I love podcasts (I’ve shared some of my favorite random fact podcasts before). There’s something so personal at getting to hear the voices of scholars, visionaries, leaders, and sometimes common people. And as a multitasker, podcasts can make a boring task–like doing laundry or the dishes–a lot more bearable.
So I’ve decided to “found” Podcast Seminary (with its own hashtag–#PodcastSeminary), a premiere collection of my favorite podcasts that shape me biblically, theologically, and spiritually in a variety of ways. The following are some possible “classes” to take in different categories. The last section includes some electives to help you develop a certain track, or just to supplement your studies.
Feel free to quibble with my set up. As the Registrar, I also invite you to pitch me more courses for inclusion.
UPDATED 11/02/2020
Biblical Studies
I’d require OnScript and probably The Biblical Mind for everyone and then make a student choose one or two of the other podcasts to round out their Biblical Studies credits.
- OnScript – Literally like the most amazing Biblical Studies podcast ever (and they do theology now, too). Super insightful with top scholars as both the interviewers and interviewees. Plus, it has some great humor.
- The Biblical Mind – Produced by the Center of Hebraic Thought, The Biblical Mind podcast lifts up the indigenous voices of Scripture and digs into the deep structures of the Bible. They engage art, philosophy, textual studies and more to get into the “Biblical mind.”
- The Bible for Normal People – Pete Enns and Jared Bias don’t shy from talking about the tough parts of the Bible and in fact stray far too progressively for many people. But I think it needs to be a part of the curriculum because of its challenges and questions.
- The Bible Project – There are some people who will live and die by The Bible Project. I’m not quite there, but I do think they provide helpful videos and this podcast adds interesting discussion.
- After Class – This podcast defies most categories, but I put it in the Biblical Studies category because mostly they deal with the Bible and Biblical Theology. It’s a provocative set-up: Professors of New Testament, Old Testament, and Theology all team-up. I wish real seminary classes had a line up like that.
Theology / Apologetics / Ethics
I do wish there were some more academically rigorous theology podcasts. But I am certainly not complaining that most theology podcasts are accessible to non-academic! Mere Fidelity strikes me as the most academically rigorous of the bunch, so I’d probably require that and maybe Theology in the Raw too.
- Theology in the Raw – Preston Sprinkle hosts a great show that deals with tough questions. He is especially interested in questions of theology and sexuality, so he has a lot of episodes on that.
- Mere Fidelity – This podcast produced by Mere Orthodoxy is an intriguing podcast introducing theology into matters of culture. I haven’t binged as much as I’d like, but I love the approach to what I’d call public theology.
- Greg Boyd: Apologies and Explanations [ReKnew] – Greg Boyd can be a controversial figure, but I think he offers a lot of compelling points about a Christocentric view of Scripture. He’s worth a listen.
- Defenders with William Lane Craig – There are tons of episodes on this podcast, dealing with essentially every area of theology, philosophy, and apologetics. There’s a lot of good here, even though I disagree with WLC on many points.
- Theology Shorts – This short course highlights several different aspects of theology. It especially brings in diverse voices I had never heard.
Ministry / Church Leadership
EST. Church and Church Leaders would be required, no doubt. Super solid podcasts.
- EST. Church – Though it features three baptist pastors, the practical advice and wisdom they offer are applicable to everyone. Honestly, I’ve learned more from this podcast about ministry than in any ministry class I’ve ever taken. I love this podcast.
- Church Leaders – This podcast interviews church leaders at the top of their game. Such great advice from a variety of voices.
- Help Me Teach the Bible – Nancy Guthrie and her guests discuss how to go about teaching various books, passages, and topics. I’d like to see more episodes on teaching tactics, but it offers a good survey of teaching the Bible.
Spiritual Formation
Many of the podcasts in the other areas touch on this, but there are few podcasts that primarily want to shape the spiritual lives of Christians (and do so in a “seminary-level” way).
- The Liturgists – I’m new to these guys, but they do occasionally offer some really insightful and deep stuff. They definitely fall on the more liberal side of things, but I think seminary students need their perspectives and challenges.
