Regent College Podcast

What is the Masters of Arts in Leadership, Theology and Society (MALTS)? What might it involve, how does theology integrate with the workplace, and what’s it like to study while continuing to work in a leadership context? In this episode, we catch up with Dr. David Robinson and three MALTS students, Israel, Jonathan and Zelna, to hear more about the 2-year cohort-based program. David helpfully frames the vision and ideas behind MALTS and the students bring it to life, sharing examples from their experiences of the classroom, peer support, and mentorship. They also share about their integrative projects, applied to specific contexts in New Zealand, Singapore and Australia. Join us for our broadest ever range of accents, contexts and perspectives in one podcast episode – maybe it will tempt you to be in the next cohort!Faculty and Student BiosDr. David RobinsonDr. David Robinson is the R. Paul Stevens Assistant Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership here at Regent College. He directs the Master of Art

What was it like to be a Christian in the earliest centuries after the resurrection of Christ? How did theological thinking and the understandings of authority develop? Dr. George Kalantzis helps us consider the layers of complexity that early Christians wrestled with as the church was established. George points out the important place of canon, creeds, apostolicity and ethics, underpinned by submission to the Holy Spirit. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, George brings a unique perspective to the study of the patristic period, so bring your questions into the classroom for “The First Christian Centuries” (July 28–Aug 1). You can also catch his Evening Public Lecture on July 28 at 7:30 pm: Migration and Refugees (and the Re-humanizing Role of the Church).Note: At 49:50, Dr. Kalantzis references Project 1611, but he intended to say Project 1619 and the 1776 Commission when reflecting on competing historical narratives in the United States.George's BioDr. George Kalantzis is Professor of Theology and Dire

How do we thoughtfully engage with the political realms in which we find ourselves, and what might we learn from our forebears in how they tackled the division of church and state? In this conversation, we learn from Dr. John M. Owen IV about the Catholic, Lutheran, Anabaptist and Reformed traditions and their approaches to political engagement. After tracing through points in history, we return to the present day, considering what it means to engage politically when global democracy appears to be stalling. John thoughtfully reflects on the causes of authoritarianism and rising nationalism and shares his perspective on the future of democracy. If this conversation piques your interest, join us for “Christianity and Politics” from July 21-25. You can also catch John’s recent Evening Public Lecture “What’s Wrong with Democracy?” on our Youtube channel. (Note: This podcast conversation was recorded on Friday, June 13, 2025)BioDr. John M. Owen IV is the Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor Professor of P

Today Claire and Rachel have a wonderfully rich conversation with Dr. Susan Currie, a Spiritual Director and Minister of Spiritual Formation at Leadership Transformations, Inc. Susan brings her experience of theological education, spiritual direction and training spiritual directors to her understanding of a Rule of Life. She shares about her own journey to becoming a spiritual director, the history of a Rule of Life, individual and communal rules, Jesus’ rhythms, and the underpinning goal of growing in company with Jesus. We consider the importance of seasons and discernment in crafting a rule of life, then conclude the episode with a guided examen, where Susan graciously invites us to notice God’s presence in our daily lives. Prepare to enter a spacious place, and consider joining us next week for “A Rule of Life for a Way of Life.”Susan's BioDr. Susan Porterfield Currie is a distinguished spiritual director and educator specializing in spiritual formation. She holds a Master of Arts from Bryn Mawr Col

Claire and Rachel take some time with outgoing Regent President and resident penguin fanatic, Dr. Jeff Greenman to look back on his tenure since 2015. They hear about Jeff’s student experience at Regent, the joys and challenges of leadership, why he loves Regent students, the projects that he has spearheaded and seen to fruition – from student housing  projects to the Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology and Society, and some of his quirkier traits and trademarks! It is a deeply hopeful conversation, which emphasises the importance of theological education and humble leadership in our contemporary moment.Jeff's BioDr. Jeffrey P. Greenman is a distinguished theologian and educator, currently serving as the President and Professor of Theology and Ethics at Regent College. He is the first alumnus to hold this position, having earned his Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Regent College in 1988. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Arts from Albion College, a Master of Arts from the University of O

