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 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.