustly discussed), discussion on why even terrible NFL teams are better than great college teams, and some of the worst things you can say to someone who is suffering.    “I called the hospital and said “I don’t have $5000,’ and they immediately said “how about $200?”.”

Episode 85: The Theology The Unknown Wherein Them Pastors talk about the fear that comes from not knowing what’s going to happen.  There are tales  of COVID tests, tight rope walkers, and getting punched in the face.   Along the way, there is some deconstructing the phrase “close personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” why God’s love is like a Game Genie, and an episode of the podcast within the podcast - “Jay’s Hot Takes.”   “I’ve found as many birthday cakes as I have found monsters in my closet - which is exactly three.”

Episode 84: The Theology Going Up The Hill Wherein Them Pastors tell tales of going outside to find God by going up hills.  There is peril, Rottweilers, hot dogs drinking out of hats, giant boulders, and the beauty of the unplanned experience.   Along the way, there is talk of the best burger between Pittsburgh and DC,  flying across the country to combat sadness, and the bike boom of the pandemic.   “Just getting on a bike and saying ‘I don’t know what’s going to happen’ is really fun.”

Episode 83: The Theology of The Best Laid Plans Wherein Them Pastors return from a months long hiatus to talk about false starts, unintended paths, and how we can make the most of them.   Along the way, there is talk of what they’ve been up to - Tyler’s new found adoration of Taylor Swift, the tale of J’s job opportunity that never materialized, and the long awaited return of their beloved house elf, Bartleby.   “#StickItToScooter”

Episode 82: The Theology of Tattoos Wherein Them Pastors are joined by tattooer Stacy Fevinger to talk about the art and meaning behind tattooing and the connection and intimacy that’s involved in the process.  Along the way, there’s talk of the B-52’s being the right kind of weird, the best two film versions of Beauty and the Beast, and grandmothers that cheat at cards.   Originally recorded using wax cylinders and period technology from the Edison Laboratory in New Jersey, this episode was thought to be lost to the ether due to a corrupted file, but was reconstructed with great care by Bartleby the House Elf over the course of several months.  Please excuse the audio quality.  Bartleby did his best.   “Don’t let anyone lie to you - every tattoo hurts.”

Episode 81: The Theology of Sad Songs Wherein Them Pastors are kick off Season 3 of the podcast with a long gestating episode about sad songs (and why they are so good).  Along the way, there’s talk about personal tragedy, record buying as a coping strategy, the healing that singing a song together can do when nothing else makes sense, why it’s okay to be sad, and why “Hey Ya” is one of the saddest songs ever written.   Also worth noting (per our fact checking House Elf Bartleby) virtually every date Tyler cites in this episode is wrong - e.g. Automatic for the People was actually released in 1991, etc. - so take note of that oversight.   “Get your eyeliner ready - it’s about to run on this one.”

Episode 80: The Theology of How The Sausage Gets Made Wherein Them Pastors are joined by Dr. Carl Anderson once again to talk about that age old question - What do pastors DO all day?  The trio talk about the process of writing and preparing a sermon, some different approaches to longer themes they are trying draw out, and the hope for how the congregation will respond.  Along the way, there’s some Tom Hanks movie talk, J’s disdain for the word “pedigree,” and Tyler’s recurring issue with pastors who cry on cue.   “Jesus says ‘Shut up, you idiot.’ - that’s a paraphrase.”

Episode 79: The Theology of Lenten Practice Wherein Them Pastors ruminate on the season we are entering into, what it means to practice, and why we are even doing it.  Along the way, there’s talk of harrowing drives in the snow, skipping the Super Bowl, fancy boxes that watches come in, and why the church should never be the same after this.   “In Lent, we wear ties.”

Episode 78: The Theology of 2020 Wherein Them Pastors look back at the year that was, and particularly on the value in separating the good from the bad in a year that was more than what any of us expected.  Along the way there is talk of Tyler’s calendar hack, J’s love for a good pep talk, why Cancel Culture isn’t quite the answer, and how time in quarantine can yield its own hidden blessings.  There’s also some brief Wonder Woman 1984 reflections and Tyler’s TV comfort food that is the show Night Court.  We also begin #FalconWatch2021.   “Pampers Diapers wants you to know that ‘Black Lives Matter.’”

Episode 77: The Theology of Insurrection Wherein Them Pastors return to unpack the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol and the place (or lack thereof) for insurrection from the church.  Along the way, there is some important discussion about the Kool-Aid Man, J’s realization that his office is sound proof, potential time travel, questions about the 2nd Amendment, and visits by Creative Writing Tyler, Historian Tyler, and Devil’s Advocate Tyler.   “When you start to put clothes on the Kool Aid Man, it makes me question, ‘was he naked up to this point’??”