In this episode of GodPod, Graham and Jane sit down with Professor Luke Bretherton. Luke is a Professor of Moral & Political Theology at Duke University. Together they discuss democracy, humanism and what it means to be made in the image of God.  

  In this episode of GodPod we continue the new mini-series, 'Theological Figures' This time, the home team discusses Basil The Great

In this episode of GodPod, Graham, Jane, and Mike are joined by Joseph Diwakar, Tutor and Lecturer in Church History at St Mellitus College. They discuss the importance of studying theology alongside history and explore some global perspectives of church history.    

In this episode of GodPod, the home team is back together (in person!) for the first time in 3 years! In this “Christmas Special” the team discusses the time of Advent in waiting for Christmas and how Christmas fits in a secular culture. 

In our latest episode of GodPod, the home team are joined by special guest Dr Anna Westin discussing her book: Embodied Trauma and Healing: Critical Conversations on the Concept of Health

Launching a new mini-series. In this episode of GodPod, the home team begins a four-part mini-series on Theological Figures, beginning with Saint Augustine.

In this episode of GodPod the home team chat to Revd Canon Steve Benoy, Canon Missioner at Peterborough Cathedral, about the Natural History Museum's Dinosaurs at the cathedral, and they tackle some of the questions raised by exhibit guests. 

In this episode of GodPod, the home team answers some of your questions! If you'd like the team to discuss one of your questions, please email [email protected]

In this episode of GodPod the home team has their fourth discussion on the Creeds. This time the team looks at The Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified… has spoken through the Prophets.

In this episode of GodPod the home team are joined by Revd Dr Mark Scarlata to discuss his latest book. Together they have a fascinating discussion about one of the most overlooked books in the Old Testament: Leviticus. They discuss everything from holiness, sacrifice and the rock badger. You can buy the book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-through-World-Leviticus-Sacrifice/dp/1666713724/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1649018653&refinements=p_27%3AMark+Scarlata&s=books&sr=1-2

In this episode of GodPod, the home team has their third discussion on the Creeds. In this episode, they explore the article on Christology: 'One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father'

In this episode of GodPod Graham and Jane are joined by Revd Dr Matthias Grebe. Matthias is Tutor and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College. Together they discuss why a pastoral perspective on suffering is so important.

In this episode of GodPod, the home team enjoy a discussion with a special guest, Dr. Renie Chow Choy about her latest book 'Ancestral Feeling: Postcolonial Thoughts on Western Christian Heritage'. You can purchase the book here.

In this episode of GodPod, the home team has their second conversation in our mini-series on the Nicene Creed. This discussion focuses on the first part of The Creed and what is says about God, The Father.

In this episode of GodPod the home team (Graham Tomlin, Jane Williams and Michael Lloyd) begin a mini series thinking about one of the most important documents in history: the Creeds.

In this episode of GodPod the home team (Graham Tomlin, Jane Williams and Michael Lloyd) meet together to discuss ‘The Bond of Peace’. This book emerged from a series of lectures at St Mellitus College on the topic of Generous Orthodoxy funded by The McDonald Agape Foundation. In this episode the team help us explore how we can see and speak of God clearly and live well in this world. You can purchase The Bond of Peace here

In this GodPod Graham Tomlin, Jane Williams, and Michael Lloyd are joined by Paul Woolley as they explore the life and ministry of John Stott in this, his centenary year

In this episode of GodPod Graham Tomlin and Jane Williams discuss how Christians can confidently engage with their culture and become a ‘cultural witness’.

Graham Tomlin, Jane Williams and Michael Lloyd muse over questions about why God doesn’t make himself more obvious and how returning to the spiritual disciplines can help us get through the pandemic.

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike are joined by Katherine Sonderegger, the William Meade Chair of Systematic Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary, for a fascinating discussion on Christ’s hiddenness and presence in the pandemic and at all times.

In this episode of GodPod the home team answer some of your questions! In this edition they discuss the role of Stephen in scripture and the place of the sacraments in the pandemic. If you'd like the team to discuss one of your questions, please email [email protected] 

In this GodPod the home team are joined by Will Willimon from Duke University for an interesting discussion on hearing God speak in sermons and the role of preaching.

In this episode, the usual team is joined by Professor John Swinton from the University of Aberdeen to think about questions of suffering and evil raised by the COVID pandemic, the experience of the absence of God, and how to find Jesus in the storm of mental health affliction

GodPod team invite Maurice Glasman back for part 2 of a fascinating discussion on the importance of the local church and how it can be seen as the embodiment of love is a desecrated world.

