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 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 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.