- The Fairly Spiritual Show – Pastor and writer Doug Bursch offers spiritual wisdom for the common Christian with discussions of life, God and Christian community. This is something so spiritually formative about Doug’s humble instruction. His words and life show that he really takes the words of Jesus seriously.
- Halfway There – Eric Nevins interviews Christians about their spiritual and theological journies. This show is really good for peeking into the “real world” beyond just theories of Christian living.
Theology and Culture
This is a seminary, so I’m assuming most people are going into some form of ministry. Understanding culture is imperative to be an effective minister (and for everyone else too).
- This Cultural Moment – John Mark Corner and Mark Sayers discuss culture and modern morality. I really appreciate the “cultural exegesis” here–this kind of thing should be required in every seminary.
- Food Trucks in Babylon – This is a fun podcast with fascinating guests. I especially like that it highlights theological work happening in Portland, OR–both the area I grew up and a prime example of a post-Christian city. Many of their topics might also fit in the “ministry” or even “spiritual formation” category as well–it’s insanely relevant.
- Truce Podcast – This podcast “uses journalistic tools to look inside the Christian church to explore how we got here and how we can do better.” It’s a bit of history, a bit of cultural engagement, and a bit of theological discussion. I love Truce becomes it provides the context for many of the contentions point in the so-called Culture War of today.
Electives
Podcast Seminary is a very flexible program. Here are some electives to take, which either don’t fit in other categories or are not quite at the level of being a “core” course. Side note: I really need a good church history podcast!
- Pastor Writer Podcast [Writing] – There are so many great tips on writing, especially from theological and pastoral angles. If you experience’s God’s call to write, but this on your degree plan.
- The Joy of Text [Ethics / Jewish Studies] – Okay. This podcast is actually from a Jewish perspective. But besides stuff about ritual washings and holidays, many of the values are incredibly valuable for a Christian audience. Plus, one of the hosts is a sex therapist so she brings science to bear on the conversation. Even as a Christian, it’s been so helpful in how I think about sex.
- Theosations [Theology and Culture] – John Anders and Payton Stone host a biweekly episode on a variety of topics. But I think it mostly falls in the “theology and culture” category because I get the most out of their perspective on current events.
- Preach [World Religions / World Spirituality] – While this NPR podcast is hosted by a Mormon and is not coming from any Christian perspective, the engagement with different spiritualities is very interesting. I think it belongs in the Seminary because this is the world we pastor in.
- Theology for the Rest of Us [Theology / Theology and Culture] – Each episode is a short answer to a question. It’s not “rigorous” enough to be deemed a core course, but there are some helpful things here.
- The New Testament Review [Biblical Studies] – Hosted by two Duke University Ph.D. candidates in New Testament, this podcast offers summaries of major works and ideas of scholarship. It’s not a replacement for in-depth stuff, but it’s a super helpful supplement.
- The Colossians Chronicle [Biblical Studies]- Initially, I had a hard time getting into this podcast (I’m not always a fan of random chatter at the beginning of podcasts). But host Philip Lowe actually has some really top-shelf guests to talk about the Apostle Paul–and it can be a really fun time too.
- Think Christian [Theology and Culture] – This podcast discusses movies and T.V. with a philosophical, theological, and Christian lens.
- The Kutter Calloway Podcast – Each season covers a different topic, from T.V. shows to marriage, but in every episode Kutter Calloway, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and his guest offer insightful and relevant comments. It brings theology to bear on “the real world”.
- The Moral Minority Show [Theology and Culture] – Two young Christian minorities, Joshua Luckett and Joel Sam, discuss faith, art, and politics. Conversations are raw, but also amazingly brilliant and convicting.
- The Holy Post [Theology and Culture] – Phil Vischer (VeggieTales guy) and pastor and author Skye Jethani discuss current events, politics, and pop culture. The podcast is quite funny but also delightfully insightful. Most episodes feature interviews with experts and smart people with great things to say.
Thanks for looking at this course set-up. To “apply” to the program, simply fill up your queue with all the relevant podcasts and binge away!