In this GodPod the home team have a fascinating discussion with Lord Glasman on the significance of place and the vital role the church plays within civic rights. (Sorry for any issues with the quality of audio this time as we continue to record over zoom. Thank you for bearing with us)  

In this GodPod, the home team, Graham, Jane and Mike discuss the relationship between prayer and theology, and Graham’s latest book: “Why being yourself is a bad idea: And other countercultural notions

This one’s a bit special. It’s a slightly longer Godpod than usual, but well worth sticking with it, as the regular team are joined by author and historian Tom Holland to discuss his remarkable book “Dominion” The Making of the Western Mind” on the radical and far-reaching impact Christianity has had on western culture.

The regular team of Graham, Jane and Mike are joined by Lucy Peppiatt to discuss what really matters in theological education, and reflect on their years of experience in this area

This episode celebrates the 150th GodPod! Join the original team together for the 'Sesquicentennial' GodPod. Graham, Jane and Mike reflect on GodPod over the years and share some highlights and how they continue to engage in theological reflection.

In the light of the death of George Floyd, Jane and Graham are joined by Sharon Prentis, Intercultural Mission Enabler in the Anglican diocese of Birmingham UK, to discuss why Christians should care about the sin of racism, and why every church needs to be multicultural.

In this episode, Jane and Graham are joined by Rob Merchant to talk about his new book: “Broken by Fear, Anchored in Hope”. Rob speaks about how his faith has helped him live with trauma and mental health issues of depression, anxiety and fear and how he has been able to find hope in these experiences.

In this episode the home team, Graham, Jane and Mike reflect on life, death, suffering and legacy as Mike shares his own personal experience of COVID-19.

In this GodPod episode, Graham and Jane are joined by Professor Joshua Hordern from Oxford University, talking about health care, compassion and pilgrimage.

In this special edition of GodPod Graham Tomlin and Jane Williams are joined by the Bishop of London Sarah Mullally (former Chief Nursing Officer for England), to discuss theological and ethical questions that are raised by the coronavirus and its impact.

In this GodPod Graham Tomlin and Jane Williams meet over a large plate of biscuits to discuss how they read the bible and how to get the best out of the reading of scripture, especially in the light of historical and critical readings of the text.

This GodPod includes part of a panel discussion after the latest Generous Orthodoxy lecture delivered by Fleming Rutledge

In this GodPod, recorded on the eve of the UK General Election 2019, Graham and Jane debate Brexit and how Christian theology might help us find reconciliation after this bruising and polarising debate.

In this GodPod, Graham is joined by Nick Spencer from the Christian think tank Theos to discuss his book 'The Political Samaritan' looking at the way in which the parable has been used by politicians in recent years.  

This GodPod discussion was recorded as part of a lecture given by Prof. James K. A. Smith titled 'The Art of Hope: Imagining Another World in a World That Breaks Our Hearts'. This lecture was recorded as part of the Generous Orthodoxy Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation. You can watch the lecture here.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Prof. Miroslav Volf titled 'The Love of God, the Home of God'. This lecture was recorded as part of the Generous Orthodoxy Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod, the usual team investigate reincarnation, grace and the resurrection and whether there will be denominations in the life to come. 

In this episode Graham, Jane and Mike discuss whether there is too much emphasis on the head rather than the heart, too much on thinking as opposed to character and prayer and whether theology is an academic subject.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Prof. David Ford titled 'Jesus – Reliably Surprising, Generously Orthodox'. This lecture was recorded as part of the Generous Orthodoxy Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod, Jane and Mike discuss the importance of thinking theologically and whether it is enough to just be worshippers.

Graham, Jane and Mike are joined by Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King's College London to discuss the word and the image, art galleries and churches and the relationship between theology and the visual arts.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by Nick Drake, worship leader and theologian, to discuss charismatic and Pentecostal worship, John Calvin, and intergenerational church life.

In this GodPod, Graham and Mike discuss two books they wrote back in the early 00s – Cafe Theology and The Provocative Church – and reflect on the impact they've had in the intervening years.

In this episode, Graham is joined by James Orr and James Mumford, to discuss how we transcend the culture wars and polarisation of modern political discussion, how we make moral choices and what we understand by natural law and order. 

In this GodPod, Graham and Mike are joined by Fr Simon Cuff, Tutor and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College, to look at whether God can be surprised, whether vegetarianism is the only option for Christians and whether it is right to practice usury.  

In this GodPod, the home team of Graham, Jane and Mike are joined by Revd Dr Mark Scarlata, Tutor and Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at St Mellitus College, where they discuss Exodus and the theme of his new book 'The Abiding Presence of God'. They then go on to discuss the Sabbath and it's significance today. 

