Rev. Benjamin Kremer joins us for a very special Zeitcast, in which he and Jonathan rank the five Bible verses that are the most misused right now, and what's wrong with the whole Trump/King David thing! Along the way, they also talk about the ongoing critique of the prophets over against the kings in the Hebrew Bible, how Jesus fits into that crit…

Well this turned into a WHOLE THING! I don’t know quite how to capture the way that Jarrod McKenna sharing from his own experience preaching in Perth, Australia (13 hours ahead of Greencastle, Indiana) and my experience in rural Indiana turned into a stunningly coherent vision—with Jarrod doing a revolutionary riff on three trees of Scripture, and …

We are committed to trying to bring the wisest guides we know to help you navigate this very particular moment--and Dr. Drew G.I. Hart is one of the clearest, most insightful prophetic voices we know! Such a tender, pastoral soul, who speaks with such clarity and fierce prophetic fire. In this conversation, Jonathan and Dr. Hart discuss the role of…

In this post-election breakdown, Jonathan and Jarrod discuss the highlights the need for prophetic voices, particularly from the Black church, in advocating for social change and justice. They address the challenges of navigating spirituality and activism, the significance of community support, and the necessity of both prayer and action in the fac…

This is another emergency election edition of the Zeitcast--because I cannot sit on this conversation for five seconds knowing how central immigration is to the choices Americans are making this week--and how central immigration will continue to be long after this week is over. Zeke Hernandez' book The Truth about Immigration is a REVELATION. I wis…

This conversation is pure exhilaration! Dr. Andrew Newberg is a neuroscientist, the pioneer of "neurotheology," and one of the world’s leading researchers exploring the relationship between neuroscience and spirituality. His research includes taking brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, in an attempt to better und…

During this time that I know is very high stakes and thus can be high anxiety for some of us, I specifically wanted to post a couple of resources that would be good for your SOUL--for those moments when you need a bit of shelter from the storm. The conversation I just had with Carlos Rodriguez is monumental, and I hope you will watch/listen to that…

During this high intensity, and for many of us, high anxiety moment, I felt like I specifically needed to post some resources this week that might provide a sense of soul, solace and refuge in the midst of all the chaos. To love the world is to engage it for the sake of social change; but you also need to stop for gas--you know? So this one is an a…

r. Andrew Whitehead (author of American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel & Threatens the Church and Taking America Back for God) is America's leading expert on Christian nationalism--so we couldn't think of a better guest to help us put the wildness of this election in a broader context! Andrew and Jonathan explore the complex…

You've heard a lot about Puerto Rico lately--what a time to talk our friend Carlos Rodriguez (founder of the Happy Givers NGO and Author of Drop the Stones), on his final ministry trip to America! The gloves are off, the inhibitions are down, and the fire is falling. In this barnburner of a conversation, Carlos and Jonathan explore their parallel j…

This is a time full of anxiety for many of us...maybe an ideal time to revisit prayer? In this vulnerable, funny, wide open conversation, Jonathan and Savannah talk about their current experience of prayer, the value of liturgy in prayer vs. spontaneity, the role of visuals in prayer, and how they are finding a sense of connection with the divine, …

In this conversation, Dr. Jared Stacy and Jonathan Martin explore misinformation, disinformation and white evangelicalism. Dr. Stacy shares his very personal journey of leaving pastoral work in the wake of seeing his own community embrace propaganda and disinformation in the aftermath of January 6th. In his work as a theologian and ethicist, he has…

What you are about to see is a wild and sacred thing. Without hyperbole, I truly believe your life is about to change to watch/hear this. The conversation started really happening before we intended to really start recording, so you are dropped right into the thick of it because that is just how it actually happened, no intro. Also you aren't ready…

Jonathan Martin shares an original piece of short fiction, "God loves monsters." Through the fictional narrative of a boy named Jake, we are provoked to take a look at the monsters we see in the mirror, and the monsters we see in the world. What does it change for us, if God doesn't have an adversarial relationship with the monsters? What would we …

