Critical and Creedal: Podcast Details and the Learning Curve

Well, I have the intro music from Glenn, and have recorded enough material for the first episode. I want to thank the seven of you who expressed interest in listening to the podcast so I want to offer some insider details about how this podcast will go. Insofar as one can know how it will go. I'm pretty new to this whole podcasting thing so any ideas will be welcome.

First, it looks like the episodes will be around 20-25 minutes. If there are any guests, it may go longer and would thus be split into at least two episodes. I love some 3 hour long podcasts but it can get pretty pretty pretty repetitive.

Second, you will not agree with everything I say. And that's fine. I do not expect every one to agree with me. Just be cool about it. Hit me up on twitter if you have grievances or condolences or bemused admiration.

Third, the podcast structure will be a bit more scattered because I tend to like a lot of things. For instance, having my sister on to talk about the new Hobbit movie could take up an entire episode. Then the next episode could cover some text critical issues. Then the next episode could be all about hip-hop with James. So expect the unexpected, I guess.

Fourth, thanks in advance for listening. My goal is to put up at least 2-3 episodes a month. I'd LOVE to do an episode every week but I doubt that is doable when working full-time and being in seminary part-time and being married full-full-time. So I think 2-3 episodes a month may work. I could also maybe do some shorter episodes (5-10 min) about some various topics but that's a whole other ballgame. I'm thinking I may release the episodes on Sunday so people have something to listen to on Monday morning. If they will listen anyway.

Fifth, thanks again. I'll likely be more involved in twitter about the podcast, as facebook is a bit of a pain to navigate sometimes. Plus, limiting everything to 140 characters means one is at least in principle less likely to email a term paper to me about how terrible or destructive I am.

Sixth, leaving now. Bye bye.

NQ

My Top 5 iTunesU Theology Podcast/Courses

Someone asked me, "what are you listening to these days?" While waiting for the new Eminem album, I've been mostly concentrating on various theology iTunesU courses and podcasts. These are the several that I've been enjoying, and of course it goes without saying that I don't agree with everything espoused. If I did, I'd be better off doing my own podcast.

NT Pod. 

Mark Goodacre is Associate Professor of New Testament at Duke University. Each podcast is roughly 12 minutes, and he covers a multitude of topics. Ample attention is paid to Paul's epistles and the Gospels. Dr. Goodacre's appeal (despite being affable and boasting a killer accent) is generally moderate and open in terms of scholarship. For example, he denies the existence of Q: something I find compelling. Well worth your time.

Renovatus.

Pastor Jonathan Martin is a pastor in Charlotte, NC. He's given me reason to hop up and down whenever he cracks wise about pastors and that one time he went to a basketball game. The dude is a marvelous storyteller and a sane voice in the midst of a polarized church.

Yale Open Courses -- Introduction to the NT.

Dr. Dale Martin (Yale University) gives me a lot to chew on. Coming from a more liberal side of the Christian spectrum, he takes a more critical view of the New Testament and Christian origins. Like Bart Ehrman, he emphasizes a fairly skeptical view of the NT. For example, he maintains a standard view that Paul didn't write the disputed seven epistles (2 Thess, Col, Eph, 1-2 Tim, Titus). But his viewpoint is extraordinarily valuable in challenging my presuppositions about the first two hundred years of the church.

Rethinking Hell.

(Mostly) hosted by my friend Chris Date, Rethinking Hell has interviewed such diverse guests as Douglas Wilson, Preston Sprinkle, Steve Gregg, Edward Fudge and Craig Blomberg. They have also posted a debate, as well as responses to many traditionalist arguments. Irenic and hard-hitting, pleasant and guided by Scripture.

Woodland Hills.

I've been listening to Greg Boyd ever since I came across his book "Letters From a Skeptic." I believe it was while I was at Biola. Maybe my senior year. Anyway, Greg is a centrist evangelical, critical of both fringes. He has a unique ability to delve into the text and illuminate details that are often missed. He is also compelling because of his passion and how his personality shines through his theology. The same applies to Jonathan Martin.

What are your favorite podcasts?

--Nick

TCM, "Heresy Hunting"

I had the pleasure of being involved in a podcast on heresy hunting. Ya'll should listen and give me some thoughts. We go from orthodoxy to gospel to heresy back to orthodoxy. Its long but worth it, I think.

The Christian Manifesto/Heresy

--Nick