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike discuss the subject of holiness and why God delays the eradication of sin. They then go on to talk about the new creation and whether theology and science should be separate or not. 

In this special filmed episode of GodPod, the 'home team' Graham, Jane and Mike, start of by discussing sin and whether all sin is of equal value and whether we have to know our sins to be forgiven. They then go on to talk about faith and how we can prove other things do not exist and whether there is a theological basis for God choosing to speak through apparently secular cultural forms.  If you would like to watch the video, please follow this link https://vimeo.com/stmellituscollege/godpod-127

Freedom, Obedience, Joy – Part 2 This GodPod was recorded as part of a special event at St Mellitus College.  In the second part, Bishop Graham Tomlin is joined by Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household and Professor Miroslav Volf, Founder and Director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture, for a conversation and Q&A, held together by Revd Dr Donna Lazenby, Director of St Mellitus College, South West, on the topics of Freedom, Obedience and Joy.

Freedom, Obedience, Joy – Part 1 This GodPod was recorded as part of a special event at St Mellitus College.  In this first part, Bishop Graham Tomlin is joined by Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household and Professor Miroslav Volf, Founder and Director of Yale Center for Faith and Culture who each give a short talk to unpack and explore our theological understanding of Freedom, Obedience and Joy and its impact on faith, leadership and ministry.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by Mark Knight, Academic Director and Tutor and Lecturer in Historical and Systematic Theology at St Mellitus College to discuss the life and work of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. (We apologise for the poor audio quality from Jane's microphone. This was due to an unfortunate technical error.)

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike, discuss Pelagianism, whether humans are capable of doing good and if human good has any impact on salvation.

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike start by looking at whether you can be a Christian but not a church goer in the modern world and then go on to look at why we have to wait for things from God.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by guest speaker Jonathan Aitken to talk about prison, freedom and the justice system.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Rt Revd Dr Graham Tomlin titled 'The Reformation – Past, Present and Future'. This lecture was recorded as part of the McDonald Lecture Series - a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a Reformation Symposium hosted by St Mellitus College last month. Graham is joined by Prof. Charlotte Methuen, Revd Dr Michael Leyden and Prof. Simeon Zhal to discuss The Reformation and what it means for the church today.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by guest speaker Justin Brierley, a radio presenter on Premier Christian Radio and Senior Editor of Premier Christianity Magazine.

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike start by discussing the inspiration of scripture, and go onto talk about suffering and how some suffer more than others.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Prof. Amos titled 'Spirit, Scripture and Sending'. This lecture was recorded as part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Prof. Stanley Hauerwas. Graham, Stanley, Mark Knight and Donna Lazenby discuss theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This lecture was recorded as part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by Hannah Steele, Tutor and Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College. They discuss the emerging church and new forms of church and mission, part of some research and writing that Hannah has been doing.

In the first section of this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike discuss satan. In the second part, the team go onto discuss the Psalms, particularly looking at the mention of hatred within the Psalms.  

In this GodPod Graham and Jane are joined by Marilynne Robinson and Catherine Fox. This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Marilynne Robinson on 'Theology for our Time'. This lecture was part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enables through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by Steve Smith, Tutor and Lecturer in New Testament Studies at St Mellitus College. They discuss Luke–Acts, the Kindom of God and the reading of scripture.

In this GodPod the home team talk about Martin Luther to mark the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Professor Ian McFarland on 'The Problem of the Problem of Evil'. This lecture was part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod, Graham, Jane and Mike start by thinking about infant baptism, and go onto discuss the nature of scripture and the place it takes within the devotional life. 

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Professor Tom Wright on 'Saving the World, Revealing the Glory: Atonement Then and Now'. This lecture was part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

Graham and Jane are joined by Sara Schumacher, Director of Education and Tutor and Lecturer in Theology and the Arts at St Mellitus College. In this GodPod, they explore digital technology, looking at how it effects us, the way we relate as people, and how we approach it as Christians.

In this GodPod, Graham and Jane are joined by Will Van Der Hart. Will is Director of a charity called Mind and Soul, and Pastoral Chaplain at HTB.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Professor Kathryn Tanner on 'Christianity and the New Spirit of Capitalism' at St Mellitus College. This lecture was part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this one, the home team discuss whether choice and free will continue after death. They also look at the idea of why we often talk about God doing something 'new'. 

In this GodPod Graham, Jane and Mike talk about evolution and atonement. In the second half, the team think about Jesus as a baby, and question how much of his divine calling and identity he was aware of.

