Gravity Commons Podcast

We talked with pastor and public theologian Trey Ferguson about the difference it makes when we read the Bible through the lens of love. His new book Love Is Good Religion: A 30-Day Journey to Compassion, Contemplation, and Connection cuts through our overfamiliarity and invites us to reread scripture in light of its persistent call to love, liberation, community, and human wholeness.

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We talked with science professor Janet Kellog Ray about how humans have both an evolutionary past AND a sacred purpose. Her book Fish with Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God offers a "third way" for those who've been told they must choose between evolution and faith: understanding our complete biological story while honoring our spiritual identity.

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We talked with church history professor Wes Crawford about the complicated relationship between Christian faith and American patriotism, and how national devotion has grown into something resembling a civil religion—complete with its own rituals, sacred texts, and symbols. These are the themes explored in Crawford's new book One Nation over God.

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We talked with activist and academic Lucas Wilson about the experience of surviving queer conversion therapy. His book Shame-Sex Attraction tells these stories, seeks to expose conversion practices for what they are - pseudoscientific, bogus, ineffective, and wildly traumatic, and to ensure that these stories do not happen to future generations.

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We talked with pastor Kenneth Tanner about his new book Vulnerable God, which invites readers to reimagine both God and themselves through the mystery and vulnerability of the incarnation. Tanner argues that vulnerability is not a flaw in the divine nature but the very glory of divine love. Through service, hiddenness, and surrender, Jesus reveals what it means to be fully human the way God is human.

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We talked with minister and author Rohadi Nagassar reclaiming what makes us fully alive—slowing down, paying attention, and embracing the truth that each of us deserves to flourish. His new book Whole and Human walks through forty meditations engaging the five senses, journey into deeper relationship with land, body, spirit, and justice

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We talked with Presbyterian minister and peace activist Ben Daniel about his book Grace Over Guns: Pursuing Peace in a Militarized World, in which he challenges readers to think through common justifications for military violence and to consider how those justifications might not measure up to the teachings of Jesus, offering a prophetic call to reject the sin of military violence and embrace the grace of Christian pacifism.

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We talked with spiritual director Deb Gregory about the profoundly reorienting practice of walking and praying: a multisensory journey that integrates mind, body, and spirit as we notice God's gentle leading, one step at a time. In her new book Spiritual Wayfinding, Deb has created thirty-three unique walking meditations exploring the core questions Where am I? and Where am I going? Each experience in this easy-to-use guide offers a creative approach to walking, specific prompts for reflection and prayer, and Ignatian contemplation of Scripture.

We talked with spiritual director and author Susan Carson about how neuroscience and mystical theology intersect to inform a way of being together with God and one another that heals our trauma and alienation, which she explores in her new book A Kenotic Way of Contemplative Healing: Julian of Norwich, Neuroscience and the Centrality of Safety in Healing Trauma. Find her podcast, blog, and more at www.susancarson.net.

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We talked with pastor Steve Watson about shedding forms of Christianity that have disappointed us and constructing and embracing a faith that makes us "larger, freer, and more loving," in the famous words of James Baldwin. His new book All Flesh Shalom dissects some of white Western Christianity’s most narrow and misguided readings of the life and teaching of Jesus, and in conversation with leading open and relational and postcolonial, liberation theologians, explores ways we can engage major themes in the gospels in the service of a larger, freer, more loving faith.

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We talked with Professor Victor Counted about how the attachment framework can help us explore how we develop and sustain psychological bonds with God, and how, when those bonds are eroded, it can lead to a crisis of faith. His book Bonded With God navigates questions of identity, meaning, and purpose, and the role of faith in offering support and guidance as we examine our connection with God.

Victor Counted is associate professor of psychology, director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and director of the Abundant Life Flourishing Program at Regent University. He is...

