Rector’s Cupboard Podcast

Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics with Dr. Marty Folsom

We were pleased to speak again to Dr. Marty Folsom about his latest work, Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics For Everyone, Vol 2 – The Doctrine of God: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Pros. Marty Folsom has taken up an expansive work of outlining the main points and the structure of Karl Barth’s multi-volumed Church Dogmatics. Those two words, “church” and “dogmatics,” both carry negative perceptions for many people. What you will find in Church Dogmatics, however, is helpful and hopeful, positive and thoughtful, and even healing.
Karl Barth presents a way of seeing faith and life that is bright, a way that calls us to solidarity rather than separation, all because God has chosen not to be God without us.
You might find it hard to believe what you used to believe, or hard to believe in the way that you used to believe. Marty Folsom shows us, through presenting the work of Karl Barth, that there is a better, more faithful way of believing.
Volume 2 of Folsom’s Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone has just been released. This book looks at Church Dogmatics 2 and outlines concepts such as the sovereignty of God in choosing to love humanity, and the hopeful doctrine of election, God’s love for ALL. We are grateful for the conversation about the new book.
If you’d like to listen to our interview with Marty about Volume 1 of his Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics for Everyone series, you can find that episode here.
 

Host Only, A Conversation About Hope and Fear

This week on Rector’s Cupboard, we gather the Cupboard hosts, Todd, Allison, and Amanda, as well as Cupboard Master, Ken, to discuss what we’re watching and reading right now, as well as few articles that speak about the apocalypse, hope, fear, and changing understandings of faith.
Ken mixed us a delicious cocktail called a Bourbon Pecan Pie Cocktail, which contained vodka, whiskey/bourbon, and Pecan Liqueur, featuring Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Flavored Whiskey.
If you’d like to read the articles we discuss in this episode, here they are:
“They broke up for their faith. Asking questions brought them back together” – CBC, April 1, 2024
“Climate Doom Is Out. ‘Apocalyptic Optimism’ Is In.” – New York Times, April 21, 2024
We hope you enjoy the conversation!

The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa

This week on Rector’s Cupboard we are pleased to offer a collaboration with our good friend, David Goa.
David has been on the podcast a number of times through the years and in 2022 we partnered with David to record a series of conversations about the Church, the “ecclesia,” asking “who is she?” entitled The Church In-Between Times.
David’s love for the Church and his insight into the blessings and challenges faced historically and today are evident.David has continued these conversations with pastors, theologians, and other people interested in the Christian Church.
He recently invited Todd to speak about the Church with him and we are pleased to bring this conversation to Rector’s Cupboard.

COP 28 and Stories of Doom and Hope with Deb Walker

We speak with United Church Minister Deb Walker about her attendance at the COP 28 Climate Conference in Dubai. 85,0000 people attended the event, which was held in a country often referred to as a Petrol State.
Deb’s attendance was officially as a Faith Observer as a part of the Christian Climate Observers Program. Deb is informed on the issues around climate change and outlines the hope she felt at the conference in the midst of some of the most important challenges of our time.
Deb mentions many organizations and programs related to ecology, environmentalism, and activism during our conversation.
If you’re interested in looking into some of these yourself, here are the resources Deb spoke to us about:
The Mother TreeFaith Pavilion YouTube ChannelClimate IntercessorsSierra Club BCA Rocha Canada
 
New York Times article referenced in this episode:
Bravo! Hurray! Wahoo! (Meh.) – New York Times, April 11, 2024 

The Art of Spiritual Memoir with Richard Lischer

Do you have a testimony?If you are familiar with the culture of evangelical church, you will know what is being asked. Maybe you heard someone give their testimony at church, or at camp.
In this context, testimony meant a personal account of your life or background with an emphasis on your conversion to evangelical faith. It was communicated, largely, with the intent and hope that those listening, who had not experienced such a conversion, may, themselves, make a declaration of faith.
Spiritual memoir is different than testimony.
Richard Lischer’s book, Our Hearts are Restless, introduces us to the spiritual memoir of some interesting people. In describing spiritual memoir, Lischer says, “some lives are construed as if lived in the presence of God.”
We found the book wonderful and thoughtful. Lischer skillfully and compassionately (for subject and reader) opens the accounts of the people to whom he introduces us in a way that helps to ask meaningful questions about life and faith.
Enjoy the episode and if you are so inclined, read the book – it really is good.

