Theology on Purpose

The stories we read can shape how we see God, ourselves, and the people around us. In this episode of Theology on Purpose, professor Bettina Tate Pedersen joins me to explore how literature can deepen our faith, cultivate empathy, and invite us to think more expansively about God.

We also talk about the relationship between feminism and Christianity, including common misconceptions about feminism in Christian spaces and how feminist thought has shaped Bettina's approach to Scripture, language, and theology. Along the way, Bettina shares the books that have formed her faith and the practices that help her...

Every day, we choose what to wear based on where we're going and what the day might hold. But what if we brought that same intentionality to the way we show up in the world?

Based on Paul's invitation in Colossians 3 to "clothe" ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love, Sarah explores what it means to intentionally put on the character of Christ—and why we do so not to earn God's love, but because we are already dearly loved.

Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

In this fascinating episode, author and professor Lanta Davis shares with us the important role art and imagination play in shaping our spiritual lives. Based on insights from her book Becoming by Beholding: The Power of Imagination in Spiritual Formation, Lanta shares how the images, stories, art, and ideas we encounter can shape not only what we believe, but who we are becoming.

In this episode, you'll:

Learn how everyday inputs (media, stories, art) are forming your spiritual life

Identify subtle cultural influences that may be distorting your view of Jesus

...

In a world that runs on noise and self-sufficiency, it's easy to forget the truth sustaining us moment by moment. This episode reflects on the gift of breath as a reminder of God's steady and sustaining nearness.

Drawing from a guest reflection by Kayla Craig and the practice of centering prayer, this episode explores what it means to stop striving and simply receive God's presence. Through Scripture, story, and spiritual practice, you'll be invited into a slower, more attentive way of being with God in the middle of ordinary life.

Take the Connect with God...

In this episode, Sarah talks with Eric Clayton about his new book Where Wonder Leads and the surprising role imagination plays in our life with God. Drawing from Ignatian spirituality, Eric shares how stepping into stories—whether from Scripture, myth, or even fantasy—can become a meaningful way to pray and discern God's presence. Eric shares his insights about how moving beyond a "right answers" faith can open us to deeper encounter and transformation.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

Use imagination as a tool for prayer and spiritual growth

Move from head...

In this episode, Sarah reflects on the limits we resist, the exhaustion that comes from pushing past them, and the invitation to embrace our finiteness as a place of spiritual growth. Rather than barriers to becoming who we're meant to be, our limits may be the very ground where a faithful, embodied life with God takes root.

Take the Connect with God quiz here

If you don't think your body has much to do with your faith, think again! In this episode, Sarah sits down with Anna Rollins, author of Famished, to explore how purity culture and diet culture have shaped women's relationships with their bodies, desires, and God. Anna explains the "rhyming scripts" that taught a generation of women to stay small, silent, and self-controlled (and how those messages can distort both self-image and theology!)

Anna shares her journey toward a more integrated, grace-filled faith—one that embraces the body as good and invites a more compassionate, curious way of li...

In this solo episode, Sarah reflects on an unexpected encounter with a few very determined seagulls, and how it reshaped her understanding of silence and attention in the spiritual life. What started as a noisy, ordinary moment became an invitation to release expectations and simply keep quiet company with God. This episode explores why silence can feel uncomfortable, what it reveals beneath the surface, and how it forms us in deeper trust. Along the way, you'll discover a new way to approach encountering God in the middle of everyday life.

Join the Practicing Together community!

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah welcomes returning guest Jen Pollock Michel to explore the beauty and practicality of a "rule of life." In her explanation, a rule is a grace-filled framework for living with intention, rather than a rigid, spiritual to-do list. A rule helps you align your daily habits with love for God and neighbor right in the midst of your real, everyday life.

Jen shares how spiritual formation is already happening all around us, often without our awareness, and how a thoughtful rule of life can help us resist those cultural currents...

Change rarely happens on our timetable. Whether a transition is welcomed or painful, the in-between can leave us feeling unsettled and disoriented.

In this episode, Sarah reflects on a summer day when shifting winds unexpectedly changed her family's plans, and what that experience taught her about navigating seasons of transition. She shares three practices for finding our footing when life changes.

