Virtue in the Wasteland Podcast (general)

Is Harper Lee's novel worth reading?  Does it disappoint us about the complexity of racism in America?  Listen up and find out.

Direct download: Go_Set_A_Watchman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Reinke discusses the back story and aftermath of the circumstances surrounding the critically-acclaimed documentary, "The Overnighters" (2014), winner of several awards, including the Sundance special award for best documentary.  This is an amazing conversation, reflecting on the work of Reinke and his LCMS congregation to help displaced workers who came to North Dakota to benefit from the fracking boom.  Reinke is by no means a perfect guy, he never claims to be.  But he also has a way of inspiring folks to consider radical hospitality and grace--even to the unloveable. He is an underdog, and a champion of underdogs.  That isn't always a formula for earthly succes.  Perhaps the best quote from our guest (who had a good many): "Love is not an investment. Love is a gift."  

 

virtueinthewasteland.com

faithfulmasks.org

1517legacy.com

thejaggedword.com

Direct download: The_Underdog_Pastor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

What do you do when you hate what you do?  Before that, we discuss emails and feedback related to our previous show.  We share a bit about what's been going on this summer with our family vacations. We reveal a dream Jeff's dad had about the nature of this life's journey.  We read through and discuss a letter a young Hunter S. Thompson wrote to a friend.

 

virtueinthewasteland.com

faithfulmasks.org

1517legacy.com

Direct download: When_Your_Job_Sucks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Gay marriage, the constitution, ethics, Christianity, and America.

 

Will the 14th Amendment threaten the 1st Amendment?  Is there a difference between what is legal and what is moral?  Should conservative Christians be as upset as they are about the recent Supreme Court decision?   On this show, we risk upsetting everyone from right to left.  We challenge the conservative view that the sky is falling.  We challenge the view of those who want to use the state to further biblical positions.  We agree with some of the concerns of the consevative, dissenting justices on points of law, and yet suggest that the overall outcome is a reasonable one.

Direct download: Marriage_Morality_and_the_Law.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:03pm PDT

What is pietism, who were the Pietists, and why does this all matter for contemporary American culture?

 

We chat about Wesley, Zinzendorf, Spener, Arndt, Haugee etc.

Direct download: PIetism.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Narnia, myth, mere Christianity, and how to be both faithful and willing to play nice with others.

Dr. Mueller is Dean of Christ College, Concordia University Irvine, where he is also a Prof. of Theology.  He is the author of several books, including Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess: An Introduction to Doctrinal Theology (Wipf & Stock, 2005), Not a Tame God (CPH, 2002), and The Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary (CPH, 2015). 

Direct download: On_C_S_Lewis.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Another show in the Wrong Side of History series, we sit down with a native Hawaiian and a missionary to the Navaho Nation to discuss the ways in which Western Christians have made mistakes, but also some positive contributions, to first nations people around the world, especially in US states and territories.

De Lude III (Native Hawaiian) serves the Native Hawaiian people on the island of O’ahu, the third largest and most densely populated island comprising the state. Having received his master’s in Lutheran education and serving many years as vice-principal, Clarence is now enrolled in the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) Program at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., leading to ordination.

 
Tim Norton and his family serve the Navajo Nation – the largest Native nation both in terms of population and area of more than 25,000 square miles. Tim works with Louise Lee (Navajo), who also serves with Lutheran Indian Ministries at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Navajo, N.M. Tim is enrolled in the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC) Program at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., leading to ordination.
 
http://lutheranmissionariesandpilots.org
virtueinthewasteland.com
1517legacy.com
faithfulmasks.org
Direct download: Missions_to_Hawaiians_and_Native_Americans.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

LA Country music, religion, hipsters, and making sincere music.  

samoutlaw.com

virtueinthewasteland.com

Direct download: Sex_Drugs_and_Country_Music_with_Sam_Outlaw.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Music and book suggestions to change things up for you this summer.  Don't get into a rut.  We created a playlist on spotify to sample some of the stuff we mention: https://play.spotify.com/user/virtueinthewasteland/playlist/6DfJ5Lp4JWdYQhCPDdjVkI

You can find a full list of readings on our website: virtueinthewasteland.com

 

Direct download: Summer_Reading.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT

Climate change, desertification, ethics, ecology, fisheries, and caring for our neighbors around the world.  Dr. Bignmami is a marine biologist, specializing in the relationship between fish and the acidity of our oceans.

Another episode with the "wrong side of history" theme.

virtueinthewasteland.com

Direct download: Climate_Change.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm PDT