The Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast

Episode #17: How Scripture, Spirit, Community, and Mission Shape Our Souls with Dr. Evan B. Howard

In this week’s episode Dr. Evan Howard shares his deep knowledge and wisdom regarding the process of how God shapes our souls.

 

• Evan B. Howard, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Spirituality Shoppe, a Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is also an affiliate faculty with Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, A Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation: How Scripture, Spirit, Community, and Mission Shape Our Souls and other books and articles. He leads workshops and seminars on Christian Spirituality and enjoys living a simple life with family and animals in rural Colorado.

For full show notes: https://missionalhermeneutics.blogspot.com/2020/07/episode-17-EvanBHoward.html 

Episode #16: Reading Scripture as Wesleyans with Dr. David F. Watson

In Episode 16, Dr. David Watson (Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary) talks about what it means to read Scripture as Wesleyan Christians. He talks about the critical need to read Scripture theologically for the Church. We do a deep dive on the inspiration and illumination of the Scripture by the Holy Spirit, “filters” for reading the Bible, the role of historical creeds, prayer, and holiness.

See Show Notes for full bio, contact information and resources: https://missionalhermeneutics.blogspot.com/2020/07/Episode16-DrDavidWatson.html

Episode #15 The Psalms, Honesty and Spiritual Formation with Dr. W. David O. Taylor

In this week’s episode, W. David O. Taylor explores the profound depths of the Book of Psalms with us in a rich discussion of his new book Open and Unafraid. We talk about how the prayers of the Psalter invite us to a deep honesty with God, with others, and with ourselves. As we open ourselves to the richness of the text, the text through the power of the Spirit shapes us.

 

W. David O. Taylor is Associate Professor of Theology & Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of several books, includingOpen and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (Thomas Nelson, 2020), Glimpses of the New Creation: Worship and the Formative Power of the Arts  (Eerdmans, 2019), The Theater of God’s Glory: Calvin, Creation, and the Liturgical Arts (Eerdmans, 2017), as well as editor ofFor the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts(Baker Books, 2010) and co-editor of Contemporary Art and the Church: A Conversation between Two Worlds (IVP Academic, 2017). He has written for The Washington Post, Religion News Service, Image Journal, Calvin Theological Journal, Christian Scholars Review, Theology Today, Books & Culture, The Gospel Coalition, and Christianity Today, among others. An Anglican priest, he has lectured widely on the arts, from Thailand to South Africa. He serves on the advisory board for Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts as well as IVP Academic’s series, “Studies in Theology and the Arts,” and he is a core participation in the four-year project “Theology, Modernity, and the Visual Arts,” hosted by King’s College, London, which involves annual conversations between scholars and artists in London, Chicago, Berlin, and Venice. He lives in Austin with his wife Phaedra, a visual artist and gardener, and his daughter Blythe and son Sebastian. 

 

Social Media:

 

Twitter: @wdavidotaylor

 

IG: @davidtaylor_theologian

 

Facebook author page: @wdavidotaylor2020

 

 

Books:

Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (2020)

 

Prayer Cards for Open and Unafraid:  

Glimpses of the New Creation: Worship and the Formative Power of the Arts (2019 w/Jeremy Begbie)

 

The Theater of God’s Glory: Calvin, Creation, and the Liturgical Arts (2017)

 

co-editor of Contemporary Art and the Church: A Conversation between Two Worlds (IVP Academic, 2017) 

For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts (2010): 

 

David’s Recommended Books for Spiritual Growth and Transformation

 

 

Henri Nouwen The Wounded Healer  

James B. Torrance, Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace 

 

Karl Barth Church Dogmatics 

 

 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Episode 14: The Courage to Read–Scripture, Astonishment, and Transformation with Dr. Brian Russell

In this week’s episode Dr Brian Russell talks about the profound role that Scripture has played in his life. He reflects on the shift from thinking of Scripture as something I should read to becoming something that I must read. He offers suggestions to capturing a renewed vision of the power of Scripture for a deep dive spirituality. Will you embrace the courage to read?

 

 

Bio: Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is a Professor of Biblical Studies and founder of Deep Dive Spirituality. Deep Dive Spirituality serves pastors and spiritual leaders through Dr. Russell’s ministries of preaching, teaching, and coaching.

