The Theology Pod

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The Theology Pod

Alexandra Banks

13 episodes

Few seconds ago

Send us a text Need a break from the chaos? This episode is your retreat. For centuries, Christians have fled to deserts, monasteries, and quiet corners seeking God in the silence. But what actually happens on a retreat? And what transforms a weekend away into a genuine spiritual encounter? Join Alex and Michael as they explore the rich history of Christian retreats: from the fourth-century desert fathers escaping into the Egyptian wilderness to today's Ignatian silent retreats and bustling p...

Christianity

Religion & Spirituality,

History,

Religion

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Christianity

Religion & Spirituality,

History,

Religion

Episodes (13/13)

The Theology Pod

Sacred Silence and Guided Journeys: The Art and History of Christian Retreats

Few seconds ago

48 minutes

The Theology Pod

Theology at the Movies: Christmas Films Edition

Send us a text Think Christmas movies are just snow, sentiment, and nostalgia? Think again. Join Alex and Michael as they unwrap the hidden theology in beloved holiday classics like It's a Wonderful Life, Joyeux Noel, A Christmas Carol, and Elf. From George Bailey's crisis of meaning to soldiers singing carols in the trenches of WWI, these aren't just feel-good films. They're modern parables exploring profound questions: What makes a life meaningful? Can we be redeemed? Does love conquer all?...

6 days ago

37 minutes

The Theology Pod

Holy Fools and Sacred Laughter: Comedy in the Christian Tradition

Send us a text Did you know the Bible contains toilet jokes? Or that medieval priests brought donkeys into cathedrals and had congregations bray instead of saying "Amen"? Join Alex and Michael for a hilarious and profound exploration of Christianity's surprisingly rich comedy tradition. From Elijah's savage mockery of Baal's bathroom breaks to Jesus's absurdist parables, from Jerome's vicious fat jokes about theological rivals to Dante sliding down Satan's hairy legs like a fireman's pole - d...

1 week ago

42 minutes

The Theology Pod

Singing Theology: How Hymns Teach Us to Believe

Send us a text Ever wondered why you can't remember last week's sermon, but "Amazing Grace" has been stuck in your head for decades? In this episode of The Theology Pod, hosts Alex and Michael dive into the hidden theological power of hymns – those songs that have shaped what billions of Christians actually believe about God, often more profoundly than any sermon or creed. From the ancient theological battles encoded in your favourite Christmas carols ("begotten, not created" isn't just poeti...

2 weeks ago

48 minutes

The Theology Pod

The Theology of Abandoned Things: Corporate Promises and Biblical Outcasts

Send us a text What happens when an artist becomes the analyst of their own work? In this episode, co-host Alex takes us inside her oil painting of an Australian payphone—examining it through the lens of Hagar's trauma narrative from Genesis. Together, Michael and Alex explore how obsolete infrastructure witnesses to systemic abandonment, how silence encodes theological meaning, and what it means to find redemption not as escape from suffering, but as survival within it. Drawing on Emily Dick...

3 weeks ago

1 hour

The Theology Pod

"Babies and Bathwater" - A Conversation with Jamie Garner about religious purity culture.

Send us a text "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"—a phrase weaponised against anyone who dares to question harmful systems. International theatre-maker Jamie Garner transforms this warning into art with their play "Babies and Bathwater," which chronicles one woman's escape from religious coercion and her discovery of her own voice. Drawing from their own experience leaving evangelical Christianity, Jamie explores how purity culture grooms young women, how spiritual abuse mirrors do...

1 month ago

1 hour 18 minutes

The Theology Pod

Faith in the Classroom: The Ministry of Anglican School Chaplains

Send us a text What makes being a school chaplain "even more exciting than being an Archbishop"? In this episode, Alex sits down with Reverend Andrew Stewart at Mentone Grammar School to explore the unique world of Anglican school chaplaincy. With 25 years of experience ministering to what he calls "the least religious generation in Australia's history," Andrew shares insights on maintaining faith identity in diverse communities, building hope in young people, and navigating the complex relat...

1 month ago

42 minutes

The Theology Pod

Chris Bedding: Pirates, Politics, and Prophetic Ministry (Part 2)

Send us a text In this compelling second part of our conversation with Father Chris Bedding, we dive deep into the intersection of faith, performance, and institutional power. Chris reveals how his award-winning comedy show Pirate Church - a work of "public theology" that toured nationally - became weaponised against him by those seeking to silence his advocacy work within the Anglican Church. We explore Chris's journey from living "three separate lives" as priest, comedian, and activist to b...

1 month ago

40 minutes

The Theology Pod

Chris Bedding: Activism, Ministry and Australia's First Faith Workers Union. (Part 1)

Send us a text In this compelling two-part conversation, hosts Michael and Alex sit down with Father Chris Bedding, an Anglican priest who has carved out a unique path at the intersection of ministry, activism, and social justice. Chris serves as Executive Officer of the Faith Workers Alliance - Australia's first trade union for clergy and faith workers - a role that has emerged from his decades of experience witnessing systemic dysfunction within religious institutions. The episode explores ...

1 month ago

44 minutes

The Theology Pod

Faith Under Fire: The Australian Martyrs of Papua New Guinea

Send us a text During World War II, as Japanese forces occupied Papua New Guinea, missionaries and local Christian converts faced an impossible choice: flee to safety or remain faithful to their beliefs, knowing it could cost them everything. In this compelling episode, we explore the remarkable stories of both Australian missionaries and indigenous Papua New Guinean Christians who chose martyrdom over denial of their faith. Join hosts Alex and Michael as they unpack the complex legacy of fig...

2 months ago

36 minutes

The Theology Pod

1700 Years of Nicaea: Why the Creed Still Matters (Part 2)

Send us a text In this compelling second part of their exploration of the Nicene Creed, Father Michael and Dr. Alexandra Banks dive deeper into how this ancient statement of faith continues to shape Christian worship and identity today. Building on the historical foundation laid in Part 1, they examine the creed's sophisticated Trinitarian structure and explore the famous Filioque controversy that helped split Eastern and Western Christianity. The hosts unpack why specific historical figures ...

2 months ago

21 minutes

The Theology Pod

1700 Years of Nicaea: Why the Creed Still Matters (Part 1)

Send us a text Episode Description: Every time congregations recite "We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth," they connect directly to a pivotal gathering from 325 CE that nearly split early Christianity. Join hosts Alex and Michael as they explore the Council of Nicaea's 1700th anniversary, examining the Arian controversy that threatened the newly legalized church under Constantine, the theological battle between Arius and Athanasius over whether Christ was "of...

2 months ago

25 minutes

The Theology Pod

The Theology Pod - Launching August 25th | Official Trailer

Send us a text We are excited to announce that The Theology Pod will officially launch on Monday, August 25th, 2025. The Theology Pod represents a new venture in thoughtful theological discourse, bringing together diverse perspectives on faith, doctrine, and spiritual inquiry. Our mission is to create a space where deep theological questions can be explored with intellectual rigor, pastoral sensitivity, and genuine curiosity. Whether you're a seasoned theologian, a seminary student, a pastor,...

2 months ago

1 minute