In this deeply honest episode of Beyond Simple Answers, Scott Rice talks with Jasper Su and his mother, Vivian Su, about Christian faith, doubt, theological questioning, and spiritual growth. Jasper opens up about wrestling with uncertainty, growing up in church, and learning that questioning faith does not make someone a “bad Christian.” Vivian shares the perspective of a parent walking alongside an adult child through difficult spiritual conversations with love, patience, and openness. Together, they explore deconstruction, suffering, God’s presence, and the importance of safe spaces where authentic conversations about faith can happen without fear or judgment.

In this powerful bonus episode of Theology Lab’s Beyond Simple Answers series, Scott Rice hosts an honest conversation between Vivian Su and her son, Jasper Su, as they wrestle with Christianity’s hardest question: If God is good and all-powerful, why does suffering exist? Vivian shares how trust in God’s sovereignty gives her peace even amid tragedy, while Jasper candidly explores his struggle to reconcile faith with the reality of evil, pain, and injustice. Together, they discuss the Book of Job, the limits of human understanding, faith versus doubt, and how families can navigate deep theological disagreements with honesty, love, and respect.

In the final episode of Beyond Simple Answers, Scott Rice, Kristin T. Lee, and Greg Fung reflect on what they’ve learned from exploring why God created a world marked by suffering and evil. The conversation highlights protest theology, liberation theology, process theology, and the importance of holding multiple perspectives in tension rather than settling for simplistic answers. Together, they explore how faith can include wrestling with God, pursuing justice, and trusting in God’s presence amid suffering. Thoughtful, honest, and deeply personal, this episode offers a compelling vision of theology as a relational and ongoing journey toward truth, hope, and spiritual growth.

In this Beyond Simple Answers episode Scott, Greg, and Kristin explore the Bible, suffering, creation, and the problem of evil in passages like Philippians 2, the book of Job, Lamentations, and the stories of Hagar and Gethsemane. Returning to previous discussions, they look back at Process and Liberation theology's themes of justice and noncoercive love, as well aa prayer. Why does Job accept God's response? How do believers hold together anger and faith? It's a human conversation, animated by a desire to believe, that looks at suffering, divine power, and faith -- and the many complexities that arise in between in these topics. Beyond Simple Answers episodes are part of Theology Lab. We aim at seeking out a theological vision when simple answers fall aren't enough. And the conversations are geared towards anyone who might be amidst processes like deconstruction and reconstruction of faith, or who just wants curiosity and thinking to play a more important part of your faith life. Thanks for giving some of your time to engage this. We really do appreciate that and hope it might be helpful in some way.

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.

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, 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.

In this Theology Lab conversation, Kristin Kobes Du Mez and Walter Kim explore evangelicalism, masculinity, and Christian identity, focusing on the American church. Drawing from Jesus and John Wayne, they discuss how rugged masculinity, power, and nationalism have often overshadowed the gentleness, compassion, and courage of Christ. Kim reflects on the many “rooms” within evangelicalism—some hospitable, some hostile—while Du Mez challenges rigid gender binaries and calls believers back to deeper theological reflection. Together, they model respectful disagreement, historical honesty, and hopeful dialogue. This discussion asks: What have Christians traded for power, and what might faithful witness look like now?