Disciples of Christ Pastor Beau Underwood and religion journalist Brian Kaylor have written a new book, "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism" that is out with Chalice Press. Be sure to use the code BAPODCAST on Chalice Press' website and get a percentage off the book.
The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Guite is a famed British poet, Anglican priest, and scholar of the English language. His work has garnered the attention of His Majesty King Charles III and Archbishops of Canterbury both former and present. An avid pipe smoker and Tolkien enthusiast, he stops by Beloved Journal to speak with the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee on all the above mentioned subjects, along with so much more.
Today we welcome the Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins to the podcast. Dr. Watkins is the Senior Pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sunshine Cathedral is an open and affirming community of faith that is predominately made up of LGBTQ+ folk in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Join us as we discuss his work and viewpoint from where he sits as pastor and public theologian of the church.
Join us as we welcome Brooke Stanford to the podcast. Brooke is a designer, fashion and style brand developer, and fashion buyer. We talk about what it takes to see beauty in things that others would appreciate, and how that plays into our everyday lives.
The Rev. Mark Wingfield is the Executive Director and Publisher of Baptist News Global. He previously served as Associate Pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas for 17 years. He recently wrote a book titled, "Honestly: Telling the Truth About the Bible and Ourselves" and joins the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee for a conversation on truth-telling, ecclesial journalism, and why funerals are better than weddings.
Artist and activist Hannah Rose Thomas kicks off Season 3 of Beloved Journal. Ms. Thomas is the author of the new book, Tears of Gold: Portraits of Yazidi, Rohingya, and Nigerian Women that was released this week. She sits down with Dr. Rob Lee and guest host Mindy Grassel to talk about her work, activism, and art.
Today on the podcast we welcome the Rev. Dr. Amy Butler to Beloved Journal. Amy's recently released book, "Beautiful and Terrible Things" speaks to her journey through ministry and life. Dr. Butler is currently serving as the Designated Pastor of Community Church of Honolulu in Hawaii. She was the seventh Senior Minister of the Riverside Church, and the first woman to serve in that role. She also held pastorates at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington DC and St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. She is also the founder of Invested Faith.
Check out Amy's new book: Beautiful and Terrible Things.
Today on the podcast we welcome the Rev. Dr. Greg DeLoach to the podcast. Dean DeLoach is currently serving as Dean of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. He is a native of Eatonton, Georgia, and has pastored congregations throughout the state for nearly three decades, including places like Mansfield, Chickamauga, Marietta, and Augusta.
Following 10 years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Augusta, he became executive director of Development Disabilities Ministries, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that serves adults with developmental disabilities and their families through operation of 19 homes across Georgia.
In February 2017, he joined the development staff at Mercer, having previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees. He was named Interim Dean in 2018, and appointed Dean in 2021.
Recently many have been captivated with his Tik Toks on the subject of death and dying for the course he’s teaching in the spring for Mercer University. You can audit this hybrid class whether you’re in Georgia or beyond so be sure to reach out to him if what we talk about today interests you.
Dr. Gary Scott Smith is Professor of History, Emeritus at Grove City College where he taught from 1978-2017. He chaired the History Department while at the college. He holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, along with a Master of Arts and PhD from Johns Hopkins University. He has written extensively on the faith of the United States Presidents and its considered an expert in the field. He’s also written books on Jackie Robinson’s, Winston Churchill’s, and Hillary Clinton’s faith.
Dr. Smith currently serves on my dissertation committee at Pacific School of Religion, as my doctoral work is on the faith of the American presidency. I certainly felt like I was sitting at the feet of a master in this podcast so I hope you enjoy it. With that in mind, let’s listen in.
Today on the show we have Dr. Greg Garrett. Greg is the Carole Ann McDaniel Hanks Chair of Literature and Culture at Baylor University. His new book with Orbis Books is titled “The Gospel According to James Baldwin: What America’s Great Prophet Can Teach Us About Life, Love and Identity.”
Greg holds degrees from The University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. He also serves as Canon Theologian at the American Cathedral In Paris. I loved Greg’s book and I hope you will check it out. Anyway, let’s listen in.
PS--Be sure to check out Greg's recent novel, mentioned in the podcast "Bastille Day" that came out earlier this year.
The Rt. Rev. Frank Logue is the XI Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, a diocese that traces its roots back to 1733. A graduate of Georgia Southern University and Virginia Theological Seminary, he served from 2010-2020 as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese before being elected Bishop for the diocese in November of 2019. He was ordained a Bishop in May of 2020.