If you're walking through a season of change, this episode offers encouragement to slow down, pay attention, and trust that God is present even in the uncomfortable middle.

Ready to go deeper...

In this episode, Sarah talks with author Monika Kirkland about her book Ever With You and how prayer becomes a lifeline in the middle of busy, overwhelming seasons.

In this episode, you'll hear:

How exhaustion and anxiety became a turning point toward deeper dependence on God

Three common barriers to prayer

Why waiting seasons can cultivate deeper trust and intimacy with God

The shift from chasing "mountaintop" moments to encountering God in everyday life

The balance of praying boldly while surrendering outcomes to God

How...

In this solo episode, I share a story from my teenage years that unexpectedly shaped how I think about faith, spiritual practices, and knowing God. What began as a reluctant cup of coffee became a metaphor for how our spiritual appetite develops over time—and how many of us settle for a limited experience of God without realizing there is more.

Together, we explore what it means to "taste and see" for ourselves, how our formation influences our relationship with God, and why expanding our spiritual practices can deepen both our faith and our connection with others.

In this episode, Sarah sits down with spiritual director and author Cindy S. Lee to explore a more expansive, embodied approach to knowing God. Drawing from her book Our Unforming, Cindy unpacks the difference between knowing about God and experiencing the sacred in everyday life, while gently challenging the Western assumptions that often shape our faith.

Tune in to hear how awareness, humility, and simple spiritual practices can open us to deeper connection with God—and how the ongoing work of "unforming" helps us release what no longer serves us so we can grow in freedom, trust, an...

This episode invites listeners to rethink what freedom in Christ is for: not self-focus or spiritual striving, but love. Through everyday examples and a gentle challenge, Sarah reflects on how our freedom is meant to be lived out in service to one another—and how even good things like spiritual practices can become burdens when they are disconnected from love.

She also shares an invitation to go deeper through a new monthly practice-based community connected to her newsletter, offering space to grow, reflect, and pursue faith together. Check it out here, and if you join before August 9, 2026, ge...

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with pastor and author Doug Basler about how fiction can become a powerful spiritual practice. Drawing from his book All Swirling and Weaving, Doug shares how stories can awaken our hearts, deepen our faith, and reshape how we see God and the world.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What the "Christian imagination" is and why it matters

How fiction can form us in ways nonfiction sometimes can't

A story about how a novel revealed hidden ambition in Doug's life

How...

We all live by stories—about who we are, who God is, and what it means to live a faithful life. But what if some of those stories aren't actually true? In this episode, we explore the subtle narratives that shape our identity and faith, how they can fail us, and what it looks like to realign our lives with what is actually true.

What if time with God felt less like a task to complete and more like a place of rest? In this conversation, Cara Ray invites us into the practice of "holy leisure"—a way of relating to God marked by delight, attentiveness, and peace rather than pressure and performance. Drawing on the themes of truth, goodness, and beauty, she shares how shifting our mindset can transform our spiritual rhythms and help us experience deeper joy in God's presence.

Cara also introduces her simple DWELL framework for engaging Scripture and offers a vision of fruitfulness that isn't driven by...

In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I share how an unexpected interruption became an invitation to slow down and rediscover joy. In a season marked by full schedules and creeping productivity, I began to notice how difficult it had become to truly rest—and even harder to remember how to play.

This episode explores the connection between spiritual formation and delight, and how practices like creativity, leisure, and embodied rest can draw us closer to Jesus. Through small, intentional changes, I found a renewed sense of freedom, spaciousness, and joy in my everyday life. You ca...

In this tender conversation, Lara D'Entremont, author of A Mother Held: Essays on Anxiety and Motherhood, shares her journey through postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD, and how motherhood brought both deep love and deep vulnerability. We explore how anxiety can challenge our understanding of God's goodness and sovereignty, and what it looks like to rebuild trust in God when fear feels overwhelming.

Lara offers a compassionate vision of God as one who draws near to us in our suffering with tenderness and care. This episode is an invitation to practice "theology from the floor"—coming to Go...