 

 

 

Books by Dr. Russell

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

 

 

Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/

 

 

Centering Prayer and the Journey to Love (forthcoming in 2021 from Paraclete Press)

 

 

Recommendations from Today’s Podcast:

 

 

Thomas Merton, Opening the Bible https://amzn.to/2BZXZRf

 

 

M. Robert Mulholland, Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation https://amzn.to/3dVbhvA

 

Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading https://amzn.to/3dVbhvA

 

 

Social Media:

 

Twitter: @briandrussell

 

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

 

Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com

 

Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

Episode 13 Centering Prayer, Healing, and Spiritual Formation with Drs. Holeman, Russell, Stratton, and Rev. Gene Yotka

In this Episode, Drs Stephen Stratton and Toddy Holeman of Asbury Theological Seminary and Rev Gene Yotka of the Awakening Institute join Dr. Russell for a roundtable conversation about the contemplative practice of centering prayer. They focus on how its different from other forms of meditation and how God can use it to bring healing and transformation into the lives of practitioners.

 

For bios, see Episode 1 for Rev. Gene Yotka, Episode 9 for Dr. Steve Stratton, and Episode 12 for Dr. Toddy Holeman.

 

Social Media:

Brian Russell

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

 

Gene Yotka

@EugeneTYotka

https://www.theawakeninginstitute.com/

 

Books Recommended by the Panel on Centering Prayer

Bourgeault Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening https://amzn.to/3dVGwHC

 

Keating, Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer https://amzn.to/2AfhkNT

 

Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation https://amzn.to/2BUNaji

 

Madagain, Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious https://amzn.to/2UzZqwa

 

 

 

Books Written by the Panel Members

Books by Dr. Holeman:

Inside the Leader’s Head: Unravelling Personal Obstacles to Ministry (with Stephen Martyn, 2008): https://amzn.to/3fcCI58

 

Reconciliable Differences: Hope and Healing for Troubled Marriages (2005)  https://amzn.to/2YlLRl0

 

Theology for Better Counseling: Trinitarian Reflections for Healing and Formation (2012): https://amzn.to/2MNJoKU

 

Books by Dr. Stratton

Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses (with others)

 

Books by Dr. Russell

(Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World https://amzn.to/30tP4S9

 

Centering Prayer and the Journey to Love (forthcoming in 2021 from Paraclete Press)

 

Books by Gene Yotka

Knowing as We are Known: An Exercise in Inner Stillness https://amzn.to/3hiSXzd

Episode 12 Wesleyan Theology Counseling and the Dynamics of Forgiveness with Dr Virginia Todd Holeman

In this week’s episode, Dr. Virginia Todd Holeman helps us to understand the interplay of Wesleyan theology with the practice of therapy as well as the dynamics of forgiveness and an embodied spirituality. We also talk about common blocks and blind spots to God’s grace.

 

Bio: 

• B.S.Ed., Bloomsburg University, 1975

• M.A., Wheaton College, 1979
• M.A., Ashland Theological Seminary, 1986
• Ph.D., Kent State University, 1994

 

Dr. Virginia Todd Holeman (Toddy) is professor of Counseling. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary since 1995.

Dr. Holeman received a Ph.D. at Kent State University. At Asbury Seminary, she has served as associate dean of the School of Theology (1999-2004); acting dean (2004-2005); and is presently the chair of the Counseling and Pastoral Care Department. She was the 2003-2004 recipient of the seminary’s Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching Award. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist in Kentucky. Dr. Holeman is the past president of the Kentucky Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

She has published several books, including her most recent, Theology for Better Counseling: Trinitarian Reflections for Healing and Formation(IVP Academic, 2012), which was selected as a CAPS Book (Christian Association for Psychological Studies). Dr. Holeman’s research interests include interpersonal forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation, counselor education and supervision, and integration of psychology and counseling.

 

Books by Dr. Holeman:

Inside the Leader’s Head: Unravelling Personal Obstacles to Ministry (with Stephen Martyn, 2008): https://amzn.to/3fcCI58

 

Reconciliable Differences: Hope and Healing for Troubled Marriages (2005)  https://amzn.to/2YlLRl0

 

Theology for Better Counseling: Trinitarian Reflections for Healing and Formation (2012): https://amzn.to/2MNJoKU

 

 

Books Recommend by Dr. Holeman

 

Tolkien The Hobbit

and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy https://amzn.to/2AqQmCT

 

 

Miroslav Volf Exclusion and Embrace: Revised and Updated: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation https://amzn.to/3heCxrz

 

 

— Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace https://amzn.to/2ATkQxl

Episode 11: Wesleyan Renewal, Holiness, and Transformation with Dr. Ryan Danker

In this week’s episode, Dr. Ryan Danker helps us to understand the context of the Wesleyan renewal in 18th century England in ways that will help us think about Gospel ministry in the 21st century. We take a deep dive into true power and optimism of Wesleyan theology by discussing its proclamation of holiness of heart and life.

