In this episode, Scott, Greg, and Kristin explore the problem of evil through four major Christian frameworks: protest theodicy, process theology, person-making theodicy, and liberation theology. From questioning God in seasons of suffering to rethinking divine power and human responsibility, the conversation is both deeply personal and intellectually engaging. Kristin reflects on the role of protest and lament, Greg unpacks the logic of process theology, and Scott highlights the biblical roots of wrestling with God. Together, they ask: How should Christians respond to suffering—and what does it mean to trust God in a broken world?

This episode explores the problem of evil through five major theological frameworks, also known as theodicies. Moving beyond simplistic answers about why God created the world, the discussion introduces classical, protest, process, soul-making, and liberation theologies. Each model wrestles with the tension between divine power and divine goodness in a world marked by suffering. From questioning God’s silence to emphasizing human growth and social justice, these perspectives offer a deeper, more nuanced approach to faith. This primer invites listeners to rethink evil, challenge assumptions, and engage theology in a way that reflects the complexity of real-world pain and belief.

Great Waking Up, co-created with illustrator Shin Maeng, Sarah invites us to reimagine how kids encounter big theological ideas like resurrection, hope, and the character of God. Together, we discuss why children naturally experience faith through story and wonder rather than doctrine—and how parents, caregivers, and faith leaders can support that process. What happens when kids ask hard questions about Jesus, death, or suffering? And how can those questions become the foundation for a deeper, lasting faith rather than something to fear? This conversation offers practical wisdom and fresh insight for anyone passionate about spiritual formation, parenting, and raising children who can thoughtfully and courageously engage their faith as they grow.

This Theology Lab episode dives into the problem of evil, God’s goodness, and Christian faith in a broken world. Scott, Kristin, and Greg explore theodicy, suffering, and belief through personal stories and theological reflection. As part of a series on creation, evil, and suffering, this episode asks a central question: can we trust in God’s goodness despite pain and loss? Listeners will discover insights on faith, doubt, and the teachings of Jesus while engaging difficult questions that deepen spiritual understanding and resilience. Perfect for those wrestling with faith, suffering, and the meaning of evil today in a complex cultural context.

In this first episode of Theology Lab’s Beyond Simple Answers, listeners are invited into an honest exploration of one of life’s most difficult questions: why does God allow suffering and evil? Rather than offering simplistic explanations, the conversation embraces curiosity, theological depth, and lived human experience. Through thoughtful dialogue, the hosts examine how faith persists amid doubt, and why unresolved questions can still lead to spiritual growth. This episode sets the tone for a series committed to nuanced Christian theology, encouraging listeners to engage Scripture, wrestle with complexity, and pursue a more resilient, reflective, and authentic faith.

What happens when simple answers aren’t enough for the big questions of faith? In the first episode of Beyond Simple Answers, a theology podcast from Theology Lab, hosts Scott Rice, Kristin T. Lee, and Greg Fung explore how Christians can pursue thoughtful faith in a complex world. The conversation addresses faith, doubt, biblical interpretation, suffering, and the role of theology in everyday Christian life. Encouraging curiosity, honest dialogue, and spiritual growth, this Christian podcast invites listeners to wrestle with difficult questions about God, Scripture, and discipleship while building unity across theological differences.

Theology Lab welcomes Brian McLaren and Drew Jackson for a thought-provoking conversation on Christian faith, bias, and division in today’s polarized culture. They examine the hidden psychological and political forces that shape moral judgment, asking why believers so often assume others knowingly choose what is wrong. The discussion explores how community loyalty, identity, and ideology influence Christian relationships and deepen conflict within the church. Drawing inspiration from contemplative spirituality and the call of Jesus to love, humility, and reconciliation, they challenge listeners to question assumptions, confront bias, and pursue a path toward unity and faithful discipleship.

In this episode of Theology Lab, Scott Rice and Dr. Paul Domigan explore one of the most challenging questions in Christian faith: what do we do with tensions or apparent contradictions in the Bible? Through a candid, spontaneous conversation, they compare two different approaches to reading Scripture and interpreting difficult passages. From Exodus and Ezekiel to Proverbs and Job, they discuss how Christians can wrestle with biblical differences without losing faith. Instead of seeing conflict in Scripture as a threat, they suggest it can become an invitation to deeper reflection, spiritual growth, and a richer relationship with God.

Dennis Edwards and Lisa Bowens discuss how Scripture has been misused to harm and reclaimed to empower, reflecting on how faithful biblical interpretation can shape Christian responses to race and justice today.

A Theology Lab interview with H. Daniel Zacharias and T. Christopher Hoklotubbe. The authors explore Indigenous interpretations of scripture, highlighting the intersection of Christian faith and ancestral heritage. Through two and a half years of immersive travel, engaging with Indigenous leaders, ministers, and communities across the U.S. and Canada, they reveal how biblical stories illuminate Indigenous life and ceremonies. The book emphasizes asset-based theology, cultural reclamation, and the ongoing impact of scripture on Indigenous Christians. Ideal for theological students, pastors, and curious readers, it bridges Indigenous spirituality, biblical scholarship, and the rich history of Turtle Island.

A Theology Lab interview with H. Daniel Zacharias and T. Christopher Hoklotubbe on reading the Bible through an Indigenous lens. This second half of the conversation explores dreams, visions, and their connections to Scripture and community, threading together Indigenous life experience and biblical interpretation.

