Yale Religion
Theologians, scholars, educators and clerics share their views on religion and faith as a world force and as a guiding principle in everyday life.
The Spread of Christianity in the Greek and Roman Empires with Professor Teresa Morgan
YDS Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity Teresa Morgan discusses what attracted Greeks and Romans to Christianity in the religion’s first centuries; how Greek and Roman societies shaped Christian teachings; and the challenges she faced as a female priest.
Developing the #1 religion app in the world with Bryan Enriquez
Yale SOM grad Bryan Enriquez ’21 discusses launching the Hallow prayer app, argues that technology and artificial intelligence are good for religion and religious practice, and responds to critics who say that the marketing of Hallow commercializes faith.
Transcript available here: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-developing-1-religion-app-world-bryan-enriquez
Indigenous Religions and Ecological Wisdom with Professor John Grim
Professor John Grim, co-director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, discusses the relationship between indigenous religions and the environment, why religion needs to be part of the fight against climate change, and shares how he responds to climate change deniers.
Transcript available here.
Modern Immigration Ideology and the Book of Revelation with Professor Yii-Jan Lin
YDS Associate Professor of New Testament Yii-Jan Lin discusses how American immigration ideology and policy has been influenced by the Book of Revelation; COVID-19 and patterns of xenophobia in America; and modern political discourse on immigration.
https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-modern-immigration-ideology-and-book-revelation-professor-yii-jan-lin
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove on white poverty, race myths, and the reconstruction of American democracy
Yale Divinity School Lecturer Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove offers insights on the upcoming presidential election – drawing from his latest book with Bishop William Barber, ‘White Poverty’; discusses how a peacemaking trip to Iraq during the US invasion transformed his life; and talks about his work helping lead the new Center for Public Theology and Public Policy …
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Sharing Sacred Spaces and Radical Hospitality with Vanessa Avery
YDS alumna Vanessa Avery shares lessons learned from decades of interfaith peacebuilding, how architecture can be used as a tool to bring people together, and the importance of radical hospitality.
https://divinity.yale.edu/news/quadcast-sharing-sacred-spaces-and-radical-hospitality-vanessa-avery
The Future of Theological Education with YDS Dean Gregory E. Sterling
Yale Divinity School Dean and Professor of New Testament Gregory E. Sterling discusses the future of theological education, overcoming polarization in America, and how the school’s new Living Village project is an ethical response to the climate crisis.
https://divinity.yale.edu/news/future-theological-education-yds-dean-gregory-sterling
Emotional Intelligence and Spirituality with Dr. Robin Stern
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence co-founder Dr. Robin Stern discusses the role of spirituality and religion in understanding and managing emotions, the danger of suppressing emotions like anger, and her groundbreaking work on gaslighting.
For more information and a transcript of this conversation, please see: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/emotional-intelligence-and-spirituality-dr-robin-stern
The Bible and the Apocalypse with Professor John Collins
YDS Professor Emeritus John Collins, author of the book “The Apocalyptic Imagination,” discusses what the Bible really says about the end of the world; what caused the rise of apocalyptic literature; and how some Christians err in their understanding of end times.
For more information and a transcript of this episode, please visit: https://divinity.yale.edu/news/what-bible-really-says-about-end-world-quadcast-interivew-john-collins
The Importance of Sacred Practice with Martin Jean
As the Yale Institute of Sacred Music celebrates its 50th anniversary, ISM Director Martin Jean discusses the institute’s past, present and future; how to save the genre of classical music; and what’s lost for humanity if sacred practice declines.
https://divinity.yale.edu/news/importance-sacred-quadcast-interview-martin-jean
‘Beyond the Ivy’: Professor Joel Baden on taking theological education to wider public
YDS Professor Joel Baden discusses launching and leading the Center for Continuing Education at YDS, defends his critical scholarship of the Bible, and critiques what he calls scholarly evangelicalism. A transcript of this interview can be found here.
Eve Isn’t Evil: A Feminist Perspective on Women in the Bible from Dr. Julie Faith Parker
In this episode, YDS alum Dr. Julie Faith Parker interprets the Bible through a feminist lens – reclaiming the biblical figure of Eve as a hero, questioning the common idea that only men authored scripture, and arguing that some of the women in Jesus’ circle are more important than some of the twelve disciples. For …
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How the YDS Good Life Center Counters A Toxic Culture of Productivity
YDS Associate Dean for Student Affairs Reverend Vicki Flippin discusses the new Good Life Center at YDS, her previous pastoral role that included sheltering people at risk of deportation, and how Malcolm X inspired her to pursue a career in ministry.
Leading a church for Black lives: Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes
Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes ’18 M.Div. and husband, Pastor Andrew Wilkes, discuss launching a Brooklyn-based church committed to Black lives and justice; their co-authored book, “Psalms for Black Lives”; and the challenges of being co-ministers and spouses.
How AI Threatens Religion with Professor John Pittard
YDS Professor John Pittard discusses artificial intelligence’s impact on religion; reflects theologically on whether future AI robots could connect with God; and argues for a global alliance to regulate AI.
How Christianity in Africa is changing global religion
Dr. Kyama Mugambi, Professor of World Christianity at Yale Divinity School, discusses how Christianity in Africa is impacting the global religious landscape, why Christianity in Africa is not a ‘colonizer’ religion, and what Christianity has in common with African Traditional Religions.
Why Our World Needs ‘Crazy Christians’ with Bishop Michael Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church Bishop Michael Curry ’78 M.Div. reflects on his fiery sermon on love at the royal wedding, becoming the first person of color to lead the Episcopal Church, and why the world is in need of ‘crazy Christians.’