What does climate have to do with theology and where does storytelling come in? Today, we sat down with Dr. Everett Hamner to talk about his interdisciplinary journey at Regent, and how it has shaped his interests in ecotheology, climate literature, and responding to the very real crisis we are facing globally as a result of our consumption. By delving into stories that create and envision alternative futures, such as Playground by Richard Powers, Everett weaves together science, faith and art to engage us with realistic and truthful approaches to these big issues. If you’re interested in learning more, join us from July 7-11 for “Climate Theology and Storytelling.”Everett's BioDr. Everett Hamner is a Professor of English at Western Illinois University (WIU), where he has been a faculty member since 2008. He holds a Master of Christian Studies from Regent College and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa, completed in 2008. Dr. Hamner's interdisciplinary academic background encompasses lite

Claire and Rachel caught up with Regent alums Andrés Pérez Gonzálz , Corey Janz, and Jonathan Lipps, also known as the Anachronists, to talk about their beautiful new indie-folk EP Confessions, based on Augustine’s famous work of the same name. In this special podcast episode, we hear excerpts from the songs,  their process of writing and reflecting on the Confessions over Zoom during COVID, and we get the chance to hear the world premier of “All of Our Decayed Parts.” They also reflect on the importance of artistic reflection in our interpretation of, and engagement with, theology. It’s a beautiful, Regent-y conversation. Enjoy!(Post-production for this episode by Jonathan Lipps)BiographyThe Anachronists are Andrés Pérez Gonzálz , Corey Janz, and Jonathan Lipps, all accomplished musicians and songwriters in their own right. Hailing from three different countries (Mexico, Canada, and the US, respectively), they met as theology students here at Regent College. Having already collaborated for some time on music

Have you ever felt intimidated by theological conversations? Today, we talked to Dr. Amy Brown Hughes about the role of dialogue in generating theology in the early church. Famous theologians like Methodius, Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine published conversations with others, including prominent women in their lives, such as Thecla, Macrina and Monica. Amy argues that theology was not an elite genre or closed discussion then – nor should it be so today! She thoughtfully engages with many issues surrounding our engagement with God and invites us to enter into theology as a hospitable conversation. We’d encourage you to listen and discover aspects of the patristic period that may surprise and challenge your preconceptions – and then come join the dialogue in the classroom from July 14-18 at Regent.BioDr. Amy Brown Hughes is an Associate Professor of Theology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. She earned her Ph.D. in historical theology with an emphasis in early Christianity from Wheaton College in 2013.

Claire and Rachel are joined by Dr. Sarah C. Williams for an engaging conversation about marriage, sex and gender throughout Christian history. Beginning with reflection on the 1960s to today, Sarah shares some insights from her upcoming summer class on the relationship between Christianity and the ever-shifting cultural matrix of political, societal and phenomenological values that shape our understanding of marriage, celibacy, sex and gender identity. In particular, Sarah reflects on the commodification of sex and the pornography industry from systemic perspectives that move beyond pastoral conversations around personal addiction. She also shares a little about her recent work on Josephine Butler, When Courage Calls, which she will launch with us on July 2.Sarah's BioDr. Sarah C. Williams is a historian, writer, and storyteller, specializing in 19th- and 20th-century cultural and religious history. Sarah trained as a historian at the University of Oxford, where she subsequently taught for seven years.