In this one, Graham and Mike are joined by Stephen Backhouse, lecturer in Social and Political Theology at St Mellitus College. The team continue their series on herecies, looking at marcionism. 

For our 100th GodPod, the home team are joined by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartes. 

The home team look at whether there is a difference between 'people of faith' and others, and questions of miracles, hypnotism and psychological manipulations. 

In this one, the home team congratulate Graham in his new role as Bishop of Kensington and discuss the role of a Bishop. They also talk about original sin.

In this one Graham and Mike are joined by Dr Chris Tilling, Senior New Testament Lecturer at St Mellitus College. This GodPod looks at questions of the historicity of the Bible, and has an emphasis on Biblical Studies and the New Testament.

This GodPod was recorded as part of a lecture given by Professor Jeremy Begbie on 'The Spirit and Christianity's Upside-Down Future' at St Mellitus College. This lecture was part of the McDonald Lecture Series – a collaboration between St Mellitus College and the McDonald Agape Foundation, enabled through a generous donation from the McDonald Agape Foundation.

In this GodPod the home team look at past and present theological thinkers, and question whether we have to be in total agreement with a thinker in order to take seriously their theology.

In this one Jane, Graham and Mike look at free will. They also explore the fact that a large number of the human race reject Christ, yet we say that he has won the victory, and think about how that can be the case.

In this GodPod the home team continue their series on heresies, looking at the heresy of Arianism.

Jane and Graham are joined by Professor Lamin Sanneh from Yale University, one of the world's experts on global Christianity, to discuss what is distinct about Christianity among world faiths, and the nature of Christian Mission.

Alister McGrath, Professor of Science and Theology at Oxford University, joins Graham and Jane for a discussion about science and faith.

In this one the usual team are joined by missiologist Paul Weston to discuss the life and work of the great missionary theologian Lesslie Newbigin.

In this GodPod John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, joins Graham and Jane for a discussion science and faith.

In this GodPod the home team look at the heresy of modalism and ask why it is a heresy. They also look at the crucifixion and why Jesus used the image of taking up your cross and following him as an image of discipleship.

American theologian Ellen Charry, Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, joins Graham and Mike for a discussion around human flourishing, why Augustine is the most fascinating of all theologians, and happiness.

Mike, Jane and Graham continue their series on heresies, this time looking at manichaeism and why the world is not the result of the equal forces of good and evil.

In this podcast the home team start a new short series on 'Heresies' and why they don't work. This time they look at Adoptionism.

In this Godpod the team discuss: Angels, Demons and Polygamy.

In this Godpod we welcome back Mike Lloyd and the usual team discuss: Why does God not make Himself more obvious? What do you do if you believe in God but can't bring yourself to believe in Jesus? And whether we become divine in the process of the christian life or not?

In this Godpod renowned New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham joins the team for a discussion about the reliability of the Gospels and what we know about the historical Jesus. 

The one where Graham, Jane and guest conversation-partner Lincoln Harvey discuss what the 'image of God' means, whether Jesus would have died if he had not chosen to go to the cross, and how you know whether you are deceiving yourself when you try to read the Bible

Mike, Jane and Graham talk about why the New Testament writings are considered to be God’s Word and other early Christian writings of this time are not. They also discuss whether God forgives our sins against him or just against other people, and whether our imperfect memories are a result of our fallenness.

Mike, Jane and Graham discuss whether it matters what religion you follow, whether Christianity is the truth and how we should then look at other faiths

In this Godpod the team look at the self-emptying if God in Christ and whether this makes Jesus less than God and the Old Testament law and how it should be applied today.

In this Godpod Graham, Mike and Jane look at questions of free will including whether Judas can be blamed for betraying Jesus and what difference it would make if we discovered intelligent life on other planets! 

This Godpod was recorded at a Conference we held in 2013 called the Holy Spirit and the World Today. It involves Graham, Jane Williams, Steve Holmes, Chris Tilling and Julie Canlis, taking questions from the guests at the conference on aspects of the theology of the Spirit. To access the keynote talks from this conference please click here.

This Godpod was recorded at a Conference we held in 2013 called the Holy Spirit in the World Today. It is a panel discussion with Graham Tomlin, Steve Holmes, Julie Canlis and James Harding looking at questions including: How does the Holy Spirit inspire our imagination? What are the boundaries between human spirituality and the divine Spirit? To access the keynote talks from this conference please click here. 

In this Godpod special guest Elizabeth Oldfield from Theos joins Graham, Jane and Stephen to look at questions surrounding faith and public life. What is the best way for Christians to engage in debates about ethical issues in a way that is helpful and contructive? Are there some subjects that shouldn't be dealt with in the public media? 