In this Theology Lab interview Scott talks to Myal Greene, the president and CEO of World Relief, an international humanitarian organization on the topics of immigration, refugee resettlement, and current issues. Their conversation covers how immigration and refugee resettlement connect to faith, spirituality and how Christians read the Bible. Myal offers a thoughtful perspective on not only World Relief's response to the immigration and refugee issues of our time but also how everyday Christians can think with nuance and theologically about these important topics.

In this Theology Lab conversation, Kristin and Scott explore a deeply personal theological shift—from complementarianism to egalitarianism—and how their views on women in church leadership changed over time. Once believing that men and women held distinct roles in the church, they now affirm that leadership and pastoral calling are not limited by gender. Their discussion reflects on how biblical interpretation, personal experience, and theological reflection shaped this transformation. Drawing on an interview with Beth Allison Barr and insights from her book Becoming the Pastor’s Wife, the episode examines how Christians wrestle with Scripture, tradition, and the evolving conversation about women in ministry.

In this Theology Lab we explore a powerful educational conversation on Christian ethics, peacemaking, and compassion in this Theology Lab session featuring Rev. Munther Isaac—known for his influential sermon “Christ in the Rubble”—and Mary Speta, Executive Director of Amirah. Together, they offer thoughtful theological reflection on some of today’s most challenging global issues: war, human trafficking, trauma, and the radical call to love one’s enemy. Designed for learners, students, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Christian moral discernment, this Theology Lab session (part of the Deliver Us From Evil series) provides a rich foundation for use in learning / the classroom, small-group formation, and personal reflection. Rev. Munther Isaac brings pastoral insight shaped by conflict and suffering, while Mary Speta offers an expert, survivor-informed perspective on exploitation and restorative justice. Key learning themes include: Christian approaches to understanding war, violence, and human suffering How faith communities can respond to human trafficking with wisdom and compassion The call to love one’s enemy and its implications for discipleship, as well as reflecting on how to deal with anger

In this compelling conversation, Beth Allison Barr reframes the debate over women in ministry by exposing the tension between biblical narratives and historical realities. Drawing on church history, scripture, and modern evangelical practice, she argues that the role of the pastor’s wife often masks a deeper issue: women are given significant responsibility but denied real authority. By highlighting overlooked biblical figures and challenging assumptions about tradition, Barr reveals how power structures shape theology. Her insights call readers to engage scripture more honestly, confront harmful patterns within church leadership, and reconsider what faithful, equitable ministry can look like in today’s world.

In this Theology Lab conversation, Brad East explores why debates over penal substitutionary atonement (PSA) have become so divisive in modern Christianity. While PSA remains a widely taught explanation of how Jesus saves through his death and resurrection, critics argue it distorts God’s character, portraying divine justice as wrathful or even abusive. East pushes beyond simplistic arguments, urging Christians to engage the topic more charitably and thoughtfully. Rather than declaring winners, he reframes the discussion as a theological and pastoral challenge—one that calls for humility, historical awareness, and a broader appreciation of how Scripture describes salvation in multiple, complementary ways.

In this Theology Lab video, Willie Jennings (Yale Divinity School) and Janette Ok (Fuller Seminary) explore the Christian understanding of evil and how the Bible shapes this perspective. The discussion examines how Scripture—from the Gospels, Acts, and the letters of John—defines evil and informs the church’s response. Topics include Christian Nationalism, hate, the anti-Christ, and the meaning of Jesus’s prayer, “deliver us from evil,” in today’s context. Jennings and Ok offer insight into recognizing evil in the world and in ourselves, providing a rich exploration of Christian ethics, biblical theology, and moral discernment for modern believers.

In this candid and deeply human conversation, a sister and brother-in-law explore what it means to navigate faith, family, and political issues without losing love. From debates about patriarchy and gender roles to evolving perspectives on gun ownership, their dialogue reveals how conflict, when handled with grace, can deepen relationships rather than fracture them. Rooted in a shared commitment to Christ, they demonstrate that disagreement doesn’t have to mean division. Instead, through honest communication, humility, and intentional engagement, families can build stronger bonds—even when they see the world very differently. This is a powerful example of faith lived out in real time.

In this Theology Lab conversation, Scott interviews Greg Boyd about one of the most difficult issues in Christian faith: violence in the Bible. Boyd challenges traditional views of biblical authority and argues that Scripture must be read through the lens of Jesus Christ and the cross. Rather than defending biblical inerrancy, he suggests that troubling passages reveal a God who “stoops” to human limitations. By interpreting even violent texts through the crucifixion, Boyd presents a transformative framework that preserves faith while honestly confronting Scripture’s most disturbing narratives for modern readers seeking deeper theological understanding today.

This Theology Lab conversation explores the complex Christian perspectives on abortion, featuring a nuanced dialogue between pro-life and pro-choice voices. Addressing biblical interpretation, church history, and modern policy debates, the discussion highlights key scriptures like Psalm 139 and Exodus 21 while examining how theology, science, and ethics intersect. The speakers challenge binary labels, emphasizing curiosity, compassion, and practical solutions such as poverty reduction and healthcare access to lower abortion rates. Ideal for those seeking thoughtful Christian discourse on abortion, this discussion offers a balanced, in-depth look at faith, politics, and social justice in today’s cultural landscape.