What begins as an ordinary evening at a writers conference becomes a meaningful moment of reflection. In this solo episode, I share how encountering my younger self in memory revealed a deeper truth about spiritual growth: that the life of faith isn't a straight line, but a slow circling toward the heart of God. This is a story about anxiety, belonging, and the quiet, persistent grace that forms us over time.

Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with Elizabeth Berget, author of Love Like a Mother, about how the sacred, everyday work of motherhood can reveal the heart of God. Together, they explore how Scripture holds both paternal and maternal imagery for God—inviting us into a richer, more expansive understanding of who He is and how He meets us in our daily lives.

Elizabeth shares how seeing God through a maternal lens transformed her own faith, especially in the demanding early years of motherhood, reframing ordinary moments as meaningful encounters with God's presence.

Sometimes the plans we build so carefully unravel in an instant, leaving us holding disappointment we didn't see coming. In this episode, I share a personal story of unexpected change and reflect on Mark 2, where Jesus responds in a way no one anticipated. Tune in as we consider what it looks like to trust God in the middle of unmet expectations and to believe He is at work in ways that are deeper (and better!) than we can see.

Kate Boyd joins Theology on Purpose to talk about her book An Untidy Faith and the real-life experiences that reshaped how she understands God, church, and discipleship. Drawing from her global travels and seasons of questioning, Kate shares how faith can be stretched without being lost—and how disentangling what we've been taught can lead to a deeper, more integrated life with God.

In this episode, we explore the tension between certainty and curiosity, and what it looks like to hold onto Jesus while reexamining long-held beliefs. Kate offers a hopeful vision for those navigating doubt, deconstruction, or...

Easter Sunday changes everything, but what does that actually look like on an ordinary Monday? In this solo episode, I'm talking about what it means to live as "resurrection people" in the tension between hope and brokenness. Tune in, and let's reflect on how God's presence and power are at work in our everyday lives, inviting us to carry the light of the resurrection into everything we do.

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with author and teacher Cally Logan about moving from the margins to meaningful impact in God's kingdom. They explore how traits like being "quiet" or "shy" aren't weaknesses to overcome, but invitations to discover how God uniquely designed us to live with purpose. Cally shares personal stories and practical wisdom on finding confidence in Christ, and using your voice, no matter how small it may feel.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to reframe labels like "shy" and "quiet" as strengths, not limitations

What...

Why do we feel such a strong reaction when something unfair happens, even something small? That instinct for justice may actually point us to the heart of God.

In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I explore what the Bible really means by justice. Looking at passages from Amos, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John, we'll discover that God's justice isn't only about punishment—it's about restoration, renewal, and bringing life to broken places. And through the Spirit, God invites us to participate in that work right where we are!

Take the Connect with God quiz he...

In this episode, Sarah sits down with pastor and author Brian Zahnd for a thoughtful conversation about doubt, discipleship, and the meaning of the cross.

In this episode, we discuss:

The difference between demolishing faith and renovating it

Why honest doubt can lead to deeper, more resilient faith

Why Jesus—not the Bible—is the perfect revelation of God

How we think about the meaning of the cross affects our relationship with God and with others.

What it means to shoulder our cross, and not our rifle, in t...

In this solo episode, I share three fresh and practical ways to deepen your intimacy with God, especially if your spiritual life has started to feel dry or routine. From leaning into what makes you come alive, to cultivating awareness of God's constant presence, to embracing the gift of community, this episode will encourage you to rediscover that basic doesn't have to mean boring.

Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

In this episode, I'm joined by author and pastor Meredith Ann Miller to talk about raising kids with a faith that can bend without breaking. Drawing from her books Woven and Wonder, Meredith invites us to move beyond rigid, behavior-focused Christianity and instead cultivate a resilient trust in a good and near God. In this conversation, we explore how curiosity, storytelling, and "wondering questions" can transform the way we read Scripture with our children—and renew our own faith in the process.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why faith is better pictured as a flexible we...

We say we want to grow closer to God. We long for deeper faith, greater intimacy, real transformation. But what happens when getting closer to God actually costs us something?

In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I'm talking about the power of desire—why wanting isn't always enough, what keeps us from acting on our deepest spiritual longings, and how God gently invites us to reorder our loves. If you've ever wondered why your life doesn't always reflect what you say you want most, this conversation is for you!

Take the Connect with Go...