In this heartfelt episode of the Zeitcast Jonathan and Kingston share thoughts on God, heaven, and the importance of kindness in navigating disagreements. They also talk about the 'sad box' as a place to process hard feelings, and how God touches Kingston sometimes when he is sad.Oleh Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin explores the themes of suffering, divine guidance, and the significance of smallness through the lens of the Book of Job. In a world in which so much of our technology tells us "you're really, really big;" the message embedded in nature itself that "you are really, really small" is a liberating word. Sometimes your problems don't ge…

In this episode, Jonathan Martin reflects on recent conversations that have deeply impacted him, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nature of evil, the power of faith, and the need to resist fear, with love. He discusses the distinction between the sound of God and the sound of accusation, encouraging listeners to embrace their identit…

It feels impossible to overstate just how strongly we feel about this one. In an especially vulnerable conversation, Lauren Barnett and Jonathan Martin talk death, disinformation, and revival. In the wake of the recent loss of Lauren's mother, we are invited to consider that the stakes of how we discern/commute/transmit information, may ACTUALLY be…

In this conversation, Brian Zahnd and Jonathan Martin explore the intersection of faith, misinformation, and political engagement within Christianity. They discuss the implications of eschatology on Christian belief, and the importance of love and compassion in political discourse. Zahnd emphasizes the need for a more profound understanding of the …

Reality has never felt stranger, and the response for many of us then is to grasp desperately for something or someone to hold on to. But it is precisely that desire for control, that can lead us to some really dark places. Today's Zeitcast contrasts different spiritual approaches, advocating for a faith that encourages curiosity and compassion rat…

What is evil, and how does evil work in the world? “The prince of the power of the air” in the Christian New Testament, “Ha-Satan” (the accuser) in the Hebrew Bible, give us crucial glimpses into the nature of evil. How do we tell the difference between truth & lies, between fact and fiction? OH, and for those of us who are trying to figure out how…

On this week's four weeks for Friday: the debut of Typecast (!), where I respond to listener questions; a rundown of what I am watching, listening to, and reading this week (including: the new Netflix film It's What's Inside, revisiting Stephen King's Storm of the Century, Coldplay's Moon Music, The Bulwark conversation with Timothy Snyder this wee…

Who told you the middle was the right place to be? Was it God? Does it feel holy to be a little above the fray, a little detached? It is one thing to see the world from an aerial point of view (like say, we saw in our reflections on Revelation), but another thing to see the world from out the window from a private plane. Today we challenge the noti…

This is a very personal journey of faith, exploring themes of judgment, relationships, and sexuality, and ultimately an invitation to trust the transformative power of God's love.Oleh Jonathan Martin

John Wesley preached in fields, so this is in the water where I come from. From a really sacred experience out at the Ames' farm in Fillmore, Indiana for Ethan's Legacy Project, comes a sermon about how we might theologically grap with the heaviest things--divorce, death, and suicide--in light of God revealed in Christ who is always available to th…

Even when our traditions may look externally very different, the shape of our journeys of finding faith (and losing...and maybe finding again), are remarkably similar! In this conversation, Will James shares vulnerably about his experience through the Seventh-Day Adventist. They delve deep into the teachings of Ellen White, the nature of truth, the…

In this conversation, Amy Hawk and Jonathan Martin discuss disillusionment with evangelicalism, in the context of widespread Trump support. Amy shares her personal spiritual journey, the impact of the quest for political power on faith, and the metaphor of Judas' betrayal as it relates to the church's alignment with Trump. The conversation emphasiz…

Have you been intimidated by the Book of Revelation? Or terrorized or traumatized by it? Does it seem to be within the realm of some sort of strange "expertise" that you either don't feel like you have, or wouldn't want to have given the takes people have on all of this? While not comprehensive, this is my absolute best shot at giving you some hand…

"Turn or burn." There may be some turns we need to make, but what if even those who turn...still burn? In this conversation, Jonathan Martin explores the themes of transformation, judgment, and the nature of God through the lens of the Christian gospel. He challenges the notion of 'turn or burn' by emphasizing that everyone will experience a form o…

In this episode of the Zeitcast, we explore the art of listening to one's life as a spiritual practice--being present to the everyday moments that shape our existence, and the divine messages that can be found within them. You can learn how to connect your own experiences, both with each other, and to the broader story that is the communion of sain…

