The Theology Pod
Theology is not just something we study in books or articles or debate in academic ivory towers. It is something we live, breathe, and practice in the messiness and creative chaos of our lives. Whether you are ordained clergy, a lay person like me discerning their calling to ministry, an artist seeking to understand the sacred in your work, or someone curious about how theology intersects the world around us, this podcast has got you.
Episodes
16 episodes
Rural Ministry: Scattered Flocks, Faithful Presence
Can the church still thrive in the bush?When James Wood's father declared, "The church has abandoned the bush," it became a call to action. Now, as parish priest in Warracknabeal, Victoria, James is proving that rural ministry isn...
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54:30
Breaking the Silence: A Theological Response to Gender Based Violence in Australia
In Australia, one woman is killed by a current or former partner every ten days. Half of all LGBTIQ people in relationships have experienced intimate partner violence. These aren't just statistics; they are our neighbours, our friends, people i...
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39:27
The Book of Books – 400 Years of the King James Bible
In 1611, forty-seven scholars completed a translation that would change the world. The King James Bible shaped Shakespeare's language, fueled democratic revolutions, inspired abolitionists, and provided the vocabulary for both liberation and op...
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47:10
Sacred Silence and Guided Journeys: The Art and History of Christian Retreats
Need a break from the chaos? This episode is your retreat.For centuries, Christians have fled to deserts, monasteries, and quiet corners seeking God in the silence. But what actually happens on a retreat? And what transforms a wee...
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48:48
Theology at the Movies: Christmas Films Edition
Think Christmas movies are just snow, sentiment, and nostalgia? Think again. Join Alex and Michael as they unwrap the hidden theology in beloved holiday classics like It's a Wonderful Life, Joyeux Noel, A Christmas Carol
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37:11
Holy Fools and Sacred Laughter: Comedy in the Christian Tradition
Did you know the Bible contains toilet jokes? Or that medieval priests brought donkeys into cathedrals and had congregations bray instead of saying "Amen"?Join Alex and Michael for a hilarious and profound exploration of Christianity's s...
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42:03
Singing Theology: How Hymns Teach Us to Believe
Ever wondered why you can't remember last week's sermon, but "Amazing Grace" has been stuck in your head for decades? In this episode of The Theology Pod, hosts Alex and Michael dive into the hidden theological power of hymns – those songs that...
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48:41
The Theology of Abandoned Things: Corporate Promises and Biblical Outcasts
What happens when an artist becomes the analyst of their own work? In this episode, co-host Alex takes us inside her oil painting of an Australian payphone—examining it through the lens of Hagar's trauma narrative from Genesis. Together, Michae...
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1:00:42
"Babies and Bathwater" - A Conversation with Jamie Garner about religious purity culture.
"Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"—a phrase weaponised against anyone who dares to question harmful systems. International theatre-maker Jamie Garner transforms this warning into art with their play "Babies and Bathwater," which chro...
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1:18:57
Faith in the Classroom: The Ministry of Anglican School Chaplains
What makes being a school chaplain "even more exciting than being an Archbishop"? In this episode, Alex sits down with Reverend Andrew Stewart at Mentone Grammar School to explore the unique world of Anglican school chaplaincy. With 25 years of...
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42:43
Chris Bedding: Pirates, Politics, and Prophetic Ministry (Part 2)
In this compelling second part of our conversation with Father Chris Bedding, we dive deep into the intersection of faith, performance, and institutional power. Chris reveals how his award-winning comedy show Pirate Church - a work of "public t...
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40:31
Chris Bedding: Activism, Ministry and Australia's First Faith Workers Union. (Part 1)
In this compelling two-part conversation, hosts Michael and Alex sit down with Father Chris Bedding, an Anglican priest who has carved out a unique path at the intersection of ministry, activism, and social justice. Chris serves as Executive Of...
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44:33
Faith Under Fire: The Australian Martyrs of Papua New Guinea
During World War II, as Japanese forces occupied Papua New Guinea, missionaries and local Christian converts faced an impossible choice: flee to safety or remain faithful to their beliefs, knowing it could cost them everything. In this compelli...
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36:25
1700 Years of Nicaea: Why the Creed Still Matters (Part 2)
In this compelling second part of their exploration of the Nicene Creed, Father Michael and Dr. Alexandra Banks dive deeper into how this ancient statement of faith continues to shape Christian worship and identity today. Building on the histor...
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21:24
1700 Years of Nicaea: Why the Creed Still Matters (Part 1)
Episode Description: Every time congregations recite "We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth," they connect directly to a pivotal gathering from 325 CE that nearly split early Christianity. Join hosts Alex ...
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25:24