In this Godpod Graham, Mike and Jane look at questions surrounding the Holy Spirit. Does the Holy Spirit actually reside inside of us? If so, do the Father and Son reside in us too? Does the Holy Spirit come in waves? Is speaking in tongues an infallible sign of the Holy Spirit?

In this edition, the team looks in some detail at Jesus. Did ‘Jesus’ exist before the Incarnation? Does he appear in the Old Testament? Why didn’t Jesus speak more plainly? Why is he so hard to understand sometimes?”  

In this one, Mike, Jane and Graham ponder the questians of Gods relationship to time, whether He suffers eternally and to what extent He knows and detemins the future. 

The regular team are joined by theologian Lincoln Harvey to discuss whether we should blame God for things going wrong, the purpose of Sport and what different Christians think of Mary.

In this Godpod, Mike, Jane and Graham look at the doctrine of Ascension, the sin of pride and predestination and free will.

In this Godpod, the normal three look at whether you can prove that statistically 'christian life' is the best way of life, how Jesus' personality developed and whether fellowship is compulsory.

In this Godpod, Mike and Graham are joined by Sean Doherty, tutor in ethics at St Mellitus college, to discuss divorce and re-marriage, high church and charismatic worship, and the resurrection body of Jesus. 

In this Godpod, Graham, Jane and Mike discuss the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,  Did Jesus become the son of God at the transfiguration?  And prayer for healing.

Jane, Graham and Mike discuss a number of GodPod listeners’ recent questions including different interpretations of the Eucharist, how Christians should relate to the environment, and is there a possibility that God can sometimes ‘use’ the existence of evil to achieve a purpose?

Jane and Graham in dialogue discuss personal theological and spiritual development, how their own faiths have evolved and the books that have inspired them over the years. They conclude with a discussion on the transformative purpose of theology.  

Graham and Jane are joined by Stephen Backhouse and Chris Tilling. They discuss how we understand and interpret the existence of inequality in the world, whether God reveals himself more to some people than to others and why the Crucifixion happened at a particular point in history.

Graham, Mike and Stephen are joined by Baroness Maeve Sherlock, Labour Peer and former Treasury special adviser. They discuss finding faith later in life, how Christianity transforms our worldview and the role of faith schools in Britain.

This week we join Mike, Jane and Graham in the 'bunker' who welcome Revd Dr Michael Ward, author of 'Planet Narnia' and 'The Narnia Code', to discuss the life and work of CS Lewis.

Mike, Jane and Graham are joined by Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne, and former missionary in Kenya, to discuss whether Christian and Muslims worship the same, whether it's ever right to stop evangelising, and whether Jesus was always divine, even when he was a child.

Turning off each other’s microphones, the home team hold the fort this week to discuss psychics, the paranormal and words of knowledge, the relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation, and unpack a question on death in the light of creation.

In this one, Graham Mike and Jane have fancy new microphones (so a better audio experience for all). They talk about the Prosperity Gospel, whether the fall is an event or a process, and whether the Holy Spirit is a person, a force or a thing.

Mike, Jane and Graham are joined by Dr Chris Tilling, New Testament specialist, to look at some thorny problems in the Bible, such as 'being baptised for the dead' in 1 Corinthians, speaking and singing in tongues, and the status of the Apocrypha. There's an extra seasonal discussion on whether Christians should teach their kids about Father Christmas!

In this one, Graham and Jane are joined by Stephen Backhouse, expert on Kierkegaard and all things Canadian.  They end up discussing whether the Holy Spirit is loved by the Father and the Son and the nature of eternity - is it like spending your whole life in church?

The original team, Graham, Mike and Jane, meet to discuss the Pope's visit to the UK, contemporary secularism and the relevance of the Nicene Creed to being a Christian today.

This one involves two special guests - Professor Miroslav Volf from Yale University and Professor David Ford from Cambridge University, in conversation with the usuals - Graham, Jane and Mike, recorded at the Holy Spirit in the World Today conference.

Charlie Mackesy, artist, preacher and very interesting chap, joins the regular team to talk about art, faith, and honesty in church.

Which Creed best sums up the Christian faith? Graham, Mike, and Jane discuss the Nicene Creed and other ecumenical and confessional creeds of the church. And in the second part of the GodPod they address the sensitive issue of death: what happens to someone who dies who has not been baptised, or who has committed suicide?

The regular team are joined by Paul Cowley of HTB and Matt Wilson of the Eden Project, to discuss their work in social transformation on the estates of London and Manchester.