Bio:

An active United Methodist, Ryan Danker is a church historian with a passion for evangelical studies, and in particular the early Wesleyan/Methodist movement under John and Charles Wesley. Born in Portland, Oregon, Danker served United Methodist churches in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference. He currently serves as a member of the United Methodist/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Dialogue. He is active in the American Academy of Religion, the Wesleyan Theological Society, and the Charles Wesley Society. Before his appointment at Wesley, Danker served on the faculty at Greensboro College in North Carolina where he was also Special Assistant to the President and a member of the Advisory Board of the Royce and Jane Reynolds Center for Church Leadership. 

Education

* B.A., Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID

* M.Div., The Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC

* Th.D., The School of Theology, Boston University, Boston, MA

Social Media:

Twitter: @RyanNDanker and @SecondhandReli1

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5F9C_humHnVSZyz4tMy0yw

Books by Dr. Danker

Exploring a Wesleyan Political Theology (editor and contributor; Wesley’s Foundry books, 2019) https://amzn.to/2U5cXvo

Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism (IVP, 2016) https://amzn.to/2MtVUPb

Books Recommend by Dr. Danker

Geoffrey Wainwright Doxology: The Praise of God in Worship, Doctrine, and life: A Systematic Theology https://amzn.to/2z7DLDT

Robert Louis Wilken The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God https://amzn.to/2MuiqaW

The Book of Common Prayer

Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase resources via the links, a small fee is paid to Dr. Russell. This does not increase your cost at all. Purchasing through these links helps to support the production and storage of the podcast. Thank you for your support!

Episode 10: Religion, Class, and the Racial Divide with Dr. Gerardo Martí

In this week’s episode, Dr. Gerardo Martí takes us on a deep dive into the roots of the religious, political, social, and racial divisions that we face in our world today.

Gerardo Martí, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of Sociology at Davidson College, where he teaches on race, religion, inequality, and social change. He was recently elected President of the Association for the Sociology of Religion and is author of several books, including most recently American Blindspot: Race, Class, Religion, and the Trump Presidency (Rowman & Littlefield 2020) and The Glass Church: Robert H. Schuller, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Strain of Megachurch Ministry (Rutgers 2020).

You can follow Gerardo on the following social media platforms:

Twitter: @praxishabitus

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/praxishabitus

Dr. Marti’s published books:

American Blindspot: Race, Class, Religion, and the Trump Presidency (Rowman & Littlefield 2020) https://amzn.to/3gMMDjo

The Glass Church: Robert H. Schuller, the Crystal Cathedral, and the Strain of Megachurch Ministry (Rutgers 2020) https://amzn.to/301Hfml

Worship Across the Racial Divide: Religious Music and the Multiracial Congregation (Oxford University Press; Reprint edition, 2017) https://amzn.to/3eJ5gTl

Holywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church (Rutgers University Press, 2008) https://amzn.to/2XVHtZz

Latino Protestants in America: Growing and Diverse (with Mark Mulder and Aida Ramos; Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017) https://amzn.to/2zKAgnn

A Mosaic of Belivers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church (Indiana University Press, 2009) https://amzn.to/2XraEon 

The Deconstructed Church: Understanding Emerging Christianity (with Gladys Daniel, Oxford University Press; Reprint edition [2014]) https://amzn.to/3gRkDv8

Resources Recommended by Dr. Marti for Learning about Race, Class, and Religion:

Berger/Luckman The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge https://amzn.to/2Bsh2TW

Etienne Balibar On Universals: Constructing and Deconstructing Community https://amzn.to/2AuGtUv

Mehrst Baradarn The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap https://amzn.to/2z0KYpm

James Cone The Cross and the Lynching Tree https://amzn.to/303HmOq

                      God of the Oppressed https://amzn.to/3dvOCq4

Adam Dahl Empire of the People: Settler Colonialism and the Foundations of Modern Democratic Thought (American Political Thought) https://amzn.to/3drRRih

Karl Marx Capital https://amzn.to/3clUvoA

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership (Justice, Power, and Politics) https://amzn.to/2BjDBKj

Max Weber Economy and Society https://amzn.to/3eHD4jS

 

Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase resources via the links, a small fee is paid to Dr. Russell. This does not increase your cost at all. Purchasing through these links helps to support the production and storage of the podcast. Thank you for your support!