Reverend Courtney Ellis joins Theology on Purpose to talk about navigating life's toughest transitions with honesty, gentleness, and hope. Drawing from her book Weathering Change, Courtney explores how God meets us in seasons of uncertainty through small, sustaining practices, deep self-awareness, and even the wisdom of the natural world. Tune in to be inspired by this grace-filled vision for faith that can hold anxiety, doubt, and change without rushing toward easy answers.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Why change often reshapes our faith—and how God meets us in that process

Curiosity as...

Faith doesn't always look like courage. Sometimes it looks like choosing, again and again, where to fix our gaze. In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose, I reflect on a moment of fear on a snowy hill, the wisdom of Scripture—from Hebrews to the crossing of the Red Sea—and what it means to look honestly at darkness without letting it determine our direction.

Get the free download: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, food scholar and theologian Kendall Vanderslice joins Sarah for a conversation about food as a site of spiritual formation. Kendall shares her journey into food and theology and explores what the practice of baking bread can teach us about faith. They reflect on how spiritual growth happens not through control or performance, but through learning to trust God with the work of transformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

What bread-making reveals about spiritual growth and trust

Why rest is not a reward, but an act of...

Every day begins with a blank canvas, and every decision we make becomes a brushstroke. But what happens when life doesn't turn out the way we imagined, or when our plans are interrupted by limits, and the unexpected? In this solo episode, we explore how our daily choices shape our lives, how to honor our God-given limits and capacity, and how to trust God when we're not in control. Through a faith-filled lens, you'll be encouraged to live with intention, clarity, and surrender as you invite God into the bigger picture of your life.

Subscribe here to...

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah is joined by Kara Stout, author of An Untroubled Heart, for a meaningful conversation about faith, anxiety, grief, and God's sustaining peace.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Kara's journey through infertility, adoption, and motherhood

Losing both parents to cancer and how grief shaped her faith

The difference between anxious thoughts and the Holy Spirit's leading

Why we shouldn't "spiritually bypass" our emotions

How daily rhythms of prayer and Scripture cultivate peace

Seasons of waiting don't need to feel like wasted time, but instead they can be part of our spiritual formation! In this solo episode, I reflect on a missed speaking opportunity, biblical stories of long seasons of waiting, and what our unmet desires reveal about our deeper longing for God. Tune in to discover how waiting can become an active spiritual practice that reshapes our faith, priorities, and trust in God's goodness.

Subscribe here to never miss an episode!

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with Phoebe Miles, co-founder of the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, about faith, creativity, and the long work of living out your calling. Phoebe shares the story behind her father's invention of Gatorade, including the personal cost that followed, and how learning to see that story through God's lens transformed her understanding of humility, healing, and vocation. Phoebe discusses how our work—whether visible or hidden, paid or unpaid—can become a faithful presence that serves the flourishing of others.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why...

In this solo episode, I reflect on what it means to trust a good God when the way forward feels uncertain. Drawing on Ruth Haley Barton's insights on discernment, I explore how learning to release our preferred outcomes, listen for love, and trust the Holy Spirit can help us make faithful decisions even when there is no single "right" path. This episode is an invitation to practice discernment as a way of life, especially as we step into seasons marked by change and unknowing.

Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

In this Advent reflection, Sarah shares an unexpected story about her family dog that became a surprising teacher of hope. From a child's innocent question to a tearful moment in a vet's office, this episode explores why Advent hope still matters in a world full of uncertainty. Through Scripture, longing, and the everyday decisions that stretch our hearts, Sarah invites listeners to rediscover the Light that meets us in the dark and leads us toward what could be.

Take the Connect with God quiz here: https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

Subscribe to get the latest updates here...

Tune into this rich conversation with author and lay theologian Chelsea Kim Long! We chat about faith, embodiment, and how our journey of following Jesus evolves over time. Chelsea shares how motherhood and doubt reshaped her spiritual life and led her toward a more embodied, and compassionate faith. She reflects on finding healing in intentional Christian community, expanding her theology of womanhood, and discovering how our bodies help us encounter God in daily life. 

This episode is a balm for anyone rethinking their faith, longing for belonging, or curious about how God meets us in our real, l...