Clergy Wellbeing: Preventing Burnout and Promoting Self-Care
YDS faculty member and former Yale University chaplain Jerry Streets ’75 M.Div. discusses the results of his survey on clergy wellbeing, the importance of multi-faith ministry, and lessons learned from his long career as a pastor.
Living buildings pioneer Jason F. McLennan on YDS Living Village and architecture for the future
Renowned sustainability architect Jason F. McLennan discusses Yale Divinity School’s Living Village complex, the relationship between religion and the environment, and his response to critics of green building.
The Case for Women in Catholic Church Leadership
Yale Divinity School alumna Kerry Robinson discusses advocating for women in leadership positions in the Catholic Church, offers advice on best practices in the field of fundraising, and shares how a YDS professor gave her the best advice she ever received.
Faith and Health: Reclaiming the Church’s Healing Ministry with Dr. Scott Morris
Yale Divinity School alum Dr. Scott Morris, founder and CEO of faith-based medical clinic Church Health, discusses the connection between health and religion, why Christians must engage in healing ministries, and the biggest failure in the American healthcare system.
Untold stories: LGBT Catholics and the Catholic response to the AIDS crisis in America with Michael O’Loughlin
YDS alum Michael O’Loughlin discusses his book ‘Hidden Mercy’ and untold stories of the grassroots Catholic response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in America, the challenges of being an LGBT member of the Catholic Church, and how Pope Francis sparked a spiritual revolution on Twitter.
The Global Bible: Professor Bruce Gordon on the Bible’s Changing Role in the World
Yale Divinity School Professor Bruce Gordon discusses how the role of the Bible is changing worldwide, why the Bible transcends its historical contexts, and ancient debates about the Bible that are still alive today.
A conversation with Yale’s Abdul-Rehman Malik: Ramadan, Islamophobia, and the Islamic Roots of Coffee
Yale Lecturer Abdul-Rehman Malik discusses the significance of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, the Islamic origins of coffee, and combating Islamophobia.
What’s it like being a Christian in the Holy Land?
Distinguished Palestinian theologian Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb discusses misperceptions of Christians in the Middle East, positive Christian-Muslim relations in the Holy Land, and what is it like to live in the city of Bethlehem.
What is unique about the Gospel of Mark?
Former Yale Divinity School Professor Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton discusses the origins of the Gospel of Mark and its distinct characteristics that set it apart from the other three gospels.
How to Promote a Culture of Grace During a Time of Division
New York Times Bestselling Author and CNN Political Analyst Kirsten Powers discusses grace as a practice to cure division in America and her personal journey from atheism to Catholicism.
Modern Judaism in America
Yale’s Jewish Chaplain Jason Rubenstein discusses modern Judaism in America, what makes it distinct from other Jewish communities around the world, and how sacred texts beyond the Hebrew Bible influence Jewish practice today.
The Urgent Need to Preach on Climate
In the runup to the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference, the Quadcast interviews the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal ’78 M.Div. about the moral duty of religious leaders to preach on the climate crisis.
Who are White Christian Nationalists?
Yale Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies Philip Gorski sheds insight on white Christian nationalism, as well as the changing religious demographics in America. You can read Professor Gorski’s latest article here: https://currentpub.com/2021/08/03/three-cheers/
Understanding Paul’s letters
YDS Professor of New Testament Criticism and Interpretation Laura Nasrallah discusses the history, significance, and backstory of the letters of Paul.
Music Research and Ecological Activism in Haiti: A Discussion with ISM Fellow Rebecca Dirksen
Leading Washington National Cathedral through pandemic and politics
Dean Randy Hollerith of Washington National Cathedral, ’90 M.Div., discusses presiding over presidential inaugural prayer services for Donald Trump and Joe Biden, why religious leaders should play a central role in healing divisions in America, and finding hope and faith during the coronavirus pandemic.
Channeling Christianity in Kenya
Exploring the Unitarian Universalist tradition with Tisa Wenger and Tasha Brownfield
This is the third and final podcast in the Fireside Chat series that the Spiritual Formation Committee has sponsored this year. In this podcast, you will hear Professor Tisa Wenger and MDiv student Tasha Brownfield interview each other about their faith stories related to the Unitarian Universalist tradition.
Dancing Through the Sacred with Christopher-Rasheem MacMillan
Exploring Muslim Identity with Abdul-Rehman Malik
The Spiritual Formation and the Practice of Faith Committee is continuing the practice of Fireside Chats through inviting members of the community to share their spiritual journeys. Since we cannot conduct these chats by the actual fireside in the Common Room this year, we are offering them as podcasts instead. In this episode, student Christy …
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YDS Fireside Chat – Exploring Jewish Identity with Jacqueline Vayntrub and Ora Weinbach
The Spiritual Formation and the Practice of Faith Committee is resuming the practice of Fireside Chats, whereby members of the community share a little bit about their spiritual journeys. Since we cannot conduct these chats by the actual fireside in the Common Room this year, we are offering them as podcasts instead. Listen to this …
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The Role of Faith in Repairing Our Broken Politics
US Senator Chris Coons weighs in on religion’s role in American politics, Republican and Democratic relations, and his fondest Yale memories.
How to use our human nature to create a better world
Mecca Griffith interviews Christian ethics professor Jennifer Herdt on the human capacity for both empathy and exclusion—and society’s proven ability to create change in the face of injustice.