Whether you are new to prayer, or trying to figure out where prayer fits into your life now… here are some basic practices that work for me. Let’s not just talk about it…let’s pray!Oleh Jonathan Martin

Oleh Jonathan Martin with Christian Wiman

Welcome to the very first Zeitcast live: daily reflections! the questions we are afraid to ask, the questions we don't ask simply because we are no longer curious; J.D. Vance, Haitian immigrants, and Springfield, OH; NC Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, and a little reflection on my time at The Atlantic Fest, a remarkable show with our friend Brit…

Savannah Locke joins Jonathan for a vulnerable and hilarious conversation, drawing insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "After 10 Years," and discuss how faith demands that we trust others and work towards a better future. (Also, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Perry Stone, and Eric Metaxas may or may not catch some strays) We explore the challenge of navig…

In this conversation, Jonathan and Nicole talk about the current election cycle, Kamala Harris, JD Vance, and childless cat ladies! They explore themes of political strategy, hope and joy, disinformation, anti-intellectualism, and the co-opting of religious groups. Ultimately, the conversation explores the dangers of Christian nationalism and the n…

Exploring fear, punishment, and the concept of hell faith and moral development. Also the connection between rock and roll and Pentecostal worship, highlighting the shared energy and ecstasy…and the lives of Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart—two famous cousins who both grappled with “hellfire” in their own ways. How do fear-based beliefs contribut…

A word to the spiritual “undecideds.” It’s confusing to know how to navigate conflicting narratives around religion, eschatology, antisemitism, and the horror that’s happening to our Palestinian siblings. What might it look like to clear your head of all the scripts that tell you how the world must become, so you actually begin to take responsibili…

BZ waxes philosophical...also, don't miss the lovely q and a on the back half!Oleh Jonathan Martin and Brian Zahnd

As DePauw’s historic Mendenhall lecture comes from within the Christian tradition, we believe this is a crucial time for faith communities to reflect critically about how theology shapes the way we actually live in the world. This one-night symposium will explore the phenomenon of Christian nationalism, particularly in American history and culture.…

A cheeky title...a life-changing conversation, between an Imam and a Pastor on virtually everything that matters.Oleh Jonathan Martin with Imam Ahmed Alamine

I'll tell you what I truly do believe: absolutely everything around you and in you can change, in just 40 days.Oleh Jonathan Martin

At the intersection of love and death...the formal start of our Lenten series, "you can do anything for 40 days."Oleh Jonathan Martin

It's not just showing us about how Jesus the man is divine...this is the revelation for us of what it is to be human.Oleh Jonathan Martin

An invitation to come out of the storm, into the rhythms that sustain your soul...into a deeper, more authentic way of living.Oleh Jonathan Martin

Ben Katt discusses his beautiful new book, 'The Way Home.' We talk about his experiences of mystical moments, the importance of paying attention to them, and the universal aspects of the journey to wholeness--including the excruciating but necessary path of death and resurrection.Oleh Jonathan Martin and Ben Katt

Instantly one of our favorite all-time podcasts, our daughter Kaitlyn comes on for a vulnerable, far-reaching conversation about everything from pageants to the highs and lows of her experience with Christian school in Oklahoma, her passion for women's incarceration issues, and navigating what to believe now. We talk about how fear never ultimately…

One of our all-time favorite Zeitcast guests, Dr. C.E.W. Green wrote the foreword to The Book of Waiting: Reflections on Advent & Christmas. His perspective and insight not only helped shape the book in final form, here he once again illuminates something new about virtually everything that matters!Oleh Jonathan Martin and C.E.W. Green

In this conversation, Jonathan and Nicole discuss the inspiration behind Jonathan's book on Advent and the timing of its release. They explore the importance of waiting and longing, and how to navigate cynicism and despair. They also discuss finding God in small moments and witnessing holiness in the midst of chaos. The conversation highlights the …

“The world is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” “For God so loved the world…” “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” So…which is it? A sermon on interpretation, that could open up how you see “the world” differently. #theology #spirituality #christianity #jesus #theworld #bible #scripture #interpretationShow less…