Episode 9: Psychology, Holistic Spirituality and Our Rule of Life with Dr. Steve Stratton

This week’s episode features a rich conversation with Dr. Steve Stratton. Dr. Stratton (for bio see below) helps us think about spiritual formation through the lens of psychology. We talk about the importance of a holistic spirituality that honors us as embodied persons. You’ll also gain insights into developing a rule or way of life that honors you as a unique person created by God and helps you grow deeper into God’s grace. 

 Dr. Stratton recommends these books as essential reading for spiritual formation:

 Aelred of Rievaulx: Spiritual Friendship https://amzn.to/2Xb0GHL

 Karen Horney Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle toward Self-Realization https://amzn.to/2ZLajys

 Gerald May Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions https://amzn.to/2TNBl4l 

 N.T. Wright The Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus’s Crucifixion https://amzn.to/2BcmgTI

 Stephen P. Stratton, Ph.D., is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care and a licensed psychologist (KY) and counselor educator.  Previous to his full-time appointment at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2006, he served as an adjunct professor at Asbury University, where he was the Director of the Center for Counseling for 18 years.  He is a Health Service Provider/Supervisor for the Kentucky Board of Psychology.  

 Dr. Stratton holds membership and leadership positions in both counseling and psychology professional guilds, and he regularly presents at the state, national and international conferences of these organizations.  He is currently Vice President for the Kentucky chapter of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values In Counseling (KY-ASERVIC).  He also serves as an At-large member of the Board for the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS). He is a trainer and seminar director for the Prepare-Enrich Inventory (Life Innovations, Inc.) since 2010, and he is a trained facilitator of Immunity to Change workshops (Minds at Work, Inc.) since 2013.  

 Dr. Stratton has provided psychological services to adolescents and adults in hospitals, community mental health agencies, pastoral settings, and college and university centers since 1983.  Dr. Stratton has special interest and training in the areas of human relational attachments, sexual/gender identity, contemplative prayer, and the integration of counseling and orthodox Christianity.  

He is part of a research team investigating the experience of sexual minorities at faith-based colleges and universities.  The book based on this research, Listening to Sexual Minorities: A Study of Faith and Sexual Identity on Christian College Campuses was published in 2018.  He is a research affiliate with the Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, where he currently helps to facilitate a longitudinal study investigating the experience of students at Christian colleges and universities across the United States who are navigating faith and gender identity.  He also serves on the Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) LGBTQ Task Force at the American Psychological Association.

 In 2017, he received the "Distinguished Member Award" for his teaching, research, and pastoral leadership for CAPS.  In 2012 and 2020, Dr. Stratton was presented the “Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award” by Asbury Theological Seminary for “consistent excellence in the classroom.”  In 2010, he was named “Psychologist of the Year” by the Kentucky Psychological Association for “his innovative teaching and outstanding scientist-practitioner model[ing]” in the state.

He is married to Carol (Lehikoinen) Stratton, and they enjoy connections with their adult daughter, son and daughter-in-law.  The Strattons are active in relational training, experiential worship, and contemplative prayer ministries.  They are congregational leaders in worship and laity training at Nicholasville United Methodist Church.

Episode 8: What is Deep Dive Spirituality? Solocast with Dr. Brian Russell

This week’s episode is a solocast. Brian talks about his personal journey into a deep dive spirituality. He offers this definition: “Thriving in life through living out the love of God, neighbor and self by offering our best self in the service of God’s mission.” He discusses how to build a rule of life that honors us as embodied souls (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). He shares his own practices and offers questions to get listeners started on their own deep dive.

 

Resources Mentioned: 

Bernard of Clairvaux: 

Sermon 18 on the Song ofSongs: https://hymnsandchants.com/Texts/Sermons/SongOfSongs/Sermon18/Sermon18.htm and “On Loving God” https://www.pathsoflove.com/bernard/on-loving-god.html 

 

Thomas Merton New Seeds of Contemplation https://amzn.to/2ziiAz6 

 

Murchadh Madagain, Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious https://amzn.to/2Toh2u3 

 

Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life https://amzn.to/3cSV61Y 

 

Epictetus Discourses and Selected Writings https://amzn.to/2Zkji9I 

 

Dr. Brian Russell is a professor of Biblical studies, an academic administrator and a coach for pastors and business professionals. He is the author of many books, curriculum materials, articles, and blog posts. Interested in joining one of his Deep Dive Spirituality groups for pastors? Email Brian: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com 

 

Connect with him:

Twitter: @briandrussell

Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife

YouTube: Deep Dive Spirituality with Dr. Brian Russell

Website: brianrussell.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrussellphd/ 

Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase resources via the links, a small fee is paid to Dr. Russell. This does not increase your cost at all. Purchasing through these links helps to support the production and storage of the podcast. Thank you for your support!