We talked with Rob Dixon about his new book, Allies in Ministry, which provides a practical, research-based pathway for men who desire to support women in ministry but may feel uncertain about how to act or worried about doing the wrong thing, because for women and men to thrive equally in ministry, the church needs male allies who are committed to supporting women in their callings.

Rob Dixon (DIS, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships and the coauthor with his wife, Amy, of the picture book Penny...

We talked with professor and author James McGrath about how the process of deconstruction can be a starting point for something new, and lead to building a more expansive faith, which is what he addresses in his book Beyond Deconstruction: Building a More Expansive Faith. You can connect with James on his blog: https://patheos.com/blogs/religionprof.

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We talked with musician, composer, and liturgical theologian Richard Bruxvoort Colligan about the rich, complicated life reflected in the Psalms of the Hebrew Bible—150 stories from a people passionate and honest about the complexities of human experience, and how we can be transformed by reengaging with the Psalms on their own terms. Richard is the author of Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life.

Richard Bruxvoort Colligan is a musician and a student of the Psalms. He has an MA in theology and the arts from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and a DM...

We talked with pastor and author Tomy Cummins about what to do when someone you love admits that they're drowning in anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide. Most of us care deeply but feel unprepared, afraid of saying the wrong thing or making things worse. His new book Shepherds of The Mind: Caring Like Christ in an age of Silent Suffering equips ordinary people to respond with compassion, gentleness, and hope.

Tomy A. Cummins is a pastor, communicator, author, and mental health advocate. With over two decades of ministry experience, his work integrates scripture with evidence-based practices...

What is “Ordinary Time” in the Christian calendar, and why is it called “ordinary” if it’s still spiritually significant? How can we practice rhythms of faith and stay spiritually grounded during the quieter seasons of life? Christy, Ben, and Matt discuss.

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What is Pentecost, and why is it such an important moment in Christianity? What was the significance of the disciples speaking in different languages in Acts 2? How do different Christian traditions and cultures celebrate Pentecost today? Ben, Christy, and Matt discuss these questions and more!

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What is the Ascension of Jesus, and how does the theology of the ascension matter? How did the Ascension change the disciples’ understanding of Jesus and their mission? Join Matt, Ben, and Christy to hear their answers to these questions and more.

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Ben and Christy welcome Matt back to the podcast after the sabbatical; Matt reflects on his time away.

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We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the Greek Gods.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but normally...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the Apocalyptics.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but normally get...

We talked with BEMA Podcast host Marty Solomon about what it means to be human. Many of us have inherited a theology that says being human is our main problem, something for us to overcome, but what if being human is actually the point of the gospel? What if God is inviting us to see our humanity as, in fact, very good news? In The Gospel of Being Human, Marty Solomon and Reed Dent invite you on a journey of curiosity, attention, and wonder--asking better questions about who we really are and what Scripture actually says about our identity.

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the temple.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but normally get...

Ben and Christy talk about St. Patrick's Day and how to celebrate it.

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This week on the podcast, we continue our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the revolutionaries.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this series, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the separatists.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but normally get...

We’re continuing our mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message, where we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don’t realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don’t have immediate access to. Today’s topic: Jesus versus the wealthy.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but normally get lost in tec...

Ben and Christy talk about Lent: what Lent is, what fasting is for, and how to create more space for Grace to meet us.

SHOW NOTES:

The article Ben referenced about Lent and fasting: gravitycommons.com/how-to-fast-for-lent/

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Timothy McCain is back on the podcast to talk about his new book Jesus Can't Fix Racism, where he argues that racism has survived in the Church not because Christians failed to pray, but because they refuse to change.

Timothy McCain is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in leading and developing initiatives across various sectors. He is the founder and CEO of TMM Publishing, which focuses on helping professionals and through leaders turn ideas into books and scalable platforms, emphasizing ownership and sustainability. McCain's work includes consulting, coaching, and public speaking, gu...