This week, Dr. Brad East joins us for a deep dive into the Doctrine of Scripture and its implications for how we read and interpret the Bible, engage with church tradition and confess weekly that “This is the Word of the Lord.” How did we get there? Brad talks about inspiration, canonisation, and the Scriptures in the life of the church. He also delves into different denominational approaches to Scripture, touching on infallibility, perspicuity and sufficiency, amongst other topics. Finally, Brad offers encouragement to those who seek to foster thoughtful reading practices in a post-literate generation. He’ll be joining us from Jun 9-12 to teach “The Doctrine of Scripture.” We’d love for you to join us!Brad's BioDr. Brad East is an associate professor of theology at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University in 2017. Brad’s scholarly work focuses on theology and ecclesiology. He is the editor of The Triune Story: Collected Essays on

Dr. Amy Peeler joined us to share about her upcoming class, "Gender and the New Testament" (June 30-July 4). Dr. Peeler is a New Testament scholar who brings years of thoughtful study and personal questions to the conversation around the value of femaleness in Scripture and theology. Starting with an exploration of the role of Mary in Christianity, Amy provides an insightful perspective on God’s inclusion of women, an aspect of our faith often forgotten or diminished in Protestant Christianity. We also discussed the maleness of Jesus and the Fatherhood of God and Paul’s perspective on women in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11. Amy’s winsome approach to these divisive and charged issues was truly encouraging and inspiring.BioDr. Amy L. Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois. She earned her MDiv and PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Peeler serves as an Associate Priest at St. Mark'

Claire and Rachel are joined by Dr. Madison N. Pierce, who shares her love of the book of Hebrews and reflects on Scripture’s use of Scripture. The conversation covers the wide-ranging presence of the Old Testament in the New, and the reasons for that, as well as exegetical and hermeneutical methods and the Hebrew and Greek contexts in which the Scriptures were written. If this conversation piques your interests and you want to delve deeper into scriptural allusions and quotations, Madison will be teaching “Scripture’s Use of Scripture” from June 2-6. BioDr. Madison N. Pierce is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. She earned her Ph.D. from Durham University, where she focused on the Book of Hebrews, the use of Scripture within Scripture, and the Catholic Epistles. Dr. Pierce's notable publications include her monograph, Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which explores the recontextualization of spoken quotations of Scripture in Hebre

In today’s podcast, Claire and Rachel chat with Dr. Quentin Genuis, an Emergency Physician at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Quentin weaves together his experience in the emergency room with theological reflection, responding to tough and tender issues that face all of us, whether we like to admit it or not: human dignity, death and dying, and addiction. Quentin repeatedly invites us into the place of compassion, or co-suffering, with human persons. He will teach Healthcare and the Christian Life (June 9-13) in just a few weeks. There’s still time to join us!BioDr. Quentin Genuis is an Emergency Physician at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver and serves as the Physician Ethicist for Providence Health Care. He holds a Master of Letters in Theology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, focusing his research on bioethics. His academic interests include palliative care, end-of-life care, biomedical ethics, personal autonomy, addiction, and theology. Dr. Genuis has contributed to scholarly discussi

Today, we caught up with Dr. W. Ross Hastings, Professor of Theology at Regent. Ross tells us about his book on the Ascension (to be released in November 2025), which forms the basis of his forthcoming summer class, “The Ascension and the High Priesthood of Christ” (May 26-30). In this conversation, he reflects on the christological, ecclesiological, pneumatological and eschatological significance of the Ascension and the pastoral implications of the reality that we have a High Priest who intercedes for us, and leads us in worship. As Ross says, we hope listening to and reflecting on this episode and its implications for your life will add a spring to your step today.BioDr. W. Ross Hastings is the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology at Regent College. Born to Scottish missionary parents, he spent his early years in Scotland and Zimbabwe. He holds two PhDs: one in chemistry and another in theology. He also pastored churches in BC and Quebec before joining the Regent faculty in 2006. His research interes

Today we are joined by Dr. Denis Alexander, who will soon teach a class on Current Issues in Science and Theology (May 26-30). Denis is known for his research as a molecular biologist, so we start this conversation by discussing theistic evolution, genetics, DNA, and the difference between mind and brain. He also probes the implications of emerging issues and fields such as neuroscience, transhumanism, and AI. We are grateful to engage with someone who thoughtfully and insightfully participates in the scientific world, bringing Christian faith and reflection to bear on emerging knowledge and realities. If you are unsure whether his class is for you, Dr. Alexander assures us that this course suits those with no science background! BioDr. Denis Alexander is a prominent molecular biologist and Christian thinker known for his extensive work in the dialogue between science and religion. In 2006, Dr. Alexander co-founded The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion with Professor Bob White to conduct research and