GodPod turns 50! The original team celebrate to the sound of popping champagne corks. (Well, sparkling wine, at least.) And while sipping on their bubbly, Graham, Mike and Jane discuss their vision for theology at the heart of the church, one of the core values of St Paul’s Theological Centre. Plus... is there any humour in the Bible? And is there anything that God cannot do?

God encompasses the vastness of the universe, but chooses to relate to humanity in a personal way, on this apparently trivial little planet. What is the place of humanity in the purposes of God? And if there is life on other planets, is Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection valid for the whole cosmos? Secondly, what does Jesus mean when he says in Luke 10:18 that he “saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven,” and how do we interpret biblical language about the spiritual realm? And finally, should we, as individuals and as communities, respond to aggression by “turning the other cheek”?

How should the contemporary church engage with postmodernism? And what constitutes a successful church? Is there any encouragement for churches with small congregations and limited resources? Jane, Mike and Stephen discuss the church and mission, and also ask if there can ever be forgiveness without repentance.

Nick Spencer, the author of 'Darwin and God', joins Graham, Mike and Jane, to discuss the relationship between Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution and the Christian faith. On the 150th anniversary of the publication of 'On the Origin of Species', Nick explores Darwin's own faith and the impact of Darwin's theories on Christian theology. [Recorded 18 June 2009]

Mike, Jane and Chris explore the strengths and weaknesses of different translations of the Bible, including the King James Version, the New International Version, and The Message. The team also addresses the question of what we are to make of apparent contradictions in the Bible. Can all such passages be reconciled with one another? Or are they reflections of the different concerns of their authors? And, finally, did the Holy Spirit reveal truths to the Church Fathers that hadn't been revealed earlier to the apostles? [Recorded 21 May 2009]

What do we understand by the 'unconditional love of God' for ourselves and for others? Does it affect how we live? And does the good news of Jesus Christ mean that everyone will ultimately be saved? [Recorded 23 April 2009]

Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, joins Graham, Mike and Jane to discuss the use of the Bible in public preaching and in personal spirituality. How are our different personality types suited to various approaches to spirituality? How can church leaders use the Bible in preaching and pastoral ministry? And what is the place of interpretation in our approaches to the Bible? [Recorded 19 March 2009]

GodPod’s resident theologians are joined by Dave Bookless and Will Campbell-Clause from the Christian environmental organisation A Rocha. What might it mean for us to be stewards of creation? [Recorded 26 February 2009]

Graham, Mike and Jane discuss prayer with Pete Greig, a founder member of the 24-7 Prayer movement and Director of Prayer at HTB. Covering the history of the movement, they look at the growth of new monasticism and the uniting of prayer with social justice. And what are we to do with unanswered prayer? [Recorded 22 January 2009]

Nigel Biggar, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford, joins the GodPod team this week. How might Christians approach debates about ethical issues, such as euthanasia and abortion, in the public square? And what about the place of forgiveness and reconciliation between communities in troubled areas like Northern Ireland?

The resident theologians are joined by Luke Bretherton, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Politics, and Convenor of the Faith and Public Policy Forum at Kings College, London. Luke explores what contemporary urban spirituality might look like, and the team discuss the relationship between church and state in US politics, in the light of Barack Obama’s victory in the American presidential elections.

Should Christians be vegetarians for ethical reasons? The regular team debates this, and the question of how Old Testament laws fit into New Testament ethics.

Why didn’t Jesus write his own Gospel? Chris Tilling joins Graham, Mike, and Jane again to discuss the legacy of Jesus in the writing of the New Testament, the sending of the Holy Spirit, and the institution of the sacraments. And can God answer the prayers of people who wouldn’t consider themselves Christians, or who follow other faiths? How might we think about the intercession of saints?

Stephen Backhouse joins the resident theologians to discuss patriotism and citizenship in the context of the Christian faith. Who exactly is our neighbour? Author of a report for the Christian think tank Theos entitled ‘Red, White, Blue… and Brown: Citizens, Patriots and the Prime Minister’, Stephen explores the insights of the Danish philosopher-theologian Søren Kierkegaard on the relationship between nationalism and the Christian faith. And in this discussion of church and state, there is a new addition to the team – Chris Tilling, New Testament lecturer at SPTC, who joins the GodPod regulars for the first time.

HTB leaders past and present gather together during the church’s unusually sunny annual week away to answer questions from the congregation.  Graham is joined by current vicar Nicky Gumbel and associate vicar Archie Coates, as well as worship leader Tim Hughes and former vicar of HTB, Sandy Miller, with questions deftly fielded by Andy Emerton.  What is the relationship between the church and the Kingdom of God, and do Christians have a monopoly on living out the Kingdom? How should the church work with secular organisations? The panel also discuss the place of the Trinity in the theology of the Alpha Course, and of singing in worship, before moving on to the stewardship of money, and the books of the Apocrypha. They also touch on the sensitive issue of prayer ministry in the face of terminal illness.

