Theology in the Raw

Latest Episodes:

How Attachment Theory Helps Us Understand Ourselves: Dr. Alison Cook Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

To listen to our extra innings conversation, head over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw and become a member of the TITR community and get access to all of my extra innings conversations and a bunch bonus content

Dr. Alison Cook is a therapist, psychologist of religion, bestselling author, and host of the top-ranked The Best of You podcast. She holds degrees from Dartmouth College (BA), Denver Seminary (MA), and the University of Denver (PhD). Alison has spent over two decades helping people move from feeling disconnected to feeling secure, grounded, and loved. She’s the author of four books including her most recent book: The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn’t Come Easy, which forms the foundation of our conversation. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400352606?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction

02:06 Splitting time between Wyoming and Boston

07:35 Attachment Theory Explained

10:35 How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Relationships

18:01 What About People That Didn’t Experience Trauma?

22:47 Does everyone have some kind of attachment issue?

23:59 Why the Church Often Misunderstands Self-Care

24:37 The Problem with Secular Self-Care Culture

25:22 Avoidant Attachment: First Steps

30:09 Preston Gets Live Therapy

34:00 Thinkers vs. Feelers

39:04 Core Memories and Emotional Healing

46:43 Getting to Know our own Souls

48:06 Can Christians Trust Psychology?

50:29 How Your Parents Shape Your View of God

53:41 Common Unaddressed Issues: Shame or Blame

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Christian Zionism, Gaza, and the Cost of Silence: Dr. Daniel Bannoura Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Daniel Bannoura (Ph.D. Notre Dame University) is a Palestinian theologian and Director of Public Engagement at the Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice. Daniel received his PhD degree in Qur'anic Studies from the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on the history and redaction of the Qur'an, Christian-Muslim relations, and Palestinian theology. Daniel also host of “Across the Divide”, a podcast that provides a space for thoughtful conversations about Palestine-Israel through the lens of faith and peace-making. Check out the Church at the Crossroads conference in Atlanta, Nov 5-7, 2026 and the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Bethlehem, Dec 27th-31st, 2026.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:29 Why a Palestinian Christian Researches the Qur’an

00:05:04 Did Muhommed Actually Exist?

00:11:43 Christian assumptions about Muslims in Gaza

00:16:00 Double Standards for Gazan Christian Deaths

00:16:48 Why are People Still Dying during the Ceasefire?

00:18:53 The Debate Around Using the Term “Genocide”

00:23:49 The Shrinking Borders Around Gaza

00:25:24 UN Report on Children being Targeted in Gaza

00:27:36 Life Expectancy, Malnutrition, and the Hidden Death Toll

00:29:16 Why the World Knows but Hasn’t Stopped it

00:45:54 The Shifting Political Landscape

00:51:08 Upcoming Conferences in Bethlehem and Atlanta

00:56:34 What can the Church do?

01:04:38 An Appeal to Christian Leaders

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Dr. Zach Wagner: What Is Biblical Masculinity? Part 2 Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

If you want to listen to our "Extra Innings" conversation about whether marriage is necessary for men to be truly masculine, head over to patreon.com/theologyintheraw and become a member of the Theology in the Raw community.

Dr. Zachary Wagner (DPhil, Oxford) is an author, ordained minister, and New Testament scholar. He’s written two books that deal with masculinity, male sexuality, and virtue: Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality and his most recent Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World. He is currently pursuing publication for his DPhil thesis, as well as a further writing and research projects on Christianity and Stoicism. Learn more about Zachary on his website.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to Part 2

01:59 Defining “Biblical” masculinity

03:37 What do people mean when the call their view “biblical”?

04:29 How much of the Bible is directed specifically to men?

07:22 Cultural Norms vs Universal Mandates around Gender

10:59 Biology: The impact of Testosterone

19:42 How Important are Gender Roles for Discipleship?

21:34 How Jesus “rewrites” Masculinity

25:19 Do husbands have a moral mandate to be the primary breadwinner?

29:03 Post Industrial careers and gender

38:02 Do men have a moral obligation to protect women?

49:29 Christian masculinity and non-violence

52:27 Does the Bible mandate Chivalry?

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Seth Troutt: What Is Biblical Masculinity? Part 1 Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Join the Theology in the Raw Community on Patreon to listen to our Extra Innings Segment about whether or not you need to be married to truly be masculine. You’ll also get bonus episodes, Zoom meet ups, and more!

What does it mean to be a man? It's a question that's generating plenty of heat online, but not much clarity. In this first episode of a two-part series on biblical masculinity, Preston sits down with Seth Troutt to separate what Scripture actually teaches from the messages coming from the online manosphere.

