In this Theology Lab conversation, theologian Brad East explores the biblical concept of salvation through the lens of spiritual warfare, addressing themes like Satan, sin, and cosmic powers. Drawing from the New Testament, including Gospel of Mark and Epistle to the Ephesians, the discussion examines how early Christians understood evil as both personal and systemic. This engaging dialogue helps modern believers navigate discomfort around spiritual language while offering practical insights into faith, discipleship, and confronting evil in everyday life. Ideal for those interested in Christian theology, spiritual warfare, and biblical interpretation.

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 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 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 insightful interview with Karen Keen, author of The Word of a Humble God (Eerdmans, 2022), explores biblical interpretation, scriptural engagement, and challenging passages on war and violence in the Bible. Keen presents divine humility as a transformative lens for reading Scripture, helping readers better understand God’s character and message. Her work is widely recognized as a leading introduction to the Bible and methods of scriptural interpretation. Discover how approaching Scripture through humility can renew your faith, deepen theological understanding, and inspire compassionate love for neighbors while engaging difficult biblical texts with clarity and wisdom.

Pete Enns reflects on how deeper study of Scripture transformed his faith, challenging assumptions about biblical authority and interpretation. Drawing from The Bible Tells Me So and his academic journey, he explains how the Bible’s diversity and historical context reveal a richer, more complex story. Rather than offering simple answers, Scripture invites readers into ongoing dialogue and discernment. Enns encourages embracing doubt as part of faith, viewing the Bible as a means of grace that shapes understanding through wrestling, questioning, and community rather than rigid certainty or simplistic interpretations.

Explore transformative biblical interpretation on Theology Lab with Tim Mackie, co‑founder of the BibleProject, as he unpacks how the Bible can be both God’s word and human words in this Scripture & Tradition episode. Recorded January 16, 2024, Mackie joins moderator Scott Rice to discuss the unified story of Scripture, clarify how divine inspiration and human authorship coexist, and highlight interpretive tools from the BibleProject’s Paradigm podcast series. This deep, accessible theological conversation equips listeners to read the Bible with renewed curiosity, contextual insight, and lifelong faith formation.