He is married to Victoria and they have a daughter, Griffin, who is a veterinarian in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
An Important Note for you: In this episode there is discussion of recent controversy surrounding mounting critique of the Episcopal Church’s Title IV canon. A canon in this instance (as opposed to what was mentioned above) is a term used to describe laws that govern the church’s work in the world. Title IV surrounds issues of harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination. For more information on this particular issue that the Bishop that I speak about I encourage you to visit the Episcopal News Service website that has provided stellar coverage on this. I just wanted to make you aware of some inside-baseball talk you might not be familiar with.
Rabbi Michael Siegel is Senior Rabbi at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago. Anshe Emet is a large synagogue that he has served in a rabbinic capacity since 1982 when he first came on staff, over 40 years ago. He is a gifted Rabbi and the fruits of his labor shows with the hard work he puts in for the synagogue.
Today we have the Rabbi on to discuss Adam Sandler’s new movie “You Are So Not Invited to my Bat Mitzvah” which you can stream on Netflix now, and we encourage you to do so. The Rabbi and Rev. Rob Lee will discuss how the movie impacted each of them from their perspectives. We will say there are some spoilers but they are light and don’t ruin the overall narrative arc, so we feel like you’re safe to listen regardless of whether you’ve seen it or not.
On the 2nd anniversary of the Lee girls' legal adoption and becoming a forever family, host of Beloved Journal and aspiring SuperDad sits down with the girls to discuss their likes, dislike, passions, and interests as they round the corner on the second year of their family being complete.
Note: Unlike other episodes of Beloved Journal, at the end of the interview section our host returns to tell his side of the adoption story along with offering suggestions for those who might be interested in the work and life of adopting children from his perspective.
We are excited to share with you our Beloved Journal interview with Jake Tapper. CNN Anchor and Chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper joined the network in January 2013. Tapper currently anchors an award-winning two-hour weekday program, The Lead with Jake Tapper, which debuted in March 2013. He has hosted CNN’s Sunday morning show, State of the Union, since June 2015. In April 2021, he became the lead anchor for CNN for Washington, D.C. events. In 2015 and 2020 he hosted presidential debates for both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Prior to joining CNN, Tapper was Senior White House Correspondent for ABC News. He’s a graduate of Dartmouth College, and has won multiple awards for his journalistic excellence. He sits down with the Rev. Rob Lee to discuss among other things his newest work of fiction, All the Demons Are Here—a thriller and part of his series of fiction novels. All the Demons Are Here was released on July 11th, 2023.
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine (a/k/a “Jay Augustine”) currently serves as senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church, in Durham, North Carolina, and as general chaplain of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is an accomplished author, respected academic leader, and nationally recognized social justice advocate who speaks for the equality of all human beings. He joins us on Beloved Journal to speak about his book, "When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit." You can order a copy of his highly acclaimed book here.
The Rev. Peter M. Wallace is the outgoing Executive Director of Day 1, a preaching ministry of Mainline Protestant denominations. He is a prolific author and has written many books. You can read more about his books here.
Day 1 is a radio broadcast ministry that reaches around 200 radio stations each Sunday with a sermon from one of the great preachers in the United States. The ministry draws on a wealth of denominational diversity and talent to showcase many well-known American preachers. You can find out more about Day 1 by clicking here.
Today on the show we have the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde. In November of 2011, Bishop Budde was consecrated and ordained as the IX Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, an Episcopal Diocese of 86 congregations in the District of Columbia. She holds a doctorate and Masters of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and has stood at the intersection of faith and public life her entire career.
She’s written a new book titled “How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith” and we cannot recommend this book enough. We hope you enjoy today's podcast.
Athena Lee, rising first grader and the daughter of the Rev. Rob and Stephanie Lee stops by for a conversation in Oakwood Park with her dad. Additionally, at the end of today's short podcast you hear a preview for Beloved Journal's new podcast in partnership with Pacific School of Religion's doctoral program, "So Help me Pod." It's a podcast that explores the relationship between theology and the American presidency. You don't want to miss this episode!
Cheers!!
Mr. Ernest Crim, III is a scholar, activist, and anti-racist educator working to end the scourge of white supremacy in this country. Join us for an invigorating and compelling conversation on Mr. Crim's work, and his rise to national prominence through his use of social media. Speaking of social media, check him out on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, or on Twitter.
New York Times Bestselling Author Jonathan Eig comes on Beloved Journal to talk about his newly released and bestselling book, "King: A Life" which chronicles the life and times of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. along with groundbreaking revelations about the preacher from Georgia. Find out more about Jonathan his other books by visiting his website.