Before we can have a meaningful conversation about masculinity and femininity, Seth argues that we first need to understand the difference between man and God. From there, the conversation explores what it means to bear God's image as men and women, the role of humility, responsibility, chivalry, provision, and the significance of the real physical differences between the sexes.

Seth Troutt is the Teaching Pastor at Ironwood Church in the Phoenix metro area. He holds a doctorate focused on digital technology, Generation Z, and gender identity, and writes and teaches on the intersection of theology, technology, and culture. He’s also the author of Authentic Masculinity: Leaving Behind the Counterfeits for God’s Design which is available now.

Part 2 of this series, featuring Zachary Wagner, releases next week.

Time Stamps

00:00:00 Introduction

00:06:15 What is Biblical Masculinity?

00:07:58 What Andrew Tate and the Manosphere get wrong

00:14:48 Is Chivalry a calling for men only?

00:16:41 Examples of powerful women from Scripture

00:21:32 Cultural expectations versus scriptural mandates for men and women

00:23:45 Physical differences between men and women (and the exceptions)

00:25:52 Should men be providers? Culture vs. Biblical mandate

00:28:43 Should Mothers of young children have jobs?

00:31:33 Why discipline is important for young men

00:33:28 Should certain careers be just for men?

00:38:23 Do Christian men have a moral mandate to protect women?

00:41:19 Why did god make men and women differently?

00:45:50 Physical Differences do not mean “better”

00:50:41 Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate, real influence?

00:58:01 Pastoring in this weird cultural moment

01:02:28 Should Pastors podcast?

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Bonus Q & A Preview Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Join the Theology in the Raw Patreon community to watch the full episode! For as little as $5 per month, you'll get these bonus Q&A's, as well as Extra Innings segments, Zoom conversations, and our brand new At Home with The Sprinkles videos.

Here's the full list of Questions:

00:00 Intro
00:36 How do you think purity culture has affected asexuality among Christians? Have you done any study of asexuality? And if not, would you consider it?
04:33 Several young people in my life are doubting Jesus' divinity. What are some of the best thoughts you have on helping them see & understand Jesus' divine nature? And what resources would you recommend those of us in conversation with these young people?
13:04 How would you respond to someone who says that everything is God's will and God never makes mistakes, when something really bad happens?
15:54 If same-sex attraction is not a sin, then what is it? And how should Christians relate to it in their own lives?
18:07 How do I help my Conservative friends know why I'm not "fixing" my lgtbq friends' orientation and am first loving them and helping them experience Jesus?
21:03 How can lay people practically ensure the strength of our research matches the strength of our convictions/passions?
24:32 How do Pastors of small and financially struggling church make income to live? Balance of trusting God’s calling and provision vs quitting ministry?
27:20 Rom 12:18 says if possible live in peace with everyone: how do you go about sharing church community with broken relationships that can’t be reconciled?
29:54 What have you seen that helps people to become formed and developed as disciples of Jesus in different seasons of life— 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s etc?
36:45 Recently there’s been renewed conversation online about the dangers of Islam, Sharia Law, and Muslims taking over the United States. Is this just fear mongering? Should someone speak out against that?
47:06 Rachel Held Evans had a phrase she used to say: "On the days when I believe...", implying there were days when she struggled to believe the beautiful but crazy and often bewildering story of Jesus and the gospel. If there are days when you struggle to believe, what do you do?
51:29 How do you reconcile the Biblical account of creation with the evidence for pre-human hominids? Is there any way to believe in a literal Adam and Eve without disbelieving all the evidence for pre-human hominids?
54:46 In Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?, you argue that you don’t need sex and marriage to have a fulfilling life, referring to the NT’s view of singleness. While this is a great response when talking to a fellow inerrantist, how would you make the same point when talking to a skeptic (specifically, a skeptic who thinks the Bible is anti-Gay)?
57:32 Which view of interpreting the story of Noah & son’s sin in Genesis 9 is your preferred?

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Partnering with Indigenous Leaders in Global Missions: Janice Allen Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Janice Rosser Allen is CEO and President of International Cooperating Ministries (ICM), the global ministry founded by her father, Dois Rosser, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. She has served on ICM’s Board of Directors since 1986 and has led the organization as CEO since 2008. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Duke University, Janice worked in clinical and academic oncology nursing before God called her into full-time ministry with ICM. Widowed at 51, she is an ordained elder, author of God in the Crossroads, and she’s passionate about empowering indigenous Christian leaders worldwide.