We are joined again by Professor John Swinton, ahead of his summer class “Theology, Mental Health and the Problem of Suffering” (May 12-16). We discuss his recent research on systemic factors that contribute to mental health challenges, methods in practical theology and the issue of casual theodicy in Christian communities. We discuss the mystery of God’s hiddenness, sitting with the unresolved in church communities, and the importance of boundaries in friendship and caring for people with mental health challenges and disabilities. John also briefly mentions his album Beautiful Songs About Difficult Things, where he integrates his many years of theological reflection into artistic meditations for the church. We're hoping he'll sing a few songs for us in May!Bio Professor John Swinton is a Scottish theologian, ordained minister in the Church of Scotland, and a former mental health nurse. He holds the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, where he specializes in practi

Bruce and Carolyn join Claire and Rachel to share about their new book At the Feet of Jesus: Encountering Christ in the Gospels, which will be released by IVP on April 25. They share about writing the book through many years of leading prayer retreats with students and church groups, the practice of Ignatian meditation and the joy of keeping our eyes on Jesus, as we follow the example of Mary of Bethany. Towards the end of the conversation, they also tell us about their upcoming En Route summer course in Italy, Martyrs, Monks and Mystics (May 18-31). BiosDr. D. Bruce Hindmarsh is the James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology and Professor of the History of Christianity here at Regent. He earned his PhD in theology from Oxford University. His scholarly work focuses on the history of early British evangelicalism. Bruce is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a past president of the American Society of Church History. He is also an active lay member of an Anglican Church in Vancouver. Carolyn Hind

This week, we welcomed Dr Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn back to the podcast to share about her forthcoming book Reading the New Testament Around the World. Mariam is a beloved New Testament professor at Regent and in this conversation, she shares her enthusiasm for the New Testament, as well as the inspiration and process behind collaborating with global scholars to conduct situated exegesis. We talk about fresh insights from Scripture and student responses to advanced copies of the book. The volume incorporates essays on each book of the New Testament, with writers from across the world engaging with theological, social and political issues pertinent to their contexts. The book will be released on April 29, 2025 from Baker Academic. She will be teaching New Testament Foundations this summer (May 26–June 6) and launching her book at Regent on May 28.BioDr. Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Regent College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College, a Master of Arts i

The Regent College Podcast top faculty fan Dr. Prabo Mihindukulasuriya joined Claire and Rachel to talk about his upcoming summer class, “Ten Classics from Pre-Modern African and Asian Christianity” (June 30 - July 4). In the conversation, he discusses Syriac Christianity and its long and rich history in the East before the arrival of Western missionaries and the beginnings of the colonial period. He mentions some of his favourite texts from the Syriac tradition, different mediums for communicating theology (such as poetry), the challenges and opportunities of contextualization and the coexistence of Christianity with Islam and Buddhism in the region. Prabo’s infectious excitement is evident, and we hope it encourages you to join us this summer! BioDr. Prabo Mihindukulasuriya is Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity here at Regent College. He joined the faculty in 2022 after two decades of service at Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS) in Sri Lanka. He earned his Master of Christian Studies (MCS)

We sat down with Dr. Gordon T. Smith to talk about his upcoming summer class, Vocation, Work and Career (May 12-16). Gordon is no stranger to Regent and has been writing on the topic of vocation for many years. In this conversation, he shares about the importance of human agency in vocation, navigating vocational disappointment, working within institutions, holding multiple vocations, mid-career transitions, and balancing working with our heads and hands. Gordon repeatedly stresses the need for companions on the journey as we discern, and encourages us to adopt a posture of hope and resilience in the face of despair.BioGordon Smith is a Canadian theologian, author, and educator, currently serving as the Executive Director of Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC), an association of 34 Canadian Christian post-secondary institutions. Gordon was previously President and Professor of Systematic and Spiritual Theology at Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta. He has also teaches here at Regent and