Historical Theology with Dr. J. Warren Smith

Dr. J. Warren Smith is Professor of Historical Theology at Duke Divinity School. Professor Smith is a great guide in helping us to see hope for the future in listening to voices of hope from the past.
We talk with him about how some sayings, perspectives, and experiences of those who lived many centuries ago can be resonant in the midst of the challenges of our time.
Besides being compelling and interesting, and at times upsetting, encountering theology in history can be a lot of fun.
Enjoy.

A Visit with David Goa

At least once a season, we speak with David Goa, a spiritual friend and mentor.David is a writer, professor, and theologian and has been a great help to us as we hope to articulate a hopeful vision of faith and theology.
When we speak with David, we tend to ask about life and faith in relation to the current cultural and religious landscape.Given what is happening in the world right now, in this episode David talks about the ongoing crisis in Israel/Gaza and about the nature of righteousness, rightness, and evil.
David’s words to us are insightful, considerate of the challenges of our time, and even consoling.
Blessings as you listen.

Vocation, Spirituality and Design with J Alkana

We are pleased to speak with J Alkana about his work in architecture and design. J thoughtfully asks questions of meaning, humanity and faith in relation to the work that he does.
What is vocation? What gives your work meaning?
Various understandings of work in relation to faith historically have often divided work into realms of the sacred and the secular. J speaks with us about inspiration and spiritual hope around his work and offers insight into what can compel and positively motivate us to make a difference in the world.
Our hope for this episode is that you will feel inspired in whatever you do for work and vocation.Perhaps you are drawn by questions of how your faith animates your work. For some, work and faith come together in even more direct ways. Wherever you are at, we hope that you feel inspired by hearing J.
References in this episode:
The Many Lives of Martha Stewart – CNN, 2024
Don’t Feel Bad About Your Laundry Chair – The Washington Post, January 29, 2024 
Growing Up Evangelical: Moms and Daughters – Rector’s Cupboard Season 1, April 25, 2020 

Church is Different Now with Elle Pyke

The image of a new leaf implies new season, new hope. Elle Pyke, Director of Programs and Innovation at New Leaf Network, helps to navigate people and organizations through some of the significant changes in what it means to be a church with a particular Canadian focus.
You may feel a sense of longing for a time of apparent certainty in what church looked like. Conversely, you may be glad that things as they were have come apart.
Rector’s Cupboard host, Allison Williams and guest Elle Pyke speak about reasons for hope in a time of change.
For more information about New Leaf, the work they do and upcoming events, check out their website. 
 
Books referenced:
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Leaving Christianity: Changing Allegiances in Canada by Brian Clarke and Stuart Macdonald

Christmas Special 2023

There are some truly terrifying Christmas/winter characters out there. Many may have heard of Krampus, a German partner of St. Nick who punishes poorly behaved children, but what about Peruchty, a winter witch who likes to disembowel naughty children?
Santa, also, may fall into these terrifying categories, although in less severe ways. Lumps of coal in stocking, running naughty and nice list, even Jolly St. Nick has taken on the role of scaring children into behaving well with threats.
This year, we gathered to talk about some of these characters and the way in which they have been shaped by and, in turn shape, imaginations in Christian understanding.
It’s not all scary, though, we also talk about a Christmas tradition from Catalonia where a log poops out Christmas treats, so there’s something for everyone!
We had a special guest for this recording, Amanda’s puppy, Luna, who greatly enjoyed chewing on our chairs throughout the episode, providing much joy and additional noise while we chatted.
We hope you enjoy this conversation and that you have a blessed Christmastime.
Materials referenced:
Church Fights: King vs. Liquorish, Season 3"Shock of the Old" - The Guardian, December 5, 2023Tio de Nadal article Raising Children UnFundamentalistTis the Grinch Holiday Talk Show
Tasting Notes:
On this episode, we enjoyed blueberry tea, a lovely warm cocktail, prepared by Cupboard Master, Ken Bell. Here’s a recipe if you’d like to mix one for yourself. We used some local spirits in our version with Amaretto from Sons of Vancouver Distillery and Triple Sec from Copperpenny Distilling Co.
You can find pictures of the Bible inscription, fill-in afterlife destination card, and the scary Santa from Allison’s house on our website.