00:00 — Introduction: How ICM Is Growing the Global Church

06:07 — Albert Schweitzer's Missionary Legacy and Radical Faith

08:09 — Indigenous Missions: Why Local Church Leaders Matter

11:46 — Cooperating with local, indigenous leadership in missions

16:12 — How Technology Is Transforming Christian Missions

18:07 — How Mission Organizations Vet Trusted Partners

22:07 — What the Global Church Can Teach Western Christians

29:37 — Powerful Mission Stories from Vietnam and Rwanda

34:31 — American Christianity vs. the Global Church

41:41 — Church Growth in Iran, Nepal, and Other Restricted Nations

45:54 — Why Christianity Is Growing in Thailand

47:03 — Prosperity Gospel and Persecution: Challenges Facing the Global Church

50:08 — Building local churches with local workers and materials

51:20 — Are Short-Term Mission Trips Helping or Hurting?

56:56 — How You Can Support Indigenous Missions

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Living Well in a Chaotic World: Dr. Alan Noble Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Dr. O. Alan Noble is Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, a fellow at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and author of four books, including his most recent book: To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times.

Check out the Christ at the Checkpoint conference at: www.christatthecheckpoint.bethbc.edu

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:46 Advice for Aspiring Writers

07:03 Moral Confusion and Living Well in Chaotic Times

10:47 Can Going Offline Fix Modern Life?

13:04 The Seven Classical Virtues Explained

14:28 On Prudence and Difficulty Making Decisions

22:49 Why Courage Is Hard for Young Adults Today

27:19 Justice, Social Media, and Virtue Signaling

36:07 Suffering, Courage, and Healing from Trauma

42:23 Which Virtues Are Hardest to Practice?

44:50 Politics, Institutions, and the Common Good

52:47 Are Big Corporations Inherently Evil? (Closing Thoughts)

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Sharing Your Faith Without Being Weird: Lindsey Medenwaldt Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Lindsey Medenwaldt is an assistant professor of business and economics at Northwestern College in Iowa. Lindsey has written two books: Bridge-Building Apologetics and her recent (co-authored with Dr. Douglas Groothuis) What If Jesus Is Right? will be released in August 2026. Lindsey engages extensively on the topics of apologetics and worldview as a writer, editor, teacher, and speaker. She has a Jurist Doctorate, a masters in public administration, and a masters in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:42 How Lindsay Became an Apologist

06:20 When you Don’t Know the Answer

07:49 Apologetics without being Argumentative

11:32 Making friends as Adults

14:20 Evangelism for Introverts

26:20 Moving from Small Talk to Big Faith Conversations

30:06 Evangelism on a Plane

35:47 When you can’t Figure out what to say

40:36 Political Division and Evangelism

45:49 Social Media and A.I impact on Relationships

49:37 Gen Z, Relationships, and Human Connection

57:39 What if Jesus was Right? Biblical reliability matters

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What Is a "Theology of Place?" Dr. Ben Norquist and Dr. Brian Miller Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Ben Norquist is a writer, scholar, and serves as the Director of Communications & Development for Bethlehem Institute for Peace & Justice, bringing Palestinian Christian teaching into conversations within the global church. Dr. Brian Miller is a professor of sociology at Wheaton College, and his research interests include the American suburbs (particularly their development, culture, depictions in media, and housing), cities, religion and place and how it relates to American evangelicalism and culture. Together, Ben and Brian wrote a recent book together called: Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction

02:01 What is a Theology of Place?

06:56 Ethics and Place.

11:29 The Morality of Cities. Why do we build these places?

17:11 Patriotism, Christian Citizenship & Love of Place

23:54 Gentrification, NIMBYism & Who Is My Neighbor?

30:33 What Theology of Place Is Trying to Recover

34:40 Israel-Palestine Through the Lens of Land

40:34 Christianity in the Big City vs. Rural Christianity and the Suburbs

49:2 Where to Find More Brian and Ben

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Reading the Gospels as Narratives and Depictions of Jesus in Film: Dr. Jeannine Brown Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Jeannine Brown is The David Price Professor of Biblical and Theological Foundations at Bethel Seminary, where she has taught for 26 years. She focuses her research on the New Testament, hermeneutics, and integration. She’s written a bunch of books and commentaries, including Scripture as Communication, Becoming Whole and Holy, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (editor), commentaries on Matthew, Philippians, and 1 Peter (forthcoming), and a couple books most pertinent to our conversation: Gospels as Stories and The Greatest Story Ever Retold (with John Anthony Dunne). Jeannine is a member of the NIV translation committee. In this podcast conversation, we talk about reading the gospels as narratives versus harmonizing the 4 Gospels, and we also talk about the portrayal of Jesus in film, including the popular The Chosen series.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:57 Why Read the Gospels as Narrative?

07:36 Are the Gospel Differences Contradictions?

11:45 Ancient Biography and the Gospels

21:45 Why John's Gospel Is Different

33:44 How Each Gospel Presents Jesus

39:15 How to Read the Gospels Well

44:15 Bible Movies and Portraying Jesus

54:20 The Chosen: Creative License and Biblical Faithfulness

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