Andrew Walker, Professor of Theology and Education at King’s College London, joins Graham, Mike, and Jane to discuss ecumenicism and the Holy Spirit. Taking us through the debates and councils of the early church, Andrew explains the background to the different understandings of the nature of the Holy Spirit between the eastern and western churches. He also adds a personal note, talking about his own journey of faith and his membership of the Orthodox Church.

Andy Emerton, Director of St Paul’s Theological Centre, joins the GodPod team for the first time. The team open the discussion this week with consideration of Christian ideas about souls and physicality, in contrast with Platonic and Gnostic thought. They continue with the issue of poverty and the church, and go on to look at differences in approaches to the Bible between the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestants churches, particularly the canonicity of the Apocrypha.

Our resident theologians discuss faith in the workplace with financier Ken Costa, Chairman of Lazard International and a Director of Alpha.

Graham, Mike and Jane offer us an insight into their own spiritual walks, chatting about how they themselves approach prayer.

Paul Woolley, Director of Christian think tank Theos, joins Graham and Mike to discuss the place of religion in secular society and matters of environmental and medical ethics. They consider the growth of the global church, as well as the privatisation of faith in the context of secular humanism and world religions. How should Christians be involved in the political sphere and the criminal justice system? And how does what we believe about life after death influence what we think about cremation or burial practices, the donation of organs to medical science, and our stewardship of the environment?

Graham, Mike and Jane consider the different approaches of the Catholic and Protestant Churches to personal transformation, looking at the place of sacraments and the doctrine of Purgatory. They also address questions of the reliability of the Bible and the revelation of God in scripture.

Tim Hughes, worship leader at HTB and formerly of Soul Survivor, joins our resident theologians to discuss worship in the local church.

The regular team are joined by David Hillborn, Director of the North Thames Ministerial Training College, in considering a panoramic sweep of theological issues. The doctrine of God is high on the list, with subjects such as the nature of Jesus and the Trinity among the subjects discussed, as well as the death of Christ and life after death. And bringing this particular discussion to a conclusion, the team discuss our calling to worship God.

Graham Tomlin on Archbishop Rowan Williams and Sharia Law - Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, gave a lecture in February 2008 addressing the role of Islamic Sharia Law in Britain. His comments provoked interest in the press, and here Graham Tomlin talks about his take on the matter.

Does God get what he wants all the time? How do his will and our freedom fit into the course of history, and how does prayer affect situations? Graham, Mike and Jane also look at the authority of the church as an institution and the canonicity of scripture. 

Following a relaxing break, Graham and Jane tell us about their summer reading: Harry Potter and Richard Dawkins. They’re later joined by Mike and Amy Orr-Ewing to discuss the place of our souls and memory after death.

Graham and Mike take the GodPod on tour to St George’s, Holborn, in central London, where they grapple with a vibrant range of theological questions from the congregation. Joined by curate Lizzie Wolfe, they discuss everything from the nature of Christ, to the relevance of tithing and Old Testament Law; and from the atonement to the existence of hell. And Mike puts his finger on the most crucial question of all… where exactly are the biscuits?

Matthew Frost, director of the Christian development agency Tearfund, joins Graham, Mike and Jane to talk about poverty and social justice.

Nick Spencer, Director of Studies at the Christian think tank Theos, joins Graham, Mike and Jane to debate the ethics of Christian approaches to immigration and military conflict.

What is ‘the Gospel’ and what do we make of the Old Testament? Amy Orr-Ewing from the Zacharias Trust, an author, apologist, and church leader in south-east London, joins Graham, Mike and Jane to discuss.

Mike Pilavachi, leader of Soul Survivor, talks with Graham, Mike and Jane about youth work, leadership, and different approaches to church.

Joanna Collicut-McGrath, psychologist and theologian, joins Graham and Mike to talk about her response to the work of atheist writer Richard Dawkins. Her book, The Dawkins Delusion?, was co-written with her husband Alister McGrath, and was published following the appearance of Dawkins’ bestselling book The God Delusion. In this GodPod, Joanna also addresses the question of generational sin and the role of prayer ministry.

What do we do when forgiveness is offered but not received? Might we still be able to fall into sin in the new creation? And do animals go to heaven? Graham, Mike and Jane get their teeth into a few meaty questions. 