We're starting a new mini-series with Dr. Paul Penley (yes, Christy's husband!) about his book, What Jesus Meant: How Ancient Conversations Redefine Jesus’ Message. In this episode, we talk about how we often misunderstand what Jesus meant because we don't realize that he was participating in and responding to ancient conversations we don't have immediate access to. Today's topic: Jesus Vs. the Rabbis.

Dr. Paul Penley is a New Testament scholar and former Bible professor at the college and seminary level. Paul writes books to share academic research insights which redefine our understanding of the Bible, but nor...

We talked with philosophy professor Michael W. Austin about how Christian nationalism is contrary to Christian virtues AND American values, and offers us a better form of civic engagement. In his book American Christian Nationalism: Neither American Nor Christian, Michael accessibly explains the meaning and history behind nationalism and systematically shows how the ideology contradicts American values like liberty, equality, and justice as well as Christian virtues like humility, faith, hope, and love. Ultimately, he argues that the Beloved Community, first developed by Martin Luther King Jr. and others, offers a better model for an authentically Christian and American c...

We talked with pastor and author David Swanson about the work he and his church have done in Chicago to respond to the presence of ICE in their neighborhoods: bearing witness to violence and terror, calling for repentance, and seeking to nonviolently resist physical attacks on Christians and clergy, the lawlessness of federal agents, MAGA's politics of death, and the overt racism of our president's mass deportation agenda.

David Swanson is the founding pastor of New Community Covenant Church and the founder and CEO of New Community Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing community trauma through re...

We talked with Dr. Yolanda Pierce about what we do with our wounds - our own, others', and a nation's? In her book The Wounds Are the Witness, Pierce weaves together her own memories, vignettes from Black life, and scenes from scripture, especially the passion of Christ to create an indelible meditation on Black faith, suffering, hope, and the healing possibilities of justice.

Yolanda Pierce is a professor and Dean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. She is a scholar of African American religious history, womanist theology, and religion and literature, as well as a public theologian, columnist, an...

Christy and Ben talk about all things Epiphany: how it fits in the liturgical calendar, what it means, and a few ways you can celebrate: chalking your door, making a king cake, and turning your Christmas tree into a cross.

Show notes & links:

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As the year draws to a close, Christy, Ben, and Matt reflect on the year, Christmas traditions, gifts, and more.

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Matt, Ben, & Christy take a look at what Gravity Commons has done over the past year and share what's coming in 2026, including Matt's sabbatical, what we are doing well, what we need to do differently, and why we need your support.

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We talked with pastor Zach Lambert about how to read the Bible in ways that lead to healing and wholeness, because the Bible has been weaponized to subjugate women, justify racism, bash LGBTQ+ people, cover up abuse, and exclude people who speak out against these injustices. Zach's new book Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing offers a path forward to reclaim the Bible's life-giving message. You can connect with Zach and his work on his website zachwlambert.org.

Zach Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Res...

We talked with Kelsey McGinnis and Marissa Burt about the history and ideological underpinnings of popular Christian parenting literature for those trying to "grow kids God's way," and how these resources offered promises built on invisible beliefs, assumptions, and separatist impulses. Their book The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Failed a Generation of Evangelicals offers lots of insight into the history of Christian parenting advice, and hope for parents looking for a new way forward.

Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, PhD (University of Iowa) is a musicologist, educator, and correspondent for Christianity Today, writing on worship pr...

We talked with Ronald Pierce and Karen Keen about a different way to approach the disagreement over LGBTQ affirmation and inclusion in the church. In their book Christlike Acceptance across Deep Difference, they bring together a broad range of contributors--scholarly and pastoral; affirming and traditionalist; evangelical, mainline, and Catholic--who demonstrate a more constructive response to LGBTQ concerns. Despite their differences, the contributors unite in their commitment to biblical authority and Christlike love of neighbor. They invite the church to join them in this new and better way.

Karen R. Keen (ThM, Duke Divinity School) is a biblical sc...