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Interested in taking a deep dive into your spiritual and missional formation? Hosted by Dr. Brian Russell (Professor of Biblical Studies and Spiritual Coach), the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast will explore the contours of spiritual formation, leadership, and missional practice in our present reality through solo episodes and interviews with leading practitioners and thinkers.
Episodes
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
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
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
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!
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
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!
Thursday May 28, 2020
Thursday May 28, 2020
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.
Thursday May 21, 2020
Thursday May 21, 2020
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!
Thursday May 14, 2020
Thursday May 14, 2020
This week’s episode features a deep dive into the spirit filled life, mentoring, and lessons from the missional work of E. Stanley Jones. Our guest is Dr. Robert Tuttle. You will not want to miss a minute as Bob offers rich reflections from almost 60 years of powerful ministry and teaching.
Bob Tuttle was born in North Carolina, the son of a United Methodist minister. After his undergraduate degree at Duke University, he then completed graduate degrees at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the Wheaton Graduate School of Theology before completing the Ph.D. degree from Trinity College at the University of Bristol in England.
Bob then served churches in North Carolina and Colorado before beginning his teaching career at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Since that time Bob has taught at the Oral Roberts Graduate School of Theology, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky before moving to the Asbury Dunnam Campus (Orlando, Florida) in 2000.
Though he retired in 2010, Bob still spends much of his time teaching and writing and going out once a month to teach and preach at conferences, universities, and local churches across the globe. He has preached and/or taught in nearly every state in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.
Bob is committed to Christ and Church. His understanding of the Christian faith has led him to a ministry of sharing the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit available through personal faith in Him.
Bob has published over a dozen books over the years and chapters in half a dozen more. He has a book entitled, The Story of Evangelism, A History of the Witness of the Gospel (Abingdon Press, 2006). https://amzn.to/2LuQMKc
His book, Shortening the Leap, From Honest Doubt to Enduring Faith (Bristol House) has been used among study groups worldwide. https://amzn.to/3bwTlWL
He has just published a new biography, “In Our Time, the Life and Ministry of E. Stanley Jones” (ESJ Foundation). This was chosen as the Book of the Year by the International Ashram Board. https://amzn.to/360zIFF
Bob and his wife, Dianne, have homes in Cashiers, NC and Vero Beach, FL where they enjoy entertaining, gardening, fishing, and visiting with family (four grown children and six grandchildren) and friends.
Bob also recommends the following writings for those interested in taking the next step in their spiritual formation
Stanley Jones Song of Ascent https://amzn.to/2LFUb9r
Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ https://amzn.to/3dPeixB
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Thursday May 07, 2020
Thursday May 07, 2020
This week’s episode features a deep dive into Wesleyan theology and practice as it relates to spiritual formation with Dr. Kevin Watson.
Dr. Kevin Watson is an expert on the class and band meetings used in Methodism for intentional discipleship and growth in grace. We also discuss the optimism of grace and its implications for living a victorious Christian life.
Dr. Kevin Watson (Ph.D.) is on the faculty of Chandler School of Theology where he teaches Methodist and Wesley studies. He is also a popular writer for the wider Methodist movement.
Kevin is the author of both academic and popular works. Here are links to his most accessible writings on Methodist class meetings, bands, and discipleship:
The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community (co authored with Scott Kisker) https://amzn.to/2Wd4aZW
A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley's General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living https://amzn.to/2Wz36hP
The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience https://amzn.to/2AbgSzP
Kevin also recommends the following writings for those interested in taking the next step in their spiritual formation:
John Wesley. The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey (eds. Collins and Vickers) https://amzn.to/2L6u4b5
Here is a link to Wesley’s sermon: The Scripture Way of Salvation
Dallas Willard The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God https://amzn.to/2YDfLTA
Richard Foster. Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth https://amzn.to/3fsLOLY
You can find Kevin online:
Twitter: @kevinwatson
Webpage: https://kevinmwatson.com
Please tell your friends about the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast and leave a five star review so that others can find it.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
This week’s episode focuses on a deep dive into lessons that we can learn from the 12th century spiritual giant, Bernard of Clairvaux.
We explore his four levels of love and their meaing/implications for today. We also return to the theme of simplicity and its crucial role in our spiritual formation.
We also explore lessons from Thomas Merton and how Mike's role as a lay member of the Cistercian order has shaped his understanding of life and mission.
Dr. Mike Voigts is an Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has served congregations in Texas and Kentucky.
He is the author of Letters of Ascent: Spiritual Direction in the Letters of Bernard of Clairvaux (https://amzn.to/2RENBDn)
You can find him online: Twitter: @mikevoigts
Webpage: claravallis.me
Please tell your friends about the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast and leave a five star review so that others can find it.
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
This week’s episode focuses on a deep dive into mission, spirituality, and "blue moments." The latter phrase is one coined by guest Alex McManus to describe divine moments in which an outsider to faith suddenly finds himself or herself experiencing a hyperlink to an encounter with the truth of the Gospel.
Join Brian and Alex as they have a wide ranging conversation.
Alex McManus is a futurist, church planter, and missional thinker. He is the author of "Makers of Fire: The Spirituality of Leading from the Future." (https://amzn.to/2RYg3jw).
You can find him online:
Twitter: @alex_mcmanus
Webpage: theimn.com
Please tell your friends about the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast and leave a five star review so that others can find it.
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
Wednesday Apr 15, 2020
This week’s episode focuses on a deep dive into the process of spiritual formation. “Unum necessarium” is latin for “one necessary thing.” This phrase finds its biblical roots in Jesus’ words to Martha in Luke 10:42.
Listen in as Brian and Mike dig into the concepts of simplicity and the “one necessary thing” as means for deepening our growth in grace.
What is your “unum necessarium”?
What would it look like to fully embrace it today?
Dr. Mike Voigts is an Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has served congregations in Texas and Kentucky. He is the author of Letters of Ascent: Spiritual Direction in the Letters of Bernard of Clairvaux (https://amzn.to/2RENBDn)
You can find him online:
Twitter: @mikevoigts
Webpage: claravallis.me
Please tell your friends about the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast and leave a five star review so that others can find it.