Nicky Gumbel, vicar of HTB, joins Graham, Mike and Jane to discuss the Alpha Course and its global impact.

Tom Wright returns to talk about Israel as the historical people of God and as the modern political state. What is the place of the Jewish people and the land of Israel in the promises of God, from creation to new creation? Tom, Mike and Jane also discuss the ‘Rapture’, and the impact of how we think about ‘the end times’ on the ways we live, how we treat the world, and how we engage with political concerns.

Tom (N.T.) Wright, Bishop of Durham and an internationally respected New Testament theologian, joins Mike and Jane to discuss the Gnostic Gospel of Judas. Looking at the Gospel in its historical context, Tom addresses its relationship to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. What does it mean to say that Jesus is Lord, in the 21st century, as in the 1st? And what do the Gnostic and canonical gospels have to say about the place of women?

Reflecting on their recent visits to China and Russia, while Mike is left running the place, Graham and Jane discuss the global church. Graham relates his experience of the Alpha course in the Orthodox Church, while Jane talks about the state and underground churches in China, covering subjects such as persecution and church growth, and the relationship between secular authorities and the church. The team also consider guidance, calling, and spiritual discernment.

Graham, Mike and Jane turn their attention to the question of God’s plans for our lives. What are his promises to us, and to the Church as the people of God? And why does God sometimes seem to sit back and allow bad things to happen to us?

From prophecy to speaking in tongues, and healing to administration, the Apostle Paul talks at length in his first letter to the Corinthians about the Gifts of the Spirit. Graham and Mike are joined by HTB Associate Vicar Archie Coates in fielding questions from the floor about spiritual gifts.

How might we live as Christians with loved ones in our families who don’t share our faith? Graham, Mike, and Jane are joined again by Rod Green in thinking about individual salvation and the salvation of households. What is the place of evangelism and prayer in the family? And what does it mean for our identity and self-esteem to know that we are made in the image of God? 

Rod Green, a former student at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and now a curate at Christ Church Spitalfields in London, is this week’s special guest. What is the nature of God’s action in our lives, and does he ever call us to do things that are bad for us? Are we predestined? And does God choose us or do we choose him?

Alister McGrath joins Graham, Mike and Jane to discuss issues raised by prominent secular atheists such as Richard Dawkins. What can we say about the character of God as portrayed in the Bible, and what is the relationship between the Old Testament and the New? What about the relationship between science and faith? Joined by students from St Paul’s Theological Centre, Alister also considers revelation in scripture, in Jesus, and in the natural world.

Jon March joins Mike and Jane again to talk about evangelicalism, postmodernity and church leadership in the 21st century.

Why did God create the world? And why has God allowed Satan to exist? Jon March, a curate at HTB, joins Mike and Jane to debate the origin of the world and of evil… and to discuss the important question of whether or not it’s legitimate to pray for your football team to win.

Is God fair? Why does he seem to choose some people and not others? And if we can ‘just forgive’ each other, why can’t God just forgive us, without Jesus having had to die for our sins? Graham, Mike and Jane discuss the doctrines of election and atonement, and also talk about the Name of God. 

Mark Stibbe, New Testament theologian and vicar of St Andrew’s, Chorleywood, joins the regular team to discuss Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code.

What was the nature of Jesus’ resurrection, and how does it relate to our own hope for life after death? In fact, is such hope just for our own lives or for the whole of creation? Graham, Mike, and Jane discuss the bodily resurrection of Jesus and its affirmation of the goodness of physical matter, drawing out its implications for the way we live our lives now as well as our hope for the future. They also address the question of whether there is a hierarchy in heaven. Do some people get better mansions than others?

Our three theologians grapple with the doctrine of the Trinity and its relation to the cross. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus cries out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). What does this cry of dereliction tell us about the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Can God suffer? Can he change? Is God’s action sometimes ‘hidden’, as Pascal suggested? Graham, Mike, and Jane go on to consider the relationship between prayer and time and the nature of human participation in the work of God. Can we pray for things that have already happened? Can we pray for our loved ones who have died?

Dr Ashley Null joins Graham, Mike and Jane to discuss the life and theology of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury under the Tudor monarchs at the time of the English Reformation.

The questions are rolling in, and Mike and Graham are joined by Jane Williams for the first time. What does it mean to be baptised, and what is the relationship between the sacrament of baptism and our salvation? What do we think about the practices of infant and adult baptism? And, on a different note… how do dinosaurs fit into the Christian account of creation?

Where does evil come from? And what happens when we die? Graham Tomlin and Mike Lloyd dive straight in with two of life’s biggest questions on this, the first GodPod.