The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.
Episode Sixteen: When many Americans hear the word “Advent,” in the month of December, they may just think of a 24-compartment calendar with little bits of chocolate in each box. By observing the season of Advent, we are countercultural even within the context of American Christianity. How can we further utilize this great historic season to truly prepare the hearts of our people for the coming of Jesus Christ? Pastor Patrick Freese joins us to discuss Fleming Rutledge’s postil of Advent sermons for some ideas.
Episode Fifteen: No guest this week – Jared and Phil take some time to talk shop about the Shepherd’s Study podcast, and then spend some time discussing “The 25th: New and Selected Christmas Essays” by Joshua Gibbs. Join us for a relaxed episode as we approach the Advent season!
Episode Fourteen: Jonathan Haidt says we’ve got a problem on our hands. Literally, a problem is on our hands, in the palm of our hands, all the time. Haidt argues in The Anxious Generation that the arrival of smartphones as a main fixture in modern society has had a deeply significant and often toxic impact upon us all, especially on those born after 1995 who have been raised in a smartphone-centric world. While it is not a religious book, Phil, Jared, and guest Pastor Brett Krause discuss The Anxious Generation as its topic pertains to our churches, schools, and families.
Episode Thirteen: For as much as we claim to love variety and feel the need to shake things up every now and again, it remains true that human beings thrive on routine. That’s true when we’re students in school, or when we’re adults in the work force…and yes, it’s true when we’re Christians in worship! Tish Harrison Warren expounds on this in her book, Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life. Phil and Jared are joined by Pastor Jacob Behnken to talk about the joy and beauty of structure in life and in worship.
Episode Twelve: Have you noticed that funerals are becoming less and less common? You’re not just imagining things—this is a national trend. But trends don’t happen in a vacuum. What are the philosophical and theological underpinnings that are leading to this trend, and how can we recapture the beauty and even necessity of the Christian Funeral? Phil, Jared, and guest Pastor Lucas Proeber discuss all of this and more in light of Thomas Long’s book “Accompany Them with Singing.”
Episode Eleven: Jeremiah Gumm returns to the Shepherd’s Study…in audio form! Jared and Phil are joined by former editor Jeremiah Gumm to discuss a tome by Robert Louis Wilken concerning the Spirit of Early Christian Thought. Is this a good volume to pick up if you’d like to shore up your knowledge of the early patristics? Listen in and find out!
Episode Ten: Feminism and Progress are often seen as companion concepts, at least in the modern sociopolitical landscape. What is Mary Harrington getting at, then, when her book suggests that those two things don’t go hand-in-hand as many would assume? Pastor Nathanael Jensen joins Jared and Phil this month to discuss Harrington’s book on feminism and what we pastors can learn from it.
Episode Nine: Inarguable: church is essential. Far more arguable: all of the members of my congregation view church as essential. There’s an obvious tension between those two statements, but how can we help bridge the gap? Pastor Orie Thomford joins Phil and Jared this month to see what Rainer and Rainer have to say.
Episode Eight: It’s not a science fiction episode; bioethics is a word that describes very real decisions and grounded issues that we will encounter throughout our lives. Pastor Matthew Zeng joins Phil and Jared to discuss Gilbert Meilaender’s primer on topics at the start of life, end of life, and everything in between. Listen to our conversation and ponder some deep topics with us today!
Episode Seven: Pastor Eric Janke joins Jared and Phil to talk about a collected trilogy on Jesus’ Parables by Robert Farrar Capon, titled Kingdom, Grace, Judgment. All three of the reviewers agree that Capon is a bit prone to overstatement, but that doesn’t mean his work is without value. Should you make space on your shelf for this one? Listen in!
Episode Six: Jared and Phil are back this month with Pastor Ben Phelps to discuss Brand Luther by Andrew Pettegree. The general consensus among historians seems to be that the Reformation was successful largely due to the advent of the Gutenberg Press and Luther’s savvy to take advantage of it. To what extent is that true? And what are the real take-aways for us 21st-Century pastors as we examine the relationship between “branding,” “content,” and the life-saving Word of God? Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think! Pastor Phelps’ full review can be found on the Shepherd’s Study blog.
Episode Five: Pastor Jonathan Bauer takes up the guest spot this month to discuss Christopher Watkin’s “Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture.” As far as recent buzzwords and hot topics go, Critical Theory is certainly one to be aware of. How does Watkin attempt to utilize critical theory as a means of biblical interpretation? And for that matter…what really is critical theory, anyway? Jared, Phil, and Jon talk it out in this episode. Pastor Bauer’s full review can be found on the Shepherd’s Study blog.
Episode Four: Jared and Phil are joined by Pastor Caleb Bassett to discuss “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals,” by Oliver Burkeman. While not a theological work itself, Burkeman’s approach to the topic of time and mortality gives us theologians much to consider for our ministries and lives. Pastor Bassett’s full review can be found on the Shepherd’s Study blog.
Episode Three: In this episode, Jared and Phil welcome Pastor Scott Henrich to go over CFW Walther’s “Pastoral Theology.” Most of us are more familiar with Walther’s Law and Gospel evening lectures, but Walther’s text on pastoral theology is where we get to read a more polished product of the Lutheran titan. Scott’s full review can be found on the Shepherd’s Study blog.
Episode Two: In this episode, Jared and Phil welcome Pastor Noah Willitz to talk about “The Gospel Comes with a House Key,” by Rosaria Butterfield. We discuss Christian hospitality and how it might be a key pattern for outreach in a day when many have been burned by hypocrisy in the church. Be sure to read Noah’s review of the book as well.
Episode One: In this episode, Jared and Phil introduce themselves and the podcast itself. Welcome! Our first book for discussion is “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,” by Carl Trueman. We take a look at Trueman’s assessment of society and what philosophies, movements, and ideas got us to where we are. This is valuable context to know as pastors serving people in this world! Jared’s full review can be found here.
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.